The ‘Need of the Hour’ A strong and free media spiced-up with a vibrant civil society

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”

‘Plunging the legal system into crisis’

As part of its plan to emasculate the country’s judiciary, the Rajapaksa government has deliberately made a mockery of important appointments in the judicial system.

Editorial-Where have the nightingales gone?

The public health sector, which should be the most humane service provider in the country, is fast losing its credibility as the saviour of the people whose lives are threatened. It has already lost credibility for a large extent not only due to the unfriendly attitude of many of the employees in the......

SPOTLIGHT on new appointment to Supreme Court

The recent appointment to the Supreme Court has created controversy among those in the legal and judicial fraternity. Priyantha Jayawardena PC who is to be appointed to the Supreme Court is not a......

The National Question: All about State Power

Where several communities, defined by ethnicity, language or religion live in one state, questions invariably arise regarding the rights of the various communities, their representation in bodies of government and their share of state power.

Editorial - Where is the oil and gas exploration in the Mannar Basin heading to?

Despite the government banking high on the gas found in one of the off-shore exploration wells in the Mannar Basin, it appears that the whole process of taking out the discovered gas and putting it to commercial use.....

We guarantee there will be no youth uprising for next 10 years

The World Conference of Youth 2014, (WCY 2014) one of the major international conferences held in Sri Lanka, will commence at the Hambantota International Convention Centre tomorrow. The technical sessions and discussions of the five day conference with the participation of Youth Affairs Minister, youth....

Yoani Sanchez - the brave Cuban blogger

Yoani Sanchez is a brave Cuban blogger, who has defied the country’s stringent censorship by a unique ‘transit’ method of blogging – she emails her blog to friends abroad who post them online for her. Her blog, Generation Y, highly critical of Cuban life and politics, is translated into seventeen languages and......

The Roots of Communal Politics

The emergence of the Bodu Bala Sena and its continuing militant, anti-Muslim political activism has irritated many liberally-minded people. Some of those who are agitated have responded by proposing simplistic solutions to contain the movement such as banning it.

Theft More by the powerful than the poor - Editorial

As to what really plagues the paradise island of Sri Lanka even after it defeated terrorism and entered the group of middle-income nations, has been a topic discussed at many a fora– both private and public.

Climate Change

As we go about our day to day activities atmospheric temperatures are increasing...

FROM RIDICULE AND INVISIBILITY TO SERIOUS OPPOSITION

Women in politics in the modern age are under-represented in most countries worldwide, in contrast to men.

World deserves a truly free press

It is a very sobering time for the newspaper industry worldwide and it is a battle we must fight each day.

Editorial-Pressing for Press Freedom

As we mark World Press Freedom Day today...

M.E. peace: Is Israel going back to the golden calf?

US President Barack Obama’s deadline for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority expired on Wednesday with the two sides blaming each other and the US blaming both. But the deadline expired not before it exposed the hardline Israeli government’s lack of desire for............

The West’s hypocrisy in Ukraine

When it comes to Ukraine the US and the EU are adopting a holier than thou attitude which, unfortunately, leads them not to worship at the altar of truth. Take the issue of the fuss made over soldiers allegedly wearing Russian uniforms. They are not dressed in the smart fatigues of the.....

Health in bloody mess: Who’s blocking the medicinal drugs bill? - Editorial

One aspect of the bloody mess and the blood-sucking frauds in the private health sector was exposed on Wednesday in a Daily Mirror report which revealed that some private hospitals which obtain blood virtually free from the National Blood Transfusion Unit (NBTU) charge as much as Rs. 50,000 for a............

She was still shaken while relating her bizarre experience on board the Rajarata Regina

The early morning Rajarata Regina on its way to Colombo had halted at the Pothuhera  station yesterday around 08.15 a.m.  for boarding and alighting of the commuters.

Editorial-What’s happening to Rajapaksa’s National Workers’ Charter?

As thousands of workers and party supporters gather in Colombo and elsewhere for May Day processions and rallies today...

Champika bravely walks political tight rope

Minister of Technology and Research Champika Ranawaka is walking a political tight rope these days.

Despite clouded atmosphere Govt. wins vote on notifications

A heavy shower, accompanied by thunder and lightning was pouring when Parliament took up the vote on the two gazette notifications...

Mumbo jumbo in elephant records

In ancient Sri Lanka the elephant was considered a revered animal. The early elite class had elephants as a status symbol. On the contrary, it is said that elephants were gifted to enemies to have their wealth exhausted on the maintenance of the elephant and they would become poor.

Persecution of a devout Buddhist

I was greatly distressed when I heard about Naomi Coleman, a tourist from the UK being deported because of the Buddha image tattooed on her shoulder.

Editorial-A garland of slippers for the destitute

Not so long ago, the media reported the harsh treatment of a female student by the principal of the school in which she was studying...

Maha Sangha and Public were betrayed - Champika Ranawaka

Minister of Technology and Research and General Secretary of the government coalition partner, Jathika Hela Urumaya, Patali Champika Ranawaka in a scathing attack on the government’s Strategic Development Projects Act, said that the passing of the Act was a clear indication of the political clout the.......

SL not late for an alternative Agreement

The UNHRC’s proposed international probe into Sri Lanka’s alleged human rights abuses, purportedly committed during the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), is likely to get underway in June 2014. Accordingly, the setting up of the required mechanism will be announced by.....

A dragon which could not be controlled

There is this notion that once the industry is legalised, the industry and its effects could be controlled and regulated. In fact we brought in regulations in 2011 which clearly said that casinos could not be set up in different areas but have to be centralised into one single zone or area.

If we don’t learn to love, our country will explode - Editorial

With the spirit of the National New Year, the goodwill and the harmony still in the air and traditional festivities still taking place despite some party political and moral pollution, we  have a duty to reflect on the urgent need to restore religious unity in diversity.

tycoon Packer won’t be here Without casinos - Harsha

In an interview with the Dailymirror United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian and renowned Economist Dr. Harsha De Silva discussed the implications of so called mixed hotel and shopping malls project including James Packer’s project approved in Parliament last Thursday and Friday. He also highlighted the EPF issue......

Arts and Politics Ideological Commitment or Naked Self Interest?

The arts in their diverse forms have enriched human lives from time immemorial. While the scientific advancements have facilitated the development of productive forces leading to material development, the arts have enhanced the quality of life of human beings in numerous ways.