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Thu, 30 Nov 2023 Today's Paper

Opinion

Sri Lankan citizens or world citizens?

30 Nov 2023 - 3     - 403

In Sri Lanka we have people who cannot change when they live here in this island. Many among them who immigrate make the necessary changes when they fly overseas for employment. Suddenly, those who were proud to be Sri Lankan and cherished the islanders’ way of life embrace other cultures and even adapt to changes in climate and different cuisine. Most importantly they become ‘world citizens’! The question posed by critics is whether these immigr

Listen to the seven seas

30 Nov 2023 - 0     - 130

The World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is marked by millions of people across the world. The World Environment Day 2023 is hosted by the West African Country Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and supported by the Netherlands and the theme focused on s

Towards A Brighter Tomorrow: India’s G20 Presidency and the Dawn of a New Multilateralism

30 Nov 2023 - 0     - 148

Today marks 365 days since India assumed the G20 Presidency. It is a moment to reflect, recommit, and rejuvenate the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ As we undertook this responsibility last year, the global landscape grappled with multifaceted challenges: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, looming climate threats, financial instability and debt distress in developing nations, all amid declining multilat

It is time to change, or scrap the UN - EDITORIAL

29 Nov 2023 - 2     - 328

In its sessions in February - March next year, once again the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) - the UN arm, whose mission it is to promote and protect human rights around the world....

Strategic Foresight - Contribution to the economic recovery

29 Nov 2023 - 0     - 211

Sri Lanka, like many other countries all over the world, is faced with economic challenges. There have been many contributory factors for the challenges posed such as the 30-year conflict, Easter....

The Repercussions of the ‘Shape’ Theory on our Economy

29 Nov 2023 - 1     - 361

There is a famous or infamous Sri Lankan theory, that any mistake or violation can be ‘ shaped up ‘ or can can be swept under the carpet if you know someone influential . From a traffic violation to tax....

What is the rationale behind the IGP saga?

28 Nov 2023 - 4     - 564

Mr Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne finally retired on Saturday as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) following four service extensions, the highest number of extensions granted to any Police Chief, making his department headless, as no new appointment has been made to that post until this editorial went to the print. The post has been creating controversy since March 26 - Wickramaratne’s 61st birthday - when he was to retire according to the la

Coastal security cries for attention in South Asian countries 15 years after the devastating sea-borne terror attack on Mumbai, coastal security in South Asia is still sub-optimal

28 Nov 2023 - 1     - 182

In a paper on the devastating sea-borne terrorist attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, in which 179 people, including 29 foreigners, were killed, the RAND Corporation observed that India and other littoral States of the Indian Ocean have failed to fully grasp the importance and intricacies of coastal security. Abhijit Singh of the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation (ORF) who had written in 2017 and 2023 about the state of coastal s

Public sector wage increases, where’s the cash coming from - EDITORIAL

27 Nov 2023 - 2     - 379

President Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance announced during his presentation of the budget, that government was planning to increase salaries of public sector....

Dissolve Parliament and Appoint an Interim Committee

27 Nov 2023 - 2     - 457

Our legislature’s functioning is worse than that of the SLC. Dissolve Parliament and appoint an Interim Committee comprising non politicians. The disrespectful exchange and unseemly....

No punishment, but accept the responsibility

25 Nov 2023 - 6     - 855

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had first said that he respects the Supreme Court ruling against him and his brothers, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, along with several others over the current economic crisis. Then he told Parliament on Tuesday that he did not accept the verdict that he and others had been instrumental to the crisis.

Lanka a geopolitical battleground between India and China - EDITORIAL

25 Nov 2023 - 4     - 364

In mid-2022 when our country was facing an economic meltdown and bankruptcy, India it was, who came to our rescue by extending us a credit line of over $2 billion. At that time we faced fuel and gas shortages, 12-hour rolling power cuts, food, and medical shortages and many associated problems.

China’s Belt and Road: 10 years passed, centuries ahead

25 Nov 2023 - 3     - 374

Despite anti-China sentiments the Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, has emerged as a transformative force, connecting the world through a network of infrastructure projects and fostering economic cooperation across continents.

