Sri Lanka must shift to trade-oriented production to manage debt post-IMF: Economist

As Sri Lanka prepares to resume repayment of its significant sovereign debt by 2028, a leading economist has called for a strategic shift towards trade-oriented production, to secure a primary surplus essential for debt management, once the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme concludes.

SAARC Cultural Centre anticipates an exciting year ahead

SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) hosted its Fourteenth Governing Board (GB) Meeting on October 22 and 23 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, in Colombo.

‘Shoot the Messenger’ or ‘Shoot Yourself in the Foot’?

Last Wednesday, we exposed Udaya Gammanpila when he attempted to embarrass the government and garner some attention to himself, along with the government’s response to his claims.

Sri Lanka now UK’s second largest partner in transnational education

Sri Lanka has overtaken Malaysia to become the second largest transnational education (TNE) partner for United Kingdom (UK)- based universities by accounting for a whopping 10 percent of overall UK TNE enrollments last year.

Families, survivors of Easter carnage still in the dark

Five years after the Easter Sunday carnage claimed the lives of over 250 individuals, Sri Lankan authorities are still struggling to find the mastermind behind these deadly attacks.

Trains and elephants: May never the twain shall meet

The recent deaths of six elephants killed in a train accident in one night, four in Galgamuwa and two close to Habarana on September 28th, have once again brought attention to the topic of elephants and trains.

There are cases where SL politicians seek benefits for their interests - outgoing Japanese ambassador

Outgoing Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, speaks about how bilateral relations evolved during his time. He also responds to questions about the business environment of Sri Lanka for Japanese investors. Excerpts:

Research team from Pera Uni study cow disease ‘Mastitis’

University of Peradeniya has become a centre of research, thanks to all efforts taken by former Vice Chancellor Prof. M.D.Lamawansa to continually promote this academic institute.

“He`nn Kotanaa Kale” to go on You Tube on Thursday

Dr. Gananath Dasanayaka, Colombo’s popular Jazz artiste is to release his first Sinhala song “He`nn Kotanaa Kale” on You Tube this Thursday 24th.

Accountants - Watchdogs or Facilitators of Financial Crimes!

“To steal you don’t need a mask and a gun- just a three-piece suit and a briefcase” – the motto of the new mafia.

Colombo Port City: A Persistent Albatross for Sri Lanka?

With the victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), Sri Lanka sees a ray of hope in eradicating corruption and increasing political accountability. The people of Sri Lanka are confident that it will be their interests that will be paramount for the new President.

“Never thought Sajith Premadasa would be a weak leader”– Ajith Mannapperuma

I have been working as the SJB Gampaha District organiser for 20 years. I served as the Mayor for seven years, four years as a provincial councilor and 12 years as a Member of Parliament from the Gampaha District

Why AKD must achieve the unthinkable

Sri Lanka is now trying to walk on a straight line in terms of putting the country in order. Many moons ago and many governments before this, ambitious people who walked ‘crooked’ and disregarded ethics entered Parliament easily. Now we see the new government in place attempting the unthinkable; trying to reinvent a nation that many thought didn’t have a future.

When the West’s moral decadence fuels Gaza war

With each passing day, the West Asian crisis is worsening and expanding. The crisis has the potential to engulf the entire region, resulting in disastrous consequences for all countries, particularly those struggling economically, such as Sri Lanka.

The Buddhist way to peace and prosperity

Economic and social policies based on Buddhist principles were the foundation of peace and prosperity in ancient Sri Lanka.

Sajith Premadasa’s wrecking ball has demolished the opposition

Even those who did not vote for Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the presidential race would find it refreshing to see that the old rot that had infested Sri Lankan politics is being cleared out.

Uncovering identities of 53 LTTE militants in Kokkuthuduvai mass grave

Time and time again, there comes a murmur of yet another mass grave having been discovered in the island. These chance discoveries occur most often during construction of buildings or when laying underground pipelines for water supply. The skeletal remains get exhumed, are used in several court proceedings and thereafter the murmur becomes a whisper which eventually gets buried in the barrage of other news that takes precedence.

