Sound pollution in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Police have suddenly woken up from a Deaf Police to an Active Police in Controlling Sound Pollution by drivers of buses. March 12 was one of the Most Peaceful Days to the Public as there was no sound pollution by drivers of buses. This could be felt by public at home, on the road and at the office premises.

Thieves, murderers or Nagananda?

After every election the same set of shifty mugs are seen in Parliament. There is never a change. Whether they are in the Government, in the opposition or on the fence they are happy. They know they are going to have a jolly good time at the expense of the citizens of the country. If you are still watching broadcasts in the TV channels you cannot, but be amused by the

SLPP-SLFP talks head for murky waters SLPP perturbed by court filing against Gota

The opposition-led by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was in for a rude shock when it learnt of a court filing against its presidential hopeful former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the United States where he holds dual citizenship.

A nation divided on what’s good and bad

In a few days time Sri Lankans will usher in new year despite its citizens not really knowing what the future holds in store for them. There is much hype about Mahinda Rajapaksa’s brother Gotabaya being tipped to be the next presidential candidate from the ‘Pohottuwa’ party. But at the same time the majority of the country’s citizens have time and again pointed out that the

Power Crisis: Let’s together help Sri Lanka turn the corner

The unannounced power cuts at different times of the day with a varying duration has plunged Sri Lanka and its people into a red-hot furnace. But the consumers would have definitely heaved a huge sigh of relief at the announcement by Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake that as of today there would be no more power cuts. But nevertheless the sting in the tail

Mangala Samaraweera and his little pals of spin

Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine. They were the original ‘spin twins’. They played in the 1950s, especially after helping the West Indies secure a maiden Test victory in England. They were celebrated in a calypso song that became a hit that year (1950), ‘Those little pals of mine - Ramadhin and Valentine.’

If Karu is the Candidate Does he need to name a PM? Why Karu Jayasuriya is the best bet for all concerned

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.~Plato With the announcement of the possible candidature of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the next Presidential Candidate from the Pohottuwa Party (Now it seems to be jeopardy while a couple of cases being reported to have been filed against him), a lot of

OUR COUNTRY’S SHAME

As technology continues to advance dramatically, shrinking the world to smaller and smaller proportions of a global village, in our little corner of the world, Sri Lanka still remains happily entrenched in the grip of pontificating politicians, who cannot go beyond the narrow confines of their self-centeredness to see the pain and suffering all around them!!! We are being told no

As India votes, social media faces big test

“This work is done across dozens of teams, both in India and around the globe, and began more than 18 months ago with a detailed planning and risk assessment across our platforms,” this is not the Indian government or a political party talking about the upcoming elections. No, not the Elections Commission either.

in-depth social discourse needed on pc system

Media reports said that National Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya had requested President Maithripala Sirisena to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on the legal implications on the provincial council elections. He had made this request in the light of the arguments over the electoral system under which the provincial council elections could be held at the moment.

We need healthcare for all

We know that good health-largely through our balanced diet and lifestyle including exercise -is real wealth because unhealthy people are unable or unwilling to contribute much towards progressing towards a sustainable, eco-friendly economy, with a vision of building a just, peaceful and all-inclusive society. On Sunday, April 7, exactly a week before Sri Lanka’s

President’s anti-drug campaign: For real or a farce?

Is President Maithripala Sirisena’s anti-narcotic campaign an opportunistic farce to lure voters to his bid for a second term in the office- or a genuine mission guided by a political will unseen in his predecessors? Public opinion seems to be mixed, not unsu

Maldives on a new path

Last week’s parliamentary elections in the Maldives have put the Indian Ocean archipelago on a new path, the path of true democracy in which State institutions will function as they ought to. From 2008, when the Maldives got a new democratic constitution, till the end of 2018, when virtual dictator Abdulla Yameen was unseated in a Presidential election, Maldivian politics was pretty much the sam

What blessings for a country of curses!

I wonder if this country has any kind of blessings anymore from the Universe or Gods or wherever blessing are supposed to shower from. But gradually the whole country has gone to the level of everyone cursing one another. Constitution and the rule

Power – Energy Blackout x Commissions2 [P-E=bc2]: Our ‘Power Experts’ Challenge Einstein’s E = mc²

Through dis-organised sporadic blackouts or technically termed ‘Load Shedding,’ Sri Lanka achieves NIC status (Non-Illuminated Country). We are thankful for authorities for, unlike in India, they haven’t tried ‘Brownouts,’ an intentional drop in voltage.

