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Understanding Sexual Violence: The Justice System and Gaps in Sri Lanka’s Sex Crime Laws

Recent news circulating around a high-ranking Buddhist monk, Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, reveals a horrifying yet undeniable truth about sexual abuse, especially in a society that holds tremendous respect for elders and religion. This case, indeed, should be addressed through a more critical lens. In addition, shouldn’t we question whether parents, schools, religious institutes and the government are doing enough to provide comprehensive awareness, education and protection for vulnerable individuals?

Shouldn’t people, as a community, be worried that if monks and parents in today’s world can act in such cruel ways, who cannot and who will not?

Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, a 71-year-old chief priest, was arrested on May 9, 2026, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The alleged victim’s mother was accused of facilitating and abetting the abuse and was therefore also arrested and remanded in custody.

But, isn’t this case a hot topic that causes pain today because a Thero, a mother and her daughter were involved in it?

This child represents hundreds of children, women and men who are exposed to sexual violence every single day in silence, confusion and fear. Behind all these headlines, there is a much larger reality that victims struggle to speak about and the public fail to fully understand.

This raises a few urgent questions:

Are we truly educated enough about sexual violence?

How to identify it?

When to act against it?

Where the law stands when seeking justice?

Because as widespread as it is, sexual abuse cannot be defined in one sentence, nor can it be described by one act alone. Therefore, to be literate about sexual abuse is to be cautious and aware of any form of violent or non-consensual contact.

Therefore, with the aim of educating the pubic, this article explores the different forms of sexual abuse, the realities of victims when reporting abuse and the gaps and controversies that exist within Sri Lankan law and social awareness.

A recent 2026 survey done by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) revealed 144 reported cases related to child sexual abuse within just the first three months of the year. However, this only uncovers one side of a much darker reality because may cases still go unreported due to fear, shame, social stigma and lack of evidence. Sometimes, victims do not realize that what they went through was abuse.

Type of Abuse	January	February	March
Grave Sexual Abuse	3	7	7
Sexual Exploitation	1	0	0
Rape	8	16	20
Sexual Harassment	20	24	41

Taken from Child Abuse and Other child related complaints reported to NCPA by Districts by Category – (Year 2026.01.01 to 2026.03.31)

What do we really know about sexual violence?

According to the law, sexual abuse refers to any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior committed by a person or group of people. Terms such as rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, incest, sexual harassment and domestic violence are widely-recognized in society but many people remain unaware of the actions, behaviors and boundaries that define these crimes.

Today, society recognize sexual violence only through these labels because they lack the literacy to identify abusive bahiavior happening around them.

Now, why are we, as educated individuals, still unaware of the many different forms and realities of sexual abuse? Shouldn’t we address the act that are rarely spoken about or are trivialized to the point where society no longer even considers them abuse?

Therefore, it is important to educate ourselves about the different forms of sexual violence, the laws that exist surrounding them and the controversies and gaps that continue to exist within Sri Lankan legislation.

Rape

Rape is often defined as vaginal, oral or anal sex against a person’s will or without their consent.

The distinction between consensual sex and rape is simple: if a person says “No” and the other person still forces sexual activity upon them, it is rape. However, in Sri Lankan law, this distinction has become complicated, especially within the ranges of marriage.

Controversy I: Rape cannot happen within the context of marriage

According to the Sri Lankan Penal Code, it does not amount to “rape” if a husband has forceful sexual intercourse with his wife without her consent unless the couple is “judicially separated”. In this context of marriage, the notion of consent has become largely absent. Thus, this creates the presumption that the consent of the wife is irrelevant in regards of sexual intercourse within marriage.

Under the law, a perpetrator can still commit “rape” even with the victim’s consent but only if the consent is obtained unlawfully, through coercion, fear or deception. If the perpetrator is not her husband, it is “rape”, but if it is her husband, it is not.

Statutory Rape

Statutory rape is a criminal offense defined as sexual intercourse or contact with a person below the legal age of consent which is 16 years in Sri Lanka. It is rape regardless of whether the minor consented and participated in the contact willingly because according to the law, the minor is incapable of consenting to sexual activity.

