CANADA’S MAPLE-LEAF flag is ubiquitous—draped over shoulders and unfurled from hockey sticks. The protesters who have converged on Ottawa, Canada’s capital, to demand the end of covid-19 restrictions are brandishing it like stars-and-stripes-waving Americans. On weekdays their numbers dwindle to a thousand or so, though the clog of vehicles, from camper vans to 18-wheelers, parked …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers to shut down Canada’s “freedom convoy” that has already shaken the Country and rallied populists of the right in other countries.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Fathima Fahmida Rameez, a teacher in the State-run Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College in the Eastern Sri Lankan district of Trincomalee, has not been allowed to resume work wearing the Abaya (a loose garment covering the body except the face), though the Education Department had instructed the school to allow her. Fahmida has …

Continue reading ‘Controversial Issue of Women Being Forbidden to Wear the “Hijab” and “Abaya” Re- emerges in Sri Lanka’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Colombo, February 14: A survey conducted by the Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in September-October 2021, found that while the majority of Sri Lankans were wedded to the principle of elections, they were also hankering for “a strong leader who is not inconvenienced by elections.” An overwhelming majority (92.2%) were in support …

Continue reading ‘92.2% of Sri Lankans were in support elections as a way of choosing the rulers but 75% want “a strong leader who is not inconvenienced by elections.” Reveals Survey Conducted by the Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in September-October 2021.’ »

By Rajpal Abeynayake The Government is contemplating a surcharge on the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) earnings of workers, and though there is no complete clarity on this development, the general expectation is that the surcharge would happen. Is this progressive policy, even in times the Government is in a tight …

Continue reading ‘The mere contemplation of a surcharge on EPF and ETF payments is ghoulish. The policy envisaging a surcharge is hatched in the devil’s workshop.Is this “GOTABAYAISM” that seeks to call for sacrifices in the pursuit of nation building?’ »

An islandwide signature campaign has been launched by the “Justice for All” organisation appealing to the Government of Sri Lanka to honour its promise to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Convener of the organisation, Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran, in a letter stated that the islandwide signature campaign in Colombo will be conducted today (15), …

Continue reading ‘The “Justice for All” organization Convened by MA Sumanthiran MP Launches Islandwide Signature Campaign from Feb 15 onwards Urging the Sri Lankan Govt to Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka and Pamodi Waravita Following the arrest of civil society activist Shehan Malaka Gamage by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday (14), National Catholic Social Communication Centre Director Rev. Cyril Gamini Fernando raised concerns about whether a ‘white van’ culture is on the rise again. “All Gamage did was raise a voice seeking …

Continue reading ‘Is the “White Vanning” Culture Returning to Sri Lanka? Shehan Malaka Gamage arrested by Persons claiming to be CID officers in a white van when the civil society activist was on the road’ »

By Barkha Dutt There are few sights more disturbing than that of young women being locked outside the gates of their high schools and colleges. But that is what recently happened in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, where Muslim girls — many of them teenagers — are being denied their fundamental right to an …

Continue reading ‘One of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s key slogans has been “Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao” (“Educate the Girl to Save the Girl”) but what we see are appalling images of hijab-wearing girls prevented from entering the classroom by stern and hostile guards.’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera A group of armed persons with their faces covered had attacked the house of popular journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama in the Piliyandala area last (14) morning, throwing stones and faeces at the house. Speaking to the media after the incident yesterday, Samarawickrama said that an armed group of four persons who had arrived …

Continue reading ‘Popular “Hiru TV” Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s Residence in Piliyandala Attacked with Stones and Excreta by an Armed Gang with Faces Covered After Holding Security Guard at Gunpoint’ »

The Sri Lankan government’s statement after a human rights lawyer, Ambika Satkunanathan, spoke before the European Parliament about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka amounts to harassment and intimidation, eight human rights groups including International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said today. The following is their statement: JOINT NGO STATEMENT …

Continue reading ‘Eight International human rights groups including International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch Condemn Sri Lankan Govt Statement Criticising Human Rights Lawyer Ambika Satkunanathan saying “It clearly constitutes an act of harassment and intimidation.”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan A group of senior parliamentarians in Sri Lanka, including some aligned to the government, have called for an “orderly negotiated postponement” of outstanding foreign debt, and corrective policy measures including a “strong social welfare scheme”, to combat the island nation’s economic crisis. In a collective statement dated February 11, the legislators said: …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka senior parliamentarian Group calls for an “orderly negotiated postponement” of outstanding foreign debt and corrective policy measures including a “strong social welfare scheme” to combat the island nation’s economic crisis.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Sri Lanka’s contemporary politicians have, without exception, developed the robbing of the public coffers into a fine art. Gross monetary debauchery It makes little difference if they have hailed from the plush environs of Colombo with so-called historic legacies to boast of or from the wilds of Polonnaruwa and the deep …

Continue reading ‘Even when assessed against Sri Lanka’s despicable robber baron history the Government’s recent attempt to tax the profits of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF)belongs in a contemptible category quite of its own.’ »

By Lucien Rjakarunanayke Anuradhapura is a place of resonance for Pohottuva politics. It is from here that Gotabaya Rajapaksa made his echoing speech after being sworn in as the President of Sri Lanka, with so much promise of service to the people. This ancient city of Sri Lankan pride is now the centre of Pohottuva …

Continue reading ‘Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s 25% Surcharge of EPF and ETF Funds is a Daylight Robbery of the Peoples Retirement Savings of Private Sector Employees’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District M.P. Mathiaparanan Abraham.Sumanthiran PC during the amendments to Criminal Proceedure Code and Judicature Act Debate on 10.02.2022) Thank you Hon. Speaker for the opportunity to participate in the debate. We are debating these amendments that have been tabled yesterday, for two days. The importance of …

Continue reading ‘“Isn’t it time when our economy has hit rock bottom, isn’t it time, when the judicial system the administration of justice has come to this perilous state, at least now for us to take stock of this together – beyond party lines – and put the system right.”- M.A.Sumanthiran MP’ »

By Victor Ivan Of all previous independence celebrations held so far, the 74th independence celebration can be described as the most significant one in which there was a strong social dialogue about the independence. From what I have read and heard on social media and several other sources on this occasion, it seemed to me …

