Dhamma Set-in-motion: State’s Constitutional Right

Tissa, Tissa! The King was shocked as nobody would dare identify him by name. “Samanamayam maharaja - dhamma rajassa sravaka.....

Is there help for Sri Lankans stranded in Kuwait? - EDITORIAL

The migrant workers’ affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and stranded mostly in the Middle East is a matter of concern.

George Floyd protests: Decisive time to end racism

The slogan ‘Black lives matter’ is a damning indictment of the United States’ failure to rise as a full-fledged democracy.

UNP asserts itself in full measure against SJB

Following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the petitions challenging the move to take polling on June 20 and the dissolution of Parliament, the country is gearing up into election mode. It will be facilitated by the improved signs of recovery from the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Arumugam Thondaman A struggle left incomplete

The death of Minister Arumugam Thondaman (56) a few days ago is sure to affect the struggle of Tamil estate workers to survive the 30 days of the month. The living conditions in tea estates is appalling to say the least. The late minister was part of discussions with plantation companies or Gotabaya Rajapaksa; when the latter was bidding for presidency last year, in attempts to raise the living conditions of estate workers.

I can’t breathe, Ms Teplitz

On May 25, 2020, something terrible happened in Colombo. A set of police officers accosted a citizen who did not belong to the majority community. The man was suspected of giving a bad cheque. He was assaulted, handcuffed and even as he said ‘mata husmaganna bae (‘I can’t breathe), one of the officers pinned him down, knee on neck. The man died.

SC dismisses FR petitions; let’s get set for elections

The eagerly awaited ruling, of the five-Judge Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chairman and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardene and Vijith Malalgoda, was delivered today with the refusal to grant leave to proceed to the seven fundamental rights petitions challenging the presidential proclamation dissolving Parliament on March 2 and the Election Commission fixing June 20 as the dat

Practising personal safety for a safer, virus-free world

Something we could all use in today’s world torn apart with the deadly virus. Certainly an Act of God from which there seems to be no respite.

Prevention is better than cure

It is a known fact that, it takes a longer time period to eliminate Covid-19 from the world. Therefore, as a country it is not satisfactory to wait.....

The digital flash mob

The online flash mob is here to stay. Without this ability to bring voices together organically or otherwise social currents of today would not be the same anymore.

Why this vicious attack on Saroja Sirisena? - EDITORIAL

There are severe attacks on the newly appointed Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London Saroja Sirisena. There were several attacks on Ms. Sirisena...

Electricity bills during curfew period have added insult to injury

Many electricity and water consumers have been complaining about receiving bills with exorbitant amounts for the period since the islandwide curfew was imposed on March 20 in view of COVID-19 threat. Some small families who usually ha

Murder of Floyd and the aftermath show deep roots of racism in US

The killing of a poor Afro-American George Floyd (46) in the most beastly manner, and the unbridled rioting which the murder has triggered across the United States, show how deep-seated racism is in the US, a country which calls itself the world’s oldest democracy and portrays itself as the messiah of human rights across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

One Country, One Law - Two Laws

It was a barefaced abuse by the government of its own health laws amidst a virus epidemic. A state patronised funeral of a late minister threw to the wind much-publicised social restrictions so blatantly that it messaged to the public what was

Air Quality Improvement in Colombo due to COVID curfews or changes in wind?

News reports, feature articles and social media posts have attributed the recent improvement in air quality to the curfews since March 20

Battle of Jayewardenepura: Salvo Fired from Pita Kotte to Etul Kotte?

With headquarters located in Pita Kotte and Etul Kotte, and Camped on either side of AlakesvaraRampart, the two factions of UNP have declared war.

Death of Thondaman and the passing of an era - EDITORIAL

On the evening of May 26, news trickled in that Arumugam Thondaman, the leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress had passed away.

When Thondaman clashed with MR…

Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) leader and Cabinet Minister of Livestock and Rural Community Development, SaumiyamoorthyArumugam Ramanathan Thondaman died of a cardiac arrest on May 26.

Post Covid-19 International Order Will a new world emerge?

The whole world is grappling with a hitherto unknown and unseen enemy this year. This enemy evaded the attention of all top intelligence agencies.

Biodiversity: Our solutions are in nature

Last Saturday we highlighted the cultural diversity and its vital importance for the sustainable socio-economic growth of nations.

Who is MR the politician?

Over 52 years in active politics is no short, small or simple achievement. In Sri Lankan politics at present, apart from TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan....

The importance of being a Thondaman

Thondaman was the name that had impacted the Sri Lankan politics for the longest period of time after the Independence until Tuesday.

After Covid, terrorists may resort to bio-warfare

Striking at the enemy’s weakest link is a well-known military strategy. This strategy had been emphasized by Chinese General Sun Tzu (5th-6th Century BC) in his famous work, Art of War.

Bus journeys to be memorable ! - EDITORIAL

The National Transport Commission’s (NTC) proposal to make public buses carry passenger in keeping with seating capacity must be lauded for several reasons.

Fresh approach for joint ventures between India and Sri Lanka

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa received a telephone call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 23. Prime Minister Modi tweeted afterwards that his government was ready to extend cooperation to Sri Lanka in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery in the post crisis context.

Muhudu Maha Viharaya Political shadows among diminishing artifacts

The simmering tensions between the Sinhalese and minority Muslims took a new turn with the surfacing of conflicting claims for land in areas around Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Pottuvil.

‘Atalugama’ doesn’t exist, okay?

The Sri Lanka Press Institute, in concurrence with the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, introduced guidelines for ethical journalism covering a wide range of subjects.

Empower the poor; they’re an integral part of society

The tragedy that occurred last Thursday at Maligawatte where three women died and nine others were injured should have never happened if those who distributed or attempted to distribute money to the poor people in the area had acted in a more responsible manner by obtaining the permission and help of the Police.

DID WE LEARN?

The virus hit the whole world - rich and poor, large and small, no one knows where it came from and where or when it will go away.

Let live and let die

Attempts taken to create racial disharmony by certain electronic media institutions over a Muslim death in Weligama in the Southern Province was able to be....