By Express News Service Uthiramerur, a quaint village about 85 km from Chennai, suddenly found itself embedded into the foundation of democracy on Thursday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the grassroots-level governance that was practiced there during the Chola period in the 10th century. Soon after laying the foundation stone for the new …

Continue reading ‘Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Cites the Chola-era Stone Inscriptions of Uthiramerur in Tamil Nadu as Proof of Democracy Being Prevalent in India Durinf Ancient times before the Advent of Western Colonialism’ »

By Jagriti Chandra Tamil is the oldest language of the world, and is a big treasure and source of pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to students at the sixth edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha event held on Friday, while urging them to learn languages other than their mother tongue. “Did …

Continue reading ‘“Did you know Tamil is the oldest language of the whole world, not just of India? Shouldn’t such a country be proud? We have such a big treasure, a big source of pride. Our chest should swell with pride and we must tell the world this,” – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’ »

By Kishali Pinto-Jayawardene What has a nation, which cannot guarantee uninterrupted power supply to students sitting the Advanced Level examination, where large swathes of the populace go hungry, where the sick do not have access to essential medicine with many hospitals announcing that they have run out of supplies, have to ‘celebrate’ on its ‘75th …

Continue reading ‘No political party can wash its hands of responsibility for the label of the ‘beggar of South Asia’ that Sri Lanka has been foisted with. ‘We the People’ have played our part in that calamitous road to perdition.So on this 75th Independence Day, what do we ‘celebrate’?’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the President’s Media Division) President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he is bound to implement the existing law in accordance with the executive powers of the President. He said further that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution should be implemented accordingly or the Parliament should abolish the 13th amendment. President …

Continue reading ‘“I am acting in accordance with the Supreme Court decision regarding the 13th Amendment. I oppose a federal state but not devolution of power. The provincial Councils in Sri Lanka haven’t even the powers that are vested in the London City Council. Hence we can’t define this as a federal state.”- President Ranil Wickremesinghe’ »

From meagre beginnings in the 1980s, Gautam Adani has emerged as India’s richest citizen. Now, in just a few days, the foundations of his sprawling empire have been shaken. On January 24th a small New York investment firm, Hindenburg Research, published a report calling the Adani Group “the largest con in corporate history”. In a …

Continue reading ‘New York investment firm Hindenburg Research Targets India’s Richest man Gautam Adani; publishe detailed report that describes the Adani Group as “the largest con in corporate history”.-The Economist”’ »

By Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Delhi The Indian government has invoked emergency laws to block a BBC documentary examining the role of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, during riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002. Controversy has erupted in India over the first episode of the two-part programme, India: The Modi Question, which tracked …

Continue reading ‘India invokes emergency laws to ban BBC documentary about Narendra Modi’s Alleged role in the Anti-Muslim violence during 2002 Gujarat riots; Govt accused of ‘censorship’ for imposing ban on film about PM’s role’ »

By Buddhika Samaraweera The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (25) ordered Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne to make an explanation regarding the investigation related to the sum of Rs. 17.85 million, which was found at the President’s House in Colombo when it was taken over by the public in July 2022, being …

Continue reading ‘Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage Orders IGP Wickramaratne to Explain why Police have not Imlemented Court order to Record Statement from Ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about the Rupees 17.85 million found by the public at the Presidents House in July 2022.’ »

By Madhusha Thavapalakumar Despite the receipt of a letter from the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of China offering Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt to support efforts to secure a $ 2.9 billion loan from the the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sri Lanka is awaiting financial assurances from China to the IMF, similar to …

Continue reading ‘Despite Letter from the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of China offering Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt, Sri Lanka is awaiting financial assurances from China to the IMF, similar to what was provided by the Govt of India; “Once received, a maximum of 4 weeks to get IMF Board approval” says Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “A tangle within, a tangle without…” Jata Sutta – Samyutta Nikaya In July 2020, Indika Rathnayake, a non-theistic online activist, was summoned to the Organised Crimes Prevention Police Division and questioned for three hours. ‘Propagating fictitious ideas’ was his organised crime. The monk-director of the Buddhist Information Centre had complained about Mr. …

Continue reading ‘Mahawamsa’s claim that there’s no sin in killing non-Buddhists in a war to protect Buddhism has seeped deeper into Sinhala consciousness than Buddha’s First Precept.’ »

By Kshama Ranawana He refuses to accept responsibility for the greatest carnage that occurred under his watch and now wants the people to help pay the compensation ordered by the Supreme Court. Maithripala Sirisena, President and Minister of Defence was also the Head of the Security Council and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, …

Continue reading ‘“Man Up Maithripala Sirisena, don’t Trivialise the Easter Bombing!.Apologise and pay the fine out of your pocket or take responsibility and suffer incarceration.”’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Sri Lanka’s professional classes are paragons of virtues at normal times. But, their bruised sense of entitlement at the new personal income tax revisions is nothing but a callous display ofrent-seeking opportunism. Last week, a group of professional organisations representing government doctors, university dons, engineers and banking employees took to the street …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s economy crumbled not just because its ex-president is an egoistic fool but because successive governments bankrolled a low-tax economy with public debt, subsidising everything from fuel to electricity.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed receiving India’s written financing assurance in support of Sri Lanka’s economic revival, Reuters news agency reported, while Sri Lanka has expressed hope of completing talks on debt restructuring in six months’ time. “We confirm that India has indicated to the IMF management that it is …

