President should decide whether to step back or allow unrest to grow - Dayasiri Jayasekara

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara responds to questions by the Daily Mirror about the ongoing political unrest and economic crisis. He also responds to queries about his party’s...

A descent into violence - hunger is also violence - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka is facing its worst crisis since independence. Our people’s lives are fast becoming unprotected, with hospitals running out of medicines for heart disease, rabies, diabetes and anti-venom....

Without political party nucleus, civilian struggle fails

For the first time, the populace of Sri Lanka are not ready to wait till the next election to make the representatives they elect, go home. To a citizenry never been able to hold to account their leaders...

“Don’t play around with this generation”

Born within the first decade of Sri Lanka’s Independence from the British, I believe I had the good fortune of seeing a more disciplined Sri Lanka during my formative years. A Sri Lanka.....

Can the Govt. convince IMF of stability?

Finally, the government has decided to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking assistance to bail out itself from the current economic imbroglio that has led to a massive political crisis. Also President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Rajapaksas divided the nation to rule; it came together to demand their removal

If you are depressed, like many millions of Sri Lankans are, by the perilous state of the country, everyday shortage of essentials and the nepotistic regime that hangs on to power, you might need something to feel positive. Look no further than protests in the Galle Face Green, and indeed, across the country. They offer a ray of hope for a future that is progressive, inclusive and tolerant. They are a re

Sri Lanka’s Arab Spring: Don’t waste this precious moment

It was incredible but true. The government imposed an island-wide curfew from Saturday evening to Monday morning to stop protests planned for Monday, April third.

The Revolutionary Right to Overthrow!

“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending....

Sri Lanka; Now over the brink into Disaster!

There is utter despair, desperation, frustration and anger hovering over our dear motherland at the moment. There are evident signs of people’s restlessness which is a sheer warning probably....

Parliament, parliamentarians and IMF facility - EDITORIAL

Something all adult Sri Lankans and even little children know is that they are hungry. When little children ask for food, many parents will be unable to provide them with this ‘luxury’. Yes, food today....

Demystifying debt restructuring

We are dangerously low on foreign reserves and are on the verge of a default on our upcoming ISB. We are unable to raise sovereign bonds to refinance the upcoming maturities since we lost access....

High time for president and Govt. to step down!

The country’s Rajapaksa dynasty is facing its toughest challenge yet as protesters demand that the president step down amid a devastating economic crisis.

Free media is not just important for democracy—It is democracy

With the ruthless war criminal Vladimir Putin unleashing Russian troops to attack thousands of civilians including children, women and men in neighbouring Ukraine, the world is witnessing one of the biggest battles between democracy and dictatorship.

A new nation is emerging

I am glad that our country has finally woken up and taken its destiny in its hands. Citizens have taken the responsibility for themselves and their future. It took a long time but at last it has happened. We shall not give up this struggle for a new country and a clean system. Let us never think of giving it up. We shall overcome.

Forecast of famine, food shortages and parliamentary debates - EDITORIAL

Today, Sri Lanka is facing numerous and probably the biggest challenges in its history. Economists have warned of possible famine-like conditions and even greater food shortages than we are presently....

People power protests: Whither the solution?

The word revolution does not have its origin in politics. It was originally used in astronomy to refer to the rotation of a celestial object around a fixed axis. Later, with the advancement of engineering.....

Anarchy reigns

How would the current political turmoil in Sri Lanka possibly end? Will President Gotabaya Rajapaksa step down as demanded by the protesters across the country? Namal Rajapaksa who resigned....

Pakistan at the crossroads with controversial dissolution of parliament

By getting the Speaker to nullify the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) in the National Assembly (parliament) on the false ground that the NCM was tabled at the behest of the US, and getting President Alvi....

This is not the time to test the patience of young protestors

Last Tuesday’s motorbike circus in the middle of a public protest near the Parliament by members of an alleged military motorbike unit-without number plates- riding fast and ignoring police orders is a show of sheer arrogance and an immature way of acting at a time when the country is on ‘fire’.

When fear comes true for a govt.

Is the Sri Lankan President attempting to form an interim administration largely to find a solution to the economic crisis or to escape from mounting public pressure? This is the big question that the present lawmakers dodge or show little interest in to provide an answer.

Will examine SL request for another US $ 250 million – B’deshi Foreign Minister

Bangladeshi Foreign Affairs Minister A.K. Abdul Momen who was in Sri Lanka in view of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit shared his views with Daily Mirror on bilateral ties and opportunities for greater connectivity. Excerpts of the interview:

People’s power comes of age

People’s power has shaken the once powerful Gotabaya Rajapaksa government to the core when in the wake of so much agony and misery,

Spontaneity and its discontents #beyondgotagohome #thewayforward

Take any protest, any demonstration, they are never perfect. One could always find flaws in any such activity, regardless of whether or not one subscribes to the objectives.

Beware the ‘Ides of March’

The ‘Ides of March’ proved fatal to Julius Caesar, the dictator of Rome who was assasinated in the Roman Senate House.Since mid-March, Sri Lankans of all shades and hues - from slum dwellers, to the middle classes to the super rich- had been silently damning the rulers of this country. On April 1, the rising tide of discontent exploded into loud and vociferous protests in front of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s

The rev lution is live-Tweeted

AGITATION MAY TURN INTO RIOTS

The resignation by the Cabinet ministers from their respective portfolios on Sunday is nothing but the manifestation of the desperation on the part of the government due to its failure to find solutions to the economic crisis the country is currently faced

Interim Government headed by Rajapaksas is a farce

On Sunday night, the Cabinet of Ministers resigned en masse after the public took to the streets for yet another day of countrywide prot

Sending him Home: Lessons from Marcos

By the time you read this, the proposal for an ‘interim government’ is on the table, which I am sure, is the last attempt to save the family rule. At the same time, the President has declared an ‘Emergency’ situation and island-wide curfew in a d

Frying Pan of Shortages to the Post-IMF Fire

The scorching heat in April and May are going to fry our working people as food and medicines are in short supply, oil shortages lead to transport disruption and power cuts shut down shop....

Pauperization of Lanka - EDITORIAL

On Thursday (March 31), the anger of ordinary Sri Lankans boiled over. Lanka is caught up in the worst financial crises to hit the country since its independent in 1948. In recent....