The many twists and turns in Sri Lanka-Israel relations

Sri Lanka’s relationship with Israel has been unique. In the past 75 years as an independent nation, Sri Lanka has recognised, derecognized and again recognised Israel, guided by ever changing ideological, geopolitical and domestic factors. But in contrast to Sri Lanka, Israel has been consistent: It has always wanted good relations with Sri Lanka and has helped Sri Lanka whenever its help was sought, irrespective of the official status of the

For Unto Us A Child Is Born - EDITORIAL

Everywhere in the world today children have become unbelievably vulnerable. How could we become more sensitive and committed to their plight? What does the birth of Christ, who was a child once...

Christmas in Bethlehem Subdued by Conflict

“Invite the poor to share a meal with you on Christmas Day,” - His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. “Colombo Sparkles and Shines …” Streets of Colombo were lit up for the festive season....

When the Tigers Shot Down the Lionair Flight 602 in the Mannar Sea

Twenty-five years ago an Antonov 24 aircraft carrying fifty-five civilians from Jaffna to Colombo was shot down over the Gulf of Mannar by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 29 September 1998.

The Dilemma of the UNP and the SLPP

The solitary member of the United National Party (UNP) in Parliament, Vajira Abeywardena seems to be clever in grabbing and holding media attention but sometimes in wrong ways – in most occasions damaging his own image.

Is The ‘Lion of Ruhuna’ Losing His Mane - EDITORIAL

In Lanka today, the winds of change are blowing. Unfortunately, it is an ill-wind which blows across our country.

The Destroying Of A Vibrant Helpful Culture - EDITORIAL

The citizens of this sun-kissed island are getting ready for a doubtful 2024, but before that they have to celebrate Christmas and the dawn of the New Year. This celebrating habit has continued....

Gaza ceasefire: US is on the wrong side of history

From Tuesday, for three days in a row, the United States, out of its unwavering devotion to its ‘chosen’ ally, Israel, deliberately delayed a highly diluted United Nations Security Council’s....

In A Well-Governed Country, We Should Be Ashamed Of Poverty

Spiritual revelation says that when we bear each other’s burdens, we will fulfill the law of the Truth. We need to deeply ponder on this insight as we consider how and in what way we could assist in the vital area of poverty alleviation. According to the United Nations, this issue should be based on the theme “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All”. The world body says, the International Day for the Eradication o

For Sri Lanka, A Governance-Linked Bond Might Just Be The Ticket

It is a truth universally acknowledged that if Sri Lanka under-performs on its governance corrections, it will underperform on its economic recovery as well (with apologies to Jane Austen); the first provides the foundation for the second. Sri Lanka secured IMF board approval for the second tranche of the current IMF programme exactly 102 days after the scheduled date for the first review. It is not normal for a second tranche to be so delayed, a

Election Year: Would it wreck the economic recovery?

Sri Lankan economy expanded by 1.6 per cent in the third quarter of this year, slowly emerging from one and half years of contraction. With the service sector picking up and manufacturing....

Need To Lift Ban On Oil Palm Cultivations

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake is reported to have assured hard-pressed oil palm cultivators in Matugama that he would persuade the government to lift the ban on oil palm cultivations...

‘War On Drugs’ - Eradicate The Cause Not The Victims - EDITORIAL

Our country faces a major drugs-related problem. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that there are currently about 45,000 regular users of heroin and about 600,000...

Where Is The Promised Safety Net For The Poor?

The country is totally relying on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led programme for recovery from the unprecedented economic crisis that was created by the leaders who for the past several decades promised to the people a paradise on earth. Despite the successful recovery being still in the balance, the economic reforms that are being implemented under the IMF programme have already started to bite especially the poor and the vulnerable. Th

Simplifying A ‘Himalayan Task’ : GTF & Bikkhu Group’s Commendable Approach

The Global Tamil Forum, a twice-banned diaspora organization, has reportedly received a warm reception during their recent visit to Sri Lanka. They’ve arrived with a delegation of Buddhist monks to present the Himalaya Declaration. While their meetings with the President, religious figures, and civil leaders have caused concerns in certain sectors, there haven’t been direct attacks or confrontations reported. These receptions might suggest a pote

Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts - EDITORIAL

Last week, U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, Desirée Cormier Smith was in Lanka. During her time here, Ms. Smith met Malaiyaha Tamils - up country Tamils - civil society....

