Backwards in blacklisting: Enabling corruption in procurement

Failure to tackle corruption is a key factor that contributed to the economic crisis the country is faced with today. Taking concrete steps to reduce corruption, therefore, is critical to recover from the current crisis and to put the country on a sustainable growth path. Public procurement is an important area the country has to focus on in its fight against corruption. Public procurement refers to the purchasing of goods and services by the gov

The ODI World Cup 2023 and rules of cricket - EDITORIAL

The ODI World Cup tournament has finally come to an end. Australia proved for the sixth time they are worthy winners of the 50-over championship. After losing two initial matches...

The Court held Rajapaksas guilty of economic ruin: Would the govt, full of MR acolytes, deliver justice?

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that the three Rajapaksa brothers and a cabal of officials were responsible for the economic crisis, delivering an unprecedented judgement that could be the precursor...

Efforts of Saudi Arabia in support of Palestine

Anyone who follows history is fully aware that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Palestinian issue has been constant and has not changed since the time of the founder, King ...

Wither revenue targets! - EDITORIAL

Against the backdrop of the government’s plans to increase the VAT (value-added tax) from 15 percent to 18 percent from January....

World Fisheries Day: FAO’s vision for a sustainable future in SL’s fisheries and aquaculture sector

On this World Fisheries Day, we reflect on the intricate web that connects the oceans to our lives and livelihoods. Sri Lanka’s fishing...

Positive action needed to prevent a new ‘aragalaya’ - EDITORIAL

In July 2022, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after thousands of protesters stormed his presidential residence and other government ....

POKE during COPE: Professor’s finger stirs Parliament - poisoned milk and hunt for the ‘Fifteen’

As you read this, the Cup’s fate has been decided, leading to a collective sigh of relief from cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The uproar ...

Gamini ‘Gamma’ Weerakoon: From Reporter to Editor

Veteran scribes who have been enriching journalism for decades are like great oaks that leave lasting voids when they fall. Gamma was unarguably one of them.”

Can China win over Northern Tamils?

The priority given to events by the Sri Lankan Tamil media in most cases is different from what is given by the Sinhala and English media.

World Cup defeat, corruption and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame - EDITORIAL

The 2023 World Cup tournament, better known as the One Day International (ODI) Championship continues. But for the Sri Lankan team this year, it is done. We are out of it. The team is back in the country -completely disgraced and apologising to all and sundry over weak-kneed performances.

Why Sri Lanka holds hands with Pakistan - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have enjoyed close ties as two nations despite the duo being geographically positioned in a hotbed of activities centring around a vital sea route in the Indian Ocean. When....

Don’t demonise Palestinians’ right to resist

Truth is the first casualty of war. Although a cliché, the statement remains an all-time, all-war maxim. It is evident in Israel’s genocidal Gaza war, which has taken a nasty turn, with hospitals....

AIR TRANSPORT A TOOL CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE AND VISIBILITY

Air transport is a strategic instrument symbolizing State Sovereignty, conspicuously via the airspace that lies above the territory. Airspace....

Corruption attacks the foundation of democracy - EDITORIAL

In a historic judgement, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday held that several political and other leaders including former President Gotabaya....

Why lawmakers panic when cricket is ailing

People of this country ask for two things when the chips are down. One is elections and the other is cricket matches, but the latter....

An Unlawful Occupation Crisis Need for sustainable solution in Mayilathamadu Madhavanai

Livestock farmers and families of the disappeared staged a peaceful protest in Batticaloa last month against land grabbing. The demonstration aimed to address issues related to illegal colonization, government action and inaction and occupation of lands by the Sri Lanka Army. The Mayilathamadu Madhavanai region in Sri Lanka grapples with a pressing and multifaceted issue – the unlawful occupation of vital grazing lands. Situated on the border

RAND Corporation explains why the West is hard on Russia and soft on China

For the G7 countries, the primary security challenge comes from Russia rather than China, the Joint Statement issued after their Foreign Ministers met in Tokyo on November 8 shows. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the US, and the European Union. A note published by the US think tank RAND Corporation explains why the West is getting harder on Russia and softer on China. The Joint Statement of the G7 F

Are we serious about commissions and committees?

Now that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership over political interference in its administration, the fate of the Interim Committee on which the Court of Appeal has issued a 14-day Stay Order, the Cabinet Subcommittee appointed to resolve issues about cricket and the report that was submitted by the Justice K.T. Chitrasiri Committee for a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket is not clear. Are the

Why does Sri Lanka need private universities?

Last week, police fired tear gas to disperse a group of university students protesting against the government’s effort to ‘destroy’ free education. Apart from the footage of the Police hosing the hapless students with water cannons, which is the money shot for the prime-time news bulletins, public opinion on these protests is increasingly adverse. Social media is livid at the hypocrisy of the protesters. Others lament the future of next-generati

Empty Rhetoric by ‘United’ legislators shook the Cricket fields!

Dr. John Rockwood took the lead in establishing a national board to oversee and promote Ceylon Cricket. This initiative resulted in the formation of the Ceylon Cricket Association (CCA) in 1922....

UJTA condemns Jaffna University’s decision

The University of Jaffna Teachers’ Association (UJTA) condemns the cancellation of a lecture scheduled to be conducted by Ms. Swasthika Arulingam, Attorney-at-Law on October 31. In a statement....

Strikes and protests and re-purposing colonial era buildings - EDITORIAL

Earlier this week on 7 November, the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) decided to launch a 48-hour strike from midnight.. According to UPTUF convenor Chinthaka Bandara a 48-hour.....

Sinhala Brigadier Who Won the Hearts and Minds of Tamil People

Today November 11th is observed in many parts of the World including Sri Lanka as Remembrance Day or War Memorial Day.

Rigged elections, cancellation of polls and dangers of a new ‘Araglaya’

The delaying of elections in our country is not new neither is election violence. Sri Lanka’s first parliamentary election was held in 1947. This was followed by ’52, ’56, March ’60, July ’60, ’65, and ’70. In the aftermath of the 1970 election, members of the newly elected governing party –a coalition between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) the Left-leaning Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Communist Party unleashed violent attacks on su

Media Portrayals, Hate Crimes and the Genocide in Palestine

Israel, encouraged by most Western powers, is drunk on taking revenge and in its blind rage, is creating the conditions for greater radicalization and more violence

Aerial bombing of Jaffna

Some of those in the church were those who had come to pray and others had come there out of fear of bombings by Sri Lankan Air Force planes hovering in the Jaffna skies that morning, thinking the church will provide them a safe space. But it was not to be.

Clarification

In reference to the article published in Daily Mirror on 1st November 2023, title ‘Sri Lanka’s Democracy under siege – The lurking shadows of business – politics nexus’ lawyers of Mr. Dilith Jayaweera has sent the following clarification.

New Court of Appeal Website  launched

The new Court of Appeal website was ceremonially launched by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya (PC) on the invitation of Justice Bandula Karunarathna, President of the Court of Appeal on November...

Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka vis-à-vis Gaza

Sri Lanka said that the armed forces ended the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conflict in May 2009 through a “Humanitarian Operation”, but the successive governments still defend...