By Harim Peiris

Earlier this week, two important events occurred in two very different worlds, in the United States, the American electorate after a long and grueling political campaign reelected President Barack Obama, their first African American President, to a second term in office. At the same time, in Sri Lanka, the Speaker of Parliament, Chamal Rajapakse, entertained a motion by more than half the MPs in Parliament to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike, Sri Lanka’s first woman Chief Justice, just hours after her Court had delivered yet another judicial setback for the government, ruling that certain provisions of the proposed Divineguma Bill violated the Constitution and would be required to be passed with a special two third majority in Parliament.

Continue reading ‘US reelects President Obama as Sri Lanka impeaches Chief Justice Bandaranaike’ »

Thisal Dewundara

By Thisal Dewundara

(Thisal Dewundara, participated at the French-Sri Lankan Diaspora Youth Workshop “Post-War Reconciliation Dialogue for a Sustainable Peace”, which took place in Paris, on October 27th, 2012. He participated as a panelist on the theme “Towards an effective and sustainable economic development”.

The event was organized by What’s Next!, an independent forum comprising of post-graduates and young professionals of Sri Lankan origin residing in France. What’s Next! seeks to promote a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka through intellectual exchange and multicultural dialogue)

First of all, I would like to define sustainable development. According to the Brundtland report it is “a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Continue reading ‘Challenges for a Sustainable Economic Development in Sri Lanka’ »

by President Barack Obama

(National Public Radio Transcript of President Obama’s victory speech in Chicago. Source: Federal News Service )

(Cheers, applause.)

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting.) Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. (Sustained cheers, applause.)

Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward. (Cheers, applause.)

It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people. (Cheers, applause.)

Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.
Continue reading ‘We Believe in a Generous America, In a Compassionate America,In a Tolerant America – Obama’ »

by Nirupama Rao

Watching President Barack Obama’s re-election last night was inspiring, and in some ways reminiscent of his historic win four years ago to become the 44th President of the United States.

Ambassador Nirupama Rao Addressing the Indian community at Independence Day function, Embassy of India in Washington DC, Aug 15, 2012

The closely fought contest brought to the fore strengths of a political system based on popular will that binds India and the United States – the world’s largest and the oldest democracies.

What will President Obama’s re-election mean for India-U.S. relations?

Continue reading ‘What will President Obama’s re-election mean for India-U.S. relations?’ »

By

(Brief Notes of the Media Conference held on 7th November 2012 By Hon. Karu Jayasuriya UNP Member of Parliament – Gampaha District)

1. We are compelled to raise our voice once again to protect the independence of the Judiciary. When we look at the behaviour of those who are in power in the present government and the way things happen, we witness a great threat to the independence of the Judiciary.

2. We do not intend to express our views on the “impeachment motion” which was submitted to Parliament yesterday.

Continue reading ‘We are compelled to raise our voice once again to protect the independence of the Judiciary.’ »

President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

With results in from most states, America’s first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.

Continue reading ‘President Barack Obama Re-elected Defeating Mitt Romney – BBC’ »

COMING into election night Barack Obama had many more paths to victory than Mitt Romney. In the end he seems to have taken most of them. The news was never good for the Republican nominee, as the poll-crunchers were proven correct in state after state. In the end, Mr Obama will return to the White House with a convincing electoral victory (though the popular vote is still quite close).

Continue reading ‘Convincing Electoral Victory for Barack Obama -Economist’ »

by
Hemantha Warnakulasuriya

(The writer a Presidents Counsel served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy)

After the 1983 black July riots, the cream of the Tamil intelligentsia spread their wings and settled right round the globe, especially concentrating in Europe. Like all minor ethnic groups, they flocked together in towns and cities where there was a heavy concentration of their own kith and kin.
Continue reading ‘“I Silently Ponder in my Prayers Whether We Have Cheated Them (Tamils) Again?’ »

by Elmore Perera

(The writer, an Attorney-at-Law is Founder, Citizen’s Movement for Good Governance and Past President, Organisation of Professional Associations)

“Sovereignty of the Sri Lankan People under the 1978 Constitution is one and indivisible. It remains with the People. It is only the exercise of certain Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers of the Sovereign People that are delegated to the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary under Article 4. Fundamental Rights and Franchise remain with the People and the Supreme Court has been constituted the guardian of such rights.”
Continue reading ‘We are Fortunate to Have a Chief Justice Prepared to Stand up and Defy the Tyranny of the Executive’ »

By
Kath Noble

The good news is that there is nothing illegal about impeaching the Chief Justice. If one third of MPs sign a petition requesting it and one half approve the petition once it is presented in Parliament, the Constitution says that she has to go.

That’s reassuring isn’t it?

It is what the Government has been claiming, in any case.

Continue reading ‘Whether in Govt or Opposition All Tamil Parties in Sri anka Support Devolution’ »

Resolution as per Article 107(2) of the Constitution for a motion of Parliament to be presented to His Excellency the President for the removal of the Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Upatissa Atapattu Bandaranayake Wasala Mudiyanse Ralahamilage Shirani Anshumala Bandaranayake from the office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,—

1. Whereas by purchasing, in the names of two individuals, i.e. Renuka Niranjali Bandaranayake and Kapila Ranjan Karunaratne using special power of attorney licence bearing No. 823 of Public Notary K.B. Aroshi Perera that was given by Renuka Niranjali Bandaranayake and Kapila Ranjan Karunaratne residing at No. 127, Ejina Street, Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia, 6016, Australia,
Continue reading ‘Text of Impeachment Motion Against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake Tabled in Parliament of Sri Lanka’ »

by

Taylor Dibbert

The Republican Party is in a state of disarray and needs to change. Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and the extreme positions from which he is now trying to distance himself, provides insights into this situation. It is not surprising that Governor Romney tacked hard to the right during the Republican primary and is now emphasizing a more moderate brand in his latest incarnation of himself.

Nonetheless, I am concerned about a range of public policy issues: the deficit, a disastrously dysfunctional Congress and the rising cost of higher education.

Continue reading ‘The Republican Party Today and the Romney Campaign’ »

by

N Sathiya Moorthy

With the ruling UPFA coalition submitting a memorandum signed by 117 members in the 225-seat Parliament to Speaker Chamal Rajakasa, the stage may now have neen set for impeaching Sri Lanka’s first woman Chief Justice Sirani Bandaranaike. The constitution provides for a third of the membership seeking impeachment of any member of the nation’s higher judiciary, which, however, has to be passed by a simple majority in Parliament.

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka: Ruling combine seeks to impeach Chief Justice’ »

By

Kelum Bandara

Q: What are you planning to do under Divineguma Bill?

