Drug rehabilitation and web of deceit

The proliferation of narcotics, such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy and ice, in Sri Lanka, their widespread use and the subsequent addiction to one or the other of these intoxicants is only too well known.

Yasmin Sooka: Programmed to ‘believe’ or victim of a ‘truth’ factory?

I shall give Yasmin Sooka the benefit of the doubt. I’ll get to that presently. The back story is as follows: Yasmin Sooka and the outfit she leads, International Truth and Justice Project — Sri Lanka (ITJP-SL), through counsel,

World Suicide Prevention Day - EDITORIAL

The 10th of September is set apart by the United Nations as World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), in recognition of the increasing numbers of our brethren....

The Art of Selective Transparency

This indeed is an art. An art perfected for public consumption, fibbing and managing the financial bottom-line.

COVID-19: People’s reckless behaviour could vouch disaster again

Sri Lanka is one of the success stories in the world in respect of containing COVID-19 threat. It is so successful that people have even totally forgotten the threat and now media rarely carry stories about the disease. However, does it mean

Foreign relations: Is ‘neutrality’ compatible with ‘India first?’

In several interviews after his recent appointment as Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Adm. (Rtd.) Jayanath Colombage has sought to explain the newly-elected government’s thinking on matters of foreign policy. In these media interacti

Sino-US differences over SCS appear to be irreconcilable

The on-going conflict between China on the one hand and the “Free World” led by the US on the other over the South China Sea (SCS), is unlikely to end in the foreseeable future. China’s irredentist claims in the strategically located waterway

An opportunity to reverse injustice

In the beginning of the month of March 2020, the news of former Army Staff Sergeant Sunil Rathnayake, who was convicted of the heinous Mirusuvil massacre, been granted a complete presidential pardon, especially at a time when S

Back to Senanaiksm and save the Party

The wealthy Attygalle sisters of Madapatha married DS Senanayake’s brother, Sir John Kotalawale’s father and JR Jayewardene’s uncle whose fortunes were closely...

Burning ship and the reality of marine disasters - EDITORIAL

On Thursday, the massive super oil tanker MT New Diamond, carrying 270,000 tons of crude oil and 1,700 MT of diesel.....

Return of the Rural

Economies around the world are in free fall with a great economic depression triggered by the COVID-19 disaster and prolonged capitalist crisis.

Let’s work together for a green recovery

As the world grapples with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and starts to gradually prepare to deal with its long-term impacts, the very real threat of climate change – possibly the greatest threat that mankind faces -- did not disappear. Governments and societies should take a moment to reflect on what we can learn from this crisis, draw parallels with the overhanging threat of climate change and use these lessons to build a better future.

With the 20A whither goest Lanka

In 1978 the then President J. R. Jayawardene used or abused the ruling United National Party’s 5/6th majority in parliament to impose the Executive Presidential System on the people of Sri Lanka. He took his oaths on February 4, 1978 as the first Executive President and what happened after that was abuse after abuse which eventually led to the 30-year ethnic war, the reign of terror from 1987 to 1989.

Misconceptions of a peace envoy in his peace mission

During an exclusive interview with one time Norwegian peace envoy to Sri Lanka Erik Solheim, which was published in last Wednesday’s Daily Mirror, senior journalist Easwaran Rutnam had posed a question whether.....

G R E E D

Greed is an uncontrollable unconscionable longing, urge as it were, to possess or even acquire material gain, wealth, possessions, power, clothing, food, even social status, and envy....

Good things associated with COVID-19 should remain - EDITORIAL

The COVID-19 pandemic is still haunting the school system and how kids interact with each other. This is despite the world health authorities having confirmed that children rarely develop severe symptoms of COVID-19.

The trillion dollar politics of narcotics

Sri Lanka is being increasingly besieged by illegal drugs and attendant crimes such as terrorism, gun violence, gang warfare, extortion, burglaries, robberies and prostitution.

On Rasika Jayakody’s roadmap for the Opposition

What do Oppositions do? They oppose. Why do they ‘oppose’ in the first place? Well, they are supposed to keep governments on their toes, help keep things in line, point out flaws etc. In a nutshell, offer constructive criticism and, in the event that parliamentary majority and executive authority is abused, mobilize the people to mitigate.

Bequeath our children a sustainable world

Last Saturday the Daily Mirror in its editorial column drew attention to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. It uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at country, regional and global levels.

Sri Lanka must stay clear of ego wars

When patrons drive their cars smoothly on the stretch from Galle to Hambantota on the Southern Expressway the second thing to do after offering a prayer to one’s chosen deity might be to thank the Chinese for funding the construction of this facility.

19th A enacted more with political interests

The stage is set for a huge public awareness debate on the Government’s exercise to bring about constitutional changes – first the enactment of the 20th Amendment and later the introduction of a fully-fledged Constitution. Actually, the debate has already started, and it is bound to gather momentum in the days to come since the 20th Amendment has already been placed before the Cabinet for consideration.

The Sinharaja and a balance ‘tween man and nature - EDITORIAL

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever, its loveliness increases; t’will, never pass into nothingness -John Keats A rain forest is not just wild beauty.

Protecting 19A: Between a Constitutional Monarchy and a Modern Republic

The 19th Amendment is without doubt, the most democratic and progressive piece of amendment that the 1978 Constitution ever saw being made to it.

Heal the wounds, rather than making them worse

Sri Lankan politicians seem to be more obsessed with ethnic, religious and caste related issues rather than the issues that would primarily contribute to the development of the country such as technology, creativity and sharing experience with o

Colombo Port City and the big picture of US sanctions on Chinese firms

The United States last week announced sanctions on 24 Chinese State-Owned-Enterprises, including five subsidiaries of China’s construction giant, China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), the main contractor of the Colombo Port City, effectively upping the ante of an increasingly open trade war between US and China.

People in north, east began to think practically and sensibly

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda who is also the leader of Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) speaks about changes of political dynamics in the north and the east. He said though his party had got one more seat in Parliament, it fell short of expectations. Also, he said there are plans to sort out the fishery issue with India. The Excerpts:

Statement by the Jaffna People’s Forum for Co-existence Facing the Future After Elections 2020

The general elections of 2020, conducted in the midst of the ongoing crisis of COVID-19 and a global economic recession imminent,

Our English Literature Syllabus: Post-colonial? Or, a Colonial Post?

The current GCE A/L English Literature syllabus hints at a major mental health crisis facing the syllabus-designer. Enforced in the country’s 70th year....

Respect: An Open Letter

I was brought up being told by my parents that respect is never obligatory, but must be earned everyday - even by them as too must I - and it is a principle....

Breakdown of trade union movement and enslavement of workers - EDITORIAL

The past year, has been strangely, free of strike action. This is surprising given that the cost of living has been continuously rising, while at the same time...