No-Show Narcotics Consignees: A Gaping Loophole in Courier Screening

It was recently reported that narcotics worth over Rs. 60 million—shipped via international express courier services—are lying unclaimed at Colombo Cargo Express. These parcels, originating from countries like the USA, Canada, and Malaysia, were addressed to local recipients using fake identities and false addresses.

Jaffna MP Shritharan’s Insidious Campaign Against his own party ITAK

Retiring Supreme Court Judge Gamini Amarasekara made several important observations while addressing court recently.

What we hear from Chemmani… When the soil speaks for people’s justice

On the seventh day of the second phase of re-excavations at Chemmani in July 2025, I stood before a shallow grave where skeletal remains of a child were found, still carrying a UNICEF school bag, and within it, a tiny doll.

Beyond the Container Crisis: Rebuilding Trust in Colombo Port

The Port of Colombo boasts a remarkable two-millennia legacy, evolving from the ancient Kolomthota trading harbour to a premier international hub.

Indian claims to Katchatheevu and undisclosed defence co-operation MOUs

India’s Minister of External Affairs -- the ever charming, confident and pleasant Dr. Jaishankar -- is not so polite whenever the Modi regime is at the receiving end of criticism regarding, Indian rights to Sri Lankan fishing grounds.

What’s the solution to treat ailing jumbos?

It is a known fact that many jumbos have sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the ongoing human-elephant conflict.

Towards a robust ‘Representative Democracy’

The original Proportional Representation (PR) system of 1978, is despised by sections of the general public and academia due to the notion created by its political critics that it was brought in to sustain the then govt. in power which has since been proved wrong.

UNHRC slackens its stance on Sri Lanka

The visit by the current United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to Sri Lanka last week failed to evoke as much enthusiasm or interest as the visits by his predecessors, Navanethem Pillay and Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had done.

No tears for the troika as JVP pivots to fiscal discipline

Lanka is at a disastrous crossroads. The ruling NPP government promised big while in the Opposition. But now caught up in the reality of ruling a country, has had to come to grips with the realities of our stressed-out economy. We have not as yet paid back our international debts.

A call to end the unbearable delays in arguments at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

The Supreme Court is the Apex court that is deemed to deliver justice to long-suffering litigants (it takes an average of 20 years to reach the Supreme Court with our cases) by concluding the arguments component of their appeal cases.

Children falling prey to consumerism

Beautiful small children running on the roads and attempting to sell food is now a thing of the past. No longer would you also see small children appearing on television advertisements promoting food items. The reason is because the Government of Sri Lanka has got cracking on banning the exploitation of children for financial gains.

Gaza Genocide: Who stands for justice-and who stands in the way?

What kind of world do we live in—one where justice and humanity have fled to brutish beasts, and world leaders, particularly those of the Western world, seem to have lost all reason? With hundreds of starving Palestinian civilians bombed daily in Gaza as they sleep and gunned down when hunger drives them towards death traps camouflaged by Israel and the United States as food aid centres, humanity is divided into three categories: those who commit

Tourism – boom or bane?

Thank you for publishing this much needed article (‘Downside of Tourism: No support for local tourists’ -- Daily Mirror June 30th) which presents the most salient points relating to this issue in a cogent and rational manner, with an analysis of its root causes which is spot on.

If you must fear anything, fear the law and nothing else!

Sri Lanka is an island which has one main law and several customised ‘laws’ or regulations to suit certain communities and religions. The latter are unofficial, l but have clout in their respective societies.

Meritocracy and competency: Lessons for Sri Lanka from Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore

Sri Lanka, a nation blessed with abundant natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, and a resilient populace, stands at a critical juncture in its development trajectory. As it navigates the complexities of economic recovery, social cohesion, and sustained growth, the quality of its

Could overconfident political behaviour hurt Lanka’s democracy?

Industries Minister Sunil Handunnetthi’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum created much hype on social media. While many blamed him for his proficiency of English, social media users were also concerned about whether he actually understood the questions. Perhaps the same thoughts may have crossed the minds of a considerable section of society who knew about the context of this global event.

appeal to the minister

Ministry of Urban Development, Constructions and Housing Battaramulla Dear Sir,

How Sunil Handunnetti could become a guiding light in promoting English language education

Last week, Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development Sunil Handunnetti participated in the World Economic Forum in Tianjin and spoke in a panel discussion.

Genocide in Palestine and government’s slowly changing stances

For some time after Israel commenced attacking Palestine in October 2023, our government, though of socialist bent, had been following a somewhat ambiguous policy on events taking place there.

Profits over society’s well-being

While profits are important for business success, focusing solely on maximising profits at the expense of human lives can be harmful to a country and its citizens.

Fear to change will ruin the nation

Against the backdrop of the National Transport Commission (NTC) having announced that it will be mandatory for bus drivers to wear seat belts starting from today, July 1, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has urged the Government to provide standard seat belts to private buses at concessional prices before enforcing the regulation that makes seat belts mandatory for bus drivers.

For the attention of CMC’s new leadership

Galle Face Green, a treasured landmark of Colombo and a symbol of environmental beauty for over a century, is now facing a serious and growing health hazard. Once admired by both locals and foreign visitors for its open spaces and oceanfront charm, the area is increasingly overrun by rodents of various kinds.

Leftist Mamdani is the answer to New York’s poverty, but political skills are needed to solve its problems

Zohran Mamdani is the 33-year-old Democratic party candidate for the November New York City Mayoral election. If he wins, history will have been made. Mamdani will be the first Muslim, an Indian immigrant from Africa and that too of recent origin, a hard core socialist, and an unabashed supporter of the Palestinian cause, to occupy the coveted position of Mayor of the financial capital of the US, which is also home to the largest Jewish populati

Two State Solution A PATHWAY TO LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The Middle East, a cradle of civilisations and a land of profound spiritual significance, has for decades been synonymous with conflict, particularly the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian struggle. The recent escalation, marked by the horrific October 7th attack by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent devastating aggression in Gaza, has plunged the region into an unprecedented crisis.

Colombo City is challenging as it is beautiful

First of all congratulations on your appointment, which was won despite the many challenges. In a nutshell Colombo City is still one of the greenest anywhere, and it has its own beauty and ambience.

Downside of tourism: No support for local tourists

Discrimination against Sri Lankan visitors was reported recently from Ella area, a former backwater whose tourism potential was suddenly discovered 15-20 years ago.

The poor and the representatives of the poor

On the 25th of this month Daily Mirror YouTube channel highlighted the clearing of a number of unauthorised structures in the Weligama area by the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department (CCCRMD) who were accompanied by the police. In the video, officers of the authority claimed that for the first time they had been permitted to carry out their duties without politicians interfering and obstructing their efforts.

Is school killing future leaders?

In a nation that hopes to evolve and remain stable, whether or not children should learn politics at a young age is an issue that is timely and pertinent. But, by providing political education to children in an elementary, age-appropriate way, we establish the foundation

Will Israeli PM Netanyahu be Convicted of Charges of Corruption?

It is no secret that US president Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are both members of an exclusive mutual admiration society.

Cutting your feet to fit the shoes

The procedure for the election of the chairman and mayors in local government bodies where no party has secured an absolute majority is something amusing.