By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Vikram,Vikram” is the Mantra being chanted by many a film fan these days. The Tamil action thriller “Vikram” along with its dubbed versions in Hindi,Telugu,Malayalam and Kannada was released worldwide in over 5000 Screens on June 3. It has proved to be a box office blockbuster since then. Vikram is having a successful …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Return of Ranil : Remarkable Resilience of Premier Wickremesinghe. -Part Three Let me rewind back to my boyhood when I first read the fable about the scorpion and frog which I believe is of Russian origin. The scorpion which cannot swim wanted to cross the river. So the scorpion begged the frog to …
Continue reading ‘Gotabaya, Ranil and the Fable of the Scorpion and Frog 🐸 🦂 📖’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (June 24th is the 94th birth anniversary of popular music composer Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (MSV) who along with Tiruchirappalli Krishnaswamypillai Ramamurthy (TKR) blazed a musical trail together in Tamil films for a period of 13 years. MS Viswanathan and TK Rammmurthy were known popularly as the “Mellisai Mannargal” (Monarchs of light music).This Article …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj On May 19 this year, the Panama-registered general cargo vessel “Tan Binh 99” departed at 8.28 am from the Chennai harbour in India with 9000 tons of rice, 200 tons of milk poweder nd 24 tons of essential medicines. Its destination was Sri Lanka’s Colombo port. This was the first consignment of a …
Continue reading ‘Tamil Nadu’s DMK Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Sri Lanka’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The armed struggle launched by Tamil militant groups to achieve the objective of a separate Tamil state caused massive loss of life and bloodshed. Many of those killed were victims of internecine conflict and fratricidal warfare. Among the many who were killed was Subathiran alias Robert, a charismatic personality with a colourful history. …
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ In what has been described as a historic ruling, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court on May 31st 2022, issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of the Presidential Pardon granted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Arumadura Lawrence Romelo Duminda Silva known as Duminda Silva. The former parliamentarian and ex- provincial councillor had been …
Continue reading ‘Hirunika’s Letter to Gotabaya After the Presidential Pardon of Duminda Silva’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( Eight years have passed since violence was unleahed by Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS)instigated goons against the Muslims of Aluthgama and Beruwela on Sunday June 15th 2014. This article was written by me shortly after the incidents in the ensuing week in 2014.It is being re-posted without any changes to denote the eighth …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The first part of my article on Ranil’s return was published in the “Daily Mirror”of May 21st 2022. In that I made a brief reference to the song “Que Sera Sera” sung by the American singer com actress Doris Day. This was in the context of speculation about Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political future. This …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The death of any member of the journalistic fraternity is distressing. More so when a scribe is gunned down in broad daylight by ‘unknown’ assassins for the ‘crime’ of writing something that displeased people with pretensions of power. The sadness is even more acute when the journalist was someone known to you for …
Continue reading ‘Assassination of Journalist Aiyathurai Nadesan in Broad Daylight 18 Years ago’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Return of Ranil : Remarkable Resilience od Premier Wickremesinghe. -Part Two The first part of the article titled “Ranil Returns: Remarkable Resilience of Premier Wickremesinghe”published in the “DailyMirror” of May 21st 2022 resulted in my getting quite a lot of feedback during the week. Much more than usual. I was pleasantly surprised by …
Continue reading ‘How Ranil Wickremesinghe Became Prime Minister Again’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The “Political Pulse”column focuses this week on a man who was perhaps the last of the great trade unionists. A legend in his lifetime who was at the helm of a vibrant trade union continuously for a period of sixty six years – an unsurpassed record! I am of course referring to comrade …
