Singled out for discrimination

Attacks on and discrimination against minorities in Sri Lanka have been widespread for years. Following the April 21 attacks such incidents, especially against Muslims, saw an increase, and were even condoned by politicians and religious leaders.

Surgical miracle saves hand caught in the grinder

It was just another day for Plastic Surgeon Sasankaya Amila Ratnayake when he came into the Kandy General Hospital, with an array of surgeries lined up for the day.

Let us care for Planet Earth, Our Common Home

I was pleased to see the editor’s note that regularly appears in the ... under the caption Sustainable Nation, alerting the readers to the immediate threats to the environment through human activities and the need for every one of us to play our part in arresting environmental degradation. How serious is the threat, worldwide, to the environment?

Various roles in different dispensations

This work seeks to set out by recounting in anecdotal detail, situations encountered by a Public Servant in addressing himself to the responsibilities that different positions, right up to the summit of the hierarchy entail. Here we learn about the situations faced, the battles fought and fortunately for Walter Fernando, the happy-ending. It brings out the quiet but single minded

“The Moon Child” to be launched at the Book Fair

The maiden novella of Chathushkie Jayasinghe, an undergraduate of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, will be available to the public from September 20, at the Sarasavi Publications stall in the Colombo International Book Fair 2019.

EWC announces winners

The English Writers Collective (EWC) recently announced the winners of the creative writing (Short story and poetry) competition 2019. The first prize for poetry was won by Rifadha Cader for “Poetry!”; second prize to Sunila Nanayakkara for “Breadwinners All” and joint third prize winners were Keerthimathi Wijekulasuriya for “Kottu a la Cricket” and G.A.D. Sirimal “Lamp Post

Loss of a Legend

Orator, Scientist, Lyricist, Marxist Teacher, Scholar, Doctor, Mentor Multifaceted, Multitalented Endless list, As a Legend departs, leaving heavy hearts. Inspiration to many, shaping, guiding Provoking thoughts touched many lives The foreword you wrote, the advice I cherish A light extinguished, A loss to the Nation, no small measure For you were Dear Sir, were a National

Incoherent Taxation Making car Ownership unthinkable

When Dr. Priyanga Pupulewatta bought his new Toyota Prius for 7.4 million rupees in 2017, he knew that he was getting a good deal: “the car had just arrived in Sri Lanka and that was the dealer’s price at the time.”He was correct: today, that car regularly sells for 12 million rupees or higher. However, in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, that car usually

Celebrating golden jubilee of conquering the moon How Sri Lanka followed man’s first step away from earth

It has been 50 years since the moon landing; a result of science, technology and competition between two superpowers of the time – Russia and the US. Evoking much excitement worldwide, the first historic step on the moon was taken by Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969 (21st local time).

Worldwide Climate Strike - Children swap education for activism

This Friday, the 20th of September will see the latest instalment of the worldwide coordinated school strikes by children and teenagers to draw attention to their governments’ inaction on the risks of climate change.

Attack on samanera monks: Signs of an existing challenge to the Sasana

Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country, Sri Lanka has witnessed monks being attacked, massacred and faced with injustice in various circumstances. When a video clip showing two Samanera (novice) Monks – aged 11 and 14 – being attacked by a layman went viral on social media last week, signs of a fearless, uncivilized society surfaced. It is only a child who

MARY FOSTER, ANAGARIKA DHARMAPALA AND THE BATTLE FOR BUDDHA GAYA

Mary Foster Robinson, a Hawaiian lady was the single largest benefactress of the Anagarika Dharmapala, Founder of the Maha Bodhi Society, whose 155th birth anniversary falls today (September 17).

Sustainability and palm oil manufacturing

The industrial impact on the environment is a major issue in sustainable development with some arguing that negative environmental impacts are inevitable along our path to economic growth. Once we pass certain thresholds of the environment, in particular beyond nature’s ability to replenish itself, economic growth is also placed in jeopardy.

