Asia for Asians: Let there be peace in new Indo-Pacific region!

On January 1 last year, this column drew attention to what was then a subtle move to formalise a new geopolitical region dominated by an alliance between India and the United States. The backdrop was a nascent cold war between the US and China. 

CONTRADICTIONS AND CONTROVERSIES IN MANGALA’S MAIDEN BUDGET

Much has been said and more talked about Mangala’s maiden budget, the 72nd budget in Independent Ceylon and now Sri Lanka. 

Will TNA be affected by EPRLF’s split?

After a long-running wrangling between its main constituent party and the other relatively smaller parties, the main Tamil coalition - the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - seems to have finally split clearly. 

Struggle for Human Rights in Sri Lanka

The UPR was enacted in 2006 by the General Assembly of the UN as a process in which the human rights record of every member state is scrutinized by fellow member states and its adherence to obligations in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights instruments is tested. 

I vow to thee my country!

Those defeated, sacked from parties and scribes living in comfort in other countries, to which they fled long ago, are included too.

How to win the Referendum? A tale of two Constitutions

Every country has two Constitutions: a “Legal Constitution” and a “Political Constitution”. To win a referendum and to introduce a new Constitution, Sri Lanka must change both. 

Senaka Bibile’s Drug Policy Reminds of Bernard Shaw’s ‘Doctor’s Dilemma’

Hypocritic oath, humanity, professionalism all weighed against pecuniary interests leads to conflict of interest, pushing doctors to a catch-22 situation. With little options, naturally they would choose the economic alternative; select the affluent patient over the most 

Towards re-honouring the nation

I do not come to bury Yahapalanaya or to herald the blossoming of the pohottuwa. The Yahapalanists are burying Yahapalanaya and that’s not cause for celebration but lament. As for the fortunes of the pohottuwa, again it appears that the Yahapalanists are 

Despite divisions, the two main parties can work together

Despite regular disputes on policy issues and personal agendas, the National Unity Government’s coalition partners -- the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) -- have little or no option but to stay together. This is not only for 

“UNP has a healthy working relationship with President” -Sagala Ratnayake

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, spoke about the progress of the investigation into various cases and the plans for reforming the police and current politics. Minister Ratnayake, who is also the Chief of Staff of the Prime 

Wijeweera and the nation’s lost Brigade: An Ode in November

The month of November is a gloomy and sombre one in the calendar. It is the start of winter in certain parts of the world with bleak sceneries, dreary days and cold nights. 

The rise of Iran along the ancient Persian lines

Although the news from the Middle East creates an impression of an imminent war, chances are that Iran and Saudi Arabia continuing to play it by proxy until the rookie, the impulsive Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is assured of unlimited military assistance by the Donald Trump Government.  

When Sri Lanka re-writes its constitution trade union rights should be considered

Gautam Mody is the General Secretary of the New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI) of India. When still a student he joined the trade union movement inspired by some workers taking over a ?metal factory. 

13th Amendment: Who has committed and who is pushing?

A public debate has already begun on the proposed new Constitution/Constitutional Amendments. Heated arguments are being carried out on various aspects such as proper place to Buddhism, whether the country should be called Unitary/Orumitta nadu or United etc. etc...

Maha Sangha becoming fundamentalist…was Gnanasara a mere forerunner?

Prior to the last Presidential Elections in 2015, the Rajapaksa clan tried a fast one. And it backfired. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, who is more akin to a street thug-clad-in-saffron robes in search of a cause to push his own ego and those of whom he had vowed to place on the throne than a layman who has renounced a greed-ridden life. 

THE ‘SWEET’ AND ‘STRONG’ SIDE OF BUDGET 2018 - EDITORIAL

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has opened a Pandora’s Box, while presenting the budget for 2018, by saying that beer is healthier than sweetened soft drinks.

Consequences of budget pro posals on alcohol

Statement issued by the Expert Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit drugs of the  Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). SLMA is the national professional medical association which brings together medical practitioners of all grades and all branches of medicine.  It is the oldest 

Bangladesh may be in turmoil as opposition threatens boycott of 2018 polls

The leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Begum Khaleda Zia, has thrown a political bombshell by declaring that the BNP, which is the principal opposition group in the country, will not contest the 2018 parliamentary elections if there is no Neutral Caretaker Government (NCG) composed of non-partisan people to conduct free and fair elections. 

Facts and fiction in AP story on asylum seeker torture

How do you strike a balance between commonsense and compassion? That is a tricky question, but two things may not necessarily be interrelated.

Bickering by Tamil politicians hampering development - Reginald Cooray

Northern Province Governor Reginald Cooray, in an interview with the , spoke about constitution making, social conditions and attitudes of politicians in the north. Following are excerpts of the interview.   

WAR CRIMES AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES - EDITORIAL

On November 15, 2017 the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) Universal Periodic Review will once again be reviewing Sri Lanka’s....

For less cumbersome and more victim-friendly laws

The laws on rape in Sri Lanka were amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No.22 of 1995. According to former Human Rights....

Will SLFP compete with JVP for 4th place at LG polls?

Six weeks before S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike’s SLFP gained power, US President Eisenhower, in a speech stated…

Conserving Yala: An alternative approach

Much has been written and said about Block 1 of Yala National Park and its over-visitation, causing disturbance and....

PROFESSIONALISM TOWARDS NATION BUILDING

A profession is a vocation on specialized educational training and professionalism is any type of work that needs special training or practical skills after training a high level of education. The Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA), set up in 1974, is currently the most powerful professional body 

Zionism’s undoing; the aftermath of the Balfour Declaration.

Even former US president Jimmy Carter who single-handily (without much Jewish appreciation) did more to make Israel secure than any other living person confesses neither he nor anyone can change the march of demographics. Within the boundaries of the Holy Land there are just over six million 

Why father and daughter failed in 1957 & 2000?

“…The writer believes the true solution to the problem mentioned is contained in the federal system and these articles are intended as a General Introduction to the subject”.SWRD Bandaranaike- Ceylon Morning Leader May 19, 1926 [an extract from his six articles to the newspaper]  

Sobitha Thera’s just society; where are we? - EDITORIAL

In this new millennium, the Buddhist prelate who made the most significant contribution towards the rebuilding of a just and....

Saudi purge: Pitfalls in prince’s power plays

The events that have been shaking the Middle East in the past several days and taking even the politically weathered Middle East....

Before and after the Designer Budget

Preceded by a week of ‘petrol anger’ in a country that queued long hours to buy few litres of petrol each day, Mangala Samaraweera...