Government caught between election promises and reality - EDITORIAL

During the post presidential period of electioneering, all credible presidential parties and groupings save the faction led by ex-President Wickremesinghe, made promises of renegotiating the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement.

Anura Kumara’s Ascendancy Within the JVP and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s newly elected ninth Executive President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) continues to be the focus of this column. In the first part of this article published last week, the early years of Anura’s eventful life were delved into in some detail. In this week’s second part, AKD’s steady rise as a political leader within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be related to some extent.

Seeing the General Election through Presidential Election

The UNP leaders alleged that what they called the unfair conditions laid down by the SJB resulted in the breakdown of the talks between the two parties. According to media reports, the SJB has demanded that Ranil Wickremesinghe resigns as the leader of the UNP, the general secretary post of the proposed alliance be awarded to the SJB, the coalition contest under SJB’s symbol, the telephone and those politicians of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna

Lanka’s economy, the Middle East and the IMF agreement

Our country is struggling to get out of a situation of bankruptcy. President Dissanayake is even today in discussion with a high-level delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to media reports Dissanayake has doubled down on his acceptance of the agreement. He has however informed the delegation of the need to help the poorer sections of the community by lowering particular taxes.

Will agriculture farmers be forced to pay taxes for water?

Water is one of man’s primary needs of humans. Water is a key factor in agriculture as well as for consumption.

Gaza genocide one year on: Middle East on brink of major war

October 7 will mark the first anniversary of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. About 42,000 have been killed, and if one were to go by the British medical journal Lancet’s formula, the death toll easily exceeds 200,000.

Are Sri Lankan voters irresponsible? - EDITORIAL

People of this country- who can also be referred to as voters-must think like customers shopping in a super market store.

The new president’s opportunity to reshape social protection

On 16 August 2024, Sri Lanka launched a National Social Protection Policy (NSPP). This was a first in the country, which had previously not had a policy but only a host of different programmes (such as free universal health coverage, free education at primary and secondary levels, Samurdhi, and more recently, Aswesuma).

Non-violence: the mightiest weapon of social justice

The United Nations yesterday (2) observed the International Day of Non-Violence. October 2 was especially designated as the Day of Non-Violence as it is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was the leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

Sri Lanka’s People Need a New Debt Deal

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s President, recently lost his re-election bid after voters overwhelmingly rejected the debt-restructuring deals he negotiated with the International Monetary Fund and other creditors. Instead, Sri Lankans elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the left-wing National People’s Power (NPP) alliance and a vocal critic of IMF-imposed austerity measures, who has vowed to renegotiate the country’s agreement with the

The upcoming General Elections and pitfalls ahead

T he presidential election which had us all agog, is now over. President Dissanayake -the young leader of the NPP, who campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption and against waste, has been voted into power. The people who for the past five years have suffered all manner of deprivation look forward to a new era where their burdens will be eased.

AKD’s protest vote and Sajith Premadasa’s own goal

The presidential election’s outcome has been described in flowery language: A vote for system change, the rejection of the old regime, a clarion call against corruption and cronyism, a vote against the sale of national assets, and so on.

National list political parties for General Elections

The people have spoken, is a common phrase used to announce and often accept the results of an election.

PUT CHILDREN FIRST A MOMENT OF CHOICE FOR SRI LANKA

As Sri Lanka celebrates World Children’s Day, the nation stands at a crucial juncture.

Are we on the brink of World War III?

As I wrote in this column months ago, there has been talk of World War III almost from the day World War II ended.

Understanding the message given by Northerners - EDITORIAL

During their first media conference following the Presidential election, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) which has proven again that they are the largest Tamil political party in the North and the East had announced that they were considering to field their candidates

Political Maturity? Ranil’s Honourable Exit and NPP’s Reciprocal Approach

Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Executive Committee member of the National People’s Power, appeared on a TV talk show last Tuesday, where he expressed appreciation for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts in leaving the Treasury in a stable financial condition.

Screen Time for Children: A Guide for Parents

This article aims to educate parents on the impact of screen time on their children and provide practical strategies for managing it.

President faces a problem common to many developing nations: Austerity imposed by the West

Sri Lanka is at a historic juncture. Faced with its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and having defaulted on its external debt for the first time, the country recently saw unprecedented protests demanding systemic change.

The UN -missing the wood for the trees - EDITORIAL

In what is becoming almost a monotonous regular feature at the UNHRC, that organisation presented a ‘comprehensive report on Sri Lanka’ authored by the Commissioner of Human Rights earlier in September this year.

From three percent to the throne

It was strongly argued before the Presidential election that a party like the National People’s Power (NPP) led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake which obtained only 3.16 percent of total votes in the 2019 Presidential election cannot achieve the 50 percent target to win this time.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake; “Leftist” Star Rises Over Sri Lanka

The heading of this article is inspired by the title of Edgar Snow’s book, “Red Star Over China”.

Post Presidential polls -Winds of change or new broom

On 21 September, Lankans elected into office a new President who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform and renegotiating with the IMF. Presently 25 percent of our people are living below the poverty line, where according to UNICEF 1 in 2 children in Lanka are going hungry.

Israel’s war on Hezbollah pushing Middle East towards chaos

By declaring war on Hezbollah, Israel has extended its genocidal Gaza war to Lebanon. Disregarding global calls for restraint, Israel’s war-thirsty Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now planning a ground invasion of Lebanon. And it is going to be his Waterloo.

A plea to save publishers during book month

Sri Lanka badly needs more books and readers. Those who have made buying books and reading them a habit face a daunting challenge. Buying the next set of books is close to unthinkable now given the skyrocketing prices of books.

Would we see AKD reflecting the face of China?

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) had a spring in his walk even before he won the Presidential Elections. He dressed extremely well when stepping in front of the public and exhibited an air of confidence which said ‘2024 is my year to be the President of Sri Lanka’.

Is Dr. Amarasuriya the Kamala Harris of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka now has her third female Prime Minister after a hiatus of 24 years. Twenty years is a long period of time from a political perspective. That was sufficient time to usher in change, to witness more women in the political sphere in decision-making positions and for them to take a lead to make a difference. But women’s representation in politics has been a long struggle. A struggle met with many patriarchal and professional challenges. But

New government, new hopes and new challenges

As predicted by political analysts, the September 21 presidential poll concluded up with many firsts. First and foremost, it ushered Anura Kumara Dissanayake alias AKD in to presidency; a politician from outside the traditional, political mainstream.

Poverty, minority issues: Problems facing new president

For the first time in our history, on 21 September a Marxist, the son of a poor farmer, a man who understands the travails and humiliation the poor have to undergo daily has been elected as the Executive President of the country. President Dissanayake is the son of a poor farming family. He is now the 9th Executive President of Lanka.

If the historic AKD win does not become yet another regret…

During the last couple of days, Sri Lanka elected a left-leaning outsider as its 9th Executive President and then went on to win a test match in Galle.