Story behind the mass resignation

Days after the barbaric Easter Sunday terrorist attack on innocent Christians, the authorities announced that the next target of the terrorists was “Hubbu” mosques, the mosques with graves of Islamic saints.

Mangala and his utterances - EDITORIAL

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera knows how to embroil himself in controversy. His recent comments about Malcom Cardinal Ranjith have made him better the ‘record’ that of former minister Mervyn Silva.

Let’s unite to rebuild this nation!

Sri Lanka’s nation-building process is being dealt blow after blow in the wake of the April 21 Easter Sunday attacks. The horrendous crime that took the lives of more than 250 people is an irrefutable statement....

Why Muslims are gelling during a crisis

If Ven. Gnanasara Thera boasted about priests in the island uniting in the face of meeting the challenge of extremists, he only has to look just a little far ahead to see another group working in similar solidarity. The Muslim politicians in Sri Lanka have come together in a move to protect their race and for this purpose they have tendered their resignations as state and

Collective move by Muslim MPs exacerbates polarization

The death fast staged by MP Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera brought about a dramatic turn of events in politics. Ven. Ratana Thera, who had been confined to the political fringe, cashed in on the latest wave of anti-Muslim sentiments triggered by the serial bombings on Easter Sunday, and demanded the sacking of three top Muslim politicians over their alleged links with

Sri Lanka’s Unprecedented Socio-political Crisis:

We have been talking about crises in Sri Lanka for many years. So, talking about just another crisis is unlikely to excite many people or generate much public interest. But, what we are faced with today is not just another crisis. In fact, what we witness today is an extraordinary situation that we can ignore only at our own peril. It is the culmination of a series of long-neglected

Healing from Hurt

For an island known for its smiling faces, kind people and their idyllic lifestyle, Sri Lanka has been tormented with a past of loss and grief. Whether this island’s people are from the North, South, East or West, they have all suffered through periods of ethnic and political violence. Each community has a story of how they coped and rebuilt, stories of how some lost their families,

Children are our future Let not uncertainty their destiny be

“Children need peace and protection at all times. The rules of war prohibit the unlawful targeting of civilians, attacks on schools or hospitals, the use, recruitment and unlawful detention of children, and the denial of humanitarian assistance. When conflicts break out, these rules need to be respected and those who break them need to be held to account. Enough is enough.

The politics of alienation and isolation

Ajith Fernando, an old friend and an incredibly good and humble human being, got it right when he said, ‘Terrorists don’t win when they manage to kill 200, 300 innocent people. They win when they manage to alienate and isolate the entire Muslim population.’

Int’l Day for the fight against IUU fishing is today Go fish! But please do so legally!

World Environment Day on June 5 Air Pollution and Human Health

The World Environment Day (WED) is one of the most widely-celebrated global days that inspire the general public towards being eco-conscious. Hence, the United Nations (UN) seeks to focus the world’s attention on the environment and organises positive environmental action programmes and initiatives on June 5 every year since 1972.

On the trail of a fasting monk

Ven.Rathana Thera became a rebel during a four-day fast where he shed his role as a survivor in politics. This priest, who has the habit of clinging on to individuals with power for his benefit, suddenly saw throngs of people supporting his cause. The prelate laydown in protest and staged a fast near the ‘Temple of the Tooth’ demanding the resignations of the Governors of

Ramadan forty years ago

The moon-long fast in the Islamic month of Ramadan when Muslims have to abstain from food, drink and sex is no easy task for the worldly minded, but once one’s mind and body is attuned to it from one’s young days, it doesn’t prove to be so difficult after all. It increases piety, inculcates patience, instills discipline, stimulates empathy with the poor and leads to good health – not

BBS and gang on one bank, ISIS-backed Islamic fundamentalists on the other… Sri Lanka’s rudderless drift …

When a ship is drifting without being steered and manned by an able and professional Captain, it is bound to go astray; its survival in stormy seas is doubtful and its crew, the rest of servicemen and passengers are in danger of losing their very lives and the temporary ‘gala’ they enjoyed have disappeared into the mist of the ashen and all-consuming waves that seem to

COMPASSION?

It is a state of mind and heart; one could say which is almost ‘unheard’ of these days!!! COMPASSION! Who in their right minds would want to exude Compassion, or even be known as a Compassionate human being??? However, if the terrorists who exploded those bombs had even a miniscule atom of compassion that terrible carnage and destruction would never have

Our apologies, it was a false positive

Dunuwila is an Instagramer’s paradise. The tiny village in the Central Province is nestled at 820m above sea level. It took me a 90 minutes to get here from Kandy through utterly beautiful winding, narrow mountain roads.

