Uncategorized

Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail Named One of the World’s Greatest Places

Published

1 year ago

March 20, 2025

Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Train has made it to the top of The World’s Greatest Places of 2025, ranked by the prestigious Time Magazine.

The 186-mile Pekoe Trail, completed last March, is named after the high-grade black tea produced on many Sri Lankan estates. This trail, the country’s first long-distance walking path, connects thousands of colonial-era dirt roads and railway tracks constructed by the British.

While local companies have offered trekking tours along parts of the route for years, this marks the first time all 22 sections have been unified into a single trail.

The initiative was led by Sri Lanka-based sustainability consultant Miguel Cunat and funded by the European Union and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

For hikers, the Pekoe Trail provides an intimate exploration of Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes and rich tea history.

The trail begins in the misty Hanthana mountains near Kandy, winding through tea plantations, eucalyptus forests, quaint villages, and the sacred peak of Sri Pada, before reaching Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry.

A newly launched app enhances the hiking experience by highlighting nearby landmarks, providing segment details, emergency information, and more. Each stage of the trail takes approximately three to six hours to hike, depending on its difficulty, and completing the entire route can take several weeks.

Uncategorized

Sri Lanka among global bright spots with improved democratic rights in 2025

Published

3 weeks ago

April 7, 2026

admin

Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the countries that recorded improvements in political rights and civil liberties in 2025, according to the latest Freedom House report titled Freedom in the World 2026. South Asians & Diaspora

The report notes that Sri Lanka registered a five-point increase on the organization’s 100-point freedom scale, placing the country in the “Partly Free” category.

The improvement comes at a time when global freedom has continued to decline, marking the 20th consecutive year in which more countries experienced deterioration than progress. According to the report, 54 countries recorded declines in political rights and civil liberties in 2025, while only 35 countries showed improvements.

Sri Lanka was among the countries with the largest one-year gains in freedom scores during the year, alongside nations such as Syria, Bolivia, Gabon, Fiji, and Malawi.

Uncategorized

Sri Lankan-origin Athithiya Anantharajah appointed Deputy Mayor in Paris

Published

4 weeks ago

March 31, 2026

admin

Sri Lankan-origin Athithiya Anantharajah, at just 25 years old has been appointed maire adjoint (Deputy Mayor) of Pontault-Combault – a municipality on the outskirts of Paris, France.

From city councillor at 19, the daughter of refugees escaping the conflict in Sri Lanka, the French local politician has excelled in the recent municipal race through her hard work, conviction, and commitment to the city that is her home.

Appointed Deputy Mayor of Pontault-Combault in March 2026, Athithiya will focus on local governance and community impact.

It is reported that the Anandarasa family hails originally from Kayts in the Jaffna District, crediting her family history and early experiences for her deep interest in politics.

In her earlier role as Municipal Councillor for Youth (2020–2026), she managed initiatives for residents aged 11–17, including the “Quartier Jeunes” program and awareness workshops on the environment and disability.

It is expected that she will continue to inspire more youth to step into politics and civic leadership.

Uncategorized

Sri Lanka Moves to Source Fuel from Russia After Sanctions Lifted

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2026

admin

Sri Lanka is looking at sourcing fuel from Russia, following an urgent meeting held today (13) between Russia’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herah.

The discussion took place after the removal of sanctions that had previously prevented Sri Lanka from purchasing Russian oil, seen as a solution to fuel supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The United States has temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as Trump administration officials attempt to reverse a surge in prices that is causing mounting apprehension about global supplies.

As part of efforts to ensure the continuous supply of fuel to the island nation, the Foreign Minister held talks with Ambassador Dzhagaryan regarding the procurement of Russian fuel.