In memory of Saro

Though memories are many and pleasant they are difficult to recall in her absence. Six years have passed, but it seems like six months. Saro (Sarojini Jayawickrama) was the sheer embodiment of elegance, beauty, intelligence, and friendliness all rolled into one.

PCR Testing: why some results vary

Nearly 400,000 PCR tests have been carried out to detect positive cases of the Minuwangoda cluster. As means of expanding the testing capacity....

20th A will impact negatively on women

The Samagi Vanitha Balavegaya (SVB) expresses its grave concern at the deleterious impact that the proposed draft 20th Amendment....

COVID-19 Community Spread - WHO Classification Not Helpful

‘‘Brandix did not manufacture COVID. Our ‘girls’ are going through hell’’- brandix management

The latest COVID-19 cluster has taken Sri Lanka by storm. While the cluster keeps growing at a rapid pace with questions being raised as to whether Sri Lanka....

Review: “The Many Faces of the Kandyan Kingdom (1591-1765)”

The Many Faces of the Kandyan Kingdom (1591-1765) by Gananath Obeyesekere - Perera-Hussein, 2020, 200 pp., Rs 1,200

Internationally featured research on Sinhala letterform to be published as book titled ‘Akura’

“Akura”, presenting the extensive work of researcher Dr. Sumanthri Samarawickrama is completed with the help from India-Sri Lanka Foundation.

University Of Colombo, Senior Alumnus Donates Passenger Bus To The University

At a simple ceremony held at the College House of the University of Colombo, M/s Multiform Chemicals (Pvt) Ltd through its Chairman Mr. Thilak Karunaratne, former President of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo and Council Member of the University of Colombo donated a brand new 33 seater air-conditioned luxury passenger bus to the Faculty of Science of the University of Colombo.

Riza Azoor new Secretary-General of SLAMAC

Riza Azoor was elected as the new Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka Malay Confederation (SLAMAC), the umbrella body of all the Malay Associations in Sri Lanka numbering 26, at the Biennial General Meeting 2020 held at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club premises ‘Padang’ in Colombo 2. Established on August 18, 1984, SLAMAC was formed to promote unity, understanding, cooperation and harmony among Malays and Malay organisations in Sri Lanka and to p

Why fishing cats need to be protected

Days after three persons were nabbed while transporting body parts and flesh of a leopard, a dismembered body of a fishing cat was found....

The rise of the ‘Ringworm Disease’

Currently dermatologists, not only in Sri Lanka, but also in other South Asian countries have reported a rise in ringworm disease.

Stories behind your cup of tea

Delving into the lives of estate workers, a photography exhibition titled ‘The Kahata’ was recently held by the youth from Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts. In an attempt to tell the stories of the tea workers’ community, the exhibition featured over 100 images and 40 photographers, from four estates in the Central Province.

Leading Buddhist monks protest on sections of 20A

Influential sections of Sri Lanka’s Maha Sangha who have been in the forefront in supporting the incumbent regime, have now frowned upon several clauses in the draft 20th Amendment (20A) to the Constitution.

Employees’ health and safety our top-most priority - Brandix

When inquired, Brandix Apparel Limited said that health and safety of employees are their ‘top-most’ priority and that all manufacturing facilities....

“Workers who fainted had water sprinkled on their faces and had to work again”

Health authorities believe the first reported Covid-19 infected worker from the Brandix factory in Minuwangoda may have contracted the virus from another source.

“Social media ruined us” - husband of Minuwangoda Brandix factory worker

The Minuwangoda Brandix factory worker who first tested positive for Covid-19 had to also endure a vicious mud-slinging campaign on social media.

Blessed Carlo Acutis; first Saint in jeans, T-shirt and a computer Wizard

The tomb of Carlo Acutis was opened in Assisi, his hometown prior to beatification and was found to be intact but not in-corrupt.

Survivor Narratives in National Restoration: The Case of Vanni

In 2019, Benjamin Dix and Lindsay Pollock produced the first graphic novel to emerge from Sri Lanka’s civil war.

RATCHET EFFECT MUST PROTECT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS:NPC

The National Peace Council (NPC) in a statement has urged the Government to reconsider its position with regard to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

“Selfless contributions made by the Army valued by a nation”

The Sri Lanka Army, the ‘Defender of the Nation and its People’, today passes the 71stmilestone in its victorious journey in safeguarding the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our motherland. In this historical moment, I, as the 23rd Commander of the Army, take pride in passing this congratulatory message.

‘Katina Pinkama’ held in Berlin Temple

The annual ‘Katina Pinkama’ was held in Berlin Temple; the oldest Buddhist temple in Europe and managed by German Dharmaduta Society of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Ambassador Manori Unanbuwa participated in this religious event along with other Buddhist devotees.

Prof. Peiris felicitated by Alumni Association

The Alumni Association of the University of Colombo felicitated their former Vice Chancellor and an illustrious alumnus Prof. G. L. Peiris, the newly appointed Minister of Education recently at a function held at the Senate Hall of the University of Colombo. The event was attended by Vice Chancellors, Deans, Academics and Alumnus.

China celebrates 71st National Day at BMICH

The Sri Lanka China Society celebrated the 71 st National day of the People’s Republic of China on September 28 at the BMICH with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy of Sri Lanka.

A tribute to my hero on turning 75

Thank you for showing me right from wrong since I was a child.

Pioneer Interventional Radiologist in Sri Lanka

It is now one year since the passing away of pioneer radiologist Dr N Abeygunawardena.

Beefing up the ban on cattle slaughter

The much-mooted move to ban cattle slaughter has been in the spotlight ever since Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed it.

Saving 5 lives at the age of 11: Arham Faiz, Sri Lanka’s youngest lifesaver

According to WHO, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury/death globally. The Sri Lanka Drowning Report 2020....

rise of No 6 Helicopter Squadron of SLAF

Eelam War II, the second phase of conflict between our security forces and the LTTE broke out in 1990. The conflict started with the failure of peace talks between the Government and the LTTE. The truce was broken and hostilities erupted. Then the security forces were faced with stiff restrictions on movements on the land routes due to the landmine threat posed by LTTE dominance.

Brandix caught in COVID-19 mess

With over 1000 garment workers from the Minuwangoda factory testing positive for COVID-19, several allegations were levelled against the parent company – Brandix Apparel Limited about how they handled the upsurge of cases.

COVID-19 outbreak in Minuwangoda Sri Lanka still debating on whether it’s a community spread!

COVID-19 is not over yet. At least it was made clear with the discovery of an isolated patient from a garment factory in Minuwangoda, which is being described as the first community case after two months.