14 May 2013 - 0     - 2419

In the wake of concerns expressed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and members of the legal profession on the unprecedented transfers of judges and the appointment of a judge of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court by the President, bypassing the President of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, the question is posed as to whether the BASL and/or members of the legal profession have a right to express their concerns on suc

14 May 2013 - 0     - 2694

In fact modern societies exist and maintain stability and order, largely on the strength of their economic, political, social and cultural institutions. In spite of their complexity and diversity these institutions are characterised by certain underlying principles and values critical for their effective functioning.

14 May 2013 - 0     - 1571

We are going through a turbulent period. People are becoming unsure of themselves and things around them. They look around for stable powerful entities. Such are the times for patriarchy and father figures.

14 May 2013 - 0     - 2252

A roaring controversy appears to be going on over the plans to hold night motor races in the sacred city of Kandy next month.

07 May 2013 - 0     - 1953

Tens of thousands of people are vulnerable to being trafficked in Southeast Asia, with governments struggling to understand and respond collectively to the problem, say experts and government officials.

07 May 2013 - 0     - 3734

What is happening in Sri Lanka is frightening. But more horrific is the fact that such incidents continue to occur in higher levels if we remain a country of onlookers.

07 May 2013 - 0     - 2651

Laws of the state are a double-edged sword, and we are often oblivious of its danger. We have profound faith in the legal instrument to ensure the protection of the citizens, while maintaining social order.

07 May 2013 - 0     - 4180

After months of doubts and disputes, India reportedly intervened on behalf of Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting in London on April 26 to pave the way for the summit to be held in Colombo.

30 Apr 2013 - 0     - 1264

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers recorded 68 journalist deaths in 2012, with the on-going Syrian conflict responsible for the highest number of casualties.

30 Apr 2013 - 0     - 6669

Born on May 1,1891 in Kandy, A.E. Goonesinghe was educated at Dharmaraja College. On leaving school he sought employment as a clerk in the Railway Department, at the start. Later he took to Journalism, publishing the Journal “Search Light” to support the National Movement for freedom.

30 Apr 2013 - 0     - 2503

 The grip of the ruler based on Sinhala Buddhist chauvinism is breaking down. It is thanks to this grip which subdued the Sinhala petty bourgeoisie, that Keheliya Rambukwella the government spokesman, could ignore the fact that parliamentarians pay just Rs.2000/- per month for electricity in their free official residences and intimidates the poor.

30 Apr 2013 - 1     - 2414

Since 1956 when socialist Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike declared May Day or workers’ day as a public holiday, the occasion was deeply significant not only because of the huge colourful processions but also life-long benefits like the Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF), vibrant and powerful trade unions and other facilities.

23 Apr 2013 - 0     - 1759

The US secretary of state has taken some names and quoted figures as he spoke his heart on Syria.

23 Apr 2013 - 0     - 2056

The debate about the ‘emergence’ or ‘re-emergence’ of India as an important player at the world stage goes on the one hand. On the other, the Indian state is confronted with a major challenge, as regions (provinces) are asserting their rights and able to influence the foreign policy discourse.

23 Apr 2013 - 0     - 1804

Nobody expected this unbelievable increase in electricity charges. Hence there were protests everywhere including in clubs and associations limited to the industrialists and traders. However the tariff increases are friendly to the class separation indicating the departure from the social welfare ideology.

23 Apr 2013 - 0     - 2447

Millions of people are suffering from the unbearably high cost of healthcare— including highly expensive drugs under  a variety of brand names and often non-essential tests and unregulated charges at private hospitals.

16 Apr 2013 - 0     - 3549

“Only the working class in its mass remained loyal to the profaned homeland!” Francois Mauriac, 1943

16 Apr 2013 - 0     - 1713

“Let us join hands for an ANTI RACIST NATIONAL UNITY MAY DAY RALLY in the National capital Colombo! Let us save our Motherland from Racism and Religious Fundamentalism!  JOIN as Political parties, minority organisations, trade unions, civil groups and Individuals!”

16 Apr 2013 - 0     - 2228

US Secretary of State John Kerry has proposed a 20% cut in aid to Sri Lanka.  Two reasons have been mentioned: Sri Lanka’s recently- acquired Middle Income Country status and ‘unease in ties over issues related to human rights, reconstruction and post-conflict political integration’.

02 Apr 2013 - 1     - 3567

We in Sri Lanka are shocked and disappointed at the recent statement of Sonia Gandhi -  (Congress President  Gandhi recently denounced Sri Lanka for the “unspeakable atrocities” on Tamils).

02 Apr 2013 - 2     - 6025

The USA is not only the sole super power in the world but also boasts of the highest diplomatic presence.  When Sri Lanka has diplomatic ties with only 48 nations, the USA maintains diplomatic relations with 196 out of 206 sovereign nations in the world.

