The President and the ‘state of the nation’

On 1st January, at the launch of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme, President Dissanayake did something our past presidents have seldom done. He drew public attention to the weaknesses in our system of administration. In a way he is saying ‘mea culpa’ and seeking public help to correct the same.

Clean Sri Lanka vs. bureaucratic breaks

How many of the 22 million people of this country might have had the interest to listen to the speech delivered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the launch of his ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project on January 1?

From one annus horribilis to another: Can greetings change our fate?

All the wishes and greetings for 2025 count for nothing. The New Year tradition stems from a conjecture, as humans have no record to say that time started or the Earth began its journey around the Sun on January 1 some 4.6 billion years ago.

The art of advertising a new political culture - EDITORIAL

The manner in which our new Executive President is promoting the goal of rebuilding this country must be lauded. He is so genuine in his attempts to lift this nation from the depths of despair.

Grieved parties must note that ‘this regime is still quite popular’

Sri Lanka is a country that pays special attention to workers, especially those employed in the garments industry. This is because workers can be categorised into a group that can be exploited or one that produces headaches for the government.

Could ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ rebuild a fractured nation? - EDITORIAL

On the first working day of the New Year, the government launched its Clean Sri Lanka programme, aimed at ‘rebuilding a fractured nation’ as described President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Price controls in a market economy - could it work?

In the run-up to its election victories at the presidential and parliamentary elections, the JVP/NPP combine promised to bring down the cost of living. Today, while a majority of ordinary workers earn between Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 60,000/- per month, the cost of providing a family of four, three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), costs over Rs. 100,000/- per month!

2025 - A year of growth or complacency for the Government ?

Sri Lanka enters 2025 on a much better footing than it was a year ago. The country may not be out of the woods yet. Still, the economy has made a tremendous comeback, and the country has finally gained political stability through presidential and general elections.

Challenges and opportunities for India in crisis-ridden Myanmar

A NEW YEAR IN THE UNIVERSE A TIME TO BEGIN AFRESH

We in Sri Lanka celebrate April 13th as our Sinhala and Hindu New Year day. We observe traditional and cultural rites on this day. However, officially we treat January 1st as the first day of the year as accepted internationally. January 1st – the New Year day is also a day of traditional, cultural and religious festivals and an occasion for celebration. This time it is the dawn of 2025, the year during which we in Sri Lanka hope to bring prosper

Solution to rice crisis a litmus test for Govt.

The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has been in power for more than 100 days. It is a significant milestone for the new government. The NPP’s first time governing experience is watched over by many including the opposition parties, media, the international community and more importantly the citizenry of this country.

HOW CAN THE NEW GOVERNMENT BEST TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN and YOUTH?

Stop Child Cruelty Trust (SCCT) and Child Protection Alliance (CPA) comprising of thirteen credible organisations committed to protect and promote the rights of children have appealed to President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the newly elected Government to elevate child welfare to the heart of national governance ushering a new dawn, firmly focusing on the true beneficiaries of the future: our children first.

Corruption during human misery How billions of tsunami aid disappeared without a trace

Local media highlighted the twentieth anniversary of devastating Tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004 and snatched away almost one percent of the Muslim population.

Ten veteran journalists honoured at 69th Sri Lanka Press Association anniversary

The 69th Anniversary Convention of the Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) and D. F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Media Awards were held recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute auditorium under the aegis of Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni.

‘A thriving nation, a beautiful life’ Hundred Days of President’s Journey

As 2024 approaches its conclusion, December 31st stands as a noteworthy marker—the President’s first hundred days in office.

System change and bureaucracy -EDITORIAL

The novice government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake seems to feel the heat of the lethargy and indifference on the part of the bureaucracy in the process of taking the country forward in its style. Recent statements by the President and several ministers on lack of cooperation by public sector officials clearly indicate the frustration of leaders over the issue.

The year 2024 looks scary; but the future looks worse

It’s always good to look back as the year draws to a close, take stock and sum up. But that should leave us with some good feeling, not just relief at having survived. In retrospect, 2024 looks scary, with much of the world in turmoil.

The cataclysmic year 2024 draws to an end…- EDITORIAL

We have come to the end of 2024 a cataclysmic year, not just nationally but internationally as well. As September was drawing to a close Lankan’s elected a brand new president to lead the country.

The JVP-led NPP Govt.’s Envisaged Constitution and the 13th Amendment

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has successfully concluded his first state visit to India from December 15 to 17. The optics of the three day visit to New Delhi has been hailed positively. President Dissanayake known popularly as AKD is the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna as well as the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP).

Year 2024 - the good, the bad, and the silly

The year 2024- is coming to an end. On Wednesday the New Year will take off. It is perhaps time we looked back and enjoy the positives, ponder what we could have done better to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Is Sri Lanka out of bankruptcy?

Ratings agency Fitch raised Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign-currency default rating on December 20 while the Moody’s Ratings on Monday (December 23) also raised the country’s long-term foreign currency issuer rating.

“Their bodies had to be thrown into the sea”: The heart-wrenching plight of Rohingya Refugees

A collective of 47 civil society organisations have issued a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting humanitarian asylum for Rohingya asylum seekers from Mynamar who recently arrived in Sri Lanka.

What can the recent Speaker’s resignation teach us about politics in the digital era?

With the advent of media and social media, people today are flooded with information, misinformation and disinformation, and it entails both upsides and downsides, particularly in a democratic society.

Sri Lanka’s role in the Rohingya Crisis AND The Palestine issue IN THE BACKDROP OF CHRISTMAS

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Palestine, during a time of colonisation, political and economic oppression by Roman imperialism.

Christ-less West vs. Christ-filled Palestinian resilience

While glittering Christmas decorations adorn malls and mansions across the Western world, a stark contrast emerges in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

Don’t hate traffic cops for making you do a breathalyser - EDITORIAL

We love the police despite these law enforcement officers wearing an intimidating colour like khaki. Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara once mooted the idea of changing the police uniform to light blue, which is the colour of the police uniform in most European countries.

In the season of peace and dignity, whither Lanka?

Today is Christmas Day. For Lankan’s irrespective of religious or other beliefs it is, as customarily has been, a time for spreading goodwill, love and giving. It is widely celebrated as a time of peace. As this year comes to a close, there are many things Lankans can be proud of.

A roller-coaster of a year and finally hope

As a year that was a rollercoaster comes to an end, there are two positive developments. First, Sri Lanka completed sovereign bond restructuring and exited a restricted default. Second, the economy grew at 5. 5 per cent in the third quarter, outperforming forecasts by the IMF and rating agencies. It defied the predictions of a slowdown, bettering the growth numbers of the last two quarters, which grew at 4.7 per cent and 5.3 per cent.

What’s next with India-Sri Lanka ties post President Dissanayake’s Visit?

On September 28, I posted my thoughts briefly on social media under the title ‘Navigating Foreign Policy Towards the Stable Country: The Daunting Challenges for the AKD Government in Sri Lanka’.

Beyond the Title: Parliament Needs a Focus on Expertise

The proposal put forward by MP Dilith Jayaweera, advocating for the complete disregard of academic titles in Parliament, is an exceptionally wise one.