Vijay’s TVK Party faces Tamil Nadu elections alone

Elections to the Legislature of the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu has been announced by the Election Commission of India. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23 to elect 234 members to it’s Legislative assembly.

Neutral waters, timeless laws Graf Spee, IRIS Dena and the enduring relevance of neutrality

The story of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in 1939 remains one of the most cited lessons in the law of neutrality. During her commerce-raiding mission in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean between September and December 1939, Graf Spee sank nine merchant ships totalling over 50,000 GRT. Her actions forced the British to deploy multiple hunting groups across vast oceans, culminating in the Battle of the River Plate, where Britis

The UN Security Council on Iran: Is it hypocrisy back and forth?

The UN Security Council yesterday adopted Resolution 2817 presented by Bahrain, a non-permanent member of the Council, on behalf of the GCC states.

Iran’s stern response inspires resilience in the Global South

As the unprovoked and illegal war on Iran continues for the 14th day, one thing is certain: the United States and Israel—the aggressors in this case—are not winning, nor is Iran losing. Yet in Washington and Tel Aviv, there is no shortage of arrogant rhetoric. US President Donald Trump and the dimwitted members of his administration keep saying, “We won the war, but we will stay in the fight to finish the job.” If that is so, why waste your fast

IRIS Dena incident Keep big power rivalry out of region : Dr Kohona

In the wake of widening conflict in the Gulf and an Iranian ship being attacked close to Sri Lankan waters, former Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona, in an interview with Daily Mirror, takes questions regarding its implications for Sri Lanka and what it should do.

Arrest of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay and the allegations by Azad Maulana

Let me begin this article with an apology and explanation to readers. This week’s column should have been the second and final part of last week’s article (‘Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin, the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?’).

How Sri Lanka protects a species it cannot easily count

A three-wheeler rattles past the lagoon road. A stack of nets dries on a low wall in the heat. Someone scrolls through messages beneath a palmyrah tree, glancing at water that appears, at first look, uncomplicated.

G.L. Peiris delves into ‘Protection of Occupants Bill’ during university lecture

The following is a lecture delivered by Former Minister G.L. Peiris at the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo on February 16, 2026 regarding the ‘Protection of Occupants Bill (2026), introduced by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Justice.

Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?

“Power behind the throne” is a phrase that is generally used to refer to someone who doesn’t hold an official leadership position, but is actually the one who effectively wields control.

Explainer: Where are the world’s most endangered languages?

On International Mother Language Day, we explore which languages are most at risk of disappearing, where they are spoken, and why preserving them matters for all of us.

Poaching at Kumana National Park; Commonly sighted leopard Ritta missing from its territory?

The recent deer carcasses found at Kumana National Park have sparked fresh concerns about threats posed to wildlife including leopards inside this protected area. The Kumana National Park includes several lagoon areas that are frequented by fishermen. According to sources, incidents of unauthorised access and suspected illegal hunting activity between January 18 and February 8 have raised suspicion as to whether the poachers are aiming at a diffe

From Joy to Risk: What Every Parent Should Know About Sharing Children’s Photos Online

In Sri Lanka, we love sharing family moments and children’s photos on social media to celebrate milestones, stay connected, get likes and sometimes even earn through monetization earn some money.

Valuing care work and women’s struggles amidst escalating climate crises

As a country that is recognised as extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts, Sri Lanka is now at a critical juncture in terms of prioritising climate resilience.

Grand vision vs the daily wage: Why 2048 feels a lifetime away from Sri Lanka!

In the complex landscape of Sri Lankan politics, a profound paradox exists: a nation with a 2,500-year-old civilization and a history of engineering marvels such as the world’s most advanced ancient irrigation systems now finds its modern electorate seemingly trapped in a cycle of short-term survival. The disconnect between a “Grand Vision” and the “Daily Wage” has never been more apparent than in the political fate of Ranil Wickremesinghe and hi

Urban waste management: Authorities face challenges in keeping Colombo’s waterways clean

Waste piled up along river banks, canals and lakes is a common sight in Colombo. Despite numerous initiatives taken to mitigate the waste generation crisis in urban cities, lack of infrastructure and ad hoc approaches to waste segregation pose significant challenges.

Aloka’s journey with Buddhist monks for ‘Global Peace’ generates huge following on social media

Aloka, the Indian street dog, following Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile (3,700 km) “Walk for Peace” across the United States became a symbol of the walk. His journey has gained international attention, with over 800,000 followers on social media. Though the canine Aloka is labelled a “pariah dog,” “street dog,” or “mongrel” based on his birth, his enthusiasm and unwavering determination to accompany the Buddhist monks on their peace walk reflect

Threatened Sandhya Ekneligoda urges President to protect her

Human rights activist and the wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, Sandya, yesterday (February 5) urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to ensure her safety following the death threat she received from a person who claimed himself “a retired Army Brigadier”.

