Asia’s bully boys row, with US egging them on - EDITORIAL

Last August, the Indian government revoked the autonomy of the Jammu and Kashmir region, annexing the disputed region also claimed by Pakistan....

Excessive Globalization, Unsustainable Urbanization and Post-Covid 19 Recovery

What we witnessed across the world over the last four decades is the unfolding of a process of unprecedented globalization of economic production....

Achieving a zero stray dog population in Sri Lanka

The soaring population of stray dogs in Sri Lanka has given rise to numerous issues time and time again. From matters pertaining to their health and safety to reports of public nuisance and their negative impact on tourism, news of problematic incidents has often reached our ears.

A rule of law-based response to COVID-19

COVlD-19 has created a global pandemic. World Health Organization provides key considerations about addressing stigma and discrimination, prevention of violence against women, support for vulnerable populations; quarantine and restrictive measures, and shortages of supplies and equipment. UNESCO has shown 72% of the world’s student population has affected temporary closure of educational institutions. It is a step taken to protect the vulnerable

India, china need to renew Pancha Sheela

Some seven decades ago, added to the political lexicon was a Sanskrit term called Pancha Sheela or Panchsheel. Literally, it means five principles, but when applied to international relations the term assumes greater significance. It is a mantra that can keep nations at peace and conflicts at bay.

What a world! Conflict displaces one person every two seconds

Poverty alleviation or social justice with a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources is widely accepted as the number one priority issue for the world.

Election remains a gamble for the people

Jeevan Thondaman, a barrister and the only son of the late Arumugan Thondaman, was appointed the General Secretary of Ceylon Workers Congress....

Stop those children from working! - EDITORIAL

The large number of children used in employment in Sri Lanka is of concern. This issue of exploiting children in labour activities is often not taken seriously because Sri Lanka is an Asian country.

Relief packages and thinking outside the box

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa rapped the officials of the Central Bank on Tuesday at a meeting mainly regarding the failure on the part of the ‘bank of the banks’ to evolve tools for much-needed economic revival in the post-pandemic period.

Mahinda’s 50 years in politics A battle-hardened politician who’s still indispensable

Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa is a patient man. Fifty years of politics has taught him to learn that trait; something which he has showcased both in victory and defeat.

Laying the ground work for a free and fair election

Last week was eventful for several reasons, some positive and some negative, if not tragic. On Wednesday, June 10 the Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya addressing a news briefing announced that the long-awaited general election would be held on August 5 by strictly adhering to the guidelines issued by health authorities. Initially, to have been held on April 25 as stated in the presidential proclamation of March 2, it was postp

Sri Lanka can gain from the idea of a Free & Open Indo-Pacific -Rakesh Sood

Today on Global Dialogue, we feature an exclusive interview with former Indian diplomat, columnist and foreign affairs expert, Rakesh Sood on India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional developments.

No fear of second outbreak of COVID-19’ - Kamal Gunaratne

Defence Secretary Maj.Gen( Retired) Kamal Gunaratne , in an interview with Daily Mirror, spelled out the mission of his office in containing COVID-19....

Child labour part of moral decay in society - EDITORIAL

Children are devastatingly honest and innocent though sometimes naughty. That is why we have been warned that if a serious physical or mental harm is caused....

Swapped SIM used in phishing attempt

Sunday morning, this message appeared on the WhatsApp feed of dozens of phones, most in Sri Lanka, some outside.

Electing lawbreakers as lawmakers

Former Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and veteran leader of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) D.E

Looming economic gloom

These are gloomy times for the economy. The government’s economic mismanagement might make it gloomier. Rent-seeking economic decisions and subordination of the national economic priorities to personal-political ambitions of th

Economic recovery of COVID-hit South Asia calls for hard choices

The lockdowns and barriers imposed in countries across the globe following the outbreak of COVID-19 have crippled economies. But COVID or no COVID, countries are now constrained to open up to give back to the people their livel

Authoritarianism is no remedy to country’s wounded democracy

Finally, the date of the Parliamentary elections has been announced. There is hardly any doubt about which party would win the election. The only doubt is which ideology of the SLPP coalition would emerge to determine the country’s p

Germinal stage of UNP… Fertilized by Kotalawalas and Attygalles

The grand old party, like its off-shoot SLFP which has already disintegrated, is heading for an annihilation under ‘kick-off’ by its own ‘children’.

Unrest in Hong Kong and the heights of hypocrisy - EDITORIAL

When anti-Beijing protests gripped Hong Kong last year, and demonstrations broke out again in the city, with China’s impending imposition....

Plot within TNA targeting party spokesman Sumanthiran

Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran was in the eye of a raging political storm some weeks ago due to a YouTube interview given by the 56-year-old President’s Counsel cum politician to the ‘Truth with Chamuditha’ show.

Listen to the ocean and develop innovations to sustain it

Being an island paradise known as the pearl of the east, Sri Lanka needs to remember the memorable song of the Caribbean singing duo Nina and Fredrick, “Listen to the ocean, echoes of a million seashells, forever it’s in motion, moving to a rhythmic, unwritten music that is played eternally.”

George Floyd and the nationalist’s dilemma

George Floyd is no longer about the United States of America, or the West. It’s about the world, and the beleaguered, oppressed nations and communities of that world. The protests against his murder at the hands of a white policeman have thus become, from Baltimore to Berlin, a symbol of solidarity and unity among those marginalised nations and communities against the big stick wielders.

Politicising Wildlife

The Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources has come under heavy scrutiny following the appointment of three honorary....

A wrangle over election ethics

Two and a half months after entertaining nominations for this year’s parliamentary election, the National Elections Commission (NEC) had published...

Cure for COVID: Cooperation, not conflicts

In politics, there is neither a permanent enemy nor a permanent friend, only permanent interests. This was amply demonstrated in Skull Island, a 2017 King Kong movie.

Street dogs too need love and affection - EDITORIAL

There is much talk about stray dogs these days and the authorities have come under the spotlight for treating some of these friendly four-legged animals in a cruel manner.

Finding paths to being enslaved by the USA

The USA is in the news. Exposed. Exposed to those who believed the balderdash about that country being the greatest success story of democracy, freedom and the good life. Whereas other nations as bad or worse are crude, the USA is cute in sweetening the bitter, perfuming the foul-smelling and wall-papering over the grotesque. Used to be. That would be more correct.

General Election Amid COVID-19 and Health Guidelines

The 75-day curfew, though relaxed in stages in some parts of the country, was finally relaxed countrywide from Saturday, June 6 with travel also permitted to and from the districts of Gampaha and Colombo. This will to a large extent help Sri Lanka return to normal by resuming day-to-day business activities and resuscitating the economy, which was more or less lying dormant, amid the COVID-19 onslaught.