Road closures for VVIPs

Many Colombo 5, 7, Narahenpita and Rajagiriya main roads were totally closed (all 4 up and down lanes) for the VIP visit for 2 days at certain times for the VIP motorcade to move freely, without people or stray dogs jumping across. People were stuck at roadblocks for more than one or two hours. Little kids were stuck in day care centers for 1 or 2 hours as parents could not come in time to collect them. Many patients missed their Colombo 5 hosp

Feminist responses to decades of dispossession and global shocks

The Trump trade shock announced last week has unnerved the world. Sri Lanka can have a severe impact with about US$ 3 billion in exports to the US. If these exports are priced out of the US market with the 44% tariff on Sri Lanka, then a major shortfall in foreign earnings can even undermine the import of essential goods. Furthermore, the bulk of these exports to the US are from the garment sector, which directly employs close to three hundred th

Indo-Lanka Relations: Actioning the tryst with opportunity

Lakshman Kadirgamar once described India–Sri Lanka relations as one of “irreversible excellence.” Unfortunately, under some governments, they have been neither irreversible nor excellent.

Political opportunism and Premier Modi’s visit

By the time this editorial is published, Indian Premier Modi will have left our shores. During his visit Premier Modi signed a number of MoUs with our government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; the most important among them being the Defence and Co-operation Pact.

Why is the Police silent?

Some disturbing events occurred over the course of last week; especially the death of a youth who succumbed to injuries while in custody at the Welikada Police.

Is the NPP as clean as being claimed?

The URF in its complaint quoted the President as having said in that rally that the funds from the central government would be released only to the local councils that are run by untainted groups of people and that only the groups led by the National People’s Power (NPP) could be deemed to be so high-minded.

Shakespeare’s Ides of March, Trump’s tariffs and Modi’s visit

As April dawns, Lanka is faced with an Ides of March situation. US President Trump has imposed a 44% tax on Lankan exports to the US. Worse, the US is the largest export market for Lanka.

Why is the govt. keeping mum about road accidents?

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Indika Hapugoda, Head of the Traffic Division, said that 565 fatal road accidents were reported between January and March this year, resulting in 592 deaths.

‘‘PM Modi will come with important political, strategic messages’’: Indrani Bagchi

Ms. Indrani Bagchi, Chief Executive Officer of India’s Ananta Aspen Centre, in an interview with Daily Mirror speaks about its India-Sri Lankan bilateral ties. She was Associate Editor with The Times of India,

Assisting the Solar power debate in the Cabinet

The purpose of this article is to inform the Cabinet discussion on Solar Power proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)

Pro-Palestinianism is not terrorism

Where free speech is denied or curtailed, democracy is either flawed or does not exist. This universally embraced description of democracy declares that free elections alone do not make a democracy, but free speech, among other democratic principles, also matters.

When the only option is Rani!

The tolerance levels of Sri Lankans don’t run deep. The populace here in the island have some association with at least one of the four main religions practised here. But when their views are opposed by the ‘other’ the savage nature of an islander surfaces. Just watch the debate that’s taking place on social media regarding the film “Rani” and you’ll understand.

Injustice after death: why exposing suicide notes is a violation of the departed

Incidents of suicide—Have media ethics died a natural death?

At least five known incidents of youth deaths by suicide happened in Sri Lanka during the first three months of 2025. While the situations varied, each incident took away a young life which could have been prevented if proper interventions had been sought. In a recent incident, the young victim had posted a status on social media prior to taking his own life. The post, which is widely being shared on social media with users continuing to comment

Climate change and farmers’ struggles in Mannar

Mannar is a region where most people depend on farming for their livelihood in one of Sri Lanka’s ‘dry zones.’ But in recent times, climate change has made farming here very difficult. Weather patterns have become unpredictable, temperatures are rising, and extreme weather conditions are happening more often. These changes are making it hard for farmers to grow crops, causing economic problems and food shortages. Microsoft founder Bill Gates an

Is Governance a Luxury that Only Rich Countries Can Afford?

Ethical and Legal Concerns Surrounding Sri Lanka’s First Sperm Bank

Sri Lanka’s first-ever sperm bank has been established at the Castle Street Hospital in Colombo, marking a significant development in reproductive healthcare. The hospital is now seeking healthy donors to assist couples facing fertility challenges.

Mirihana marshlands being filled by organised groups

Under the former Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government, 37 acres, 1 rood (Rood is an English unit of area equal to one quarter of an acre or 10,890 square feet, exactly 1,011.7141056 m2), and 20.44 perches of land from Mirihana North, Mirihana South, Udahamulla East, and Pragathipura zones in the Maharagama urban area were designated for the development of a bird park.

How the NPP govt. stabilised the economy by not delivering ruinous election promises

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was quoted as saying in one of those election rallies: “It usually takes a decade for a bankrupt nation to make an economic comeback.

Government suffers teething pain, while people suffer greater pain

Teething is the process by which an infant’s first teeth emerge through the gums. It usually occurs when an infant is between 6 and 10 months old and usually causes discomfort and pain to the infant.

A plea to the authorities

It is a shame that the government is treating lower income senior citizens with newfangled requirements from April 1st.

NPP’s volte-face from its own pledge on PTA

The notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act are probably the most misused laws in Sri Lanka by the law enforcement authorities, in most cases pacifying the politicians in power.

Gananath Obeyesekere A social anthropologist with a breathtaking vision

On March 25, the renowned Sri Lankan social anthropologist Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere of Princeton University, passed away leaving academia across the world immeasurably poorer. Till his last breath, at the ripe old age of 95, the genial giant was steeped in inquiries about cultures and mode of thinking across continents, giving them a new meaning and relevance.

Our LG Nomination Lists are Questionable: Customary Legal Interpretation Vs. Grammar

In my final year of the Power Systems Course, I had a close friend who was the best in that subject in class. I learnt from him, but he failed at it and did not graduate with us because it was a core subject.

Sri Lanka needs a comprehensive solution; not selective justice

The UK Government’s decision to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals, including three former military commanders, has ignited significant debate. This move comes at a time when large-scale violence continues unchecked in other parts of the world, raising concerns about the application of different standards to different countries. As a non-partisan civil society organisation, the National Peace Council (NPC) asserts that the pursuit of

“At least I have done a film to start a discourse about Richard and Manorani”

Asoka Handagama, who is well-acclaimed for his controversial handling of the audio-visual medium (specially cinema in a revolutionary way), has entered the limelight with his newest film ‘Rani’ based on Manorani Saravanamutttu, the brave mother of assassinated journalist, writer, poet and actor Richard de Zoysa. Handagama is known for his skills to discuss serious issues like war, women’s liberty and even taboo subjects like

A call to resolve the TN fishermen issue

According to recent news reports, Indian PM Modi is expected to discuss the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen “invading Sri Lankan territory” and plundering our marine resources. This has gone on for years and the constant request had been to continue to talk and years have rolled by and now, is it “till thy kingdom come.”

Satyagraha campaign disrupted GPOA condemns police assault on Allied Health Degree holders

The Government Physiotherapy Officers’ Association (GPOA) strongly condemns the inhumane attack and alleged illegal arrest of Allied health Sciences graduates.

Politics, cinema, and mystery of Richard

Asoka Handagama’s film ‘Rani’ has reignited controversy over Richard de Zoysa’s murder, elevating the debate to new heights. Even film critiques have shifted their focus from the movie’s artistic merits to its political undertones.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

In 1849 the French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr penned the phrase “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”; translated into English it means “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” This makes us remember with nostalgia the Presidential elections on 21 September 2024 and the parliamentary elections of 14 November 2024.