The Committee on High Posts has granted approval for the appointment of retired Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal R.A.U.P. Rajapaksa as the Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, the Parliament Media Division said yesterday.
This approval was granted at the meeting of the said Committee held yesterday (30), chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the urgent need to rebuild a disciplined and virtuous society by restoring the spirit of humanity in a social environment where power and wealth have undermined positive values and fostered detrimental ones. The President noted that the Maha Sangha of the country can play a significant role in guiding this transformation.
The President made these remarks while participating in the inauguration of the 74th Upasampadha (higher ordination) religious ceremony of Sri Lanka Ramanna sect, held this afternoon (30) at the Mahaweli Grounds in Galnewa.
Underscoring the collective responsibility of building a disciplined and virtuous society, the President called on all citizens to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to this mission without delay. He further stated that preserving the continuity and integrity of the Buddha’s teachings requires great care and that significant religious observances such as the higher ordination (Upasampadā) ceremonies play a vital role in sustaining the Dhamma for future generations.
President Disanayake pointed out that certain political groups had exploited nationalism as a tool to regain power. However, he stressed that the true victims of such actions were not the politicians themselves, but the innocent children of parents from both the North and the South. He emphasized the need to reject nationalism and work diligently toward fostering national unity. While affirming that everyone has the right to act freely and democratically, The President emphasized that his administration would not permit nationalism to resurface again. If existing laws are insufficient to suppress it, he stated, they would be strengthened to defeat divisive forces. He reiterated that the goal of his government is to build a society where Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities can live together in peace and harmony.
Addressing the matter of disciplinary discussions within the Sangha, President Disanayake expressed the government’s willingness to facilitate any dialogue, provided that the Mahanayaka Theras can reach a consensus on the matter. Until then, he said, the request to amend Sections 42 and 43 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance has been submitted to the Minister of Buddhasasana and is already under review by the Legal Draftsman’s Department.
Delivering the anusasana, the Most Venerable Aggamahapandita Makulewe Sri Wimala Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya emphasized that misconduct committed by a very small number of monks is often amplified through social media, resulting in widespread condemnation of the entire Sangha community. The Mahanayake Thera warned that such generalizations have distanced the virtuous public from the Maha Sangha. The Mahanayake Thera further stated that upholding and preserving the Buddhist monastic order is essential and that ceremonies like the Upasampada Vinaya Karma are crucial for nurturing a future generation of well-learned and disciplined monks who can serve both the Sasana and the nation.
This year’s Upasampada Maha Vinaya Karma ceremony of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya is being held from June 30 to July 8, at the Sri Vidyadhara Maha Pirivena in Kalawewa, Kalakarambewa. It is jointly organized by the provincial Sangha Sabhas of the North Central Province and the Upasampada Maha Utsava Committee.
Following the establishment of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya in the country, the first Upasampada Vinaya Karma (higher ordination ceremony) was conducted in July 1864 at the Mahamodara Udakukkepa Seema Malaka, at the Weliwatta Vijayananda Pirivena in Galle. Since its founding by the Most Venerable Ambagahawatte Indrasabhawara Gnanasami Saranankara Mahanayake Thera, it has maintained a deep commitment to strict monastic discipline and tradition.
Accordingly, this year too, in keeping with long-standing tradition, approximately 400 Samanera monks will be conferred with the prestigious Upasampadha (higher ordination) at the Udakukkepa Seema Malaka on the banks of the Kalaoya. This sacred Upasampadā Vinayakarma is being conducted under the leadership of the Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Aggamahapandita, Shastrapati Most Venerable Makulewe Sri Wimala Mahanayake Thera.
On this occasion, President Anura Kumara Disanayake was presented with several important publications of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, the ‘Sasuna’ Upasampada edition, the scholarly compilation ‘Patipada’ and the commemorative volume ‘Pride of Heritage’.
Additionally, the President conferred honorary titles and Vijinipatha (a traditional fan) upon several monks of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the Dhamma and the Sasana both locally and internationally.
Among those present at the ceremony were, Aggamahapandita Prof. Most Venerable Atthangane Rathanapala Thero, the Judicial Head of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Atthangane Sasanarathana Thero, the Chief Secretary of the Nikaya, Most Venerable Halpanwila Palitha Thero, the Deputy Judicial Secretary, Most Venerable Elappankulame Vanshananda Thero, the Chief Organizer of the Upasampadā Punya Mahotsava Committee Most Venerable Gangasiripura Dhammaaloka Thero the Chief Incumbent of Hantana Sandagiri Maha Seya.
Also in attendance were Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, Governor of the North Central Province Jinadasa Vimalasiri, Anuradhapura District Secretary K.G.R. Wimalasooriya along with a number of Members of Parliament, government officials, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, local and foreign invitees, members of the Dayaka Sabha and a large gathering of lay and ordained devotees.
I was very happy. A small project we started in 2011 in the Northern islands, Karainagar, Eluvativu, Analativu, Nayanativu (Nagadeepa), Punkudativu, Kytes and Mandativu was yielding the desired results after 10 years.
The Karainagar Navy camp
In 2011, we observed the mangroves on islands systematically were destroyed by some individuals, who did not care about their ecological value, for illegal income. As there was a shortage of firewood, especially at bakeries in the Jaffna mainland, the mangroves were cut for firewood. Mangrove wood is ideal for bakeries as this hard-wood gives a lot of charcoal. We would see bicycles carrying large loads of dry mangrove wood from the islands to the mainland, along causeways.
Mangrove forest distribution in North of Sri Lanka
With the support of the Police, the Sri Lanka Navy (who were controlling the security of the Northern islands) put an end to the illegal trade. Now, the mangroves grow freely and lavishly, increasing the size of the islands, while providing protection to shellfish breeding grounds. You may be aware that crabs, shrimps and prawns lay their eggs in mangrove areas, which are not accessible to big fish and other predators.
Chinnama
My deputy in the Northern Naval Area, in 2011, when I was Commander Northern Naval Area, Admiral Piyal De Silva (former Navy Commander and our former Ambassador to Afghanistan), had, original, a fresh and a unique idea of re-planting the mangrove. We started the project near the Karainagar causeway. A few hundred mangrove saplings were planted, as per instructions given by experts on the subject. After three months, it became a failure. We were wrong in some places when replanting. I told Piyal, “Let’s try again”. It failed again. Only six out of hundreds of saplings survived.
Mangrove project
When Piyal was the Northern Commander in 2017, he found, after a careful study, what had gone wrong. Flooding and ebbing of the lagoon water every six hours disturbed the roots of mangrove saplings, which died as a result. The solution to the problem was also found by Piyal. Four-foot-long sticks were erected in the lagoon to support the mangrove saplings. This method worked well and now Karainagar lagoon has more than 600 fully grown mangrove plants.
Chinnama, an elderly lady who harvests crabs in lagoons, was perhaps the happiest person. Those days when we were young officers, we used to buy fresh prawns and crabs from her during weekends. These fresh shellfish go down well with palmyrah toddy.
Mangroves, under Piyal’s supervision, were growing well and Chinnama’s catch has improved. She has become an ardent protector of mangroves in the Karainagar lagoon, and the Northern islands were growing in size !
(Admiral Wijegunaratne, WV, RWP and Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn, Bsc (Hons) (War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras), is formerly the Navy Commander, Chief of Defense Staff, Chairman, Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals. Ltd., Managing Director Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and High Commissioner to Pakistan.)
Soon after I finished Ameena Hussein’s book about Ibn Battuta’s pilgrimage, I opened another that was similar in theme, though written about a period well over a thousand years prior to Ibn Battuta’s day. This was Ravana’s Lanka: The Landscape of a Lost Kingdom by Sunela Jayewardene.