Gaza war: The first Arab-Israel conflict to split Western democracies

24 Nov 2023 - 0     - 705

The war in Gaza, which entered the 44th day on Monday, stands out from earlier conflicts in the Middle East due to its unique characteristics and consequences. For the first time in history, an Arab-Israeli conflict has split Western democracies into two warring factions – one pro-Palestinian and the other pro-Israel. Monolithic support for Israel is now a thing of the past. The war has awakened an ingrained democratic spirit in the West. This wh

Studying under crumbling buildings

24 Nov 2023 - 2     - 306

The collapse of walls when students are present and the education authorities maintaining that as many as 74 academic institutes run the risk of crumbling down have made parents rethink sending their offspring to certain schools on the island. The islanders were in a state of shock several days ago when they read about the death of a schoolgirl from Wellampitiya. The wall in her school collapsed on her and some of her friends; injuring a total

Truce or no truce in Gaza: Show mercy to children

24 Nov 2023 - 0     - 225

When you are reading this column today, in the Gaza Strip, the people will be experiencing the bliss of a respite from bombs and missiles that have been raining on them since October 7. It will be so, but only if Israel decides to say, ‘Enough killing children, enough killing civilians for the time being’. If the hardline Benjamin Netanyahu government decides today to implement the limited truce to facilitate a hostage-prisoner swap and the flow

Backwards in blacklisting: Enabling corruption in procurement

23 Nov 2023 - 1     - 286

Failure to tackle corruption is a key factor that contributed to the economic crisis the country is faced with today. Taking concrete steps to reduce corruption, therefore, is critical to recover from the current crisis and to put the country on a sustainable growth path. Public procurement is an important area the country has to focus on in its fight against corruption. Public procurement refers to the purchasing of goods and services by the gov

Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All

23 Nov 2023 - 0     - 276

Budget 2024 first reading was passed amidst uproar in Parliament on Tuesday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government have promised that by April next year the much-needed, though limited, reliefs will be given. But most of the people appear to have lost confidence in the government with SLPP also split into many sections while the United National Party (UNP) of President Wickremesinghe is split in the

BRI: CPC deepens political alliances with Sri Lanka and region

23 Nov 2023 - 1     - 316

Political parties, be it in international or local contexts, matter more than any other organisation in the implementation of policies. The Communist Party of China (CPC), in the wake of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has initiated fresh action to reach out to the political parties in all countries, particularly in the region to ensure greater success in the coming decade. Conceptua

The ODI World Cup 2023 and rules of cricket - EDITORIAL

22 Nov 2023 - 3     - 588

The ODI World Cup tournament has finally come to an end. Australia proved for the sixth time they are worthy winners of the 50-over championship. After losing two initial matches...

The Court held Rajapaksas guilty of economic ruin: Would the govt, full of MR acolytes, deliver justice?

22 Nov 2023 - 6     - 619

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that the three Rajapaksa brothers and a cabal of officials were responsible for the economic crisis, delivering an unprecedented judgement that could be the precursor...

Efforts of Saudi Arabia in support of Palestine

22 Nov 2023 - 3     - 552

Anyone who follows history is fully aware that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Palestinian issue has been constant and has not changed since the time of the founder, King ...

Wither revenue targets! - EDITORIAL

21 Nov 2023 - 1     - 328

Against the backdrop of the government’s plans to increase the VAT (value-added tax) from 15 percent to 18 percent from January....

World Fisheries Day: FAO’s vision for a sustainable future in SL’s fisheries and aquaculture sector

21 Nov 2023 - 0     - 187

On this World Fisheries Day, we reflect on the intricate web that connects the oceans to our lives and livelihoods. Sri Lanka’s fishing...

Positive action needed to prevent a new ‘aragalaya’ - EDITORIAL

20 Nov 2023 - 2     - 406

In July 2022, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after thousands of protesters stormed his presidential residence and other government ....

POKE during COPE: Professor’s finger stirs Parliament - poisoned milk and hunt for the ‘Fifteen’

20 Nov 2023 - 3     - 741

As you read this, the Cup’s fate has been decided, leading to a collective sigh of relief from cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The uproar ...

Gamini ‘Gamma’ Weerakoon: From Reporter to Editor

18 Nov 2023 - 0     - 9206

Veteran scribes who have been enriching journalism for decades are like great oaks that leave lasting voids when they fall. Gamma was unarguably one of them.”

Can China win over Northern Tamils?

18 Nov 2023 - 8     - 1003

The priority given to events by the Sri Lankan Tamil media in most cases is different from what is given by the Sinhala and English media.

World Cup defeat, corruption and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame - EDITORIAL

18 Nov 2023 - 3     - 700

The 2023 World Cup tournament, better known as the One Day International (ODI) Championship continues. But for the Sri Lankan team this year, it is done. We are out of it. The team is back in the country -completely disgraced and apologising to all and sundry over weak-kneed performances.

Why Sri Lanka holds hands with Pakistan - EDITORIAL

17 Nov 2023 - 9     - 1285

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have enjoyed close ties as two nations despite the duo being geographically positioned in a hotbed of activities centring around a vital sea route in the Indian Ocean. When....

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