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.

Why Does NWSDB Impose Sewerage Charges on Kolonnawa Customers but Not Colombo?

Residents of Kolonnawa and the suburbs are querying as to why the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) levies a sewerage charge in their area while exempting Colombo. Unlike a fixed fee, this charge increases exponentially with higher water consumption. Why are Kolonnawa’s NWSDB customers paying more than those in Colombo? Residents argue that, just as the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) covers sewerage costs for its residents, the Ko

The Burden of Bureaucracy in Sri Lanka’s Digital Era

Despite the much-touted digitalisation of the economy, Sri Lanka seems to be moving further away from the promised paperless, cashless future. Instead of simplifying business processes, we are witnessing an increasing number of bureaucratic hurdles that make the ease of doing business more difficult.

Good Health Habits: A Celebration of World Health Day

World Health Day, observed annually on April 7, is a global call to action to prioritise health and well-being. The latest evidence-based medicine provides a roadmap for maintaining fitness and vitality in an era where lifestyle diseases—such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension—continue to challenge global populations.

Real heroes aren’t hard to find in a world ravaged by war and earthquakes

In a deeply troubled world, the past week looked not just troubled, but traumatic—a 7.7 magnitude earthquake devastated Myanmar,

Modi comes, Modi goes

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a three-day visit to Sri Lanka last week, his fourth visit to the country and the first since the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP-led NPP government.

Easter Sunday bombings and an austere New Year

The leader of the Catholic Church in Lanka—Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith—while condemning the attack, added “... we have to be very clear about identifying who is behind this whole attempt and avoid falling into the trap of inter-religious violence”.

TIME TO RECOUP ILL-GOTTEN ASSETS

Recently the media reported that a former chief minister and his private secretary were sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court, on corruption charges levelled by the CIABOC.

Should Sri Lanka not Arrest Tamil Nadu Fishermen Poaching in Northern Waters?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s week-end visit to Sri Lanka proved to be quite a success according to print and electronic media reports. The highlights of the two-day trip from Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April were the signing of a Memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation that recognised the inter-linked nature of national security of both countries and the conferment of the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ award upon the Indian P

Indo-Lanka and JVP-India relations come full circle

Pity Wijeweera, the late leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), whose life came to an end in 1989. The late Wijeweera feared our giant neighbour India. He claimed India had expansionist intentions and even wrote chapters on the subject in his own ‘little red book’. Members of his organisation took these anti-Indian essays so seriously that during the 1988-1990 reign of terror, our countrymen and women, on the pain of death, were forced

Road closures for VVIPs

Many Colombo 5, 7, Narahenpita and Rajagiriya main roads were totally closed (all 4 up and down lanes) for the VIP visit for 2 days at certain times for the VIP motorcade to move freely, without people or stray dogs jumping across. People were stuck at roadblocks for more than one or two hours. Little kids were stuck in day care centers for 1 or 2 hours as parents could not come in time to collect them. Many patients missed their Colombo 5 hosp

Feminist responses to decades of dispossession and global shocks

The Trump trade shock announced last week has unnerved the world. Sri Lanka can have a severe impact with about US$ 3 billion in exports to the US. If these exports are priced out of the US market with the 44% tariff on Sri Lanka, then a major shortfall in foreign earnings can even undermine the import of essential goods. Furthermore, the bulk of these exports to the US are from the garment sector, which directly employs close to three hundred th

Indo-Lanka Relations: Actioning the tryst with opportunity

Lakshman Kadirgamar once described India–Sri Lanka relations as one of “irreversible excellence.” Unfortunately, under some governments, they have been neither irreversible nor excellent.

Political opportunism and Premier Modi’s visit

By the time this editorial is published, Indian Premier Modi will have left our shores. During his visit Premier Modi signed a number of MoUs with our government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; the most important among them being the Defence and Co-operation Pact.

Why is the Police silent?

Some disturbing events occurred over the course of last week; especially the death of a youth who succumbed to injuries while in custody at the Welikada Police.

Is the NPP as clean as being claimed?

The URF in its complaint quoted the President as having said in that rally that the funds from the central government would be released only to the local councils that are run by untainted groups of people and that only the groups led by the National People’s Power (NPP) could be deemed to be so high-minded.

Shakespeare’s Ides of March, Trump’s tariffs and Modi’s visit

As April dawns, Lanka is faced with an Ides of March situation. US President Trump has imposed a 44% tax on Lankan exports to the US. Worse, the US is the largest export market for Lanka.

Why is the govt. keeping mum about road accidents?

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Indika Hapugoda, Head of the Traffic Division, said that 565 fatal road accidents were reported between January and March this year, resulting in 592 deaths.

Assisting the Solar power debate in the Cabinet

The purpose of this article is to inform the Cabinet discussion on Solar Power proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)

When the only option is Rani!

The tolerance levels of Sri Lankans don’t run deep. The populace here in the island have some association with at least one of the four main religions practised here. But when their views are opposed by the ‘other’ the savage nature of an islander surfaces. Just watch the debate that’s taking place on social media regarding the film “Rani” and you’ll understand.

Injustice after death: why exposing suicide notes is a violation of the departed

Incidents of suicide—Have media ethics died a natural death?

At least five known incidents of youth deaths by suicide happened in Sri Lanka during the first three months of 2025. While the situations varied, each incident took away a young life which could have been prevented if proper interventions had been sought. In a recent incident, the young victim had posted a status on social media prior to taking his own life. The post, which is widely being shared on social media with users continuing to comment

Is Governance a Luxury that Only Rich Countries Can Afford?

Ethical and Legal Concerns Surrounding Sri Lanka’s First Sperm Bank

Sri Lanka’s first-ever sperm bank has been established at the Castle Street Hospital in Colombo, marking a significant development in reproductive healthcare. The hospital is now seeking healthy donors to assist couples facing fertility challenges.

How the NPP govt. stabilised the economy by not delivering ruinous election promises

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was quoted as saying in one of those election rallies: “It usually takes a decade for a bankrupt nation to make an economic comeback.

Government suffers teething pain, while people suffer greater pain

Teething is the process by which an infant’s first teeth emerge through the gums. It usually occurs when an infant is between 6 and 10 months old and usually causes discomfort and pain to the infant.

A plea to the authorities

It is a shame that the government is treating lower income senior citizens with newfangled requirements from April 1st.

NPP’s volte-face from its own pledge on PTA

The notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act are probably the most misused laws in Sri Lanka by the law enforcement authorities, in most cases pacifying the politicians in power.