How planning ahead can reduce disaster risk and support faster recovery

The rains have come again hard, causing flooding, landslides, and displacement, wreaking havoc on already vulnerable populations.

‘Protecting Sri Lanka’s endemic species’ against lucrative and illegal global demands

The Embilipitiya Magistrate Court recently imposed an unprecedented fine of Rs. 116 million on two Russians who were caught while collecting specimens at the Sinharaja UNESCO World Heritage Site and Horton Plains National Park. Having arrested the two individuals following a tip-off the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) officials discovered over 230 specimens in the possession of these Russians.

Threat of Islamist extremism is real, don’t play politics with it

For the last couple of years since the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, some sections of the Catholic church led by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and civil society groups have been wanting us to believe that nine Islamist suicide terrorists, having pledged allegiance to the transnational Salafi Jihad terrorist group, Islamic State, blew themselves up killing 250 locals church goers and foreign tourists in order to bring to power an ardent Sinhala Buddhis

Why does Canada want to restrict immigration?

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on October 23, that Canada will “significantly” reduce the number of new immigrants.

‘Shoot the Messenger’ or ‘Shoot Yourself in the Foot’?

Last Wednesday, we exposed Udaya Gammanpila when he attempted to embarrass the government and garner some attention to himself, along with the government’s response to his claims.

Anura Dissanayake and the Formation of the National People’s Power

This is the fourth part of an extended article focusing on Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In the first part of this article, the early years of Anura’s eventful life were delved into in some detail. In the second part, AKD’s steady growth as a political leader within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was related to some extent. In the third part, Anura’s rise to the leadership position of the JVP was recounted.

Security alert: More to it than meets the eye

There is more to the Israeli presence in Sri Lanka than meets the eye. Also, there is more to Wednesday’s security alert than what the authorities and embassies claimed.

Unlicensed Chinese guides rule the roost in local tourism

Tuk tuk drivers in popular tourist areas to surf boys and city boys step in as unofficial tour guides offering foreigners a taste of authentic Sri Lanka.

There are cases where SL politicians seek benefits for their interests - outgoing Japanese ambassador

Outgoing Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, speaks about how bilateral relations evolved during his time. He also responds to questions about the business environment of Sri Lanka for Japanese investors. Excerpts:

HEC in Hambantota Walsapugala farmers urge authorities to release MER for elephants

Farmers in Walsapugala staged a 108-day long protest back in 2021 braving various threats and challenges urging the then government to implement the Managed Elephant Reserve (MER) which allocated some 23,000 hectares to elephants that roam the area.

Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia to boost trade, investments ties

Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka were established in 1974. Sri Lanka opened its Embassy in Jeddah in 1983 and later relocated to Riyadh in 1985. From 1977 to 1995, the Kingdom’s Embassy in New Delhi oversaw bilateral relations between the two nations, until Saudi Arabia opened its Embassy in Sri Lanka.

“Never thought Sajith Premadasa would be a weak leader”– Ajith Mannapperuma

I have been working as the SJB Gampaha District organiser for 20 years. I served as the Mayor for seven years, four years as a provincial councilor and 12 years as a Member of Parliament from the Gampaha District

Parliamentary polls Seeing a ‘System Change’ is now or never

We live in exciting times. Never before has Sri Lanka been in this political position. A brand new President is offering a badly needed system change and one must hope voters seize this opportunity seriously without listening to the trumpeted side tracks of old politicians who really should know better. There is mounting apprehension in the minds of our past corrupted parliamentarians (some who intend seeking re-election) that their days of s

Harsha’s Options -Join NPP or Take Over Leadership of SJB Who wants Dr. Harsha de Silva out?

Targeting Dr. Harsha de Silva by senior SJB members began a couple of years ago when he started gaining recognition as a potential future leader.

