From Abraham’s city of Ur, Pope calls for inter-faith peace

Around three thousand years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, about 1,300 kilometres east at Ur in present day Iraq....

UNHRC process: Resolution on SL getting stronger and stronger

Informal consultations were in progress up until yesterday at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the modification of the text of the draft resolution on Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s rejection of the resolution sparked a debate leading to informal consultations.

SL will oppose and reject UNHRC resolution Only way forward to call for a vote

The purpose of this article is to present the expert views and advice so far published on how to preserve our sovereignty, when nations which describe themselves as a ‘core group’, comprising Canada, UK, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Germany, have proposed a resolution at the 43rd session of the UNHRC that threatens the very sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

Cling to the hope that vaccines bring

Most of the pandemonium that stalked the initial stages of Sri Lanka’s Public Vaccination Programme, appears to be gradually easing at most vaccination centres with better organization though not without a few inevitable hiccups.

It’s time Tamil Eelamists shed half-truths

In the year 1977, the Tamli United Liberation Front (TULF) contested the General Election on a separatist ticket. The TULF swept the Tamil vote. That result was and is interpreted as an unofficial referendum on the Tamil people’s views on separation.

Assess the content, not the clicks

During a recent online presentation for the Manila-based Asian Centre for Journalism, I was asked to define the term dangerous information.

A distant light flickers as Palestinians seek justice - EDITORIAL

For the past 73 years the Palestinians have sought justice for crimes committed against them since the newly-created world body.....

Let’s say enough to superstition

The incident where a nine year old girl in Delgoda died on March 2 while performing what is called exorcism by a woman, has become just another incident for the media and most importantly for the authorities concerned- the Education Ministry,

UNHRC resolution, the precursor to fact-finding mission

During the second term of the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency, the most important element of the country’s foreign policy, as th

Sri Lanka is not for Sale

Intending to build public opinion against the foreign private enterprises taking over lands on a large scale and causing irreversible impact on the environment, a forum named ‘Our Land is Not For Sale’ was formed recently with the participatio

Sri Lanka before it became predominantly Buddhist

Before Sri Lanka became predominantly Buddhist following the conversion of the 3rd. Century King Devanampiya Tissa (247 BC-207 BC), the island had an amazing assortment of religious cults, practices and faiths including animism, Jainism

Social media - time to review - EDITORIAL

The freedom of speech and communication of ideas without hindrance is one of the pillars on which a democratic society is founded and upheld.

Rape Victims and ‘Knees-Together’ Judge: Women’s challenges and 25% quota

Focusing on women’s rights around the world, an International Women’s Day [IWD] is celebrated today.

Ordinary women with extraordinary acts

Celebrating International women’s Day 2021, the Church of Ceylon said in a statement that “a nation can only flourish when all its citizens....

Should we use flowers in venerating the Buddha?

Almost all Buddhists visit temples and perform religious rites where the first act is offering flowers toa Buddha statue, in the belief to gain merit to enter Nibbana – On Poya Days millions of flowers are offered and at the end of the day, it is heartbreaking to see, these flowers being dumped in garbage pits later.

The path to gross domestic happiness

Spirituality tells us that we could be happy only when we make other people happy. Our care for others is the measure of our greatness. If we are selfish or self-centred and seeking our own happiness or joy, it often turns out to be an act of self-deception.

From Maldives to Iranaitivu ....via Eragama and Marichchikattu

When President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on November 10 instructed the officials to find a dry land to burry bodies of those who die of COVID-19....

R2P and UN rights Chief’s lies about Sri Lanka

It comes as no surprise that a draft resolution against Sri Lanka - to be moved by a ‘Core Group’ of five states at the 46th session.....

Human rights: Can Biden be different?

Still in its first one hundred-day probation period, the Joe Biden administration has let the world stop and take note of the shift in the US foreign policy.

From the cradle to the grave, no equal rights for women and girls - EDITORIAL

We have often heard the cliché that the cradle is rocked by the hands that rule the world. In reality this is not only a cliché but is far from the truth.

UNHRC Japan’s moderate approach: A sigh of relief for SL 

The international debate on the draft resolution on Sri Lanka is heading to be more intense since the core-group of the countries led by the....

Need to recognise privacy as Fundamental Right

Privacy is a concept we are all familiar with but a violation of privacy especially in cases of politicians, celebrities and famous people is nothing new.

‘No one is safe until everyone is safe’

The government’s ongoing vaccination programme, which is the main topic of concern and conversation these days, appears to have hit a snag with the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) sounding alarm bells that it would soon collapse if no proper mechanism was in place.

India in Geneva: Friend, foe or navel-gazer?

If you are not with me, I will assume that you are against me,’ is a prudent rule of thumb, but only in certain situations. Not all questions can be answered with either ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Complex realities don’t often offer such luxurious indulgences. This is true of people, it is true of nations and whenever there are multiple factors in play. There are costs and there are benefits, always and therefore decisions are based on assessing marginal ben

A wise political leader is a great listener

Listening is appreciating others and it is the best way to build trust”. We all need to be recognised in some way.

Let’s snatch ‘Reconciliation’ from UNHRC and to our own hands!

Changing US Presidents - like shuffling of a pack of cards - EDITORIAL

After a turbulent four-year term (2017 - Jan. 2021), former President Donald Trump - a Republican - lost the December 2020 presidential election....

Why Child Abuse is on the rise

With increasing reports of grievous incidents of child abuse, the need for an unyielding regulatory body for the protection of children in Sri Lanka is apparent.

Tackling Gender Based Violence

This article is based on “Law is Light” -- a series of trilingual legal discussions to educate the general public with Attorneys-at-law of Sri Lanka.

SL A SOVEREIGN NATION; WHY ALLOW OTHERS TO DICTATE ?

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which comprises 57 member states raised the issue of Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cremations at the 46th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on February 23. Speaking at the sixth meetin