Continue reading ‘Remembering Legendary Trade Union Leader Bala Tampoe on his Birth Centenary’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This Article was written in July 2021 following the Presidential Pardon given to Convicted Murderer Duminda Silva by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa/It is being re-posted now in view of the historic interim order issued by the Supreme Court suspending the operation of the Presidential Pardon) Arumadura Lawrence Romelo Duminda Silva known as Duminda Silva …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Ranil Sriyan Wickremesinghe known as Ranil is in the seat of power again as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the sixth time. The new Prime Minister was neither elected to office by the people in a general election nor endorsed by a majority of MP’s in Parliament. Ranil is the leader of …
Continue reading ‘Return of Ranil: Remarkable Resilience of Premier Wickremesinghe’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (P. Leela was the uncrowned queen of song in the realm of Tamil films during the fifties and sixties of the last century.Born in 1934, Leela passed away in 2005.This Article written in 2015 is re-posted here without any changes to denote Leela’s Birthdy on May 19) I was pleasantly surprised this …
Continue reading ‘♬ P. Leela, ‘Forgotten’ Singer Who Sang Unforgettable Songs In Tamil Cinema ♥’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Actress turned politician Geetha Kumarasinghe grabbed media attention a few weeks ago when she spoke out strongly in support of President Gotabaya Rajapksa. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) Galle district MP who enjoyed much popularity as a successful actress for many years had been appointed State minister of Culture and Performing Arts by …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady.” – Nursery Rhyme When Basil Rohana Rajapaksa was in a rn in as Finance Minister by his brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2021, the appointment grabbed the attention of the world’s influential media. It was …
Continue reading ‘Is the Medamulana “House of Rajapaksa” Falling Down, Falling Down?’ »
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ “Go Home Gota” and/or “Gota Go Home” is the resounding clarion call that is currently motivating and mobilizing a number of protest demonstrations throughout Sri Lanka. The underlying thread is that Sri Lanka’s Executive President Gotabaya (Gota) Rajapaksa should resign and quit. The social media too is replete with demands of a similar …
Continue reading ‘Will the Executive Presidency “Go Out” If Gota Refuses to Go Home?’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj This column focuses this month on my favourite Sinhala film director Lester James Peries and his award winning film “Gamperaliya” . Lester’s 103rd birth anniversary was celebrated on April 5 while his 4th death anniversary was commemorated on April 29 this year.The Gamperaliya film was based on the famous novel of the same …
Continue reading ‘Lester James Peries and the Double Gold Winning “Gamperaliya”’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj ( Versatile South Indian Playback singer S.Janaki Celebrates her 84th Birth Anniversary on April 23rd 2922. This article written six Years ago is re-posted here without changes to commemorate the popular artiste on this joyful day) Sishtla Sreeramamurthy Janaki popularly known as S. Janaki celebrates her 80th birthday on April 23rd 2018. …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( “The Sunday Leader” Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was born on April 5th 1958. This Article Published in Janury 2021 is reposted here without any changes to denote the 64th Birth anniversary of the brilliant and beloved Journalist) Twelve years ago on 8 January 2009, Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge, the Editor of The Sunday Leader …
Continue reading ‘Unbowed and Unafraid, Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge Spoke Truth to Power’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) has taken the initiative in seeking a new representative body for the pre-dominantly Tamil people of recent Indian origin or Indian Origin Tamils(IOT). In recent times the community has become known as the “Malaiyahath Thamizhar” (Hill Country Tamils/Up Country Tamils). Although called Hill Country Tamils because they are …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj This weekly column returns with the second part of the article titled “ Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N.Q. Dias was Feared as the “Tsar” that was published in the “Daily Mirror” of February 19t 2022. The feedback I received indicate that there is much interest in the role played by NQ Dias in the …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Hell hath no fury as two Sri Lankan ministers ejected unceremoniously from the cabinet by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa! Both the sacked ministers wrathfully lay the blame for their ouster on Presidential sibling and finance minister Basil Rajapaksa. Wimal Weerwansa and Udaya Gammanpila who held the portfolios of Industries and Energy respectivey are …
Continue reading ‘Why Basil Rajapaksa Does not fit the “Ugly American” Label.’ »
