Monkeying around with truth and transparency

Late Sunday morning, the lights literally, all went out in Sri Lanka. During the regime of the good old Rajapaksa, the country would have been informed that it was the work of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But all of that has now changed; instead, the Minister informed us it was the work of a monkey.

What would Donald Trump’s return to 19th-century power politics mean for Sri Lanka?

Students of realism, the dominant school of thought in international politics, consider the Melian Dialogue a good starting point for studying the discipline. In the conversation, as recorded by Thucydides in ‘The History of the Peloponnesian War,’ the Athenians demand that the neutral state of Melos submit to them. The Melians plead to reason and justice, arguing they have the right to neutrality and sovereignty. To which the Athenians reply, “R

“Sri Lanka Thaayae”: History of the National Anthem Being Sung In Tamil

Sri Lanka celebrated seventy-seven years of gaining independence from British rule last Tuesday (Feb 4).

Chaos and vandalism have become hallmarks post-Hasina Bangladesh

When the repressive 15-year regime of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown by a two-month-long violent mass movement led by university students,

Lasantha murder case and laws delays - EDITORIAL

The current controversy over the letter sent by Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director to release three suspects from a case related to the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge raises many questions.

Protect AG’s autonomy: Justice must remain uncompromised

Last week’s events—AG’s advice to drop charges against three suspects in the Lasantha murder case, protests outside his office, and the President summoning him—raised critical questions about his autonomy and independence.

Government’s promises and the silence of the lambs - EDITORIAL

Our government is battling it out on many fronts in regard to the promises it made while campaigning for the presidential and general elections.

Academic Rigour and Rule of Law Determine the Future of a People and a Nation

In America, there is a raging debate going on today concerning issues of intelligence and the H-1B visa programme. The H-1B visa allows people with only a bachelor’s degree in a designated speciality area (often IT and engineering) to secure a non-immigrant visa to work for an employer for up to 6 years. It often leads to easy immigration when an employer applies for the visa that the US industry badly needs, and then to permanent residence.

Turning the ‘rules-based world order’ on its head

On 20 January this year, Donald Trump was inducted President of the US for a second term. Within hours of his taking Oaths of Office, the ‘new’ president was busy signing a raft of Executive Orders addressing concerns he raised during his presidential campaign.

The system takes on system changers

Those who supported the National People’s Power (NPP) at the recent Presidential and Parliamentary elections seem to have been bewildered over the failure of the government to deliver, despite them still having faith in their leaders as an untainted group.

‘Rani’ must be followed by a film on Thajudeen!

Sri Lanka is a country where many of its gruesome murders have faded into history without culprits being brought to book. The film ‘Rani’ is the latest of many films that have been made in this island when justice has been delayed or denied.

Trump’s Riviera from Gaza rubble: Nazi-Zionist imperialism at play

If there is someone who can be described as the most dangerous man on earth and the biggest threat to world peace today, it is none other than Donald Trump, the President of the United States.

The fine line between campaigning and governing

Sri Lanka is a country emerging from the worst economic crisis since the time of the Great Depression (1929-1939).

Lasantha’s murder case : Would saner counsel prevail? -EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka’s media fraternity is currently in a ‘state of shock’ regarding a letter issued by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe recommending the release of three individuals who had been named as suspects in connection with the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Our music: ‘Subhavitha vs. Peechang’ amounts to a culture war

In the second part of this series based on Eric Illayapparachchi’s seminal essay on the Sinhala song, we start with his views on the ‘Subhavitha-Peechang’ (distinguished-cheap) conflict which dominated it for so long. Two towering figures come to mind immediately in this context—singers W. D. Amaradeva and H. R. Jothipala. The writer quotes Roland Barthes, Edward Said and musicologist Daniel Barenboim to illustrate his points, defining this Subh

After 77 years of Independence, let’s take on hate-speech

As we celebrated 77 years of independence yesterday, a line by the late famous US General MacArthur came to mind in slightly different context. In recognition of his status as one of the greatest living military leaders in US, Congress asked MacArthur to address a joint session on 19 April 1951.

The missing link in the 77 years of Independence

Symbolism matters! The celebration of the 77th anniversary of independence was a display of our rich heritage and diversity. It was also a refreshing departure from the obsession in the past to flaunt antiquated Main Battle Tanks and a large contingent of military forces as if we were a predominant military power or one that faced an existential military threat whose people needed regular reassurances.

Seventy seven years later, what have we gained?

Sri Lanka acquired its dominion status exactly 77 years ago from the British. Today, Sri Lanka is commemorating this occasion as its Independence Day. During the administration of Ms. Sirima Bandaranaike between 1972 and 1977 we commemorated the ‘Republican Day’ on May 22 instead of Independence Day, while February 4 just passed as an ordinary day.

Road to Independence Henry & Hilda; Pioneers of Educational Reforms

The educational revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was influenced by Theosophists like Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and Hilda Muriel Westbrook. They worked to revitalize Buddhism,

Kandyan Convention, Buddhism, Brownrigg and Soulbury Reforms

The Kandyan Convention, an agreement between the British Colonial rulers and Kandyan chiefs, was signed in 1815.

Education, emancipation and the hill-country

In approaching another Independence Day on February 4, we must reflect on the tragic history of our country.

‘Blowing in the wind’ and blowing away exclusivist politics - EDITORIAL

Bob Dylan, the famous US anti-war activist, wrote the song ‘Blowing in the wind’ protesting the US-war in Vietnam.

Senior ITAK Leader “Maavai” Senathirajah was a Symbol of Tamil Political Resistance

Veteran Tamil political leader Somasundaram Senathirajah popularly known as “Maavai” Senathirajah breathed his last on 29 January 2025.

Has the government caved in to the rice mafia?

The claims by the leaders of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) that they are not responsible for the current rice muddle are true. It must be recalled that the rice mill owners had been arguing over a shortage of Nadu rice and their inability to sell rice at the controlled price just after the last Presidential election at which Anura Kumara Dissanayake rose to power.

On February 4 we celebrate 77 years of Independence…

In three days we will celebrate the 77th year of our Independence. We Lankans can hold our heads up with some pride. During the past 77 years, democracy in our land has gone from strength to strength. Our countrymen and women have been able to withstand two attempts to overthrow the elected governments of our country by armed forces. We have thwarted an attempted military coup and put behind us a near three-decade long attempt to bifurcate the co

Trump’s clean-out Gaza plan: A reprehensible licence for ethnic cleansing

In what is clearly a cat-out-of-the-bag case, the newly sworn-in President of the United States, Donald Trump, revealed his outrageous and inhumane plan for the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Crushing mafias isn’t easy as crushing coconuts! - EDITORIAL

Sri Lankans are a little uneasy due to the high prices of coconuts and the shortage of the nut itself in the island.

Time to put some of our national heroes on the celebratory list

The Independence Day celebrated in Sri Lanka on February 4 must be given new meaning. We are just days away from celebrating the 77th edition of celebrating Independence from the British.

What is Sri Lanka’s approach to tackle transboundary air pollution? - EDITORIAL

Colombo is once again covered in a thick smog and it seems to be a phenomenon that we may have to deal with more often.

Standing up to a bullying US President

US President Donald Trump is back in the White House and is creating a monstrous cacophony of noise. He is so-to-say, upsetting the ‘apple cart of the ordinary man and woman on the street in lands as far away from the US as in little Sri Lanka.