Controversy II: Men cannot legally be recognized as rape victims under Sri Lankan law

While we can argue that forceful sex is still rape within marriage, it is also pivotal to examine another major gap within Sri Lankan law: a man cannot be legally recognized as a rape victim in the same way a woman can.

Gender-Biased Wordings

The law repeatedly phrases words like “a man” and “the male” to represent the perpetrator and “the woman” and “the female” to represent the victims. This male offender and female victim model further creates problems such as female offenders becoming legally invisible, male victims getting less recognized and LGBTQ victims not fitting to any law.

Within this law, the man is primarily identified as the perpetrator of sexual violence whereas a woman is always recognized as the victim. There is no legal offense for a woman if she conducts forceful sexual intercourse upon a man.

Controversy III: Gay sex or man forcing sexual intercourse upon another man can lead both parties to get criminalized

If a man forces sexual intercourse upon a man, the act is not prosecuted under rape laws. Instead, it falls under what the law describes as “Unnatural Carnal Offenses.” This criminalizes both the perpetrator and the victim, rather than recognizing the victim as a survivor of sexual abuse. There is no punishment if the victim faced a non-consensual contact with another man nor a woman.

Consensual same-sex relationships between two adults are labelled as “unnatural” and how it is also criminalized reflects the fact that this legal framework does not resonate with modern human rights and bodily autonomy.

This raises serious concers regarding consent, gender neutrality and equal legal protection for victims of sexual violence regardless of gender.

Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault is “legally” defined as sexual contact or touching occurring in a non-consensual manner. Sexual contact means any touching of the sexual or intimate parts of the body.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment refers to any unwanted requests for favors, verbal remarks, gestures or physical conduct that make the individual uncomfortable or intimidated. This includes many of the other variants of sexual violence including sexual assault and rape.

Among the many spaces where sexual harassment occurs, streets, public transports, workplaces and educational settings are often recognized as the hunting grounds where perpetrators prey on victims.

A 2011 survey conducted by the Legal Aid Commission found that 70% of women aged between 15 and 45 had experienced sexual harassment while using public transport. These women stated that they were reluctant to press charges and the conductors were unwilling to provide sufficient evidence against perpetrators in court proceedings.

The survey respondents reported experiencing the following forms of harassment:

Abusive Experience	Percentage
Deliberate touching of any part of the body	74%
Unwanted crowding of personal space eg: excessive closeness	60%
Improper seating etiquette	52.25%
Rubbing genitalia against another’s body	52%
Asking for contact number	48.72%
Trampling on foot deliberately	48.44%
Fixated gaze on body parts	46.28%
Suggestive/lascivious looks	45.56%

Source: Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Sri Lanka: An analysis of the available literature & annotated bibliography

The respondents described their immediate emotional reactions as feeling “scared” (48%), “degraded and demeaned” (45%), “humiliated and embarrassed” (68%) and “angry” (74%).

Somehow, the law punishes such acts with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years or with a fine or with both and the offender may also be ordered to pay compensation of an amount determined by court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for the injuries caused to such person.

But has this ever truly been implemented effectively? Or, if these laws were properly enforced, would these women still feel discouraged from reporting such incidents?

Controversy IV: Reporting later makes no difference

A controversial reality about this is the issue of time lapse. Usually, when sexual violence occurred a long time ago, reporting it makes little to no difference legally. So, if a victim hesitated to report the incident at the time it happened because they felt afraid or guilty and later changed their mind after supposedly becoming more educated or emotionally prepared to speak up, the evidence may already have disappeared and therefore, reporting later makes no change.

Tragically, many victims and survivors of sexual harassment are often dismissed by society. They are told that they are “overthinking,” “being unreasonable,” “too sensitive” or that they “can’t take a joke.” Such reactions both trivialise and normalise abusive behavior while discouraging the victims from speaking up and seeking justice.

Stealthing

Stealthing is a form of rape that occurs when two people agree to use protection during sexual activity but one person either removes the protection (usually a condom) or lies about using one without the other person’s consent. Stealthing is considered as serious as rape and under English and Welsh law, it can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. However, in Sri Lanka, stealthing is hardly recognized or openly addressed within the legal system.

