Education reforms an education beyond campaign promises

When Dr. C. W. W Kannangara introduced the Free Education Bill in 1943, two of its main components were to introduce free education to every child from kindergarten to university and a curriculum for the child’s ‘head, heart and hands.’ But, 76 years later education is neither free nor a holistic experience for children. Clogged by exam stress, children don’t have an opportunity to enjoy schooldays, but are constantly satisfying the needs of thei

S. Thomas’ college Class Heads’ Dinner S. Thomas’ College OBA completes 4th edition of the Class Heads Dinner hosted by Warden Rev. Marc Billimoria

The Class Heads Dinner 2019 hosted by Warden Rev. Marc Billimoria was held on November 22 at the Senior Quadrangle Building Auditorium followed by dinner at the College dining hall. This years’ dinner which also happened to be the 4th edition of this event was attended by more than 130 prominent Class Group Heads representing 44 Class Groups. The event commenced with the welcome speech delivered by Asst Secretary Tilan Wickramasinghe who presente

Annihilated communities: Srilanka’s kidneycr sis hits emergency levels

A week before the 2019 presidential polls, a 55-page report on Sri Lanka’s kidney disease epidemic was distributed to all 35 candidates. None responded to the hard-hitting findings. With a new government now in power, the jury is still out on who will take action—and when—on this critical issue. Compiled by Dr. Kamal Gammampila, an independent researcher who has spent over six years studying the crisis, the report argues that the term most com

Beyond these bounds: Some reflections on school drama

At “Abhina 2019” organised by the Royal College Sinhala Drama Society and held at Navarangahala on Saturday, October 27, I tried and failed to make sense of some of the skits put out for us by the participating schools. The person next to me expressed similar sentiments, and I think everyone in our row agreed. Not being a dramatic person, I could neither agree nor disagree: frustrated as I was by the quality of the productions, I nevertheless und

Mosquito sterilisation: New chance to control diseases

A technique that sterilises male mosquitoes using radiation will soon be tested as part of global health efforts to control diseases such as Chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, the World Health Organisation states.

The Purple Violet of Oshantu Bringing African literary experience in Sinhala

Dam Violet Malaka Kandulu is the translation of The Purple Violet of Oshantu by Neshani Andreas, a Namibian novelist. This work by Senarath Bandara Subasinghe goes a long way to introduce contemporary African literature to Sri Lanka.

Tales of an Enchanted Boyhood

In this memoir, Dr Philip G. Veerasingam provides an informative personal and historical narrative about growing up on the tea-estates and his educational journey to becoming a medical doctor.

Beggars come under threat of Invisible Predator ?

There was a time when they frequented the streets, happy to receive a few coins or a packet of food. Conveniently addressed as beggars, they too are a part of society.

A tribute to Carl Muller: In Memory of our father - A man ‘Par Excellence’

At 2 a.m. on the 2nd of December 2019, Carl Muller breathed his last. He had been suffering from dementia that was getting progressively worse during his last years.

Titans do Hercules’ work in Batathota

The Community Development Project Module is part of the curriculum that a Management and Finance Undergraduates of the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo, must complete for their BBA degree programme.

Lessons in diversity: Harnessing Harmony

A few months ago, a young Singaporean social media influencer found one of her posts on Instagram going viral, for all the wrong reasons.

Poor nations pay price

We believe that climate change is one of the greatest threats that we, as Sri Lankans, will face in the future. Therefore, we intend to provide our readers with local and international content with the objective to educate and inspire. We would also like to learn from our valued readers about any ongoing initiatives in making Sri Lanka a more sustainable nation.

Presidential poll: A digital wake-up call

Ahead of the US presidential election, internet giants such as Facebook and Alphabet Inc. owned Google are facing growing pressure to suspend political advertisements carrying misleading and false information. Across the world, democracies are grappling with social media platforms which have become increasingly popular as a conduit for electoral manipulation

165th Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi celebrations

In commemoration of Sree Narayana Guru Dev, who is a great Indian social reformer and a spiritual saint of the 20th Century from Kerala in India, the Sree Narayana Guru Society of Sri Lanka will host the 165th Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi celebrations, on December 8 this year.

How will Sri Lanka face Climate Change?

Landslides, floods, out of season monsoons and droughts have affected Sri Lanka in the recent past. If one was curious about the reason, there’s no doubt that these are effects of climate change. Sri Lanka was placed second in the Global Climate Risk Index, which means Sri Lanka is in a precarious position. In this backdrop, to increase awareness on climate change, the

Birder Lester to conduct exhibition

Bird watcher and painter Lester Perera will hold an exhibition on his feathered friends titled ‘Brush with Birds’ which is scheduled to be held at the Harold Peiris Gallery at the Lionel Wendt from December 6-8. His exhibits could be viewed between 9am and 6pm on these days. Lester is an avid birdwatcher and calls anyone who is engaged in this pastime ‘a birder’.

Lighting a candle for Yvonne

A night out on July 1, 2005 ended tragically when 19-year old Yvonne Jonsson of Sri Lankan-Swedish origin was brutally murdered at the Royal Park apartment complex. The infamous ‘Royal Park murder’ made headlines as the family of the accused tried incessantly to shield the murderer from justice. The perpetrator, Jude Shramantha Anthony Jayamaha, was found guilty of ‘culpabl

Revisiting Padma Rao Sundarji’s Sri Lanka

“I am neither an Indian Tamilian, nor do I have any Sinhalese relatives or genes... My primary language is English, German is my second best language. Hindi is the only Indian language I can speak, read, and write – fluently, I like to claim. I can produce smatterings of excruciatingly bad Tamil and passable Telugu and – enough French to save my life.” Am I Sri Lankan? I’d like to think, and say, I am. Certain fortuitous historical circumstances,

Disability Needs attention – Ayati Geared to support

The AYATI Centre - Sri Lanka’s first National Centre for Children with Disabilities, is taking shape to address a large, yet not much spoken of issue of disability. The centre has called for donations for it. The AYATI Centre - Sri Lanka’

A Man of Steel and Velvet to Build Bridges of Reconciliation!

“Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly” is a fitting mandate given to mankind to emulate and prescribed by the Creator for peaceful co-existence throughout ages! As the people of Sri Lanka make the transition to a new era in anticipation of positive change, they look to the future with great expectations on the ramifications of the 2019 Presidential elections. The feverishly and furiously fought presidential election between the two main cont

Sri Lanka A call to regulate radio matters

Radio waves of a country are national resources. People with agendas frequently use these national resources to form public opinion. Many developed countries have a proper national plan to regulate telecommunication; with regard to radio and TV. Licensing, renewing and regulation are still done the same way since the inception over here. Therefore, we interviewed some experts to speak on radio

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY SHEPHERD TO THE WORLD

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury is not only the Shepherd to 700 million that are increasing day by day to one and all believers of all faiths flung across the world in every nook and corner some of whom may never have heard of Jesus....

Prof. J.A Gunawardena: The man behind computer studies in SL

It is now three months since Jaya Abeysinghe Gunawardena who made a significant contribution to Engineering Education in Sri Lanka left us. He had his early education at St. Thomas’ College Matara.

White Cane Safety Day at Colombo YMBA

The inaugural White Cane Day Programme organized by the Colombo YMBA jointly with the Sri Lanka Foundation For The Visually Handicapped was held at the Colombo YMBA Main Hall, Borella recently.

Exhibition - 2019: State Arts and Sculpture

State Arts and Sculpture Exhibition-2019 will start today December 2 at J.D.A. Perera Gallery, No. 46, Horton Place, Colombo. This annual exhibition will be held under the patronage of Mrs. Anusha Gokula....

Josephian carols tomorrow

For the 56th consecutive year, St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 proudly presents Josephian carols tomorrow at the Rev. Dr. Stanley Abeysekera sports complex cum auditorium, under the patronage of Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka, Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Pierre Nugyen Van Tot. Adding glamour to the event will be performances by Old Joes’ Choir, Primary Choir and Teachers’ Choir.

Rev. Fr. Elmo Dias My brother and best friend...

My younger brother Fr. Elmo Dias passed away three months ago on August 14 after a few years of illness which he silently bore. He was called to rest in the Lord at the age of 67. Elmo was the eighth born in a family of ten, five boys and five girls to Reggie Dias (R.S.A. Dias) and Margret Dias of Moratuwa.

Gotabaya’s victory and UNP’s destiny

Gotabaya Rajapaksa won. That does not mean Ranil Wickremesinghe lost. The Sajith faction in the UNP naturally wants him out. At the same time, they are afraid of suggesting names. So we have Hirunika Premachandra who acknowledges him as a walking,

She saw Jesus in others

Mary Yolande Priyani Fernando (born Andrady) passed away peacefully on October 26, 2019 in a general hospital near London from a cardiac arrest resulting from adverse medical conditions. She is survived by her husband (Tommy) and son (Trevin) of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, Britain and her brother (Lucky) in the United States.

Women indebted to microfinance companies receive ‘Lifeline’

The stated aim of microfinance companies is to uplift the lives of rural communities by providing them with financial assistance. In Sri Lanka, the provision of financial services to rural households was largely recognised with the 1986 ‘Janasaviya’ programme.