Post-war realities in the Northern Province

Friday Forum, since its inception in 2009, has been profoundly disquieted about the post war scene in the Northern Province. A delegation of the Friday Forum visited Jaffna and Kilinochchi recently and met some member......

Lankan Defence Officials elated

It was in April this year that this column  exclusively reported for the “Daily Mirror” about how Subramaniam Kapilan alias Nanthagopan had been deported on March 6, 2014 to Sri Lanka from Malaysia with the assistance of law enforcement authorities in Iran and Malaysia.

We don’t want this Govt. toppled-Wimal

National Freedom Front Leader and firebrand Minister Wimal Weerawansa during an interview.....

Economic Crises, Social Instability and Environmental Catastrophe

The title of this short essay is intended to capture the essence of the present human predicament in an increasingly integrated world.

EDITORIAL-Press release diplomacy puts Lanka in a mess

Since the end of the war against ruthless terrorism in May 2009...

Comrade Bala Tampoe - Trade Union Firebrand

May 23 was the 92nd birthday of Sri Lanka’s unique trade union leader Philips Balendra Tampoe known generally as Bala Tampoe. Bala or comrade Bala as he was popularly called has been at the helm of the Ceylon......

Tobacco industry’s blood money used for litigation

In this process they have historically employed a multitude of tactics to shape and influence tobacco control policy. We should not forget the fact the tobacco industry produces and promotes a product that has.......

WHO recommends tobacco tax hike

This year, World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is celebrated under the theme “Raise Taxes of Tobacco. Lower Death and Disease”. WNTD is.......

EDITORIAL - The CEB’s attitude is shocking

Most families—except ministers and MPs whose big bills are paid from public funds—continue to get a shock every month and are inflamed when they see their electricity bills. Families.......

China shaken by Muslim revolt in Xinjiang

On Thursday, May 22, China was shaken by a twin suicide bombs. At least 31 people were killed and some 100 injured when Uighur separatists threw explosives and ploughed two off-road vehicles through a crowd in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang region where its....

A word in the American President’s ear

Who makes foreign policy in the US government? Ultimately the President. That goes without saying. But who has his ear? Sometimes the éminence grise becomes well known - a star like Henry Kissinger who crafted policies that put the flesh-and-blood on Richard Nixon’s foreign policy.

From innocent freedom to a captive hell - EDITORIAL

For thousands of years, the elephant—widely regarded as the most majestic of all animals-- has been part of Sri Lanka’s culture and plays a prominent role in pereheras including Asia’s most spectacular pageant, the Esala Perehara of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Despite regime change - India’s policy on SL hasn’t changed

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, soon after being sworn in, had a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and spelt out his government’s policy on Sri Lanka.  The media quoted India’s Foreign Secretary Sujatha......

Sushma’s appointment a bonus for Sri Lanka

She may not have made headlines in Sri Lanka yet but Sushma Swaraj, the first woman to be appointed as India’s Minister of External Affairs will be a key player in forging that country’s foreign policy towards Sri Lanka over the next few years.

What is more important, country or one family?

It is patently clear that the Government coalition led by the United National Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is embroiled in a crisis. The crisis has reached such a zenith, one can hardly feel, sense......

EDITORIAL - The pills we take could kill us

While the proposed legislation for a National Medicinal Drugs Policy gets delayed, diluted and distorted by racketeer spin doctors, the yesterday revealed a shocking story about outdated drugs and fairness creams worth more than Rs. 500 million.

Secularist parties need to rethink strategy

The Indian National Elections that concluded on May 16, 2014 were, in more than one sense a landmark victory for democracy. The largest democracy in the world, both in terms of number of voters and complexity of the process...........

Pictorial warning; Parties insist on 80%

About 600 people die daily due to tobacco, smoking and alcohol, a report issued by the  Health Ministry said. That is about 60 per cent of 1,000 deaths occurring daily in the country.

Clown in the govt. circus

If ever there was a contest to determine the best comedian amongst the members of the Cabinet, the accolade would undoubtedly be conferred on Wimal Weerawansa.

EDITORIAL-Govt. must Modi-fy policy on news websites

While media freedom—historically seen as one of the pillars of democracy—is crumbling in Sri Lanka, the Rajapaksa government is also muscling the social media, including news websites.

‘The govt. misled academics’ Dr. Chandraguptha Thenuwara

When FUTA called off the three-month strike in 2012, it was accused of exploiting the 6% figure to merely attract public support for the academics’ struggle to increase wages. With such a past, do you feel the public will rally around FUTA this time?

‘We deal with life and death situations’-GA

The Government Analyst Department is one of the most important departments with regard to dispensing justice in the country. In its 110 year history, the second female head of this vital state.....

EDITORIAL - For full justice, implement the Witness Protection Bill

While we need to be concerned about the human rights of convicted prisoners and of those in remand custody we need to give as much if not more concern to the victims of crime and the witnesses......

Undying passion gives birth to the wave-less boat

A young schoolboy is seen meddling with a jumble of wires, batteries and switches. His brows are knitted in concentration and he is completely focused on the task at hand. His goal is to build a mechanical doorbell......

Increasing Public and Household Debts

Public debts, that are debts incurred by governments to meet public expenditure, have been increasing over the years. Some countries like Greece, Italy and Japan have very high levels of public debts as a proportion of their GDP.

EDITORIAL - Our ties with Modi’s India: Act fast and wisely

As the —the largest selling independent English language daily newspaper in Sri Lanka—spreads its wings today with a high-tech modern design, we hope the Sri Lankan Government also would be able to......

When people talk, great things happen

It has been famously said that youth is wasted on the young. George Bernard Shaw was quite clear in expanding on this, his quote. He defined the statement as derogatory when he said that “young people are brainless, and don’t know what they have.....

How Large Are Our Social Safety Nets?

The World Bank released its first report of the series on ‘State of Social Safety Nets’ on May 13, 2014. Safety nets are non-contributory government transfers aimed at providing assistance to the socially and economically marginalised sections of the society.

A win for Modi was never in doubt

Narendra Modi, who will soon be sworn in as India’s fourteenth Prime Minister, has swept to power in the world’s largest democracy with his Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP), romping home with 282 seats in the Lok Sabha, ten seats more than what was required for an absolute majority.

Modi's oath-taking plans send strong signals - Editorial

India’s Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi, who won a landslide victory in the recently concluded election appears to be setting  a nice example. He has invited all the leaders of South Asian countries, including the Prime Minister of Pakistan, to attend his swearing-in ceremony.