Continue reading ‘The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirms receipt of India’s written financing assurance in support of Sri Lanka’s economic revival, while Sri Lanka expresses hope of completing talks on debt restructuring in six months’ time.’ »

Indian Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, said in Colombo on Friday that the energy security is one of Sri Lanka’s most serious challenges and a solution must encompass the larger region.He said Sri Lanka has enormous renewable energy potential that can become a sustainable source of revenue while Trincomalee can be an energy hub. …

Continue reading ‘“I would like to underline that India is a reliable neighbour, a trustworthy partner, one who is prepared to go the extra mile when Sri Lanka feels the need.”- Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar’ »

By By Ashish Ray That the British government found Narendra Modi culpable in the 2002 Gujarat riots is the most significant takeaway from the first episode of the two-part BBC television investigative documentary, India: The Modi Question, which was broadcast in Britain on January 17. Soon after the riots, the British foreign office had undertaken …

Continue reading ‘New BBC television investigative documentary Aired on 17 Jan 2023 titled ” India: The Modi Question” reveals Classified Documents on Stating then Gujerat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was Directly Responsible in the Anti-Muslim Violence of 2002.’ »

By Kishali Pinto – Jayawardene It says much for Machiavellian type political audacity, that the hype surrounding Sri Lanka’s Regulation of Elections Expenditure Bill disguised one starkly glaring absurdity. Disgraceful failure to cover ‘political parties’ Leaving aside the flap over the Opposition claiming (not without reason) that the Bill was just another tactic by a …

Continue reading ‘The decades long failure to curb political, state and corporate corruption has propelled the nation into bankruptcy.This pattern continues in the face of the great and grievous travails that afflict this nation, just a tad stealthier perhaps than earlier.’ »

By Rajasinghe Hardly had the ink on the coalition pledge signed by the new Nidahas alliance chiefs dried on the expensive parchment paper supplied by Thilanga Sumathipala, its new General Secretary, when a ballistic missile hit their symbol – the helicopter. A unanimous verdict of a seven-member bench of the Supreme Court – the highest …

Continue reading ‘Former President Maithripala Sirisena Seems to have reached the end of the line mow and has also brought his recently-formed party down with him.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan If an Indian leader or top official makes a statement on Sri Lanka, it would invariably mention one piece of legislation in Sri Lanka’s Constitution — the 13th Amendment. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who was in Colombo earlier this week, said he shared India’s “considered view” with President Ranil Wickremesinghe that …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s failure to fully implement the 13th Constitutional amendment is a reminder of the Sinhalese establishment’s apparent insecurity over sharing power’ »

The final rites of veteran Sri Lankan filmmaker Sumitra Peries, who passed away on Thursday (19 Jan.), were performed with full state honours 21 Jan 2023 afternoon. The procedure took place at the Independence Square in Colombo, prior to which the body was being brought from the late filmmaker’s sister’s residence to the National Film …

Continue reading ‘Renowned Sri Lankan Filmmaker Sumira Peries Bids Adieu! Last Rites Conducted with Full State Honours at Independence Square on 21 January 2023’ »

China responded to Sri Lanka’s long-standing request for a commitment on rescheduling its debts as a prelude to a bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with an offer for a two-year moratorium, the Sunday Times learns. In a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister, the Exim Bank of China …

Continue reading ‘China offers Sri Lanka support with two-year moratorium on debts: President Wickremesinghe gets Exim Bank’s letter supporting IMF’s loan programme’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo On 20 January 2023 under the heading “Visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar promises prosperity for the people of Sri Lanka) !.External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India Dr. S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to Sri Lanka on 19-20 January …

Continue reading ‘Decks Cleared at last for Ranil to Visit New Delhi! Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.Jaishankar Conveys Greetings and hands over Official invitation from PM Modi to President Wickremesinghe Inviting him to visit India at an early mutually convenient date.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India did not wait for other bilateral creditors but did “what is right” for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, visiting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Friday, following talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo. “We felt strongly that Sri Lanka’s creditors must take proactive steps to facilitate its recovery. …

Continue reading ‘“Full implementation of the 13th amendment and early conduct of provincial elections are critical” in regard to political devolution says visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.Jaishankar; also speaks of need to “pay special attention to the requirements of the Indian origin Tamil community”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan If it’s a conversation on Sri Lanka’s economy, talking points on China and India are inevitable. ‘What about China?, What will India do?’ are questions that invariably come up in casual chats, as well as official meetings and briefings. Watching the escalating China-India contest in Sri Lanka is a preoccupation for Sri …

Continue reading ‘Ordinary Sri Lankan People see projects not merely as Indian, or Chinese assisted. They evaluate it on the basis of whether a development project works for them, or not.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan India sent financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday, becoming the first of Sri Lanka’s creditors to officially back the crisis-hit island nation’s debt restructuring programme. The development comes days ahead of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s scheduled visit to Colombo on January 19 and 20, and just as …