The narrative of her journeys makes it clear that she is close to Ameena, for the two families have travelled together on their journeys of exploration, in the footsteps of the characters who inspired them. For Sunela there is no doubt at all that Ravana is not a mythical character, but a real king, who ruled a magnificent kingdom in Lanka long before the received history of this land, based on the Mahavamsa. She produces a whole range of evidence that more than substantiates her claim.
Even more than Ameena, understandably so for it suppressed the very basis of her argument, she takes issue with the Mahavamsa, which she notes has deliberately suppressed all evidence of a flourishing civilization in this land before Vijaya landed, around 2500 years ago. She cites example after example of sophisticated living indicated by archaeological evidence, and shows how this country was a centre of trade for ages before the simplistic narrative of a country based only on agriculture took over and suppressed all else.
The rest of the world had kept our memory alive. I had known about classical references to links with this country, but it was Sunela’s extensive research that made clear how deep these went, and how sophisticated was the world with which the west had dealt. I had known about the reputation of Lankan steel – and indeed contributed to affirming this through having persuaded the British Overseas Development Administration to fund Gill Juleff’s excavations which established the method of production – but I had not known that this reputation went back two thousand years.
I had known too of Siran Deraniyagala’s discoveries of urban dwelling at Anuradhapura well before its supposed establishment after Vijaya, but I had not known his father had suggested all this previously. Nor did I know of the extensive work done more recently by Robin Coningham, a fresh-faced youth I had been instrumental in bringing down in the early nineties, in the project we had built around Gill. Under the guidance of the redoubtable Raymond Allchin, he discovered much, which Sunela incorporates into her quietly revolutionary narrative.
The book moves through different perspectives, archaeology to begin with, with accounts of different sites, but also travels to sites the potential of which is only dimly discerned, and then collations of historical records, as well as of religious beliefs. Running through much of these is her conviction of a technologically advanced civilization, the most obvious evidence for which is the development of an irrigation system that employed skills which it took many centuries thereafter to establish on a modern scientific basis. And whereas I had known of this in terms of the systems that still function, she looks at their application to irrigation in the area between Anuradhapura and the coast around present day Mannar.
The links through irrigation, between Anuradhapura and the maritime civilization of Mannar, which Sunela describes, are subsumed in the area which is perhaps the most dramatically described in the book. She traces the outline of a large city set slightly back from the coast, which had been the focus of the trading activity of the port which had flourished around Mannar. She shows how its use was facilitated by the current flowing down past the Indian coast, and the shelter offered by Mannar island.
But she also notes how little work has been done in that area, what remains – such as the pillars of what is termed Kuveni’s palace in Wilpattu, which I saw for the first time five years ago – being left virtually untouched, not so much for conservation reasons as because finding more would upset the received history that the Mahavamsa lays down. This is nothing short of tragic, for suppression of the past is a mark of insecurity which inhibits further progress. One reason why I have admired Iran so much is that, while there is no doubt of its commitment to Islam, it celebrates its pre-Islamic past.
Sunela’s account of her explorations of stone pillars and burial sites in Wilpattu is fascinating, but so is her account of a place many miles away, Raksagala on the south east coast, which I had known nothing about previously. There lies the tomb of Arahat Mahinda who, after he had converted Devanampiya Tissa, in the well-known narrative of the Mahavamsa, retired to what had been a previously established monastery for the rest of his days. There is a vivid account of the genius of its landscaping, stairways as well as a host of well-appointed caves for meditation.
As Sunela puts it, such a long-established retreat shows the existence of a sustained civilization that predated not just the official advent of Buddhism but also the advent of the Sinhalese through Vijaya’s arrival. But though there was when she visited a small archaeological team in place, it is nothing like enough to explore the area in the depth it cries out for.
One element that shines through her narrative is the dedication to their work of the many members of the archaeological department she meets, not surprising given that their gurus were Siran, and Senaka Bandaranayake, and Sudharshan Seneviratne, whose commitment to truth was paramount. But publicizing their findings, and ensuring more discoveries, has not been managed at all effectively by those who decide on received wisdom, and sadly none of this is taught in schools. There what I termed the Anuradhapura-centric concept of this land, as I termed it when I tried so hard to change things, still dominates – though I now realise that it is not just Anuradhapura-centric, it relies on a vision of Anuradhapura that Anuradhapura itself, that magnificent city older than time, sustained in its grandeur for well over a millennium, would not itself understand.
The steady accumulation of the evidence Sunela has gathered, on the ground and in different narratives, establishes beyond doubt the accuracy of her principal thesis, namely the existence well before Vijaya, and well before Buddhism began – and she argues that it had arrived in Sri Lanka long before the conversion of Devanampiya Tissa, following visits of the Buddha himself – of an advanced civilization in this country.
Less unquestionable is her account of how that civilization developed. She believes that there were indigenous inhabitants here from prehistoric times, but she also argues that there were then waves of immigrants, who came across the sea and also by land from what she loosely describes as Persian areas, beyond the Indus. They she believes, though through interactions with the wisdom of those whose lands they came through or to, developed both the Indus civilization, and that of Lanka
She declares that in the period preceding recorded history, this land was inhabited by three tribes, the Rakusas, the Nagas and the Yakas. The first were the original inhabitants, who contributed their detailed knowledge of the land to the civilization that developed. The last were the dominant race, deriving from Persian immigration though with a healthy admixture of Rakusas, whose contribution to the physical basis of technological achievement – metallurgy for instance and the lie of the land – was invaluable, and which led to partnership in the national heritage, albeit at a lower level.
Different from these were the Nagas, who in an imaginative leap that is nevertheless most convincing she places on the coast, the repositories of a maritime culture they had derived from the voyages from other lands which had led to their settlement here. She argues convincingly that they dominated the Kelaniya kingdom, where the Buddha had preached – before going on to the Yaka kingdom in the hills – and that they were the people from whom Vihara Maha Devi and thence her son Dutugemunu derived.
All this is convincingly laid out in the second part of the book, entitled ‘Divided we fall’. That had been preceded by a description of the transition from cave dwellers to urbanization, though it is heralded by an account of the situation of the island and how and why migration had played such a large part in its development. Reading her account, one realizes how laughable it is to suppose that Vijaya was one of a kind, and that his advent brought civilization to a primitive dispensation. Indeed, she notes that the very fact that Kuveni was weaving suggests that Lanka had moved far beyond the simple life of the first cave dwellers and nomads.
The last section of the second part is about the Arya Sinhala and recounts how Vijaya’s advent led to consolidation of a kingdom at Anuradhapura of which he was seen as the only begetter. And that perhaps was true as far as Anuradhapura went as a capital, though Sunela also makes clear its long history as a trading centre between east and west.
The capital, Sunela argues, had been in the hills before Vijaya arrived. The third part of the book is entitled ‘The Time of the Yakas, but it is the shortest, and has just the one chapter, ‘Ravana of the Mayurangas’. Sunela claims that the Mayurangas were born of marriages of Yakas and Rakusas, and notes that Ravana’s mother was a Rakusa princess: in a footnote she mentions that, as late as the time of the Kandyan kingdom, crown princes were married to the daughters of Veddha chieftains, which she believes a reprise of this old tradition.
This chapter darts about the past, but interestingly, for instance in its assertion that Ravana married a princess from Gujarat – a link between what Sunela has described as Persian immigrants, who settled in various places on the long route southward – and that her father was the renowned architect mentioned in the Mahabharata as having built the palace of the Pandavas. But all this, featuring a close link between characters in the two great Indian epics, is shadowy, a prey to Sunela’s habit of not clearly identifying her sources. Rather she employs a discursive style, here and throughout the book, with annotations rather than footnotes, for instance simply declaring here that ‘Oral histories in Gujarat and Rajasthan maintain the presence of the Yaka and even feature King Ravana’.
