Unsung Heroes of the World

The contemplated hero here is neither a decorated warlord nor a blustery shogun that challenges the world to a duel. He does not strut the arena with a mighty weapon in his hand. There is no trigger at his disposal that can obliterate the face of the earth in a whiff. He is not of pomp and pageantry and has won no Purple Hearts. Neither does he mount pulpits to broadcast his varied accomplishments. No hordes of cheering men follow his every step.

Cataract lenses free of charge for needy people

Thursday October 13 was World Sight Day. It is the fourth year of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s global action plan and the WHO affiliated International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) encourages its members and partners to continue with the rolling theme Universal Eye Health: A global action plan 2014 – 2019. This year, the ‘Call to Action’ for World Sight Day is Stronger Together.  

Buddha’s Dialogue on General Systems of Philosophical Opinion

The Buddhists identify the present period as the, “Gautama Samma Sambuddha, era. It is said that the appearance of a Buddha in this World is one of most extraordinary and unique events.The sublime chronicle ‘Anguttara Nikaya’, in one of its glorious phrases describe Tathagata Gautama; the fully Enlightened One, as, “A unique being, an Extraordinary Man arisen in this World for the benefit of many, for the happiness of the

A new road network has been suggested, but where to?

It was Indian Minister Nalin Gadkari who even went to Manila, to the ADB, to get them to fund the bridge from Danushkodi to Sri Lanka, or even a tunnel across the Palk Strait; the question then was why this man is so keen, keener than Jayalalitha or even Vaiko, to establish this physical connection? The man is now seeking to have India support the construction of a road network from the Northern Province to the Eastern Province (it was they who s

Bicentenary celebrations of advent of American Missionaries to SL

The two hundredth anniversary of the advent of the American Missionaries to Sri Lanka falls on October 16; they arrived in 1816. 

Syria: Politicisation of human misery

Politicisation of human rights or trying to gain political mileage from human misery is undoubtedly 

Where does TNA leadership stand on “Federalism and Merger” ?

The TNA leadership has every right to take a stand on any national issue. They also have a special 

MR’s hunt for minority support

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has embarked on a mission to win over the minority 

Standards build trust and bring acceptance

‘World Standards Day’ is celebrated internationally each year on October 14, since 1970.     

For the poor, justice must not seem to be an organised conspiracy

At a time when the independence of the judiciary is being restored with little or no political 

Selfie mania reveals a darker side of society

The newly emerged ‘selfie culture’ has created havoc and tragedy in the lives of many. A ‘Selfie’ 

The ‘National Question’ and the vague-speak of Tamil ‘moderates

There are some fundamental differenes between moderates and extremists that go beyond the obvious degree of flexibility. Extremists are upfront, moderates are cagey. Extremists may believe (even if they don’t say it) that the fact of extremism gives moderates maneuverability and therefore increases the chances for moderates to secure ground. Moderates tend to believe that the non-negotiability that is inherent to extremism hardens the other

Solution to the drought: Why not desalination plants like in the Gulf

Sri Lanka has been struggling for several decades to get rid of the problem of water shortage  during the drought in many provinces and we are still transporting water by bowsers to the areas where there is no water.  

A Greater opportunity exists in India for SL-Eran

Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise Development EranWickramaratne, in an interview with Dailymirror, says preferential market access to India is always important. He says the current Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India should be expanded from goods to services. He shared the following with us:- 

a camouflage Mickey Wickramasinghe Govt dances to the tune of India

Home-grown entrepreneur and Chairman of Ceylon Biscuits Limited Mickey Wickramasinghe, in an interview with Dailymirror, says the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) is a camouflage for the Compressive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) proposed with India during the previous rule. The attempt to sign that agreement was thwarted at that time. Mr. Wickramasinghe said he had a bitter experience in his manufacturing business

“Patients are our teachers,” doctors say

With much more diagnosis and treatment required for the restoration of a health service where the well-being of the patients is given top priority, the Sri Lanka Medical Association’s three senior general practitioners have made an enlightened and challenging appeal to their colleagues.   

Child, mother and prenatal care situation in Sri Lanka

Dr. Kapila Jayaratne MBBS, MSc, DCH, MD (Community Medicine) Consultant Community Physician and the President of the Perinatal Society of Sri Lanka discussed child, mother and prenatal care situation in Sri Lanka with the Dailymirror. Excerpts:   

A ‘rest home’ for terminally ill cancer patients

The greatest ever English poet and playwright William Shakespeare has mentioned in a play that it is the paramount duty of all human beings to give a patient hearing to sick people as many of us do not focus any attention towards them.  

Illegal trawling in Sri Lankan waters; when will it end?

Sri Lanka’s maritime zone is gifted with rich marine bio diversity and is home to a wide array of aquatic species. As such the Bay of Bengal, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay which together delineates the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between Sri Lanka and India, constitutes a rich commercial hub for those engaged in the fisheries industry.   

New Constitution Federal in content, Unitary in name: Udaya

Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila said the results of elections to various Cooperative Societies were reflective of the ground 

NEVER A SMART POLICY

If Pakistan had been our neighbour and we had Muslim majority provinces, we would probably have 

Freedom of speech

Mano Ganesan, Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages and leader of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF) and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), is well-known for his campaign for unity and a united Sri L

The ‘Ugly’ Sri Lankan… racism and its uglier profile

It is an accurate description of this phenomenon that has elevated some communities to the pinnacle of glory; it has destroyed 

A new man in the White House? God forbid

The run-up to the US presidential election in November has reached fever-pitch. The election to be the president of the world’s only super power pits Republican Party nominee Donald Trump against 

VIP Brats and the Rule of Law

Politics is also a continuation of things, good, bad and ugly -- including the usual antics of the progeny of a privileged few. Even though the....

Teacher saved by Court - EDITORIAL

The Supreme Court ruling on the fundamental rights petition filed by a teacher against her interdiction over her interview given to....

Runway renovation to close BIA temporarily

The runway of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be overlaid next year and as a result, the airport will be closed.....

Pasikuda beach facing mysterious sea erosion

The Pasikuda beach, which has delighted both foreign and domestic tourists since the Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka opened up to the....

Craftsmen in limbo over non-payment of dues

The National Handicrafts Board (Laksala) has made a name for itself for purchasing handicrafts from artisans, thus providing an extra....

Constitution does not help cultivate moral values

I refer to Kelum Bandara’s  Interview with Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera in the Daily Mirror of October 5, which is a.....