Continue reading ‘India sends financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF and becomes the first of Sri Lanka’s creditors to officially back the crisis-hit island nation’s debt restructuring programme.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan At the close of 2022, crisis-hit Sri Lanka had recorded nearly 7.2 lakh tourist arrivals — more than three times the number seen in 2021, even if nowhere close to the country’s pre-pandemic mark of nearly 20 lakh visitors. While authorities and the tourism industry pitched the modest, yet promising, figure as …

Continue reading ‘Tourist Arrivals in Sri Lanka Increasing but Tourism is yet to Pick up in Southern Hotspot Galle’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the Presidents Media Division on 17 January 2023) President Ranil Wickremesinghe invited the opposition to join hands through a new political system to provide relief to the people and free them from oppression. He made this request in parliament today (17). Despite the difficult economic background in the country, …

Continue reading ‘“As we celebrate our 75th Independence, we will not allow our people to starve. We will invest the funds required to feed them.”-President Ranil Wickremesinghe States in Parliament’ »

BY Mirudhula Thambiah In the wake of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) giving an ultimatum of one week from 10 January to yesterday (17) for the Government to decide regarding the issues of the release of Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) prisoners, considering the issue of missing persons, and the release of lands …

Continue reading ‘One week Deadline Given by TNA to Govt for Resolving Three Key Issues Expires without any Response;‘TNA wont Engage in Reconciliation Talks with Govt any more”says Party Spokesman MA Sumanthiran MP’ »

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the Government is considering the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution within the next few years. “We are looking at full implementation of the 13th amendment within the next few years,” he said, while attending the State Thai Pongal Festival held at the Jaffna Durga Hall yesterday …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Visits Jaffna First Time After Becoming President to Attend State Thai Pongal Festival on Jan 15; Govt Contemplates Full Implementation of 13 th Constitutional Amendment within next few years he says’ »

By Suhasini Haidar and Meera Srinivasan External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Colombo on Thursday will focus on “supporting Sri Lanka” in its current economic crisis, government sources said, adding that talks are ongoing in the field of energy security, food security, currency swap arrangements as well as talks about restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt. …

Continue reading ‘Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar may Deliver Positive Message from India to Sri Lanka on its Debt Re-structuring Efforts During Two day Visit ; support in the form of “written financial assurances” likely from India sources said’ »

By P. Krishnaswamy After the Christmas and New Year festivities, the focus is now on the Pongal harvest festival, popularly known as Thai Pongal, celebrated in the first four days of the month of Thai in the Tamil-Hindu calendar. Traditionally, it is the festival of farmers who depend on Mother Earth, the sun, rain, other …

Continue reading ‘‘Thai Pongal’ the Harvest Festival of Tamils’ »

By Kishali Pinto-Jayawardene Thursday’s judgment by a Divisional Bench of Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court unanimously finding that a former President and his intelligence, defence and police heads grossly neglected imperative duties of safeguarding the nation with the consequent order to pay millions in compensation to victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, asks a fundamental …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Delivers an Undeniably hard and well deserved judicial knock on an Irresponsible ex-President and his Inefficient Quartet of Defence Officials’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The magnitude of the bribes solicited from an Indian businessman by two senior Sri Lankan public officials–including former President Maithripala Sirisena’s one-time Chief of Staff–to unblock a legitimate project were “unimaginable”, the Supreme Court (SC) observed this week. The Court stressed that “it would be difficult for this country to revive itself …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Upholds High Court Conviction of former -President Sirisena’s Chief of Staff Mahanama and Ex-Timber Corporation Chairman Dissanayake for Soliciting Mega Bribes from an Indian Businessman Over a Deal Relating to the Kantalai Sugar Factory’ »

By Rajasinghe President Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) in a new, well-cut, powder blue suit, which would have fitted a rock star admirably, met former UK Prime Minister David Cameron for a tête-à-tête in his office some days ago and later hosted a lunch for him at The Kingsbury. He was accompanied by their mutual friend Nirj …

Continue reading ‘Former British Premier David Cameron’s visit can well be a harbinger of greater global interest in our Colombo Port City, which is now entering its main development phase. President Wickremesinghe is on the right track in enlisting global support to pull the country out of its economic mess.’ »

By Dr.Rajni Gamage and Nimendra Mawalagedara (Dr. Rajni Gamage is a researcher in Political Science at the National University of Singapore.Nimendra Mawalagedara is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at Georgia State University.) In the first parliament sitting for 2023, the discussion on the parliament floor touched on the issue of hate speech versus freedom …

Continue reading ‘The Sepal Amarasinghe case, Sinhala Buddhist nationalisms, and party politics in Sri Lanka’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in the “Daily FT”of 12 January 2023 under the heading ” International noose tightens against human rights abusers”) For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, two of the country’s former Heads of State have been sanctioned by a foreign state. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced this week …

Continue reading ‘Canadian sanctions against ex-Presidents Gota and Mahinda is the strongest indication yet that the international justice system is beginning to work against even the highest levels of the Sri Lankan State accused of grotesque warcrimes and gross human rights abuses.’ »

