Rallying for democracy

In Egypt, people of every political persuasion, demonstrated against the President’s dictatorial declaration barring the judicial authorities from overturning any decision made by him. Though he was placed in power by the mass movement, seeing this measure as an attempt to undermine the judiciary and place the president above the law, the country burst out in protest. The President claimed that he was targeting reactionary Mubarak-appointee

Power and political glory are transient

Much has been spoken these days about the separation of powers among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. There could however, always be a strong underlying urge in our human nature to want absolute power. This could be due to our faulty psychic condition that breathes primordial selfishness that we have been living on from times past.

Regressive taxation,an unholy instrument of the Govt.–Sajith

Q: You have been quoted in the media as having called the 2013 budget a joke, what are your reasons for trivialising the budget put forward by the government?

A catchy acronym

Brics, the now familiar term for Brazil, Russia, India, China and the growth of their economies and influence, have formalised their club and extended their reach by inviting South Africa to join.

CBK Challenges SLFP on CJ Impeachment

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) has since leaving office in 2005, at the conclusion of two consecutive terms, generally stayed above the fray of the Sri Lankan political divide.

Grave warning: “Don’t get sick” - Editorial

For several decades Sri Lanka has not had a National Medicinal Drugs Policy, a National Health Policy or a charter of patients’ rights and responsibilities. As a result futile attempts have been made to restore a health service where the wellbeing of the patient is given top priority, and.........

A Human Right to Development Rapid Progress and Growing Injustice

Attitudes towards human right to development are unusual. There is a general willingness to support such a right in theory, but less enthusiasm in adopting such a right in practice. This does not mean that states ignore the right to development completely in their policies,

The struggle for Palestinian statehood goes on

A week after the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire put an end to hostilities between Hamas and Israel, the UN General Assembly is all set to vote on Palestine’s bid for full membership of the UN as an observer state. Palestine had been taking part in the UN

Impeachment of a Chief Justice Controversy over Procedure and the Reality !

Emotional sentiments have been widely expressed by various segments of society, including pontificating statements issued by international agencies, admittedly without any comprehension or knowledge of the real facts involved.

Editorial - Hen-or-egg situation

The initial power struggle between the Executive and the Judiciary has now turned into a tug-of-war between the Parliament and the latter. The same reasons that made the two institutions flex their muscles at each other have now lead to the perpetual declarations of supremacy

Israel ready to accept borders mandated by UN

Mr. Yahel Vilan –Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Israel told the DM, Israel was willing to go back to the borders drawn up at the time of the partitioning of Palestine. He said: “...Let’s go back to the 47 resolution

Treatment, Prevention and Care:Prerequisites to wipe out HIV and AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has now become a threat to men, women and children in all parts of the world. Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. Estimates prepared by the United Nations indicate there are 33.4 million people in the world who had been infected with HIV

Kim Jong-un — a heart-throb?

A GOOD journalist always double-checks the reliability his sources of information— especially the secondary sources on the Internet. While there’s a deluge of information available on the World Wide Web about everything under the sun

Editorial - Listen to this elder statesman

With the Legislature and the Judiciary on a potentially-disastrous collision course over the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, our law makers and politicians need to take guidance from an elder statesman in the judicial service

NOT THE WAY TO PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

In the recent award-winning novel, “The One Hundred Year Old Man” by Jonas Jonasson, the old man, Alan, in conversation with...

Editorial - Save the world from self-destruction

More than 17 thousand delegates are in Doha for the crucial United Nations climate change talks. A snapshot of the current situation...

AFTER 65 YEARS, SOME JUSTICE AT LAST FOR PALESTINIANS

A week after the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip scored a historic moral victory over nuclear armed Israel in the eight-day war, the Palestinian...

The House in a wonderful mess!

Staff members of Parliament, security officers, MPs and journalists were excited inside the Parliamentary complex last Friday. They were all awaiting the arrival of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee that is to probe 14 charges mentioned against her in an impeachment motion.

‘Development’ at Cross Roads?

During the past 100 years, the world has changed rapidly. Many things that we now consider ‘essential’, such as the mobile phone, airplanes, antibiotics, television and the internet, were invented within this relatively short period of human history. The world has also grown exponentially, both in terms of population and economies.

Interesting indepth to Indo-Lanka issues

Salma Yusuf’s interview with Rashpal Malhotra was most interesting - I should first congratulate her on the ‘in depth’ questions she posed to Shri Malhotra. The interview was somewhat provocative and enlightening. The relationship between our two countries is indeed a blood relationship and one like no other.

The next challenge

Dubai is all set to cross another milestone in urban development and tourist attractions. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the establishment of a new city which is sure to amaze residents and foreigners with its grandeur.

Keep the mud in the puddle - Editorial

The puddle could be as large as the country’s highest administrative body or as tiny as the down-the-lane, gossipmongers’ AGM. Then there are mudslingers and the victims whose list ranges from the persons in the higher echelons to celebrities.

Underage mothers and their shattered dreams of a normal life

Since our return from the IDP camps, this house was the one thing that brought solace to our life crippled by hardships. But a few months ago another family claimed ownership to this land and we were forced to go to courts to claim our right to the land.

Peoples’ Sovereignty Legislative Vs Judicial Powers

Several teams of lawyers have been attempting to uphold the Rule of Law and the Constitution over the last few weeks, as we have sworn an oath to do on behalf of the People and this Republic; some before Court arguing the legal principles, some in educating the masses across the country by public rallies, agitations and meetings and some defending Her Ladyship the Chief Justice before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC)

The Budget and Proletarians

This budget has hit the root of the proletariat. Not only the wage increase is totally insufficient to balance the heavy price increase but also the terrible rise in goods and services tax has created a near unbearable situation. Day by day they see the effect of this terrible situation.

Editorial - Where are the servant leaders?

Time-tested and time-honoured spiritual values and principles show us that those who wish to take leadership must be ready and willing to be the servants of all. This was underlined by great spiritual leaders including  Lord Buddha and  Lord Jesus Christ who gave up all they had and were ready to sacrifice everything including their lives for the common good and liberation of the people.

The Beginning of Buddhist Missionary Movement

The time for the offering of Katina cheevara – thick robes for the rainy season to Buddhist priests who observed “Vas” or the rainy season sojourn ends on Il Full Moon Poya day.

Discourse of Jewels

During the time of Sakyamuni Tathagata the township of ‘Vesali’ or ‘Vishala Maha Nuwara’ went through disastrous experience. The township which once remained prosperous was stricken with epidermy, famine, scarcity, sickness and sudden death.

Lankalokaya press damage a loss to cultural heritage

The 19th century printing press which belongs to the Ranwella Purana Viharaya in Kataluwa, has been badly damaged in a fire. The loss to the country’s cultural heritage thereby is immeasurable.

Only the truth will set us free - Editorial

Humanity yearns to want existence on a higher plane of life. A life where there is no sorrow, fear or despair. Unfortunately it seems to be unattainable, when in fact it is possible to attain it. What we are called to do is to live the truth.