‘RANI’ FILM BUTCHERS MEMORIES OF RICHARD AND HIS MOTHER

I attended the movie ‘Rani’ where its characters allegedly represent the lives, times and the deaths of Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu and Richard de Zoysa.

Fresh boost for local SME sector with new national advisory committee

In an effort to address issues faced by local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Ministry of Finance announced this week the establishment of a national advisory committee.

Our music: ‘Subhavitha vs. Peechang’ amounts to a culture war

In the second part of this series based on Eric Illayapparachchi’s seminal essay on the Sinhala song, we start with his views on the ‘Subhavitha-Peechang’ (distinguished-cheap) conflict which dominated it for so long. Two towering figures come to mind immediately in this context—singers W. D. Amaradeva and H. R. Jothipala. The writer quotes Roland Barthes, Edward Said and musicologist Daniel Barenboim to illustrate his points, defining this Subh

UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE inside Sinharaja forest

The Sinharaja Forest, spread across the districts of Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara, covers an area of 11,187 hectares. There are 22 villages surrounding this forest, and Lankagama, one of them, is located in the Galle district at an altitude of 827 feet above sea level. In the past, there were considerable discussions about expanding and modernising the existing road from Lankagama to Neluwa. This road passes through Lankagama, Kolonkotuwa, Waruka

May the year of the snake usher in prosperity and peace!

‘Chinese New Year’ dawned on January 29, 2025. Celebrations, which will last for 15 days, are also known as the ‘Spring Festival’.

Roopa Hala Sri Lankan cinema at your doorstep!

Roopa Hala’, Sri Lanka’s first and largest OTT streaming platform, designed exclusively for Sinhala Cinema, is revolutionising the way audiences experience the nation’s rich storytelling tradition.

Education, emancipation and the hill-country

In approaching another Independence Day on February 4, we must reflect on the tragic history of our country.

Is the burden on the middle-class who want to purchase a new car high?

It is expected that the years-long import restriction on cars would be eliminated and very soon the streets on the most frequented roads of Colombo will be filled with brand-new cars.

‘It’s About Time’ Travelling History Museum travels to Galle

The sixth edition of the ‘It’s About Time’ travelling history museum will open doors in Galle from February 5-12 at the Galle Town Hall.

Sri Lanka raises renewable energy target to 100% in bold policy shift

Sri Lanka has set itself yet another ambitious goal, this time raising the renewable energy target from the current 70 percent to 100 percent, aiming for a complete transition to clean energy.

Don’t panic over foggy conditions, advises medical specialist

In light of the foggy conditions prevailing in many parts of the country, Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr. Neranjan Dissanayake urged the public not to panic, noting that such phenomena not abnormal and usually transient.

Current policy rate sufficient to bring inflation back to 5% target: CBSL

In line with widespread expectations, the Central Bank kept its Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) — its new key policy rate — at 8.00 percent at its first policy meeting of the year.

Battalangunduwa Island Where promises by politicians have been left to the mercy of the waves

Battalangunduwa is one of several islands in the Kalpitiya archipelago. It is a lovely and attractive island surrounded by the sea and the Kalpitiya lagoon.

President Dissanayake sets ambitious export target of US $ 36bn by 2030

Sri Lanka’s export fraternity must intensify efforts to diversify its markets and product basket as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the industries and officials to work towards achieving an ambitious export revenue target of US $ 36 billion by 2030.

Spotlight on illegal mechanised gem mining in Botiyathenna

The destruction of the elephant corridor and forest entrance to Sinharaja in Manikkawatta, Botiyathenna, by constructing hotels, endeavours initiated by a group including Gayan Sanjeewa Guruge, the son of the late Jinadasa Guruge,

“The myth that arthritic diseases does not have a solution needs to be eradicated,” - Dr. Himantha Atukorale

With reports indicating the rising prevalence of joint diseases becoming a major public health concern in Sri Lanka, a leading Rheumatologist expressed his thoughts regarding the increase in such diseases among the elderly and those who are susceptible to them.

Govt. urged to manage vehicle demand surge with phased taxation

As the importation of passenger vehicles is set to reopen with effect from 1st February, the government is being urged to adopt a tax system to address the possible initial surge in demand for vehicle imports and to minimise revenue leakage through under-invoicing.

The Sinhala song remains a lifelong ‘virgin:’ What went wrong?

Last week, we looked at a critical evaluation of Swarna Mallawaarachi from Eric Illayapparachchi’s essay ‘The Last Face: Swarna’ from his book ‘In Search of Art.’

“Col” Kittu, comrades kill themselves to prevent capture by Indian Navy

The life and times of former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) military chief for Jaffna district, Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar, has been the focus of this extended article.

CSE targets 20 IPOs in 2025

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is targeting 20 initial public offerings (IPOs) this year, with the IPOs with five to six already in the pipeline, according to its Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara.

Can we enfranchise expatriate workers without biometric-based IDs?

Given Sri Lanka’s dependence on remittances from expatriate workers, there is strong justification for enabling them to vote.

The journey of Victor Ivan….From making bombs till the pen nib exploded!

Journalist Victor Ivan is perhaps one of the greatest examples of a person braving all odds and a partial disability to achieve lofty goals and most importantly leave an indelible mark in his chosen profession, the field of media.

Coconut chamber demands urgent import approval to avert dual crisis

The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries (CCCI), the umbrella organisation for Sri Lanka’s coconut industry, yesterday urged the government to expedite the proposal to import 200 million nuts urgently to avert a looming dual crisis.

“SJB and UNP should agree on an electoral pact”: Digambaram

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) MP Palani Digambaram, spoke to Daily Mirror regarding the current political developments and stressed that both Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and United National Party (UNP) should get into an electoral pact.

Survivors of train-bus accident still demand justice!

January 17, 1989 was a fateful day for the people in the country, particularly those in the South. The most terrible train-bus accident in the history of Sri Lankan transport took place on that day

A Felicitation to Nissanka Diddeniya by the Alumni of the University of Peradeniya

In celebration of an eminent acting career spanning over 55 years, the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya, Colombo Chapter (AAUPCC), organised a felicitation programme for veteran artiste Nissanka Diddeniya.

Colombo Port sets new transshipment mark with 6.31mn TEUs in 2024

The transshipment volumes handled by the Port of Colombo jumped by 9.7 percent year-on-year (YoY) to a record high of 6.31 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, with the transshipment volumes accounting for 81 percent of the port’s container throughput during the year.

In memory of Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe A true defender of the skies

It is with profound sorrow and deep respect that we remember and honour the life of Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe—a skilled, fearless, and dedicated combat helicopter pilot whose extraordinary contributions to the nation,

Calls by locals to preserve Balana Fortress in Kandy

The kings who ruled in Kandy had made maximum use of the geographical features of the land when working out security measures.

Fresh focus on bridging financial, real economy divides: Govt. 

The government announced its plans to strengthen the connection between financial markets, including capital markets, and the real economy, while integrating advancements in emerging technologies.