If leaders genuinely care for the nation

See. ...see..do you see.. a glint of light with a silver lining amidst the dark clouds that overhang the public domain ? I do. Peer degrees penetratively to see the glimmer of hope during these hopeless days; when ‘hope’ itself has flown away.   

Australian dissolution is not similar to Sri lanka

There seems to be a serious misunderstanding about Sri Lanka’s Constitution with respect to the President’s power to dissolve the Parliament. It is claimed that under the parliamentary system, the President may dissolve the Parliament at his or her discretion at any time during its term. This is the central question before the Supreme Court in the proceeding challenging the President’s proclamation purporting to dissolve the c

An Appeal for National Stability from Religious leaders

Since October 26, 2018, the citizens of this country have been plunged into a state of confusion, chaos, fear and deep anxiety. As the days evolved, one political event succeeded another, and each of them left us more confused and saddened, and with a growing sense of despair and frustration.

India’s agri-distress

Indian agriculture is in dire straits. The terms of trade with the other sectors of the economy have been worsening over the years. State investment in agriculture has also been declining compared to investment in industry and other sectors. 

Sri Lanka’s crisis of democracy - EDITORIAL

On November 26, 2014, President Sirisena joined hands with the then leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe to contest former President Rajapaksa at the 2015 presidential election.

Seeds of current instability sown at birth of yahapalana Govt.

While the complicated situation that has arisen in parliament today is unprecedented, the origins of this logjam could perhaps be traced back to the period when the yahapalana government was formed.

STOP OUTSOURCING DEMOCRACY!

In a democracy, constitutions can be drafted, revised or replaced by the people as they wish, but when such a sovereign nation is disintegrated through a constitution (or by some other means), it can hardly be reintegrated into unity.

North in Crisis Times

Even as the political crisis in the parliament and of government rages on, a near silence pervades the North. People are either indifferent or intentionally avoiding public engagement.

Poisonous chemicals: Silent killer in Sri Lanka

The United Nations yesterday marked the Day of Remembrance for all victims of chemical warfare to pay tribute to them and to reaffirm.     

Doing battle with Saudi Arabia

How can Saudi Arabia be brought low? If the King won’t remove from power his 33-old-son, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, there may be no alternative but to do battle (non-violently) with its regime.   

Speaker ready to wear jumpers

The hottest topic discussed, in Parliament, offices, homes and in the street, is the unruly behaviour of our politicians and especially the threat of a no-confidence motion against Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and his response -- ready to wear jumpers if he had overstepped his powers. With that picture before us,

Government boycotting Parliament

The decision made by the Mahinda Rajapaksa group in Parliament to walk out of the chamber and the announcement made thereafter that the group would not be attending Parliament till the Speaker corrects himself -- while claiming Mahinda Rajapaksa was the Prime Minister and they were the governing party in Parliament -- are unprecedented moves unheard of in any Parliamentary democracy.     

Sri Lanka: Are we doing politics right?

Let the clearest and the most straightforward answer be: NO, not at all! The series of recent shocking incidents that put the entire country in dismay and tarnished further the international image of this precious pearl of the Indies are most unfortunate and disgusting. The fact that this pandemonium finally raged in the very sanctuary of democracy, the Parliament of people’s representatives, is indeed cause for greater worry and anxiety.&n

Time to be concerned about our children - EDITORIAL

The security of children once they step outside their homes has become a matter of concern following the stabbing to death of a schoolboy in Matara, a few days ago.  An individual following the stories associated...

Mr. President, be a statesman even at this late hour!

As Sri Lanka’s constitutional crisis deepens, whatever ways-out political analysts may propose, only a principled solution is desirable and should be called for. This is because the health of the country’s democracy....

The need of the hour: Guts to compromise in the name of the country

Within ten years from 1989 to 1999-India saw eight regime changes of which only three had been effected through Lok Sabha (Parliament) elections.   

