“Commercial drones do increase the risk to national security” reflects a concern shared by many security experts, and governments. The capabilities of both state and non-state actors in the realm of drone warfare can indeed pose challenges to nat

The President of Rotary International, Gordon R. McInally is set to embark on a significant four-day journey to Sri Lanka starting on January 23, 2024, marking a momentous occasion for both Rotary International and the lively Sri Lankan community.

In the heart of the Indian Ocean lies Sri Lanka, a nation whose innovation engine is rapidly churning, sparked by surges in Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology — a duo, potent enough to redefine its economic story. This country, once over

At a very heartening ceremony held at her residence in Kandy on 19th January 2024, Professor Ratna Handurukande, the former Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Peradeniya, received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Indian Cultural Centre,

As far as the Tamils are concerned in Ceylon/Sri Lanka, their situation during the pre-independence era was hunky-dory, whereas in the post-independence era, it has stirred up a hornet’s nest and hamstrung....

Since the economic meltdown, many of us realise that bad practices of the past – spending far more than we earn – has led us down to the sorry path we find ourselves in. Political leaders claim....

Followers of wholesome Dhamma need not be disturbed by individuals like Jeromes, Sepalas, Natashas, Ruwans, or Avalokiteshvaras; these are insignificant ‘outside’....

The Supreme Court of our country keeps making history for all the right reasons. Lay persons sometimes – based on ‘he-said, she-said knowledge’ – accuse the Courts of this country of bowing to the will of the political leadership, and failing

The statement made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 15 on the Presidential election that is constitutionally scheduled to be held in September or October this year might be the most important one for those who are interested in that e

Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa was portrayed as a monument of efficiency who could uplift Sri Lanka by his ‘Viyathmaga’ cronies and his family party the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Presidential elections of 2019. More than 6.9 million

Fear is an effective tool that people in power use to control the masses and those who might become their enemies. From the time the scarecrow was used in paddy fields to scare away animals....

The Non-Aligned Movement, once a beacon of hope for a more just and equitable world, is holding its 19th summit in Kampala. But does anyone care? The last summit was held in Azerbaijan...

With Presidential elections scheduled for this year, most political leaders and party members are focusing on how or where to get new votes. They also need to give priority to issues like interfaith harmony in a sincere and steadfast manner, instead

In 2024, Sri Lanka faces two major challenges. Having largely achieved macroeconomic stability, with inflation falling from 70 to 2 percent, the country needs to resume economic growth, which has been negative for the last two years. The Sri Lankan p

When you stroll through your seafood market, you find the ocean’s bounty laid out in stalls in front of you. But, have you ever paused to ponder whether the quality of fish you bring home holds the distinguished mark of the highest grade? The ans

Naval assets are tools through which a country’s geopolitical standing is constantly being tested – especially in contested waters. After Hamas...

Police have arrested a self-styled god-man, who claims to be Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, a Buddha in waiting, after the Buddhist clergy...

The last year 2023, was a difficult one for us Lankans. This year, with an additional VAT increase, it is surely going to be more....

One who has even a slight knowledge of the essence of Buddhism would have been perplexed with the reports of seven individuals with close connections having committed suicide with the advent of the New Year, allegedly to seek eternal peace after a di

Yet another attempt by China to mediate between the Myanmar ethnic rebel groups and the Yangon-based military rulers failed last Saturday. The talks failed to yield results because conflicting interests over-rode the desire for peace. In Myanmar, pol

As political parties in the South gear up for the Presidential Election expected in September, the election of a new leader for the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) known as the Federal Party in English has assumed great importance in Tamil politi

Observing two reports detailing reckless activities linked to the ‘devil and the deep blue sea,’ where the SL Navy is conducting surveillance on international seas and a group of ruling MPs are having....

Hooray to the diplomats and doctors of our country. The government has granted diplomats a bonanza for the new year. The government will waive previously introduced austerity measures....

Antarctica, the southernmost and the least-populated continent on Earth, is home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. However, it is also one of the region’s most vulnerable to climate...

“Suma, Shri and Yohes in Triangular Contest for ITAK/FP Leadership” was the heading of my article published in the “Daily Mirror” of 16 December 2024. The article was about the forthcoming election for the party Presidency of the Ilankai Tham

Earlier this month, President Wickremesinghe said, a decision had been taken to deploy a ship from the Sri Lanka Navy to the Red Sea. He was in fact floating a notion of Lanka being part of a US-led multinational force to ‘protect trade in the Red

Nearly 15 years after the end of the separatist war, the government has taken steps to promulgate a law last Tuesday enabling the establishment of an “Office of National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).” The office is not entirely a new entity bu

Sri Lanka can be promoted as a tourists’ paradise or be highlighted as a nation where there is food insecurity and a very unstable economy. Still the majority in this country who has decided....

Sri Lanka, whose economic independence has been severely undermined due to its economic bankruptcy, has little freedom or external sovereignty to take a principled stance concerning....

This article is part appreciation and part analysis. It is a direct thank you and tribute to the DailyFT’s regular columnist, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. W.A. Wijewardena. I have been reading his columns for almost as long as he