Did the Finance Ministry fall prey to North Korean hackers?

The recent exploit of US$ 2.5 million from Sri Lanka’s external resources department, tricked into funding a US$ 2.5 million sovereign debt payment to a malicious third-party account, is embarrassing enough.

NPP’s PC election dilemma

Although Opposition parties so far have not proven their allegations of corruption against the government, they have succeeded in creating considerable suspicion among the people about the moral high ground the National People’s Power (NPP) has been laying claims for.

White house shooting, bombs in Middle East and Ukraine

To the dismay of the whole world, a shooting incident occurred near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., prompting the immediate evacuation of President Donald Trump and other officials off the stage to safety as attendees were advised to take cover under their tables on Sunday. Accordingly, most people were seen lying on the floor or running in panic.

Meticulous investigation vital on the death of ‘Sujeewa’: Activists

Conservationists and activists continue to raise concern over the recent untimely death of the female elephant, ‘Sujeewa’ and urge the Government to conduct a thorough investigation into this suspicious death and to take proper legal action against those responsible

The Indispensable Island: Sri Lanka’s blueprint for sovereign survival

Sri Lanka occupies a position on the global map that is disproportionate to its physical size. Often described as a ‘teardrop’ off the coast of India, a more strategic assessment reveals it to be the ‘unsinkable aircraft carrier’ of the Indian Ocean. While the nation has recently weathered the storms of economic bankruptcy and political upheaval, its fundamental geographic, ecological, and strategic foundations remain not only intact, but unparal

When dealing with bullies use logic, not anger

Bullying is a term usually reserved for schools. Many of us have experienced some kind of bullying at school, but it doesn’t stop there, extending to our institutions of higher learning. The dreaded ragging phenomenon so prevalent in our universities is a kind of extreme bullying.

S.J.V. Chelvanayakam: Visionary and statesman

S.J.V. Chelvanayakam KC Memorial Lecture Delivered at Jaffna Central Collage on Sunday 26 April by Professor G. L. Peiris D. Phil. Peiris is an(Oxford), Ph. D. (Sri Lanka); Rhodes Scholar,Quondam Visiting Fellow of the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London; Former Vice-Chancellor and Emeritus Professor of Law of the University of Colombo.

A sad tale of lowering costs and eliminating corruption

It’s over a year-and-a-half since the National People’s Power (NPP) Government captured political power in this country. Over four years have passed since the country declared itself bankrupt in 2022 following an unprecedented economic crisis.

Domestic violence in SL: Intersection of gender norms, culture, and legal responses

The landscape of domestic violence in Sri Lanka is defined by a profound tension between progressive legislative frameworks and deeply entrenched patriarchal social norms. While the State has made significant strides in codifying protections for women, the lived reality for many survivors is governed by a ‘culture of silence’ and the social pressure of ‘lajjawa-baya’ (shame and fear). This cultural weight often reclassifies criminal acts as priv

Restore Col 15 bus services: Even at a premium

Residents and visitors to George Pieris Mawatha, Colombo 15, accessed via Ferguson’s Road, continue to face significant hardship due to the complete absence of a bus service along this stretch. Whether approaching from Raasamunakande (Kanda Uda) or Nagalagam Street (Thotalanga), commuters are compelled to walk considerable distances, an inconvenience that disproportionately affects the elderly, schoolchildren, and daily-wage earners.

Sri Lanka’s tea turning point

Few agricultural products in the world carry the prestige and recognition of Ceylon Tea. For more than a century, the emerald hills of Sri Lanka have produced a beverage that has travelled from misty plantations to the tables of millions across the globe. Tea has shaped the country’s landscapes, built communities, and created livelihoods for generations. It became not merely a crop, but a national identity.

Dada

It has been one year since you passed, and we all still miss you more than ever. I wish you were here to watch Amelia and Lily grow into the mischievous little ones they are. I am so glad that Amelia got to spend time with her Seeya. She adored you and loved every moment she spent with you.

Former Political Leader Mangala Samaraweera’s birth anniversary fell on April 21 The ‘Mangala’ signature in my life

In a moving tribute to the late Mangala Samaraweera on what would have been his 70th birthday, reflecting on a man who was both “aging and ageless.” Mangala was a rare political creature -a pragmatist who abhorred racism and a free-thinker who obeyed his conscience above all else. His life was a stupendous party of ideas, defined by a radical openness that welcomed all “birds” to his tree. Years after his passing, his vision for a liberal, global

$2.5M Treasury Heist : Urgent questions on access governance

The diversion of nearly USD 2.5 million from Sri Lanka’s Treasury highlights a dangerous evolution in financial crime: the manipulation of trusted communication over traditional hacking. With investigations pointing toward compromised emails and “privilege creep,” the incident underscores a global reality where 80% of breaches involve identity misuse. As Sri Lanka’s digital transformation accelerates, this heist serves as a critical wake-up call

Ranil Wickremesinghe case: Interest groups question legality of setting up Trial-at-Bar

The Joint Opposition has raised concerns regarding the government’s proposal to setup a three-judge Trial-at-Bar to take up the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The case against Wickremesinghe is the alleged misappropriation of state funds during a visit to Britain to attend his wife’s doctorate graduation.

