Galle Face Protests Chai, brotherhood lift feeling of Srilankanness at ‘Gotagogama’

‘GotaGoGama’ – that is what the protesters call the ‘Agitation Site’ at the Galle Face Green which has now transformed into a colony of people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. What commenced....

Time for Revolution of Thought Protesting for hope and change

In the recent past, public- led protests have sprung up all over Sri Lanka as people took to the streets demanding for the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. Historian Shamara....

The Revolutionary Right to Overthrow!

“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending....

I am concerned about my safety: Thisara Anuruddha Bandara

Two days after the public uprising in Mirihana, social activist Thisara Anuruddha Bandara was arrested by the Modara Police under Section 120 of the Penal Code while in Kandy . He was the administrator....

High time for president and Govt. to step down!

The country’s Rajapaksa dynasty is facing its toughest challenge yet as protesters demand that the president step down amid a devastating economic crisis.

This is not the time to test the patience of young protestors

Last Tuesday’s motorbike circus in the middle of a public protest near the Parliament by members of an alleged military motorbike unit-without number plates- riding fast and ignoring police orders is a show of sheer arrogance and an immature way of acting at a time when the country is on ‘fire’.

When fear comes true for a govt.

Is the Sri Lankan President attempting to form an interim administration largely to find a solution to the economic crisis or to escape from mounting public pressure? This is the big question that the present lawmakers dodge or show little interest in to provide an answer.

Documents leaked to Daily Mirror reveal what went wrong in Sri Lankan power sector

When the lights went out on March 31 many Sri Lankans would hardly have been surprised. Rationing of electricity has grown commonplace in recent years, particularly since March of this year, when a foreign currency shortage produced a fuel crisis and reservoir levels fell owing to dry weather.

Ambitious Gnana Akka leaves environment in shambles

Soothsayer Gnana Akka has come under the spotlight for constructing a controversial hotel in the Nuwara Wewa precinct in Anuradhapura and also for instructing the authorities to build the National Sandalwood Park near the Parliament; posing a threat to the Diyawanna Oya wetland.

Student, denied entry for exam, wins Rs. 1 mn for emotional distress after 21 years

In 2001, Thushari from Veyangoda Bandaranayake Madya Maha Vidyalaya was not permitted to sit for her GCE Advanced Level General English....

ECONOMIC CRISIS Comparison of two governments

Who is behind high prices of milk?

Even vegetarians consume milk and eggs because these are the most cost-effective sources of nutrients. They are versatile foods that can be used in a variety of ways. As a result, they are in high demand, and as in any market economy, market forces determine their prices. We have the option and

Anuradhapura Gnana Akka RENOWNED SOOTHSAYER'S HOTEL COMES UNDER SPOTLIGHT.’’

Can the law be made silent when shrine (Devalaya) officials enjoy limitless political powers of powerful political figures? They amass abundant wealth thanks to this political framework. A similar incident was reported in Anuradhapura city where the Shrine of Gnana Meniyo is located. It is known as ‘Sasthara Gedara’ and is frequented by politicians. She is b

TPA Seeks Non-Territorial Council for Hill Country Tamils

The total population of Tamils - both Sri Lankan and Indian -is 3,113, 247. Of these 1,611,036 Tamils are living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Another 1,502,211 Tamils live outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces

“We’re being used as guinea pigs” Dr Manuka Wijesinghe

The pandemic is still a hot issue here in Sri Lanka and around the world. Although we see a drop in numbers the issue is still being discussed and a lot of precautions are being taken.

Amma, should I go with this stranger?

For thousands of young girls across Sri Lanka, their wedding is a far cry from happily ever after as parents marry off their daughters....

How Plan left Sri Lanka, abandoning children and misleading donors

Plan International’s decision to leave Sri Lanka raised eyebrows. Several stakeholders found the decision abrupt and ill-prepared.

In conversation with Poet Ahnaf Jazeem “The poems I wrote were against the ISIS ideology”

Young Tamil poet and teacher Ahnaf Jazeem was controversially arrested on May 16, 2020 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on the allegations of sowing Islamic extremism through his anthology.....

Dollar crisis driven import issues to hamper Yala season

Farmers had high hopes to cultivate during the Yala season, but their hopes have begun to shatter. Presently farmers....

Staggering regime strains to negotiate uncertainty, people’s pressure

The failure to deliver on promises, defections and shortsighted decisions have led the country towards the edge of a precipice. Fuel shortages, soaring cost of living, irregular power outages and the fertiliser crisis have severely inconvenie

N. Q. Dias Anticipated an Armed Tamil struggle with Indian support

This weekly column returns with the second part of the article titled “Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N. Q. Dias was Feared as the “Tsar” that was published in the “Daily Mirror” of February 19, 2022.

Spotlight on Bibile Bittersweet responses for sugar producing project

Two hundred years have passed since the Uva - Wellassa uprising to free the country from the British colonials. The British left the country, but to this day the struggle to save the land from foreigners remains the same, locals of Uva-Wellassa say.

H. R. Jothipala: Sinhala Cinema’s Most Popular Playback Singer

I begin this column this week with an apology to readers. I had written a two part article titled “Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N. Q. Dias was feared as the “Tsar” in the “Daily Mirror” last week (Feb 19). Unfortunately I am unable to write the second part this week as planned because I am yet in the process of gathering some vital information necessary for writing.

Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N.Q. Dias was Feared as the “Tsar”

In the article titled “1962 Coup:Takeover of Govt. Through Operation Holdfast” that was published in the “Daily Mirror”of January 29th 2022,

Sri Lanka is a country that violated its Constitution since Independence: - Victor Ivan

The attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s residence and the arrest of Shehan Malaka Gamage, a social media activist who raised concerns regarding the Easter Sunday attack, within a span....

Is PTA worth losing GSP concessions?

Daily Mirror yesterday reported that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had directed the police not to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as a shortcut but only if there are clear links to terrorism. Foreign Minister....

10-year-old falls prey to faith healing practices: The dark side of choosing faith over science

The death of a 10-year-old Maleesha Dulakshana sent waves of shock, anger and sympathy among most Sri Lankans but reality is such that many segments of society have largely been blinded by false....

The Killing of LTTE Eastern Political Commissar Kausalyan

This column has for the past three weeks been focusing on the abortive Coup d’état conspiracy of 1962. There has been much reader interest in the articles. I have been pleasantly surprised to receive a lot of responses ranging from persons related or connected to some of the coup suspects to people from different walks of life evincing much interest in an important event in Sri Lanka’s history.

When Hell Broke Loose in Hades

The failure to promptly open and carry out a criminal investigation into the 2012 Welikada riot, despite having strong....

1962 Coup:Takeover of Govt. Through “Operation Holdfast”

The 1962 Coup d’etat conspiracy had three noteworthy aspects.Firstly the architects of the conspiracy wanted a bloodless coup.