Mass Protests – Role of the Deep State and the Fifth Estate

First it was Sri Lanka, and then, after two years, the same sequence of events in Bangladesh. One can argue that, having learnt lessons from its neighbours, Indonesia avoided the calamity within days.

73 year-old SLFP swallowed by SJB, UNP

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was established on September 2, 1951. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike left the United National Party (UNP), following his resignation from both his Cabinet portfolio and the UNP’s unofficial deputy leadership in July 1951, to form the new party.

Complying with RTI Act on foreign financing is important

Large infrastructure projects of the government are often financed by foreign loans and grants. When the amount exceeds USD 100,000, the law requires information about the projects to be disclosed to the public online.

Elections,Debt Sustainability and IMF Blackmail

The presidential election on September 21st is gaining momentum, and the candidates are debating the future of the IMF agreement.

A country like no other in election mode - EDITORIAL

Ours is a special country. We have many firsts to our name. We gave the world its first woman Prime Minister -Ms. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

The Common Tamil Presidential Candidate Controversy

The eagerly anticipated 2024 presidential election is scheduled to be held on September 21, 2024. Initially, 39 candidates were in the fray.

How experienced leaders made a total hash of things

The September 21 Presidential elections different from the past eight such elections held since 1982, in some aspects.

Economic melt-down, HR violations, and elections - EDITORIAL

In early 2022, Sri Lankans started experiencing 12-hour rolling power cuts and shortages of basics such as food, fuel, cooking gas and medicines to name a few. Desperate fathers and mothers searched hither and thither for infant food. Even vegetables grown in our fields were scarce.

Capturing the making of a modern Sri Lanka

When the civil war concluded in 2009 there were makers of short films who captured footage of celebrations on the street.

Presidential debates and promise audits: Sri Lankan democracy’s missing links

Remember the threat of a doomsday

While political leaders are promising heaven on earth in their intensified campaign for the Presidential Election on September 21,

Every generation gets the superhero it deserves!

Sri Lanka is a country where we see the occasional individual rise from poverty and then lift the rest of the clan out of misery.

Spotlight on OUSL VC for facilitating exam for overseas LLB students

Local students of the Open University of Sri Lanka are up in arms against the Vice Chancellor’s unprecedented move to hold an alternative examination for those who could not sit for the final LLB degree.

To re-democratize Sri Lanka, abolish Executive Presidency

As a voter and a stakeholder in the country’s governance and electoral system /process, the writer was enlivened by a clarion call in the press by a group of lawyers, academics and civil rights activists to abolish the Executive Presidency.

Spotlight on Aruwakkalu : Exposing loopholes, unfounded fears in Colombo’s waste management crisis

On Saturday (August 24), during the wee hours of the morning, a group of residents from Puttalam staged a protest at the Noor Nagar Railway station against the transportation of waste via train to the Aruwakkalu Sanitary Landfill site. A total of 20 containers of solid waste were dumped at the Aruwakkalu site as a trial under the Metro Colombo Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Plan.

How Sajith Premadasa’s gamble plays out against him, his party and the country

A rhetorical question: What difference would it have made if Sajith Premadasa delivered the speech Thalatha Athukorala did last week?

Are we an independent nation or a banana republic?

Our country is heading to the polls. On 21 September all of us eligible voters will be making a choice for one of the thirty-eight candidates whose name and symbol adorn the ballot papers. Some of these candidates will canvass only in particular districts reducing the electoral process to a farce.

Presidential Elections Realistic approaches matter more than ever

Political campaigns by the respective presidential candidates are gathering momentum in the run up to the presidential polls, scheduled for September 21. As usual what is again being heard from the election stage are promises aimed at giving concessions for people who endure hardships due to the high cost of living and lack of income generation opportunities.

Religious, civil society and academic community want balanced devolution of power to regions

This document has been compiled by members of religious and civil society and the academic community from all parts of the country after extensive discussion and consultations conducted over a period of several months. It is to be presented to the presidential candidates to include in their manifestos along with the pledge that they will support its implementation regardless of the outcome of the election.

Spotlight on Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara Traps await roaming deer inside sacred city’s sanctuary

Recognising the archaeological and historical significance of the area around Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara, the British rulers designated it as a reserve and sanctuary on May 27, 1937 to protect it for the future.

Buddhists, Hindus believe in the power of White Elephant to subdue enemies

Myanmar’s military junta, facing powerful armed insurgencies in the North Eastern part of the country, has decided to use Buddhist symbolism to defeat the enemy.

Candidates, declare your plans to repay foreign debts - EDITORIAL

The only lifeline for Sri Lanka for the recovery from the current economic crisis and achieving long-term economic development seems to be the programme sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) initiated by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in March 2022.

Namal’s Challenge: Nationalism and Rajapaksa Legacy

‘I Am Ready for the Challenges; … We always believed in nationalism, and we need to protect that. We believed the policies that suit our country were not addressed by the government.’ – Namal

A note on Mangala Samaraweera

It has been three years since the unexpected passing of my friend Mangala.

Ukraine’s new gamble: Taking the war to the Russians

Almost all analysts were unanimous that Ukraine was beaten two years after the Russian invasion. They said Ukraine should negotiate peace with Russia while it still had a chance.

SC’s rights ruling and President’s ‘Hobson’s choice’ - EDITORIAL

On 22 August this month, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled the President in his capacity as Finance Minister had infringed the rights of the people by postponing the 2023 Local Government (LG) elections.

Making a joke of presidential elections

The process leading up to the presidential election has commenced. With the death of one contestant on Thursday and the withdrawal of another thirty-eight out of forty candidates who placed their deposits will be contesting the elections.The ballot paper is expected to be 27 inches long if the paper is printed single column and between 11 - 12 inches if the paper is printed double column!

Why are elections so costly?

The Election Commission on August 16 announced the maximum amount of money that could be spent by candidates who contest the September 21 Presidential election for their campaigns, by an extraordinary gazette.

Covid-19 policy, a breach of trust

Quo vadis domine? ‘Where are you going, Lord?’, Peter asks the risen Christ whom he meets along the Appian way. ‘Romam eo iterum crucifigi’, Christ replies. ‘I am going to Rome in order to be crucified again.

A response: Dentsu Grant Pvt Ltd has drawn our attention to the news item headlined

We wish to state that we take strong objection to the wrongful manner in which we have been portrayed in the article published by your newspaper on 21st August. This article has given a completely incorrect representation of the facts which is damaging to our agency.