Controversy V: Something similar to rape is unrecognisable within the Sri Lankan legal system despite its severe psychological, emotional and physical consequences on victims

Spiking

Spiking refers to the act of secretly adding alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating substances into another person’s drink or body without their knowledge or consent. Perpetrators often use spiking to weaken a victim’s awareness, memory or ability to resist, making it easier to commit sexual assault or other crimes against them.

In Sri Lanka, spiking-related sexual offenses can amount to serious criminal acts. If “a man” sexually assaults “a woman” while she is intoxicated, the law disregards any apparent consent given by “the woman” and punishes the offenders with life imprisonment.

Date Rape Drugs

“Date rape drugs” are drugs that have become known for their use by people who carry out spiking in order to rape or sexually assault someone. Some commonly known date rape drugs include Rohypnol, GHB, and GBL.

Although these terms are widely used socially and medically, they are not recognized as distinct legal categories under the law and rape and sexual assault do not associate with these as different categories.

Flashing/ exhibitionism

Flashing or exhibitionism refers to indecent exposure where a person reveals their private body parts to another person for sexual gratification or to intimidate, scare or make them feel uncomfortable.

Public awareness about flashing as a serious criminal offense increased following the viral incident involving @molsgonewild, a solo traveler from New Zealand, who recorded a “23-year-old man” asking her for sex and later exposing himself to her while she was parked on a coastal road in the Arugam Bay–Thirukkovil area on October 25.

Women and children are frequently subjected to such acts and there should be greater awareness and stronger enforcement and vocalization of punishments to encourage victims to speak when such indecency occurs.

A similar incident also involved the tourist @hugh.abroad, who shared a video of an uncomfortable encounter during his visit to Sri Lanka. In the video, viewers witnessed a woman touching the man inappropriately in ways that made him visibly uncomfortable. However, the public reaction to the incident was disheartening. Many people dismissed the tourist’s discomfort because he continued interacting with the woman and even gave her money. Seemingly, the incident was not reported as a sexual offense, possibly because the man did not press charges. Nevertheless, the incident still highlights the imbalance in how sexual violence against both men and women is perceived in society. Mae victims of harassment and assault are often trivialised, mocked or ignored instead of being treated with the same seriousness given to the female victims.

According to the Sri Lankan Penal Code, such acts can fall under offenses related to Gross Indecency between persons. Therefore, both men and women have the right to press charges against such behavior. It is important to emphasize that no one should hesitate to file complaints regardless of the circumstances because, regardless of how a victim reacts during or after the incident, the offender should still face consequences for their actions.

Incest

If close family members have sexual intercourse with each other, it is a crime called incest. It can be between:

A parent – child
A grandparent – grandchild
brother – sister
uncle/aunt – niece/nephew
adopted family relations too

Even if adoption or marriage paperwork have defects in them, it still can count as incest. Also, trying to commit incest is also punishable.

For many victims, especially children and vulnerable individuals, the process of seeking legal justice can be exhausting, intimidating and emotionally draining. Delays, lack of sensitivity, social stigma, and institutional barriers may further discourage survivors from continuing with legal action.

As a result, many victims choose silence over a justice system that they fear may retraumatize them rather than protect them. But, staying silent is never the answer.

You can:

Trust your instincts. If a comment, touch, gesture or action makes you uncomfortable, do not ignore your feelings or allow others to minimise them.

Speak to a trusted person as soon as possible. This could be a parent, friend, teacher, counsellor, lawyer or support organisation. Early disclosure can help preserve evidence and provide emotional support.

Document everything. Write down dates, times, locations, conversations, screenshots, messages, emails or any details related to the incident. Even if legal action is delayed, documentation can still support future reporting.

Preserve evidence whenever possible. Avoid deleting messages, photographs, recordings or clothing connected to the incident, as they may become important later.

Seek professional support. Therapy, counselling and survivor-support organisations can help victims process trauma, reduce self-blame and regain confidence.

Learn about legal rights and reporting options. Victims should be educated on workplace policies, school procedures, child protection laws and criminal reporting mechanisms available in their country.

Report the incident when safe and possible. Even if immediate legal action cannot guarantee punishment, reporting may still prevent the perpetrator from harming others and create an official record.

