Are Sri Lankans safe at this juncture?

The government is maintaining a deafening silence on the shooting incidents happening around the country. Three incidents were reported on Tuesday (April 22). In one incident the targeted victim grabbed the pistol from a suspect who walked into his house and averted a deadly encounter. One of the suspects later fell off a wall while attempting to run away and injured his leg. Several ammunition and weapons were recovered while in his possession.

Student Insurance Distribution: Timely Welfare or Election Strategy?

Students of a leading government girls’ school in Colombo 12 received their ‘Suraksha’ Certificate of Insurance, covering health, life, and personal accident on April 22, 2025. The initiative, with the Ministry of Education (MOE) collaborating with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLIC), a state-owned entity, is a noteworthy step in safeguarding student well-being, especially as rising medical costs continue to burden many familie

A dangerous attempt to rewrite the history of the Easter Sunday Attacks

For several years since the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, which marked their 6th anniversary this week, a section of the Catholic church and assorted groups wanted us to believe that nine suicide Islamist terrorists—who pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State—blew themselves up,

LG elections and silence of the Commissioner of Elections

In mid-March this year, the Commissioner of Elections announced the long overdue local government (LG) elections would be held on May 6 this year.

Hold Leaders Accountable for Their Words

President Anura Kumara, while addressing the public during his campaign, made a bold promise to reveal the masterminds behind the tragic Easter Sunday attacks.

Easter Sunday Probe outcome should not be predetermined

There is no denying that justice must be meted out to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks that took place six years ago. Yet, what does it mean? Also there is no denying that lives lost in the macabre terrorist attacks would not return, or that nobody is capable of breathing life to those approximately 270 people killed in the bombings. Only thing the authorities can do is to bring those who have planned and executed the carnage before

Heroes of faith

Whilst welcoming the Vatican’s decision to declare those who died in bomb attacks in churches on Easter Sunday six years ago as ‘Heroes of Faith’ (referring to men and women who have sacrificed their lives for Jesus Christ) on Monday April 21, I would suggest a few other meaningful ways in which the Sri Lankan government could honour the victims.

Importance of BIMSTEC for Sri Lanka in the era of Trump’s tariffs new ways to get out of the jam

In the emerging era marked by Trump’s tariffs and politically motivated sanctions, the Global South, which has been struggling to come out of isolation and poverty, has no option but to reduce its dependence on the Global North. It has to seek ways of banding together and helping each other grow. For this, they have to suspend mutual animosities, rivalries and reservations.

Repeal of the Online Safety Act vital for the Economic Salvation of Sri Lanka

While the economy of Sri Lanka has achieved some degree of stabilisation after the most dire crisis in history, progress along a growth trajectory remains a clear imperative. Fragility of the current situation has been massively increased by the devastating tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, making our country’s exports to the United States—especially apparel and rubber products—starkly vulnerable.

Defence Pacts with India and Need for Openness

In April 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka resulted in the signing of seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between New Delhi and Colombo.

Bandung to Colombo: Non-Aligned Movement and our Times

The excitement around Sri Lanka’s World Cup victory in March 1996 that created overwhelming interest in cricket. The great Aragalaya protests in July 2022, when hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of Colombo chased away an authoritarian president.

Six Years Gone..., Yet Justice Worn...!

Six years have elapsed since the horrific Easter Sunday carnage on April 21, 2019, that ripped through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, leaving a trail of devastation and loss.

The US tariffs and Lanka’s weak-kneed response

During the past weeks the US began imposing unprecedented tariffs against all countries big and small. It cares not, what the fallout of its action would have on the countries concerned or on the global economy.

Biases on Political Violence

Terrorism, in any form, is a threat to democracy. Whether it comes from the north or the south, whether it wears the guise of ethnicity or ideology, the act of terrorizing a democratically elected government must be condemned equally and unequivocally.

Bishop Rayappu Joseph was the Voice of the Voiceless Who Spoke Truth to Power

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. These words written by St. Paul in his epistle to Timothy (2.Timothy 4.7) are a fitting epitaph to the life and service of former Catholic Bishop of Mannar, the Most Rev. Rayappu Joseph whose 85th birth anniversary was on April 16 this year.

