Features

Corporal Punishment for Children is Wrong – An Analysis of the New Penal Code Amendments

Asian TribuneFebruary 28, 2026

In Sri Lanka, recent amendments to the Penal Code have officially prohibited corporal punishment in schools. These amendments have sparked widespread debate among different sectors of society. While professional unions, some principals, and teachers have expressed concerns about maintaining discipline, religious leaders such as the Venerable Trinikaikaya Mahānāyaka Thero have voiced opposition. Legal Perspective: Adults...

New Anti-Terrorism Bill (PSTA) Violates International Standards: Strong Warning to Government from UN Special Rapporteurs

Asian TribuneFebruary 26, 2026

A group of Special Rapporteurs from the United Nations has issued a strong warning to the Government of Sri Lanka regarding the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA). In a letter dated February 9, 2026, the experts acknowledged the government’s initiative to review the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). However, they...

Guardians of the Law or Political Instruments?

Asian TribuneFebruary 26, 2026

A Comprehensive Investigative Report on the Arrest of Natasha Edirisuriya The arrest and remand imprisonment of Sri Lankan comedian Natasha Edirisuriya triggered a profound national debate on freedom of expression, rule of law, and the scope of police power in Sri Lanka. Although the controversy appeared to reach a legal turning point on February 19,...

Can the “Military Sleep Method” Really Help You Fall Asleep in Two Minutes?

Asian TribuneFebruary 21, 2026

Almost everyone wishes they could fall asleep quickly. Yet for millions of people worldwide, sleep doesn’t come easily. Estimates vary widely, but research suggests that between 5% and 50% of the global population experience insomnia symptoms — whether struggling to fall asleep, waking frequently during the night, or lying awake tossing and turning. In the...

Environmental activists to sue Government over plastic pollution failures

Asian TribuneFebruary 15, 2026

Colombo, February 15, 2026 – A group of Sri Lankan environmental campaigners and activists is preparing to take fresh legal action against the Government, accusing authorities of failing to properly enforce laws and regulations aimed at reducing plastic pollution across the island. Activists have raised concerns that ongoing plastic and microplastic contamination is harming coastal...

Sri Lanka’s Education Reforms at a Crossroads: An Analysis of a Deepening Crisis

Asian TribuneFebruary 1, 2026

For decades, education reform has been a recurring theme in Sri Lanka’s policy discourse. Successive governments have promised to modernise the system, align it with global standards, and prepare young people for a rapidly changing world. Yet despite repeated reform initiatives, the education sector today finds itself in a state of uncertainty and mounting crisis....

Nandana Gunathilaka: Did He Die Naturally or Was He Killed?

Asian TribuneJanuary 19, 2026

Udaya Gammanpila Raises Controversial Questions (Analysis / Opinion)January 18, 2026 A lengthy post published by former minister Udaya Gammanpila on his Facebook page has triggered intense debate across social media and political circles. The post raises a series of open questions regarding the death of politician Nandana Gunathilaka. Gammanpila notes that he has known Gunathilaka...

Israel and the Question of Power: State Strength or Ethnic Influence?

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 13, 2026

Israel is often described as one of the most powerful states in the world, despite its small geographic size. Its military capability, technological advancement, and diplomatic influence far exceed what might be expected of a nation of its scale. This reality has fueled a controversial question: Is Israel powerful because it is a strong state,...

Donald Trump and the Return of Disruptive Global Politics

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 13, 2026

Donald Trump’s influence on global politics did not end with his departure from the White House. On the contrary, his political philosophy—marked by nationalism, unpredictability, and transactional diplomacy—continues to shape international relations. Trump represents a broader shift in global politics where traditional norms are increasingly challenged by populist leaders and domestic-first agendas. Trump’s approach to...

Sri Lanka on the Brink: Economic Crisis and the Cost of Political Inexperience

Indika SuriarachchiJanuary 13, 2026

Sri Lanka’s prolonged economic crisis is not merely the result of global shocks or unforeseen circumstances. It is deeply rooted in domestic political failures, policy inconsistency, and a chronic lack of experienced governance. While external pressures such as global inflation and post-pandemic disruptions worsened conditions, the core problem remains the inability of successive governments—particularly the...