Build supportive communities. Friends, families, schools and workplaces should listen without judgement and avoid dismissive responses such as “you’re overreacting” or “it was just a joke.”

Encourage bystander intervention. People who witness harassment should safely intervene, support the victim and challenge inappropriate behaviour instead of remaining silent.

In Sri Lanka, complaints relating to sexual violence, harassment, domestic violence, child abuse, cyber exploitation and crimes against women and children can be directly reported to the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children & Women under the Sri Lanka Police.

The Bureau operates a 24-hour Public Complaint Desk that allows victims or witnesses to confidentially report incidents through:

Emergency Hotline: 109
Hotline: 011 244 4444
Phone : 011 2337041
Email: dir.cwbureau@police.gov.lk/ cwb.online@police.gov.lk

Importantly, victims can also seek help if:

A police station refuses to accept their complaint.
Proper investigations are not being conducted.
They are facing intimidation or negligence during the reporting process.

Seeking justice may feel frightening, exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming, but remaining silent only allows abuse to continue unchecked. Awareness, reporting, and social support remain some of the strongest tools society has against sexual violence

Trump Among the Most Unpopular U.S. Presidents in History

Recent CNN analysis suggests that Donald Trump is facing some of the lowest approval ratings of his political career. According to CNN Poll of Polls, only around 35% of Americans approve of his political decisions while a clear majority disapprove.

This poll combines results from several national surveys to give a more accurate picture of public opinion on President Trump. Instead of relying on a single poll, i averages multiple polls that meet certain standards and include responses from U.S. adults, making the overall results more reliable.

One major reason behind this dissatisfaction is how he handles key issues such as the economy and the rising cost of living in the country. Polls indicate that approval fr handling of inflation and economic conditions is particularly low, further frustrating the public. Additionally, the conflict involving Iran has also weakened the public’s confidence in his leadership.

Countries With the Worst Work-Life Balance in 2025 (Global Ranking Explained)

Work–life balance has become one of the most important indicators of quality of life in modern societies. While some nations promote shorter working hours, paid leave and employee well-being, others still struggle with long workweeks, limited social protections, and lower happiness levels.

A global analysis conducted by Remote.com (covering the world’s top 60 economies by GDP) highlights the countries where maintaining balance between work and personal life is the most difficult.

Below is a simplified breakdown of the findings, along with how the ranking was calculated.

Countries with the Worst Work-Life Balance

Based on an index, these are the Top 10 countries/cities with the worst work–life balance:

1 Hong Kong (City of Victoria) – Overall rank: 46 | Score: 43.87

2 Philippines (Manila) – Overall rank: 41 | Score: 46.60

3 India (New Delhi) – Overall rank: 52 | Score: 41.00

4 United States (Washington, D.C.) – Overall rank: 59 | Score: 31.17

5 Kazakhstan (Nursultan) – Overall rank: 43 | Score: 44.57

6 United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) – Overall rank: 44 | Score: 44.46

7 Mexico (Mexico City) – Overall rank: 45 | Score: 44.04

8 Algeria (Algiers) – Overall rank: 47 | Score: 43.63

9 Morocco (Rabat) – Overall rank: 50 | Score: 43.01

10 China (Beijing) – Overall rank: 51 | Score: 42.64

Methodology: How the Ranking Was Measured

The index is based on a composite score out of 100, combining multiple social, economic, and labor-related indicators. Instead of relying on a single factor, it evaluates nine key areas:

Statutory annual leave (paid vacation days + public holidays)
Sick leave policies and pay rates
Maternity leave duration and compensation
Average weekly working hours
Minimum wage levels (USD per hour)
Healthcare quality and accessibility
National happiness index
LGBTQ+ inclusivity and rights
Workplace safety and general living conditions

Each country is then ranked based on its overall performance across these indicators, reflecting how well citizens are able to balance work demands with personal well-being.

Key Insights from the Study

Countries with long working hours and low statutory leave consistently rank lower
Economic strength does not guarantee work-life balance (e.g., the United States ranks poorly despite being a top economy)
Nations with stronger social protections, healthcare, and leave policies tend to rank higher
Happiness and inclusivity are strongly linked to better work-life balance outcomes

The ranking highlights a global inequality in how work is structured. While some nations are moving toward flexible, human-centered work cultures, others continue to prioritize productivity over personal well-being.

