The philosopher-physician

The news of the passing away of Dr. Sabaratnam Sivakumaran – one of our senior-most and most respected medical specialists – left me shocked because I was not aware that he was suffering from any recent illness or infirmity. Indeed, he had continued to carry out all his tasks in spite of his long-standing ailments, even starting work in the hospital at 6.30 in the morning.

Remembering Shamalka Sachendra Lodewyke on His 30th Birth Anniversary (16th May)

As we gather near on this day, Our hearts hold you close, though you’re far away. In sorrow, you departed too soon, But today we celebrate, borrowing this precious boon. A gentle soul with a shining light, Your memory guides us, day and night.

Misinterpreting religious discourses : Who are we to judge?

Attempts to create religious disharmony have caused more harm than good to the fragile social fabric in Sri Lanka. Hate speech, misinformation and disinformation can also create a similar situation. Sri Lanka....

Distorting religion doesn’t generate new knowledge - EDITORIAL

In Sri Lanka religion most often causes turmoil rather than usher in peace and calm. Just a few days ago a Pastor by the name of Jerome Fernando caused a stir by stating at a religious sermon that Buddhists...

Global concern over babies born too soon

The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and UN Population Fund have together called for urgent global attention to preterm births or births before 37 months of pregnancy. Preterm babies....

Good parents bring happiness, love and understanding

The family is the foundation of society. That means a good family will help build a good society that is largely free of dishonesty, deceit, and bribery or corruption on a big scale or small. A fair and balanced analysis of Sri Lankan society

The ‘republican’ credentials of Patali Champika Ranawaka

Most of these parties and organizations are now defunct, in decline or have embraced ideologies that are far removed from what was espoused originally. Patali Champika Ranawaka is still around. The misfortunes of these organizations haven’t stopped his star from rising in the political firmament

Janasaviya, Samurdhi and now ‘Aswesuma’ - EDITORIAL

According to the government’s own assessments around 55% or more casual workers lost their employment to the COVID pandemic. The economic...

Govt beef up security over social media post? Why kneejerk high-handed measures only contribute to build-up public anger

Security has been beefed up in Colombo after ‘unspecified intelligence’ that the Inter-University (IUSF) Students Federation was massing....

False alarms might lead people to drop their guard - EDITORIAL

Various versions have been floated by variously interested groups over the sudden heavy presence of police and army in Colombo since Friday covering the whole weekend. The failure on the part of various parties responsible for the security of the country to speak in one voice in this matter has raised suspicion about the motive of the government for this sudden move.

X-PRESS PEARL INCIDENT : CONTROVERSIAL DECISION TO FILE FOR DAMAGES IN SRI LANKA OR SINGAPORE?

The X-Press Pearl incident has caused significant environmental damage and economic losses in Sri Lanka, with an estimated $6.4 billion in damages. As Sri Lanka considers its options for filing a compensation claim, the question arises as to which jurisdiction is the most suitable to file an action. Let’s explore the implications of filing the claims in Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Thro’ Window Murder? Those who Love ‘Re-lav’; Don’t “Give a Monkey’s” About Humans

A 46-year-old female arrestee taken into custody on suspicion of swindling Rs. 60 million had “committed suicide” by jumping out the 5th floor of the CID. In 1966, two “Coup suspects” took the leap out of the infamous 4th floor of the CID, while being under cruel grilling. Police said the suspects had jumped out of the window.

Unfulfilled promises and loss of hope - EDITORIAL

According to Central Bank figures, the inflation rate in the country has now steadied. Trading Economics data reveals the annual inflation...

Labour Reforms and Contemporary Slavery

Amidst the economic depression in Sri Lanka, there is now a great clamour for labour reforms. The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa ....

X-press Pearl compensation claim: How Sri Lanka can benefit from filing litigation in Singapore

Following a lapse of four years, the Sri Lankan government filed the compensation claim for the X-press Pearl inferno at a Singapore....

Little-known facts about LTTE leader Prabhakaran

The name Prabhakaran means the Sun or Sooriyan. Later his sycophants and acolytes began calling him Sooriyathevan or Sun God. Being the youngest in the family he was called Thambi or younger brother. This pet name continued to be in vogue when he entered militant ranks as he was then perhaps the youngest of all

Economic recovery amidst attacks on investors

Although it has been six weeks since the Omani owner/Managing Director of the export-oriented Al Obaidani apparel manufacturing plant in Katana and its security guards were assaulted by a group of unidentified thugs, no arrests have been made by the Police yet.

The Aragalaya and conspiracies to seize power

Over the past weeks, members of the ruling party have been at pains to ‘educate’-us the masses- that the Aragalaya, which led to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and subsequently resigning, was a result of a secret plan hatched by a political party, which has twice tried to seize power through means other than by the ballot.

Sri Lanka’s business struggles and unwanted red tape! - EDITORIAL

The present rulers of this nation have asked time till 2048 to make a Sri Lanka a developed nation. When we look at the long journey ahead and the number of years that have to be slogged, we must...

Politics behind arrest of popular Imran Khan

Imran Khan is perhaps the best Prime Minister Pakistan has ever had. Today he is in remand custody in an unknown location amid fears that he would be killed by Pakistan’s all-powerful military, the state....

Digital coalition to bring the world online

In this era when Sri Lanka is facing its worst ever economic crisis since independence in 1948, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Perapuna (SLPP) Government are making proactive efforts to pull the country and its people out of the mud hole. The agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the extended fund facility was a major step towards recovery while several countries including India, China and the United

The need for governance-linked State-contingent IMF programmes: A third way for Sri Lanka

In a recent article (“The need for governance-linked State-contingent IMF programmes: A third way for Sri Lanka” April 27, 2023, International Banker), Professors Charles A. Goodhart, Dimitrios P. Tsomocos and I advocate for the need for

Nalanda College wins Buddhist quiz

Eye-catching decorations were all over the town and dazzling lanterns were put up in every corner of streets and lanes. Vesak is celebrated in Buddhist countries and it is a very significant celebration for devotees following the teachings of Gautama Buddha.

A land where rulers don’t honour courtesy - EDITORIAL

Sri Lankans must be taught courtesy, but not diplomacy. Why? Because Sri Lankans who go abroad to work as diplomats have the knack to work there without antagonizing people over there. The problem....

This alien concept of public service media

Our state-owned media organisations have been abused by successive governments in power for so long that they have completely obliterated the idea of public service media organisations. These organisations....

World Media Freedom Index and Sri Lanka - EDITORIAL

Leaders and people of Sri Lanka cannot be content with the country having been ranked 135th among 180 countries in this year’s World Press Freedom index (WPFI) released by the Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), one of the premier international organizations acting with the stated aim of safeguarding the right to freedom of information.

Reviving LRT project makes sense, but Japan’s re-entry is tied to pre-conditions

Reviving the Colombo Light Rail Transport (LRT), abruptly suspended in 2020, makes eminent sense from the transport point of view. But collaborator Japan’s re-entry into the project is tied to tough pre-conditions set by Tokyo, it is reliably learnt.

Genuine multilateralism and diplomacy vs the “rules-based order”

As is traditional, the month of May in Russia is marked by the broad celebrations commemorating the anniversary of the Great Victory.

Churchill & Volunteers Defeated the Only General Strike in the UK

A cunning plan by Winston Churchill and volunteers smartly defeated the first and only General Strike in Britain in May 1926. Churchill....

Coronation : Marrying 1000 years of history with a modern monarchy

The Commonwealth of Nations – of which Sri Lanka has been a loyal member for more than 75 years turned a new page when King Charles III....