Enforcing the Death Penalty Final Act; Scene One

Another Presidential term is drawing to a close. Another President is reflecting on his years of serving as the leader of the country and wondering – How will the citizens remember me? For President Sirisena, this is a rather vexing exercise for two reasons – firstly, it is because the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was a tough act to follow, and secondly, it is because of the many thing

The Montessori Method of Education

One Hundred and Forty Nine Years ago a little girl was born in Chiaravalle, Italy. Her father, Allessandro Montessori, a retired army officer, was very traditional. Her mother, Renilde Stoppani Montessori, was an intelligent...

To emerge from this mess we need far-sighted MPs

I wish the next parliament of new members elected unitedly vote for the abolition of the wretched position of the President. Before that a figurehead person will be elected at the end of the year.

Sri Lanka’s Civil War: Sr. Angela’s mission among women victims

For Sister Angela Fernando, the mission she undertook among the victims of Sri Lanka’s civil war means “allowing everyone to experience the great love of God and Mary.” Last month, the nun from the Congregation....

‘ROYAL’S GLENDALE’

I had just started schooling when the Second World War broke out. Some families left their homes in Colombo and its suburbs. School life was also disrupted. One of the worst affected was Royal College, Colombo.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Leopold Ratnasekera OMI: Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession

Jubilee bells will chime this month for Rev. Fr. (Dr) Joseph Leopold Ratnasekera of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), who celebrates the diamond jubilee of his religious life.

100th birthday of WWII Veteran Cyril B. Mendis

The Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association with the blessings of the Commonwealth Ex-Service League and the British High Commission celebrated the 100th birthday of a WWII Veteran On Saturday August 24....

Sublime path towards self-realization

Sakyamuni Tathagata Gautama is the Buddha of this era. Gautama Buddha is a unique and radiant personality who appeared in this World 2643 years ago.

Binara Full Moon Poya Day: Bhikkuni Sasana and Prajapathi Gothami

Maha Prajapathi Gothami, finding no reason to remain in the Royal Palace after the death of King Suddhodhana, set out accompanied by five hundred Sakya and Koliya Royal women to seek permission from Gautama Buddha....

Binara Full Moon: Kalama Sutta transfixed and changed Carlo

It happened in 1948— Darley Road then was not infested with vehicle accessory trade: it was famous for British Sterling Companies presence and the location for one of leading Catholic School, St Joseph’s College.

Notes from an Election: Where did all (economic) issues go?

I see the candidates, but where are the issues? An election of such profound significance can’t be devoid of debates over vital matters of state. Yet that is what we are seeing with Election 2019.

Vijayaba Kollaya: Why didn’t Asanga think of a little acid

So glad someone did it at last. W. A. Silva’s Vijayaba Kollaya should have been filmed long ago, but no one did. The film’s brochure quotes Dr Lester James Pieris as saying Vijayaba Kollaya cannot be filmed, which is nonsense.

Govt, civil Society groups must act fast to ensure social protection: ADB Vice President

A top official of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) revealed that middle-income and lower middle-income member countries in Asia-Pacific region, which included Sri Lanka, will need to open up new fiscal space to meet minimum requirements for social protection funding.

Meat without slaughter - What is lab-grown meat?

Let’s face it, seeing an animal being slaughtered isn’t nice. Even the staunchest carnivores can find the process of breeding and raising animals only to kill them a little uncomfortable. Combine that with the environmental impacts of large-scale meat production and you have two convincing arguments for finding alternatives to meat production in its current form.

Come join us naming gorilla babies

Kwita Izina is a time-honoured tradition in which Rwandan families hold a ceremony to name newborn babies. For three decades, before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, Volcanoes National Park rangers and researchers named Rwanda’s mountain gorilla babies as a key part of the on-going programme in monitoring each gorilla in their family and habitat.

The way forward in the local education system Trilingual, multi-religious and multi-ethnic environments in schools

The Easter Sunday attacks were an absolute eye-opener for all Sri Lankans. On a positive note, not only did it make people realise that they should unite as one, but it also made them think about the root causes of extremism. But on a negative note, the Muslim community was demonized, businesses were boycotted and they continue to face many adversities. Education plays

How asset declaration checks corruption

Asset Declaration is a powerful tool to enhance transparency and integrity of public administration and people’s representatives. Usually, asset declaration regimes identify illicit enrichment and other related wrongdoings by monitoring wealth variations of politicians and civil servants. These laws require that key Government officials regularly disclose precise