Container controversy, what’s it all about?

Ramanathan Archchuna, the Jaffna District Independent MP who seems to be fond of stirring controversies, apparently in a bid for attention seeking had on June 5,

Double standards, hypocrisy and distorted narratives of our history

The world’s richest man–Elon Musk–was last week fighting a pitched battle with his one-time best pal–US President Trump.

Sri Lanka’s pharma ambitions take shape, the largest plant set to take off

In the post-independence era, Sri Lanka achieved a lot in terms of social development compared to other countries in the region. Sri Lanka is way ahead of countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in South Asia in this regard. The country can be proud of its achievements in terms of its progress in quality healthcare and high literacy level.

Prisons, hypocrites and the missing hangman

A good question to ask these days is: ‘What is the value of human life in Sri Lanka’? We have enough temples, kovils, churches and mosques, but do we know, even through the application of religion, how to value human life? When we see the killing of humans in recent times and gruesome visuals of some of those shootings shown on television during the news broadcast,

Israel, US roll out plan for attack on Iran

The developments in the past few days indicate an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is imminent. The United States is not any more putting diplomatic pressure on Israel to restrain itself. The US stance seems to give a green light for the attack. If war breaks out, before long it will become a joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran. On Wednesday, the US ordered the non-essential staff to leave its embassy in Iraq on security concerns. I

What is the government’s plan on dengue, chikungunya and COVID?

One of the main news items in yesterday’s papers was regarding the deaths of two individuals due to suspected infection from a new COVID strain. This is amidst the healthcare sector dealing with a surge of dengue and chikungunya cases. While the numbers are being recorded by the health units, the public is placing their trust in the healthcare sector to ensure that deaths could be prevented in this case. Sri Lanka witnessed a severe outbreak of

The struggle to save Mannar Island isn’t over yet..

While the incumbent government took exemplary initiatives to declare three distinct forest complexes as forest reserves apart from conserving the home range of the unique and rare Bandula Barb in Galapitamada, another pristine landscape is currently under threat despite various interventions. Mannar Island, home to millions of migratory birds was recently saved from the throes of a disaster.

Selective Scrutiny or State Complicity?

The recent arrest of five Jewish Rabbis—three of them Israeli—for violating visa conditions while conducting Kosher certification at a poultry plant in Mirigama has raised serious questions about the enforcement of Sri Lankan immigration law.

Localising DEI: Sri Lanka’s Path to Inclusive Growth

In an era when global rhetoric around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has hardened into polarising debate, there is a certain intellectual liberation in attempting to localise the concept within a country like Sri Lanka. Removed from the culture wars of American universities or the performative backlash of corporate boardrooms, Sri Lanka presents a more elemental case study. Here, DEI is not a Western import to be reflexively mimicked or r

Govt. attempts to rectify ‘systemic failures in addressing child abuse cases’

A month has elapsed since investigations commenced to determine the actual cause behind 15-year old Dilshi Amshika’s suicide.

Rage in America Donald Trump has thrown gasoline on the fire to appease MAGA base

Scenes in Los Angeles, CA are reminiscent of a civil war: Protestors setting cars on fire, police firing rubber bullets, armed National Guard troops taking positions, while an increasingly authoritarian president threatens to arrest a state governor.

It’s time to change the discourse – who’s the savage?

Often, and even to this day, leaders of Asia, Africa, Latin America and countries of the Middle East are accused of corruption by the leadership and at times even the ordinary people of the so-called ‘developed’ countries of the West.

An urgent plea to protect Sri Lankan waters

On June 9, an explosion was reported on board the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 off the coast of Kerala.

Trump’s rationale for banning people from some countries

On June 4, US President Donal Trump issued a proclamation addressing issues of national security arising from the entry of foreigners into the US. The proclamation banned entry to the US of citizens of 12 countries.

Parliamentary privileges and people’s rights

Media has questioned several recent incidents in Parliament where members of Parliament have wasted valuable time of the House by raising inappropriate and irrelevant issues.

