Going down the Bharatiya Road

Indian elections for Lok Sabha that concluded last week, shattered all ‘independent and expert’ predictions leaving pro-BJP forecasts perfectly right. The BJP with Modi romped home with an historical....

The robe and Sri Lankan politics - EDITORIAL

The activities of firebrand monk Ven.Gnanasara Thera in society makes us take a closer look at the ‘role of the Buddhist monk’ in the politics of the country. The thera has called for religious leaders to take the lead and....

Racism, media terrorism and ISIS poachers

It goes without saying that there is an urgent and existential need to eradicate terrorism in whatever form it exists. By and large, the security forces are doing a commendable job, arresting suspects from various....

Dealing with IS terrorism: Modi’s re-election good sign for SL

Shortly after the final results of the Indian General Elections were announced affirming a thumping victory for Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) Leader Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe contacted his Secretary Saman Ekanayake and said he would have to travel to India.

Clash of cultures and heartwarming stories

Muslims in Sri Lanka are a battered race given that people who don’t practice Islam look at them with suspicion and hatred now. The whole world collapsed on this minority community on April 21 following a series of bombings on churches and hotels; carried out allegedly by the ISIS.

Warnings Ignored And The Price Paid - EDITORIAL

Despite insidious efforts by mischief-makers, rumour-mongers and even some politicians playing Jekyll and Hyde to envelope this country in a fear psychosis, it is gladdening to see Sri Lanka....

Reconciliation does not grow in the Valley of Lies

Sorry, Alfie. Couldn’t resist. These are tense times and a half-chuckle here and there you would pardon, I am sure. I was reminded of the verse by a number: 300. Half, yes, but this is only half the story. Read on.

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS): An in-depth look at ISIS

ISIS is known for its extensive and effective use of propaganda. It uses a version of the Muslim Black Standard flag and developed an emblem which has clear symbolic meaning in the Muslim world.

Spotlight on Ven.Gnanasara When patriotism blurs spiritual vision

Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera’s early release from prison, thanks to a presidential pardon, has given the monk celebrity status. One television channel even went to the extent of giving a live coverage of his release. Whether the monk should receive such attention is a matter for debate in a country where values in humans are fast deteriorating.

Ven. Gnanasara’s release and the death knell of Good Governance

So, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, is at large now. The President of the Good Governance mandate, has been instrumental in his release. As to why the monk had to be brought out of prison through the back door is yet another interesting topic. But what is of interest is that it came on the decree of a President who was elected by broad sections of the citizens of this

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) An in-depth look at ISIS

As the people and Government of Sri Lanka reel with shock and grief in the wake of the suicide bomb attacks over the Easter Sunday killing more than 250 innocent civilians including 40 foreigners and wounding more than 500 others and the country is forced to confront some important lessons. And whilst the horrors of the attacks are uniquely personal to the people of Sri Lanka

Then and now

Our island nation of some 22 million people has been dominated for decades by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority and the Hindu Tamil minority, not forgetting the rest who are Christian and Muslim!!! Looking back at the decades of terror that we survived due to Tamils being mistreated and overlooked; a de facto homeland came into being in the country’s north!!! Notwithstanding

Wahhabism, Sunni, Shia…they aren’t our enemies, Terrorism is

In an age in which fragmentation of the global human community is advancing at a rapid rate, in which more and more elements in the larger communities are splitting into smaller rudiments, there is one element in the human family that is distancing apart from the rest.

Security assurance still inadequate to convince tourists

President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday had again given an assurance on the country’s security situation to the international community and said that 99% of the terrorists had been contained.

the love- hate relationship between PM and CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to resign from the post last Saturday. Her party scraped through the Lok Sabha polls. Banerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) which won 34 of the 42 seats in the state at the 2014 polls, could bag only 22 this time. Meanwhile, the BJP which fared very poorly in 2014 winning only two seats, delivered a spectacular performance this time clinching 18 seats.