Tracing Dawkins’ root to Lanka

The Sri Lankan born Jean Mary Vyvyan Ladner the mother of the well-known Oxford Scientist, an indefatigable champion of Darwinism, Richard Dawkins’s turned one hundred years latter part of 2018.

Indian election: Secularism vs Nationalism - EDITORIAL

On the 11th of this month, India goes to the polls. The poll will be spread over a period starting 11 April to 22 May. Premier Modi is using an US-styled presidential election campaign, which he hopes will bring him an election victory.

WIN-WIN FOR HEALTH AND THE ECONOMY

Tobacco use causes 20 percent of global cancer deaths, more than any other cause. One in five cancer deaths are caused by tobacco use, which is 1.93 million a year. Tobacco use can make at least 14 types of cancer....

Universal Health Coverage Everyone, Everywhere

Close your eyes and travel back to your village when you were ten years old. Can you see how much change the years have wrought since your younger days? It’s amazing how time can affect the society, both attitude and material -wise, isn’t it?

Wilpattu Islamophobia and looming prospect of Islamization

The article titled above, that appeared in Daily Mirror on 02.04.2019, is a must-read for all patriotic citizens and the Sinhala Buddhist ultra-nationals. Once again, there seems to be a strong campaign to escalate Sinhala-Muslim clashes and create chaos in the hapless Muslim community. Attacks on the Muslim community in several areas resulted in the loss of many lives and the destruction of Muslim-owned properties worth some billions of rupees.

Strategy to accelerate universal health coverage

On World Health Day, why equitable access to quality primary health care will help accelerate progress towards universal health coverage

Lester and his magnificent obsession

Yesterday was the 100th birth anniversary of Sri Lanka’s legendary filmmaker Lester James Peries and to mark the event the government conferred on him a rare honour by declaring April 5 as the National Cinema Day.

Recollections of 1971 insurrection

April 5 is an important day in Sri Lankan history. It was on this day in 1942 – during World War II – that the Japanese Air Force bombed ColomboHarbour. It was Easter Sunday and the bombardment was called ‘Japanese Easter Air Raid of 1942.’

Colombo development will turn residents into aliens

Almost 10 days ago, an invitation titled ‘Mega Minds’ was hand-delivered to me. It had two taglines. One said ‘Towards the future we dream…’ and the other ‘Nation’s call on its brilliant minds and patriotic hearts.

Traffic offenders now be aware! - EDITORIaL

Sri Lanka is on a mission to discipline this nation and a major part of this endeavour is aimed at bringing some order when people are driving their cars, bikes and tuk tuks. Recently we read that the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation....

After Bouteflika, Algeria’s youth push for radical reforms

Is it Algeria’s Arab Spring? After weeks of people-power protests across the country, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Wednesday resigned, ending his 20-year autocratic rule. The news was welcomed by noisy celebrations by millions....

Norway reiterates support for Sri Lanka to be mine free

Today, April 04, marks the UN Mine Awareness Day. It provides an opportunity to focus on affected countries, such as Sri Lanka to recognize and take action to meet the needs of the affected people, and to assist them. Almost ten years after the end of the war, some areas in Sri Lanka are still contaminated with land mines and continue to be a threat to the lives of innocent

Women in the context of Post-war Sri Lanka’s Mine Action

April 4th marks the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. On this occasion the Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) congratulates Sri Lanka on its continued dedication towards Mine Action.

Buddhist titles and presidential hopefuls

The Buddhist clergy has time and again bestowed politicians with titles underscoring the fact that the relationship between lawmakers and the temple should continue. Just days ago State Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Sajith Premadasa was bestowed with the title ‘Sasana Deepana Abhimani Sri Lanka Jana Ranjana’ by the Mahanayake of the Malwatte

Stage set for new political development? Prez, PM meet at Malik’s Kandy residence

President Maithripala Sirisena, who was in Kandy last Sunday, visited UNP stalwart Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama at his residence. While he was there exchanging pleasantries with Samarawickrama, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also dropped by. Both leaders were in Kandy to attend the function to mark the