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ The “Sunday Times” of March 13th 2022 reported that the death sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court on Johnson Colin Valentine alias Vasanthan who was found guilty of assassinating former minister and United National Party MP Thiyagarajah Maheswaran has been upheld by the Court of Appeal (CA).A bench comprising Judges Nissanka Bandula …
Continue reading ‘Assassination of UNP Tamil MP Maheswaran at a Hindu Temple in Colombo’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Popular Tamil film actor M. N. Nambiar who excelled in playing “villain”roles on screen was born on March 7th 1919. This article appearing in the “Spotlight” cinema Column of the “Daily FT” on November 28th 2015 is being re-posted here with minor changes in the first paragraph to denote the 103rd birth anniversary …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj I begin this column this week with an apology to readers. I had written a two part article titled “Sinhala Buddhist Strategist N.Q. Dias was Feared as the “Tsar” in the “Daily Mirror” last week(Feb 19). Unfortunately I am unable to write the second part this week as planned because I am yet …
Continue reading ‘H.R. Jothipala: Sinhala Cinema’s Most Popular Playback Singer’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In the article titled “1962 Coup:Takeover of Govt Through Operation Holdfast” that was published in the “Daily Mirror”of January 29th 2022, I had written about some persons who were to be arrested and detained at the Army headquarters by the Coup d’etat conspirators. Among these were the then Finance Minister Felix R Dias …
Continue reading ‘Sinhala Buddhist Strategist NQ Dias was Feared as the “Tsar”’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu Ms.Jayalalithaa Jayaram was born on February 24th 1948. The glamorous actress turned politician who passed away in 2016 would have turned seventy- four were she among the living now. This article originally written in 2016 for the “Spotlight”film affairs column in the “Daily Financial Times” is being …
Continue reading ‘When actress Jayalalithaa reigned as uncrowned Queen of Tamil cinema’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ is the title of a long tale written by Rudyard Kipling in 1888. This very popular story was made into a successful film starring Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Christopher Plummer by the well-known director John Huston in 1975. The objective of this article however is not …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This Article written five years ago is being re-posted with a minor alteration to denote the 84th Birth Anniversary and 39th nniversary of the disappearance of Sri Lanka’s beloved tycoon Upali Wijewardene) Upali Wijewardene known widely as Upali was arguably Sri Lanka’s first home-grown tycoon of the post – Independence years who captured …
Continue reading ‘Upali Wijewardene: Sri Lanka’s Beloved Home-Grown Tycoon’ »
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj The political landscape of Sri Lanka seems gloomy and desolate. Most of the actors who strut about the political stage posing as visionaries and leaders are in actuality empty vessels devoid of substance. Proverbial wisdom tells us that empty vessels make most sound. This is most apparent in the cacophony of voices currently …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Former Tamil National Alliance Amparai district MP Ariyanayagam Chandranehru was assassinated on February 7th 2005 long with former LTTE Eastern Political Commissar Lt.Col Kausalyan.. This Article published then in “The Sunday Leader”is reproduced here to denote his 17th death anniversary………….DBSJ) Ariyanayagam Chandranehru was the latest unfortunate casualty caught in the crossfire of a …
Continue reading ‘Ariyanayagam Chandranehru: Tamil Nationalist son of the Eastern soil’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj This column has for the past three weeks been focusing on the abortive Coup d’etat conspiracy of 1962. There has been much reader interest in the articles. I have been pleasantly surprised to receive a lot of responses ranging from persons related or connected to some of the coup suspects to people from …
Continue reading ‘The Killing of LTTE Eastern Political Commissar Lt.Col Kausalyan’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The 1962 Coup d’etat conspiracy had three noteworthy aspects.Firstly the architects of the conspiracy wanted a bloodless coup.The planning of the coup was done with the objective of avoiding bloodshed. Important people were to be either detained or have their movement restricted for specific periods of time but would not have suffered summary …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj “Naghaichchuvai Mannan” (King of Comedy) Nagesh passed away in Chennai on Jan 31st 2009. His 13th death anniversary is being commemorated this year. He was born on September 27th 1933. Nagesh was the undisputed king of comedians in Tamil cinema from the early sixties to mid-seventies of the previous century. After a …
