CNN media tycoon Ted Turner has become his famous cartoon - Captain Planet

Anyone who grew up in the ’90s will be familiar with the opening song of the popular cartoon Captain Planet, the brightly coloured, mullet-flaunting superhero who educated a generation of kids on how to save the planet. The show was extremely successful, running for 113 episodes across more than 100 countries and translated into 23 languages.

Today is International Day of Older Persons Moving from gold to silver age Let’s keep the senior citizens happy and active

Our grandparents have been an integral component in the home setup. But as priorities changed, the majority of today’s younger generation doesn’t have the luxury of growing up with them, owing to various reasons. While some of these elders require assisted care, others spend their time at elderly homes. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics the global population aged 60 years or above was 962 million back in 2017 and this number

Gleanings on KS’s Gleanings

Gleanings: A Lankan’s Views as a Columnist is the latest in a series of books by K. S. Sivakumaran, offering insights into Sri Lankan writing, arts and culture. These books contain articles...

Removal of Vice Chancellors and the Lesson of Dr Stockmann

Two University Vice Chancellors (VCs) were recently dismissed by the President. The first victim, Prof. Ratnam Vigneswaran of the Jaffna University was removed without a proper explanation.

H. Kalubanda Banking industry bids adieu to national treasure

H. Kalubanda, a professional banker who functioned at a senior level, passed away recently following a brief illness – barely two weeks between diagnosis and death.

Remembering Kandy’s two gifted sportsmen

Memories of the death of two gifted sportsmen – a Royalist and a Sylvestrian – are still fresh in the minds of the local community in Kandy two decades after their passing away. Royal’s first Bradby captain, a fine cricketer and sports promoter Dr. C.D.L. Fernando passed away on September 22, 1987 which marks his 32nd death anniversary and the other, M.E. Marikar, well-known sportsman, promoter, sportswriter for Daily Mirror and Sunday Times and

Business tycoon with humane personality

Thaththa was unique. He was a self-made man, a visionary, a shrewd businessman, but more than that, what I admired most was his humaneness; he had a kind heart. Thaththa had many accolades to his credit but was a down-to-earth human being with a common touch. His lifestyle was a simple one and centred around Amma; she was his lifeblood.

Knowledge Centre for Isipathana College

A state-of-the-art knowledge centre for students of Isipathana College will soon be a reality. Isipathana College Knowledge Centre (ICKC), a fully-equipped classroom with 45 iPads, will be handed over to the school on October 1 to coincide with World Children’s Day.

Notes from an Election: Last king or last liberal?

I had an interesting conversation with a student recently. He had encouraged his parents to vote for the present regime, not because of Maithripala Sirisena, but because of the man he felt sure would be elected as Prime Minister.

How Kosala soared despite Down Syndrome

There are many people in the world who are born with low mental and social abilities. Although it is not by choice, their fates have already been decided. Such people face many difficulties socializing and adapting to the environment.

The living glow of Rajani Thiranagama

On the evening of September 21, 2019, Trimmer Hall located at the heart of Jaffna town was packed with people. They came not just from Jaffna, but also many other parts of the country to commemorate the late Dr. Rajani Thiranagama....

United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019 - Kids and Big Business’ step up

Friday 20th September saw social media flooded with images of children and their supporters participating in the Global Climate Strike.

State Children’s Drama Festival 2019 A Long Road to High Quality Children’s Theatre

In a world where the competitiveness of the education system is increasing day by day and high academic expectations are piled on young minds, students who hurry from school to class with no break and no time to engage in any other activities except their academic activities are subjected to ‘educational tiredness’ or ‘student burnout’.

113th J.R. Jayewardene birth commemoration

The 113th JR Jayewardene Birth commemoration ceremony, which was organized by the JR Jayewardene memorial committee and the main UNP branch in Japan was held in Japan with the cooperation of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo, the Japanese government and non-government organizations.

Are the islanders utilizing their right to vote May be not and here’s why....

