Salt shortage triggered by management blunders

There is currently a shortage of salt in the market, and the authorities have cited various reasons for it. However, during a visit made by this newspaper to Hambantota saltern last December, this writer observed that no steps had been taken by the relevant authorities to prepare the salt beds for production prior to the rainy season, nor were other essential preparatory measures in place. At the time, the saltern contained only iodised salt, whi

The ragging epidemic: Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Barely a month after the suicide of Sabaragamuwa University student Charith Dilshan, the entire episode seems to be forgotten. There are new scandals and shocks almost on a daily basis. A disastrous bus accident, cyclonic weather and a new Covid variant have dominated the curriculum of daily worries. This is precisely the climate in which raggers and their obnoxious subculture of ragging thrive. They know that public outrage won’t last, and they

Saving Lives in Maternal Cardiac Care: A Novel Approach to Safety and Excellence

Dr. Sanath Akmeemana, President of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, awards the oration medal to Dr. Gamini Galappatthy, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, who delivered the prestigious Professor D.E. Gunatilleke memorial oration at the Samson Rajapaksha auditorium of the SLCOG House on May 25, 2025. The oration was titled ‘Heart Disease and Pregnancy – The Crossroads Well Signposted Will Prev

Israel, US roll out plan for attack on Iran

The developments in the past few days indicate an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is imminent. The United States is not any more putting diplomatic pressure on Israel to restrain itself. The US stance seems to give a green light for the attack. If war breaks out, before long it will become a joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran. On Wednesday, the US ordered the non-essential staff to leave its embassy in Iraq on security concerns. I

What is the government’s plan on dengue, chikungunya and COVID?

One of the main news items in yesterday’s papers was regarding the deaths of two individuals due to suspected infection from a new COVID strain. This is amidst the healthcare sector dealing with a surge of dengue and chikungunya cases. While the numbers are being recorded by the health units, the public is placing their trust in the healthcare sector to ensure that deaths could be prevented in this case. Sri Lanka witnessed a severe outbreak of

President draws red line on tax relief

Sri Lanka’s private sector received a firm directive from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday, who said businesses “must pay fair taxes” and not seek tax revisions for industry development.

Sex education a must as cases of sexual abuse rise

The issue of sexual violence in the education sector has been gathering momentum and the incidents of sexual violence have been increasing in leaps and bounds. It has steadily moved up in the agenda of administrators, law enforcement authorities, child protection agencies and civil rights organisations.

Esoteric Science A Path to Determining Success

It is unlikely that today you can meet a person who, at least once in his life, has not asked the question of what “esoteric science”, means, because this word is often heard on international TV screens.

Trump’s Tariff Rampage:Real Policy or Ulterior Motive

In ancient times, geographers named cyclones after women due to their perceived unpredictability.

The Path to 5G in Sri Lanka:Challenges and Opportunities

Sri Lanka is on the brink of a new technological era as the world races towards adopting fifth-generation (5G) mobile network technology.

‘70 Years After Bandung’ When Ceylon Said ‘No’ to “Big Bro”; Sir John at Bandung

The 1955 Bandung Conference was a key moment when newly free countries met to decide their path in a divided world.

US trade court ruling eases pressure on Sri Lanka for now

A surprise ruling by a US trade court blocking most of the steep tariffs announced by President Donald Trump may give Sri Lanka a much-needed breather, however, the country must not squander this window

Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town celebrates 50 Years

‘The Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town’ marked a historic milestone as it celebrated its 50th anniversary.This they did with a grand and heartfelt event that embodied the spirit of service, fellowship, and the enduring Magic of Rotary.Held at the Galadari Hotel, the evening brought together a vibrant gathering of Rotarians, distinguished guests, well-wishers, and sponsors, who joined hands to celebrate a journey of five decades rooted in compassion

The NPP changes system or vice versa

Public opinion is all powerful in any country. There is no escape for any government from it in furtherance of its policy implementations and decision making.