Given that Sunela’s principal thesis is the suppression of history that does not fit in with a dominant narrative, one can understand her reliance on what is described as oral history and traditions. But it would have been more convincing had she cited the record of the name of Queen Mandodhari’s father in the Ramayana as well as in the Mahabharata, and also her evidence for the manner in which Ravana inherited the kingdom from Kumba Karna his half-brother, and how she relates that name to Kuvera, deified as a symbol of wealth.
This type of sliding over interesting elements is what makes one wish she had had a better editor – who might also then have ensured that she wrote in sentences, rather than in hanging clauses, designed perhaps to enhance the intensity of her narrative but more likely arising from carelessness. Unfortunately, I suspect she intended the book to be simply a record of a personal quest, rather like Ameena’s account of Ibn Batutta’s travels. But whereas that was clearer in its admittedly less momentous argument, and well evidenced, this reads at times like the retailing of a personal mythology, drawing strands from all over but leaving a lot of loose ends.
Still, these are undoubtedly fascinating. Thus, Kubera’s next startling appearance in the book, as a squat figure in relief at the top of the Nalanda Gedige. Sunela compares this to Cambodian architecture, and dates it to the last Mahayana era, noting erotica but also ‘the only officially accepted identification of any character related to the Mayuranga dynasty’. But when she asks, ‘Who revered Ravana’s sibling?’ one realizes she has allowed predilection to triumph over science – unlike the Yakas she praised – and leaped from Kumba Karna to an Asian symbol of wealth to reverence for Ravana’s brother.
Her account of the Nalanda Gedige occurs in the fourth part of the book, ‘The Landscape of a Lost Kingdom’, which relates her travels to different parts of the island in search of traces of Ravana and of the prehistoric period. I have already mentioned her account of the grand trading city on the northwest coast and the quiet monastic retreat in the south east. Then she also writes about Anuradhapura, with a striking account of the discoveries of the team led by Robin Coningham, and about the surroundings in the Dumbara Valley of the assumed location of Ravana’s palace and its defences.
She talks about Budhuruvagala, that beautiful Mahayana monastery near Monaragala, about cemeteries in Wilpattu around her grand western city, and also about Adam’s Peak. Here she cites a possible reason for it having been held sacred by so many for so long, and its alleged proximity to paradise: it seems it is in the place on the earth where gravity is least forceful, which would explain the assumption that it was a possible take off point for the heavens.
She also describes here what I gather was also put forward in her first book, The Line of Lanka, that the mountain is at the centre of lines that connect four shrines sacred to God Saman, the titular deity of the mountain. She argues that he is derived from Rama’s brother Lakshmana, who was left to look after the land soon after Ravana had been conquered, though he soon went back to join his brother in India, leaving the kingdom to Ravana’s brother Vibhishana, who had joined Rama.
Sunela claims that the four shrines, including the famous devale near Ratnapura, are at the ends of a cross, centred on Adam’s Peak. Earlier she had shown that the Nalanda Gedige was at the very centre of the island. This mathematical precision she claimed was evidence for the technological capacity of the Yakas – and not only did this allow them to measure across mountains, they were also able to measure across seas, for she takes the line on to an island in the Maldives which has ruins reminiscent of the tomb of Mahinda at Raksagala.
After the tour de force of this fourth part, Sunela comes to ‘The Death of a King’, and describes vividly the way she believes Rama overcame Ravana. She argues that his bow shot not an arrow but some sort of explosive, and she describes the collapse of part of the mountain where Ravana was supposed to have had his palace. She notes the collapse of the entrance to a cave through which Ravana’s son Indrajit was, she argues, coming to the support of a garrison. Her case she believes is strengthened by the tales of villagers in the area, around the lake of Dunvila, ‘the lake of the bow’, by which she has a home, for whom Ravana’s kingdom is still a historical rather than mythical reality.
She is condign in her criticism of Vibhishana, to whom Rama left the kingdom, who she argues was hated, so that it was not surprising it was in a shambles when a few decades later Vijaya appeared. But even more interesting is her suggestion that Ravana had not lusted after Sita, but was instead trying to rescue his long-lost daughter – sent away when it was foretold that she would destroy the kingdom – when he heard she was living in the jungles.
What Sunela does not do is connect Sita with a daughter of Ravana, who is attested in an inscription as having gifted a cave to the Sangha on a rocky outcrop in Kumana in the southeast of the country. Her name was Shohili, and one wonders if she might have been the daughter left behind when Sita was sent away.
Such speculation is in line with the joyous creativity of the book. It is well worth reading, and most informative, though I do wish standard practices had been followed, including an index, to make it easier to absorb, and also to render the links Sunela makes easier to follow.
from The Island https://ift.tt/Lskbi6x
An estimated 500,000 students and 150,000 teachers across Sri Lanka are set to benefit from a new $50 million additional financing package approved by the World Bank on Thursday (26) through its ongoing General Education Modernisation Project.
The additional funding will help keep vital education reforms on track, improve teaching quality, upgrade school facilities, and enhance student well-being, with a strong focus on underserved schools, including those in the plantation communities and those supporting children with special needs.
Schools across all nine provinces, regardless of grade level, are expected to benefit from this support, the World Bank Group said in a statement.
“This support is about making sure every child in Sri Lanka has the chance to learn in a safe, inclusive environment and that every teacher has the tools they need to help their students thrive,” said David Sislen, World Bank Divisional Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “We are excited to be working with Sri Lanka to help students and teachers reach their full potential.”
The additional financing will support the improvement of teacher effectiveness by modernising pre-service teacher education and continuing teacher development, with a strong focus on digital learning.
It will also strengthen school health and well-being by supporting a School Health and Nutrition Programme, which improves access to clean water and sanitation, promotes menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, and increases mental health support in schools, the statement said.
“The additional funds will be utilised to benefit children in rural and estate areas, with special emphasis on female students,” said Harsha Aturupane, World Bank Lead Economist and Task Team Leader.
The project is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Provincial Authorities of Education.
The General Education Modernisation Project is helping transform Sri Lanka’s primary and secondary education by improving teaching, learning, and school management. It focuses on key areas like boosting English and math skills, strengthening teacher development, improving school health and nutrition, and enhancing social equity through education.
Since its launch in 2018, the project has helped improve English and mathematics skills of students in rural areas, expand digital learning material, upgrade school facilities and equipment, and deliver school-based teacher development programmes, contributing to more equitable access to quality education across Sri Lanka and benefiting all 10,000 schools in the country, the statement added.
The ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria, M.R.K. Lenagala, extended a compelling invitation to Austrian tech founders, startup leaders and innovation stakeholders to explore collaboration opportunities within Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing technology and entrepreneurship landscape.
Speaking at a recent networking event titled “Beyond Beaches and Tea-Tech Sri Lanka”, the ambassador emphasised Sri Lanka’s emergence as a South Asian innovation hub. He highlighted the nation’s expanding startup ecosystem, increasing potential for cross-border partnerships and the strategic advantages it offers for foreign investors in the technology sector.
The event, held in Vienna, was organised by Resource Connect Services (RCS), a technology company registered in Austria and founded by Sri Lankan entrepreneur Ranil Samarawickrema. Commending the initiative, the ambassador described it as a model of expatriate-led economic diplomacy—boosting digital exports while strengthening Sri Lanka’s global brand.
Detailing Sri Lanka’s capabilities in Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), the ambassador underlined the government’s commitment to driving the sector’s growth. He identified key areas for bilateral cooperation, including knowledge exchange, talent development and joint ventures in tech innovation and outsourcing.
In a bid to deepen engagement, he extended an invitation to Austrian stakeholders to attend “Disrupt Asia 2025,” Sri Lanka’s premier ICT conference, scheduled for September 2025 in Colombo.
