Reining in ethnicity based politics

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement made in Parliament last Friday has been outshone by alleged telephone conversations -- between United National Party (UNP) MP Ranjan Ramanayake....

On arresting Ranjan Ramanayake…

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency has not seen the kind of comic interludes we saw building up in the first hundred days of the Sirisena presidency. At least, not yet. Sirisena bungled it up because he wasn’t satisfied with the reality....

Protect children from miscreants ! - EDITORIAL

The many rape and child abuse incidents reported in newspapers recently make us ponder whether our children are safe, sometimes even at home! What’s alarming is that there have been....

Iran conflict: Why Trump is a danger to the world

United States president Donald Trump is morally bankrupt and has no compunction in resorting to immoral and desperate acts to stay in power, no matter how disastrous the consequences....

Understanding an apolitical president

As most parts of Colombo are noticing subtle changes to the weather, which is turning from wet to hot, the country as a whole is also noticing bigger changes to the work culture in state institutes and plans made to celebrate political and cultural ceremonies.

Becoming Shareholders of a new Sri Lanka

Seven days ago Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the 7th executive President of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka delivered his policy speech at the fourth session of the eighth Parliament.

A ‘working nation’ needs a judiciary that works

There are many ways to read the politics surrounding the raiding of Ranjan Ramanayake’s house, his subsequent arrest and the recorded phone conversations.

When segregation slips out from in between the lines Singing the national anthem only in Sinhala

If a group of Sri Lankans are asked why they sing the national anthem there could be several answers. Some might not be able to remember all the words in the anthem, but now there is a drive by the majority to initiate a debate to ensure that ‘Sri Lanka Matha’ is sung only in Sinhala at celebrated events like National Independence Day.

LOOKING BACK

Looking back, reviewing all that has gone before and all that is ahead, how prepared are we to face the stark realities that we have to??? We are facing economic issues of dynamic proportions, poverty is widespread; the country is unable to repay the loans that have been taken and as a result, the cost of living has sky rocketed!!! The most affected seem to be those

Reforming Public Sector - Editorial

History seems to be repeating itself. Fresh from a regime change consequent to the November 16 Presidential election, we are being reminded of the initial days following the last regime change which was deceptively called “yahapalanaya” or good governance. As was the case during the first few months subsequent to the 2015 Presidential election, we now hear about

Protecting 19A: Dire need of the Hour

All of a sudden, the 19th Amendment which was hailed as the main achievement of the yahapalana government sits like an unprotected and vulnerable virgin left by the way side by her parents. Those predators who have always eyed her with disdain and contempt are closing in to get rid of this ‘nuisance’ which according to them is an obstacle for unbridled and unchecked

No music is the best music for bus commuters

The Government’s January 15 deadline for bus operators to turn down the loud music in buses would be a welcoming move for many passengers who have been ‘suffering’ due to the taste of music enjoyed by most drivers and conductors. Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has directed more than 20,000 private buses operating on Sri Lankan roads to voluntarily reduce the volume, and that if n

Coming Constitutional manipulation!

Sri Lanka is one of these countries, where the Constitution, the mother of all laws, has always been a bone of contention – from the very day of the independence up until now. From the very beginning, Jaffna Tamil elites who opposed it, demanded, at first, a 50-50 representation, an artificial majority to counter the demographic preponderance of the Sinhalese majority, and later, a varying degree of s

Lester and the year that was, 50 years ago

By the time Vijaya Kumaratunga played the lead role in Hanthane Kathawa, Gamini Fonseka had acted in over 20 films, consolidating his box office drawing power. The year was 1969, which, I rather feel, was to the Sinhala cinema what 1967 had been to the American: one that redefined an entire industry. Many, if not most, of the films that came out of Hollywood in that year were groun

Nepal’s communist regime backs MCC compact despite internal dissent

Like Sri Lanka, Nepal has been struggling to make up its mind on accepting or rejecting America’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact. However, it now appears that Nepal will accept it despite internal opposition. Nepa

Let’s Sing a 50:50 Tamil / Sinhala National Anthem

National anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - typically in the form of a song of honour - that evokes and praises highly, the history, customs, or struggles of its people.

Is patriotism the solution for Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism?

According to a recent newspaper report, Sri Lankan national anthem would be sung only in Sinhala during the 72nd Independence Day celebrations. This news created an emotional stir not only among Tamils in the North but also among right-minded citizens in the South.

Trump’s latest gift to an unstable world - EDITORIAL

On Thursday, January 3, as the world was still welcoming the New year, US President Trump gave his own New year’s gift to the world - ordering the assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, leader of Iran’s ‘Revolutionary Guards’.

Global Unravelling and our Democratic Future

The new year and in fact a new decade have dawned under dark clouds in the region and the world more broadly. The concluding weeks of the last year have seen major protests in India...

Past under Mahinda resurfacing under Gota

2020 has dawned! Greetings for the new year to all readers. My article in this column last week about moves being contemplated to forbid the singing of Sri Lanka’s national anthem in Tamil at the 70th Independence Day event seems to have been received well, judging by the positive responses I have been getting from readers this week. What makes me most happy is the fact that an overwhelming number of these responses have been from Sinhala reade

Education: The answer in this era of ‘truth decay’

This month the United Nations marks the International Day of Education and the world body in a statement says education is a human right and points out that it is enshrined in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education. In 1989, Rights of the Child Convention went further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all.

3rd death Anniversary of Judge C.G. Weeramantry

Judge Christopher Weeramantry passed away three years ago on January 5, 2017. He rendered unmatched service to humanity for a long period of time. Until he parted at the age of ninety he wrote and spoke so much on world peace.

Development strategy for Sri Lanka

Seventy-one years is a long time to govern a country without a sustainable economic development plan and clearly, Sri Lanka did not have such a long-term plan since independence in 1948. Hence, it is little wonder we have regressed economically. We simply depended on revenue from tea and rubber left behind by the British without diversifying our economy for too long. We failed till now to develop appropriate industries, particularly agriculture a

UNP’s suicidal politics

A situation similar to the one that prevailed after the 2015 presidential poll has unfolded. On both occasions, the political party that mustered a majority in Parliament ceded to a smaller party – last time submissively and this time voluntarily.

Painting a rosy picture about tea - EDITORIAL

The Sri Lanka tea industry, which has weathered many storms, now faces the threat of attempts being made by unscrupulous individuals to adulterate tea and make a fast buck.

2020: Wishing for peace, but power politics makes it wishful thinking

We keep wishing peace and happiness at every New Year. In hindsight, it appears wishful thinking, doesn’t it? The underlying truth is that since time immemorial, the desired peace and happiness have been eluding us.

Prez reaches out to LG members in view of General Elections

The New Year dawned yesterday with fresh hopes and challenges for the Government. When President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hosted Local Government members representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) for dinner on December 28, he had a message for them.

Ambitious Sri Lanka sees China on the Horizon

2020 will be a make or break year for Sri Lanka in all aspects with local politics and foreign relations billed to take the top seat.

Sickness: A Politician’s Preserve?

Politicians are sick. I’ve heard people say that. It is an unfair statement if only because it is a generalization. Nevertheless, politicians can be like a corrosive cancer given the impact that their arrogance, ignorance and incompetence have on society in general. Not all, not some, but most, most would agree.

Make good use of New Year’s 365-day gift pack

Another New Year is upon us and it is left to each one of us to make a success of this fresh lease of life. We have just moved from the teen years of the 20s beginning in 2013 up to 2019 and into the 2020s on January 1.