By Suhasini Haidar and Meera Srinivasan External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Sri Lanka next week, sources told The Hindu. This will be his first trip to the country since President Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in last July after street protests forced out the previous Rajapaksa regime. Officials said that while a full review …

Continue reading ‘Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to visit Sri Lanka for two days on Jan 19 and 20 for the first time after President Wickremesinghe assumed Office in July 2022’ »

By Susitha Fernando “On the ill-fated day of 21st of April 2019, this island home was awoken rudely to witness one of its most tragic events in the annuls of its history and in a series of bomb explosions that sent the nation reeling in shock and disbelief, scores of innocent worshippers at several churches …

Continue reading ‘Will Stern Disciplinary Action be Taken against Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena over his Deplorable Conduct in the April 19 Terror Bombings in the Aftermath of Judgement by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court?’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Supreme Court today ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of Rs.100 million as damages to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks. Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former SIS director Nilantha Jayawardhane were ordered to pay Rs.75 million each as compensation. Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando was ordered to …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Orders Five Persons to pay Rupees 310 million as Compensation to April 2019 Terror Attack Victims. Maithripala Sirisena-100 m;Pujitha Jayasundara – 75m;Nilantha Jayawardhane-75 m; Hemasiri Fernando-50 m;Sisira Mendis-10 m.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Thursday ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a compensation of LKR 100 million (roughly ₹2.2 crore) to victims of the April 2019 Easter Sunday terror blasts, while pointing to a “reckless” intelligence failure on the part of the Executive. “A Victim Fund must be established at …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court orders former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a compensation of 100 million rupees to victims of the April 2019 Easter Sunday terror blasts, while pointing to a “reckless” intelligence failure on the part of the Executive.’ »

By Mirudhula Thambiah Noting that there was no progress at the meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (10) between the Tamil political parties and the Government representatives including President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) noted that a timeframe of one week has been provided to the Government to examine the issues …

Continue reading ‘Envisaged Govt- TNA 4 day talks Suspended on First day;TNA refuses to continue Talks without implementation of decisions taken; 7 day deadline given to Govt to show tangible progress in Resolving 3 issues’ »

(Text of media release issued by Canada’s Global Affairs ministry on 10 January 2023 under the heading “Sanctions imposed on Sri Lankan state officials”) Canada is imposing sanctions against the following individuals who committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, which occurred from 1983 to 2009. The Special Economic …

Continue reading ‘Canada Imposes Sanctions Through Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations on Former Sri Lankan Presidents Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, Army Staff Sgt Sunil Ratnayake and Navy Lt.Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi’ »

(Text of media release issued by Canada’s Global Affairs ministry on 10 January 2023 under the heading “Canada imposes sanctions on Sri Lankan state officials for human rights violations”) The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced Canada imposes targeted sanctions under regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act against four Sri …

Continue reading ‘Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly Announces Targeted Sanctions on Four Sri Lankans Including two ex-presidents to send a clear message that Canada will not accept continued impunity for those that have committed gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan For most of its two decade-existence, Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has been engaged in talks with the southern Sinhalese leadership, to negotiate a durable solution to the island nation’s lingering national question. It has sought every opportunity that came its way, braving disappointment and brickbats from rival Tamil parties and …

Continue reading ‘Succession Stakes in the Tamil National Alliance: TNA spokesman and Jaffna MP Sumanthiran is widely seen as heir apparent to Leader Sampanthan but some within the Alliance resent him.’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Compliments of the Season everyone and best wishes for a bright and peaceful 2023. I am beginning the new year by posting “The Hymn of Ceylon” on my Blog. The “hymn of Ceylon” was written by by Rev. W. S. Senior. Walter Stanley Senior was a scholar, pastor, teacher and poet who …

Continue reading ‘“Jehovah, Thou hast promised,,The isles shall wait for Thee,” – A Hymn for Ceylon- By Rev.W.S. Senior’ »

By W.A.Wijewardena Veteran public servant Eric J. de Silva has taken time to pen some of his experiences in the service in a brief publication titled ‘A Peep Into the Past: Stories from the Life of a Public Servant’ released recently. It is not an autobiography but some selected incidents during his career which culminated …

Continue reading ‘Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Eric J de Silva and the Controversy over Martin Wickramasinghe’s “Bawa Tharanaya”.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s recovery from last year’s devastating economic crisis will need its creditors to “share the burden” of debt restructuring, leading global economists have said, calling all lenders to cancel the debt of the cash-strapped island nation. In a statement issued on Sunday, eminent economists and scholars world over observed that amid …

Continue reading ‘Nearly 200 World Renowned Economists and Scholars Issue Statement Calling upon all “Lenders” to share the burden of Debt Re-structuring by Cancelling all Debts of Cash-strapped Sri Lanka’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s recovery from last year’s devastating economic crisis will need its creditors to “share the burden” of debt restructuring, leading global economists have said, calling all lenders to cancel the debt of the cash-strapped island nation. In a statement issued on Sunday, eminent economists and scholars world over observed that amid …

