CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE Let’s become agents of peace and reconciliati

At Christmas we celebrate God’s entry into human history in the Mystery of Incarnation; we exult in praise and thanksgiving to God Our Father joining with the heavenly hosts.

Born to live like Royalty

What a marvel it is to be free!   What a marvel it is for a human person to be so free as never to be at the mercy of any person, place or thing.  Not marching to someone else’s drums or dancing to another’s tunes.

Abolition of Grade V Scholarship Exam a wolf in sheep’s clothing

I entered Ananda College after sitting for an entrance examination, conducted by the school authorities. That was at the end of 1953.  At that stage Ananda College was an assisted school run by the BTS.

Live for others and purposes beyond yourself - Editorial

A new Religion is taking over the world! It is impacting New York, London, Dubai, Mumbai, Beijing and Tokyo all at the same time. It is crossing the barriers of all major world Religions and infiltrating and subverting them with ease!

the tna in search of a ‘GRIEVANCE’

Clearly, the so-called Tamil National Alliance loses no opportunity to make a fuss whether it is about something substantial or about nothing.  First, they made and continue to make a fuss about the presence of troops in the North and about the Governor being a retired military man.

A Christmas Reflection Rule of Tyranny and Reign of God

Jesus was born under the rule of tyranny. Absolute power was held by the Roman Emperor who ruled conquered regions through local agents. Herod was one such agent.

Christmas in Jaffna in the fifties

Christmas in Jaffna then, was an extremely different scenario. There was no cacophonous commercialisation of Christmas. Trade and industry were not sufficiently developed, except for our three famous traditional exports.

CMC returns to brutality of colonial era

As reported in the media the Chief Veterinary Surgeon of the Colombo Municipal Council (CVS - CMC) states that the city must be rid of rabies and its dog population, controlled.

‘Picking of coconuts a crime while possessing heroin isn’t’

According to the latest news circulating in the country, ten kilograms of heroin has been seized from Hikkaduwa area. The police say it is the largest haul of heroin seized from the South.

Show true spirit of invitation and acceptance! - Editorial

A window of opportunity seems to have been opened, at least partly, for another round of bipartisan effort to bring in peace and reconciliation after President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders R. Sampanthan and the......

This is a man! 80th Birthday of Appathurai Vinayagamoorthy

Mr. Appathuray Vinayagamoorthy, who is at present a Member of Parliament for Jaffna District, an Attorney-at-law by profession, was born on 19TH December 1933 at Sarasalai.

My dream is to create a harmonious political culture: Nadeesha Hemamali

At a time when one section in society is rather opposed to film stars entering politics, others believe that their star status is a stumbling block to serve the people. Sri Lanka’s political history has evidence of top film world heroes playing heroic roles in politics too.

The education system in Sri Lanka – Are we reversing towards the colonial era? - Editorial

Education Minister Bandula Gunewardena this week announced the government’s decision to change the nature of the Grade 5 Scholarship examination. According to him, from 2016, the examination will not be a competitive exam like it is now.

Syria: Worst crisis since World War II

The United States President, Barack Obama, made a wise decision when he backed off in August from attacking Syria even after he claimed US intelligence agencies had clear proof that President Bashar al-Assad had crossed the so-called red line – a reference to the use of chemical weapons.

Commercialising inventions A Technology Park for Sri Lanka

The Budget 2014 proposes new initiatives to support commercialisation of inventions. An important initiative that the Ministry of Research and Technology is believed to be contemplating is to set up a technology park in Sri Lanka.....

Stop plundering our EPF money - Editorial

Former Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike who swept to office in 1956 through the now- famous people’s force of the Sangha, wedha, guru, govi, kamkaru, was a brilliant orator but thankfully he was not limited to words and was more committed to deeds, much in contrast to most of today’s leaders.

Gastronomical delights and fairness for the womankind

Shortly after Monday’s Cabinet meeting, ministers sat for the customary dinner hosted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. Seated together at one table were Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Housing Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Power and......

Politics isn’t switching jobs for more money: Madhu Madawa

Singer and actor turned politician Madhu Madawa Aravinda was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) from  the Jathika Hela Urumaya. Getting elected after a campaign without posters, crackers, polythene, treats and.......

Save Lanka, abolish executive presidency - Editorial

The day after the legendary statesman Nelson Mandela—widely revered as the patron saint of political miracle--was laid to his eternal rest in his home village, a huge statue of this hero of heroes was.....

Providence smiles on white collar criminals

Recently, United National Party (UNP) National List Parliamentarian Professor Harsha de Silva raised serious questions about the controversial investments of workers’

Lack of financial and human resources leave Lanka’s heritage vulnerable

Against the backdrop of stealing artefacts even at places like Colombo National Museum and vandalising places of archaeological value,

Use of language in its present context

Often we hear that the youth is not interested in cultured language.

Editorial-People getting sick of the Health Ministry

With more people continuing to fall sick more often due to a little bit of poison in the food we eat and growing pollution of the air and water

Neo-liberalism, Politics and Dehumanization of Society

Almost the entire world has come under the influence of neo-liberalism over the last several decades.  The Neo-liberal ideologues that include the key bureaucrats of the international financial institutions assert that the..........

Will Santa visit the marginalised and fixed income workers?

Advertisements often reveal a more realistic picture of a country situation than the statistics churned out by a government source that has lost its independent ability to produce the actual existing data.

‘I have attained Nibbana’ Able to stand aloof on any attack

Ven. Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera turned Siri Samantha Bhadra has been the focal point in society and his recent statements and his life style as a Buddhist monk have created many a controversy. He has been accused of attempting to ruin the Buddha Sasana.

Isn’t corruption evil any more? - Editorial

Going by the barrage of criticism levelled against Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and his Coordinating Secretary Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe for the past week or so over their alleged involvement with the largest ever heroin haul detected by the......

Towards a Buddhist Theory of Mental Illness

The Buddha’s philosophy and religion is mainly concerned about the well-being of human beings. His main sermon is on the Four Noble Truths. Here the Buddha deals with the problem of human sufferings and how they could be eliminated.

Mandela is no more, his legacy lives on

‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.’

I am becoming single - Mahindananda

While claiming that he is becoming a single man, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who is currently under a cloud of allegations for threatening his estranged wife, denied accusations levelled against him.