PARADISE ON FIRE

Forest destruction due to fires has become a serious problem in some regions in Sri Lanka, especially in areas like Beragala, Haputale of the Badulla District.

How prepared are we to battle Coronavirus?

The number of people infected by the novel Coronavirus 2019 (nCoV) outbreak has risen to nearly 6000 while claiming the lives of 132 people in China as at yesterday (January 29). As such countries around the world are taking precautionary steps to ensure that all citizens are safe. Airports, ports, hotels and other places frequented by visitors, mainly Chinese nationals are kept under close scrutiny. At the onset of the outbreak, a thermal scanne

S. Thomas’ Prep. School Walk 2020 A School walk in the night?

Haphazard development Jeopardises Leopard Habitat

There is drama surrounding the leopard these days; the black leopard in peak wilderness and released leopard in Wilpattu. This article neither intends analysing the wildlife cum conservation issue surrounding the leopard nor points...

Swimming against the Currents: New approaches to teaching English in post-colonial South Asia

The British Empire was the most powerful empire in recent history, ruling over half the world at one point. One of its main outcomes was the establishment of English as the dominant Lingua Franca, where its mastery ensured elevated standards of living and status.

Why are women a minority in Engineering ?

When the word ‘engineer’ comes into your mind, what is the picture that your mind conjures? A man in overalls and the protective head gear. The word ‘engineer’, while gender neutral, in society, it is mostly attributed to males.

Battling Dengue with Multisectoral Approach

With unprecedented rain wreaking havoc in many parts of the country, one has to take extra precaution to prevent the threat of dengue; a menace that has not been curbed successfully to date. As per the latest statistics of the Epidemiological Unit of the Ministry of Health, a total of 100, 212 dengue cases were reported during 2019. Colombo recorded the highest number of dengue cases with as many as 20,183 cases being reported in 2019. The Epidem

Fight Cancer Team faces allegations

With a noble cause of helping cancer patients in Sri Lanka, ‘Fight Cancer Team’ (FCT) was founded by M.S.H Mohamed. In order to gain legitimacy to function as an organization, Fight Cancer Team (Guarantee) was registered in 2017 to carry out future fundraising projects. Speaking to Daily mirror Mohamed said that the first project was launched initially to purchase Apeksha Cancer Hospital (ACH

Should Myanmar look to the East or West?

Myanmar is on the horns of a dilemma. The basic question facing the National League for Democracy (NLD) government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, is whether it should look to China for succour and support to face the mounting pressure from the West on the ticklish issue of the Rohingyas, or look to the West to free itself from the military’s yoke and establis

Maudgalyana’s holocaust :The background

In school textbooks and in popular culture, Kasyapa I, better known as Kasyapa, continues to get a bad press. Most accounts have him as a god king, a megalomaniac consumed by greed, vengeance, and ultimately remorse. Those who have watched Lester James Peries’s film will no doubt come away thinking of him as a spoilt prince, a wayward hippie wea

‘Pathi’ – A figure to remember

With the inception of local film industry in 1948, Sri Lankans were privy to enjoy a new mode of entertainment. The films were merely dubbed or adapted versions of South Indian movies but people got enthralled by those creations not for their content but the technical novelty. However, it took another few years for them to see a movie that depicted a truly Sri

To Pathi, nothing ordinary

these are cruel days, bush fires burning, burning. but i saw your body thrust

It’s time to rethink how humans and elephants could coexist

Sri Lanka is a blessed land with gentle giants roaming its territory and the Blue Whale occupying its waters. Or so we think. With increased number of humans encroaching into wildlife abundant habitats......

Celebrated cricketer and gentleman par excellence

It is just over three months since my friend and colleague Aubrey passed away. We used to call him “Evergreen Aubrey” as he never seemed to age. Sumangalika, Aubrey and I were batch mates at Peradeniya University and remained close friends through the years.

‘One country-two systems’ governance in Macao

Macao is a special administrative region (SAR) and is located on the southeastern coast of China and borders Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. It has a population of 676,000 and an area of 32.989km2. It became a Portuguese colony after China leased the territory as a trading port in 1557. Portugal ruled this territory until 1999 when it was transferred back to China. Known as Monte Carlo of the East, Macao is a famous gambling city.

Transforming lives through education

The first-ever international education day was celebrated yesterday. The word ‘education’ was derived from “Educare, Educere and Educatum” in Latin. Those who render yeoman services to the education sector must realise they are carrying out an arduous task.

First year remembrance of S.M. Jiffrey

Born to a respectable family in Akurana, S.M. Jiffrey was a senior retired public servant who unexpectedly passed away on January 16 last year. I knew him from a very early age as we shared a family tree. His father was a prominent person whose qualities his son inherited. Both of us having been passionate Table Tennis players, we met often.

Dog killing at Buddima Farm Give a dog a ‘Bill’

Over the past few weeks, social media had been abuzz with reported incidents of animal cruelty. One incident was reported from a chicken farm in Kobeigane where the watchman was seen shooting a dog and later assaulting it with the weapon.

Launch of the country’s first youth empowerment incubator

The launch of Sri Lanka’s first-ever youth empowerment incubator, HYPE, is set to be launched on the January 25, 2020. Operating under the vision of creating youth inclusive sustainable development, HYPE is driven by two core objectives of youth empowerment and the creation of inter-stakeholder links.

“I don’t mind if I’m killed”

The following is a transcription of the lively speech Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake made on January 21 (Tuesday) in Parliament regarding the leaked telephone conversations, he had with prominent personalities, which have put the lawmakers in hot water.

Kothmale Sirisena: Essence of feeling and economy of language

Every office has a poet, and newspapers are no exception. But such talent rarely finds a means of expression, getting swamped under the daily routine. Kothmale Sirisena whose newspaper career started at the now-defunct Dawasa newspaper in 1980 (Since 1991, he’s part of the Daily Lankadeepa staff), is the author of sixteen books, including six books of poetry. He deserves to be taken seriously. His books, ranging from short stories to non-fiction

There’s plastic in our fish!

A study led by a young Sri Lankan marine biologist tells us that over 90% of small fish found in samples from Negombo, Kudawella and Trincomalee contain microplastics. In other words, if your diet includes small fish, you’re most likely ingesting plastic as well. Fish is widely considered as one of the healthiest foods, vital for wellness. It is rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids, important elements of a hea

Get rid of Non-communicable diseases thru Ayurveda

Non-communicable diseases are the most prevailing health problem in today’s world. These diseases invade society without difference between age groups. The younger generation is also trapped in this critical health endanger which leads to an increase in premature deaths.

Laws that make child brides powerless

At 26, Noor* was a divorcee, a widow and a mother of a 9 year-old-boy. She was married twice, first at the age of 17 and later at the age of 23. She was deserted by her first husband when she was 18, just days after their son was born. She later found out that her husband had been cheating on her and then applied for divorce. Noor had to bring her son up as a single mother.

Curtains on touts operating mafia at BIA

The freedom to choose is endorsed in most societies. Especially when it comes to tourism and aviation there are many choices that tourists or passengers can make according to their preferences from choosing an airline service to booking a hotel. What if the choices are manipulated and if a customer is inappropriately persuaded by a set of people who have hidden

Greenpeace warns over hidden climate cost of ‘eco-friendly’ chicken

British consumers swapping red meat for chicken as part of a greener lifestyle may be unwittingly contributing to the razing of rainforests, Greenpeace said yesterday.

WALK THE TALK

Ananta Sustainables provides consultation services to enterprises that are keen to transition away from single-use plastic. Savera soon discovered that the biggest hurdle in their journey had been to make more people and corporates understand that there is a real need for alternatives for plastic. “In running community workshops around plastic consumption and waste,

National Anthem: Controversies

We are in the midst of yet another controversy about our National Anthem; unfortunately, a recurring theme. Indeed, this is not even the worst; that was when the creator paid with the ultimate sacrifice.

Asian photographers flock for the 16th time in Manila

‘Crossing Bridges’ is an Asian travel Photography programme, the 16th edition of which was organised by the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation and held in Manila, Philippines last April-May. The event which was managed by Eduviges Y. Huang, the President of F.P.P.F. was participated by around 120 photographers from nine countries. Crossing

CHAINED ’PRINCE’ SUFFERS in silence at place of worship

As a Buddhist country, Sri Lanka’s temples undoubtedly practise Metta (Loving Kindness) meditation and chant the Metta prayer, wishing ‘all beings to be happy’ and most importantly ‘free of suffering’ on a daily basis. But it is appalling to see the same places inflicting pain and allowing living beings to suffer while in captivity.