Crossover Ban: Democracy, Discipline or Political Survival?

The government argues that the proposed law is necessary to protect the people’s mandate and eliminate a political culture in which elected representatives switch allegiances for personal benefit. However, critics see a more immediate political calculation behind the move.

Time to fix our international airport

Sri Lanka has big plans when it comes to tourism. We often hear about attracting millions of visitors each year and becoming a top destination in the region. But there is one simple question we must ask ourselves. Are we truly ready to welcome the world?

Inconveniences at supermarkets

People go to a supermarket because it has been designed for the convenience of customers. But lately there seems to be delays at cashiers due to the deployment of trainees.

The Gods have not been kind to our rulers

During the heady days, in the immediate aftermath of its massive election victories –both parliamentary and presidential- our present rulers seemed destined to take the country out of the myriad of problems we had been facing since financial collapse of our nation. Mind you the Gods did not have anything to do with country’s financial ruin.

Hellfire in Horana

Thirteen vulnerable residents have perished in a horrific fire at a private care home in Batagoda, Horana, with eyewitnesses recounting the agony of watching restrained inmates burn alive.

What is more reprehensible; drug abuse or sexual abuse?

We are never short of scandals. The latest concerns a Buddhist monk – the chief prelate of eight of the holiest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka, no less.

AFD marks 20 years of lasting partnership with Sri Lanka

France and Sri Lanka have been working together for more than 75 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In 2005, following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, France, through the Agence Française de Développement (French Development Agency or AFD) - the public development bank of the French government, came to lend a helping hand to Sri Lanka and other countries that suffered.

HelpAge receives new collection tills from Seylan Bank

Sri Lanka’s premier social service organisation, HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL), recently received new collection tills from Seylan Bank, a leading Bank in Sri Lanka. The tills are used to collect funds to provide free medical facilities to underprivileged elderly citizens across the country

Child Abuse Allegations Must Be Judged by Law, Not Religion

Child Abuse Allegations Must Be Judged by Law, Not Religion

Right of reply Response from the Hajj Committee regarding Mina arrangements

Our attention has been drawn to a series of articles on print and social media aimed at portraying the conditions provided to pilgrims at Mina as being well below what was promised. Let us address each of the issues mentioned in the various articles.

Pettah jewellers urge VAT overhaul, warn industry is on the brink of collapse

Jewellery traders in Pettah, Colombo, urged the Government to revise the tax structure imposed on gold, claiming that the local industry has shrunk by nearly 75 per cent as a result of high taxes that have driven prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.

British Tamils remember Mullivaikkal Day in London

Remembering those who died at the final stage of Sri Lanka’s ethnic war, Tamils in London organised several events including a protest walk and other events on May 18 2026.

Honouring Prince of Wales Distinguished Cadet Sergeants (1980–1986)

Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, is proudly approaching two historic milestones -- its 150th Anniversary and, the 125th Anniversary of its Cadet Platoon. The college has long been recognized for its proud cadet heritage, leadership tradition, and outstanding contribution towards producing distinguished personalities in both the Armed Forces and the corporate sector.

Beyond IMF dependence

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, once hailed as a remarkable turnaround after the unprecedented crisis of 2022, appears to be entering a challenging phase again. The latest assessment by the International Monetary Fund indicates that economic growth is expected to slow to around three percent this year. While growth remains positive, the warning is significant because it signals that the easy gains from stabilisation have largely been exhausted. Th

Lebanon factor piles pressure on Trump, F-word tirade at Netanyahu

Did it really happen? Yes, US President Donald Trump insulted and reprimanded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and for good measure, he even used expletives.

A call to ensure safety of elders’ homes

At least 12 elderly persons succumbed to injuries following the fire that engulfed an elders’ home in Batagoda, Horana. The incident raises questions regarding the safety of individuals residing in elders’ homes. These issues have come to light on many occasions but the authorities have turned a blind eye. This incident calls for a national level initiative to regulate elders’ homes and even children’s homes because their safety needs to be ensur

Child abuse crisis, an overwhelming burden to the state

Sri Lanka’s children are increasingly becoming vulnerable to various forms of violence, abuse and harassment. From infants being abandoned by the roadside to parents attempting to sell off their children due to abject poverty, children and youth continue to be at the receiving end of various societal pressures.

That English Gag

While Sri Lankan universities have integrated the language of global higher education reform into strategic handbooks, a critical gap persists between institutional policy and actual classroom capability. Merely exposing students to English-Medium Instruction (EMI) does not guarantee professional communicative competence

A cross-over ban alone will not result in principled politics

The government’s announcement to enact a law to prevent members of Parliament, provincial councils and local government bodies from crossing over to other parties from the parties they were elected from does not seem to have evinced much interest from political circles.

Ensure stability of the rupee

It appears that the Central Bank may not have fully learned the lessons of the disastrous exchange-rate management of 2021–2022. During that period, the rupee was artificially maintained at around Rs. 210 despite growing market pressures.

What happened to safe working environments?

At least 22 female employees were hospitalised on Wednesday (3) morning following a fire that broke out at a garment factory in the Embilipitiya area.

Thousands of Leukemia patients have only four specialists for BMT treatment

Medical professionals warn that if urgent action is not taken to enhance specialist capacity, the country’s growing blood cancer issue will go beyond control in near future, with only four leukemia specialists in hand presently.

From Eelam War Heroes to Disposable Mercenaries: Sri Lankan Combatants Fighting in the Ukrainian War

The onset of the Ukrainian war in 2014 created significant manpower challenges, prompting both Russia and Ukraine to recruit former soldiers from various nations.

govt. is not heading towards a Gotabaya style economic free-fall but a Yahapalanaya-themed stagnation

Government’s critics warn, some with smug satisfaction, that Sri Lanka is yet again heading towards an economic crisis reminiscent of the one during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration.

The promise that never comes true

In Sri Lanka, there is one promise that keeps coming back during every election. It is the promise to abolish the executive presidency.

Another tragedy due to drunk driving

Even though liquor shops are usually closed on poya days and during festival seasons, there’s hardly any impact on people.

An intellectual discourse is needed on religious issues

The United National Party (UNP) has criticised the government for its move to establish a special court or a Dharmadhikaranaya to resolve issues among the Buddhist clergy, claiming that government cannot establish such a court.

Time for honest appraisal of religion

Regarding the present dialog on discipline among the Buddhist clergy, I am reminded of the famous words of Pastor Martin Niemöller: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist...” His message was that silence in the face of wrongdoing ultimately harms everyone.

Work on a vaccine for latest Ebola variant is in progress

A new type of Ebola called the “Bundibugyo ebolavirus” is spreading rapidly in Central Africa, worrying international health organisations as there is no vaccine for it yet. Work on a vaccine is in progress in the UK, US and India, but it will be a while before the vaccine can be used on humans. Since the first Ebola outbreak in 1976 in what’s now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, the virus has killed over 15,000 people acr

The Scalloped Hammerhead: The shark with the strange head and the missing labels

The Scalloped Hammerhead is not simply a strange-looking shark. It is a test of how well Sri Lanka can see what moves through its seas, fisheries, markets and public records.