The unseen plastic health threat

Each cup of your favourite tea may contain billions of microplastic and nano plastic particles, potentially posing risks to your health.

Case for use of air power in counter insurgency operations

Modern democracies tend to be reluctant to use air power against insurgents because of the fear of causing collateral civilian damage and harming the bid to win the hearts and minds of the people.

Credit to private sector accelerates to Rs.173bn

The licensed commercial banks have accelerated their pace of credit to the private sector in recent times, as the borrowing rates stay low while the economy picks up steam, generating demand for fresh credit from individuals and businesses.

Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path to Nirvana

Buddhism is considered a ‘Religion’ in a traditional form and understanding. 26 centuries ago, when people became devotees of The Buddha, it continued as a religion from generation to generation. There exists a question as to in fact and in true sense, whether it is a religion.

Pindapatha Promoting Inter-Faith Harmony

In what would be known as a rare occasion, clergy from all four religions of the country got together on Tuesday (13) at the Vivekaramaya Temple in Mirihana to serve alms to 80 monks, including 60 young monks from Myanmar, engaged in an alms procession (Pindapatha Charika). The event was organised with the support of the Vivekaramaya Temple trustee board, Mirihana Buddhist Women’s Association, Dharmashakthi Organisation and Maharagama Divisional

Namal’s Ascent: Presidential 2024 as Reliable Comparative for LG Results

The analysis of electoral trends demands thoughtful consideration of which comparative baselines yield the most meaningful insights.

Local Government Election Outcome: A Call for Inclusive Governance

The peaceful and orderly conduct of the recently concluded local government elections, which were held without the large-scale abuses of state power or otherwise that marred previous electoral cycles, has marked a refreshing change from the past.

Tourism maintains upward momentum with US$ 256.7mn April earnings

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continues to maintain its recovery momentum as it recorded US$ 256.7 million in earnings for April 2025, a 13.7 percent increase year-on-year (YoY).

CSO’s demand 25% quota for women’s representation

Upon the critical need to ensure a legally mandated 25% quota for women’s representation in local government bodies, following the recent local authority elections, the Mannar Women’s Development Federation sent an urgent letter to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (EC). The letter, endorsed by over 30 ground level groups, outlines key concerns about compliance with the quota, highlights areas where gaps persist, and urges the Commission to ta

Bequeathing the Stories A call from Hiroshima and Nagasaki to South Asia

In August last year, I travelled to Hiroshima and Nagasaki as part of the UNODA Youth Leaders Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons inaugural cohort. I received the opportunity as a volunteer youth coordinator for Sri Lanka Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons under the patronage of Forum on Disarmament and Development.

World cannot stay idle as nuclear-armed India and Pakistan are drawn to war

The world cannot remain silent when two nuclear powers—India and Pakistan—are gearing up for war. Such a conflict is in the interest of neither the two countries nor the rest of the world. A nuclear war, in which there are no winners but only losers, will precipitate a disaster of apocalyptic proportions with devastating consequences for decades to come, not only for the two countries but for the surrounding region and even the entire world.

Govt’s Decision To Reopen Route Via Wilpattu NP hits a snag

The much disputed Mannar-Puttalam road via Wilpattu National Park yet again made headlines when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently said that the government is considering ways and means of reopening this road. The road, which was initially built by the Army during the war, was utilised for logistical purposes. Right now, this road, which is in a dilapidated state, has been closed due to a court order following complaints filed by the Env

A call to end University Ragging

A university is an institution for academic development and the promotion of a critical learning environment. Hence, universities should be an exemplary place, way beyond the social norms. It’s a place where the cream of students are identified in schools and nurtured to take responsible positions around the globe. Therefore, the Chancellors and the administrative bodies should not allow such places to be used by the inhumane for flashy words ca

Horton Plains National Park plants and wildlife endangered by invasive plants

Horton Plains Naional Park, a world heritage environmental zone rich in biodiversity is now endangered by fast spreading invasive alien plants, much to the alarm of the environmentalists and those depending on tourism. Jinapriya Gallage, a reputed envioronmentalist and wildlife photographer, said these pose a threat to the park’s sensitive biodiversity, and plants and animal species endemic to this highly sensitive enviornmental zone would b

More students exposed to universities’ sadistic rag culture

“He was stripped naked in public and they kept banging his head on one wall and the other. They have pricked him using a safety pin. Then he was thrown inside a cupboard.

