Excesses in Lanka, genocide in Gaza and Israeli attack on Iran

The 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a Resolution on Sri Lanka “Promoting reconciliation....

Planting to save the planet

It may take a few years before 13-year-old Nulara Ekanayake sees the jack trees she planted on the outer perimeter....

More road accidents during New Year season: Experts

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, people enjoyed themselves despite the prevailing unpromising economic...

Lankan students to shine on global stage with robotics innovations

Six students from the Burhani Serendib School in Colombo have qualified to take part in a prestigious global robotics competition, marking the first time Sri Lankan schoolchildren...

New Year catastrophes and the threat of WWiii

After an airstrike by Israel claimed the lives of two Iranian generals in Syria last week, Iran retaliated with firing 200 missiles. This escalation of tensions raises the risk of the Gaza conflict expanding into a regional conflagration and potentially igniting a Third World War (WWIII). The first wave of missiles struck Israel around two in the morning on April 13, local time, approximately 11 hours before the onset of Nonagathe. Iran and Israe

University academics say no to proposed education reforms!

collective comprising academics of the university system are vehemently campaigning against the recent proposals seeking reforms in education; which this group claims is done with the aim of weakening and discrediting state universities. Here is an extract of the statement released by them to the media in this regard. ‘We are in the midst of an existentially threatening economic crisis. With an ever-increasing debt burden and low economic prospec

Naula Schoolchildren who created websites awarded

The launch of school websites and the award of certificates to the schools in Naula Eduction Zone- that completed the assignments under the “Wings to the Ceyber Wolrd” project- took place at Nalanda Sudarshi Vidayaya recently. It was of significance that the websites had been created by schoolchildren themselves with the help of the teachers. The students of 15 schools in the Naula Education Zone were felicitated at the ceremony and awarded wit

Baltimore Bridge collapse, Dali and controversy

The vessel sailed to the Baltimore Harbour with safety concerns of how it would be if it had to sail through the Suez Canal with threats from the attackers of the Red Sea. It was good to go around Cape of Good Hope and avoid the dangers mainly for the safety of the ship, cargo and the crew. It would have been a voyage with a sense of relief. However, a few minutes after the ship left the Baltimore Harbor quay- facing the opposite direction of the

Sri Lankan mentalities that cannot be upgraded

There was a recent post on facebook where a picture comparison from the past with one of the present shows that travelling by bus hasn’t changed much in this sun-kissed island. One of the pictures-printed in black and white- shows people on a bus using the footboard and some part of the front potion of the bus to hang on to dear life with the hope travelling dangerously to reach their scheduled destination. The only difference in the people back

Farmers furry rages

The right to live, move and work are enshrined in the Constitution. Restricting them is tantamount to violating one’s fundamental rights. But the question....

Fuel usage drops as Sri Lankans plunge into financial difficulties

Reducing fuel consumption is now a global necessity as the world shifts towards greener practices in response to climate change. Hence, while reports of 50% reduction in fuel consumption....

Cracks appearing on Jethawanarama Cheithiya raise concerns

Anuradhapura Jethawanarama Cheithiya, which is considered as the largest stupa in the world, and a world heritage building, has developed cracks in the upper relic chamber....

“Dementia is raising its potential and can be seen in young people,” - Dr. Gunawardene

Dementia is not a specific disease, but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think and make decisions that interfere with daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment. The Director at the Center for Brain and Neurocare, Maryland, US

Sri Lankans have experienced benefits of pranic healing since 1997

Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Wellawatte, there exists a serene oasis known as the Pranic Healing Foundation Sri Lanka, dedicated to the art of healing through energy, without physical touch. This unique facility offers a gateway to the world of pranic healing, a method rooted in the concept of ‘Prana’—the Sanskrit term for life force. Established in 1997 as a Charitable Trust, the Pranic Healing Foundation Sri Lanka has been c

‘Kandy Esala Perahera dances, items should be gazetted’

The former Diyawadana Nilame Neeranjan Wijayaratne who held office for twenty years and administered the Sri Dalada Maligawa for thirty years, and ten by his father Dr.Nissanka Wijayaratne said that it is appropriate to gazette the dances and other items of the Kandy Esala Perahera as requested by the incumbent Diyawadana Nilame Dela. But, first the official dress of the Diyawadana Nilame and the Basnayake Nilames should be gazetted since the “K

Cost of New Year sweetmeats table slumps by 2% in 2024

The cost of assorting a traditional “kevili” table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has gone down in 2024 compared to 2023....