A: Divineguma is actually a movement. In the past, there were family based self-sufficient economies. They did paddy cultivation. Likewise, they cultivated other food crops such as chilli.
Continue reading ‘An Interview With Basil Rajapaksa on Divineguma and Other Matters’ »

By Amanda Holpuch

The London-born rapper and artist has a new book out, with a documentary and album forthcoming. She talks about cleaning out her past in order to forge a new chapter in her career

Before releasing a new album and presenting new artwork at India’s first biennial, the London-born artist Mathangi Maya Arulpragasm – better known by her stage name MIA – went through a period of collection and reflection in advance of the release of her self-titled book.
Continue reading ‘Maya “MIA” Arulpragasam to Release New Album “Mathangi” – New Artwork, Book and Documentary Film in the Pipeline’ »

Roveena’s Debut Album Harmonizes A Perfect World of Cultural Sound

Roveena studied psychology and music as an undergraduate at The University of Waterloo, but chose to pursue a career in Human Resources. Her love of music never diminished, and she began posting YouTube videos of her live performances.

That led to a genuinely life-changing moment when Toronto’s CityTV invited Roveena to perform on their show Breakfast Television.
Continue reading ‘Roveena: Sri Lankan-Born Songstress Brings Truth To A Dream’ »

Tanya Ekanayaka the Internationally celebrated musical talent from Sri Lanka is to perform again at the prestigious St.Martin–in–the–Fields in London on Tuesday November 13th 2012.

At The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 31st May 2012

She is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost classically trained Pianists and also a composer and musicologist in addition to being a highly qualified linguist.
Continue reading ‘Tanya Ekanayaka to Perform Again at St.Martin in the Fields on November 13th’ »

by

Tissa Attanayake M.P.

(TEXT OF STATEMENT ISSUED BY TISSA ATTANAYAKE M.P., GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE UNITED NATIONAL PARTY )

Until 1700 the King of England had the power to appoint and remove Judges. The King exercised his powers to remove Judges who incurred his displeasure.

Therefore the Parliament of England made provision to secure the independence of Judges in the Act of Settlement 1701. According to this Act the Judges Commission was made Quamdiu se bene Gesserint, ie. for good behavior, subject to the power of the King to lawfully remove a judge upon an address made by Parliament.

Continue reading ‘The UNP Position Towards the Impeach Motion in Parliament Against Chief Justice’ »

By

Dr.Habib Siddiqui

Myanmar’s western state of Arakan (Rakhine) is again burning. In Mrauk-U, the former capital of the independent kingdom of Arakan, hundreds of young Rakhine Buddhist men were on the march: packed on the backs of pickups, on motorcycles, on trishaws, tuk-tuks and bicycles, but mostly on foot. They carried spears, swords, cleavers, bamboo staves, slingshots, crossbows and the occasional petrol bomb. Their target: the unarmed Rohingya Muslims. As the Economist (dated Nov. 3, 2012) of the UK noted, one Buddhist terrorist tugged at an imaginary beard and made a grisly throat-cutting gesture.

Continue reading ‘Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims by Burmese Rakhine Buddhists in Arakan State of Myanmar’ »

The Mahanayake Theras of the three main Nikayas have requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to reconsider the need for the impeachment motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake that had been handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa by ruling party MPs on Thursday.

Mawatte Chapter Mahanayake the Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sumangala Thera, Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake the Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera, Amarapura Nikaya Mahanayake the Ven. Dawuldena Gnanissara Thera and the Ramanna Nikaya Mahanayake the Ven. Napane Pemasiri Thera have in a letter to the President said it appeared that there was an atmosphere of crisis in the country and among the international community, centered round the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice.

Continue reading ‘Mahanayake Theros Want Mahinda to Reconsider Impeachment Motion Against CJ’ »

By
Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Tyrant, why swell’st thou thus, of mischief vaunting?
…..Lewd lies thy tongue contrives…. Falsehood thy wit approves…”
Psalm 52 (Translated by Mary Sidney)

Hell hath no fury like the Rajapaksas thwarted.

All those who opposed the interests, whims and fancies of the Ruling Siblings in the past know the hellfire of their fury. Students, workers, Tamil civilians, Sinhala farmers, journalists, military personnel, Negambo fishermen and Colombo poor, all know that to resist the Rajapaksa-juggernaut is a career-destroying, life-eviscerating, and at times lethal, business.

Continue reading ‘Hell Hath No Fury….Like The Rajapaksas Thwarted’ »

By Vishnuguptha

“If you want to be a slave in life, then continue going around asking others to do for you. They will oblige, but you will find the price is your choices, your freedom, your life itself. They will do for you, and as a result you will be in bondage to them forever, having given your identity away for a paltry price. Then, and only then, will you be a nobody, a slave, because you yourself and nobody else made it so.”

― Terry Goodkind, The Pillars of Creation

Continue reading ‘The current mess and ‘Dependency Syndrome’’ »

By

Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P.

I have now served two and a half years in Parliament. This would have been half the term in the old days before the United Front government of 1970 extended its own term by two years, and added one year to all future terms. This began the rot of Parliament expanding its own powers and privileges, which the Jayewardene government of 1977 took even further, extending its term to over 11 long and woeful years.

Continue reading ‘Tentative Suggestions for Further Constitutional Reform’ »

By
Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne

The campaign started by those who are very close to the President to do away with the 13th Amendment shows that the Constitution making process in the coming period could become arbitrary and carried out at the whims and fancies of the chauvinist elements within the regime. If it really takes place, this will go into history as yet another effort to cater to the popular majoritarian impulses in Lanka.
Continue reading ‘Emergence of Sinhala Chauvinism at Top Layer of Ruling Elite’ »

by Bishop Duleep de Chickera

Since the end of the civil war in May 2009, there has been an unprecedented emphasis on what is popularly known as development. The most visible signs of this type of development are the improvement to roads and bridges, the construction of harbours and airports, the building of big hotels and resorts, and the cleaning up and landscaping of our cities.
Continue reading ‘Development, Democracy and Devolution – Sri Lanka’s 3 Dimensional Dilemma’ »

By

“Laws were promulgated to rationalize the actions of the regime. There is nothing like an administration operating outside the law, to use the law like a boomerang”. Jean-Claude Bajeux (The New Face of Macoutism: Headless Cadavers)

What if Mark Fernando and not Sarath Silva became the Chief Justice? What if the Supreme Court of Asoka de Silva did not enable the Rajapaksas to depict the murder of the democratising 17th Amendment as an act of mercy-killing? What if the Supreme Court of Shirani Bandaranaike refused consent to such abusive laws as the expropriation bill and refrained from providing a veneer of legality for the persecution of Gen. Fonseka?

Had those deadly mistakes not been made, Sri Lanka’s dying democracy would have been in much better shape, the JSC Secretary would not have been pistol-whipped and the impeachment of the Chief Justice would not be happening.

