Govt. needs to prioritise reform not repression

In view of the repression on peaceful protesters and the present Government’s failure to resolve the issues faced by the people....

The unending power crisis

Against a huge increase in electricity tariff having been announced last month, the authorities are warning of longer hours of

Revoking HSZs: President’s first act of ‘independence’ against his backers’ wishes

President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the weekend revoked a previous Gazette notification that declared several areas of Colombo as High-Security Zones (HSZs), but not before the original proclamation caused an uproar. On Saturd

Universal jurisdiction Last Resort to Prosecute International Crimes?

The need for justice, truth and reparation for crimes under international law, human rights violations and abuses committed by state officials and armed opposition groups has been.....

It’s time to end exploitative legacy on our estates - EDITORIAL

The export of tea is one of our country’s main export earners and Sri Lanka’s tea industry performed well in 2021 earning US$ 1.3 billion, despite lower yields and higher costs of production. Chairman of....

Govt. delays payments to organic fertilizer suppliers

There is no national policy for fertilizer. “Our attempt is to supply fertilizer for the Maha Season. If farming becomes a success, we could manage the rest of our problems. We have to increase our.....

An indication of economy further worsening

It is interesting to note President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a gazette notification on September 23 declaring several High Security Zones (HSZs) in Colombo and suburbs under the Official Secrets Act of 1955. The legality of the gazette has to be decided by a court of law, but it is amusing to hear HSZs having been established under the Official Secrets Act.

Girl leaders: Role models speak a 1000 words

Famous French singer, actor and entertainer Maurice Chevalier entertained us with a beautiful song about little girls. It goes like this:

Let’s ponder on the proposal to change ‘youth’ to children - EDITORIAL

It was reported the other day that Sri Lanka is set to change the legal definition of youth so that in future individuals who are young and coming under the age of 18 and below would be referred....

The Mahsa Amini case: To veil or not veil

The controversy over a piece of Muslim women’s clothing is once again making international headlines. This time following the death of a young woman in Iran after her arrest by the country’s morality....

We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera

The World Food Programme estimates that 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka, which is more than 30 per cent of the country’s total population,

Fruit forbidden to liberals

One of the most thorny problems for self-styled liberals in Sri Lanka is that they use the liberal label as though it’s some kind of impenetrable shield, hiding behind which they take on specific enemies in accordance with preferred outcomes. Scratch them, and you find some grotesque creatures.

Ukraine war spilling beyond its borders

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has now entered its 217th day. Russian troops are present in Ukrainian territory. Its missiles are raining down on Ukraine and the main victims are the civilians, including women and children.

SL appears to be wary about going for an FTA with China

Reporting on the meeting between the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, last Friday.....

Electricity tariff hikes; poor subsidize the rich - EDITORIAL

In November 2019, our country’s foreign reserves stood at nearly US$ 8 billion. By the end of the following year, that figure had.....

Poverty: Shame to the wealthy and a moral outrage

With millions of Sri Lankans still facing virtual starvation and saying that they could afford only one meal a day because of the worst ever socio-economic crisis since independence in 1948, Aragalaya activists are again warning they

High-Security Zones: Militarization for political survival

There will be unintended though fairly predictable consequences of the imposition of HSZ in the heart of Colombo. If history is any guide, this would be a harbinger of a garrison city in Colombo and heighte

63rd Anniversary of Bandaranaike Assassination: Murderer had Free Access to PM’s Residence

It was around 9.45; the morning sun shone brightly in Colombo on September 25, 1959. Residents in the vicinity focused their attention.....

Ragging, ‘messing with wrong generation’ - EDITORIAL

In our country unfortunately, ragging has morphed from its earliest days as a form of a little fun, to bullying, to extreme levels of violence.....

Why did the Dutch army fail against the British in Ceylon and India?

The Dutch were a pre-eminent politico-economic and military power in Ceylon and South India in the 17th and 18th centuries, having driven out the Portuguese from the region’s lucrative spice trade.

Economic crimes: the term that frightened the government

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in her report on Sri Lanka attributes the economic crisis the country is currently engulfed in to what she called “economic crimes” committed by those responsible for running the country’s economy.

Need, greed and the protection of the ozone layer

Despite the worst socio-economic and political crisis since independence, Sri Lanka is still a beautiful island in the sun.

How the dollar crisis and import restrictions choke a nation

As a result of the ongoing dollar crisis many local industries are at risk of shutting down with around 5 million people being vulnerable....

Brain drain and right thing to do - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka is painfully getting ready for the worst of the brain drain that’s taking place in the country. Qualified professionals are seeking.....

UN reforms: Rhetoric and the reality

Often derided as a talk shop by its detractors, the United Nations is in session for the annual General Assembly summit. Although this year’s.....

Mannar bio-diversity and its dry fish industry

Recently the state minister for tourism came out with a new idea to bring foreign currency to Sri Lanka. To bring dollars into the country the minister wanted to convert the island of Mannar into a hub of nightclubs, nightlife, and night economy.

Constants: tired, boring, obnoxious and laudable

Sri Lanka is a resilient nation. That’s almost a given. A constant. All talk of peace, human rights, democracy, good governance,

There’s no malnutrition in Lanka

The truth is furthest away from reality, when particular Sri Lankan government ministers speak on prevailing conditions of living in the country. Or, to give these personages the benefit of the doubt, it may be that they are so cut off from the reality in which our countrymen and women live, they take offence when the truth hits them in the eye.

Last rites to a long-reigning monarch - EDITORIAL

Britain’s late queen Elizabeth II, was finally laid to rest on Monday, September 19, amidst scenes of pomp and pageantry the British....

Talking trauma and the Aragalya effect

After a lapse of almost four years, last week I got the chance to spend multiple days with a group of Sri Lankan colleagues. The Dart.....