Muslim Congress Leader M.H.M. Ashraff and the course of Muslim politics

Mohammad Hussein Muhammad Ashraff, known to all M.H.M. Ashraff was one of the brightest stars to shine in the Sri Lankan political firmament.

Impunity around Nimalarajan’s assassination and the question of accountability

As many as 44 media workers and journalists have been killed between 2000 -2010 and a recently launched report titled ‘Killing Sri Lankan journalists: The case of Mylvanagam Nimalarajan’ states that Sri Lanka has systematically protected the murderers and perpetrators of these crimes. The report was launched during an event organised by ‘Families of the Disappeared’ to commemorate the work of this brave journalist and it is an example of the ongo

Ice rain in Middeniya and... A multifaceted strategy to fight the underworld in Sri Lanka

The politico-underworld nexus propelling the illicit drug trade has come to the surface for yet another time, after the police seized two containers of substances allegedly used for manufacturing crystal methamphetamine, popularly known by its street name, Ice.

How bigwigs encroached Parakrama Samudraya to build a hotel and garden

Dudley Sirisena purchased Hotel Sudu Araliya, which once belonged to Hotels Corporation around 1995. The hotel is situated near Theppan Ela, which flows into Parakrama Samudraya, within the Polonnaruwa Sanctuary. Parakrama Samudra was built by King Parakramabahu The First (Reign from 1153-1186) by combining several smaller tanks. This combined reservoir came to be known as the Samudraya. There is evidence to prove this marvel, as stone inscriptio

Sri Lankan cinema in kudos in Australia

Sudath Mahadivulwewa’s latest film direction “My Red Comrade” won the Golden Lotus Award for the Best Feature Film at the 7th South Asian Film, Arts and Literature (SAFAL) International Film Festival.

‘Every Step Counts’ Caregivers’ Workshop An initiative to empower caregivers nurturing differently-abled children

In their efforts to champion a world of inclusivity and diversity, the Branch for the Differently Abled Guides at the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association (SLGGA) recently concluded a workshop for caregivers and parents who are primarily looking after differently-abled children titled ‘Every Step Counts’. The programme was held in view of this Branch reaching its 100-year milestone, while the SLGGA celebrates its 108th year of serving society.

The Economic Helmsman who steered through crisis

In the annals of Sri Lankan political history, few leaders have faced the daunting challenge of navigating a nation through complete economic collapse.

New project by Suranga Katugampala: Blue Prince to be unveiled at the Venice Film Market

Sri Lankan-born filmmaker Suranga Katugampala, long based in Italy, presents his upcoming work, co-written with Darshana Vidya Aravinda.

The arrest and remand of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lankan Police on Friday 22nd August 2025.

When Arab silence becomes complicity, Palestine becomes the sacrificial lamb

What has happened to the Arabs? When fellow Arab Palestinians are being annihilated in a live-streamed genocide, why is the Arab world silent? Silence is certainly not a virtue when it emboldens wrongdoers to continue injustice and oppression. When more than 62,000 people—including 19,000 children—have been killed in the past 22 months, and children are reduced to skeletons draped in fleshless skin, Arab leaders’ condemnations appear merely perfu

Looming conservation crises threaten Arugambay

Apart from braving the waves and surfing on the pristine beaches of Arugambay, crowds are now attracted to observing wildlife on the East Coast. But from the point of view of conservationists, respective authorities need to pay more attention to safeguarding several forest patches in the area, which are home to many herds of elephants. During a recent visit to Arugambay, the Daily Mirror witnessed how illegal encroachment, rave parties in a

Sri Lanka: The World’s Most Beautiful Island in 2025 A Tourism Opportunity at Risk

The global travel website Big 7 Travel has ranked Sri Lanka as the most beautiful island in the world for 2025. According to the latest news release, the country has already welcomed over 1.5 million tourists this year, a clear sign of recovery and international recognition.

Focus on Arugambay : Locals alert authorities to protect Sri Lanka’s sole surfers’ paradise

Sri Lanka’s surfing paradise, Arugambay attracts many local and foreign visitors during its peak season from July to October. Over the recent few years, this stretch of land has gained much attention, mainly due to the presence of Israeli tourists as claimed in media reports. A popular Australian DJ, who recently visited Arugambay, published a video claiming whether Arugambay is becoming Sri Lanka’s Tel Aviv. For passive onlookers, this may be a

Elephant killings spiral as Sri Lanka battles poaching threat

Elephant deaths, a topic frequently discussed these days, have drawn widespread attention. It appears that elephants are being killed with the intention of removing their tusks. Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has confirmed that elephants are being killed using Hakka Patas (jaw-breaker bombs), Badina Thuwakku weapons and poisoning.As of mid-July this year, 219 elephant deaths have been recorded; 37 of them dying through shootings. In 20

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) Mannar residents continue resisting ‘winds’ of change

