New strategies needed to stamp out gun violence

All Opposition Parties are not in agreement on the no-confidence motion handed over to Speaker Jagath Wikramarathna by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya against the Deputy Defence Minister, retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, on the grounds that conflict of interest is involved in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, as he was the commanding officer in the Eastern Province at the time of those terrorist attacks.

Managing The Stray Dogs issue

As we look towards finding solutions for managing the stray dog population in Sri Lanka, it’s essential to draw inspiration from our neighbouring country, India, where the Supreme Court has consistently upheld humane treatment of stray dogs. The Indian experience offers valuable insights into effective and compassionate management strategies.

Politics, Police Chiefs, Controversies and the new IGP

He joined the police force as a constable. While serving, he sat for his Advanced Level examination and earned promotion to Sub Inspector grade, subsequently gaining selection to the Law Faculty at university, and obtained his LL.B. degree. Promoted to ASP rank, he continued pursuing higher post graduate education, developing into a disciplined and exemplary police officer.

Clarification on the Sahasdhanavi Power Plant Levelized Tariff

As a response to the recent public discussions and media reports concerning the levelized tariff of the Sahasdhanavi Power Plant, Sahasdhanavi Ltd takes this opportunity to clarify several critical facts that might have been miscommunicated. Following is a release sent by Sahasdhanavi Limited.

The youth employment challenge in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s youth unemployment rate has consistently been higher than the national average. In 2022, for instance, the unemployment rate for those aged 20-29 was 16.2%, significantly above the national rate of 4.7%.

Not Too Late for a Winning Bet:The Need to Redraft the Gambling Bill

After weeks of discussion, the Committee on Public Finance approved the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) Bill last Wednesday. While the Bill faces its second reading in Parliament this Tuesday, its many deficiencies remain—helping create a regulator not worth its salt.

Politico-criminal nexus and the growth of lawlessness

In the period prior to the last presidential and general elections, lawlessness in the country had de-escalated from the point at its zenith during the regimes of presidents J.R. Jayawardene and Mahinda Rajapaksa..

Cannabis for Export: A Question of Morality, Practicality, and Policy

The government’s recent move to consider cannabis cultivation for export has sparked a heated debate across Sri Lanka. For over a century, the use and cultivation of cannabis have been prohibited here, and yet— much like illicit liquor or kasippu—the drug has remained freely available on street corners. Supply has never failed to meet demand, despite the ban.

What We Hear from Chemmani A Day of Grief, Evidence, Unanswered Questions, and the Living Proof That Remains

August 5, 2025, was not just another date in Sri Lanka’s calendar. It was a moment when the nation was forced, however reluctantly, to look again at one of its darkest, most unhealed wounds.

Addressing Future Demographic Challenges:Modern Skills of the Youth and Wisdom of the Elderly Must Meet

The countries of South Asia, with the demographic dividend of the highest proportion of youth in the region, is also experiencing a significant increase in their elderly population. What is more worrisome is that this trend is happening at a relatively earlier stage of economic development compared to Western countries.

SupremeSAT: Is it a Sri Lankan satellite?

The statement made by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on the controversial SupemeSAT satellite popularly known as “Chichi’s Rocket” has put the leaders of and the supporters of the National People’s Power (NPP) in a tight spot.

The Government, Opposition and dreams of Abou Ben Adhem

At the November 2024 elections, the NPP won a supermajority. The party secured 159 seats in the 225-member Parliament.

Postal delivery – at snail’s pace?

My grandson Hazim Shiraz, a Grade 3 student at Asoka College, Colombo 10 was eager to experience firsthand how traditional postal delivery works.

The Ceylon Journal III: A Review

The third installation of the bi-annual periodical The Ceylon Journal certainly continues the success of the two previous issues. Edited by Avishka Mario Senewiratne, The Ceylon Journal was first launched in July 2024. This unique journal, which in turn draws inspiration from Young Ceylon, a 19th-century Sri Lankan journal published by Charles Lorenz Ambrose and his friends, continues to publish immensely readable, yet well-researched and inform

India;s Maritime vision from sagr to indo pacific to mahasagar

A decade ago, on March 12, 2015, while commissioning in Mauritius the gleaming Offshore Patrol Vessel Barracuda, built in Garden Reach, Kolkata, to Mauritian specifications, Prime Minister Modi outlined India’s policy towards the Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The Indian Ocean, he pointed out, was critical to the future of the world, bearing two-thirds of the world’s oil shipments, one-third of its

Focus on Arugambay : Locals alert authorities to protect Sri Lanka’s sole surfers’ paradise

Sri Lanka’s surfing paradise, Arugambay attracts many local and foreign visitors during its peak season from July to October. Over the recent few years, this stretch of land has gained much attention, mainly due to the presence of Israeli tourists as claimed in media reports. A popular Australian DJ, who recently visited Arugambay, published a video claiming whether Arugambay is becoming Sri Lanka’s Tel Aviv. For passive onlookers, this may be a

Are we doing enough to produce skilled youth?

