VENERABLE PIYADASSI THERA – SCHOLAR MONK, VIRTUOUS, SERENE AND SAINTLY

Piyadassi – true to his name, Most Venerable Piyadassi Maha Thera was pleasing to behold; a smile always flickered on his face, as the Thera was meeting with and speaking to anyone. A saintly....

ROOTED: Histories of the Malaiyaga Tamils’ Exhibition in Colombo

ROOTED: Histories of the Malaiyaga Tamils, an exhibition by the Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory (CHDM), will be held from August 18 to August 27 2023 from 9 a.m. to 6.p.m. at the Public Library, Colombo. On Sunday 20th the exhibition will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Pilots’ plight at SriLankan Airlines

In recent times, the skies above SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, have become clouded with concerns expressed by pilots and their union. As the aviation industry continues to deal....

73rd Bellanvila Esala Perahera: Enhancing harmony among people

This year the annual historic Bellanvila Esala Perahera will take to the street for the 73rd year - this majestic cultural and religious event started in 1950 as a ceremony to invoke blessings....

‘Sithamu’ by Imthiaz Bakeer Markar A book that predicted Sri Lanka’s fate

The launch of the book ‘Sithamu’ penned by parliamentarian and Attorney-at-law Imthiaz Bakeer Markar was held August 10 at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The main invitees at this event were Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Moreover Senior Journalist Chandana Sooriyabandara, young journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara and the Senior Lecturer at the Depa

Lecture Notes in Family Medicine – An invaluable resource

Lecture Notes in Family Medicine (Third Edition) by Emeritus Professor Nandani de Silva is an invaluable resource in the field of Family Medicine. With its recent release as a free ebook....

Remembering Dudly Lenora: In memory of a life once lived

On his Third month’ demise which fell on August 13 In Memory of a Life Once Lived A husband, father, grandpa dear....

Better responses need transformational partnerships

Only a few decades ago, access to basic medicine and treatments was a privilege, until collaborations between patient groups and the civil society movement overcame patent monopolies. Medecins....

Plight of Tamil estate workers: Malaiyaha Community’s ‘long march’ for a better ticket to life

The Malaiyaha Community commemorates 200 years since its arrival in Sri Lanka and to remind its demand for 11 rights including equal rights, members of the ‘Maanbumigu Malaiyaha Makkal....

Little Viven with hearing impairment needs your help

A one-year-old Viven Dewnith has been diagnosed with profound hearing impairment in both ears. The Department of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo has suggested that the child needs to undergo cochlear implant surgery for speech and language development training. The parents hope to do this surgery at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children and the estimated cost of the Cochlear Implant is Rs. 4,100,000

Prof. P.L. Ariyananda to deliver the Twentieth E.A. Wijesooriya Oration

Mahinda College OBA, Colombo, is organising the annual event in memory of late Principal Mr E.A. Wijesooriya on August 17, 2023 at 5 PM at the Auditorium of Meteorology Department, Colombo 07.

Sri Lanka, Iran Central Banks to forge ties to bypass US Sanctions in bilateral trading

s part of its bid to bolster ties with the West Asian region (the middle-east), Sri Lanka has turned its attention towards Iran, seeking to deepen economic ties which, otherwise, remained neutral in recent years after the US sanctions slapped on that country. The stage for it has now been set as Foreign Minister Ali Sabry recently concluded a bilateral visit to Tehran. The focal point of these deliberations remained the growth of economic relat

60% say Aragalaya did not result in aspirations of people being fulfilled: Verité Research survey

One year after Aragalaya protestors left Galle Face Green in August 2022, a recent Verité Research survey reveals 60% doubt the movement fulfilled people’s wishes. 51% emphasize fixing corrupt governance for Sri Lanka’s rebuilding. The survey reflects views on priorities, with 51% highlighting governance rectification

Bakeer Markar’s book launch today at SLFI

The launch of the book by Parliamentarian Imthiaz Bakeer Markar titled Sithamu will take place today, Thursday August 10 at 4 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Independence Square, Colombo, a media release said. “Sithamu is a compelling compilation of columns written by Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, previously published in a prominent national weekly newspaper. The columns cover his profound thoughts on and aspirations for Sri Lanka, as wel

The leopard -An ideal conservation umbrella

The Arabian leopard is the smallest of all of the sub-species, coming in at roughly half the size of most others (18 – 35 kgs). Despite the fact that exhaustive searches have yet to turn up evidence of these....

UNICEF Regional Ambassador Tendulkar teams up with Sri Lanka’s children

Former Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar was in Sri Lanka playing his role as a UNICEF South Asia Regional Goodwill Ambassador. Following is a press release issued by UNICEF regarding Tendulkar’s.....

