When the brashest of the brashest backs you…. Thank you Lasantha

It was early April 2002. I was nothing more than an upstart at The Sunday Leader. The not-so-new kid in the news desk....

COVID-19: Tests are to identify patients or punish people?

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a heavy toll on every important sector in Sri Lanka, as it does in many other countries. The

Indian Foreign Minister’s call for caution

Jaishankar remarked that India, ‘a dependable partner’ said is ‘open to strengthening its relationship with Sri Lanka on the basis of mutual trust, mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity’

Evoking the Undead Tiger, Eternal Bogeyman: Consequences of Forgetting the Past

‘If only they would respect Tamils as humans’ An alleged former combatant who was ‘rehabilitated’

Variants of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

A virus is a microscopic infectious organism that can infect animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. They contain genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a coat of protein, glycoprotein or lipid. Viruses do not contain the necessary components for making viral proteins and depend on the host cell for getting such a process completed. Viruses coul

America’s day of shame - EDITORIAL

On Wednesday, people the world over were amazed as a crowd of Trump supporters pushed down barricades around US Capitol.....

Workplace sexual harassment; a growing concern

In today’s world, women play a vital role equal to men in the private and public sectors—ranging from physical labour to space exploration.

The Capitol Hill disaster movie – is this for real?

This was unbelievable, like scenes from another disaster movie from Hollywood -- Pro-Trump supporters storming the Capitol, Washington DC.....

Her Majesty’s Ceylon became a Republic triggered by January 27 Coup

“Remove Coup Plotter Trump Immediately!” Was the headline in a foreign News sheet. Last Wednesday while our Minister of Justice placed before Parliament.....

Army’s LRRP Ambush of LTTE’s Military Intelligence Chief

A news report in the Dailymirror last August stated that the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) of the Sri Lanka Army’s Special Forces has been ranked the third most dangerous Special Forces in the world by the military ranks.info. The United States Navy SEALs was ranked as the most dangerous Special Forces Unit in the World, while the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was second.

“I don’t think Sri Lankans can be realistically ruled by force” -Ahimsa Wickrematunge

Twelve years after the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge, the founding editor of The Sunday Leader, on January 8, 2009, his killers remain at large.But over the last few years his daughter Ahimsa Wickrematunge has become a household name through her activism and litigation to seek justice for the killing of her dad.

Sri Lanka fails to See the Value of Street Vendors

Street vendors are a common phenomenon wherever you go, not only in this country but even in the developed world. I was amazed to see street vendors even in Switzerland in the early part of 2020. The street vendor culture that prevails in Singapore is a classic example of the power of street vending. The most famous New York City where over 10,000 people make a living by street vending is simply wonderful and the mix cuisine they provide is simpl

Whispering hope from a white-washed sepulcher

The world’s most powerful democracy the United States is still in turmoil after white racist terrorists or hooligans—apparently instigated or inspired by the outgoing US President Donald Trump—stormed the citadel of the country’s democracy, the Capitol Hill or the US Congress.

SJBers panic over Champika’s 43rd brigade

The launch of a new political movement by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka seems to have triggered rumblings within the fold....

Virus-hit messenger

The COVID-19 outbreak in a country without media would have been unimaginable for any expert. It would have been hellish. Hundreds of thousands....

Taste of tea soured by worker issues - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka is making aggressive and sometimes scary attempts to promote this island as a tourist destination. Among these plans we must surely have our tea.....

After Trump supporters’ fascist thuggery, whither the Republican Party?

In the history of the United States’ democracy, the darkest day, though unprecedented, was not unexpected. January 6, 2021 has gone down....

Burial, Cremation Dilemma Needs a Re-think - EDITORIAL

The controversy over whether the bodies of those, who die of the COVID-19 infection, should be buried or cremated is continuing unabated with some groups....

Subramanyam Jaishankar and pounds of flesh

The Indian Foreign Minister arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. His schedule includes discussions with the President, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister.

2020 was the year of doctors

Goblins and real challenges of 2021

Multiple challenges in multiple fronts await the nation in the year 2021. The economic fallout of weakened public finances would be more.....

Politics of a Pandemic: Reason or Racism?

The COVID-19 pandemic too, is good for business, as the rumour goes, with hundreds of hotel rooms being used for quarantining of those who come....

Co-operation not profit the answer to COVID-19 - EDITORIAL

Speaking at a media briefing on December 28, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General in his opening remarks said that December....

COVID-19: STOP ADDING INSULT TO INJURY

The Health Ministry had appointed a committee to look into COVID-19 related deaths occurring at homes, rather than in hospitals in October. The ministry was prompted to take step subsequent to repeated reports of deaths of COVID-19 patients at their homes, especially in Colombo. This is a scenari

Where have all the fish gone?

The status of Sri Lanka’s coastal fish stocks-harvested over or a little beyond the continental shelf - is not any better

In a democracy, presidential immunity should be clearly defined and limited

The office of the Sri Lankan President carries with it a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. He has many official and unofficial roles and as the chief executive he has to implement governmental policy and supervise the executive branch of governmen

Destruction of archaeological sites in Trinco

Many archaeological sites in the Trincomalee district—some dating back 3000-5000 years—are on the brink of destruction at present. Ironically, this destruction increased after the war concluded in 2009. The Department of Archaeology has discovered many historical sites in the Pulmude area. Residents informed archaeological officers that land grabbing i

SLFP with its 1.5 per cent attempts Hara-kiri? 

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party which almost equally shared the post-independent 72-year administration switching roles with UNP could manage a meagre.....

Antigone in a Season of Cremation-only

Greek tragedian Sophocles’ Antigone is centred on a burial: whether the remains of a dead prince – as dictated by custom and culture – should be given burial...

Hoteliers earnestly seek a lifeline - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka as a nation can celebrate many things. One is that it is an island and that has its merits. The islanders have fish in plenty,