Unending wrangling between the UNHRC and Sri Lanka

Four international human rights organizations - Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and International Commission of Jurists –

Older people: “The Agony and Ecstasy”

In most countries including Sri Lanka, older people are often marginalised and their views are not taken seriously.

Youth, the law and a revolt - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka is a country which doesn’t support agitations and protests by the public. Thus the lawmakers of the country don’t lay.....

UNHRC: Politicisation of human rights

Sri Lanka is being once again pilloried at the United Nations Human Rights Council for alleged war crimes during the last stages....

Invisible hand controlling the SLPP - Prof. G.L Peiris

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) came out with a bang when it was formed and eventually grabbed power. However, the alliance recently.....

To benefit of our next generation We must conserve our environment

There is no doubt that the economic crisis which Sri Lanka is facing at the moment has become a fully grown political crisis and a humanitarian emergency.

Bankruptcy, relief and UNHRC

It never rains, but it pours. Since March this year, our country has been going through a period of turmoil. Miles-long queues of vehicles wound their way past petrol sheds.

Israel, Palestine and charges of anti-Semitism - EDITORIAL

Being critical of, or any critical analysis of Israeli actions against particular groups by the government of Israel, often leaves the accuser....

When I shook hands with the Queen of England…

It was on October 22 in 1981 in Colombo. I was 22, the youngest of the Sri Lanka Press Corps of around a dozen reporters, who were.....

Litro Gas’ shaky deals in purchasing LPG

Litro Gas Lanka is accused of deceiving the World Bank by abusing the funds that were provided to purchase low-cost Liquefied Petroleum....

Do we need such a lot of ministers?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed 37 State Ministers on September 8, 2022; 48 days after he appointed his 18-member Cabinet. This probably signifies the end of the hue and cry over the so-called “All-Party Government.” In spite of a

The Queen: End of a long-ended era - and new world order

The Queen is dead. With her, the Second Elizabethan era came to an end. During her Seventy years on the throne, the world has changed beyond recognition; she might well have felt as if she had time travelled. A

Some characteristics of suicide and mental health in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the suicide rate (which is the number of suicides per 100,000 population) had come down to 14.6 in 2019. But still, it w

Sellaheva’s [‘Gnanakka’ of 1950s?] Blunt Declaration on Queen’s Visit Toddler, ‘Lilibet’; Teenager, Heavy Vehicle Mechanic; Queen Elizabeth II; the Longest Reigning Monarch in History

On Feb. 5, 1952, in London, King George VI, went hare hunting at his estate and returned to the castle, dined with his wife and Princess Margaret....

Shattered hopes and unfulfilled promises - EDITORIAL

When ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and then Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed interim President, it appeared....

Non-violence our mightiest weapon

Violence breeds violence. Tragically, a once peaceful Sri Lanka has been wrecked and ruined by organised violence or war since the April 1971 insurrection by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Since independence in 1948,

The credibility crisis of new electoral alignments

In spite of any election being not around the corner and some including the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) arguing against holding elections at this juncture citing economic crisis, several political parties and groups are busy forming new electoral alignments.

Children need nutritious food and they want it now! - EDITORIAL

The deepening economic crisis in Sri Lanka is felt mostly by children. This was highlighted recently by an official of the United Nations’ World Food....

9/11 terror attacks: Mystery within mystery

Come Sunday, the United States will mark the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. US President....

I was not trying to run away - Dhaniz Ali

September 9 marks five months since the protest campaign to oust the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa began at Galle Face. Tear gas and water.....

When Lankan eyes are tearing, cricket gives us hope

Sri Lanka, since early this year has run short of most essentials like petrol, gas, electricity, basic food items, medicines and many other necessities.

Ranjan for “Popular Leader” — Aragalya

“The inaugural meeting of the United National Party was held on Friday, September 6, 1946 at 5.00 pm at ‘Palm Court’, Albert Crescent.

Emotional damage

Recently, I had a long chat with a Sri Lankan colleague whose work I not only admire, but who is also someone with an unblemished....

Lanka’s debt crisis and global recession - EDITORIAL

Hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, rampant corruption, rising oil prices and economic mismanagement under previous governments....

Proposed TRC may meet the fate of earlier commissions

A weekly paper said on Sunday that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is to revive an earlier proposal to set up a Truth and Reconciliation.....

Gunapala Kannangara passes away

Mr. Gunapala Kannangara father of Former Colombo/ Ratnapura and Ampara District Secretary Sunil Kannangara passed away....

The balancing act between legitimacy and stability

Three new political party alliances are preparing for the forthcoming elections, while the country is reeling under an unprecedented economic crisis. Two alliances comprising of a few small parties headed by Wimal Weerawansa and another small section of the ruling party led by Dullas Alahapperuma are almost formed. Both these groups were with the

Justice for Gotabaya and Justice for Sri Lanka!

Ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is back after a whirlwind tour of self-exile that took him to the Maldives, to Singapore, and finally to Thailand. None of his hosts was enthused to have him for longer and Gotabaya himself seemed to have felt that the whole experience was an act of needless humiliation. He has every right to return home and the government of Sri Lanka has a constitutional obligation to take him back. However, the same constit

Proposal to register all individuals above 18 years with the Tax Authorities

There are several proposals in the Interim Budget that are desirable such as those relating to public sector instit

IMF agreement, Chinese loan and poverty crisis - EDITORIAL

The International Monetary Fund has tentatively offered Sri Lanka a US$2.9 billion (£2.5bn) loan to help the country recover from the worst economic crisis. The funding is meant to provide some....