Sri Lanka’s Child Protection Crisis

As many as 31 underaged boys and girls living in unsafe environments were identified during a survey conducted in the Arachchikattuwa Grama Niladhari division in the Puttalam District. The reasons were manifold.

This Children's Day, we demand action, not celebration

Over the last few months, Sri Lanka has been plagued with continuous reports of child abuse. Horrendous accounts of abuse, rape and murder have emerged following the period in which Sri Lanka grappled with a growing pandemic.

Elderly population to outnumber youth population

Ageing is inevitable. Did you know that Sri Lanka is the fastest ageing country in the South Asian region? The ratio of those aged 65 and above in Sri Lanka is increasing rapidly compared with the number of years it took for other developing countries in the region.

Human-Elephant Conflict in Horowpathana

Horowpathana also includes an Elephant Holding Ground (EHG) to cater to problem elephants and was established in 2015. Recently, speculation was rife that ‘Rambo’ an elephant from Uda Walawe National Park would be

Murder most foul

Sixty-one years ago on September 25, 1959 Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (SWRDB) the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka known as Ceylon then was shot and seriously wounded by a Buddhist monk. Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following day. Therefore September 26, 1959 got etched as an important date in the post-independence history annals of Sri Lanka.

What went wrong in Kandy?

Tragedy struck when a five-storey building caved in and collapsed, killing a young family of three in Kandy last week. The construction in the steep slopes of Sanghamitta Mawatha, Buwelikada collapsed during the early hours of Sunday.

The 20th Amendment Bill Lest We Forget

Strident calls were repeatedly made from many quarters for the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to be repealed.

Public transport 'side-laned'?

“Miss, mantheeru neethiya nisa api bus passen yanna one. Ithin drop eka parakku wei,” (Miss, because of the lane law we have to follow the buses. So I will not be able to drop you on time), warned a tuk tuk driver. The newly introduced and much-spoken of traffic lane law has therefore been subject to appraisal as well as criticism over the past few days. While many believe it to be a way t

Land acquisitions in Hanthana and Knuckles Mountain ranges

Sri Lankans will soon lose their opportunity to boast about the rich biodiversity the land once had. Ad hoc practices such as clearing protected areas....

Wanathawilluwa forest clearance: Whodunit?

Days after the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland, situated in Puttalam District, made headlines over an illegal clearance, nearly 100 acres of forest area was reportedly destroyed in Kuratiyamohotte.....

‘I’m scared to see her face’

On August 13, a woman happened to meet a child who was in desperate need of help. The child’s only plea was “Aney Aunty, mawa beraganna” (Please save me Aunty). The child was promptly escorted to the Wattegama Police Station, in Kandy where they were made to sit for hours simply because of a snag in the country’s police system.

Kidneys that whisper death

A flute version of Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’ was echoing from a distance, indicating the hour of the choon paan vehicle. The young and the old alike had arrived at the roadside to purchase an evening snack. Harmonising the background noise was the chatter of few women walking back home from an evening bath. We were in Galenbindunuwew

Burning Panamanian tanker leaves SL authorities gutted

Weeks after MV Wakashio, a Japanese-owned bulk carrier, ran aground a coral reef in Mauritius, a crude oil carrier MT New Diamond caught fire around 38 nautical miles East of Sangamankanda Point in the East Coast of Sri Lanka on September 3.

New Diamond on Fire

The fire has been contained, now where will the oil go?

ILLEGAL AUSTRALIAN DRUG REHAB

To have received her son’s death certificate on the day she brought him to the world — exactly 37 years ago — was the hardest experience for British national Maryanne India Beare.

Local farmers face newer challenges in a post-COVID era

The Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre (DDEC) is a hive of activity from 5.00am onwards on any given day.

‘The Diaspora gave Prabakaran all the wrong advice’ - Erik Solheim

Sri Lanka’s 30-year war would be remembered, in part, for the crucial role played by Norway.

Internal strife within ITAK takes disturbing turn

The “Mathiya Seyal Kuzhu” (central working committee) of the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) also known as the Federal Party will be meeting today (Aug 29) in Vavuniya. The committee is generally referred to as “Mathiya Kuzhu”(Central committee). The Central Working committee is the key representative body of the ITAK. It comprises representatives elected by each district as well as ex-officio members. The ITAK is the premier political party

Facing the new normal with old business habits

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced that the COVID-19 wave will prevail for another two years. This means that people will have to continue adhering to basic health guidelines....

Preserving the dead through taxidermy

The Department of National Museums came under heavy scrutiny after photos of the black leopard’s carcass went viral on social media.

Using digital forensics to Apprehend wildlife criminals

Wildlife crimes in Sri Lanka and around the world are escalating at an alarming pace. Illegal activities such as snaring pose a threat to endemic species and the link to the illegal bushmeat trade has in most instances been exposed.

Future course of defeated ITAK leader “Maavai” Senathirajah

The recently concluded Sri Lankan parliamentary election resulted in the defeat of several veteran politicians.

Countrywide power failure a repeated mistake?

The island-wide power cut which occurred on August 17 at 12.45 am and continued for 8 hours has disrupted economic activity and day to day lives of people in different sectors.

Child sexual abuse crisis in Sri Lanka

As reports of child sexual abuse feature in our newsfeeds from across the country with regular and horrifying frequency, it is evident that Sri Lanka is facing a nationwide crisis of child abuse.

Extortion in the name of Devotion?

Colombo’s Mayurapathy Sri Bathrakali Amman Kovil’s frequent visitors include the rich, powerful and political

Lower costs and export biz help Hayleys navigate COVID-19 storm in 1Q

Diversified conglomerate and export major Hayleys PLC recorded higher operating profits for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 (1Q21) as the group managed to reduce its overheads while its export-oriented business performed strongly.

Drug trafficking through inhalers near Colombo schools

A new method of illegal drug trafficking through inhalers targeting school children has been reported near Colombo school

Lankan who sexually assaulted NZ woman to be deported

A Sri Lankan who sexually assaulted a Christchurch woman while she slept will be deported from New Zealand as soon as he becomes eligible for parole, New Zealand media reported yesterday.

Did Sumanthiran Win In Jaffna By “Stealing” Sashikala’s Votes?

The one-word answer to the question “Did M. A. Sumanthiran of the Tamil National Alliance win in the Jaffna Electoral district by “stealing” the preference votes cast for another TNA candidate Ms. Sashikala Raviraj?

Malaka Silva released on bail

Former Minister Mervin Silva’s son Malaka Silva, who was arrested for posing death threats and soliciting money from a businessman, was released on bail by the Kaduwela Magistrate yesterday.