Indian Cultural Association begins a new era in Colombo

The Colombo Expats Cultural Association (CECA) has been renamed the Indian Cultural Association (ICA) to promote cultural exchange and understanding between Indians and people from other countries....

31st death anniversary of Maj. Gen Wimalaratne A war hero immensely appraised by all!

The Gajaba Regiment is one of the most prestigious fighting units of the Sri Lanka Army. Maj. Gen. Vijaya Wimalaratne RWP RSP VSV USP psc, the legendary war hero is the founding father of the Gajaba Regiment. Tragically, on 8 August 1992, this legendary war hero made a supreme sacrifice along with the war veteran Lieutenant Genernal Denzil Kobbekaduwa RWP RSP VSV USP psc and several other high-ranking military leaders in a landmine explosion at A

Ajahn Brahmawanso - The Remarkable Monk

Recently this venerable priest was in the news when he was offloaded from an outgoing flight from Sri Lanka to Singapore. It created....

Achieving Mindfulness through Ecotourism

While dementia and depression are not the most common causes of death, they are still important public health concerns.

A visionary Rector and treasure trove to the Josephians

Reverend Father Ranjith Andradi, the Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, celebrated his 30th ordination anniversary on July 31.

Why is Sri Lanka’s female labour force participation so low?

Female labour force participation (FLFP) is a topic which has unfortunately generated a lot of ‘talk’ but close to zero actionable change. For decades, Sri Lanka’s FLFP....

Screening of ‘Natami Army’ scheduled for August 6

A special screening of the film ‘Natami Army’ directed by Devinda Kongahage will be held at Municipal Grounds Gunasinghepura on August 6, 2023 free of charge. The organizers claim that this is a special corporate social responsibility project supported by Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Olympic Committee and Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society

Article 2 of a series of articles on the leopard Update on the global status of leopards (Pantherapardus) “Leopard Conservation Unveiled: From Mumbai’s Streets to Iran’s Wilderness”

The Leopard - An Ideal Conservation Umbrella” is the second article in a series focusing on the leopard’s conservation efforts. The Indian leopard, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, faces challenges due to human-leopard co-existence, with increasing contact leading to human-wildlife conflicts. Surprisingly, some urban and rural areas in India exhibit remarkable peaceful co-existence with leopards. In Jaipur’s Jhalana Forest reserve, where the

Pandit Joydeep Ghosh to entertain Lankan music lovers

One of India’s leading musicians, renowned Sarod artiste, Pandit Joydeep Ghosh who is on a tour visiting universities in Sri Lanka will appear for a public performance at ‘Bollywood Retro Night’ on August 6 at 7 pm at Liberty Ballroom of Ramada Colombo.

Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta The wheel of righteousness: Gautama Buddha’s first discourse

This calendar year has thirteen full moon Poya days and the last full moon Poya day is regarded as Adhi Esala full moon Poya day. Today is Esala Full Moon Poya day. It is three months after the Vesak full moon Poya day. Normally Esala full moon Poya day falls on a day exactly two months after the Vesak full moon Poya day on which day ascetic Siddhartha Gautama attained Buddha hood. Seven weeks after the attainment of Buddha hood the Enlightened

“Being a mother is not an obstacle in the way of achieving your dreams” Nilushi Ranaweera, Sri Lanka’s first female Assistant Attorney General in Minnesota, USA

In Sri Lanka, like in many places around the world, it’s all too common for women to set aside their dreams and aspirations upon entering motherhood. Countless women find themselves relinquishing their ambitions as they navigate the responsibilities of adulthood and raising a family. Yet, another Sri Lankan woman defied societal expectations showing that motherhood needn’t be an obstacle in the path of having a successful career. Meet Nilushi R

What does Nilushi do at Minnesota Attorney General’s Office?

Ranaweera is in charge of a groundbreaking expungement programme. A criminal record is a significant weight that thwarts one’s greatest efforts to prosper. It places obstacles on the path to reentering free society; such as barriers to obtaining housing, financial aid, public benefits, entrance into the military, education and job. This is true even if a case was dismissed and/or a person was never really convicted of a crime. Minnesota became th

Sri Lanka’s importance in Macron’s Indo-Pacific policy

History was made on Friday July 28, when, for the first time, a French President visited Sri Lanka. But the sudden, hurriedly-arranged and brief meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had more than just a bit of history to it. It had great geopolitical significance. The two leaders did discuss debt restructuring, which is Sri Lanka’s main concern now. But they also discussed France’s ma

Aesthetic Readers Title

The Aesthetic Readers Title (Art) Magazine was recently launched at the scenic Seema Malakaya, which rests quite aesthetically....