Addressing the gathering, RCS CEO Ranil Samarawickrema said the event aimed to move beyond traditional outsourcing narratives. “It’s about helping Europe discover the full spectrum of Sri Lankan excellence and building a broader, more modern brand for Sri Lanka, he remarked.
The event also addressed pressing challenges within Europe’s tech ecosystem—such as developer shortages, talent migration, and sustainability—while positioning Sri Lanka as a scalable, ethical, and future-ready partner for long-term collaboration.
by Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from Vienna 
Tourism Malaysia has partnered with SriLankan Airlines to promote leisure travel from Sri Lanka to Malaysia, leveraging the island nation’s economic revival and rising demand for overseas trips. This move is underway with Sri Lanka’s economy growing between 4.0 – 5.0% and increasing disposable incomes are driving a surge in international travel among Sri Lankans.
As part of this collaboration, SriLankan Airlines recently hosted a familiarisation tour for Sri Lankan media to highlight Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, tailored to appeal to Sri Lankan holidaymakers.
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Kuala Lampur, Deepal Perera, Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, emphasised the partnership’s potential for two-way tourism growth. “Tourism Malaysia is not only promoting inbound travel from Sri Lanka but also encouraging Malaysians to explore Sri Lanka. Both countries are enhancing their tourism infrastructure, creating opportunities for travellers to experience each other’s heritage, culture, and cuisine,” he said.
Solehuddin Ahmad, Deputy Director of the South Asia Unit at Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, noted a steady rise in Sri Lankan visitors since the “Visit Malaysia” campaign launched in February 2025.
“While China, Thailand, Singapore, and India remain our top markets, Sri Lanka is emerging as a key source for family vacations, corporate events, and shopping. Sri Lankan travellers spend an average of 7,000 Malaysian Ringgit (Rs. 490,000) per trip – higher than many other nationalities driven by Kuala Lumpur’s reputation for high-quality, affordable shopping,” he explained.
Ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, 2025, both SriLankan Airlines and Tourism Malaysia are intensifying promotional campaigns to attract more travellers. Destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Melacca, and Genting Island are expected to particularly appeal to Sri Lankans, offering a blend of urban vibrancy, historical charm, and leisure attractions.
This partnership underscores SriLankan Airlines’ strategic push to expand passenger traffic on the Colombo-Kuala Lumpur route while bolstering Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourism sector.
Responding to a query from The Island, Malaysian tourism officials confirmed that requests for visa-free travel for Sri Lankans are under consideration by policymakers, though discussions remain ongoing.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
in Malaysia
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The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been honoured as the Best Bank among Sri Lanka’s domestic banks for a remarkable 14th year by FinanceAsia, one of the world’s foremost information sources on the Asian financial markets.
The Best Bank award was presented to Commercial Bank at the FinanceAsia Country Awards gala at the Conrad in Hong Kong. The Bank’s Chief Financial Officer Prasanna Indrajith accepted the award on behalf of the Bank.
“This accolade is particularly significant because it is based on the Bank’s performance in a year that required us to manage the impacts of many external factors, including the restructuring of the Sri Lanka International Sovereign Bonds (SLISBs) held by the Bank,” Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge commented. “The exceptional financial results we recorded in 2024 are a testament to the Bank’s prudential approach to managing external challenges and its core banking obligations, and its ability to leverage on operational resilience in difficult times. These are factors that were considered for the FinanceAsia award.”
According to FinanceAsia, leading financial institutions across Asia Pacific continue to navigate uncertain tides and have made waves in the uncertain time. “Not only does geopolitical complexity persist, each market is on their unique mission towards recovery, sustainability, digitalisation, restructuring, or innovation,” the magazine said. “Our awards process celebrates those institutions that showed determination to deliver desirable outcomes, through the display of commercial and technical acumen.”
It’s the era of the surging Beast…..
The Will to Power soars dominant,
And humans seem back in primal bliss,
Giving Alfred Adler much veracity,
But let’s put this into perspective,
And recall anew the wisdom of the words,
‘Evil thrives when the Good remain silent’,
And help cobble together a new order,
That will help salvage civilization,
And check the march of global disorder.
By Lynn Ockersz
Star Garments Group (“Star”), a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry and part of Charles Komar & Sons, officially inaugurated its groundbreaking textile manufacturing facility at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA) in Togo. The ceremony, presided over by the President of the Council of Togo Faure Gnassingbé, marks a transformative milestone for both the company and West Africa’s textile industry.
This historic inauguration represents Star Garments’ first manufacturing expansion outside of Sri Lanka, positioning Togo as a strategic gateway for the company’s global growth and the development of West Africa as a new hub for apparel manufacturing. Sri Lanka will continue serving as the company’s service center, with operations expanding to support Star’s integrated global manufacturing network.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday appointed Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. He succeeds M.S. Siriwardena.
Dr. Suriyapperuma, who served as a National List Member of Parliament, representing the National People’s Power (NPP), and former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, resigned from Parliament last week.
Iran has launched missiles at US airbases in Qatar and Iraq in response to strikes on its nuclear sites on Saturday, state media reports
Qatar confirms the attack on the US-run Al Udeid base, calling it a “flagrant violation” and says it reserves the right to respond directly
The country has temporarily closed its airspace and US and UK citizens have been advised to shelter in place
In Washington, Donald Trump is attending a National Security Council meeting shortly, after the White House earlier said he was ‘simply raisinga question’ in floating the idea of regime change in Iran
It comes as Israel says it is targeting Tehran with “unprecedented force”, including attacks on “access routes” to the Fordo nuclear site and Evin prison.
Al Udeid, located near Qatar’s capital Doha, serves as the headquarters for US Central Command’s air operations in the Middle East and hosts nearly 8,000 US troops.
British forces also rotate through the base, sometimes referred to as Abu Nakhla Airport.
The facility currently serves as the headquarters and logistics base for US operations in Iraq and also includes the longest air landing strip in the Gulf region.
Qatar gave the United States access to the Al Udeid base in 2000. After the Americans took over as base managers in 2001, Doha and Washington inked an agreement in December 2002 that officially recognised the US military’s presence at Al Udeid facility, according to London-based intelligence firm Grey Dynamics.
In 2024, CNN reported that the US reached an agreement to extend its military presence in Qatar for another 10 years.
(BBC)
Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, announced that Parliament will hold a special sitting on Monday (30), to allow the government to present its revenue strategy statement, in line with obligations under the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024.
The decision was made at the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, on Friday (20). As per Section 11 of the Act, the Minister of Finance is required to present the fiscal strategy statement to Parliament on or before 30 June each year, following Cabinet approval.
The special sitting will begin at 9.30 am and will include an adjournment debate on the revenue strategy, which will continue until 4.30 pm, under Standing Order 16, following a request made by the Prime Minister.
In addition to the 30 June sitting, Parliament will meet on 08, 09, and 11 July.
On Tuesday, 08 July, the sitting will begin at 9.30 a.m. with time allocated for Business of Parliament, Questions for Oral Answers, and questions under Standing Order 27(2). A debate on regulations published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/04 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 will take place from 11.30 am to 5.00 pm, followed by a Government adjournment motion.
On Wednesday, 09 July, Parliament will again begin with procedural business and question time, including time for questions to the Prime Minister. A special Adjournment Debate on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, brought by the Opposition, will follow from 11.30 am to 5.30 pm.
As Esala Full Moon Poya falls on Thursday, 10 July, there will be no sitting on that day.On Friday, 11 July, Parliament will proceed with Business of Parliament and Questions, before debating Private Members’ Motions from 11.30 am to 5.00 pm.
