Most of the politicians in Sri Lanka are opportunists: SF

Immediately we have to formulate our organisation at the grass-root level, we need to appoint national organisers and formulate the various committees at polling booth level....................

We are men of integrity: Attorney General

The 27th Attorney General of Sri Lanka, Palitha Fernando PC in a one on one discussion with the Daily Mirror refuted all allegations and assertions to the effect that the Department has been politicised and runs according to the whims and fancies of a powerful few.

Let us restore real democracy to our country

I was happy to read in an article by Salma Yusuf in a recent edition of your newspaper the reference to the launching of a ‘Movement for Moderation’, on reading that I thought I should share my thoughts on the subject with the reading public.

Editorial - VIP Children

At a time when the offspring of certain ministers have become a threat to national security, the country no doubt was pleasantly surprised when the daughter of a cabinet minister made it to the top three slots at the GCE (O/L) ranking out of 542,260 candidates.

Nidhanaya: A cinematic ‘Treasure’ from Lester James Peries

Moviemaker Maestro Lester James Peries celebrated his birthday yesterday. Sri Lanka’s pioneering director of authentic Sinhala cinema was born in Dehiwela on April 5, 1919.The nonagenarian auteur in a cinematic career spanning more than five decades has stamped his indelible imprint on Sinhala films......

The answer lies in Dialogue

The year 2001 was declared as the “International Year of Dialogue among Civilizations” which was a logical sequel to the celebration, in 2000, of the “International Year for the Culture of Peace.” The aim was to provide impetus to plan and implement appropriate cultural...............

Editorial - India’s Supreme Court puts Patients before Patents

In a historic judgment that could have positive effects for patients worldwide, India’s Supreme Court has ruled that the lives of patients are more important than the patent rights of trans-national drug companies. The landmark ruling that gave relief to cancer patients will help them to continue to buy life-saving drugs.....

Who is left? Who is right?

It goes back to the French revolution of 1789. At the Revolutionary Convention the most radical of the insurgents...

Editorial: The lesson that Sanga taught

On September 23rd 1993, when it was announced that Sydney had pipped Beijing by two votes...

Korean crisis: China the real target of the U.S.

The danger of a nuclear holocaust in the Korean peninsula is precariously hanging by a thread that...

Global Support Towards a Mine-Free World

In the modern world today, a morally outlawed and victim activated weapon, (because no one controls the detonations), the antipersonnel landmine (AP mines) is still being used by a few selective governments and non-state armed groups.

The going has got tough for Jayasuriya

The induction of Upul Jayasuriya as President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) last weekend could mark the beginning of a turbulent period for Sri Lanka’s legal profession, which is seemingly set on a collision course with the Executive and the Legislative of the country.

White elephants that gulp public money - Editorial

Building infrastructure is imperative for any country seeking economic development. Nobody will dispute that. But when the infrastructure built does not yield the expected economic outcomes, they would become a curse instead of a blessing.

IT IS TIME FOR A NEW INDO – LANKA AGREEMENT

We in Sri Lanka are shocked and disappointed at the recent statement of Sonia Gandhi -  (Congress President  Gandhi recently denounced Sri Lanka for the “unspeakable atrocities” on Tamils).

NEVER INDIA, NEVER AGAIN

The USA is not only the sole super power in the world but also boasts of the highest diplomatic presence.  When Sri Lanka has diplomatic ties with only 48 nations, the USA maintains diplomatic relations with 196 out of 206 sovereign nations in the world.

Fallout from the Pepiliyana attack

Kandy people’s assembly met at the YMBA hall on 31 Sunday. This is the 3rd such assembly to meet, after Colombo and Kurunegala. All these were organised by the civil society organizations led by the Platform for Freedom.

Ayio Neethipathi… Aiyo Neethipathi…

The Attorney General is reported to be collecting statistics on incidents of rape and child abuse. Though this has come a little too late it is commendable. We are sad to note that Sri Lanka does not maintain proper records of such ruthless crimes.

RULE OF LAW AND TOLERANCE

UNP MP Laxman Kiriella speaks to the Daily Mirror on Sri Lanka’s failing relationship with Tamil Nadu, the economic fallout from the UNHRC resolution and provides his simple answer to the Halal issue.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

What greater act of enmity and/or treachery can one country commit towards another other than by arming, equipping and training a gang of disgruntled citizens of that country to

To the Bodu Bala Sena with Metta… - Editorial

It has been fashionable for those who either support the LTTE, or are so anti-Government (or anti-Sinhala/Buddhist) to shelve criticism of the terrorist organisation by claiming that it was a product of history.  

‘It is the highest court that has to take THE GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY’

It was not very long ago that I had the good fortune to address the Original Judiciary at their Annual Judicial Officers’ Conference. I mentioned then that it took eight long years since my retirement for them to remember me. It was indeed a pleasant surprise when your President- elect just a few days ago, last Wednesday.....

A Little Reading (like a little knowledge) is Dangerous

Is it possible that I permanently live in the past? Why is it that I don’t hear any one say ‘reading maketh a man?’This saying was popular in my school days. It was quoted often. I understand that nowadays few people read, the reason being that they don’t have time.........

GENIE OF GENEVA: Dilemma of International Normative Politics

That Sri Lanka has lost the battle to the USA at the 22nd Geneva UNHRC Conference is no news now, but the message sent from there to Colombo seems to be decoded differently. Only thirteen nations stood together with Sri Lanka, and the majority opinion of the international community, twenty five nations.....

Editorial - Why don't they set up Eelam in Tamil Nadu?

The antics of Tamil Diaspora including its latest trump card, the controversial British TV Channel 4 seem to have succeeded in precipitating a chain reaction in fostering hatred in Tamil Nadu against Sri Lanka, shortly after the photographs of alleged killing of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s son....

Immunity of a Foreign head of State

As for the ways by which rulers over others may become implicated in their crimes, there are two - tolerance and protection…we must hold that a person who knows of a crime and is able and bound to forbid it and does not do so, himself commits a crime

The long war…and the cold peace that follows…

I would like to attempt to explain how perhaps the most successful defenders of the Sri Lankan strategy in 2009, at the United Nations Human Rights Council, were a former Stalinist and a Liberal.

The Law’s Spirit no more

In the many volumes that the 17th century French political thinker Montesquieu  wrote on the ‘Spirit of the Law’, he makes a clear distinction between the intelligent being and the physical world.

Middle East economies are unable to shift into top gear

It has always been one of the mysteries of history why it is that the Muslim world of the Middle East was once so far ahead of Europe in science, medicine, astronomy and mathematics yet by the 16th century started to fall behind.

Tamil Nadu set to erupt in Delhi’s face - Editorial

While it is arguable that India was genuinely concerned about human rights issues in Sri Lanka and factored these concerns into its decision on the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka in Geneva a few weeks ago, it is also arguable that Delhi’s position was also influenced by domestic realities.

Jayalalithaa springs into action over Cricket

For the second time in as many weeks, politicians from Tamil Nadu continue to make news in Sri Lanka...