For nearly 70 years since independence, the principles of ‘neutralism’ and ‘non-alignment’ have guided Sri Lankan foreign policy. However, four geopolitical changes, to wit: many ‘non-aligned’ countries are now close allies and ‘partner

The above news item appeared in on May 6 wherein it says: “The MoU signed by Minister Dissanayake and Executive Governor of the People’s Government of Hainan Province aims at rejuvenating Sri Lanka’s ailing plantation sector that comprises of

In every race, religion, culture and nationality in all parts of the world, parents are the primary caregivers and teachers of their children -- preparing them for a happy, fulfilling and productive life. Parents are the anchors of the family and the

Micro-credit has been a blessing to tens of thousands in Sri Lanka and for millions the world over. The year 2005 was named the year of Micro-credit. Professor Muhammed Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts towards poverty a

Media, both mainstream and social, and certain politicians have completely diverted the attention of the country and the authorities from the terrorism that wreaked havoc on Easter Sunday on April 21.

Indian elections for Lok Sabha that concluded last week, shattered all ‘independent and expert’ predictions leaving pro-BJP forecasts perfectly right. The BJP with Modi romped home with an historical....

The activities of firebrand monk Ven.Gnanasara Thera in society makes us take a closer look at the ‘role of the Buddhist monk’ in the politics of the country. The thera has called for religious leaders to take the lead and....

It goes without saying that there is an urgent and existential need to eradicate terrorism in whatever form it exists. By and large, the security forces are doing a commendable job, arresting suspects from various....

Shortly after the final results of the Indian General Elections were announced affirming a thumping victory for Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) Leader Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe contacted his Secretary Saman Ekanayake and sa

Muslims in Sri Lanka are a battered race given that people who don’t practice Islam look at them with suspicion and hatred now. The whole world collapsed on this minority community on April 21 following a series of bombings on churches and hotels;

Despite insidious efforts by mischief-makers, rumour-mongers and even some politicians playing Jekyll and Hyde to envelope this country in a fear psychosis, it is gladdening to see Sri Lanka....

Sorry, Alfie. Couldn’t resist. These are tense times and a half-chuckle here and there you would pardon, I am sure. I was reminded of the verse by a number: 300. Half, yes, but this is only half the story. Read on.

ISIS is known for its extensive and effective use of propaganda. It uses a version of the Muslim Black Standard flag and developed an emblem which has clear symbolic meaning in the Muslim world.

Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera’s early release from prison, thanks to a presidential pardon, has given the monk celebrity status. One television channel even went to the extent of giving a live coverage of his release. Whether the monk should

So, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, is at large now. The President of the Good Governance mandate, has been instrumental in his release. As to why the monk had to be brought out of prison through the back door is yet another interesting topic. B

As the people and Government of Sri Lanka reel with shock and grief in the wake of the suicide bomb attacks over the Easter Sunday killing more than 250 innocent civilians including 40 foreigners and wounding more than 500 others and the country is f

Our island nation of some 22 million people has been dominated for decades by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority and the Hindu Tamil minority, not forgetting the rest who are Christian and Muslim!!! Looking back at the decades of terror that we survived

In an age in which fragmentation of the global human community is advancing at a rapid rate, in which more and more elements in the larger communities are splitting into smaller rudiments, there is one element in the human family that is distancing a

President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday had again given an assurance on the country’s security situation to the international community and said that 99% of the terrorists had been contained.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to resign from the post last Saturday. Her party scraped through the Lok Sabha polls. Banerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) which won 34 of the 42 seats in the state at the 2014 polls, coul

It was advertised as a battle for India’s soul. Anti-incumbency fervour was said to be rampant. A previous rout of the BJP in a series of state elections a few months back was thought to be a precursor of something big to happen. Even a recession,

In the aftermath of the terror that was unleashed in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, by a group purporting to be followers of Islam, there is an understandable degree of probing about what ‘Islam’ actually is. One sees a cacophony of voices attempti

Two recent news reports, one from Kerala in the deep South India, and the other from the North Eastern Indian region, have raised concerns about the possible emergence of violent Islamic radicalism in India, particularly in the East and in the South.

On October 4, 2018, the White House in the USA issued its new National Strategy for Counter-terrorism. At one point it says “We will undermine the ability of terrorist ideologies, particularly radical Islamist terrorist ideologies, to create a comm

There has perhaps been no garment that has aroused so much controversy as the Niqab or face-veil worn by a small minority of Muslim women. Although worn by only a very small percentage of women, it is conspicuous as can be and grabs attention....

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a rousing victory in the seven phased Indian General Elections playing down pundits who claimed that he may as a weaker Prime Minister on the contrary his party has raked up more seats than even in 2014.

Terrorism is all about savage attacks against defenceless people with the sole intention of spreading fear and terror among its victims. In today’s world the media largely associate terror with either people of colour or Islamic extremists.

Almost a month has passed since a few benighted individuals calling themselves Muslims decided to explode bombs in churches and five star hotels making nearly 300 innocent men women and children lose their lives and a large number of others injured a

Our TV stations and national newspapers reminded us that it was one month since the Easter massacre. To again see so many people in their grief at the loss of parents, children, whole families wiped out, was indeed painful and kept many of us wonderi

With World geopolitical alliances and strategies changing beyond recognition, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has swept to a landslide victory in the general elections with his “Bharatiya Janata Party” (BJP) and its allies securing more th