Paradox of Progress ‘AI and agriculture’

While the Neolithic Revolution is often celebrated as an unequivocal triumph, its complex legacy of social hierarchies and unequal benefits offers a vital lens for our current era. This paradox suggests that the transformative power of AI is not guaranteed to be equitable. Understanding the unintended consequences of our first revolution is key to consciously shaping our second, and ensuring AI becomes a tool for empowerment rather than a n

Sri Lanka’s prisons overwhelmed by drug addicts

Despite intensified operations to curb drug-related crimes across the country, Sri Lanka is grappling with a growing crisis on two fronts, a surge in drug addiction and a critically overcrowded prison system that has far exceeded its holding capacity.

New SriLankan High Commissioner in Australia welcomed with Open Arms

The Federation of Sri Lankan Organisations in Queensland, Australia, organised a reception to welcome the newly appointed High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia, Yasoja Gunasekara, on August 2, at the Walkway to Ceylon Hotel in Brisbane.

Screen addiction causing social issues in kids Expert

Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera has raised concern that children are increasingly facing social and developmental challenges, rather than medical problems, due to excessive screen exposure.

Construction sector at risk as banks step up parate executions: CCISL

The local construction industry risks widespread collapse if urgent relief is not extended to the struggling firms, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) warned, citing a growing wave of parate executions by the banks on the mortgaged assets.

Racketeers involved in large scale land grab in Dambulla

These racketeers operate a land kachcheri that enables them to create notarial deeds showing a transaction history of fifty years for any land. With the Divisional Secretary withdrawing the land from state ownership, they began to link the ownership of the state land to a praveni pangu of the Dambulla temple title plan

Transnational repression of dissent concerns Western democracies

There are two kinds of cross-border invasive action one sees today – cross border terrorism and transnational repression. The former is perpetrated by non-State actors and the latter by States. Even as the world is trying to find ways to check cross-border terrorism, transnational repression has gained ground in Western democracies, requiring attention.

Govt. animal census turns out to be ‘monkey business’

A census of animals is a rare occurrence in Sri Lanka. Recently, such a census was conducted on March 15.

Lung cancer on the rise MEDICAL EXPERTS OUTLINE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

Even though the hospital is equipped with new technology and surgical equipment, the old operating theatre, lack of doctors and absence of Intensive Care (ICU) facilities are the main obstacles in treating lung cancer patients, said thoracic surgeon Dr. Dhammika Rasnayaka during a media briefing yesterday at the District Chest Clinic Auditorium, Chest Hospital, Welisara.

SL poised to become ‘India’s Macau,’ says Melco chief at JKH’s City of Dreams launch

With the launch of the landmark City of Dreams Sri Lanka last Saturday, the nation is being positioned as a potential gaming and tourism hub for South Asia, with Melco Resorts & Entertainment Chairman and CEO, Lawrence Ho, drawing a powerful parallel: “Sri Lanka to India to be what Macau is to China.”

Changing public perception, a win for protecting the Sri Lankan Leopard

One of the most iconic species sharing the same terrain on this isle, along with humans, is the Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya). Elusive in nature and often taking cover from the human eye, these beings hold significant ecological and economic importance for the country. The Sri Lankan leopard has also been crowned (rather self-crowned itself) as the apex predator of the island’s ecosystems and is a flagship species, adored locally an

Mosque tour promotes interfaith understanding

In a world clouded by misunderstanding, the Jumma Mosque at Kollupitiya (Colpetty) opened its doors to foster clarity, promote connection and provide a deeper understanding of the true essence of Islam. The recent tour of the mosque served as a valuable opportunity to explore Islamic architecture, cultural heritage and the spiritual significance of the sacred space.

Nothing of worth in RW Education Reforms rebranded as “NPP”

Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of this NPP government, travelling around marketing “her education reforms” says, they would be implemented from January 2026 despite false accusations, criticisms and protests. She is yet to release the complete draft of the proposed “Education Reforms”. What has now been hastily released through social media is a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation that the Ministry of Education (MoE) perhaps

A Bold Foray into Education Reforms in a Corrupt Society

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Prime Minister holding the Education Portfolio, has made a bold foray into education reforms. We all know how grave and intractable the problems are, crying for urgent resolution. Right-thinking Sri Lankans wish her success.