Continue reading ‘Nearly 200 World Renowned Economists and Scholars Issue Statement Calling upon all “Lenders” to share the burden of Debt Re-structuring by Cancelling all Debts of Cash-strapped Sri Lanka’ »

By Chandani Kirinde (Chandani Kirinde is a senior political and history columnist and a long-serving parliamentary correspondent in Sri Lanka). What prompted the US government to put in place a “Buddhist policy” in Southeast Asia during the Cold War and how successful were these clandestine efforts at using a predominant religion of the region to …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Role in the US strategy of Countering Communism By Fostering a “Buddhist Policy” in South East Asia During the Cold War era.’ »

By Rajasinghe What was Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) which was introduced by the Bolsheviks in 1921 and how is it relevant to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of 2023 which is poised to seek power for its own distinctive economic policies in a forthcoming General Election? The Bolsheviks, who were engaged in a civil …

Continue reading ‘The time has come for the JVP to come clean about its economic plans. Popular speechmaking must give way to hard facts. Economics-savvy leaders must emerge just as brave Zhou and Deng, challenging primitive Maoists in Red China.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The Sinhalese, who are the majority community in Sri Lanka, have been changing their names through history to suit existing conditions and meet their aspirations. Sinhalese names have always had a socio-cultural and historical basis. Often they indicate the caste of the bearer. But changes have been taking place in this sphere as …

Continue reading ‘Why the Sinhalese Keep Changing their Names; signs of an emerging class system where “Caste Identifier”names are Transformed into “Status Reflecter” Names by Upwardly Mobile sections says Cultural Anthropologist’ »

By Kishali Pinto -Jayawardene Sri Lanka’s publicity hogging Chair of the Public Utilities Commission is distinguished (not positively) by twin evils of a ghastly sartorial choice in the wildly varied waistcoats that he sports and exhibiting great volubility in speech not accompanied by much precision or clarity of thought. Extreme burdens imposed on the public …

Continue reading ‘The Government must take immediate steps to stop the haemorrhaging of public money and opt for restructuring of unmanageable state entities.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Citing the “lack of any action” by the government on Tamils’ urgent demands, Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it would “rethink” its decision to engage in talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, unless his government reports “actual progress” at the next scheduled discussion on January 10. “We have been highlighting three …

Continue reading ‘TNA Accuses Govt of Inaction in Implementing Decisions Arrived at Regarding Three Critical Issues/may pull out of talks if no actual progress is achieved by Jan 10’ »

By Mirudhula Thambiah At a meeting held yesterday (5) at the Presidential Secretariat between the TamilNational Alliance (TNA) and Government representatives, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the TNA expressed dissatisfaction regarding the lack of progress pertaining to the release of Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) prisoners and the lands …

Continue reading ‘TNA Dissatisfied with Govt Over Lack of Progress in Release of Political Prisoners and Return of Private Lands Seized for High Security Zones; will reconsider participation in talks if there is no progress by Jan 10’ »

By Mirudhula Thambiah The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (4) published a notice calling fornominations for the Local Government (LG) polls 2023, in 340 LG authorities,while the poll for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) in the Galle District will not be held. According to the notice calling for nominations, the nomination forms should be handed over …

Continue reading ‘Nominations Called by Elections Commission for Island wide Local Govt Elections to 29 Municipal Councils, 36 Urban Councils, and 275 Pradesheeya Sabhas; No poll for Elpitiya PS in Galle District’ »

BY Mirudhula Thambiah The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the PresidentialSecretariat today (5) to discuss the release of prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), the possibility of releasing lands from high security zones(HSZs), and finalising the agenda for the meetings scheduled from 10-13 January to …

Continue reading ‘TNA led by Sampanthan MP meets President Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Gunewardena on January 5th for further discussions on Release of Tamil Prisoners and Private lands from High Security Zones; Agenda for marathon session talks from Jan 10 to 13 to be Formulated.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Ranil Wickremesinghe is a tool…” – Deputy Minister Sanath Nishantha (Interview – 2.1.2003) The first breach was a hoot. One year ago, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was booed when his convoy passed a milk powder queue in Mirihana. Rajapaksa went off in a huff. Within minutes, the police arrived in force, dispersed the people …

Continue reading ‘If President Wickremesinghe persists in pushing through the 70% rates increase, he may end up by electrocuting not just the Lankan public and the economy, but also himself.’ »

BY KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL The Supreme Court on January 3, 2023 held there is no reason to impose “additional restrictions” on the right to free speech of Ministers, and the government is not vicariously liable for disparaging remarks made by them, even if the comments are traceable to state affairs or meant to protect the government. …

Continue reading ‘State not vicariously liable for hurtful statements of Ministers; no need for greater restrictions on Ministers’ right to free speech rules Indian Supreme Court.’ »

By Krishantha Prasad Cooray 2023 will be a challenging year for the whole world. Between economic uncertainty, violent weather and the ravages of war, there is no country that does not face tough decisions and uncertainty in the year to come. Malaysia is no exception. But unlike many countries, Malaysia is fortunate enough to have …

Continue reading ‘No opposition should give a govt a free pass. But Malaysians deserve a mature opposition that will engage on an intellectual level with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s policy proposals and give him time to deliver on his promises’ »