However, countries that invest in people, not in just output, create healthier and more balanced societies.

Sources: 20 Countries With The Worst Work-Life Balance, According To Remote Global Index

Sri Lanka is Hosting Global Shark and Marine Life Conference in 2026

Sri Lanka is hosting Sharks International 2026, one of the world’s leading conferences dedicated to shark research and marine conservation. The global event, taking place from the 4th to 8th May 2026 in Colombo, brings together scientists, conservationists, policymakers and marine enthusiasts from around the world.

As apex predators, sharks help regulate the populations of other marine species, ensuring the stability of ocean life. However, today, shark populations are under threat due to practices like overfising, habitat destruction and finning.

Events like Sharks International aim to address these challenges by encouraging collaboration, sharing research and promoting sustainable solutions.

The conference is expected to benefit the country in multiple ways. Beyond scientific discussions and research, it will provide opportunities for education, tourism and international partnerships and the participants will gain valuable exposure to global expertise.

Thus, for Sri Lanka, Sharks International 2026 is more than just an event. It is an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to a global mission of preserving marine life for future generations.

Sri Lanka’s Brain Drain Crisis Grows Further as Around 80% of Graduates Leave the Country

Sri Lanka is facing a growing trend in the mass migration of educated youth. A recent report highlighted that more than half of the state university graduates are leaving the country permanently, with the figures rising to nearly 80-90% in fields such as medicine, engineering and agriculture. While this reveals the stark reality of the country’s job market, it also uncovers a painful paradox: although Sri Lanka invests heavily in free education, many of its most skilled individuals choose to build their lives elsewhere.

Sri Lanka is well-known for its free education system, especially since gaining independence. It is estimated that around 142,000 students graduate annually across disciplines such as arts (25%), management (20%), engineering (13%), and medicine (10%). Yet, according to a study by the University of Peradeniya, migration rates among the highly skilled graduates, particularly in science-based fields, are rising above 80%, showcasing a significant outflow of skilled youth.

According to the statistics, Sri Lankan government invests around Rs. 87 billion annually in university education. Yet, many argue that the system ultimately enables skilled individuals to contribute to the development of other nations, particularly in the West while Sri Lanka continues to struggle with a 24.5% poverty rate (World Bank, 2025)

However, the blame should not rest solely on those who migrate. At the heart of this issue are deep structured challenges. Low wages, limited job opportunities and the lingering effects of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis continue to push these graduates abroad. Corruption, weak institutions and lack of merit based opportunities further worsen this situation. In such environment, migration becomes less of a choice and more of a necessity for young professionals seeking stability and growth.

More Reads:

Degrees for Sale: How Sri Lanka’s Degrees are Turning into Merchandise

Is Aloka’s Story the Same as Every Other Street Dog’s?

Aloka, the stray dog who walks alongside Buddhist monks on the ‘Ehipassiko’ Global Walk for Peace, has captured hearts across countries. His story shows how a once-struggling street dog transformed his life through compassion, care, and a chance encounter. Today, Aloka has become a symbol of resilience, kindness, and most importantly the belief that every living being deserves dignity.

Yet, does now-Aloka truly represent the reality of other street dogs and even cats? Or does his story expose a quieter, grimmer, and more horrifying truth about the millions of other street animals still living and dying unnoticed on the streets?

Sri Lanka is often regarded as a nation rooted in religion and piety. However, for many Sri Lankans, street cats, dogs and other animals are nuisances rather than living beings. When it comes to compassion and empathy, the very people who boast about or uphold the precept of abstaining from harming living beings often turn a blind eye.

Ironically, Aloka received flowers, admiration and smiles on the same streets where other dogs are frowned upon, stoned or even doused with hot water.

Although there is no exact official estimate, Sri Lanka is believed to be home to between 1–2 million street dogs with some estimates going even higher. This number continues to grow as hundreds of puppies are born on the streets and as irresponsible pet owners abandon their animals in random public places. These animals face hunger, neglect, and violence which reveals that this is not just a lack of resources but a deeper lack of empathy.

