Disaster was man-made

Change of weather is a usual phenomenon in world history and in our history as well. The way people living in Anuradhapura, Kalawewa and the suburban areas braved the severe dry weather at one time is well described in novels like “Baddegama”. 

THE MANGALA MAP

A transformed Mr. Samaraweera seemed to see himself in the mirror as the President of Sri Lanka. In his first official event as Finance Minister at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce late last month, he outlined sweeping changes which constituted a perspective for a drastic change of Sri Lanka.

SLFP unity a matter left for President Sirisena to decide - MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, prior to his departure to Japan, spoke to Daily Mirror about the current situation of the country in the aftermath of the Cabinet reshuffle and his plans for future politics. He shared the following:   

Why Muslim leaders shouldn’t overplay an ‘anti-Muslim threat’

Last week, I argued why a fringe ethno-religious extremism articulated by the Bodu Bala Sena should be tackled forthwith with intensity and pro-actively. Now the lead monk of the BBS, Galabodaatte Gnanasarathera, who has been absconding has admitted himself to a hospital, his lawyers informed Court.   

Disaster preparedness in a practical sense

The country is experiencing natural disasters nearly every year where we witnessed floods and landslides claiming many innocent lives in Koslanda three years ago and in Mawanella last year followed by several areas in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern Provinces this year.   

ISIS bogey: An arms industry canard to intervene in developing countries

Time and again, top police and intelligence officers and several others clearly and repeatedly denied the presence of ISIS -- a fascist entity allegedly created by the United States, trained by Israel and funded by their client state Saudi Arabia as part of their ongoing murderous global campaign against Islam and the Muslims -- in the island. 

Double Doctor and only non-UNP Mayor of CMC

In 1956, N.M., as he was affectionately known, had to leave the House under police escort and protection to escape the misguided mobs gathered outside the old Parliament after he vehemently opposed the Sinhala only Bill presented by the SLFP and co-sponsored by the UNP. This visionary along with other leftists who constituted 15 per- cent of the seats in the House made an enduring but futile effort in spite of becoming unpopular, to convince the

Is Mega Development causing Mega Disasters?

While the government was swift to release money for relief and compensation for those affected by the recent floods.....

The Climate Battle Heats Up

The shock and awe of Mother Nature was at full flow in Sri Lanka, reminding us and our policy-makers the wrath of nature....

Imports and the ailing Economy

The recent cabinet reshuffle and the new composition of the Finance Ministry has evoked much anticipation. Will the new....

WILL THE US AND EUROPE PART… and what becomes of Britain - EDITORIAL

US President Trump described his first oversees visit as successful of course he tweeted it. However, whilst in the US.....

Brzezinski, a great Cold War warrior, dies

In a maudlin sort of way there is a funny story that Zbigniew Brzezinski, who died on Friday, 

Free the education from violence

Over the week, at least three cases of teachers physically abusing pupils at their schools were reported from different parts of the country. 

The latest episode in a series of tragedies

It has been nearly two months since the tremors of the Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse in Kolonnawa shook the citizens of the entire country. As a bitter aftertaste of the unfortunate tragedy lingers, fingers are still being pointed left and right.

Panamure Ethraja

Beware of poison in imported junk food

One of the national government’s positive missions has been to grow the food that we need in Sri Lanka instead of busting up millions of dollars to import junk food or processed rubbish. As a tropical paradise, Sri Lanka has been blessed with thousands of varieties of nutritious vegetables, grains and fruits and we need to be aware of the need not just to eat well but to eat wisely. 

What really happened on the ground last year?

Soon after the presentation of a Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 369 million for the purchase of luxury vehicles for Ministers and officials, the Government last Friday had appealed to the United Nations, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and the neighbouring countries to provide assistance to the flood and landslide hit people in Sri Lanka. 

Mora and disaster reporting disaster

We have been witnessing painful Screaming of the State machinery at times of tragedy and disaster. It is now far worse than what it was over 12 years ago in December 2004, when the Tsunami swept the Southern and Eastern coasts. 

Only wanted stability at ICC- Sumathipala

Despite being Sri Lanka Cricket’s first democratically elected President in over 10 years – after successions of Interim Committees had stalled the smooth implementation of policies and development work – Thilanga Sumathipala’s fourth term has not been without its criticisms.    Even as investments have been made to develop the game across all levels, there has been a steady stream of allegations, albeit still un

Why it should be encouraged

The recent article by Niran Anketell on the proposal to constitutionalize social and economic rights was interesting and certainly a welcome opening for a discussion on the issue especially on the verge of constitutional reforms on a national scale

What is your idea about energy generation in Sri Lanka?

Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator, calls for  public comments on the Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP) 2018-2037, prepared by State Utility, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Principle of Subsidiarity and constitution-making

It remained a mystery to the public. We found it disclosed in the Report of the Office of the UNHCR on Sri Lanka, presented to the 34th Session of the HR Council held in Geneva between February 27 and March 24, 2017. The revelation was made in the following words; 

Met Department handicapped in forecasting volumes of rainfall It can forecast correctly but not

As the floodwaters start receding, the authorities concerned are now taking stock of the damage. Against this backdrop, the Meteorology Department, as in previous disaster situations, drew flak at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting over its incapability to predict the amount of rainfall to be experienced. In fact, it can forecast accurately but not by volume.   

“We still have not addressed the hidden threat”

Religious extremism and racism are creating chaos in the country. As a party, The Jathika Hela Urumaya could be the political party that started highlighting prominence of one ethnic group, considering the recent past. What is your view of the current situation in  Sri Lanka

Where has good governance gone

Only a handful of the leaders of the country seem to know the real  purpose of the Cabinet reshuffle that was carried out on May 22, the  country’s 45th Republic Day, after several months of bickering in the  media. Hence many people have their own versions and theories about it.    

The nation rises…

Calamity is responded to with horror. It produces grief and helplessness. It prompts anger and finger-pointing. The blame game is a constant undercurrent which gradually rises to the surface, often obliterating tragedy, the need to address post-tragedy relief and rehabilitation issues and the ultimate need to ensure there’s no repetition. There’s blame for flawed or absence of policies, for being unprepared, for being slow, for non-

Forces to the Fore in Emergency under Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka?

Lessons from History – 1961/62 Saga where; Deployment of military to constraint a looming general strike motivated sections in Forces to attempt a forced take-over. Sir Winston Churchill said in 1919, “To use soldiers and sailors, kept up at the expense of the taxpayer, to take sides with the employer in an ordinary trade dispute…..would be a monstrous invasion of the liberty of the subject.” “But” he added,

Is BBS an existential threat to the Dharma?

“As fire, though one takes the shape of every object which it consumes, so the Self, though one, takes the shape of every object in which it dwells.” ~The Upanishads: Breath of the Eternal

Doctors are well paid and enjoy many perks

This is in response to the article written by Dr. Jeevana Mendis under the headline, “Are doctors wasting public money spent on their education” published in the Daily Mirror on Wednesday May 24.

Criticise later, now help

There’s a lot of ‘nature’ in natural disasters, but there’s also a lot of human involvement that precipitates calamities or makes them worse. Consequently, if we want to play a blame-game, we can point fingers in many directions and at many people and institutions. Not now. Later.