Finding a practical purpose in most things termed ‘political’

Sri Lanka got through the Local Government (LG) Elections sans much difficulties. Now we have to see whether these LG bodies serve a practical purpose as boasted before the elections. The phrase ‘practical purpose’ is a nice phrase to be used as a yard stick for judging performance.

How Indian lorry chassis and multi-sectoral lapses crashed Sri Lanka’s public transport sector!

Despite repeated revelations of importing lorry chassis for public transport, successive governments have turned a blind eye to this issue, reportedly in place of obtaining financial gains.

Operation Sindoor not yet over, it is now India’s established policy against terrorism -Indian High Commissioner

In an interview with the Daily Mirror in the wake of tension between India and Pakistan, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha warned that India would not treat another terror attack as a law-and-order issue, but as an act of war.

Bus journeys that whisper death!

Hopping aboard a bus to travel to a destination may not be the best option for Sri Lankan citizens anymore. Reckless driving coupled by disrespect towards passengers, racing with other buses to reach their destinations

Govt. reviewing COSTS before renovating ‘dilapidated Parliament building’

The old Parliament building, located at Galle Face in Colombo and facing the ocean, was officially opened on January 29, 1930 by the then-Governor, Sir Herbert Stanley. Due to the limited space within the old Parliament building and the lack of available land for expansion, then-Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa presented a proposal to Parliament in the late 1970s, specifically on July 4, 1979, to relocate Parliament to a new location.

Devotees at Relic Exposition saddened due to Police negligence

The Dalada exposition, held after 16 years, offered a rare opportunity for the general public to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic.

“Brigadier” Balraj - adored by his men but admired even by the army

Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) deputy military chief Kandiah Balasegaran alias ‘Brigadier’ Balraj is regarded as the finest military commander the Tigers ever had.

People and peace Egypt’s UNESCO DG nominee Dr. El-Enany speaks about his vision

Egypt has nominated Dr. Khaled El-Enany as its candidate for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the 2025-2029 term. El-Enany is a former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt. He is also the UN Tourism Ambassador for Cultural Tourism.

Govt’s Decision To Reopen Route Via Wilpattu NP hits a snag

The much disputed Mannar-Puttalam road via Wilpattu National Park yet again made headlines when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently said that the government is considering ways and means of reopening this road. The road, which was initially built by the Army during the war, was utilised for logistical purposes. Right now, this road, which is in a dilapidated state, has been closed due to a court order following complaints filed by the Env

Water from Mahaweli, Badulu and Kelani rivers unsuitable for consumption

Sri Lanka’s main water sources that supply drinking water have become polluted. Recent findings indicate that consuming water from these sources without proper treatment could lead to serious issues.

The fizz, fuss and sugar in a flat BEER!

The Excise Ordinance was introduced in Sri Lanka on January 1, 1913. The title of the ordinance states: “An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law relating to the import, export, transport, manufacture, sale, and possession of intoxicating liquor and of intoxicating drugs.” This ordinance is referred to as the Excise Ordinance. Section 2 of Chapter I states: “In this Ordinance, unless there be something repugnant in the subject or context—’be

More students exposed to universities’ sadistic rag culture

“He was stripped naked in public and they kept banging his head on one wall and the other. They have pricked him using a safety pin. Then he was thrown inside a cupboard.

Will Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam be the Future Tamil Political Leader?

Island-wide local authority elections are scheduled for 6th May 2025. At the national level, the local authority polls will provide the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)led National People’s Power(NPP) government an opportunity to prove if it is still as popular as it was at the time of the Parliamentary elections in November 2024.

Interview with SJB Colombo Mayoral Candidate “We don’t want President’s money because Colombo generates Rs. 17 billion” - Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa (SJB)

Senior medical practitioner, lecturer at the medical faculties of Colombo and Kelaniya, former President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, social activist and policy maker Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa is the Mayoral candidate for Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) at the May 6 Local council Election. In an interview with Daily Mirror, Dr, Haniffa warns that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement of withholding funding to local government is a danger

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF A POSSIBLE INDO- PAKISTAN WAR AND SRI LANKA’S STAND

The growing tensions between India and Pakistan, fueled by historical disputes and recent tragic incidents in Kashmir, threaten to destabilise not just South Asia but the broader global order. Sri Lanka, as a strategically located South Asian nation, faces critical decisions in maintaining regional stability and balancing diplomatic neutrality with emerging security and economic realities.