02 Apr 2013 - 0     - 2996

Kandy people’s assembly met at the YMBA hall on 31 Sunday. This is the 3rd such assembly to meet, after Colombo and Kurunegala. All these were organised by the civil society organizations led by the Platform for Freedom.

02 Apr 2013 - 0     - 5933

The Attorney General is reported to be collecting statistics on incidents of rape and child abuse. Though this has come a little too late it is commendable. We are sad to note that Sri Lanka does not maintain proper records of such ruthless crimes.

26 Mar 2013 - 0     - 2599

With a revision for electricity charges in the offing, what does the public feel about the proposed tariff hike? Having already implemented extensive measures to save electricity consumption, are there any more steps that can be taken to minimise electricity consumption or do the masses feel it’s time to revert to the good old days of the kerosene lamp and moonlight?

26 Mar 2013 - 1     - 3808

The US resolution on accountability and reconciliation, which was moved at the UNHRC, remains a threat directed at the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.

26 Mar 2013 - 0     - 2277

As hundreds of millions of people all over the world mark Holy Week, we need to reflect deeply on the real meaning of the word holy. Many people of all religions often think that to be holy means largely to go to places of worship, take part in rites and rituals or go into long hours of meditation or prayer and reflect on the holy scriptures.

19 Mar 2013 - 1     - 3300

These past few weeks, the Sri Lankan media and Indian officials have echoed US claims that its latest draft resolution is only procedural and, hence, will not harm Sri Lanka’s national interests and sovereignty.

19 Mar 2013 - 0     - 7812

In recent years empowerment of women has been recognised as the central issue in determining the progress and status of women.

19 Mar 2013 - 0     - 2537

The festival season is already looking bleak as the people are now dreading a tariff increase on electricity.

19 Mar 2013 - 0     - 3549

“At Sarnath, near Benares, I would almost see the Buddha preaching his first sermon, and some of his recorded words would come like a distant echo to me through two thousand five hundred years”

05 Mar 2013 - 0     - 2774

General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva expresses his ideas on the government’s lack of preparation for the United Nations Human Rights Council Sessions and the United States-led resolution against Sri Lanka.

05 Mar 2013 - 4     - 2164

In the Third instalment focusing on the Rights of Women; UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayaka an advocate of the Rights of Women working in the Middle East speaks to the Daily Mirror.

05 Mar 2013 - 1     - 1968

History’s greatest President of America, Abraham Lincoln envisioned and endeavoured for a united nation built on the principles of ‘equality and free labour’. His political master mindedness and genuine commitment for creating an American nation, united in its heart and soul, led to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution through  Congressional approval and ratification in 1865.

05 Mar 2013 - 1     - 3706

As the fuel crisis worsened, the Petroleum Ministry has warned that if big state consumers exceed their quotas, they will not be given fuel on credit, and will have to open their own lines of credit.

26 Feb 2013 - 4     - 2882

Sri Lanka’s illegal street sex industry is a breeding ground for sexual assault, drug abuse and crime. Could the decriminalisation of sex workers keep women safer or will it further exacerbate the social problems arising from the trade?

26 Feb 2013 - 0     - 1835

Lal kantha said, in the present era the joint struggle of the opposition led by parliamentarians is ineffective. Instead one has to concentrate on mass struggle with total participation of the partners of this struggle.

26 Feb 2013 - 2     - 2201

There is a beautiful but thought provoking moral lesson in sacred scripture. “A man had a tree planted in his garden, and he came looking for fruit, but found none”. He said to the gardener, “for three years I have been looking for fruit on this tree and found none:  Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?”. “Sir”, the man replied, “leave it one more year, and give me time to dig around a

19 Feb 2013 - 0     - 2591

Marking the ‘World Day of Social Justice’ today (Feb. 20), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “As we seek to build the world we want, let us intensify our efforts to achieve a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable development path built on dialogue, transparency and social justice.”

19 Feb 2013 - 6     - 7094

Reading reports of the recent manifestation in Maharagama, I cannot, as a political scientist, avoid the clear, decided conclusion that what we are witnessing is nothing less than the emergence of an ethno-religious fascist movement from the dark underside of Sinhala society.

19 Feb 2013 - 0     - 2098

Sumanthiran arguing for the CPA petition showed that the illegitimate impeachment process led to a fraudulent appointment to the office of Chief Justice against which legal challenges were a necessity.

19 Feb 2013 - 3     - 3912

Though the Rajapaksa regime is promising much but doing little to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) it is vitally important for Sri Lanka to learn the right lessons from what happened in history and especially the recent past and take effective action.

