On Rasika Jayakody’s roadmap for the Opposition

What do Oppositions do? They oppose. Why do they ‘oppose’ in the first place? Well, they are supposed to keep governments on their toes, help keep things in line, point out flaws etc. In a nutshell, offer constructive criticism and, in the event that parliamentary majority and executive authority is abused, mobilize the people to mitigate.

Bequeath our children a sustainable world

Last Saturday the Daily Mirror in its editorial column drew attention to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. It uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at country, regional and global levels.

Sri Lanka must stay clear of ego wars

When patrons drive their cars smoothly on the stretch from Galle to Hambantota on the Southern Expressway the second thing to do after offering a prayer to one’s chosen deity might be to thank the Chinese for funding the construction of this facility.

19th A enacted more with political interests

The stage is set for a huge public awareness debate on the Government’s exercise to bring about constitutional changes – first the enactment of the 20th Amendment and later the introduction of a fully-fledged Constitution. Actually, the debate has already started, and it is bound to gather momentum in the days to come since the 20th Amendment has already been placed before the Cabinet for consideration.

The Sinharaja and a balance ‘tween man and nature - EDITORIAL

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever, its loveliness increases; t’will, never pass into nothingness -John Keats A rain forest is not just wild beauty.

Protecting 19A: Between a Constitutional Monarchy and a Modern Republic

The 19th Amendment is without doubt, the most democratic and progressive piece of amendment that the 1978 Constitution ever saw being made to it.

Heal the wounds, rather than making them worse

Sri Lankan politicians seem to be more obsessed with ethnic, religious and caste related issues rather than the issues that would primarily contribute to the development of the country such as technology, creativity and sharing experience with o

Colombo Port City and the big picture of US sanctions on Chinese firms

The United States last week announced sanctions on 24 Chinese State-Owned-Enterprises, including five subsidiaries of China’s construction giant, China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), the main contractor of the Colombo Port City, effectively upping the ante of an increasingly open trade war between US and China.

People in north, east began to think practically and sensibly

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda who is also the leader of Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) speaks about changes of political dynamics in the north and the east. He said though his party had got one more seat in Parliament, it fell short of expectations. Also, he said there are plans to sort out the fishery issue with India. The Excerpts:

Statement by the Jaffna People’s Forum for Co-existence Facing the Future After Elections 2020

The general elections of 2020, conducted in the midst of the ongoing crisis of COVID-19 and a global economic recession imminent,

Our English Literature Syllabus: Post-colonial? Or, a Colonial Post?

The current GCE A/L English Literature syllabus hints at a major mental health crisis facing the syllabus-designer. Enforced in the country’s 70th year....

Respect: An Open Letter

I was brought up being told by my parents that respect is never obligatory, but must be earned everyday - even by them as too must I - and it is a principle....

Breakdown of trade union movement and enslavement of workers - EDITORIAL

The past year, has been strangely, free of strike action. This is surprising given that the cost of living has been continuously rising, while at the same time...

Learning 2020 lessons with a genuine team New leader’s Priority

Reading the well-written ‘rational scrutiny’ by a learned academic (Aug.25, 2020) in response to the Daily Mirror columnist’s “Opposition in the Oblivion...

Internal strife within ITAK takes disturbing turn

The “Mathiya Seyal Kuzhu” (central working committee) of the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) also known as the Federal Party will be meeting today (Aug 29) in Vavuniya. The committee is generally referred to as “Mathiya Kuzhu”(Central committee). The Central Working committee is the key representative body of the ITAK. It comprises representatives elected by each district as well as ex-officio members. The ITAK is the premier political party

Wetlands like our kidneys; don’t squeeze them dry

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) encourages every country to observe the principles of World’s Wetlands Day and this year the theme is, “Wetlands and biodiversity”. In a statement, the UNEP says this years Wetlands Day theme highlights wetland biodiversity, its status, why it matters and to promote action to reverse its loss.

The UNP: Dead or Alive?

Were the United National Party (UNP) and its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe really rejected by the people at the August 5 parliamentary election to the extent that the party was wiped out from all districts it contested?

Child abuse in an immoral society - EDITORIAL

The recent news of a dance teacher having allegedly sexually abused a male member of his troop sent shock waves in the Sri Lanka society. Alarming facts regarding this incident are that this male member of the troop being a 17-year....

COVID-19 vaccine: The cure could be worse than the disease

In less than four months, people the world over will mark the one-year rampage of the killer disease COVID-19. December 2019 is generally regarded as the month in which the new coronavirus -- now known as SARS Cov-2....

Three theras and a baby

On December 26, 2004, just two days after Sri Lanka was hit by the tsunami, an infant was found among the debris on the Kalmunai beach. Abhilash was his name, but no one knew it. He was given a number, 81. There were various people claiming parenthood. The matter was eventually resolved by court and DNA tests.

‘None of us is free until all of us are free’ - EDITORIAL

The news that took center-stage or made media headlines during the past few days was that of 55-year-old senator Kamala Devi Harris being nominated by the Democratic Party as its Vice Presidential Candidate and rewrote history with her acceptance speech at the party convention last Wednesday where she promised to be a champion for the voiceless and forgotten Americans, who are struggling in the midst of a pandemic and an economic crisis.

One country, one law as eyes set on 13th A

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his policy statement to Parliament, announced that a new Constitution would be evolved in keeping with the ‘One Country, One Law’ principle.

Why Tamil politicians prefer divisions

There is a saying which goes ‘be aware of the invader from South India because he is here to loot’. In much later years there were Indian invaders who tried their best to destroy the Sinhala culture, writes Prof. Hector Alahakoon in his book ‘Janasammathawadaya’ (ISBN 978-955-98585-7-7).

Gearing up for elections nobody wanted - EDITORIAL

In the aftermath of the ‘Black July 1983’ race riots in this country, thousands of Tamil refugees and a plethora of militant groups and organisations sought refuge on Indian soil. While civillians caught....

The new normal will be nothing like before

What will the new normal look like? The last six months have been one of a constant upheaval. Life as we knew it would never return to what it was. A fact that we need to reconcile to.

Connecting minds, making friends and shaping the world

For many of us, how we spend our free time is decided by our social groups. The circular group chats deciding on where to go, what to do, and when to do it, have become commonplace in many friend circles.

FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES

According to Jean Pictet, in his commentary on The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross, he says and I quote: “The wellspring of the principle of humanity is in the essence of social morality which can be summed up in a single sentence:

Power and energy minister ‘lights up’ CEB engineers

Seeing the gesture of Minister for Power & Energy Dullas Alahapperuma, over the TV channels, addressing parliament, placing his palm over his heart and owned the mishap causing an islandwide power failure, and reading newspapers....

Pros and cons of repealing 19A

It is a well-known fact that the government is going to amend the Constitution since the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had requested the people to grant them a two-thirds majority power in order to do away with the 19th Amendment

Supra majority and making Sri Lanka great- or break

The new government launched itself into action last week, with a new Cabinet, a two-thirds majority in the House of Parliament, and the President in a ‘business suit’ delivering a ‘business-like’ policy statement. The reference to t