True dimensions of “sanhindiyawa” in our schools

What is it about nationalism that irks academics? Why has scholarship for so long denigrated nationalist ideologies as repelling, alienating and negative? More specifically, why has Western scholarship treated nationalism as an ideology of the Other, thereby denying it any validity and monopolising its validity in the West? I believe it was Vaclav Havel who once complained that soon after the Iron Curtain collapsed, the same Western powers which

Pity this ‘Noble Land of the World’

We sing our own praises. We sing we are the “Lokenuthum rata Lankavayi….” (Lanka the noble land of the world). In this noble land, the Presidential Commission, investigating into the Central Bank’s (CBSL) Treasury Bond scam has opened up a huge stinking cesspit that makes the nine year Rajapaksa rule “a bearable stink”. 

People’s fate worse than that of Ravi

In Sri Lanka there are no laws or traditions or generally accepted ethical values that prevent a Minister from accepting such gifts. Then why did Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake tell the Presidential Commission inquiring into the controversial Central Bank bond issue that he wouldn’t have accepted the penthouse, where his family resides now, had he known it was given to him by his long-time friend Arjun Aloysius?

“Indian Govt. should also take action to prevent illegal fishing”

Prof. Alfred H.A. Soons is an Emeritus Professor of Public International Law at the Utrecht University. He is an expert in the Law of the Sea. Currently he is a member of the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/ABE-LOS) of the UNESCO.

New political alignments in the offing after Ravi K. debacle

Although government politicians, both UNP and UPFA, asked Mr. Karunanayake to relinquish office rather than get axed through a parliamentary process, it is learnt he has refused to resign   

Can you trust a psychiatrist and his diagnosis

Just because you have symptoms of diabetes, such as a frequent passing of urine or excessive thirst, a physician can’t be certain it is diabetes.   

Let the Court of History summon all perception-peddlers

Dayan Jayatilleka is absolutely opposed to any move that goes beyond the 13th Amendment (in terms of power-devolution). ‘Not even a single millimeter!’ Is he ready to concede. He adds a caveat: ‘even the implementation of the 13th amendment must be gradual and conditional on conduct.’   

The Revolutionary Road

As events are being organized to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the iconic Hollywood blockbuster, Titanic, the best legacy of the movie perhaps is not its global fan following that revived the romantic genre in Hollywood. It’s most important inheritance, one may say, is what the movie’s male lead, Leonardo DiCaprio did with his new found super stardom – starting a movement that has today become one of the biggest contrib

Exact date of signing ETCA cannot be mentioned Chief ETCA negotiator

Ahead of the next round of talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India, Sri Lanka’s Chief Negotiator K.J. Weerasinghe said that he could not stipulate when the agreement could be signed exactly. However, Mr. Weerasinghe, who is also the Consultant to the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, hinted that it might be at the end of this year or early 2018. The excerpts:

The struggle against the economic crisis is serious

In a recent interview Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake -one of the leading figures who contributed to establish Good Governance in Sri Lanka-expressed the following views regarding the present political and economic situation in the country.     

SL was not prepared in signing FTA with India in 1998

Leading industrialist and Chairman of Nature’s Secrets Samantha Kumarasinghe says that the present Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India has left Sri Lanka at a loss. Therefore, he stresses that SL should be well prepared in advance before heading for any agreement with India. He shared the following thoughts when the Daily Mirror  spoke to him.  

Holding PC elections on a single day

It is highly rumoured that the government is going to amend the Constitution so as to conduct elections to all nine Provincial Councils on a single day, without having them on a staggered basis as done thus far.

The culture gap… a gaping black-hole on earth

A black-hole is defined as follows: ‘A region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape’. In today’s context, Sri Lanka is increasingly drawn towards that cultural black-hole which soaks and sucks every ounce of social decency, financial discipline and passionate idealism that once resided in the sublime hearts and minds of countless inhabitants of this once blessed land. 

Public policy should be based on fact, not fiction

Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) held its 10th International Research Conference at the university premises on August 3 and 4 on the theme “Changing Dynamics in the Global Environment: Challenges and Opportunities”. The symposium featured an interesting yet disquieting presentation by Col. L.C.R. Jayasuriya of the Sri Lanka Army on a topic entitled ‘The Influence of Global Islam Radicalisation to Sri Lanka’. &n

SAITM as model for expanding Medical Education?

A response to the Subcommittee on Higher Education of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee

One-eyed ex-Tiger rebel sees a future through social work

Memories of the gruesome ethnic conflict would never fade away. While two ethnicities fought for their own freedom, there were those who viewed the conflict with much vengeance and some who supported it. But the stories of those who supported it are seldom heard of. This is the story of Vetrichelvi Velu – an Ex-LTTE cadre turned social worker -who is now supporting differently abled women to overcome challenges.

Ravi K and the political paralysis in Yahapalanaya

It is conventional wisdom that Minister Ravi Karunanayake should have resigned – or failing that be sacked -- after those earth shattering....

Kandy Perahera is a unique symbol of Sinhala Buddhist identity - Ven. Godagama Mangala Thera

In the aftermath of historic Kandy Esala Perahera, Viharadhipathi of Rangiri Dambulu Rajamaha Vihare Ven. Godagama Mangala Thera...

Children are our future leaders!

Children are very precious. They are treasures too. They are worthy. Some may malignantly argue and viciously disagree with...

China enlarges its footprint on South Asia

China is increasing its footprint throughout South Asia with global power United States, under Donald Trump becoming inward looking, and...

Decision should be taken in the best interest of the country

Two years after assuming office, the National Unity government is facing one of its biggest crises in the aftermath of the bombshell revelations made last Wednesday at the sittings of the Commission probing the alleged multi-million dollar bond scam in the Central Bank. 

Liberalisation and Crony Capitalism

Negotiations and allocations for the 2018 budget are underway. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe states there will be another round of liberalisation with the budget.  

A pure science of mind and matter

Buddhism has been described by Buddhist Scholar S.N. Goenka as “a pure science of mind and matter”. He substantiates this on the basis that Buddhism uses precise, analytical, philosophical and psychological terminology and reasoning .

End of Containment and Emerging Strategic Confusion

If the 20th Century American foreign policy makers had an X-Men pantheon, George F. Kennan would be the first of X-Men. 2017 marks 70 years into a policy doctrine that came in the form of a diplomatic telegram in 1946 from the serving US ambassador in Russia to the state department and later published in July of 1947 in the Journal of Foreign affairs under the title of ‘The Sources of Soviet Conduct’.   

Being single is my real strength

He is the most popular actor in Sri Lankan Cinema. You can imagine how he has won the attraction of the people, largely due to the fact that he won on 11 consecutive times two of the most popular awards; the Most Popular Actor among people and the Most Popular Actor among the youth.   

Ukraine should become a buffer state

Now a few recent words from Jack Matlock who was US ambassador to Moscow under Presidents Reagan and Bush senior:  

Nuclear weapons: Let’s hope for a miracle

With North Korea’s recklessly arrogant young leader Kim Jong-un testing intercontinental ballistic missiles and boasting he would soon have the 

Birthday boy Obama, his friend Patrick and Bernie Sanders

As Barack Obama celebrates his 56th birthday today, his first in retirement, plans are underway by his allies to push another African-American, a former Massachusetts Governor and a close friend of Obama, Deval Patrick, for 2020 Presidency.

Hambantota can become Shanghai if security concerns are handled diligently

The Hambantota port has seen a sea a criticism ever since the then Mahinda Rajapaksa government laid the foundation for it in 2010.  In comparison, any opposition to last Saturday’s agreement between the Sri Lanka government and China Merchants Port Holdings seems like a drizzle in the middle of an ocean. 

An indefinite strike definitely doomed to fail

The “indefinite” work stoppage launched by the trade unions of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) on July 25 was the most absurd and foolhardy trade union action resorted to by any trade union in the recent times.