Continue reading ‘It was after the enactment of the 1978 constitution placing the president above the rule of law that the state of governance became a system of plundering the public property apart from ruling the country.’ »

By Kelum Bandara In a country of representative, multi-party democracy, it is conceivable that the waning of the popularity of the government is the gain of the opposition. The government no longer enjoys the kind of popularity it had previously. General disillusionment is all too obvious due to numerous issues affecting ordinary people such as …

Continue reading ‘Sajith ,Champika and Sarath: Internecine warfare is simmering within the Smagi Jana Blavegaya with three of its leaders promoting themselves as prospective presidential candidates both overtly and covertly.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The people of Sri Lanka “increasingly recognise” that India is a true friend that Sri Lanka can rely on at all times, Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris has said, thanking India for the $ 2.4 billion assistance at a “critical juncture” for the island nation in the midst of an economic crisis. Mr. …

Continue reading ‘Indian Foreign Minister Dr.S. Jaishankar Emphasises to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof.G.L. Peiris that Sri Lanka’s interests are best served by ensuring equality, justice, peace and respect for the Tamil people within a united Sri Lanka and that Devolution of power is an important aspect of this process” but statement from Sri Lanka makes no mention of the Tamils, their rights, or the long-pending political solution’ »

By P.K.Balachandran India and Sri Lanka had been at odds for most of the 20 th.Century. The question of the economic and political rights of the people of Indian origin troubled both pre-independence and post-independence governments in the two countries. Then, there was the dispute over Katchchativu island. From 1983, for about 30 years, the …

Continue reading ‘India should worry because the impoverished fishermen of North Lanka could become anti-India and also go into the waiting arms of China which is eyeing the North Lankan fisheries sector for its investments.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan According to Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, India “delaying” assistance promised to northern Sri Lankan fishermen, a space constraint along the coast, and the risk of dengue and pollution from old, damaged fishing vessels berthed along the northern coastline left Sri Lanka with little choice but to auction the Indian boats. …

Continue reading ‘“Sri Lanka had no choice but to auction Tamil Nadu vessels” States Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, “India said they cannot award compensation but would support livelihood programmes for fishermen. We are still awaiting”he says’ »

By Azzaam Ameen Human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, was held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA) for around 22 months, today walked free after being released on bail. The Court of Appeal on Monday (7) granted bail to Hizbullah. The petition filed at the Court of Appeal was …

Continue reading ‘Free at Last! Well – known Attorney at -law Hejaaz Hizbullah After Being Incarcerated for 22 Months Under the Draconian PTA Released on Bail.’ »

By Ashifa Kassam Scientists and conservation groups are calling for one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes to be rerouted in an effort to protect the world’s largest animal. Since 2008, researchers have been painstakingly piecing together clues about a little-known, endangered population of blue whales that live off the southern tip of Sri Lanka. …

Continue reading ‘Little -known Unique colony of blue whales off the southern tip of Sri Lanka is increasingly at risk from tankers and container ships Unless Shipping Lane Routes are Slightly Shifted say marine campaigners’ »

By Pamodi Waravita The Court of Appeal yesterday (7) granted bail to human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, who has been held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA) for around 22 months, but he is yet to be released as a motion will have to be filed at the …

Continue reading ‘Court of Appeal Grants bail to human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah jailed under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 for 22 months but he will be released only after a motion is filed at the Puttalam High Court.’ »

The Sri Lankan government is using the discredited Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to commit prolonged arbitrary detention and torture, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The European Union, other trading partners, and donors, should press for time-bound action to repeal the abusive law and reject the government’s vague pledges of reform. …

Continue reading ‘New 59-page report Titled ‘“In a Legal Black Hole’: Sri Lanka’s Failure to Reform the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” by Human Rights Watch documents the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration’s misuse of the PTA against the minority Tamil and Muslim communities and to suppress civil society groups’ »

By Shihar Aneez Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry has come under strong criticism over a controversial statement on human rights lawyer Ambika Sathkunanathan for a submission she had made to the European parliament’s sub-committee on the island nation’s human rights situation. In her submission made on January 27, Satkunanathan, a lawyer and former commissioner of the …

Continue reading ‘“As a Sri Lankan citizen, it is my right and civic duty to question the actions of elected representatives of this country when such actions lead to the suffering and marginalisation of vulnerable communities and demand accountability,” – Ambika Satkunanathan’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera A total of nine suspects who were arrested in connection with the attack on a group of students at the University of Kelaniya Faculty of Medicine in Ragama on the morning of 2 February, including Coconut, Kithul, and Palmyrah Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing and Export Diversification State Minister Arundika …

Continue reading ‘Nine suspects arrested over the attack on students at the University of Kelaniya Faculty of Medicine in Ragama on 2 February including Ex- State Minister Arundika Fernando’s son Avinda Randula Jehan Fernando granted bail’ »

By Shalini Venugopal Bhagat Lata Mangeshkar, who enthralled generations of Bollywood audiences as the singing voice behind many actresses’ performances, died on Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, India. She was 92. The cause was complications of Covid-19, said Pratit Samdani, a doctor at the hospital, according to Indian news outlets. Prime Minister Narendra …

Continue reading ‘Lata Mangeshkar could sing in four octaves and had a gift for singing in character by tailoring her voice and emotions to the actress she was voicing onscreen.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene It is a paradox without parallel that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa saw fit to invoke the names of Sri Lanka’s great kings and their liberation struggles against ‘foreign invaders’ on this 74th Independence Day while his Government has, through foolhardy economic and political choices, accelerated this nation’s gravest existential crisis since independence …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa’s Independence Day message conveys very little to an unimpressed citizenry witnessing Sri Lanka’s finance and foreign ministers trotting around with a begging bowl to neighbours pleading for money to survive the day.’ »

By Azzaam Ameen Following an incident where Fathima Famitha Rameez, who attempted to resume her duties as a teacher at the Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College, Trincomalee, on Wednesday (2), was allegedly threatened and assaulted over wearing an abaya to school, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has called for an inquiry into the …

Continue reading ‘TNA Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam Calls for an Impartial Inquiry Into Incident Where a Teacher at Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College in Trincomalee was allegedly threatened and assaulted over wearing an abaya to School’ »

By Ambika Satkunanathan (The writer is a former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) Over decades, regardless of the Government in power, the abuses enabled by the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) never ceased. They only decreased or increased depending on the regime in power. Even during Yahapalana, arbitrary arrests and torture …

