Let election month not be preceded by false promises

To all intents and purposes, it looks as though the presidential elections will definitely be held on 21 September this year. Forty candidates paid their deposits. One was rejected.

Nikini Poya Insights: Dhamma, War and Violence

Although Buddhist teachings strongly oppose violence, some Buddhist sectors believe that these pacifist ideals have not prevented Buddhist nations from engaging in warfare.

Hypocrisy and the ‘Tamil Genocide Day’ monument - EDITORIAL

On Friday 16 August, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian Ambassador and protested the laying of the foundation stone for a so-called ‘Tamil Genocide Monument’ at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton Canada.

Who will minorities vote for?

The candidates for the September 21 Presidential election, especially the main candidates have given prominence to creating a media hype rather than explaining their policies and programmes to resolve the socioeconomic issues faced by the people.

UN Resolution 46/1 on gross human rights violations in sri Lanka

By Resolution 46/1 on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka”, the UNHRC tasked the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) “to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka.

40,000 Gaza deaths: Crying shame on humanity

Critics often deride the UN as a talk shop. The description is not far from the truth.

Results, rituals, pageants and presidential elections - EDITORIAL

The worst feeling one can get, if not trained for it, is to wait for something that’s in the pipeline to happen. We’re all awaiting September 21 for the presidential elections.

Nomination day: Sri Lanka needs a Statesperson

The Election Commission will be the centre of attention today as 40 candidates will be handing in their nominations for the Presidential Election of September 21. This is in the midst of crossovers, confusion and contradictions over who is really supporting whom and for what reason.

Presidential Elections and negotiating what isn’t authentic

Sri Lanka feels the need for a Presidential Election much stronger than ever before.

Impact Of Economic Transformation Act On Boi And Fdi

In terms of the Economic Transformation (ET) Act, the overall transformation methodology of the economy consists of following steps viz. to repeal the Board of Investments (BOI) Law No. 04 of 1978, to establish Investment Zones Sri Lanka

WB Group’s high level council to tackle looming jobs crisis

The World Bank Group has launched a high level council to address a looming job crisis. According to a press release issued by the World Bank, the High-Level Advisory Council on jobs, will launch an initiative that will identify actionable policies and programmes to address the earmarked jobs crisis in the Global South.

The shocking and disturbing rape of a teenager

On August 12 the ‘Daily Mirror’ reported on page one the shocking story of a schoolgirl gang-raped by twenty-two fellow students! Worse the principal of the school attempted to cover up the story.

Shameless and opportunistic crossovers - EDITORIAL

The run-up to any Presidential or Parliamentary election in Sri Lanka would see a plethora of crossovers which entail shameless statements by those politicians who jump from one party to another.

Britain: Moats and sieges, but no knights and fairy tales

Britain has been rocked by race riots for a week, and they show no sign of abating.

The September election, issues and campaigns - EDITORIAL

After our country declared itself bankrupt two years ago, we are at the point of holding elections at long last.

Namal’s Entry Changes Political Dynamics of Presidential Poll

From the time Ranil Wickremesinghe returned to the seat of power as Prime Minister and later as President, false narratives have been concocted and circulated by his opponents, adversaries, critics and detractors about him.

Namal: an attempt to keep the Pohottuwa above water

The announcement of the Presidential candidature of Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on August 7 might be the most widely talked-about topic in the run-up to the September 21 presidential election.

Rising poverty and problems for new president

Election fever is gathering momentum in the country. The office of the Commissioner of Elections has announced that 24 candidates had placed their deposits as of August 8.

Protests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh: The bloody contrast in uncanny similarity

The scenes in the streets of Dhaka on Monday were eerily similar to those in Colombo two years ago. As the demonstrators stormed her official residence,

The Vedda Chief and the presidential elections - EDITORIAL

Today (August 9) is ‘International Day of The World’s Indigenous People’. Sri Lanka can be proud of having many tribes of indigenous people.

Presidential Election looms as Sri Lanka faces economic recovery challenges

As Sri Lanka approaches its Presidential election, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture. The economic landscape, shaped by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program, has seen remarkable improvements under President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

If Iran Retaliates Now! Future…A ‘Sticks & Stones’ World War IV

On August 6 and 9, 1945, exactly 79 years ago, the US dropped two deadly nuclear bombs, ‘Little Boy’ and the 11-foot ‘Fat Man’, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.

India sends STEM Teacher Trainers: Opening for Schools in SL Plantation Regions

The following is a press release by the High commission of India, Colombo:

Namal with no experience enters Presidential race

The race for the September 21 Presidential Election took a dramatic turn yesterday when the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) - the majority in Parliament – decided to nominate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Namal Rajapaksa, as the SLPP candidate for the elections.

How ETB missed the mark on investment zones and what can be done

The Economic Transformation Bill (ETB), which passed through the Sri Lankan Parliament on July 25, sets ambitious targets for investment and export growth, aiming to address

Bhutan sends condolences on passing of Ven Galboda Gnanissara Thera

The following is a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Royal Government of Bhutan:

College of General Practitioners marks 50 years

A western medical doctor who has undergone further training to deliver medical care at primary care level based on concepts and principles of Family Medicine/General Practice is a General Practitioner/Family Physician. Family Medicine/General practice is the medical specialty which provides continuing and comprehensive care for the individual and the family.

Racism and culture conflicts dominate United States’ election Racial and religious identities and cultural anxieties have attained salience

Though touted as a “melting pot” of diverse races and ethnicities, racism is deeply entrenched in the United States. It catches the public eye during slanging matches in election campaigns.

Whither minor parties?

What Mahinda Rajapaksa as President did to the other political parties is boomeranging now on his own party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). During his heyday he, using both the carrot and the stick, broke other parties and those who defected to Rajapaksa’s party said that they were joining hands with Rajapaksa to strengthen his hands to win the separatist war.

WAR CRIMINALS OR HEROES? WE’VE HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE

I srael thinks it has dealt a double blow to its enemies by killing Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Fuad Shukr of Hezbollah.