Sri Lanka at 78: A journey of independence, resilience, and renewal

As Sri Lanka commemorates 78 years of Independence, the island nation reflects on a journey marked by resilience, progress, and persistent challenges. From the optimism of 1948 to the trials of civil war and economic crises, the story of modern Sri Lanka is one of both achievement and unfinished business.

New Microfinance Bill: Hunting smaller fish in money lending sector?

The surge in unregulated and predatory microfinance practices has made many individuals at the grassroots level vulnerable to mounting debts. After the year 2000, large financial institutions with access to international financial markets entered the microfinance business. At one point it operated as a mafia, providing ‘quick and easy loans’ to people at high interest rates. However, after much protests and community interventions the new Microfi

100 years after SWRD Bandaranaike’s clarion call for federalism

Dr. Rohan Edrisingha in his illuminating essay ‘Federalism: myths and realities’ makes the following observation – “ It is significant to note that long before Tamil political leaders advocated federalism, the young S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in the mid 1920’s and the Kandyan Sinhalese representatives before the Donoughmore Commission in the late 1920’s were advocates of a federal Sri Lanka.

Why the peace process was doomed from the outset

My colleague Kelum Bandara’s interview on Tuesday in the Daily Mirror with Erik Solheim, the Norwegian peace envoy, stirred my memories of the peace process.

Devastating effect of air pollution in South Asia

Air pollution is having a devastating effect on large parts of South Asia, particularly Northern India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Sri Lanka too is affected, but only seasonally and that too due to cross border flows from its northern neighbours.

Did food tender to supply Tri-Forces produce Rs 100 M loss?

It is reported that a serious issue has arisen in the tender process for the purchase of dry and fresh food supplies for the Tri-Forces for this year. This situation has emerged because the tender wasn’t awarded to the company that submitted the lowest bid at the relevant price call. A letter dated 13.11.2025, signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha confirmed that this above mentioned com

Cyclone Ditwah: An Overlooked Environmental Tragedy

Devastation caused by heavy rains in the early hours of November 22 2025 resulting in a Kadugannawa hill top collapsing onto a roadside tea shop and several vehicles, killing 6 and injuring 4 persons, brought to my mind the lyrics of the famous song “Blowin’ in the Wind”–

Sri Lanka’s bureaucratic system needs an urgent clean up!

Last week, the Daily Mirror exclusively reported of yet another foreign investor pulling out of Sri Lanka citing regulatory obstruction and arbitrary state action.

Trials-at-Bar in Sri Lanka: Use and abuse

It is reported that a Trial-at-Bar is being contemplated in respect of allegations against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding misuse of state resources for a visit to a British university on his return from attending sessions of the United Nations in New York and an official visit to Cuba.

SLTB vs. private - travelling to Negombo by bus

On Christmas day, I headed to Negombo for a much needed break. A friend who lives by the lagoon invited me for dinner and a quiet night of discussion and reminiscences. I wanted to travel by train. But his home is closer to the Negombo bus station than the railway station, and I decide to go by bus. It’s three in the afternoon, and I got into a parked Fort-bound Route No. 103 at Borella. It took half an hour to get to Pettah, four kilometers away

Nuwara- Eliya worst affected by Ditwah: ROAD CLEARING REMAINS A FORMIDABLE TASK

Nuwara-Eliya District, the worst affected by the Ditwah cyclone followed by floods and landslides, looks like a wrecked landscape with mounds of earth and rocks obstructing the main highways and access roads leading to places of tourist attraction

NMRA regulations strengthened to discourage illegal pharmacy practices

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Act No. 5 of 2015 mandates the full-time presence of a qualified pharmacist for the operation of pharmacies. Initially, one pharmacist would operate several pharmacies in a given area, but they weren’t present at the pharmacy throughout the day.

Floods, films, athletes and tasty dishes: Sri Lanka produced some ‘influencing moments and people’ in 2025

When Sri Lanka has just stepped into a brand new year, it’s time to reflect on the year bygone and reminisce the events and individuals who influenced the islanders’ minds. History gives us reminders about how the tsunami in 2004 compelled Sri Lankans to stand united. But a bigger catastrophe was experienced 21 years later when floods and landslides caused havoc in the island. Hats off to those individuals who gave away whatever they could, and