Kelani Young Men’s Buddhist Association turns 66

The Kelani Young Men’s Buddhist Association (The Kelani YMBA) was set up on August 3, 1958 under the name ‘Sri Kalyani Bauddha Samithiya’, (which was changed to “Kelani Young Men’s Buddhist Association” from 07.09.1958) as a result of initiatives, commitment and effective action of a team of social activists for social-cultural enhancements of the people in the area based on the key principles of the Buddhist philosophy.

The diary of an indefatigable ‘Renaissance Man’

There is only so much that a human being could do in his entire lifespan. But Philip Revatha Wijewardene, fondly known as Ray, challenged the conventional capacities of a usual human being.

Kandy Esala Perahera How the Sacred Tooth Relic made its way to Kandy

According to Dheeganikaya, various relics of the Enlightened One have been enshrined in stupas built in various countries.

Romeo and Juliet: Teaching the torches to burn bright in Sinhala

Quite by chance, you see a billboard advert for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet while passing the Punchi Theatre.

The Hijacking of BOAC flight 775 and internationalisation of the Palestinian cause The story of a Sri Lankan aboard that aircraft

The BOAC Vickers VC10 flight 775 coming from Bahrain via Bombay, was hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and brought to Dawson’s Field in 1970.

‘Inter-school House Cup IV-2024 Drama Competition’ Young Josephians steal the honours at drama

St. Joseph’s College Colombo emerged the victor at the ‘Inter-school House Cup IV-2024 Drama Competition’ held recently at the Lionel Wendt in Colombo. This drama competition was organised by Cold Theatre.

Inauguration of Bharat Sri Lanka Maitri Week

To coincide with Independence Day for India, the Indian High Commission handed over Bharath Kosh to authorities at the public library recently. Bharath Kosh is a variety of artefacts, and cultural treasures celebrating deep historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Festivities held in Sri Lanka to mark India’s 78th Independence Day

78th Independence Day of India was celebrated in various parts of Sri Lanka on August 15. The main event in Colombo was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner of India. The independence of India is important in that it led to many other Asian countries gaining their own independence from the British ‘Empire’, including Sri Lanka in 1948.

LKI marks 19th death anniversary of Lakshman Kadirgamar

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) held an almsgiving on August 12 at its institute to invoke merit to the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC, former Minister of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of marking his 19th death anniversary.

International forum highlights long trek by Malays

‘The International Forum on Diaspora and Sri Lanka Malays’ which was organised by the Sri Lanka Malay Association in collaboration with the World Malay-Polynesian Organization was held on August 3.

Presidential elections and perks! Is being an elections’ candidate akin to winning a lottery?

As in every other Presidential race, the public is expected to browse through a long list of candidates before casting their vote during the upcoming Presidential Elections. So far 36 candidates have placed security deposits to contest at the elections. Observers opine that there could be more candidates as the date to accept nominations approaches.

Mass protests in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh: striking similarities and stark differences

Mass agitations, originally initiated by students and later joined by the opposition parties, deposed former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-who fled the country- reminisce scenes that unfolded in Sri Lanka in July, 2022 when then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted from power through mounting public protests. There are striking similarities between the two countries in this regard though the circumstances that fueled unrest and en

An initiative to up-skill women in unpopular sectors

The People’s Forum for Reforms, a civil movement launched in May 2024, envisions a state where people would be empowered to shape the country’s future.

Shortage of seed potatoes

Potato farmers in Welimada have been in a predicament due to the shortage of seed c that resulted in a sharp drop in yield by 40 percent during the Yala season.

Violin-Piano Duo Recital for a worthy cause Sulara-Johann join to perform rare classical recitals

Interestingly the two young musicians have planned the programme with less-performed yet musically enthralling works of Western classical music including sonatas by Mendelssohn, Paganini and Hindemith as well as shorter works by Kreisler, Bloch, Debussy and de Falla.

Empowering Health Equity SLCPI pledges to support quality and affordable choice of medicine

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries (SLCPI) held its 63rd Annual General Meeting recently, with the participation of its membership including leading pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers of the country.

The saga of Kandy Esala Perahera

The historic Kandy Esala Perahera will parade the streets of the ancient Hill Capital, from August 10-20 this year.

International Youth Day is today From Clicks to Progress

Youth not only represent the future of our nations, but they are one of society’s main agents of change and progress for any country.

Multi – cornered at beginning, three-cornered in middle, two-way duel last

The upcoming 2024 Presidential election in Sri Lanka is poised to be a unique and unpredictable multi-cornered contest because of the socio-economic and political context in which it is conducted and the presence of half a dozen of high profile candidates.

PRISCILLA SENARATNE: My marvelous mother

August 6 was mummy’s birthday. If she were alive she would be a 100 today. She really was an amazing woman and so ahead of her time. A professional woman who wanted careers for her daughters, not husbands, and she did not mince her words on this!

Mervyn Webster’s first death anniversary (August 10): Remembering Our Dearest Dad

All the pain and grief is over Every restless tossing passed I am now at peace forever Safely home in Heaven at last Goodness and Mercy all my life Shall surely follow me

An Island leopard keeping our natural landscapes intact

The leopard is a charismatic, wide-ranging and adaptable carnivore, and in Sri Lanka, the endemic sub-species Panthera pardus kotiya, plays the role of apex predator which increases its ecological importance.

Spa Ceylon and WNPS to ‘Help Save the Majestic Ceylon Elephant’ Major efforts to save gentle giants of Sri Lanka

In view of World Elephant Day which falls on 12 August, Spa Ceylon together with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) have organized a series of events to raise awareness on the Human-Elephant conflict and improve the resilience of affected communities in Sri Lanka.

75 years of the Geneva Conventions; Celebrating humanity amidst war and violence

12 August 2024 marks a poignant milestone – the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which regulates the conduct of armed conflict to preserve humanity and reduce suffering, even in the worst of wartime.

Suwa Seriya celebrates 8 years of service!

The 1990 Suwa Seriya pre-hospital care ambulance service proudly celebrated its 8th anniversary on July 28, 2024.

“Arunella”, 3rd annual publication of Sinhala verse Sunshine on migrant poetry

Dr Nimal Sedera launched a Sinhala poetry compilations of migrant poets, is introducing its third annual publication titled “Arunella” in Brisbane on the 11th of August at the Community Center at Acacia Ridge.

‘Odyssey 2’ Art Exhibition by ‘2020 Group’, Kandy A tribute to the late artist, Gunasiri Kolambage

An art exhibition titled ‘Odyssey 2’ featuring an impressive array of artwork created by the members of the ‘2020 Group’ will be on display at the ‘Karaliya’ Art Gallery, Kandy,

Answers to plight of estate workers nowhere in sight

If the ability to perceive and enjoy the beautiful and excellent taste of a cup of tea could ever obliterate the distasteful story of the estate workers who have shed their honest sweat for more than 200 years to boost the economy, their life would have been rosier.

Little Lungs, Big Concerns Wheezing whispers Influenza’s arrival

Medical experts have noticed a surge in pediatric cases exhibiting wheezing symptoms following a seasonal flu leading to an influenza-like illness. “The number of children presenting with influence-like symptoms is rising. Influenza is a virus that spreads in two types. Epidemics are present,” said Consultant Pediatric Chest Physician, Dr. Anuradha Kodippili.

The Troubling Case of the Proposed NEPF ‘Sacrificing Universities for Political Pandering’

The newly proposed National Education Policy Framework (NEPF) for the period of 2023-2033 is unusually exceptional for several critical reasons.