Lanka’s under-tapped fount of spiritual tourism
Today business volume of tourism equals or even surpasses that of oil exports, food products or automobiles as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) points out. ‘Tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Modern tourism, as UNWTO highlights, is closely linked [...]
India’s dangerous Pakistan policy
NEW DELHI – Judging by the unsavory exchanges between the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers at the recent United Nations General Assembly, the already deeply troubled bilateral relationship has reached a new low. What immediately preceded the UN session was bad enough. Less than 24 hours after agreeing to a bilateral meeting of foreign ministers [...]
He will be my Flag Lieutenant until I retire
Twenty-five years ago on January 18, 1993, at Fort Hammenhiel, Karainagar, two officers and forty-two sailors, all volunteers from the Navy, underwent a special training to start a new unit known as the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) or the Naval Commando Unit. The SBS was formed to fight LTTE Sea Tigers in lagoons and waterways. [...]
C.P. de Silva — a public-spirited politician loved by the people
C.P. de Silva, Minister of Lands, Irrigation and Power in the SLFP and UNP governments from 1956 to 1970, Leader of the House ( 1956 to 1970), Deputy Leader of the SLFP (1956 to 1965) and Leader of the SLFP (after SWRD Bandaranaike’s death and upto July 1960), was immensely loved and respected by the [...]
Beware of fake medical news!
With growing concern, I’ve been reading articles in newspapers and social media, warning people not to take medicines, as they cause more harm than good, specifically, medications used for controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. All over the world, heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease, are major causes of death and disability. Although a [...]
Wado Kai holds karate championship
Winners of the Japan Karate Do Federation championship organised by Wado Kai Sri Lanka to mark the 28th anniversary of the federation were presented trophies and certificates at the awards ceremony held at the YMBA premises in Nugegoda. Western Provincial Councillor and chief guest Jayantha de Silva is seen here awarding a certificate to a [...]
Lecture on drug trafficking
A lecture on ‘Drug trafficking Trends in the Indian Ocean and Impact on Sri Lanka’ will be delivered by the Programme Coordinator (Indian Ocean Region) of the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Shanaka Jayasekera at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16 at the Organization of [...]
Talk on coral reefs in the northern coastal waters
The ‘Status of the Coral Reefs in the Northern Coastal Waters of Sri Lanka’ will be discussed by the IUCN’s Coordinator of the Coastal & Marine Programme and former NARA research officer, Arjan Rajasuriya, tomorrow October 15 at 5.30 p.m. at the Maths Department Auditorium of the Colombo University Main Building (upstairs). If entry is [...]
Sri Saranankara Welfare Society to hold free medical camp
The Sri Saranankara Welfare Society will hold a free medical camp on Wednesday October 24 at the Sri Saranankara playground in Dehiwela. Free spectacles will be distributed among the needy on the first-come-first-served basis after a thorough eye test. Among the other services will be free medical consultation, dental check-up and blood sugar tests. Organisers [...]
Association of JPs celebrate silver jubilee
The silver jubilee celebrations of the Association of Justices of the Peace (JPs) will be held today, October 14 at the Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo. The Chief Guest on the occasion will be State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne. Members of the Association spread out islandwide will participate in the event, its President Ignatius Camillus [...]
Pera Uni Science Faculty 1968 batch marks 50th anniversary
Students who entered the Science Faculty of the University of Peradeniya in 1968 will have a get-toegther to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their university entrance on October 20 and 21. On October 20 they will have a dinner at the Hotel Swiss Residence in Kandy and on Sunday, the 21st the batch will meet [...]
Is faked honesty the backbone of Sri Lankan democracy?
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that. You’ve got it made— Groucho Marx. That was the devastating recommendation for success in contemporary society by that lovable actor and American satirist of the 20th Century. It provides me an answer for the emergence and continued presence of the typical [...]