Why world’s biggest carnival of democracy matters

The world’s biggest carnival of democracy is in full flow. It’s a carnival in every sense of the word – in terms of sheer drama, spectacle and colour, along with all that hurly-burly and exuberant noise, the parliamentary elections in India have set new benchmarks that are hard to match anywhere else in the world

False assumptions and erroneous theorisation

There is a school of thought that believes that the common action programme of the Left with the UNP was a meaningless exercise, to say the least. They go on to claim that it was helpful to the UNP leader to stabilise his leadership within the party, but brought discredit to the left leaders.

Global warming: Don’t wait till it’s too late - Editorial

In the afterglow of a happy but the hottest ever National New Year we need to reflect deeply on the latest United Nations report which warns that just a few decades remain to halt global warming and head off its most catastrophic effects. The report according to the widely respected National Geography magazine........

Significance of Bak Full Moon Poya Day Buddha’s Second visit to Lanka

Five years after the Enlightenment Gautama Buddha visited Sri Lanka for the second occasion. The objective of this visit was to convince the rulers of Lanka- Naga Kings and their followers that hatred is not appeased by hatred but by non-hatred. Naga kings

May the National New Year be a new beginning for reconciliation - Editorial

The Aluth Avurudda, the Puththandu or the National New Year which dawns on Monday has deep astronomical significance with the sun moving from the last constellation of Meena Rashiya (Pisces) to the first constellation Mesha Rashiya (Aries).

Rwanda: Never again yesterday

Twenty years ago, the United Nations and the Western powers failed to stop the Rwandan genocide that was taking place under their very boots. There was UN and Western presence in Rwanda when 800,000 minority ethnic Tutsis were killed by the militia from the majority Hutu community.

WHEN WILL THIS LAWLESSNESS END?

An excerpt from the speech delivered by the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Upul Jayasuriya at the Convocation where he was inducted for the year 2014-2015.

Healthy New Year gift for the people - Editorial

If health is wealth, then the government’s healthiest and most generous national New Year gift to the people is the presentation of legislation to the Cabinet to implement the National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) based on the revered Professor Senaka Bibile’s essential medicines concept.

POLLS RESULTS Allegations and counter allegations

The Central Bank (CB) report was released on Tuesday announcing that the county’s economy had grown by 7.3 percent in 2013, one percent increase from  6.3 per cent growth rate reported in 2012. However,   the Research Division Head of the CB, Swarna Gunatilake in her presentation, referred to it as a.......

Lasith Malinga the Hero

As the entire country celebrated Sri Lanka winning the T20 cricket world championship in Bangladesh by beating the more fancied Indian team convincingly, there emerged an unlikely hero: stand-in captain Lasith Malinga.

Something fishy in this canned deal - Editorial

Consumer rights and health action groups are expressing concern over the announcement last week that Japan will provide tins of canned fish to the value of about Rs. 202 million to Sri Lanka through the United Nations World Food Programme.

Aiming for a mine-free Sri Lanka

In his speech on April 4 for the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action...

Red herring swims in the face of international pressure

As Mahinda ‘expected and dreamt’ the UNHRC has voted for an international probe that could lead to suspects being named and prosecuted.

Palk Strait fishing issue in dire straits

The talks between the representatives of the fishing communities in Sri Lanka and India are being continuously put off due to the intransigence of Jayalalithaa Jeyaram...

Today’s society cannot do without IT

It is a fact that the sun and the moon periodically illuminate the world. Nobody can permanently prevent or restrict light emanating from the sun and the moon.  Although the suppressed truth can someday be unfolded, ripple effects created by such suppression cannot be reversed.

Ban Ki-moon’s ‘human wrongs’ - Editorial

Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has asked Sri Lanka to engage constructively and cooperate with the UN’s human rights body to implement the US-led resolution passed in Geneva.  This is as it should be.  Ban Ki-moon is after all the top employee of the UN.

How much is that bottle of water?

It is the 21stcentury and according to UNICEF statistics 783 million people do not have access to safe drinking water. Each day at least 5,000 children die of preventable water and sanitation-related diseases. The world is plummeting towards a situation of extreme water scarcity.

Man falsely accused by Traffic police, wins case in court

In a historic judgment, an ordinary citizen has successfully argued a case against the traffic police and won it. Mohammad Baskar Farouk isn’t a lawyer. But, falsely accused by the traffic section of the Pallama police station for using a mobile phone while driving, and.....

Role of Education in Democratic Governance and Collective Well-being -

The UN today consists of over 190 countries.   How many of these are fully functional democracies? The answer depends on how we define a democracy. If we adopt a very strict definition, the number would not be very large......

Take a bow, gentlemen! - Editorial

Following his side’s defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the semi-finals of the ICC World T20, West Indies cricket captain Darren Sammy made a sensational remark that grabbed headlines around the world.

We need a Common Candidate to abolish executive presidency

To answer this question, the context in which the recent election was held need to be considered.

Can the Elections Commissioner be blamed?

The elections to the Southern and Western Provincial Councils have just been concluded.

Afghanistan: Ballots or big power ballistics?

One of the theories doing the rounds in the aftermath of the mysterious disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 claims that it all began in Afghanistan, which goes to the polls tomorrow to elect a new president.

China and the US compete at sea

Both Russia and China feel themselves under threat from the US and their people are clearly behind their governments on this. Not without reason. NATO has pushed itself up to Russia’s borders. China feels encircled by US naval deployments armed with nuclear weapons in........

Beyond the clouds, the sun of righteousness - Editorial

One clear message from the elections to the Western and Southern Provincial Councils last Saturday is that a large number of people are looking for a credible alternative or an effective opposition that would restore good governance, accountability and democratic values.

Mother Nature’s wonderful creation Jathika Namal Uyana Sri Lanka’s historical natural park

Our country, often referred to as a pearl in the Indian Ocean is about sixty five thousand six hundred and ten square kilometres in extent and...

Individualism in Contemporary Societies

There is a profound paradigm shift occurring in society today. It originated in the west, but it is slowly spreading throughout the globe.

National interests play paramount role in taking decisions

At the end of the day it is the national interests of any country that decides its position on any issue.

Sarath Fonseka’s dramatic comeback via the polls

Ever since he retired from the Army and decided on a political career, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has never been away from the limelight.

The fallout from the UNHRC resolution

The US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka calling for an international investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law and...