National Policies to focus on post war social issues

?There is a lot being spoken about the political, economic and social effects of Sri Lanka’s civil war. In this two-part article, my focus however is on the common but probably un-analysed social problems that lie beneath the carpet, and solutions that need national stakeholder attention.

The Will of the Electorate

?I begin my article with a quote: “India is known for its sobriety and wisdom, balanced and sensible thinking.  We need strong institutions and we need good governance in the country.” Prathibha Patil.  

YAHAPALANAYA and Country’s Prosperity

?General elections have been concluded successfully proving that the population of Sri Lanka can be a disciplined society under correct guidance and leadership. The Maithri-Ranil combination proved it to the citizens and to the world. 

Cabinet: HOW BIG IS TOO BIG? - EDITORIAL

Opposition has been growing among the people for over a decade over the huge Cabinets many governments have been appointing since 1990. There have been times when only one or two members of the ruling party were left without ministerial portfolios.

Leaders should come up with innovative processes

Having graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) of Government this May with a Masters in Public Administration, well known Peace-builder Pushpi Weerakoon is a Fellow of Edward S. Mason Programme in Public Policy and Management.

How international war crime probe threat fostered MR’s grip

Since the end of war, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the ex-President kept a nation; mostly its Sinhalese villagers in the rural hinterland petrified by the simple mention of a bogeyman: 

Letter to the President and the Prime Minister : Cabinet to adopt Ministerial Code: A demostration o

In line with the publicly-declared commitments to the principles and practices of Good Governance, the new coalition Government due to meet for the first time next week under your leadership directions and the stewardship of the newly-elected Prime Minister...

Reason and Unreason in Sri Lankan Politics

Addressing a major national public policy forum in Colombo prior to the parliamentary elections, President Maithripala Sirisena emphasized the need for formulating and implementing rational, evidence-based national policies in all sectors in order to address critical issues in the country.

Come September: It’s now or never - EDITORIAL

?As we usher in a new month tomorrow, it will be a special September with a fully-fledged National Government for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history -- hopefully laying the foundation for a new political culture and a homegrown democracy. 

Another promise-making season is over

At last, the racket–albeit a muted one in the run up to the general election was over with the winner taking a little less than half the spoils. 

A platform for young enthusiasts

The quest to recognise the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Sri Lanka has commenced, providing a platform for the youth to showcase expertise in their respective fields.

From Jan 8 to Aug 17 and after

The Mahinda Movement hoped for, believed in and fought determinedly for a victory at the August 17th election, but beneath the rousing nationalist romanticism there was always a tougher-minded realization that what was...

Scholar pays dearly to protect treasures

The murder of renowned Syrian antiquities scholar and archaeologist Khaled al-Assad by ISIS  has shocked the international archaeological community, but there is little or nothing anyone can do right now to stop...

Praise from BritishMPs for New Sri Lanka Government

News of Ranil Wickremesinghe securing a 4th Term as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister has been greeted with enthusiasm and expectation in Britain’s ruling Conservative Party which has historically enjoyed a close relationship with the UNP.

Crisis of turning human beings into unpeople - EDITORIAL

H?uman trafficking and human slavery compounded by long-drawn wars, violence and persecution mainly in Iraq and Syria have set off the biggest refugee crisis in world history. On Wednesday two more horrifying events were reported.

‘Poverty is not passivity’

The execution of Rizana Nafeek was an incident that shook the world with horror and grief. The unfortunate incident of an infant passing away while in her care was the cause of her death.

Can we ever rely on official data?

It was sometime in mid last year I was having dinner with a former World Bank senior official...

Controversy over national list nominations

Nomination of Members of Parliament from the National List after the August 17 Parliamentary...

Diplomatic victory: Lanka can now close Geneva file

A major correction in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy after January 8 has brought unexpected...

EDITORIAL : Virginia horror lessons for Sri Lanka

For the first time on Planet Earth, a real life double murder was seen live on television...

Accident or otherwise? It leaked diesel on election day

At around 6 a.m. on elections day the operations officer at the Ambatale water treatment...

MS works out a National Unity Government

President Maitripala Sirisena cited countering challenges in the international arena, the resolution of the political question and the introduction of a new constitution as the main reasons warranting a national unity government between the two main parties

Colombo’s water supply crisis overshadowed by elections

An important and highly sensitive matter that impacted on the lives of millions of people living in and visiting Colombo was ignored by the people and the media in their post-election euphoria last week. 

UNHRC process needs open minded approach

On February 16 this year, at the request of the top United Nations rights official, the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council agreed to temporarily hold off its consideration of a long-awaited report into alleged rights violations during the conflict in Sri Lanka for six months, until September 2015.

Dhyan Abeyagoonasekera’s ‘Enter the owl and the pussycat’

Dhyan Abeygoonasekara’s previous books have been about planting. To be fair, he has published a novel, too (The of Tom Toms). “Enter the Owl & the Pussycat” is proof that his heart lies with words, not trees

Battling mega corruption

One of the main slogans of the ‘Yahapalana’ Government that was established after Presidential Elections on January 8 under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

Ray Award 2015

The Ray Wijewardene Charitable Trust (RWCT) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Inventor’s Commission (SLIC) presented the ‘The Ray’ Award for Innovation for the second time on August 24, 2015.

Reading between the results the Sri Lankan way

A vote for the blue betel leaf has since undergone a colour variation: blight seems to affect a part of the leaf, at least.After 20 years of rule and misrule of one alliance there is still no comfortable majority for another to form a government.

The iron fist inside a velvet glove

“1789 is an historic date but it is not an historic example”. The French Revolution, violent to its fingertips, began with the highest motives,

Statement issued by Lakshman Kiriella on Daily Mirror Editorial - Tuesday Aug 25

In a context where a newly-elected government is still in the stage of formation and our international friends are observing its daily developments,