This July, Hilton Yala Resort invited Sri Lankan residents to unwind in a truly relaxing getaway between the wild and the ocean. Available exclusively from 1 to 31 July 2025, this limited time stay package offers the perfect blend of comfort and discovery, ideal for couples, families, and those looking to reconnect with nature said a press release
The special offer includes half board, and full board stays for two guests in a deluxe room, Guests also can enjoy a three -course dining experience at Dhira and 15% savings on select treatments at the resort’s signature eForea Spa. By booking during this promotional window, guests can get good deal (terms and conditions apply) said the release
Guests can further elevate their stay by booking a guided safari experience at Yala National Park. These safaris are led by expert rangers qualified by the Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA)—a rare distinction held by fewer than ten rangers in Sri Lanka, most of whom are part of the Hilton Yala team. The adventure continues beyond the park with unique experiences such as visits to the serene Sand Dunes or a guided stargazing session beneath the clear Yala skies. For young explorers, the Junior Ranger Program offers an engaging trek through the jungle, led by professionals, with a certificate of completion to take home.
The release said d ining at Hilton Yala Resort is equally immersive. Vanya, the lounge, offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean paired with craft cocktails, smoothies, and light bites. Dhira, the Region’s Kitchen, serves up local-inspired creations from breakfast through dinner, featuring signature dishes such as Kirinda Lobster, Spiced Curd Chicken, and Buffalo Curd Cheesecake. For an al fresco experience, Sandali Grill delights with freshly prepared selections like Spiny Lobster, Duet of Beef, and Asian Sea Bass, all served straight from the grill. Guests seeking privacy can opt for a curated meal by the pool or the seashore, with chefs on hand to personalize every detail.
Thoughtfully designed to harmonize with its wild surroundings, Hilton Yala Resort features 42 premium rooms, suites, and villas. Each space is designed to offer relaxation with freestanding bathtubs, walk-in showers, and—depending on room category—hot tubs or private plunge pools.
The resort also offers access to popular sites such as Situlpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya, Bundala National Park, and Amaduwa Fishing Village, creating opportunities for both cultural discovery and scenic adventures.
Sri Lanka track and field team were schedule to leave for Thailand in the evening on Friday. The eight-member team will take part in the Thailand Open Athletics Championship from June 21 to 25.
Seated (from left) Lt. Col. Ranjith Hennayake (Team Manager), Saman Kumara Gunawardana (Secretary, Sri Lanka Athletics), W.K.L.A. Nimali (800m), Safreen Ahmed (Triple Jump), Shantha de Silva (Treasurer SLA), Anura Bandara (Coach)
Back row (from left) Amasha de Silva (100m), Wathsala Hapuarachchi (100m hurdles), Rusiru Chathuranga (800m), Ayomal Akalanka (400m hurdles), V. Vakshan (1500m and 5000m), Madushani Herath (Long Jump and Triple Jump)
The 29th AGM of Association of Justices of Peace of Sri Lanka will be held under the patronage of Dr. Dexter Anthony Fernando, on June 22 nd (Sunday) from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm at Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute, Wijerama Mawatha Colombo 07. About 250 members of the association are expected to attend the AGM.
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Hosts England are set to play the opening encounter of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka, as per the schedule released by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Tuesday.
The 33-match tournament is set to kickstart at Edgbaston on June 12, with the final to be played on July 5 at Lord’s.
The 12 teams participating in the tournament will be split in two groups of six each, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semifinals, both of which will be played at the Oval on June 30 and July 2, respectively.
Group 1 includes Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan and two qualifying teams. Meanwhile, Group 2 includes England, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and two more qualifying teams. The marquee India vs Pakistan clash will also be played in Edgbaston, on June 14.
Apart from Lord’s, Oval and Edgbaston, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Bristol County Ground and Hampshire Bowl will also host games of the World Cup. The games are scheduled to start, as per local time, at 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
Speaking on the tournament, England skipper, Nat Sciver-Brunt, said: “World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing. It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Meanwhile, Beth Barrett-Wild, the Tournament Director, added: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket. At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves.”
Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Qualifier, Qualifier
Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Qualifier, Qualifier
Schedule
Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston (D/N)
Saturday June 13: Qualifier v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Saturday June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Saturday June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl (D/N)
Sunday June 14: Qualifier v Qualifier, Edgbaston
Sunday June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston
Tuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl
Tuesday June 16: England v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl (D/N)
Wednesday June 17: Australia v Qualifier, Headingley
Wednesday June 17: India v Qualifier, Headingley
Wednesday June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D/N)
Thursday June 18: West Indies v Qualifier, Headingley (D/N)
Friday June 19: New Zealand v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl (D/N)
Saturday June 20: Australia v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl
Saturday June 20: Pakistan v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl
Saturday June 20: England v Qualifier, Headingley (D/N)
Sunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground
Sunday June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Tuesday June 23: New Zealand v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground
Tuesday June 23: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground
Tuesday June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley (D/N)
Wednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground (D/N)
Thursday June 25: India v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Thursday June 25: South Africa v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground (D/N)
Friday June 26: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground (D/N)
Saturday June 27: Pakistan v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground
Saturday June 27: West Indies v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground
Saturday June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval (D/N)
Sunday June 28: South Africa v Qualifier, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Sunday June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Tuesday June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval
Thursday July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval – D/N
Sunday July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s Cricket Ground
(Cricbuzz)
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Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa, and daughter Chandula Ramali Rambukwella were arrested yesterday (18) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an ongoing assets and money laundering probe.
According to CIABOC sources, the arrests took place around 11:30 am, shortly after the former Minister appeared before the Commission to provide a statement regarding the inquiry.
The trio is being investigated over alleged illicit accumulation of wealth and potential money laundering activities, the Commission sources confirmed. They were scheduled to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court later the same day.
This marks the second recent arrest involving the former Minister. On 07 May Rambukwella was arrested by the Bribery Commission over allegations of causing a financial loss of over Rs. 8 million to the state during his tenure as Minister of Mass Media, Health, and Environment. He was later released on bail on 03 June, along with his son, former national cricketer Ramith Rambukwella.
Rambukwella, his wife and their daughter were granted bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court last evening.
Bank of Ceylon (BOC) successfully hosted a thought leadership session titled “Future of Finance” on June 11 at its head office. The event brought together industry leaders and finance professionals to explore the shifting landscape of finance driven by digital transformation, evolving customer expectations, and regulatory changes.
The session was attended by the BOC chairman Kavinda de Zoysa (FCMA CGMA), Andrew Harding (FCMA, CGMA), Chief Executive – Management Accounting at AICPA & CIMA, Ms. Irene Teng – Executive Vice President Global Markets AICPA & CIMA Venkkat Ramanan (FCMA, CGMA) – Vice President, APAC AICPA & CIMA and Tharindu Wijewardana (ACMA UK, CGMA) – Country Head, AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka, BOC’s Corporate and Executive Management, BOC staff along with representatives from CIMA.
The keynote address delivered by Harding provided valuable insights on how the finance profession is being redefined in the digital age and the critical role of agility and innovation in financial leadership. A compelling panel discussion followed, featuring Harding and Kavinda de Zoysa who shared their views on the future of the finance function. The discussion, moderated by Nilantha Meneripitiyage, Chief Risk Officer of BOC, delved into key themes including the integration of advanced technologies, shifting regulatory frameworks, and the growing need for customer-centric financial solutions. The conversation was further enriched, offering perspectives on talent transformation, data- driven decision-making, and the increasing importance of sustainability in finance.
In the North-East of the fabled Isle,
The ‘Grand Old Party’ of SJV’s make,
Has made a dramatic comeback,
Whereas it was not so long ago,
That it’s epitaph was deftly crafted,
But here’s what needs to be digested,
Embers of July 1983 are very much alive,
Since nothing’s being done to put them out,
Burning into minds, agonizing hearts,
And as long as memories die hard thus,
The ‘Grand Old Party’ and others of its ilk,
Will have reason to Be and thrive.
By Lynn Ockersz
His preference, at the moment, he says, is to work on cover songs, adding that he does his covers with a touch of his own.