Narendra Modi’s Remaking of Indian politics could well be replicated in Sri Lanka

It was advertised as a battle for India’s soul. Anti-incumbency fervour was said to be rampant. A previous rout of the BJP in a series of state elections a few months back was thought to be a precursor of something big to happen. Even a recession, no matter how remote for an economy growing at a not optimum, but still decent 7 per cent, was warned. Unemployment numbers, highest since the 70s was supposed to be a deal-breaker. Low crop prices were

SUFISM The Forgotten Facet of ISLAM

In the aftermath of the terror that was unleashed in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, by a group purporting to be followers of Islam, there is an understandable degree of probing about what ‘Islam’ actually is. One sees a cacophony of voices attempting to provide answers, from diverse perspectives. Much of the discussion and debate on Islam, is focused on the interpretations of the ‘Shariah’ (the laws of Islam) based on the teachings of Ibnu Wahab,

On re-emergence of violent Islamic radicalism in India

Two recent news reports, one from Kerala in the deep South India, and the other from the North Eastern Indian region, have raised concerns about the possible emergence of violent Islamic radicalism in India, particularly in the East and in the South.

“Moderate” Muslims must speak out more...

On October 4, 2018, the White House in the USA issued its new National Strategy for Counter-terrorism. At one point it says “We will undermine the ability of terrorist ideologies, particularly radical Islamist terrorist ideologies, to create a common identity and sense of purpose among potential recruits. We must combat the resilience of terrorist narratives by acknowledging tha

Niqab When religion becomes a matter of attire

There has perhaps been no garment that has aroused so much controversy as the Niqab or face-veil worn by a small minority of Muslim women. Although worn by only a very small percentage of women, it is conspicuous as can be and grabs attention....

National Security, Electoral Politics and Conspiracy Theories

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a rousing victory in the seven phased Indian General Elections playing down pundits who claimed that he may as a weaker Prime Minister on the contrary his party has raked up more seats than even in 2014.

Terrorism and the need to unmask savage leaders - EDITORIAL

Terrorism is all about savage attacks against defenceless people with the sole intention of spreading fear and terror among its victims. In today’s world the media largely associate terror with either people of colour or Islamic extremists.

Sad Sunday brought the whole nation to grief; what is the way forward?

Almost a month has passed since a few benighted individuals calling themselves Muslims decided to explode bombs in churches and five star hotels making nearly 300 innocent men women and children lose their lives and a large number of others injured and maimed for life.

Re-building the nation

Our TV stations and national newspapers reminded us that it was one month since the Easter massacre. To again see so many people in their grief at the loss of parents, children, whole families wiped out, was indeed painful and kept many of us wondering as to what could we do? The communities, churches, a number of religious groups have all come forward to aid those affected and restore some normalcy to the lives of the hundreds affected. Many of

Modi’s landslide and the Lessons for Sri Lanka - EDITORIAL

With World geopolitical alliances and strategies changing beyond recognition, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has swept to a landslide victory in the general elections with his “Bharatiya Janata Party” (BJP) and its allies securing more that 350 of the 543 seats in India’s parliament or Lok Sabha.

A POINT OF VIEW ‘May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy’

At the end of 2018, a communiqué from the reliable tourism organization ‘Trip Advisor’ rated Sri Lanka as the best country in the world to visit. As Sri Lankans, who love their country, we felt proud of our Motherland. We also feel ashamed that we have not paid adequate attention to exploring the variety that is inherent to our Motherland with regard to its natural beauty, its rich history and the variety of its cultures.

JUST RAMBLING THOUGHTS...

“What irritates me most,” sighed a friend who lives on one of the many roads MPs and Ministers take when going to Siri Kotha, and/or Parliament, “Is the sound of those sirens, police escorts and ambulances following those un-worthwhile members of the House”. We ALL agreed. There is a far better way to deploy them. At schools for instance so that kids can return feeling safe which is something they cannot do at the moment since Ministers and their

Voices of dissent against Rishad - EDITORIAL

The opposition against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the support to keep him in power underscore the fact that Sri Lanka is a nation which is confused about what’s right and wrong. The allegations that Bathiudeen offered political patronage to those involved in the Easter Sunday....

Global Islamophobia and its Lankan agents

Islamophobia is an industry. It is US$ 500 million strong in the United States alone, according to research carried out by the Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the University of California, and a Carter Centre publication titled ‘Countering the Islamophobia Industry’.

Can Muslims integrate with others without their support?

The initial reaction by Sri Lankan Muslims to the Easter Sunday terrorist suicide attacks on churches and five-star hotels was not something unexpected. While sympathizing with the victims, they genuinely felt a sense of shame and guilt....