‘Pin Mullivaikkal’, the unfinished battle of Northerners

All ears were tuned in to hear from the reviewer of the latest book of Rev. Fr. Elil Rajendran (SJ) from the Northern Province titled ‘Pin Mullivaikkal’ (post-Mullivaikal in English) launched on May....

‘IF’- Imaginary Friends coming alive

Hollywood fantasy comedy ‘IF’ or “Imaginary Friends” released in Sri Lanka simultaneous to the worldwide release on May 17 is now being screened in theatres. Written....

‘Lasting solution to North East is a mirage’-Mullivaikkal residents

The constant battle of the people in the North to survive each day and live with freedom and dignity is a far cry from what is perceived....

Appreciation on Gamini Bulankulame: Quiet and dignified to the very end

Sooriyakumara Wannisinghe Gamini Bulankulame was my father’s first cousin. I met him for the first time when my parents took....

Sri Lanka’s most important blue carbon ecosystems are now under threat

The Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve nestled in the Northern coast of Sri Lanka has been identified as home to some of the most important blue carbon ecosystems. This is why it was gazetted....

Review of ‘My Red Comrade’ A film where critical thinking breaks sense of reality

Sudath Mahadivulwewa, the producer of the film ‘My Red Comrade’, is well-known for his various feature films, documentaries, theatre work and social awareness campaigns, in Sri Lanka. His latest film is openly political and experimental. A major aspect of the film is a debate between the old view of revolution and a more modern one which is construed to be more inclusive. The film conveys a message “think simple as a child, and do not make things

‘The Fall Guy’ Dangerous leap of a stuntman

American comedy thriller ‘The Fall Guy’ narrates around a down-and-out stuntman who must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film. Based on the 1980s TV series about stunt performers, the film, directed by David Leitch, is now being screened in theatres around Colombo and few other theatres around the country. Scripted by Drew Pearce, the film stars Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Tere

Proposed wage hike Estate workers appreciated or trapped in election promise?

Nallusamy Seethaletchami, an estate worker from Bogawantalawa worries about being paid a minimum salary for her work. Female workers like Seethaletchami comprise a greater percentage of the economically active population within the labour force. Sometimes they are the sole breadwinners in their families and have to brave many social and economic challenges to provide a stable environment for their children and sometimes their spouses, who also de

No excuse for RPCs says Thondaman

Staying true to his promise, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman did succeed in convincing the authorities- including the Wages Board- to increase the estate worker’s salaries from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1700. “The daily wage of Rs. 1700 was agreed upon following consultations between trade unions and workers,” he said speaking to the Daily Mirror. “We also benchmarked this on the recommendation of Fair Trade

Human Rights scholars demand Sri Lanka halts plans for proposed TRC

A group comprising transitional justice and human rights scholars from across the world have come together in an effort to express its concerns on the current efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to establish a Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation (CTUR). The release is as follows:

‘The First Teacher’ turned into Sri Lankan play: A lesson on a teacher-student relationship

Based on world renowned Russian writer Tchinguiz Aitmatov’s novel ‘The First Teacher’ (Guru Geethaya), a stage play derived from the novel and directed by Prof. Mangala Senanayake will have....

‘People’s Forum for Reforms’ launched to catalyse positive change

A momentous event unfolded last Saturday at the Auditorium of JAT Holdings Thalawathugoda as the ‘People’s Forum for Reforms’ was officially launched. The forum, hailed as a beacon of hope for Sri Lanka’s future, saw an assembly of distinguished guests from various sectors, all unified in their commitment to fostering a stronger civil movement for national progress. Prof. Prathibha Mahanamahewa, the esteemed keynote speaker, delivered a stirring

Gayathri gives the voice for Eve in Haydn’s ‘Creation’

Internationally awarded musician and a leading composer from Sri Lanka Gayathri Khemadasa has been commissioned to set the song for Eve in the choral....

