National thinking in a globalised world needed

We have a newly elected government that is entrusted with the responsibility of resolving many long standing and pressing problems in the country. But, not all issues are equally important and.......

Wake up to the RTI

One of the major achievements the country gained during the government with the 100-Day Programme was the recognition of people’s Right to Information (RTI). The right has been.....

Mettasena and his saga of living by wit and inspiration

Mettasena has had an intimate relationship with India. As a rising star in the field of fashion photography,  he went there in 1994 in search of model Kavya Pirbhoy, and ended up getting his photographs published on the front page of Femina.

How to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer? Way forward for sustainable crop production

?Human activities worldwide have been   recognised as the principal contributor to environmental pollution and   climate change that is driving global biodiversity towards extinction. 

Kids for sale

When taking a look at international guidelines not one but many would agree that they are strict. But in the Sri Lankan context, are there any guidelines as such? And if so what are they? Is it ethically......

Beyond RTI: Moving to Open Data and Open Govt.

After many years of advocacy by civil society groups and journalists, Sri Lanka is set to soon adopt a law guaranteeing citizens’ Right to Information (RTI). With that, we will join 102.....

Deregulation of Cosmetics: implications and dangers

The introduction of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 05 of 2015 (Now referred to as the ‘NMRA Act’), aimed at protecting consumers from being exposed to spurious......

UNHRC Sessions: where are the ‘patriots’?

In the not-so-distant past, come September, paranoia hit over the roof. State media went on full swing to demean the ‘traitors’; civil society activists were harassed; Tamil ‘collaborators’ intimidated, private.....

If health is in the market, the poor will die - EDITORIAL

Since the legislation for the setting up of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) was passed this year—after a delay of more than ten years  and alleged sabotage by powerful transnational......

After the elections Another case of empty promises or a Genuine turn-around

When the Boxing Day-Tsunami struck, Sinhalese, Tamils & Muslims attempted to help each other irrespective of race caste or religion. But the chance to shed our differences in the face of a national calamity seemed to pass us by, as the waves withdrew…

Prison reforms, is poverty a crime - EDITORIAL

?The new National Government has pledged to give priority to the restoration and streamlining of the Judicial system which virtually broke down with its politicization some 15 years ago. 

National shrine of Our Lady of Matara celebrates 108 years

Enshrined in one church that stands facing the southern seas, along this stretch of coast from Weligama to Dondra, is the shrine of Our Lady of Matara.

Nation re-building should begin with exemplary leadership

A well known Sinhala adage states that ‘Example is more valuable than precept’. If a society or a country is to be rebuilt its leadership should be exemplary. Late Al Haj Bakeer Markar was a person who highly valued the Sri Lankan identity and put it into practice throughout his political life.

SL wildlife environment requires better conservation

A well-dressed safari jeep driver entered our bungalow before getting into the jeep. It was...

Sampanthan should thank Mahinda for his new post

Recognising R. Sampanthan as the Opposition Leader of Parliament by Speaker Karu...

The Queen, Sri Lanka, and the Commonwealth

This week we celebrate a once in a lifetime occasion in the United Kingdom and across...

The refugee crisis: The good, the bad and the ugly

Today is the 14th anniversary of 9/11, but we won’t talk about the scores of unanswered...

PM tells MPs: Learn or depart - EDITORIAL

With the goal of restoring a model Parliament in six months, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe...

Party became irresponsible for promises made to public

The Dailymirror had a candid chat with SLFP stalwart, former Minister Dullas Alahapperuma on current politics in the country.

Integrating National Politics above Sectarian Fault-Lines

The first few days of Sri Lanka’s 8th Parliament has seen a series of significantly ‘less-probable’ events unfolding in Sri Lankan politics.

Take Eco Crimes to People’s Court - EDITORIAL

The catastrophe facing Mother Nature because of environmental pollution was outlined by United States President Barack Obama from Anchorage...

Long Term Custody Pending Trial- a Violation of Human Rights

In our prisons there are thousands of remand prisoners languishing in custody for years without being charged or brought to trial within a reasonable time.

Today is ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ Reaching out and saving lives

In the recent past we have read and heard over the media of many tragic deaths by suicide, of parents committing suicide after taking away the lives of their own little innocent and helpless children.

‘I believe a single association alone cannot fight corruption’

Former Auditor General Sarath Chandrasiri Mayadunne resigned his post as the JVP National List MP after making a special statement in the House last week.

One-upmanship at cricket

India’s refusal to take DRS [Decision Review System] on board is just not cricket. Call it adulterated cricket.

Let’s make our motherland proud

Sri Lankans,  since Independence, have paid immensely for their fair share of absurdities – communalism,  divisiveness,  mistrust,  antagonism,   hatred,  lack of mutual love and respect;  affection,...

LOOKING AHEAD AT UNHRC SESSIONS - EDITORIAL

We are done with elections. We are done with crossovers and the securing of a majority that enables a relatively smoother functioning of the Government.

tell us your problems

It should by now be recognized that no society can reach its full potential if whole segments of that society, especially young people, ..

A National Government will unify country

The new government that takes office this week would indeed be refreshingly different from all those gone before.

Is a ‘National Government’ what we really wanted?

During the last few weeks the concept of National Government was a topic widely debated. The concept of National Government was embraced by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.