Parades, empty stomachs and amendments

The way independence was celebrated this time shows how conventional the government’s thinking is during a time of unprecedented....

Are elections on? Will newer factions take a lead?

As doubts began to surface as to whether the constitutionally required local government elections would be put off or postponed, several political....

Upali: Mighty magnate with Midas touch

40 years ago on February 13, 1983, a privately owned Lear jet flew out of Malaysia’s Subang Airport at 8.41 p.m. with six on board.

13 A, a multi-purpose project

President Ranil Wickremesinghe seems to be using all four “Upayas” (strategies) namely Sama, Dana, Bheda and Danda applied by the ancient Indian scholar Kautilya who lived between 375- 283 BC to solve problems.

The Afghanisation of Ukraine

The never-ending war in Ukraine -like the now concluded war in Afghanistan- continues. Just days ago in a surprise to the UK Volodmyer Zelenskiy, president of Ukraine in a speech to the House of Commons called on British parliamentarians to supply him with British jet fighters.

Today is Russian Diplomats’ Day Russia: History, the present, and the plans

Today Russia celebrates Diplomats’ Day, the professional holiday of the Foreign Ministry’s current and retired staff members. It was established by the Presidential Decree in 2002. The date is closely associated....

Commonwealth’s role in navigating Global era of Polycrisis

The Commonwealth-Secretary General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, pledged the Commonwealth Secretariat’s full support to Sri Lanka as the country navigates difficult challenges. Speaking during a lecture....

Can those who love this country be ‘reformed’? - EDITORIAL

Any reforms the government makes to put its economy in order will be painful for the people. Right now people are concerned about how their salaries would be taxed in the future. Apart from that President Ranil....

It’s not party time for US and China after balloon blast

To pop up a balloon, all that is required is a sewing pin or a needle or a backward jump to land on it on your butt. But after sitting on it for days, the United States used fighter jets to blast it. Perhaps, the Pentagon....

Women, girls need to play bigger role in science

With the continuing turmoil in Sri Lanka with the country being bankrupt and the cost of living soaring higher than ever before,

13th Amendment: Some thoughts and the reality

There are some uncomfortable truths about the 13th Amendment, devolution of power and of course provincial councils.

It’s time to put our country first - EDITORIAL

February 4 has come and gone. At the Galle Face Green, government leaders allegedly spent millions of scarce funds to organize pompous military parades to mark our nation’s 75th year ....

Right and wrong of Independence Day protests

During the weekend, when Sri Lanka marked the 75th anniversary of its independence, it was a sober, sad, and indeed a bitter affair. Most of the public was bitterly critical of the celebrations. The police confronted...

Delaying remedy for legal delays

Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige rejecting a request by former police officer ASP Kulasiri Udugampola that he be acquitted and released from the famous Millennium City safe-house case without calling defence evidence, had decided on January 24 to proceed with the case. What is im

Doing justice to Slave Island

Last week, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena ordered the authorities to officially rename “Slave Island” as “Kompagngna Veediya”. Though already known as Kompanna Veediya, a formal change was considered appropriate as Sri Lanka is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its independence from colonial rule. The term Slave Island was a relic of Portuguese rule (1597 to 1658) when the area housed black African slaves called Kaffirs whom the Portuguese b

Stability, but at what cost?

Last week, much of the UK came to a standstill as the country saw its single largest day of industrial action in over a decade; some estimates put the number at around 500,000 protesters. Seen in the thick of this industrial action were nurses, teachers, university staff, civil servants and train drivers; forming a broad coalition from across the gamut of the British working class.

Independence for Dependent Economy

“Ceylon is settling down as a genuine Dominion. Present Ministers are extremely friendly and want to maintain and deepen the British connexion. They want, for instance, to preserve English...

Independence and the realities ahead - EDITORIAL

Our Independence Day celebrations are now over. The reality however, is we - everyone of us - irrespective of his/her political party affiliation faces is the international debt, which we have to pay. It hangs....

Reflecting on 13th A and upcoming elections

The 75th anniversary was celebrated amidst a certain degree of vagueness and tension. This would be an ideal occasion for both, the rulers and the people to ponder on the issues which would...

Why the Tamils want the 13th A implemented in full

A Direct appeal was made to the President by the Mahanayakes (head monks) of all four Buddhist chapters against the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. They point out....

75 Years of Independence and the Tamils of Sri Lanka

The resplendent Island of Sri Lanka celebrates her seventy-fifth anniversary of Independence from Britain today - February 4th 2023.

Independence; a misconceived concept

The very debate whether Sri Lanka should celebrate its Independence this year amidst an unprecedented economic crisis poses the question of what we, as Sri Lankans gained from the Independence.

Celebrating successes and failures on a 75-year journey

Today Sri Lankans celebrate the 75th year of Independence, after almost 375 years of subjugation to Portuguese, Dutch and British Imperialists.

Is the legacy of Sri Lanka’s ‘Independence’ in Dependence?

Sri Lanka, being a sovereign state since 1948, is celebrating its 75th year of being such a state today with much pomp and pageantry, lavishly spending millions of rupees from public coffers which could have been otherwise used on essential kinds of medicine and medical equipment to save those who are crying in hospital beds for nothing, but life, due to sheer want of proper medication.

Remembering a great soldier of Sri Lanka Signal Corps

The late Colonel Charles Reginald de Silva ED, FCIS was a loving husband, caring father, true and sincere friend and is remembered by all his juniors.

Attorney General and His Prosecutorial Staff

In our criminal justice system, the prosecution of trials is normally preceded by the investigation of criminal offences by the police. Investigation of crimes fall within the domain of the police, and for this specific....

Lanka’s Independence and the neocolonialist ‘dependence’ trap

Dependence is embedded in independence. This is the paradox we need to address as Sri Lanka prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary of Independence tomorrow amid an unprecedented economic....

Is the grass greener inside the university? - EDITORIAL

Ragging at universities pops up as a topic for discussion akin to a rubber ball finding its way from under the water after being pressed down by somebody. At present ragging at Sri Lankan universities is much spoken....

Independence: Did Sri Lanka gain anything by it?

Right now, we are all speaking of independence. But, what have we gained from independence? What have we carried with us through the years? What has proven positive for our nation?

Creating a peaceful society through interfaith harmony

Building bridges across boundaries is the theme of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony week from February 1 to 7.