China’s Belt and Road: 10 years passed, centuries ahead

Despite anti-China sentiments the Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, has emerged as a transformative force, connecting the world through a network of infrastructure projects and fostering economic cooperation across continents.

Studying under crumbling buildings

The collapse of walls when students are present and the education authorities maintaining that as many as 74 academic institutes run the risk of crumbling down have made parents rethink sending their offspring to certain schools on the island. The islanders were in a state of shock several days ago when they read about the death of a schoolgirl from Wellampitiya. The wall in her school collapsed on her and some of her friends; injuring a total

Truce or no truce in Gaza: Show mercy to children

When you are reading this column today, in the Gaza Strip, the people will be experiencing the bliss of a respite from bombs and missiles that have been raining on them since October 7. It will be so, but only if Israel decides to say, ‘Enough killing children, enough killing civilians for the time being’. If the hardline Benjamin Netanyahu government decides today to implement the limited truce to facilitate a hostage-prisoner swap and the flow

Gaza war: The first Arab-Israel conflict to split Western democracies

The war in Gaza, which entered the 44th day on Monday, stands out from earlier conflicts in the Middle East due to its unique characteristics and consequences. For the first time in history, an Arab-Israeli conflict has split Western democracies into two warring factions – one pro-Palestinian and the other pro-Israel. Monolithic support for Israel is now a thing of the past. The war has awakened an ingrained democratic spirit in the West. This wh

BRI: CPC deepens political alliances with Sri Lanka and region

Political parties, be it in international or local contexts, matter more than any other organisation in the implementation of policies. The Communist Party of China (CPC), in the wake of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has initiated fresh action to reach out to the political parties in all countries, particularly in the region to ensure greater success in the coming decade. Conceptua

Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All

Budget 2024 first reading was passed amidst uproar in Parliament on Tuesday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government have promised that by April next year the much-needed, though limited, reliefs will be given. But most of the people appear to have lost confidence in the government with SLPP also split into many sections while the United National Party (UNP) of President Wickremesinghe is split in the

Backwards in blacklisting: Enabling corruption in procurement

Failure to tackle corruption is a key factor that contributed to the economic crisis the country is faced with today. Taking concrete steps to reduce corruption, therefore, is critical to recover from the current crisis and to put the country on a sustainable growth path. Public procurement is an important area the country has to focus on in its fight against corruption. Public procurement refers to the purchasing of goods and services by the gov

The ODI World Cup 2023 and rules of cricket - EDITORIAL

The ODI World Cup tournament has finally come to an end. Australia proved for the sixth time they are worthy winners of the 50-over championship. After losing two initial matches...

The Court held Rajapaksas guilty of economic ruin: Would the govt, full of MR acolytes, deliver justice?

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that the three Rajapaksa brothers and a cabal of officials were responsible for the economic crisis, delivering an unprecedented judgement that could be the precursor...

Efforts of Saudi Arabia in support of Palestine

Anyone who follows history is fully aware that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Palestinian issue has been constant and has not changed since the time of the founder, King ...

Wither revenue targets! - EDITORIAL

Against the backdrop of the government’s plans to increase the VAT (value-added tax) from 15 percent to 18 percent from January....

World Fisheries Day: FAO’s vision for a sustainable future in SL’s fisheries and aquaculture sector

On this World Fisheries Day, we reflect on the intricate web that connects the oceans to our lives and livelihoods. Sri Lanka’s fishing...

Positive action needed to prevent a new ‘aragalaya’ - EDITORIAL

In July 2022, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after thousands of protesters stormed his presidential residence and other government ....

POKE during COPE: Professor’s finger stirs Parliament - poisoned milk and hunt for the ‘Fifteen’

As you read this, the Cup’s fate has been decided, leading to a collective sigh of relief from cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The uproar ...

Gamini ‘Gamma’ Weerakoon: From Reporter to Editor

Veteran scribes who have been enriching journalism for decades are like great oaks that leave lasting voids when they fall. Gamma was unarguably one of them.”

