Mother Earth is drowning: We need leaders like Greta Thunberg

In 1992, when the United Nations convened its first world environment summit, Third World cynics questioned whether it was a ruse by rich nations to maintain their economic dominance over the developing world.

Opposition Leader post can spell Luck or doom for Sajith

In a way, it is a significant achievement for Mr Premadasa who was reeling from the electoral defeat at the November 16 Presidential Election. Now, he is in charge of the Parliamentary affairs of the party. He will be entitled to different perks and authority in and outside Parliament. In Parliament, he is shouldered with the responsibility to keep the new Government under

Curbing ‘executive’ enthusiasm

The arrival of Sajith Premadasa

After days of feet-dragging, indecision and procrastination, the United National Party (UNP), at its parliamentary group meeting on Thursday, December 6, unanimously appointed the party’s former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa as the Leader of the Opposition having heeded to the choice of a majority of its MPs. The party, which was in government till the November 16

Building Solidarity

“This is no time to talk of hedges and fields, or the beauties of any country. Sadness and fear and hate, how they well up in the heart and mind!!!” Delving into Alan Paton’s ‘Cry the Beloved Country’ we certainly do have to cry for our beloved country, the ignominy, the blatant disregard for truth and justice, the dauntless power struggle, the huge sums of money donated for the

President’s Call for efficient Public Service: Can it be done?

Many promises by the yahapalana mandate, in relation to an independent and vibrant public service were ignored, forgotten or forsaken. The promise of bringing to justice those officials who, with their former political masters, had engaged in humongous robbing of national wealth not only escaped justice but became inner circle of the officialdom of the government, making a

Navigating the minefield that is ‘Foreign Relations’

The detractors of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime (2004-2015) are fond of saying that the then President had an abyssmal record when it came to international relations. If such things are to be judged by approbation and contempt from high seats of global power, then they are not off the mark.

Why Gota’s new face is likeable

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Indian tour concluded on a positive note. This was despite Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko staging a protest opposing the Sri Lankan president’s visit to India.

Youth standing up for Human Rights:let them be the decision-makers

Though Sri Lanka is again having problems with the international community over alleged human rights violations, none could deny it is a vital right. That is why some 200 countries will today hold various ceremonies to mark International Human Rights Day (IHRD). The UN marks different issues such as International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday, but analysts say the most important days are the International Human Rights Day and the International Wo

Abduction saga of Swiss embassy employee

The story line of the alleged abduction of a local staffer of the Swiss embassy in Colombo is fast degenerating into a tragicomedy with a bad plot. Everyone, even the Swiss who went to town with the high profile abduction claim, agrees some facts do not add. Those who have a bit more nuanced understanding of the local context could well have spotted red flags long before.

When microfinance amounts to a bagful of myths

Hardly a day has passed during the past few years without the media referring to microfinance negatively. The issue has now reached such heights where politicians of all different parties seem to have made election promises to relieve the recipients of microfinance credit from their burdens. Would writing off the loans of the poor r

Mahinda puts lid on re-negotiating H’tota port deal

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has put a lid on the controversy over President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s remark that his Government will re-negotiate the 2017 agreement with China over Hambantota port to gain greater control over it and reduce the lease period, which is now 99 years. With the Prime Minister’s statement and formal assertions from the Chinese side, renegotiating the port deal is ruled out. Mahinda told the Chinese news

Swiss Embassy ‘abduction’ case, media manipulation and Geneva - March 2020

In what must surely be one of the strangest games of diplomatic brinkmanship to be played out in this country, the Swiss Embassy in Colombo demands an investigation into an alleged ‘abduction’ of one of its local employees.

“I will Rise Again” – Maithri assures, while Party Bleeds to Death

Daily Mirror, last Monday reported a detailed account of a meeting held in Polonnaruwa to felicitate the ex- President Maithripala Sirisena. “I will rise again. I have not ended my political career....

