Election fever is in the air. Whether it be in the south with over 70 percent of the population or the Northern Province (which is home to the largest minority), elections are a hot topic. In the south, three political parties - namely the National People’s Power (an alliance of individuals and organisation centred around the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna - JVP), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) have named their ca
Many in the south seem to confuse the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the group that can be considered to be the main Tamil political party in the country, especially in the north. This confusion was evident by the news items carried by some of the south based newspapers on the election of the Leader of the ITAK last Sunday (January 21). Some Sinhala newspapers said that Sivagnanam Sritharan was elected
The media spotlight is focused to a great extent on Jaffna District Parliamentarian, Sivagnanam Shritharan these days. The 55 year old former school principal has been elected as the President of Sri Lanka’s premier Tamil political party, the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) known in English as the Federal Party (FP). Shritharan has been elected an MP continuously since 2010. Shritharan contested the ITAK Presidential election on a pro-LTTE pl
With Sri Lanka struggling to meet its debts and stabilise the economy, vital areas include high technology and the new dimension of the positive aspects of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As in most countries, men dominate these areas, and it is important for developing countries like Sri Lanka to get more women involved, because as a popular say, “Man smart, woman smarter.” So it is, in the case of high technology. On February 11, the United Nati
In less than two weeks time, Sri Lanka will celebrate its 76th National Independence Day, giving its citizens enough memories to ponder on what kind of ‘independence’ they’ve enjoyed over the years. To begin with, we must ask ourselves the question whether we can afford to remain at home and relax on February 4th? If not, then we must take a quick look at the word ‘independence’, and see whether we can relate to it. Given the present situation i
Many hailed the recent Supreme Court ruling on the case against the granting of Presidential pardon to former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva who had been convicted for the murder of former Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra on October 8, 2011, calling it a landmark judgement. However, their stand on the mater does not seem to be so different than the decision by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to grant the pardon to Silva. Bot
Changing names of places and roads bearing the names of foreigners is common in countries that have gained independence from foreign rule. Such changes can be easily justified in some cases where the foreign ruler was despotic, but in others it may be a bit tricky as both personalities may have had significant contributions to their credit. In most cases, the personages displaced are driven into oblivion despite their contribution to society, and
“Commercial drones do increase the risk to national security” reflects a concern shared by many security experts, and governments. The capabilities of both state and non-state actors in the realm of drone warfare can indeed pose challenges to national security, and commercial drones play a significant role in this background. “A fleet of drones that are available online for as little as $6,500 filled the skies above Israel’s $1 billion border fe
The President of Rotary International, Gordon R. McInally is set to embark on a significant four-day journey to Sri Lanka starting on January 23, 2024, marking a momentous occasion for both Rotary International and the lively Sri Lankan community. Rotary International, a globally acclaimed humanitarian organization boasting 35,000 clubs spread across over 220 countries, plays a pivotal role in diverse charitable activities on a global scale
In the heart of the Indian Ocean lies Sri Lanka, a nation whose innovation engine is rapidly churning, sparked by surges in Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology — a duo, potent enough to redefine its economic story. This country, once overshadowed by the tigers of Asia, is now on the brink of a remarkable transformation that may very well turn it into an innovation powerhouse. The pivot to innovation is no longer a lofty ideal but an urg
At a very heartening ceremony held at her residence in Kandy on 19th January 2024, Professor Ratna Handurukande, the former Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Peradeniya, received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo. Prof. Handurukande received this Lifetime Award from the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India in Colombo, on the occasion of World Sanskrit Day which falls on 3
As far as the Tamils are concerned in Ceylon/Sri Lanka, their situation during the pre-independence era was hunky-dory, whereas in the post-independence era, it has stirred up a hornet’s nest and hamstrung....
The Supreme Court of our country keeps making history for all the right reasons. Lay persons sometimes – based on ‘he-said, she-said knowledge’ – accuse the Courts of this country of bowing to the will of the political leadership, and failing to protect the Constitution and the implementation of justice. The reality – nothing could be further from the truth. Since the inception of the Executive Presidential system, various Executive Presidents h
The statement made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 15 on the Presidential election that is constitutionally scheduled to be held in September or October this year might be the most important one for those who are interested in that election. The leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) told journalists, after a meeting at the Grand Monarch Hotel in Thalawathugoda, that his party had neither decided on a candidate for the
Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa was portrayed as a monument of efficiency who could uplift Sri Lanka by his ‘Viyathmaga’ cronies and his family party the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Presidential elections of 2019. More than 6.9 million people voted him to stupendous success, Barely three years later Gotabaya fled Sri Lanka and resigned as President due to a mass uprising against him that was described as the “Aragalaya”. A large numbe
With Presidential elections scheduled for this year, most political leaders and party members are focusing on how or where to get new votes. They also need to give priority to issues like interfaith harmony in a sincere and steadfast manner, instead of just rhetoric and external participation for publicity purposes. All major religions are based on Truth and when they come together, we will see a truthful, just and fair society. From February 1
In 2024, Sri Lanka faces two major challenges. Having largely achieved macroeconomic stability, with inflation falling from 70 to 2 percent, the country needs to resume economic growth, which has been negative for the last two years. The Sri Lankan people have suffered too long with declining incomes. Growth is also critical for the debt restructuring programme, which aims for a debt-to-GDP ratio of 95 percent. This is a high number. A large exte
When you stroll through your seafood market, you find the ocean’s bounty laid out in stalls in front of you. But, have you ever paused to ponder whether the quality of fish you bring home holds the distinguished mark of the highest grade? The answer is probably “no”. The fishing industry plays a key role in Sri Lanka’s social and economic life, and consists of three main sub sectors - coastal, offshore or deep sea, and inland or aquaculture. Ac
One who has even a slight knowledge of the essence of Buddhism would have been perplexed with the reports of seven individuals with close connections having committed suicide with the advent of the New Year, allegedly to seek eternal peace after a discourse among them based on Buddhism. Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratne, an individual who has delivered religious sermons claiming to be Buddhist teachings had first taken his life on December 28 last year,
India-Sri Lanka ferry service operates smoothly
Tourist arrivals surpass 63,000 in first half of October
EDB gets new chief
Colombo welcomes Cinnamon Life
Easter attack: controversy swirls further high
Catholic Church rebuffs Gammanpila’s allegations
Easter Sunday attack: Ravi Seneviratne’s name implicated
SL unveils new ’P’ series passport with enhanced security features