Politics, cinema, and mystery of Richard

Asoka Handagama’s film ‘Rani’ has reignited controversy over Richard de Zoysa’s murder, elevating the debate to new heights. Even film critiques have shifted their focus from the movie’s artistic merits to its political undertones.

Why is Ceylon Tea losing steam?

Ceylon Tea still has the potential to be in the global news. This time around what we hear of news from the tea world is a little negative. The latest news reaching us informs that Sri Lanka has been overtaken by India in terms of ‘tea exports’. According to the Tea Board of India, Bharat has exported 254 million kgs of tea in 2024, the feat threatening Sri Lanka’s position in tea in the world.

The Path towards Reconciliation and Transitional Justice

During a recent parliamentary debate, Minister of Religious Affairs and Buddha Sasana, Sunil Senavi, emphasised the need for Sri Lanka to establish a ‘Truth and Forgiving’ Commission. He further referenced the views of former South African President Nelson Mandela, highlighting the importance of achieving national unity.

An impatient populace and getting bored of soap operas

Sri Lankans are generally impatient by nature. We have paid the price for this; mostly at elections. And the individuals who have capitalised on this nature are the politicians.

A neuroscientist’s groundbreaking discovery

Water is the essence of life, but could the type of water we drink be the key to reducing the risk of life-threatening diseases?

Overflowing toilets at Puttalam Base Hospital causes stench

Patients seeking treatment at the Puttalam Base Hospital and the residents of the area have been facing a serious health issue due to the overflow of toilet pits in the hospital.

New Ink 5 honours Richard De Zoysa Poetry and history in conversation

The New Ink 5 panel discussion was held at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Kynsey Terrence, Colombo 07, on March 22.

University of Ruhuna Faculty of Engineering celebrates ‘Silver Jubilee’

Nestled in the scenic Hapugala area of Galle, the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ruhuna stands as a testament to vision, perseverance, and academic excellence.

How are legislators expected to maintain their households?

I recall accounts by friends who participated in the 1971 insurrection on how they were instructed to engage in political organising.

Looming fiasco over Adani Wind Power project Why is there no Swiss Challenge?

Last month, Adani Green Energy announced that it would ‘respectfully withdraw’ from two proposed wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn after the government sought to lower the tariff in the power purchasing agreement.

CSE ramps up investor confidence

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is looking to build on its strong performance last year, when it ranked as the world’s second-best performing stock market in dollar terms, despite the signs of early 2025 market consolidation.

The Batalanda Commission Report and Sri Lanka’s path towards accountability and justice

The Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme (herein referred to as the Batalanda Commission Report) has gained much traction on media. The report came into the limelight following former President Ranil

Focusing on positive developmental outcomes Breaking barriers in disability

Globally, nearly 240 million children, aged 0 to 17 years—approximately 1 in 10—live with disabilities, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Panel discussion to strengthen Sri Lanka’s food safety well attended

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), supported by the European Union (EU) and in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media,

Sri Lanka hits 5% growth in 2024

In another reaffirmation of the strength of the ongoing economic recovery since the country fell into its economic depths back in 2022, Sri Lankan economy has recorded an estimated 5.4 percent growth in its economy in the fourth quarter of last year bringing the full year growth to the expected 5.0 percent in 2024.

The bane of over tourism and Israel occupation in Sri Lanka

Over tourism in the form of backpackers and tourists who patronise establishments run by their own communities are becoming a threat to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and culture. This had been evident with recent incidents being reported from down South. The Daily Mirror has received credible information of at least two incidents where Israeli tourists had gone to the extent of warning locals to discontinue their parties while parties done by these tou

Rape at Anuradhapura hospital Lax security gives criminals a free hand

As news of the shocking rape of a young doctor at the Anuradhapura hospital broke out, the General Medical Officers’ Union (GMOA) threatened a strike action if those responsible weren’t arrested immediately.

Passport woes a hindrance to global mobility

Among the countless trials and tribulations faced by the citizens of Sri Lanka, obtaining a passport is certainly one of them. The process can be extremely challenging due to several reasons; long waiting times for appointments and processing can delay the issuance, which may stretch to several weeks or even months. There have been reports of limited availability of appointment slots and long queues at the Department of Immigration and Emigration

Phallic symbols and graveyard humour - a breakthrough for Lankan film industry?

Ilango Ram’s ‘Nelum Kuluna’ (Tentigo) looks like the shot in the arm the limping Sri Lankan film industry needs just now – but it could be sending the wrong message.

Discipline or Arrogance? UNP’s Rise and Fall

It is a tragedy that Ranil Wickremesinghe, widely regarded as one of South Asia’s most astute politicians, who managed to steer a bankrupt nation back from the brink of collapse, failed to revive the United National Party (UNP) and restore its former glory.

Democratic space amidst Sri Lanka’s current conjuncture

Sri Lanka has historically signalled what other countries can expect to face amidst global economic and political shifts. For better or worse, it is often the first country for many feats in South Asia: universal suffrage in 1931, liberalisation in 1978 and, most recently, the first country to default on its external debt in 2022.

Corruption started with open economy, increased with every regime -Malik Samarawickrama

Former Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama,

Highs and lows of Trump’s fentanyl war

During the Prohibition era (1920-33), when alcohol was banned in the United States, the American Mafia, along with other ethnic gangs like the Irish, Jewish, and Polish, dominated the bootleg industry. Their operations involved alcohol from Canada and other countries.

Rani: How History is written inside Class Warfare

Though the film’s advertisers seem to have avoided this definition, what else is Rani except a biopic? ‘Bio’ comes from biography, and ‘pic’ comes from picture (film). A biopic is a film depicting or dramatising the life of a real person, contemporary or historical.

Portfolio investors bullish on SL, but FDI requires long-term stability: StanChart

Standard Chartered Bank yesterday expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s economic outlook, highlighting renewed confidence among portfolio investors.

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? It is the gradual, progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function over several months to years.

Trump made English the official language of USA what about ‘Hispanic Eelam’?

Donald Trump last week issued an executive order making English the official language of the United States of America. The order rescinded a previous presidential decree issued by former President Bill Clinton requiring federal government agencies to provide assistance programmes for people with limited English proficiency. Instead, it now allows the agencies to decide whether they want to offer documents and other services in languages other tha

How D’Oyly used espionage to conquer Kandy?

With the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom, the Kandyan Convention, ceremonially signed on March 10, 1815, completed the annexation of the island to the British Empire. This brought an end to the rule of Lankan Royalty.

President AKD’s First Budget The revolutionary governs, and governs well

We were supposed to have become a rich country decades ago. At Independence many predicted that Ceylon would become the Switzerland of the East. Instead communal strife, corruption and misguided economic policy held us back.

The tragic tale of Tamil politics

The ethnic problem seems to have been forgotten even by the Tamils of Northern and Eastern Provinces. Tamils have apparently been left to themselves. Political disunity seems to have been the order of the day.