To re-democratize Sri Lanka, abolish Executive Presidency

As a voter and a stakeholder in the country’s governance and electoral system /process, the writer was enlivened by a clarion call in the press by a group of lawyers, academics and civil rights activists to abolish the Executive Presidency.

How Sajith Premadasa’s gamble plays out against him, his party and the country

A rhetorical question: What difference would it have made if Sajith Premadasa delivered the speech Thalatha Athukorala did last week?

Are we an independent nation or a banana republic?

Our country is heading to the polls. On 21 September all of us eligible voters will be making a choice for one of the thirty-eight candidates whose name and symbol adorn the ballot papers. Some of these candidates will canvass only in particular districts reducing the electoral process to a farce.

Religious, civil society and academic community want balanced devolution of power to regions

This document has been compiled by members of religious and civil society and the academic community from all parts of the country after extensive discussion and consultations conducted over a period of several months. It is to be presented to the presidential candidates to include in their manifestos along with the pledge that they will support its implementation regardless of the outcome of the election.

Buddhists, Hindus believe in the power of White Elephant to subdue enemies

Myanmar’s military junta, facing powerful armed insurgencies in the North Eastern part of the country, has decided to use Buddhist symbolism to defeat the enemy.

Candidates, declare your plans to repay foreign debts - EDITORIAL

The only lifeline for Sri Lanka for the recovery from the current economic crisis and achieving long-term economic development seems to be the programme sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) initiated by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in March 2022.

Namal’s Challenge: Nationalism and Rajapaksa Legacy

‘I Am Ready for the Challenges; … We always believed in nationalism, and we need to protect that. We believed the policies that suit our country were not addressed by the government.’ – Namal

A note on Mangala Samaraweera

It has been three years since the unexpected passing of my friend Mangala.

SC’s rights ruling and President’s ‘Hobson’s choice’ - EDITORIAL

On 22 August this month, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled the President in his capacity as Finance Minister had infringed the rights of the people by postponing the 2023 Local Government (LG) elections.

Making a joke of presidential elections

The process leading up to the presidential election has commenced. With the death of one contestant on Thursday and the withdrawal of another thirty-eight out of forty candidates who placed their deposits will be contesting the elections.The ballot paper is expected to be 27 inches long if the paper is printed single column and between 11 - 12 inches if the paper is printed double column!

Why are elections so costly?

The Election Commission on August 16 announced the maximum amount of money that could be spent by candidates who contest the September 21 Presidential election for their campaigns, by an extraordinary gazette.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.