Racism and culture conflicts dominate United States’ election Racial and religious identities and cultural anxieties have attained salience

Though touted as a “melting pot” of diverse races and ethnicities, racism is deeply entrenched in the United States. It catches the public eye during slanging matches in election campaigns.

“No foreign country is funding me’’ “My visits to China and India were sponsored by those respective Governments” - Anura Kumara Dissanayake

National People’s Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) who is contesting the Presidential Election in September said in an ‘exclusive interview’ with Daily Mirror that if he wins the election, he didn’t intend to take political revenge on anyone, but would instead ensure justice is delivered regarding the corruption which has led to the economic downfall of Sri Lanka.

No law is perfect! Embracing Change: The Economic Transformation Bill

We have heard the mission statements and ambitious goals of the Economic Transformation Bill.

‘Podi Hamuduruvo’, a treasure to Buddhists in SL and around the world

The passing away of the beloved Buddhaputra Podi Hamuduruvo of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Viharaya last Friday caused mournful shock waves among millions of Buddhist devotees and worldwide humanitarian activists.

Elections, renegotiations and IMF’s class politics

The presidential elections are on the way, and the much-needed alternatives to the current economic trajectory are nowhere in sight. While Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis since independence, this historic election is yet to put forward an economic program for recovery. Instead, the opposition political candidates in the running to win the elections, are reluctant to take on the IMF programme that suffocates working people with sever

Tourism stakeholders urge swift return of ETA system

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry commended the decision to suspend the e-Visa portal run by VFS Global, but urged the reinstatement of the old online system at the earliest to minimise inconvenience for tourists.

Sri Lanka Leopard Day applause for efforts by conservationists to conserve an iconic species

Rapid urbanisation has posed considerable challenges to the balance of sensitive ecosystems and inhabitants.

Ranil has a better shot at presidency without Rajapaksa’s endorsement

Monday night, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) finally parted ways with Ranil Wickremesinghe, announcing plans to field its own candidate at the presidential election. The move effectively split the Pohottuwa and saw President Wickremesinghe affiliated SLPP MPs, 11 of them, leaving the party’s central committee meeting and assembling at the UNP headquarters to endorse the candidacy of Wickremesinghe.

World Ranger Day is today: Commemorating guardians of Sri Lanka’s natural resources

There are certain professions in this world that are only for the adventurous souls. The role of a wildlife ranger is a similar one. Unless for their passion for adventure and conservation, there’s no other driving factor that would keep them engaged in this profession. Living in harsh conditions with limited basic facilities such as power supply, water and poor reception, wildlife rangers are exposed to life-threatening situations on a daily bas

Is Kotte MC selling reclaimed land by bending the law?

At the end of 16th Lane on Ananda Balika Mawatha in Pita Kotte, a marshland originally designated for drainage purposes has been gradually reclaimed. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council has constructed a 10-foot-wide road through a nearby children’s park leading to this reclaimed land. Despite protests from local residents, the council has proceeded with plans to build the 10-foot-wide road to reach this reclaimed marshland. Additionally,

E-waste recycling programme producing gold faces obstacles

Since 2020, it’s been decided to implement a plan to recycle e-waste domestically rather than exporting it; with the goal of recovering its valuable metals.

SAARC Cultural Film Day ‘Vishka’ visits from the Maldives

Maldivian crime thriller ‘Vishka’ will be screened to mark the SAARC Film Day, on Wednesday (July 31) at 6 pm at Liberty Cinema, Colombo 3.

When Sarath challenged Mahinda for presidency in 2010

Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka known generally as Sarath Fonseka has thrown his hat into the presidential poll ring again.

Colombo Port congestion lowers transshipment volumes for second consecutive month

The transshipment volumes declined for the second straight month in June this year, as some services rerouted to avoid the heavy congestion at the Port of Colombo.

CMC ignores UDA order to check on unauthorised construction on sanctioned street line

Although the CMC is responsible for local administration and services that includes city planning within the city limits, the UDA oversees the planning and development in urban areas including Colombo.

Denmark’s jewellery law and Europe’s anti-immigrant backlash

As we discussed earlier, Britain and Italy seem to be the most hostile European countries towards immigration....