05 Feb 2013 - 0     - 3286

While I see the need for constitutional reform, I do not see a need for a replacement of the Constitution. My stance remains at that which I took during the Liberal Party’s discussions contained in the volume of 1991, namely, that the Constitution of ’78 was an advance over the Constitution of ’72.

05 Feb 2013 - 2     - 2888

While oppositional forces are getting ready to fight back, there is a sense of frustration among those who are eager to see the Mahinda Regime  being superseded by a more responsive, responsible and democratic governance.

05 Feb 2013 - 0     - 2306

The glow of Independence Day of our nation was an opportune moment for deep reflection. What we celebrated was not the culmination or climax of having obtained freedom, but only a process.

29 Jan 2013 - 0     - 3276

This is an extract from the first Chapter of the Report of the Army Board on ‘Implementation of the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’ (LLRC) delivered by Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development.

29 Jan 2013 - 0     - 2810

The article of the leader of opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has become an item of discussion among those who are interested in Sri Lankan politics. Many have praised it as an essay that explains many things from a liberal point of view.

29 Jan 2013 - 0     - 1867

The President, the Health Minister and other Government leaders have been stressing that top priority will be given to health because the budgetary allocation for health needs to be seen as a productive investment. We need healthy people, and we need to educate people on how to lead a healthy life if we wish to make rapid progress towards sustainable development to become a wealthy nation.

22 Jan 2013 - 2     - 3335

Rizana Nafeek’s tragedy is that she was a Muslim and a poor Sri Lankan. As a result, she gets little sympathy from either her fellow Muslims or from non-Muslim fellow countrymen.

22 Jan 2013 - 1     - 2800

Hats off to the Rajapaksa regime, the Machiavelli of Medamulane has pulled it off. Sacking a Chief Justice and getting away with it is no easy task and few governments succeed.

22 Jan 2013 - 5     - 3310

According to the UNP, the government impeached Dr. Shirani Bandaranayke in a clear attempt to gain full control of the Judiciary and to administer it according to its whims and fancies. Further it said that the removal of Dr. Bandaranayke from the post of Chief Justice was illegal and therefore Mohan Peiris could not be accepted as Lanka’s Chief Justice.

22 Jan 2013 - 7     - 2315

When it comes to Sri Lanka, not all those who board planes go on joy rides. There are those who cross the seas in search of employment. As much as wanderlust compels one to venture out of one's egg shell comfort, poverty too pushes individuals towards wide open doors; whether they lead to heaven or hell is entirely another matter.

15 Jan 2013 - 0     - 2688

Can youth play a central role in securing a permanent peace? To answer this question it will help to ascertain whether youth played a role in generating conflict in the first place. In the case of Sri Lanka, it cannot be clearer: Initial youth uprisings which planted the seeds of the three-decade ethnic conflict are a fact in our country’s history.  Both the ignition of the ethnic conflict and the JVP insurrections have stemmed from ou

15 Jan 2013 - 1     - 2894

The Parliament ‘debated’ the PSC Report, an illegal document according to court decisions, on January 10 and 11. The MPs (with an artificial majority) of the government voted by a 2/3 rd majority to impeach the Chief Justice on the evening of January 11. Accordingly, the President was able to ‘sack’ the CJ and appoint a ‘new CJ’ or an ‘Acting CJ’.

15 Jan 2013 - 8     - 4344

In the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s gravest constitutional, legal and political crises since independence, right-thinking people and especially judges and lawyers were wondering whether Sri Lanka could recover from a virtual death blow to the independence and dignity of the Judiciary  amid speculation of Sri Lanka being suspended from the Commonwealth and facing other national and international repercussions.

08 Jan 2013 - 0     - 1938

Even the stalwarts in government ranks predict that if contending parties in the present conflict do not take steps back, that a serious crisis is possible. Obviously they are concerned that a crisis in the state, could lead to a revolutionary situation.

08 Jan 2013 - 0     - 2010

Since the end of the 20th century Northeast Asia has emerged as a central force in globalisation of the world.

08 Jan 2013 - 0     - 9210

Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam Memorial Lecture will be delivered today (9)  by Sena Wijewardene, former president of UN Appeals Tribunal, at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism, Galle Road, Colombo 3, at 6 pm.

08 Jan 2013 - 5     - 3103

This week will probably be a week of destiny for Sri Lanka when we face the moment of truth and what our leaders and we do or do not do could reshape Sri Lanka’s history.

05 Jan 2013 - 3     - 4797

Deputy speaker, Attorney- at- Law Chandima Weerakkody speaks to Daily Mirror after the determination of the Supreme Court to the effect that the PSC was unconstitutional.

01 Jan 2013 - 1     - 5033

New Delhi has been dubbed ‘the rape capital’ of the world, and one would have thought that the latest case to be added to this appalling list would have been greeted with a resigned shrug.