Relocation of flood victims and Problems the govt. must face

This writer has written about three massive flood disasters -- in 1989, 2016 and this year, which affected hundreds of thousands of people in the lower valley of Kelani Ganga. And he was personally a victim of two of these massive floods, the ones that devastated his area in 2016 and 2025.

Cyclone Ditwah - a wakeup call to the government

With a ferocity rarely seen in this country, Cyclone Ditwah hit the country for three days. Our much maligned Met department after a long time got its predictions right.

Burnt Elephant, Absent State

An elephant has died from burns after terrified villagers tried to chase it away with firebrands. This was not cruelty; it was desperation, the outcome of a human–elephant conflict the State has failed to resolve for decades.

Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah: The Full Scale of the Disaster in Numbers

Cyclone Ditwah left Sri Lanka facing a national disaster of extraordinary scale. The numbers tell the story of a country confronting one of its most severe crises in recent memory.

Why no alcohol test?

The police always face the allegation that law enforcement is not even-handed. The saying ‘one law for the rich and another for the poor’ is commonly heard among the ordinary folks. Or else, they would say ‘big fish escape, small fish get caught’. With the politicisation of the police service, people started doubting fairness in law enforcement. The current government pledged to end politicisation of the law enforcement agencies. At times, th

Bondi Beach massacre proves terrorism has no religion

As Jews and peace-loving people in Australia and across the world mourn the victims of last Sunday’s Bondi Beach massacre—which claimed 15 lives, including that of ten-year-old Matilda, remembered by Australians as “our little ray of sunshine”—it is clear that the two terrorists who carried out this heinous crime stand far removed from the noble teachings of Islam they claimed to profess.

Should we celebrate as others suffer?

The festive season is upon us. But should we as Sri lankans go ahead with celebrations planned? I note with concern that some have decided to go ahead with festive merry making. Is it morally correct?

Another brutal elephant death highlights humanity’s wickedness

Another heartbreaking elephant death was reported from Seeppukulama, Mihintale on Tuesday December 16. Villagers have attempted to chase this elephant that had suffered a previous injury in one leg and was blind in one eye by throwing burning torches at it. The elephant is suspected to have succumbed to burn injuries.

Natural disasters and economic inequality World Inequality Lab links poverty with climate change

The devastation caused by Cyclone “Ditwah” in Sri Lanka cannot be understood in its entirety unless it is seen in the light of economic inequality in the country, and indeed in the comity of nations.

People should leave landslide areas like they discard old phones

Unsuspecting Sri Lankans often fall prey when getting into land deals. There are still some visuals of billboards circulating on social media platforms which carry advertisements of lands for sale in areas which are prone to floods. There is a billboard, submerged two thirds by flood water, which states that the land on sale is the best available in the area. The question posed now is whether the fourth generation of children is ready to let go o

Using the clergy as cover won’t fool people

Recent events show that the much-promised “system change” has yet to take root. Attempts by sections of the clergy to publicly defend the government — arguing that there was no prior warning of an impending storm — ring hollow, when even a child could sense the change in weather through the chill, thunder, wind, and rain.

Al Haj A. J. M. Ismail Farook of Kahawatte Death of community leader brings tears to entire village

On December 13, 2025, Kahawatte in the Ratnapura district, mourned across all religious lines, a community leader, Al Haj A. J. M. Ismail Farook of Kahawatte, who passed away on December 12, 2025, after Jumma at his Colombo Ward Place residence. The Janaza was taken to Kahawatte for last rites and burial at the Kahawatte Jumma Mosque, where he had served as its Chief Trustee for three decades until 2024.

Sri Lanka’s current growth level not enough to create jobs: World Bank experts

World Bank Lead Economist for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Arvind Nair and Country Economist for Sri Lanka, Ms Shruti Lakhtakia, shared their views on the status of the economy in an interview with Daily Mirror.

Navigating the Crucible: The search for visionary leadership in Sri Lanka’s crucial moments

Sri Lanka, once envisioned as a potential economic powerhouse in South Asia, has navigated a tumultuous path since its independence in 1948.

