By Risidra Mendis A rare bird believed to be extinct and not spotted for the last 80 years was suddenly seen in Yala by a nature lover recently. The Comb Duck species believed to be a native of Sri Lanka was presumed to be wiped out as there were no recordings of its presence in [...]
Archive of entries posted on 2nd July 2012
Blue Whales in Sri Lankan waters threatened due to commercial shipping and unregulated tourism
By Erik Olsen MIRISSA, Sri Lanka — In early April, whale watchers off this country’s southern coast were greeted by a disturbing sight: the lifeless body of a 60-foot-long blue whale floating in the water about 12 miles offshore. Click to see video: Marine biologist Asha de Vos wants to save a little understood population [...]
The systemic denial of Justice to Tamils in the judicial sphere
by Hemantha Warnakulasuriya The perennial question posed by chauvinists, morbid racists and even moderates, who do not subscribe to the views of the other two groups, is ‘ what are the rights the Tamils are denied as against Sinhalese?’ Even I am sometimes dumb founded by such remarks as a ready answer is not available. [...]
Premature Provincial Council elections will pave the way for early Presidential Polls
By Gomin Dayasri The staggered premature provincial council elections are to test the pulse of the people with a purpose not necessarily to present the people with another democratic opportunity to exercise their franchise. More for the government to inspect the ground conditions to obtain a pitch report – to decide whether to bat or [...]
Can the TNA be trusted with the administration of the Northern Provincial Council?
by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka The provincial elections–the ones scheduled to be held as well as the one that isn’t—are the subject of political comment. Three are to be held ahead of schedule, resulting in a dual criticism. One is that they are untimely and the other that they serve solely the interests of the ruling [...]
Significance of Aung San Suu Kyi’s speech in British Parliament for Sri Lankan situation
By David Griffiths I was very privileged to attend Aung San Suu Kyi’s historic speech to both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall last week. Delivered with characteristic dignity, it blended an elegant commentary on recent developments in Burma with some rich reflections on the nature of democracy itself, and concluded with a call for [...]
Indian influence over Sri Lanka shrinks while Chinese influence expands
By Jayadeva Ranade Traditionally close Indo-Sri Lankan ties forged by shared culture and ethnicity and reinforced by history and legend, are showing signs of coming under strain. Partially caused by New Delhi’s failure to provide more forthcoming policy responses to Colombo’s requests, India’s diplomatic influence is now getting eroded. China stepped in to occupy the [...]
Raided Colombo website resumes function from July 2nd
Sri Lanka’s popular website, Srilankamirror.com, extends its heartiest gratitude to the US and Indian embassies, the European Union, political parties, parliamentarians, media organizations and various other groups who have come forward and mediated in securing the release of the arrested editor and other staff of the website and for defending the right to information. We [...]
Gen Sarath Fonseka tells truth about Prabhakaran’s death to Tamil Nadu magazine
Ananda Vikatan, a popular current affairs and lifestyle magazine in Tamil Nadu with a circulation of over five hundred thousand copies, featured a hard hitting and extensive interview with the former Army Chief, Sarath Fonseka, as a special feature in its issue of 20 June 2012. The magazine is also popular among the Sri Lankan [...]
