California 'megafire' explodes to 154,000 acres as three injured battling flames

The Gifford fire, which has been burning for a week, has been described as a 'megafire' and has so far injured three people with 2,912 structures under threat

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NDB Bank joins hands with International Scholar to enhance access to overseas education

NDB Bank is proud to announce its latest partnership with International Scholar, one of Sri Lanka’s most reputed education consultancy firms, with the aim of making overseas education more financially accessible and stress-free for Sri Lankan students and their families. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was officially signed on July 20, 2025, at the Bank’s Head Office in Colombo.

Signing the MOU on behalf of NDB Bank were Mr. Sanjaya Perera, Senior Vice President – Personal Banking & Customer Experience, and Mr. Zeyan Hameed, Vice President – Retail Banking. Representing International Scholar were Mr. Keerthi Jayasuriya, Chief Executive Officer, and Mrs. Ruckmalie Jayasuriya, Director and Chief Counsellor.

With a distinguished track record spanning decades, International Scholar has been a pioneer in international student placements, supporting thousands of Sri Lankan students in securing university admissions across the UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand. Their expertise in academic counselling, visa assistance, and post-arrival support has made them a preferred partner for students and parents navigating the complexities of studying abroad.

As part of this collaboration, NDB Bank will provide specially curated financial solutions including education loans, student file facilities, and foreign remittance services—offering families a seamless and dependable financial foundation as they plan their global academic journeys.

Speaking on the partnership, Sanjaya Perera remarked, “We are delighted to partner with International Scholar, whose values of commitment and excellence closely mirror those of NDB. By combining their advisory expertise with our financial support, we hope to create a comprehensive platform that enables Sri Lankan youth to step confidently into their international academic pursuits.”

This partnership is another step in NDB’s journey to be more than a bank, an enabler of life’s most defining milestones. By supporting educational aspirations through robust financial solutions, NDB Bank reaffirms its dedication to uplifting the nation, one future at a time.

NDB Bank is the fourth-largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka. NDB was named Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for Corporates at Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024 and was awarded Domestic Retail Bank of the Year – Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Domestic Project Finance Bank of the Year by Asian Banking and Finance Magazine (Singapore) Awards 2024. NDB is the parent company of the NDB Group, comprising capital market subsidiary companies, together forming a unique banking and capital market services group. The Bank is committed to empowering the nation and its people through meaningful financial and advisory services powered by digital banking solutions.

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Russia furious over 'Trump Bridge' as US set to establish new corridor close to its border

The deal is set to be signed at the White House on Friday, and will see the US granted leasing rights to establish a corridor connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan

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Sideshows and rhetoric

Friday 8th August, 2025

The ruling NPP continues to make various allegations against its political opponents, the way it did while it was in the Opposition. It is now ensconced in power, and what is expected of it is action and not verbal attacks. After months of vacillation, it has decided to carry out one of its key election pledges.

The government yesterday presented a bill to Parliament seeking to curtail the retirement benefits of the former Presidents. The bill can now be challenged before the Supreme Court, but nobody will be able to prevent its passage, with or without amendments, given the NPP’s supermajority, with which the government can steamroller virtually anything through Parliament. It is also highly unlikely that the opponents of the bill will be able to mobilise enough public support.

The ex-Presidents of Sri Lanka cannot be considered poor by any stretch of the imagination, and therefore they will not be reduced to destitution even if all their superannuation entitlements are done away with. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be the least affected by the abolition of the presidential retirement benefits, when he leaves office. He can rest assured that his party, the JVP, described by the Opposition as the richest political organisation in Sri Lanka, will look after him.

The government seems intent on gaining some political mileage rather than saving funds through the curtailment of former President’s retirement benefits. This can be considered a political sideshow intended to distract public attention from the government’s promise to trace and bring back the state funds stolen during former administrations. Claiming that the Rajapaksa family had stashed away billions of dollars in Uganda, the NPP pledged to bring the money back. If the colossal amounts of state funds believed to have been stolen can be recovered, the country will gain financially.

The NPP had to admit that it had misled the public with its claim that Sri Lanka’s stolen money was lying in secret accounts in Uganda. It also had to own up to another propaganda lie, the other day in Parliament. The JVP/NPP claimed during its election campaigns that state funds amounting to USD 320 had been spent on a satellite project at the behest of a member of the Rajapaksa family while Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President. But in answer to a question from the Opposition, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament on Wednesday that no state funds had been invested in the satellite project. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, yesterday, disputed the Prime Minister’s response, but he did not say that the country had suffered any financial loss due to the project. He only obfuscated the issue. He asked Parliament what had become of the satellite at issue. He should figure it out himself. Instead of repeating such allegations, the government should concentrate on tracing what it described as the stolen state funds and recovering them.

