COVER UP IN PROCESS?

Hameed Abdul Karim You must think Iranian leaders are out of their minds if you were to believe the propaganda that comes out of the empire via its kept press.

Quotes of the Week

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Special Envoy of the President for Human Rights, speaking at the 19th UNHRC  Sessions.

IMF formula and the cloaks of patriotism

The Rajapaksa government is holding demonstrations throughout the island against an ‘invasion’ by imperialists. The immediate cause for this rumpus is the government’s call to oppose the resolution, the United States said it would present against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council Sessions being held in Geneva. According to the government the US sponsored resolution is to establish a joint mechanism within the

Prices rise while nutrition levels decline

The bread prices increased by Rs. 5 and now milk powder prices are likely to be increased by Rs. 15 if milk powder importing companies have their way. This pushes the cost of living to unimaginable heights and will have a rippling effect on the economy, not to mention nutrition related issues. Not only the common man, but the government too will feel the brunt of this increase when it cannot afford provide the free glass of milk at schools. &nbs

We waged the war on behalf of U.S as well: Champika Ranawaka

It is very strange and sad to see Sri Lanka and the United States in a collision course in the UNHRC over Sri Lanka’s fight against terrorism. The USA promoted the idea of eradicating global terrorism. The world regarded the LTTE as the most equipped, best trained and most ruthless terrorist organization on this planet. The USA clearly knew that the LTTE was harbouring Al-Qaeda in Philippines.

HOW INVOLVED SHOULD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS BE IN POLITICS?

University students should certainly be involved in politics. They are the future leaders. They should guide the politicians to follow the right path to develop the country and make the future of this country. However the university students seem to be not doing this right now.

Transparency and Equality in the human rights arena

BY SARATH WIJESINGHE Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam has quite correctly and timely raised the issue of equal treatment to all nations on the eve of ...

MAJ.GEN.SILVA IN NEW YORK: SENTENCE WITHOUT A HEARING

The theory of natural justice may dictate that one is innocent until proven guilty. Yet, the seemingly universal law seems to have an exception when it comes to western countries and their approach towards Sri Lanka.

THE OBLIGATION OF THE JPS,IN RECONCILIATION

A number of our yesteryear leaders tried to solve the ethnic issue that had devasted this country for the past several decades. But none of them could achieve noticeable success in their toil, until President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office. Now the war has ended.

GETTING SOMALIA BACK ON ITS FEET

25 February 2012 An Opinion Editorial by the Foreign Secretary William Hague on post London Conference on Somalia. Recently Britain hosted a major international conference on Somalia, attended by heads of government and senior representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations, including UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon, and a large delegation of Somali leaders.

MARIE COLVIN: THE UNCROWNED QUEEN OF INTREPID JOURNALISTS

It was with a deep sense of sadness that I read about the death of Marie Catherine Colvin the respected war correspondent of Britain's "Sunday Times" 22nd along with a French photojournalist Remi Ochlik in Syria on February.

Army camps in North that US did not know

In the run-up to the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) the United States was seen intensifying its shuttle diplomacy to Sri Lanka with renewed calls for what it called  'justice' for 'war victims' and 'demilitarization' of the North. 

The Afghan mess

The deplorable incident of the burning of the Holy Quran by US soldiers at the Bagram air base has sparked violent protests in Afghanistan. This was expected. 

Syria: Western military action on fast track

If one were to go by the tone of the Western news media coverage of Syria, the moves aimed at regime change appear to have been put on a fast track.

Myanmar’s own Spring

A different kind of spring is brewing across Myanmar. The military junta is gradually making room for broadening the democratic process, and its latest decision to lift the ban on political rallies is outstanding.

Sri Lanka and the globalised world lessons from our neighbours

When my grandparents grew up, their competition was their next-door neighbours. Today our competition is an Indian, a Japanese or a Chinese. You know where you rank very quickly in the modern world; you are now competing with everyone else on the planet. The best talent today (and in future) will earn more, and if you don’t measure up, someone will replace you – and it won’t be the guy across the street.

