Minority support and a Cabinet without Muslims

As many observed before, the November 14 Parliamentary election has produced many firsts. The National People’s Power (NPP) led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been credited for all of them.

Pleasant surprises, sinister events ‘boggle the mind’

At the first sitting of the 10th Parliament on 21 November -a star-studded event the public witnessed in Parliament, a wide array of academically qualified members entered the House. Quite in contrast to occasions when members of the House which at times, brought its standing to the level of St. John’s Fish Market.

New govt need space to act on people’s mandate for change

The NPP leadership’s ability to bring about reconciliation between Sri Lanka’s ethnic communities depends on relieving the economic pressures on ordinary people. If the new government fails, it would create room for xenophobic forces that would also feed into the already unstable global order.

After a traumatic change, Bangladesh yet to find its feet

Late last week, the post-Hasina Interim Government of Bangladesh led by Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus crossed the first 100 days of its existence.

Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Flood Rescue Capabilities

Sri Lanka’s extensive river network makes it highly vulnerable to flooding, worsened by rising rainfall intensity.

Biden’s legacy: Gaza genocide and now possible nuclear war in Europe

Never has the world been so precariously on pins and needles as it is now, with Europe exposed to the threat of nuclear war, the West Asian region facing genocide, and the rest of the world uncertain about what to expect from the leadership change in the United States—a nation teetering on the brink of moral bankruptcy.

The President has a plan that includes everyone - EDITORIAL

There was a breath of fresh air spread all around during the first ‘meeting’ of the parliament which was convened yesterday (November 21) by the newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD).

‘Beautiful Badulla made ugly’ as communities yearn for clean water, sanitary facilities

In Badulla, families in tea plantation communities struggle daily to obtain clean water and enjoy basic sanitation. Distant, unreliable water sources and poor infrastructure expose residents to frequent illnesses.

The politics of inconveniencing the other must stop!

Just the other day (November 19 th , 2024 to be exact ) this writer, while travelling in a Tuk tuk, I had to endure the rudeness of being stopped by the police close to Koswatte junction( near Battaramulla).

Another landmark today for Lanka - EDITORIAL

Today, the newly-elected Parliament will meet at 10 a.m., for the first time, for a ceremonial sitting – another landmark for the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People Power (NPP).

Academics, professionals receive slots in newly elected Cabinet

Among the 21-member Cabinet of Ministers sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake there are 13 new faces in the parliament assuming responsibility for their respective portfolios. Many would agree that the newly appointed Cabinet, unprecedentedly, is the most qualified in the Sri Lankan political history. In comparison to previous governments, the new cabinet comprises individuals who are University academics and reputed professionals.

New president, new MPs and a joker in the ‘House’

Sri Lanka, as the late MP R. Sampanthan was to say is ‘at a critical juncture’. First it voted out, its war-winning President -Mahinda Rajapaksa. Next, in 2022 it chased out past President Gotabaya also a Rajapaksa, whose economic policies or lack of them, drove the country into defaulting its international debt payment

Promise and caution: What the NPP epic victory augurs for Sri Lanka

Whether you voted for the victorious NPP/JVP alliance, you didn’t’ or stayed at home, as did a good number of Opposition voters, there is no gainsaying that the just concluded general election of 2024 is a milestone. It is not just the sheer scale of the victory, though numbers are mind-boggling too. The NPP won 159 seats in Parliament, the most resounding victory since the proportional representation came into effect. But numbers tell only a par

‘Another teen dies’ as corporal punishment haunts Sri Lanka again!

In January this year, the Children and Young Persons (Amendment) Act No. 39 of 2022 was amended to extend protection of all children up to age 18.

Anura “Alai”(Wave) Engulfs Tamil Nationalist Stronghold of Jaffna

The National People’s Power (NPP) known in Sinhala as Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) and Theseeya Makkal Sakthi (TMS) in Tamil has recorded a historic victory in the Parliamentary elections held on 14 November 2024.

Youth, victims of manipulative politicos

Even though Courts can grant bail for minor offences under the existing legal regulations, Felonies such as murder and rape are defined as non-bailable offences by Law and therefore, the commission of these crimes are liable to be punished by death, or in certain cases by life imprisonment.

Autonomous Weapons, a euphemism for Killer Robots

Autonomous weapon systems are weapons that detect and apply force to a target based on sensor inputs, rather than direct human inputs.

Break the paddy mafia!

Tennessee William’s Pulitzer winning 1955 play (and the subsequent 1958 film starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor) is about a wealthy, crumbling family in the United States deep South.

Team spirit and political will matter the most- EDITORIAL

After a 59-year struggle with huge sacrifices, including supreme sacrifices by tens of thousands of people including its founder leader Rohana Wijeweera, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has come to power under an umbrella organisation, the National People’s Power (NPP).

Fragmented Island Unites: Significance of Stunning Victory

For the first time in history, Sri Lankans have demonstrated a noteworthy advancement in political literacy, with all three communities rejecting divisive politics.

Lessons from General Election and dangers from international powers - EDITORIAL

Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as President did not come as a shock, to many in the country. A few of the presidential candidates save one or two foresaw this.

The Anura tsunami and the challenge it is going to face

How can one explain the massive two-thirds victory of the National People’s Power (NPP) at the Thursday’s Parliamentary election, based on the results of the Presidential election held two months ago, on September 21?

A tsunami of political change hits Lanka

In the run-up to the general election, newly elected President Dissanayake asked voters to drive corrupt politicians out of parliament. Well the public has done just that. Now it is up to Dissanayake and his team of brand new MPs to help Lanka’s people out of the misery their ‘experienced politicians’ led them them into.

“NPP, JVP can bring about changes to issues of Tamil community as they can’t be labelled as traitors to the Sinhala cause” Ahilan Kadirgamar

What happened was after the war we had a bloated military, and no government had the guts to start a national discussion about the need to slowly demilitarise after the war

National Unity Govt. Needs To Include Minority Parties

The government is aware as much as anyone else that the country continues to be in an extremely vulnerable situation with the possibility of reversal to a state of economic decline a possible scenario.

A call from university teachers for a commitment to free education

For nearly two decades, state universities have been under siege. They were targeted by a deliberate campaign of discreditation.

The daunting task before the new parliament

As you read this column today, you may have a clear idea of the composition of the next parliament.

A nation where animals are valued ahead of humans! - EDITORIAL

At the rate at which the human-elephant conflict has escalated, Sri Lankans get to hear of at least one human death every month which is caused by an elephant strike.

Spotlight on Dehiattakandiya Police retaliate after DWC officials bust bush meat trade

Officials from the Wildlife Department have recently uncovered an illicit trade in which wild boar, deer and elk in the Maduru Oya National Park are killed and sold.

Trump to secure US rights through tough but fair negotiations

US President-elect Donal Trump is feared by some and extolled by others. He is said to act instinctively, which many favour while others consider to be reckless.