Searching for the “honest” politician

In 1788, James Madison, the primary author of the US Constitution, wrote in the Federalist Papers: “The aim of every political constitution, is (or ought to be), first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern....

UNSIGNED so far, is SOFA not so far?

“Behind the SOFA” is an English pop culture phrase relating the frightened reaction of hiding behind a sofa to keep away from seeing startling parts of a TV drama, with the sofa offering a hiding place, to avoid the screen....

A FOOL IN WHITE HOUSE OR US STRATEGY - EDITORIAL

In the run-up to the US presidential election of 2017, then candidate Trump berated all past US Presidents for involvement in wars around the world. He lambasted past US presidents....

Controversy over Easter Sunday Attacks

In this short note, I wish to share the views of many who have spoken to me about the controversy over the Easter Sunday suicide attacks. Most of them do not write to newspapers; neither do I, as a general rule.

Friendship rises beyond race or religion

One of history’s best known boxers Muhammad Ali, besides achieving the fame of flying like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, is also a sort of a philosopher. For instance, he has said friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain - it’s not something we learn in school - but if we haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, we really haven’t learned much. American Statesman George Washington has said true friendship is a plant of slow

Indo-Lanka Peace Accord JR and Rajiv’s Final Power Devolution

It 32 years since The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was signed in Colombo on July 29, 1987, between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene amid political turmoil in Colombo and military advances in the North. Because it was signed by two Heads of States it could be considered an international agreement between two countries. The Accord was signed acknowledging the imperative need of resolving the historically u

Presidents of Sri Lanka Will Ranasinghe and Sajith be first father-son duo?

The eighth Sri Lankan presidential election is expected to be held on or before December 7 this year. Although dates have not been announced yet, many names are being bandied about as potential candidates. Among them is Hambantota District Parliamentarian and Cabinet Minister of Housing and Construction Sajith Premadasa who is also the United National Party (UNP) deputy leader.

At the dusk of one political era - EDITORIAL

When the country goes for Presidential polls in a few months time, people will be compelled to make an analysis on how a certain older generation of political leaders had fared during the last 30 years.

Bigot-in-Chief ruins US: Is Lanka going Trump way?

We can draw ugly parallels between the United States President’s racist politics and what is happening in Sri Lanka. First let us examine Donald Trump’s racist rants which he liberally unleashes.....

Can the PM solve the ethnic issue in two years ?

When Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was in the north last week, told the gathering at an event held to mark the 125th anniversary of the Kandarodai Skandavarodaya Vidyalayam in Chunnakam that a lasting political solution to the ethnic problem would be provided within the next two years, he most probably might have believed that Tamils were elated with his promise. But ala

Presidential Presidential in a major “Jam”

Has any presidential hopeful spoken about the tragedy on city roads? About city roads with parked vehicles with running engines, that hardly move? Almost a fortnight ago on Sunday, July 14, there was a campaign for a “Car Free Colombo”. It was initiated by Netherlands Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard in association with Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake. They urged People to cycle around instead of driving around. They told the media that they intended

Presidential Candidacy Sajith faction flexes muscles

The United National Party (UNP) is an entity that has grappled with internal revolts throughout its history. None of them stood in the way of its current leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ever since he assumed leadership way back in 1994. His leadership was challenged on a number of occasions after 1994, but he was resilient enough to withstand all

Presidential Elections When heroism defeats reason and logic

The resources that Sri Lanka has can make any other country envy this island. From the beautiful beaches that can help promote tourism to the scenic views that a tourist can enjoy of the mountains in the central hills, Sri Lanka has much to offer as a tourist destination.

Sri Lanka is POSI+TIVE, I am positive

My friend, the oft philosophical Zalmi Fazeel, has a habit of posting wisdom-drops in social media. Some of it is not all that new, but he puts it in new ways. Makes me think. Makes my day(s). This morning’s dish came thus: ‘Tip your server. Return your shopping cart. Pick up a piece of trash. Hold the door for the person behind you. Let someone into your lane. Small acts can have

Over the Moon and from the Pulpit

The week ending Sunday, July 21 marked two contrasting anniversaries. The first was on Saturday, July 20. It was a day of ecstasy and elation when the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on a day such as this in 1969.

Making ‘Black’ July ‘White’: Can a Govt. be so callous?

