Difficult times ahead for Govt.

For the first time after his outburst on the functions of the Independent Commissions President Maithripala Sirisena has personally explained his stand to the media. Earlier it was Cabinet 

Nato, Russia buildup raises doomsday spectre

While people the world over are more interested in the November 8 US presidential election and all the succulent stories coming from the campaign trail, a crisis of nuclear war proportions is gathering pace behind their backs.  

Green University; the Evolution of Education

Since September last year national government leaders have been drawing up plans while working 

After Jaffna dug up the Maithri in President Sirisena

Since the shooting of two university students in Jaffna on Thursday, October 20 late night, there were interesting captions in news stories in both Sinhala and English media (unfortunately I cannot read Tamil).   

“SL successful in navigating amidst changing economic dynamics”

With regard to the current state of the economy and the Way Ahead, I would like to recall the speech I made in the House on November 5, 2015.     

Split in Govt inevitable at one point - Wimal

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa, in an interview with Daily Mirror, says the period ahead would be decisive in the political circuit as the internal squabbles of the government are taking a turn for the worse. He says it would result in any eventuality. He shared the following with us:  

Maithri-Ranil Govt. saved war heroes from facing international tribunal

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) stalwart, Megapolis and Western  Province Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka says, in an  interview with Daily Mirror, that his party is happy about the two major  parties getting together for governance. He says the Sinhala Buddhist  identity should be there not to suppress non-Buddhists or the  minorities, but to ensure the stability and prosperity of the country.  He shared th

One good turn deserves another

It was not so long ago that we saw participants in the Asian, African, Eastern European and Latin American countries claiming that the elections that were held in their countries were rigged in favour of the government or political party in power of the day. We are now witnessing a new chapter opening in the electoral process in the self-acclaimed champion of democracy and in the political life of the US.   

Words, deeds and devolution-fixations

The Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, has pleaded that action be taken more seriously than word. Speaking at a press briefing on the subject of a vote on a UNESCO resolution, Samaraweera referring to controversial remarks made by President Maithripala Sirisena raising questions on the work of agencies investigating corruption allegations, requested that the government be judged on its actions and not on statements made.   

New hope for kidney patients

The battle against the chronic kidney disease is to be intensified with President Maithripala Sirisena 

President Sirisena’s attempt at rebalance

Lenin famously identified three conditions for a revolution. The rulers should feel unable to rule in the 

Are engineers at fault?

The Ceylon Electricity Board once again imposed an islandwide power cut recently following the 

Govt. should protect local industry and professions -Kohona

Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka at the United Nations in New York, in an interview with  says it is important to remember that a complex and 

Many investors waiting to see India’s integration with SL - Anushka Wijesinha

The Chief Economist of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Anushka  Wijesinha, in an interview with Dailymirror  by email, says the  proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement 

I spoke according to my conscience - President

The recent controversial speech made by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Sri Lanka Foundation.....

President not their’s - Lakshman Kiriella

The Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella says that equal rights of the people should be ensured through power sharing with the....

Govt. in crisis - Dinesh Gunawardane

By Joint Opposition’s Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardane, in an interview with Daily Mirror, says President Maithripala Sirisena....

Jaffna Uni students’ killing: Two narratives

The tragic deaths of two Jaffna university students in an alleged police shooting raise disturbing questions. Police fired at the two....

Let’s not give ethnic colouring to the killing of two students - EDITORIAL

The death of two university students at Kokkuvil in Jaffna when they were shot at by the police when they had defied orders to....

Thomian Ride 2016: A Ride for a Cause!

Road accidents have become a major cause of death, causing roughly 7 deaths each day, not to mention tens of thousands....

EU punished Lanka through GSP+ Ranil will pull it off

As a former Ambassador to the EU (I had two postings in Brussels) I could state without fear of being contradicted that the withdrawal of the GSP....

Urgent need to create efficient beauracracy

New breed of bureaucrats are obedient servants because they owe their appointments to Politicians. Public services need to.....

Truth behind Law’s Delay

The delay in executing the law has made people lose faith in the judicial system. This is a common problem found worldwide, where similar judicial....

The BIG CATCH

State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Dilip Wedarachchi returned recently to Sri Lanka after a seven day.....

Failed education and persistent ethnic tensions

As it is well known, ethnic tensions in the country have been on the rise again in recent times. This does not necessarily mean that....

The times they are a changing - EDITORIAL

The US presidential election will be held in November this year. There are major differences between the US presidential election....

Kashmir - India and Pakistan at loggerheads

In the middle of last month Pakistani militants moved across the “line of control” that separates Pakistan-controlled Kashmir from the Indian-controlled part. The two countries have been at loggerheads about the title to this gorgeously beautiful state, now bereft of tourism and much income, since independence. In recent years guerrilla activity has died away and most observers thought that the Pakistani army was seriously clamping do

Is Sri Lanka becoming a lawless country?

In order to make this letter short, I append below the first two paragraphs extracted from the Preface in Volume I of “Legislative Enactments of Ceylon”, in force on 30th June 1956, prepared under the authority of the “Revised Edition of the Legislative Enactments of Ceylon Act No. 2 of 1956”. Vide Section 2 therein, The Hon. Hema Henry Basanayake, Chief Justice was appointed as the 

How safe is it to purchase fruits, vegetables from street vendors?

Street vendors who sell fruits and vegetables are an integral part of urban economies around the world, offering easy access to a wide-range of goods and services in public domain. Most street vendors provide the main source of income for their households. This informal form of economy adds a bit of glamour to the streets of any metropolis, which are otherwise dull. However, many of us do wonder if the vegetables and fruits sold by the roadside a

A Healthy Lanka: Let the cow open the gate

The National Unity Government, in one of the most important moves of its sustainable development programme, has launched a three year mission for Sri Lanka to grow its own nutritious food without any “Wasa Wisa” from agro-chemicals or other sources.