Saving Sri Lanka from suicides

“There are more than 11 people dying of suicide everyday while 20 more fail in their attempts to do so,” announced CCC Foundation, which introduced their 1333 helpline, Sri Lanka’s largest crisis support service with round the clock telephone services.

Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando A Pastor, a Justice Crusader, and a Moratu Puthra

We commemorate the third month since the passing away of Rev. Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando (Birth: 16 Nov. 1943 –Death: 01 Jun. 2024), an illustrious priest of the Archdiocese of Colombo.

Sugath Moragahakumbura’s ‘Arundathie Man Manamalai’ today

Sugath Shantha Moragahakumbura’s drama ‘Arundathie Man Manamalai’ will be shown to the public on August 31 (Saturday) at Lumbini Theatre in Colombo. Shows will be held at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm respectively.

A Tribute to my beloved father, Anthony J.P.M Jayawardene Ode to a Jubilarian

Since you bade us adios over four years ago You’re missed more than you’d ever know.

Voting rights of the disabled: A work in progress Now there’s hope to see beyond disability and be counted!

Secretary to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation responds to DM story

Following is a response sent by Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, to the ‘expose’ article carried in the Daily Mirror and published on July 11, 2024 under the headline ‘Airport and Aviation Services Ltd rocked by alleged tender fraud’ and written by Nirmala Kannangara.

Reminiscing terrorist attack on Temple of the Tooth Can AI help unravel age of Maligawa painting?

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used to unravel the age of the painting, that came to light with the 1998 bomb blast by the LTTE at the ‘Vadhitisanaya’ or the building where the Sacred Tooth Relic is now enshrined? Recently AI was used on The Cloth of Turin, and their records show that it was the cloth that was used to wrap the body of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.

Dialog Future Zone Elevates Sports Fiesta with Futuristic VR Sporting Adventure

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, proudly demonstrated its commitment to innovation at the Sri Lanka Sports Fiesta 2024, held from 16th to 18th August, at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds.

Spotlight on Aruwakkalu : Exposing loopholes, unfounded fears in Colombo’s waste management crisis

On Saturday (August 24), during the wee hours of the morning, a group of residents from Puttalam staged a protest at the Noor Nagar Railway station against the transportation of waste via train to the Aruwakkalu Sanitary Landfill site. A total of 20 containers of solid waste were dumped at the Aruwakkalu site as a trial under the Metro Colombo Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Plan.

Thirteen-day ‘Bikeathon’ in Sri Lanka to save lives

The Courage, Compassion and Commitment (CCC Foundation) will commence an extraordinary 13-day bicycle ride around Sri Lanka on August 29. At this year’s “Ride to Save Lives” Bikeathon 2024, more than 29 dedicated cyclists will cycle around the country to shed light on mental health and suicide prevention. Starting from Independence Square, the cyclists will embark on the first leg, a journey comprising 82 kilometres from Colombo to Kitulgala. Alo

Lessons for Sri Lanka from Korea’s experience in innovation emphasised at LKI

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), in collaboration with the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Sri Lanka hosted a seminar titled, “Economic Security in the Indian Ocean Region; Prospects for Collaboration between Sri Lanka and Republic of Korea” on August 21. It was attended by Ambassadors and diplomats, representatives of International Organizations, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign

Emerge Lanka

Rani* was 18 years old when she connected with Emerge Lanka Foundation. As a survivor of child sexual abuse with an ongoing court case against her abuser, Rani had been placed in government-run institutional care for her own protection and spent most of her formative years in the shelter system alongside other young girls in similar situations.

Sri Lankan named ‘State Plant Pathologist’ of Tennessee, USA

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) in Nashville, USA has named Sri Lankan scientist Dr. Prabha Liyanapathiranage as their new State Plant Pathologist recently.

Dr. Antony to launch new massage system to aid wellness

Deshamanya Dr. Cyril Antony, a Reiki Master and an anti – ageing consultant, plans to conduct a seminar to introduce a new massage system – founded by him – at the mini auditorium at the J. R. Jayewardene Centre in Colombo on August 27.

Indian Navy’s frontline warship will arrive on August 26 Visit of ‘INS Mumbai’ to Colombo

Indian Navy’s frontline warship ‘INS Mumbai’, will arrive on August 26 on a three-day visit. The ship will be received by the Sri Lanka Navy.

ROTARY CLUB OF COLOMBO CENTENNIAL VENTURS TO BOOST EDUCATION

On August 16th, the Rotary Club of Colombo Centennial took a significant step in supporting education by distributing educational workbooks to students of Diyatalawa Maha Vidyalaya, covering grades up to year five.

10th Colombo International Theatre festival now on

The remarkable 10th edition of the Colombo International Theatre festival which kicked off on August 24 will continue till August 30 at the Elphinston Theatre, Colombo 10.

Inauguration of ‘Radio Occupational’ water plant at Sigiriya

On August 21 the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, inaugurated a RO (radio occupational) Water Plant at Sinhapada of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Director General of Central Cultural Fund;

Tribute to Piyatilake and Soma Wimalasundera Remembering my remarkable parents

September 1 happens to be the 81st wedding anniversary of my parents, a remarkable couple. Piyatilake and Soma were an enterprising pair born in the twentieth century and lived up to the twenty first century. They were parents to 10 children and I happen to be the seventh in the family which was quite remarkable as I belonged to three different sets of the family.

A LOVING TRIBUTE TO VICTOREEN M. HASSAN

It will be 16 years on August 25 when God called Victoreen to rest. We got married on October 8, 1968 at All Saints Church Borella and spent a happy and peaceful wedded life for almost 40 long years

India Distributes Solar Lanterns among Indian-origin estate workers

The Indian High Commission distributed solar lanterns to the Indian-origin estate workers in the Central Province. The distribution will now continue to cover all the 4,000 beneficiary households under Phase III of the IHP.

Central Asia Forum 2024: Prioritising Connectivity and Economic Engagement

The Central Asia Forum 2024 organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, together with the Geopolitical Cartographer held at the Granbell Hotel in Colombo on August 21,

Spotlight on controversial recruitment test Health sector hampered by lack of physiotherapists

Physiotherapy graduates have not been recruited for employment in the state sector during the past 4-6 years creating a deficit of employees in service and inconveniencing patients as well. To add to the problem there is a scarcity of professionals in the field here in Sri Lanka. The Government Physiotherapy Officer’s Association, (GPOA) underscores that there is a shortage of physiotherapists in necessary units in state hospitals.

Bridging the digital tax divide: VAT and fair competition in Sri Lanka

The digital economy is experiencing remarkable growth globally, and Sri Lanka is no exception. Sri Lanka’s digital economy was valued at approximately USD 3.47 billion in 2021, accounting for 4.37% of its GDP.

Kotagala Wetland Endangered Due to Negligence

Kotagala wetland, a highly sensitive environmental zone in Nuwara Eliya district, has been endangered with ruin; much to the anxiety of the environmentalists.

Civil Society Appeal on the Abolition of the Executive Presidency

Several high-profile individuals in the civil society and reputed organizations have come together in making a call to whoever who wins the upcoming presidential elections to give an undertaking to the people to abolish the Executive Presidency.

Seven Summit Challenge Previewing peaks which Johann will conquer

Last week, Daily Mirror interviewed Johann Peries, the mountaineer who’s on a quest to become Sri Lanka’s first to achieve the ‘Seven Summits’ challenge–considered the world’s most coveted mountaineering achievement.

‘Silence of civil society, religious bodies over Gaza massacres is distressing’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe should forthwith recall all those sent to Israel against the heightened threat of a wider Middle East war prompted by the killing of Palestinian Hamas leader and peace negotiator Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran followed by the massacre of a over hundred displaced Palestinians in a Gaza school and mosque on August 10.

Rs 860 million spent on global tea promotion campaign wasted!

In 2011, the Sri Lanka Tea Board made plans to launch a media campaign to establish a global promotion and marketing programme for the Ceylon Tea brand. Strategies were formulated for the promotion of Ceylon Tea, in line with Cabinet Procurement Process /11/2080/531/021 dated 01.12.2011. Approval for the necessary proposals to implement these strategies was also granted as per the Cabinet’s decisions.

Why medical practitioners support abortion in Sri Lanka

A leading medical expert attached to the JMO Karapitiya Teaching Hospital Dr. Rohan P. Ruwanpura has pointed out the need of permitting abortion in case of justifiable humanitarian, social and medical scientific requirements.