Aloka himself could have easily been another victim of abuse, neglect, hunger and malnutrition because most street animals survive on garbage or occasional handouts, leaving them with weakened immune systems. Recent news circulated around diseases like rabies have only worsened this situation. People only mistreat them more. Yet, many of these conditions like rabies, mange, tick fever, and infections could be controlled if the government, funding programmes and communities worked together toward real solutions.

Instead, neglect has increased and compassion has faded.

Street animals are hit by vehicles and left injured on roadsides without help every year. Some are beaten or poisoned and it is deeply troubling that in a country that values mental purity, such basic acts of kindness remain inconsistent.

This is not just an animal issue. It reflects the irresponsibility, cruelty, and indifference within society itself. Because there are solutions. People can work with local animal welfare groups, help rescue and transport animals to clinics, support funding efforts and sponsor sterilization programs. This change does not require a lot of money. Even a small portion of what we spend on non-essentials could make a difference.

Adoption is another powerful step. Many street dogs and cats are healthy, loyal and highly adaptable. Instead of buying pets, why not adopt one? Giving one animal a home can change its entire life and may be shift attitudes in society.

Equally important is awareness. People can educate communities, challenging animal cruelty. Staying silent can only allow abuse to continue. Stronger public action can push for better enforcement of animal welfare laws as well. The problem lies no on these animals are but on this system and human behavior.

What happens to street dogs today and even during this peace walk is not the fault of Aloka or the Buddhist monks. The attention given to them in this article is only meant to highlight the contrast between genuine compassion and fake, preformative piety. The monks walk mindfully alongside Aloka, showing care in every step they take. Yet one question remains unanswered:

Do the people who admire them truly understand what that compassion means?

Can Screens Really Make Students Smarter?

For years, schools around the world rushed to replace textbook learning with screens, believing that digital learning was the future, especially with how people began to see interactive apps, online lessons and instant access to information promising smarter and faster learning. Countries like Sweden even went all in on this idea, turning classrooms into fully digital spaces but overtime, a surprising question emerged: Was this shift actually improving learning or quietly harming it?

Recent evidence suggests that too much screen-based learning may come with hidden costs. Instead of improving reading, teachers actually saw students struggling with not only reading, but also comprehension, focus and memory, especially at early education.

Research shows that reading on screen can reduce deep understanding and increase distractions while handwriting helps strengthen memory and cognitive development.

In Sweden, declining literacy levels and and weaker academic performances pushed policy makers to rethink their strategies, leading to a renewed focus on printed materials and traditional teaching methods.

So, the lesson for the future is clear: innovation alone does not guarantee better education. Sometimes, progress means combining the best of both worlds and in a world that is obsessed with going digital, education might just need to slow down and turn a few pages back.

Why is Sri Lanka Getting Hotter and What is this El Niño?

Sri Lanka’s rising heat is not caused by just one factor. There is a combination of natural climate patterns and long-term environmental change. Weather expert directly point out that one of the key influences is El Niño, a phenomenon that begins in the Pacific Ocean but affects weather across the globe.

During an El Niño phase, ocean waters in the central and eastern Pacific become unusually warm. This disrupts normal wind patterns and weakens the movement of moisture toward regions like South Asia. As a result, countries such as Sri Lanka often experience reduced rainfall and clearer skies, allowing more heat to build up over land.

With fewer clouds and less rain to cool the atmosphere, temperatures rise more sharply during the day. The land absorbs more solar radiation, and without regular showers to release that heat, the environment becomes increasingly dry and warm. This also leads to higher humidity levels, creating uncomfortable “feels-like” temperatures that can be more intense than the actual recorded heat.

In addition, shifting air circulation during El Niño limits cloud formation, further intensifying heat conditions across the island.

However, El Niño alone does not fully explain the increasing severity of heat in Sri Lanka.

The broader impact of Climate Change plays a crucial role. Over the years, global temperatures have steadily risen due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This long-term warming means that when natural events like El Niño occur, their effects are amplified. What might once have been a slightly warmer season now turns into extreme heat waves, with temperatures rising above normal levels and lasting longer than before.

