Sirisena’s second turnaround

Maithripala Sirisena is not exactly a type of politician described as ‘charismatic’ or ‘revolutionary.’ But in the space of three and a half years he has pulled off two dramatic political reversals in the country’s electoral history.

Disruption and Consolidation of Power From the outset-including after the Parliamentary Elections -t

The power grab and subsequent events over the last ten days are but the culmination of a plan of action that Mahinda Rajapaksa put into place following his defeat at the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of 2015.

Confusion hypocrisy and double standards - EDITORIAL

The continuing or unfolding Political-cum-Constitutional drama, which commenced with President Sirisena’s abrupt appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, even before letting the then sitting incumbent know of his dismissal....

Let the confusion subside

On October 26, political confusion broke out in Sri  Lanka. President Sirisena who had for months been carrying on a running battle with his Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, without a warning announced, out of the blues so-to-say, had appointed the popular and charismatic former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as his Prime Minister.     

Walls and fences should come down

At first I was a bit surprised to find that the English admonition, “Good fences make good neighbours” existed in many other languages. I shouldn’t have been taken aback. A moment’s reflection should have told me that fences and walls to divide off peoples have been going on for millennia. There’s nothing in particular new about the fence between the US and Mexico, the Cold War wall between East and West  German

The importance of a second tier leadership - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka’s citizens are getting a bit jaded now in waiting for that politician with real leadership qualities to emerge and take charge of the nation. Even when there was a tussle for power within the UNP during the time Ranasinghe Premadasa....

Geopolitical implications of Lanka’s political crisis

Sri Lanka’s democratic process, which suffered a devastating blow last Friday, is likely to be on the reverse gear in the coming months and years. The pre-2015 regime, seems......

The halo slips: What the UNP lost

Political alliances are marriages of convenience. When nothing warrants them, they become a convenient front against a common enemy.

The politics of paradox

This is a moment for political action and this is a moment for a politics of paradox. Is there an old? Importantly, is there a new?

RIGHT OF REPLY: Re; Daily Mirror on October 3 titled “Attack on Animal SOS Sri Lanka”

I being an Attorney-at-Law who appears on behalf of Animal SOS (ASOS) Lanka before the Court of Law in case of the said matter, it’s my duty to respond over the false allegations and misrepresentation of the....

Constitutional coup and Rajapaksa politics

Pity, it is no doubt. This country, more particularly the urban middle class that now goes berserk calling the removal of Ranil Wickremesinghe from the post of PM as....

What else could be expected?

Before Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Prime Minister on Friday evening, did President Maithripala Sirisena sack Ranil Wickremesinghe....

The tale of good cities - EDITORIAL

Yesterday, the United Nations marked World Cities Day to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities, addressing challenges of urbanization and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.  

Selective tear-shedding in seasons of demagoguery

Disclaimer 1: Over the past three months I’ve written a series of articles under the title ‘Notes for a Manifesto’ seeking to inform those who are currently developing or intend to develop ‘plans for the country/people’ with elections in mind. In addition to an introductory note, eleven areas were covered: a) the state, b) justice, law and 

Can Sirisena be so fragile?

Sri Lanka’s political crisis gives us a window to view it in two ways. The first affords us the opportunity to see whether the country’s leader was strong to hold his nerve and quell the opposition forces out to destroy him. In this count Sirisena failed miserably. He panicked as the UNP forces moved away from him. An isolated Sirisena

UNP, UPFA in race against time time to win over MPs

President Maithripala Sirisena sprang a surprise last Friday (October 26)  by dismissing UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe from the premiership and appointing his erstwhile colleague Mahinda Rajapaksa to the post.  It led to a constitutional tussle which is making international news headlines.  

Media freedom at a time of crisis

While Sri Lanka faces a political crisis, the United Nations on Friday marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists worldwide.  

Constitutional Crisis: The Selfie of a corrupt, putrid and nauseating political culture

The Constitutional and political deadlock engendered by the sacking of the Prime Minister of the Republic by the President by Extra Ordinary Gazette and naming former strongman as new PM shows all the omens of blowing in to a crisis leading to bloodshed and long term turmoil for a 

MAKE SRI LANKA GREAT AGAIN

A small book of about 150 pages containing complimentary comments by others about Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and quotable quotes from Trump’s own speeches, ambiguously titled TRUMPED (New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd, London, 2016) has this mocking Trump quote in small letters at the top of the cover page just above the capitalized title:

CHANGE IS UNCOMFORTABLE

For most of us, change is uncomfortable but more often than not inevitable!!! Change is uncomfortable but that does not mean it is not worth it, we find our President and Prime Minister both urging a change in almost every area of our lives!!!

Looming political crisis pushing country into uncertainty

The uncertainty currently prevailing in the political climate in the country is not only killing but also dangerous. Both the United National Party (UNP) led by Ranil Wickremesinghe and the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa are laying claim to the government, after Rajapaksa was 

Constitutional Coup: How to save Sri Lankan democracy ?

This is not the first time that the powers of the executive presidency that were deemed to be a source of stability were abused to serve the whims and fancies of the holder, effectively plunging the country into the depth of a political crisis. J.R.Jayawardene’s arrogance sowed seeds of a nation- wide political turmoil that overshadowed much of his second term, and Chandrika K

the Unfolding political crisis

Last Friday (October 26), the country was taken by surprise when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The appointment was shrouded in secrecy and at the time of appointment Ranil Wickremesinghe hadn’t vacated office. Since there was no discussion, consultation or announcement of the President’s move before he made it, questions are raised and opinions are formed about this drastic cha

Sri Lanka’s forgotten links with Kerala

Colombo, October 29: Generally speaking, when people and politicians in Sri Lanka and India talk about India-Sri Lanka cultural and historical ties, only Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Bihar and Odisha are mentioned.

They will always resist reform How Sri Lanka caught up in a downward spiral of bad practices

  How often do we hear the desperate cry: “If only we could get some decent people into Parliament!”

Let Stability Be Restored - EDITORIAL

On late October 26, the Sri Lankan polity was thrown into crisis when in the aftermath of the ‘United People’s Freedom Alliance’ (UPFA) -- one of the parties within the governing ‘United National Front’ Government....

Two Constitutional Coups applauded by two different social segments

Weather would be stormy and rainy in the next few days to come, said a forecast last Saturday. It would not be much different in the political arena as well. Opening up more and better space in promoting the “Crown Prince” began....

Paradise Lost? Preliminary notes on a Constitutional Coup

There were three dramatic announcements on the evening of Friday October 26, 2018 from the Presidential Secretariat, which occurred in the following order: (a) the announcement of the withdrawal of the UPFA....

New PreMier appointment: it’s legal and constitutional

The United States (US) and European Union (EU) have issued statements requesting the Government to act according to the constitution. However, Ranil Wickremesinghe continues to pursue his claim as the Prime Minister...

Mental ill-health the latest NCD

The World Health Organisation (WHO) marked the World Mental Health Day this month with the theme being ‘young people and mental health in a changing world.’ The aim is to raise global awareness of mental health issues and to stimulate advocacy.