Continue reading ‘If Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike Succumbs to Pressure the Last Remaining Hope for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans Will Die’ »

By

Chamitha Kuruppu

The structure of the Budget has a fundamental imbalance, says UNP Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne, sharing his views on the forthcoming Budget.The former banker and corporate executive points out that nearly 40% of the country’s Budget is in three ministries controlled by members of the Rajapaksa family. He further notes that the country is spending nearly 90% of the revenue only on debt services, adding that the Government keeps borrowing money not to finance development but to pay debt.
Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa Family Members Control 40% of Country’s Budget – Eran Wickramaratne’ »

By
JC Weliamuna

Rajapaksha Regime, through its parliamentarians, handed over an impeachment motion to the Speaker, the elder brother of the President Rajapaksha against the first woman Chief Justice of the country. It appears that the Government of Sri Lanka is in a mighty hurry to “get rid of the Chief Justice” so that a major obstacle for government’s capricious track is removed. With the handing over of the impeachment, the government has signaled to the entire public service and judiciary two rules – that the Regime is superior to the Law and that Rule of Law does not exist in the country. This short article is written to bring out several vital issues that the public should not lose sight of, in relation to the present impeachment attempt.
Continue reading ‘Impeachment of Chief Justice is an Unconstitutional Witch-Hunt’ »

By Dharisha Bastians

Amidst Opposition fire, the ruling UPFA coalition set the Constitutional process in motion to remove the Head of the country’s judiciary, by handing over a motion of impeachment against the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake to Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday.

The motion, signed by 117 Members of Parliament, was handed over to the Speaker by four UPFA MPs led by Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and including Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Shantha Bandara, and Arundika Fernando.

Continue reading ‘Amidst Opposition Ire Govt Begins Constitutional Process to Fire Chief Justice Through Impeachment Motion’ »

By Dharisha Bastians

Several weeks of posturing has finally reached a tipping point with the Rajapaksa administration announcing its readiness to checkmate the Chief Justice with impeachment on the eve of a ruling on whether the Northern Governor’s endorsement is sufficient to enact the Divi Neguma Bill. Will the CJ capitulate or go out in a blaze of glory?
Continue reading ‘Will Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake Eventually Capitulate or Exit Unbowed in a Blaze of Glory?’ »

By Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu

Accounts, claiming varying degrees of authenticity abound of the impending impeachment of the Chief Justice. This is not the first time this has been attempted. Denizens of Hulftsdorf within its ranks stopped the UNF government in its tracks from attempting to do this.
Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s Charge of the Hela Brigade with Brevet Colonels Weerawansa and Ranawaka’ »

By Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy

(Text of the annual Mahatma Gandhi Oration organized by the India Sri Lanka Society that was delivered at the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo on Tuesday October 30th 2012)

In November last year the New York Metropolitan Opera showcased its production of Gandhi- an opera by Philip Glass on Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle in South Africa. Though there were mixed reviews about Glass’s western classical rendition of the Bhaghavad Gita, the Met’s opera production was quite extraordinary.
Continue reading ‘What is the Message of Mahatma Gandhi Today for the People in South Asia and Sri Lanka?’ »

By Charitha Ratwatte

What is the role of the state in the economy and society?

The debate in this context revolves around what can be described as the ‘Night-Watchman State,’ which is understood to be entrusted with the bminimal enforcement of law and order, so that the citizens could lead their lives in peace and harmony, the interventionist ‘Nanny State,’ which tries to regulate and provide incentives to improve the allocation of resources and influence social behaviour, and the new concept of a ‘Servant State’
Continue reading ‘States of a State:Nanny, Night-Watchman and Servant .’ »

The developer of Jaffna’s first luxury apartment complex Tulasi Mahal, Peninsular Property Developers (Pte) Ltd., a subsidiary of Capitol Developers (Pvt) Ltd., is training 100 local youth in the peninsula in masonry, carpentry and bar bending skills.

This sustainability initiative aims to engage local communities in the construction of the first luxury apartment project, so that they too can benefit from economic activity taking place in the region, the developer said.
Continue reading ‘‘Tulasi Mahal’: First Luxury Apartment Complex in Jaffna’ »

by Vishnuguptha

“The future is dark, uncertain. But we can see part of the way leading to it and can tread it with firm steps, remembering that nothing that can happen is likely to overcome the spirit of man which has survived so may perils. Remembering also that life, for all its ills, has joy and beauty, and we can always wander, if we know how to, in the enchanted woods of nature” – Jawaharlal Nehru (The discovery of India)

The Thirteenth Amendment (13 A) to the Constitution had a very ominous birth. It was an integral part of the Gandhi/JR Accord that was signed between the two heads of the Governments of India and Sri Lanka at the time.
Continue reading ‘Thirteenth Constitutional Amendment is Just, Fair and Here to Stay’ »

by Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

Six months ago, Sri Lankans were unpleasantly galvanized by the spectacle of Budddhist monks led by the Chief Incumbent of the Rangiri Dambulla Vihare, Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero marching onto a mosque in Dambulla that they claimed was illegally constructed.

Gentle remonstrations byMuslim villagers with the marching protestors that they had worshipped at the mosque for decades only invoked harsh language from the marchers and the issue spiraled out of control with communalists from both sides fanning the flames.
Continue reading ‘Can Private Lands in Dambulla be Acquired by Defence and Urban Development Ministry Under Cover of ‘Sacred Area’?’ »

“In a confidential letter to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, and to the Sri Lankan authorities, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expressed grave concern about recent threats to the independence of the judiciary and called for the rule of law to be adhered to, and promoted, in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) Expresses Concern About Threats to Judiciary to Presidet Rajapaksa’ »

TNA leader R. Sampanthan says that the government is playing Jekyll and Hyde on the political solution to the Tamil grievances. He spoke to Afreeha Jawad on a gamut of issues.

Excerpt:

There is widespread belief of an unwillingness on your part to take part in the parliamentary select committee for a negotiated settlement to end the ethnic crisis. How would you respond to this?
Continue reading ‘Govt is Playing Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on Political Solution-TNA Leader R. Sampanthan’ »

The potsherd found in Oman in 2006. The Tamil-Brahmi script on it can be dated to the first century CE – pic: K. Rajan

By T.S.Subramanian

The potsherd found in Oman in 2006. The Tamil- Brahmi script on it can be dated to the first century CE. Photo: K. Rajan

A Tamil-Brahmi script inscribed on a potsherd, which was found at the Khor Rori area in Oman, has come to light now. The script reads “nantai kiran” and it can be dated to first century CE, that is, 1900 years before the present.
Continue reading ‘1900 Year Old Potsherd with Tamil-Brahmi script found in Oman in 2006 ‘Discovered’ Now’ »

By Juliet Coombe

As my Morris Minor car drives through giant puddles left over from the previous day’s torrential rains, I am relieved to see the sun rise through the stormy clouds and the first rays of light reveal a picturesque lagoon, where old men throw their fishing nets in the air chewing on betel nut and drinking sweet tea from a flask.

Nagapooshani Amman Kovil – pic courtesy of: GB, Udaipur, India

Little boats bob on the water either side of the causeway and ox-drawn carts pass me with the stately grandeur of an ancient world.
Continue reading ‘Sri Naga Pooshani Amman Temple in Nainatheevu/Nagadipa Island in North’ »

By M.A. Sumanthiran M.P.

Last week, we heard a cacophony of voices from within the government in relation to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Quarter of a century after the enactment, it took centre stage again with many expressing their opinions for and against this Amendment not continuing to remain in force, but remain in the statute books!