Why a Top-Down Approach to Development Projects Will Always Fail

Hubris. That is why there are over 900 kilometres of fibre optic cable laid in rural Wisconsin—one of the Midwestern states of the United States—that remain mostly dark while many rural residents still lack access to broadband internet. Laid at a cost of USD 32.3 million with support from the federal and state governments, this project was meant to connect Wisconsin’s rural areas to high-speed internet. Yet more than a decade after construction w

Proposed system changes to achieve the real objectives of LG machinery

I was energised to pen this piece after having read with interest several articles in the press. One of them was an article by veteran journalist Kusal Perera which exposed the manoeuvers by power hungry political party leaders abusing the very objectives of the LG machinery, to achieve their selfish and ulterior political motives, underscoring the need for ‘System Change’.

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals top 1 million

Sri Lanka crossed the 1 million mark in international tourist arrivals for 2025 as of May 23, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed, hitting the milestone nearly a month earlier than in 2024 and returning to pre-pandemic levels last seen in 2018.

Smart cities for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s cities face growing environmental and urban challenges. Smart Sustainable Clean Development offers a bold path forward, blending digital innovation with green infrastructure.

Ragging and its ugly history in Academia

University is an institution for academic development and the promotion of a critical learning environment.

South Asian Youth: Learning and Leading the Charge for Biodiversity

South Asia region—steeped in history and brimming with natural resources, faces unprecedented threats. From the snow-capped Himalayas to the lush rainforests, dry arid plains, wetlands and under ocean coral reefs, the biodiversity of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is increasingly imperilled by human activities. The crucial role of young people in this region comes into sharp focus when we talk

Mayor Brown and the Tamil genocide monument

Earlier this month, many in our country were unpleasantly surprised when we learned that Canada—a country built on genocide and the violent dispossession of its indigenous people—had declared open a monument commemorating ‘Tamil Genocide in Lanka’.

Bus accidents caused by bad buses, driving and bad politics

The accident that occurred on May 11, when an SLTB bus plunged into a precipice in the Geradi Ella area of Ramboda, has so far claimed 22 lives. The Nuwara Eliya Senior Superintendent of Police confirmed to the media that 52 people injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in Kandy, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Peradeniya, and other locations.

Gaza: The West’s warning of concrete action against Israel rings hollow

After 17 months of appalling complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Western nations are finally condemning the horrors inflicted upon Palestinian civilians. Their sudden transformation from sociopathic bystanders to paragons of virtue seems too good to be true—though it is shocking, to say the least. Was this unexpected turn of events a spiritual reawakening, or does it signal the softening of their once stone-like hearts?

Employees left in the dark amidst abrupt garment factory closure

Rights groups and trade union representatives have expressed their disappointment regarding the abrupt closure of apparel giant NEXT Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, which employed over 1300 workers. The company is being blamed for its failure to give prior notice to its employees while taking steps to inform the labour commissioner regarding their decision.

Top Norwegian experts warn against investment in petroleum exploration

In the wake of the Sri Lankan government preparing for offshore petroleum exploration , a leading Norwegian expert in the field , said that it is a risky investment when the world is moving towards renewable energy sources more and more.

National consumer prices decline 0.8% in April on cut to petrol prices

Prices could flip into inflationary territory in a month or two as expected by Central Bank

Why not celebrate the Republic Day?

Today, the 22nd day of May, is the 53rd anniversary of the Republic of Sri Lanka. It is not a national holiday. The government has chosen not to celebrate it. It has instead preferred to honour the 4th of February, the day on which, through the good grace of the British monarch, Ceylon graduated from a Crown Colony into a British Dominion. I do not seek to belittle the efforts of D.S. Senanayake and Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, who, in the midst of a

Child hero Madduma Bandara to be commemorated

The child hero seven year old Madduma Bandara who was beheaded mercilessly as part of revenge taking against his father Ehelepola Maha Adikaram 211 years ago is to be commemorated on May 17 at Ehelepola Raja Maha Viharaya in Matale.

How Indian lorry chassis and multi-sectoral lapses crashed Sri Lanka’s public transport sector!

Despite repeated revelations of importing lorry chassis for public transport, successive governments have turned a blind eye to this issue, reportedly in place of obtaining financial gains.

Brawl victims pose a problem to plastic surgery unit

Health authorities have expressed concern that the cost and burden of re-joining limbs seperated from the body in brawls is happening at the cost of accident victims.