A lifeline for change - EDITORIAL

In Sri Lanka it seems like people do get many lifelines. Just the other day cricket writer Andrew Fidel Fernando won the 2019 Gratien Award for a travelogue; for the record it was not for his cricket writing.

Fresh challenges for EC in conducting polls

After the discovery of a fresh bout of COVID- 19 and the detecting of patients from the Kandakadu drug rehabilitation centre and those in contact with it, new hurdles stand in the way of conducting the Parliamentary Elections on August 5.

On a journey, but not to the temple

People of this country are closely monitoring the priests who are contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Elections as much as the laymen who are making efforts to enter parliament.

Wither Sajith Premadasa and the SJB?

Sajith Premadasa, as the leader of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), would theoretically be the party’s prime ministerial candidate. The SJB, a breakaway faction of the United National Party (UNP) is embroiled in a legal battle with ‘The Mother Party’ regarding the membership of the renegades. Allegations about doctored documents pertaining to registration are not helping the party either.

obey health guidelines to protect each other

The detection of more than 300 COVID19-infected patients, the largest in a single day, at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre at Welikanda in the Polonnaruwa District is a wake-up call to all Sri Lankans that the deadly virus is continuing to spread its tentacles across the country and that complacency is not an option.

CARING ABOUT PEOPLE

Reflecting on the issue of Caring about People, the late and great Nelson Mandela comes to mind where he taught us by word and example that the Mentality of Retaliation Destroys not just States but people as well and it is only Tolerance that Builds Nations.

Yes Sir, yes Sir but no three bags full Sir - EDITORIAL

Since Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as the President in November 2019, we often hear most of the Ministers giving credit to the President for whatever the new project they start.

Old political games in new social media playing fields

This was the request that election officials from Kandy received, repeatedly, from a candidate. He is contesting from a new party. But that is not the reason why he wanted the intervention of the election officials.

To build discipline, fix Parliament first - Harshana Nanayakkara

Harshana Nanayakkara is an outspoken lawyer and campaigner for democracy representing the National People’s Power (NPP) for the Colombo District at the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The political culture in Sri Lanka is misogynist - Ambika Satkunanathan

The normalization of violence in Sri Lanka is a deep seated social problem, says Ambika Satkunanathan, who is a lawyer and human rights advocate on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) National List for the upcoming parliamentary polls.

CEB, LECO; be fair to your consumers

The issue concerning the electricity bills received by many electricity consumers with exorbitant amounts levied by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) for the recent curfew period has not been resolved

This political system has made people slaves:Deepani Silva

Veteran actress Deepani Silva who is on the National People’s Power (NPP) national list says people should consider electing newcomers to Parliament and ask what the country’s elected representatives have done for the people so fa

Explosion in Iyakachchi and aborted Black Tiger day plot

On July 3, a minor explosion ripped through a white-walled house in Iyakachchi, about 25km from Kilinochchi. It was the residence of Thangarajah Thevathasan, also known as Menon, an ex-member of the LTTE’s intelligence wing, and his s

Court stalls Trump’s bid to resume federal capital punishment

An Indianapolis Federal Judge last Friday indefinitely postponed the first federal government execution in the United States since 2003 which was to take place at Terre Haute in Indiana on July 13. The ruling, by Chief Judge Jane Magnus-S

Politicians prioritise on robbing people : Oshadi Hewamadduma

Actress Oshadi Hewamadduma will be contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Election from Badulla District under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) ticket. She believes that newcomers to politics have a vision whereas those tem

Return of Coronavirus: Lanka in Catch-22 situ - EDITORIAL

It isn’t over till it is over. Today our leaders are speaking in terms of restarting ‘Normal life’ –post-coronavirus. Plans are afoot for the gradual reopening of the country especially opening of ports to commercial activity....

YES and NO for 2/3 New NGO grouping joins ludicrous cry

Commissioner of Elections, who was aggressive and spirited in his Pre-19th Amendment days who famously bullied the journalist referring to vote riggers, “Why below knees, shoot them in the head!”, now promoted Chairman....

UNP reduced to A shell today - Ranjith Madduma Bandara

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the strategy to take control of the UNP and defends his leader Sajith Premadasa’s promise to give Rs.20,000.....

The UNP is a party with a history - Dr. Ajantha Perera

Dr. Ajantha Perera was the first female candidate to contest from a socialist party at the 2019 Presidential Election. But this time, she will be contesting the Parliamentary Election under the United National Party ticket from Colombo District.

Sexual bribery frequent in some communities - Asoka Obeyesekere

Corruption in the State sector in Sri Lanka is a norm and does not come as a surprise. While some State officials accept bribes to get the work done, there are those in the public willing to offer a bribe just to get things expedited.

Comrade Shan and the Tamil Militant Armed Struggle

The China of today is vastly different to the China that I knew of in my younger days.

Youth Skills Day and the ‘ageing’ party leadership

With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing and the number of patients virtually doubling in some parts of the United States, many social analysts also see a blessing emerging out of this catastrophe with historic worldwide movements for racial equality and social justice.

The hidden racism and naming of roads in Sri Lanka

A single incident in the US which was captured on a mobile phone by a teenager has triggered waves of protests against racism, globally.

Soaring electricity bills and solar power

We’ve stepped onto the customary ‘road’ that takes us to the places where we must go each day. Whether to office and since a few days ago our schools we’ve found the energies to go with the flow and return to normalcy.

Iran-Israel hybrid war

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, nations indulge in hostile activities against each other, as seen in the recent events in Iran.

Champika spearheads SJB in Colombo

Two Thursdays ago at the Grand Monarch in Thalawathugoda, Patali Champika Ranawaka was suave, self-assured, and articulate.

Two-thirds majority: Would it throw the baby out with the bathwater??

Generally, all political parties would sing their own praises during elections and bet on their victories. Small parties predict their victories on electorate level or regional level as the case may be, while the parties that are really national or perceive themselves to be national would foretell that they would form the next government.

Why Mahinda’s presence counts in Kurunegala

Former President and present Premier of the Caretaker Government Mahinda Rajapaksa’s focus on Kurunegala at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections....

Call for US style methodology for electing future presidents in SL

Constitutional reforms featured prominently in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in 2015. And it remains the same this time around.

The President must come clear

Promises. Promises. Promises. They come in all sizes, shapes and colours during elections. Therefore, almost all manifestos and slogans.....