We need sincere, sacrificial leaders - Editorial

When society fails to inculcate moral values in its children it reflects the decadence of its people. The much sought after miracle of Asia may become one more of the many pariah and lawless states of the world, like the wild west of yesteryear.

Will the Global South be given a permanent Voice at UNited nations Security Council?

The United Nations Security Council elections will be held on October 18, 2012 during the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The elections are for five non-permanent seats on the Security Council for two-year mandates.

The terrifying world of child brides

At age 11, Ghulam was married off to 40-year-old Jaiz in a rural Afghan village, making her only one of more than 10 million young girls who are being forced to wed men old enough to be their fathers or grandfather every year.

Supporting Malala’s dream

PAKISTANIS, AS a nation, often find it hard to agree on issues. Recently, the issue of blasphemy generated a flurry of divisive protests and debates. But at the moment, there’s a rare show of unity among the country’s populace.

Editorial - Screaming through an Indian loudspeaker

As much as one cannot forget India’s stony stance at the UNHRC sessions in March this year, in view of the upcoming sessions in November, the importance of being in the Big Brother’s good books cannot be left aside easily.

KP MOVES FROM COLOMBO TO THAMILCHELVAN’s HOUSE IN KILINOCHCHI

Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias “KP” who is under the protective custody of the Sri Lankan Government has been relocated from Colombo to Kilinochchi last week by the authorities.

The Saga of Julian Assange

When a report of a crime is made, the police are required to request the appointment of ‘judge de instruction” or the “examining judge” under whose guidance and under whose watchful eye, the Police enquiries into the crime are conducted.

An escalating conflict

TENSIONS BETWEEN Turkey and Syria are continuing to escalate rapidly, despite the international community’s call for restraint. Turkish officials have accused a Syrian passenger plane, which was passing over Turkish airspace, of carrying “illegal cargo” from Damascus.

Editorial - Constitutional crisis: The best way out

One of the worst-ever crises between the Rajapaksa government and the judiciary has been compounded by a dispute over the controversial Divi Neguma Bill.

Group within govt. backs conspirators - Wimal

Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities and leader of the National Freedom Front Wimal Weerawansa spoke on the instability of the Eastern Provincial Council and intra-alliance rivalry. 

Obama is a great success

Barring Martin Luther King, Barack Obama is the finest political orator in America’s living memory. His supporters are dumbstruck that in his debate with...

Editorial - Stop this Attack on the Judiciary

The attack on the Judicial Services Commission Secretary Manjula Tillekeratne has triggered off one of the most explosive crises between the Government...

ground being prepared for social revolution : Anura

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake spoke to the Daily Mirror on the deteriorating influence of the JVP and the issues surrounding the rift between The Judiciary and the Executive. He also speaks on the FUTA strike.

A promise to girls

Today is a day to celebrate the fact that it is girls who will change the world; that the empowerment of girls holds the key to development and security for families, communities and societies worldwide.

Into the valley of death, marched the 6%

Here in Sri Lanka, the ordinary citizenry is the last to know about the decisions taken by the state for the so-called welfare of the former. Even though there is nothing comforting about this enforced ignorance, people are compelled to live with it.

Attacks on judiciary End of freedom?

This week commenced adding another blood stain on Sri Lanka’s judicial independence. The Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Manjula Tillekaratne was assaulted in broad daylight just days after his public statement where he indicated existing threats to the security of those in the ‘highest positions in the judicial sector’.

Another term for Chavez

IN 1999, newly-elected Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez promised his people that he will lead the Bolivarian revolution— a term inspired by the 19th century Latin American cult revolutionary Simon Bolivar.

For a mentally healthy nation

During the last few decades, the governments of many countries have increasingly recognised the pain, distress, disability, death, burden, stigma and economic loss due to mental disorder on both the individual and the family.

Senior Minister on Conspiracy Affairs? -Editorial

The experience we had so far was the Sri Lanka cricket team coming into the final with the parallel of jacking up of commodity prices. But this time it was different. The Sri Lankan cricket team played the final of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup last Sunday and the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) was assaulted by four unidentified goons on the same day and was admitted to hospital.

This government is afraid of intelligent people - Mangala

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera speaks on the University Teachers’ crisis, the pressure on the judiciary and the perceived stock market mafia. Excerpts of the interview follow. Log on to www.dailymirror.lk to hear his comments on “girlfriend companies”, the opposition’s preparation for an upcoming change and the Malaka Silva case.

Agrochemicals and NCP kidney disease – the reality

Since the year 2000, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDU) also called Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) has been reported in several areas of Sri Lanka, mostly in the North Central Province (NCP).  A large number from the Badulla and Kurunegala districts are also affected by CKDU.

Deadly rates in private health sector - Editorial

A law to regulate the work and charges at private hospitals was passed some years ago, but it appears that the law is not being implemented for obvious reasons, and most private hospitals have become big business operations with some of them imposing five-star charges.

LG Elections Bill: Need for Amendments

On October 10th 2012, the Government is expected to put forward a bill in Parliament to amend the existing Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill. While there is a general consensus among political parties that changes to the existing electoral system are required, there are also concerns

Leading a Minority Muslim Community A Sri Lankan Experience

Participating in governance, the SLMC had discovered was far more complex than agitation and protest. Our principal concern at the time was our demand for a territorially non-contiguous Muslim majority council that would encompass the Muslim majority areas.

Deadly border skirmishes

IT IS difficult to ascertain incursions on the border. But low-level skirmishes reported on the internationally recognised frontiers often blow into full-scale wars. The Sino-Indian conflict five decades ago is a case in point.

Editorial - Sri Lanka: Tea, sea and cricket

It would matter little whether Sri Lanka today wakes up to a shining ray of victory or under a cloud of defeat. With the unbending unity it has cemented in the Sri Lankan culture, cricket has certainly done its duty and justified its long existence.

Country can’t wait till next general election-SF

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka talked about his political plan, solutions to pressing problems confronting the country and rights of minorities, in an interview with Daily Mirror. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

For a greener COLOMBO

After having suffered thirty years of war, Sri Lanka today is reaping the full rewards of being a nation at peace. Tourist arrivals are on the rise, and the country has been chosen to host several significant international events.

Editorial - We make a life by what we give

With corruption and crime, selfishness and greed, hypocrisy, deception and other vices rampant in society today, the Government needs to tackle the roots of this crisis by discussing with religious and other leaders practical means by which religious education for children is given highest priority.

Who killed Stevens? Questions about CIA and US policy in N. Africa

Only one in a million Pakistanis believes that military dictator Zia ul-Haq was killed in a plane accident. It was sabotage. There are theories galore as to...