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....

SMIB responds to Daily Mirror ‘expose’

Following is a Right of Reply sent by General Manager/CEO of SMIB L. T. Asuramanna with regards to the Daily Mirror (DM) expose carried under the headline ‘Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans’ and published on April 8, 2024. As a responsible media organization, the DM is publishing the Right of Reply in full followed by a Reporters Note.

A. S. P. Sumanasiri Waidyatilaka Remembering a versatile sportsman and mentor

Sumanasiri Widyatilake, who was an old boy of Richmand College Galle, was a very popular figure in the field of sports. As a schoolboy, he played cricket, soccer, volleyball and took part in athletics. He was also a member of the junior cricket team. After joining the Police Department (Now Sri Lanka Police) he became a prominent figure in the discipline of rugby union, soccer, volleyball and hockey. He was the captain of the ‘Police College’ tea

40 years of priestly service

Rev Fr. Emmanuel Tyrone Llewlyn Mihindukulasuriya, SJ completes 40 years of dedicated priestly ministry within the Society of Jesus on April 28 this year. The family prays that he receives the Lord’s abundant blessings of good health, unwavering guidance, and his comforting presence as Fr. Tyrone perseveres in serving in the vineyard of the Lord.

Enlai Foundation granted 100 scholarships to needy students

After the Coronavirus there was a call made by the Sri Lanka China Society to help the needy in education. As a response to this call, several NGOs in China granted more than 1000 scholarships worth Rs 26 Million through the Sri Lanka China Society. Each student received Rs 20,000 one-time payment. Going down memory lane it is evident that friendship entered through the fabulous and traditional silk routes from ancient China to this land many cen

Spotlight on Bolagala (Negombo): Creative thinker ‘kills’ clay business to give birth to floating hotel

The primary source of income for the people in Bolagala area in Negombo was the clay industry. The manufacture of clay-related products such as tiles and bricks enhanced....

Spotlight on apologies and accountability Tears, heartbreaks surface as an island reviews Govt’s C VID cremation policy

“I was not allowed to see my baby for the last time and that haunts me even today. It’s an inconsolable sadness,” Mohamed Fahim, the father of 20-day-old baby Shaykh, who was forcibly cremated back in December 2020, told Daily Mirror. Fahim and his wife, who were blessed with a baby after six years, are still reeling from the pain of being deprived of giving their baby a religiously-mandated burial. “When my father passed away, we didn’t inform

Pahan Tharuwa: More than just a musical show

“Pahan Tharuwa”, is a charity programme organised by the Medical Faculty Students’ Union of University of Peradeniya, aiming to support the underprivileged undergraduates of the faculty in their educational aspirations by providing scholarships and to uplift the lives of the community near the university. It is mostly recognised for the traditionally classical musical show organised under its name. This year the show will feature Amarasiri Peiri

Moratuwa Engineering Graduate takes to art

This fascinating story is about a very special individual who exemplified the virtue of perseverance, the gift of knowledge and skills, and unfathomable passion for art. His name is Mahesh Aluthge, a mechanical engineer, who graduated from the University of Moratuwa. He now calls Brisbane, Australia his home. In recent times, Mahesh received recognition from elite fine arts societies in Queensland. Currently he has a home art gallery and a virtua

‘World Creativity and Innovations Day’ : Inventors Commission to come up with financial scheme to boost inventions

The country marked another ‘World Creativity and Innovations Day’ on April 21 with a firm resolution to do better in the year....

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

In 2020, six people from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India were arrested by the Ramanathapuram Police for attempting to smuggle....

Meewanapalane Siri Dhammalankara Maha Thera Tribute to a Venerable Buddha Putra

In the global society a handful of individuals emerge above others for their talent, contributions and services rendered for the benefit of others. Among them are mostly scientists, inventor’s religious dignitaries and national heroes and philanthropists. Most Ven Meewanapalane Siri Dhammalankara, is one such exemplary being who is worthy of appreciation. The Thera was born on a New Year’s day in 1942. Initially he was named as Sirisena Hapu Arac

The Five Hindrances in Buddhism

Nyanaponika Thera in his Buddhist writings states: “unshakable deliverance of the mind is the highest goal in Buddha’s doctrine. Here deliverance means; the freeing of the the mind from all limitations, fetters, and bonds that tie it to the Wheel of Suffering, to the Circle of Rebirth. It means cleansing the mind of all defilements that mar its purity; removing all obstructions that impede its progress from the mundane (lokiya)to the supermundane

Indian High Commission responds to Daily Mirror expose

In response to the Daily Mirror expose titled “Plantation community alleges presence of ‘scam’ behind Indian Housing Project” which was published on April 17, 2024, (on pages 4 and 5) the Indian High Commission has sent the following response - I write in response to the ‘Expose’ titled ‘Plantation community alleges presence of scam behind Indian Housing Project’ in Daily Mirror edition on 17 April 2024. At the outset, we would like to mention th

Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure responds to Daily Mirror expose

Media Secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure, G. Krishanthan has sent the following response to the Daily Mirror expose titled “Plantation community alleges presence of ‘scam’ behind Indian Housing Project” which was published on April 17, 2024 on pages 4 and 5. I want to respond to the report published in the Daily Mirror raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the Indian Housing Project for the pla

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....