Someone had to say it

This week's news was one long sigh. We watched corporations turn mental health into a PR stunt, a police officer forget what the word duty means, and scammers multiply faster than your spam folder can handle. Somewhere between the hashtags and headlines, you start to wonder - have we all just stopped meaning what we say? Let's get into it.

World Mental Health Day: The Hashtag Holiday

Every October, timelines fill with pastel-green hearts, HR sends a “Wellness Wednesday” email, and brands suddenly remember the word empathy. World Mental Health Day has officially become the corporate costume party of compassion.

Workplaces throw mindfulness sessions in boardrooms that burn people out, influencers post quotes they don’t live by, and companies host yoga breaks right before sending 11 p.m. emails. Everyone wants to look aware, but no one wants to act humane.

It’s sad. And honestly, it’s pathetic. Because mental health isn’t a campaign, it’s culture. It’s how you treat people when no one’s watching, when there’s no hashtag to hide behind, and when “kindness” isn’t trending.

Last Word: Don’t wear empathy for a day, make it your default setting.

Drunk Cop, No Conscience

A police sergeant from Mahiyangana was arrested this week after allegedly harassing a ten-year-old girl at the Bibila bus stand-while drunk. The man, who's supposed to protect the public, reportedly kissed and embraced the child in public before being taken into custody.

And what did the system do? Released him on personal bail of Rs. 300,000. Because in Sri Lanka, uniforms come with immunity. It's always a slap on the wrist, a "disciplinary inquiry," and a quiet return to duty once the noise dies down.

We talk about law and order like it's a sacred pillar, but what good is that if the ones in uniform treat it like a prop?

Last Word: When protection turns predatory, justice can't be optional.

If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It's Probably a Scam 

Online scams are on the rise in Sri Lanka - and not the "you've won a free iPhone" kind. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) says people are losing anywhere between Rs. 1 million and Rs. 30 million to slick foreign "investment" schemes promising mind-blowing returns.

They call it trading. It's really just trickery wrapped in tech jargon. One minute you're watching a YouTube tutorial on passive income, the next you're wiring your savings to someone named CryptoKing94.

Officials are warning the public not to share ID photos, bank details, or personal data. But let's be honest - if you're trusting strangers on Telegram with your money, privacy probably wasn't your first concern.

Last Word: The only thing multiplying faster than online scams right now? People who think they're too smart to fall for one.

Until next week, be kind, be careful, and for the love of sanity - verify before you trust.

- Rihaab