The director in ‘New Age Cinema’

For the past three decades the Sinhala film industry has languished in a state of economic and emotional crisis. The anguish has always been the tight investment money which slowed the production of Sinhala films. The film industry faced bankruptcy, not just financially, but creatively. The product, ‘motion pictures’, were slumping all too visibly into a stupor of mundane drama. Today, we could be on the threshold of the ‘New Age of Cinema’ in Sr

Cartography’s links with war and conflict

Maps have been linked to war and conflict from the earliest times. According to S.J.Schuler (360.here.com), the oldest is a Chinese “Garrison map” dated 180 BC which was discovered in a cave in Hunan in 1973. The Arabs and the Ottoman Turks used maps in their military campaigns in Europe. In 1539, as England faced the threat of invasion from France, Henry VIII’s minister Thoma

Fragmenting Tamil Politics

As Sri Lanka powerfully consolidates under the Rajapaksa-led SLPP, the Federal Party’s long hegemony of Tamil parliamentary politics is unravelling. The parliamentary election results are unsurprising given the long economic....

Waste not, the tidal wave of confidence - EDITORIAL

From the time the date for elections were announced, a majority people in the country were certain that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) or the Pohottuwa as it is popularly known, would win the election.

TNA suffers electoral setback in North and East polls

The long awaited 2020 Parliamentary Elections has concluded with a 71% voter turn out despite the difficulties imposed by the COVID -19 Pandemic threat. Appropriate health procedures were followed by the authorities with enthusiastic cooperation of the people.

The night of the yahapalanists is over

Could it have been otherwise? The Sri Lanka Podu Peramuna (SLPP) has swept the boards, claiming bigger majorities where they scored heavily last November (predominantly in the South),

The people elected you, serve them sincerely and sacrificially

Most independent political analysts had forecast a clear victory for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Hung Parliament gone: What is going to replace the 19A?

The victory of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Wednesday’s Parliamentary election was not a surprise; it was a foregone conclusion, since last Local Government elections held on February 10, 2018.

Federal demand in TNA manifesto Need for a recalibration

The TNA manifesto which reiterates its position with regard to a Federal Constitution has been received with a storm of protests from Southern politicians and even threats of bloodletting from some quarters.

New leadership must embrace old saving habit - EDITORIAL

The Parliamentary Elections this time around will map a route for the country to sink or swim. The SLPP promised a lot before the elections and during the time its representatives formed the caretaker Government.

Good governance is not for political jokes

The delicate task of holding a countrywide general election amidst a deadly pandemic was no easy performance. Kudos to the Election Commission (EC), its staff, health officials, police officers and others for their dedication....

A fully-fledged budget the priority of new Govt.

Sri Lankans went to polls yesterday (August 5) in adherence to the health precautions outlined by the respective authorities to make sure that COVID -19 will not spread as a result of the polling process. Every election has its own significance, and so is the case of this election. Polling was conducted primarily to elect members to the Legislature that has remained defunct since its dissolution on March 2, 2020 by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Indian connection in Sri Lankan drug trade

The death of a notorious Sri Lankan born gangster in India opens a window for us to peep into the past and observe how our closest neighbour offers us both the good and the bad.

The die is cast; who knows what lies ahead

Unlike at previous national and provincial elections since 1948, the counting of votes cast at the August 5 general election will only begin today at 7.00 a.m. with the final results at party level being declared towards dusk.

Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan, Srilankanness

Sri Lanka: A nation, a constitution, a state and a distinct landmass. Sri Lankan: the term could refer to a citizen or an expatriate; to people,

The pandemic empties purses and loads minds with anxiety and alienation

No one expected the epidemic to last so long. No one expected so many to fall ill or die. Everyone wants it to end, but there is no end in sight.

Ravana cult energises Sri Lankan nationalism

When the media reported that the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has issued a newspaper advertisement in Sinhala urging people to share documents,

Aims, goals and obstacles in HR development

At least during the past three periods of Parliamentary Elections articles were presented focusing the need for a single Ministry for Human Resources Development....

Right of reply: Collective criticism against article on law College students

This ‘right of reply’ is sent with regard to the article published on July 30, 2020, entitled ‘An unusual increase in students belonging to one community at Law College in 2012: PCoI reports’.

Polls today: Democracy will rise superior to money power - EDITORIAL

The United States’ legendary president Abraham Lincoln is admired worldwide as the godfather of democracy.

The Vote is our paint brush on the national political canvas!

The General Election 2020 to elect representatives of the people to the Parliament was delayed due to the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Vote for those who respect people’s mandate

Some 100 years ago when the demands for the franchise in Sri Lanka was gaining ground slowly, the British rulers had reportedly attempted to reject it on the grounds that Sri Lankan masses then were not matured

Against all odds, how to make your vote ‘meaningful’?

As Sri Lanka goes to polls tomorrow, its outcome is a foregone conclusion. This is one of the most uneven elections in recent history, not least due to the fratricidal struggle within the UNP, and the fragmented opposition. Rather, the Sri Lan

My time is up – Mahinda Deshapriya

With just hours to go before the 2020 Parliamentary Election, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya spoke to the Daily Mirror online on the preparations for the polls, concerns and his future plans Excerpts

To vote or not, now a voter’s dilemma!

Sri Lanka is in the throes of a parliamentary election soon to be held on 5 August amidst challenges being faced like never before. These challenges come in the form of an inherited weak economy worsened by a global COVID-19 pandemic.

Sri Lanka should be cautious about parties connected to FETO - Turkish envoy

Turkish ambassador Rakibe Demet Şekercioğlu, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about Fetullahist Terrorist Organization, commonly known as FETO....

Bills and Boomers: Cyber safety in the 21st Century

A short conversation with my parents is enough to remind me just how technologically illiterate even the smartest of people in the older generation are.

Postponing US elections - A failed trump card - EDITORIAL

On July 30, 2020, US President Donald Trump floated an idea/threat of postponing the US Presidential election, until people could “properly, securely and safely” vote.

Understanding PR system and call for reforms 2/3 Majority - a non reality?

A total of 225 lawmakers will comprise the next parliament, 196 of whom will be elected through popular vote while the remaining 29 will be picked from the so-called National List.

Youth taking leadership in crusade for social justice worldwide

The Covid-19 catastrophe is producing some blessings also. Worldwide we see youth-led movements launching the biggest ever crusades to bring about racial equality,