By Dr. Deepika Udagama There are many views about what we must achieve in post-war Sri Lanka. There appears to be a general acceptance that reconciliation among the various ethnic groups in the country is of topmost priority. Some think that for reconciliation to be realized we must primarily focus on economic development; others think [...]
Archive of entries posted on 15th August 2012
An Ideology of Reconciliation Cannot be Built Without Basic Ingredients of Democracy and Rule of Law
18th Amendment to Constitution and Rise of ‘Posterior Liqueurs’
By Charitha Ratwatte The dictionary definition of a ‘pun’: ‘the clever or humorous use of a word that has more than one meaning, or words that have different meanings but sound the same’. The second word of the headline of today’s column is not exactly a pun, but somewhat akin to one, as it is [...]
Olympics 2012 Through Eyes of a Lankan in London
by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana | Cardiologist I really have enjoyed the bliss of retired life, being able to watch the London ‘Olympics’, savouring the great moments in real time without the hindrance of work! Niluka Karunaratne of Sri Lanka hits a return during his men’s Singles Group Badminton victory match on Day 3 of the [...]
Despite Delay Indian housing project for Displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka is on track
By R.K.Radhakrishnan After huge delays, the US $ 270 million Indian housing project for displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka is now on track. Mohiniyattam performance by members of the Nalanda Troupe — at India House, on the occasion of the Indian Independence Day, Aug 15, Colombo-pic: India High Commission “The pilot phase of the project [...]
Australia Parliament Lower House Passes Urgent Laws to set up Off Shore Processing for Asylum Seekers
Urgent government legislation reinstating offshore processing centres for asylum seekers has cleared parliament’s lower house. Only two MPs – independent Andrew Wilkie and Adam Bandt from the Australian Greens – voted against the bill.
White-breasted Kingfisher: more at home on dry land
By Jagath Gunawardana The commonest and most widespread of the kingfishers found in Sri Lanka is the White –breasted Kingfisher, which can be seen in many home gardens, away from a body of water. The White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis fusca) or the White-throated Kingfisher is the well-known Pilihuduwa in Sinhala although some have given it [...]
Military Still Occupies Tamil Areas With a Heavy Hand
By Alaina Varvaloucas Every bus traveling north has to stop at the military checkpoint just after Vavuniya. Only men disembark. They know the drill. Without being asked, they form two orderly columns, present their IDs, spread their legs for a pat-down, and open their bags for soldiers to rifle through. Some field questions about why [...]
The Moral Question of Palestinian Statehood
By Moshe Dann In the wake of an Israeli government- initiated report presenting Israel’s legal rights in Judea and Samaria, opponents of settlements argue that the issue is not about Israel’s legal and historic rights, but about “morality.” I assume that means supporting “Palestinian self-determination,” “ending the occupation” and establishing a second Arab Palestinian state [...]
