New Occupant Protection Bill challenges house rental market

Renting a house or an apartment in Colombo is now becoming next to impossible due to exorbitant rental fees. Around 10-15 years ago, the real estate value for annexes and rooms in areas such as Nugegoda, Maharagama, Kohuwala and surrounding areas remained below Rs. 50,000. Today, a room that is described as most suitable for working couples or students would cost around Rs. 30,000 indicating the shift in prices. But in most instances, such accom

Why does Trump want to gobble up Canada? Using Alberta as a pawn

US President Donald Trump has said multiple times that he wants Canada to be the 51st. State of the United States, and not an independent country as it has been all along. Trump’s aim is to bring the entire Western Hemisphere under US control, ostensibly to face a perceived threat from Russia and China or even a European power.

Doctors shouldn’t hold patients to ransom

Agreeing with the writer under the captioned subject “ A call for respect in our hospitals!” I wish to add an incident which took place at the National Hospital, Accident Service, where my mother was admitted due to a fractured hip. The incident took place on December 21 and she was admitted to the accident ward where she was an in house patient; the operation would be done on Saturday, with a hospital stay of one week. To our surprise, it n

Herbert Rayner Freeman: The Brit who won 94% Ceylonese hearts in 1931

As Sri Lanka marks its 78th Independence Day today (February 4), the extraordinary story of Herbert Rayner Freeman demonstrates how genuine leadership can transcend race, religion, and nationality.

Remembering Harry Jayawardena - One Year On

It has been a year since the passing of Harry Jayawardena, one of Sri Lanka’s most formidable and influential business leaders. While he is no longer with us, his legacy continues to shape the private sector, inspire those who knew him, and set a benchmark for business leadership in the country.

78 A post-mortem of years of Independence

As Sri Lanka celebrates the 78th anniversary of independence today (February 4), you might already have read a full complement of post-mortem reports on what has happened since then.

Independence at 78 - Are we truly free?

Sri Lanka marks 78 years of independence today. On February 4, 1948, the country stepped out of nearly four and a half centuries of colonial rule under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.

Drug menace and sound pollution on roads

I am appalled to read that 60% of drivers engaged in transport are allegedly on drugs, as quoted by a minister. If true, this is a ticking time bomb waiting to cause devastating accidents.

Ego takes precedence over social contract and ethics

The appointment of a new Auditor General has now been over politicised and caught in an egocentric conflict between the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) and the Opposition parties.

Education reforms:  When progressive  rhetoric masks flawed implementation

Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture in its educational history. The NPP Government has embarked on what it calls a ‘transformational’ reform of the country’s education system, scheduled for implementation starting in 2026 with Grades 1 and 6. The vision is ambitious: shift from the traditional exam-oriented system to a student-centered, practical learning model emphasising holistic development, digital literacy, and vocational training. The b

New Microfinance Bill: Hunting smaller fish in money lending sector?

The surge in unregulated and predatory microfinance practices has made many individuals at the grassroots level vulnerable to mounting debts. After the year 2000, large financial institutions with access to international financial markets entered the microfinance business. At one point it operated as a mafia, providing ‘quick and easy loans’ to people at high interest rates. However, after much protests and community interventions the new Microfi

Time to  standardise  tuk-tuk fares

People travelling by tuk-tuks now seem to be in a dilemma as they are being charged different rates. Normal tuks charge passengers differently but hires on ride-hailing apps seem to cost much higher than normal rates. But the main objective of introducing ride-hailing apps was to introduce fair tuk-tuk charges on people.

Harry J: The Unforgettable

Harry Jayawardena passed away a year ago.Twelve months. Three hundred and sixty five days. The time has ticked quickly. And yet, it is as though it was just the other day that we last spoke.

Politicians fear stage plays and not 5G technology

Sri Lanka is a county where the majority of citizens claim that it’s a blessed nation, thanks to the presence of Gautama Buddha’s teachings.