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

The state-run loss-making State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) has revealed that there are political interferences....

Sakuntala Devi Kadirgamar A lady who negotiated life’s journey with fortitude and perseverance

My mother-in-law, Sakuntala Kadirgamar or ‘Aunty’ as I called her, passed away at the age of 83 in Nallur, Jaffna, a month ago. Since her passing, many have spoken of her kindness, courage, forbearance, and the profound role she played in the lives of those near and dear to her. In this tribute, I share my experiences of living with Aunty, including in her later years when she battled ill health. Born in Nallur in 1940, Aunty grew up in a family

Priyath Cabral appointed President AAUPCC

The 33rd Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya-Colombo Chapter (AAUPCC) was held on March 31 (Sunday) at the Main Auditorium (Sanhinda), Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Colombo 07. According to a press release issued by AAUPCC, Priyath Cabral was elected as President. Prof. J.B. Dissanayake was the Guest of Honour at the occasion. The following office bearers were elected for

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV Dali, the Singapore-flagged containership that wreaked...

Authorities fight to curtail increase in stray dogs and rabies

State Minister of Defense Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said that 6.5 million stray dogs are roaming in different parts....

How evolvement of robotic surgery aids prostate cancer treatment

At present, technology plays a main role in the field of medicine and health care. AI-automated machines have been constructed to ease the workload of doctors and to prevent severe mistakes from being made connected to the patient. A senior Consultant Urologist, and specialist in cancer, Incontinence, and robotic surgery, Dr.Chin Chong Min discusses the advancement of robotic technology and Prostate cancer. It is a type of cancer that forms in t

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animals brought into the Bandaranaike International ....

Maggona Calvary Sacred Shrine turns 125

The 125th jubilee of the National Calvary Shrine in Maggona which falls next year was declared by Rev. Fr. Roshan Silva, the Provincial of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate on March 31. According to records the Calvary Sacred Shrine had been set up in 1900 and was declared a national sacred shrine by the government in 2008. The jubilee year was declared to coincide with this year’s Easter Sunday celebration on March 31. A religi

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford to have just one square meal a day. This unfortunate circumstance, according to what villagers say, stems from the loss of their paddy fields due to the Moragahakanda Development Project. This was the situation in this village when media personnel visited this village on March 19. The Moragolla village, situated within the Naula Divisional Secretariat, stands as on

Ship exporting US toxic waste to Sri Lanka crashes Baltimore Bridge: Report

The Singapore cargo ship Dali chartered by Maersk, which collapsed the Baltimore, US bridge on March 26, was carrying 764 tons of hazardous materials to Sri Lanka–mostly....

Panel of legal experts proposes legal reforms for Sri Lanka

The much-needed legal reforms for a system change have been compiled by a panel of reputed legal experts in order to strengthen the present legal system in Sri Lanka. These reforms....

‘You were an amazing mother to us’

Our darling Ammi we remember you on your one hundredth birthday and thank God for you, our precious mother. We thank God for all that you have done....

The Nazarene’s Long Walk to Golgotha

It was a hot sultry day; the noon-day sun shone in all its parching, piercing intensity. A dry wind blew across the court-yard of Pontius Pilate, ruffling the strands of the shoulder.....

Exposure and spiritual programme on priestly formation

A one-day exposure and spiritual program was organized and conducted by the students of the Newman Society of the University of Peradeniya with the motive of providing knowledge....