Vesak thoughts: Self, Kamma and Anatta
By Dr Channa Ratnatunga Human beings belong to the animal kingdom, whose primordial imperative – shaped over millions of years through the process of natural selection – is survival and reproduction, ensuring the continuation of the species. While exceptions such as altruistic behaviour exist, in certain insect communities, the dominant drive remains self-preservation. Strategies adopted [...]
Prof Amaratunge gets honorary title
The ‘Sri Sumangala Vidyawathansa’ honorary title was conferred upon Sen Prof Sampath Amaratunge a distinguished alumnus of the Vidyodaya Pirivena. The title is conferred annually in commemoration of the death anniversary of the Most Ven Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera, founder of Vidyodaya Pirivena in 1873. Prof Amaratunge is the former chairman of the University Grants [...]
New year festival by Sageetha Artists
The Sinhala New Year Festival by Sageetha Artists Commomoration Guild was held at Mahara Cultural Centre. The sound system donated by Swarna Colombage, the chief sponsor of this festival, was handed over to chief patron Ruban Wickramarachchi, President Mangala Perera, Secretary Nilanthi Mallika and Senior Vice President Mahendra Gunathilaka.
HelpAge plans 3500 free cataract surgeries during 2026-2027
HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) that continuously provide free cataract surgeries for country’s underprivileged senior citizens has planned to perform around 3500 free cataract surgeries during the period between 2026-2027. According to HelpAge nearly 55,000 free cataract surgeries have so far been performed by HelpAge to restore the vision of low -income persons from the time [...]
Pera Uni Colombo alumni (AAUPCC) office bearers for 2026/2027
The 35th annual general meeting of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya-Colombo Chapter (AAUPCC) was held on Sunday, March 29 at the Main Auditorium (Sanhinda), Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Colombo 7. Athauda Jayawardena, Director/CEO of Innovative Pesticides Marketing, a past General Secretary of AAUPCC was the chief guest. Key office [...]
Book launch
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt – Untold story of the medical student’s death by Dr Kasinathan Nadesan (MBBS, MD, MRCPath, FRCPath, FRCPA, DMJ (Path), DMJ(Clin), DLM) will be launched at an event on May 9, from 4-7 pm, at the Renuka Hotel, Colombo 3. Chief guest at the event will be Justice S Thurairaja, PC, [...]
Tribute to Uncle Baba on his 78th birthday – Appreciations
Anthony A. Page On the occasion of the 78th birth anniversary (March 21) of my late uncle, Anthony Page, fondly known as Uncle Baba, I remember him with much love and respect. An inspiring and, when needed, a strict uncle to my sister Anita and me. He was my godfather, and he fulfilled his role [...]
What the blind man spoke the deaf couldn’t hear – Appreciations
Louis Benedict It has been a year since the passing of Sunday Times deputy editor Louis Benedict (1948–2025). We publish today a tribute written by the late Fr Aloysius Pieris, s.j. The invitation to hear God occurs over one thousand five hundred times in the Bible; for we cannot see God except at death; for [...]
The standard-bearer of human rights campaigns in Lanka – Appreciations
Suriya Wickramasinghe On April 29, 2026, Sri Lanka lost one of its steadfast and longest-serving advocates for human rights, Suriya Wickramasinghe, best known as the face of the Civil Rights Movement (CRM), of which she was a founding member and secretary. Suriya began her legal career in the late 1960s and devoted her life to [...]
Indiscriminate attacks on Lebanon’s civilian areas unacceptable: MSF
The international humanitarian group Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which remains in the thick of the devastation in Lebanon caused by Israeli bombardments despite the ceasefire, has responded to questions from the Sunday Times regarding the humanitarian situation there. Here are excerpts from the interview with MSF Director Jinane Saad: n Despite the ceasefire agreement, South [...]
When AI breaks the news: Trust cannot be automated
Today is World Press Freedom Day By Meera Selva, CEO of Internews and Branko Brkic, Leader of Project Kontinuum Ultimately, we have to decide who gets to control the infrastructure of information. It is unrealistic, and probably undesirable, to imagine technology being removed entirely from public life. We can, and we must rethink the role [...]
Beware of government by Artificial Intelligence
By Gabriela Ramos and Emilija Stojmenova Duh, PROJECT SYNDICATE, EXCLUSIVE TO THE SUNDAY TIMES IN SRI LANKA PARIS/LJUBLJANA—Earlier this month, the United Arab Emirates announced a plan to have half of its government services run on agentic AI within the next two years. Under the scheme, AI is supposed to serve as an “executive partner” [...]