WHAT’S NEXT & WHO’S NEXT AFTER YAHAPALANAYA?

Neoliberalism is almost dead in Sri Lanka, and its Government is dying. The choice that is before us is which type/variety of Populism:Right, Left, Centre or Centre-Left?   

Take a cue from Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not be the best democrat or one to assure a greater freedom to media. However a few days ago he came with a fine piece of advice to his MPs on deportment and reading that one cannot help, but wish the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister too offer the same counsel to our parliamentarians.   

Will this Cabinet reshuffle be on a scientific basis?

Another Cabinet reshuffle is the talking point these days. Health Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said on Sunday that there would be a Cabinet reshuffle before May 1 with the portfolios assigned in a scientific manner.   

What MR got right and this Govt. could not!

Reading the Sunday newspapers, I stumbled upon two stories. One was about ‘resettlement experts’ making a hue and cry that the third phase of Central Expressway would cause mass displacement. “From a people’s p

Will death penalty for child rape be a deterrent ?

Stung by world-wide condemnation for its callous indifference towards the rape and murder of an 8-year-old Kashmiri Muslim tribal girl by middle rung government officials, the Indian Prime Minister last week got an ordinance passed to enable courts to give death sentences on persons convicted of raping girls under the age of 12. 

UNODC launches Global Judicial Integrity Network

After two years of planning, seven regional preparatory meetings and consultations with some 4,000 judges, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched its Global Judicial Integrity Network this week in the presence of Chief Justices, senior judges and judicial professionals from around the world. The two-day launch gave over 350 attendants the opportunity to discuss key topics with peers from other Member States, and to present

The end of an era in Cuba - EDITORIAL

On April 19, President Raul Castro stepped down from his position as President of Cuba. The National Assembly swore in Diaz-Canel, the 57-year-old....

Doubts about Douma: Is ‘trial by media’ the new normal?

It’s not known, at the time of writing, what the inspection team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) currently in Syria....

Lalith: An invincible legacy

The 23rd day of April, 1993, was among a handful of blots in our national hall of shame. It was the day on which a lone gunman, perhaps with conspirators....

‘16 squad’ promoting SLFP-Pohottuwa alliance?

The ‘16 squad’ is extremely busy, in fact three of them flew to London in the wake of latest developments, to convince the boss on the importance....

Our care for others is the measure of our greatness - EDITORIAL

Religious leaders have told us that anyone who wishes to be a leader must be ready to be the servant of all and that our care for others is the measure....

Ending war in Syria possible without outside intervention

Some 500,000 dead and counting. President Bashar al-Assad is going full blast at reducing the parts of his country still standing, but not under his control, to....

Government simmering in its own soup

The retreat by the politicians into their family life during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year and President Maithripala Sirisena’s absence from the country to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, had obscured the political mess prevailing in the country.

Castes and Votes

This article is being typed for the Daily Mirror, almost two hours before the Sinhala-Hindu New Year is to astrologically close at 02.37 p.m. this Saturday, April 14.   

Workers Can Surely Highlight Their Woes On May 7

It is reported that a group of Trade Unions, offended by the decision to declare May 7 as ‘Workers Day’, had decided to protest.

A vital way to restore stability among the people

In  developing countries especially most social and political scientists believe that major structural changes are required in vital areas to bring about stability and security.

Dr. Éric Toussaint of CADTM says “Stop Repaying Illegitimate Debt”

Dr. Éric Toussaint is the spokesperson of the Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debts (CADTM International), formerly called the Committee for the Cancellation of Third World Debt. He is a historian and a political scientist who completed his Ph.D. at the University of Paris VIII and the University of Liège, Belgium.

What’s ‘National’ in this National Government?

Just the other day, this Government appointed four new Provincial Governors. Almost immediately one of them, who used to be a Governor in a different province, was removed and reappointed to his earlier post.   

Politicians, don’t play the fool in school

The legendary South African President Nelson Mandela has said education is the most powerful weapon which could be used to change the world. Another moral and spiritual giant Mahatma Gandhi acclaimed by India as the Father of the Nation has said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”. 

UNP ‘Politburo’ set up for internecine war between Sajith, Navin?

From a realpolitik perspective although the defeat of the no confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is not electorally significant, it has the potential to turn things around for the beleaguered UNP, its leader and the country if there is genuine course correction to implement what was promised in the run-up to the 8 January 2015 presidential election.   

A NEW YEAR FIX FOR THE GANG OF SIX...?

If readers may wonder what my headline means, I refer to the rat-pack who led others up the garden path to support the recent No confidence motion, by assuring them of victory. Numbers they said they had in abundance, in every statement and at every media briefing, many UNPers they said were in their hands and would support the motion.

Ranil’s woes are not over, they’re just beginning…

The no-confidence motion is now a thing in the past. Everyone, especially Ranil Wickremasinghe, the Leader of the United National Party, would like to think so. However, in the wake of its defeat on April 4, a very significant development took place in the United National Party (UNP).

Constitutionalising Economic, Social and Collective Rights The Way forward for Social Justice

Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. 

Clowns at politics cause Hiccups

Disgruntled in the UNP – their vocal majority – largest number of votes UNP obtained were from Sinhala Buddhist homes. It is not true, not their signature party in the lifetime of Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW).

LET’S TAKE AN EXAMPLE, LET’S LEARN A LESSON!

LISTENING TO THE WELCOME SPEECH AT SINGAPORE’S INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT MADAM HALIMAH YACOB, 

Gap between rich and poor reaching its peak

In this era when we appear to be on the verge of a cyber war if not a direct battle with Russia on one side,

Is UNP losing after winning the NCM?

Now, it is all too clear that the real target of the No-Confidence Motion was not the Prime Minister, but the SLFP.

People trapped in a quagmire amid raging political struggle

The reason behind last Thursday’s surprise move by President Maithripala Sirisena to prorogue the Parliament was clear. He is in a Catch-22 situation in the....

Inequality and the Political Crisis

The fallout of the local government elections continues as a political crisis. The anti-Muslim violence, the no-confidence motion and its defeat are the latest....

LIES, HYPOCRISY AND USE OF CHEMICAL WARfare

In the early hours of April 7 news agencies around the world broke the news of an alleged chemical weapons attack on the city of Duma in civil-war-torn....