Millions languishing in poverty; a moral outrage

Most world religious leaders have called on the international community and political leaders to give the highest priority to poverty alleviation. After 1970 when the globalized capitalist market economic system took control of most of the world, the gap between the rich and the poverty- stricken people has widened so much that independent social analysts say we may come to a catastrophe where about half the world’s people will watch on televisio

It’s quite heroic to believe in the future now

It just didn’t seem right. After the initial scare in Mid-March, after more than two months of lockdown, the pre-March blessed state of being, of being spared the ravages of the pandemic terrorising the rest of the world, seemed to be the norm. The infections happened neatly in clusters, were quickly contained and brought under control.

Health & Politics at Crossroads!

There seems to be at the moment a heated controversy about health and politics as to which issues have to be looked at as more urgent and therefore priority of attention to be given, in order the best interests of not politicians but the common good of the people could be achieved as quickly as possible. Many learned commentators in recent media articles, press conferences and other social media have made prolific presentations in defense of thei

World Food Day and COVID-19; Millions of people go hungry - EDITORIAL

Food is essential for human life and it is also important for us to examine the quality of food we eat, especially what we give to children.

What Lanka can learn from Senate grilling of new nominee to US Supreme Court

Despite the controversy over United States President Donald Trump’s decision to fill a Supreme Court vacancy ahead of next month’s election and the Republican....

COVID-19 and Situation of Garment Factory Workers in Katunayaka

“The biggest mistake done by this Government and the Health Ministry was to claim that we had “conquered” Corona.

Struggles against JR’s Dharmishta samajaya

If you would be able to see your enemies or arch rivals following in your own footsteps after your death, that would be the pinnacle of your life achieved posthumously.

Three decades since, what could be done?

Over a two-week period in October 1990, the LTTE forcibly expelled 75,000 Muslims from the Northern Province. My family was among them. Most of them were allowed to take only 500 rupees and clothing; some fled with nothing.

Sri Lanka walks diplomatic tight rope between china and u.s.

Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Prof. Jayanath Kolombage, in his recent interview with Daily Mirror, emphasized Sri Lanka would not depend on one country for economic development.

Nobel Peace Prize boosts WFP’s role in Feeding the Hungry

Most topics discussed these days are done in the context or against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is playing a dominant role when it comes to the environment, procurement of essential food items, the economy, politics and of course the health of the people.

The 19th, 20th and sanctimonious humbuggery

There were voices. Loud voices. The end of democracy is at hand, we heard them say. Sovereignty is at stake, they said. All about the 20th Amendment. So they petitioned the Supreme Court in their hordes. And the Supreme Court heard what they had to say, listened to the observations of the intervening petitioners as well as the Attorney-General, including amendments to the Bill that are expected to be made at the Committee Stage. The Supreme Court

Covid-19 outbreak: Tedious task of combatting a virus

The total number of COVID -19 patients found in the country has passed 4800 and it keeps rising. The much expected COVID -19 second....

FAITH AND DISCIPLINE

Faith is a beautiful attribute; it gives us inner strength, not physical strength; but an inner resolve to withstand turmoil or whatever life throws at us.

Estate Workers’ Lives Matter - EDITORIAL

In January 2019, Sri Lanka recorded a total value of US $16.4 billion, in exports. Of this sum, the apparel/garment export....

Now, the Maha Sangha stands up against the 20th Amendment……

Just as the print and the electronic media were abuzz with the rumoured contents of the Supreme Court determination on the constitutionality of the 20th....

School admissions, a gigantic task for many parents

Recently the government has taken three important decisions on matters that seriously affect the ordinary people’s lives. First, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced that the building plans must be approved within a week, if the applicant ha

The Second Wave and who decides the health policy?

The largest cluster of corona patients in the country might not have been detected, had not Pradeepika Sudarshani Ratnayaka, who fell sick in the Brandix apparel plant in Minuwangoda, insisted to be taken to hospital. The mother-of-four had suffe

President should be independent, impartial, symbol of national unity : Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama

The 20th Amendment to the Constitution has drawn severe criticisms from various elements including some who have been batting for the pro-government league for a long time. A whopping 39 petitions were filed against its enactment, which w

Galle Road: Where nothing can quite compare

The Colombo-Galle Road, more popularly known as the Galle Road, begins at Fort and takes around four hours to complete. For the lo

US Constitutional position When President is incapable of functioning.

The US Constitution’s Article 2 says the vice President assumes the “powers and duties” of the President in the event of the Preside

“Taking up Arms”: BASL’s only remedy ?

‘Lawyers for Democracy’ issuing a statement called upon the BASL to express the views of the Bar on the 20thAmendment, where it proposes the arrogation.....

COVID-19 runs riot as big business hunt profits - EDITORIAL

When on September 28 the news broke that a new case of coronavirus was discovered in the Gampaha district, the country’s health....

Some of the Fascists I meet are very nice

There has been hardly any good news since 2020 dawned. The world is still gripped by novel Coronavirus, with over a million deaths worldwide.

Cosmopolitanism characterised Kandy under the Kings

Under the Sinhala Kings, Kandy showed a remarkable degree of cosmopolitanism which should be an inspiration to us in this day and age when nations are torn asunder by ethnic, linguistic and religious divisions. People of all faiths and ethnic groups, immigrants from the rest of the island and overseas were welcome to settle down, trade, work, inter-marry and prosper in Kandy under the Kings.

The girl child: “My voice, our equal future”

Worldwide, gender equality movements have made vast progress but still there is a gender gap or discrimination, often in third world countries.

Key role played by SAFA Centre

Today is World Mental Health Day and it comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has drastically affected the lives of people all over the world. The year 2020 has been filled with challenges due to COVID-19 for everyone.

Protecting deposit holders of Banks and Financial Institutions in Sri Lanka

A country can develop only if it has a stable financial system. In order to have a stable financial system there is a need to have adequate protection to investors. This article analyses the adequacy of the safety nets available to public deposit holder in Sri Lanka and propose improvements to it.

Struggle for Democracy during the Pandemic

At the time of writing, several areas in the Gampaha District (in the Western Province) have been closed due to the re-emergence of hundreds of Covid-19 cases.

Rishard Bathiudeen: Innocent or illusive

The release of former Minister Rishard Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj Bathiudeen who had been in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department....

Why on earth did we drop our guard? - EDITORIAL

It seems we’re going to have our kids stuck at home for sometime again. Schools are closed for an indefinite period again.....