‘Karunilam’ (Black soil) is the title of the ongoing protest staged by residents of Mannar which commenced on August 3. The protest has been staged against illegal ilmenite mining, wind power farms and prawn farms which are destroying the natural balance on Mannar Island. Mannar is considered to be the largest island made of sand which is in close proximity to India. Due to shortsighted decisions made during previous regimes, people of Mannar ar

Govt. urged to regulate issuance of temporary driving licences to foreigners

Tourism industry professionals have expressed mixed reactions towards the government’s move to issue temporary driving licences to foreigners. For this purpose, an on-arrival licence issuing counter was recently launched at the Bandaranaike International Airport. However, foreigners have been inclined to hire a tuk tuk, bike or scooter in order to travel around the country for some time. Vehicle rentals in major tourist attractions are in high de

Beyond Trump Tariffs, Sri Lanka should strive to climb up export ladder

Last week, Sri Lanka secured a major reduction of Trump’s import tax on goods, placing it on par with its regional competitors.

How a child from Bandarawela chose to sell ‘dodol’ over education to make ends meet

Social media had been abuzz with the news of a child selling dodol (a sweet, toffee-like confection popularly made in Sri Lankan households) in Bandarawela. Following the social media post published by an individual with the intention of helping the child and his family, there have been mixed reactions towards this gesture of kindness. Some argued that the child’s privacy was violated since his photo was posted on Facebook, while some appreciated

Eastern Development – farming and fishing at the mercy of exploiters

My work with the co-operatives in the North has led me to frequently visit the East in recent years for collaborative initiatives.

Changing public perception, a win for protecting the Sri Lankan Leopard

One of the most iconic species sharing the same terrain on this isle, along with humans, is the Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya). Elusive in nature and often taking cover from the human eye, these beings hold significant ecological and economic importance for the country. The Sri Lankan leopard has also been crowned (rather self-crowned itself) as the apex predator of the island’s ecosystems and is a flagship species, adored locally an

Nefarious activities leave Gin Ganga

The “Weeping Widow” who Became the World’s First Woman Prime Minister

History was made 65 years ago in July 1960 when 44 year old Sirimavo Bandaranaike assumed office as the prime minister of Sri Lanka known then as Ceylon. Sirimavo shattered a glass ceiling by becoming the world’s first elected woman prime minister. It is said that the British press coined a new word “stateswoman” after Sirimavo became PM.

Human-Elephant conflict Assam’s story is an eye-opener

Sri Lanka is at the forefront of the human-elephant conflict (HEC), with 130 people and 380 elephants dying as a result last year. This is the highest HEC death toll reported from anywhere. But we are not the only country affected by this issue, and this is an attempt to take a comparative look at other affected countries.

People of Kalmunai urge govt. to ‘act fast’against coastal erosion

The coastal areas of Kalmunai city are being destroyed to a large extent due to sea erosion. This phenomenon has affected the livelihoods of many fishermen

Rights group demands justice for civilians buried in Chemmani mass grave

At least 65 bone fragments, skeletons and human remains were unearthed during the Chemmani mass grave excavations that commenced in June this year. Many of these bone fragments were said to be of infants, women and girls who were allegedly killed by the military during the height of the ethnic conflict. In an attempt to demand justice for atrocities committed during the height of the ethnic conflict, and for civilians buried in numerous mass grav

“A peace-building front-liner’s work often goes unnoticed” -Pushpi Weerakoon

Pushpi Weerakoon, a specialist in Peacebuilding, Transitional Justice, Migration Management, Development, and Diplomacy, recently made history as the first Sri Lankan to win the Rotary Alumni Global Service Award. This award recognises one outstanding Rotary alumnus from around the world and is presented to individuals whose service activities and professional achievements exemplify Rotary’s ideal of Service Above Self, often impacting lives inte

How ‘Sri Lankan English’ adapted, borrowed and blended into the Oxford English Dictionary

Be it asweddumized fields or mallung in a rice and curry meal, kiribath for a special occasion, sizzling kottu, scrumptious watalappam or a happening baila song – each one of these examples provides a glimpse of Sri Lanka in a nutshell.

Bradman the Man for all seasons!

“Sir Donald George Bradman was, without any question, the greatest phenomenon in the history of cricket, indeed in the history of all ball games”.

SLMC in the spotlight Sudden changes to ERPM spark outrage

Following the controversial changes brought by the Sri Lanka Medical Council to the Examination process to register for Medicine Practice in Sri Lanka, a wave of concern is sweeping across Sri Lanka’s medical professionals.

Healthcare waste, a burden for residents in Anuradhapura

The healthcare waste management crisis at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital surfaced once again when media reports indicated massive piles of waste dumped in an adjacent land named ‘Paldoruwa’. Medical experts point out that the non-inclusion of a healthcare waste management system – which is an integral part of any national health system has been a major drawback in national planning policies. Environmentalists have cautioned the potential impact o