With the introduction of the Donoughmore Constitution back in 1927, all Sri Lankans were granted the right to vote amid a fully functional democratic structure. Prior to its introduction, the right to vote was limited to wealthy and educated males above 21 years of age. Over two million Sri Lankans live abroad while most of them directly contribute to the economy. But their

Policies essential to conserve primary forests in LRC lands

​The known truth about deforestation is which had taken place during the British colonial rule to promote export-oriented estates and plantations. Large areas of primary forest land were destroyed in the central highlands to plant popular Ceylon tea....

‘Undawn’ of night on a messy socio-political landscape

“People do not lack strength; they lack will.” ~ Victor Hugo It’s that time of the day: twilight, an approaching dusk hurrying the routine-ridden office worker’s home; prompting school children....

Kandy company joins Global Climate Strike

Green Life Generation staff joined millions of their colleagues from across the world to support climate and justice in action in the ‘Global Climate Strike’ held on Friday, September 20. This event, held in Digana in Kandy included a walking exhibition by Green Life.

The Book Fair Reflections on books and readers

Sri Lankans love to read. They also love to think they read. And I daresay they want others to think they read too. Either way, they buy books. They may go for the same genres, authors, and publishers, but they buy. Some of them build up massive libraries, others just freely give away what they have, and still others may enter your name in a black book when they lend you, generously of course, those titles you never thought you could get anywhere

‘Sudu andagena kalu awidin’ 99 episodes of reality

People of Indiketiya, a village off Medawachchiya looked at life’s problems differently. Isolated from the city, this village thrived on scarce resources and its people tried to make ends meet. Many characters with many stories portrayed some burning issues in life while trying to find solutions their own way. ‘Sudu andagena kalu awidin’ a production by Sunil Costa who carries with him an experience of over 25 years in producing, directing and sc

Free and Open Indo-Pacific An opportunity for prosperity

Sri Lanka is a country that has been strategically placed in the Indian Ocean. But, sadly, she hasn’t been able to take full use of her geopolitical significance. Statistically speaking, the Southeast Asian region onl

Glimmering Silver Year’s Story Of the Parish of Maligawatte

Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Maligawatte, is situated in the heart of the city of Colombo, about one hundred yards away from Panchikawatte main junction, along Pradeepa Mawatha catering....

Local Reflexologists celebrate World Reflexology Week by working on the soles of the community

Members of the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR) are bringing the community together through healthy soles. The ICR is working together with its members and other reflexology organizations to coordinate events worldwide....

Future of Tourism Summit 2019: Top Global Destination Experts arrive in SL

Facilitating the resurgence of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry at an accelerated pace, the highly anticipated third edition of the Future of Tourism Summit (FOT 2019), will be held on September 23, 2019 at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts.

Lionel Mendis: The Perfect Gentleman

M.B. Ratnayake: Pioneer Educationist with a unique personality

Retired Principal of Central Colleges Mr. M.B. Ratnayake passed away on the 23rd of August at the ripe old age of 103 years. He belonged to a reputed family from Lunugala and was the very first graduate from Uva Province.

AL-HAJ SEYYID SALAMULLAH MOULANA: He was pious and religious

It was very much disheartening and regrettable to receive the news of the sad and sudden demise of my beloved brother on May 1, 2015, at the age of 72. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna llayhi Rajioon”. It is unforgettable and....

State Literary Awards 2019 - Literary excellence on display

A Buddhist monk, two Catholic priests, politicians, professors, housewives and even a young girl with a white cane were among the cream that received awards at the 62nd State Literary Awards held last week at the BMICH.

What will you do this Autumn?

Between this year’s August and January, more than 337,000 students will feel like they’re lost. Having spent the better part of their lives (13 out of 18 years) memorising over and agonising a cluster of subjects they’ll perhaps....

Book launch at BMICH International Book Fair: Making of modern Ceylon

This book discusses the transformation of Ceylon’s economy and social structure under British rule in the nineteenth century. It focuses in particular on the waning of the old, the ruling class, changes....