My association with UPFA means I will work to re-elect the President

A UNPer for 25 years from the Gampola area, Sarath Gamini Hettiarachchi who was also holding the prestigious position of the Mayor of the Gampola Municipal Council recently crossed over to the UPFA government.

Almost all the officials in the system are partners of this Ongoing corruption

The once JVP presidential candidate and later strong ally of UPFA,  Nandana Gunathillake, in an interview with the dailymirror said he left  the Government as the President failed to keep his promises and alleged that after  2010 the President became dictatorial.

Stage set for battle for Jerusalem

The Palestinian-Israeli crisis is taking a dangerous turn towards a religious war with the holy city of Jerusalem being in the centre of the dispute. In recent weeks, several attacks and counter attacks by both the Palestinians and Israelis have increased tension as...........

Fresh water: What a damn shame

Fuel prices, supplies and pipelines have been a key factor in the economics of world politics or the politics of world economics since the 1970s. The United States and its western allies have fought two major wars in Afghanistan and Iraq,....

While opposition seeks its Presidential common candidate Parties leaving UPFA shakes Government’s

The opposition, grappling with an arduous task to find a candidate  acceptable to all, received a new lease of life after the Jathika Hela  Urumaya (JHU) broke ranks with the government on Tuesday.

SAARC Summit Should Discuss Disarmament

The 18th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will be hosted by the Nepalese Government in Kathmandu from November 22 to 27. 

Politics in the run-up to the presidential election - EDITORIAL

Politics in the run-up to the upcoming presidential election is becoming ever more interesting.

Common Opposition in confident preparations for Presidential poll Nominee secrecywhat other aces are

By last week, issues raised over the constitutionality of President Rajapaksa seeking to contest a third term were ‘cleared’ -- one might say they were laid to rest.

Health: Whose responsibility is it?

The first International Conference on Health Promotion was held in Ottawa on the 21st day of November 1986, and its charter was presented for action to achieve Health for All by the year 2000 and beyond.

Opposition buffeted by hard-luck stories - EDITORIAL

November seems to be full of hard-luck stories for opposition parties. They were attempting to prevent President Mahinda Rajapaksa from declaring a premature presidential election and contesting that election citing legal grounds.

MAHINDA Plus(+) OR Minus(-)

Next Presidential Election will be fought on the wavelength of a Mahinda Plus (+) to a Mahinda Minus (-); with the waveband set on his eight-year regime. To be precise: Will Mahinda, be good or bad personally for you in the next few years?   It is the ultimate question that will decide the election.

Personality disorder part of our socio-political culture

Some people have a permanent image problem. Those with criminal tendencies, severe personality disorders which are left untreated, and some politicians sons’ fall into this category.

Knowledge Societies Sans Wisdom

There is an emerging consensus in many societies today on a perceived need to create a knowledge society that could pave the way for a knowledge economy. 

A flame at one end, fools at the other - EDITORIAL

Daily Mirror guest columnist K. K. S. Perera whose articles have been widely acclaimed for exposing the powerful mafias behind the promotion of tobacco and big pharma, revealed last Tuesday that of the tobacco related deaths of 105 million in the 20th century, eighty percent were from the third world. 

Needs (regime) change, but who represents genuine change?

The Supreme Court determination that the incumbent President could run for a third term, the consensus opinion of the court, which was delivered to the President last week, came as no surprise. 

Human “Rights” and “Wrongs” The invention and expansion of human rights

Adam Barborich studied in the Pennsylvania State University, USA. His interests lie in various disciplines including mining engineering, business administration, political studies and Buddhist Philosophy. 

An informed choice: the people’s right - EDITORIAL

If the events of last week were vital or momentous in charting the course of Sri Lanka’s future and history, then what happens this week and the weeks or months to come may be even more important.  

JVP Leader and Revolutionary Rohana Wijeweera’s demise 25 years ago

Patabendi Don Nandasiri Wijeweera  known to the world at large as Rohana Wijeweera  was killed twenty five years ago on November 13,1989.The  revolutionary leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) or the Peoples Liberation Front was 49 years old at the time of his death. 

Russia on the warpath ?

Just before former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev on Saturday, made his stunning criticism of the West that, since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it had engaged in “triumphalism”, I was in Moscow. 

It’s time for the verdict of the Court of the People? - EDITORIAL

In these days when the focus is on major constitutional and legal issues, Lady Justice also is watching and giving her own verdict, opinion or interpretation. 

MR contesting for a third term Supreme Court opinion what means it

Considering the many discussions about the impending Presidential Election an important question on the minds of people is whether the incumbent, President Mahinda Rajapaksa can contest for a third term at a presidential election.

US won the Cold War but lost the peace

Twenty five years after the Berlin Wall’s fall, which symbolised the end of the Cold War between the US-led Western bloc and the Soviet Union-led East European bloc, the Earth we live in is far from being a planet of peace but a place of never-ending conflicts.

The Power of perseverance - EDITORIAL

In this era of throat-cutting competitiveness, the system encourages children to win or come first at any cost, by fair means if possible or otherwise by foul means. 

Names of three personalities proposed Common candidate, consensus still not reached

Nineteen political parties, trade unions and civil society organisations have agreed to work according to a common agenda at the presidential election widely expected to be conducted in early January.

We need a candidate who is accountable - EDITORIAL

The elections fever is on. Though the exact dates are not yet known, it is speculated that a presidential election is going to be held either in January or March next year.

Cleaning for the cameras

PM Narendra Modi is doing it, his ministers are doing it,  Bollywood’s angry old men and  dimpled and dimpling middle-aged heroes are doing it.  In fact, all except those who are supposed to be doing it are doing it.

Qualms delay appearance of a ‘common’ messiah

The political system of Sri Lanka is at a cross road where the ruling party has sought a Supreme Court ruling whether President Mahinda Rajapaksa can run for a third term. Some legal experts regard this overture as an extreme use of the executive powers vested with President Rajapaksa.

Third Term for Mahinda Rajapaksa is one too many

No politician in the world would ever relinquish power on his or her own volition, unless there is something drastically imposed upon him or her by an outside force or an irreversible debilitating condition has set in health-wise. 

Do you want taste or nutrition?-EDITORIAL

One of the serious if not grave negatives of our hi-tech era is a change for the worse in diet and lifestyle—a change that has brought about a diabetes pandemic.

Why is the rule of law failing in this country ?

The Provincial Councils were introduced in 1988 in order to devolve powers to the provinces while the Centre retained subjects such as police,  finance and lands.  As regards devolution,  the role of successive governments does not seem to be.......