Fighting to keep children alive

J. K. Rowling the famous author of the Harry Potter series has written a shocking and shameful story on institutionalized orphans mainly in Third  World countries.   

‘‘We are only concerned about our security, safety and law’’

State Minister M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, spoke about the current political situation in the country and also aired his views about the happenings in the east. He said that 

Sri Lanka’s way forward… let’s think outside the box

Another year is now history; nothing much to write home about. Politically, 2017 has been one of the non-eventful years. For most of us, barring some personal achievements for a few, it has been a terrible disappointment. Seventy years after 

The UNp Elite’s Neo-liberal Indianism

Whatever one may think it is, the real importance of the upcoming local authorities elections is that of a nationwide referendum on the model that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is implementing and seeking to entrench. What is that model? 

Sri Lanka: A Regressive Society

  A careful analysis of the developments in diverse fields in this country over the past 50 years or so leaves little doubt that Sri Lankan society has been on a gradual, regressive path. This proposition may appear to be inconsistent not only with the outward 

Feb.10 poll: A test for the free media

All telecasting, broadcasting and print media shall be neutral and impartial in their reporting of election-related matters and shall not discriminate against any contesting 

TUFP will contest only in the Batticaloa District this time

Former MP Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman in an interview with the Daily Mirror spoke about the current political situation and his aspirations. Muralitharan, LTTE’s one-time Eastern Province military leader, said that he regrets past violence and 

Future of the UNP-SLFP marriage

2018 should be the year Sri Lanka finally prioritises on economy and evolves a political cohesiveness that supports economic development. However, there is an acid test: the future of the UNP-SLFP unity government. The memorandum of understanding between the two parties lapsed on December 31; the SLFP says a decision will be taken after the local government elections. 

Douglas Ranasinghe: Second to none

Sena, the protagonist of Madawala S. Ratnayake’s Akkara Paha, embodies for me the failure of the post-1956 youth to realise their social aspirations. Lester James Peries selected Milton Jayawardena, then an unknown player, for the role in his adaptation, while days after his choice was finalised he was visited by Vijaya 

Rajinikanth is an advance guard of the BJP in TN politics

As 2017 ended on Sunday, Tamil filmdom’s superstar Rajinikanth made the much expected announcement of his entry into Tamil Nadu politics.   

Let’s make 2018 a green year

The New Year 2018 dawned today with the usual mixture of virtue and vice. Joy and goodwill, understanding, sharing and caring were among the virtues we show to a large extent among the people. The vice came largely in the form of wasteful expenditure, luxury and extravagance such as 

SL Army to Mali as UN goes to War

2017 was a year of many global events that unleashed waves and waves of global disruptions; their repercussions will be felt for many years to come. The unrivalled change agent probably would be the 

Politics in the New Year

Three years ago in January 2015, democratic change with the overthrow of the authoritarian Rajapaksa regime was a great moment of hope. For social institutions and movements – the effective guardians of democracy – that moment provided the space to again organise without fear. In some 

Intrepid Educationist 100 Years on...

One hundred years ago, on Jan 1, 1918, an unknown young man was appointed as Principal of Ananda College. Patrick de Silva Kularatne, barely 25 years old, had just graduated from the University of London and had no working experience whatsoever. He was charged with accelerating 

Positives and Negatives of 2017

In our last editorial for 2017, the Daily Mirror analyses the positives and the negatives of what happened this year in the socio-political, economic and other areas.

How political interference has made SriLankan wobble

In the search for a private stakeholder for the Airline, the UNP-SLFP Government altruistically contributed to the National carrier’s accumulated losses bringing it to a staggering 200 billion rupees as at end of 2017.  

A tsunami story that brings endless tears

I am writing this article because December 26th brings great grief to me. This is because of the deaths of several thousands of innocent people caused by the tsunami, which happened 13 years ago. I managed to escape that devastation and tell my story.  

More inequality, Mr Trump?

Every so often reports emerge that attempt to measure which are the best countries to live in. The Nordic countries plus New Zealand, Holland and Switzerland, usually come out the top. Sweden is number one just for the sheer stability of life and security. Denmark is seen as the most agreeable place to live. The highest rate of longevity is found in Japan. The best schools are in Finland, New Zealand and Canada. Political and press freedom put th

Torture at universities How The Mentally Disturbed Carryout Ragging

On the first day at the hostel we were requested to come to a room wearing sarongs. The second year students who entered the room thereafter asked us to remove our sarongs.

‘Freedom Accord’ for clean and sincere Local Councils

President Maithripala Sirisena pledged yesterday good governance would continue -- without bribery, corruption or  other forms of plunder of billions of the people’s resources.

Trump’s populism: Civilisation at stake for 2018

The year that will be ending in two days is remembered for many seismic events of political significance.

‘Elephantitis’ representation is NO people’s democracy

We Sri Lankans have always been ‘talking big’ instead of ‘doing big.’ Long time ago in early ‘70s, there was this big talk of commissioning Asia’s biggest condensed milk factory in Polonnaruwa. 

SLFP Victim of a power struggle between two men

Never in the history have we witnessed a strange relationship like the one between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Maithripala Sirisena and the SLFP faction led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Central Bank is absolutely corrupt and inefficient - Ravi Karunanayake

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who resigned from office over allegations related to the Central Bank bond scam, spoke to Daily Mirror. He said the truth will prevail after the report is out.

Sri Lanka-Russia tensions more than a storm in a tea cup

When Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake said that unofficial reports suggested that Russia’s restriction on the tea trade was due to Sri Lanka’s decision to ban the import of Asbestos roofing materials, it threw some light on how relations between the two countries remained strained 

Why is MoE Not Utilising Funds allocated for schools

Following our recent expose on how the Government’s procurement guidelines were brought to question by the Ministry of Education when selecting the bidder to supply computer tabs for the teachers and students associated with the Advanced Level classes, it had now come to light how the 

Let’s locate Wilpattu in the LG Elections

It’s not just another punchi chandaya or ‘minor election.’ If the local government election has by default taken on a national character then it is due to the undue importance attached to it by a government that has clearly been fighting shy of facing the voter. 

Politicians beware, 700,000 young voters checking on you

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya -- apparently determined to ensure that the February 10 local council election will be free, fair and non-violent -- met party secretaries and representatives of independent groups to brief them on election laws and processes.   

Is the punishment considered appropriate for thecrime ?

Ex-Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena pleaded guilty for not declaring his assets from 2011 to 2012 and was imposed a fine of Rs.1,000 by the Colombo...

If Politicians Divide and Rule: SL can’t heal, reconcile

Human Rights Activist Shreen Abdul Saroor is one of the fifteen activists who has been awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of...