Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium 2021/22 this Wednesday

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya plans to have ‘The faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium 2021/22’ on December 28 (Wednesday) at the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricul

“Sri Lanka’s economic recovery challenging and the Netherlands is ready to help’’ - Ambassador

The Ambassador of the Netherlands Bonnie Horbach responding to questions posed by the Daily Mirror and shared her views on bilateral relations covering areas such as the island’s economic crisis, women rights....

The troubled year of 2022 - EDITORIAL

When 2022 dawned, no one would have imagined ‘we the people’ were about to begin a year of what could be described as one of an unimaginable and unmitigated disaster. Despite rising.....

Implement critical ‘system changes’ to bring economic stability

The writer has read several well written articles in the press chronologically narrating and analysing the history of our current predicament. Now that the symptoms and diagnosis phases over the last 74 years....

During the Portuguese Era: Conversions to Christianity of Sinhala Monarchs

At least four Sinhala Kings were converted to Christianity with the advent of the Portuguese whereas there was none converted during the Dutch era. According to historians...

President Ranil’s initiative to resolve Tamil national question

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader and Colombo District MP, Mano Ganesan received a telephone call from Ranil Wickremesinghe on 19 July 2022

Christmas…… Joy to the World and Peace on Earth

The classic festival of joy and peace has dawned again. With the fall of snow hovering over the northern hemisphere in the heart of the winter season and by contrast,

A cosmic look at Christmas

Christmas is the grand feast of the wretched and marginalised of the Earth. Of course, the rich can also celebrate it but only in solidarity with the poor.

Lawmakers and the art of hanging on - EDITORIAL

It has been a hectic year for all of us; especially for the lawmakers who have had to continue their ‘act’ in trying to prove to the people that they are worth the salaries paid to them. What’s alarming....

China edges out the US in battle to control Middle East

It is said that when the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold. This used to be the case. Today it is China that is shaking the world with every move it takes. Early this month, China’s all-powerful....

Solving a problem of over 50 years in 50 days

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed to all political parties in Parliament to get together to find a solution to the decades-old ethnic problem before Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day....

North-South towns: Tightening the bonds

Since Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in 2009, successive governments have attempted a range of steps to enhance the reconciliation process. In 2011, the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission....

Sari and the Hijab: Two faces of the same sorry coin

All the fuss over that Govt directive ordering women school teachers to wear saris to school reminds me of the time when Mahinda Rajapaksa was President,

Deforestation: Pretty lies versus the ugly truth 

Seventeen per cent. That is the extent of Sri Lanka’s forest cover as of 2021. Even though Sri Lanka is promoted as a biodiversity hotspot, mainly to attract nature lovers from across the globe, the extent of deforestation is worrisome. Haphazard deforestation to clear prime locations for mega projects has left many environmentally sensitive areas in dire straits.

Hunger stalking the land and LG polls - EDITORIAL

Over the past weeks, nay month or so, we and our fellow countrymen and women have been held in thrall by the demand by opposition parties in parliament for the holding of local government....

What is the alternative for birdsite?

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, there has been so much attention on the microblogging platform. At least twice in the last two months, I have received official communications hinting....

Mining Licence Scam Exposed at GSMB!

Employees of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau have urged the Ministry of Environment to hold an impartial inquiry to probe the frauds committed by its former acting Director General and recover....

Hypocrisy in the student movement

Why are there no incidents of ragging being reported from the private universities in Sri Lanka while brutal and barbaric criminal activities committed in the guise of ragging in state universities have made the entire so-called students movement a mockery? Here lie both the reason and the remedy for the inhuman ragging in state universities.

‘Antharaya’ and intolerance Local universities are prisoners of a totalitarian subculture

Last week, a student mob at Peradeniya University stormed the residence of the former vice-chancellor, attacking the residents and ransacking the place. The attack followed a traffic accident involving the son of the vice-chancellor, whose vehicle had hit a student motorcyclist.

Spirit of Christmas and realities of 2022 - EDITORIAL

In six days, we will be celebrating Christmas - the birth of the Christ-child in a stable at Bethlehem in Palestine. Sadly today, Palestine.....

Reconciliation Process with NO Trippers?

“You are a PARANGI ‘- Christian PERERA’, a descendant of the 16th century imperialists who invaded independent nations with.....

“I think that Sri Lanka is far enough out of the economic crisis” - Jennifer Jones Rotary International President

“Imagine a world that deserves our best where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference,” says the first female.....

Arbitration is a financial imperative for Sri Lankan companies engaged in cross-border trade

As Sri Lanka seeks to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) amidst its economic crisis and places a greater emphasis on exports to boost its reserves,

Will the new ‘Cold War’ herald a New World Order

Today, the world is facing a new ‘Cold War’. The original cold war from 1945 to 1990s between both the United States (plus its allies in the NATO bloc) and the Soviet Union was an ideological conflict -the fear of communism in the United States (US)- as well as the emergence of nuclear weapons which led to the arms race.

Can the Opposition find principled candidates?

Despite the chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Nimal Punchihewa having announced that he would call nominations for the local government elections during the end of this month (December),

Lanka needs a proactive national economic intelligence unit

According to both the Bible and the Quran, Jacob’s son Joseph — Yousuf for Muslims — while he was languishing in prison for an offence he did not commit, was brought before the Egyptian king who....

University violence; who is to blame? - EDITORIAL

An assault incident involving the former Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University Prof. Athula Senaratne and his son made us stop and ponder how intelligent students perusing a higher education....

Truth in 2031, reconciliation when and how?

The early versions of Udayasiri Wickramaratne’s celebrated theatrical piece ‘Suddek Oba Amathai (A white man addresses you) contained a short soliloquy,

Disabled people: An investment in a common future

Most of us, most of the time tend to have a negative picture of disabled people. This is not correct but it is common tendency.

Transboundary winds are not the only air polluters in Sri Lanka

Air pollution is a major cause of death and disease. Globally, about 4.2 million premature deaths are caused by ambient air pollution.