How Tiger “Col” Kittu Disappointed Vijaya Kumaratunga and Deceived Lalith Athulathmudali

In the first part of this article on Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias “Col” Kittu published last week in the “Daily Mirror”, I had written about my interviewing the LTTE Jaffna district commander for the Indian news magazine, “Frontline” in November 1986. It was at that time the first conversation with Kittu published in an English journal.

Transboundary air pollution : For how long should Sri Lankans suffer due to poor air quality levels?

On certain days, Colombo’s skyline is almost invisible. While some may find it similar to the mist, it is in fact called ‘particulate matter pollution’ and by definition it is a mixture of solid and liquid particles that are suspended in air.

Lasantha Wickrematunge A national hero’s enduring legacy

January 8 marked a dark and somber day in Sri Lanka’s history, as our thoughts went back to Lasantha Wickrematunge, the fearless journalist and an indefatigable champion of human rights, who fell victim to a brutal assassination.

Petroleum Corporation’s bonus payments stir controversy

A letter dated December 23, 2024 and signed by Secretary to the Treasury, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, was sent to the chairmen of commercial corporations, statutory boards and government owned companies regarding the payment of bonuses for the year 2024. The letter, issued under reference number PE/COP/POLI/Circulars, provides details on the bonus payments for these institutions.

Frustrated families urge to bring back loved ones trafficked to Russo-Ukrainian War

Families of victims trafficked into Russia and forcibly conscripted into the Russian army, alongside activists, gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (6th January), once again urging authorities to intervene and bring their loved ones home.

Self-Sufficiency in the New Year

Sri Lanka over the last three years has been hit by tremendous price hikes and shortages of essential services and goods.

Life and Times of LTTE’s Ex-Jaffna Commander “Col” Kittu

Nowadays the 33 year long war between the armed forces of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is slowly receding into memory. The LTTE,

Is environment unsuitable for UNHRC to help Rohingya people in Sri Lanka?

“There is still no basis to consider them as refugees yet. For now, this is regarded as a case of human trafficking.

Mother of Altair victim to sue CIS for alleged negligence

The untimely death of Jivon Zoro Singh (15), a student of Colombo International School (CIS) who fell to his death from the Altair luxury apartment complex sparked much controversy over the past few months.

Elephant drives ; Is it a feasible solution to mitigate HEC?

Sri Lankan citizens have many hopes and aspirations towards the incumbent government which was elected to power through a large mandate. The incumbent government’s solution to mitigate the human-elephant conflict aims to implement a community-driven approach to mitigate the conflict by assessing elephant migratory patterns and their habitats based on biological interventions and new technological innovations. But it is rather unfortunate that thi

HOW CAN THE NEW GOVERNMENT BEST TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN and YOUTH?

Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCCT) and Child Protection Alliance (CPA) comprising of thirteen credible organisations committed to protect and promote the rights of children have appealed to President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the newly elected Government to elevate child welfare to the heart of national governance ushering a new dawn, firmly focusing on the true beneficiaries of the future: our children first.

Feeding wild elephants and its repercussions

Feeding of wild elephants that frequent the roadside near national parks and forest reserves, regardless of its dangers, has been going on unchecked for a long time, much to the concern of the wildlife authorities.

The JVP-led NPP Govt.’s Envisaged Constitution and the 13th Amendment

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has successfully concluded his first state visit to India from December 15 to 17. The optics of the three day visit to New Delhi has been hailed positively. President Dissanayake known popularly as AKD is the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna as well as the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP).

What can the recent Speaker’s resignation teach us about politics in the digital era?

With the advent of media and social media, people today are flooded with information, misinformation and disinformation, and it entails both upsides and downsides, particularly in a democratic society.

Tsunami Survivors of Hambantota still relate tales of trauma and communal harmony

Twenty years ago on a day like today (December 26), people in Hambantota were getting ready to go to the Sunday fair during the early hours of the morning.

