The trouble with Trump’s Gaza blueprint

Those who believe that US President Donald Trump’s so-called 20-point peace plan is a workable solution to end the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip understand neither the sinister designs of the Zionists and their partners in crime nor the root causes of the Palestinian question in its full complexity.

The government should maintain sensitivity in high-profile cases

The recent developments regarding the Wasim Thajudeen murder case involving a voice cut given by the son of Aruna Vidanagamage, alias ‘Kajja’, set a dangerous precedent about the sensitivity of the case. Contradictory statements given by his wife and later by his son indicate the nature with which certain elements are trying to manipulate investigations. Over the past 12 years, Thajudeen’s family members have been left in the dark with only dead

Tamil book publishers express concern over double standards

Tamil book publishers have raised concerns about being unable to secure a stall at the book fair currently underway at the BMICH. Out of over 100 stalls at the book fair,

Protecting state witnesses, a need of the hour

Recent revelations regarding the murder of former Havelocks Sports Club rugby captain Wasim Thajudeen are both shocking and disturbing. With missing information and various attempts to hide evidence, people were forced to believe that it was a mere accident caused as a result of drunk driving, until former President Maithripala Sirisena assumed power by reminding voters that he would do justice to the murders of Sunday Leader Editor-in-Chief Las

The NPP foreign policy in year one: Less damaging to the country than all its predecessors

One year since the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the NPP is still on a political honeymoon. The disunited opposition offers little challenge, and whenever Sajith Premadasa opens his mouth, Sri Lankans are reminded of why the NPP is in power.

Katchatheevu Navigating Choppy Waters

Whither LGBTQI tourism?

I am writing to express my views on the recent news about Sri Lanka Tourism endorsing the LGBTQI travel initiative. While I understand the importance of promoting tourism and inclusivity, I believe this decision warrants careful consideration. Dollar earnings “by hook or by crook” are not everything. I think export of Rilaw monkies for meat production is a better alternative to earn dollars than gay tourism. Or even special secluded beach hotel

Sri Lanka’s Judges: Retirement age under scrutiny as population ages

Since 1991, the International Day of Older People has been observed on October 1 each year, worldwide.

AKD’s neutral, not nonaligned, stance at UNGA

In his maiden speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Dissanayaka touched on topics including global poverty, the debt burden of developing nations, the drug menace and organised crime.

Digital Print-Outs: A Needless Burden on Parents and Students

In recent times, it has become a growing practice for teachers, particularly in Montessori and primary classes, to request computer print-outs via WhatsApp.

Child protection law: You can’t cut yourself just because the knife is golden

One cannot but commend the government’s intention to bring in an amendment to the Penal Code to protect child rights by making physical and non-physical punishment against children illegal. The Bill on the amendment is being debated these days in Parliament.

Tide turns against Netanyahu at home and abroad

Israel, a small but very plucky country backed by the superpower United States and Western nations, has had its way since it was established in 1948. But now, it finds itself in a spot, cornered by the turning of the political tide at home and abroad.

Who occupies Colombo’s high-rise apartments?

A recent news item highlights the growing concern about foreign fraudsters flocking to Sri Lanka to operate their cybercrime schemes.

Investment climate: U.S. flags urgent reforms for growth

The U.S. State Department recently released its 2025 Investment Climate Statements for each country. The statement on Sri Lanka is, once again, an eye-opener. It lays bare a stark reality: mere political will or rhetoric cannot deliver the desired economic growth. What is needed is a genuine improvement in the investment climate—strengthening regulatory mechanisms, removing bureaucratic hurdles, and making the country a truly competitive investme

A Champion for Change Projection of AKD as an agent of Change

The first part of this article published last week delved into the election campaign conducted by Anura Kumara Dissanayake when he contested the September 2024 presidential elections.

Education pressure cookers and contempt for ‘failures’

Winner takes everything and loser takes nothing? This seems to be the heartfelt conviction, if not the motto of many Sri Lankans. There is no place for losers in a country where so many are struggling to make ends meet.