Focus on Electronic Vehicles: Sri Lanka: A second bite at the cherry

Nothing in recent human history has dominated the life of a human being than the motor car. Be it war, peace, exploration, or any kind of humanitarian activity, they have always increased in efficiency due to the motor car and of course its internal combustion engine. Even though the motorcar was developed into a luxurious car in the European countries, including Germany and England, it is not until Henry Ford came up with this Model T, “a car fo

When Reform Outpaces Readiness

The recent “money hacking” incident at Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has cast a long and uncomfortable shadow over the government’s reform narrative. It is not merely the breach itself that alarms, but its timing—coming in the wake of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s press release formally transferring public debt management responsibilities to the Finance Ministry. What was projected as a structural reform aligned with international best practice

Pakistan’s peacemaking puzzle: Bridging the US-Iran trust deficit

When a trust deficit exists between Iran and the United States, a peace deal between them — ceasefire notwithstanding — is not worth the paper it is written on. Pakistan, elevated to a rare peacemaker role, appears to be drawing on every guideline in the textbook of diplomacy to sell peace to two sworn enemies burdened by five decades of enmity. Islamabad deserves appreciation for undertaking a challenging task in peace diplomacy.

Alleged USD 2.5 million payment and concerns regarding the Treasury

I refer to the erroneous payment of USD 2.5 by the Treasury which translates to nearly Rs. 800 million, a staggering loss by any standard. Such an error cannot be dismissed as routine oversight; it reflects negligence of the highest order. In any properly governed payment process, several basic controls are non-negotiable. Before settling a liability, officers are expected to verify the agreement, confirm the identity of the creditor, check the d

If only every street dog in the world was treated like Aloka…

Sri Lanka is once again in the global spotlight with the ‘Ehipassiko’ Global Walk for Peace currently parading the streets across the country. Led by Ven. Pannakara Thera, the Walk commenced in October 2025 when monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Centre in Texas walked 2,300+ miles to Washington DC. The main objective of this Walk is to promote unity, compassion and mindfulness amidst social division.

Coal deal: Did the NPP lose its moral high ground?

Flaws in procedures in procurement of 14,000 carrom boards and 11,000 checkers (Damm) boards landed former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando in jail last year. Would a similar scenario take place in the case regarding the coal procurement controversy, landing Kumara Jayakody, the Energy Minister of the National People Power (NPP) government, in prison?

Why Colombo Must Transition to Solar Street Lighting?

Amid prevailing dry weather conditions and the urgent need to conserve grid electricity, a significant number of street lights across Colombo remain switched off. While the intention to save energy is understandable, the unintended consequences of inadequate street lighting are both serious and far-reaching.

Trincomalee energy hub back in focus as Sri Lanka deals with fallout from Middle East war

As the Middle East conflict disrupts global energy markets, the long-dormant Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm project has shifted from a conceptual strategic goal to an urgent national security priority.

Walk for Peace by Ven. Pannakara: Buddha’s teachings promoted by a global peace walker!

All the “Living Beings” prove that they are living by being in ‘action’ and it proves that the ‘actions’ are prompted by initiation, which in turn prove that they need kinds of prodding that may be very mild at the lowest while such can be very forceful.

Jonklaas’s Loach: ‘An overlooked fish’ that reveals the health of the water people depend on

In some Sri Lankan streams, what disappears first is not the water, but our understanding of what still lives there.

Human-Elephant Conflict: Fixes that Backfire

Sri Lanka is spending hundreds of millions of rupees on elephant management strategies that scientists, affected communities, but Sri Lanka’s own National Action Plan (NAP), as all acknowledge, is making the problem worse.

A tired driver is a dangerous driver

In Sri Lanka today, getting onto a public bus is no longer a simple or routine part of life. For many, it has quietly become something they do with hesitation. There is always that small, unspoken fear in the back of the mind. Will I reach home safely?

Who Is Responsible for the State of Public Property?

The refurbished Pettah Bus Stand has quickly become the talk of the town. While many commend the government for upgrading passenger facilities, others lament the rapid deterioration caused by users — littering, betel chewing, spitting, and even damaging fittings.

Censorship would not work in a digital era

One can hardly contest the argument by leaders of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) that system change cannot be brought in overnight. Yes, it is a change expected to be realised within a degenerate society, utilising components of the very same society which would inevitably take time. System change is not a singe act but a long process.

Easter Sunday tragedy more conspiracies unfold even after seven years…

Since 2019, April 21 is not just another day for Sri Lankans who became victims of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks. Seven years have elapsed since this tragedy took place, but the victims and survivors still await justice. Despite many commissions and committees that have been appointed, families of victims and interest groups who have been demanding truth and justice are yet to know the mastermind(s) behind these attacks. It is in this backdrop