What’s next with India-Sri Lanka ties post President Dissanayake’s Visit?

On September 28, I posted my thoughts briefly on social media under the title ‘Navigating Foreign Policy Towards the Stable Country: The Daunting Challenges for the AKD Government in Sri Lanka’.

Is ‘the Writing on the Wall’ for the 13th Constitutional Amendment?

“The Writing on the Wall” is a figurative expression derived from the story of Daniel in the old testament of the Bible.

Will life end at 40 for comatose SAARC?

Not many Gen Alpha, and even a good segment of Gen Z, can connect themselves with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, as the now dormant and once vibrant and kicking grouping is entering its 40th year, with hardly any celebrations to mark the 40th Charter Day on December 8, except a reception hosted in Kathmandu by the SAARC’s Secretary General.

Indo-Lanka ties intact, tightrope walk ahead for Sino-Lanka ties

In the overall context, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to India can be viewed as reaffirmation of the already existing blueprint for furtherance of bilateral relations.

AMAN Dialogue 2025 aims to foster collaboration among maritime nations - Adm. Ashraf

As a vital maritime corridor, the Indian Ocean faces increasing geopolitical and environmental challenges. Bordered by 38 littoral states, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) features a diverse population with varying races, religions and civilizations. As a maritime state, Pakistan has taken a keen interest to ensure regional maritime security through various operations such as the Regional Maritime Security Patrol and the AMAN Naval exercise hosted b

Anawilundawa ANRM Project: Where people, nature thrive hand in hand with mangroves

Located in between Chilaw and Puttalam is a pristine sanctuary that is now home to many flora and fauna.

A plea for national consensus to resolve Sri Lanka’s human-elephant conflict

In Sri Lanka, humans and elephants are finding themselves closer than ever before, sharing land in ways that are often dangerous and costly.

LTTE Political Strategist Anton Balasingham: A Personal Account.

The current controversy surrounding Speaker Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala’s higher educational qualifications evoke memories of an earlier controversy of a similar nature concerning a prominent person associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE).

Illegal cultivations put Nilgala Forest in jeopardy

Uva Pathanbima, which includes the Nilgala Forest, one of the four unique ecological zones native to Sri Lanka, has yet to be gazetted as a protected forest.

Tour guides should adopt new technology to promote tourism- WFTGA Ambassador

Amid the vibrant beats of traditional drums, spirited dancers, and the echo of conch shells unique to Sri Lanka, Maricar Donato, the Global Brand Ambassador of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), received a warm and ceremonial welcome from the Sri Lanka Institute of National Tour Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) on December 3, 2024.

Environmental groups demand Lalkantha to withdraw statement on wild animals

The NPP’s environmental policy envisions a ‘sustainable environment that ensures the healthy existence of biodiversity’.

Warning for patients! Medical procurement issues cause shortage of over 300 vital medicines

Hospital sources across the island have confirmed a severe shortage of medicines in many hospitals in the country.

Premier Tamil party ITAK is on top in Batticaloa but down in Jaffna

“Mata Allanda Bariwune,Madakkalappuwa vitharai” (I was unable to capture only Batticaloa) were the words with which President Anura Kumara Dissanayake smilingly greeted “Mattakkalappu” MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam in Parliament on November 21. The president was mingling with the parliamentarians at the inaugural session of the tenth parliament. Anura was of course alluding to the November 14 parliamentary election in which the AKD

Makkah pilgrimage that never happened Reflecting on ‘Martinair’ 50 years after the plane crash

The most terrible plane crash in Sri Lanka which featured the Dutch Martinair DC8 aircraft and took place on December 4, 1974 marks 50 years today.

The death of Deega Danthu II Authorities in a race against time to reduce Elephant Deaths By Electrocution

The death of Deega Danthu II, an iconic tusker that roamed around Kala Wewa, Balalu Wewa and adjacent jungles in Kekirawa has sparked serious concerns about interventions taken by authorities including the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to conserve and protect these majestic species.