Authoritarian Austerity in Global Context

Economies are shaped by politics, and development is intrinsically linked to democracy. With over fifty countries in the Global South facing severe debt problems, what does the future of democracy....

Indo-Sri Lanka Grid Connectivity – Its Pros and Cons

The Electricity Bill is officially published in the Gazette and is yet to be presented to the Parliament. This article restricts to Indo-Sri Lanka Grid....

Suma, Shri And Yohes In Triangular Contest For ITAK/FP Leadership

The Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) known in English as the Federal Party (FP) is the premier political party of the Northern and Eastern Sri Lankan Tamils. The ITAK/FP was formed on 18 December 1949.

Truth About Truth Seeking

Last week saw two important events in respect of reconciliation among various communities in Sri Lanka. In one of them, several members of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), a group from the Tamil diaspora and a group of leading Buddhist monks, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters on December 8, and handed over a document called “Himalaya Declaration.”

The Festive Season Amid Soaring Poverty, Hunger And Inequality - EDITORIAL

The season of Christmas with all its attendant festivities is with us. Yet our country is broke. Some among us like to think that we have recovered from our national bankruptcy, pointing out that we now have reserves and that international financial agencies are willing to offer us credit. But the fact of the matter is, we have not even started to repay our outstanding debts.

Are There No Citizens In This Country? - EDITORIAL

Propaganda campaigns in this sun-kissed island targeting future elections have commenced, but we don’t see these efforts being strong enough to attract the attention of intellectuals...

Why is US pro-Israel?

While calls for a Gaza ceasefire intensify, with more than 18,500 civilians, mostly women and children, killed, a rift is brewing between the United States and its staunchest ally, Israel. This is no indication....

Collective Effort to Eradicate Poverty

With Sri Lanka’s 2024 budget being approved by Parliament yesterday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is likely to give approval to its second tranche of a USD 3 billion bailout package, after which the country’s economy is likely to stabilize. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has handled the economic crisis with skill, but the Government of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is badly split with different fractions expressing different vi

The Battle Between The Savage Mentality Of Regimes And Human Rights

The world is celebrating 75 years of human rights at this point of time, and its timely to look back and reflect on how Sri Lanka has fared in a subject which promises a better and righteous society. From the time Sri Lanka received independence from the British, many avenues were opened for the downtrodden masses to educate themselves and hold high positions in society and even in government establishments. Before that such positions and the be

The VAT Hike, Political Parties, The IMF And COL - EDITORIAL

On Sunday, Parliament approved the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill at a time most of our citizens are struggling to provide their families with three square meals a day. We also know the bill....

Sri Lanka Can Set Up A PMC That Could Rival Wagner. Why Not Do That?

Last week, three ex-Sri Lankan military personnel were killed in a Russian attack while serving with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion. The trio were undertaking a rescue operation ahead of the forward....

It Is Up To The People Now, To Rectify The Situation

Parliament sessions on Sunday had to be adjourned for Monday for want of quorum, while the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill was being debated. Interestingly, only 18 out of 225 members elected by the people to represent them were present at the time of adjournment, even after the quorum bell was rung. 207 members had absented themselves. Parliamentary quorum is just 20 members. The VAT Amendment Bill that was to be passed on Sunday is meant

Privatization of Militaries Opens Doors for Soldiers of Fortune

In these days of economic downturns and rising unemployment, it is not surprising that Sri Lankans and Nepalese with a military background are finding jobs in their line of expertise in the Russo-Ukrainian war theatre. While retired Sri Lankan military men are finding opportunities in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion (UFL), the Nepalese are heading for Russia to serve as auxiliaries in the armed forces of that country. The recruitment of foreigners

Saturday’s Islandwide Blackout - Sabotage Or Incompetence? - EDITORIAL

Shortly after 17:00hrs on Saturday, the lights went out in Lanka. At first most people felt it was a localised power failure. Shortly...