Only sanity will help Sri Lanka in balancing ties with India and China

The new government is a new phenomenon in a novel social, economic context. The economic crisis that the country grappled with in 2022 conditioned the mindsets of people to look for a departure from traditional politics. The NPP (National People’s Power), a political force outside the mainstream, became the choice of the majority of voters, albeit the total votes polled by it at the September 21 presidential election fell less than 50 percent.

Choosing Leaders Wisely: The Importance of Transparency in Political Candidate Selection

As a concerned and patriotic citizen of Sri Lanka, I am writing to share my thoughts regarding the upcoming election and the critical importance of selecting the best possible candidates for our nation’s future.

Iranamadu farmers uncertain about their future amidst adverse climate change impacts

Paddy farmers across Sri Lanka are continuously challenged by adverse climate change impacts which have directly affected their overall paddy yield.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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

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.

Beyond Red Tape: How Digitalization Can Save Sri Lanka’s Economy

Outdated, manual systems have become breeding grounds for corruption, where bribery and inefficiency rule, bleeding exporters dry and stifling economic growth.

Weaponising Non-Violence: Tiger Leader Thileepan’s Fast Unto Death

September 26th is of particular significance to a substantial number of Sri Lankan Tamils. For it was on this day in 1987 that a senior member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Thileepan died in Nallur after undertaking a fast unto death.

Mismanaging of workers’ trust Lanka Transformers Ltd in the spotlight for transferring funds, shares

Lanka Transformer Limited Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Ceylon Electricity Board has come under criticism for allegedly committing one of the largest financial frauds in the country by transferring its shares and dividends illegally amongst its top management.

Is ‘Mental Health’ political

Mental health has an invisible role in economic growth and development. Sound mental health allows an individual to possess cognitive and emotional flexibility and resilience, the qualities that armour one with skills to face challenges in life.

How will 1.65 million Muslims vote on Saturday?

Statistically Muslims constitute only 9.3% of the national population. They are a close second to the Sri Lankan Tamil strength of 11.1% according to the 2012 Census. The statistical difference is only 1.8% unlike the figures before the July 1983 racial riots. The anti-Tamil pogrom led to Tamils emigrating from the island in noticeably large numbers. It must be added that Tamil migration increased the statistical percentages of both Sinhala and M

“This could be the last democratic election in Sri Lanka” Patali

United Republican Front (URF) Leader MP Patali Champika Ranawaka who is backing Presidential Candidate and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa shares his views on current political developments ahead of Saturday’s poll. He fears whether this will be the last democratic election that will be conducted in Sri Lanka.

Why Ranil is so Confident of Winning the Presidential Election

Sri Lanka’s ninth presidential election will take place one week from now on 21 September 2024. Among the 38 contestants, three are regarded as the top contenders.

Women’s representation and the future of Sri Lankan politics

Women’s absence in Sri Lankan politics has been subject for debate despite Sri Lanka being the first country in the world to have its own female Prime Minister.

Empowering Nations:The India-Sri Lanka HVDC Connection

Sri Lanka and India are engaged in a decade-long discussion of linking their power grids, which would be beneficial for either country as energy consumption in both nations is expected to grow in large proportions.

Sri Lanka has a black economy, three- four times the size of actual economy- Dilith Jayaweera

Sarvajana Balaya’ Presidential Elections candidate Dilith Jayaweera, in an interview with Daily Mirror, outlined his vision for a entrepreneurial Sri Lanka.

Who will get the bulk of Tamil votes in the 2024 Presidential Poll?

The Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) regarded as the premier political party of the Sri Lankan Tamils has declare its support for Samagi Jana Sandhanaya (SJS) leader Sajith Premadasa in the Presidential election scheduled on 21 September 2024.

Vehicle import companies, ministers deny Rs 53,867 Mn worth taxes to Govt.

According to the Excise (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989, taxes are not imposed on essential goods. The Act specifies that, “There shall be a charge, levied and paid on every article manufactured or produced in Sri Lanka, or imported into Sri Lanka, in the form of excise duty.

Governance is second, building economy comes first President Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his ‘Ask Me Anything Session’

How JVP/ NPP govt begins… and ends

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National People’s Power candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake rides high on opinion polls, social media posts, Twitter and Facebook likes and the crowd size.

The other three candidates come with serious, troubled pasts, I do not - Namal

SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa, who stepped surprisingly into the Presidential race, said that although he comes with the ‘Rajapaksa’ tag, his thinking is new and different and that he would try to win back their voters who had been hurt during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa era.

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.

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.