Nepal, which earlier hesitated to completely pivot towards China because of several economic and geopolitical factors, seems to have tilted heavily towards its big northern neighbor, giving it an opportunity to further increase its footprint in the Himalayan country’s political, economic, and social space. Yet what concerns Nepal watchers the most is the Himalayan nation’s […]

The 48th Annual Convention of Y’s Men International Sri Lanka Region (YSMISL) is scheduled to be held on 15th June 2024 at the “Rainbow” Room of the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo Fort. A media release said that the President of the Asia Pacific Area, representing the100 year old organization’ Y’s Men International Geneva (YMI). […]

by ACB Pethiyagoda A desire to visit Burma (Myanmar since 1989) having seen the film ‘The Story of Dr. Wossell’ as a school boy was fulfilled recently. The film was about a dedicated British Army Medical Officer who during World War II fell in love with the country and more deeply with a lithesome and […]

Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement By Gomi Senadhira senadhiragomi@gmail.com “You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the […]

In recognition of veteran actor Ravindra Randeniya’s outstanding contributions to Sri Lankan cinema over five decades, the ceremony, “Ravi – Self-Reflection on Half-Century in Cinema” took place on Wednesday (05) at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall in Colombo, presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ravindra Randeniya, who entered the film industry with the 1974 movie [̷...

By Saman Indrajith Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory recorded by his party BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Indian elections. Both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader said that the victory would further elevate the bilateral relations between […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando Attempts had been made to compel UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to give up the premiership immediately after the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had left Janadhipathi Mandiraya in the early afternoon of July 09, 2022. That had been the devious Aragalaya strategy meant to pave the way for Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to […]

Poverty is one of the most pressing and pervasive issues facing the world today. It affects billions of people globally, diminishing their quality of life, limiting their opportunities, and perpetuating a cycle of deprivation that can span generations. Understanding poverty requires a multidimensional approach that goes beyond mere economic measures. It encompasses social, cultural, political, [&#...

‘We should ask India to hand them over to us’ By Shamindra Ferdinando The findings made by Indian and Sri Lankan security and intelligence authorities about the recent arrest of four Sri Lankans on the suspicion of being religious extremists are contradictory. While Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad declared that the suspects had been involved with the […]

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 […...

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.