Illegal confectionery floods SL market: Leading confectioner warns

A rise in illegal confectionery products entering Sri Lanka’s local market is posing significant challenges for the legitimate businesses and creating health risks for the consumers, a top industry representative warns.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED AN APPEAL TO EXPEDITE CASES OF CHILD ABUSE

During the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children on 7-8 November 2024, the Government of Sri Lanka pledged to complete the legislative process to ban corporal punishment in all settings by mid-2025

A Closer Look at State-Run Lotteries

Sri Lanka currently hosts over twenty different lotteries conducted by the government-owned National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board. The enthusiasm with which people gather around sales kiosks to buy tickets and check results clearly shows how widespread the lottery culture has become. While each ticket is priced at an affordable Rs. 40 — making individual losses relatively minor — the sheer popularity raises concerns about poten

Illicit cigarette market surges nearly 20% to 1.16 bn sticks in 2024

Illicit cigarettes continued to erode the tobacco monopoly of Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, with a significant 19.6 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) growth and soaring to 1.16 billion sticks in 2024.

Vietnamese Spiritual leader forced to make U-turn in Sri Lanka

Minh Tue is a Vietnamese who describes himself as an ordinary learner and practising what Buddha has taught in scripture.

Of books in libraries and people who don’t use them

I was recently invited to give a talk as part of the centenary celebrations of the Colombo Public Library.

Due to lack of support in Sri Lanka Tug of war officials at the end of their rope

Many sports activities take place during the Sinhala-Hindu New Year in April. Among some of the robust sports activities on the cards during the festive season is tug of war. It is also considered as one of the traditional sports activities in this island.

Kumana National Park: A haven for leopards

Kumana National Park is known to be home to the world’s second-largest population of leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya)

Pope Francis and Gaza: Whither the papal power?

As the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics mourn and tens of thousands of people queue to say their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, orphaned are the many causes that the pontiff championed throughout his papal mission.

Sacred Exposition of the Tooth Relic A Historic Event for Sri Lankan Devotees

The Temple of the Tooth has begun the public exposition of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, taking place from April 18th to 27th. This veneration is being held at the request of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the primary aim of overcoming the economic and social problems and deepening the devotion of Buddhists.

Tech Trash: Tackling Sri Lanka’s growing E-Waste Crisis

Despite its growing impact, the Electronic waste or E-waste problem in Sri Lanka remains largely under-recognised and downplayed. This environmental concern receives less public awareness and government attention when compared to issues such as plastic pollution or deforestation. As Sri Lanka continues to adopt new technologies, discarded devices including computers, mobile phones, televisions, and other electronic equipment are piling up at an a

The Sacred Tooth Relic: An incredible journey, documented

The dawn of the New Year 2025 is further glorified by the meritorious ‘Exposition of the sacred Tooth Relic of the ‘Gautama Samma Sambuddha’ at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, beginning April 18 to April 27.

No Russian charter flights to Sri Lanka until October

Sri Lanka will not host Russian charter flights during the off-season due to diminished demand and a lack of summer promotions, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

CCRT4 and NSS partnership help uplift Children with Special Needs

The Colombo Cinnamon Round Table 4 (CCRT4) is a network of professionals and community leaders dedicated to social service, leadership, fellowship and networking initiatives.

A dangerous attempt to rewrite the history of the Easter Sunday Attacks

For several years since the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, which marked their 6th anniversary this week, a section of the Catholic church and assorted groups wanted us to believe that nine suicide Islamist terrorists—who pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State—blew themselves up,