Let’s define “National Interest” as “A Sustainable Nation”

There’s a descriptive that was liberally used not too long ago to describe Sri Lanka: “failed state”. Those who used that term not surprisingly were (at the time) ardent cheer-leaders of that 21st Century version of ‘White Man’s Burden,’ R2P (Responsibility to Protect). The ‘failed state,’ managed to record a comprehensive victory over terrorism, 

Sri Lanka needs a selfless Mandela

Next week on Thursday, July 18 we celebrate the 99th birth-anniversary of South Africa’s first coloured President and legendary freedom fighter Nelson Mandela who is widely regarded as one of the noblest leaders of modern times.   

This elusive thing called Democracy!

The former President of the United States of America Barack Obama in his last official foreign visit to Greece delivered his speech at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens. Obviously perturbed by the shock result of the then recently concluded Presidential election,

Anti-corruption drive left for dead now

The future of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat, which primarily directed complaints to be investigated by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), still remains uncertain as the government leaders could not see eye-to-eye on it at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.   

“I’m totally against selling of national assets” - Chandima Weerakkody

The Daily Mirror  spoke to Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody on Technical Education and the current political situation in the country.

“The President and I remain as close friends” - Hettiarachchi

Former Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiaratchchi, who was recently removed from his portfolio, in an interview with our sister newspaper Sunday Lankadeepa discussed about the removal, on criticism over his actions and responsibilities associated with his new post .

Maha Sangha should be banned from politics. Period.

Ivor Jennings, who was primarily responsible for drafting our Constitution upon gaining Independence from the British, handed us a secular constitution. Multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural as Ceylon was then and now is, the Jennings Constitution safeguarded certain rights of the country’s minorities in no uncertain fashion.

WHY AND HOW MR LOST IN 2015! ANOTHER REGIME CHANGE...?

The UNP, written off as a party of the past, till the Badulla Provincial Council election showed it’s result; Mahinda Rajapakse (MR) rejoiced ruling the majority Sinhala voters, as he pleased. They standing firmly behind him. Results showed, in predominantly Sinhala electorates with a diminutive minority vote, where extreme Sinhala activists like Cyril Matthew and K.M.P. Rajaratne held sway: UNP was ahead and gaining ground. A singular cr

Plea for Education Minister’s Consideration

Sri Lanka no doubt is going through a rough patch in its contemporary history. The recent drought that practically made many sources of water dry for some time was followed by devastating flash floods sending many areas under water. Heavy rains and the deluge that followed resulted in destructive landslides claiming many innocent lives at a time most unexpected. 

Restoring a child’s right to family life

In this modern era of digital technology, vital qualities such as creativity, imagination and innovation are important not only for personal gain or convenience but also for socio-economic evolution for the common good of a country and the world. 

Sri Lanka will be submitted to jurisdiction of ICC

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, aired his views on the International Convention for the  Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. Following are excerpts of the interview: 

Enforced Disappearances Bill should be enacted forthwith as a step for reconciliation

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP for the Jaffna District M.A. Sumanthiran, in an interview with the Daily Mirror stressed the point that the bill to give effect to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance should be enacted. 

Has the Govt. anti-corruption drive stalled again? - EDITORIAL

President Maithripala Sirisena has reportedly made an interesting statement at last week’s Cabinet meeting on his government’s anti-corruption....

Dangerous gamble: Shielding Rajapaksas from investigations

During much of his political life, ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa was a shrewd street fighter. Recently he has also proved....

Bangladesh to showcase progress in agriculture during Sirisena visit

Bangladesh will showcase the remarkable progress it has made in the agriculture sector when Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena....

SL cruises into world of disarmament with NBT ratification

Realising the potential destruction by nuclear weaponry, the world has finally fathomed the need to ban nuclear affairs. As such, July 7, 2017.....

Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC says: “WE CAN’T PREPARE A LEGAL DRAFT CONSTITUTION WITHOUT AN INTERI

Preparing the new constitution has taken center stage during the past few days with contradictory statements being made as to the.....

G20: Globalism and Nationalism on Collision Course

Putin Trump handshake became the key photo moment a t the G20 summit held in Hamburg, Germany. A new cease fire in....

Seymour Hersh’s investigation buried, as US girds for war with Syria

The US, two weeks ago, came out with allegations of ‘potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack’ by the Syrian regime....

Unity vital for a new Sri Lanka - EDITORIAL

Two and-a-half years after the spectacular election victory of January 8, 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena appears to be facing one....

LGBTIQ visibility through Colombo PRIDE

For 13 years, Colombo PRIDE has been an exercise in increasing the visibility of the LGBTIQ community and thereby bringing....

On Gorbachev, ReAgan, Putin and Trump

Here I am in Moscow - three days ago - standing in front of a statue of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev to celebrate the unveiling of a statue crafted by the master sculptor, Alexander Bourganov.  

Rising populations and decreasing resources

Tuesday, July 11 is the United Nations World Population Day which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. The day was officially proclaimed by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, an outgrowth of the interest when the world population reached five billion, on July 11, 1987.  

Beast in human form

It’s shocking and unfathomable. It’s difficult and psychologically challenging. When one runs one’s eyes over some news and reports, both in printed and digital media in Sri Lanka, what we see is unbelievable. Changing the face of humanity is horrendous. Multifarious stories and various reports of cruelty and brutality are inundated.  

Reflecting on Buddha’s rules for good governance

Mahanayake Theros Threatened to Boycott DS’ Independence Ceremony over ‘Foremost Place…’   Buddhist Perspective on Good Governance— Foremost Place and equality?

Showing truth as truth would have ironed out concerns - Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, who assumed duties as the 22nd Army Commander on Wednesday, believes that the....

Garbage: Together, let’s turn the crisis into a blessing - EDITORIAL

The garbage disaster, which exploded at Meethotamulla on the National New Year’s Day, is still contaminated with much controversy...

US policy blunders triggered North Korea’s ICBM

What an Independence Day gift to Donald Trump from Kim Jung-un.  Alaska is now within North Korea’s reach. It is only a matter of....

War Within: Ceasefire breached

The tussle between the two factions within the TNA/ITAK is nothing but a crude power struggle. It has got nothing to do with the....

People pay for protests

The most apt portfolio of all is that of Lakshman Kiriella, said the three-wheeler driver, while we were caught in the traffic for.....