How the JVP shed ‘Indian expansionism’ 53 years ago

It is strange that the political analysts - both so-called and serious - have pathetically failed to note that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had dropped the concept of “Indian Expansionism” some fifty years ago in 1972. Hence, they find a contradiction in current NPP government’s relationship with India.

Who’s behind the April 2019 Easter Sunday bombings?

On Monday (21), Lankans will commemorate the sixth anniversary of the dastardly Easter Sunday bombings in our country.

Relics exposition and people’s expectations

The crowds that have flocked to Kandy to witness the sacred relics exposition speaks volumes about their devotion to Buddhism.

Noise pollution and the religion of silence

These are irritably noisy days, especially when firecrackers are lit during the New Year. Firecrackers may be okay with noisy people who seek attention. But that is not so for people who seek a peace and quiet environment. Cats and dogs, who are terrified of crackers and creep under beds, will second what this writer has to say.

Trump talks war and peace with Iran over nukes

While the world’s attention is on the tariff war unleashed by United States President Donald Trump, causing major turbulence in the global economy, an equally dangerous situation is looming in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear programme, with Israel all out to drag the United States into a war against Iran. But Trump is playing his cards close to his chest in a game of war and peace.

Balancing, independence, resources and global interests -Greenland

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It governs most of its own domestic affairs: Denmark retains control over foreign policy, defence, and security matters.

Repeal PTA now to save exports..

It was no surprise to see the Trump Administration raising tariffs. What no one expected was how big and how irrational they would be.

Patience – more than just a virtue on the road!

Avurudu (Sinhala and Tamil New Year) is that time of the year when a majority of the population return to their hometowns to spend quality time with loved ones.

Lighting Firecrackers – Turning Cash into Ash

The use of firecrackers is a common sight during the festive period. Consultant Ophthalmologist and Director of the National Eye Hospital in Colombo, Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, recently issued a strong warning to the public regarding the dangers posed by substandard firecrackers currently available in the market.

Rice-Duck Integration: Hope for Sri Lanka’s Smallholder Farmers and Food Security

Agriculture in Sri Lanka is at a deadlock, and for the smallholder farmers, who constitute the backbone of the nation’s food production, it is a question of survival. Endless debates go nowhere, with a focus stuck on fertiliser subsidies and drones.

Lakshman Kadirgamar’s Letters: Love, despair, vision and integrity

Once again, I have been gifted with material that provides further invaluable insight into the nature of my father, Lakshman Kadirgamar. April 12, 2025, marks his 93rd birth anniversary, while August 12, 2025, will mark 20 years since his assassination.

Halting all routines to embrace refreshing ‘Avurudu’

Avurudu (New Year) presents us with an opportunity to connect with tradition. This is the time of the year when there is a longing to get back home, even if that means driving a distance of over a 100 kilometres. Avurudu is best celebrated at home. Last year, two days before New Year, this writer was at a bus stop and a passenger was seen boarding a crowded bus in a mighty hurry. He just managed to squeeze onto the footboard of the vehicle. He wa

Crosshairs: Trump’s “Liberation Day” Tariffs Call for National Unity

When U.S. President Donald Trump announced his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs, the world economy braced for seismic aftershocks. In a bold and controversial return to economic nationalism, Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose a baseline 10% duty on all imports,

Medical negligence threatens credibility of Sri Lanka’s health sector

The recent death of a Grade 1 student who was admitted to the Ratnapura District Hospital adds to the list of innocent lives that have succumbed to medical negligence in the recent past. Taking to social media, the father of the deceased described the events that unfolded after taking the child to the hospital due to a high fever. The doctor in question had requested the father to purchase a tablet from a pharmacy, and the child had subsequently

Navigating Sri Lankan ‘canned fish’ through the Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka has potential to be self-sufficient in paddy and fish. One look at the island’s geography and this is confirmed. But we do import rice and fish; even if such business activities can embarrass ‘us’ in the eyes of the global world.