Global waste trade Is Sri Lanka the newest waste dumping ground

When it comes to handling waste, Sri Lanka stands at a primitive level. Or so we think. Waste is not just waste for some. It is big money. This is why waste has converted into a global trade, thereby allowing developed countries to export their waste to developing countries for further treatment, disposal or recycling. Hence, the burden of the toxicity of wastes from Western

Courageous death row inmate obtains ‘Masters’

Prison itself is a tremendous education in the need for patience and perseverance. It is above all a test of one’s commitment.” -Nelson Mandela A prison is a place wh

Religious ceremonies in memory of blast victims

In the wake of the recent bombings, Abans PLC conducted religious activities that promoted peace and harmony within the Sri Lankan community. Taking place throughout the month of June, these activities signified Abans’ goal of endorsing national unity while respecting the distinctive religious and ethnic diversity that our country is known for.

The story of an unsung hero Will he be rewarded or duped ?

Rise of Sri Lankan petty bourgeoisie: The colonial phase

In colonial societies, the colonisers frequently resorted to established traditional patterns of living, belief systems, and hierarchies based on caste, so as to perpetuate their domination. This usually led to a jettisoning of a minority from the rest of the country and the creation of a culturally colonised elite: the brown sahibs. Where the pre-capitalist phase of such countries did not facilitate the rise of a feudal landownin

Laki – Sri Lanka’s Modern- Day Da Vinci

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. - “ Leonardo da Vinci ” As a creator, the b

Growth and decline of Tamil Muslims’ fortunes in maritime trade

While the Cholas of the Coromandel coast in Tamil Nadu were known for their maritime conquests and successful trade, with conquest and trade going hand in hand, the Muslims of the Coromandel coast were successful in maritime trade without the aid of conquest. However, ultimately,with the advent of Eu

White Paper on national harmony drafted

A ‘White Paper’ on national harmony, which envisions a Sri Lanka without discrimination and conflict, was presented to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on July 8 by a group of citizens from diverse ethnicities and professions. Entitled ‘The Harmony Act for Religious, Racial, Ethnic and Civil Harmony in Sri Lanka’, the document identifies racial, religious and ethnic tensions, and proposes a ‘Harmony Act’ to prevent issues and promote harmony for the bette

Removing the smoke screen

Tobacco–the only legal product that gradually kills consumers when used entirely as intended continues to be an obstacle with its powerful industry. The tobacco industry is a global entity and uses many tactics to engage new users....

Appreciation: Goodbye Mr Chips!

My brother J. F Jeygarajasingham, affectionately known as Jega, is no more. Jega had his early education at St Anthony’s College Kayts (previously known as Kayts at St. Anthony’s Tamil School.....

Josephian OBU family mass tomorrow

The Josephian OBU family mass organised by batches of 1998 and 2001 will be celebrated tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. at the college chapel. It will be followed by breakfast.

Religious ceremonies mark Abans’ 50th anniversary

In the wake of the recent bombings, Abans PLC conducted religious activities that promoted peace and harmony within the Sri Lankan community. Taking place throughout the month of June, these activities signified Abans’ goal of endorsing national unity while respecting religious and ethnic diversity our country is known for.

In the middle of nowhere: The unrepresented over-represented

Sri Lanka’s recent elevation to upper middle income status puts it alongside countries earning a GNI per capita of more than US$ 3,996. This figure, of course, is computed by the World Bank, which means that we are an upper middle class country as per parameters set by that particular international body. Economically, however, we don’t seem to be better off than we used to five years ago; indeed, other indicators go to show that inequality, far f

Sorrowful recollections from Katuwapitiya

An unusual silence hovers around Katuwapitiya on an otherwise busy Friday morning. One cannot expect more from a venue that recently witnessed a horrific terror attack. As we enter the Katuwapitiya Church premises....

Launch of the IHRA Journal

The IHRA Journal was recently launched by the Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA) of the University of Colombo. The first copy of the latest issue was handed over to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.)Wijayarathne by Dammika Perera, the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal.

