Holy Prophet’s Birthday “The means of approach to Allah” – Waseela

We as believers should seek the means of approach to Allah. This was practiced by our ancestors from time to time. Let us research this in the light of Al-Qur’an and other authentic books.

Book Launch Sanghamith Prathibha by Professional and Graduates Association of Sanghamitta College Galle

At the landmark occasion of Sanghamitta College, Galle celebrating her centenary, Professional and Graduates Association of Sanghamitta College Galle launched the publication “Sanghamith Prathibha” on November 1 at the BMICH

Animal agriculture is a nightmare for the environment, here’s why

While the ethical and health arguments of eating animal products are much debated, there is a third consideration that is often overlooked and that’s the impact of animal agriculture on the environment.

MCC Deal Truth, false and opinions

Ever since the approval of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) USD 480 million grant for Sri Lanka, the country has been embroiled in a debate over it, with the government portraying it as something beneficial whilst the opposition is raising security concerns. This has left the common Sri Lankan citizen utterly confused. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), a

Guide to endemic flowers for nature lovers

The book “Illustrated Field Guide to the Flowers of Sri Lanka Volume 3” by Dr. Jacob de Vlas, a prominent Dutch biologist, was launched on November 5th, 2019 at the Meteorology Department Colombo. Presenting the book, the author noted it was an extension of previous volumes on Sri Lankan flora. He said it had been compiled along with some Sri Lankan naturalists, including butterfly and flora expert Mr. Himesh Jayasinghe. Volume 3 contains details

Workshop on Emotional Intelligence

A workshop titled Emotional Intelligence, mindfulness and science of Happiness will be conducted by Lalith De silva, Former Group CEO of Sri Lanka Telecom on Saturday November 23 at Sugatharamaya Thalawathugoda from 8.45 a.m.to 4.30. p.m.

The living legacy of Father Michael Rodrigo Father Michael Rodrigo’s 32nd death anniversary falls on November 10

The village of Alukalavita located at the 12th-mile post on the Kataragama Road in Buttala is so small you could drive right past and not notice it. There is no signboard bearing its name or no monument marking its existence. Yet, for a brief time, in the 1980s, Alukalavita was the site of a unique and historic movement for social justice.

Cough is in the air

In Colombo, what you see is certainly not what you get, when it comes to air quality. Despite clear skies and a temporary pause in thundershowers, air quality in the city has taken a turn for the worse.

Presidential Poll 2019 Kegalle, Kurunegala residents want safe environment and secure economy

Kegalle, a district in the Sabaragamuwa Province, comprises a largely agrarian society with rubber, tea and coconut being cultivated as main crops. Apart from that, minor export crops such as coffee, cocoa, pepper, clove and nutmeg also contribute to the district’s economy. Kegalle is also home to the country’s largest graphite mine situated at Bogala. During the 2015

Statement by Ajantha De Zoysa Presidential candidate of Ruhunu Janatha Party

Many have asked me as to why I chose to present myself as a Presidential candidate and the primary reason for this decision has been to create a platform to raise awareness of the major imbalances that exist in terms of devolution of power down to the rightful levels of franchise and entitlement.

Lessons in diversity: Good fences and good neighbours

Comparisons of Singapore and Sri Lanka have now become a tiresome, threadbare argument. Sri Lanka needs its own model, many argue. But how the Southeastern city-state has woven a unique, diverse and inclusive social fabric is still exemplary.

USJ undergrads bring Harry Potter’s Sorting Hat to life

“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already,” said author of the bestselling Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling. A group of researchers from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) took this to heart when they set out to make a work of fiction into reality.

Tamed elephants face worrisome future

Days after Tikiri breathed her last, Kanakota collapsed to its death after entertaining a group of tourists on its back. As elephants have become an easy money spinner for racketeers, the matter seems to have blown out of proportion. Making things worse, a questionable Cabinet paper was recently signed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, subject minister John Amaratunga and Minister of Buddhasasana and Wayamba Development Gamini Jayawickrama

There aren’t plenty more fish in the sea

Fishing is a livelihood for over 200 million people around the world. It is not only a source of income for them but also a socio-economic factor which shapes their entire lifestyle. It is believed that fishing, an ancient practice of securing food, played a major part in the development of civilization.

