Why Sri Lankan politics needs variety

There is much debate going on in Social Media as to who should represent the country’s people in parliament. Most potential candidates for the presidency have already shortlisted the members of their probable cabinets while dreaming of a better and prosperous Sri Lanka. This is why this year and the following year are important; hence Sri Lankans must use their votes

MASCOM Open Day 2019 concludes on a grand note A temple for aspiring journalists

The Manorama School of Communication (MASCOM) held its annual open day and exhibition which concluded on a grand note in Kottayam, in the Kerala State recently. It witnessed the participation of over 60 guests who admired the creativity of its students. The stude

The man who foresaw the Easter Sunday attacks

Recently we visited the house of Mohamed Razik Mohamed Thasleem (37) in Danagama Mawanella. He is one of the first victims of Zaharan’s killing spree and is currently recovering from gunshot injuries. We visited him to inquire into his present condition. The vandalism on Bu

The Age of Reform: 1850-1900 (Part I) One hundred years of Paradox in Paradise

The period from 1848 to 1948 presents something of a paradox for the historian or scholar, who tends to rationalise a historical epoch in terms of rebellion or affirmation of political, economic, and social order. The uprising organised by Ihagama U

What happens when fantasya goes the distance

Among contemporary Sinhala fiction writers, there are those who have deliberately struck away from conventional story telling formats, using techniques of fantasy and displaying Post-Modernist and other influences.

Future belongs to all of us

One of our young intellectuals, Uditha Devapriya writing in DM on June 07, 2019 correctly identified the psyche behind the minds of the average person in the majority community and rightly justifies his poser.

Lyceum turns 26: Celebrating the goal of unity

The role of education in bringing about harmony, tolerance and peace to our Nation cannot be overestimated in the current socio-political climate. The tragic events that devastated our country recently reiterate the urgent need for Sri Lankans to unite as one nation and one nationality.

Dr. Denis J. Aloysius - In whose strides young doctors should follow

It takes someone special to impress a young lad, I must say. As a child, I have met many doctors, but my impression on this exemplary doctor is unforgettable; tall, slim, a sporty look, long-sleeved shirt with a matching tie and a friendly personality are etched in my memory even to this day. His dispensary was situated on Galle Road in Dehiwala where Arpico is housed. But that was where my mother used to take us whenever ill-health was waving at

Dr. Thistle Jayawardene A pious gentleman and great anaesthetist

My wife and I started worshipping at Christ Church, Galkissa in 1975, a few years after marriage, when we came to live in Dehiwala. We attended the 6.00 a.m. service on Sunday and Dr. Thistle, Mrs. Jayawardene and the children were there every Sunday at the first service for the day -- I don’t think this family ever missed a Sunday service.

Inculcating book-reading among Lankan youth

It was the renowned English philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626) who immortalised the saying “reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.” When it comes to the brain, researchers have found there’s no better super-food than a good book.

Finland students find ideal ‘placement’ in Sri Lanka

Jessica Hallikainen and Veera Teittinen, two Finnish students at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden arrived in Sri Lanka for their field placements just a few days after the tragic Easter Sunday attack.

Sinhala Buddhists are (not) racists, didn’t you know?

When news of the first attack came through, the Twitterati were quick to pounce on the most obvious suspects: Sinhala Buddhists. There was then no talk of the presumption of innocence unless proven otherwise. Instead Sinhala Buddhists....

What went wrong with the NSC?

The National Security Council (NSC), the perceived highest echelon of the security apparatus of Sri Lanka, has been in the news for the past month in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday Terror attacks.

Delving into 'Sterilisation Story'

This article is written based on an interview with Professor Hemantha Senanayake, Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo and Former Chairperson of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Let’s go plastic free

Throwing away a toffee wrapper or a straw is still a usual habit among many of us. But when that toffee wrapper or straw are two items found among some eight million other pieces of plastic, then it’s high time that we opt for change. Globally, around eight million pieces of plastic find their way into the oceans everyday. Around the world, one million plastic drinking bottles

An Unwarranted Arrest

Following a tip-off given by the people in Kolongoda, 47-year-old M. R Mazahima was arrested by the Hasalaka Police, last month, for wearing a caftan with a symbol that ‘resembled the Darmachakra’- the wheel of Dhamma. The symbol on her dress was believed to have insulted Buddhism. She was initially remanded by the magistrate until May 27. Despite the outcry that

Statement by National Peace Council of Sri Lanka DO NOT GO DOWN THE PATH OF ETHNIC CONFLICT

In a media statement, the National Peace Council (NPC) said that the Easter Sunday bomb attacks were being used to create rift in Sri Lankan society.

International symposium on global expansion of ISIS this Sunday

The Easter Sunday terror attacks occurred at a time when the island nation was treading on a progressive path. When the Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attacks, it shook the entire world. This proves their growing presence and expansion in the South Asian region. In order to shed light on this topic, the Mahinda Rajapaksa Centre has organised an

Spirits Continue to Soar for the Fight Cancer Team Steps towards Tomo therapy and LINAC machines in Sri Lanka

The story of Humaid, the son of M.S Mohamed and how his dream inspired the Fight Cancer Team to create a new era of cancer treatment in Sri Lanka is one known to all. Even after the completion of the Rs. 200 million plus PET scanner project, they continued their march.

TWISTS AND TURNS in the Dr. Shafi controversy

The sterilization charges against Dr. Seigu Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi from the Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala have become the main topic in the country at present. It has created a huge controversy which is taking new turns and spreading its flames in the country. His wife Dr. M.N.F. Imara, holding an MBBS degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is working in the Nephrology Unit at the Teaching Hospital in Kurunegala. Their three

The era of rebellion 1815-1848

With their annexation of Kandy the British, for the first time in centuries, unified Sri Lanka as a single political entity. The defeat they had encountered in 1803 during the First Kandyan War had convinced them that to conquer the region it was necessary to resort to intrigue, espionage, and expedience. Frederick North’s scruples about stepping into the Kandyan territory in the absence of aggr

Exploring the shades of Black and White

The Group Exhibition of Visual Arts held at the J. D. A. Perera Art Gallery proved to be an impressive event with many awe-inspiring artworks by Sri Lankan and Indian artists. The Event titled “Shades of Black and White” exhibited numerous art pieces that displayed various emotions in the colours black and white. The cura

Tale of a temple

The Maha Kumbhabhishekham of the Kattukale Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple (Lord Ganesh) was held recently and ended on May 10 with many Indian Hindu Priests specializing in Kumbhabhishekham rituals officiating at the ceremony.

Mangaladasa Jayasinghe Sterling qualities with penchant for charity

Mangaladasa Jayasinghe popular as Mangala among family and friends

Ahimsaka: Mind is the forerunner of all deeds and action

Ahimsaka (innocence) was a youth from an affluent family during Lord Buddha’s time who was sent by his parents for further education to a renowned institute as was the practice of the time – he was named Ahimsaka because he was such an innocent boy.

Otley Perera Family man, honest officer and gentleman par excellence

Otley Perera (OF) was a man of few words but a gentleman to the core. Most of his friends and acquaintances over the years knew him as the man of stupendous integrity who headed the country’s income tax department for a period of time.

Alfred (Soma) Subasinghe True friend, philanthropist and business tycoon

It has been almost three months since my good friend Soma passed away peacefully following a brief illness. I first met Soma in September 1960 when I joined Ceylon Transport Board Head Office. Since then, we remained close friends. He was a very sincere, capable and honest person who rose to great heights through sheer determination and perseverance. He was a leading businessman.

Sublime virtues

In the mighty Indian Ocean

Christians and Muslims promoting universal fraternity during the month of Ramadan

Message of the Pontifical Council for Inter religious Dialogue to Muslims for the month of Ramadan and ‘Id al-Fitr 1440 H. / 2019 A.D., 10.05.2019 On the occasion of the month of Ramadan – which began this year....

A history of civilisational conflict: Part II

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks the US invented a term that has stuck on since and will stick on for as long as chaos reigns in the Middle East: the “War on Terror”. Those who were with Uncle Sam were part of the “Coalition of the Willing” and....