Continue reading ‘Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka’s national study of prisons Reveals that 83% of persons detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act were subjected to torture, of which 90% were forced to sign a confession.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake President Gotabaya Rajapaksa certainly had his most important field day as he addressed the people at the 74th Independence celebrations. His words did seek to call the people to take the country forward, have positive ideas, and not escape from problems. Here are his own words at this historic event: “What the …

Continue reading ‘Can President Rajapaksa or any of his Viyathmaga advisers tell us how ready he is to “provide the necessary leadership Optimism and a Positive Mindset to overcome any challenge facing the country?’ »

(Text of Statement of Condemnation by 161 civil society individuals and 47 organisations In Solidarity with human rights lawyer and advocate Ambika Satkunanathan) 05th February, 2022 We, the undersigned civil society individuals and organisations, are deeply concerned by the response of the Foreign Ministry, dated 4th February, 2022, to the statement made by human rights …

Continue reading ‘161 civil society individuals and 47 organisations express deep concern over the response of the Foreign Ministry to the statement made by human rights lawyer and advocate Ambika Satkunanathan at the hearing of the European Parliament’s sub-committee on human rights.’ »

By Col. R.Hariharan In a well-orchestrated move, spearheaded by Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Prof GL Peiris, Sri Lanka launched its PR exercise to highlight the progress it has made in fulfilling its commitment to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with a diplomatic briefing of the consular corps in Colombo on January 26, 2022. How …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa has to recognize that the UN Forum is asking him to account for alleged violation of universal humanitarian laws. He has to seriously introspect on the present approach to UNHRC’s allegations of human right violations.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Facts are seditious things” – Joseph Mather (God save great Thomas Paine) Khettarama R. Premadasa stadium is still Sri Lanka’s largest international cricketing arena. What makes it truly special is its genesis. It was built in 1985-86, with no foreign funding or expertise. The idea came from then PM Ranasinghe Premadasa; implementation …

Continue reading ‘This Gotabaya-Mahinda-Basil-Namal fiesta of incompetence is likely to bumble and bungle its full term. The state the country would be in by then is both imaginable and unimaginable’ »

By Victor Ivan There was a time I was inclined to perceive the JVP and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) as two political parties contesting for the ownership of the Sinhala-Buddhist right and in the process have contributed to the regression of the ideological base of the Sinhala-Buddhist psyche; given a liberative and aggressive character …

Continue reading ‘The actions of a president who remains above the rule of law could be regulated only by revoking the powers vested in him to stand above the rule of law.’ »

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, February 2 attacked the Union government and said that the BJP could never rule over Tamil Nadu. Speaking first from the Opposition side in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, he said, “There are two visions of this country. One …

Continue reading ‘“You will never, ever in your entire life, rule over the people of Tamil Nadu. It can’t be done” – Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Thunders in the Indian Parliament at the “Hindutva” Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)led Govt of India’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Catholic church announced yesterday (3) that Colombo Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has decided not to participate in the national Independence Day celebrations to be held today (4), following the alleged harassment of innocent parties in connection with a hand grenade being found placed at the All Saints’ Church in …

Continue reading ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith wont participate in the national Independence Day celebrations as a form of Protest Over the alleged harassment of innocent parties in connection with a hand grenade being found placed at the All Saints’ Church in Borella.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran India’s persistent disregard of the woes of the North Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen could have strategic implications for it because rival China is assiduously wooing the North Lankan fishing community with attractive developmental schemes. India considers north Sri Lanka as its strategic backyard and would loathe to see a Chinese presence there. The …

Continue reading ‘India’s persistent disregard of the woes of the North Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen could have strategic implications for it because rival China is assiduously wooing the North Lankan fishing community with attractive developmental schemes.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Fathima Famitha Rameez, who attempted to resume her duties as a teacher at the Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College, Trincomalee, on Wednesday (2), was allegedly threatened and assaulted over wearing an abaya to school. An abaya is a loose garment that covers the wearer from the head to the feet, leaving the …

Continue reading ‘Muslim Teacher resuming duty at the Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College, Trincomalee allegedly threatened and assaulted over wearing an abaya to school,School principal counter accuses teacher of causing injury to her while Other teachers use students in protest against abaya-donning colleague’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Scores of northern Sri Lankan fishermen on Thursday took to the streets, blaming Indian fishermen for the recent death of two Jaffna fishermen “in a clash” at sea. The agitating fishermen protested the continuing use of the bottom trawling fishing method by Indian fishermen, “ravaging” their seas. Long-festering tensions between fishermen in …

Continue reading ‘Jaffna fishermen hold protest Demonstrations opposing Indian Bottom trawling after 2 Sri Lankans were killed ‘in a clash’ with Indian fishermen’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Following his son Avinda Randula Jehan Fernando, being remanded in connection with the attack on a group of students at the Kelaniya University’s Medical Faculty’s male hostel in Ragama on Wednesday (2) morning, State Minister of Coconut, Kithul, and Palmyrah Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing and Export Diversification Arundika Fernando …

Continue reading ‘State Minister Arundika Fernando Resigns Post Following the Arrest and Remanding of his son Avinda Randula Jehan Fernando in connection with the attack on a group of students at the Kelaniya University’s Medical Faculty’s male hostel in Ragama on Wednesday’ »

There are good reasons why women are less likely than men to be at the front of student-led protests making a stand against the regime of Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Bangladesh’s steely prime minister, which is wielding truncheons and a patronage system based on graft to extend its 13 years in power. Young men picked up …

Continue reading ‘Bangladesh Govt Rattled After US President Joe Biden’s Administration Sanctions Notorious Paramilitary Force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) responsible for Abductions and Killing of 1300 Bangladeshis.’ »

The Sri Lankan Government must repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, as a new set of proposed reforms are woefully inadequate and overlook the most egregious provisions of the legislation, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said today. Sri Lanka’s government gazetted amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s “fatally flawed Pevention of Terrorism Act cannot be cured by these disingenuous reform attempts but must be entirely repealed.” says the International Commission of Jurists(ICJ)’ »

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka “Provincial Councils Abolished!” screamed the headline of a mainstream, long-established, Sinhala-language Sunday newspaper (30 Jan 2022) sympathetic to the Sinhala nationalist cause. The byline of the story is that of a relatively young, intelligent journalist of ultranationalist orientation with excellent sources in the camp of the hawks that grew into President …

