By Venerable Bhikkhu Mihita, Ph. D.
Introduction When a Buddhist devotee offers alms to the sangha and/or participate in any other religious activity, the expectation is to earn enough punna merit to gain a berth in Heaven (sagga), obviously by way of having a qualitatively better life than on Earth. Fair enough! But where is heaven? Based in a study of the Tipitaka Tricompendium, this writer has come to identify Heaven as being nothing but the Sky! And hence the term Sky-Heaven as used in this article. So here then is the basis. As... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/05/25)
Shenali D Waduge
A day of honor was turned into a day of betrayal. Victory Day in Sri Lanka is not just a date on a calendar — it is a solemn tribute to the tens of thousands of brave Ranaviruwo who laid down their lives to defend the nation from one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in the world: the LTTE. It is a day meant to remember sacrifice, celebrate unity, and reaffirm our commitment to a sovereign, unitary & undivided Sri Lanka. Yet this year, the President's Victory Day address did not honor the fallen —... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/05/25)
Shenali D Waduge
If there is a war against terrorism and extremism, there can be no room for double standards. Yet, some foreign governments continue to permit the display and glorification of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its associated symbols, despite the group's designation as a banned terrorist organization in many countries. This dangerous hypocrisy not only undermines national security but also jeopardizes the safety of their citizens and the integrity of immigration and welfare systems. It is imperative that foreign governments recognize the threat posed by LTTE-linked activities and take decisive... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/05/25)
Dr Sarath Obeysekera, CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Cricket players who may have been above board should not get involved in politics Celebrated captain who lifted the World Cup should have stayed as a senior cricketer like Sanga or Mahela and serve the nation .Trying to emulate Imran Khan has not shown much results .Previous government have him a lucrative job as the minister for ports and shipping and also made him the minister of Petroleum .But the country did not see much of his contribution to both industries When the Galle... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/05/25)
Shenali Waduge
https://www.shenaliwaduge.com/a-nations-response-a-president-betraying-the-spirit-of-sri-lankas-ranawiru-victory-day/ A day of honor was turned into a day of betrayal. Victory Day in Sri Lanka is not just a date on a calendar — it is a solemn tribute to the tens of thousands of brave Ranaviruwo who laid down their lives to defend the nation from one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in the world: the LTTE. It is a day meant to remember sacrifice, celebrate unity, and reaffirm our commitment to a sovereign, unitary & undivided Sri Lanka. Yet this year, the President's Victory Day... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/05/25)
3 Minutes - SEPAL AMARASINGHE
https://youtu.be/46XIBn6PnsM... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/05/25)
R. Balaji Courtesy The Telegraph online
Sudhakaran was appearing for Sri Lankan national and former LTTE member Subaskaran alias Jeevan, who pleaded that he would face political persecution if deported to his country. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition from a former LTTE member challenging his deportation to Sri Lanka, saying India was not a "dharamshala" for refugees and was battling its own problems with a 140-crore population. “Do you think India is a dharamshala to host refugees from all over the world? As it is, we are struggling with... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/05/25)
Maathalan - Priyantha Hewage (මාතලන්)
https://youtu.be/kZer4DRnGqo... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Shenali D Waduge
We salute the Bravery of Sri Lanka’s War Heroes and the truth they defended with their live. Each May, while large numbers pay tribute to the War Heroes who defeated terrorism in May 2009, a minor group gather to glorify the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization under the guise of “mourning”. In doing so they are slapping the victims of the terrorists who comprised Sinhalese, Muslims, Foreigners & even Tamils. No liberation movement uses their own as human shields, hostages or child soldiers. It was Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces who carried out... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Shenali Waduge
Let May 18 be a day of Honor, not Revenge or Amnesia As Sri Lanka reflects on the significance of May 18, the Government must ensure that all future Victory Day commemorations are marked with dignity, truth, and national gratitude — not silence, distortion, or political bias. This appeal is to set a consistent national standard going forward — to properly honor those who sacrificed and to preserve the historical truth for future generations. Key Demands 1. President’s Presence Is Essential The Commander-in-Chief must... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Heroes day commemoration at Mavil Aru anicut coordinated by SPUR with the support of the nearby villages.
... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Press Release -National Development Bank plc
NDB Bank, in collaboration with News First, is proud to announce the commencement of applications for the Corporate Sector Competition of Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana 2025, the nation’s most distinguished platform dedicated to honouring and empowering exceptional women. Following the success of the Provincial Sector initiative, the spotlight now turns to the accomplished and trailblazing women of Sri Lanka’s corporate and professional spheres. This year’s Corporate Sector Competition breaks new ground by welcoming applications from all elite women professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders, without restriction. Whether you are at the helm of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Hiru News
https://youtu.be/QDTDff3zQD8... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
3 Minutes - SEPAL AMARASINGHE
https://youtu.be/B0-Gsoj9F74... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Aloysius Hettiarachchi
At the outset let me state that I am not a historian but a Civil and Structural Engineer with some knowledge about computer programming and IT. I have used the latter to gain advantage over others in my profession. However, the AI tools that are being sharpened almost daily in the form of Large Language Models (or Llamas) and made available via mobile phones have made it very easy for us to probe in to past. At the touch of a button these tools would scan data available to them and give info asked for as... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
නැණස NENASA 🇱🇰
https://youtu.be/FHzLIRAVApw... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Press Emblem Campaign (PEC)
Geneva, 19 May 2025: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expressed shock over the murder of another Indian journalist and demanded justice for the bereaved family of Dharmendra Singh Chauhan. The Haryana-based media person, who was associated with online media outlet named Fast News India, was shot at by the miscreants on 18 May and later succumbed to injuries in a Gurugram hospital in the night hours. Chauhan, who lived in Luhari village under Jhajjar district, was targeted as he went for a walk after his dinner. ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Chanaka Bandarage
Governments in the past – from Dudley Senanayake (1965 – 1970) to Gotabhaya Rajapaksha (2019 – 2022) introduced National Programs of gigantic nature. All of them ended in failure. Why? They failed to carry people with them. One program that was successful to an extent was Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s ‘Grow More Food Campaign’ (1972 – 1976). That government somewhat forcibly enforced the Program on people. School children played a prominent role in it – actively growing manioc, chillies, sorghum and many crops in school yards (the playgrounds were untouched). ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Conversations with Alanki
https://youtu.be/eNTJ3sx5wCo... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Press Release National Development Bank plc
NDB Bank is honoured to extend its support towards a deeply humanitarian initiative led by the Sri Lanka Amarapura & Ramanya Samagi Union to aid victims affected by the recent devastating earthquake in the Kingdom of Myanmar and parts of Thailand. This natural disaster has claimed numerous lives and left thousands displaced, including members of the monastic community and the general public, while severely damaging homes, temples, and essential infrastructure. Recognising the urgent need for assistance, NDB Bank contributed support for this relief mission, aligning with the Bank’s strong commitment... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
National Development Bank PLC
Released to Colombo Stock Exchange on: 14 May 2025 NDB pre-tax profits surge by 118% to Rs. 4.0 Bn. Marks strong start for the year. Post-tax profitability of Rs. 1.9 Bn up by 168% ROE of 10.03% Total assets growth of 7% to Rs. 852.4 Bn Healthy growth in loan book of 5% to Rs. 535.2 Bn stemming from all business sectors CASA ratio improvement by 91 bps to 25.82% National Development Bank PLC (NDB/the Bank) recently... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
By Shamindra Ferdinando Courtesy The Island
Gen. Silva “US, UK sanctions effectively prevented me from travelling to other countries as well” Former GOC of the 58 Division General Shavendra Silva yesterday (18) found fault with successive governments since 2009 for failing to counter unsubstantiated war crimes accusations. The failure on the part of them led to punitive international measures against senior officers who spearheaded the offensive against the LTTE, the Gajaba veteran said. Appearing on Derana 24/7 with Chathura Alwis, the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) declared his... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
e-Con e-News
blog: eesrilanka.wordpress.com ‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’ e-Con e-News 11-17 May 2025 India is allegedly attempting to prevent the economic advance of Hambantota Port as a node for Sri Lanka’s industrial renaissance (see ee Random Notes). This blockading makes this ee recall SBD de Silva’s signalling of the vast difference between the ports in the settler states (USA, Canada, Australia, etc., but not only them) and in the non-settler colonies like ours. Sri Lanka’s ports are stunted, as: ‘Depots for the storage &... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Lanka Leader
රට, දැය, සමය රකින ප්රධානම බලවේගයක් වන්නේ රණවිරුවන් බවත්, අතීතයේ දීත් රටට එරෙහි අක්රමණවලින් රට ජාතිය බේරා ගැනීමට රුධිරය හෙලූ මුතුන් මිත්තන්ගේ රුධිරයෙන් මේ මාතෘභූමිය සුපෝෂිත වී ඇති බවත් ජාතික නිදහස් පෙරමුණේ නායක විමල් වීරවංශ මහතා පවසයි. පවාදෙන්නන්ගේ අපකීර්තිමත් අත්දැකීම්වලට වඩා වීරයන්ගේ ශ්රේෂ්ඨ අත්දැකීම්වලින් අපේ ඉතිහාස කතාව හැඩගැන්වී ඇති බවත් ඒ මහතා පවසයි. ජාතික නිදහස් පෙරමුණ විසින් සංවිධානය කළ 'විජයග්රහණයේ රණවිරු ප්රණාමය' රණවිරු සැමරුමේ දී ඒ මහතා මේ බව පැවසීය. යුද්ධය පැවති සමයේ රාජ්ය ඒකීය භාවයට දැඩි තර්ජනයක් එල්ලවී තිබූ පසුබිමක වේලුපිල්ලේ ප්රභාකරන් විසින් දකුණු ආසියාවේ ඊශ්රායලය මෙරට තුළ නිර්මාණය... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Courtesy Daily Mirror
Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror) - The United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have reached an agreement to work together and administer local bodies in which the Opposition commands a majority. The two parties have decided to work with other Opposition parties, according to a joint statement signed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala today.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Courtesy The Daily Mirror
Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror)- Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, counsel for IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon today, informed the committee of inquiry probing the charges against his client that he would reveal who is behind the exercise against him. “On behalf of my client, I will reveal who is behind the removal of Deshabandu Tennakoon and who is motivating him in this exercise,” Weerawickrama said. Counsel Weerawickrama accused Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris of hiding evidence. “We need to study the evidence before we submit our objections,” he said. Meanwhile,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Courtesy Daily Mirror
Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror) - Racism has begun to raise its ugly head again in the North and the South for the sake of power, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Adddressing the 16th National War Heroes' Commemoration ceremony, he said the war was not natural but it was created to aquire power and to protect and strenthen power for some people. He said children of parents who never provoked extremism or racism had to sacrifice their lives for the power struggles of some people. The President said... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/05/25)
Shenali D Waduge
Where were all these LTTE fronts when Prabakaran was declared dead in May 2009, when his father died in 2010 & mother died in 2011? Not even Prabakarans siblings came to conduct his funeral or even the parent’s funeral. Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces cremated Prabakaran & threw his ashes to sea. His father’s funeral was done by TNA MP Sivajilingam who was a relative, while 3 dead dogs were thrown at the cremation site of his mother. In fact, no LTTE front even came forward to look after Prabakaran’s parents who were... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Dilrook Kannangara
There are 90 million Tamils globally and their population grows by more than 1 million each year. Those are massive numbers and don’t in anyway indicate suffering “genocide”. Therefore, Canada’s Tamil genocide monument is a joke. It ridicules actual victims of genocide including original Canadians killed in their millions. In the case of Sri Lanka, Tamil population has grown massively despite the war and hundreds of thousands leaving the country as economic refugees. At least 20,000 Tamils live in each and every district of Sri Lanka. However, Sinhalas and Muslims are not allowed to live... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Aloysius Hettiarachchi
At the outset let me state that I am not a historian but a Civil and Structural Engineer with some knowledge about computer programming and IT. I have used the latter to gain advantage over others in my profession. However, the AI tools that are being sharpened almost daily in the form of Large Language Models (or Llamas) and made available via mobile phones have made it very easy for us to probe in to past. At the touch of a button these tools would scan data available to them and give info asked for as... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Leslie Alan Horvitz Courtesy Counterpunch
Photo by Logan Voss In the 1983 film War Games, a supercomputer known as WOPR (for War Operation Plan Response) is about to provoke a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union, but because of the ingenuity of a teenager (played by Matthew Broderick), catastrophe is averted. In the first Terminator film, which was released a year later, a supercomputer called “Skynet” decides to exterminate humanity because it’s perceived as a threat to its existence rather than to protect American nuclear weapons. Although... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Ada Derana
https://youtu.be/J2uT6XpFG_E... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Pathfinder Foundation
At a Hybrid meeting hosted by the Pathfinder Foundation, Dr. Liu Zongyi, Senior Fellow & Director, Center for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), elaborated on China’s response to evolving economic policies amidst global uncertainty and its implications for South Asia and beyond. In his presentation, Dr. Liu at the join from the Pathfinder Foundation Headquarters at Peliyagoda and live conference open for the public via webinar link, focused on the major challenges facing the global economy and their root causes, citing geopolitical risks, the fragility of global financial... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Nava Thakuria
The current interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, remains busy pursuing the final reports by a number of reform commissions with their proposals and subsequent discussions with the political party representatives. Even after nine months of its formation in Dhaka, the situation across the south Asian nation continues to be murky. Needless to mention that a sense of joy and expectation surfaced among nearly 170 million Bangladeshi nationals, when the caretaker government was constituted following a massive student-led uprising compelled sitting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee (to India)... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Wimal Weerawansa
https://youtu.be/3_mYhvmT5h0... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Borella Handiya
https://youtu.be/mjC9-hTCE0I... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Udaya Gammanpila
https://youtu.be/n4hGnXIMxdA... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
The News Reporter
https://youtu.be/uY1lSLfSOrc... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/05/25)
Shenali D Waduge
Has it never occurred to the international media or so-called international community or even UN/UNHRC Officials to question the silence of LTTE fronts to LTTE’s recruitment of Tamil children who were turned into child soldiers forming one third of LTTE’s ground force? How can LTTE fronts call for justice when hiding their own crime of creating child soldiers & sending them to their deaths over 3 decades? How can LTTE fronts who funded LTTE guns & watched child soldier recruitment have any moral authority to demand human rights or draft curriculum for... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/05/25)
Dilrook Kannangara
JVP won power in 265 LG bodies and the closest rival SJB only managed 14. ITAK and other minority parties are no challengers to the JVP. This is an astronomical election victory. UNP, SLPP, SLFP and others were essentially wiped out unable to win a single LG body! They lost the country and now the village too. Though defeated, SJB has positioned itself as the next favored regime. Voters’ choice for the next leader is between Anura and Sajith. Others have been rendered irrelevant. Comparing local government elections with parliamentary or presidential... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/05/25)
