Mixed Electoral sysytem for Sri Lanka

The results of General Election 2015 by percentage of votes and seats were as follows -It would appear that there was a discrepancy in the proportion of votes against seats, particularly between the JVP and the TNA.

But joint Opposition hails Russia

The government’s enhanced relation with the US is reflected in Power’s remarks that the US-Sri Lankan relationships was taking place in ‘a wholly new and fresh way’. 

Marapana’s resignation proves Yahapalanaya really exists

The State Minister of Vocational Training and Skills Development Palitha Range Bandara when 

Nobody has the right to stop us as True members of Opposition

A discussion was held with the Colombo District Parliamentarian (UPFA) Bandula Gunawardena, on imminent challenges 

Yahapalanaya Is No More: What Gimmick Next?

Friends of Yahapalanaya (good governance) are hard to find and an extinguished breed. Needs to search vainly among the coterie enjoying the spill-offs from the gravy train to spot an unseen, ....

Executive Prime Minister instead of Executive President?

A Cabinet decision has apparently been made to abolish the Executive Presidency to be effective after the term of President Sirisena comes to an end in 2020; so announced Minister Mangala Samaraweera;...

TRANSITIONAL INJUSTICE

France’s President dubbed Syria “the biggest factory of terrorists the world has ever seen”. In his path-breaking study of suicide terrorism, Chicago’s Prof. 

End of a series of religious events

The time for the offering of Katina cheevara – a thick robe for the rainy season to Buddhist priests who observed “Vas” or the rainy season sojourn ends on Il Full Moon Poya Day.

Why the new Drugs regulatory Act places ordinary folk in danger

The writer is the appointed Attorney-at-law representing the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry’s Secretariat.

Extravagant ‘Katina’ processions Stop this squander in the name of the Buddha

 Today is the last Full Moon of the ‘Wassana’ [Rainy Season], Il Poya. It is a significant day in the Buddhist calendar for a number of important happenings on this day.

Abusing nature, we abuse ourselves - EDITORIAL

In the aftermath of the night of horror on Friday the 13, world leaders will gather in Paris, the city of light, from November 30 for a climate summit which hopefully would agree on the guidelines and direction for Planet Earth to make a 180? turn from the suicidal path of self-destruction.

Legal recognition for sex workers in Sri Lanka?

Despite the reluctance to openly discuss this subject, is evident that sex workers are abundant in contemporary Sri Lanka. Although they are condemned in terms of cultural and religious aspects, their........

Harmful Food Advertising and alarming rise in NCDs

Non communicable diseases such as childhood obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are rapidly plaguing the health of youngsters while many health critics claim that advertising unhealthy food, targeting.....

A safe, secure and peaceful environment through: intersectoral action

Creating a safe, secure and peaceful environment in the country is a key responsibility of a modern state. Yet, not many states have been able to live up to this public expectation due to diverse......

Major step towards religious unity - EDITORIAL

In a major step towards inter–religious dialogue and unity, the Catholic Church yesterday held an unprecedented memorial service of thanksgiving for the Most Ven. Sobitha Hamuduruwo......

Pirates and floating armouries

There is a severe debate going on at present over the legality of floating armouries (FAs) in the western Indian Ocean operated by a private company which is linked to the Defence Ministry of the Government.......

‘Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir’ Chances are you a member of the Noddy Club

The kitchen of the Wallside Restaurant and Bar was in turmoil that morning. Shelton Perera, the owner of the place was pitching into the man in charge of the gastronomy department of the booze and......

Lesson Sri Lanka should learn from Paris attacks

Last week, terrorists of the Islamic State butchered 130 men and women in Paris while they were - as one newspaper put it - indulging in life’s innocent pleasures: watching a concert, a football friendly and.....

Budget for a better tomorrow - EDITORIAL

The much awaited 2016 budget presented to Parliament on Friday in a four and half hour speech by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake received a generally good response from economic analysts and......

How Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa Began his Political Journey

The age of seventy or three score and ten  regarded as the span of life  has a special aura about it. The Bible (psalm 90 verse 10) says “The days of our years are threescore years and ten...

Is development possible sans environmental pollution?

Man has been engaged in polluting the environment from the dawn of human existence. Consequent to the population explosion, industrialization, concentration of human habitats, over exploitation of natural resources...

A careful research on the Grade V scholarship exam

At a time, when the Education Ministry is toying with the idea to abolish the Grade V scholarship and conduct it at Grade VIII to alleviate young students from unnecessary mental pressure...

Higher mission of television - EDITORIAL

We mark World Television Day today and as the United Nations General Assembly resolution says, we need to focus not on the tool -- which some cynics describe as an idiot box or a stranger in the home...

Sri Lanka needs a stabilising mechanism

One year after defection from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Megapolis and Western Region Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka , in an interview with the Dailymirror, 

A home to call their own

A destitute family temporarily holed up in a building inside the general cemetery in Orange Hill Estate, Mankade Road, Kadawatha is to be provided with a permanent house, as promised by the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.

Move to abolish Executive Presidency: Birthday gift to MR

The best gift to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his 70th birthday was given by none other than President Maithripala Sirisena.

Invest for tomorrow, invest in children - EDITORIAL

Today is Universal Children’s Day. Going beyond words, it means a recommitment by all governments to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child -- the right to life, to health,...

Abolishing the Executive Presidency is a colossal task

Followed by his avowal at the funeral of Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera to abolish the Executive Presidency, President Maitripala Sirisena initiated action at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting by seeking to pursue his intentions.

Bombing isIS is not the solution

The Barbarians are not at the gate. There is no need for a rush to war as the French President, Francois Hollande suggests.

A tribute to Rex de Silva The gentleman journalist we all knew

It was with deep sadness and a sense of irreparable loss, that I learned about Rex’s illness and his death. He, together with the late D.B. Dhanapala, were my mentors in journalism.I first met Rex when Mano Muthukrishna Candappa,