Presidential Poll 2019 ‘sick and tired’ demand balm, not a president

With 1,751,892 registered voters as at 2018, Gampaha is described as one of the ‘swing districts’ and is also the second largest with 18 seats next to Colombo. Why it is described as a swing District is because 14 out of the 15 times there has been a national vote, people of Gampaha have voted the right way. Known to be a stronghold of the Blue Party, the District is also home to the Biyagama Export Zone, thereby attracting a migratory population

Outlines of education: From Dutch Ceylon to British Ceylon

The third of four articles, outlines from an upcoming book The Dutch clergyman was seen as a state official, with the result that Dutch schools, in spite of their emphasis on religious instruction and training, became secular enclaves: in 1760 at the Dutch Seminary, for instance, preparing youths for the Ministry was discouraged. Attempts to impose Protestantism on locals gradually failed: Jacob Haafner, a German in the pay of the Dutch Company r

Conference on Sri Lankan Languages and Literature

The Gratiaen Trust will hold a conference titled Corpora, Archives and Performance: A Conference on Sri Lankan Languages and Literature organized by the Department of English, the University of Colom

Islam becomes a political issue in the Maldives again

Islamic radicalism and the dangers it poses to the Maldives and the South Asian region was a major issue in the long drawn out international movement to bring down the government of President Abdulla Yameen in 2018. A year later, Islam has come to

Kalana 2019

Kalana 2019 the award ceremony, relating to performing arts, media art and literature organized by the Kelaniya University Art Council will be held for the third time on November 14 at 06.30 p.m. under the patronage of the Vice Chancellor D. M. Semasinghe at the Dharmaloka Hall of the University. Forty awards are to be awarded t

HYPOCRITE-IN-CHIEF MEDICAL ARROGANCE

As we pass through our professional lives we are confronted by experiences – some good some bad. These experiences mould us into the professionals we are. In the fullness of time, we pass on these experiences...

A gentle thespian giant

The Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra’s corner at the University of Peradeniya Library had a ‘gap’ and that was a Bust this man who spotlighted the University of Peradeniya as the premier seat of learning.

Notes from an Election: We are not ready for revolution

Even when they clamour for change, Sri Lankan voters couch it in terms of a restoration. The binary is almost always there, from Kotelawala and Bandaranaike to Sirisena and Rajapaksa. The 2015 election involved,

‘Acupressure for a healthy life’ : Dr. Cyril Antony reveals acupressure to general public

‘Acupressure for a healthy life’ is a workshop series conducted by Deshamanya Dr. Cyril Antony, in order to share the knowledge of treating and preventing diseases by using Acupressure among the general public.

Reflecting on Premadasa’s action oriented policies

Since I had the opportunity to serve the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa as Chairman and Director General of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission and as first Chairman of the renamed Board of Investment of Sri Lanka....

Flood alarm device invented by schoolboy

Another young student has emerged among the array of students who have showcased their talents in innovations and discoveries recently in the island. While engrossed in contemplating...

Kelum invents fan controlling regulator

Kelum Perera, who graduated from the Department of Physics and Electronics, University of Kelaniya, has invented a remote controlled regulator for ceiling fans. The device can be controlled using a mobile phone....

NPC concerned over possible withdrawal from Geneva resolution

The National Peace Council (NPC) has expressed concern that Sri Lanka could lose benefits such as the GSP plus tariff concession and the USD 480 million MCC grant if it unilaterally withdrew from the UNHRC resolution signed in Geneva in 2015.

In memory of fallen heroes: Remembering the sacrifices of those young lives

Sombre November rolls along Bringing grim reminders of death and decay; Starting with the Festival of the Dead.

Sri Lanka’s first Climathon tackles Jaffna’s urban food crisis

The city of Jaffna had the privilege of hosting the first Climathon in Sri Lanka. Climathon is a global movement and the largest climate action collective of its kind, inspiring community and citizens to gather....

India’s CRY shines a light on child marriage as Diwali signals start of wedding season

When people hear something described as sustainable, it’s usually in reference to being “environmentally friendly”. While the concept of living “sustainably” is more often than not, focused on protecting the natural resources of the earth, living sustainably isn’t only about environmental protection.