Pickled Constitution and achcharu Parliament

“No democratic and decent rule can be expected from a government that has lost its credibility within an illegitimate Parliament…. We are well aware, there can be no disciplined and clean Parliaments elected in these awfully corrupt open market economies.

Democracy is alive, ladies and gentlemen!

What’s the talk of the town? ‘The town’ of course can be anything from Cinnamon Gardens to Hokandara to Debarawewa. If you are talking about Cinnamon Gardens as the trope that it is for a significant portion of the decision-makers of the United National Party (UNP) and those who balk at power shifting to Debarawewa

Eliminate Violence Against Women

Commencing November 25 - the date designated by the United Nations - to Eliminate Violence Against Women and continuing for a 16-day period up to December 10 (the International Human Rights Day), the world commemorates 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Two main political forces riddled with internal issues

Everyone talks about the political crisis that is engulfing the country.  Little known is the fact there are internal crises brewing even within the two main political forces, probably as an unintended consequence of the decision by President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26 to form a new Government. 

A story of shocks, revenge and betrayal

The majority of Sri Lankans and most political parties are of the opinion that the Government should hold General Elections soon as possible to sort out the present political crisis. The country has a tiny Cabinet, a greatly restricted president and two individuals claiming that they are Prime Minister. These developments are due to the 

Ayodhya; snowballing into a bigger crisis

The Shiv Sena’smove to hold a massive rally, last Sunday, in Ayodhya urging the putting up of a Ram temple on the site of former Babri mosque, has many interpretations. The rally supported and attended by BJP parent party Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is primarily viewed by others as a political strategy by the BJP to divert public attention ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court: It’s not a slogan Make Sri Lanka sane again

The dissolution of Parliament is once again being challenged before a Fuller Bench. This writer believes in and dedicated to the rule of law and unmitigated justice. The writer also has utmost reverence to those magnificent men and women who preside over the fate and destinies of many a man and woman, many an organization 

‘Talking Titans’ gear up for talk show

‘All the world’s a stage’ for the 150 ‘Talking Titans’ who comprise the school of elocution and public speaking spearheaded by Amalka Perera. Equipped with polished skills of oration and confidence, these youngsters are capable of projecting their thoughts and opinions on any given topic in a matter of minutes. 

CHANGING COLOuRS AMIDST SHATTERED DEMOCRACY!!!

On 14th November 2018, the hallowed precincts of Parliament were destroyed!!! These are the supposed gentlemen who we are expected to call ‘honourable!!!’ They disregard Parliamentary ethics and the accepted norms of behaviour because all they want to do is to make their presence felt; the louder the better!!! Again on 16th 

Series of deaths Chilaw Gen. Hospital comes under the ‘microscope’

Within a period of 10 days in the month of October, 2018 three neonatal deaths and one maternal deaths were reported from the Chilaw District General Hospital, raising concern as to whether something was seriously wrong in the medical set-up. 

Lifesaver cop who denied the ‘sea monster’ 150 lives

There is a police officer attached to the Police Life Saving Unit who was awarded with the ‘Virujana Silver Mudrikawa’ at the 23rd Virujana Award Ceremony held recently. 

Wolves at the door, and they are not here to go!

It is amazing that some continue asking as to why a President who could appoint a Prime Minister with the support of around 40 MPs in Parliament in January 2015 could not do so now. More so when the President, the head of the Executive, himself asks as to why he can’t do it in October 2018, if it was possible in January 2015. 

Floor test and cross over

The one month long current political mess demands rectification in presumptions on two important matters that involve the country’s Constitution. One is the importance of the majority power in the Parliament and the other being the crossover by the people’s representatives from one party to another. Majority in Parliament is not

Looming prospect of targeted sanctions: How appropriate are they ?

Not long ago, the stooges of Mahinda Rajapaksa, and MR himself, spewed some fanciful justifications for the contested ( and obviously unethical) sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe, and MR’s appointment as prime minister in one Friday night quirk by President Maithripala Sirisena. One argument was that MR was appo