Continue reading ‘“Nagaichuvai Mannan” Nagesh: The Comedy King of Tamil Cinema’ »
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Sinhala Cinema celebrates its 75th anniversary this January. The first Sinhala Talkie “Kadavunu Poronduwa”(Broken Promise) was released on Jan 21 1947.It was produced by a Tamil S. Maruthanayagam known as SM Nayagam. This article published last year is being re-posted without any changes to denote the milepost anniversary) “It is with pride and …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (The fourth death aniversary of Renowned Film Maker Dharmasena Pathiraja falls on January 28th 2022. This article about “Pathi” was written last year.It is being re-posted here without any changes to commemorate the Maestro) January 28th 2021 was the third death anniversary of famous film maker Dharmasena Pathiraja. The renowned academic cum film …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In order to understand the 1962 Coup d’etat conspiracy phenomenon, it is essential to delve deep into some events that happened between Independence in February 1948 and the envisaged D-day for executing the coup on January 27-28th 1962. A brief re-run of history is necessary to comprehend the motives of the coup suspects …
Continue reading ‘1962 Coup Conspiracy: Rising Disgruntlement Within Army and Police Top Brass’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj This January is the 60th anniversary of what has come to be known as the 1962 Coup or Coup d’etat of Sri Lanka known formerly as Ceylon.News about the coup in Ceylon/Sri Lanka was first relayed over the state radio known then as “Radio Ceylon” on January 28th 1962. It was a Sunday …
Continue reading ‘Coup d’etat Conspiracy Crisis of 1962: The Background’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour. Among the Indian states, it is the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu that is closest to he Island.Tamil Nadu meaning “Tamil Land/Country” is home to more than 72 million people. Since 1967 ,Tamil Nadu has been ruled by political parties adhering to what is termed as …
Continue reading ‘How Actor MGR Became Chief Minister: Cinematic Politics of M.G.Ramachandran’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In a significant political move, seven political parties mainly representing the Sri Lankan Tamils of the Northern and Eastern provinces have written a joint letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his help to fully implement the provisions of the 13th amendment to the Constitution. As is well known the Provincial Councils …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj A solemn, low key memorial event was held in Trincomalee town on Sunday January 2nd. Relatives and friends laid flowers and lit candles and lamps in memory of five Tamil youths killed in Trincomalee town on Jan 2nd 2006. The incident that happened sixteen years ago for which justice was not done is …
Continue reading ‘Killing of Five Tamil Students in Trinco Town: Emblematic Case of Impunity’ »
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj 14th Death Anniversary of Shanmuganathan Ravishankar alias Col Arulventhan a.k.a Charles (Shanmuganathan Ravishankar alias Col Arulventhan a.k.a Charles of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE)was killed on January 5th 2008. This article written within a week of his death in Jan 2008 is reproduced here on account of his fourteeth death anniversary) The …
Continue reading ‘“Col Charles”: The”tiger” Mastermind Behind LTTE Attacks Outside North-East’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Much concern is now being shown by political parties representing the minority (numerical) ethnicities of Sri Lanka over the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. As is well known it is the 13th Constitutional Amendment which ushered n a certain quantum of devolution to the country through the setting up of Provincial Councils. 13 …
Continue reading ‘Indo-Lanka Accord, Thirteenth Amendment and the Tamil March of Folly’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (Popular Tamil Nadu Film Actor cum Political Leader M.G.Ramachandran known as “MGR” passed away in Chennai on December 24th 1987.. This article written earlier for the “Spotlight” Column of “Daily Financial Times” is reproduced here to denote MGR’s 34h Death anniversary) There was a time when the magical initials MGR were a …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj 13th Death Anniversary was on January 1st 2022. Year 2008 dawned on a dreadful note for Tamils in Sri Lanka as one more democratically elected Parliamentarian was assassinated in broad daylight. United National Party (UNP) Colombo district MP Thiagarajah Maheswaran was shot dead at the Shree Ponnambalavaneswarar Sivan temple in Kotahena. 41 …
