ARE WE LIVING IN MODERN TIMES, OR THE STONE AGE?

Anyone who thought that the Aragalaya had buried the old humbuggery for good alongside the ousted old guard has been proven wrong.

Supporting the ban on corporal punishment of children

n July this year, the parliament took a historic step. It amended the Penal Code, banning all forms of corporal punishment inflicted on children.

Let’s not give in to bigotry

It’s strange how Sri Lankans fear any departure from what they are always used to. Take the protests mounted over this government’s progressive attempt to introduce LGBTQ tourism to Sri Lanka and also to do away with caning in our schools.

Self-serving trade union culture has to be changed

Post Master General (PMG) Ruwan Sathkumara said on Friday that postal workers have fraudulently obtained overtime payments worth millions of rupees and that he is deeply embarrassed by the fraudulent and inefficient actions of some postal service officials.

Clear lack of scientific crowd management Why do stampedes occur so often in India?

Stampedes, in which scores of men, women and children are killed and many more grievously injured, are all too frequent in India. There were eight major stampedes so far this year. The massive stampede in Tamil actor and fledgling politico Vijay’s rally at Karur on September 27, in which 41 were killed, was the latest.

Sri Lanka’s Schools Need a Clear Mechanism of Discipline

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has taken a historic step. The Penal Code Amendment of July 2025 bans all forms of corporal punishment of children — not only physical violence but also psychological humiliation, however slight. For the first time, a teacher scolding a student, a prefect striking a classmate, or a principal shaming a child in public can lead to fines and/or imprisonment.

Do not ban Corporal Punishment

As someone who experienced corporal punishment in school (only on one occasion - 2 cuts by cane to the palm of both hands) by our Principal the late Mr. E A Wijesooriya in 1950s, at Mahinda College, I understand it’s impact. The cane punishment, administered by the principals and teachers those days had a lasting effect on us. While some may view it as harsh, it instilled discipline and respect for authority.

Betrayal of Palestinians’ right to their homeland

Days after Arab and Muslim rulers met and pleaded with President Donald Trump not to allow Israel to annex the West Bank, Trump announced on Monday September 29, 2025 a proposal to end Israel’s two year old on going genocidal war in Gaza.

LGBTQ Tourism in India:India is ahead of Sri Lanka dealing with LGBTQ+ recognition and tourism

India, long known for its cultural diversity, is now carving a place for itself as an emerging LGBTQ+ tourism destination.

Foreign policy mistakes of JRJ and AKD’s tilt to the US

It is becoming increasingly clear that President Dissanayake is following the missteps of late former President J.R. Jayewardene in his approach to international relations.

The Changing Debate on Homosexuality and LGBTQ Rights

In recent years, debates on homosexuality and LGBTQ rights have gained momentum worldwide, drawing in not only activists and policymakers but also members of the clergy.

UN Inquiry Commission report:‘Israel is Committing Genocide in Gaza’

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, released its report on September 16, 2025.

Has the government mixed up its priorities?

It is not clear whether it is due to a mix up of priorities or ideological obsession of certain ministers, or genuine intentions, that the government has created controversies on the so-called LGBTQ tourism and the action against corporal punishment of children, at this stage.

Fiasco and hypocrisy at cricket’s ‘Asia Cup 2025’

Cricket was popularised in our country as in most other parts of Britain’s colonial empire by the English. While the British were not looked on kindly by local populations because of their boorish behaviour, cricket was and is, still revered as a sport in most of Britain’s former colonies.

Clean Sri Lanka – A Concept in Need of Renewal

The Clean Sri Lanka concept, launched with much enthusiasm about a year ago, appears to have lost its momentum.

Manufacturing Consent

Edward Bernays was born in 1891 in Vienna, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His family emigrated to New York when he was still a child. He had a unique connection: he was the nephew of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis.

