TOWARDS STABLE HOPE

Jesus was born in circumstances of political and economic oppression. Palestine had been occupied and subdued under Roman imperialism. Augustus Caesar reigned supreme over a vast empire. His pomp and power knew no limits; and he was even made out to be a god.

India ponders death penalty for rapists

NEW DELHI — India said on Saturday it may consider using the death penalty to punish rapists as police fired tear gas to quell the most violent day of demonstrations against the brutal gang-rape of a young woman.

Editorial - Lifejacket of popularity

Here in Sri Lanka, popularity alone can manufacture politicians; sometimes against their own will.  Ours is a political history that carries the resonance of well-known figures entering politics;

“I DON’T SEE MYSELF AS A REBEL IN GOVT RANKS” – RAJIVA WIJESINHA

National List MP Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha has been in the news lately for his independent approach and  outspoken views. In this interview the academic turned politico speaks out openly on a number of issues including the impeachment motion against the chief justice,.......

Devalued Dignitaries

Constitutional croaks trumpet awesome sayings to mystify simple minds: Presidential Powers are Overwhelming? Parliament is Supreme? Judiciary is Independent? Sovereignty is with the People

Only the truth will set us free - Editorial

Through the past saga in Sri Lankan politics, we have seen politicians of every hue and shade when having being voted into power by the people to serve them, they choose instead to abdicate their responsibilities.

Son of a gun: Shed hypocrisy, not tears

America was a land of peace where native people lived in harmony with nature. But since land-and-gold greedy European invaders...

Japan should watch its step

At last someone has done something sensible in the increasingly bitter fight between Japan and China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands...

Editorial : Religious leaders say our civilisation at stake

At Christmas time, Santa Claus might have to give Sri Lanka not toys or teddy bears, but a new constitution where political bears...

No Independent Panel without amending the Constitution and the Standing Orders

No doubt, a powerful and stable executive system is established by the 1978 Constitution. Under this Constitution, President is not answerable to Parliament though he is responsible to Parliament: he appoints the Prime Minister and Secretary to him and to the Ministers without consulting any person. In the appointment of Ministers the Constitution does not make it mandatory that he should consult the Prime Minister.

The dual role of Rajapakshe

For the past few days, opposition Parliamentarian Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has been in a difficult position. Other than being a stalwart of the United National Party (UNP), he is also the president of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). It was in the latter capacity that he was thrust into the limelight this week.

The girl, the snake and justice

Reading news has become a depressing business, but there was something there on Wednesday to gladden Kumbhakarna’s slumbering heart – a front page picture of a smiling young woman holding an indignant-looking snake in her hands. From both faces, Kumbhakarna knew at once that this story, unlike most told in Sri Lanka these days, has come to a happy ending.

Patriots and label-bearers - Editorial

When Ven. S. Mahinda Thera in his patriotic poem ‘Jathika Thotilla’ (nation’s cradle) wrote, “My son, you grow up witnessing the cowardice of the people who grovel at the powerful but become stuffed heroes in front of the weak,” he would have never thought his successors would fit the description.

I felt ashamed to be a member of Parliament: Kiriella

UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella spoke to the Dailymirror    on the impeachment process, the declining decorum in Parliament and the weakening of the opposition.

Fear the power of people

The Rajapaksa regime is a quasi-dictatorship based on southern chauvinist Sinhala petty bourgeois.  The latter was in the forefront of the war of Mahinda against the Tamil insurrection. It supplied man power and the engine of political campaign.

Organic farming: The harvest is rich

Despite all the marvels of modern technology, agriculture has been and will always be the root of Sri Lanka’s economic development because it is part of our culture and hallowed three thousand-year civilisation.

Women can and must contribute in a post-war context

Media engagement in Sri Lanka on issues of UN Resolution 1325 is minimal. This piece is an attempt to set in motion a course that is hoped would eventually reverse the status quo.

VIOLENCE IN CONNECTICUT: WHY?

The tragic shootings in Connecticut again raise the perennial question ‘Why are human beings violent?’ Are we genetically programmed to be violent? Is violence socially learned? Or are some individuals just ‘psychotic’?

Self-righteous hypocrites, look at yourselves! - Editorial

The world is getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Sadly however most people hold on to the celebrations, but have forgotten the deep message of humility, sincere service and a readiness to even sacrifice one’s life for the common good of all. 

A tragic end to a tear-stained tale?

Kamaladevi* was on pins and needles as the days grew closer to the final week of September so she could finally settle in the comfort of her very own home with her family. Having lived in a temporary shelter in the Ananda Coomaraswamy village

A moral defeat and a beginning of the end…

‘All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law.’ This is what clause 12 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka states. Its 13 (3) states ‘Any person charged with an offence shall be entitled to be heard

Editorial - No knights in the wolves’ den

The saying goes that in the olden days a woman could walk from Dondra to Point Pedro with a gemstone in her hand with the assurance that no harm would come to her. The saying has become trite with the years and in the contemporary context...

Impeachment of the Chief Justice, did she get a fair trial?

Some citizens including lawyers have filed petitions in the Court of Appeal seeking writs restraining the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) from inquiring into allegations mentioned in the impeachment motion submitted to Parliament by some Members of Parliaments (MPs).

Constitutional Supremacy or Parliamentary Supremacy?

When notices were sent to the Hon Speaker, the President and the members of the Select Committee impeaching the Chief Justice by the registrar of courts, the Speaker and the leader of opposition were vociferous about the notion of supremacy of parliament and they seemed not to heed the Supreme Court request/order to appear before or submit objections on pending cases against them.

The knowledge hub in sri Lanka

The biggest challenge facing our university education is ensuring equal opportunity in access and equity in the quality of education.  In 2010 54,000 applied for 22,000 placements at our universities.

Independent Commission to restore Lanka’s image

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a widely publicised speech to mark the opening of the new headquarters of the Chartered Institute of Accountants, said he had to speak and act according to his conscience and was unhappy over the motion to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. Thus he would appoint an independent committee or commission to review the verdict of the Parliamentary Select Committee.

The last opportunity for peace in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan the coalition of Western armed forces has lost 3,000 soldiers during its 10 years of war...

Editorial : Let there be justice

The controversy over a Parliamentary Select Committee convicting Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has taken a dramatic turn...

Assad’s fall imminent, but minefield on road to Damascus

Four major recent developments connected with the crisis in Syria indicate that an escalation of the conflict leading to regime

Squalls blow behind the departing Chief Justice

Parliamentary businesses were conducted both day and night on December 8. The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake decided to work even at night to wrap up  its proceedings and compile the report to be handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa on the following day.