Continue reading ‘Thiagarajah Maheswaran: Blend of Business Acumen and Political Savvy’ »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year Friends! It’s Christmas season again! The COVID-19 Pandemic has restricted the fun,frolic and festivity this year too. Let us all hope and pray that the world withstands and recovers as soon as possible. The Christmas spirit however will remain despite the changed situation. An integral …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ‘Arasiyal Madhiuraignar’ (Political Adviser) Anton Stanislaus Balasingham passed away 15 years ago at his South London residence on 14 December 2006. Bala ‘Annai’ (elder brother) as he was generally known among Tamils died of cancer at the age of 68 years. The funeral was held at …
Continue reading ‘LTTE Political Adviser Anton Balasingham:Up, Close and Personal.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ‘Maaveerar Naal’ or Great Heroes Day (GHD) is observed on 27 November by sections of Sri Lankan Tamils regarded as being generally supportive of the Tigers. It is the day on which fallen members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are commemorated. It was at one time a very important event …
Continue reading ‘Great Heroes Day (Maaveerar Naal) was a Partisan Event Of, For and By the LTTE.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Last Saturday (November 20) saw a group of self-styled political activists create a ruckus and disrupt a public meeting in the Scarborough area of Toronto City in Canada. The incident -though distorted and misreported in sections of the media – received wide publicity in Sri Lanka. Moreover it has generated a multi-faceted debate …
Continue reading ‘Turmoil in Toronto as “Tigers” Target TNA Meeting’ »
by D.B.S.JEYARAJ In the ‘Political Pulse’ column of 10 November titled ‘Tiruchelvam QC and Sabry PC: A tale of two resignations,’ I had written to some extent about former Local Government Minister Murugeysen Tiruchelvam known as M. Tiru or Tiru. Interestingly much of the feedback I received displayed great interest and curiosity about M. Tiruchelvam. …
Continue reading ‘Murugeysen Tiruchelvam: Former Chief Political Strategist of the ITAK/FP’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Popular Tamil cinema actor Gemini Ganesan whose 101st birth anniversary falls on November 17th is regarded widely as the greatest romantic lover in Tamil cinema . In a career spanning more than five decades Gemini Ganesan made his mark in Tamil films as the romantic hero par excellence. In fact he was dubbed …
Continue reading ‘“Kaadhal Mannan” Gemini Ganesan: On- screen Romancer and Off-screen Casanova.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( Former Sri Lankan President and Current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was born on November 18th 1945. This Article written last year is being reposted here without any Changes to denote Mahinda’s 76th Birth aniversary this year) Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa known to the world as Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sworn in as Prime …
Continue reading ‘Fascinating Features of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Early Life.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The controversial appointment of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero as chair of the ‘One Country, One Law’ (OCOL) Presidential Task Force (PTF) by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has created a political furore. The purported OCOL objective of the PTF as well as the alleged unsuitability of Gnanasara Thero to …
Continue reading ‘Tiruchelvam QC and Ali Sabry PC; A Tale of Two Ministerial Resignations’ »
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj The appointment of militant Buddhist monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero as Chairman of the ‘One Country, One Law’ (OCOL) Presidential Task Force has shocked the country in general and the Sri Lankan Muslim community in particular. The controversial Gnanasara Thero is the General-Secretary of the Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) – meaning …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (The appointment of Bodu Bala Sena(BBS) General- Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanaasara Thero as chairman of the Presidential Task Force on “One Country,One Law”(OCOL) by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has caused much controversy.It is being widely criticized. The appointment has also blatantly exposed the nexus between the President and the BBS.Gota’s BBS connection received …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) is now twenty years of age . The premier political configuration of the Tamil people in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka came into being on October 22nd 20, a few weeks ahead of the 2001 December Parliament election. Much water has flown down on either side …
