Versatile Filmmaker Vasantha Obeysekera’s “Dadayama” (The Hunt)

Devoting the first Saturday article of each month to a film, film personality or film-related topic is a practice being followed by this column in recent times.

Tamil Parties Must Urge Full Implementation of 13A

Last week’s article was about the guerilla war fought by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) against the Indian Army in the Trincomalee district.

July 22 attacks and future of Aragalaya : Can the Aragalaya survive amidst suppressive measures by the state?

Having achieved its primary objective of ousting an Executive President- who couldn’t deliver his promises- the protesters at the Galle Face Green decided to withdraw from the Presidential Secretariat and Gate Zero on July

How Kumar Gunaratnam alias “Gemunu” Fought  against the Indian Army

The India – Sri Lanka Accord was signed by former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and ex-Sri Lanka president Junius Richard (JR) Jayewardene on July 29,

FSP Leader Kumar Gunaratnam and his “Aragalaya”

“Gota Go Home” was the clarion call around which the people launched their “Aragalaya” or Struggle. It has achieved its primary goal.

Flower Road turns into a battle ground as protesters storm PM’s office

Following the July 9 mass uprising, the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced that he would tender his resignation on July 13. Having been turned down by several destinations including India, on the evening of July 12, word went round that the former President has fled to Maldives.

A FATHER, SENIOR, MENTOR AND GREAT FRIEND

“There is a meaning to death only if you have lived a meaningful life”

Reviewing people’s revolution and its aftermath: Government kneels as ‘Aragalaya goes on overdrive’

When word went round inviting all citizens to gather at the Galle Face Green on July 9, many thought that it wouldn’t be a success with the imposition of curfew the previous night. But as the....

Govt.’s undelivered promises and the plight of people

Sri Lanka’s fuel crisis has claimed the lives of 16 while people were waiting in queues to get their share of fuel. The queues continue to stretch despite fuel being issued at IOC filling stations.

Thiruketheeswaram Temple for Lord Shiva

July 2022 is significant in the world Hindu diary of events, with the consecration ceremony at the world renowned Thiruketheeswaram temple!

Economic downfall forces students to quit Uni

The present economic crisis has affected virtually every sector and education is no exception. Apart from schools, universities were closed for the most part due to the pandemic and now the economic and fuel crises have precipitated t

Mr. President, it’s not too late!

The current state of our beloved nation could be broadly described as a story, a story that is excruciatingly painful to hear, w

Kamal Haasan returns to cinema with blockbuster ‘Vikram’

“Economic crisis cannot be resolved overnight”

The current economic crisis is known to be the worst economic crisis the country has seen since independence. Many experts have pointed out that one of the reasons for this is the tax cuts introduced in 2019. “Coupled with....

Healthcare system short of breath!

The death of a two day old infant reported from Diyatalawa during mid-May sent shock waves across social media platforms.

Social safety net spread to console vulnerable segments

Tudor Rajapaksa’s vegetable plot is now a centre of attraction at GotaGoGama. A variety of plants from red spinach to curry leaves, lime, pandan leaves have already been planted on his plot.

University dons propose plan to tackle food crisis

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has caused immediate uncertainties regarding whether (a) required food supplies are and will be available,

Gotabaya, Ranil and the Frog and Scorpion Fable

Let me rewind back to my boyhood when I first read the fable about the scorpion and frog which I believe is of Russian origin.

Four-day work week: Can Govt. reap what it sows?

This week, Sri Lanka joined a growing list of countries experimenting with the four-day workweek, but for very different reasons.

Sri Lanka’s Al Capone Syndrome threatens human security

Be it Al Capone, Pablo Escobar, El Chapo or any other crime boss, violence in the form of shootings or any other crime that happens with the blessings of drug lords,

Lessons from the fiasco over the detention of ‘Aeroflot’

As if Sri Lanka did not have enough problems, the government last week let another one crop up and then when a full-blown foreign policy crisis was in the making, staggered to extricate itself. The detentio

Common Minimum Programme for Economic Recovery

We are in the throes of an unprecedented crisis. No useful comparisons may be drawn from the 2001- 02 period of negative economic.....

Re-visiting the “Sniper” killing of Robert 19 years ago

The armed struggle launched by Tamil militant groups to achieve the objective of a separate Tamil state caused massive loss of life and bloodshed.

Foreign policy-making: Lessons for Lanka from India’s diplomatic crisis with Islamic states

There are foreign policy lessons Sri Lanka could learn in the diplomatic crisis between India and Islamic nations, including the super-rich Gulf countries. At the core.....

Wounded protesters push for justice through blood, sweat and pain

Today (June 9) marks two months since the Galle Face protest began and a month since peaceful protesters in front of Temple Trees and at the Galle Face Green were attacked.

Drug shortage: Whose fault is it?

National Medicines Regulatory Authority does not directly buy medicines, says Dr Ananda Wijewickrama

PROS AND CONS OF LIFTING BAN ON OIL PALM CULTIVATION Experts differ over environmental issues

On June 2, the Palm Oil Industry Association of Sri Lanka (POIASL) appealed to the government to allow the cultivation of oil palm to boost the economy, save forex and increase employment. But the Sri Lankan scientific community may oppose it as it did in a report in 2018. The POIASL told the gov

“Que Sera Sera”: Doris Day’s Song of Cheerful Fatalism

The first part of my article on Ranil’s return was published in the “Daily Mirror”of May 21st 2022. In that I made a brief reference to the song “Que Sera Sera” sung by the American singer com actress Doris Day. This was in the context of speculation about Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political future. This is what I wrote then – “However as Doris Day sang in ‘The man who knew too much’ movie- “Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be.”

Battled with life, double battle against desperate economic crisis

Desperate times require desperate measures... it is with heavy heart that I am making this request on behalf of Akshu as I know that all of you are struggling to obtain fuel staying in long....

Tough lessons

On a rainy night on May 24, 18-year-old Rizam comes home from an exhausting day of work. He had been assigned for the day to help out in getting a stock count of the goods at the local supermarket he works at. After dinner, he retreats to his room to catch up on the online A/L revision class he had missed for the day. His friend had sent him the recording.