The Senanayake Legacy: Pioneers of Sri Lanka’s Independence

Don Stephen Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon, was born on October 20th 1884. His family was in the forefront of the struggle for independence that began following the 1915 riots.

Pakistan’s constitution amended to tighten control over judiciary

Through the 26th Amendment (26A) to the Pakistan Constitution, the county’s parliament and the executive have tightened their control over the judiciary,

Accountants - Watchdogs or Facilitators of Financial Crimes!

“To steal you don’t need a mask and a gun- just a three-piece suit and a briefcase” – the motto of the new mafia.

The never ending clash with the UNHRC- EDITORIAL

The new government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is encountering or is going to encounter several dilemmas some of which threaten its very survival, despite the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) or the main constituent of it, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) having not been responsible for them.

Patients burnt alive in tents - Auschwitz in reverse?

The world never looked really sane but, before the Bush-Blair team decided to change the world order after the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a semblance of sanity – or a method to the madness, at any rate.

World Bank’s Development Trap for Sri Lanka

The Western establishment has many ways to corner developing countries like Sri Lanka and set their economic trajectory in the interests of global capital. I have written extensively about the role of the IMF in trapping Sri Lanka with financialised commercial borrowing and austerity measures. In this column, I address the other powerful twin from Washington, the World Bank, and its economic policy-making role in Sri Lanka.

Conflicting reports and Lanka’s position re- sanctions on UNSG

Sri Lanka has always backed the cause of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people. Whichever government was in power, unlike India which more recently has refrained from condemning Israel’s genocide in Palestine, Sri Lanka has been consistent in its support of Palestinian rights.

Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia to boost trade, investments ties

Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka were established in 1974. Sri Lanka opened its Embassy in Jeddah in 1983 and later relocated to Riyadh in 1985. From 1977 to 1995, the Kingdom’s Embassy in New Delhi oversaw bilateral relations between the two nations, until Saudi Arabia opened its Embassy in Sri Lanka.

How Tertiary Education Institutes can Improve Student Engagement Levels in S. Asia?

In South Asian countries, many tertiary education institutions face challenges in maintaining and improving student engagement. The following document outlines strategies that these institutions can implement to enhance student engagement. The purpose of this article is to share the perspective of four prominent researchers on how to improve tertiary education levels with special reference to South Asian countries.

Dr. Lorna Dewaraja’s book ‘The Muslims of Sri Lanka’ Muslims’ role in Lankan politics and the magnanimity of Sinhala Kings

Sri Lanka’s history of peaceful relations that had existed between the Sinhalese and the Muslims, stands as a contrast against the mass destruction taking place in the Middle East in the name of ethnicity and religion.

NPP’s struggle against corruption

A record number of front-line politicians has opted out of the November 14 Parliamentary election. Despite over fifty MPs who represented the last Parliament having so evaded the directed contest at district level some of them are anticipating to enter the House through the National List of their respective parties or the parties where they finally took refuge in, on the eve of the September 21 Presidential election.

Is government mistaking the masses for asses

In the run-up to the presidential election of 21st September this year, the JVP/NPP political combine was at the forefront of highlighting the problems of the poorer sections of our country. It campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption and protecting the poor and disadvantaged.

Colombo Port City: A Persistent Albatross for Sri Lanka?

With the victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), Sri Lanka sees a ray of hope in eradicating corruption and increasing political accountability. The people of Sri Lanka are confident that it will be their interests that will be paramount for the new President.

Why AKD must achieve the unthinkable

Sri Lanka is now trying to walk on a straight line in terms of putting the country in order. Many moons ago and many governments before this, ambitious people who walked ‘crooked’ and disregarded ethics entered Parliament easily. Now we see the new government in place attempting the unthinkable; trying to reinvent a nation that many thought didn’t have a future.

“Never thought Sajith Premadasa would be a weak leader”– Ajith Mannapperuma

I have been working as the SJB Gampaha District organiser for 20 years. I served as the Mayor for seven years, four years as a provincial councilor and 12 years as a Member of Parliament from the Gampaha District

When the West’s moral decadence fuels Gaza war

With each passing day, the West Asian crisis is worsening and expanding. The crisis has the potential to engulf the entire region, resulting in disastrous consequences for all countries, particularly those struggling economically, such as Sri Lanka.

Aswesuma to Prajashakthi: Considerations for future social protection programmes in Sri Lanka

Poverty in Sri Lanka has increased significantly with the onset of COVID-19 and the macroeconomic crisis.

The Benefits of Facilitating Trade Through a Case Study of Forest Permits

Certain products require government approvals or permits for exporting and importing.

Poverty, the parent of revolution

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and it is significant that Sri Lanka has, for the first time, elected a president and government which – to paraphrase the legendary former United States President Abraham Lincoln – is a government of the poor, for the poor and by the poor.

Sajith Premadasa’s wrecking ball has demolished the opposition

Even those who did not vote for Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the presidential race would find it refreshing to see that the old rot that had infested Sri Lankan politics is being cleared out.

Fresh breeze blowing o’er Lanka

One can hardly believe that our country is scarcely a month away from the date set apart for the general elections. Believe it or not, not a single cutout or bigger-than life-size picture of our really ugly, thieving politicians is smiling down on us from every nook and cranny in the city. Again, ‘we the public’ will happily miss the faces of many of our aging politicians who earlier never seemed ready to retire.

Harsha’s Options -Join NPP or Take Over Leadership of SJB Who wants Dr. Harsha de Silva out?

Targeting Dr. Harsha de Silva by senior SJB members began a couple of years ago when he started gaining recognition as a potential future leader.

The New government and foreign debt - EDITORIAL

The new government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake seems to be under pressure to implement the promises given to the people by his party, National People’s Power (NPP) before the September 21 Presidential election.

The misuse of the National List in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections

The National List in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary system was originally designed to enhance inclusivity and ensure that marginalized voices are represented in governance.

The US could be the biggest loser in the Israel-vs-Arabs war

One year after Hamas attacked Israel, this is no longer an Israel-vs-Hamas war.

The monsoon creating chaos and mayhem - EDITORIAL

Year in and year out, this column, even before the monsoon hits us, has been raising the issue of urban flooding.

When “Comrade”Anura Became the Fifth JVP Leader in 2014

The year was 1969. A 31-year-old mother sought the services of a prominent astrologer to draw up the horoscope of her six-month-old son.

Can NPP really change the system?

The nomination period for the Parliamentary election scheduled for November 14 ended yesterday with many well-known figures of political parties deciding to opt out from the race.

AKD’s sincerity in balance -little room to manoeuvre - EDITORIAL

The presidential election of 21 September is barely over. In less than a month the new president has been forced to hit the ground running so-to-say.

Why implement the 13th Amendment?

The 13th Amendment passed in July 1987 still remains as part of the Constitution, without being implemented fully in letter and spirit. Presently the Provincial Councils set up under this Act are themselves in abeyance as elections to these councils have not been held for the last 6 years.