Many important parts of this amendment are yet to see the light of day, police powers to the provinces being the most prominent example.
Continue reading ‘13th Amendment to the Constitution can be Built Upon and Made More Meaningful’ »

The debut show of Trinity Events “Engeyum Eppothum Raja” is expected to draw thousands to the Rogers Centre on November 3rd.

Maestro Illayaraja at the Rogers Centre

The first show of its kind within the Tamil Canadian community, “Engeyum Eppothum Raja” highlights the South Indian musical legend Maestro Illayaraja – the show will feature over 100 artists including many popular lead singers and actors.
Continue reading ‘‘Engeyum Eppothum Raja’ Featuring Music Maestro Illayaraja and over 100 Artistes will be held on Nov 3rd in Toronto at Rogers Centre’ »

Hon Gareth Evans AC QC

by Gareth Evans

NEW YORK – One of the worst atrocity crime stories of recent decades has barely registered in the world’s collective conscience. We remember and acknowledge the shame of Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

We agonize about the failure to halt the atrocities being committed almost daily in Syria. But, at least until now, the world has paid almost no attention to war crimes and crimes against humanity comparable in their savagery to any of these: the killing fields of Sri Lanka in 2009
Continue reading ‘Failure of UN Officials on Ground in Sri Lanka to Publizise Credible Information About ‘Killing Fields’ of 2009’ »

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

The US State Department two weeks ago, in writing, warned the Sri Lankan government to completely stop all dealings with Iran. The Sapugaskanda oil refinery was closed on Friday with no crude to refine.

The US sanction imposed on Iran has already tipped the government to spend an additional sum of US$ 1.2 billion to import crude and refined oil into the country from other sources.

Continue reading ‘US Warns Sri Lanka in Writing to Stop All Dealings with Iran’ »

by Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne

The rally held at Hyde Park in support of General Sarath Fonseka by the United Bhikku Front (UBF), the dissident Buddhist monks’ wing of the UNP, was a turning point. As we expected, the campaign for the removal of 13th Amendment surged forward with this event.
Continue reading ‘Petition Against Divineguma Bill Mobilises Opposition against Sinhala Chauvinist Forces’ »

by Anita Joshua

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was taken off a U.S.-bound flight at Toronto airport on Friday afternoon (local time) and questioned for about an hour before being permitted to continue with his journey to New York for a fund-raiser.

According to reports in the Canadian media, Mr. Khan — who heads the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which has been opposing the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and drone attacks inside Pakistan — was taken off an American Airlines flight at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Continue reading ‘Pakistani Cricketer Cum Politico Imran Khan taken off US-bound plane in Toronto’ »

by Vihanga Perera

It was freely reported over the media that several stakeholders of the government are lobbying for the repealing of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution through a further reform to that document.

The Daily Mirror, for instance, in their Tuesday’s edition (October 23rd) had cited the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), National Freedom Front (NFF) and the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) among the pressure groups that are geared to push the reform in question. The 13th Amendment, as we know, was legitimized in 1987, in the heat of the Indo-Lanka Accord. The “irksome” issue to the anti-13th group, it seems, is the decentralization of power which the amendment under query entails: A dissolution which has left much to debate over the years.
Continue reading ‘Rather Than Repealing 13th Amendment a More Rounded Devolution Along Democratic Lines is Needed’ »

By N. Sathiya Moorthy

When in doubt about continued popular support, or distracted by further divisions within the ranks, go after the Executive Presidency! That seems to be the accepted norm for the political Opposition in Sri Lanka ever since J. R. Jayewardene wrote in the Executive Presidency as the hallmark of the Second Republican Constitution, the sole purpose of which too seemed to be as much. Down the years and decades since, promising the abolition of the Executive Presidency has become a political past-time for whoever is not in power. Instead, it has become a permanent feature of an Opposition manifesto for every presidential poll.
Continue reading ‘Nations Smaller Than Sri Lanka Have Sustained Themselves Through a Scheme of Devolved Democracy’ »

by Chandani Kirinde

An adjournment debate in Parliament on Thursday, moved by Democratic National Alliance (DNA) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, on the attack on Judicial Services Commission (JSC) Secretary on October 7, turned sordid, with unwarranted attacks on senior officials of the judiciary, by Government members.

The DNA MP’s motion centered on a question he had raised in Parliament two weeks ago, on the attack on JSC Secretary Manjula Thillkaratna, and House Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva’s reply.
Continue reading ‘Sordid Unwarranted Attacks on Judiciary by Govt in Parliament’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

“…the despot is a madman, and an enemy to himself.”
Baron d’Holbach (Good Sense)

Rajapaksas obsessively intent on getting the Divi Neguma Bill through?

Why is the regime orchestrating a campaign against the 13th Amendment?

Why were principals of 23 leading schools made to undergo a week’s ‘Leadership Training’ and made brevet colonels?

Continue reading ‘Repealing 13th Amendment will Antagonize not Just the Tamils or Muslims but Also India and the West’ »

by A Special Correspondent

Speaking at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre on the topic “I am Sri Lankan: my struggle to be a patriot” last Wednesday (Oct. 24), Rev.Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar, pleaded that the people of this country, particularly the majority community, cannot miss the opportunity that they now have to make Sri Lanka a country that belongs to all and as one that everyone can be proud of.

His passionate speech came as an appeal to all right thinking people so that this country can be saved from sliding into short sighted, polarized and fragmented communities rather than making long term commitments to be inclusive of everyone’s strength for rebuilding a prosperous Sri Lanka.
Continue reading ‘I am Sri Lankan:My Struggle to be a Patriot” – says Mannar Bishop Joseph Rayappu’ »

by Gomin Dayasri

Hark, hark, dogs do bark; sleeping dogs – the procrastinators, warm stools in high places without attending to the imperatives after securing a 2/3 majority. Awake before it’s too late- this could be the last call on the 13th Amendment.

The impact of the 13th amendment can be diminished or demolished, satisfactorily, if the legitimate grievances of Tamils, as identified in the LLRC report and accepted by the government in its Action Plan presented to Hillary Clinton, is implemented/ This is a preferred alternative. It means directly addressing the problems of Tamil people in the North/East, satisfying their prime necessities. Political power the TNA seeks through the 13th amendment to reach a circumscribed federal status is ancillary and could be averted.
Continue reading ‘Legitimate Tamil Grievances Identified in LLRC Report Should be Satisfactorily Implemented’ »

by K.S. Sivakumaran

There are no more Tamil films produced locally but nearly two score and more Lankan Tamil films were shown in Colombo and the outstations a few decades ago. The latest Tamil film was Ini Avan made by an avant-guard Sinhala film director shown early this year.
Continue reading ‘“Koamalikal” (Jokers) Was Successful Sri Lankan Tamil Comedy Film’ »

Durable solutions were needed to address the plight of the world’s internally displaced persons, particularly against a backdrop of unfolding “megatrends” such as rapid urbanization, population growth and more prevalent natural disasters, a senior United Nations human rights expert told reporters at Headquarters today.