Pekeo Trail – Social leveller committed to sustainability Stewardship and Governance of Recreational Trails

Aiming to attract 5 million tourists by 2030, Sri Lanka is striving hard to become one of the world’s leading tourist attractions with everything in one place for travellers or tourists. From golden beaches, blue seas with a variety of marine life to misty mountains, wildlife, historically important archaeological sites, Sri Lanka has a golden egg in its platter.

Growth needs reform, not rhetoric

Sri Lanka, having endured a severe financial crisis that culminated in sovereign default in 2022, is now at a critical juncture. The country is under the care of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which offers some breathing space. But this is by no means a permanent cure. The real challenge lies in whether Sri Lanka can generate sustainable growth and become a prosperous country. The reason for the current stalemate is not purely external.

The trouble with Trump’s Gaza blueprint

Those who believe that US President Donald Trump’s so-called 20-point peace plan is a workable solution to end the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip understand neither the sinister designs of the Zionists and their partners in crime nor the root causes of the Palestinian question in its full complexity.

The government should maintain sensitivity in high-profile cases

The recent developments regarding the Wasim Thajudeen murder case involving a voice cut given by the son of Aruna Vidanagamage, alias ‘Kajja’, set a dangerous precedent about the sensitivity of the case. Contradictory statements given by his wife and later by his son indicate the nature with which certain elements are trying to manipulate investigations. Over the past 12 years, Thajudeen’s family members have been left in the dark with only dead

Tamil book publishers express concern over double standards

Tamil book publishers have raised concerns about being unable to secure a stall at the book fair currently underway at the BMICH. Out of over 100 stalls at the book fair,

Protecting state witnesses, a need of the hour

Recent revelations regarding the murder of former Havelocks Sports Club rugby captain Wasim Thajudeen are both shocking and disturbing. With missing information and various attempts to hide evidence, people were forced to believe that it was a mere accident caused as a result of drunk driving, until former President Maithripala Sirisena assumed power by reminding voters that he would do justice to the murders of Sunday Leader Editor-in-Chief Las

The NPP foreign policy in year one: Less damaging to the country than all its predecessors

One year since the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the NPP is still on a political honeymoon. The disunited opposition offers little challenge, and whenever Sajith Premadasa opens his mouth, Sri Lankans are reminded of why the NPP is in power.

Katchatheevu Navigating Choppy Waters

Whither LGBTQI tourism?

I am writing to express my views on the recent news about Sri Lanka Tourism endorsing the LGBTQI travel initiative. While I understand the importance of promoting tourism and inclusivity, I believe this decision warrants careful consideration. Dollar earnings “by hook or by crook” are not everything. I think export of Rilaw monkies for meat production is a better alternative to earn dollars than gay tourism. Or even special secluded beach hotel

“Airport should be expanded by moving Air Force to Mattala”

Captain Elmo Jayawardena, one of the most experienced airline pilots and flight instructors in Sri Lanka, joined Air Ceylon as far back as 1969 starting from an extremely humble position and rose to be a internationally reputed pilot and pilot instructor. Having finished with Sri Lankan Airlines, Captain Elmo went to Singapore to train pilots; and now, with his huge experience, teaches Sri Lankan pilots as a service.

Sri Lanka’s Judges: Retirement age under scrutiny as population ages

Since 1991, the International Day of Older People has been observed on October 1 each year, worldwide.

AKD’s neutral, not nonaligned, stance at UNGA

In his maiden speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Dissanayaka touched on topics including global poverty, the debt burden of developing nations, the drug menace and organised crime.

Digital Print-Outs: A Needless Burden on Parents and Students

In recent times, it has become a growing practice for teachers, particularly in Montessori and primary classes, to request computer print-outs via WhatsApp.

Child protection law: You can’t cut yourself just because the knife is golden

One cannot but commend the government’s intention to bring in an amendment to the Penal Code to protect child rights by making physical and non-physical punishment against children illegal. The Bill on the amendment is being debated these days in Parliament.