tipping point?

Is Saudi Arabia a house built on sand? If so are the sands shifting?  Even Hillary Clinton, the candidate for US president, until recently a staunch ally of the House of Saud, has publicly criticized the appalling human rights record of Saudi Arabia. 

Go green, Sri Lanka

The National Government has repeatedly pledged it is building a new Sri Lanka based on consensus and consultation, inter-religious, inter-racial and inter-cultural unity in diversity so that there will be sustainable eco-friendly

Still in Amber

University education or higher education is a dream for every student during his/her schooldays because it is widely regarded as a jewel in the crown for every aspiring individual to become a distinguished academic – a graduate and pursue their career towards a bright future.

Eye on Earth Summit 2015 and achieving the SDGs

The Eye on Earth Summit (www.eoesummit.org) is the convergence of a series of initiatives by several organisations over the past few years that collectively address the global challenge of increasing access to information to support sustainable development. 

WHY I FIND MYSELF AT VARIANCE

“Well I’m older now but still running against the wind” – Bob Seger

DRUG PRICES TO BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SOON - EDITORIAL

With the private medical sector to a large extent turning into a big profit-making business, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has assured that prices of essential medicinal drugs would be significantly reduced in the coming weeks and months.

Forming the New Constitution

The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has been the constitution of our country since its original promulgation in 1978. It is Sri Lanka’s second republican constitution and its third since the country’s independence in 1948. 

JVP calls for measures to end fishing by Indian vessels in Sri Lankan waters

On Friday last week the  Vijitha Herath M.P., opened the first ever debate in Parliament on the challenges facing the Sri Lankan government as it continues to grapple with the thorny issue of persistent illegal,...

Judiciary desecrated: ‘darkest day’ in Parliamentary democracy

October 16, 1980, the ‘darkest day’ represented yet another blow to parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka when Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 

eve teasing enough is enough!

“Aaahh nangiiii!!” the common place passing comment that is almost customarily heard by every girl who walks on the road. Ironical how ‘ah nangi’ could be actually a pleasant phrase......

Shouldn’t we follow the Chinese way?

As elders, we are always keen on promoting our children’s well-being, providing them space to grow up to be good,    law abiding,   and responsible citizens and contribute to the.....

Cause and effect of UNHRC resolution - EDITORIAL

Many, including the ministers of the former regime who were staunch supporters of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, are commending the government for its handling of foreign......

A love for cultural valuables

 P.H.D.H De Silva’s ‘Ancient and Traditional Boxes, Caskets and Chests in Sri Lankan Museums, Volume 1 written in alliance with Senerath Wickramasinghe,

Gender discrimination A Long standing social evil

The Human Race, which was largely Egalitarian during ‘Prehistoric Hunter Days’ transitioned to Patriarchy, which signifies Paternalistic Dominance and presupposes male.....

From scarcity to abundance: Changing life-styles and NCD epidemic in Sri Lanka

Health scientists, policy makers and many others have focused attention on the rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease.....

With Japan, US and India: We are on the right side, at the right time

After decades of foreign policy miscalculations, many of which were deliberate ideological fallacies committed to boost the over-sized images of local political leaders, we finally......

Dignity in Mental Health - EDITORIAL

Thousands of people with mental health conditions in Sri Lanka and around the world are deprived of dignity and their basic human rights, including freedom from violence and......

A vociferous leader turned silent

There is increasingly vocal criticism internationally and here in Sri Lanka of Burma’s (Myanmar) opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for not doing enough for the country’s democracy...

Speed limits on our roads

 ?The Motor Traffic (Speed Limit) Regulations No. 1 of 2012 and published in the Govt. Gazette No. 1763/26 dated 22/6/2012 approved by the Legal Draftsman Department by No. LDB/ 24/51 and signed by the Hon. 

The Ugly American?

American foreign policy makers often wonder aloud why it is that much of the world has such an anti-American reflex. Why the “Ugly American”? Graham Greene would never have written a novel entitled the “Ugly Russian” or even the “Ugly German”.

Death to death penalty - EDITORIAL

Amid growing calls and even a private member’s motion in Parliament for the reimplementation of the death penalty in the aftermath of the brutal rape and killing of a five-year-old girl in Kotadeniyawa, we mark today the International Day against the Death Penalty. 

Precious Sri Lanka Japan relations

Our Prime Minister’s visit could not have come at a better time - just as this government is preparing...

Weighing human rights on a political scale

Pandemonium reigned on Tuesday in Parliament, when some Opposition members demonstrated...

Education: Correct it now

We still boast of our high literacy rate compared to other Asian nations without realising...

Russia in Syria: Fears of world war

Russia means business in Syria. Within a week of launching airstrikes against rebel positions...

EDITORIAL - May Asia reign by non-violence

Last Friday October 2 Sri Lanka joined the world in celebrating the International Day...

Resilient Economy…

The recent declaration made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, in the midst of the government’s on-going campaign to shore up its foreign exchange reserves, that ‘no questions would be asked’ from Sri Lankan

Vision 2020; eye care for all

Today is World Sight Day. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), which coordinates this campaign with the World Health Organisation (WHO), this annual day of awareness is held on the second Thursday 

Reflections on Media Freedom

Esmond Wickremesinghe (May 29, 1920-September 29, 1985) is one of the most interesting and significant figures in the two-century-old history of the news media and journalism in South Asia. His engagement with the newspaper world over close to four decades divides cleanly into two chapters. 

Threats emerged within National Government

Why is a National Government needed? An average view of the General Public is that a National Government is better than a weak Government formed by a single party which has only a thin majority in Parliament.