Are terrorists and trade unions equal? The more we endure the cruelty of some state-sector trade unions whose objectives, it appears, have little to do with worker rights and more to do with political goals, the more we are convinced that it is a form of terrorism. The tactic they both use is the same: victimising civilians. The difference is that trade unions do not use guns, bombs, RDX, TNT, or other explosives.
Monday’s shooting of a nightclub owner at Oruwala, Athurugiriya one begs the question whether Sri Lankans are safe on this island? The prominent nightclub owner and another person received fatal injuries when two gunmen stormed in, opened fire and disrupted the opening ceremony of a tattoo shop.
With the Sri Lankan political parties and the citizens focusing mainly on the Presidential Elections to be held later this year, the country has an urgent need not just for smart political leaders but a statesman who will work for the next generation and not for the next election. Sri Lanka has produced few if any such statesmen who are in the calibre of Nelson Mandela. If we could mention a few who come near that status it could include our firs
Another alleged fraud is said to have taken place at the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd by way of awarding a tender to a bidder that the Technical Evaluation Committee rejected, citing further evaluation. This was due to noncompliance of requirements/ specifications of the tender document. Invitation for bids (Bid No: 113/ T/ 2023) to construct a new building to enhance capacity for the benefit of departing passengers and improve t
In the backdrop where Sri Lanka has been negotiating the debts with various creditors, two international economists from Germany who were visiting Sri Lanka recently analysed that Sri Lanka isn’t an isolated case with regard to debt crisis, but there are many more other countries from all income categories which have been affected since the outbreak of COVID and the associated economic recession.
Many reasons are given for the crushing defeat of the Rishi Sunak-led Conservative Party in the recent British general election. But its abysmal performance could be broadly attributed to the problems it created for itself by walking out of the European Union (EU) in a move called Brexit in 2020 without a plan to tackle the situation after the exit.
Whatever the ruling of the Supreme Court over the petition filed by the businessman from Moratuwa, C.D.Lenawa seeking an opinion of the court on the Presidential term could have been, the next Presidential election would be a make-or-break decision for the people of this country, especially given the on-going economic crisis.
This article is based on an interview done with Immigration and Emigration Department Controller General Harsha Ilukpitiya on the new e-passport system and new visa services that would be introduced to place Sri Lanka on the world map.
With confusing, contradictory and sometimes mysterious announcements about the upcoming elections—we still do not know whether it will be a presidential or parliamentary election—the death of the Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan needs to encourage and inspire other political leaders to act peacefully and calmly to find a just and fair solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic crisis. Since independence in 1948 there has been unity in diversity
Rajavarothayam Sampanthan, the nonagenarian Parliamentarian who breathed his last on Sunday was a Tamil politician who for decades unsuccessfully fought to reconcile the extremists and moderates among Tamil people. In a way, one might even describe him as a politician who was trapped between those two groups – extremists and moderates – in his efforts to find a solution to the ethnic problem. Also, he was a man who was sometimes attacked by the
Veteran Tamil political leader and senior Trincomalee district MP, Rajavarothayam Sampanthan passed away peacefully in Colombo on 30 June 2024. The nonagenarian Sampanthan who had been ailing for some time was listening after dinner to an audio tape of “Kanthasashti Kavasam” verses sung by the Soolaman Sisters Rajalakshmi and Jeyalakshmi when he collapsed with a groan. Sampanthan was immediately taken to Lanka Hospital where he breathed his l
None is willing to part with what one possesses unless the receivable in return is better or equivalent. The receivables could be tangible or intangible. There is no exception to this norm. The payment of tax to the government is not an exception to this norm.What a taxpayer receives in return for the tax he/she pays is a million-dollar question in the Sri Lankan context.
Sri Lanka School of Agriculture, located in Pelwehera, Dambulla, started around 1980. This school of agriculture has made significant contributions to the advancement of the agricultural sector in the country. Established under the Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka, the school had its first intake of students (numbering 50) for a residential course in the year1980. There are concerns that this academic institute will be sold to a private compan
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian blood continues to flow like a river. The total death toll has topped 38,000. Among them are 16,000 children. Some 21,000 children are unaccounted for. They are believed to be buried alive under the rubble. The Nazis’ horror pales into insignificance when compared to the horror Israel is inflicting on the people of Gaza.
Fifteen years after the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the end of Sri Lanka’s war, the family of LTTE leader warns about a major fraud carried out by sections of the Tamil diaspora defrauding millions of dollars from Tamil around the world. Speaking on behalf of the family, Karthic Manoharan, son of Prabhakaran’s elder brother, Velupillai Manoharan reaffirmed that the entire family o
Without franchise, it is not possible to activate electing Representatives of the people to the parliament or electing an Executive President according to the provisions set out in the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Article 04 and 04(C) in Chapter 01 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka states “sovereignty is in people… sovereignty includes the power of Government, fundamental rights and the franchise”. Based on the results of past elections most of the
World Population Day falls on July 11, and population is a vital issue in socio-economic and political affairs. Data given by the United Nations (UN) will help us analyse the situation. According to the UN, it took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to grow to 1 billion–then in just another 200 years or so, it grew sevenfold. By 2011, the global population reached the 7 billion mark; it stood at almost 7.9 billion in 2021, an
Sri Lankans as a whole refuse to accept the official version of analysis and what is explained as the truth. At present the biggest truth that everyone in this sun kissed island must be aware of is that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has negotiated with representatives of the Bilateral Lenders Official Creditors Committee (BLOCC) and China to restructure debts amounting to US$ 10 billion. However, the government is concerned regarding false i
For any nature lover, a path off the beaten track is an adventure on its own. An occasional call of a Malabar hornbill, a leopard’s footprint and elephant excreta add more depth to the lush terrain along this scenic route via the Wilpattu National Park. Hence, environmental groups have been fighting to protect this route, known as the Puttalam-Marichchikadai route or B379 from being vulnerable to further destruction and chaos. But the Daily Mirro
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State visit to Russia from July 8 to 9, is significant because it will be taking place when India’s relations with the US are showing unmistakable strains and ties with China continue to be in a logjam.
SLCERT warns WhatsApp users against sharing OTPs to prevent hacking
IMF review for Sri Lanka delayed
Canada issues travel advisory over serious risk in Arugam Bay
More countries issue travel advisories
Sri Lanka Tourism invites global travellers for upcoming season
SPA owners say their rights have been violated
Lightning strikes two siblings: one dead, other injured