“Internal displacement remains one of the world’s most significant human rights and humanitarian challenges, as millions of people continue to be internally displaced every year”, said Chaloka Beyani, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights of internally displaced persons, who will present his annual report to the General Assembly’s Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) tomorrow morning.
Continue reading ‘UN Special Rapporteur on Rights of IDP’s Expresses Concern Over Resettlement Issues in Sri Lanka’ »

By P. K. Balachandran

Fifty years ago, in November-December 1962, Ceylon’s Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, made a brave and stupendous effort to settle the intractable border dispute between Asian giants China and India – a dispute, which was marked by a month-long ‘brutal and callous war’, to use the words of India’s Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Continue reading ‘Ceylon’s brave bid to settle Sino-Indian dispute’ »

By Rajeev Sharma

The Dragon’s shadow is lengthening over Sri Lanka with every passing day. China has committed since 2005 contracts and investments worth US$ 6.4 billion, as per treasury records. So far, $ 3.6 billion has been disbursed. Projects worth $ 2.8 billion are waiting to be signed. In another three years, the Chinese investment in Sri Lanka will nearly double and touch $ 12 billion.

Is Mahinda Rajapaksa, the sixth president of Sri Lanka, lily white like the shining white dress he wears in public? The answer is a resounding no for a wide variety of things and facts that are surfacing as he entered the seventh year of his presidency.
Continue reading ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa and Family Members May Get US 1.2 -1.8 Billion Dollars as Commissions for Chinese Projets During 2005-2015’ »

by Mike Andree

Many a lawyer is worried about the manner in which the Bar Association of Sri Lanka is being run.

What worries them most is the Association’s lethargy when it comes to important issues such as the attacks on the Judiciary, like that on Judicial Services Commission Secretary Manjula Thilekeratne and the earlier one on the Mannar Magistrate and Court complex.
Continue reading ‘Why is Bar Association of Sri Lanka Silent on Issues Like Attacks on Judiciary?’ »

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The Commission to Inve-stigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption filed report before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court yesterday against former Chairman of the National Savings Bank (NSB) Pradeep Kariyawasam, accusing him of causing a monetary loss of Rs. 391 million to the Government by the unlawful purchases of shares of The Finance Company.

The “B” report filed by the Commission before Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli has accused the former NSB Chairman Pradeep Gamini Suraj Kariyawasam of Lake Drive Colombo 8 for causing monetary losses to the Government amounting to Rs. 391 million by unlawfully transacting with The Finance Company to purchase shares which had caused monetary loss to the Government.
Continue reading ‘Husband of Chief Justice Noticed to Appear Before Courts on Feb 28 Over Charges Filed by Bribery Commission’ »

by Saman Indrajith

The appointment of Manjula Thillkaratne, as the Secretary to the Judicial Services Commission, was done in violation of the Constitution, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said in Parliament yesterday.

“The person appointed was 30th on the seniority list. What is his special qualification to hold the post?” the Minister said, during an adjournment debate in Parliament.
Continue reading ‘Appointment of Manjula Thilakaratne as JSC Secretary Is Violation of Constitution-Prof GL Peiris’ »

Minister of Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said the 13th Amendment is part of the Constitution and the Members of Parliament are obliged to protect the Constitution. If there are obstacles to impediment public service such obstacles could be removed.

“The Constitutions are not rigid and inflexible documents and it could be amended from time to time to suit the needs of the country and the people. India being the largest democracy in the world has amended its Constitution more than 200 times,” Rambukwella said addressing a media conference yesterday.
Continue reading ‘Govt Has Not Taken Any Decision on the 13th Constitutional Amendment-Keheliya’ »

by Vinod Moonesinghe

A persistent myth, which has helped create disharmony in Sri Lanka, is that the Sinhalese and Tamils have had a continuous history of mutual antagonism from the earliest past. In fact, ethnic enmity in Sri Lanka has modern roots, based in the divisive race politics of the British colonial power. Historically, ethnicity was not really a cause of dissension.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) adopted as their emblem the tiger, the totemic emblem of the Chola emperors, as a challenge to the ‘Sinhalese lion’ of the ‘Lion Flag’. In fact, the ‘Lion Flag’ is an adaptation of the royal standard of the Tamil Nayakkar king of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe.
Continue reading ‘Sinhalese and Tamils Have Not Been Mutually Antagonistic from Earlier Times’ »

Indian Pitta

by Jagath Gunawardana

The Indian Pitta, a migrant that comes to Sri Lanka later in the season every year, has arrived in the country for the 2012-2013 migratory season, and can be seen in home gardens, shrub lands and forests.

It is a well-known species in Sri Lanka with several stories and myths surrounding it. In addition, it is a very colourful bird, which has earned it the name, ‘Nine-coloured Pitta.’ This is yet another species that uses the Western Migratory Route and enters Sri Lanka from the Western coast.
Continue reading ‘Indian Pitta is a Bird with Splendid Plumage in Nine Colours’ »

Pix by Sanka Vidanagama

By Thulasi Muttulingam

From time to time, crop up great masters whose artistic legacy is so strong that it will continue to perpetuate and re -perpetuate itself rather than dissolving with their deaths. Good artistes are common, great artistes are rarer but artistes whose work and skills are lauded for generations, spanning into centuries are only a handful.

There are only a few such masters who were able to impress themselves upon the world that strongly; and one such illuminary from our own part of the hemisphere is Rabindranath Tagore.
Continue reading ‘Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy in Sri Lanka’ »

Even with a few exceptions such as ‘Akasa Kusum’ and ‘Machang,’ a good Lankan story told well by a foreigner, the act of watching has ceased to be pleasurable since the bubble got punctured at the Odeon

by Prof. Rohan Samarajiva

The most interesting thing about writing about film at this time is that the writing is about absence. The lack of films worth watching; the absence of places worth watching even worthless films in.

Images are everywhere; I am awash in stories. But no good Sri Lankan stories, not those told in pictures and sound; not in Technicolor and Dolby Sound. How odd for one who grew up on movies? The 9:30 show at the Wales even if one had to walk back to campus.
Continue reading ‘From Kandy Odeon to Mt.Lavinia Odeon: An Ode to Seeing Movies’ »

by Dharisha Bastians

The ruling regime has strong reactions when it fails to get its own way – the blockade on the Divi Neguma legislation is prompting the Government to contemplate getting rid of provincial councils entirely. The real question however is how much the Government is willing to antagonise New Delhi in its attempt to have its way.

There is a certain rustic simplicity to the way the Sri Lanka’s present rulers go about their business. How do you solve the problem of leaked examination papers?

Ban tuition classes one week before national exams. What do you do when one un-constituted provincial council is preventing the enactment of legislation limiting the powers of the councils? Repeal the 13th Amendment and do away with the provincial council system altogether.
Continue reading ‘How Far is Colombo Prepared to Antagonise New Delhi Over Provincial Councils Issue?’ »

Sarath Fonseka in Jan 2010

By Kath Noble

When launching an initiative in Sri Lanka, it is well known that one should be careful to call it the opposite of what it really is. Worried about infighting?

Then be sure to include the word ‘united’ in the title. Concerned that the dubious public image of the leaders may dissuade people from joining up? Then it is inspirational concepts like ‘freedom’ that one needs to reference.

