Justice done in Egypt

Hosni Mubarak is sentenced to life in prison. But the point is he has been saved from the gallows. The octogenarian politician and Egypt’s yesteryear strongman is, however, condemned as the chief judge made it a point to read out a preamble on his era before silencing him behind the bars for good.

Religious festivals and national unity

The recently-concluded Wesak celebrations saw countrywide illuminations and decorations which were so pleasing to the eye and so fitting for the occasion. This year was no exception as traditionally we see such colourful and beautiful decorations all over the country during the season of Wesak. In fact people come from faraway places to view the illuminations and decorations in urban towns.

The right to life - Editorial

Be it an animal or human, the worth of life does not differ. While sparing and saving lives has been considered a meritorious deed, taking away a life, is considered otherwise. This is the universal religion of mankind, which, if practised properly, can make the world a better place to live in.

From Here…..to…..Where?

Hillary Clinton lavished praise on the action plan verbally presented by Minister G.L.Peiris. Bless ed him on that futuristic plan that has pleased Uncle Sam in our feeble endeavours of been an obliging nephew.

Sampanthan’s Batticaloa speech, an utter confusion

“Our acceptance of this position does not mean ……that, in the event our right to internal self-determination is continuously denied, we will not claim our right under international law to external self-determination.”

Buddhist concept of reconciliation

The Buddhist concept of reconciliation, developed with clarity in the institutional texts, has a compelling rationale and is of special relevance to issues relating to conflict in our time,...

Editorial - If elections are held let them be free and fair

Opposition leaders and civic rights groups are calling for the appointment of an Independent Elections Commission, an Independent Public Services Commission and an Independent Police Commission before elections are held to any of the provincial councils.

On Burma road

For 25 years, India walked a tightrope in Myanmar between the need to build relations with an important neighbour that was also a strategic gateway to South-east and East Asia, and its conscience.

Inaction simply deepens impunity

Yolanda Foster, Amnesty International (AI)’s Sri Lanka Expert, in an e-mail interview, explains why the international human rights movement continues to call for an international inquiry...

Analysing the Fonseka agenda

In an interview with Khaleej Times at his temporary residence outside Colombo, Fonseka, who led his troops to victory during the last phase of the three decade internal war against the Liberation...

Unpardonable sin

The ‘theoretical’ fear that an innocent life could be snuffed out by an irreversible penalty like death has received chilling confirmation in a recent Columbia University law school study that found the American...

Editorial - Drugs policy

Amid a continuing shortage of essential drugs in public hospitals and clinics, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday directed hospital committees to act fast and effectively to find a solution to this major problem.

Sex in the cities 2

This is the concluding part to issues raised last week. A  case highlighted was of a 17 year old girl found raped, sold initially to work overseas with the hope of a better life, changed to one of being married to a foreigner also for the same reason,...

God Save the Queen?

The run up to this event has been marred by criticism from the human rights community who have accused the royals of courting and consorting with tyrants. These allegations cannot easily be refuted.

Tobacco: Saying no to the smoke of death

The Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr.  Margaret Chan has chosen "Tobacco Industry Interference" as the theme of World No Tobacco Day which falls on 31st May, 2012.

Editorial - Let the facts be facts

There are things that cannot be labelled, or if dissected-fall into pieces. A country’s sovereignty certainly falls into the latter. However, this is the very fact Mr. Sampanthan has forgotten in his speech at the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi convention where he referred to the ‘sovereignty’ of his ‘community.’

Enough of wars

At Arlington, Barack Obama has made a pledge. The US president in no small words told the veterans and military families that Washington would never commit to another war across its shores.

Mr. Sampanthan’s Disturbing Discourse

The keynote speech by Mr. R Sampanthan, the leader of the main Tamil parliamentary party at the recent congress of that organization is in many respects a landmark event.

Can any political party boast of a programme?

Mr.Gayantha Karunathilleke  the UNP’s Media Spokesman accuses the Government of not having a programme to develop the country.

Editorial - Why this hell of a mess and muddle

As we move into June the traditional June bride still appears to be wearing black at least symbolically with little or no progress towards the reconciliation of the ethnic conflict more than three years after the conclusion of the war.

An opportunity squandered

Nepal’s ambitious political transformation suffered its most serious setback on Sunday night when its popularly elected and inclusive Constituent Assembly (CA) collapsed without delivering a constitution.

Higher Education and Prospectus of National Development

Prospects of peace has given the country an opportunity for new economic development, and created potential for the tourist industry, growth sectors like BPO,

I am trying to forgive

The eldest daughter of Sarath Fonseka, Apsara Fonseka spoke to the Daily Mirror about the ordeal her family has endured over the past two and a half years and how it had brought them closer together. She also explains her emotions towards those who put her family through a difficult time and her desire to stay far away from politics.

Government MP’s are in a worse prison than I am

Q: Do you feel that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa were directly responsible for what you faced over the past two and a half years?That was the impression we had from the very beginning; when the military came and dragged me away and abducted me.

Sarath Fonseka’s Release

The shameless scramble by many sections of the political Opposition to get credit for Mr. Fonseka’s pardon and release from prison, that occurred immediate on his release, and is seen to continue still, seems to me to be an almost exact replica of this behaviour of crows at a morsel that comes their way.

Editorial - Judge not and you shall not be judged

In our lives we have a tendency to form opinions of others. Quite often we see their negative side and think little before condemning them. What do we know of what is in the heart of other people when they behave in a certain way?

Egyptians make history, again

Egypt’s 51 million voters have made history by voting in their country’s first-ever free and open presidential election. They have also proved almost all commentators wrong in the choices they made.

Fonseka: Out, not down – or, is he?

Out from prison, former armed forces commander Sarath Fonseka has called for uniting and strengthening the Opposition parties that came together when he contested the presidential polls – but have gone their way since.

Dambulla – Untold Facts

The Joint Committee of Buddhist of Organizations did not get involved in this emotional confrontation to aggravate a tense situation that prevailed a few weeks back.

Editorial - Along the valley of death

Over the years, the significance of maintaining road discipline and its obvious absence from the roads of Sri Lanka has been subject to constant discussion. Yet, no amount of talk has been able to bear any fruit.