The United Nations: Now an ineffective tool of the US

This is an excerpt from the Lalith Athulathmudali Memorial Oration on the “Emerging Doctrine of Responsibility to  protect” delivered by former High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and UN Advisor Nirupam Sen.....

Editorial - Structural c hanges necessary

Largely due to arrogance instead of magnanimity in the afterglow or aftermath of the May 2009 victory in the war, the Rajapaksa regime appears to have plunged into one hell of an international, political and economic mess. Cabinet changes or even a change of administration apparently won’t provide a solution.

THE WORLD’S FREEDOM - UP OR DOWN?

The Cold War ended and the good times began - the big powers stopped using their veto in the UN Security...

Integrated medicine - alternative remedy for dengue - Editorial

The Daily Mirror on Wednesday reported the sad news of the loss of 220 precious lives out of 44,395 dengue cases...

The drones and the deception

The mentioning of the name Sheikh Hammoud bin Abdullah bin Uqla is enough to send shivers down the spines...

Some Reflections on the Outdated Notion of Parliamentary Supremacy

It must be said that in England, when the supremacy of Parliament was firmly established at the turn of the 17th century through an alliance of the lawyers and the judiciary, this was done to overcome the authority of the Monarch.

Patience and fortitude pay off for pm

The big winner in last week’s Cabinet reshuffle was neither Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi nor Anura Priyadarshana Yapa; it was Dissanayake Mudiyanselage (“Di Moo”) Jayaratne, the fourteenth Prime Minister of this country, who will complete three years in office in April.

Booming business with crappy customer service

Though Kumbhakarna isn’t morbid by nature, he has to visit funeral houses as a matter of routine. More and more often, these funerals are held not in the homes of the deceased, but in funeral parlours.

If the shoe doesn’t fit, must we change the foot? - Editorial

President Mahinda Rajapaksa needs to transform himself from an incomparable public relations (PR) strategist to a great leader. It is no doubt good PR skills are essential for a ruler. But an excess of it, for a period too long, could largely prove inefficient and counter-productive.

AN ARAB SPRING OR A BARACK OBAMA?

While I see the need for constitutional reform, I do not see a need for a replacement of the Constitution. My stance remains at that which I took during the Liberal Party’s discussions contained in the volume of 1991, namely, that the Constitution of ’78 was an advance over the Constitution of ’72.

Masses invited for Mass Struggle

While oppositional forces are getting ready to fight back, there is a sense of frustration among those who are eager to see the Mahinda Regime  being superseded by a more responsive, responsible and democratic governance.

To thine own self be true -Editorial

The glow of Independence Day of our nation was an opportune moment for deep reflection. What we celebrated was not the culmination or climax of having obtained freedom, but only a process.

I have not compromised

Despite being a part of the government, you expressed a vocal opinion against the impeachment process; now that the process had taken its course, do you feel defeated?

STOP STEREOTYPING AND BREAKING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE COMMUNITIES

These days we are witnessing the spread of disturbing information and news which could cause disharmony and disunity among communities, especially between the Sinhala Buddhist and the Muslim Community.

A PIPE DREAM? NO, LET US MAKE IT HAPPEN

Today the topic of conversation in most circles in Colombo and elsewhere is “Constitutional Reform’. This has of course been an issue ever since President Premadasa succeeded to the ‘Throne’- to dump the 1978 Constitution and with it the Presidential form of government.

Diplo-mutts put Lanka on world tightrope - Editorial

Sixty five years after Independence – to what extent we are free is another issue – we need to take a serious new look at our international relationships in a world where the wonders of modern information and communication technology have created a global village.

Independence Day messages from Religious Leaders

After Sri Lanka came under the rule of British empire by the agreement signed on 2 March 1815, they did not bestow independence upon us, but through riots occurred in 1818 and 1848 and subsequent political activities we have gain national, religious, social, cultural, political and economical independence............

Independent For Sixty Five Years

Theoretically we are and have been an `Independent’, Sovereign’ State that is equal to all others – i.e equal in all respects to the International Thug, [a.k.a. the United States of America], its `lap-dog’ the once `Great’ Britain, India, our giant neighbour and `Regional Thug’..........

Geneva 2013: When national interest must supersede ideology

It is that time of the year. As the heat builds up in an otherwise wintry Geneva, capital cities of the world are abuzz with preparations for the forthcoming UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions to be held in February-March 2013.

Editorial - Independence Day

The 1996 Hollywood movie Independence Day is about preparation by the United States for an alien attack on earth. With Will Smith in the lead the Hollywood blockbuster went on to lift the patriotic spirit among the Americans.

Constitutional Morality a sine qua non to elegant government

Much of the world’s confusion and chaos has been triggered off due to a shortfall in statesmanship. Politics and statesmanship are two highly polarised entities. A politician acts within a narrow,  self - interested and petty enclave whereas a statesman rises above the fray

Editorial - Be a light unto others

Oil lamps and candles are symbols that people of most religions use in their places of worship and even at home. Unfortunately, due to lack of proper awareness and understanding, this has become largely a ritual for most people.....

The French in Mali are being counterproductive

Are we in Mali being caught up in the fallout from the reaction to the reaction of 9/11?  It very much looks like...

Freedom from selfishness and greed

As February dawns, the focus is on the 65th Independence Day which will be celebrated with the usual pomp and pageantry...

Israel spurns UNHRC as U.S. politicises human rights

The biggest enemies of the people whose human rights are violated are those nations that ride on their misery...

Chelvanayakam was willing to settle

Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam was born in Malaysia on 31ST March 1898, one century and fifteen years ago. He received his secondary education at the Union College, Tellippalai and later became a student at St. Thomas’ College, which was at that time situated at Modera. He was a contemporary of S.W.R.D.

Sri Lankan Mother Courage

If anyone asked Kumbhakarna to name one contemporary Sri Lankan woman who qualifies to be called ‘great,’ he would unhesitatingly name the mother of Rizana Nafeek who was recently executed in Saudi Arabia for a crime she did not commit.

Jayasuriya’s theory of selection

The appointment of celebrity cricketer turned politician Sanath Jayasuriya as chairman of the Cricket Selection Committee this week raised expectations in many quarters but there are several reservations about this ‘selection’ as well, given Jayasuriya’s political affiliations.

Made in USA and buried in SL - Editorial

Last March when the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka was passed in Geneva it was more of a story of betrayal than learning lessons. In the aftermath of the tragedy,

Army’s response to LLRC observations

This is an extract from the first Chapter of the Report of the Army Board on ‘Implementation of the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’ (LLRC) delivered by Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development.