Pethiyagoda copper, brass factory a threat to Kelani River

Allegations have surfaced that a copper and brass extracting company is discharging heavy metals into the Kelani River, the main water source for Labugama and Kalatuwa. This company, located in the Pethiyagoda area of Kelaniya, has begun producing copper through an electrolysis process. As a result, gases such as sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide are being released into the Kelani River and the surrounding air through vents, causin

“No research done on undeclared weapons owned by LTTE after the war” - Maj. Gen. Dr. Boniface Perera

Recent incidents of violence including a shooting inside a courtroom have raised fears among the public.

Virakesari’s ‘News King’ Sellathurai was the doyen of Jaffna journalists

Sri Lanka, known earlier as Ceylon, has produced many journalists of a high calibre in the past. These excellent scribes writing for Sinhala, Tamil or English newspapers acquired a large readership and made their mark over the years. Some were bi-lingual too.

Is AKD’s leadership living up to expectations?

It has been exactly 160 days since the National People’s Power (NPP) rose to govern the nation and it seems that the public mood is already divided, even among their supporters. The rise of the NPP brought a sense of renewed hope to many voters seeking a lasting solution to the nation’s economic turmoil and political instability.

HOW THE ELITE LOOK AT THE ELEPHANT MUST BE CHANGED!

Sri Lanka has always tried to showcase its rich culture for possessing elephants. From the elephants in the wild to the jumbos in domesticated set-ups, what Sri Lankans have tried to do over the years is associate this animal and the islander with pride

Does Sri Lanka really have a crime wave?

Last week, underworld kingpin Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, was shot dead inside the Colombo magistrate court by a gunman disguised as a lawyer. The killing, as shocking as it was, also highlighted major security lapses: Producing a high-risk inmate before the magistrate was unwanted at a time when much of bail hearings are taking place over Skype.

“Governments should govern, not Compete in business” - Amitabh Kant

Amitabh Kant—the key driver of Made in India, Startup India, Incredible India, and God’s Own Country—shares his views with Daily Mirror in an interview during his visit to the country.

Govt. to impose stricter punishment for cattle theft

Two incidents of cattle theft were reported from Galewatte, Udugampola in January 2025. One cow, who had been blinded in one eye, was stolled on January 25.

Misconceived, Misinterpreted, Miscast and a big Mistake!

After seeing a screening of the film RANI, I walked out of the Majestic Cinema devoid of any feelings. It was a terrible film. Badly acted, badly directed, and badly researched. It was only after I started hearing the many plaudits being voiced by the self-satisfied hoi polloi of Colombo that I decided that I want to state my opinion about two people that many of us loved, respected, and knew intimately.

Was Ganemulla Sanjeewa involved in a Plot to Murder M.A. Sumanthiran?

Notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne known as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ was shot dead in the No. 5 Magistrate’s Court within the Hulftsdorp Court Complex this week. The suspected assassin was arrested in the Paalaavi area of Puttalam. It was announced first that the arrested person was 34-year-old Mohamed Azman Sherifdeen. Subsequently Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala disclosed that the suspected kil

“Bureaucratic corruption, the only obstacle for SL in becoming a futuristic country” - Prof. Henrik von Scheel

Sri Lanka has been recognised as a country with the potential to become its own brand. However, strategic experts opine that in order to become a futuristic country, Sri Lanka should first eliminate corruption in the bureaucracy.

Disturbing Activities that Threaten Wilpattu National Park

On the 25th of February 1938, the Wilpattu National Park was declared the second National Park in Sri Lanka under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, No. 2 of 1937; a landmark in the history of Wildlife Conservation in this country.

Ambitious Budget 2025 Proof of the pudding is in the eating

Since assuming power, the National People’s Power Government has tried to strike a delicate balance between fiscal consolidation guided by the IMF reform formula and NPP’s expansive campaign promises and election rhetorics. During the first four months in office, it played within the confines of the IMF programme, which was the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s quicker-than-expected economic recovery. That not only helped assuage investor fears, but also m

Rathugala adivasis struggle to preserve ‘bee honey harvesting’ amidst climate change

For Danigala Mahabandalage Suda Wannila Aththo, the incumbent leader of the Rathugala adivasi community, bee-honey harvesting is part of their traditional lifestyle. Rathugala is a scenic village in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, located bordering the Gal Oya region in Ampara District. Following a prayer dedicated to Kalu Bandara deiyo, a local deity whom they believe is a guardian of the thick jungles they live in, Suda Wannila Aththo and hi

’’Richard Knew He Would Be Killed”

Today, February 18, 2025, marks the 35th year since the abduction and brutal killing of journalist, teacher, poet, playwright, actor and activist Richard de Zoysa.

