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.

All religions alliance for a new Lanka - Editorial

The worldwide controversy, violent demonstrations and the killing of the United States Ambassador in Libya over the release of a ridiculously scandalous You-tube film on the life of the Holy Prophet Mohammed underlines the need for effective steps to marginalise extremists and bring about religious unity in diversity.

The blind leading the blind

The killing of the US ambassador in Libya and the protests across other parts of the Middle East over an incendiary movie appear to have vindicated the...

Top ten of the great dictators

Thankfully neither candidate for US president is threatening “a war against dictators”. If George W. Bush had been allowed a third term- as President Franklin Roosevelt ...

Editorial - Blank cheques, not checks, for corruption

Despite election victories and boasts about achievements to make Sri Lanka a model or miracle of Asia, widespread corruption continues unchecked with politicians...

Post-election Tug of war....

As political analysts predicted, the United Freedom People’s Alliance (UPFA) returned to office at the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils with conformable majorities. But, in the east, the results showed a different picture with none of the parties being able to get the required majority to form the council.

Chinese Defence Minister’s Visit To Sri Lanka: An Indian Perspective

The first-ever visit by a Chinese Defence Minister to Sri Lanka with an entourage of 23 members indicates the ever increasing Chinese interest in the island nation. China’s Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie’s visited Sri Lanka for five days from August 29, 2012.

Shylocks in free education - Editorial

It is no exaggeration that the state of education continues to deteriorate despite the persistent loud cries of the students, parents and teachers who are stuck in a labyrinthine tunnel with no light.

Fighting the real war against war

With a few books clutched in his left hand, Jayasankar Thayutsan walks heavily, dragging his right foot, trying to keep pace with his classmates running towards the playground.

Road to reconciliation

In keeping with Sri Lanka’s policy of continuous engagement with the UN System, I wish to provide you an update on the significant steps taken, since the Council last met in June 2012, to consolidate our hard-won peace following the defeat of terrorism, and to ensure rapid development and reconciliation amongst our people. 

Abolish executive presidency before next election-Editorial

The Government in the afterglow of its victory in last Saturday’s elections to three provincial councils, must be aware of the need for magnanimity and humility in victory just as we must have courage and determination in defeat.

THE YOUTH OF LANKA PLEDGE TO A MANTRA OF NUNCA MAS

Walking into the auditorium of Jaffna College Vaddukodai last week was not overwhelming as a sea of smiling faces came way. Rather, what instantly struck us was the effervescence that filled the air in a room of nearly 500 youth from all ethnic and religious communities, who had come together from the 22 districts of the country to the culturally and historically reputed seat of learning, in the hope of playing their part in national reconciliati

Is Sri Lanka Preparing For UNHRC’s Head Navi Pillay?

To most of us the announcement of UNHRC’s Technical Team visit comes as a surprise but nothing that should cause frenzy other than the fact that most UN visits are generally not without bias and not without agenda.

Mayhem in Iraq

IRAQ IS once again experiencing bloodshed. A series of blasts across the country on Sunday killed more than 50 people and left behind scores in a state of despair.

Care for others is the measure of greatness - Editorial

Destiny has seen to it that everyone who meets another is given the opportunity to influence and enrich that person. Most times however, being wrapped up in our selfish pursuit of seeking self fulfilment, we lose it.

I love the people and the people love me: Mervyn

Q: What are your views about the is­sue in Mun­nesh­war­am? This is an is­sue I spoke about a long time ago. Even last year, my friends and I res­cued the an­i­mals from the Ko­vil and re­turned them to their own­ers a few weeks lat­er.

The birth of Tamil militancy

The root causes of the three-decade conflict in Sri Lanka can be traced back to unequal treatment of the Tamil population and real and perceived discrimination by the State.

Provincial Councils: A money-eating monster? - Editorial

When the provincial council system was introduced to Sri Lanka with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, it was more of a gesture to please India than to fulfil the needs of the natives.

POST-WAR JAFFNA CHILDREN FEEL THE HEALING TOUCH OF MUSIC

Jaffna, described as the cultural capital of the Sri Lankan Tamils has for decades been a war affected region. The absence of military conflict in recent times has afforded an opportunity for the ravaged people to re-build their battered lives.

Constitutional Design in Plural Societies

Following are some excerpts of the 13th Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Sujit Choudhry, Law Faculty Director, Centre for Constitutional Transitions, NYU School of Law

Today’s elections: Free poll or farce - Editorial

After a campaign during which more than 300 incidents of election law violations and violence were reported, elections will take place today to the Eastern, North-Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils.

Information poverty in democratic states

Every State has secrets. A state keeps certain happenings, dealings, moves, countermoves, inventions, discoveries and plans secret because it believes...

Sustaining peace after war

When it comes to creating a peace in Afghanistan sufficient for the US and NATO to pull their troops out with some degree of confidence in the country’s...

Editorial - Are we sovereign or a pawn?

In the wake of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Teheran, Sri Lanka which has played a significant role in NAM since its inception needs to review its...

Tehran summit underscores role of the South in global decision-making

It was the most high-profile diplomatic gathering in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. As leaders from 120 non-aligned nations converged in Tehran for the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) they were defying calls from both the US and Israel to shun the event.

Jayalalithaa's Sri Lanka muddle will have consequences

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa appears dead set on taking on the ordinary Sinhalese for her inability to influence the Indian government to pursue a Sri Lanka policy of her choice.

Eastern PC Election: Join Together to Silence the Communal Cry

The Provincial Council election campaign has now shifted to top gear in all three provinces but it is the Eastern province which has become the cynosure of all for several reasons. Firstly, the government having carried out development projects investing billions of Rupees