Continue reading ‘How and Why the Tamil National Alliance was Formed Twenty Years Ago’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj In my article ‘SWRD’s flirtation with federalism’ published in these columns on 29 September 2021, I had referred to the pact signed by the then Prime Minister Bandaranaike and Tamil political leader Chelvanayagam in 1957. What I wrote then was as follows: “The agreement signed by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and S.J.V. Chelvanayagam in …
Continue reading ‘JR Jayewardene’s Infamous Kandy March Against the Banda-Chelva Pact’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj This article was written in 2015 to mark the Twenty – Fifth Anniversary of Muslim Mass Expulsion From North by the LTTE.It is being re-posted without any changes to denote the 31st annivrsary of the tragic event The Investigation launched by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Pandora Papers are a series of papers being continuously published since October 3rd 2021 by the Washington based International Consortium of Investigative Journalism(ICIJ).The ICIJ is a worldwide network of 280 Investigative journalists and more than 100 Media organizations from many different countries spanning the globe. The Pandora papers are based on 11.8 …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj United National Party Leader and National list MP Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed concern over the continued detention of Wanni District Parliamentarian, All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader and former Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been a MP without a break since July 1977, said in Parliament on 4 October that …
Continue reading ‘Rishad Bathiudeen Targeted in Witch Hunt After his Fall From Rajapaksa Grace’ »
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj October 10th 2021 was the 21st death anniversary of the world’s first woman prime minister Mrs.Sirima Bandaranaike. I am therefore reproducing on my blog an article written about her by me 21 years years ago. It was published in the Indian news-magazine “Frontline” of Aug 19th – Sep 01st 2000 (Vol 17-Issue 17) …
Continue reading ‘Sirimavo Bandaranaike: The Grand Old Lady of Sri Lankan Politics’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This 75th Birthday Tribue to Vijaya Kumaratunga written last year is being re-posted here without any changes to commemorate the actor-politico’s 76th birth anniversary.) Kovilage Vijaya Anthony Kumaratunga, known to the world as Vijaya Kumaratunga, was born in Seeduwa on 9 October 1945. Vijaya was an endearing personality with an enduring vision whom …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Gamini Fonseka was the uncrowned king of Sinhala cinema for nearly three decades. He was the first and arguably the sole super star of Sinhala cinema.Notwithstanding the brilliant creators of our times who have raised the standards of Sinhala cinema, one is unable to imagine or visualise Sinhala cinema without thinking of Gamini …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike known as S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was the fourth Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka known then as Ceylon. SWRD who was born on 8 January 1899 died due to assassination on 26 September 1959. This year therefore marks the 112th anniversary of his birth and 62nd anniversary of his …
Continue reading ‘SWRD Bandaranaike’s Flirtation With Federalism.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (The Doyen of Tamil Film Actors “Nadigar Thilagham” Sivaji Ganesan was born on 1 October 1928. This article was written a month ago to commemorate Sivaji’s 20th death anniversary.It is being reposted without any changes to denote his 93rd Birth Anniversary) Sivaji Ganesan, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Gemini Ganesan comprised the triumvirate that …
Continue reading ‘Sivaji Ganesan Made Many Tamils Appreciate Their Vibrant Language More’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (This article was first published seven years ago to commemorate the 25th death anniversary of Dr.Rajini.It is re-posted here without any changes to denote her 32nd death anniversary) It was 25 years ago on September 21st 1989 that Dr. Rajini Thiranagama nee Rajasingham was killed in Jaffna. She was 35 years old …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike, the fourth Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka known then as Ceylon was the target of an assassination attempt on September 25th 1959. He succumbed to his injuries a day later on September 26th. This Article written last year is being re-posted without any changes to denote the 62nd death anniversry of …
Continue reading ‘Murder Most Foul: Assassination of Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Legendary Muslim Congress Leader MHM Ashraff was killed on September 16th 2000 in a Helicopter crash.This article was written last year for the “Political Pulse” column in the “Daily Financial Times” to Commemorate his 20th death anniversary. It is being re-posted here without any changes to denote the 21st death anniversary of “Marhoom”MM …
