Not a time to play adversarial politics – Ranil Wickremesinghe

As Sri Lanka fights the Coronavirus a different sort of battle is beginning to build. A battle between the Government and the opposition reconvening parliament to pass new laws to address the current crisis in the country.

WHO tells Governments not to work with Tobacco Industry

As regards COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities have been a prominent part of the Tobacco Industry’s pandemic response.

May this liberation song become a reality?

The May Day liberation song, “Sa dukin pelanawun, dan itin nagitiyaw, anthima satanata paminiayaw,” was not heard yesterday.

Coronavirus and invasion of privacy

With the number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka relatively fast mounting, the behaviour of local media during the coverage.....

A. E. GOONESINHA FATHER OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT IN SRI LANKA

Another May Day has dawned in Sri Lanka. A day that is dedicated to the workers of Sri Lanka and a day that was initiated by the Father of the Labour....

US-China cold war over Covid-19 pandemic

Even if the world is coming to an end tomorrow, the big powers, it appears, won’t give up their pursuit of power.

Unchanging nature of our political system - EDITORIAL

This is a country that’s obsessed with elections. Now most of the citizens of the country are getting ready for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections.

Being in the Republic of Fear

Just over a year ago terrorists adhering to the Islamic faith (as interpreted by them), i.e. the National Thowheeth Jama’ath or ‘National Monotheism Organization,’ executed several brutal attacks that left more than 300 people dead, an equal or more injured, caused much damage to the targeted establishments and wrecked the tourist industry.

Resilient Sri Lanka Highs and lows during lockdown!

One of the best lessons COVID-19 teaches us is how important employment is for a developing nation like Sri Lanka.

A new world after COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to take its toll all over the world, bar a few countries. The total or partial lockdown in most countries still remains, and the prolonged home stay has become something sickening to people.

What’s our priority when gripped by a deadly virus?

The talking point in political and civil society circles these days is on the viability of holding the parliamentary election in the midst of the COVID19 crisis engulfing Sri Lanka. The debate has intensified after the Election Commission (EC) had postponed the election to June 20. Many are of the view that elections should not be held until the pandemic has been eradicated from our soil and an ‘All is Clear’ certificate has been issued by the he

Coronavirus Diary- Part 2: Wanathamulla and Hobson’s Choice

When I started writing this Coronavirus Diary, I had no idea how it was going to develop. We think one thing leads to the other. But Coronavirus is different. It always gets back to itself.

Flattening the Curve for the Poor: Understanding the Unseen Socio- Economic Groups

Crisis situations such as COVID 19, exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerable even more susceptible. The very same physical and social contacts that sustain our societies have become life-threatening.

Reconvening Parliament and the way forward

The date that the President declared that the General Elections were to be held, in pursuance to his proclamation by Extraordinary Gazette on 02 of March, i.e. 25th April came and went.

War against Covid 19; Is the Excise Dept. drunk? - EDITORIAL

Some happy news during this ‘lockdown’ period because of the Covid 19 pandemic is that it has proved to many who are addicted to liquor that drug addiction is a myth.

Save the soldiers before they become mass COVID-19 victims

Health workers and the personnel of the three armed forces and the police who are engaged in fighting COVID-19 pandemic falling victims to the same disease is far serious than any other person catching the virus. They are the protectors of th

Implosion of COVID cases at Welisara Navy Camp: Something is not right

Sri Lanka’s initial COVID-19 response was, by and large, a success. Immediately after the discovery of the first case, a Chinese tourist from Wuhan, the government responded promptly. It set up a task force, sent an aircraft to evacuate

21/4 carnage: Must probe into ‘why they did, what they did’

We have crossed one year since those terrible events of 21/4. Painful memories of those shocking attacks on the innocents reverberate as if they occurred yesterday. No believer in any faith could have planned and executed the deadly missi

Rapidly changing global dynamics along COVID-19

Earlier it was entirely a health issue but now has become more complicated –political, economic and social issues are also reaching equal status as health. Global dynamics of COVID-19 has rapidly changed its outlook at least for the past few we

INDIA – SRI LANKA’S OLDEST, CLOSEST RELATIVE

India, our immediate neighbour, friend and even a blood relative, has proved time and again that she is there to come for our rescue at times of all major crises....

COVID-19 dissects religious gene; exposes myth For how long can we hurt nature?

The short answer is, there are no almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent gods in Buddha Dhamma, but plenty in “Buddhism”, burrowed from other religious beliefs, mainly of Hindu origins.

Can we avoid a situation of queues and scarcities? - EDITORIAL

On April 22, cabinet spokesperson, Minister Bandula Gunawardana announced that the government would be taking steps to limit imported goods into the country.

Post COVID-19 Era: Leveraging on Agri-food sector for SL’s economic revival

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy of Sri Lanka like anywhere else in the world will be complex to predict in terms of magnitude, but directions are predictable.

South Asia needs a humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic : Ranil Wickremesinghe

The former Sri Lankan Prime Minister says India has to play a leading role in formulating a SAARC-led regional response to the crisis.

Politics of Postponing Parliamentary Elections Amid a Pandemic

The world including Sri Lanka is undergoing a pandemic crisis of colossal proportions. The Island nation however is in double jeopardy as it is in the grip of two crises simultaneously.

To help an Earth under stress, let’s look to Sri Lanka’s wetlands

With Earth Day marked on April 22, we look to nature’s solutions to climate change and other challenges. Wetland preservation is vital for our environmental, food and societal futures.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Mother Earth sends us a message

Amid the devastating COVID-19 pandemic – worst viral disease in more than a century -- the United Nations on April 22 marked the International Mother Earth Day. We hope the International Mother Earth Day’s principles and values will continue to be observed by the people throughout the coming months and years. While governments and big movements do it on a mega level individuals could do it on a small scale by saving fresh water or electricity, pl

Politics riding the crest of a COVID-19 wave

We understand why the National Elections Commission (NEC) indefinitely postponed the general election that was scheduled for April 25 -- it was nothing but the heightening of the COVID-19 threat.

World seemingly distressed by a pandemic once in ‘five score years’

The earliest known pandemic was recorded in France, known as Great Plague of Marseille in 1720, exactly 300 years ago.

Home education during a crisis - EDITORIAL

The COVID-19 pandemic poses many questions regarding school education. One is why should students return to school at all if technology....