International convention for the protection of all person from enforced disappearances bill

Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Mahishini Colonne has sent the following letter to the Editor:   

India China standoff to continue indefinitely

The India-China military and political staff at Doklam on the Bhutan-Tibet border appears to be in for the long haul because both sides seem to have painted themselves into a corner and can’t back out without loss of face.   

President Maithripala Sirisena should be the Next Presidential Candidate - Duminda Dissanayake

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake in an interview with the Daily Mirror spoke about the party’s future in the wake of attempts by a section of its members to leave the National Unity Government together with the United National Party (UNP). He shared the following:   

Why these UN reps are a bane to reconciliation

Ben Emmerson, the UN special rapporteur on counter terrorism and human rights, who visited Colombo last week criticized Sri Lanka for the slow pace of the transitional justice process and warned that the international community was running out of patience. He demanded that the government repealed the Prevention of Terrorism Act, but also insisted that the proposed counter terrorism

Secrets; when will we ever know?

Cricket lovers in Sri Lanka might not be happy with the clash between the two legends of the game, former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Arjuna Ranatunga the current Minister of Petroleum and Renewable Resources. They are indirectly levelling serious allegations against each other, which if proved, would definitely ruin their hard earned reputations.   

LESSONS FROM THE MONTH OF JULY - EDITORIAL

We Sri Lankans, like other inhabitants of this planet are first and foremost, citizens of this earth and in this context, creed, breed, high-born...

Cemeteries as Caste-Markers

In caste-ridden societies, dominant castes claim privilege through birth, but as evident from recent caste conflicts in Jaffna, death.....

The State is being re-oriented to serve foreign capital - Tamara Kunanayakam

Tamara Kunanayakam was the recipient of ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’Award in this year’s ‘Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards’ organized...

Political Super Brands trumps political facts

The focus in this column is on a new level of advanced capitalism that is driving political processes globally. Thus a few lines from....

What’s Right? What’s Left?

It goes back to the French revolution of 1789. At the Revolutionary Convention the most radical of the insurgents decided to seat themselves on the left side. “Why not on the other side, the right side, the place of rectitude, where law and the higher rights resided, when man’s best hand could be raised in righteous honour?” wrote Melvin Lasky in what was then Britain’s most influential intellectual monthly, 

Youth skills for effective climate change solutions

With modern technology’s marvels giving the people, mainly the youth, the privilege of having a virtual university in their pockets or hand bags, the United Nations World Youth Skills Day today has vital significance for the youth and the world.

How political interference made SriLankan crashland!

The first Sri Lankan flag carrier Air Ceylon [1947-1979] terminated its operations to pave way for Air Lanka [1979-98]. Following its partial acquirement by Emirates in 1998, it was re-branded SriLankan Airlines. From 1998 it was dressed in the current livery. 

Making durable products out of garbage!

The writer is an inventor and an Ex-CEO Executive Director/Sr. Lecturer in UK, Oman, PNG and Sri Lanka  

GROBR: Good riddance of bad rubbish

Though the United States, which is not only one of the most powerful countries but also one of the biggest environmental polluters, has decided to withdraw from the Paris climate change accord, Sri Lanka has thankfully joined the rest of the world in taking effective measures to win the battle against climate change or global warming. US President Donald Trump has come in for much criticism in his country and worldwide for what is seen as a selfi

If not peace, what’s next after ISIS defeat in Mosul?

Iraq’s victory over ISIS in Mosul is not the end of the road for the most ruthless terror group. Neither does it herald the beginning of a peaceful era in the land trod by prophets and peacemakers.  The troubles are far from over, with little or no effort being made to address their root causes. In all likelihood, the next powder keg is Kurdistan. 

An inverted promise

Going by the occasional statements made by President Maithripala Sirisena about the so-called anti-corruption drive of the Government one would definitely wonder as to what his real stand  was on the allegations of high profile corruption against the leaders of the previous government led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He might be seen as blowing hot and cold on the issue.

Enough with Tinsel Kings of medicine

The mafia type GMOA leadership declared a week ago they would go on an indefinite strike, if Prof. Carlo Fonseka was not re-appointed as Chairman of the SLMC. 

Mahanayake Thera’s statement ruling out a new Constitution timely and historic

Ven. Prof. Induragare Dhammarathana Thera, who is involved in the activities of the nationalist groups, supports the statement made by the Mahanayake Theras that the country did not require a new Constitution at this hour. Ven. Dhammarathana Thera, attached to the Department of Sanskrit at Kelaniya University, says the Mahanayake Theras fulfilled their historic duties. Following are the excerpts of the interview with him: 

‘Sri Lanka needs to have a sense of urgency’ -Won-sam Chang

Well, I am happy to say that since 1977, when our two countries established diplomatic ties, we have made steady progress in various areas of mutual interest, despite some ups and downs. Every year, we are witnessing active and growing exchanges of visits, not only at governmental level, but also at the grassroots level.

Let’s define “National Interest” as “A Sustainable Nation”

There’s a descriptive that was liberally used not too long ago to describe Sri Lanka: “failed state”. Those who used that term not surprisingly were (at the time) ardent cheer-leaders of that 21st Century version of ‘White Man’s Burden,’ R2P (Responsibility to Protect). The ‘failed state,’ managed to record a comprehensive victory over terrorism, 

Sri Lanka needs a selfless Mandela

Next week on Thursday, July 18 we celebrate the 99th birth-anniversary of South Africa’s first coloured President and legendary freedom fighter Nelson Mandela who is widely regarded as one of the noblest leaders of modern times.   

This elusive thing called Democracy!

The former President of the United States of America Barack Obama in his last official foreign visit to Greece delivered his speech at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens. Obviously perturbed by the shock result of the then recently concluded Presidential election,

Anti-corruption drive left for dead now

The future of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat, which primarily directed complaints to be investigated by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), still remains uncertain as the government leaders could not see eye-to-eye on it at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.   

“I’m totally against selling of national assets” - Chandima Weerakkody

The Daily Mirror  spoke to Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody on Technical Education and the current political situation in the country.

“The President and I remain as close friends” - Hettiarachchi

Former Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiaratchchi, who was recently removed from his portfolio, in an interview with our sister newspaper Sunday Lankadeepa discussed about the removal, on criticism over his actions and responsibilities associated with his new post .

Maha Sangha should be banned from politics. Period.

Ivor Jennings, who was primarily responsible for drafting our Constitution upon gaining Independence from the British, handed us a secular constitution. Multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural as Ceylon was then and now is, the Jennings Constitution safeguarded certain rights of the country’s minorities in no uncertain fashion.

WHY AND HOW MR LOST IN 2015! ANOTHER REGIME CHANGE...?

The UNP, written off as a party of the past, till the Badulla Provincial Council election showed it’s result; Mahinda Rajapakse (MR) rejoiced ruling the majority Sinhala voters, as he pleased. They standing firmly behind him. Results showed, in predominantly Sinhala electorates with a diminutive minority vote, where extreme Sinhala activists like Cyril Matthew and K.M.P. Rajaratne held sway: UNP was ahead and gaining ground. A singular cr

Plea for Education Minister’s Consideration

Sri Lanka no doubt is going through a rough patch in its contemporary history. The recent drought that practically made many sources of water dry for some time was followed by devastating flash floods sending many areas under water. Heavy rains and the deluge that followed resulted in destructive landslides claiming many innocent lives at a time most unexpected. 

Restoring a child’s right to family life

In this modern era of digital technology, vital qualities such as creativity, imagination and innovation are important not only for personal gain or convenience but also for socio-economic evolution for the common good of a country and the world. 

Sri Lanka will be submitted to jurisdiction of ICC

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, aired his views on the International Convention for the  Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. Following are excerpts of the interview: