A film on a horrible death sentence

These are times when the Sri Lankan cinema is making a resurgence. This is positive news for the cinema industry. After ‘Rani’, a film based on slain journalist Richard de Zoysa, we now get to know about a cinematic production by Chandran Rutnam.

Increasing Tax compliance through transparency and encouragement

I wish to make some suggestions for the consideration of officials of the tax department and the state to look into, they go as follows:-

Iran wins: Israel hit hard, fails to achieve its war objectives

With a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel holding, the world may heave a sigh of relief that the conflict ended within 12 days and did not spread to the wider region, thereby averting a global economic downturn far worse than that caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s time to keep those cameras rolling on Sri Lankan shores..

People mostly remember Sri Lanka for its refreshing Ceylon tea, cinnamon and spices, cuisine or for its pristine beauty. But Sri Lanka is increasingly becoming a go-to destination for something more interesting --

How Exposed is Sri Lanka to the Iran-Israel Conflict

According to various news sources, Israel currently employs around 20,000 Sri Lankan workers. Remittances from Israel accounted for 2% of the total remittances received in 2024. Iran hosts only 35 Sri Lankans, rendering its direct remittance channel negligible

Abuser Transferred, Victim Dead—Is This Justice?

A deeply disturbing case of sexual abuse at a leading Colombo school has shocked the nation. A male teacher, accused of sexually abusing a female student, reportedly drove the child to take her own life. Yet, the Department of Education’s only disciplinary action was to transfer the perpetrator to a boys’ school—a grossly inadequate response to a grave crime.

WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THE IRAN-ISRAEL WAR

After bombing the deep underground nuclear facilities of Fordow and then loudly musing over the regime change of Iran, America’s President Donald Trump on Tuesday mediated a pre-dawn ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Equality in digital education for children—dream or myth?

A few days ago, on the 22nd of this month, Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya addressed a discussion held with the Task Force appointed by the Cabinet to oversee Digital Education Transformation, emphasising that digital education systems should be introduced nationwide, ensuring fair distribution of human and physical resources across all schools.

“Turning ‘green Deserts’ into natural Ecosystems”: A Response

I, as a retired tea planter, was surprised at the Heading of this particular article. Sanjeewa Chamikara tells his readers how growing tea started in 1867 by James Taylor in Loolkandura in the Kandy District. All this is correct.

Looking at the war through lopsided world media

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”

Pakistan’s Nobel Prize nominee and war in Middle East

On 21 June 2025, Pakistan quite unexpectedly nominated US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement according to the ‘Dawn’ newspaper caught ordinary Pakistanis by surprise. Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize has come in the midst of the ongoing slaughter of innocents in Palestine by Israel which is enabled by theTrump government’s supply of arms to the genocidal Israeli regime.

The Gathering Storm: Impact of US Involvement in Iran-Israel War on Sri Lanka

As of June 22, 2025, Sunday morning hours, the United States has launched strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Trump confirmed the “massive precision strikes,” stating they “completely and fully obliterated” the facilities, aiming to dismantle Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity. This decisive action inserts the U.S. directly into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. While Iranian authorities

Out of Sync with Our Anthem? Let’s Make Every Voice Count!

It is customary — and indeed meaningful — to begin any national event or public function by playing or singing the National Anthem, which pays homage to the beauty and spirit of Sri Lanka. Yet, it is disheartening to witness how few actually join in when the video is played.

The Four in one man Frederick Forsyth: Pilot, Journalist, Spy and Writer

Is there a connection between popular English novelist Frederick Forsyth who breathed his last on 9th June 2025 and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that was militarily defeated by the Sri Lankan armed forces in May 2009?

Sebastiao Salgado (1944-2025) Photographer who captured diversity of life makes final ‘click’

The great Brazilian documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado died on May 23, 2025 at age 81.

Arms trade Middle East war splits Trump base

The arms trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry that profits regardless of whether peace or conflict prevails.

Sri Lanka Railways stuck in a political quagmire

Sri Lanka Railways is in the news for neglect and shame, and an underlying reason for this state could be political in a way.

Anura scores own goal, but succeeds in netting the corrupt

Not so long ago, when comrade Anura Kumara Dissanayake was an ordinary MP in the last parliament before presidential elections were held.

Applause to the govt. for timely attempts to resolve HEC

Successive regimes failed to address the human-elephant conflict (HEC) which in turn has claimed the lives of many elephants and humans over the years.

NPP caught in the crossfire between theory and practice

How the National People’s Power (NPP) which had failed to secure absolute power in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at the May 6 local government elections finally captured power of the council last Monday is still a secret.

Sri Lanka needs to introduce laws on Health Literacy and Patients’ Rights

Even though Sri Lanka has been acknowledged as a country with a satisfactory literacy rate, time has come to question whether the average Sri Lankan also falls into the categories of literate, educated and knowledgeable.

Impose maximum punishment

It is a known fact that the former Health Minister has been named a suspect in procuring toxic medicines which were used on people.

URGENT NOTICE – DOGS MISSING FROM VIHARA MAHA DEVI PARK

Half the dogs at Vihara Maha Devi Park are missing. Our staff discovered this today when they went to feed them.

Trump’s Madman Theory fuels Iran-Israel war

Will the United States join Israel’s war on Iran? This is the biggest question today, as Iran and Israel continue their war of attrition. On the eighth consecutive day of escalating hostilities—with missiles and drones striking each other’s cities—the US president’s decision could alter the course of the conflict. It could either de-escalate tensions or add fuel to the confrontation that risks engulfing the entire region for months to come. Which

Sri Lanka enjoys the fragrance of Indian yoga

Many moons ago, this writer was part of a conversation in which the discussion was on how to mint money. The person who was in control of the conversation was a self-made man who was running a chain of hotels. In all his hotels, wellness centres and yoga retreats were a big part of the culture. He went on to mention that wellness, weapons and drugs (as in narcotics) were the three businesses people can engage in and make money fast. Fortunately o

The new mayor’s task is Herculean

The task before you is Herculean and your main priority will be to root out the rampant corruption that is manifest in many forms in that institution. “Clean Sri Lanka” will mean far more to you than merely cleaning the garbage on the streets.

Sri Lanka’s Silence on Chemmani Mass Grave: A Call for Justice and Unity

Imagine a loved one goes missing: your child, sibling, spouse or parent, you would do anything in your power to bring them back, or at least find out what happened to them.

On media freedom and regime change in Iran

In grim video footage, a female anchor was live on air, passionately espousing, when debris filled the studio with thunder in the background as the Israeli military attacked Iran’s State-run Television network.

The Mayoral stakes, crossovers and slum dwellers in Lanka

At the recently held local government election, National People’s Power (NPP) captured power in 266 out of 339 local government bodies.The election was held on May 06.

So Much for Ease of Doing Business

The Inland Revenue Department recently announced that all individuals over the age of 18 are required to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).