Prasanna’s film ‘Paradise’ wins international acclaim in Spain

Seasoned filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage’s latest film ‘Paradise’- an Indo-Sri Lankan production- won the Audience Jury Awards at the recently concluded Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival in Spain. This cinematic creation was put up honours at the 23rd Film festival which had creations from all five continents. Prasanna’s film revolves around a couple who visit Sri Lanka at a time of economic and political turmoil. The film com

Artificial limb camp by India in Sri Lanka

A Camp to provide artificial limbs to 1000 Sri Lankan beneficiaries was jointly inaugurated on May 7, 2024 by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E Santosh Jha. According to a press release issued by the High Commissioner of India some of the notable attendees at the event were State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Denfence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne and Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt Gen Vikum Liyanage. The event was

Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders: SLGGA’s ‘Ceylona 2024’ prepares to empower young women

In a society where females are looked under-worthy, the Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association (SLGGA) empowers young women through educational and leadership programmes. The International....

‘Vocabulary for Communication’: Nagasundaram launches book to help master English Vocabulary

‘Vocabulary for Communication’: A Guide to Improve English Vocabulary’ is the third book launched by Parvathi Nagasundaram. According to her, this book has been designed....

Sri Lanka’s forward march to ban corporal punishment

In early May, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amending both the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, which include provisions for the banning of corporal punishment across....

Partially blind acid attack victim believes he’ll see again

When Sanjaya Sandaruwan awoke on the morning of October 18, 2010, the world lay before him like an open road, full of promise and possibility. At 27, he was in his youth, employed as a coach at a sports club nestled within a picturesque tourist hotel, and deeply in love. However, the course of his life took a tragic turn in a matter of seconds when he fell victim to a brutal acid attack by those who opposed a romantic relationship in which he was

Lankan delegation in India to get hands-on Lok Sabha polls

A ten member delegation of Sri Lankans will be taking part in the International Election Visitor Programme (IEVP) organised....

Naula, Bowathenna blacksmiths up in arms

The import of agricultural tools and equipment from China almost in unlimited quantities has adversely affected the local market much to the anxiety of blacksmiths. Blacksmiths....

Dr. Arumugam Ketheeswaran, an exemplary medical professional

Some people are great because of their positions. But some others make their positions great. I see Dr.Arumugam Ketheeswaran, Regional Director of Health Services, Jaffna....

Prof. Anil Jayasekara: A mentor par excellence, a friend for all seasons

It is with great sadness that we remember Prof. Anil Jayasekara the founding head of the Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, who passed away on April 2, 2024. Prof. Jayasekera hailed from Gampaha and grew up in Colombo as the eldest son of Dr. Lionel Jayasekera, one of the most respected and sought-after family physicians in Gampaha and late Leelawathie Piyaseeli Wikramaarachchi the daughter of th

Sri Lankans worried by Indian bottom trawling’s ‘fishtail effect’

Sri Lanka has been subjected to numerous foreign invasions since the beginning of its recorded history. Compared to the Portuguese, Dutch and English, the engagement with India, the island’s closest neighbour, is more consistent from a social, economic and cultural impact point of view. It is no secret that all these invaders have been attracted to the country’s tropical wealth like crops, spices, precious stones and natural resources. The latest

Clicking for a cause

During the Covid 19 pandemic with almost no human activities in Kalpitiya lagoon, Azly Azad had time in abundance to capture the beauty of nature. Photographing the still water, trees, plants and various water bodies, Azad captured the ‘Marsh Plant’ which ended up winning a prize at the Earth Day 2024 Photography Competition, organised by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo. Another photograph taken by him at home and titled ‘Rainy day water drop’ was al

A.E. Goonesinha (1 May 1891–1 August 1967): First Labour Leader of Sri Lanka

A. E. Goonesinha started his professional career as a journalist and publisher of the Journal “Search Light” to support the National Movement. He fought for the workers....

31st DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT RANASINGHE PREMADASA: Remembering a people-friendly leader

This article is published to commemorate the 31st death anniversary of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, which falls today (May 1). He was a great....

Lankan indigenous community shares genetic bonds with Indian tribal groups-Study

The indigenous community of Sri Lanka shares close genetic bonds with five Indian tribal groups, a study by a team of scientists at the University of Colombo reveals. A team....

May Day amidst global mayhem

As we pass this May Day, we are witnessing a disintegrating global order. Over seventy developing countries are in debt distress and several of them have defaulted on their debt. A broken....

Sri Lanka hosts ISGF ASPAC meeting: An initiative to inspire the next generation of youth

The International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF) is an organisation that helps maintain the values learned in youth movements in order to provide a service within their communities. Recently....