Religious events here and abroad to mark Anagarika Dharmapala birth anniversary
The 156th birth anniversary of national icon Anagarika Dharmapala was marked both in Sri Lanka and abroad last Thursday (September 17). In Colombo at the Maha Bodhi Mandiraya, chairman of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust, Sudhammika Hewavitarne, presented President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with a gold plated bust of the Anagarika and a copy of the reprinted publication [...]
Mettasena’s novel ‘Muslim-Sinhala’ at the Book Fair
Padmakumar P. Mettasena’s novel ‘Muslim-Sinhala’ is available at the Colombo International Book Fair now being held at the BMICH. The photographer turned author’s erotic thriller which was published by Fast Publishing explores the seamy underlayers of society and a young man’s struggles to make his way in life.
‘Memorable Steps”- a virtual walk ends tomorrow marking World Alzheimer’s Day
September is World Alzheimer’s Month and the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) is marking World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 with ‘Memorable Steps” — a Virtual Walk that ends tomorrow at the Sigiriya Rock. For 17 years, the LAF’s key activities in September had been its Memory Walk, and for five years the Memory Run but [...]
Where have all the killers gone? Short time ago, short time ago
A person who was sentenced to death by a Sri Lankan court was sworn in as a parliamentarian on Sept 8. A Member of Parliament is a legislator of the country. In such a circumstance it is ironical that a person who has been sentenced to death by the law of the land is represented [...]
After 75 Years, UN claims 50:50 gender parity, but falls short of its ultimate goals
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – When the UN was dominated by men, holding some of the highest positions in the staff hierarchy, the overwhelming majority of women staffers were administrative secretaries pounding on their typewriters seated outside their bosses’ office cubicles with name signs emblazoned outside the door. A legendary story circulating at the UN for [...]
When Visions of Prosperity turn into reality
‘Visions of Prosperity and Splendour’ is what Gotabaya Rajapaksa called his election manifesto in his bid for the Sri Lankan presidency. As stated clearly it is his vision for his paradisiacal dream and is far from being achieved. It is quite apparent that he is going through the initial exercises. The daily barrage of his [...]
The rise of the octogenarians
In April last year, I celebrated my eightieth birthday. It was, I realised, a great privilege that I have been granted to have lived beyond the three score years and ten allotted to us men by the ancient Jewish Psalmist. It is a privilege, however that is tinged with some sadness as I realise that [...]
Japan’s geopolitical balancing act just got harder
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s unexpected resignation last month for health reasons has raised many questions about the legacy of the country’s longest-serving premier. One of them is whether his successor, Yoshihide Suga, will be able to continue Abe’s geopolitical balancing act as tensions between China and the United States are continuing [...]