By Shamindra Ferdinando About a year before violent protests erupted outside the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Mirihana residence, over the crippling shortages of essential services and supplies, possibly exacerbated by some hidden hands, like the way Aragalaya was mainly bank rolled from abroad, or the mysterious forces who torched several dozen private homes of the …

Continue reading ‘Ranil Wickremesinghe has turned the political environment upside down. The ruling SLPP, struggling to cope up with internal dissent, has been compelled to play ball with Wickremesinghe, who shrewdly changed the political landscape. Ranil has achieved the unthinkable.’ »

By R.K.Radhakrishnan Kanniya hot springs, a set of wells about 10 kilometres from Trincomalee town along the A-12 highway, is a sacred spot for Hindus in Sri Lanka. But the Sri Lankan Army’s ubiquitous presence in Tamil areas extends to this site as well. A Buddha statue, built after the Sri Lankan Army won the …

Continue reading ‘.Sri Lankan Tamils in the North and the East hope that India will intervene and stop the destruction of Hindu religious sites and help in the rebuilding of several temples’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Colombo’s seafront is lit up. Fairy lights, reindeer, and Christmas trees dot the stretch that leads to the Presidential Secretariat, the colonial-era building that served as the Parliament until the early 1980s. On the steps before its 14 giant pillars, a choir sings popular carols — an initiative of the military and …

Continue reading ‘Despite its limitations and internal contradictions, the Janatha Aragalaya’ (people’s struggle) offered rare hope and idealism’ »

The lynching began with an announcement over the loudspeaker of the local temple: a calf had been slaughtered. It was 28th September 2015, around the Eid holiday, and Hindu-Muslim tensions were running high in the village of Bisara in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (up). The broadcast roused the village’s Hindu residents, who consider …

Continue reading ‘“The Myth of the Holy Cow”; After millennia of slaughter and sacrifice, worship and protection, India’s cows have become pawns of the Hindu right.- The Economist’ »

HE WAS JUST a kid, aged 17. Yet in the World Cup final of 1958 Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known by his nickname of Pelé, showed the poise and supreme skill that would become the hallmarks of his career. With Brazil leading Sweden, the hosts, 2-1 he received a high pass in the penalty …

Continue reading ‘Brazil’s Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known by his nickname of Pelé, was the greatest Footballer because he could do anything and everything in a Soccer Game’ »

By W.A.Wijewardena President Ranil Wickremesinghe is noted for reminding fellow Sri Lankans that at the time Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1948, it was a prosperous country which the British had left. Noting the positive stock of foreign reserves which Sri Lanka had inherited, he had said that during the Second World War, the …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka unable to get the consent of all the creditors for a possible debt restructuring because of the intransigence of the leading creditor, China, which holds about 52% of the bilateral debt of the Government.’ »

BY Shehara Ratnasinghe In response to allegations that his recent visit to India was funded by an Indian pharmaceutical company, thus leading to a conflict of interest, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella claimed that his visit was funded by a friend due to the Minister’s credit cards having reached their credit limits, and that he …

Continue reading ‘Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella Tells Media that his Visit to tndia was funded by a Friend Due to his Credit Cards Reaching Credit Limits; Says he has re-imbursed his friend and Refutes Allegations that an Indian Pharmaceutical Company Funded Trip’ »

By Mirudhula Thambiah Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition MP Mano Ganesan yesterday (28) noted that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should appoint three separate, high-powered committees to examine the proposals of the North and East (N-E) Tamil community, the Muslim community, and the hill-country Tamil community, where common positions reached through …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader and MP Mano Ganesan wants President Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint three separate, high-powered committees to examine the proposals of the North and East (N-E) Tamil community, the Muslim community,and the hill-country Tamil community,’ »

By Mirudhula Thambiah Minister of Fisheries and Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) Leader Douglas Devananda yesterday (28) said in Jaffna that he had urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to devolve all powers to the provincial level. While addressing a media briefing, he further stated that all the powers of the provinces that were taken over with …

Continue reading ‘Minister of Fisheries and EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda Wants President Ranil Wickremesinghe to give back to the Provincial Councils all the powers of the provinces that were taken over earlier by Past Presidents with the Executive power granted to them’ »

By Namini Wijedasa Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella—who returned yesterday (Dec 24) from a three-night trip to Chennai undertaken on the invitation of a medical supplier he is promoting for a lucrative Health Ministry contract—ignored Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instructions to follow established guidelines and submitted two consecutive unsolicited proposals from locally unregistered Indian companies to …

Continue reading ‘Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella Submits to Cabinet two consecutive unsolicited proposals from locally unregistered Indian companies to buy drugs under the Indian credit line; Returns after 3 Day trip to Chenna paid for by one of the Indian companies Backed by him for the Lucrative Deal’ »

By Sreedhar Pillai The year 2022 has been the best ever in the last two decades or so for Tamil cinema. Two Tamil films, Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan:1 ( PS1) and Kamal Haasan’s Vikram find a place among the top five worldwide blockbusters from Indian cinema. PS:1 has grossed Rs 495 crore and Vikram Rs …