Welcome to the billionaire club’s new world order

Trump is a convenient scapegoat to blame – he has opposed climate change, and borrowed from 19th century gunboat imperialism to fashion the world according to his whims.

When doctors strike, patients pay the price

Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system has long been one of the country’s greatest strengths. For generations, families from every social background have depended on public hospitals for everything from childbirth to emergency surgery.

We should follow Australia’s example

Mr. Sharaz Mohamed, a very close relative of mine residing in the neighbourhood of Carlton Pre-school (Pvt) Ltd (established by former First Lady Ms Shiranthi Rajapaksa), J A Milton Perera Mw Colombo 10.

100 years after SWRD Bandaranaike’s clarion call for federalism

Dr. Rohan Edrisingha in his illuminating essay ‘Federalism: myths and realities’ makes the following observation – “ It is significant to note that long before Tamil political leaders advocated federalism, the young S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in the mid 1920’s and the Kandyan Sinhalese representatives before the Donoughmore Commission in the late 1920’s were advocates of a federal Sri Lanka.

The Importance of a new constitution for Sri Lanka - Past attempts mostly ill-conceived

There are several promises which the National People’s Power (NPP) gave during the last Presidential and Parliamentary elections, but cannot keep as a government -- at least for the moment. One of them is replacing the current Constitution with a new one.

Regulation of media and child-related sexual abuse

Sri Lanka has since independence continuously remained a democratic state. Despite four attempts (thrice by insurgent groups and once by a group of military officers) to change the nature of the state, the people of this country have either by design or by the hand of God, managed to retain its basic democratic structure.

No street light, public safety at risk

The street light located directly opposite No. 15A, Rheinland Place, Colombo 3—on the stretch between Sri Kotha Lane and Alfred Place—has been out of order for several months.

State capture: Lal Kantha’s prescription not valid

Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha’s recent remarks on ‘state capture’ have struck a chord in the country. The Government is unable to perform at the desired pace because the country’s institutional mechanism is not fully cooperative with it.

Undercurrents behind US brinkmanship over IRAN

The United States is preparing for a war on Iran. Already at a fever pitch is the war of words between the two countries—one, a superpower with unmatched military might, an appetite for endless wars, and hubris to boot; the other, a middle power battered by sanctions simply for asserting its sovereignty and resisting US-Israeli hegemony.

Premadasa Stadium suffering a pitiful state

With the World Cup T20 around the corner, the actual state of the Premadasa stadium spreads a very poor message to the world.

To recognise unpaid care labour

In Sri Lanka, a common notion is that women should be primary care providers whereas males should be primary breadwinners. But these gendered norms have differed over the course of history due to various circumstances.

Prevention of terrorism against the State Bill

Agreement in principle has been reached on a massive trade agreement between the major economic powerhouses of India and the EU. This is a major and positive element of the reconstitution of international economic relations following the depredations of Donald Trump. But it requires attention and action on Sri Lanka’s part.

Clergy not spared by Police excesses

The outrageous conduct of some police officers when a catholic priest had been at the receiving end of vile and brutal treatment, so unabashedly inflicted on him for an alleged traffic offense. It is rather intriguing to know if the Police are gaining inspiration, and have been emboldened by some frivolous rhetoric uttered by a politician, as to how even the clergy would not be spared if he had to retaliate for political reasons.

“There is a lack of preparation and method in this govt.” -G.L. Peiris

Senior politician and one of the few MPs who held almost all prominent and most responsible portfolios in almost all governments since he entered politics in 1994, Prof. G. L. Peiris carried a massive experience in major areas like economics, education, foreign affairs, constitutional and judiciary.

Why the Portuguese lost the battle of Randeniwela

We have already seen how Constantino de Sa, perhaps the ablest Portuguese captain general to arrive here, worked hard to stabilise the Portuguese position in the coastal and low-country areas under their control before finally setting off to invade Kandy.

Why the peace process was doomed from the outset

My colleague Kelum Bandara’s interview on Tuesday in the Daily Mirror with Erik Solheim, the Norwegian peace envoy, stirred my memories of the peace process.