And so it is with the National Movement for Social Justice, whose inaugural rally was held in Colombo last week.
Continue reading ‘Sarath Fonsekas Latest Attempt to resurrect His Political Career was a Flop’ »

By a team of reporters from WSWS

The Sri Lankan government last month announced a “remarkable achievement”—the resettlement of the last of nearly 300,000 Tamil war detainees. This was an outright lie.

School building damaged by the war

The government ordered the military to remove the remaining 1,200 refugees from detention camps erected after the end of the country’s civil war in May 2009, only to dump them in a roughly cleared area in thick jungle without basic facilities.
Continue reading ‘Appalling Conditions of ‘Resettled’ Tamil IDP’s in the Wanni’ »

By Harim Peiris

The Mahinda Chinthanya Way Forward, the 2010 election manifesto and indeed political vision and action plan of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has an importance and seriousness which exceeds the average election manifesto in a democratic society.

Now, an election manifesto itself is an important document, because from it flows, the concept of a mandate to rule, the consent of the governed that forms the core value of a democratic system of government amongst a sovereign people. A free and sovereign people, including Sri Lankans do not give their leaders including President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a blank check to govern according to various whims and fancies but support at periodic elections a stated set of policies and principles, which then forms the mandate by the people to their government.
Continue reading ‘Mahinda will Violate his Own ‘Chinthanaya’ if he Repeals the 13th Constitutional Amendment’ »

By Panini Wijesiriwardane

The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) in Sri Lanka has betrayed a three-month long strike, caving in to government pressure on Thursday. The strike was called off without achieving any of the academic staff’s demands.

About 4,000 teachers from 14 universities took part in the industrial action that began on July 4. They demanded a 20 percent wage rise and an increase in government spending on education to 6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Continue reading ‘FUTA in Act of Betrayal by Caving Into Govt Pressure and Ending Three Month University Strike Action’ »

By Marianne David

The order by President Mahinda Rajapaksa calling for the removal of all private campsites inside national parks over the weekend has left mobile tented safari operators in a quandary, with advanced bookings and the country’s reputation as a wildlife tourism hotspot hanging in the balance.

The three operators – Leopard Safaris, Kulu Safaris, and Mahoora Safari Camps – have already confirmed bookings for many months ahead, well into 2013, and are now uncertain on the way forward given the cessation of operations following the order, which called for the removal of campsites with immediate effect.
Continue reading ‘Wildlife Tourism in Sri Lanka Faces Crisis Due To President Rajapaksa Ordering Removal of Private Campsites Inside National Parks’ »

by Sandya Salgado

I am a lover of the arts, especially a fan of cinema, who is totally saddened by the state of our dead cinema industry.

Due to socioeconomic and political turbulence the country travelled through, the cinema industry took a severe beating and has not recovered and has no signs of recovery either unless a paradigm shift takes place in all quarters that impacts the industry.
Continue reading ‘Action Plan Needed to Resurrect Cinema in Sri Lanka.’ »

MAS ACTIVE, part of MAS Holdings, the largest apparel group in Asia, will shortly open a world class apparel manufacturing facility in the former war zone Kilinochchi.

The investment in Kilinochchi involves three facilities, an apparel manufacturing facility, a training centre, and a five-acre residential complex for the employees. This investment is jointly funded by USAID grant and MAS. The MAS Director Operations involved in the Kilinochchi project is Ivan Brown.
Continue reading ‘MAS and Nike to Open Apparel Manufacturing Facility at Ariviyal Nagar in Kilinochchi’ »

From the rehabilitated former LTTE cadres, three of the best shooters have been selected to the National Shooter’s pool. 135 LTTE cadres who were active members in LTTE armed units, who after the war surrendered to the govt.

forces and were currently undergoing rehabilitation under the govt. programme, have now been assessed for their sports capabilities to represent national sports pools.
Continue reading ‘Three Rehabilitated Ex-LTTE Cadres in National Rifle Shooting Pool’ »

by Indika Gamage

pic courtesy of: VikalpaSL

Reminding the world of one thousand days since the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, his wife Sandya has called upon the United Nations to intervene in bringing justice to all who have been forcibly disappeared in Sri Lanka.

In a letter handed over to the UN office in Colombo on Monday (22) Sandya Ekneligoda and the Committee for Investigating Disappearances (CID) has stated,” the combined force of the executive president, speaker of parliament, leader of the opposition and the UN secretary general have the power to make deliberate progress in fighting disappearances and impunity in Sri Lanka”.
Continue reading ‘1000 Days Have Passed Since ‘Disappearance’ of Cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda’ »

By Thulasi Muttulingam

Pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Nary a bus or private vehicle will pass through on the way to Jaffna without one important stopover: Murugandy. On the long journey north, stopovers are needed but why at that particular point?

View of Murugandy temple in Vanni at dusk ~ via: twitter.com/DushiYanthini

Because a certain unassuming deity has been sitting there under a tree from time immemorial. And travellers up that path, dating from the time of bullock carts, have held to the belief that he is their guardian deity and they need to stop by and pay homage to him in order to have a safe journey.
Continue reading ‘Murugandy Pillaiyar the Guardian Deity of the A-9 Highway’ »

By Purva Desai

Miss International 2012, Ikumi Yoshimatsu

The 52nd Miss International pageant held in Okinawa, Japan came to a close with one winner who clearly stood out from the crowds- Miss Japan Ikumi Yoshimatsu.

Rushani Madhusha Mayadunne

Over the month long event that put the 69 contestants from a myriad of countries to test, there were many favourites including our every own, Miss India Rochelle Maria Rao who was also one of the top 15 finalists.
Continue reading ‘Japan wins Miss International 2012 Title but Sri Lanka’s Rushani Madhusha Mayadunne is Second Runner Up’ »

By Nelum Deepika Udagama

(Text of Keynote address at Inaugural Public Forum “Post-War Sri Lanka: Toward Reconciliation & Social Justice” 2 June, 2012, Russian Cultural Centre)

” … if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law…”

With that simple yet elegant phrase the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights captures the essence of a timeless truism. As I survey the political debates and events unfolding in post-war Sri Lanka, the wisdom of those words constantly comes to mind.
Continue reading ‘Reconciliation Cannot be Achieved Through Clinical,Technical Policies Unaccompanied by an Overarching Spirit of Reconciliation’ »

by Charitha Ratwatte

The Union of Burma became an independent nation in 1948. It was a former British colony, which joined the Commonwealth of Nations.

The British had administered Burma as separate units, Lower Burma, Upper Burma and the Frontier Areas. The Panglong Agreement, which was negotiated by national hero General Aung San, who fought in World War II and negotiated Burma’s freedom from Britain, combined these areas into one nation. General Aung San was later assassinated by political rivals.
Continue reading ‘Can Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia’ Attract More Direct Foreign Investment Than Burma the ‘Golden Land’?’ »

Text and Pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Navaraathri” or nine nights as it is known, refers to one of the important festivals celebrated by the Hindus since time immemorial. The festival is celebrated from16th to 24th October.

