I am concerned about my safety: Thisara Anuruddha Bandara

Two days after the public uprising in Mirihana, social activist Thisara Anuruddha Bandara was arrested by the Modara Police under Section 120 of the Penal Code while in Kandy . He was the administrator....

Can people’s opposition unseat president ?

Chants of slogans demanding the incumbent President and his family relations to step down are being echoed from all corners of the island on a daily basis. The spate of public protests gained momentum....

This is not the time to test the patience of young protestors

Last Tuesday’s motorbike circus in the middle of a public protest near the Parliament by members of an alleged military motorbike unit-without number plates- riding fast and ignoring police orders is a show of sheer arrogance and an immature way of acting at a time when the country is on ‘fire’.

When fear comes true for a govt.

Is the Sri Lankan President attempting to form an interim administration largely to find a solution to the economic crisis or to escape from mounting public pressure? This is the big question that the present lawmakers dodge or show little interest in to provide an answer.

Artistes rue poor ‘show’ by Govt.

Many artistes endorsed the incumbent Government during the 2019 Presidential Elections. These included amateur as well as se

Curfew and state of emergency Can suppressive measures silence people’s voice any further?

Darkness looms over the crisis-struck island nation as the public have begun a spate of protests across the island despite suppressive measures taken by the government. Since Thursday....

Lester James Peries and the Gold Winning “Gamperaliya”

Devoting the first article in each month to a film, film personality or film related topic was a practice followed by this column for several months last year.

Can credit lines resolve present drug shortage?

As Sri Lanka plunges into a pitfall by the day more problems emerge in various sectors. Even though health officials continued to deny claims about an impending drug shortage, several state hospitals....

ECONOMIC CRISIS Comparison of two governments

Who is behind high prices of milk?

Even vegetarians consume milk and eggs because these are the most cost-effective sources of nutrients. They are versatile foods that can be used in a variety of ways. As a result, they are in high demand, and as in any market economy, market forces determine their prices. We have the option and

Anuradhapura Gnana Akka RENOWNED SOOTHSAYER'S HOTEL COMES UNDER SPOTLIGHT.’’

Can the law be made silent when shrine (Devalaya) officials enjoy limitless political powers of powerful political figures? They amass abundant wealth thanks to this political framework. A similar incident was reported in Anuradhapura city where the Shrine of Gnana Meniyo is located. It is known as ‘Sasthara Gedara’ and is frequented by politicians. She is b

TPA Seeks Non-Territorial Council for Hill Country Tamils

The total population of Tamils - both Sri Lankan and Indian -is 3,113, 247. Of these 1,611,036 Tamils are living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Another 1,502,211 Tamils live outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces

Taxidermy process of an iconic elephant: Holding on to Raja for posterity

Sri Lankans venerated the 11-foot tall Nadungamuwa Raja every time it took to the streets to attend a pageant, either in Kandy....

Sand mining and threats to freshwater fish : Construction industry’s wicked ways of destruction

The Wé Ganga Muththetuwatta Mankada in Nivitigala, located 20km away from the Ratnapura town, transforms into a hive of activity at the break of dawn. Both sand and gem miners utilise this ‘lucky spot’ along the Wé Ganga - a tributary of

Misleading tourism estimates ?

Sri Lanka is gradually losing its ability to serve tourists as a hospitable nation. A new gazette now restricts the import of several items considered non-essential but these include cheese, pasta.....

In conversation with Poet Ahnaf Jazeem “The poems I wrote were against the ISIS ideology”

Young Tamil poet and teacher Ahnaf Jazeem was controversially arrested on May 16, 2020 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on the allegations of sowing Islamic extremism through his anthology.....

Clash between vested powers and tradition

At a time the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) is accused of discouraging renewable energy- which action has paved way a power crisis in the country-it has now come to light how they have taken a high handed decision against the CEB Chairman for sending one of their members on compulsory leave.

Dollar crisis driven import issues to hamper Yala season

Farmers had high hopes to cultivate during the Yala season, but their hopes have begun to shatter. Presently farmers....

Staggering regime strains to negotiate uncertainty, people’s pressure

The failure to deliver on promises, defections and shortsighted decisions have led the country towards the edge of a precipice. Fuel shortages, soaring cost of living, irregular power outages and the fertiliser crisis have severely inconvenie

Repealing PTA

I often reflect on the tumultuous years of the late 1970s and the paths not taken that may have determined a different future for our country. Emergency rule and then the enactment.....

N. Q. Dias Anticipated an Armed Tamil struggle with Indian support

This weekly column returns with the second part of the article titled “Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N. Q. Dias was Feared as the “Tsar” that was published in the “Daily Mirror” of February 19, 2022.

As happened in Sri Lanka: Ethnic wars polarize people

The issues such as the human rights situation in Sri Lanka might take a backseat this time at the ongoing 49th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as the situation....

Spotlight on Bibile Bittersweet responses for sugar producing project

Two hundred years have passed since the Uva - Wellassa uprising to free the country from the British colonials. The British left the country, but to this day the struggle to save the land from foreigners remains the same, locals of Uva-Wellassa say.

Bread Basket Attacked! ‘Three Monkeys’ and Lessons for SL?

“See no evil-- hear no evil-- Speak no evil”: UN, the US, and the West [UK/EU] the champions of human rights, who make a huge noise at ‘the drop of a hat’ in a small country, are Blind, Deaf and....

H. R. Jothipala: Sinhala Cinema’s Most Popular Playback Singer

I begin this column this week with an apology to readers. I had written a two part article titled “Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N. Q. Dias was feared as the “Tsar” in the “Daily Mirror” last week (Feb 19). Unfortunately I am unable to write the second part this week as planned because I am yet in the process of gathering some vital information necessary for writing.

Why Sri Lanka’s wetlands need to be protected

Here, the poet subtly describes the beauty of the Diyavanna Lake that enriches the Diyavanna Oya wetland ecosystem-which is one of many wetlands in Colombo today.

Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N.Q. Dias was Feared as the “Tsar”

In the article titled “1962 Coup:Takeover of Govt. Through Operation Holdfast” that was published in the “Daily Mirror”of January 29th 2022,

The foreign policy of self-isolation from the West comes to bite

Two years back when Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president, he had the best of both worlds. At home, a good part of the Sinhala Buddhist constituency was beholden to him.

Sri Lanka is a country that violated its Constitution since Independence: - Victor Ivan

The attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s residence and the arrest of Shehan Malaka Gamage, a social media activist who raised concerns regarding the Easter Sunday attack, within a span....

Is PTA worth losing GSP concessions?

Daily Mirror yesterday reported that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had directed the police not to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as a shortcut but only if there are clear links to terrorism. Foreign Minister....