Grand vision vs the daily wage: Why 2048 feels a lifetime away from Sri Lanka!

In the complex landscape of Sri Lankan politics, a profound paradox exists: a nation with a 2,500-year-old civilization and a history of engineering marvels such as the world’s most advanced ancient irrigation systems now finds its modern electorate seemingly trapped in a cycle of short-term survival. The disconnect between a “Grand Vision” and the “Daily Wage” has never been more apparent than in the political fate of Ranil Wickremesinghe and hi

A reform agenda:Rebuilding Sri Lanka’s farming after Cyclone Ditwah

Three months after Cyclone Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka in late November 2025, the headlines have moved on. In many places, the floodwaters have receded, emergency support has reached affected communities, and farmers are doing what they always do, trying to salvage what they can and prepare for the next season.

Policymakers: Are they ready to work with Gen Z

Sri Lanka has witnessed protests of various kinds. These vary from protests that end following government’s responses towards people’s demands to mass scale people’s movements such as the aragalaya to pseudo-satyagraha campaigns launched by politicians and actual satyagraha done by people. The right to peaceful assembly is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and therefore, people have a right to take to the streets and protest peacefully if th

Insights from SSA Cyclone Ditwah Survey: More State support needed for Malaiyaha community

When climate disasters strike, they don’t affect everyone equally. Marginalised communities typically face worse outcomes, and Cyclone Ditwah is no exception. Especially in a context where normalcy is far from ‘normal’, the idea of returning to normalcy or restoring a life of normalcy makes very little sense.

Investigate bribery, corruption at  N’Eliya MC and UDA

Nuwara Eliya residents are deeply disturbed that there is massive bribery and corruption taking place at the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council and UDA by corrupt senior officials.

Urban waste management: Authorities face challenges in keeping Colombo’s waterways clean

Waste piled up along river banks, canals and lakes is a common sight in Colombo. Despite numerous initiatives taken to mitigate the waste generation crisis in urban cities, lack of infrastructure and ad hoc approaches to waste segregation pose significant challenges.

The looming tourism-apartheid for Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka

In a viral video, the owner of a beachside restaurant in Tangalle was seen refusing to serve a group of locals. The man justifies his refusal, claiming that his establishment serves only foreigners.

Keep politics out of cricket

Cricket is more than just a sport in South Asia. It is part of everyday life. Families gather around the television, friends debate over players and entire cities celebrate victories together. For many people, cricket brings joy and unity.

Spectators left stranded at end of T20 match

At the outset, I must say it was a great relief — and indeed refreshing — to see our national cricket team finally at the winning post at the recent T20 World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Equally encouraging was the sight of loyal fans thronging the stands, despite the team having lost six consecutive T20 matches prior to this game.

Is the NPP happy with the Online Safety Act

The Government has postponed the passage of the ‘Protection of Occupants Bill’ following protests by the Opposition, sections of the corporate sector and the civil society. However, leaders of the Government stated that the Bill is initially formulated by the previous government in 2023, which is true.

Aloka’s journey with Buddhist monks for ‘Global Peace’ generates huge following on social media

Aloka, the Indian street dog, following Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile (3,700 km) “Walk for Peace” across the United States became a symbol of the walk. His journey has gained international attention, with over 800,000 followers on social media. Though the canine Aloka is labelled a “pariah dog,” “street dog,” or “mongrel” based on his birth, his enthusiasm and unwavering determination to accompany the Buddhist monks on their peace walk reflect

American dream and the bitter reality

West Side Story, the film adaptation of a Broadway musical by that name, was first released in 1961. This is how one of its most famous songs go: “I like to be in America; OK by me in America Ev’rything free in America; for a small fee in America I like the city of San Juan; I know a boat you can get on Hundreds of flowers in full bloom; Hundreds of people in each room Automobile in America; Chromium steel in America Wire-spoke wheel in Americ

Landlords at risk with proposed law on rent

The proposed amendments to the Act governing the renting of houses and buildings will create many problems, especially for landlords.

IS THE GRASS GREENER IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES?

The Middle Eastern oasis has been attracting my fellow Brits in droves. I went to see what the fuss is all about.

‘The King of Cocoa’ who was too smart for the Brits

The tension in the Shaw Wallace & Hedges boardroom was palpable that day in the mid-1970s. Around the polished mahogany table sat the board of directors of a multinational conglomerate with over a century of unbroken dominance in Tea Industry and Ceylon’s markets.

