Mastermind or not, Zahran Hashim had pivotal role in the Easter bombings

‘Pasku Praharaye Mahamolakaru Soyayema (In Search of the Mastermind of the Easter Attacks)’ is the title of a book written by ‘Pivithuru Hela Urumaya’ party leader and former Cabinet minister, Udaya Gammanpila.

US Access to the Persian Gulf Region, and the Strategic Importance of Iran

The war of aggression waged by the US and Israel against Iran seems very likely to intensify in the next few days. Washington has threatened to escalate and expand the war further if Iran does not comply with US demands.

Vijay’s TVK Party faces Tamil Nadu elections alone

Elections to the Legislature of the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu has been announced by the Election Commission of India. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23 to elect 234 members to it’s Legislative assembly.

Arrest of Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay and the allegations by Azad Maulana

Let me begin this article with an apology and explanation to readers. This week’s column should have been the second and final part of last week’s article (‘Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin, the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?’).

Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?

“Power behind the throne” is a phrase that is generally used to refer to someone who doesn’t hold an official leadership position, but is actually the one who effectively wields control.

100 years after SWRD Bandaranaike’s clarion call for federalism

Dr. Rohan Edrisingha in his illuminating essay ‘Federalism: myths and realities’ makes the following observation – “ It is significant to note that long before Tamil political leaders advocated federalism, the young S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in the mid 1920’s and the Kandyan Sinhalese representatives before the Donoughmore Commission in the late 1920’s were advocates of a federal Sri Lanka.

Douglas Devananda who fought with the Sri Lankan Army against the LTTE

Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) Chief and Secretary-General, Douglas Devananda became the latest political leader to be arrested in Sri Lanka.

How JR Amended his Constitution to Enable a Tamil MP Join The UNP Govt

Chelliah Rajadurai, a veteran politician of Sri Lanka -- perhaps the oldest among former Parliamentarians -- passed away on December 7, 2025 at the age of 98. Rajadurai hailing from Batticaloa was a colourful personality who served as an MP, Mayor, Cabinet minister and High Commissioner in an eventful political career.

Tilvin Silva’s Encounter with the Tamil Diaspora in London Protests by a few sections had no impact

“Lion of Ruhunu” at 80: Political Journey of Mahinda Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka’s fifth executive president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, will celebrate his 80th birth anniversary this week. Mahinda, born on November 18, 1945, served two terms as president from November 2005 to

Mahinda Rajapaksa at 80: Demonised by Opponents and Deified by Supporters

Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa, known to his country and the world at large as Mahinda Rajapaksa, will celebrate his 80th birth anniversary on November 18, 2025.

Killing of Lasantha Wickramasekara alias “Midigama Lasa” : Political Assassination or Gangland Execution?

An elected chairman of a Pradeshiya Sabha (divisional council) is shot dead by a lone gunman while meeting members of the public in his council office.

Mass Expulsion of Northern Muslims in 1990: Why did the LTTE do it?

October 1990 was the month in which the Tamil-speaking Muslims of the Northern province were forcibly expelled en masse by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), 35 years ago.

“Black October”: Mass Expulsion of Northern Muslims by the LTTE in 1990

October 1990 is a cruel and unforgettable month in the history of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Muslims. It was in October 1990 that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forcibly expelled the Tamil-speaking Muslim people from the Northern Province in an atrocious act amounting to ethnic cleansing.

UN Inquiry Commission report:‘Israel is Committing Genocide in Gaza’

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, released its report on September 16, 2025.

A Champion for Change Projection of AKD as an agent of Change

The first part of this article published last week delved into the election campaign conducted by Anura Kumara Dissanayake when he contested the September 2024 presidential elections.

President AKD’s U-turn: Pre-poll Propaganda and Post-Election Performance

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, known popularly as Anura and “AKD”, won the Presidential election of September 21, 2024, in what was described as a gigantic leap. From 418,553 (3.16%) votes in the 2019 Presidential election, AKD increased his vote tally to 5,634,915 (42.31%) in the 2024 Presidential poll. In the second count of votes with Sajith Premadasa, AKD obtained 5,740,179 (55.89%) votes.

Muslim Congress Leader M.H.M. Ashraff and the course of Muslim politics

Mohammad Hussein Muhammad Ashraff, known to all M.H.M. Ashraff was one of the brightest stars to shine in the Sri Lankan political firmament.

The arrest and remand of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lankan Police on Friday 22nd August 2025.

The “Weeping Widow” who Became the World’s First Woman Prime Minister

History was made 65 years ago in July 1960 when 44 year old Sirimavo Bandaranaike assumed office as the prime minister of Sri Lanka known then as Ceylon. Sirimavo shattered a glass ceiling by becoming the world’s first elected woman prime minister. It is said that the British press coined a new word “stateswoman” after Sirimavo became PM.

Bradman the Man for all seasons!

“Sir Donald George Bradman was, without any question, the greatest phenomenon in the history of cricket, indeed in the history of all ball games”.

Jaffna MP Shritharan’s Insidious Campaign Against his own party ITAK

Retiring Supreme Court Judge Gamini Amarasekara made several important observations while addressing court recently.

Will Israeli PM Netanyahu be Convicted of Charges of Corruption?

It is no secret that US president Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are both members of an exclusive mutual admiration society.

The Four in one man Frederick Forsyth: Pilot, Journalist, Spy and Writer

Is there a connection between popular English novelist Frederick Forsyth who breathed his last on 9th June 2025 and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that was militarily defeated by the Sri Lankan armed forces in May 2009?

Sumanthiran Goes to Court Over Gazetting of 5941 Acres Northern Lands Issue

A controversial issue of grave concern to the Tamil people of the northern and eastern provinces in recent times has been the seizure of privately owned lands by the Sri Lankan State and some of its organs.

Malini Fonseka : Why the Movie Queen Became a National List MP

The first Sinhala language feature film “Kadawunu Poronduwa”(Broken Promise) premiered on 21 January 1947 at the Kingsley theatre in Colombo.

ITAK’s Success at North-Eastern Local Govt. Elections Vindicates Sumanthiran

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) recorded a landslide victory at the Parliamentary elections held in November 2024.

“Brigadier” Balraj - adored by his men but admired even by the army

Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) deputy military chief Kandiah Balasegaran alias ‘Brigadier’ Balraj is regarded as the finest military commander the Tigers ever had.

Will Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam be the Future Tamil Political Leader?

Island-wide local authority elections are scheduled for 6th May 2025. At the national level, the local authority polls will provide the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)led National People’s Power(NPP) government an opportunity to prove if it is still as popular as it was at the time of the Parliamentary elections in November 2024.

How and Why the Banda-Chelva Pact was Signed by Bandaranaike and Chelvanayagam

Today, the 26th of April, is the 48th death anniversary of respected Tamil political leader Samuel James Veluppillai (SJV) Chelvanayagam.