Artist Damith Indrajith opens his very own gallery in Pannipitiya

Born in 1964 in Nauththuduwa, Matugama, young Damith Indrajith found himself developing a passion to draw and sculpt. During his late teens, Indrajith -- by then a budding artist -- got the rare opportunity to study under world-renowned landscape architect Bevis Bawa. Enthralled by the sculptures he saw around the Bawa garden and residence, Indrajith came to recognize his

Sansare Dadayakkaraya Clichéd identities and commonplace dogmas reconsidered

As the film comes to an end and the camera pans slowly down the trunk of a venerable old tree that witnessed lust, loss, lament, logic and life, one wonders what Prasanna Jayakody was thinking about what he was actually thinking in this last, all-encompassing and entwining drama of root, trunk and leaf as it bears silently stable and aggressively raucous testimony to the

Inciting the Sri Lankan Climate Revolution EFL’s Green Conversations gives voice to Climate Change

Continuing their legal and scientific approaches to abate carbon footprint, the EFL held its newest instalment of Green Conversations recently in Colombo.

Chief Magistrate states A Magistrate should not act “to satisfy the sardonic pleasure of an opinionated investigator or a prosecutor”

Quoting from several Supreme Court Judgments, Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne, while delivering her Bail Order on the magisterial inquiry conducted against former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando who were charged with criminal negligence and murder over the Easter terror attacks,

Sri Lanka needs a leader, not a president

The political scene is hotting up these days with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) expected to name its presidential candidate on August 11.

ADB raises quality of life through ‘iRoad’

W. K Nandasena, a resident of Lellakada, Ginimellagaha, said that travelling to Galle took less time after the Wakwella – Ginimellagaha road was improved. “It used to take more than an hour before the roadwas carpeted, but now it takes less than 45 minutes” he said. Nandasena has been selling lotteries at the Ginimellagaha junction on the Wakwella – Baddegama Road in the

Buddha’s First Sermon on Esala Full Moon

‘If a person foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my boundless love. The more evil that comes from him the better will go from me. I will always give off only the fragrance of goodness.’ -Buddha.

What made Lankans hail Ashoka

Today is the day of Esala Pasalosvaka Poya which primarily signifies Buddha’s First Sermon – the Dhammakkappavattana Sutta. The Sermon which he preached to the five ascetics two solar months following the attainment of Enlightenment explained the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (suffering,) the cause of Dukkha, the Cessation of Dukkha, the Path leading to the cessation of Dukkha and the Noble Eightfold Truth which set in motion the Wheel of the Dhamma

Rise of Sri Lankan petty bourgeoisie: Pre-colonial phase

The study of the history and evolution of the petty bourgeoisie or lower middle class in colonial societies has not been given the attention it deserves. Part of the reason for this may be, as Arno Mayer has noted, the “intricate nature” of the petty bourgeoisie which has made it more colourful, complicated, and even contradictory than the old aristocracy, bourgeoisie, peasantry, and proletariat. Wh

Modi’s stunning victory throws Congress into disarray

The stunning victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the April-May 2019 Indian parliamentary elections has thrown its principal rival, the Indian National Con

War and wounds as seen from shifting perspectives

Moses Saman is a Spanish-American (born Peruvian) photojournalist who specializes in the coverage of war and civil conflict. An article about him published in the Guardian UK.....

Youth: A force for positive change: Fadhil Bakeer Markar

As global change-makers, the youth have a key role to play in bringing about change. Although there are many opportunities they could possibly grab, certain factors stand in their way in trying to learn the necessary skills sets.

Heart-rending sorrow of a beloved husband

It is with deep regret and deep pain of mind that I am writing a few lines on the passing away of my beloved wife on May 25, 2013. I have no words to express my sorrow. One can lose one’s father, mother, brother or sister, or anyone for that matter. But not one’s life partner, especially one’s wife. Once you lose your wife, you live for the sake of living, and not to enjoy life thereafter. My wife passed away at the age of 69 - but she looked muc

A life of love, compassion and dedication

Keerthi akka my namesake, was the rainbow in her family. Though in relationship she was my first cousin, I considered her as an aunt who inspired our whole family circle. I would correlate each hue of the rainbow to her endearing qualities.

Alumni of the Colombo University felicitates Vice Chancellors

A formal felicitation ceremony to bid farewell to the former Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake and welcome the new Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne was held recently at the Senate Hall in the College House premises of the University of Colombo. This felicitation was hosted by the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo and was held under the patronage of the Chancellor of the University of Colom