His latest song is titled ‘Asai Mannam’ and it has just been released. It is his fourth cover and also marks his first-ever mashup.
According to Mayuka, ‘Asai Mannam’ is a unique Sinhalese interpretation of the South Indian hit ‘Asa Kooda’ by Sai Abhyankkar and Sai Smriti.
“I consider this cover special because it’s a mashup with the song ‘Ma Diha’ by Dilu Beats. To my knowledge, this is the first-ever Sinhala cover of ‘Asa Kooda.’”
Mayuka’s musical journey began when he was very young.
Mayuka in action in the ‘Asai Mannam’ video
“Coming from a musical family, where my grandparents were involved in stage and drama, I naturally gravitated toward singing. I took part in inter-school competitions, as a child, and was fortunate to win a few. It has always been my dream to become a singer.”
Mayuka says he received formal training at KK Music, adding that he began making his music by starting with cover songs on YouTube.
Prior to ‘Asai Mannam,’ he has released three other covers, which are also available on his YouTube channel – MAYUKA.
Of course, one would say that the turning point in his musical career was when he participated in The Voice Sri Lanka, aired on Sirasa TV, and competed under Coach Raini’s team. He progressed until the battle rounds.
“Being a part of that show was a dream come true and something I can proudly tick off my bucket list.”
Mayuka went on to say that creating this official cover and music video of ‘Asai Mannam’ has been a rewarding experience.
“Music has always helped me through emotional and mental challenges, and I sincerely hope my songs can do the same for others, whether by healing, comforting, or simply bringing joy.”
Says Mayuka: “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me so far. I hope those who resonate with my style will continue to listen, and I look forward to sharing more music with you in the future.
“I’m also incredibly grateful to be featured in The Island newspaper. Thank you so much for the support.”
Andrea Marr, now based in Melbourne, Australia, and a blues singer of repute, is also responsible for bringing into the limelight talented young artistes.
She is the Owner/Director/Vocal Coach at Andrea Marr Music School (AMMS) and with her guidance, and training, some of the students are shining bright in the showbiz scene.
A case in point is Emma Shanaya who is now creating her own songs and was featured in a big way in last Tuesday’s The Island.
Emma has been a student of AMMS for many years and Andrea says she so proud of how Emma is developing into an original artiste.
And Emma says: “I owe it to the best guidance.”
Last Sunday, 15th June, Andrea got her students to showcase their talents at an event where she also performed with the band The Bornstein Ultimatum.
The students involved were Melissa Navaratnarajah Silvia, Vera-Zapata Luella, Clark Daniel, Andrew Mahee Kudumbar, and Pratiti Sarker, and they were paid … for getting their real gig experience.
I’m told that AMMS is the ONLY music school paying their students to showcase.
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Parliament is scheduled to convene from Tuesday (17) to Friday (20). This decision was made at the meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by the Speaker, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne.
On each sitting day of Parliament, the time from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allocated for the Business of Parliament as per Standing Order 22(1) to (6) of the Parliament. The time from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. has been allocated for Questions for Oral Answers, and from 11.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. for Questions under Standing Order 27(2) of the Parliament.
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One of the books I received for my birthday this year was the autobiography of W S Senior, whose collection of poetry, Vita Magistra, I had coincidentally read, having found it earlier in May on my shelves. In writing about that I mentioned how Senior, a shadowy figure before, had come alive for me a few years back when I found his granddaughter at the home in Oxford, where my Dean now lives.
She made it clear to me how devoted Senior had been to Ceylon, to the extent of having his ashes buried there, in Haputale, near the last home he had in the country with his family. His career here was indeed varied, for after a decade at Trinity he moved to a vicarage in Colombo, and then, when he was attached to the University College, he had a home near Haputale. He himself lived then in the Maligawa at Reid Avenue, courtesy of the Obeysekera family, which indeed ensured the publication of the autobiography a couple of years ago.
Senior himself regrets the fact that his writing did not succeed in England, as I noted in talking about his poems. This is understandable, for his poetry is not remarkable, though sometimes there are inspired lines, when he talks about Ceylon. And so too is it with his prose, because though he had a fascinating life, he only alludes to his inner life. He does dwell often on what seem to him intimations of immortality, and these usually arise in the midst of scenic beauty and the play of light and shade, vividly described. But the dilemmas he overcame are couched in vague terms, and though one can guess what he is dealing with, the lack of certainty clouds the situation.
Interestingly, I read this at the same time as I was reading Gore Vidal’s The City and the Pillar and I was struck by the similarity between the strong emotions in boyhood that both the iconoclastic gay American writer and the very proper British clergyman describe. In Vidal’s case his fictional hero cannot escape his sense of the physical beauty of the ideal twin, a feeling that it would seem Vidal shared, with regard to a friend who was killed in the war. For Senior, the description of beauty recurs, but he avoids any sense of sexuality, and the impression he leaves is that he decided to give up any such contact – to the chagrin of at least one of the many he calls Erza, a collective for the ideal schoolboy chum.
But the sense of schoolboy romance Senior seems to have felt as strongly as Gore Vidal did, though he soon enough sublimates it. Indeed, his parallel ecstasy as to landscape had begun about the same time, and perhaps it was a prop to help him overcome a very different appreciation of beauty. For the book is full of depictions of landscape, in England, and then in Ceylon, with a healthy does in between of Switzerland which was the last place in which he served.
He weaves all this in with people, movingly, as when with regard to Switzerland he harks back to being taken there when a boy by his father, and notes that he was not as close to him as he would have liked to be. Then there are accounts of different reading parties, schoolboys he took from when he taught in England, and youngsters on treks from Trinity, along with students at Student Christian Movement Camps. One of these is ineffably sad, for it is about a boy dying of appendicitis, when the telegrams asking for help were delayed by inclement weather, and a doctor appeared too late.
That was one of the reasons that prompted Senior finally to take orders. He had been mulling this, but he enjoyed being a schoolmaster, and it was this tragic death that made him decide he had to move on. And never one to do things by halves, he decided to serve as a missionary, an ambition he had been drawn to in his years at university. Indeed, a striking feature of the book is its pen portraits, or perhaps one should say glimpses, of leaders in the field.
And so he came to Trinity, where he acted too as Principal for the redoubtable Fraser, whom he much admired. His accounts of the Kandyan boys he grew to love, and their aristocratic forebears, recreate vividly the emergence into the 20th century of a traditional society. But his recollections of holidays in plantation bungalows are also evocative of a different past, the transposition of English values to the Ceylon highlands.
He does not talk much of politics, but a brief account of the Sinhala Muslim riots of 1915 and a third-party account of his own heroic role suggest his involvement in the life of the country, recognizable too in his constant prayer for co-existence, which he sees as a prerequisite of the development he longs for. And while settled in his Christian faith, he recreates movingly the atmosphere of Buddhist shrines, and the tranquility of the statues he comes across in the historic cities.
His involvement in Ceylon meant long spells away from his family, the boys going to boarding school, and the girls having long breaks away from him. It is to finally reinforce relations with them that he retires, and that was obviously not too late for the book has vivid scenes of a close-knit family, and his descriptions of their evenings together are most moving.
I suppose in time his memory will fade altogether, but the book leaves one with the impression that he was an immeasurably good man, with a strong sense of beauty which led him to love beyond measure the country he made his second home.
by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in a world where travelers seek not just destinations but experiences, it is important to elevate Sri Lanka as a country with a distinctive and appealing culinary tradition.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending as the Chief Guest to the inauguration ceremony of the Culinary Art Food Expo – 2025, South Asia’s premier culinary and hospitality exhibition, organized by the Chefs Guild of Lanka, held on June 13 at the BMICH premises.
