National Archaeological Conference to begin in Colombo today

Coinciding with the 136th Archaeology Day, the national archaeology conference titled “Breathing Life into Heritage” (Urumayata Jeevayak), organised by the Department of Archaeology, is scheduled for July 7 and 8 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The opening ceremony of this conference will commence on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Moral injury in Sri Lankan Combatants who participated in Eelam War

Moral injury refers to the deep psychological, behavioural, and spiritual turmoil that arises when an individual either engages in, witnesses, or fails to avert actions that contradict their core moral convictions (Litz, Brett et al., 2009). The term moral injury was coined by Dr. Jonathan Shay, a clinical psychiatrist, in the 1990s, while working with Vietnam War veterans, and he connected their deep psychological trauma not to fear, but to a pr

Good tourists, bad tourists – We’ve been lucky so far

Tourism has two sides or images which complement each other like the two faces of a coin. First comes the visitors’ perception of a country and its people. Unless they like what they see, they won’t come.

Upper-middle income label is a myth in reality

The World Bank last week upgraded five countries - Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Jordan and Micronesia - from lower-middle to upper-middle income category. This is the second time Sri Lanka achieved this important milepost in the recent past.

Increasing retirement age would help sustain pension funds

I wish to thank Mr. Sumith de Silva for his response to my letter of June 30 regarding the retirement age.

The Digital Menace: Safeguarding Sri Lanka’s Future Generations

In homes across Sri Lanka, a quiet tragedy unfolds daily. Children once filled with curiosity and play now sit glued to screens, their laughter replaced by the glow of notifications and endless scrolls.

Colours That Remember -- A Brief Respite for Wounded Minds

Can the grief and the quiet hope of women who have lived through war ever be held within a single frame? I found my answer to that question on June 27, when I walked into an exhibition titled “A Brief Respite for Wounded Minds,

39th Anniversary of Indo-Lanka accord: Rajiv and JRJ’s Miraculous Escape During the Indo-Lanka Accord

The Indo-Lanka Peace Accord, signed in Colombo on July 29 1987 by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene, remains one of the most consequential—and controversial—agreements in Sri Lanka’s modern political history.

Justice delayed is Justice denied wherever it happens

On June 11, the Daily Mirror headlined the story of a man who was freed from jail thirty-years after he was convicted of double murder. Possibly he is now out of jail. This unfortunate spent thirty years of his life on death row, confined to a cell.

Attempts to challenge the state apparatus

Several protests were carried out by political factions on July 1, calling upon the President to resign.

Carry out dengue prevention programmes throughout the year

It seems that only when dengue cases increase the responsible people get activated!

From Village Tanks to Modern Crises

Don Stephen Senanayake, often lovingly called the Father of the Nation, was the first Prime Minister of independent Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. He is fondly remembered for leading a peaceful movement that happily achieved the country’s independence from British rule on February 4, 1948. As noted in his Britannica biography and other historical sources, his life’s work flourished in areas such as agriculture, economic self-sufficiency, an

A book, a warning, and the world’s unkept promises

Earlier this month, while travelling abroad for a few days, I stepped into a bookshop and was immediately drawn to a particular book. I read a few pages, and before long I decided to buy it, as a gift for my granddaughter, who is now preparing for her G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations.

Lessons in governance from the Chinese Communist Party

As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its legacy of historic growth, its path offers profound lessons for Sri Lanka’s own economic goals. From the lifelines of the 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact to modern landmark infrastructure like the Colombo Port City, the CPC-led nation has consistently reinforced Sri Lanka’s development. President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on continuous party self-reform highlights the vital blueprint required to achieve long

Rising from the ashes of war

A cherished chapter in the religious and cultural history of Northern Sri Lanka will be reopened on July 24, 2026, when the newly constructed THER (Chariot) of St. James Church, Kilaly is solemnly inaugurated during the annual feast celebrations of the parish’s patron saint.

Honouring the War Heroes of Prince of Wales

As Prince of Wales College marks its 150th anniversary this year, ceremonial events are held to commemorate this milestone. It is fitting to honour the College’s war heroes on this occasion. Their supreme sacrifice commands our deepest respect and enduring gratitude. As a nation, we must continue to honour all war heroes and members of the Armed Forces who have given their utmost to safeguard the country against grave threats.