Continue reading ‘Tamil politicians have perhaps only days to embark upon a prudent, pragmatic and purely defensive strategy in support of 13A, with the broadest possible alliances, Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala.’ »

By Dr. S.I. Keethaponcalan (The writer is Chair of the Conflict Resolution Department, Salisbury University, Maryland) Sri Lanka’s Tamil political parties, namely the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the Tamil Makkal Koottani (TMK), the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), the Democratic People’s Liberation Front (DPLF), the Eelam People’s Liberation Front …

Continue reading ‘Why would India or for that matter Sri Lanka fully implement the 13 Amendment if the Tamils will not accept it as the solution?’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The Sri Lankan Tamil parties have sent a letter to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his help to establish a Federal Constitution in Sri Lanka in place of the present Unitary one on the plea that the minority Tamils are not able to realize their aspirations under a centralized, Unitary set …

Continue reading ‘Why the Sri Lankan Tamil parties’ Attempt to get Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press Colombo to replace the present Unitary constitution by a Federal Constitution is doomed to fail.’ »

BY Shyamika Jayasundara-Smits (The writer is Assistant Professor in conflict and peace studies at the International Institute of Social Studies [ISS], Erasmus University Rotterdam. This article is part of an East Asia Forum special feature series on 2021 in review and the year ahead, and was first published by East Asia Forum on 29 January …

Continue reading ‘Disheartened citizens downgrade President Rajapaksa’s status from “Terminator” to “Nandasena” his first name in a symbolic political attempt to distinguish between the war-winning Defence Secretary often identified by his second name, Gotabaya, or pet name “Terminator”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan In recent weeks, he has cut his usual two cups of tea a day to one. “Milk powder is not easily available. When it is available it is not affordable. There is no other option but to cut down our tea,” said the resident of Doloswala village in Sri Lanka’s southern Ratnapura …

Continue reading ‘Pathetic Plight of Sri Lanka’s Poorly Paid Plantation Workers During Current Economic Crisis’ »

By Buddhika Samaraweera Emphasising that they will never allow the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 to be faded in the sands of time, the Coalition of Catholic Lay Organisations (CCLO) stated that multiple local and foreign groups are currently gathering to seek justice for the victims of the said terror attacks. Speaking …

Continue reading ‘Coalition of Catholic Lay Organisations (CCLO) states that multiple local and foreign groups are currently engaged in seeking justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene All the efforts of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister in declaring amendments to the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA, 1979) with a grand flourish a few days ago, akin to the desperate magician pulling a bedraggled rabbit out of his hat to amuse a lacklustre crowd, are to little avail. …

Continue reading ‘It is the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government alone which makes the UNHRC relevant to the nation, not Western nations or agent provocateurs in their pay’ »

BY Lucien Rajakarunanayake Are we moving to the Bicycle Age in Sri Lanka? Well, isn’t it even a little faster than the Bullock Cart Age? Don’t we remember a former President and PM riding a bicycle towards Parliament in a protest ride, not so long ago? That was in the Yahapalana or grab your power …

Continue reading ‘Are we moving to the Bicycle Age in Sri Lanka?Just try to recall and keep singing ‘Bicycaley, Bicycaley – duppath apage, Bicycaley”the popular song of decades ago!’ »

By M.A. Sumanthiran MP Sri Lanka is in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis, causing severe hardship to all segments of our society, especially our working people and the poor. Undoubtedly, the government has a daunting task ahead, and as a country there is a need for us all to come together to overcome …

Continue reading ‘Leaders from over half a dozen key political parties in Sri Lanka have closed-door meeting on Thursday 27th January 2022, to brainstorm ways to tide over the unprecedented economic crisis and Formulate a Collective Response’ »

By Shihar Aneez Ramesh Kumar, a 46-year old father of three, is struggling to repay the Rs. 1.4 million loan he obtained two years ago from the village fishermen’s society. He borrowed the money to buy two sets of sophisticated fishing nets after his fishing gear was destroyed by Indian bottom trawling. One new set …

Continue reading ‘India’s long silence over the bottom trawling and meddling in Sri Lankan water is hurting the poor fisher community mainly in Sri Lanka’s North. Big brother should be magnanimous over small brother’s plea in the region.’ »

By Victor Ivan If Sri Lanka is compared to a ship, Gotabaya, the captain who navigates it can be considered to be a novice who has no experience at all about seafaring. He took the helm of the ship not when the sea was calm, but at a time when the ship had drifted away …

Continue reading ‘Opposition Sinhala political parties in the south have hardly made strong protests against the misdemeanours being committed against minority ethnic and religious groups Fearing Perhaps that it might lead to the displeasure of the majority Sinhala Buddhist populace’ »

By Prof.Rohan Samarajiva The plan made public on the first anniversary of the 43 Brigade devotes 32 pages to the immediate response to the crisis (entitled “Rescue”) and 26 pages to long-term solutions (entitled “Thrive”), signifying the greater weight assigned to the immediate crisis response. The document is presented as an “initial set of ideas …

Continue reading ‘Provincial Councils System: Instead of being hoodwinked by the false claims of illegitimate patriotism, the Sinhalese population must act intelligently while the Tamil population must be ready and willing to accept this agreement.”’ »

Few positions in India confer as much prestige as captain of the country’s Test cricket team—or as much weight. Carrying the hopes of a billion cricket-mad Indians requires a very broad back. For them it is not enough that the skipper be an exceptional sportsman and inspire a winning team. He must also project a …

Continue reading ‘Virat Kohli, India’s Retiring cricket captain, was more than a sporting hero who in some Ways Exemplified India’s new nationalism .’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya In the national mythology, certain personalities are accorded a special place for their rightful contribution or their omnipotent control of the system that enabled them to carve out a larger than life-size stature. So, D.S. Senanayake, the first prime minister of independent Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was called ‘Nidahase Piya’ (the Father …

Continue reading ‘Will the Chinese leader ‘Xi Jing Piya’replace Dudley Senanayake as the ‘Bath Dun Piya’ ? However if the rot of President Rajapaksa’s idiocracy persists even Xi Jinping would not be able to save the local farming community.’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera While claiming that all attempts made by the Catholic Church to get justice for the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 within the country have failed, Colombo Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said that they are currently exploring the possibilities to reach out to the international community, including the …