Thus, it is safe to say that El Niño acts as a short-term trigger that disrupts weather patterns, while climate change serves as the underlying force that intensifies these disruptions. Together, they create the extreme heat conditions currently being experienced in Sri Lanka, highlighting the need to understand both natural and human-driven causes behind changing climate patterns.

Sources: https://www.ft.lk/columns/Sri-Lanka-s-rising-heat-Is-El-Niño-the-real-cause/4-790439

From Friends to Foes: The US–Iran Rivalry that Dates Back to 1979

Rashid Khalidi, a Palestinian historian, in his 2020 article The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017, argued that the British and American colonial ambitions were profoundly inspired by Zionist aspirations to rule Palestine for centuries. Accordingly, this conflict between the United States and Iran is hardly a single war. It is a long awaited and complicated struggle that is shaped by politics, ideology and various dynamics of power. These notions came into play nearly 47 years ago, making a prolonged chapter, known as “Fifty-Year War.”

Let’s go back to 1979 when Iran’s unstable political climate started with the overthrown of one of America’s most trusted clients in the Middle East, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Shah was described as “a ruler with dictatorial powers, a massive military and delusions of grandeur.” America ignored US diplomats who questioned this over-reliance the US had with Iran and Shah, on the other hand, silenced everyone who called for political change. This whole chapter was followed by the 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who caused a massive shift in regional politics and ideologies, instantly transforming Iran from a key US ally to an adversary. He labelled the US the “Greater Satan” and called the seizing of the US Embassy in Tehran, severing all the diplomatic ties and creating the 1979-1981 hostage crisis. His rhetoric was entirely anti-American.

In the same year, Iraq became another triggering point for this ever-escalating war. It began with Saddam Hussein becoming the president of Iraq where he theatrically saw both Israel and revolutionary Iran as hindrance to his ambitions towards pan-Arab leadership. He launched a “full-scale invasion” of Iran that lasted for eight years, resulting in devastating economic and societal contractions in both sides but Iraq was facing greater repercussions.

In the Iraq-Iran war, the US secretively supported Iraq, providing intelligence, chemical weapons and financial aid. They defined Khomeini’s revolutionary Iran as a great threat to regional oil stability. They also propagated Iran as a state that sponsors terrorism. This amplified the enmity between Iran and the US.

Iran had denied Israel rights to even exist since the 1979 revolution. Their motto since then was “Death to Israel.” It was at this time that Israel was considered one of the greatest allies of the US, leading Iran to despise Israel even more. Thus, the Islamic Republic was concerned that both the US and Israel brought existential threat to Iran. They, therefore backed a network of well-armed groups where they spread their ideologies and expanded influence. These groups that were collectively known as the “Axis of Resistance,” included Hezbollah (Lebanon), the Houthis (Yemen), Hamas/Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Gaza), and various militias in Iraq, with strategic state relationships with Russia.

With this expansion of power, Iran could develop a Nuclear weapons program in which they repeatedly reported that this program was solely based in peaceful purposes for its citizens. The US considered this a terrorist activity in the Middle East, yet again heightening the rivalry between them.

Then a breakthrough came in 2015 when Iran, along with several other world leaders including the US, signed an agreement to limit its Nuclear program. This agreement was formally know as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Before this, Iran had signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in July 1968 and ratified it in February 1970 while accepting International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections. Somehow this JCPOA agreement enabled reconciliation between the two nations, allowing Iran to open its facilities to more extensive international inspections in exchange for billions of dollars’ worth of sanctions relief.

This fell apart as President Trump removed the US from this agreement, stating, “we have definitive proof that this Iranian promise was a lie. Last week, Israel published intelligence documents long concealed by Iran, conclusively showing the Iranian regime and its history of pursuing nuclear weapons.” in his first presidency in 2018.

Then, in 2019, the US accused Iran of attacking oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. In response to the accusations, Iran issued a statement, calling the US and its allies to put an end to mischievous plots and false flag operations in the region.

In 2020, Iran’s top military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike. The US claimed that Soleimani was behind attacks on Americans in the region.

In 2023, Hamas, a long-term ally of Iran which was considered a terrorist organization by the US, launched an attack on Israel from Gaza Stripe, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. This resulted in a massive Israel military attack in Gaza which killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. This attack left Hamas extremely defenseless. Though Iran denied any involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel, they publicly supported the actions of Hamas.