Continue reading ‘Legendary Muslim Congress “Thalaiver” MHM Ashraff and the Tamils of Sri Lanka’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) is currently in a state of turmoil. The current TNA crisis is linked up with the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC) in Geneva. The issue is that of writing letters to the UN Human Rights Commissioner Ms. Michele Bachelet. As is well-known the TNA is the premier political configuration …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sri Lanka’s Jacqueline Fernandez who has made a name for herself in India as a successful film actress was very much in the news last week for reasons unconnected to her cinematic career. The luminous star of Sri Lanka who has been illuminating the Hindi cinematic firmament for several years was summoned by …
Continue reading ‘Jacqueline Fernandez; Sri Lankan Jewel in Indian Hindi Filmdom Crown’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Saumiyamoorthy (spelled sometimes as Saumyamoorthy or Saumiamoorthy) Thondaman was the legendary co-founder and long-time leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC). Thonda, as he was widely known, played a prominent role in the country’s post-independence politics for many decades. His political life was intertwined with the vicissitudes of the Indian Tamil people of …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Veteran Trade Union Leader Philips Balendra Tampoe passed away at the age of 92 on September 1st 2014.Comrade Bala Tampoe as he was generally known created Trade union history by being the general secretary of the Ceylon Mercantile Union for an unbroken period of sixty – six years.To denote the seventh death anniversary …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Last week saw this column focusing on former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 12 August 2005. This week will see this column focusing on well-known political activist Ketheeswaran Loganathan who was killed exactly one year after Kadirgamar’s death. Ketheeswaran Loganathan known as …
Continue reading ‘Remembering Ketheeswaran “Ketheesh” Loganathan on His 15th Death Anniversary’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Shelton Ranaraja known to many as “Shelly Aiya” passed away on August 11, 2011. Shelton or Shelly Aiya was a politician for whom I have the greatest respect. The lawyer who represented the Senkadagala constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament for more than fifteen years was arguably the conscience – keeper of the …
Continue reading ‘Shelton Ranaraja Was Loved and Respected by the Tamil People’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was assassinated in Colombo by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 12 August 2005. This column intends focusing on the man regarded as Sri Lanka’s finest foreign minister this week even as his 16th death anniversary draws near. I have written extensively about Lakshman …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Very little is known or remembered by the younger generation of Sri Lankans about the nature of the non – violent Tamil political struggle for equal rights that preceded the violent armed struggle. Indeed for many the history of Tamil political resistance to what was perceived as majoritarian hegemony commences only from “Black …
Continue reading ‘Memories of Leonine Tamil Leader Murugesu Sivasithamaparam’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (Dr.Neelan Tiruchelvam was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of tamil eelam(LTTE)22 years ago on July 29th 1999. This article was originally written to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of Dr. Tiruchelvam on January 31st 2014. It is being re-posted here without any changes to denote Neelan’s 22nd death anniversary) January 31st is the …
Continue reading ‘Neelan Tiruchelvam the Foremost Intellectual of Contemporary Tamil Politics’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj July 24th 1983 was the day on which a destructive spree of anti-Tamil violence commenced in Jaffna in the early hours of the morning and began spreading to Colombo in the later hours of the evening on the same day. It continued to other parts of the Island in the following days. The …
Continue reading ‘JR Jayewardene, the Kanatte Mass Funeral and the July 1983 Anti-Tamil Pogrom’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Basil Rohana Rajapaksa was sworn in as Finance minister in the Government of Sri Lanka by his brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on July 8th 2021. The appointment was hailed by Basil’s supporers who project the new Finance minister as the “saviour” who would liberate Sri Lanka from the economic morass into which …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj In keeping with the practice of devoting at least one article each month to a cinema related topic, this column focuses on the popular Sinhala film actor Tony Ranasinghe this week. As an ardent aficionado of Sinhala films I have seen and savoured many of the dashing and debonair Tony Ranasinghe’s films with …