Celebration of courage, wealth and wisdom

The festival is dedicated to three Goddesses ~ Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathy respectively. Mother Goddess is invoked as a powerful force as Goddess Durga is celebrated for three consecutive nights for her courage and valour, while she is adored as Goddess Lakshmi for the next three nights for granting the boon of wealth and bounty.

Continue reading ‘Navarathri: Nine Nights of Worship for Three Divine Goddesses’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday reiterated that post-war political strategy of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) left him with no alternative but to strongly recommend the abolition of the 13th Amendment.

He urged the government, the Opposition as well as the international community to examine the conduct of the one-time mouthpiece of the LTTE.
Continue reading ‘Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Wants the TNA to be Held Accountable for its Role During 2001-May 2009’ »

By Wasantha Ramanayake

When the Divineguma Bill was taken up by the Supreme Court on Thursday to determine its constitutionality, counsel for a petitioner said that for the very reason the Supreme Court had decided that the Divineguma Bill should not have been placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on August 10, it should not have been placed on the Order Paper for the second time on October 9.

M.A. Sumanthiran appearing for Jaffna Parliamentarian M. Senathirajah told Court that the Court on its first determination of the Bill conveyed to the Speaker on September 18 held that the Bill should not be placed on the Order Paper of Parliament until every Provincial Council was consulted.
Continue reading ‘Devolved Executive Powers Should be Exercised by Relevant Provincial Ministers and not Central Govt Ministers Argues Counsel for Petitioner MP’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“The most widely held theory of politics is also the simplest: the powerful get what they want”. Dani Rodrik (Project Syndicate – 2.5.2012)

It is almost two weeks since the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) Manjula Tilakeratne was attacked in broad daylight, on a busy suburban road, by four armed men. The police have so far failed to make any headway in the investigation into this outrage. And the perpetrators of this most outrageous crime continue to remain safe, beyond the reach of law.
Continue reading ‘Wags on Internet Advocate Appointing Namal Rajapaksa as Chief Justice to ‘Solve’ Problems’ »

by Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

There is little doubt that the casual dismantling of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions, as much as a pack of cards is routinely shuffled by seasoned card players, calls for deeply reflective thinking rather than shotgun reactions.

Necessity for a collective cathartic process

Indulging in outbursts of fury against the administration and predicting regime change, as if the structure of authoritarian rule that has been so carefully built post war can be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye as it were, may be personally satisfying but this is only to fool ourselves.
Continue reading ‘Sarath N Silva: The Man Who Destroyed Independence of the Judiciary During 1999 -2009 in a Frivolously Easy Manner’ »

by Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

TNA Leader and parliamentarian R. Sampanthan says the proposed Divi Neguma Bill is a clear instance of the government’s insensitivity to the concept of devolving power to the provinces and fully implementing the 13th Amendment and build upon it to bring a meaningful devolution.

He said the TNA delegation that was recently in India had pointed out the Bill as an example to the government’s failure to bring about a meaningful devolution of power. According to Sampanthan, the TNA will carry on the campaign against the insensitive conduct of the central government to centralize all powers in the center.

Following are excerpts of the interview:
Continue reading ‘Divi Neguma Bill Deprives Provinces of the Powers Given to Them by the Constitution -TNA Leader R.Sampanthan’ »

by Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa says that the proposed Divi Neguma Bill that has now run into much controversy, is aimed at uplifting the living standards of the low income earners that amount to around 1.5-1.8 million in the country while also providing benefits to the 27,000 Samurdhi employees.

Responding to concerns raised over the concentration of power with the Economic Development Minister, he explained that the minister is responsible to the people and has to answer to parliament and therefore, responsibility and power has to be with one individual.

“There are so many new theories because a Rajapaksa is proposing this legislation,” Rajapaksa said.

Excerpts of the interview:
Continue reading ‘I Have More Powers as a Minister Now Than I Would Have Through Divineguma-Basil Rajapaksa’ »

by Dr.Wickrema Weerasooriya

In a ground breaking judgment – the first of its kind in Sri Lanka – which will especially interest proprietors and editors of newspapers, photographers and the media – a three judge bench of our Supreme Court recognized the “Economic Rights” of a newspaper journalist to nine exclusive photographs taken by him.

Several years later these photographs had been published in a newspaper without his consent, without his knowledge and without any acknowledgment. The journalist was awarded one million rupees in damages although the claim was for Rs.2.5 million.
Continue reading ‘Landmark Supreme Court Judgment Recognizes ‘Economic Rights’ of Journalists in Sri Lanka’ »

by Charita Wijeratne

Approaching politics in the North, the first images to appear, habitually, are of those who claim to a patent right of representing the Tamil people.

Rather belatedly does one realize that the Tamil community has gifted to Sri Lanka noble men of calibre whose widened horizons enabled them to view the issues of the Tamil people as integral to the broader national issues and the struggle of progressives for social justice.
Continue reading ‘Karalasingham Envisaged a Way Out For The Tamil Speaking People in 1963’ »

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya yesterday after a great deal of thought skipped the Hyde Park rally but vowed to fight emerging dictatorial trends in the country.

Jayasuriya had been under party pressure to abstain from the Hyde Park rally and in a statement issued yesterday to explain the decision, the MP also expressed hope UNP will cease and desist from penalising and exacting revenge from those members who answer the call of conscience.
Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya Gives Hyde Park Rally a Miss but will Continue Fight to Abolish Executive Presidency’ »

By Kalyananda Godage

We are proud of our President and this government which has saved this country from being divided despite the efforts of certain western countries seeking to use the UN Security Council and the UNGA ‘Resolution R2P to save Prabhakaran and to continue the separatist war.

The President has given us a peace which we have not enjoyed in thirty plus years in this country. Today his government is engaged in the process of stabilization with the assistance of friendly countries. This effort of the government MUST be protected; it should take care not to be taken for a ride by self-seeking scoundrels.
Continue reading ‘Why Have I Been Recalled As Sri Lanka’s Envoy to Malaysia?’ »

by Harischandra Gunaratna

Sri Lanka’s National Pastry team excelled at the recent Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt winning the National Pastry team award with six golds. The golds shared by Sri Lanka’s young culinary wizard Dimuthu Kumarasinghe and his apprentice Srimal Kulatunge.

Sri Lanka also won a silver at the Regional Event competing with 54 countries
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka excels at Culinary Olympics held in Frankfurt’ »

by Dharisha Bastians

Somewhere in Temple Trees, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is probably jubilant after an alliance that was to rally the collective opposition to agitate against the absolute power of the executive presidency, descended into chaos late last week.

The UNP Working Committee, the party’s apex body decided last Friday (12) to ban its membership from attending the inaugural rally organised by the alliance, placing several of its members in a precarious position, many of them having already pledged their support for the cause.
Continue reading ‘Anti-Presidency Hyde Park Rally Divides Rather Than Unite Opposition’ »

by MA Sumanthiran M.P.

Today the most important question that is being asked of the TNA is “Why are you not joining the PSC?” This seems Iike a very reasonable question since the Government has quite successfully carried on a campaign to convince everyone that the only reason why a political settlement cannot be reached is because the TNA is being obstinate and is refusing to join this very democratic process of the PSC that has been initiated by the Government.