Continue reading ‘“The legal system operated by the Attorney General (AG) does not seem to consider the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Therefore, we are left with no other option but to go to the international community.”- His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’ »

By Rajpal Abeynayake The wewa-dagoba concept has been central to Sri Lanka’s political discourse since ancient times, and this is a very ancient country of course, that earned the epithet “Granary of the East” many aeons back during the reign of the Sinhala kings. Though much has happened since that time, when we weren’t a …

Continue reading ‘What is the earthly purpose of embarking on a plan for organic cultivation and then destroying paddy cultivation as a result of it only to import inorganic rice that we were producing here in the first place?’ »

By Col. R.Hariharan China’s foreign minister Wang Yi made a brief visit to Sri Lanka on 9 January, in the last leg of his trip to the Maldives and three other East African countries — Eritrea, Kenya, and Comoros. Obviously, the FM’s trip had not only a regional context but also an Indo-Pacific one. As …

Continue reading ‘India will have to think two steps ahead to take on China’s “war by other means” on many fronts in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene When the classical Greeks reminded struggling humanity centuries ago that ‘whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad’ they may have been contemplating Sri Lanka as a special example thereof. Would we survive the day? As increased low income families poise at the edge of starvation while a few …

Continue reading ‘As much as a Government that cannot govern must go home an Opposition that cannot ‘oppose’ save by uttering the most inane absurdities must forsake its role as the ‘Government in waiting.’ »

(This article was first posted on tthis Blog in April 2013.It is being re-posted without any changes due to its current importnce) By Latheef Farook Qutub Muhiyuddin Abdul Qadir Jailani, also known as Ghouse-e Azam, is one of the greatest scholars in Islamic history held in very high esteem by Muslims throughout the Middle East …

Continue reading ‘Historical Background of Dafthar Jailany Rock cave Mosque in Kuragala’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake President Gotabaya Rajapaksa did say with pride the government’s decision to set up 100 new police stations, at his inaugural speech at the opening of the new session of Parliament. There may be cause for presidential pride in having many more police stations, but the recent records of police activity, especially on …

Continue reading ‘All Devils Drama Being Staged in All Saints Church with Whatever Dramatic Expertise that key Politico-Police Authorities Possess!’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church marks 1000 days of jihadist attacks on churches and hotels in 2019, the intensification of a grim tussle between the Church and law enforcement authorities over the discovery of a hand grenade at the All Saints Church in Borella this week is remarkable in more ways …

Continue reading ‘The Cardinal’s anger and the fury of the Catholic Church as they plead for justice for the 2019 victims of a cruel attack on supplicants as they were praying in church must become part of a greater people’s struggle.’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament by Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran on 19th January 2022, Regarding the policy statement made by President Gotabya Rajapaksa on 18th January 2022.) Hon. Presiding member, thank you for the time given to me to say a few words on the policy statement made by his excellency the president …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Policy Speech is an Insult to the People of the North and East who Have “Been fighting for their equal citizenship right, their right to self-determination, their right to self-rule, and for their share of powers of governance” – Jaffna District Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa delivered a policy speech at the inauguration of a new session of Parliament on January 18, 2022. President Rajapaksa outlined the problems faced in the past two years and called on members of parliament and the public to support efforts to improve the country and overcome challenges now facing the …

Continue reading ‘Full Text of Policy Speech Delivered by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on January 18th 2022 Inaugural Session of the Re-convened Parliament after Prorogation.’ »

By Victor Ivan Publication of a biography by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga as a self-expression was important news for me as one who had written a book about her. Further, the news that the keynote address at the book launch was to be delivered by Shirani Bandaranayake, a former Chief Justice, was another reason that …

Continue reading ‘Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga ,Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and the Former State of the Judiciary in Sri Lanka.’ »

Actor Dhanush and his wife Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth, announced their separation on January 17. The couple have decided to part ways after 18 years of marriage. They are parents to two boys, Yatra and Linga, aged 15 and 11 respectively. On Monday night, both Aishwaryaa and Dhanush posted statements on their Instagram …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Film Actor Dhanush and his Filmmaker Wife Aishwarya Announce Decision to Divorce After 18 Years of Marriage; Aishwarya is Elder Daughter of Superstar Rajinikanth while Dhanush is Younger Son of Producer Kasthuri Rajah.’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Borrowing in wartime to fight a war would have been fine, but most of the borrowing has been post-war. Borrowing from governments for post-war infrastructure-building is fine, one can always negotiate repayment. Borrowing from the private international markets in the post-war period is not. Repaying the private creditors when you don’t seem …

Continue reading ‘The Sinhala-Buddhist peasants are a free people, who will resist dictates and jackboots. They are also a very practical people, who are not going to be instructed by the military on a subject that the have known for generations while the military has not.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Prominent Tamil legislators from Sri Lanka’s north and east have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking India’s help in ensuring that Colombo addresses the island’s long-pending Tamil question with a lasting political solution. A delegation of MPs, led by senior Tamil politician and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan, met …

Continue reading ‘Seven Page Letter Addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Submitted to Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay by Tamil Political Delegation led by TNA Leader R.Sampanthan’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Striking a conciliatory note, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday called upon all Members of Parliament to support building the country which is facing its most challenging time as a result of the pandemic as well as other external and internal issues. “The representatives belonging to various political parties in this august assembly have …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Makes Special Appeal to MPs from North and East to set aside various political ideologies at least temporarily and support efforts to improve living conditions of people in their areas’ »

(Text of Media Release Issued by Human Rights Watch on January 13, 2022) The Sri Lankan government in 2021 suppressed minority communities, harassed activists, and undermined democratic institutions, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2022. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa failed to carry out legal reforms promised to its international partners …

Continue reading ‘“The Rajapaksa government has disregarded its own pledges of reform and continued to target minority Tamils and Muslims” Says Human Rights Watch(HRW)n its World Report 2022’ »

By Lord Tariq Ahmad Kumar Sangakkara, a sportsperson both our countries greatly admire, spoke passionately about ‘different ethnicities and religions who celebrate their diversity by uniting for a common cause’. Naturally, he was talking about cricket, but I like it as a metaphor for the ties between your country and mine. We hold in our …

