News Room : Of that colourless evil – The Island
When conservative Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, citing frailty of body, the Catholic world braced for a like-minded successor. All eyes were on Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola, then 71, a theological twin of Benedict and the bookmakers’ favourite. But as the age-old adage in Rome goes, “He who enters the conclave as pope, exits as cardinal.” When white...
News Room : Rising Above Racism and Islamophobia: Zainab Shafi, with 3As, Secures Place Among Sri Lanka’s Future Doctors
In a powerful story of resilience and triumph, Zainab Shafi, the daughter of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen — who was at the centre of a high-profile false sterilisation allegation in 2019 — has achieved her long-cherished dream of entering medical faculty. Zainab secured 3 As in the Science stream at the 2024 GCE Advanced Level examination, earning a district rank of...
News Room : Lumbini to Host the 4th Asian Buddhist Cultural Festival 2025
LUMBINI, NEPAL — Lumbini, the revered birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha, is set to host the 4th Asian Buddhist Cultural Festival from 25 to 28 April 2025 at the International Buddhist Conference and Meditation Hall. This significant cultural and spiritual event is organised by the Lumbini Development Trust and the Sariputra Foundation, in collaboration with international partners including the World...
News Room : Court Bans Key Protest Leaders from Examination Centers Amid Graduate Recruitment Exams
The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has issued an order prohibiting four individuals from entering or remaining near centers where competitive exams are scheduled today (April 27) to recruit graduates into supplementary health service courses. The court order was issued following a request from the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Maradana Police Station, after receiving intelligence about a planned protest aimed at discouraging...
News Room : RW to visit CIABOC on Monday – The Island
Sujith Weerasinghe, the North West London Regional Relationship Manager for Specsavers, has founded a new charity dedicated to supporting children and families affected by the tragic Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka in 2019. The devastating attacks, which targeted churches and hotels in Colombo, claimed 167 lives of Catholices at Easter worship in three churches, left many children orphaned or...
News Room : New Lankan HC to Australia assumes duties
High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Canberra, Australia, Yasoja Gunasekera, assumed duties last Tuesday (22). Addressing the staff following the assumption of duties, High Commissioner-designate Gunasekera outlined the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka and noted the long-standing and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Australia, as well as the way forward to strengthen bilateral ties between the two...
News Room : NPP will hold May Day rally atat Galle Face
No final decision about preceding procession through Colombo In celebration of International Workers’ Day, the National People’s Power (NPP) government has decided to hold its official May Day rally on Thursday, May 1, at Galle Face Green in Colombo. The event will be held under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, along with key leaders of the government. However, a...
News Room : Businessman Injured in Early Morning Shooting in Katunayake
Police have identified the victim of a shooting incident in the Heenatiyana area of Katunayake this morning (26) as 29-year-old Udara Chathuranga, a resident of the same area. The shooting occurred around 5:35 a.m. while Chathuranga was asleep in his room alongside his father. Two unidentified gunmen reportedly entered the house and opened fire before fleeing on a motorcycle. Initial investigations...
News Room : Sri Lanka, India and South Africa kick off World Cup preparations with ODI tri-series
The Women’s ODI World Cup is five months away and, after the drama of the qualifier in which Pakistan and Bangladesh confirmed their places at the tournament, preparation begins in Sri Lanka with a tri seried. Sri Lanka host India and South Africa for a seven-match tournament, which will include the pressure of reaching a final. All three sides...
News Room : Harshal, Kamindu lead Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first win against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai – The Island
A three-pronged performance from Kamindu Mendis and Harshal Patel’s use of the middle of the pitch led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to win their first-ever match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai, a win SRH will hope revives a faltering campaign. Dewald Brevis, on his CSK debut, and Ayush Mhatre, the youngest CSK player ever in only his second innings,...