Editorial - Political Patronage: A curse on justice and rule of law

A serious allegation by British parliamentarian Simon Danczuk, who visited Sri Lanka seeking justice for his constituent, Khuram Shaikh the British Red Cross worker killed in a Tangalle tourist resort on Christmas Eve 2011, is a major indictment on the Sri Lankan government, law-enforcement officials and the judiciary.

DIASPORA LTTE ACTIVISTS POSING AS HUMAN RIGHTS CHAMPIONS

The spotlight is primarily on the Sri Lankan government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa being held accountable over its alleged acts of commission and omission. At the forefront of this widespread campaign are members of the Global Tamil Diaspora and their organisations.

Cambodia leaves the darkness behind.

Cambodia has been to hell and back; 2 million of its people killed out of a population of 8 million, with 500,000 of them executed, the consequence of a fanatical communist movement, the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot and a group of henchmen now being tried in the UN War Crimes Court. (Pol Pot himself is dead.)

Editorial - Fuel price, lies and traffic chaos

A few days ago we highlighted the manner in which the people were deluded into believing that the recent increase in fuel prices was justified by the increase of crude oil imported from Saudi Arabia. The price quoted by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was US$113 a barrel.

PROTECTING THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE COUNTRY

Female migrant workers are the lifeblood of Sri Lanka's economy. The contribution made by female expatriate workers to the country's 59 billion USD economy was a record high of 5.43 billion USD during last year.

Why women are central to U.S. foreign policy

During my first week as the United States’ Secretary of State, I had the honour of meeting with a group...

Violence against women: Turning outrage into action

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we must look back on a year of shocking crimes of violence...

Editorial : Woman of the Year

As the Rajapaksa regime faces one of the country’s gravest international crises over alleged human rights...

Chavez revived faith in socialism and fought for social justice

The Third World has lost a true friend -- Venezuela’s revolutionary leader Hugo Chavez. A champion of the oppressed people...

I fear another ‘Black July’

Minister Wimal Weerawansa, the leader of the National Freedom Front and avowed marxist of yore, speaks to the Daily Mirror  about his role in the recent impeachment saga, which was heavily criticised, while elaborating on the role of economic hitmen, the racial tensions prevalent in the country and much more.

PR system holding women back - Rosy

 UNP MP Rosy Senanayake was recently appointed the spokesperson for Violence Against Women, from the South Asian Regional Network of Women Parliamentarians.

Diagnosis of the Sirisena mystery

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena found himself in the limelight last week in rather unpalatable circumstances, when his son was involved in an incident of alleged assault of a senior police officer’s son while holidaying in Pasikudah.

A disciplined society for economic progress - Editorial

Sri Lanka, a country with 2500 years of rich history, is increasingly becoming a place where decent people cannot make their home. Apart from those boat people, who should be looked at in a totally different perspective,...

Govt. to blame for ethnic disharmony -Tilvin Silva

General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva expresses his ideas on the government’s lack of preparation for the United Nations Human Rights Council Sessions and the United States-led resolution against Sri Lanka.

Women most important element- Ranjan

In the Third instalment focusing on the Rights of Women; UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayaka an advocate of the Rights of Women working in the Middle East speaks to the Daily Mirror.

13A and Lincoln

History’s greatest President of America, Abraham Lincoln envisioned and endeavoured for a united nation built on the principles of ‘equality and free labour’. His political master mindedness and genuine commitment for creating an American nation, united in its heart and soul, led to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution through  Congressional approval and ratification in 1865.

Austerity package: Leaders must change lifestyle-Editorial

As the fuel crisis worsened, the Petroleum Ministry has warned that if big state consumers exceed their quotas, they will not be given fuel on credit, and will have to open their own lines of credit.

GENEVA AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LLRC

Former Royal Rugby captain CR (Bulla) De Silva, the Attorney General and loyal friend of President Rajapaksa, must indeed be a puzzled man, even as a whole host of senior officials from the....

Gender-based violence has no boundaries- Shamila Daluwatte

Second in our series on Women’s Rights, leading up to the International Day of Women (March) is a discussion with Shamila Daluwatte an Attorney-at-Law and Gender Specialist.

Eating Balayas and uttering ‘Begals’

Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who is absolutely sure of everything he says,  that the Japanese are so smart because they feed on tuna (Balaya). He’s conveniently forgetting that the same tuna-smart Japanese started a war they could not win almost 70 years ago,...

INDIA PLAYING 'BIG BROTHER'?

Let’s put things in perspective. Whatever the Geneva Resolutions bring, whoever votes against Mahinda’s regime, whatever embargoes are imposed, Mahinda expects to rally round chauvinist Armed Forces, because they remain the only power to repress the opposition movement.

Amid confusion and threats, Health Minister may act at last - Editorial

The Health Minister and the ruling SLFP’s veteran General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena has charged that there is a conspiracy to destroy him and that it was being hatched by.....

Govt. was not ready for the Geneva sessions - UNP MP Ravi Karunanayaka

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayaka spoke to the Daily Mirror on the failure of the government at the United Nations Human Rights Council Sessions, the contradictions within the “heterogeneous government alliance” and the accusations of a government “economic hit-man”..

Religion does not hinder the progress of women

Starting from today the Daily Mirror will have a series of interviews on Women’s Rights throughout this week in the run up to the International Women’s Day (March 8).  Interviews will be held on different angles of Women’s Rights given by a number of experts.

AN OPENING FOR A SMART LEFT

This year and month mark the 130th death anniversary of Karl Marx. 2013 also marks the 60th anniversary of the assault on Moncada led by Fidel Castro and of his address ‘History Will Absolve Me’. It is then an appropriate year for any Left party to take a long hard look at the road it has travelled and the path ahead.

Editorial - Equality for Women: Hang the promises, Action now

At a recent international forum, ruling party MP Sudarshani Fernandopulle has admitted that the lowest female political representation in South Asia is in Sri Lanka. This was disclosed at a conference with the participation of female parliamentarians from six South Asian countries.

DIRE CONSEQUENCES for sports activity ‘sans’ medical check-up

Engaging in sports activities is a widely-accepted approach to stay fit but for some it may be a harbinger of death if they are not physically fit for the task. The recent death of a student who died while running 5000 metres at the school sports meet calls us to reconsider the methods used in schools

HEGEMONY the Offspring of Politicisation

To modern political leadership Aristotle’s ideal government may sound straight off the pulpit type. Yet, the credibility and wholesomeness of contemporary government and its positive contribution into world peace is highly questionable considering the peace, less global social whole.

Editorial - Fifth major religion the Market

While government leaders, the Treasury and the Central Bank are boasting of high economic growth rates, per capita incomes and foreign exchange reserves, a senior minister has warned state institutions which take loans from state banks that they should not default in the repayment of the big loans they take.

Cambodia’s war crimes court at snail's pace

At the end of World War 2, when the three allies, Britain, the US and the Soviet Union, were considering what...