The new president’s opportunity to reshape social protection

On 16 August 2024, Sri Lanka launched a National Social Protection Policy (NSPP). This was a first in the country, which had previously not had a policy but only a host of different programmes (such as free universal health coverage, free education at primary and secondary levels, Samurdhi, and more recently, Aswesuma).

Non-violence: the mightiest weapon of social justice

The United Nations yesterday (2) observed the International Day of Non-Violence. October 2 was especially designated as the Day of Non-Violence as it is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was the leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

Sri Lanka’s People Need a New Debt Deal

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s President, recently lost his re-election bid after voters overwhelmingly rejected the debt-restructuring deals he negotiated with the International Monetary Fund and other creditors. Instead, Sri Lankans elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the left-wing National People’s Power (NPP) alliance and a vocal critic of IMF-imposed austerity measures, who has vowed to renegotiate the country’s agreement with the

The upcoming General Elections and pitfalls ahead

T he presidential election which had us all agog, is now over. President Dissanayake -the young leader of the NPP, who campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption and against waste, has been voted into power. The people who for the past five years have suffered all manner of deprivation look forward to a new era where their burdens will be eased.

National list political parties for General Elections

The people have spoken, is a common phrase used to announce and often accept the results of an election.

Are we on the brink of World War III?

As I wrote in this column months ago, there has been talk of World War III almost from the day World War II ended.

Understanding the message given by Northerners - EDITORIAL

During their first media conference following the Presidential election, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) which has proven again that they are the largest Tamil political party in the North and the East had announced that they were considering to field their candidates

Political Maturity? Ranil’s Honourable Exit and NPP’s Reciprocal Approach

Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Executive Committee member of the National People’s Power, appeared on a TV talk show last Tuesday, where he expressed appreciation for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts in leaving the Treasury in a stable financial condition.

Screen Time for Children: A Guide for Parents

This article aims to educate parents on the impact of screen time on their children and provide practical strategies for managing it.

The UN -missing the wood for the trees - EDITORIAL

In what is becoming almost a monotonous regular feature at the UNHRC, that organisation presented a ‘comprehensive report on Sri Lanka’ authored by the Commissioner of Human Rights earlier in September this year.

From three percent to the throne

It was strongly argued before the Presidential election that a party like the National People’s Power (NPP) led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake which obtained only 3.16 percent of total votes in the 2019 Presidential election cannot achieve the 50 percent target to win this time.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake; “Leftist” Star Rises Over Sri Lanka

The heading of this article is inspired by the title of Edgar Snow’s book, “Red Star Over China”.

Post Presidential polls -Winds of change or new broom

On 21 September, Lankans elected into office a new President who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform and renegotiating with the IMF. Presently 25 percent of our people are living below the poverty line, where according to UNICEF 1 in 2 children in Lanka are going hungry.

A plea to save publishers during book month

Sri Lanka badly needs more books and readers. Those who have made buying books and reading them a habit face a daunting challenge. Buying the next set of books is close to unthinkable now given the skyrocketing prices of books.

New government, new hopes and new challenges

As predicted by political analysts, the September 21 presidential poll concluded up with many firsts. First and foremost, it ushered Anura Kumara Dissanayake alias AKD in to presidency; a politician from outside the traditional, political mainstream.

Is Dr. Amarasuriya the Kamala Harris of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka now has her third female Prime Minister after a hiatus of 24 years. Twenty years is a long period of time from a political perspective. That was sufficient time to usher in change, to witness more women in the political sphere in decision-making positions and for them to take a lead to make a difference. But women’s representation in politics has been a long struggle. A struggle met with many patriarchal and professional challenges. But

Would we see AKD reflecting the face of China?

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) had a spring in his walk even before he won the Presidential Elections. He dressed extremely well when stepping in front of the public and exhibited an air of confidence which said ‘2024 is my year to be the President of Sri Lanka’.

Poverty, minority issues: Problems facing new president

For the first time in our history, on 21 September a Marxist, the son of a poor farmer, a man who understands the travails and humiliation the poor have to undergo daily has been elected as the Executive President of the country. President Dissanayake is the son of a poor farming family. He is now the 9th Executive President of Lanka.

How Maldives is trying not to default on foreign loans

The Maldivian economy has been going through a bad patch even as there is political stability in the country.

Do away with incumbency privileges during elections - EDITORIAL

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his speech after he was declared elected as the President at the Election Commission’s auditorium said the very conducting of the Presidential election this time was a victory for the people.

Housing hassle worsens in Gampaha District

The People’s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL)-Gampaha, a voluntary coalition of civil society organisations and individuals committed to ensure housing and property rights of marginalised communities in Sri Lanka, presented a memorandum on the housing issue faced by low-income families in the Gampaha District to policy makers at a forum held in Seeduwa recently.

Ego and Arrogance: Downfall of UNP Factional Leaders

The people have made their choice; in a democracy, we must respect that decision with dignity, although for the first time in four decades, a winner has been declared in a Sri Lankan Presidential Election with less than half the population voting in favour.

Who’s more desperate – candidates, or voters?

By the time this column is published, the whole country would know who the next president of Sri Lanka is, unless a standoff emerges with all three candidates running neck to neck and preferential votes coming in as the deciding factor.

AKD, the Ninth President Of Sri Lanka

The long awaited 2024 Presidential Election is done and dusted. Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) of the National People’s Power became the Ninth President of Sri Lanka.

Weaponising Non-Violence: Tiger Leader Thileepan’s Fast Unto Death

September 26th is of particular significance to a substantial number of Sri Lankan Tamils. For it was on this day in 1987 that a senior member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Thileepan died in Nallur after undertaking a fast unto death.

An election with many firsts

As we have discussed in a previous article, the 9th Presidential election which is being held today is different from the past eight elections in several aspects.

Politics, sport and a bard for Lanka - EDITORIAL

The glorious uncertainties of cricket is the greatest attraction of the game. Strange though it may seem, this is how today’s presidential election is also poised.

Pager blasts in Lebanon: How safe are our mobile devices?

How sure are we that our phones won’t explode in our faces? This week’s developments in Lebanon make us raise this question. The next time we buy a mobile communication device, we must ensure it comes from a seller who provides a manufacturer warranty, confirming it has not been tampered with and is free of explosives.

Sri Lanka: A drama based on human flaws!

One positive thing which came out of all the political discussions in the run-up to the presidential elections was that candidates were focused on resurrecting a fallen economy.

Property Taxes: No Thanks but Many Thanks to the IMF

The Government of Sri Lanka and the IMF have agreed on the introduction of a new property tax. It is labelled the Imputed Rental Income Tax.