Sri Lanka’s ‘Fourth Estate’ Rising from the Ashes

The media has often had great influence on public affairs and is referred to as the fourth estate. In the 19th century, the fourth estate came to refer exclusively to the press (print media). Today it’s applied to all branches of the news media and is accepted in general as being a legitimate political force performing a watchdog function.

AMAN Dialogue 2025 aims to foster collaboration among maritime nations - Adm. Ashraf

As a vital maritime corridor, the Indian Ocean faces increasing geopolitical and environmental challenges. Bordered by 38 littoral states, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) features a diverse population with varying races, religions and civilizations. As a maritime state, Pakistan has taken a keen interest to ensure regional maritime security through various operations such as the Regional Maritime Security Patrol and the AMAN Naval exercise hosted b

Beyond Big Brother: Reframing India-Sri Lanka Relations Under Dissanayake

One side effect of the polarizing effect of nationalism and populism around the world in recent years has been a decrease in the political stability and mandate enjoyed by incumbent regimes.

Anawilundawa ANRM Project: Where people, nature thrive hand in hand with mangroves

Located in between Chilaw and Puttalam is a pristine sanctuary that is now home to many flora and fauna.

Speaker’s Credentials: Academic or Leadership Qualities?

“May it please your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose obedient servant I am here”-- William Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons on January 4, 1642

Faking Degrees: A Thriving industry in South Asia

The Anura Kumara Dissanayake government in Sri Lanka, which was sailing smoothly despite unsolved economic issues, suffered the first jolt since coming to power, when parliament Speaker Ashoka Ranwala resigned on Friday amidst accusations that his PhD was fake.

AKD’s India Tour and Ethnic Probleme-EDITORIAL

It seems to be a ritual rather than a custom for the Sri Lankan Presidents in the recent past to undertake their first overseas tour to India, the geographically closest country.

A plea for national consensus to resolve Sri Lanka’s human-elephant conflict

In Sri Lanka, humans and elephants are finding themselves closer than ever before, sharing land in ways that are often dangerous and costly.

Fall of the Assad Dynasty: What is Next for Syria?

The Assad family, father and son, ruled Syria with an iron fist for fifty four years.

Cricket’s Fall from Grace and AKD’s Loss of Face - EDITORIAL

Through the distant mists of history of cricket, we hear echoes of phrases such as cricket being the ‘gentleman’s game’.

Ranwala’s Title Outweighs Rice and Coconuts

The moral high ground occupied by National People’s Power (NPP) government has been threatened by the issues surrounding the title Dr. used by Speaker Asoka Sapumal Ranwala after many people started questioning and challenging the authenticity of it.

President Gets his Sums Wrong; MP’s Drop Bogus Doctorates

Less than four months ago,, the results of this country’s Presidential election brought a smile to Lankan faces. The relatively young leader of the National Peoples Power (NPP), popularly known as AKD, was elected President. Until this time AKD had commanded just three members in parliament. At the General elections which followed in November, the NPP won a two-thirds majority. It left the political opposition in disarray.

LTTE Political Strategist Anton Balasingham: A Personal Account.

The current controversy surrounding Speaker Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala’s higher educational qualifications evoke memories of an earlier controversy of a similar nature concerning a prominent person associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE).

Syria: The grim reality behind the celebration

The crisis unfolding in Syria is indeed a major geopolitical quake, the likes of which the Middle East has not seen since the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and the balkanisation of the region into more than a dozen nation-states some 105 years ago in keeping with the Western imperialists’ sinister design to divide and rule the Arabs.

Thumbing Through Pages Made Heavy by VAT- EDITORIAL

Book publishers in Sri Lanka are up in arms against the existing Value Added Tax (VAT) that’s charged on books.

Illegal cultivations put Nilgala Forest in jeopardy

Uva Pathanbima, which includes the Nilgala Forest, one of the four unique ecological zones native to Sri Lanka, has yet to be gazetted as a protected forest.

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF PLEDGES GIVEN AT THE ELECTIONS:IS IT FEASIBLE ?

Out of multiple strategies implemented by JVP/NPP leadership in order to secure victory at the last Presidential and General elections, hatred politics and gamut of crucial pledges given to the people have played a predominant role to change the mindset of the mass scale of people in favour of JVP/NPP.

1971 Indo-Pakistan War Legendary Pakistan Navy Submarine and Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore

The Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore celebrated its 50th anniversary three years ago. I was fortunate enough to be part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations being an alumnus of the College, on invitation by then Chief of Navy Staff (Navy Commander) of Pakistan.

A Silent Epidemic: Tackling Mental Health Challenges Among Sri Lanka’s Students

Among the many statistics, rankings, and lists, Sri Lanka appears on; one of the most alarming is its position in global suicide rates.

Perhaps the Eyes of Lady Justice May not be Blindfolded Anymore…

When Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake took oaths as the 43rd Chief Justice of Sri Lanka in May 2011, there were many who were unhappy about this appointment.

Can AKD bring big time rice millers to book

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his newly elected parliamentary team are being hit by a barrage of criticism more reminiscent of the firing of multi-barrel weapons which operated during the time of the LTTE-led war which lasted nearly 30 years. The political opposition has rounded on government for its inability to control major rice millers manipulating prices.

When guardians of justice are more corrupt than politics…

Those on all sides of the political divide, and even those who hold reservations, could expect certain good things to come from this government. One area of promise is more than an illusory commitment to fight corruption. Acknowledging that would not make you a sycophant but surely reduce the chances of you being a brazen hypocrite.

Tour guides should adopt new technology to promote tourism- WFTGA Ambassador

Amid the vibrant beats of traditional drums, spirited dancers, and the echo of conch shells unique to Sri Lanka, Maricar Donato, the Global Brand Ambassador of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), received a warm and ceremonial welcome from the Sri Lanka Institute of National Tour Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) on December 3, 2024.

AUBREY. V. RAYMOND A noble man with sterling qualities

More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. These lines of Alfred Lord Tennyson were reflected in the life and times of late Aubrey. V. Raymond. It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I am paying humble homage to the memory of a dear departed personality, friend and non-related brother.

Environmental groups demand Lalkantha to withdraw statement on wild animals

The NPP’s environmental policy envisions a ‘sustainable environment that ensures the healthy existence of biodiversity’.

Why is crony capitalism so strong and widespread?

Crony capitalism is widely and publicly derided as the worst form capitalism. It is considered to be injurious to the long term prospects of an economy and also to the welfare of the masses.

Rice issue: Only tough action would work - EDITORIAL

The National People’s Power (NPP) government is apparently under pressure particularly to walk the talk on many issues.

Warning for patients! Medical procurement issues cause shortage of over 300 vital medicines

Hospital sources across the island have confirmed a severe shortage of medicines in many hospitals in the country.

Provincial Council polls should bridge democratic deficit

Constitutionalism as a theory and in practice stands for the principle that there are—in a properly governed state—limitations upon those who exercise the powers of government, and that these limitations are spelled out in a body of higher law which is enforceable in a variety of ways, political and judicial. It is an indispensable part of the rule of law.

Crocodile tears over Lanka, while covering genocide in Palestine - EDITORIAL

The EconomyNext on December 5 reported that the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) is seeking sanctions and travel bans for human rights and economic crimes in Sri Lanka for more than 60 Sri Lankans, including military officials.