Youth are one of our major assets. This is why our hearts melt when we see unemployed youth playing cricket during daytime when elsewhere youth in large numbers are either at university or serving institutions as employees. Any government must have a plan for unemployed youth. They must be given opportunities to hone their skills. Generally, youth are mostly spoken about and used during election campaigns. Leave the elections aside, we have a da

Gaza: A thousand journalists may fall, but truth must not

Journalists are a species designed to transform themselves into a medium that conveys to news-starved people what they see, hear, smell, taste, feel, and understand—enabling those who consume their news to make informed decisions and sound judgements on issues that are controversial, explosive, or even insipid.

Changing Public Perception – Protecting Sri Lanka’s Leopards

A few articles have appeared in your newspaper regarding protecting Sri Lanka’s Leopards. I fully agree that the Sri Lanka’s Leopards must be protected. Unfortunately, leopards go into human habitations in search of food, their favourites being dogs and cattle.

A welcome move by the President!

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ordered the temporary suspension of two proposed wind power plants in the Mannar area, a 20 MW facility and a 50 MW project despite tenders being called and contracts already awarded. Mannar has become vulnerable to various development projects over the past few years,

The banning and legalisation of cannabis cultivation in Lanka

In 1935 under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the cultivation and use of cannabis was criminalised by the British, the colonial rulers of our country. However, cannabis has been used in Sri Lanka for traditional medicine and culinary purposes long before the British invaders entered our shores. There are no known specific or documented historical records of widespread cannabis addiction in ancient Sri Lanka.

Elephant killings spiral as Sri Lanka battles poaching threat

Elephant deaths, a topic frequently discussed these days, have drawn widespread attention. It appears that elephants are being killed with the intention of removing their tusks. Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has confirmed that elephants are being killed using Hakka Patas (jaw-breaker bombs), Badina Thuwakku weapons and poisoning.As of mid-July this year, 219 elephant deaths have been recorded; 37 of them dying through shootings. In 20

Harsha de Silva’s Twitter Storm ‘A master class of cheap politics’

Parliamentarian Harsha de Silva, SJB’s economic czar, has gone viral on X, formerly Twitter. In a post with nearly 485,000 views as of yesterday, he says: “called out the Govt in @ParliamentLK for mocking India’s bold stand against Trump’s trade tariff. #India, our true ally, stood by us in our toughest times. We should honour their fight, not laugh. India’s courage inspires Asia!”

Free Notice Board in Supermarkets for Customers

During my visit to the United Kingdom, I came across a customer care initiative in UK supermarkets where they provided a free notice board for customers to place adverts .....buy, sell, or give away items or wanted items. This not only helped customers declutter their homes but also fostered a sense of community. I used this service to buy a nearly new laptop during my visit – it’s working perfectly.

Keeping Kadirgamar’s Legacy Alive

This year is a particularly melancholy one as it marks the twentieth death anniversary of my father, Lakshman Kadirgamar and the first death anniversary of my mother, Angela.

A Sri Lankan Sanctuary Faces the Perils of Misguided Renewable Expansion

As the world races to decarbonise its energy systems, renewable energy projects have emerged as both a solution to climate change and a source of new environmental controversy.

Has the rice crisis been resolved?

The first thorny issue that the National People’s Power (NPP) government encountered was a shortage and price hike of rice. The first news item on the matter was carried in the Daily Mirror barely a week after NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office as the President on September 22 last year.

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) Mannar residents continue resisting ‘winds’ of change

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) is the title of the ongoing protest staged by residents of Mannar which commenced on August 3. The protest has been staged against illegal ilmenite mining, wind power farms and prawn farms which are destroying the natural balance on Mannar Island. Mannar is considered to be the largest island made of sand which is in close proximity to India. Due to shortsighted decisions made during previous regimes, people of Mannar ar

Over Tourism or Over Visitation?

In the wake of the post-pandemic tourism boom, there is also mounting backlash against an excess of tourism in many countries. When too many tourists flock to a destination, exceeding its ability to manage it sustainably, it leads to negative impacts such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, reduced quality of life for residents, and a diminished visitor experience.

Supreme Court Reaffirms Environmental Rule of Law in Iron Ore Mining Case

In a landmark judgment that underscores the primacy of environmental governance, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has overruled a 2011 decision by the Court of Appeal that mandated approval of a magnetite mining project by private partnership Uva Magnetite. The judgment highlights not just procedural deficiencies but the systemic necessity of upholding the rule of law in environmental decision-making.