Courageous women harvesting cockle in Ichchankaduwa lagoon

“We know it is a sin to put any living creature into boiling water, but we can’t help it. We are compelled to do so to make a living,” said a woman boiling live cockle (Matti) in a huge pot containing steaming water.

R2P RIP; its grave is in Gaza

Responsibility to protect—protect whom? The vulnerable, facing imminent death. We had heard the term before. It was once fashionable in political discourse to invoke the concept—stylishly abbreviated as R2P—when powers, both big and not so big, cited it to justify interventions ostensibly on humanitarian grounds. To be seen as benevolent, after all, they thought, would enhance their international standing as do-gooders.

Garbage crisis at Armour Street flats and CMC’s inaction

Despite a formal complaint lodged on July 10, 2025 with the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) — including its senior officers, the Commissioner, and the Mayoress—the mounting garbage within the precincts of Armour Street Flat remains uncleared as of today (July 24, 2025). This was followed up with WhatsApp/SMS messages and phone calls, yet no meaningful action has been taken.

National consumer prices rise 0.6% in June on electricity tariff hike

Sri Lanka’s consumer prices, measured nationally, rose by 0.6 percent in June from a month ago levels, picking up from 0.5 percent in May, as the upward revision to the electricity prices in June sent the non-food prices higher.

Proposed floating solar project generates much criticism

The proposed 50 megawatt floating solar power project in Kaluganga reservoir has been met with criticism by environmental organisations. They have pointed out that the proposed project would cause extensive environmental damage to the reservoir and pose a threat to several species of fish endemic to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Leaders Continue To Favour Incompetents Over Intellectuals

“The colonial administrator Leonard Woolf, in his foundational text Villagein the Jungle penned a disquieting insight into Sri Lankan monarchs of old, an insight that resonates with chilling, almost prophetic, accuracy in our current political climate.” Woolf noted, with a distinct undertone of regret and perhaps exasperation, that these kings often preferred “idiots and buffoons” to intellectuals. Their courts, he implied, were populated by thos

Unpopular Measures

It’s good to see the government taking some unpopular measures that hardly get highlighted in the media. Two examples to mention a few, the removing of unauthorised buildings along the Southern coast and up country, too.

When would there be the day when religion is safe from Politics?

It was so lovely to witness the concluding of the Pada Yathra (trek) pilgrimage for 2025 on July the fourth sans major issues. Why even talk about major issues during a religious event? We need to do that because Sri Lanka is one of those countries which has used religion as a tool to cause divisions within a community.

Sri Lanka’s private education crisis and Govt. impact

For middle-class Sri Lankan parents, small businesses, teachers, and other professionals, education is not just a right, but a lifeline to a better future for their children. They work tirelessly to save for college degrees that promise good jobs and social mobility. However, access is severely limited; only 17% of students who pass A/Ls gain admission to state universities, leaving many reliant on private institutions like KDU, ACBT, or SLIIT.

How ‘Sri Lankan English’ adapted, borrowed and blended into the Oxford English Dictionary

Be it asweddumized fields or mallung in a rice and curry meal, kiribath for a special occasion, sizzling kottu, scrumptious watalappam or a happening baila song – each one of these examples provides a glimpse of Sri Lanka in a nutshell.

‘Missing Orchid resurfaces’ from Dumbara mountain range

A team of Sri Lankan researchers has been able to discover from Dumbara mountain range a variety of orchid endemic to Sri Lanka.

Jaffna protesters tell the President: ‘We want our land back’

A protest was organised in front of the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face on the 15th of July by the people of Jaffna claiming that they had lost their lands due to the interference of the Sri Lankan government.

Blackout: Solar energy not to blame, grid development is solution- DG-International Solar Alliance

Director General of International Solar Alliance Ashish Khanna who is in Sri Lanka speaks to Daily Mirror on the importance of solar energy for the future.

Plan goes awry with Nigeria, South Sudan throws open gate

Sri Lanka’s plan to purchase fuel from Nigeria has gone awry because of restrictions in crude oil imports in that country and prior registration requirement for refined products deals, Daily Mirror learns.

Don’t feed the elephant!

The chance to see wild Asian elephants is rare. Sri Lanka and India are home to some of the last abundant populations, making them top tourist attractions.

Pharma industry warns of collapse without buyback extension

The Sri Lanka Pharma Manufacturers Association (SLPMA) issued a stark warning, stating the country’s domestic pharmaceutical production could plummet to a mere 5 percent of government supply if critical buyback agreements are not extended.