civil society demands GoSL for a principled stand on Gaza

Around forty civil society organisations in a statement have urged Sri Lankan government to take a principle stand on Gaza issue. The statement follows; ‘‘We theundersigned civil society organisations, networks and collectives support the application filed by South Africa, as a State party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, instituting proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice.

‘Memories of the 70’ to hit the stage this January

Music lovers will be in for a treat this January as the Lions District 306A-1 in collaboration with DK Promotions is getting ready to stage ‘Memories of the 70’, a show to relive memories of the greatest hits of the ‘70s. The show will feature a blend of veteran and talented young artistes including Annesley Malewana, Keerthi Pasquel, Chitral Somapala, Pawan Mallawarachchi and Falan Andrea. One of the highlights of the show is the performance by

Unveiling Opportunities: BSc Honours in Agricultural Technology and Management

Are you an Advanced Level Biology student and curious about where your passion for science could lead you? The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya invites students to explore a transformative educational experience with our BSc Honours course in Agricultural Technology and Management. The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya which is celebrating 75 years of excellence stands at the forefront of innovation in t

Helakumara Epasinghe He taught us Physics, life and how to use common sense

The name Helakumara Epasinghe remains etched in the memory of most Josephians who had the opportunity of knowing him; largely as a teacher, friend and a guiding light. No Josephian would ever permit another to speak or even whisper ill of him. Affectionately known to generations of Josephians as ‘Epa’ ; he was an icon of goodness to all those who were fortunate enough to have stepped in to the hallowed educational institution called St Joseph’s C

NICD presently at Polgolla: Will the only Cooperative Development Center be moved to Colombo?

National Institute of Cooperative Development (NICD) was formally called the Cooperative School. NICD is the only institute in Sri Lanka that offers training and education in the Cooperative....

Paramedics and docs in tug of war over raise in DAT allowance

On Tuesday (January 9), staffers in the paramedic services launched an unannounced token strike that crippled the country’s already ailing healthcare sector. The strike was launched in wake of the government approving to double the Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors by Rs. 70,000, but refused the same for technicians, laboratory workers and other staffers employed in the paramedic services sector. As a result publ

GMOF wants immunoglobulin scam busted and Keheliya arrested

“None of the medicine in Sri Lanka is safe,” said Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) President Dr. Rukshan Bellana when he addressed the media at a peaceful protest held in front of the Ministry of Health on January 9. This protest was organised by activists and civil society organisations who demanded to arrest former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in connection with the immunoglobulin scam. Further Dr. Bellana stressed that the CID

Queen Victoria’s statue to be placed at Victoria Dam

Will the Royals who are on a visit to Sri Lanka make a trip to the Victoria Dam? The visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence coincides with the diplomatic ties between England and Sri Lanka which mark 75 years this year. Sri Lankan authorities over here in the central hills are making elaborate arrangements to place a statue of Queen Victoria on the Bund of the Victoria Dam. The Governor of

Scouts Movement to raise membership to 150,000

The Chief Commissioner of Sri Lanka Scout Association Janaprith Fernando AAL said that the goal this year is to increase the membership of the Scout Movement to 150,000. Fernando made this statement on January 3 at a function held to mark the official beginning of scouting activities for the New Year under the theme ‘With Transparency, in Unity and Diversity’. Fernando added that everyone who is connected with the Scout Movement is requested to

FAO, USAID and Agriculture Ministry continue boosting agriculture

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have partnered with the Sri Lanka Ministry of Agriculture in a (US) $9.2-million activity to continue revitalising agriculture in Sri Lanka by enhancing paddy productivity, diversifying crops on marginal land, and promoting sustainable farming practices. USAID is funding the four-year extension

A tribute to Nuala Thevathasan

The sad reality of death has removed from our earthly scene my dearest friend Nuala Thevathasan. It was when I was working at the Cathedral that the then Archdeacon of Colombo asked me to go and help at our Church in Jawatte. After the Service, my friend Nuala told me, “Fr. Sydney, from your sermon I got the impression that you haven’t still got over the death of your wife at an early age due to cancer”. I appreciated her perceptiveness! I saw Nu

Stifling factors that frustrate females in Sri Lankan politics

Sri Lanka has its very own illustrious history in politics where the country recorded the swearing in of its first female prime minister; which also...

‘Free Palestine Movement’ Praises S. Africa For Backing Palestine

On January 8 (Monday) representatives of the ‘Free Palestine Movement of Sri Lanka,’ gathered opposite the South African High Commission....