San Trading Enterprises, IDSF & Fenesta Unveils the House of Trading, A showroom / Experience Center for all construction related needs under one roof

San Trading Enterprises (STE), together with its design and manufacturing arm, IDSF – I Design Studio Factory, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Experience Center in Colombo, featuring the first-ever Fenesta showroom in Sri Lanka.

The UN: A Waste of Money? Sri Lanka:Time for Professional Speechwriters

The UN General Assembly meeting showed a badly broken world order, with world leaders giving speeches that revealed deep splits on how to run the world, solve conflicts, and protect human rights. The assembly became a fight between those wanting countries to work together versus those wanting each nation to go it alone.

Cash strapped Lanka between a rock and a hard place

Gone are the days when Lankan leaders were able to hold their heads high and take principled stands on men and masters.

The Na Uyana Tragedy – A Wake-Up Call for Safety

The recent tragedy at Na Uyana, where seven Buddhist monks lost their lives, was a disaster that could—and should—have been avoided. Sadly, this is not the first such incident in Sri Lanka, and unless serious corrective measures are taken, it will not be the last.

Rich men in poor man’s party From Karl Marx to Wasantha Samarasinghe

Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe’s declaration of assets which has been published in the website of the CIABOC indicate his net wealth to be Rs. 275 million.

The government, monsoon rains, transport and the public

After a year in power, our new government now faces an age old problem. It’s nothing party-political, one of far greater importance than the nonsensical no faith motions opposition parties keep raising, in an attempt to embarrass the present regime of ‘poor little rich kids’ now in power.

Modernising public transport

Recent media reports mention that public transport services would be modernised in the near future. This is a welcome move when compared to public transportation in developed countries.

The government: Words and deeds should not diverge

Government ministers are being flayed on social media for actions that run counter to the positions they professed while in the opposition before last year’s presidential and general elections. The left-leaning, JVP-led political force, the National People’s Power (NPP), was once a harsh critic of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yet, upon assuming office, the NPP decided forthwith to keep the IMF programme intact as initiated by the previo

Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize bid paved with Gaza corpses

In what could be the biggest embarrassment to United States’ diplomacy since the United Nations was set up in 1945, President Donald Trump provided narcissistic entertainment—more like a standup comedian than a world leader—when he addressed the world body’s 80th session on Tuesday.

Stop terrorising tourists!

Our fascinating country has been ranked as the number one travel destination for October 2025 by the global travel guide, Time Out. This no doubt has been arrived at taking into consideration the many tourist attractions that our country is endowed with. We promote our golden beaches, historic sites, and a host of enticements including verdant tea plantations and wild life.

MV X-Press Pearl disaster: Let there be justice to the nature

In July 2025, the Sri Lanka Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling where it ordered the owners of MV X-press Pearl to pay USD 1 billion as compensation based on the Polluter Pays Principle for the devastating environmental and economic damage caused by the ship’s sinking off the island’s western coast in 2021. The decision delivered in a detailed 361-page judgement by a five-judge bench led by former Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, is hailed as

Energy Security in an Uncertain World: How HVDC link with India shields Sri Lanka

Cross-border energy trade shields nations from fossil fuel shocks, supply risks, and regional instability. A High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) interconnection between Sri Lanka and India could transform energy security, resilience, and cooperation amid global volatility. This article examines how HVDC and grid integration embodies advance modern energy security for Sri Lanka’s future. The four pillars of energy security Availability, Accessibili

Lady conductors and drivers’ uniforms

Practical Uniforms for female Bus Drivers and Conductors are a necessity. The recent announcement by the minister about introducing an air hostess-style uniform for female bus (Daily Mirror Sept.22) drivers and conductors has sparked a debate. Air hostesses work in a posh clean environment serving a limited set of posh customers, not travelling in dirty buses amidst road dust rain and sun.

Facebook:How to survive perverts, idiots and con(wo)men

For those who started writing on typewriters, drove rear wheel drive vehicles, or made phone calls on ancient contraptions which insisted that numbers be dialled by turning a ring (crazy!), social media is at best a necessary evil.