Continue reading ‘2022 is best year in 20 Years for Tamil Cinema with at least 20 of 215 films released making Huge Profits Including Worldwide Blockbusters “Vikram” and “Ponniyin Selvan -1”.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The first part of this article published last week narrated certain aspects of the life of Sivashankar alias “Pottu Ammaan” the much-dreaded intelligence chief of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE). Although my original intention was to write a two -part article, I have been compelled to make it a three-part article in …

Continue reading ‘The Cruel and Diabolical Mindset of LTTE Intelligence Chief Sivashankar alias “Pottu Ammaan”’ »

By Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy (Text of keynote address delivered at the launch of the Junior Bar Journal on the theme ‘Law in context: Current trends and future projections’ held on 16 December 2022) We live in precarious times. But precarious times are also times of great opportunity. The end of World War Two gave birth to …

Continue reading ‘“For minorities one creates a constitutional and legislative framework to ensure equality at the Centre with mechanisms for implementation. For a territorial minority the textbook solution has always been power sharing agreements. “’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The Cabinet has sanctioned a proposal by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to use the Indian credit line to buy medical supplies—without competitive tender—from a handpicked, locally unregistered Indian manufacturer named Savorite Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd despite there being multiple authorised suppliers holding valid National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) registration for each of the …

Continue reading ‘Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella Allegedly Engaging in Unhealthy Practices in Procuring Medicinal Drugs Under Indian Credit Line; Bypasses President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Directives Regarding Medical Imports’ »

By Rajasinghe In 1970, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike contested the General Election in a coalition with the Left – the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Communist Party (CP). On the other hand, Philip Gunawardena and his Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) contested the 1970 election in alliance with …

Continue reading ‘Rajitha Senaratne has consistently fought for justice towards the minorities and will be supportive of Ranil’s efforts to negotiate an ethnic peace.’ »

By Kishali Pinto -Jayawardene Carrots tossed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the form of release of a few Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) political prisoners and return of lands to displaced owners in the North and East have given rise to unseemly jubilation on the part of Sri Lanka’s Tamil political leadership or what passes as …

Continue reading ‘If consensus cannot be reached on whether a Tamil or Sinhala “small” Party candidate will serve on the Council, what hope does achieving a ‘solution’ for the ‘ethnic problem’ in two months have, we may well ask?’ »

By A.Varathar Rajan Perumal (A.Varathar. Rajan Perumal was the first Chief Minister of the united North Eastern Province from 1988.-1990) Since the advent of the 13th Amendment (13A) to the constitution of Sri Lanka, 13A has been facing denunciations from different quarters in Sri Lanka. It is undeniable that the purpose of the establishment of …

Continue reading ‘If proper and full implementation of the 13A is achieved within the framework of the present unitary system, then the political process will move towards the next stage of constitutional development providing greater devolution to the Provincial Councils.’ »

Fresh discussions between Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has focused on the release of political prisoners and lands in former conflict zones, a TNA legislator said. TNA parliamentarian M A Sumanthiran told reporters Wednesday December 21 evening that the discussion followed an all-party meeting held recently on finding …

Continue reading ‘Tamil National Alliance meets President Wickremesinghe and group of Ministers for Further Discussions on Reconciliation related matters;”Discussions can be termed Successful only when decisions are implemented” says TNA spokesperson MA Sumanthiran’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka is waiting for financing assurances from its bilateral creditors, including India and China, to tap support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe. In September, the IMF reached a staff level agreement with Sri Lanka for a $2.9 billion package to …

Continue reading ‘Delay in Getting assurances from Creditor Nations like China and India is Delaying the IMF Extended Fund Facility of $ 2.9 Billion to Sri Lanka says Central Bank Governor Dr.Nandalal Weerasinghe’ »

By Mirudhula Thambiah The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday (20) expressed dissatisfaction that a Tamil representative was not permitted to be nominated to the Constitutional Council (CC) by some MPs who had crossed over to the Opposition from the Government. The TNA had also brought this matter to the notice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and …

Continue reading ‘Group of SLPP “Independent” MPs Try to Nominate Gammanpila to the Constitutional Council Instead of Siddhathan; TNA Spokesperson MA Sumanthiran MP Says Tamil Community is Being Denied Due Representation on CC which already has 5 Sinhala&1 Muslim MPs’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Winds don’t blow as ships desire.” Arabic proverb Before Gotabaya Rajapaksa, there was S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. Before organic only, there was Sinhala only. And the related transformation of Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara from monastic colleges to secular universities. Like Sinhala only, this was an election promise; like Sinhala only, this was implemented with no …

Continue reading ‘According to the Institute of Health Policy’s opinion tracker survey Ratings , President Ranil Wickremesinghe with 45% rating is less unpopular than Opposition Sajith Premadasa with a net unpopularity rating of 57%.’ »

BY Kiara Warnasuriya The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has questioned 23 persons in relation to the abduction and murder of businessman Dinesh Schaffter and has recorded statements from them. According to Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney Nihal Thalduwa, two teams of detectives are investigating the available closed-circuit-television (CCTV) camera footage, and …

Continue reading ‘CID Questions and Records Statements from 23 Persons Regarding the Abduction and Murder of Janashakthi Group Director Dinesh Schaffter’ »