The so-called Sudu Juliya (White July) campaign initiated by the UNF government, could not have been named worse. Not only is the tag so insulting to the sensitivities of the Tamils who lost their loved ones, property , homes and in some cases their motherland forever, due to that infamous Black July of 1983, but it automatically and ironically brings to mind the fact that the

Cardinal’s message; a strong reminder to the rulers - EDITORIAL

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has opened a Pandora’s Box on Sunday by saying that he did not have faith in any of the investigations carried out into the terrorist attacks on Christians on their holiest day, the Easter Sunday which fell on April 21.

Can Gnanasara & Company affect Presidential Elections ?

When, in 1956, S W R D Bandaranaike unleashed the power of the saffron robe, he did not realise that he was setting free a cultural force that Ceylon did not know it had within itself, a force that had total control over the generally docile mind of the Sinhalese Buddhist. Whether or not the country was under colonial rule for nearly half a millennium, whether or not the Portuguese,

A reply to Vishwamithra Self-serving schemers and conspirators promote division within UNP

The Vishwamithra Column of July 17, 2019, is a reflection of backward and reactionary feudal values. When addressing the timely issue of the next Presidential Candidate from the United National Party, the Columnist portrays ‘his conviction’ that the is patronised by those who are struggling to restore feudalism in this country, as the entire article is inspired by shameless

US Ambassador’s disingenuous statement on SOFA

I write in response to US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz’s comments in the article headlined ‘US wants military cooperation pact with SL to tackle red tape’ published in the Daily Mirror of July 2. In my opinion, the envoy’s comments are an insult to the intelligence of Sri Lankan people owing to the following three reasons.

CONTRAVENTION REPLETE

Loud whispers ominously infer Chandrika is about to submit another ‘COMMON CANDIDATE’ for the forthcoming presidential election. God save us all! The first one she gave us has left no room for more; no, no, definitely no! He has left us REPLETE, well-fed, he is no stranger to controversy and in his 4 ½ years has orchestrated an unsuccessful coup, overseen one of the

Spare the Capital

The Rajagiriya flyover and the parliament road are two stretches that motorists prefer to take any day. While the flyover offers a panoramic view the tree lined parliament road is a lush green haven in the country’s capital. Till a few days back both these places were treated with care by everyone and as a result they retained their spruced up look. However, everything changed last

As elections loom large, politics is becoming dumber and outright opportunistic

Two weeks back Dayasiri Jayasekara, MP told the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday attacks that it was not the Islamic State that was behind the attack. He alleged that certain foreign countries have used Mohammed Zahran ‘to fulfil their objectives in Sri Lanka’. He opined that a bomber refrained fro

Death Penalty the answer to Drug Crime?

The Trump administration’s initiative to combat the drug epidemic aims to reduce drug demand, curtail illicit drug supply and expand addiction treatment. But the aspect that caught headlines was President Trump’s....

Hang them! Along with those who Plundered National Wealth

First three lines of song ‘Hangknot, Slipknot’, written and sung by Woodrow Wilson Guthrie 1912–1967, popularly known as Woody Guthrie -- the American folk music singer/songwriter of “This Land Is Your Land” fame.

Remembering July ‘83 and moving forward - EDITORIAL

July 23 marks the 36th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s month of shame -- the month in which the then government of the country, permitted, aided and abetted armed mobs to attack a section of its citizens -- the Tamils.

Making Political Alternative meaningful and Relevant to Masses

There has been considerable public discussion in recent months about the need to find a meaningful and real alternative to the existing two mainstream political formations in Sri Lanka.

Nelson Mandela: A legend who lives forever

It is election time again in Sri Lanka and as usual we see different party political leaders vying for nomination, though most people see most leaders as seeking mainly personnel gain or glory. More than 70 years after Independence most people say they see few if any main political party leaders who wish to serve the people sincerely, selflessly and sacrificially with the virtues of honesty and integrity, accountability and transparency.

Lessons from US-UK diplomatic row

The United States and the UK have been traditional friends for decades. Britain regularly boasts of a ‘special relationship.’ Relations took a severe beating during the past couple of days.

From housewife to Prime Minister: Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s political journey

Germany’s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been elected President of the European Union (EU) commission following a secret ballot among Members of the European Parliament. She is the first woman to be elected President of the EU commission and will replace incumbent President Jean-Claude Juncker on November 1 this year. With Ursula von der Leyen’s victory, another traditional male bastion has fallen.