A path to Peaceful Co-existence Secularism and Plural Societies in South Asia

A colloquium organised by the Colombo-based South Asia Policy Research Institute discussed Religious Tolerance, Peaceful Co-existence, Secularism and Plural Societies in South Asia recently with the participation of four world renowned speakers and experts on the subject.

Hopelessness, Economic Pressure and Exodus of Youth

The number of Sri Lankans leaving the country annually for overseas employment is over 260,000. This far exceeds the number of people added to the labour force annually.

The politics of Kudu: Whither Sri Lanka? - Editorial

Sri Lanka moved into 2014 with ruling party politicians having high hopes for the two provincial council elections to be held in March and possibly a presidential election late this year.

Editorial - Religion and Politics; the inner journey

Religion and politics formed the theme of a seminar held in Colombo this week by the South Asian Policy Research Institute (SAPRI) and the speakers from academic or intellectual circles.....

Incorrect data leads to distorted policy-making

Sri Lanka’s position in the budget transparency index deteriorated from 13 - 53 from 2010 - 2012. It was a steep decline in the transparency process. The index is based on pre-budget.....

German-Sri Lanka relations built on goodwill and friendship

The relationship between Germany and Sri Lanka pre-dates its diplomatic ties and hence viewing it as a 60-year relationship is a limited approach. Little known is the fact that even pre-World War II, during the time of Ceylon.....

The ISIS war: Hidden hands, hidden agendas

The war in Syria is exploding in Iraq. The most dreaded al-Qaeda offshoot group, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a.k.a. Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL), in a surprise move captured two key cities in Iraq’s largest province, Anbar, last week.

Who is King: The Consumer or the Company?

A severe milk powder shortage was reported during the past few days with consumers complaining that some of the vendors were hoarding large stocks of milk powder anticipating a price hike so that they could be sold at a higher price.

Tribute to Kalindi Wijetunge

The old adage,’ Only the good die young’ rang in my ears as I heard with shock of Kalindi’s death. She was one of those golden girls, richly endowed with ‘joie de vivre’, love and a radiant smile which glowed from within.

Legalising opium in Afghanistan

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine who lived between 460-357 BC, concluded that diseases were naturally caused and were cured by natural remedies. Opium, he wrote, was one of the latter. But he was also of the opinion that it should be used sparingly and under control.

The politics of ‘Rapping’ - Editorial

No one wants a military base in his or her backyard.  Communities struggling to recover from long drawn out armed conflicts in particular are sensitive to things military.

Nutrition, parental love and care in menu for national progress

Though Sri Lanka ranks first in the Human Development Index (HDI) in South Asia, much ahead of many other countries in the region in health indicators, malnutrition has become a worrisome health issue.  How and Why?

Jolly-good fellowship overshadows issues knocking the door

With the general observance that there is a link between the spread of non-communicable diseases and the dietary habits of people, there is increased focus today on the importance of consuming more and more organic food items.

Religion in politics is a messy business - Prof. Coomaraswamy

An expert on constitutional law, women and ethnic studies, Professor Radhika Coomaraswamy is a lawyer and an internationally renowned advocate of human rights.

Is Dimu between The devil and The deep blue sea?

It is a controversy that just doesn’t go away. Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne is now in the spotlight since the revelation that one of his coordinating secretaries had written a letter to the Customs Department regarding a container which was later found to contain heroin.

Prevent children from falling prey to porn sites! - Editorial

Their name is Tomorrow. They are the future. They are the world, they are the children, and they are the ones who will make a better tomorrow. But on Tuesday, as the world marked the Day of Prevention of Cruelty to..........

The time is right to establish myself as a politician

Since her entry into the media spotlight in 2011, Hirunika Premachandra,

CULTURE LOST on degenerate society

Can we say that, what has become of Lanka today is the legacy of a “2600-year old culture”?

Editorial-Keeping afloat in muddy waters

With the consequences of global warming and other forms of environmental pollution reaching apocalyptic proportions which some see as signs of end

The simple guy who hijacked a 747 Sepala Ekanayaka

For the love of his son and wife, without a second thought he hijacked an airplane, creating history by being the first Sri Lankan to do so in 1982. Sepala Ekanayaka, who would be turning 65 years soon, broke his silence after three decades.

Pros and cons of extending the retirement age

Leaning against a wheel barrow filled with some foul smelling garbage 74- year -old R.A.L Perera was exhausted even though his working day was still young. Speaking to Daily Mirror he said that he had been cleaning the streets of Colombo for 6 years.

Exporting knowledge would bring greater gains

Sri Lanka’s total remittance in 2013 from abroad is expected to be in excess of $ 6.5 billion and the CB road map estimates that remittances would increase to U$D 9 Billion (9% of the GDP) by 2016 and $10 Billion by 2017.

Fate of death row convicts hanging in the air - Editorial

The fast by the prisoners condemned to death for various crimes atop the Bogambara prison over the weekend brings forth a long-forgotten or long-ignored issue by the authorities.

OUR CRUMMY STAMPS AND CRUMMIER PAPER MONEY TELL A STORY

 Money, yes money, the stuff that makes the world and everybody on it, go round and round is indispensable. It superseded the ‘I’ll give you this for that’ in singles or in numbers in systems of bartering adopted by our ancients.

Is Parliament's dignity under threat- Let us establish a Parliamentary research service

It appears that everyone  is moaning at the qualitative decline of Parliamentary debate in our country; this is indeed a shame for the standard of debate and the conduct of our.....

Douglas Devananda slams npc

Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Douglas Devananda charged that the Northern Provincial Council had failed to deliver anything to the general public despite high hopes pinned on it by people at the elections.

The Cabinet and Sri Lankan Tamils

The executive power exercisable by the Cabinet of Ministers plays an important role in the governance of parliamentary democracy. The executive power under both the Soulbury and 1972 Constitutions was vested with the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

Promoting Excellence: Learning from the Nearest Neighbour

India’s premier private TV channel, NDTV, in association with the country’s largest industrial conglomerate, TATA sponsored a national event recently at the Indian President’s official residence, Rashtrapathi Bhavan in Delhi.

Are we eating to die? -

We are often told that we should not eat to live, but live to eat. The situation seems to have turned a full vicious circle and today—despite all the marvels of modern medicine--most of us are often unknowingly forced to eat to die.

Editorial - What lies in the road ahead?

On Thursday, the Central Bank presented the Road Map 2014—the economic policy document which lays out valuable information about the road ahead for the country’s economy