Could revised train schedules minimise elephant-train collisions?

At least nine elephants succumbed to injuries as a result of elephant-train collisions by March 2025. The frequency of elephants colliding with trains traveling towards Mannar, Batticaloa and Trincomalee have raised concerns among the wildlife fraternity.

This regime must embrace ‘possibility’

Sri Lanka is a country that is in search of the truth. This is because the majority of the islanders are Buddhists.

Sweet surge in growth for local confectioneries in early 2025

Sri Lanka’s confectionery industry is experiencing some sweet growth as it on an upward trajectory this year, supported by improving economic sentiment, consecutive festive seasons, and a forecasted increase in consumer spending following the salary hikes outlined in the national budget.

Tourism leaders push for urgent promos to meet Sri Lanka’s 2025 targets

With Sri Lanka experiencing a rise in tourist arrivals compared to last year, industry leaders are calling for the urgent rollout of global promotional campaigns to sustain the momentum in order to achieve the government’s sector targets for the year.

Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces and ‘Rightsizing’

The President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, said in the parliament on 28 February 2025 that the Number of persons in all three armed forces will be reduced while they will be made sophisticated with equipment. “Our aim is to acquire modern equipment for the forces. Almost all aircraft in the Sri Lanka Air Force are becoming outdated. Therefore, we will acquire new aircraft. The Sri Lankan Navy will also get new craft and new equipment. We will do

Healing minds matter: A revolutionary mental health initiative by Rotary

In a world where mental health struggles are often overlooked, Sri Lanka stands at a critical turning point. With an alarming suicide rate of 3,500 lives lost last year and countless others suffering in silence, the need for urgent intervention is undeniable. Addressing this crisis head-on, Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town and Rotary Club of Colombo Port City,

How climate change impacts Sri Lanka’s dengue disease burden

Three-year-old Nethmi Sehansa* from Dematagoda, a suburb of Colombo, succumbed to dengue in May 2023. Her parents and elder siblings remain devastated by her untimely demise.

Haphazard watching of elephants makes jeep safaris unsafe

Environmental organisations and animal lovers have expressed concern about the haphazard watching of wild elephants from safari jeeps and other motor vehicles transporting tourists.

Undergrads say bye to plastic waste, embrace ‘Hello Zero’

A group of volunteers working for ‘Zero Plastic Movement’ got together and made an elephant out of plastic waste, with the product coming in for much praise at the recent ‘Annual Summit of the World’s Largest Travel Company’ held at the BMICH on February 27.

Transboundary air pollution the zero-sum blame game and what might help instead

Sri Lankans have become aware of hard-hitting air pollution events lately where pollutants from regional countries have negatively impacted our health.

Strengthen reforms, IMF tells SL ahead of fourth review

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will closely monitor Sri Lanka’s fiscal and structural reforms ahead of the fourth review, following the successful completion of the third review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

HEC : Time is ticking as Sri Lanka tests practical solutions

Sri Lanka lost a total of nine elephants during the first two months of 2025 as a result of elephant-train collisions. These statistics were issued to this paper by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. But records indicate that over 60 elephants succumbed to injuries caused by electrocution, hakka patas and gunshots. In February this year, seven elephants succumbed to injuries as a result of a collision with the Colombo-Batticaloa train ‘Meen

Richard, Manorani and ‘Rani’: Murky waters and a culture war

The controversy sparked by Asoka Handagama’s biopic ‘Rani’, about the lives of Richard De Zoysa and his mother Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu, is so one-sided that I feel duty-bound to make the following comments. I hate getting embroiled in controversies. They consume much-needed energy wasted in arguments which go nowhere. But, as someone who knew Richard and Dr. Manorani well enough to visit them at their home during 1984-86, I need to say the fol

The Life-Changing Renal Transplant on World Kidney Day

As World Kidney Day approaches, Sri Lanka takes center stage in the global effort to address kidney health and organ transplantation.

