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A Hero's Final March: Remembering Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa

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Thirty-three years ago today, Sri Lanka lost one of its most distinguished military commanders when Lieutenant General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. On August 8, 1992, at Araly Point in Kayts, Jaffna, a landmine explosion claimed the life of this exceptional leader along with nine other brave officers, including Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne and Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha. A Foundation Built on Excellence Born on July 27, 1940, into a prominent family in Kandy, Denzil Kobbekaduwa displayed leadership qualities from his earliest years. His father, Loku Bandara Kobbekaduwa, and mother, Lona Ratwatte, raised him at the historic Deldeniya Walauwa in Kadugannawa, where the foundations of his character were formed. At Trinity College, Kandy, young Kobbekaduwa emerged as a natural leader who excelled both academically and in sports. As a skillful scrum-half, he captained the Trinity 1st XV Rugby team in 1959, earning the coveted Rugby Lion. He was...
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Trump's 50% Tariff: Who Will Bear the Brunt in India?

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US President Donald Trump's devastating 50% tariff on Indian goods, imposed Wednesday over New Delhi's Russian oil purchases, threatens to unleash economic chaos across key sectors, with millions of jobs at risk and entire industries facing potential collapse. The Ripple Effect: Who Gets Hit Hardest The tariff tsunami will sweep across India's economic landscape, but some sectors face complete devastation. Industry experts warn that 55% of India's $87 billion in annual exports to America worth approximately $48 billion, now faces crushing duties that could render Indian products uncompetitive. Textiles and Apparel: A Sector in Crisis The textile industry faces an existential threat, with over 2 million jobs potentially at risk. The US accounts for 33-34% of India's garment exports, worth $5.3 billion in FY25, and 59% of home textile shipments. Critical impact points: Gokaldas Exports derives 23% of revenue from the US market and saw its stock plum...
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Trump's 50% Tariff on India: Trade War Escalates Over Russian Oil

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US President Donald Trump imposed a crushing 50% tariff on Indian goods Wednesday, doubling existing duties in response to India's continued purchase of Russian oil, marking the most significant escalation in US-India trade tensions in decades. The Tariff Bombshell Trump signed an executive order Wednesday imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, stacking on top of the existing 25% "reciprocal tariff" that took effect Thursday. The new Russia related tariff will take effect August 27, giving negotiators a 21day window to reach a deal. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine," Trump declared on social media. The 50% combined tariff rate places India among the most heavily penalized US trading partners globally, tied with Brazil. By contrast, Pakistan fa...
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Imran Khan Supporters Clash with Police, Marking Second Anniversary of Khan's Imprisonment

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Massive protests led by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, erupted nationwide across Pakistan's major cities including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. These demonstrations mark the second anniversary of Khan's imprisonment and represent an ongoing political crisis in Pakistan. Thousands of PTI activists defied a government ban on gatherings, clashing with police forces who responded with tear gas and made numerous arrests. In Lahore alone, over 240 protesters were detained during raids and protests. Police also arrested dozens in Karachi and other cities, where protesters organized rallies on motorcycles, rickshaws, and foot, chanting slogans demanding Khan’s release and restoration of democracy. Despite a heavy crackdown, PTI leadership called for peaceful resistance, framing the protests as a movement against what they term political repression. Senior party figures and activists were stopped from re...
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Bangladesh Parliamentary Election to be held in February 2026

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced today that Bangladesh's next parliamentary election will be held in February 2026, setting the stage for a democratic transfer of power following the historic student-led uprising last year that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule. In a televised address marking the one-year anniversary of the July Uprising, Prof Yunus said the interim government will formally request the Election Commission to hold the polls before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins around February 17 or 18 next year. This means the election is expected to take place in the first half of February. “We want to make election day like the festival of Eid,” Yunus said, emphasizing the festive and inclusive spirit he hopes to see when citizens, including families with children, go to the polls. “This time, the joy of voting will be among everyone. All of you will go to the polling centre with your children—to present the grandeur of exerc...
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Bangladesh Military Intelligence Uncovers Major Espionage Network: Senior Air Force Officers Court-Martialed for Alleged RAW Collaboration

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Bangladesh's military intelligence has exposed what appears to be one of the most significant espionage scandals in the country's recent history, resulting in court martial proceedings against senior Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) officers and the forced retirement of high-ranking military personnel accused of working for India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The Discovery That Exposed the Network The espionage network came to light through an investigation into who recorded and distributed a viral video of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dramatic escape from Kurmitola Airport on August 5, 2024. During the student uprising that led to Hasina's ouster, footage emerged showing her departure, prompting Air Intelligence to investigate the source of this sensitive recording. According to reports published by Daily Amar Desh, the investigation uncovered a sophisticated RAW network operating within the Bangladesh Air Force. The probe revealed that Squadron Leader Abd...
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Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Arrested in Connection with Wartime Disappearance

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Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral (Retired) Nishantha Ulugetenne, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on July 28, 2025, in connection with an investigation into a wartime disappearance. The arrest has drawn significant attention as it marks the first high-profile case since the National People's Power (NPP) government came to power in 2024. The 58-year-old retired admiral was taken into custody over allegations relating to the disappearance of a youth from the Pothuhera area during his tenure as Director of Naval Intelligence. According to officials, the incident dates back to a period when Ulugetenne served in naval intelligence, and the alleged victim was reportedly held in a clandestine detention facility operated under his command. Police sources indicate that the investigation was initiated based on a letter allegedly sent from the detention center, and several suspects have already been arrested in connection with the case. The Criminal I...
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