More Time And Discussion Needed Before Parliamentary Passage Of ONUR Law

It is proposed that appointments to the ONUR board should include ex-officio representatives from the Office of Missing Persons, Office....

Drug busting operation and rehabilitation process questioned

Law enforcement authorities have been able to net over 29,000 suspects during the past 22 days under its recently launched ‘Yukthiya’ anti-drug operation. The main objective of this operation is to wipe drugs off the street and to establish a safer society for future generations. Even though the public has extended their support to the police and security forces, incidents of public strip searches and warrantless arrests too had been reported. Am

HEC and dwindling elephant population

Sri Lanka continues to set the world record for the highest number of elephant deaths due to human-elephant conflict Our (Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle of Sri Lanka) research paper article published in 2020 revealed that Sri Lanka is the country where the highest number of elephants die due to human-elephant conflict in the world (https://www.asesg.org/PDFfiles/2020/51-16-Prakash.pdf). In that scientific publication, we exposed th

Harassment of Civilians in the guise of ‘Yukthiya’?

On January 3, a WhatsApp message written by one Gerald De Saram revealed another incident of alleged police brutality on two teens. The incident had occurred when two youths, a boy and a girl were.....

Catalysing Change: Sri Lanka Refines Digital Literacy Definition

LIRNEasia, as a digital policy research think tank based in Sri Lanka, has over recent years challenged the outdated and inadequate definition of computer literacy used by the Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka (DCS).

Kenneth Perera - My Dear Friend

A Religious Sympathy Message On Your Birthday.

Ceremonial Induction of the SLMA President for 2024

Dr Ananda Wijewickrama will have the honour of being ceremonially inducted as the President of this association for the year 2024.

Annual Family Get-Together

Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya - Colombo Chapter

Health authorities insist on vaccination to tackle Measles outbreak

With Sri Lanka having 700 plus cases of Measles over the course of 2023 the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and Consultant....

Sri Lankan-Palestinian families recall great escape from Gaza

At a press conference organised by the Embassy of the State of Palestine on Tuesday (January 2) and held in Colombo the Palestinian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Zuhair M.H. Zaid updated Sri Lankans on the present situation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He also let the people hear of the devastating experiences of two Sri Lankan-Palestinian families, that were rescued from Gaza and brought to Sri Lanka a few months back. They were rescu

Offerings Made To Devales; Where Do All The Monies Go?

The controversial question as to whom the offerings of a Devale belong, certainly brings out a serious matter of interest and a series of questions that arise from this ‘Gold Tray’ Do the offerings belong to the Devales or Temples or to individuals? Should there be no check by the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs as he appoints the Basnayake Nilames and even the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa? This issue arises with the Maha Kapura

Right to Information reveals: Nearly 1.4 million in govt. jobs and over 300,000 vacancies more to be filled

In November last year, at least a 100,000 public sector employees launched an island wide strike demanding a Rs. 20,000 ...

Rohingya refugees agitate as UNHCR office in Colombo plans closure

“UNHCR is closing its office and thereby squashing the hopes of refugees in Sri Lanka,” a protester representing Rohingya refugees....

I haven’t cooked a meal of kiribath at my home for 14 long years: Sandya Ekneligoda

Even though a new year has dawned it is another year of seeking justice for Sandya Ekneligoda, spouse of missing cartoonist and....

A duck family sees a long journey turning into an adventure

During the extended school vacation children will have the opportunity to experience one of the much look forward to animation adventure comedies in cinemas: ‘Migration’. The story in the film revolves around a family of ducks that makes a long journey and encounters various adventures. The film is directed by Benjamin Renner, co-directed by Guylo Homsy and produced by Chris Meledandri. In the film the family of ducks decides to leave the safe en

Romantic KV railway line to find new lover in Hambantota

The Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) is planning to restore the Kelani Valley (KV) Railway up to Opanayake through Kuruvita, Ratnapura and Kahawatta. At present trains operate up to Avissawella. The KV Railway, built during British rule in Sri Lanka, and reaching up to Opanayake was closed in the early 1970s and replaced with a board gauge line only up to Avissawella. A spokesman for SLR said the KV line is to be augmented up to Hambantota port by

‘Thaththa’- ‘A Father’ ; A Film On Paternal Love

“Thaththa” or “A Father”, a movie on the depth of paternal love, directed by young filmmaker Prasad Samarathunga is now being....