NWSDB’s Billing Failures Continue: Repeated Errors Demand Immediate Action

For the third time in a row, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has issued erroneous monthly bills, raising serious concerns over its billing accuracy and accountability.

Liberalism: Neither Left nor Right

In today’s polarized world, politics is often seen through a simplistic binary: left or right. But this dichotomy fails to grasp a deeper and more timeless truth — that the real battle is not between ideologies of the left or right, but between power and liberty, between collectivism and individual dignity. Liberalism, in its truest form, transcends these camps. It stands not in the middle of left and right — it stands above them.

Science for National Prosperity: Turning Sri Lanka’s waste into scientific wealth

In the 21st century, the progress of a nation is inextricably tied to its strength in science and technology. Sri Lanka, with its rich natural resources and educated population, has tremendous potential to harness scientific research for national development.

The Philosophy Space: Workshop for kids on World Environment Day

‘The Philosophy Space’, a mental health and philosophical counselling organization, in collaboration with Ahangama’s Good Dharma International School, conducted a workshop for kids recently. The theme of the event was “The Earth is Talking… Are You Listening?”

‘Has the Last Citadel Fallen?’ Post-Retirement Judicial Appointments

Though India’s Constitution and legal framework permit such appointments, the nomination sparked fierce controversy across legal circles and beyond.

AKD after 228 days and histrionics of the opposition

Just over eight months or 228 days ago, after failing to be elected after the first round of counting, President Dissanayake was declared the winner of the presidential poll by the Commissioner of Elections.

Colombo’s Glass Waste Crisis

Residents of Colombo are facing growing frustration due to the persistent refusal by Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and private waste collection services to accept discarded glass items.

UN human rights chief’s visit and NPP’s dilemma

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, during an interview, stated that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is expected to visit Sri Lanka on June 26.

Right of Reply: JAAF responds to Our Thought on apparel sector workers

The following is a Right of Reply sent by the Joint Apparel Association Forum of Sri Lanka in response to Our Thought titled ‘Apparel sector workers are humans too’ published on May 22, 2025:

Is it time to reform or replace the United Nations?

The ongoing crisis in Gaza has raised grave questions about the effectiveness of international institutions. Despite widespread global condemnation, Israel continues its military campaign at a gargantuan scale—what many observers describe as a potential genocide.

Worker remittances endangered by war in the Middle East

Sri Lanka’s total gross external debt was 56.6 billion USD in September 2024. Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha, quoted in ‘Economynext’, revealed our debt service in 2025 is estimated at 2,454 million dollars, made up of 1,369 million dollars in capital repayments and 1,085 million dollars in interest.

Fr. Chandra Fernando: 37th anniversary of the killing of another “troublesome priest”

Today, June 06, will mark 37 years since the killing of human rights activist and Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Chandra Fernando at his church residence in Batticaloa. He was Chairman of the Batticaloa Citizens’ Committee at that time and Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church (The Cathedral) in Batticaloa. The Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) had been controlling Batticaloa during that period.

US veto kills humanitarianism amid food aid massacres

By using its veto power on Wednesday to defeat yet another United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the United States has renewed the licence it has given to Israel to commit genocide in the famine-struck occupied Palestinian territory.

Sri Lanka can learn from India on scoring on environment

Many years ago, foreign news editors and environmentalists were shocked to see a photograph of a dead fish floating on a pond alongside a single-use plastic wrapper that was uploaded to the Agence France-Presse, better known as AFP. The year was 2022 and the date was September 28. The country where the photograph was produced was India, a nation that is guilty of producing 1/5 of the plastic garbage annually produced in the world.

Wipe Out Bribery, Build Public Trust: Practical Steps Toward a Corruption-Free Government

In addition to the measures proposed in my article “Establish In-House CIABOC Units to Clean the Augean Stables of Public Institutions” (Daily Mirror, May 29, 2025), here are further practical and symbolic steps that can reinforce a culture of integrity and accountability in government departments: