Baby 81 Nine years later

The four month-old that became an icon of hope for the thousands that suffered separation by the devastating waves of the Boxing Day Tsunami,  nine years later, worries of being identified only with the ordeal that befell him as a baby. . .

The big wave of corruption How some found a gold mine in tsunami reconstruction

Nine years ago on a day like today in Sri Lanka more than 40,000 people died while over 800,000 people became homeless due to the Tsunami: a gush of water that suddenly came from the ocean and washed away many lives and buried homes, people and memories inside the cold blue sea.

Letter from 10, Downing St. London and a bombshell on EU and USA

The Daily Mirror was able to have exclusive access to a letter written by British Prime Minister David Cameron hailing the work done in Sri Lanka through sport to highlight reconciliation issues.

A thriving democracy and the worst kind of democracy

Much was written about Nelson Mandela, his life, death and the media circus which invaded his funeral. So much has been written that there is really nothing new to add. But, reading Simon Jenkins’ article about Mandela titled ‘The Mandela coverage and the banality of goodness,’ the following paragraph made me squirm.

TESTING TIMES FOR GRADE 5 SCHOLARSHIP EXAM

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena is in the news again with yet another proposal that is likely to create controversy:

Editorial-Cooking the books to please whom?

Another state-agency appears to have lost credibility.

INCARNATION: WHEN GOD BECAME LITTLE…

Playing word associations with the word “God” usually throws out responses such as power, majesty, glory, love… stressing the bigness, the greatness, the power, the majesty of God.

Is there any room in the inn?

 Lord Jesus, You can have my room! Mother Teresa once said, “There is terrible physical suffering in some countries, starvation and so on. But that is easier to deal with than the feeling of rejection that the homeless feel. The hardest part for them is not the cold; but the feeling of being unwanted.”

Rampant Corruption a Political Challenge

In India, Anna Hazare has once again sat for a fast in a Satyagraha against the inability of the ruling class to provide necessary legislative provisions to curb corruptions in the political, legal and administrative system.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE Let’s become agents of peace and reconciliati

At Christmas we celebrate God’s entry into human history in the Mystery of Incarnation; we exult in praise and thanksgiving to God Our Father joining with the heavenly hosts.

Born to live like Royalty

What a marvel it is to be free!   What a marvel it is for a human person to be so free as never to be at the mercy of any person, place or thing.  Not marching to someone else’s drums or dancing to another’s tunes.

Abolition of Grade V Scholarship Exam a wolf in sheep’s clothing

I entered Ananda College after sitting for an entrance examination, conducted by the school authorities. That was at the end of 1953.  At that stage Ananda College was an assisted school run by the BTS.

Live for others and purposes beyond yourself - Editorial

A new Religion is taking over the world! It is impacting New York, London, Dubai, Mumbai, Beijing and Tokyo all at the same time. It is crossing the barriers of all major world Religions and infiltrating and subverting them with ease!

the tna in search of a ‘GRIEVANCE’

Clearly, the so-called Tamil National Alliance loses no opportunity to make a fuss whether it is about something substantial or about nothing.  First, they made and continue to make a fuss about the presence of troops in the North and about the Governor being a retired military man.

A Christmas Reflection Rule of Tyranny and Reign of God

Jesus was born under the rule of tyranny. Absolute power was held by the Roman Emperor who ruled conquered regions through local agents. Herod was one such agent.

Christmas in Jaffna in the fifties

Christmas in Jaffna then, was an extremely different scenario. There was no cacophonous commercialisation of Christmas. Trade and industry were not sufficiently developed, except for our three famous traditional exports.

CMC returns to brutality of colonial era

As reported in the media the Chief Veterinary Surgeon of the Colombo Municipal Council (CVS - CMC) states that the city must be rid of rabies and its dog population, controlled.

‘Picking of coconuts a crime while possessing heroin isn’t’

According to the latest news circulating in the country, ten kilograms of heroin has been seized from Hikkaduwa area. The police say it is the largest haul of heroin seized from the South.

Show true spirit of invitation and acceptance! - Editorial

A window of opportunity seems to have been opened, at least partly, for another round of bipartisan effort to bring in peace and reconciliation after President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders R. Sampanthan and the......

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the UNP Leadership and the TINA Factor

Ranil Wickremesinghe, the “Eksath Jathika Pakshaya Nayakathuma”  is portrayed as the single cause for the  perceived decline  suffered by the United National party(UNP).

This is a man! 80th Birthday of Appathurai Vinayagamoorthy

Mr. Appathuray Vinayagamoorthy, who is at present a Member of Parliament for Jaffna District, an Attorney-at-law by profession, was born on 19TH December 1933 at Sarasalai.

My dream is to create a harmonious political culture: Nadeesha Hemamali

At a time when one section in society is rather opposed to film stars entering politics, others believe that their star status is a stumbling block to serve the people. Sri Lanka’s political history has evidence of top film world heroes playing heroic roles in politics too.

The education system in Sri Lanka – Are we reversing towards the colonial era? - Editorial

Education Minister Bandula Gunewardena this week announced the government’s decision to change the nature of the Grade 5 Scholarship examination. According to him, from 2016, the examination will not be a competitive exam like it is now.

Syria: Worst crisis since World War II

The United States President, Barack Obama, made a wise decision when he backed off in August from attacking Syria even after he claimed US intelligence agencies had clear proof that President Bashar al-Assad had crossed the so-called red line – a reference to the use of chemical weapons.

Commercialising inventions A Technology Park for Sri Lanka

The Budget 2014 proposes new initiatives to support commercialisation of inventions. An important initiative that the Ministry of Research and Technology is believed to be contemplating is to set up a technology park in Sri Lanka.....

Stop plundering our EPF money - Editorial

Former Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike who swept to office in 1956 through the now- famous people’s force of the Sangha, wedha, guru, govi, kamkaru, was a brilliant orator but thankfully he was not limited to words and was more committed to deeds, much in contrast to most of today’s leaders.

Gastronomical delights and fairness for the womankind

Shortly after Monday’s Cabinet meeting, ministers sat for the customary dinner hosted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. Seated together at one table were Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Housing Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Power and......

Politics isn’t switching jobs for more money: Madhu Madawa

Singer and actor turned politician Madhu Madawa Aravinda was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) from  the Jathika Hela Urumaya. Getting elected after a campaign without posters, crackers, polythene, treats and.......

Save Lanka, abolish executive presidency - Editorial

The day after the legendary statesman Nelson Mandela—widely revered as the patron saint of political miracle--was laid to his eternal rest in his home village, a huge statue of this hero of heroes was.....

Providence smiles on white collar criminals

Recently, United National Party (UNP) National List Parliamentarian Professor Harsha de Silva raised serious questions about the controversial investments of workers’