“If we’re to forgive, those who committed abductions should come forward and apologise” - Sandya Ekneligoda

Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, has been fighting a lone battle for 12 long years to seek justice for her husband. In January 2022, Sandya made a vow to Goddess Kali....

Let’s unpack the query in ‘Tamil National Question’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called all parties to get together and solve what he calls the ‘ethnic-problem’ that has remained ‘unresolved’ for decades.

Migrant workers are vulnerable but they could be more valuable

With Sri Lanka still struggling to overcome its worst socio-economic crisis since independence, the United Nations recently marked International Migrants’ Day and issued a statement saying in recent years, conflicts, insecurity, and the effects of climate change have heavily contributed to the forced movement of people, whether within countries or across borders.

The old year is passing and the new is yet to be - EDITORIAL

As we approach the end of 2022, it is good to look back, not only at 2022 but to go further back in our history, and learn from mistakes of the past to ensure non-repetition in 2023. Ours is a country....

Social crisis: Losing integrity, honesty and discipline

The recent incidents involving sportsmen, teachers, policemen as well as administrative officials have shown signs of deterioration in the standards of the professionals produced in Sri Lanka, some of these....

Where Next? political consequences of SL’s economic breakdown

The momentous year of 2022 for Sri Lanka can be divided into two major phases. In the first phase, people grew frustrated with the failure of their government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to solve....

Lesson from South Korean official

Although it is not surprising, it is sad that the reprimanding of Sri Lankans as a whole and a politician in particular by a Korean official for not being punctual and not keeping promises, did not draw attention of the people, at least to the ext

South Korean official gives earful to state minister What does being late tell about power dynamics?

Last week, a visiting South Korean official gave an earful to the state minister of social empowerment, Anupa Pasqual, for being late for a meeting. South Korea Disaster Relief Foundation (SKDRF) President Cho Sung Lea was se

‘Ice’ and ‘Taliban Monks’ ruining younger generation

nAll these years the authorities remained unmoved and now the Mihintale Chief has spoken out

Contract farming could solve some of tea industry’s problems

Labour productivity Lanka is about between 18 and 22 kg per day in Sri Lanka, in contrast to 30 to 60 kg per day in the competing countries

Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium 2021/22 this Wednesday

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya plans to have ‘The faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium 2021/22’ on December 28 (Wednesday) at the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricul

“Sri Lanka’s economic recovery challenging and the Netherlands is ready to help’’ - Ambassador

The Ambassador of the Netherlands Bonnie Horbach responding to questions posed by the Daily Mirror and shared her views on bilateral relations covering areas such as the island’s economic crisis, women rights....

The troubled year of 2022 - EDITORIAL

When 2022 dawned, no one would have imagined ‘we the people’ were about to begin a year of what could be described as one of an unimaginable and unmitigated disaster. Despite rising.....

Implement critical ‘system changes’ to bring economic stability

The writer has read several well written articles in the press chronologically narrating and analysing the history of our current predicament. Now that the symptoms and diagnosis phases over the last 74 years....

During the Portuguese Era: Conversions to Christianity of Sinhala Monarchs

At least four Sinhala Kings were converted to Christianity with the advent of the Portuguese whereas there was none converted during the Dutch era. According to historians...

President Ranil’s initiative to resolve Tamil national question

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader and Colombo District MP, Mano Ganesan received a telephone call from Ranil Wickremesinghe on 19 July 2022

Christmas…… Joy to the World and Peace on Earth

The classic festival of joy and peace has dawned again. With the fall of snow hovering over the northern hemisphere in the heart of the winter season and by contrast,

A cosmic look at Christmas

Christmas is the grand feast of the wretched and marginalised of the Earth. Of course, the rich can also celebrate it but only in solidarity with the poor.

Lawmakers and the art of hanging on - EDITORIAL

It has been a hectic year for all of us; especially for the lawmakers who have had to continue their ‘act’ in trying to prove to the people that they are worth the salaries paid to them. What’s alarming....

China edges out the US in battle to control Middle East

It is said that when the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold. This used to be the case. Today it is China that is shaking the world with every move it takes. Early this month, China’s all-powerful....

Solving a problem of over 50 years in 50 days

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed to all political parties in Parliament to get together to find a solution to the decades-old ethnic problem before Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day....

North-South towns: Tightening the bonds

Since Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in 2009, successive governments have attempted a range of steps to enhance the reconciliation process. In 2011, the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission....

Sari and the Hijab: Two faces of the same sorry coin

All the fuss over that Govt directive ordering women school teachers to wear saris to school reminds me of the time when Mahinda Rajapaksa was President,

Deforestation: Pretty lies versus the ugly truth 

Seventeen per cent. That is the extent of Sri Lanka’s forest cover as of 2021. Even though Sri Lanka is promoted as a biodiversity hotspot, mainly to attract nature lovers from across the globe, the extent of deforestation is worrisome. Haphazard deforestation to clear prime locations for mega projects has left many environmentally sensitive areas in dire straits.

Hunger stalking the land and LG polls - EDITORIAL

Over the past weeks, nay month or so, we and our fellow countrymen and women have been held in thrall by the demand by opposition parties in parliament for the holding of local government....

What is the alternative for birdsite?

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, there has been so much attention on the microblogging platform. At least twice in the last two months, I have received official communications hinting....

Mining Licence Scam Exposed at GSMB!

Employees of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau have urged the Ministry of Environment to hold an impartial inquiry to probe the frauds committed by its former acting Director General and recover....

Hypocrisy in the student movement

Why are there no incidents of ragging being reported from the private universities in Sri Lanka while brutal and barbaric criminal activities committed in the guise of ragging in state universities have made the entire so-called students movement a mockery? Here lie both the reason and the remedy for the inhuman ragging in state universities.

‘Antharaya’ and intolerance Local universities are prisoners of a totalitarian subculture

Last week, a student mob at Peradeniya University stormed the residence of the former vice-chancellor, attacking the residents and ransacking the place. The attack followed a traffic accident involving the son of the vice-chancellor, whose vehicle had hit a student motorcyclist.

Spirit of Christmas and realities of 2022 - EDITORIAL

In six days, we will be celebrating Christmas - the birth of the Christ-child in a stable at Bethlehem in Palestine. Sadly today, Palestine.....