My family’s “Black July” experience: A personal memoir

The anti-Tamil pogrom ofJuly 1983 is an unforgettable chapter in the post-independence history of Sri Lanka. The catastrophic events of that dark month drastically affected the lives of several Tamils in Sri Lanka. As a Sri Lankan Tamil journalist, ‘Black July’ did have an effect on me in both personal and professional capacities. Furthermore, my family – like thousands of other Tamil families – was also affected and displaced during those turbu

‘Shutting down a zoo is similar to closing down a university’

Social media has been abuzz these days with several posts indicating that the Dehiwela Zoological Gardens needs to be shut down. Photos of the bear and lion for instance were shared on social media with claims that the animals are in poor health and that the conditions in which they are being kept are appalling. However, during a recent visit to the zoo premises, the Daily Mirror observed a situation contrary to the claims.

When freedom granted puts you in a dangerous zone!

The youth of today want freedom and that too in loads. The generations before them were happy with freedom in small doses, but they wanted government welfare more than anything else. Present day youth would feel insulted if someone has to take care of their welfare. This is, of course, a thought they’ll be forced to revalue if their earnings, after completing their higher education, wouldn’t suffice to pay bills. Generally, youth on this island

A Republican wants to kill Trump? This is a bizarre case

“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. This campaign is the principle reason behind this assassination attempt.” So said J. D. Vance, Republican senator of Ohio and a strong candidate for the position of Vice President if Donald Trump is re-elected as President of the United States. Republicans are making capital out of the botched assassination attempt on Trump. Thei

‘Low female workforce hinders economic growth’

Women constitute 52% of Sri Lanka’s population, yet their participation in the labour force has stagnated at around 30% for several decades. Amidst the country’s emigration challenges and a male labour force participation rate at a saturation point of 96% within the most productive age group, it is crucial for Sri Lanka to address the underrepresentation of women in the workforce to sustain targeted investments as the country gradually rises from

One year down, Muthu Raja gradually recovers in his home country

Exactly a year ago, Muthu Raja, the Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago, was in the news following a spat over the animal’s alleged mistreatment in the country. Finally, the elephant was flown back to the animal’s home country. The animal’s condition drew public attention both in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

‘Privatise CGR!’ Cart-tracks, Waterways, Railroads and History of Transport Strikes

In 1807, Revd. James Cordiner, Chaplain to Colombo Garrisons observed, “Strictly speaking there are no roads in the island...” However, he failed to propose any solutions and was unaware that waterways and cart tracks already existed. The Hamilton Canal, named after Gavin Hamilton, the Government Agent of Revenue and Commerce, had been completed three years earlier, in 1804.

Voting with heart, not with the brain might disappoint Ranil this time

When the country ran out of foreign reserves and fuel queues sprang up, Sri Lankans stormed the President’s House and ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa. That may be an extreme case, but that was not the first time the street protestors toppled governments when the going got tough. Dudley Senanayake, the second prime minister, was the first victim of the populist outrage after he increased the price of a measure of rice’ from subsidised 25 cents to 70 cen

UN stands with China on integrity of AI for humans

In July 1921 the Communist Party of China (CPC) took the 1st centenary goal to eradicate....

IMF and the Great Bond Restructuring Sell Out

The Finance Ministry is covering up a sweet deal for the international bondholders to the detriment....

Rajavarothayam Sampanthan: The Political Journey of a ‘Great Leader’ part II

The funeral of veteran Tamil political leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan took place in Trincomalee....

Airport and Aviation Services Ltd rocked by alleged irregular tender process

Another alleged fraud is said to have taken place at the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd by way of awarding a tender to a bidder that the Technical Evaluation Committee rejected, citing further evaluation. This was due to noncompliance of requirements/ specifications of the tender document. Invitation for bids (Bid No: 113/ T/ 2023) to construct a new building to enhance capacity for the benefit of departing passengers and improve t

Dignity should not be part of the price of a visa

The issuance of visas to enter Sri Lanka became a much-discussed topic in May 2024 after a Sri Lankan national challenged the way in which his foreign wife’s entry visa was handled at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

“Huge idling wealth in Global North pumped as loans to Global South”

In the backdrop where Sri Lanka has been negotiating the debts with various creditors, two international economists from Germany who were visiting Sri Lanka recently analysed that Sri Lanka isn’t an isolated case with regard to debt crisis, but there are many more other countries from all income categories which have been affected since the outbreak of COVID and the associated economic recession.