News
From screen addiction to storytelling: A schoolgirl’s inspiring turnaround
At a time when smartphone addiction among schoolchildren is raising growing concern, one young student from Kalawana offers a powerful story of change, resilience, and rediscovered purpose.
Across the country, many children are increasingly absorbed in mobile phones, often spending hours playing games both during and after school. Despite parents’ efforts to limit screen time, the struggle continues, sometimes with troubling consequences highlighted in media reports. Yet, in the midst of this challenge, a remarkable story has emerged from Weddagala in Kalawana North.
Dinethra Ruwani Wijesinghe, a Grade 11 student at R/Kalawana National School, has transformed her life by overcoming mobile gaming addiction and channelling her energy into writing. Today, she stands out not only as a student but also as a young author who has already written several children’s novels.
Dinethra’s journey into writing began early. She first picked up the pen in Grade 5 while studying at the Uthuru Weddagala Vidyalaya, where she wrote her first book, Sinharajaya. However, her path took a turn during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she was given a smartphone to attend online classes. What began as a learning tool soon became a source of distraction, as she developed a habit of playing mobile games.
“I couldn’t stay without the phone,” she recalls. At the time, she was in Grade 8, and like many of her peers, she found herself caught in a cycle of excessive screen use.
The turning point came when her mother raised concerns with her class teacher, Mr. Dilusha Arunasinghe. Recognizing that Dinethra was not alone, he organized counseling sessions for students struggling with similar issues. Through these programs, students were encouraged to reflect on their habits and discover their hidden talents.
For Dinethra, this guidance proved life-changing. She gradually distanced herself from mobile gaming and turned instead to books. Becoming a member of both her school and public libraries, she replaced screen time with reading—an experience she describes as deeply freeing.
With renewed focus, she returned to writing. Her dedication is evident: balancing schoolwork with early morning writing sessions, often waking at 2 or 3 a.m. to work on her stories. To date, she has written eleven books, including titles such as Wanara Holmana, Singithi Mehekariya, and Nonimi Divi Gamana. Her latest work, Dambaralle, has been published, with more manuscripts awaiting print.
Financial challenges remain a hurdle, but support from her family and well-wishers has helped her progress. Encouragingly, her work has already attracted international interest, with a company expressing willingness to translate her books into multiple languages.
Her mother, Chandika Pathmakanti, says the transformation has been remarkable. Once concerned about her daughter’s growing attachment to a mobile game, she now proudly supports her literary ambitions. Teachers and school leadership have also played a key role, offering guidance and encouragement along the way.
Mr. Arunasinghe believes Dinethra’s story reflects a broader truth. “Every child has hidden talents,” he says. “Our responsibility as educators and parents is to help them discover and develop those abilities, while guiding them away from harmful habits.”
Dinethra now looks to the future with clear ambition. She hopes to become a biologist while continuing her journey as a writer—a balance of science and creativity that reflects her determination and discipline.
In an age dominated by screens, her story is a timely reminder: with the right support and self-belief, even the most challenging habits can be transformed into meaningful achievements.
Text and Pic by Upendra Priyankara Jathungama
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- Dinethra Ruwani Wijesinghe
The newly appointed Cabinet Committee tasked with ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Sri Lanka’s public service held its inaugural meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.
The Committee convened to discuss strategies to maintain seamless government operations in the face of potential disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on energy resource management.
According to officials, the discussions emphasised sustaining essential government services, ensuring continued service delivery to the public, and addressing the operational challenges faced by public sector employees during the current circumstances. The Committee also examined measures to mitigate any disruptions that could affect day-to-day administrative and service functions across ministries and departments.
Key attendees at the meeting included the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A. H. M. M. H. Abayaratne; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the
Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; and senior secretaries from key ministries including Health and Mass Media, Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Energy, and Digital Economy.
Representatives from state institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation were also present, highlighting the government’s focus on energy security as a central priority. The Committee’s deliberations underscored a coordinated approach to balancing uninterrupted public service delivery with effective management of limited energy resources amid the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Observers note that the formation of this Cabinet Committee reflects the government’s proactive stance in safeguarding national administrative functions and ensuring that critical public services remain resilient during times of external pressures.The Committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor developments, evaluate emerging risks, and implement practical measures to maintain operational continuity across the public sector.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday lashed out at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament, accusing him of failing to uphold international law during wartime.
Premadasa said the President’s claim of neutrality ignored breaches of the UN Charter—including Articles 2.4 and 2.7—and other global conventions. “A neutral stance requires openly acknowledging violations,” he argued, criticizing the absence of ethical mechanisms to safeguard international law.
He also questioned the President’s handling of maritime issues, particularly whether Sri Lanka had been informed of the alleged attack on the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, stressing that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) permits only peaceful activity.
On the economic front, Premadasa condemned the government for missing a chance to buy Russian oil during a 30-day U.S. sanctions suspension.
He said attempts to advise the Foreign Ministry, including a meeting with the Russian Ambassador, yielded no progress.
Premadasa further ridiculed the government’s earlier dismissal of the QR code fuel system, noting that officials are now adapting to it.
Turning to broader economic concerns, he called for immediate negotiations with the IMF to secure a new agreement, warning that the current primary balance of 2.3 is unsustainable. He stressed the urgent need for a poverty-reduction program, highlighting that one-third of Sri Lankans live in poverty.
He also demanded that surplus Treasury funds be used to support relief packages, arguing billions in reserves could aid households struggling with income shortfalls.Concluding his address, Premadasa criticized the government for failing to prepare for foreseeable crises, leaving the country vulnerable.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and three others were remanded by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20) until April 2, the court confirmed.
The suspects, including Fernando’s elder son Johan, younger son Jerome, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, are under investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
Authorities allege the Lanka Sathosa lorry was misused for operations linked to an ethanol company reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated Rs. 2.5 million loss to the state.
Showers may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.
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