A long way to go

Among leaders, political leaders are the least researched. Political leaders can be categorised based on their time-orientation. Certain leaders glorify the past and struggle to let go of it. 

A HARMONIOUS BEING

This is a laudable tribute to Vethanthi Kumaraswamy Maheswaran, a doctor by profession. He was popular and was dedicated to his profession. He hailed from an orthodox family. He remained a bachelor and was gracious and gentle. He served as a physician for many years at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital and also in the private sector. He was greatly honoured and highly respected.  

Yahapalanaya from crutches to a wheelchair

Here is a Government that is desperately trying to govern a small country, comprising 21 million people. For the record, the number of people in this island is even smaller than the Haryana State in India which has a population of 23 million.

“Disappointed”

To my knowledge the regime change took place in 2015 on the vote bank of educated middle class, upper middle class, voters of the North-East and Central Province. But compared to 2010 election results one can say there was a heavy surge of youth votes in favour of the UNF

Liberalism: The history of a paradox

The recent spate of riots and indiscriminate acts of violence in Charlottesville, Virginia has raised alarm everywhere. What these riots suggest is that the alternative right has gained the upper hand, at least nominally, and that those in charge are reluctant to call a spade a spade. They are all copping out, so commentators point out. 

Legislator’s executive presumptions

There was a time when ‘separation of powers’ was intensely discussed. It was over a question of territoriality, in particular the transgressions. The focus was the Chief Justice and the debate was about executive overreach and legislative complicity. Examples of judicial transgressions were also thrown around at the time, i.e. cases when a Chief Justice played ‘executive’.

Listen to the Ocean

Though divided on many issues, the National Unity Government is to stay together at least till 2020, largely for the survival of the two major parties though there will also be benefits for the common good of the people. 

‘People are also against the postponing Elections’

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshappriya in an interview with our sister paper ‘Deshaya’ said that his office had no intention of Gazetting any election before September 30th. He further said that his office will authorize the list of voters only on September 30th. 

‘Unity Govt further important in the interest of the country’

In the wake of the national Unity Government completing two years, United National Party (UNP) MP Ajith Mannapperuma spoke about the current status of the Government and how the country should move forward. Here are excerpts of the interview: 

Resentful dependency is killing us, because it is stifling our movement…

Resentful dependency, a human condition that is borne out of an amalgam of conditions producing resentment of the ultimate product, yet creates an unmistakable and consistent dependency on that resultant condition. It is cruel in inherent nature and the results it produces. 

Ministries are not lotteries

After the resignation of Ravi Karunanayake as the Foreign Minister, the government has reverted the two lotteries boards, the National Lotteries Board and the Development Lotteries Board back to the Finance Ministry functioning under Minister Mangala Samaraweera.   

DELAYS IN LEGAL SYSTEM, RULES OF LAW AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Hon William Gladstone said in the frequently used adage in the legal circle that “Justice Delayed is Justice denied” which is applicable to the justice system worldwide. [We inherited English legal principles of presumption of innocence and application of Rule of Law which means to act according to the existing legal framework, everyone should be treated equally before the law.

Circulation of Elites, Social Justice and Socio-economic Development

If you are a Sinhala music lover, close your eyes and listen to a few of Nanda Malini’s best songs. And then, reflect on her widely reported humble beginnings in a disadvantaged settlement in Colombo. Fortunately, for her and us, her innate talents were in music, not in any other institutionalized area of professional work where the rise to a higher level of competence and recognition has long been dependent on access to social and financ

A significant number of SLFPers will quit the Govt. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana

Joint Opposition’s MP for the Galle District Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, spoke about the current political developments and how the country should move forward. Here are excerpts of the interview:   

NPC fails to live up to its promise

The Northern Provincial Council (NPC), which came into being in September 2013, after elections landmark had raised much hopes....

Why Does Sl seek Chinese investments for Ports Development?

Despite being a staggering US$1.12 billion investment, the recent agreement between Sri Lanka Ports....

We will rise - EDITORIAL

Almost all cricketing nations in the world have had their rough patches. The teams with better infrastructure and funds like Australia....

Can President’s new economic council end SLFP obstructionism?

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to set up a National Economic Council (NEC) which will become the apex body tasked...

‘Digital terrorism is far worse than what anybody could believe’

Most people in Sri Lanka don’t think about global domination,” says Sanjiva Weerawarana, the Founder, CEO and Chief Architect of...

Authorities cleaning Colombo, but beggars want their wounds

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka stated in April that beggars in Colombo city will be removed....

Terror at Charlottesville - America’s day of shame - EDITORIAL

The number thirteen is generally seen by large sections of the populace as being unlucky. And so it came to be in the town of....

Economic Crisis and Co-operative Possibilities

The economy in the north is in crisis. Youth unemployment is high, rural incomes are irregular and devastating indebtedness is....

China phobia 50 years ago and 200 Mao’s Red Guard Badges

 It all started during the tail-end of Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s 1960-64 rule. The two Bandaranaike’s close ties with Peking’s Communist leaders encouraged them to donate an International Conference Hall in commemoration, especially of SWRD Bandaranaike who embarked on diplomatic relations with Communist China in 1957. 

Forced marriage women and girls cannot be disposable

Supportive marriages, leading to nurturing environments for families, are the building blocks of our society.  

Federalism is not Separatism Rules Supreme Court

The month of August saw a flurry of hectic political activity in Sri Lanka. The statement made by controversial Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the Presidential Commission of inquiry followed by his resignation, the move to postpone Provincial Council polls by way of the 20th Constitutional 

For whom the bells toll

Today we mark the United Nation’s World Humanitarian Day to pay tribute to aid workers or first respondents who risk their lives in humanitarian space and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. 

Nuclear sabre rattling with North Korea

Does President Donald Trump (aka Fire and Fury) know what a nuclear war would be like? I ask the question because President Roland Reagan confessed he did not until he decided to look at some movies (once an actor, he was a cinema man), like “On the Beach” that depicted a nuclear war. 

Ravi, Wijeyadasa and Marapana Manifestation of Govt’s moral predicament

Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake resigned from his Ministerial post on August 10 following pressure exerted by members...

The big bluff in asking for promises the 6.2 mn voted for

An organised crowd of around thousand men and women met in the shadow of the Buddha statue in the Vihara Maha Devi Park....

government to unveil economic vision till 2025 - Eran Wickramaratne

State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the future economic plan...