By Shamindra Ferdinando Retired Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara says Sri Lanka shouldn’t hesitate to recongise a Palestine state formally against the backdrop of Spain, Ireland and Norway having done so already.The veteran Foreign Service officer was responding to The Island query regarding what Sri Lanka’s response should be to the raging Gaza […]

Sri Lanka has again requested Canada not to repeat baseless allegations of genocide here. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane took up the issue when she met Canadian Deputy Minister for International Development Christopher MacLennan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (28) Recently, Foreign Ministry accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of repeatedly propagating lies […...

By Shamindra Ferdinando Top Election Commission (EC) officials yesterday (3)) said that US Ambassador Julie Chung’s meeting with the top management of the independent commission shouldn’t cause concern among the public. EC’s Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said so when The Island sought his response to social media comments in respect of Ambassador Chung paying […]

Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane will miss the T20 World Cup 2024 after his visa application to the USA was rejected for a second time. His initial application was turned down last week, following which the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the Nepal government intervened on his behalf, but despite their efforts he was turned […]

Sri Lanka s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry says that the western countries have shown their double standards by turning a blind eye to the crisis in Gaza and that, serious amendments must be made to the international laws on how the United Nations functions in order to protect international democracy.

The officers of Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) have arrested a foreign national who was in possession of a large stock of cigarettes smuggled into the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

Law enforcement agencies from around the world have shut down a global malware network which stole $5.9bn (£4.65bn) and is linked to other crimes, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has said. The DOJ partnered with the FBI and other international agencies to take down what was “likely the world’s largest botnet ever”. Chinese national […]

During the “Advancing Energy Transition” round table discussion at the Hilton Colombo on Wednesday (29) morning, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to exploit renewable energy and explore future trends in green hydrogen in Sri Lanka. The event, held in collaboration with the World Bank, the Ministry of Power and Energy, […]

Researchers have unveiled the unexpected origins of the cockroach, long assumed to have hailed from Germany, tracing its roots back to South Asia, said a report published by the Genetic Literary Project yesterday. The report said that a study published [May 20] in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that the creature originated in […]

Among the positive fallouts from the recent decision by Norway, Spain and Ireland to recognize Palestinian statehood is an indirect vindication of the much derided ‘Two State solution’ in the Middle East. For those advocating a political settlement in the turbulent region, the latter solution, which recognizes the need for two peacefully coexisting states, is […]

The Rotaract Club of the American National College (ANC) has partnered with the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI) to boost domestic agriculture, foster economic growth, and promote sustainability. The initiative, named ‘Ran Goyama,’ focuses on Sustainable Development Goal No 8 (SDG8), ‘Decent work and economic growth,’ sought to re-cultivate the abandoned paddy [&...

Another volcanic eruption has begun in south-west Iceland, forcing the evacuation of the famous geothermal Blue Lagoon spa and the small fishing town of Grindavik. The new fissure opened up near Sundhnuksgigar on the Reykjanes peninsula, the fifth eruption in the area since December. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said the fissure was longer than […]

Pakistan, a nation struggling with crippling financial woes and rising inflation, moved a step back again with the Punjab government forcefully passing the controversial Defamation Bill 2024 despite opposition from journalists and a section of lawmakers …. writes Dr Sakariya Kareem It is true that no matter which government comes to power in Pakistan, the […]

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana Whilst THE USA and its allies continue to hound Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism, finding flimsy excuses for their warped actions, they seem to be turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by their ally, Israel which continues to massacre the innocent breaking all rules with impunity. Their hypocrisy seems […]

Amnesty International, along with other organisations, have urgently called on the Sri Lankan government to halt the current proposals for a new Labour Law and to ensure that reforms to the labour laws are only taken after due consultation with workers and their representatives. “We express our serious concerns over the proposed reforms which, as […]