We owe it to the people of this country to explain the actual reason for the present stalemate in the talks between the TNA and the Government. For this a recollection of events from the beginning of the year 2010 is necessary:
Continue reading ‘The TNA Position on the Prevailing Stalemate regarding the Parliamentary Select Committee’ »

Elegance of Bharatha Natyam

by Subashini Pathmanathan

Silappathikaram of second century AD is the oldest text that provides guidelines to conduct a dance arangetram. From the time of Silappathikaram, arangetram takes place in the dance field. Silappathikaram describes the dance arangetram of Mathavi, the dance heroine of Silappathikaram.

It elaborately explains the stage decor, stage arrangements, how the accompaniments should sit, the quality and nature of the accompaniments in a dance arangetram. Besides it also provides instructions for a dancer, how a dancer herself has to enter the stage.
Continue reading ‘Bharatha Natyam Arangetram: Teachers, Students, Audience is Sri Lankan but Chief Guests are From Another Country’ »

By Risidra Mendis

As part of an exchange programme between the Government of Sri Lankan and the Czech Republic, three species of animals were brought to the Dehiwala Zoo a few days ago.

Among the animals that arrived at the zoo on 11 October 2012 was a pair of Przewalski horses, Komodo dragons and Nile hippos.
Continue reading ‘Dehiwela Zoo Exchanges Two Elephants for Horses, Hippos and Komodo Dragons from Prague Zoo’ »

Ex- Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Though ‘controversy’ may be an apt second name for this-rabble rouser, the ousted former President of the Republic of Maldives considers himself ‘more journalist and activist’, even after being elected as Head of State at the first multi-party election in his beautiful island home.

How these roles combine at some point and evolve he can neither fathom nor describe, except to say that he had dedicated himself to the task of introducing a ‘political overhaul’ to his country, and every move and decision is in order to achieve that broad purpose.
Continue reading ‘Ex- Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed Engages in 24 Hours of “Rabble Rousing”’ »

by Charitha Ratwatte

From Zimbabwe, not the safest of places by all accounts, especially for women, we hear of an interesting and unusual story of a private security firm headed by a woman.

Securico was started in 1999 by Divine Ndhlukula. It is currently one of Zimbabwe’s top three security companies. The firm started out just providing guards, but today has branched out into supplying alarm systems, rapid response teams, CCTV and undercover investigations.
Continue reading ‘Out of 198 Directors in 25 Top Corporates in Sri Lanka Only 10 Are Women’ »

By Kath Noble

The Local Government Elections Act was amended last week, with no debate either inside or outside Parliament. But was the change genuinely uncontroversial? I don’t think so.

Given that the process was initiated in the immediate aftermath of the passage of the 18th Amendment, we should have been more suspicious. The 18th Amendment was part of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s post-war strategy to tighten his grip on power.
Continue reading ‘Party Leaders Dont Like Proportional representation Because it Gives Some of Their Power to Voters’ »

By Sumanasiri Liyanage

Of the four trade union actions, the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) has been so far engaged in, in its about three decades of history, the one that came to conclusion last week was the first that ended with no tangible material results.

On the other hand, the last trade union action was of great significance for two reasons. First, it was the first strike action by the university teachers. FUTA had resorted to different kinds of protests, namely resigning from voluntary positions that the university teachers held in normal situation.
Continue reading ‘FUTA Was Able to Fantasise the Demand of 6% GDP for Education’ »

16 October 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) views with very serious concern the appearance of posters in Sinhala on Monday, 15th October 2012 in the environs of Colombo, the English translation of the text of which states:

“Let us save the pro-people Divineguma Act that builds the lives of fifteen lakhs of low income families from the Paikiasothy gang that aids and abets the separation of the country.”
Continue reading ‘Statement on the poster attacks against CPA Executive Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu’ »

United National Party Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya has requested Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to re-consider the decision taken by the UNP Working Committee to restrict its members from taking part in the rally on the 18th organised by the United Bhikkhu Front.
Continue reading ‘Karu Jayasuriya Wants Ranil Wickremesinghe to Reconsider UNP Decision of not Attending Bhikku Front Rally on 18th’ »

By Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara

A constructive dialogue on nationally important policies is imperative in any liberal democracy. Raising opposing views, no matter whether they are positive or negative in character opens up the opportunity to emerge correct ideologies and notions which may lead to good governance.

The Divi Neguma Bill is being scrutinized these days as an important national topic and anybody can constructively criticize it with a view of making a positive contribution.
Continue reading ‘Divi Neguma Dept is not in Conflict with Powers and Functions of Provincial Councils’ »

Sixteen years ago, when I was elected leader of our Party, the Ontario Liberals had won exactly one election in fifty years.

Premier Dalton McGuinty at Kitchener-Waterloo BBQ, July 17, 2012 ~ pic by: Ontario Liberal Party

We couldn’t do anything to help families because we couldn’t win an election.

That’s changed.
Continue reading ‘Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty Announces Resignation’ »

by G.Ananthakrishnan

The lion-tailed macaque, one of India’s endangered mascot species, is no longer on ‘The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates’ list, after the international body compiling it determined that the State governments had acted positively to protect it.

in cloud forest near Hakgala, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka ~ pic by: Steve Garvie

The list of 25 primates is put out by a group of specialist agencies — the Primate Specialist Group of the IUCN/Species Survival Commission; the International Primatological Society; Conservation International (CI); and the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation.
Continue reading ‘Western Purple Faced Langur of Sri Lanka is Still on the Endangered Primates List’ »

by Sukumaran C. V

Over increasingly large areas of the United States, spring now comes unheralded by the return of the birds, and the early mornings are strangely silent where once they were filled with the beauty of bird song. …In the economy of nature, the natural vegetation has its essential place. Hedgerows along country roads and bordering fields provide food, cover, and nesting areas for birds and homes for many small animals. —Rachel Carson.

N EXCEPTION, NOT A RULE: Photo: K.K. Mustafah

Professor P. J. Sanjeeva Raj’s reference to ‘the Age of Loneliness’ in his article “Beware the loss of biodiversity” (The Hindu, Open Page, September 23) reminded me of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, especially the 8th chapter — ‘And No Birds Sing.’
Continue reading ‘Vanishing birds and silenced countryside’ »

by Hemantha Warnakulasuriya

For all Sri Lankans it was the most exciting day of the year. None of the cricket experts, who contribute to various journals nor the panelists, attached to the many Television stations, which covered the T-20 World Cup, ever gave any chance to the Sri Lankan Cricket team.

Everyone was counting on the Australian, English or the Indian teams to be in the final.
Continue reading ‘Entry of Sri Lanka to the T-20 Finals Caused Euphoria Engulf the Entire Nation’ »

By Salma Yusuf

The United Nations Security Council election will be held on 18 October 2012 during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The elections are for five non-permanent seats on the Security Council for two-year mandates. The new members will take up their seats on 1 January 2013 and will serve on the Security Council through 31 December 2014.
Continue reading ‘United Nations Security Council Must be Restructured to represent the Developing World’ »