Can China win over Northern Tamils?

The priority given to events by the Sri Lankan Tamil media in most cases is different from what is given by the Sinhala and English media.

World Cup defeat, corruption and ICC Cricket Hall of Fame - EDITORIAL

The 2023 World Cup tournament, better known as the One Day International (ODI) Championship continues. But for the Sri Lankan team this year, it is done. We are out of it. The team is back in the country -completely disgraced and apologising to all and sundry over weak-kneed performances.

Why Sri Lanka holds hands with Pakistan - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have enjoyed close ties as two nations despite the duo being geographically positioned in a hotbed of activities centring around a vital sea route in the Indian Ocean. When....

Don’t demonise Palestinians’ right to resist

Truth is the first casualty of war. Although a cliché, the statement remains an all-time, all-war maxim. It is evident in Israel’s genocidal Gaza war, which has taken a nasty turn, with hospitals....

AIR TRANSPORT A TOOL CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE AND VISIBILITY

Air transport is a strategic instrument symbolizing State Sovereignty, conspicuously via the airspace that lies above the territory. Airspace....

Corruption attacks the foundation of democracy - EDITORIAL

In a historic judgement, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday held that several political and other leaders including former President Gotabaya....

Why lawmakers panic when cricket is ailing

People of this country ask for two things when the chips are down. One is elections and the other is cricket matches, but the latter....

An Unlawful Occupation Crisis Need for sustainable solution in Mayilathamadu Madhavanai

Livestock farmers and families of the disappeared staged a peaceful protest in Batticaloa last month against land grabbing. The demonstration aimed to address issues related to illegal colonization, government action and inaction and occupation of lands by the Sri Lanka Army. The Mayilathamadu Madhavanai region in Sri Lanka grapples with a pressing and multifaceted issue – the unlawful occupation of vital grazing lands. Situated on the border

RAND Corporation explains why the West is hard on Russia and soft on China

For the G7 countries, the primary security challenge comes from Russia rather than China, the Joint Statement issued after their Foreign Ministers met in Tokyo on November 8 shows. The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the US, and the European Union. A note published by the US think tank RAND Corporation explains why the West is getting harder on Russia and softer on China. The Joint Statement of the G7 F

Are we serious about commissions and committees?

Now that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership over political interference in its administration, the fate of the Interim Committee on which the Court of Appeal has issued a 14-day Stay Order, the Cabinet Subcommittee appointed to resolve issues about cricket and the report that was submitted by the Justice K.T. Chitrasiri Committee for a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket is not clear. Are the

Why does Sri Lanka need private universities?

Last week, police fired tear gas to disperse a group of university students protesting against the government’s effort to ‘destroy’ free education. Apart from the footage of the Police hosing the hapless students with water cannons, which is the money shot for the prime-time news bulletins, public opinion on these protests is increasingly adverse. Social media is livid at the hypocrisy of the protesters. Others lament the future of next-generati

Empty Rhetoric by ‘United’ legislators shook the Cricket fields!

Dr. John Rockwood took the lead in establishing a national board to oversee and promote Ceylon Cricket. This initiative resulted in the formation of the Ceylon Cricket Association (CCA) in 1922....

UJTA condemns Jaffna University’s decision

The University of Jaffna Teachers’ Association (UJTA) condemns the cancellation of a lecture scheduled to be conducted by Ms. Swasthika Arulingam, Attorney-at-Law on October 31. In a statement....

Strikes and protests and re-purposing colonial era buildings - EDITORIAL

Earlier this week on 7 November, the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) decided to launch a 48-hour strike from midnight.. According to UPTUF convenor Chinthaka Bandara a 48-hour.....

Sinhala Brigadier Who Won the Hearts and Minds of Tamil People

Today November 11th is observed in many parts of the World including Sri Lanka as Remembrance Day or War Memorial Day.