Continue reading ‘Lord Tariq Ahmad to Visit Sri Lanka this Week; “I look forward to meeting people from all communities in Colombo, Jaffna and Trincomalee” Says British Minister of State for South Asia, Commonwealth and UN’ »

Colombo Catholic Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday (13) accused the Police of not conducting a “truthful” investigation regarding the discovery of a hand grenade at the All Saints Church in Borella and said that Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne should “go home” if he cannot ensure a transparent investigation is conducted into …

Continue reading ‘“Discovery”of Grenade at All Saints Church: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Accuses Police of Ignoring CCTV Footage Showing “Unknown” Person leaving Object in Church Premises and Arresting Church Helper who Found Grenade. Catholic Prelate Tells IGP to go Home if Police Cant Conduct Fair Inquiry’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has denied media reports that it has taken a decision yet to leave the current Sri Lanka Freedom People’s Alliance (SLFPA) Government led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), but SLFP Senior Vice President Emeritus Prof. Rohana Luxman Piyadasa said that the party will definitely …

Continue reading ‘SLPP Leaders Keep asking the SLFP to leave if they are unable to stay within the Government Without being Crriticalbut the SLFP Continues to Remain Shamelessly in Govt Despite Being Told they are Unwelcome’ »

By Thulasi Muttulingam The Tamil month of Thai was ushered in on Monday Jan 14. It marks the end of the harvesting season of rice for the Tamil farmers who will be celebrating that harvest with their famous festival of Thai Pongal. Pongal means ‘boiling over’. To signify that they have had a bountiful harvest, …

Continue reading ‘Evolution of Agriculture and the ‘Thaipongal’ Tamil Harvest Festival’ »

By Pamodi Waravita President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed Finance Ministry and Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle to reinstate Theshara Jayasinghe to his position as Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. Chairman yesterday (13), hours after he was removed from the post by the Finance Ministry, The Morning learnt. Sources said that a letter issued by the Finance Ministry …

Continue reading ‘Finance Ministry Removes Litro Gas Lanka Ltd Chairman Theshara Jayasinghe but Within a few Hours President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Instructs Finance Ministry and Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle to Restore Jayasinghe to his Former Post’ »

In response to Sri Lanka’s immediate requirement of foreign exchange, India on Thursday allowed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to defer the payment of about US$ 500 million given under the Asian Clearing Union Settlement Framework. This was conveyed to the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal by …

Continue reading ‘India extends to Sri Lanka forex support of more than US$ 900 million with payment of US$ 500 million given under the Asian Clearing Union Settlement Framework being deferred and a US$ 400 million currency swap between the two countries.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Families of the Disappeared President Brito Fernando gave a statement to the Commission to Investigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on Monday (10), following a complaint the organisation had filed at the CIABOC last year, alleging “reasonable suspicion” that a bribe has been obtained to withdraw the indictment against former …

Continue reading ‘Families of the Disappeared President Brito Fernando gives astatement to the Commission to Investigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding the complin filed lst year alleging “reasonable suspicion” that a bribe has been obtained to withdraw the indictment against former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in the abducion nd killing of 11 Youths by Navy case’ »

by Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has been faulted for not turning its attention to the process of constitution-making. This is far from the truth. While the NMSJ’s current proposals are on the contents of a new Constitution, it has also initiated a discussion on the process. Last month, …

Continue reading ‘A Constitutional Convention set up after the due amendment of the provisions of the present Constitution relating to constitutional reform is the best Option for Encting a New Constitution’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last night amended the Gazette notification on the subjects and functions of Ministers and State Ministers and did away with the State Ministry of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, and transferred all functions assigned to it to the Minister of Justice. Lohan Ratwatte served as the State Minister of …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amends the Gazette notification thereby shuffling the subjects and functions of Ministers and State Ministers’ »

President’s Counsel (PC) Uditha Egalahewa, arguing on behalf of Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, and Vasudeva Nannayakkara, who have submitted an affidavit in support of the petitions filed against the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant-related agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and US-based energy company, denied that their affidavit is unconstitutional and violates the collective …

Continue reading ‘Basil Rajapaksa Violated Collective Responsibility of Cabinet of Ministters in the Yugadanavi Agreement Issue and not Wimal Weeraans,Vasudeva Nanayakkara or Udaya Gammanpila States President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa in Court’ »

By Shanta Devarajan (The writer is a former World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa. He is now Professor of Georgetown University) The announcement by the Governor of the Central Bank that Sri Lanka has earmarked $ 500 million to repay a maturing sovereign bond on 18 …

Continue reading ‘The announcement by the Governor of the Central Bank that Sri Lanka has earmarked $ 500 million to repay a maturing sovereign bond on 18 January is reckless for two reasons.’ »

Former State Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha, who was removed from the said post last week, and several other government parliamentarians attended the slain Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike’s 123rd birth commemoration organised by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga last Saturday (8). Kumaratunga had organised one event to commemorate Bandaranaike’s 123rd birthday in front of the Bandaranaike …

Continue reading ‘Susil Premajayantha,Vidura Wickramanayake,Chandima Weerakkody,Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Kumara Welgama, Jeevan Kumaratunga and Arjuna Ranatunga Among Participants at SLFP Founder SWRD Bandaranaike’s 123rd Birthday Commemoration Organized by Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge’ »

The Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Sunday sought from the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, a restructuring of the repayment of Sri Lanka’s debts to China and also a concessional trade-credit scheme to enable the island nation to import goods from China to make industries here operate smoothly. The rescheduling of the repayment …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa requests visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to restructure the repayment of Sri Lanka’s debts to China and commence a concessional trade-credit scheme to enable the island nation to import goods from China to make industries here operate smoothly.’ »

By Buddhika Samaraweera Pointing out that it is the voice of the people that emerges from all quarters, including those who represent the Government and criticise certain government policies, State Minister of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza said that such criticisms should not be underestimated. Speaking to the media yesterday (9), he said …

Continue reading ‘“As people’s representatives we cannot be like blind and deaf people, especially when people are waiting in queues. I am ready to talk about those issues and even resign from my posts,” Says State Minister of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza’ »

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema During Foreign Minister Yi’s visit, Sri Lanka and China signed four agreements; namely an agreement on Economic and Technical Co-operation, the Letter of Exchange on the project of 2,000 subsidised housing units for the low-income category in Colombo, the Handover Certificate of the Technical Co-operation Project for the Bandaranaike Memorial International …

