Northern polls a political disaster

The University Student movement against Indo-Lanka Accord, Janatha Mithuro, National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT), Sihala Urumaya and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) – in this unbroken twenty five year history of the nationalist movement in modern Sri Lanka  Patali Champika Ranawaka remains the consistent common factor. At a time his government is gearing for the Northern Provincial polls the Minister of Technology, Research and A

Let us dump the Provincial Council system now

India foisted the Thirteenth Amendment and with it the Provincial Council system on this country to suit their own purposes - their intervention to stop the Vadamarachchi Operation

Political manoeuvring and the people's woes - Editorial

President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the UPFA May Day rally yesterday announced a reduction to low-end users on the recently-approved electricity tariffs. At the outset this act reflects a people-friendly ruler who is deeply concerned about the welfare of his people, especially the underprivileged and the poor.

Bylines Lost On the Frontline

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers recorded 68 journalist deaths in 2012, with the on-going Syrian conflict responsible for the highest number of casualties.

FATHER OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

Born on May 1,1891 in Kandy, A.E. Goonesinghe was educated at Dharmaraja College. On leaving school he sought employment as a clerk in the Railway Department, at the start. Later he took to Journalism, publishing the Journal “Search Light” to support the National Movement for freedom.

The steady deterioration of a ‘GREAT GRIP’

 The grip of the ruler based on Sinhala Buddhist chauvinism is breaking down. It is thanks to this grip which subdued the Sinhala petty bourgeoisie, that Keheliya Rambukwella the government spokesman, could ignore the fact that parliamentarians pay just Rs.2000/- per month for electricity in their free official residences and intimidates the poor.

‘May Day, May Day’— a distress signal for workers - Editorial

Since 1956 when socialist Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike declared May Day or workers’ day as a public holiday, the occasion was deeply significant not only because of the huge colourful processions but also life-long benefits like the Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF), vibrant and powerful trade unions and other facilities.

Combating corruption

That corruption is widespread in Sri Lanka is an accepted fact.  That it has become so much a part of the fabric of our society as to be unquestioned and unassailable is also an accepted fact.

REDEFINING SOUTH ASIA

Salma Yusuf in conversation with Ambassador Nihal Rodrigo, formerly Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); Honorary Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Foreign Affairs; Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United Nations and China.

Protect the Sources

Journalism is not a profession. It is the exercise by occupation of the right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by all international and regional human rights treaties. That guarantee is given to editors and

A Case for Best Legal Brains - Editorial

A picture on Yesterday’s Daily Mirror front page where a police officer was saluting the controversial UPFA parliamentarian Duminda Silva at his residence and the picture’s table head ‘Can you Believe it’ raised grave questions with regard to public confidence in the independence of the police force and the  judiciary.

Eliminating the scourge of Thuggery

Vasudeva Nannayakkara was, for many years, known and looked upon as a ‘paper revolutionary’  who was ever willing to join in any ‘verbal’ attack on a Government in power.

Ranil the unlucky Opposition Leader

T. S. Eliot wrote his celebrated poem ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ in 1917, thirty two years before Ranil Wickremesinghe was born. Therefore, it’s hardly correct to assume that Eliot based his Prufrock poem on Ranil.

BASL Probe: Judges reluctant to comment - Editorial

Comprising about 11,000 lawyers, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) recently held a special meeting of its Executive Committee, the Bar Council to decide what action to take regarding the mass transfer of District Judges and Magistrates. 

Nationalism is a dangerous thing

Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, would never have agreed with her French counterpart, the late President Francois Mitterand, who said “Nationalism is war.”

Powerful uproar over the shocking Power Crisis - Editorial

Amid cross-currents and disconnections, deception and damn lies, controversies contradictions and allegations of wide-spread corruption, the Rajapaksa regime appears to be determined to go ahead with its shocking increase in electricity rates.

Robert P. Senanayake - The Rock Behind His Brother

There has been little written about Robert, the late D.S. Senanayake’s younger son, who stood firmly like a rock behind...

Editorial : The tariff foundling and its energy policy parents

Tariffs are parentless babies and the fact is emphasised when they grow up.  The Minister of Power and Energy, Pavitra...

From Russia without love: Putin wins the bloody Boston Marathon

From Boston to Beslan, the search for motive for the marathon blasts widens. Yet, there is no clear-cut answer as to why two...

A POLITICIAN OF GREAT SKILL

It is not often that a person not amongst us hits the headlines but that is what happened last week when the twentieth death anniversary of assassinated former Trade and National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali was commemorated on Tuesday.

Road accidents, deaths and regulations

The recent shocking revelation that 627 persons were killed due to fatal accidents in the first three months of this year has opened up the debate on whether Sri Lankan roads are able to sustain rapid development and a heavy load of vehicular traffic.

Social contours of the COST OF LIVING CRISIS

The cost of living crisis in Sri Lanka is a real one. It is also serious. Otherwise a majority of the people would not be complaining about it on a daily basis.

Priority mix up or deliberate mess-up? - Editorial

Did we Sri Lankans ask for an airport in Mattala and a port in Hambantota? Wonder whether even the people in Hambantota did. Did we ask for a budget airline which is not more than a vanity project? Do we need Deyata Kirula every year? Definitely not! Do we need 1000 CC Ducatis?

Beyond aid strings

The US secretary of state has taken some names and quoted figures as he spoke his heart on Syria.

Indian Foreign Policy: Geneva Vote And Beyond

The debate about the ‘emergence’ or ‘re-emergence’ of India as an important player at the world stage goes on the one hand. On the other, the Indian state is confronted with a major challenge, as regions (provinces) are asserting their rights and able to influence the foreign policy discourse.

electricity rate GOVT. bowing to IMF DEMAND

Nobody expected this unbelievable increase in electricity charges. Hence there were protests everywhere including in clubs and associations limited to the industrialists and traders. However the tariff increases are friendly to the class separation indicating the departure from the social welfare ideology.

Bibile Policy at last: Thank you Mr. President - Editorial

Millions of people are suffering from the unbearably high cost of healthcare— including highly expensive drugs under  a variety of brand names and often non-essential tests and unregulated charges at private hospitals.

A Vision valid for all Seasons

I recall as a Member of Parliament, visiting India on their 50th Anniversary of Independence. On our request, the Indian government gave us an opportunity to meet with the Head of the National Planning Commission.

Increase in electricity rates and plight of senior citizens

The increase in electricity costs is the latest to hit the public, especially the lower and middle class who are desperately attempting to live in an economically sustainable environment.

5 - STARS? NOT QUITE…!

Phillip, my friend from England visits Sri Lanka very regularly whilst also travelling to various other worldwide holiday destinations. Phillip’s link to our island stretches back to the time when he was born in Ceylon (as it was then known),