Higher mission of television - EDITORIAL

We mark World Television Day today and as the United Nations General Assembly resolution says, we need to focus not on the tool -- which some cynics describe as an idiot box or a stranger in the home...

Sri Lanka needs a stabilising mechanism

One year after defection from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Megapolis and Western Region Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka , in an interview with the Dailymirror, 

A home to call their own

A destitute family temporarily holed up in a building inside the general cemetery in Orange Hill Estate, Mankade Road, Kadawatha is to be provided with a permanent house, as promised by the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene.

Move to abolish Executive Presidency: Birthday gift to MR

The best gift to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his 70th birthday was given by none other than President Maithripala Sirisena.

Invest for tomorrow, invest in children - EDITORIAL

Today is Universal Children’s Day. Going beyond words, it means a recommitment by all governments to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child -- the right to life, to health,...

Abolishing the Executive Presidency is a colossal task

Followed by his avowal at the funeral of Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera to abolish the Executive Presidency, President Maitripala Sirisena initiated action at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting by seeking to pursue his intentions.

Bombing isIS is not the solution

The Barbarians are not at the gate. There is no need for a rush to war as the French President, Francois Hollande suggests.

A tribute to Rex de Silva The gentleman journalist we all knew

It was with deep sadness and a sense of irreparable loss, that I learned about Rex’s illness and his death. He, together with the late D.B. Dhanapala, were my mentors in journalism.I first met Rex when Mano Muthukrishna Candappa, 

The middle path of dialogue and justice. So be it - EDITORIAL

President Maithripala Sirisena, acting fast to fulfil a solemn pledge he made before the sacred body of the revered Sobitha Hamuduruwo on November 12, yesterday presented to the Cabinet comprehensive proposals to abolish the executive presidential system and to restructure the electoral process. 

How do we move forward with a National Government?

The formation of a National Government was on the cards for Sri Lanka ever since the Presidential elections were held. It was clear that neither the SLFP/UPFA nor the UNP/UNFGG were to get a clear majority. 

The imperatives of true tribute

I first met Ven Madoluwawe Sobitha Thero almost a decade ago, through my father-in-law. The first impression marked me.  There was an aura about Sobitha Hamuduruwo.

Horrors of teenage pregnancy

Namali was a bright and promising student from Anuradhapura. She excelled at her Ordinary Levels and was hoping to score high marks for her Advanced Levels as well.

Mahinda at 70 A historic leader, authentic hero

“I’m sorry Mr. Boucher, what can I do if our terrorists aren’t Islamic?”

Road terrorism and the breath of fresh air - EDITORIAL

With Sri Lanka’s traffic snarls and road tragedy victims reaching their worst-ever proportions, we joined the international community last Sunday in marking World Remembrance Day for the victims of road traffic accidents, ..

I appointed my brother as I had confidence in him - Arjuna Ranathunge

Excerpts of a face- to- face discussion with the Minister of Ports, Arjuna Ranathunge....

Australian town ‘Badagini’ named by Sinhala migrant labour in 1880s?

Earliest recorded evidence of Sri Lankan immigrants to Australia was in 1816; they were, Major William O’Dean, a Sri Lankan Malay and his Sinhalese wife Eve. Most of the early immigrants from Sri Lanka......

Corruption creeping back - EDITORIAL

Jathika Hela Urumaya General Secretary and Western Province Development and Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka was absolutely correct when he said there was no interest......

Dodanwela Devale Perahera

Rain or no rain the finale of the Perahera in the hills  ended with the Perahera of the  Historic Dodanwela Devale at Yatinuwara, where the last battle for the supremacy for the Kandyan Kingdom.....

Is Avant Garde probe turning to be a witch-hunt?

Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana resigned last week after an uproar in the Cabinet, over his perceived pussyfooting on the ongoing investigation into the floating armoury of the Avant Garde....

The Economy The Most Critical Factor

We have spent the whole of this year talking about democracy and good governance. This is understandable. The semi-authoritarian rule that preceded was characterized by widespread corruption, nepotism and.....

Healthy living starts at breakfast - EDITORIAL

With some four million Sri Lankans including schoolchildren known to be afflicted by the silent killer disease diabetes, we joined the international community on Saturday in marking World.....

Empowering women to win the world – ‘’Films of winfluence’’

Women make the world and they can also change the world.  Though society would have changed, and we can see women in  every field, excelling in Arts, Politics, Legal, Business  and Educational fields,...

‘Take Heart Mercy Mission’ - A BLESSING TO LITTLE HEARTS IN SRI LANKA

Dr. Conal Austin, FRCS Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon and John Simpson MD, FRCP, Paediatric Cardiologist - both originally from Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospitals in London - decided in 2002......

Hope and endeavour is one thing; achievement is another : “We are transforming Parliament into a vi

Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala is confident that nearly 201 MPs belonging to the main political parties are expected to forget their   political differences for a period of two years to  realise a common goal for the benefit of the country and its people.

Gathering storms Sri Lanka facing severe climate risks needs to get ready

As someone who spends time studying environmental problems, I’m particularly sensitive to the increasing frequency of weather events described as the “worst in history”.

US and China clash at sea

The US has done a daring and - some would say - dangerous thing. Towards the end of last month it sent a destroyer to sail within 12 nautical miles of two man-made islands claimed by China in the South China Sea.

‘Temperance Movement’ has lost a dedicated leader

?I have been associating with Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Thera for over two decades in different fields of activity - education, youth leadership and temperance work, to name a few. 

President’s solemn pledge to abolish Executive Presidency - EDITORIAL

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at the State funeral service for the Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, made solemn pledges before the sacred remains of the widely respected prelate.

The Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Thera : We lost a champion in creating ethnic harmony

The demise of the Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Thera not only created...

Myanmar’s tryst with the goddess of democracy

With more than half the votes counted, Myanmar’s dissident-turned-democratic leader...