*The Palestinian group, Hamas launching an attack on Israel*

In June, 2025, the UN’s Nuclear watchdog said that Iran had breached its agreement on limiting the Nuclear program under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Yet, Iran repeatedly claimed that they had never developed a Nuclear weapon.

After this, Israel launched a series of strikes in Iran, resulting in a 12 day war. The US was also directly involved in the war with air strikes on Iranian Nuclear facilities.

In September 2025, the UN reimposed severe UN sanctions, following the E3‘s (France, Germany, UK) move due to Iran not following the agreed rules about nuclear activities.

What are these sanctions?

These are serious economic and political restrictions, such as:

Freezing Iran’s money/assets
Banning arms trade
Limiting nuclear activities
Blocking trade and financial dealings

After the sanctions, Iran faced economic hardship, global isolation and growing dissatisfaction among its citizens who often demanded political change in the country. They chanted slogans against the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei yet thousands of these protesters ended up getting killed on the streets. While President Trump expressed support on these protesters and warned Iran not to act on violence, Ayatollah Khomeini, blamed the US President for the protests and deaths. It is after this Khomeini was killed on February 28, 2026, in an attack by Israel and the United States.

*Iran’s severely damaged Nuclear program which was attacked by the US*

In the end, the long-standing war between America and Iran has no easy solution. Though strikes may slow each side’s ambitions, they are seemingly not capable of resolving deeper political, economic and social issues within either country.

But what should not go unnoticed is that the US and Iran have been fighting with each other for decades and it is driven not only by Iran’s alleged possession of Nuclear weapons but also by broader and more complicated diplomatic, economic, cyber, political and espionage tensions between the two nations.

A/L Pressure Is Real But So Is Your Potential

For many Sri Lankan students, the Advanced Level (O/L) exams feel like the single most important moment in life. Weeks of late-night studying, endless past papers, and pressure from tuition teachers and family build up to a few hours in an exam hall. The tension is real. The stress is heavy. And the weight of expectations can feel crushing.

When the exams are over, a strange mix of relief and anxiety takes over. Some students celebrate immediately, while others replay every mistake in their minds. Even if you gave your best, you might feel unsure, insecure, or “not good enough.”

Here’s the truth: the pressure you feel is real but so is your potential. And the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward lies in perspective, mindset and action.

Your A/Ls Don’t Define Who You Are

It’s easy to assume that a set of exam marks determines your intelligence, your worth, or your future. In Sri Lanka, this idea is reinforced everywhere, from conversations at home to casual comments at school.

But the truth is, O/L results are just one measure of performance under exam conditions. They don’t capture your creativity, problem-solving skills, resilience, or ability to learn from mistakes. These qualities are what truly shape your future. Your potential is far bigger than any grade.

Pause Before Big Decisions

Immediately after A/Ls, many students feel rushed to make choices about foundation courses or career paths. The pressure to decide can be overwhelming.

Instead of acting impulsively, pause and reflect. Ask yourself:

Which subjects genuinely interest me?
What kind of career or lifestyle do I see for myself?
Which skills do I want to develop over the next few years?

This pause isn’t wasting time; it’s an investment in your potential. Thoughtful decisions now will create better opportunities later.

Build Skills That Go Beyond Marks

Even if your results weren’t perfect, your potential can be realized by building skills that grades can’t capture. Consider:

Improving English communication skills through writing, reading, and conversation
Learning digital skills like coding, graphic design, or social media management
Participating in clubs, volunteer work, or creative projects
Developing hobbies that enhance problem-solving and creativity

By investing in these skills, you’re creating opportunities that no exam score can measure.

It’s tempting to compare yourself to friends who excelled in A/Ls. But remember: everyone’s journey is different. Some students who struggled now thrive in university, business, or creative fields. Others who excelled may later discover their strengths lie elsewhere.

Focus on yourself. Take small, consistent actions to grow, learn, and improve. Your potential unfolds through effort, persistence, and smart decisions, not by waiting for external validation.

Remember: the students who move forward, even when they feel uncertain, are the ones who ultimately succeed.