“The executive and legislature exist thanks to the judiciary”

Wijeydasa Rajapakshe the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka speaks to the Daily Mirror about the recent issue surrounding an alleged attack on the independence of the judiciary.

Rectifying wrongs of the past

Discrimination against the Tamil population which is seen to lie at the root of the three- decade conflict has been attributed to the struggle between a majority community and a minority community, where the latter seeks space to operate within a larger polity.

Myanmar’s new task

The Burmese Nobel laureate has been an inspiration for many. Aung San Su Kyi’s recent interview with a foreign daily, on her recent visit to the United States, has just furthered the sensitive side of her human nature. She is too polite to state the obvious.

Home sweet home, where good food grows - Editorial

For centuries agriculture has been the foundation of Sri Lanka’s economy and also a vital part of our hallowed ancient civilisation. The farmer was looked upon as a king, so much so that a famous British writer said that the farmer, when the mud was washed off his back, was fit to be a king.

SL's first national DNA analysis lab soon to be a reality

The present conviction rate of 4% in the country is a repetitively highlighted fact whenever a debate emerges pertaining to the judicial process. During the year of 2010 alone, Police Department statistics revealed over 91% of homicides

INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS: AN ATTACK ON ISLAM Freedom of speech or freedom to blaspheme?

Everyone seems to be aware of the mayhem that has gripped the Muslim communities all over the world, but only a handful of them understand what actually triggered these protests. People might wonder how a 13-minute trailer can trigger such a big reaction,

Editorial - The answer script logjam

This year’s Advanced Level examination was concluded on August 30. Almost a month has passed; the answer scripts are still bundled together and left in a corner. Anyone who has been subject to the minute horrors of national examinations would know that....

NAJEEB ABDUL MAJEED MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST MUSLIM CM OF SRI LANKA

Mohamed Najeeb Abdul Majeed made history when he was sworn in as the chief minister of the Eastern Provincial Council before President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday September 18th 2012. After the swearing in ceremony at “Temple Trees”

FUTA Strike and Conspiracy Stories

Some politicians and media officials linked to the government have begun to describe the FUTA strike as an attempt to overthrow the present government. Some have even come out with the fantastic idea that the FUTA is planning a ‘Suharto style’ conspiracy.

Editorial - The warning of Bertrand Russell

The British Philosopher and Historian Bertrand Russell has said three factors come out prominently when a country is degenerating from democracy to dictatorship. These vices are violence or crime, rampant corruption and false propaganda.

Sea of nationalism: China-Japan in major conflict over small islands

Forgiving and forgetting the past to build new relations is part of religions and philosophies. The spirit of magnanimity, however, manifests itself...

It is necessary to increase direct taxes -- DEW

In terms of the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act No. 03 of 2003, the Ministry of Finance is required to present a Mid-year Fiscal Position...

Editorial - Evil minds contaminate the earth

It is said that what comes out of our human minds is what often corrupts and distorts our human personality. When that happens we distort and...

PC polls: SLMC to share Chief Minister Post in East

Politics witnessed one of the most hectic weeks, with the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the Tamil National Alliance – engaged in roping in members to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) that remained hung. Finally, the lid was placed on the problem by the UPFA which managed to draw the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) into its fold.

Politics Should Not Be Confrontational, But Participatory

The victory of the UPFA in the recent Eastern Provincial Council elections has to be given serious thought by the Muslim community. Though the UPFA has got 204000 votes and captured 14 seats, this does not mean that the UPFA is the governing body of the Eastern Provincial Council.

A muddled campaign

The current U.S. presidential election ratings showing Barack Obama leading his Republican challenger Mitt Romney by seven percentage points among registered voters and only three among likely voters reveal the uncertainty surrounding the whole election.

Emasculating war heroes - Editorial

At a time when plenty of dramas are directed for the benefit of the theatre-enthusiasts in the capital, there are other dramas scripted and acted out for the sheer benefit of the individuals who appear in them.

‘Victorious’ government and the defeated masses…

Abortion is legally banned in Sri Lanka. Despite the ban, it is common  knowledge that these illegal activities prevail in the country, under cover. While some say that killing a child about to be born is a crime, others may argue that abortion is a woman’s right. Most of these abortions take place without the intervention of the government.

US House Resolution on Sri Lanka

It has been reported that Sri Lanka is expected to lobby the support of friendly US congressmen to defeat a resolution tabled in the House of Representatives on September 07 by seven congressmen demanding an international inquiry into alleged violations of the international humanitarian law during the military battle against the separatist/terrorist Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

Blowing hot and cold

THE CONTINUED logjam following the week-long negotiations in Bangkok earlier this month of the UN Climate Change Convention has not come as a surprise to many, as the great divide between the developed and developing countries persists in stalling any sensible and acceptable replacement of the much-maligned first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which expires towards the end this year.

Editorial - Whither governance and rule of law?

The ‘Malaka Silva’ affair has been ‘the’ incident during the last few days with media taking great pains not to miss a wee bit of the drama unfolded—which even Malaka’s father, Minister Mervyn Silva said that led to the sale of unsalable newspapers in the country.

America Pivots to Asia while a Giant Awakens

The race to the Whitehouse has begun. With the conventions concluded, attention is turning to the upcoming debates. It is less than two months until Election Day, November 6.

Sensitive reconciliation of the communities

The State must not lose sight of the need to allay the fears and anxieties of the Sinhalese who, though a majority, have their own share of concerns, both real and imagined. Many actions that discriminated against minorities sprang initially from a widespread perception amongst the Sinhalese

Islands of discord

IT’S QUITE unbecoming of the Chinese to indulge in violence — and that took over an issue that concerns foreign relations and territorial disputes. But that is exactly what is happening with the communist giant, as protesters go on rampage destroying Japanese interests with impunity.

Editorial - Hump-dump mafia like humpty-dumpty

What is happening in the multi-million-rupee Colombo Stock Exchange is not only a scandalous fraud and plunder of public funds but a clear sign of the breakdown of the rule of law.

An exciting pace in Northern development ...

South Africa’s National Council of Provinces Chairman Miniwa Johannes Mahlangu was in Colombo last week for the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference at which he was elected as the new President of the CPA.

Pen Portrait of Anagarika Dharmapala

Had he lived in Colombo in 2012 amongst i-pads and i-phones, Nokia and Reebok, Anagarika Dharmapala would have mocked the Colombians as a fawning cringing crawling mob that worshipped at the altar of the UNP and with fortunes changing offer pooja before the shrine of Mahinda Rajapaksa, solely for personal advancement in search of mercenary merchandise.

Into the world of books… - Editorial

Tomorrow (September 18) will see an endless river of book-lovers flooding the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises for the Colombo International Book Fair opening its doors to readers belonging to many generations.

I’m not afraid to speak the truth - Hirunika Premachandra

Hirunika Premachandra didn’t mince her words when she spoke to the  about her recent appearance at a UPFA rally which created doubts among sections of the public about her political ambitions and aspiration and much more. Following are excerpts of the interview which can be viewed in full on Dailymirroronline.lk

Sri Lanka, A Diminished Democracy

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an association of Parliamentarians who are bound by their shared interests, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and the pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.