By Kishali Pinto-Jayawardene When Rajan Hoole requested a review for the book, ‘Democracy Still Born; Lanka’s rejection of Equal Rights at Independence’ (Rajan Hoole and Kirupaimalar Hoole, Perera-Hussein Publishing, 2022) in characteristically succinct style a few months ago, I demurred on seeing the weighty tome (730pp). The twisted creature of the Sri Lankan State ‘How …

Continue reading ‘‘Democracy Still Born; Lanka’s rejection of Equal Rights at Independence’ by Rajan and Kirupaimalar Hoole offers a reflective introspection on the long road by which a promising nation-state became a bankrupt beggar of South Asia.’ »

By Marianne David A cost-reflective tariff system alone is not sufficient to effectively address the current power crisis and the country must simultaneously focus on other areas, especially renewable energy, asserted MP John Seneviratne, a former Power and Energy Minister, in an interview with The Sunday Morning. A large number of renewable energy projects that …

Continue reading ‘“The CEB and most of the CEB unions are not genuine.There are some CEB officers who have been there for 20 to 30 years and all their family members have crawled into the CEB. Besides that, they try to do the biggest possible harm to the CEB, which is a national asset.” – Ex-Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne’ »

By Rajasinghe President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) was on a State visit to China. She was entertained at a State banquet by then President Jiang Zemin in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. There was an interesting chatter at the head table because the Chinese President was a good English speaker. While conversing, …

Continue reading ‘While Anura Kumara Dissanayake is deservedly the most popular political leader as recent opinion polls show, his party, which includes primitives like Lal Kantha, has no comprehensive philosophy of economic growth.’ »

By Chris Kamalendran Investigations into the killing of well-known businessman and Janashakthi Group Director Dinesh Schaffter were widened yesterday with three police teams probing the death and statements of 23 people recorded so far. One of the key questions the investigators were trying to resolve was the person or persons responsible for the killing and …

Continue reading ‘Investigations into the killing of well-known businessman and Janashakthi Group Director Dinesh Schaffter widened with three police teams probing the death and statements recorded so far of 23 people.’ »

Iranian authorities arrested one of the country’s most famous actors, Taraneh Alidoosti, on charges of spreading falsehoods about nationwide protests that grip the country, state media said Saturday. The report by IRNA said Taraneh Alidoosti, star of the Oscar-winning movie “The Salesman,” was detained a week after she made a post on Instagram expressing solidarity …

Continue reading ‘Famous Iranian Actress Taraneh Alidoosti Arrested by Authorities on charges of spreading falsehoods about nationwide protests gripping the country, Announces Iran’s state media’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka police on Friday (Dec 16) began a probe into the death of a well-known Colombo-based businessman, apparently attacked and abandoned in mysterious circumstances. The incident, which has shaken many in Sri Lanka, came to light late on Thursday when Dinesh Schaffter, a noted business …

Continue reading ‘CID Begins Probe into Mysterious Death of Colombo Business Leader Dinesh Schaffter by Pursuing Multiple Lines of Inquiry; Colombo Magistrate Court issueds order Preventing Sri Lankan cricket commentator Brian Thomas from leaving the country, in connection with the ongoing investigation.’ »

Sri Lanka’s army has decided to vacate posts of over 16,000 military personnel on a budget proposed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the island nation struggling to reduce government spending ahead of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal. President WIckremesinghe last month proposed to give voluntary early retirement for military personnel in order to reduce …

Continue reading ‘Over 16,000 Military Personnel Given Voluntary Early Retirement in a bid to Revive Sri Lanka’s Crisis ridden Economy by reducing Govt Expenditure for the Defence Sector’ »

By Chandani Kirinde France is actively working with other members of the Paris Club group of creditors to ensure that an agreement is reached as soon as possible to assist the country to overcome its on-going debt crisis, the new French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jean-François Pactet said yesterday. “We all can agree that it …

Continue reading ‘France is actively working with other members of the Paris Club group of creditors to reach an agreement soon to assist Sri Lanka to overcome its on-going debt crisis says Jean-François Pactet the new French Ambassador to Colombo’ »

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya Fifty two year old businessman, Dinesh Schaffter, a director of Janashakthi Group, who had been found tied inside a car at the Borella General Cemetery with serious injuries earlier this evening has died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo. Police said the businessman Dinesh Schaffter had left his …

Continue reading ‘Businessman Dinesh Schaffter (52) of Janashakthi Group dies in The Colombo National Hospital ICU after being found Unconscious in a car at the Borella Cemetery being tied to the driver’s seat with a wire around his neck.’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda Filing a writ petition in Court of Appeal, 22 government Parliamentarians representing SLPP and several others have sought an order directing the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation in order to ascertain as to whether former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, IGP Chandana Wickremaratne or any other respondents have willfully disobeyed the …

Continue reading ‘22 SLPP Ministers and MPs File Writ in Appeal Court Seeking Order to Probe Whether Ex-Army Chief Shavendra Silva and IGP Chandana Wickremaratne Wilfully Disobeyed Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Directive to Prevent Harm to Property and Persons on May 9 2022’ »