New US envoy threatens UN even before taking office
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IPS)— John Bolton a former US ambassador to the United Nations (2005-2006) once infamously proclaimed that if the 39-storeyed UN Secretariat building in New York “lost 10 stories, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference.” That statement triggered a sarcastic response from a New York Times columnist who said Bolton [...]
Healthy soil for healthy humans and a healthy planet
Prof. Saman Dharmakeerthi and Hansika Lewkebandara Whereas conventionally, soil is considered just simple dirt or mud, it is, in fact, a functional living system. It represents a complex dynamic natural resource that is essential to life on Earth. It can be defined as “the unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the [...]
Five-year mandate; fifty-year trajectory: Is Govt. rulership or stewardship?
By Maurice Jega Sri Lanka is long overdue for building on solid foundations. History will record that the founding fathers of independent Sri Lanka built on faulty foundations and failed miserably to build a strong, integrated nation that realised its fullest potential. While many a nation in Asia has progressed economically in the last half [...]
Korea gifts floating solar plants in Chandrika Wewa and Kiriibban Wewa
The Republic of Korea, represented by Ambassador Miyon Lee, officially handed over Sri Lanka’s first-ever floating solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants located at the Chandrika Wewa and Kiriibban Wewa reservoirs. This renewable energy initiative marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s transition toward sustainable energy solutions. Key attendees included Additional Secretary of Ministry of Power and [...]
ASGs take PC oath
Two Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) at the Attorney General’s Department have taken oaths as President’s Counsel. ASG Dileepa Peeris obtained his LLB from the Faculty of law, University of Colombo in 1996. He joined the AG’s Department as a State Counsel in 1997. He was promoted to Senior State Counsel in 2007 and Deputy Solicitor [...]
SLFUW elects new council members for 2024/2025
The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women, one of the foremost and most prestigious organisations of professional women in the island, held its 83rd annual general meeting on Saturday, November 23, at its Headquarters in Colombo. Apart from the attendees at the meeting, overseas members too joined in via Zoom from Japan, Australia, UK, and [...]
Raising awareness of suicide prevention helplines
Richardson Holdings, founded in 1962 and delivering high-quality electrical engineering, infrastructure, and advertising solutions, has launched a project to raise awareness of the available help for those struggling with suicide. Richardson worked with the National Institute of Mental Health, CCC, Lanka Life Line, and Sumithrayo to increase awareness. The communications redirected calls to these organisations, [...]
Human progress in the Trump era
By Tawakkol Karman, Saul Perlmutter, and Brian, Project Syndicate, Exclusive to the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka Schmidt SYDNEY – Having just been elected president of the United States for a second time, Donald Trump is poised to reshape international relations at a critical moment. Navigating this new and dangerous era of uncertainty requires reflecting [...]