From insight to impact ‘Great HR Quiz 2026’ shapes tomorrow’s HR leaders

Sri Lanka’s most anticipated intellectual showdown in the people profession is back, bigger, bolder, and more future-focused than ever before.

Beyond Cyclone Ditwah: The government should turn disaster into an opportunity

As Sri Lanka heads into the post-disaster reconstruction phase following Cyclone Ditwah, the government seems clueless about how to proceed.

When screens steal our children from us

There was a time when evenings in Sri Lankan homes were filled with sound. The clatter of plates being set on the table, the familiar arguments over homework, a mother calling out to children to wash their hands before dinner, a father asking about school.

Don’t exploit a disaster

The ugly side of relief distribution is now becoming more evident with various political actors trying to show their faces in these programmes.

Post disaster management is crucial

Around 7000 people affected by floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah which made landfall in Sri Lanka on November 27 are said to be still staying in welfare centres, while over 6000 houses have been completely destroyed.

The Wounds That Billions Cannot Heal

The storm that swept through our nation has left behind a landscape of broken homes, twisted roads, and shattered infrastructure. Engineers and economists are already adding up the billions needed to rebuild what was lost. Bridges can be restored, electricity can be reconnected, and houses will one day rise again where rubble now lies. But there is another kind of damage—quieter, deeper, and far less measurable.

All Governments Targeted Media Under Emergency: Silencing Critics: Emergency Powers & Media Freedom

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a familiar promise to the nation on December 2nd: emergency regulations enacted for disaster reconstruction would not be misused for other purposes. “I assure every citizen that these emergency powers will not be misused,” he declared, explaining that the measures were necessary to provide legal and financial safeguards for efficient reconstruction following severe damage to essential sectors.

Corruption in Sri Lanka really is a macro-critical issue - World Bank specialist

Anti-corruption drive has become a political topic in Sri Lanka for years now. The political parties have been used to campaign for decades on the plank of eradication of corruption and frauds upon return to power. In fact, it was a major topic discussed by the People’s Alliance under the leadership of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga even way back in 1994.

The psychology of Feedback: Why Our Egos Get in the Way of Growth

Every leader has been told that feedback is essential. Business books and management consultants have built empires on frameworks for how to give feedback, how to make it “constructive,” how to cushion it with praise, how to ensure it lands softly.

Presidential authority in times of emergency: A contemporary appraisal

The following is a keynote address delivered by Prof. G. L. Peiris at the International Research Conference of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo held on December 12, 2025.

Cyclone Ditwah and Disaster Capitalism A warming planet, exhausted ecosystems and deep inequalities conspire together

Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka with a frightening force, leaving behind washed-out villages, broken roads, drowned fields, and thousands of families trying to rebuild their lives from the mud. But as the waters recede and statistics slowly replace human stories, one uncomfortable truth remains pertinent.

When power meets the bottle, who pays the price?

There is a familiar sinking feeling Sri Lankans experience every time news breaks about a politician involved in a road accident or public incident allegedly linked to alcohol.

Let’s prepare for the next disaster

The recent cyclone disaster like the earlier Tsunami, has caught us all by surprise. Preventable loss of life and property has caused the country dearly.

How JR Amended his Constitution to Enable a Tamil MP Join The UNP Govt

Chelliah Rajadurai, a veteran politician of Sri Lanka -- perhaps the oldest among former Parliamentarians -- passed away on December 7, 2025 at the age of 98. Rajadurai hailing from Batticaloa was a colourful personality who served as an MP, Mayor, Cabinet minister and High Commissioner in an eventful political career.

No one can predict how rivers will overflow Disaster warnings alone would not save human lives

The Cyclone Ditwah that was formed in Southwest Bay of Bengal on November 26 and made landfall in Sri Lanka on November 28 has claimed at least 635 lives, leaving another around 200 persons disappeared by December 9. The numbers might slightly rise up.

Cyclone Ditwah and the politics of disaster

In November ‘Cyclone Ditwah’ hit our country in all its fury. With wind speeds of over 80 kmph, it brought with it 150–500 mm of rainfall for three consecutive days, triggering the worst landslides and flooding in the country in 20 years. Power outages, floods/wash away of major roads and landslides resulted.