Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, Milinda Moragoda, met with the newly arrived Canadian High Commissioner, Isabelle Martin, in Colombo.

The High Commissioner was briefed on the Pathfinder Foundation’s portfolio, including the forthcoming Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference, scheduled for 17 and 18 February, held biennially since 2020, and the 6th Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, scheduled for late April and co-hosted with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue of Switzerland. Several potential fields of collaboration with Canada, as well as global developments, were discussed.

High Commissioner Martin, a career diplomat, last served as Ambassador to Qatar before her assignment in Sri Lanka. Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation, Bernard Goonetillke, and Ahmed A. Jawad, Director, were associated with Moragoda at the event.

Senior journalist Dharman Wickremaratne’s latest Sinhala book, The Unseen Side of the Daya Pathirana Murder, will be launched on 21 January, 2026, at 3.00 p.m., at the National Library and Documentation Services Board Auditorium, Colombo 7.

The book examines the first recorded murder within Sri Lanka’s student movement during the 2nd JVP insurrection, focusing on the killing of Daya Pathirana, who was the leader of the Independent Student Union of the University of Colombo. It documents the murder and the surrounding events in detail, naming individuals involved and placing the incident within its broader political and social context.

The publication consists of 392 pages and includes over 100 photographs. This is Dharman Wickremaratne’s fifth book dealing with the second JVP insurrection and his 56th book overall.

The launch ceremony will be chaired by President’s Counsel Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakshe. Speeches will be delivered by Engineer Champika Ranawaka, a former student leader of the University of Moratuwa; Professor Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, a former active member of the Independent Student Union; and Gevindu Kumaratunga, a former student leader of the University of Colombo. The event will be conducted by Montegu Sarathchandra. The programme will be open to the general public. For further information, please contact: 071-2733986.

The 2nd JVP insurrection, which lasted from 1986 to 1990, has been the subject of several of Wickremaratne’s earlier works, including Ginnen Upan Gini Pupuru, Satanin Satana, Comrade Lionel, and Premakeerthi Ghathane Sulamula. These publications were well received by both readers and critics.

‘Singharaja Wiry Tips,’ produced by Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon, was awarded its 43rd and 44th International Awards at the prestigious ‘The Leafies International Tea Awards’, held at Fortnum & Mason, United Kingdom, on Friday.

The unique low grown tea was named the Best Ceylon Black Tea as well as the “Best of All Black Teas” (Best Black Tea in the show) and is probably the most awarded Black Tea in the world!

‘Singharaja Wiry Tips’  categorised as FBOPF EX SP ( Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings Extra Special), is named for its golden tipped Wiry leaves and unique flavour it inherits from  the UNESCO World Heritage Singharaja Rainforest which borders the Lumbini Tea plantation.

Lumbini Tea Valley is well known for its exceptional teas, and ‘Lumbini Screw Buds’, a new and innovative tea creation, was highly commended at this year’s Leafies, further strengthening the brand’s reputation for producing world-class Ceylon tea.

Chairman and Managing Director of Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon, Chaminda Jayawardena, who was in London to accept the awards, thanked the entire Lumbini family, whose dedication and commitment over the years have made this success possible.

He also extended his special appreciation to the 1,800 tea farmers who supply the finest quality green leaf, carefully plucking the traditional “two leaves and a bud”, ensuring superior standards from field to cup.

by PRIYAN   DE SILVA