The Prime Minister noted that food is never merely a source of nutrition, but also a powerful expression of culture, beautiful memories, local identity, and heritage of a country and further stated that Sri Lanka can position itself not only as a land of natural beauty but also as a destination rich in flavor and creativity especially where culinary arts can significantly contribute to this positioning.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Culinary Art Food Expo (CAFE) being a platform for professional chefs, newcomers, and industry experts to compete while it provides a significant space for learning from one another, sharing ideas, and building connections with international culinary professionals, the Expo goes beyond a simple exhibition to a limitless, creative celebration that showcases skill, heritage, collaboration, and expression through food.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by President of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, renowned chef Gerard Mendis, Chairman of Nestlé Lanka, Bernard Stephan, Chairman of CDC Events & Travels, Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of House of ASRIEL, Shiran Peiris, along with representatives of numerous institutions and a large gathering of renowned chefs from various sectors.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), a frontrunner in Sri Lanka’s general insurance industry, emerged as the proud champion of Inter-Insurance/Broker Company Quiz Competition 2025, organized by the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII) and held on June 6 at the Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo.
This is HNBGI’s first-ever win at this prestigious annual competition and represents a milestone in the company’s continued commitment to fostering a culture of knowledge and professional excellence. The event brought together 24 teams representing insurance and broking companies from across the country, all competing in a rigorous test of knowledge covering Insurance, History, Geography, Science, Literature, Entertainment, Arts, IQ, Current Affairs and sports etc.
HNBGI’s winning team – Anushika Wickramasinghe, Indika Weerakoon, Sudharaka Jayawickrama, Janaarththanan Thavaraj, Malinda Samaraweera, and Pradeep Kasun – demonstrated exceptional teamwork, critical thinking, and subject mastery throughout the event.
Commenting on the achievement, Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI, said:
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our brilliant team for this outstanding victory. This achievement is a reflection of the strong culture of knowledge, growth, and excellence we cultivate at HNBGI. It is a proud moment that showcases our team’s true professionalism and capability – not only in competition but in delivering the best possible service to our valued customers every day.”
This victory reflects the depth of talent and spirit of excellence that HNBGI fosters across all areas of the organization. It highlights the company’s continued commitment to nurturing knowledge, capability, and collaboration within the insurance industry.
The organizer of this annual industry event, Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII), is the professional body for insurance education and development in Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in advancing industry standards through initiatives like the Inter-Insurance/Broker Company Quiz Competition. The event is a key platform for fostering professional camaraderie, knowledge-sharing, and healthy competition among industry peers.
HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) is a trusted provider of general insurance solutions in Sri Lanka, offering products such as motor, medical, home, fire, marine, and travel insurance. As a subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC and a part of the HNB Group, HNBGI is committed to its long-term vision of becoming Sri Lanka’s most customer-centric insurer, delivering protection and peace of mind to individuals and businesses across the country.
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The Sri Lanka National Arbitration Centre (SLNAC) represented Sri Lanka at the SCO Arbitration Forum 2025 held in Beijing, China, organised by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC). SLNAC Board Member, Professor Chitra Weddikkara, addressed the forum as Sri Lanka’s official delegate and featured speaker, placing the country’s voice at the forefront of conversations on innovation and cooperation in international dispute resolution.
Her keynote speech, “Artificial Intelligence in Dispute Resolution for the Global Construction Industry,” examined the potential of AI-driven tools to streamline arbitration in construction-related disputes, as the sector is particularly prone to cost overruns, project delays, and contract complexities. While highlighting the efficiency of AI in document analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling, she also stressed the importance of maintaining fairness, human oversight, and algorithmic accountability. The forum convened over 100 delegates representing 32 countries engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), reaffirming the global momentum for more accessible, innovative dispute resolution mechanisms.
SLNAC’s participation reflects its longstanding leadership as one of South Asia’s earliest arbitral institutions, with a legacy that spans nearly four decades. Its inclusion at the forum recognized the Centre’s growing role in fostering regional integration through trusted arbitration frameworks. “This engagement is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to take its seat at the global arbitration table and highlights SLNAC’s credibility,” said Chief Executive Officer of SLNAC Amali Fernando. “We are proud to contribute our expertise to the regional dialogue and remain committed to building partnerships that support our legal and business communities.”
Chairman of SLNAC Hiran de Alwis, also extended his congratulations to the delegation and expressed hopes for closer institutional ties between SLNAC and CIETAC to further strengthen regional legal cooperation.
With a reputation rooted in neutrality, professionalism, and regional trust, SLNAC continues to position Sri Lanka as a vital centre for cross-border commercial dispute resolution, reinforcing the island’s relevance in Asia’s evolving legal and business landscape.
The State Poson Festival 2025 was held at Mihintale on Tuesday (10) with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the chief guest. The Nayake Thera of the Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara, Ven. Walavahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, did not mince his words when he censured the leaders of the previous government for having denied due recognition to the Poson festival at Mihintale for two years. His consternation is understandable; the SLPP-UNP administration, blinded by the arrogance of power, stooped so low as to frustrate his efforts to celebrate Poson in a manner befitting the historical and religious significance of the event.
In an interesting turn of events replete with irony, Dhammarathana Thera showered praise on President Dissanayake, who received an honorary title, on Tuesday, in recognition of his service to the Buddha sasana. He said the President had resumed the practice of providing state patronage to the Mihintale Poson festival and thereby righted a wrong the previous government had done.
The SLPP-UNP administration turned hostile towards the Mihintale temple because Ven. Dhammarathana Thera was critical of some of its leaders and their policies and intrepidly aired his views in public, much to their chagrin. The incumbent government has adopted a conciliatory approach although the NPP was also at the receiving end of Dhammarathana Thera’s stinging remarks.
Poson is a time for reflection. While listening to Dhammarathana Thera’s speech on Tuesday we were reminded of the multiverse theory, which proposes that we exist in one of many or even infinite universes, and the concept that what ceases to be in one universe may persist in others. Bubble universes are unobservable and speculative. However, the digital space can be thought to function as a kind of parallel universe, where events that have ended in reality persist in audio-visual form. What Ven. Dhammarathana Thera said about the JVP-led NPP and Dissanayake in public previously have been frozen into what are described as timeless, isolated ‘info-bubbles’. Videos of his swipes at the previous government, the NPP and Dissanayake have resurfaced following Tuesday’s Poson festival.
One may recall that in July 2024, Ven. Dhammarathana Thera, addressing the media, lumped the then SLPP-UNP government and the NPP together and tore into both of them. Claiming that they were hostile towards him and his temple, he said an Archaeology Department official loyal to JVP leader Dissanayake obstructed the religious programmes launched by the Mihintale temple. Branding the unnamed state official as a heretic, the Thera warned that given the manner in which the NPP behaved while in the Opposition, it would not even be possible to hold a Buddha pooja if the NPP formed a government! A video of an interview where Ven. Dhammarathana criticises Dissanayake, prior to the latter’s elevation to the executive presidency, for having shown scant respect for a Pirith noola, has also resurfaced.
The digital realm, where things persist online indefinitely and prop up due to algorithmic curation, has also been a source of embarrassment and trouble for the NPP government, which, in most cases, practises the opposite of what it said, did or promised before being voted into power. These contradictions have become grist to the Opposition’s mill. The juxtaposition of early videos and present ones, containing the government leaders’ speeches, can be considered far more effective as anti-government propaganda than the Opposition politicians’ rantings and ravings against the NPP.
The digital space has become a source of embarrassment for the Opposition parties as well. It has helped expose their glaring policy contradictions and hypocrisy. The previous regime’s austerity advocates who unflinchingly pushed for tax and tariff increases and other such measures to raise state revenue regardless of their crushing impact on the public, are now demanding tax and tariff reductions and raking the NPP government over the coals for following the IMF dictates!