Continue reading ‘Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges Sri Lankan Leadership to re-start stalled negotiations on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and Sri Lanka stating that smaller nations have benefitted immensely from similar FTAs with China’ »

By Azzam Ameen A ceremony to start Mount Lavinia to Kankesanthurai Intercity services using recently received Full AC Diesel Multiple Units (AC DMUs) from India under an Indian loan facility was held today (09). According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lankan Minister of Transport Ms. Pavithra Wanniarachchi was the chief guest. Indian …

Continue reading ‘Mount Lavinia to Kankesanthurai Intercity rail service using recently received Full AC Diesel Multiple Units (AC DMUs) from India under an Indian loan facility inaugurated’ »

By Marianne David Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran in an interview with The Sunday Morning outlined the key challenges in the North and East – the economy, continuing militarisation and the national question remaining unresolved – while expanding on the party’s political concerns relating to the proposed new constitution, the hurdles in forging …

Continue reading ‘“Every time I meet the President, he tells me ‘Oh we must meet, I’ll let you know a time’. The last I heard that from him was on 10 December 2021.”- TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran in Interview with the “Sunday Morning”’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Sri Lanka from January 8 to 9, and the Indian Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar’s recent phone call to his Lankan counterpart G.L.Peiris, have given the impression that both Asian giants are keen on helping Sri Lanka come out of the economic woods it has …

Continue reading ‘Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishanker’s Telephone Call and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang’s Visit gives the impression that both Asian giants are keen on helping Sri Lanka Resolve its economic Crisis’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Even as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to have cited a decision by the Sri Lanka Supreme Court (per the late Justice MDH Fernando) regarding collective responsibility of the Cabinet to justify sacking a state minister on the grounds that he criticised the Government, he may apprise himself of a plethora …

Continue reading ‘‘Vehement, caustic and unpleasantly sharp attacks on the government, the President, Ministers, elected representatives or public officers are not per se unlawful…’ -Supreme Court Ruling in Channa Peiris et al v the Attorney General et al, 1994’ »

By Brian Baxter Sidney Poitier, who has died aged 94, was the first black actor to win an Oscar in a leading role, in 1964, for his performance in Lilies of the Field. This simple story about a handyman helping German nuns build a chapel in Arizona was enhanced by its star’s humour and vitality. …

Continue reading ‘Sidney Poitier the Oscar Winning Black Actor who broke down racial barriers in Hollywood and beyond with “ dignity, style and intelligence”.’ »

Noting the tenet of collective responsibility and a constitutional cap on the number of cabinet ministries, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (07) defended a decision to sack a state minister who had openly criticised the government. “I had to remove a state minister. If a state minister says this government is wrong, he …

Continue reading ‘“I had to remove a state minister. If a state minister says this government is wrong, he is saying he is wrong too. Every MP, minister and state minister has a collective responsibility towards the government”- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

Sacked Sri Lanka Minister Susil Premajayantha has called for a probe whether he was spied upon by intelligence agents after a ruling party member claimed the sacking came in the wake of spy reports. Premjayantha was sacked shortly after he commented on the fertilizer ban which had put the agriculture sector in crisis at an …

Continue reading ‘Susil Premjayantha was Sacked from his Post Due to a State Intelligence Service Report Against the State Minister and not Because of his Fertilizer Ban Comments alone Says SLPP Parliamentarian Tissa Kuttiarachchi’ »

The 13th anniversary of the assassination of The Sunday Leader founder Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, which falls on 8 January, will be marked with a service at his graveside. Family, friends, former colleagues and others will gather at Borella Kanatte at 9 a.m. to mark the anniversary and remember Lasantha. Assassinated on 8 January 2009, Lasantha …

Continue reading ‘Graveside memorial service to mark 13th anniversary of Lasantha’s assassination will be held On Saturday 8 January 9 a.m. at Borella Kanatte’ »

By Susitha Fernando With the social, political and economic changes in the country over the last two years, specially since the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic, Jathika Jana Balawegaya or National People’s Power (NPP), the broader alliance of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, has shown impressive progress in its popularity among all section of the society. …

Continue reading ‘“We don’t believe in Sinhala only power and administration. Our adminisration will be a one that represents all communities. Our doors are open. We are ready to work with the political parties that represent the North and East of Sri Lanka. So we are openly inviting the Tamils and the Muslims.”- NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’ »

By P.K.Balachandran Sri Lanka and India on Thursday signed a fresh agreement on the 99 giant oil tanks in Trincomalee to supersede the controversial one signed 19 years ago in 2003. Through the new agreement, 85 of the 99 tanks will be under the control of Sri Lanka, either directly or indirectly, the latter being …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa acknowledges unique role played by Energy Minister Uday Gammanpila in arriving at Indo-Lankaa agreement on Trincomalee Oil Tank Facilty by saying ” only Gammanpila could have brought it about.”’ »

Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka Susil Premjayanth is one of the good ones; educated, intelligent, experienced, a fine speaker and debater be it in parliament or on TV. He is not one of those the protesting peasants refer to rudely as “the buffaloes in Parliament”. An SLPP member, he represents what is best in the SLFP tradition: he …

Continue reading ‘The ITAK behaves like the Palestinian Authority (PA) but without the Authority. The Tamil leaders must decide whether the only tangible political gain of 70+ years of the Tamil struggle i.e., the Accord/13A/PCs, will be buried by their own grand-standing and dithering.’ »

By Mahendran Thiruvarangan (Mahendran Thiruvarangan is a Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Linguistics & English at the University of Jaffna) The last Kuppi Talk article by Erandika de Silva discussed the disjuncture between the emphasis on standardisation and the absence of serious efforts to address the challenges facing students and teachers in the …

Continue reading ‘Children, Teachers and Educational administrators from the historically Oppressed group of five castes known as “Panchamar” in the North experience casteism in education on a daily basis.’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara “There is something in human history like retribution; and it’s a rule of historical retribution that its instruments be forged not by the offended but by the offender himself.” Marx (The Indian Revolt) The 2015 presidential election; as analysts and astrologers proclaimed and predicted a Mahinda Rajapaksa victory, a beggar in Galle …

