The JVP-led NPP Govt.’s Envisaged Constitution and the 13th Amendment

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has successfully concluded his first state visit to India from December 15 to 17. The optics of the three day visit to New Delhi has been hailed positively. President Dissanayake known popularly as AKD is the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna as well as the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP).

Year 2024 - the good, the bad, and the silly

The year 2024- is coming to an end. On Wednesday the New Year will take off. It is perhaps time we looked back and enjoy the positives, ponder what we could have done better to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Is Sri Lanka out of bankruptcy?

Ratings agency Fitch raised Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign-currency default rating on December 20 while the Moody’s Ratings on Monday (December 23) also raised the country’s long-term foreign currency issuer rating.

“Their bodies had to be thrown into the sea”: The heart-wrenching plight of Rohingya Refugees

A collective of 47 civil society organisations have issued a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting humanitarian asylum for Rohingya asylum seekers from Mynamar who recently arrived in Sri Lanka.

What can the recent Speaker’s resignation teach us about politics in the digital era?

With the advent of media and social media, people today are flooded with information, misinformation and disinformation, and it entails both upsides and downsides, particularly in a democratic society.

Sri Lanka’s role in the Rohingya Crisis AND The Palestine issue IN THE BACKDROP OF CHRISTMAS

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Palestine, during a time of colonisation, political and economic oppression by Roman imperialism.

Christ-less West vs. Christ-filled Palestinian resilience

While glittering Christmas decorations adorn malls and mansions across the Western world, a stark contrast emerges in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

Don’t hate traffic cops for making you do a breathalyser - EDITORIAL

We love the police despite these law enforcement officers wearing an intimidating colour like khaki. Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara once mooted the idea of changing the police uniform to light blue, which is the colour of the police uniform in most European countries.

Tsunami Survivors of Hambantota still relate tales of trauma and communal harmony

Twenty years ago on a day like today (December 26), people in Hambantota were getting ready to go to the Sunday fair during the early hours of the morning.

In the season of peace and dignity, whither Lanka?

Today is Christmas Day. For Lankan’s irrespective of religious or other beliefs it is, as customarily has been, a time for spreading goodwill, love and giving. It is widely celebrated as a time of peace. As this year comes to a close, there are many things Lankans can be proud of.

A roller-coaster of a year and finally hope

As a year that was a rollercoaster comes to an end, there are two positive developments. First, Sri Lanka completed sovereign bond restructuring and exited a restricted default. Second, the economy grew at 5. 5 per cent in the third quarter, outperforming forecasts by the IMF and rating agencies. It defied the predictions of a slowdown, bettering the growth numbers of the last two quarters, which grew at 4.7 per cent and 5.3 per cent.

What’s next with India-Sri Lanka ties post President Dissanayake’s Visit?

On September 28, I posted my thoughts briefly on social media under the title ‘Navigating Foreign Policy Towards the Stable Country: The Daunting Challenges for the AKD Government in Sri Lanka’.

Beyond the Title: Parliament Needs a Focus on Expertise

The proposal put forward by MP Dilith Jayaweera, advocating for the complete disregard of academic titles in Parliament, is an exceptionally wise one.

Economic crisis and household debt in the north

The ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka has greatly affected household debt. As the economy worsened due to inflation, higher living costs and job losses, more households are relying on debt.

A humanitarian approach to resolve the Northern fishermen issue - EDITORIAL

India’s interest in resolving the long-standing fishermen row between India and Sri Lanka is vague. It seems to depend on the interests shown by Sri Lankan leaders on the matter.

Is ‘the Writing on the Wall’ for the 13th Constitutional Amendment?

“The Writing on the Wall” is a figurative expression derived from the story of Daniel in the old testament of the Bible.

A man who sold women for $10 now

I thought of writing about local affairs this week, but something I found out about Abu Mohammed Al Julani, the man who led the blitzkrieg which forced Syrian President Bashar Al Assad into exile, means I should say that first before moving on.

World Meditation Day celebrated in Sri Lanka

High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, organised two special meditation sessions to observe the United Nations-designated World Meditation Day on December 21.

After the PTA: ATA or nothing?

The National People’s Power (NPP) was unequivocal in its manifesto about rescinding the current Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), describing it as “oppressive.” Yet, while other legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Bill are moving forward with Cabinet approval, there is no movement on the PTA.

President Disanayaka’s visit to India: Opportunities, challenges, and the path ahead

In December 2024, Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Disanayaka, embarked on a state visit to India, underscoring the deep historical, cultural, and strategic ties that bind the two neighboring nations.

Christ’s message of peace amid the reality of war - EDITORIAL

In three days’ time we will celebrate the festival of Christmas. Since the beginning of December our cities have been gaily decorated. Shops remain open until late as children excitedly flood shops in search of gifts.

The sagging Indian interest in 13 A

Is the 13th Amendment to the Constitution - the most controversial and lengthy modification introduced to the country’s basic law - losing its significance? The answer seems to be in the affirmative with India, the real architect of that Amendment gradually lessening its weight in its own statements, the possibility of it dying a natural death or becoming a dead letter is apparently high. Also, with the provincial councils, the practical outcome

Recognising friend from foe and avoiding ‘Catch-22 situations’

Lanka finds itself once again in a Catch-22 situation. India and China have from our post-independence period proved to be our country’s most steadfast friends.

Going from Aid to Trade: a Story of Lanka and India

Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently concluded his state visit to India. He was given a high ceremonial welcome by his counterpart, President Droupadi Murmu, and received with warmth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtraprati Bhavan. In the joint statement, India has pledged to supply LNG gas to Sri Lanka, enhance trade settlements between the two countries, boost education and technology exchanges and encourage Indian

Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker Programme Helps 200 Youngsters Complete the Programme

The recent batch for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) – Nursing Care training programme had completed the programme; it is conducted by the National Youth Services Council, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO). It empowers youth with critical skills for Japan’s growing nursing care sector. The ceremony to award certificates to the students was held in Kandy.

Request to Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Online Safety Act, and Other Repressive Laws

The Coalition against the Repressive Laws (CARL) which comprise of more than 60 Civil Society, Media, Trade Unions and Professional Associations, in a letter to the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has requested to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Online Safety Act, and other repressive laws that undermine fundamental rights and freedom.

Will life end at 40 for comatose SAARC?

Not many Gen Alpha, and even a good segment of Gen Z, can connect themselves with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, as the now dormant and once vibrant and kicking grouping is entering its 40th year, with hardly any celebrations to mark the 40th Charter Day on December 8, except a reception hosted in Kathmandu by the SAARC’s Secretary General.

Should Specialist Doctors Retire so ‘young’?

As Sri Lanka gets ready for Christmas in December, there will be some aged government workers who will be getting ready for retirement. That sounds painful, especially for specialist doctors who have to retire at age 60 by December 31 this year. However, there can be some good news for them given that the Ministry of Public Administration takes steps to gazette a ruling by the Court of Appeal to extend the retirement age of specialist doctors ser

Indo-Lanka ties intact, tightrope walk ahead for Sino-Lanka ties

In the overall context, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to India can be viewed as reaffirmation of the already existing blueprint for furtherance of bilateral relations.

System changes to rout out political corruption at grass root level

The Local Government (LG) election has come to the fore again.