Global warming; where lamb lies down with wolf and the child leads us

With teenagers such as Sweden’s Greta Thunberg giving leadership to the world in the crusade against global warming and climate change, United Nations today marks World Environment Day—a platform for action to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. Since it began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public

Venerable Ratana, Mavil Aru and Sri Lanka's Food Security - Editorial

Exactly thirteen years ago Venerable Athureliye Ratana Thera made headlines by walking up to Mavil Aru sluice gate which was closed by the LTTE in June 2006. The JHU stalwart made the bold move at a time the security forces were hesitating to venture into the area. The procession led by the Thera who was the parliamentary group leader of the JHU which had nine seats in parliament then, gave hopes

The Ultra-nationalist ultimatum

A weak government is like the supine barber to whom even the goat prods its goatee. The current government in Colombo is not just weak, indecisive and lacking a common purpose. Its manifest incompetence and vacillation is self- destructive and can set the country on fire. As of yesterday,

US sees ‘significant’ increase in military engagement with sri Lanka

Since the government changed in Sri Lanka in January 2015, the US has “significantly” strengthened its military engagement with the island nation, particularly with the Sri Lankan Navy, says the latest US Department of Defence Indo-Pacific Strategy Report (IPSR).

Blake sang ‘Hosannas’ for his supper

On a recent visit to Sri Lanka, funded by an organisation headed by one of Sri Lanka’s political jumping frogs, Robert Blake sang Gota’s praises; suggesting a return to Gota’s ‘technocrats’. What were these so called technocrats doing I wonder, when Lasantha was murdered, Ekneligoda disappeared, abductions, and white vans carried on regardless of law and order. These were the trademark of the Rajapaksa regime. Later on, when back in the US, Blake

Batticaloa Campus embroils in controversy

Radicalization of some local Muslims climaxed with the serial bombings that rocked the nation on April 21. The bomb strikes, committed by a handful of terrorists,altered and reshaped dynamics in multiple fronts.

The European Revelation

The European elections that ended a few days ago have yielded very interesting results from a Sri Lankan point of view. In understanding its effects on Europe and its relevance to a country such as Sri Lanka, it is important to get a grasp of the prevailing European backdrop.

China-Lanka relations, its debt burden and China’s BRI - EDITORIAL

China and Sri Lanka have historically maintained close relations. In AD 400, it is recorded, Chinese monks visited the country. After it achieved independence from the British in 1948, Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1950...

Distress of Informal Muslim Workers

Crises of any form have class, gender and caste characteristics. Social disparities are aggravated by crises whether it is a natural catastrophe such as a tsunami, a political disaster such as a coup or social trouble as with the climate of fear after the Easter Sunday attacks.

Need for a new direction in foreign policy

For nearly 70 years since independence, the principles of ‘neutralism’ and ‘non-alignment’ have guided Sri Lankan foreign policy. However, four geopolitical changes, to wit: many ‘non-aligned’ countries are now close allies and ‘partners’ of the US; the ‘Pivot to Asia’ by the Americans; China’s Belt and Road initiative; the new threat of Islamic terrorism in this country and the danger that interested parties might try to set up a permanent milit

Plantation Minister inks Historic MoU at Second Belt and Road Forum

The above news item appeared in on May 6 wherein it says: “The MoU signed by Minister Dissanayake and Executive Governor of the People’s Government of Hainan Province aims at rejuvenating Sri Lanka’s ailing plantation sector that comprises of tree crops including rubber, tea, coconut, cashew, sugar cane and related industrial value chains.” It also says: “The projects are to be designed based on the Sri Lanka Rubber Industry Development Master P

‘Let’s Make Sri Lanka Greta again’

In every race, religion, culture and nationality in all parts of the world, parents are the primary caregivers and teachers of their children -- preparing them for a happy, fulfilling and productive life. Parents are the anchors of the family and the foundation of our communities and societies.

MICRO-CREDIT Don’t throw the baby with the bath water

Micro-credit has been a blessing to tens of thousands in Sri Lanka and for millions the world over. The year 2005 was named the year of Micro-credit. Professor Muhammed Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts towards poverty alleviation through Micro-credit.

Playing politics with Terrorism

Media, both mainstream and social, and certain politicians have completely diverted the attention of the country and the authorities from the terrorism that wreaked havoc on Easter Sunday on April 21.