Dangers facing an unfocused Opposition - EDITORIAL

The presidential election is done and dusted. A new Cabinet of Ministers is in place and the new regime has hit the ground running, with a raft of measures aimed at kick-starting the stagnant economy.

Harnessing power of youth begins from ability-driven education

In his election manifesto presented to the public, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, “The country’s youth, who account for almost one fourth of the total population, will be engaged as proactive partners in the country’s sustainable development process.

Let’s find ourselves by serving others

One of the world’s greatest statesmen, Mahatma Gandhi has said that, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka – the need for better research

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 10% of the global population, and leads to five to ten million deaths annually. Growing in importance is a distinctive form with unknown/uncertain etiology (CKDu), the cause of which remains unknown and is not linked to factors normally associated with CKD. Symptoms of CKDu manifest late and are similar to late-stage CKD, complicating differential and early diagnosis and treatment. CKDu is preval

Critical appraisal of ‘BimSaviya’

Sri Lanka’s Land Registry will operate electronically with the new law ‘BimSaviya’ as practised in England and Wales and some other nations which is referred to as Torrens Law in those countries. Are we ready to operate with this foreign law?

Roads that Gotabaya Rajapaksa can take

At his second and last swearing in nine years ago, Mahinda Rajapaksa told the people that he was only a temporary custodian of the nation. After his first and last swearing in five years later, Maithripala Sirisena in Kandy referred to himself as the first servant of the people.

Geopolitics with Gotabaya minus ‘Kurahan Satakaya’

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s first meeting with a foreign government leader was with Indian Foreign Affairs Minster Dr. Jaishankar who made an exclusive trip to Colombo to deliver PM Modi’s....

What’s in store for the UNP?

The United National Party (UNP) should rise again. Not only should it rise again from its humiliating fall from grace at the presidential poll, but from hibernation the party leadership seems to have sought refuge in after November 17.

Sri Lanka’s dreams and nightmares in Nepal - EDITORIAL

Complaints made by Sri Lankan ‘athletes’ and officials that they were ill-treated at the ongoing 13th South Asian Games have contributed towards fingers being pointed at Nepal for being a bad host.

NATO jubilee party ends up in a jumble

They came for the party, quarrelled and even called names. That’s how the 70th jubilee party of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the world’s strongest military alliance, began and ended.

Why Modi loves Gota

It seems like Indian Premier Narendra Modi likes Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This was what was portrayed when the Indian Prime Minister extended an invitation to Gotabaya to ensure that his visit to India would be the maiden overseas tour by Sri Lanka’s First Citizen after assuming duties as the seventh Executive President of the island.

Indo-Lanka ties Defence cooperation takes centre stage 13th Amendment takes a backseat

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s trip to India has set the stage for a new chapter in bilateral ties in the changing strategic and economic environment. The President led a small delegation comprising officials to New Delhi as his first official overseas visit .

Switzerland is flat, ladies and gentlemen

It is not advisable to believe one’s own propaganda. That’s a basic rule in political engagement. Blurs vision. Flaws calculation. Usually results in egg on the face. Now consider an article by Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu published last Sunday titled ‘And so it has already begun.’ Here’s the intro:

Fresh winds blowing across Sri Lanka

We applaud Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who successfully concluded his first foreign visit to India from November 29 to December 1. Our main focus today is on his fledgling administration now into its 3rd week. Where the President is concerned, it has been one of example rather than of precept and has set precedents by appointing a 15-member Cabinet of

SO MUCH TO BE DONE!

With a new President and an interim Government in place, the people are hopeful that burning questions will be addressed!!! Law and Order is THE MOST important issue with people who can be counted on to implement what needs to be done!!! The traffic situation with all the outrageous offences committed on a daily basis – you only have to open a paper to see the

When rights groups have a role to play

The 2019 Presidential Elections finished with a bang and what’s surprising is that Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s critics have fallen silent. This fact was highlighted recently by JVP’s Sunil Handunetti. We’ve read about a few incidents which make us concerned about the new Caretaker Government that’s headed by ex-military man Gotabaya.