Human rights: Can Biden be different?

Still in its first one hundred-day probation period, the Joe Biden administration has let the world stop and take note of the shift in the US foreign policy.

From the cradle to the grave, no equal rights for women and girls - EDITORIAL

We have often heard the cliché that the cradle is rocked by the hands that rule the world. In reality this is not only a cliché but is far from the truth.

UNHRC Japan’s moderate approach: A sigh of relief for SL 

The international debate on the draft resolution on Sri Lanka is heading to be more intense since the core-group of the countries led by the....

Need to recognise privacy as Fundamental Right

Privacy is a concept we are all familiar with but a violation of privacy especially in cases of politicians, celebrities and famous people is nothing new.

‘No one is safe until everyone is safe’

The government’s ongoing vaccination programme, which is the main topic of concern and conversation these days, appears to have hit a snag with the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) sounding alarm bells that it would soon collapse if no proper mechanism was in place.

India in Geneva: Friend, foe or navel-gazer?

If you are not with me, I will assume that you are against me,’ is a prudent rule of thumb, but only in certain situations. Not all questions can be answered with either ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Complex realities don’t often offer such luxurious indulgences. This is true of people, it is true of nations and whenever there are multiple factors in play. There are costs and there are benefits, always and therefore decisions are based on assessing marginal ben

A wise political leader is a great listener

Listening is appreciating others and it is the best way to build trust”. We all need to be recognised in some way.

Let’s snatch ‘Reconciliation’ from UNHRC and to our own hands!

Changing US Presidents - like shuffling of a pack of cards - EDITORIAL

After a turbulent four-year term (2017 - Jan. 2021), former President Donald Trump - a Republican - lost the December 2020 presidential election....

Why Child Abuse is on the rise

With increasing reports of grievous incidents of child abuse, the need for an unyielding regulatory body for the protection of children in Sri Lanka is apparent.

Tackling Gender Based Violence

This article is based on “Law is Light” -- a series of trilingual legal discussions to educate the general public with Attorneys-at-law of Sri Lanka.

SL A SOVEREIGN NATION; WHY ALLOW OTHERS TO DICTATE ?

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which comprises 57 member states raised the issue of Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cremations at the 46th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on February 23. Speaking at the sixth meetin

Sri Lanka’s troubles UNHRC: Who digs them up?

Last week, the government rejected the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet’s written report on Sri Lanka to the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is currently in progress. Dinesh Gunawardene, the for

Financial racket alleged at St. Joseph’s Balika Nugegoda; Helpless parents breath fire on removed principal

Concerns are raised whether pressure was exerted on Investigation Officers of the Ministry of Education Western Province who were in the process of preparing a report regarding the questionable activities of a principal of a school in Western Province in connection with grade one admissions.

REJECT…? My Foot...! Recommendations- Foundation for Establishing People’s Power

PCoI report have failed to identify a ‘mastermind’ that destroyed 268 lives and wounded more than 600, but have recommended punitive action....

How resource-poor Burkina Faso deals with Covid-19

The anti-Covid-19 vaccines now being rolled out across the globe represent a medical triumph and should reduce the pandemic to a level.....

Sri Lanka - between a rock and a hard place - EDITORIAL

On Friday February 26, the government finally lifted the ban on burial of patients who die of the coronavirus. It gave no reason for the sudden turnaround.

Recurrence and Democracy

Sri Lanka is again being raised at the UN Human Rights Council. The moves at the UNHRC are as much the play of geopolitical interests....

The Govt must get the budget deficit down

In an interview with Daily mirror, a well-known economist, banker, and former State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne, a National List Parliamentarian....

A voice in the wilderness, the voice of true love - EDITORIAL

American native Chief Seattle, in a famous speech in 1854 to an audience including the first Governor of Washington Territory.....

Extremist Ideologies Spell Disaster to a Nation’s Future

It will be near impossible without some ideology to navigate society in its socio-cultural, economic and political directions as it meanders historically....

Commission report: Back to square one

When the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) was appointed in 2010 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the New York based Human Rights....

Will SL emulate UK’s Overseas Operations Bill? (Service Personnel and Veterans)

As a democracy built on British parliamentary model, it is nothing new that Sri Lanka emulates legislative work of the House of Commons....

Sajeewa Chamikara; where are you? - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka is a preferred destination for foreign tourists because of the greeneries and the lushes environment visible in most locations.

UNHRC sessions: What Lanka should have done

The United Nations Human Rights Council is in session and Sri Lanka is among the countries that have come before its scanner.

BJP in Sri Lanka: (Re)emergence of transnational parties?

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) recent statement that they wish to form a BJP in Sri Lanka and Nepal has infuriated many politicians and political commentators of the country.

“I am for the 13th Amendment” - CWC Vice Chairman Senthil Thondaman

Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Senthil Thondaman in an interview with Daily Mirror shared his thoughts on the plight of estate workers and the leadership vacuum created by the demise of ArumugamThondaman.

Foreign Policy: an examination of alleged ‘incorrigibility’

In 1996 Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup. The internet was in its infancy at the time. ‘Social media’ wasn’t a household term. There was no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and such. There was www.cricinfo.com and, just as now, there was commentary. There was no room for outside comment though. ‘Online’ comments were restricted to what now seems a rudimentary facility called soc.culture.cricket which was where the ‘fandits’ pontificated and argued

De-forestation: Fauna and flora soon an extinct species

Our main focus today is not on the three islands off the Northern coast leased out to a Chinese company to set up a power project. The company has hit out against any ‘outrageous interference by any third party sans legal and factual basis’ neither is it on the West Container Terminal (WCT),

Geneva: A destination where the cruel fear to go

For many right thinking people the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva offer hopes. These hopes are to have a government that’s responsible and accountable.