Malabe Boys’ School rugby hampered by poaching

Malabe folks have got used to the sound of rubber spikes on boots hitting the ground early in the morning, and the voice of the coach bellowing at the boys who are at practice. Rugby union is a relatively new sport in Malabe. The boys in this town have at a very early age shown a keen interest on trying their luck at the game, played with the oval shaped ball. The school that gives them this opportunity is Malabe Boys’ School, which is headed b

HelpAge will perform 3000 free cataract surgeries before 2026 ends

HelpAge Sri Lanka, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest social service organisations that conducts free cataract surgeries to underprivileged older persons has decided to perform 3000 free cataract surgeries before the end of this year.

Pregnancy kits donated at charitable event

Sri Lanka Thailand Society organised a charitable event called “Gabini Matha Sathkaraya” on Poson poya day by donating Pregnancy kits to thirty pregnant women at MOH office, Mihintale, in the presence of His Excellency Paitoon Mahapannaporn Ambassador of Thailand in Sri Lanka.

Where are those buses for the disabled?

Having read in the news a few weeks ago about buses specially equipped for disabled commuters being imported, I’ve been waiting.

Heavy Mineral Mining: Sri Lanka’s Untapped Economic Engine Must Be Developed Responsibly, Not Ignored

For decades, Sri Lanka has spoken about becoming a high-income economy while relying on tourism, apparel, tea and remittances. Yet beneath our feet and along our coastline lies one of the country’s most valuable but underutilised strategic assets—its world-class heavy mineral deposits.

Paddy marketing still an unaddressed issue

Sri Lanka’s recurring paddy marketing crisis is once again unfolding in full view, exposing not merely a seasonal imbalance between supply and demand, but a deeper structural failure in agricultural policy, market regulation, and state intervention. At harvest time, farmers find themselves unable to secure a proper price. They plead for a fair price for their produce. Yet, despite repeated assurances by successive governments, the cycle of distre

UN fails Palestinian children despite strong reports

To the children of Gaza, United Nations reports, however strongly worded, offer little hope. In recent weeks, a flurry of UN reports condemns Israeli practices and even accuses the Zionist state of committing genocide. But what use are these findings to Gaza’s children? Nearly 20,000 have been killed by Israeli bombs, about 44,000 are injured, and up to 4,000 have lost one or more limbs. And the figures continue to rise, despite a sham ceasefire.

More arrests would lead to do-or-die elections

The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has to be vigilant about its members since three of its prominent members thus far have been accused of having links with the underworld in the recent past.

Do Not Extend the Retirement Age Beyond 60

With reference to Mr. Upali Weerasinghe’s letter of 30.06.2025 [DM], I must strongly oppose his suggestion to extend the retirement age of all government employees beyond 60 on the basis of “what is good for the gander is good for the goose”, citing the proposed extension for judges.

Using social media at your own risk

For more than two-thirds of the world’s population, social media is a basic part of everyday life. The 2026 DataReportal Digital Global Overview Report indicates that the number of social media users has reached 5.66 billion, which is equivalent to more than 68% of the world’s population. According to the report, the average active user spends 18 hours and 36 minutes per week on social media, or roughly two hours and 39 minutes every day. Compoun

The narrowing window: Small-state agency in an age of multipolar scenario

The international system is undergoing its deepest transformation since the Cold War; the U.S.-led unipolar moment has ended, replaced by a fragmented multipolar order marked by great-power rivalry, technological competition, and the rise of the Global South.

How far does the political-underworld nexus extend in Sri Lanka?

How far does the nexus between the underworld, and the political and bureaucratic establishment stretch out in Sri Lanka?

Politicians and the media - A love- hate relationship

It is with humour that I listened to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake deliver his almost monthly speech in Parliament last week stating that if the media does not come out of the garbage pile they are in, they would not survive.

Dengue: Prevention Cannot Be an Afterthought

Dengue cases are rising by the day. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients, and deaths are mounting alarmingly. Once again, Sri Lanka appears to be reacting to a crisis rather than preventing it.