Bogambara: A sinister Bastille shared by Sardiel and Dr. Colvin R. de Silva

The name Bogambara evokes historical events, but it became best known for the prison by that name. Back in the 19th century, Ehelepola Kumarihami was drowned by royal edict in the Bogambara lake.

How and Why the Banda-Chelva Pact was Signed by Bandaranaike and Chelvanayagam

Today, the 26th of April, is the 48th death anniversary of respected Tamil political leader Samuel James Veluppillai (SJV) Chelvanayagam.

Mounting uncertainties put renewable energy sector in a spin

Sri Lanka’s energy sector is at a critical juncture due to the growing friction between conventional and non-conventional energy sectors. While the world is moving away from fossil fuels, coal and is looking at depending on renewable energy, Sri Lanka is challenged by various obstacles.

Missing golden opportunities and the ‘Walampoori’

There is a frequently used quote “I missed that great teacher or philosopher because he lived before my time”. This could be one reason why devotees are flocking the streets of Kandy to get a glimpse of Gautama Buddha’s tooth relic which is being exhibited to the public.

Dubious appointment of unqualified officer as NLB General Manager raises eyebrows

Speculation is rife why the Additional Secretary Ministry of Finance has ignored Bribery Commission’s directive to conduct an inquiry into an appointment made during the former regime to the National Lotteries Board.

Repeal of the Online Safety Act vital for the Economic Salvation of Sri Lanka

While the economy of Sri Lanka has achieved some degree of stabilisation after the most dire crisis in history, progress along a growth trajectory remains a clear imperative. Fragility of the current situation has been massively increased by the devastating tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, making our country’s exports to the United States—especially apparel and rubber products—starkly vulnerable.

Easter Sunday carnage : Interest groups question why crucial information on extremists was ignored by authorities

Six years have elapsed since the deadly Easter Sunday carnage left a permanent scar on the country’s political and national security domain.

Bishop Rayappu Joseph was the Voice of the Voiceless Who Spoke Truth to Power

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. These words written by St. Paul in his epistle to Timothy (2.Timothy 4.7) are a fitting epitaph to the life and service of former Catholic Bishop of Mannar, the Most Rev. Rayappu Joseph whose 85th birth anniversary was on April 16 this year.

“We’re all human beings together in this common home” - Rev. Marc Billimoria

Celebrating 175 years in Sri Lankan education, S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia has gifted some of the most important citizens to the country’s history, heritage and development. As ‘the school by the sea’ celebrates dodransbicentennial (refers to the 175th anniversary),

Amidst Govt. restrictions….. Uncertainty looms over Kimbulapitiya’s creative fireworks industry

Government’s restrictions on the issuance of chemical components to licensed firecracker manufacturers have kept small and medium scale manufacturers in the dark over the past few years. For Priyantha Henry Peters (53), a medium scale fireworks manufacturer from Kimbulapitiya, these restrictions have taken a toll on his business.

Noise pollution menace - despite lawsuits, lawbreakers continue with impunity

Carnivals and musical shows are a major attraction during the upcoming festive period, often accompanied with deafening music. But noise pollution caused by these events which sometimes run late into the night would be a burden to residents living in close proximity. Despite having a Supreme Court judgement on noise pollution with clear directions on specified time limits for nocturnal events, and duties vested on the police when it comes to in

Modi comes, Modi goes

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a three-day visit to Sri Lanka last week, his fourth visit to the country and the first since the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP-led NPP government.

Should Sri Lanka not Arrest Tamil Nadu Fishermen Poaching in Northern Waters?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s week-end visit to Sri Lanka proved to be quite a success according to print and electronic media reports. The highlights of the two-day trip from Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April were the signing of a Memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation that recognised the inter-linked nature of national security of both countries and the conferment of the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ award upon the Indian P

Indo-Lanka Relations: Actioning the tryst with opportunity

Lakshman Kadirgamar once described India–Sri Lanka relations as one of “irreversible excellence.” Unfortunately, under some governments, they have been neither irreversible nor excellent.

Pro-Palestinianism is not terrorism

Where free speech is denied or curtailed, democracy is either flawed or does not exist. This universally embraced description of democracy declares that free elections alone do not make a democracy, but free speech, among other democratic principles, also matters.