An investigation has got underway into an allegation that Ranil Wickremesinghe misused state funds during a foreign tour when he was the President. The CID has questioned some of Wickremesinghe’s top aides on the issue. Wickremesinghe’s office has denied any wrongdoing. One can safely bet one’s bottom dollar that the NPP government will not follow through on this matter. The JVP was on very intimate terms with the UNP-led Yahapalana government. So, Wickremesinghe is believed to have more than one ace up his sleeve. It may be recalled that Wickremesinghe, shortly after being sworn in as the Prime Minister, in 2022, used one of the aces in Parliament, so to speak. During a heated argument, he told the JVP leaders that if he disclosed certain things they had done during the Yahapalana government, the latter would face serious problems in their own party. Curiously, the JVP leaders did not call his bluff.

Meanwhile, there has been a disappearance, as it were, in Parliament. The second part of the parliamentary debate on the Batalanda Commission report has been made to disappear to all intents and purposes. The supporters of the NPP expected the incumbent government to use the report and the debate thereon to hurt Wickremesinghe politically. The first part of the debate was held in April. Has the government baulked at completing the debate lest Wickremesinghe should make use of the aces up his sleeve?

If the government is to live up to people’s expectations and shore up its approval rating, it will have to do much more than repeating allegations against its political rivals and holding political sideshows.

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Trump says assassination attempt 'wasn't easy' as he compares it to Purple Heart veterans

US President Donald Trump has compared the attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania rally last year to the sacrifices made by Purple Heart veterans

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Skin, body and hair …

All of us, especially the ladies, would love to take care of our skin, body, and hair.

This week, my Beauty Tips revolve around items that you already have in your kitchen cupboard.

* Yoghurt and Turmeric Healing Face Mask:

You will need 01 teaspoon of turmeric, 01 teaspoon of organic honey, and 01 tablespoon of natural yoghurt.

Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly in a bowl and then apply the mixture to freshly washed, dry skin. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water and follow with your usual skincare routine.

* Avocado Hair Mask:

You will need 01 avocado, 01 tablespoon of honey (optional), and 02 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil.

Mix all the ingredients in a blender to get a smooth consistency that feels like a conditioner. (If you don’t have a blender, mash up the avocado with a fork and whip in the other ingredients for a lightweight texture.) Apply the mask all over dry hair, focusing on your ends and also applying to your scalp. Leave the mask on for one hour, and then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, as usual.

* Brightening Toner:

You will need 01 fresh orange, or fresh orange juice.

On clean skin, take one slice of your orange and gently rub it on your skin. If you’re using orange juice, then apply a little to a cotton pad and sweep it across your face, like you’re using toner. Keep the juice on your face for 10 minutes while you enjoy a glass of juice or your orange – got to get those vitamins inside for glowing skin and a good immune boost – then rinse your face with water and apply any serums and moisturisers.

* Egg White Pore-Tightening Face Mask:

Crack 01 large egg in a bowl and separate the yolk so only the egg white remains. Whisk the mixture, using a fork, until it thickens slightly. Apply the mixture to cleansed skin then wash it off once it dries (around 15 minutes) with lukewarm water.

* Soothing Green Tea Eye Mask:

You will need 01 green tea bag and 01 teaspoon of sweet almond oil or Vaseline.

Once you’ve lightly brewed the tea, take it out and let the tea bag cool, then spoon out the tea leaves and mix in a bowl with either Vaseline or sweet almond oil. Once combined, smooth the mixture onto clean, dry under eyes, and leave on for 20 minutes before gently washing away with warm water. Follow with an eye cream.

* Banana Botox Face Mask:

You will need 01 tablespoon of yoghurt, 1/2 a ripe banana, and 01 teaspoon of honey (not essential but super hydrating and has anti-inflammatory properties).

Mash the banana to a smooth consistency with a fork, then add in the yoghurt and honey – you can also put it all in a blender if you prefer. Leave the mix in the fridge to chill – the cool temperature will feel soothing and refreshing. Spread the mix all over your face and neck and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

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Earthquake rattles Alaska as volcano is expected to erupt at any time

A tremor shakes the Alaskan wilderness, echoing through the vast expanse as Mount Spurr watches silently. Could this be a prelude to nature's fiery spectacle?

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