“Lion of Ruhunu” at 80: Political Journey of Mahinda Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka’s fifth executive president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, will celebrate his 80th birth anniversary this week. Mahinda, born on November 18, 1945, served two terms as president from November 2005 to

Mahinda Rajapaksa at 80: Demonised by Opponents and Deified by Supporters

Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa, known to his country and the world at large as Mahinda Rajapaksa, will celebrate his 80th birth anniversary on November 18, 2025.

Inside the World’s Largest Visa Application Centre

Inside Dubai’s Wafi City stands a place that quietly moves the world. The world’s largest visa application centre, operated by VFS Global, spans 150,000 square feet and processes up to 10,000 applications daily.

Value of STEM/STEAM education: Problems with proposed education reforms need to be addressed

Education is one of the main sectors that required immediate reforms for several years.Even though successive regimes harped on proposed reforms, the crises within the sector remained. What began as a free education system has now become an extremely competitive ground that favours the survival of the fittest.

When Fashion Turns into Surveillance: Why Sri Lanka Must Wake Up to the Privacy Crisis

You’re walking along Galle Face Beach with your family. The sun is slipping into the sea, your child’s chasing bubbles, the salty breeze feels good. Then you notice someone nearby talking to himself, adjusting his sunglasses, pointing them subtly in your direction.

Where Adam first stepped - A story Sri Lanka must tell!

It is an ancient belief that Adam was the first human on Earth, and he was sent down by God because he disobeyed His command. While Adam asked for forgiveness, some believe that God also wanted him to begin humanity on Earth. Although Adam was shocked, God decided to send him to a place that had the closest resemblance to Heaven.

Killing of Lasantha Wickramasekara alias “Midigama Lasa” : Political Assassination or Gangland Execution?

An elected chairman of a Pradeshiya Sabha (divisional council) is shot dead by a lone gunman while meeting members of the public in his council office.

HRW views Sri Lankan BUDGET as make or break for island’s education sector

Sri Lanka’s education system faces a critical test as the government prepares its upcoming budget, with experts warning that funding decisions could determine whether children finally gain access to schools with much resources or continue to bear the cost themselves. Human Rights Watch (HRW) emphasises that the upcoming budget is a crucial moment, since reducing allocations for education could directly affect children’s ability to pursue a solid

Mr. President, please look after our local investors!

Since gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lankans have endured much as a nation — from war and economic hardship to racism and social division. Yet time and again, we have risen together, setting aside our differences and rebuilding with resilience.

Why are we a nation that never develops?

For years Sri Lanka’s geographic location has been spoken about and even envied by many nations. Infact foreigners have always praised our natural resources, our lush greenery, our ideal location in the Indian Ocean and our warmth and friendship.

Third-state complicity in Gaza genocide: Whither international law and ICJ rulings?

A foundational question tackled in the study of international law is, ‘Is international law really law?’ Nothing provides a more robust response to this question than the actions of Israel and the imperial West that sucks up to Zionism, Israel’s state ideology

Decoding ‘76 years of curse’

Recent rave social media reviews by Indian visitors about Sri Lanka, especially about our roads and civic sense, might make a Sri Lankan blush. One should agree that such assessments are a subjective experience. But there is also a genuine appreciation, though South Asians in general are good at trash-talking their own countries.

How a Buddhist monk braved torture to pursue political dream

Following the accusation levelled against the former Member of Parliament, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, over the alleged abduction and intimidation of General Secretary of the Ape Janabala Pakshaya, questions have been raised why the long arm of law has so far failed to make an arrest.

Extensive damage to the ecosystem Wanathawilluwa mangroves illegally cleared by racketeers

Wanton destruction of the mangrove forest along the Redd Barna lagoon periphery in Wanathawilluwa division has been going on unabated, despite concerns raised by residents and environmentalists. According to environmentalists, vast tracts of century-old mangrove forest have been cleared, causing extensive damage to the ecosystem. The destruction has been done cleverly, leaving those mangroves facing the lagoon intact, so that anyone looking from

AI’s chilling effect on democracy: Research scientist Michał Klincewicz

Michał Klincewicz, a research scientist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, shares his views with Daily Miror on the impact of AI generated content on human life in a democratic society.

Mass Expulsion of Northern Muslims in 1990: Why did the LTTE do it?