Should citizens living abroad be able to vote ?

In January, a Cabinet appointed committee published a call for views and suggestions on a mechanism to enable citizens living abroad to vote in Sri Lankan elections.

FD interest rates – senior citizens left high and dry

The government must urgently re-evaluate interest rates on fixed deposits of senior citizens.

When home becomes too expensive for its people

Colombo was once a city that attracted people with the promise of opportunity and a better future. Families moved here hoping for good jobs, education and a comfortable life.

PM Modi’s personal interest brought Devnimori relic to Sri Lanka - Shri Abhijit Halder -

Director General of International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Shri Abhijit Halder, who arrived in Sri Lanka along with the delegation that accompanied the Devnimori relic which was on exposition for public veneration at Gangaramaya temple, shared his views on the mission and Buddhist heritage in India.He has nearly four decades of service in the Government of India, which he concluded in January 2022. Shri Halder has served in different capaciti

An intellectual dialogue on a model Constitution: Province or district as unit of devolution

Sri Lankans appear to be obsessed with Constitutional reforms, said Professor Deepika Udagama, the former Head of the Department of Law at Peradeniya University at a special event on Constitutional reforms held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on Tuesday.

Proposed ‘Rent Repeal Bill’ will cause havoc

This Bill is intended to protect tenants’ risks undermining Sri Lanka’s property rental market and also harming property owners who live on rents than on fixed deposit investments.

Making a mockery of the Hippocratic Oath

The trade union (TU) action launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is entering its third week.

Threatened Sandhya Ekneligoda urges President to protect her

Human rights activist and the wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, Sandya, yesterday (February 5) urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to ensure her safety following the death threat she received from a person who claimed himself “a retired Army Brigadier”.

Brain Drain or Policy Drain? Why Professionals Keep Leaving

The government boasts of securing US $8 billion in terms of remittances from expatriate workers. It is an achievement for a country starved for foreign exchange revenue, for sure. Yet, there is another perspective regarding this matter. In recent times, Turkish Ambassador Semih Lütfü Turgut, during a roundtable discussion organised by Pathfinder Foundation, cut through this convenient narrative.

Epstein: A tool of the Zionist-led Illuminati

Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are. So said the wise men of yore. The big names—once held in high esteem as role models—are all, willingly or unwillingly, entangled in the rot surrounding Jeffrey Epstein: child sex trafficker, honeypot schemer, political broker, financier, manipulator, and big-time spy. They are as evil as Epstein.

Improve standards of condominiums immediately!

A child succumbed to injuries as a result of a piece of concrete that came off from a condominium complex in Modara. Speaking in Parliament, MP Bimal Ratnayaka apologised to the child’s parents.

A NATION OF STORYTELLERS: WHY SRI LANKA’S NEW PR BODY SIGNALS A COUNTRY RECLAIMING ITS NARRATIVE

Travel teaches you things no classroom can. Not just about countries, but about yourself. When I arrived at the Sheraton in Colombo, to speak on risk, resilience and crisis communications, I expected earnest professionals and polite questions. What I found instead was something rarer; a room full of people who understood that reputation is infrastructure.

WOMEN DON’T LACK AMBITION; THEY LACK A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

When women build their careers, it rarely happens under spotlights or inside boardrooms. It happens in the margins of the day. Before school drop-offs. After the children are asleep. Between paid work, care work, and the invisible labour of holding families and communities together. During motherhood, that is exactly what entrepreneurship looked like in my own life.

Sri Lanka at 78: A journey of independence, resilience, and renewal

As Sri Lanka commemorates 78 years of Independence, the island nation reflects on a journey marked by resilience, progress, and persistent challenges. From the optimism of 1948 to the trials of civil war and economic crises, the story of modern Sri Lanka is one of both achievement and unfinished business.

Ranil on his last lap as UNP Leader -Harin

Sri Lanka’s oldest political party, the United National Party, is going through a few changes these days. We have already seen the party headquarters in Sirikotha being given a facelift. But that’s not the real change the people wanted in the UNP. Meanwhile, the UNP is having separate talks with both the SJB and the SLPP on working together. So what is the future of the UNP and its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe? UNP Deputy Secretary General, Hari