‘No’, say plantation companies

The Regional Plantation Companies, which manage Sri Lanka’s tea, rubber and coconut estates, are not budging on the estate workers salary issue, despite government leaders having repeatedly promised to increase their daily wage to Rs.1000. This

Sri Lanka’s high-risk gamble with tourism amid UK’s new COVID strain

Amid the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, the shutting down of cities and unleashing death and economic ruin are having far-reaching consequences than the loss of jobs and income. As it increasingly becomes clear, economic considerations are co

Three aspects of the ‘Dhammika Paniya’ controversy

There are three aspects to the controversy over the “anti-COVID-19 potion” named “Dhammika Paniya” after its discoverer and promoter Dhammika Bandara, a Shaman at the Sri Weera Badra Kali Devalaya in Hettimulla, Kegalle.

Planning the future of unemployed youth

Sri Lanka, compared to other countries in the South Asian region, has a very high literacy rate as education is free and mandatory among all children. Even in some villages, where poverty persists, local state officials ensure that children receive an education and attend school.

Eliminate VIRUS by shutting out Politico-Religious Intrusions

Covid to continue till end 2021

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that is more a The Colombo-centred spread shows the larger number of infected persons from the 16,311....

2020 the year of the virus - EDITORIAL

One single topic has dominated the year-2020 –Covid-19. All other events have paled into insignificance in the shadow it cast across the globe.

Education as apparatus for change: Dangerous discourse on graduate unemployment, employability

Widespread unemployment will, unfortunately, remain our the reality for some time, as the pandemic continues to grow with its resulting economic devastations....

Convergence of agrarian discontent in South Asia

Those familiar with the systematic attack on agriculture in South Asia over the last decades will not be surprised at the ongoing farmers’ protests in India.

Let’s not have brushes with the law!

Christmas is associated with such a festive jeer that it looks unthinkable to make people remain low key during this period. Already we see posts on social media regarding people driving on the expressways to get to their party destinations.

How technology is helping businesses during COVID-19

COVID 19, first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has, within just a few months, infected almost every corner of the world.

Global events that shaped India’s objectives in the 1971 Bangladesh war

India’s military campaign in East Pakistan began on December 3, 1971, and ended on December 16, with the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troops and the creation of the independent State of Bangladesh. But the politico-military campaign did not start with such ambitious objectives.

Christmas 2020: A time to weed out the false gods within us - EDITORIAL

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who can be considered one of the most influential persons, who ever lived....

UNHRC and the Tamil Parties’ desperation

Tamil nationalistic politics which have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and related politics seems to be gaining momentum with the next session....

Ranil factor in the UNP

The United National Party might be blessed with those having brain capacity, but it certainly lacks luck to prosper.

Govt. has to walk the tight rope

The Government weathered internal storms and proceeded with the enactment of the 20th Amendment virtually undoing the 19th Amendment. Again, the Government is bound to meet with similar internal dissension when it initiates moves to conduct the elections to the provincial councils.

To bury or not bury is NOT the question

Is it absolutely safe to bury those who have died of COVID-19? No one can say with absolute certainty. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it’s safe.

Christ of Christmas: A ray of hope to a troubled world

More than two billion Christians the world over will celebrate Christmas tomorrow, the 25th of December. But these celebrations will by compulsion be held on a subdued note this year -- because of the pandemic that has spread across the globe – giving us an opportunity to focus our attention on the spiritual dimension of Christmas instead of the external trimmings that accompany this great feast.

Last days of Trump’s Presidency - EDITORIAL

The last days of the Trump presidency increasingly resemble that of Roman Emperor Nero, who was fiddling while Rome was burning.

Forced Cremation of COVID-19 Patients: We know better than them All!!

Around twenty Muslim families, whose loved ones died after being declared positive for COVID-19, have refused to claim the bodies. The state has borne the expenses....

Time to resolve issues of northern fishermen

One of the important issues that have been eclipsed by the COVID-19 threat is the plight of the fishermen of northern Sri Lanka, who have been hit by both Coronavirus related issues and the invasion of their fishing grounds by Indian fishermen.

MCC snub: Sri Lanka is self-alienating from the West

Except for the fact that popular irrationality that the government had fostered is now making itself into State policy. This government has benefitted from the wave of popular irrationality, with a degree of ethno-nationalist bent. It cultivated and promot

MER for jumbos obstructed by ‘land work’ Two-legged ‘white elephants’ with crooked mindset threaten Hambantota wild elephants

The focus on environmental conservation seems to be decreasing in the face of accelerated development projects in Sri Lanka. Development schemes encroaching on elephant habitats especially are far from satisfactory. Most projects have been implemented without prior wildlife study. The recent death of

Lanka Premier League - hats off to SLC - EDITORIAL

The on-again, off again Lanka Premier League cricket tournament -the 23-day-long cricket fiesta-which commenced in November reached.....

British monk committed suicide 55 years ago, suffered from Satyriasis

Reading Ravi Nagahawatte’s well crafted description [December 17] titled, “Was Ven. Jinawamsa ready for lessons on impermanence?”

The Uncanny Speech Problem in Deepa Mehta’s “Funny Boy”

Deepa Mehta’s newly released film “Funny Boy” met with a post-production hiccup when activism sensitive to linguistic representation and the portrayal....

HRCSL can no longer be considered legally independent - Ambika Satkunanathan

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) conducted the first national study on the treatment and conditions of prisoners from February 2018.....

MGR: From Tamil Film Hero to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

The recent announcement by Tamil Cinema Superstar Rajinikanth that he would be forming a political party to contest all 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly at the forthcoming May 2021 elections, has led to much speculation and excitement.

Whither the UNP?

The panic on the COVID-19 threat has totally eclipsed many issues that would have otherwise become hot issues. Main among them is Tamil nationalistic politics. Some others are the plight of the United National Party (UNP) and the bickering within the Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya or the Our Peoples Power Party (OPPP) led by Ven. Athureliye Rathana thera and Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera.

Christmas, Christians and rising Islamaphobia

In ten days’ time we will be celebrating Christmas -- the birth of Jesus the Christ -- a man Christians believe is God made man and whose central message is love, sharing, forgiveness and peace.