75th anniversary of Peradeniya University: Reminiscences of pioneering days
October 6, 2017 marked the Seventy-fifth anniversary Diamond Jubilee of the University of Peradeniya. Although the University of Ceylon itself was established on June 1, 1942, the first move to Peradeniya was made only in 1950 with just a few students comprising the Law and Agriculture Faculties and occupying Arunachalam Hall. Among them were students [...]
Dilemmas of our foreign service in achieving national consensus on foreign policy
The thrust and parry of party politics after the recent local government election has to be seen in the background of the larger issues such as rising nationalism in the country and the impact of social media in spreading related violence. Apart from the loss of tourist income, has anyone taken note of the damage [...]
Pakistan community in Sri Lanka celebrates 78th National Day
The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka celebrated the 78th National Day of Pakistan with traditional fervour and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant, progressive and democratic welfare state. The National Day of Pakistan is celebrated every year on March 23 to commemorate the outstanding [...]
Deepika Padukone says India ‘long way’ from ending mental illness stigma
NEW DELHI (AFP) – Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has called for bolder efforts by Indians to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. “We have a long way to go,” said the A-lister, who went public about her struggle with depression in 2015 and won praise for her campaign to spark public discourse on mental health [...]
Fight Cancer Trust organises walk to beat cancer
The Fight Cancer Trust (Guarantee) Ltd will launch a campaign against cancer on Sunday April 1, with a walk, starting at 7 a.m. from Wellawatte to the Cancer Hospital at Maharagama. The Fight Cancer Trust in a statement says it has taken the initiative to instal a PET Scan machine at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital [...]
100 Catholics call for decriminalisation of abortion
In a supporting response to Prof. Wilfred Perera’s article “A case for legalising abortion in Sri Lanka’ (Mach 4, 2018), concerned members of the Catholic community have issued a statement in support of amending the Penal Code No. 2 of 1883 and the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 for purposes of [...]
He meditated on and walked the path of the Buddha
The Mahanayake of the Amarapura Dharmarakshita sector, chief incumbent of Ratmalana Mallikaramaya temple Agga Maha Panditha Rajakeeya Weligama Gnanaratna Thera passed away in 2014 at the age of 101 years. The appointment of the most venerable Agga Panditha Rajakeeya Weligama Gnanaratana Thera as the Mahanayake Thera of the Dharmarakshita chapter of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya [...]
India’s war on antimicrobial resistance
CHENNAI – Last year, a 30-year-old teacher suffering from a severe bloodstream infection arrived in my emergency room for treatment. The woman had been in and out of local clinics with a stubborn chest infection and fever, and by the time I examined her, she was receiving chemotherapy for blood cancer. Instinctively, I treated her [...]