Apparel sector workers are humans too...

On Monday, over 1400 apparel sector employees, most of whom were females, lost their jobs when a leading apparel manufacturing company in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone ceased operations. Despite being one of the main sectors that contribute to the GDP, the apparel sector has possibly become a victim of exorbitant import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, for apparel sector workers, who have been used to a culture of

Finding a practical purpose in most things termed ‘political’

Sri Lanka got through the Local Government (LG) Elections sans much difficulties. Now we have to see whether these LG bodies serve a practical purpose as boasted before the elections. The phrase ‘practical purpose’ is a nice phrase to be used as a yard stick for judging performance.

Why not celebrate the Republic Day?

Today, the 22nd day of May, is the 53rd anniversary of the Republic of Sri Lanka. It is not a national holiday. The government has chosen not to celebrate it. It has instead preferred to honour the 4th of February, the day on which, through the good grace of the British monarch, Ceylon graduated from a Crown Colony into a British Dominion. I do not seek to belittle the efforts of D.S. Senanayake and Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, who, in the midst of a

NWSDB’s billing blunder!

I wish to pen this article to make the public aware of inflated charges and unjust late fees with regard to the water bill. Hence customers, please stay vigilant!

The unseen plastic health threat

Each cup of your favourite tea may contain billions of microplastic and nano plastic particles, potentially posing risks to your health.

Case for use of air power in counter insurgency operations

Modern democracies tend to be reluctant to use air power against insurgents because of the fear of causing collateral civilian damage and harming the bid to win the hearts and minds of the people.

Lankan leaders –thy name is hypocrisy

My, my, my, our dear friend and president – AKD for short- after much huffing and puffing did put in an appearance at the government-sponsored National Heroes Commemoration Ceremony (NHCC) on Monday.

End ragging now -- A call for firm, decisive action

It has been tragically reported that the recent death of a second-year student from the Faculty of Technology at Sabaragamuwa University was the result of ragging.

Commemoration of war dead must be a part of search for peace

A day before the government held National War Heroes Commemoration at the National War Heroes

Who ensures our buses are roadworthy?

Following the tragic Kotmale bus accident that claimed 22 lives and injured many more, the police have announced they will begin checking the running condition of buses on the road. While this may sound reassuring, it raises important questions about responsibility and capability.

Mandate questioned as Local Government crisis emerges

A new direction on a revised script of acclaimed director Prasanna Vithanage’s Sinhala language adaptation of Dario Fo’s play, “Horu Samaga Heluwen,” is currently being staged at two strategic locations across Colombo. This innovative theatrical experience divides the narrative between Flower Road in the city and Pelawatta in the suburbs, offering audiences a unique dual perspective on political maneuvering. Vithanage’s adaptation brings Fo’s sat

What now for Palestine -in the shadow of genocide and a non-caring world

On 7 October 2023, Israel commenced bombardment of Palestine’s Gaza Strip. Gaza is a small beachside land-strip of around 365 sq miles bordering the Mediterranean Sea, sandwiched between Egypt and Israel.

Restructuring the International Economic Order

Restructuring is often a top down process. The Board of Directors may want to restructure a company by laying off workers.

‘The Times They Are A Changin’ -with apologies to Bob Dylon

In today’s context the title of Bob Dylon’s famous song ‘The Times they are a changin’ is becoming more relevant, not only to us in Sri Lanka, but the world over.

Back to the queues?

People are in panic mode due to the shortage of salt and they blame the government for not being able to rectify the matter before it aggravated.

Campus ragging as sexual perversion by other means

Universities are closeted worlds. But the time they were held in awe as creators of the cream of a country’s workforce talent is long gone.

Continued use of PTA under new President

At least 12 persons have been reported to have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) since the swearing in of the new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on September 23, 2024.

No chance to meet President to talk about road accidents: Medical Experts

The medical experts attached to the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) insisted yesterday that they have not been given an opportunity to discuss road traffic accidents and safety with the president and they doubted whether their letter requesting a meeting with him has even reached him.

Can the NPP overcome the setback?

Unlike the other leftist political parties, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has been fortunate enough to rise to power, though under a coalition, the National People’s Power (NPP) within sixty years since its inception.

Lankan Parliamentarians and the ongoing genocide in Palestine

On the 15th of May the world commemorates the ‘Nakba’, The day set aside by Palestinians to remind humanity of the inhuman cruelties being unleashed on a helpless people who were driven out of their lands and homes by the creation of Israel in the then undivided state of Palestine on 15 May 1948.

Save our children from being abused in schools!

The ignominious trend of the teaching vocation degenerating into the vice of sexual molestation and abuse of schoolchildren is inconceivable and outrageous.

Nakba 2025 The missing link in Trump’s Gulf agenda

How many Nakba days do we have to commemorate before freedom day dawns for the shackled Palestinians who are going through indescribable suffering at the hands of the world’s most brutal regime, Israel?

The idea to have a national media policy must be hailed

The media is known as the watchdog of the nation. However, when the public is annoyed with how events are reported on, the media is often at the receiving end.

Time for Action, Not Rhetoric

The government must now move beyond rhetoric and begin practising what it preaches. The results of the recent local government elections should serve as a wake-up call—a clear message from the people that they expect delivery, not excuses.

Vector-borne illnesses, an indication of climate change?

Health authorities have expedited actions to contain the soaring dengue and chikungunya cases. According to National Dengue Control Programme Director Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, the same mosquito is responsible for both illnesses. As a preventive measure, a mosquito prevention week had been declared from 19-24 May.

Kotmale Bus Tragedy: A Grim Reminder That Prevention Is Better Than The Cure

The recent bus accident in Kotmale, which claimed 22 lives and left over 50 injured, is a heartbreaking yet avoidable tragedy. It serves as a loud wake-up call to the transport authorities who have long ignored the age-old principle: ‘prevention is better than the cure.’

Trump’s Tariffs and the AI Factor

Donald Trump’s economic policies shave met with stupefaction and withering scorn on the part of journalists and economists worldwide. However, among the criticisms of his “liberation” rhetoric, I have not yet come across any reference to the role AI plays in the new global economy and in his ambitions.

Namal’s Ascent: Presidential 2024 as Reliable Comparative for LG Results

The analysis of electoral trends demands thoughtful consideration of which comparative baselines yield the most meaningful insights.

The Shark Binder and the Gratiaen long list puzzle

Now that the Gratiaen short list has been announced, I’d like to congratulate everyone listed. They wouldn’t be there if they didn’t deserve it.

Indo-Pakistan crisis: How not to report a war

Last week, when the nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan went to war, their TV anchors, especially those on the right-wing television channels in India, scored the biggest kill.