Gothamigama bead strings industry faces threat of extinction

The manufacture of rosaries (a string of beads and also known as Navagunawela in Sinhalese and Mala in Tamil) is a traditional cottage industry in several villages in Kataragama area and also in villages of Uva and Southern provinces. This industry dates back to the reign of ancient Sinhala kings. However the latest that we hear about this industry is a sad story associated with a group of woman struggling for existence. Their lives are not beaut

Old Anandians to fete top achievers at G.C.E. A/L examination in 2023

The Old Anandians’ 70-75 Group and the Old Anandians’ 2007 Group have organised “Nena Harasara 2023” for the 18th consecutive year to recognise students who excelled in the G.C.E. (A/L) Examination 2023, and honor the tutorial staff whose tireless efforts and dedication contributed to the success.

Kabir to share insights at ‘National Evaluation Capacities Conference 2024’

Kabir Hashim, former Parliamentarian for the Kegalle District and Chair of the Global Parliamentarian Forum for Evaluation, has been invited as an esteemed panelist at the 8th ‘National Evaluation Capacities (NEC) Conference 2024’.

Public query….. Are unauthorised constructions obstructing free flow of storm water?

More than 82,839 people in 20,553 families in 12 divisions in Gampaha district excluding Negombo division have been affected by the prevailing inclement weather.

“If war crimes aren’t investigated even political leaders might have travel restrictions” -Anura Meddegoda

A senior legal practitioner with a wide range of experiences serving national and international judiciary, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda was recently appointed as the President of the Bar Association of Srl Lanka. With over 40 years of experience in the legal field, out of which half of it was served at the Attorney General’s Department as a State attorney,

‘Vicious poster campaigns’ condemned by Jaffna University Teachers’ Association

Recently, anonymous posters were put up within the premises of the University of Jaffna attacking fifteen academics of the University who had signed a statement. In this backdrop, the University of Jaffna Teachers’ Association issued a statement condemning this incident as well as other similar incidents that took place within the University of Jaffna noting that these should be understood as attempts to stifle freedom of expression within the U

India eye Asia Cup revenge against Sri Lanka

On a sticky wicket after a mixed start to the campaign, India will look to fix their batting woes to bolster their net run rate when they take on bottom-placed Sri Lanka in their third and penultimate Group ‘A’ match of the T20 Women’s World Cup in Dubai today.

‘The Wide Robot’ Sci-fi animation on a robot lost in a jungle

Hollywood animation sci-fi movie ‘The Wide Robot’ based on the book series published under the title is now being screened across 16 theaters in Colombo and around the country.

Kingsley Amis, cookery and pets but where are our writers?

This is the 25th anniversary of the Colombo International Book Fair. That fact escaped me completely until I heard an announcement at the venue.

Confectionery sector braces for price hikes as supply chain disruptions loom

The prices of the confectionery items in Sri Lanka, which have gradually decreased following the economic downturn, are now facing the risk of rising again, due to the potential supply chain disruptions caused by the developments in the Red Sea, the Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association (LCMA) said.

16 years and counting…. Parents, families of disappeared protest in memory of Dillon

On September 18, 2008 Jamaldeen Dillon and 10 other youth went missing. Since then the parents of these 11 youth have been staging protests, going back and forth from numerous campaigns to seek justice for their beloved sons. September 18 marked 16 years since Dillon went missing and in view of this incident, his parents along with civil society activists and parents of other youth who were abducted and subjected to enforced disappearances in the

Forest School Colombo : Where nature prepares children for a better tomorrow

South Asia’s First Forest School recently opened its doors to the public, ushering in a novel educational experience for children. Located in Piliyandala, Sri Lanka, overlooking the pristine Bolgoda Lake, Forest School Colombo is a pioneering educational initiative that introduces the concept of nature-based learning for children.

Sri Lanka’s People Need a New Debt Deal

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s President, recently lost his re-election bid after voters overwhelmingly rejected the debt-restructuring deals he negotiated with the International Monetary Fund and other creditors. Instead, Sri Lankans elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the left-wing National People’s Power (NPP) alliance and a vocal critic of IMF-imposed austerity measures, who has vowed to renegotiate the country’s agreement with the