Workers’ struggle through the eyes of China and Sri Lanka

The year 2020 marks the second year on the trot where the islanders aren’t celebrating May Day with rallies. And the result: it would effect political parties more than the labourers.

Much longer delay unlikely regarding conducting elections

Amidst arguments being hurled back and forth regarding the possibility of conducting the General Elections on June 20, the Election Commission and the health authorities have initiated steps to work out modalities to take polls in conformity with health precautions despite the COVID-19 crisis.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown

The cost of the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown of five weeks and counting is causing tremendous hardships for low-income citizens.

The Great Narrative Wrest

The last two months have been those of unmitigated global anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic is the first global disaster of our generation.

Are we indulging in glorified advertising? - EDITORIAL

As the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic continues with the number of patients reaching a horrifying 3,660,000 while the death toll was more than 252,500....

It’s confusion from the word go!

Confusion reigns these days over many important matters ranging from using face masks to Constitutional provision. The very instruction to stay home owing to the COVID-19 threat goes against the instruction to wear face masks when one com

COVID-19: Long-term economic cost is worse than its fatalities

The COVID-19 pandemic is a double whammy. It has decimated communities, killed nearly a quarter of a million people and infected millions more while continuing to do so at an exponential rate. It has overloaded health facilities in the

COVID-19 pandemic and changing perceptions - EDITORIAL

The dreaded coronavirus or COVID-19, which made itself part of the international lexicon in December 2019, had by May 1, 2020, infected over 3,214,256 persons and taken the lives of 232,570 persons world wide.

COVID-19 Lessons: ‘Free and Fair’ Avurudu, May Day, Vesak and Elections

My neighbour and former Lawyer’s clerk was making a huge noise with his political bête noire, a retired municipal employee next door.

COVID-19: Fear, ignorance or who is fooling whom?

COVID-19 emanated from China and was made known to the World on December 31, 2019. In 120 days, it has ratcheted past three million case numbers and 210,000 reported deaths globally.

Not a time to play adversarial politics – Ranil Wickremesinghe

As Sri Lanka fights the Coronavirus a different sort of battle is beginning to build. A battle between the Government and the opposition reconvening parliament to pass new laws to address the current crisis in the country.

WHO tells Governments not to work with Tobacco Industry

As regards COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities have been a prominent part of the Tobacco Industry’s pandemic response.

May this liberation song become a reality?

The May Day liberation song, “Sa dukin pelanawun, dan itin nagitiyaw, anthima satanata paminiayaw,” was not heard yesterday.

Coronavirus and invasion of privacy

With the number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka relatively fast mounting, the behaviour of local media during the coverage.....

A. E. GOONESINHA FATHER OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT IN SRI LANKA

Another May Day has dawned in Sri Lanka. A day that is dedicated to the workers of Sri Lanka and a day that was initiated by the Father of the Labour....

US-China cold war over Covid-19 pandemic

Even if the world is coming to an end tomorrow, the big powers, it appears, won’t give up their pursuit of power.

Unchanging nature of our political system - EDITORIAL

This is a country that’s obsessed with elections. Now most of the citizens of the country are getting ready for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections.

Being in the Republic of Fear

Just over a year ago terrorists adhering to the Islamic faith (as interpreted by them), i.e. the National Thowheeth Jama’ath or ‘National Monotheism Organization,’ executed several brutal attacks that left more than 300 people dead, an equal or more injured, caused much damage to the targeted establishments and wrecked the tourist industry.

Resilient Sri Lanka Highs and lows during lockdown!

One of the best lessons COVID-19 teaches us is how important employment is for a developing nation like Sri Lanka.

A new world after COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to take its toll all over the world, bar a few countries. The total or partial lockdown in most countries still remains, and the prolonged home stay has become something sickening to people.

What’s our priority when gripped by a deadly virus?

The talking point in political and civil society circles these days is on the viability of holding the parliamentary election in the midst of the COVID19 crisis engulfing Sri Lanka. The debate has intensified after the Election Commission (EC) had postponed the election to June 20. Many are of the view that elections should not be held until the pandemic has been eradicated from our soil and an ‘All is Clear’ certificate has been issued by the he

Coronavirus Diary- Part 2: Wanathamulla and Hobson’s Choice

When I started writing this Coronavirus Diary, I had no idea how it was going to develop. We think one thing leads to the other. But Coronavirus is different. It always gets back to itself.

Flattening the Curve for the Poor: Understanding the Unseen Socio- Economic Groups

Crisis situations such as COVID 19, exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerable even more susceptible. The very same physical and social contacts that sustain our societies have become life-threatening.

Reconvening Parliament and the way forward

The date that the President declared that the General Elections were to be held, in pursuance to his proclamation by Extraordinary Gazette on 02 of March, i.e. 25th April came and went.

War against Covid 19; Is the Excise Dept. drunk? - EDITORIAL

Some happy news during this ‘lockdown’ period because of the Covid 19 pandemic is that it has proved to many who are addicted to liquor that drug addiction is a myth.

Save the soldiers before they become mass COVID-19 victims

Health workers and the personnel of the three armed forces and the police who are engaged in fighting COVID-19 pandemic falling victims to the same disease is far serious than any other person catching the virus. They are the protectors of th

Implosion of COVID cases at Welisara Navy Camp: Something is not right

Sri Lanka’s initial COVID-19 response was, by and large, a success. Immediately after the discovery of the first case, a Chinese tourist from Wuhan, the government responded promptly. It set up a task force, sent an aircraft to evacuate

21/4 carnage: Must probe into ‘why they did, what they did’

We have crossed one year since those terrible events of 21/4. Painful memories of those shocking attacks on the innocents reverberate as if they occurred yesterday. No believer in any faith could have planned and executed the deadly missi

Rapidly changing global dynamics along COVID-19

Earlier it was entirely a health issue but now has become more complicated –political, economic and social issues are also reaching equal status as health. Global dynamics of COVID-19 has rapidly changed its outlook at least for the past few we

INDIA – SRI LANKA’S OLDEST, CLOSEST RELATIVE

India, our immediate neighbour, friend and even a blood relative, has proved time and again that she is there to come for our rescue at times of all major crises....