Continue reading ‘The Rajapaksas have an almost childlike love for over-the-top accolades. Fortunately for them, the Sinhala-Buddhist Sangha seems to possess an inexhaustible store of such exotic name-boards.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita Although Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera told the media yesterday (4) that the Cabinet of Ministers had taken a “collective decision” to remove State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities, and Distance Learning Promotion Susil Premajayantha from his portfolio, Cabinet Spokesman Dullas Alahapperuma said at the cabinet decisions press briefing that this …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet Minister Sarath Weerasekera Tells media that the Cabinet of Ministers had taken a “collective decision” to remove State Minister Susil Premajayantha but Cabinet Spokesperson Dullas Alahapperuma says Sacking was an Executive decision taken by President Rajapaksa and not one that had been discussed at the Cabinet.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has removed State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion Susil Premajayantha from his Ministerial position with immediate effect. The same was made known through the President’s Media Division (PMD) today (04). This comes after Premajayantha levelled several criticisms towards the Government in the recent past. Courtesy:The Morning

By Pamodi Waravita Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday (4) that the Trincomalee Oil Tank Development Complex Project was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (3) and that the agreement pertaining to this development will be signed with India within a week. “The initial agreement in 1987 with India was for India and …

Continue reading ‘Trinco Oil Tank Facilty Deal Approved by Cabinet:Three lease agreements will give 24 tanks to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), 14 tanks to Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC), and 61 tanks to new joint subsidiary “Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt.) Ltd with LIOC Having 49%’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka Former State Minister Susil Premajayantha who was stripped of his Ministerial Portfolio today (04) by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared to be unfazed by this development while speaking to the media. Premajayantha also expressed that he will be returning to his profession as a lawyer. “These are not big things. I have a …

Continue reading ‘”I was not informed that I was sacked, just found out from the media. I guess I was put out because I spoke to the media the other day at the market and I was outspoken about the failure of this Government’s implementation of the organic fertiliser drive.” – Axed State Minister Susil Premajayantha’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, recounting how he was elected by a majority of Sinhalese voters, stated that the protection of Sinhala Buddhists and their heritage is his foremost responsibility. Speaking at the Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya after being bestowed the honorary title of “Sri Lankadheeshwara Padma Vibhushana” by the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha …

Continue reading ‘“On the day I was sworn in as this country’s President at the Ruwanweli Seya, I declared that I was a president elected by the majority of Sinhalese. I firmly believe that the protection of Sinhala Buddhists and that heritage is my foremost responsibility” – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’ »

By Nisthar Cassim The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday approved a massive but critical relief package worth Rs. 229 billion to people already reeling from the soaring cost of living, with the hope that the stimulus will invigorate the economy especially via the local economy including agriculture among others. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa told a hurriedly …

Continue reading ‘Cabinet approves massive relief package worth Rs. 229 billion to people reeling from the soaring cost of living; payment of Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance from January to public servants, pensioners and differently abled soldiers ; Additional Rs. 1,000 per Samurdhi family; “Govt wll initiate talks with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank as well as major donors for debt relief.” says Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene On the very day that the powerfully resonant voice of South Africa’s anti-apartheid advocate and priest Desmond Tutu was stilled (December 26th 2021), Sri Lanka announced a preposterous rule potentially requiring citizens who marry ‘foreigners’ to obtain security clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Parameters that defined the apartheid State There …

Continue reading ‘Enabling the military to creep into the bedrooms of Sri Lankan citizens is no chance aberration. This is yet another step in the journey towards obliterating civil governance’ »

By W.A. Wijewardena Sri Lanka has entered 2022. It is the tradition of Sri Lankans to celebrate the arrival of a new year with kiribath, a symbol of foretelling of happiness, prosperity, peace, and splendour. While kiribath is partaken at every home on the first of January itself, employees of both government and private sector …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka may be bankrupt with respect to her external economy. However Sri Lanka has not yet reached the bankruptcy level with respect to its domestic economy.’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake Crackers did burst, and rockets did fly with blasts. As the old year folded up, the fireworks continued. Were some of the louder blasts from gas cylinders? Who knows, with no legal action taken against those gas-blast dealers so far. The law can wait till they draw in all the crooked profits. …

Continue reading ‘The New Year that dawned has certainly given cause for the ‘Hoo Keliya’ that is fast striking the power players of the Pohottuva.This ‘Hoo Keliya’ is the sound of the New Year, and is moving on to be the roar of the people.’ »

By Victor Ivan We are ready to take up the leadership of the country,” declared Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya (National People’s Power – NPP) and the JVP at the Convention held on 20 December. He said so in a tone to impress the audience that it was the latest strategy …

Continue reading ‘Although anti-Tamil racism has now been abandoned, the JVP has played a major role in inculcating a progressive-looking anti-Tamil racist vision in the minds of the Sinhala Buddhist community.’ »

What do the chief executives of Adobe, Alphabet, ibm, Match Group (which owns Tinder), Microsoft, OnlyFans (a subscription service featuring content creators in various stages of undress) and Twitter have in common? All seven happen to be of Indian origin. That is not surprising considering the abundance of subcontinental talent drifting into Western companies: in …

Continue reading ‘A study from 2010 of the India’s 1,000 biggest companies found that some 93% of board members came from “forward” castes.Of these fully 46% were “Vaishyas” or Merchant Castes’ »

There were many times, Desmond Tutu recalled, when the apartheid rulers were strutting like cocks of the walk and his own people were being treated like rubbish, that he wanted to whisper in God’s ear, “God, we know that you are in charge. Why don’t you make it slightly more obvious?” For most of his …

Continue reading ‘As a Christian and a priest, Archbishop Desmond Tutu had to speak out when he saw oppression anywhere but he rejected the acid of hatred and preached non-violent resistance’ »

By Ruwani Fonseka The Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 brought about tumultuous change to Sri Lanka’s social and political landscape, and gave rise to several questions, which remain to be fully addressed, on the true cause and nature of the attacks. Chief among these questions, and ones that have even been raised …

Continue reading ‘“Naufer Moulavi himself told me, and other foreign analysts, that he brought the thumb drive with the Islamic State (IS) content from Qatar and gave it to Zahran in Kattankudy Says Sri Lanka Institute of National Security Studies Director General, Prof.Rohan Gunaratne’ »