Trump’s proposed Gaza takeover denounced as ‘mad ethnic-cleansing plan’
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – President Trump—whose rash and ill-conceived proposals continue unabated—has threatened to “seize Gaza,” turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” and move Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, two longstanding American allies who depend heavily on US support for their survival. The US President has also hinted that [...]
We Sri Lankans are a fickle lot
Just a year ago, many of us were full of praise for Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had managed to steer our bankrupt economy to safety. Wickremesinghe had accepted the prime minister’s office and then the presidency when his predecessor, the much vaunted “military hero” Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled the country in ignominy. At the time Sri Lanka [...]
A life’s journey to Siri Vajiraramaya Temple
Ven. Siri Vajiraramaye Ñanasiha Thera is completed his 90th birthday on February 18, 2025. His father and mother were R.G. James Gunasekera of Telijjavila in the Matara District and Seela Gunasekera (nee Wijesinghe) of Vigoda, Bemmulla, in the Gampaha District. His father was a government servant (Dept. TeleCom), and with his duty transfers, the son [...]
Pope marks week in hospital amid questions over future
VATICAN CITY, Holy See (AFP) – Pope Francis marked a week in hospital with pneumonia on Friday, as speculation grew over the 88-year-old’s ability to continue leading the Catholic Church. Francis, admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital with breathing difficulties, has slightly improved over the past couple of days despite pneumonia in both lungs, according to [...]
Wijeya Newspapers’ Janaka Ratnakumara wins COO of the Year award at international event
Janaka Rathnakumara, the COO of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, was awarded The COO of the Year award at The Business Leader of the Year ceremony at Taj Lands End, Mumbai on February 19. The award category was introduced this year. The award winner is chosen by a global research cell constituting professionals from different parts of [...]
Engage wellness centre to provide quality care for elderly
Engage, a wellness centre for the aged, was opened on Thursday at 1044/11, Pothuarawa Road, Malabe. Former minister Rosy Senanayake and Abans Group CFO Chandrika Perera were present at the event. Engage is managed by Pearl Cluster Management. The centre is a luxury residential facility offering quality care, in-house medical services, consultations, daily therapeutic and [...]
50 students recieve awards at Pearl Hobby Craft convocation
Pearl Hobby Craft (PHC) held its 8th convocation and 17th anniversary certificates and awards ceremony at the Ramada Hotel, Colombo recently. PHC is a training institute registered under the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. It conducts vocational training courses for ladies in general cookery, cake making, tailoring and hand crafts. Over 1,000 students have qualified [...]
Appeal
M K Yasiru Bandara (13) who had undergone cochlear implant surgery in 2015 has to get an upgraded device to get the best possible hearing. The upgraded version of the processing unit model N7s with wireless accessories costs Rs 2.5 million. His mother, K L H Dayawathie, is seeking financial assistance from generous people, so [...]
Japanese Embassy in Colombo celebrates emperor’s birthday
The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a reception celebrating the 65th birthday of the Emperor of Japan, at the Ambassador’s official residence on February 18. The Emperor’s birthday is on February 23. Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata expressed his gratitude for each participant’s contribution to furthering the friendship between Japan [...]
Al-Haj A M Ismail remembered
By L B Senaratne Mahroom Al-Haj A M Ismail is synonymous with Kandy Siddi Lebbe Maha Vidyalaya. When this school was in a condition that it could not be resurrected, it was Al-Haj Ismail who as the president of the Kandy Muslim Traders Association came forward to organise a committee to rebuild this school. Today [...]
Onlinekade expands to Wattala
Onlinekade launched its third branch in Wattala. The 24/7 convenience store offers globally trending products and partners with local and international brands. Onlinekade has operations in Sri Lanka and Dubai. The Wattala branch is a step in the company’s expansion plan, with further growth anticipated within Sri Lanka and a long-term vision for global expansion. [...]
GP and locum doctors hold event to showcase growing influence of GPLDA
The Colombo District GP and Locum Doctors Association (GPLDA) held its GP & Locum Doctors Night 2025 recently at the Golden Rose Hotel in Boralesgamuwa. The event marked a significant step forward in uniting and empowering the GP and locum community in Sri Lanka. Organised under the leadership of Dr. Dinidu Ranasinghe, Dr. Neranja Weerakoon [...]
Trump’s surprise attack on Europe
By Joschka Fischer, Project Syndicate, Exclusive to the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka BERLIN – When Donald Trump won the US presidential election last November, European elites apparently thought that the United States would become a little more isolationist, a bit more nationalist. But otherwise, continuity would prevail. Trump would demand that Europe pay more [...]