Successive governments have sought to obstruct the flow of information into and out of the ‘digital pocket universe’ for obvious reasons, and the imperative to defeat such efforts cannot be overstated.
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The lights are out in the factory,
Human activity is petering out…
Solemn workers are heading home,
To dying hearths and mourning wives,
Today being their last day at work,
But the flabby Captain of Business,
Who thus far called the shots,
Is making good his escape,
Amid the Law’s shrill silence,
His sleek taxi roaring airport-bound,
But the weight on his conscience,
Is as cumbrous as his mounting luggage.
By Lynn Ockersz
The Island of 09 June reported that the Dehiwela Zoo had as many as 30 blue and yellow foreign exotic Macaw parrots in captivity, and one had been stolen.
Keeping wild animals in cruel captivity, in cages, is an inhumane practice. All over the world, people are pushing for doing away with zoos.
Celebrities, drug barons and other shallow minded persons with excess cash are the main private keepers of wild animals such as Macaws and elephants. They foolishly see these beautiful beasts as mere decorative objects.
Macaws, elephants, whales and other species, should be protected within wildlife parks or the ocean never in captivity.
As we speak, today, the UN Ocean conference is taking place to protect biodiversity internationally from practices such as bottom trawling.
Close down the Dehiwela ZOO, as a matter of urgency.
Jayman
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The National People’s Power (NPP) government plans to recruit ex-military personnel to serve the police for a period of five years.
Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the office of Thambuttegama Superintendent of Police over the weekend.
Minister Wijepala said the government intended to recruit 10,000 individuals, under the age of 45 who have legally retired from active military service, into the police force. According to him, they would be taken for a period of five years.
Minister Wijepala said that he would submit the proposal to the Cabinet that was to be held yesterday (09).
Even during the war, no government had absorbed such a large number of ex-military personnel to the police.
The concert, ‘DeDo live in Moratuwa,’ turned out to be not only successful, but a very entertaining event as well.
It was a full house and reports coming my way indicate that the audience enjoyed the lovely music of the DeDo band, with Bachi Sittamige at the helm.
They sang the popular songs of Clarence, Rookantha, Milton and Priya Suriyasena, and they also did some Western songs, like ‘Joanna,’ ‘Stand By Me,’ and bailas, to keep everyone in an exciting mood.
The show also featured Lankika Perera who did ‘Kimada Nave’ and some originals, including ‘Punsanda Hinahenne,’ while Sohan did quite a few of his popular originals.
The Sola Heat dancing troupe pumped up the volume with their dancing. The evening’s programme was handled by Sankalpa De Mel, as compere.
Says Lankika: “It was a great show and a big thank you to The Island newspaper for your support.”
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The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), Government of India, NSE International Exchange (NSE IX), and CareEdge Global, in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Colombo, Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ILCCI), TWCorp (Pvt) Ltd., and the Indian CEO Forum (ICF), organised an event, titled “Credit and Capital: Building Trust through Ratings and Regulations,” on Friday (06), Indian High Commission in Colombo said.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Government of Sri Lanka, and witnessed participation of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka, Indian and Sri Lankan banks, IFSCA, NSE IX, CareEdge Global, members of various trade chambers, media, and think tanks.
The primary focus of the event was on India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, which offers access to global capital at competitive costs, attractive tax incentives, and a regulatory framework aligned with global best practices.
The event commenced with welcome remarks delivered by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and was followed by a detailed presentations by Pradeep Ramakrishnan, Executive Director, International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, Revati Parag Kasture, CEO, CareEdge Global and Venkataramani Balasubramaniam CEO, NSE International Exchange (NSE IX), offering insights into the evolving GIFT City ecosystem, credit rating mechanisms, and recent regulatory reforms that have enhanced its global competitiveness.
The National Stock Exchange also provided an overview of the listing requirements for companies seeking to access international capital markets through GIFT City. A panel discussion moderated by Thilan Wijesinghe, Chairman, TWCorp, featured an engaging exchange among experts on key themes, such as access to global capital, international regulatory frameworks, tax and financial incentives, and the potential for Sri Lankan companies to raise capital at affordable rates while linking with a dynamic and emerging financial ecosystem in India.
The event served as a catalyst for further advancing collaborative efforts across financial and investment related domains, the release added.
Understanding Liver Diseases: A Silent Epidemic
During his interview, Dr. Girn addressed a wide range of liver-related topics—from common conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to more severe ailments such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
“Liver diseases often go unnoticed until they reach advanced stages,” Dr. Girn explained. “That’s why prevention, regular check-ups, and awareness are crucial.”
Q&A with Dr. Girn: Excerpts from the Interview
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and can be caused by viruses—primarily Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Hepatitis A is typically spread through contaminated food or water, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, or sharing of contaminated needles.
Hepatitis C is often a chronic infection and is usually contracted through blood exposure.
“All forms of hepatitis can lead to chronic liver inflammation and, if untreated, progress to liver cirrhosis or cancer,”
Can Hepatitis affect all age groups?
Yes. Viral hepatitis can affect individuals of any age. While symptoms may not always be apparent early on, many patients report persistent fatigue.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) What is NAFLD?
NAFLD is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver in individuals who consume little or no alcohol.
“It’s a particularly dangerous condition because it often shows no symptoms until it has advanced to liver failure,
What are the main causes?
Key contributors include:
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
High intake of processed or fast foods
Diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2)
Are both men and women at risk?
Absolutely. Both genders are susceptible, though women are often more sensitive to the damaging effects of alcohol on the liver.
“You don’t need to be an alcoholic to develop liver disease. Many social drinkers develop severe liver conditions,
Liver Transplantation and When is it necessary?
Liver transplantation becomes essential when the liver fails, often due to chronic conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver cancer. In advanced stages, when other organs such as the kidneys or lungs are affected, transplantation may be the only lifesaving option.
Is it curable ?
Transplantation can offer a new lease on life. However, if the underlying cause of liver damage (e.g., hepatitis C) remains active and persistant the disease can recur in the new liver.
What about accessibility and cost?
Liver transplants are expensive worldwide. Unfortunately, the demand for donor organs far exceeds supply. In India, particularly in Bangalore, government schemes and charitable organizations are often involved in assisting patients financially.
Symptoms and diagnosis of non Alcholic Fatty Liver Disease
Are there early
symptoms?
Most patients with NAFLD are asymptomatic. In advanced cases, mild abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting may occur. Without intervention, it can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure.
How is it diagnosed?
People with risk factors are encouraged to undergo:
Liver function tests every six months
Abdominal ultrasound
FibroScan (in some cases)
“Even young adults can have fatty liver. The best intervention is sustained weight loss and control of diabetes and cholesterol,
Cirrhosis is more than just alcohol
Is alcohol the only cause of cirrhosis?
No. While alcohol is a major factor, it accounts for only about 50% of all cirrhosis cases. The rest are due to:
Viral hepatitis
Genetic disorders
Autoimmune and metabolic diseases
Liver Cancer: A growing Concern
Liver cancer is often diagnosed late due to its asymptomatic nature. Almost all chronic liver diseases can evolve into cancer if left unmanaged.
What are the key barriers to prevention and early detection?
Lack of public awareness
Inaccessible routine screenings, especially in rural areas
Undiagnosed hepatitis B and C
Limited knowledge among healthcare workers
The liver has no pain receptors, which means most diseases progress silently. That’s why regular check-ups are essential for at-risk populations.
Preventive Measures
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants
Undergo regular liver screenings if at risk
Dr. H. R. S. Girn is a Senior Consultant and Head of Department at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bangalore, specializing in adult and pediatric liver transplantation, pancreatic and biliary surgery, and multi-organ transplant procedures. He holds extensive international training and has successfully managed complex liver and cirrhotic cases over his career.
For more information about liver disease and treatment options at Aster Whitefield, visit their official website or contact the hospital’s liver care team.