Chilaw: Looking beyond the waves of turbulence

When we finally made our way to Chilaw it was evident that the town had turned into a high security zone overnight. We saw three armoured vehicles parked around the junction and many army personnel lined up in every street.

Mismanagement

The Opposition today,  be it as separate entities or the voice raised together have a consistent allegation coupled with a demand from them. The rampant corruption and the continuous financial mismanagement of the government is the main placard that the oposition as well as ordinary citizens of the country have carried with them during the past few years. 

What is the world day of Social Justice all about?

Yesterday the 20th of February was the World Day of Social Justice, and the following is an excerpt of the message for the 2012 day of Social Justice by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon: "Let us work together to balance the global economy and build a new social contract for the 21st century. Let us chart a development path that leads to greater social justice and the future we want."

prohibition of public protests?

The events of the past week have shown that taking to the streets to protest unfair maneuvers of the administration, could be a potentially life threatening decision. The groups that organized protests against the recent fuel price hike, found themselves in mortal danger. Is it now becoming illicit to speak up?

The Web trap

Perhaps it is called the web with reason. You get trapped. The technological confessional that is manifested in social networking is a matter of concern not only for parents who cannot possibly monitor what their young children are doing but also for adults. The current viral uplift of a father shooting the messenger (the laptop) because his daughter had badmouthed him on Facebook is indicative of this desire to communicate with strangers becaus

Sri Lanka continues to suffer as a pawn in regional geopolitics

By Raj Gonsalkorale If Sri Lanka had been an island hidden away from the geographical proximity and spotlight of super powers or those aspiring to be super powers (and others who would do anything moral or immoral to prevent that from happening), the resplendent island would have been truly tranquil, and at peace. This is not to be so unless tectonic plates move and the island floats away somewhere inconsequential where no one would take notice

Audacious administration and its victims

The government in recent times has acted without any accountability towards the people, who brought them into power. Members of the ruling coalition are now forgetting that they are elected representatives and that governing this country is not their inherent right but more a privilege bestowed on them by the people. 

Defiant Iran deals double blow to West

Iran on Wednesday displayed two of its weapons effectively - oil and nuclear power. On Wednesday oil prices shot up sharply to touch US$ 119 following reports that Iran had decided to stop exports to six European countries — Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Greece and Portugal. Perhaps  

Two leading President’s Counsel vie for the Bar Association Presidency in a hotly contested race

Q: Can you outline the salient factors behind your decision to contest the BASL Presidency?

Painting fangs on a lamb

Ever since Monday's near-successful assassination of an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi, India's media have opened a 24x7 barrage of speculation about who carried out the attack.

Even if St. Valentine turns up ….

‘Valentine’s Day’ is one of the very special days among the special days in the year. Despite no state functions are held to celebrate this ‘Day’ that would spend millions of public money, it is very important to youths who are in love. The services rendered by business establishments and the media to keep the ‘important day’ unforgettable is immense. They are prepared to help the lovers to select their

THE MOST VIOLENT ENEMY IN SOCIETY IS IGNORANCE

We (my husband and I) were travelling after work from Fort towards Maradana and just as we passed the overhead pedestrian crossing (near the old police station) we came to a standstill in traffic. There was another car in front of us and a bus directly behind us. The car before us managed to crawl forward about a foot, at which point the bus driver behind decided to serenade us with a cacophony of mad tooting of the horn.

INTO AN ILLUSTRIOUS SRI LANKA

(Excerpts from a speech made by Judge Weeramantry at the Sri Lanka Independence Day celebrations in Victoria Australia) Independence Day is always an occasion for any nation to reflect on its past, take stock of its present and seek to put into effect its visions for the future.

AFTER THE CONTEMPT...

Pakistan’s Prime Minister stands chargesheeted. He has been formally indicted for contempt of court, which could see him out of public office for life. Yet, the incumbent has pleaded not guilty and has vowed to defend the charges in the court of law. Irrespective of what outcome the proceedings may take, as the court seems determined to decide in a week or so, it is fraught with serious political implictions.