We need structural, not cosmetic, changes

It was Dr. N.M. Perera, the Sri Lankan politician I admire the most, who said in the 1970s that there were no resting places on the road to socialism.

New media culture vital for democracy - EDITORIAL

We urge the reformist government led by President Maithripala Sirisena to extend its 100-day programme by...

Priorities for the 100 day programme

?The 6th President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena (MS) gives a fresh start to politics in Sri Lanka. He is the very first President to win the hearts and minds of all Sri Lankans, irrespective of any differences and divisions in post-war Sri Lanka. 

Pope Francis

Youthful enthusiasm and aspirations are the ever-flowing fountain and permanent foundation of future achievements. All great undertakings stem from humble beginnings. Greatness in one’s old age comes out of graciousness in one’s young age.

Welcome to a feet-washing servant leader - EDITORIAL

We join millions of Sri Lankans in saying a hearty Ayubowan, Vanakkam and Assalamu Alaikum to Pope Francis who since his election in March 2013 has emerged as one of the most loved, most respected and most powerful servant leaders in world history.

MAN BEYOND SEASONS – S.L. Gunasekera

?Initials S.L surpassed surname Gunasekera. Branded to blend with the land of his birth - his name attracted shades of love and despair. Reciprocally, he loved those who made the country proud and despised those that discredited his cherished land.

The Maitri ‘Yugaya’ or the era of compassion dawns -

?Our congratulations go first to our new President Maitripala Sirisena and next to the people of our country who have taken the first step to restore real   Democracy and the Rule of Law; and in the process to restore the dignity of the country, within the next one hundred days. 

Make public institutions independent and rational

?The functioning of democratic systems of government depend heavily on effective and independent public institutions. While these institutions are diverse, i.e. Political, administrative, judicial, law enforcement, educational or....

National Unity Govt. for new, united Lanka - EDITORIAL

T?he new era of democracy, freedom and good governance, social justice, mercy and humility was launched yesterday by Sri Lanka’s sixth Executive President Maithripala Sirisena with a nationwide address from the historic Buddhist shrine of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Who is this Sirisena?

Born on September 3rd, 1951to a farming family at Laksha Uyana, in Polonnaruwa Maithripala Sirisena is the first President produced from historic Rajarata. Incidentally, he has been born after a few hours of forming the SLFP, the political alternative to the much powerful and ruling UNP.....

Post Presidential Election testimonies People power terminates Rajapaksa oppression

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Parliamentarian and the convener of the Pivithuru Hetak movement, Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thera was a front liner who supported the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Managing Expectations

A historic election and a historic victory. But why is it so historic..? Not one, but there are several reasons for it to be significant among other Presidential Polls held in the country. 

PRESIDENT SIRISENA, WE NEED SERVANT LEADERS - EDITORIAL

After a momentous and miraculous turn of events which began November 21 last year, President Maithripala Sirisena was yesterday elected and sworn in as the sixth executive president, with a manifesto pledging to launch a new era of good governance and democracy within hundred days.

The government machinery falls under purview of the Election Commissioner

?Damaso Guerroro Magbual, an international election observer from the Asian Network of Free and Fair Elections (ANFREL) stressed the need to enact a strong election campaign finance law in Sri Lanka. In an interview with the  he said the organisations concerned did not have parameters to define ‘electoral violence’. 

Publish and Perish Lasantha Wickrematunge Remembered

The writer was an investigative journalist who worked closely with Lasantha Wickrematunge at The Sunday Leader from 2006 until shortly after the latter’s assassination.

After crucial poll, priority for good governance

?A crucial election held, a winner declared, what’s next? The way forward is not victory celebrations or taking political revenge.  What Sri Lanka badly needs today is a civilised political culture. 

Sri Lanka decides - EDITORIAL

T?hankfully, yesterday’s crucial presidential election to a great extent was free, fair and peaceful with a relatively high turnout of between 70% and 75%. Significantly, the turnout in the five districts of the Northern Province......

CMEV Interim Campaign Report

?In preparation for monitoring the Presidential Election 2015, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence deployed 160 field coordinators based in polling divisions or electorates, while 25 field coordinators were deployed in the 25 administrative districts during the pre-election period. 

What’s in the final victory?

?Voting is a democratic right of every citizen. However, many of us have only a vague idea of polling and counting procedures. How these votes get counted for the final result, what makes a vote invalid and whether there is a proper coordination at every counting centre is also unknown. 

SWRD was born today

?Volumes have been published; much spoken of his politics: now for a glimpse of his ancestry, and the student days. Three famous writers, including academic Yasmine Gooneratne, nee Bandaranaike, who happens to be a niece of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, in her book, ‘Relative Merits:

Go and vote, what is at stake is your sovereignty - EDITORIAL

?One of history’s greatest philosophers Aristotle has said that in a democracy the poor will have more power than the rich, because there are more of them, and the will of the majority is supreme.

Lasantha The writing on the wall

January 8 is a day of triple significance for us Sri Lankans. 

Next President Must Embrace Race Relations, Media Freedom - Wickrema

Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria, a celebrated lawyer, legal academic and author of some twenty legal texts,...

At judgment they stand - EDITORIAL

The campaign rallies have ended, the trumpets have sounded.

‘My father relieved the people’s fear and pain’

I knew about his defection even before my father did. My father advised him not to cross over. But I told my father that he would leave us. But he said that, he won’t leave

State and Governance Reforms after elections

?Reforming the state, as well as the practices of governance is a major political theme in Sri Lanka’s current Presidential election campaign.  The arguments for state reform are framed in the language of constitutional reform. 

Policy Responses to Extreme Weather Events

?The torrential rains and resulting floods in many parts of the country in recent weeks are undoubtedly the result of an extreme weather event; most probably linked to climate change.

Migrant workers’ voting rights

?Sri Lankan labour migration currently stands at around 1.6 million with an annual outflow of about 200,000 persons and generates a substantial inflow of remittances, especially through women employment, relieving the country’s unemployment pressure.

Elections and the sad plight of voters - EDITORIAL

A?fter a month long campaigning, people of Sri Lanka will go to polls on Thursday to elect their ruler for the next six years, according to the present Constitution. This is their right, and not anything offered by any politician on a platter.

MoU frenzy only shows President’s desperation

In an email interview with the Dailymirror, the leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe said....