Scattered Govt.

Ever increasing complexity of our wider environment challenges empirically minded natural and social scientists to comprehend what is happening around us. The recent advances in climate science......

Constant vigilance, the price of liberty - EDITORIAL

In yet another historic event for Sri Lanka in this new era of a new political culture beyond party politics, President Maithripala Sirisena who is also the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.....

Prudence of DS created UNP

In a surprise move, 74 British Colonial rulers of the ‘Empire on which the sun never sets,’ granted the privilege of universal suffrage to Ceylon, as it was known then, along with other constitutional reforms in 1931, a good 20 years before India, our  big neighbour. 

An intellectual thinking alone

 “…He was the feared outsider - he was almost left to languish in a set-up monopolized by Tarzie Vittachi and Denzil Peiris. To them Mervyn was the dangerous concealed material that should not be allowed to explode.

Latin America’s big setback

It was Charles de Gaulle, France’s Second World War statesman, who said, “Brazil has a great future, and always will.”  Under the benign presidency of the ex-car metal worker, Luis “Lula” Inacio da Silva, the adage seemed to be banished.

Sri Lanka, the world is watching - EDITORIAL

With the legendary Ameradeva’s ‘Rathnadeepa Janmabhumi, Lankadeepa Vijaybhumi’ and the ever-inspiring National Anthem being sung, Sri Lanka yesterday reached a landmark of the new journey, transformation or the people’s silence revolution which began on January 8 this year.  

Adhana Maluwa and its rites

A falacy still remains in the minds of the people,  that the Golden  Perahera Karanduwa or Casket of the Sri Dalada Maligawa  taken in procession during  the Kandy Esala Perahera is kept as security in the Gediige Vihare or Adhana Maluwa Vihare on the final night. 

China: Power without responsibility means chaos

This is not simple math like finding the value of x in the equation x+2=10. This is much...

EDITORIAL - Stop manufacturing illnesses without building hospitals

President Maithripala Sirisena, in his widely-acclaimed policy statement at the ceremonial opening...

Country lost a strong Opposition

This is history repeating consecutively but with a difference. A month ago we...

Not only Sri Lanka The world is prone to aviation terrorism

Air Vice Marshal Sumangala Dias, Director Logistics spoke on ‘Emerging Aviation...

Sad plight of society’s watchdog

Just switch on to your radio set in your car and continue to pay attention for a few...

The ceremonies are over, now walk the talk

In a policy statement to mark the ceremonial opening of the new Parliament on Tuesday -- more so the ceremonial beginning of a new era and a new political culture -- President Maithripala Sirisena outlined the vision and goals of the first fully fledged National Government since Independence.

TNA claim for Opposition leadership Gains Ground

The appointment of the Opposition leader remained an unresolved issue even when the eighth Parliament inaugurated its session on Tuesday. The newly-elected Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced all the appointments, but not the Opposition leader.

Beyond Policing Role of the Civil Society

Sri Lanka Police Day falls on September 03. This  article provides an insight into improving the operational functions of the police through public participation In every civilized society, a police system exists for the common good of the entire community. 

Social Media and General Elecations 2015

What role (if any) did social media play in the recently concluded General Elections on 17 August 2015? Many are asking this question – and coming up with different answers. That is characteristic of the cyber realm: there is no single right answer when it comes 

Election campaign financing disparity is a major hindrance to democracy

An independent Commonwealth observer group was invited by the Office of the Commissioner of Elections of Sri Lanka to observe the country’s parliamentary elections on 17 August 2015. 

Fishing in Sri Lankan waters: International and National perspectives

The conflict between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu over fishermen is one that has dragged on for a long time. In the1970s, both the countries agreed on the setting up of a maritime boundary.

2015 Elections: What changed – and what still needs to

It’s been a year of change. First a President, then a Government. Hoping to bring about transparency and good governance, we changed a regime that openly and unapologetically engaged in financial corruption and nepotism.

Tracing the birth of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is generally considered as having been founded in 1951 on a socialist economic agenda and is habitually allied with nationalist Sinhala groups. 

SINGAPORE MODEL FOR LANKA: LET’S CELEBRATE DIVERSITY - EDITORIAL

This week, our leaders are laying the foundation for a National Unity Government with a new political culture based on the principles of consensual and consultative politics.

Killer Kattadiya and cure through superstition

When you have a problem there are always two ways to look at it. The first is through rational thinking and maybe scientific principles. 

Karu Jayasuriya - Speaker of the 8th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Karu Jayasuriya who is considered a liberal democrat with gentlemanly politics has never got his image tarnished with allegations of corruption or misdeeds and comes from a respected...

National Policies to focus on post war social issues

?There is a lot being spoken about the political, economic and social effects of Sri Lanka’s civil war. In this two-part article, my focus however is on the common but probably un-analysed social problems that lie beneath the carpet, and solutions that need national stakeholder attention.

The Will of the Electorate

?I begin my article with a quote: “India is known for its sobriety and wisdom, balanced and sensible thinking.  We need strong institutions and we need good governance in the country.” Prathibha Patil.  

YAHAPALANAYA and Country’s Prosperity

?General elections have been concluded successfully proving that the population of Sri Lanka can be a disciplined society under correct guidance and leadership. The Maithri-Ranil combination proved it to the citizens and to the world. 

Cabinet: HOW BIG IS TOO BIG? - EDITORIAL

Opposition has been growing among the people for over a decade over the huge Cabinets many governments have been appointing since 1990. There have been times when only one or two members of the ruling party were left without ministerial portfolios.

Leaders should come up with innovative processes

Having graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) of Government this May with a Masters in Public Administration, well known Peace-builder Pushpi Weerakoon is a Fellow of Edward S. Mason Programme in Public Policy and Management.

How international war crime probe threat fostered MR’s grip

Since the end of war, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the ex-President kept a nation; mostly its Sinhalese villagers in the rural hinterland petrified by the simple mention of a bogeyman: 

Letter to the President and the Prime Minister : Cabinet to adopt Ministerial Code: A demostration o

In line with the publicly-declared commitments to the principles and practices of Good Governance, the new coalition Government due to meet for the first time next week under your leadership directions and the stewardship of the newly-elected Prime Minister...