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....

Easter is God’s way of saying yes to justice and no to evil

We live in a world where God-given resources are shared unjustly. We see this not only in the world scene but also among and within our nations. God who has revealed Himself in the Bible....

Joy Sublime

Out of the lingering hurts of life, The bitterness of futile....

Holocaust

Three hours he knelt in agony To drink the bitter cup....

Uncovering Maritime History Beneath the Waves U.S. Embassy and Sri Lanka’s Maritime Archaeology Unit Dive to Ancient Godawaya shipwreck

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo, in partnership with the Central Cultural Fund’s Maritime Archaeology Unit, has undertaken a significant step in preserving Sri Lanka’s rich maritime history through the conservation and documentation of the Godawaya Shipwreck, the oldest known shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative, funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, underscores the enduring partnership between the United Stat

GoSL fights to stay calm as Indian fishermen cause more ripples

Reginald is a fisherman who has been battling sea waves for 20 years while being engaged in his job. He sees his present struggle being intensified compared to his past experiences. This struggle is not just for himself, but also for the well-being of his family, the headcount at home also includes three children. Not only Reginald, but also fishermen in the northern province are facing a severe crisis. The reason for this crisis is the fishing a

Rajarata Uni awarded ‘Letters Patent’ to manufacture Zirconium

Rajarata University has received letters patent to manufacture Zirconium on the result of research conducted by the Faculty of Technology. Vice Chancellor of the University and President....

Masterpieces by artist Gunasiri at the Wendt

A visual arts exhibition titled ‘Diyasayame Geethaya’ by Gunasiri Kolombage will take place at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre in Colombo on March 30 and 31 from 9 am to 6.30 pm. A press release...

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they could lead a better life in a country that is affected by war? Two suspects operating a foreign employment agency in Kadawatha were arrested this month on charges of trafficking a group of 55 Sri Lankans to conflict zones in Ukraine. The group, comprising former soldiers as well as civilians, had been lured by the promise of jobs in Georgia, Poland and Ukraine. Out of the 5

Kelaniya Uni’s Rotaract Club conducts ‘peace and harmony’ building project

In a commendable display of engagement and proactive leadership, university students across the country initiated a series of impactful peace and conflict resolution programmes at the grassroots level. Through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts, the students are fostering harmony and mutual understanding within their communities. When a study of today’s society is made, it is common to see instances where people’s quarrelsomeness and

Sri Lanka’s European rulers doggedly retained traditional structures

Sri Lanka was under European rule partly or fully from 1505 to 1948. And yet, its traditional social structures remained more or less the same during this period. According to UK-based historian, Dr.Upali C.Wickremeratne, this was due to the fact that the Portuguese, Dutch and British rulers thought it prudent to maintain the traditional Sinhalese and Tamil social and economic structures so that their rule was accepted by the population. In his b