The uncontrolled rise of community dogs and cats

The presence of community dogs and cats in Sri Lanka is a complex issue that necessitates a compassionate and well-balanced approach.

UNHRC’s Inconsistent HR Oversight: A Global Concern

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has strongly criticized the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for what he perceives as selective and biased scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

Budget 2025 and the Challenges of Economic Recovery

The NPP Government has the overwhelming support of the citizenry. This support in large measure was due to the deep economic depression that has drowned the country over the last many years. In this context,

Trump’s disdain for soft power opens doors to China

The move to wind up USAID is a reflection of US President Donald Trump’s disdain for social welfare across the world and also the use of soft power as an instrument of foreign policy.

Sri Lanka must await B-minus credit upgrade to tap global markets

Sri Lanka must wait for a sovereign credit upgrade to B-minus level to access global financial markets, where the country could also start to experience significant foreign investment flows, a senior global banker said.

National security: From the womb to the tomb

It may not be an exaggeration to say that national security has become the most politicised topic in Sri Lanka these days. In parliament and political platforms, much precious time is spent on the critique of and in defence of the government’s national security policy, but there is very little introspection.

The Healing and Therapeutic Power Of Music

The study of the effect of music on the mind and brain has evolved over thousands of years, from ancient philosophy to modern neuroscience. Ancient and early theories include: The Egyptians used music in healing rituals. Ancient Greeks (e.g., Pythagoras, Plato and Aristotle) believed music affected emotions and morality. Pythagoras (500 BCE) proposed that music had a mathematical structure that could influence the soul and even cure disea

‘Rani’, loopholes in research and the ‘Killing’ of Richard

If Richard de Zoysa’s life was associated with speculation during the best period of his life, a recent film made on him adds fuel to the fire of controversy that surrounds this character.

“I have a natural affinity for abstract art” Dr. Ranjith Dharmathilaka

Dr. Ranjith Dharmathilaka is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Visual Arts, University of the Visual & Performing Arts.

Forest fires and impending threats to dry zone forests

As many as 40 small scale and large scale forest fires have occurred throughout the country as of February 24, 2025.

Budget 2025 charts clear path for stability and growth: Treasury Secretary

The Budget 2025 is a critical milestone in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery journey, as it has managed to strike a careful balance between maintaining fiscal discipline and addressing the immediate needs of the public, according to Secretary to the Treasury, K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana.

Exports top US$ 1.3 bn in January

Sri Lanka’s export sector kicked off 2025 on a positive note, with total exports crossing US$ 1.3 billion in January, marking a 7.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase, data from the Export Development Board (EDB) showed.

From ‘Indian’ to ‘Malaiyaha’ A call for identity recognition

For over two centuries, the Hill Country Tamil community has played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s social and economic landscape and has called the island home, yet their identity remains tied to their ancestral roots in India. With the fourth, fifth and even sixth generations of this community now living in Sri Lanka, there is a growing need to move away from the “Indian Tamil” identity and fully embrace the “Malaiyaha Tamil” identity. Advocates ar

Today Maha Shivratri Day! May Lord Shiva shower the world with love and peace

Shivratri, also known as Maha Shivratri or Maha Shivarathri (Tamil), is a Hindu festival that is celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism. The festival is observed by fasting, praying and offering devotion to Lord Shiva. Fasting on Shivratri is considered to be extremely auspicious and is believed to bring blessings and fulfillment of desires.

Walk4Hope: Promoting empathy, support for amputees

The Youth Council of Colombo Friend in Need Society (CFINS), in collaboration with Rotaract and Interact Clubs, organised Walk4Hope, a 3 km run/walk aimed at raising awareness and fostering empathy for amputees in Sri Lanka.

“INDEPENDENT” PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE: MYTH AND REALITY

The institution of criminal proceedings is of vital concern to the public. Irrespective of the outcome of proceedings,