Geopolitical intervention in Sri Lanka’s presidential election

Sri Lanka decides. Nor really. Geopolitics also decides for Sri Lanka. Elections are not entirely won and lost based on the people’s verdict. Yes, outsiders are interested in Sri Lanka’s election and work to ensure the party or candidate they favour wins.

Finding order in a nation in chaos - EDITORIAL

There is much uncertainty in the air as to who’ll be the winner as Sri Lanka gets ready for the 9th presidential elections.

Will Gen Z Vote decide Sri Lanka’s next leader?

As many as one million new voters will exercise their right to vote at the upcoming Presidential Elections. According to the Election Commission, 76,000 fresh voters have been registered to cast their vote from January to June this year.

Freeing the Balance Sheets of Banks: Sri Lanka needs an AMC

Sri Lanka needs rapid economic growth to overcome the current crisis. At the Public Finance Lounge hosted by Verité Research on July 5, 2024, I highlighted that such growth is difficult to envision given the limited balance sheet capacity in the banking system.

The power of maintaining the spirit of nonviolence

As we prepare for the Presidential Election on September 21, we also need to reflect on other key issues including the violence that people undergo based on religion or belief.

Economic crisis, policy choices, anti-incumbency shape Lanka’s presidential race

The presidential race kicked off last Saturday by four main candidates- President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Namal Rajapaksa– stoking voter enthusiasm to participate in the presidential poll to be conducted on September 21 to elect the next executive president of Sri Lanka.

Lankan diplomat found guilty in Australia for ill-treating domestic aid No diplomatic immunity for not paying minimum wages

Which one of these is worse? First, a Sri Lankan diplomat was ordered to pay her former domestic aide over AUD half a million in unpaid wages and interest, pending further charges for violating Fair Wage laws in the Down Under.

Troubled times worldwide and our presidential election

In Europe Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 24, 2022. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified a total of 35,160 civilian casualties as of 31 July 2024. Of them, 23,640 people were reported to have been injured. However, OHCHR specified that the real numbers could be higher.

Police Department under scrutiny for allegedly killing beloved ‘Raja’

While several elephants are parading the streets at the Kandy Esala Perahera, a 35-year old male elephant named ‘Raja’ breathed his last in Bakamuna last Thursday (August 15).

Lessons from the fall of Bangladeshi icons Hasina and Mujib

Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s escape to India seeking sanctuary from angry Bangladeshis earlier this month, and the destruction of the relics of her father and founder of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, exemplify the fate of dictators across the world.

Bangladesh: Revolution or evolution, this is a new start

Revolutions are events which re-shape existing political orders. There are very few revolutions in human history – French, Russian – while coups and uprisings are countless.

Let election month not be preceded by false promises

To all intents and purposes, it looks as though the presidential elections will definitely be held on 21 September this year. Forty candidates paid their deposits. One was rejected.

Compensation and Economic Justice for Torture Victims

Victims of torture can include those who survived torture, were killed and also their family members; survivors of torture suffer from effects of torture for prolonged periods, often for the rest of their lives, physically, mentally, socially and financially; education of child victims of torture is negatively affected and is one of the cases mentioned below.

Nikini Poya Insights: Dhamma, War and Violence

Although Buddhist teachings strongly oppose violence, some Buddhist sectors believe that these pacifist ideals have not prevented Buddhist nations from engaging in warfare.

Hypocrisy and the ‘Tamil Genocide Day’ monument - EDITORIAL

On Friday 16 August, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned the Canadian Ambassador and protested the laying of the foundation stone for a so-called ‘Tamil Genocide Monument’ at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton Canada.

Who will minorities vote for?

The candidates for the September 21 Presidential election, especially the main candidates have given prominence to creating a media hype rather than explaining their policies and programmes to resolve the socioeconomic issues faced by the people.

UN Resolution 46/1 on gross human rights violations in sri Lanka

By Resolution 46/1 on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka”, the UNHRC tasked the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) “to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka.

‘My next dream’s to conquer the highest points of the world’s seven corners” - Johann Peries

Johann Peries is a name familiar to Sri Lankans. As the second Sri Lankan to have sumitted Mount Everest, Johann’s journey is a testament to his unyielding spirit, passion and dedication.

40,000 Gaza deaths: Crying shame on humanity

Critics often deride the UN as a talk shop. The description is not far from the truth.

Results, rituals, pageants and presidential elections - EDITORIAL

The worst feeling one can get, if not trained for it, is to wait for something that’s in the pipeline to happen. We’re all awaiting September 21 for the presidential elections.

Nomination day: Sri Lanka needs a Statesperson

The Election Commission will be the centre of attention today as 40 candidates will be handing in their nominations for the Presidential Election of September 21. This is in the midst of crossovers, confusion and contradictions over who is really supporting whom and for what reason.

Presidential Elections and negotiating what isn’t authentic

Sri Lanka feels the need for a Presidential Election much stronger than ever before.

Impact Of Economic Transformation Act On Boi And Fdi

In terms of the Economic Transformation (ET) Act, the overall transformation methodology of the economy consists of following steps viz. to repeal the Board of Investments (BOI) Law No. 04 of 1978, to establish Investment Zones Sri Lanka

WB Group’s high level council to tackle looming jobs crisis

The World Bank Group has launched a high level council to address a looming job crisis. According to a press release issued by the World Bank, the High-Level Advisory Council on jobs, will launch an initiative that will identify actionable policies and programmes to address the earmarked jobs crisis in the Global South.

Wildlife officers stagnate after halt of promotions

According to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, there are three field job titles within the Department of Wildlife and Conservation which are Wildlife Guard,

The shocking and disturbing rape of a teenager

On August 12 the ‘Daily Mirror’ reported on page one the shocking story of a schoolgirl gang-raped by twenty-two fellow students! Worse the principal of the school attempted to cover up the story.

Who could have been Sri Lanka’s Muhammad Yunus if Ranil did not take over?

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in last week as the interim leader of Bangladesh, succeeding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country and sought refuge in India.

“Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka” - A Tie?

A week of historic events, both local and international, saw unprecedented street violence in neighboring Bangladesh, causing over 400 deaths and, overshadowing our heroic boys’ unexpected cricket revival, triumphing over the number one team in the world.

Roots of Islamophobia in UK

The UK recently witnessed Islamophobia in the form of brutal attacks on Muslims across the country.

Shameless and opportunistic crossovers - EDITORIAL

The run-up to any Presidential or Parliamentary election in Sri Lanka would see a plethora of crossovers which entail shameless statements by those politicians who jump from one party to another.