‘All stalled investigations under former regimes to resume soon’ Public Security Ministry Secretary, Senior DIG (Rtd) Ravi Seneviratne

The newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Senior DIG (Rtd) Ravi Seneviratne is confident in meting out justice to all those who suffered due to politically motivated killings, abductions and financial frauds in the country over the past several years sooner than later.

When “Comrade”Anura Became the Fifth JVP Leader in 2014

The year was 1969. A 31-year-old mother sought the services of a prominent astrologer to draw up the horoscope of her six-month-old son.

“If war crimes aren’t investigated even political leaders might have travel restrictions” -Anura Meddegoda

A senior legal practitioner with a wide range of experiences serving national and international judiciary, President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda was recently appointed as the President of the Bar Association of Srl Lanka. With over 40 years of experience in the legal field, out of which half of it was served at the Attorney General’s Department as a State attorney,

Only sanity will help Sri Lanka in balancing ties with India and China

The new government is a new phenomenon in a novel social, economic context. The economic crisis that the country grappled with in 2022 conditioned the mindsets of people to look for a departure from traditional politics. The NPP (National People’s Power), a political force outside the mainstream, became the choice of the majority of voters, albeit the total votes polled by it at the September 21 presidential election fell less than 50 percent.

Choosing Leaders Wisely: The Importance of Transparency in Political Candidate Selection

As a concerned and patriotic citizen of Sri Lanka, I am writing to share my thoughts regarding the upcoming election and the critical importance of selecting the best possible candidates for our nation’s future.

Iranamadu farmers uncertain about their future amidst adverse climate change impacts

Paddy farmers across Sri Lanka are continuously challenged by adverse climate change impacts which have directly affected their overall paddy yield.

Anura Kumara’s Ascendancy Within the JVP and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s newly elected ninth Executive President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) continues to be the focus of this column. In the first part of this article published last week, the early years of Anura’s eventful life were delved into in some detail. In this week’s second part, AKD’s steady rise as a political leader within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be related to some extent.

Will agriculture farmers be forced to pay taxes for water?

Water is one of man’s primary needs of humans. Water is a key factor in agriculture as well as for consumption.

The new president’s opportunity to reshape social protection

On 16 August 2024, Sri Lanka launched a National Social Protection Policy (NSPP). This was a first in the country, which had previously not had a policy but only a host of different programmes (such as free universal health coverage, free education at primary and secondary levels, Samurdhi, and more recently, Aswesuma).

AKD’s protest vote and Sajith Premadasa’s own goal

The presidential election’s outcome has been described in flowery language: A vote for system change, the rejection of the old regime, a clarion call against corruption and cronyism, a vote against the sale of national assets, and so on.

PUT CHILDREN FIRST A MOMENT OF CHOICE FOR SRI LANKA

As Sri Lanka celebrates World Children’s Day, the nation stands at a crucial juncture.

President faces a problem common to many developing nations: Austerity imposed by the West

Sri Lanka is at a historic juncture. Faced with its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and having defaulted on its external debt for the first time, the country recently saw unprecedented protests demanding systemic change.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake; “Leftist” Star Rises Over Sri Lanka

The heading of this article is inspired by the title of Edgar Snow’s book, “Red Star Over China”.

Israel’s war on Hezbollah pushing Middle East towards chaos

By declaring war on Hezbollah, Israel has extended its genocidal Gaza war to Lebanon. Disregarding global calls for restraint, Israel’s war-thirsty Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now planning a ground invasion of Lebanon. And it is going to be his Waterloo.

Is Dr. Amarasuriya the Kamala Harris of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka now has her third female Prime Minister after a hiatus of 24 years. Twenty years is a long period of time from a political perspective. That was sufficient time to usher in change, to witness more women in the political sphere in decision-making positions and for them to take a lead to make a difference. But women’s representation in politics has been a long struggle. A struggle met with many patriarchal and professional challenges. But

If the historic AKD win does not become yet another regret…

During the last couple of days, Sri Lanka elected a left-leaning outsider as its 9th Executive President and then went on to win a test match in Galle.