Every Christmas we see and hear the message “Peace on earth and goodwill among men” in Christmas cards, newspapers, magazines, display material on radio and T.V. Even wars are halted by mutual consent of the parties concerned. Such temporary ceasefires are considered to represent the ‘peace on earth’ significance of Christmas. First, let us see what man considers ‘Peace’ to mean. Primarily, peace is considered a state in which people co-exist
The young writer in English in Sri Lanka is severely handicapped by a lack of range and of experience. Then again, this criticism can be made of writers in English in general, regardless of age: when was the last time I came across the playful rhythms and deliberately punctured syntax which I did with Vihanga Perera, Malinda Seneviratne, Lakkdas Wickramasinghe? These were, and are, not men
The name of Jesus is repeated trillions time per second around the world as no other’s. Printed, the Holy Bible and other sacred literature billions of time. The symbol of his cross recognised even by little ones long before they are able to talk. What is the mystery of this sacred leader whose birth and death upon the cross was prophesised even before his birth over two thousand years ago. To Einstein h
Globally, estimates suggest that almost 2.3 billion children and adults are overweight, and more than 150 million children are stunted. However, in low- and middle-income countries these emerging issues overlap in individuals, families, communities and countries.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem which is God’s loving entry into human history. As St. Paul says in the letter to the Philippians God shares the divine nature with us human beings.
Listening patiently to others and tolerating their views would be the key to success and that the individuals, who ignored the views of others and strictly adhered to their whims and fancies would not serve any purpose...
Although the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), knowledge and awareness on them countrywide are almost nil. Recognising the need to enlighten Sri Lankans on the collection of these global goals,
Most people only dream of meeting angels to solve their problems. I was lucky enough to have lived in the presence of one, for many years. Lois Goonesekera, my grandaunt, was one of the most generous, selfless and empathetic people I have ever known. She was the culmination of boundless patience, independence and love. I was so attached to her as she was to me. I well remember at one point of time she decided to travel overseas on a long holiday.
Christmas is around the doorstep, but the festive spirit will not be the same again for those families that lost their loved ones on Easter Sunday; another special day in the Catholic and Christian calendars. Out of the eight locations that were bombed, Zion Church in Batticaloa received much attention as many of the victims were children.
When seven elephants were found dead under suspicious circumstances in Habarana the country was shocked and the debate on the human-elephant conflict was renewed. Within hours, there were efforts to tagvillagers as having a hand in this horrendous act.
Sri Lanka has dealt with a three-decade long civil war, which has scarred people irrespective of ethnic differences. The collective memory of war is a haunting one. And those affected by war struggle have to cope with their experiences. But the idea of “reconciliation” has given people some hope in a post-war context. This vast topic cannot be easily defined or grasped due to its
The 54th Colombo Scout Camporee organised annually by the Colombo district branch of the Sri Lanka Scout Association will be held from December 19 to 23 at Ratmalana Hindu College premises and Kandawala Maha Vidyalaya premises.
In June 1986, soon after I was born, my father went overseas. I grew up in Maruthamunai, a small coastal village of about 15,000 people in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, part of a family of seven. My four sisters and I were all very young when my father left the country to work in Saudi Arabia, as a driver for a household. I cannot begin to imagine how my mother
A solar eclipse takes place when the sun is covered by the Moon. The annular eclipse, the ring of light around the darkened moon is visible will takes place on 26th December 2019. This eclipse will be visible in Jaffna on the day following Christmas and move in a northerly direction. This will be visible as an annular eclipse to those in the far north and as a partial eclipse to
The Lionel Wendt Memorial Fund (LWMF) together with the ESME Trust commemorates the 75th anniversary of the death of Lionel Wendt today at the Lionel Wendt Memorial Theatre, at 7 p. m, with a programme on Lionel Wendt, Harold Peiris & the early days of the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
A coffin was rolled out of the arrival area of the Bandaranaike International Airport. Inside was the remains of twenty-four-year-old Ganushka Madumal who drowned in South Korea in a boat accident. Madumal, who had never swum in Sri Lankan seas, was working in a fishing vessel in Korea. He was not even wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.
Days before the new regime secured power Sri Lanka witnessed many changes, one of them being the much-spoken-about street art trend. Today, every nook and corner of the island is being transformed into a work of art under different themes. But art is not only about colours and figures. Quality, structure and attention to detail also come into play. As such, the new wave
New innovations in technology have sped up human activities and made them simpler. Among these innovations the mobile phones play a significant role in one’s life. Benefiting humanity to a greater extent, phones have facilitated human activities that we found to be difficult earlier. Phones have made it easy to make connections with people belonging to different ethnic and geographical areas
“Because of the current cultural and social barriers women are reluctant to come forward and make a complaint,”-DIG Crimes and Organized Crimes Priyantha Jayakody Related to a panel discussion on ‘Sexual Bribery’, which was held at the BMICH last month, the unnoted burning issues affecting women, who are subject to sexual bribery, came to light. Sashee
Nandimitra is a beautiful young tusker that lives in the Yala National Park. He habituates the vicinity of the Sithulpahuwa Temple as, over the years and despite caution, the residents of the Temple and the pilgrims who visit it have been feeding him and other elephants that come near. This is a clear breach of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) but no action has been taken.
While Britain preached Human Rights to other countries and is quick to chastise them for their failings, it turns a deaf ear to all appeals that Assange requires special attention and should be treated by qualified medical....
Thus safeguarding human health from climate change impacts is more urgent than ever, yet most countries are not acting fully on their plans to achieve this, according to the first global snapshot of progress on climate change and health.
Our nation is duty bound to salute and express utmost gratitude to Sri Gangarama Viharadhipathi Ven. Dharshana Visharada Galboda Gnanissara Thera, the Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Western Province, on his 76th birthday which dawns today.
Canada issues travel advisory over serious risk in Arugam Bay
More countries issue travel advisories
Sri Lanka Tourism invites global travellers for upcoming season
Russian embassy urges citizens to stay vigilant in Arugam Bay
US Embassy issues travel warning for Arugam Bay
Immigration authorities to crack down on overstaying Russians, Israelis
Sri Lanka may face another economic turmoil: Sajith