New Year and deepening crisis

As 2021 awakens, we like to hope it is a new beginning and that the gruelling days of the Covid-19 pandemic that hit us ten months ago as well as the crippling.....

Jaffna Mayor election defeat causes crisis in TNA-ITAK

The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) is the premier political configuration representing the Tamils of North -Eastern Sri Lanka.

Reality or Rhetoric?

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leaders, before they came to power had been criticizing the former “Yahapalana” government for the postponement of the Provincial Council elections. They had been accusing the United National Party (UNP) for amending the Provincial Council Election Act in 2017 in an unethical manner, providing for a mixed electoral system. They also criticised the UNP-led government for creating a situation under which the P

Sri Lanka’s Democratic Institutions and a Global Nod for RTI

Addressing a virtual symposium along with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “Shared Values and Democracy in Asia” recently, it is no coincidence that former President Maithripala Sirisena chose to focus on the contributions of his Presidency to strengthen Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions.

Dawn of 2021, virus, fire crackers and environment - EDITORIAL

As we dawn another year this morning, we wish our readers a very happy, COVID-19-free and prosperous New Year. As the year 2021 dawns....

2021 challenge: End the pandemic and strengthen democracy

At the stroke of midnight, we bade adieu to 2020 regarded as the worst ever year in living memory. But blame not the year that saw the outbreak of the COVID-19....

We need to convert elephants from economic liability to economic asset - Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya

Sri Lanka recently set a record for the highest annual number of elephant deaths and the second highest number of human deaths.....

POLITICKING OF COVID-19 DEAD

‘The dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions, and their families should be respected and protected throughout’, WHO guideline

GOVT. SHELVES PLANS FOR PC POLLS

The government faced resistance from within and a segment of the Mahasanga against its move to hold elections to the Provincial Councils (PC). The Cabinet was unable to take a decision last week and instead, referred the matter to be discussed and agreed upon by the leaders of the political parties aligned with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

The elephant is in the room and will not go away

No. Not THAT elephant, nor the one which turned itself into a telephone. Neither are in the room. The compass is not in the room either and there’s palpable evidence that even the lotus bud has got displaced. That’s if ‘people’ constitute ‘the room.’

Let’s make a change in 2021

As the world heralds New Year 2021 tomorrow, who would have, even in their wildest dreams, ever imagined that their wishes for good health, peace and prosperity conveyed to family members, friends and colleagues at the dawn of 2020 would be metaphorically turned upside down during the unfolding year, and that instead it would be filled with misery, pain and tragedy.

adapt to new COVID-19 world, the ‘New Normal’

This past year has been devastating for all countries across the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic came without a warning and took the world by storm.

The paradox of tolerance

Systematic discrimination and human rights violations against minority communities in Sri Lanka are not new in the country’s political and social realm.

Solidarity for racial equality and social justice - EDITORIAL

Many independent international political analysts say they are hopeful that the new United States administration headed by President-elect Joe Biden....

Will free expression become a casualty of 2020 dystopia?

No one could have imagined the dystopian extremes 2020 took us to. A 112-day lockdown in Victoria, Australia pales compared to what others....

‘No’, say plantation companies

The Regional Plantation Companies, which manage Sri Lanka’s tea, rubber and coconut estates, are not budging on the estate workers salary issue, despite government leaders having repeatedly promised to increase their daily wage to Rs.1000. This

Sri Lanka’s high-risk gamble with tourism amid UK’s new COVID strain

Amid the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, the shutting down of cities and unleashing death and economic ruin are having far-reaching consequences than the loss of jobs and income. As it increasingly becomes clear, economic considerations are co

Three aspects of the ‘Dhammika Paniya’ controversy

There are three aspects to the controversy over the “anti-COVID-19 potion” named “Dhammika Paniya” after its discoverer and promoter Dhammika Bandara, a Shaman at the Sri Weera Badra Kali Devalaya in Hettimulla, Kegalle.

Planning the future of unemployed youth

Sri Lanka, compared to other countries in the South Asian region, has a very high literacy rate as education is free and mandatory among all children. Even in some villages, where poverty persists, local state officials ensure that children receive an education and attend school.

Eliminate VIRUS by shutting out Politico-Religious Intrusions

Covid to continue till end 2021

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that is more a The Colombo-centred spread shows the larger number of infected persons from the 16,311....

2020 the year of the virus - EDITORIAL

One single topic has dominated the year-2020 –Covid-19. All other events have paled into insignificance in the shadow it cast across the globe.

Education as apparatus for change: Dangerous discourse on graduate unemployment, employability

Widespread unemployment will, unfortunately, remain our the reality for some time, as the pandemic continues to grow with its resulting economic devastations....

Convergence of agrarian discontent in South Asia

Those familiar with the systematic attack on agriculture in South Asia over the last decades will not be surprised at the ongoing farmers’ protests in India.

Let’s not have brushes with the law!

Christmas is associated with such a festive jeer that it looks unthinkable to make people remain low key during this period. Already we see posts on social media regarding people driving on the expressways to get to their party destinations.

How technology is helping businesses during COVID-19

COVID 19, first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has, within just a few months, infected almost every corner of the world.

Global events that shaped India’s objectives in the 1971 Bangladesh war

India’s military campaign in East Pakistan began on December 3, 1971, and ended on December 16, with the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troops and the creation of the independent State of Bangladesh. But the politico-military campaign did not start with such ambitious objectives.

Christmas 2020: A time to weed out the false gods within us - EDITORIAL

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who can be considered one of the most influential persons, who ever lived....

UNHRC and the Tamil Parties’ desperation

Tamil nationalistic politics which have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and related politics seems to be gaining momentum with the next session....

Ranil factor in the UNP

The United National Party might be blessed with those having brain capacity, but it certainly lacks luck to prosper.