October 1990 was the month in which the Tamil-speaking Muslims of the Northern province were forcibly expelled en masse by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), 35 years ago.

Deshabandu Tennakoon and the Weligama Hotel shooting incident

The Committee of Inquiry appointed in terms of Section 6 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No: 5 of 2002 to investigate and inquire into the allegations levelled against Deshabandu Tennakoon (Full name Tennakoon Mudiyanselage Wanshalankara Deshabandu Tennakoon) and to remove him from the office of the Inspector General of Police,

“Black October”: Mass Expulsion of Northern Muslims by the LTTE in 1990

October 1990 is a cruel and unforgettable month in the history of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Muslims. It was in October 1990 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forcibly expelled the Tamil-speaking Muslim people from the Northern Province in an atrocious act amounting to ethnic cleansing.

Sri Lankans feel it’s time to ditch traditions, norms

Sri Lanka was once a nation that was greatly influenced by tradition more than law. The arrival of the British added more customs to our traditions.

UN Inquiry Commission report:‘Israel is Committing Genocide in Gaza’

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, released its report on September 16, 2025.

Pekeo Trail – Social leveller committed to sustainability Stewardship and Governance of Recreational Trails

Aiming to attract 5 million tourists by 2030, Sri Lanka is striving hard to become one of the world’s leading tourist attractions with everything in one place for travellers or tourists. From golden beaches, blue seas with a variety of marine life to misty mountains, wildlife, historically important archaeological sites, Sri Lanka has a golden egg in its platter.

“Airport should be expanded by moving Air Force to Mattala”

Captain Elmo Jayawardena, one of the most experienced airline pilots and flight instructors in Sri Lanka, joined Air Ceylon as far back as 1969 starting from an extremely humble position and rose to be a internationally reputed pilot and pilot instructor. Having finished with Sri Lankan Airlines, Captain Elmo went to Singapore to train pilots; and now, with his huge experience, teaches Sri Lankan pilots as a service.

Falling trees in Colombo: A hidden danger amid nature’s gift

Trees are one of nature’s greatest gifts. They provide shade, clean the air, and help keep the environment balanced. Yet, in busy cities like Colombo, trees can sometimes become a danger.

A Champion for Change Projection of AKD as an agent of Change

The first part of this article published last week delved into the election campaign conducted by Anura Kumara Dissanayake when he contested the September 2024 presidential elections.

Legacy of Social Justice Legend Lasantha Wickrematunge

I was one of the lucky ones who met Lasantha Wickrematunge for a brief moment in 2007 at a lobby when I was attending a homecoming at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Amongst a group of eager fans, all clamouring to shake his hand, I just couldn’t believe my luck when I found myself in his presence, the invincible energy that surrounded him and the aura of his charisma left me in awe. His humility made the impossible feel tangible. I had crossed paths

The death of Ruchika Induma Perpetrators who exerted exam pressure still at large

Parents entrust their children to schools with a great deal of faith in the principal and teachers. A school, therefore, should never be a place where a child feels unsafe.

President AKD’s U-turn: Pre-poll Propaganda and Post-Election Performance

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, known popularly as Anura and “AKD”, won the Presidential election of September 21, 2024, in what was described as a gigantic leap. From 418,553 (3.16%) votes in the 2019 Presidential election, AKD increased his vote tally to 5,634,915 (42.31%) in the 2024 Presidential poll. In the second count of votes with Sajith Premadasa, AKD obtained 5,740,179 (55.89%) votes.

Eladetta Village holds fond memories of Robert Knox

Eladetta village is located in a lovely and attractive countryside in the Udunuwara Division in the district of Kandy. This village has a long tradition behind it.

Easter Sunday carnage Will probing Pillayan’s period in prison lead to more clues?

When the prison guards at the Batticaloa Prison, who were on duty on April 21, 2019, panicked after a bomb exploded in close proximity to the prison assuming that terrorism raised its ugly head, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who was an inmate in prison at that time, had assured them that it was not a terrorist attack, but a suicide attack, Daily Mirror sources reveal. The explosion referred to is the suicide bombing at Zion church

Shaping the living wage agenda:Asia-Pacific’s call to action

Asia and the Pacific is home to the world’s largest workforce. In recent years, the region has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with real wages (inflation-adjusted pay) continuing to rise even as they declined in many other parts of the world.