The Great Bank Heist in Feb. 2015: Ten Years On - Part I

A national betrayal was orchestrated in 2015/16 under the guise of good governance, executed by the Yahapalana administration led by Maithripala Sirisena’s SLFP and Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UNP—with its present-day offshoot, the SJB, also bearing responsibility.

Artificial Intelligence needs responsible users, or it will destroy us

We’ve already seen how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely used to fake anything from music to art. Researcher Sasha Luccione affirms that tech companies are violating copyright laws by plagiarising images and text by artists and authors.

Singing the National Anthem in Tamil is Being Sri Lankan and Being Tamil

The first part of this article published last week briefly outlined the history of Sri Lanka’s national anthem being sung in Tamil. In this second and final part, the focus would be on the regress and progress of the national anthem rendition in Tamil over the years. As stated earlier the Tamil national anthem issue is in a sense symptomatic of the escalating ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka.

Largest wind farm project puts Mannar Island in Danger

Every year, as winter arrives, thousands of migratory birds fly south in search of food and water. Many of them find a temporary home on Mannar Island, Sri Lanka’s largest island.

Despite ‘Clean SL’ campaign… UDA allows Garbage Dump in Kotte

Despite repeated complaints by local state authorities and residents at Mirihana in Kotte, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and its officials are turning a blind eye to the severe environmental devastation of UDA land due to the dumping of garbage and house waste.

“Sri Lanka Thaayae”: History of the National Anthem Being Sung In Tamil

Sri Lanka celebrated seventy-seven years of gaining independence from British rule last Tuesday (Feb 4).

This year the day falls on March 13 Series of events planned to mark World Kidney Day

This year, The National Institute for Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation (NINDT) has planned a series of events to mark this significant day, aligning perfectly with the principles of awareness, education, and community engagement.

‘No accident Nor an innocent mistake’:Ahimsa Seeks AG’s Removal Over handling of Lasantha’s Case”

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of the slain Editor in Chief of The Sunday Leader newspaper has requested Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to impeach the Attorney General for gross abuse of power/gross neglect of duty in connection with the criminal proceedings on the assassination of her father Lasantha Wickrematunge.

MAULANA ALLEGES PILLAYAN TO BE INVOLVED IN EASTER CARNAGE - Defence source

As the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks continue, high ranking defence officials probing the case have revealed to the Daily Mirror that travel bans on some former high ranking State Intelligence Service members has been imposed to prevent them from leaving the country.

The missing link in the 77 years of Independence

Symbolism matters! The celebration of the 77th anniversary of independence was a display of our rich heritage and diversity. It was also a refreshing departure from the obsession in the past to flaunt antiquated Main Battle Tanks and a large contingent of military forces as if we were a predominant military power or one that faced an existential military threat whose people needed regular reassurances.

Kandyan Convention, Buddhism, Brownrigg and Soulbury Reforms

The Kandyan Convention, an agreement between the British Colonial rulers and Kandyan chiefs, was signed in 1815.

Senior ITAK Leader “Maavai” Senathirajah was a Symbol of Tamil Political Resistance

Veteran Tamil political leader Somasundaram Senathirajah popularly known as “Maavai” Senathirajah breathed his last on 29 January 2025.

Trump’s clean-out Gaza plan: A reprehensible licence for ethnic cleansing

In what is clearly a cat-out-of-the-bag case, the newly sworn-in President of the United States, Donald Trump, revealed his outrageous and inhumane plan for the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Little Hamdi’s missing kidney still a mystery

On December 24, 2022 three-year-old Hamdi Fazleem underwent a kidney surgery at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital following a diagnosis which confirmed that his left kidney was malfunctioning.

Challenge of recovering billions of dollars stashed away abroad

The problem of recovering billions of dollars stashed away in safe havens abroad, is universal, with both developed and developing countries facing it.