Peace or Oppression? The Fraught Symbolism of Sri Lanka’s National Waterlily

To some, it’s a symbol of purity and enlightenment, and to others a reminder of exclusion, persecution and violence The nil manel, or blue waterlily, is the national flower of Sri Lanka: a pale-blue bloom whose Latin names are Nymphaea stellata and Nymphaea nouchali. Its natural habitat is the many lagoons that dot this island-nation, where it grows together with numerous other nymphaeas, in …

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Only 0.5% of 90,000 oil slicks reported over five-year period, analysis finds

Pollution incidents reported between 2014 and 2019 were compared against scientific study that used satellite imagery to count slicks Just 474 out of more than 90,000 oil slicks from ships around the world were reported to authorities over a five-year period, it can be revealed, and barely any resulted in any punishment or sanctions. The figure, obtained from Lloyd’s List …

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Sri Lanka Seeks Compensation as Debris From MSC Elsa 3 Washes Ashore

Sri Lanka’s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) confirmed that it has begun negotiations with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company seeking compensation for environmental damage related to the MSC Elsa 3 casualty. The government is considering legal action, although a representative said MSC has accepted responsibility in the ongoing discussions. The containership sank in late May, southwest of the Indian state of Kerala on …

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Relatives of the “missing” from Sri Lanka’s communal war speak out

The second excavation phase of the Chemmani mass grave in northern Jaffna resumed on July 21, unearthing dozens more skeletons and bringing the overall total over 100. A mass grave containing human bone fragments was first discovered on February 20 at Sittupatthu cemetery in Chemmani on the outskirts of Jaffna with excavations beginning on May 15. It was another chilling …

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Strong EU, UK demand sees Sri Lanka’s apparel exports rise 5.2% in June

Sri Lanka’s apparel export growth was propelled by a 23.1% increase in exports to the European Union (excluding the UK), amounting to $142.92m, and a 20.4% rise in exports to the UK, totaling $67.33m. Despite these increases, there was a noted decline in exports to the US by 5.7%, totaling $164.39m amid ongoing uncertainty around US president Trump’s tariffs. There …

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President Addresses Maldives Business Forum

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Forum yesterday (30), held at JEN Maldives Malé Hotel. The forum was jointly organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in the Maldives and the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The event aimed to invite the Maldivian business community to invest in Sri Lanka by showcasing the …

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Discussion with Heads of Institutions on the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan

A discussion with the heads of the National Steering Committee appointed to monitor the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029 and the relevant state and private sector institutions responsible for this initiative was held yesterday (30) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. The National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, launched …

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Sri Lanka: ICJ urges international oversight and victim-centred investigation into Chemmani mass grave in compliance with international law and standards

In light of the ongoing excavation at the Chemmani-Siththupaththi mass grave site in Jaffna, situated in the North of Sri Lanka, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) publishes the following statement.   As of 27 July 2025, 101 skeletal remains, including those of children and infants, had been recovered at Chemmani-Siththupaththi. The ICJ considers that the excavation process is a …

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Sri Lanka’s Tourism in Crisis? Can New Visa-Free Policy Save the Country’s Struggling Travel Industry?

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is currently facing a significant slowdown in growth for the second consecutive month, with the month of July 2025 presenting a marked deceleration in arrival numbers. The country, known for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage, has seen a sharp drop in momentum compared to the previous months of 2025. This change has …

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