Foibles and follies in Ukraine, tensions with China

The war in Ukraine -Europe’s latest war is into its 365th day. Columnists of major US and European news sites have from time to time expressed surprise that there could be an ongoing war in Europe in this day and age.

Teacher transfers and Stalin’s ‘bubble’ - EDITORIAL

The teaching profession is slowly becoming a volatile ground. Teacher protests have continued for years; thus giving all signs that this is a profession where some individuals cannot find satisfaction....

Iraq war, 20 years on: Why the horror story should be retold

As the Iraq war’s 20th anniversary is marked this week, it is time to take an audit of the evil nature of war. How it all began should be retold....

Don’t undermine democracy

A group of 84 individuals, civil rights activists, and intellectuals has issued a statement on the political development in the country recently. In particular, they had mentioned the delay in holding....

Mother dearest, mother fairest

The Popular St. Francis of Assisi, whose movie “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” turned into one of the best and most loved film ever made,

On plugging the oil leaks in CPC

We are talking here about the energy sector. We are talking about petroleum. About crude oil. Refined petroleum fuels and products.

Importance of “deep sea” biodiversity preservation for Sri Lanka

On March 4 in New York, 200 countries endorsed a UN treaty to protect biodiversity in “seas beyond national jurisdiction” also called the “high seas”. The treaty is described by Carnegie Endowment as the...

More universities or continued procrastination? - EDITORIAL

The present capacity of our universities is unable to accommodate the numbers of students qualified to enter these hallowed halls of learning. Education Ministry statistics for 2020 revealed as many....

A Sense of Progress: The Sri Lankan Square Deal

“The Principles for which we stand are the principles of fair play and a square deal for every man and every woman...a square deal politically, a square deal in matters social and industrial...

Will IMF save Sri Lanka?

The staff level agreement between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which was arrived at on September 1 last year,

IMF bailout: SL’s march to recovery and political opportunists who stand on the way

Yesterday was a momentous day! With the International Monetary Fund’s executive board poised to approve the US$ 2.9 billion extended funding facility last night, Sri Lanka’s long march for economic recovery could only now begin.

Interim Order of the Supreme Court and the LG polls

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on 3rd March issued an interim order to the Finance Secretary and the Attorney General who represent the Finance Minister preventing them from withholding any funds earmarked....

Ukraine; from “Bread Basket” to “Meat Grinder” A Mission for GL and Veteran Vasu

Ukraine is a large producer of corn and barley and the world’s fourth-largest producer of potatoes. They have the ability to meet food requirements for 600 million humans; hence it is called the “Bread Basket.” The ill-fated....

Imminent arrest of Trump and warrant on Putin - EDITORIAL

Two days ago, former US President Trump announced, that he would be arrested on Tuesday and called on his supporters to launch mass protests. The former president had already announced his....

How Lanka’s National anthem was amended due to superstition

Sri Lanka is presently experiencing a tremendous economic crisis. Several knowledgeable persons describe the current period as the worst-ever phase in the Island nation’s 75-year post-Independence history.

What lies ahead Lengthy showdown or a quick crackdown?

Wednesday’s trade union action was different from the ones the same unions launched on March 1.

Education; Are the children moulded to build a just society?

At one time you would say Sri Lanka had the highest literacy rate in South Asia. Thanks to the hard work by farsighted free thinkers like C. W. W. Kannangara who introduced free education. Influenced by the Western education system, patriotic leaders like Mr. Kannangara laid the foundation for an educated future generation.

Do you see the ‘middlemen’ in this haze? - EDITORIAL

These are days where Sri Lankans are sinking into the possibility that LG Polls would not be held after all. This government- unelected by the citizens of the country –doesn’t have to please....

Islamophobia: The inhuman politics behind the scourge

March 15 came and went. None celebrated the Ides of March. Also on March 15, the first-ever United Nations Day to combat Islamophobia, too, came and went. There was very little awareness campaign....

The Debt Digest – March 2023

The Debt Digest by Verité Research provides analytical commentary on the latest developments in Sri Lanka’s debt crisis.

Happiness: For more inclusive, equitable, balanced society

Due to the unprecedented increase in the cost of living and related problems, most of Sri Lanka’s people are obviously unhappy.

Addressing poverty is a state responsibility - EDITORIAL

Whether the country is reeling from an economic crisis or not Sri Lankans once in every few years witness a trend among some sections of the society taking drastic decisions to ruin their own life and....

Misery is quickly forgotten except by those who suffer

We get so mired in our own problems that we forget how troubled the outside world is. Not that it’s any comfort. The problem is that, while the epicenters of violence which threaten world stability, such as...

Whither goest our trade union movement

Major trade unions, student unions and a number of political parties are up in arms over the recently revised income tax structure of the country.

When strikers take govt. hostage, the state unravels

Sri Lankans often draw the comparison to Singapore or South Korea and lament why their country could not replicate the economic success of the other.

How fair is welfare

How fair is it for a country like Sri Lanka that has a fertile land and natural resources in abundance, to go after welfare, subsidies, grants....

Final solutions and a rose by another name - EDITORIAL

In December 2022, then incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a visit to Canada made a startling claim -’that the Arabs....

‘Trias Politica’ & Budget Allocations: Call for 22 A

18th-century French philosopher Charles de Montesquieu coined the term ‘trias politica.’ He says in his book, ‘The Spirit of the Laws -1748’....

He Needs Your Help!

Father of 18-year-old Kavindu Kushan of Kahawala, Yatawathura, Padukka pleads with generous donors to help his son to buy a pair....

Defeat in Ananthapuram Battle denoted the LTTE’s end

Many battles were fought during the long war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Among these was the five-day battle fought at Ananthapuram in the Mullaitheevu District from March 31 to April 4, 2009.