bloodless revolution shapes minority government

?Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who played the key role as the subject minister in the accommodation or rejection of amendments by the Opposition during the committee stage of the 19th Amendment, said the government would move to implement it once the Speaker certified it.  

TRUE RECONCILIATION IS BASICALLY HUMANE, NOBLE AND SPIRITUAL

In the new political climate in which we are living there is the felt need for healing of wounds, undoing the hurt and bringing about a unification of hearts and minds.  The vanquishing of the LTTE did not mean vanquishing the Tamil people.  

Kerry’s veni, vidi and not-quite-vici - EDITORIAL

J?ohn Kerry came and went.  It was not all veni, vidi and vici as die-hard nationalists would have it.  Since most of them seem to be from the ‘Bring Back Mahinda’ camp, the cry doesn’t really resonate with sincerity. 

We may be moving from Chinese Silk Road to US Pivot

?Now that Secretary of State John Kerry having visited Sri Lanka, the new government says it has brought the country back to the ‘center stage’ of the international community.

After obtaining our votes, why are they blaming us?

The passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was a milestone that was achieved by the good governance regime. It was passed by an overwhelming majority, which shows that many were affected by the addiction of having executive powers. 

People should assert they mean business

?Sri Lankans gave a clear verdict on January 8. The message was loud and clear that, “You cannot fool all the people all the time”. People spoke in no uncertain terms that enough was enough.

Security lapse at slfp convention: How did it happen? - EDITORIAL

I?magine a situation where a gunman entered a meeting where President Mahinda Rajapaksa had attended a few months ago. Would the authorities have taken one week to arrest the miscreant?

The way forward Public Sector Reforms

At the time of independence in 1948, Ceylon (British Colonial name until 1971), was one of the most prosperous countries in the Commonwealth.  During that period, we had a well developed....

LfD condemns attack on former FUTA Head

‘Lawyers for Democracy’ (LfD) condemns the physical attack on Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, the former President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association, when he was at the......

Reforms: what next?

Now that the crucial 19TH Amendment to the Constitution is through, one naturally wonders how the government would move forward to address a whole range of pressing issues that the......

Yahapalanaya among health professionals - EDITORIAL

With the approval of the crucial 19th Amendment to the Constitution, we need to see good governance, accountability and transparency not only in politics but also in other vital spheres......

Practise Satipattana— Mindfulness through bare attention : Ayang ekayano maggo-Buddha

During Buddha’s time, there lived an erudite scholar monk named Pothila, who was an authority on Buddhist ‘doctrinal’ teachings. He was also like the present day masters of chronicle....

How JR Jayewardene Ushered in the Executive Presidency in 1978

The successful passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament with an overwhelming...

Champion of the Poor

The 22nd death anniversary of late President Premadasa was commemorated yesterday (1).

Aspiring to be governed by the Buddha Dhamma-EDITORIAL

In the afterglow of the all-party approval given to the crucial 19th Amendment on Tuesday...

Racism in US: How many more Baltimores?

More whites die in police custody than blacks in the United States. According to data gathered...

EDITORIAL : May Day amid 19A and a new political culture

Workers worldwide will celebrate May Day today. For many of us the relevance of the massacre...

Amendment has done its job: what next?

What will happen to the structure and methodology of governance    in the post 19th...

The unique dansals of Vesak

The Vesak season brings in its slip-stream, an enthralling spiritual joy. Decorations - pandals...

Reforms no one can oppose

The last minute compromise by the two main parties enabled the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution after a marathon session, which lasted from 9.30 am till 11.00 p.m. in Parliament on Tuesday. 

Sri Lanka’s longest day and finest hour - EDITORIAL

It was one of the longest days but also one of the finest hours in Sri Lanka’s history. President Maithripala Sirisena, displaying exemplary leadership qualities seldom or never seen since the enforcement of the executive presidential system in 1978,...

An Islam the world forgot

?Almost the entire public discussion and debate about Islam over the last four decades had been one dimensional, focussing on the political side and neglecting Islam’s religious and civilizational sides. 

Defeating JR - EDITORIAL

W?ho would have thought that our Parliamentarians would have to stress and strain, pull and push so much to get an Amendment passed!   True it is an important piece of legislation and one which would change the flavour and tone...

We need a fresh beginning

?The article I wrote responding to the political moves made last week by the forces who wants to bring back Mahinda Rajapakse received positive and negative responses.

Coping with climate change

?Sri Lanka is in the final stages of compiling its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), designed to help the country achieve sustainable and climate resilient economic development.

Why constitutional reforms is a must

?The constitutional reforms have been a hot topic at every single presidential election for the last several decades.  The MR  government too in their UPFA manifestos made only mention of such promises and failed to act on them...

All should be equal before the law - EDITORIAL

W?hat happened to Basil Rajapaksa, the former Economic Development Minister and brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa? The entire country was watching him over the television very energetically walking fast into the Financial Crimes...

Are Rajapaksas ‘more than equal’ ?

Mahinda Rajapaksa, during his two term tenure as the President thought he was above the law. Now, his acolytes are trying to perpetuate that fallacy. They brought the proceedings at the House of Parliament........

Now the war is over, where do they go?

A gradual reduction of military strength should be high on the new government’s agenda, but it isn’t even being thought of. After three decades of civil war, Sri Lanka......

Defending offenders: Nationalism; a convenient pretext

The present political crisis in the country has risen as a result of the failure of the two main political parties to work together to bring about political reforms that the leaders of the present government promised to the.....