Continue reading ‘Tony Ranasinghe: Sinhala Cinema’s Most Romantic Lover 💕’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( On July 13th 1989 The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam assassinated Mr. Appapillai Amirthalingam the former Opposition Leader and Secretary -General of the Tamil United Liberation Front in Colombo. This article written in July 2019 is re-posted without any changes to commemorate the 32nd death anniversary) The cruelly tragic killing of five …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj There was considerable political excitement some days ago when a meeting was scheduled between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Tamil National Alliance(TNA). This was to be the first formal discussion between the President and the TNA after Gota was sworn in as President 19 months ago. This aroused great expectations.The meeting however was …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Today (23 June) is the 97th birth anniversary of former Sri Lankan Prime Minister and President Ranasinghe Premadasa. He served as Prime Minister from 1978 to 1988 and as President from 1989 to 1993. Premadasa was assassinated by a Tiger suicide bomber on 1 May 1993. The political ascendancy of Ranasinghe Premadasa in …
Continue reading ‘“Keselwatte Kolla” Ranasinghe Premadasa’s Remarkable Political Rise.’ »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj Life and Times of Dynamic “Thamby” Arumugan Thondaman – 1 “Thamby”in Tamil means younger brother. It is also used widely as a pet name for male kids in many Tamil households.In many instances the pet name Thamby remains in use even after the children mature into adults. In recent times there have …
Continue reading ‘The Political Advent of “Thamby” Arumugan Thondaman.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) formed on 14 May 1976 contested the 21 July 1977 Parliamentary Elections adopting a secessionist platform. The TULF demanded a separate state for the Sri Lankan Tamils named Tamil Eelam comprising the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the island. The TULF contesting under the sun symbol sought …
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an enhanced version of an article appearing in the “Daily Mirror” of May 22nd 2021) Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated 30 years ago by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) at a place called Sriperumbhudur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on May 21st 1991. Rajiv Ratna …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Rise and Fall of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam -Part 2 “The successful growth of the LTTE came at huge cost to the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. Vertically the LTTE ascended, but horizontally the Sri Lankan Tamils descended. This was the unpleasant and inconvenient truth that the LTTE and acolytes …
Continue reading ‘The Downfall of the LTTE Led by Prabhakaran at Mullivaaikkaal’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Forty-five years ago on 5 May 1976, a section of militant Tamil youths in northern Sri Lanka re-grouped themselves into an organisation called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE, which became popularly known as the Tiger organisation, had as its fundamental objective the setting up of a separate Tamil state …
Continue reading ‘The Rise and Fall of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Stalin Thaan Varraaru, Namakku Vidivu Tharraaru”(Stalin is only coming and will give us a Dawn) was the key slogan around which the Indian political party” Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam”(DMK) conducted its election campaign for the Tamil Nadu State Assembly polls held this year. The message conveyed by the slogan was that the DMK led …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Renowned Sri Lankan Film Maker Lester James Peries passed away three years ago at the age of 99. Among the many who paid homage to the Maestro at that time was Asoka Handagama who is one of the two brightest directorial stars in the Sinhala film firmament of today.(the other is Prasanaa Vithanage). …
Continue reading ‘Lester James Peries the Emancipator of Sinhala Cinema’ »
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and ex-Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen is a prominent Sri Lankan politician who is very often in the news for the wrong reasons. The 48-year-old Bathiudeen hailing from Dharapuram in the Mannar District is an engineer by profession. Known widely as Rishad, he was first elected to Parliament …
Continue reading ‘Cardinal’s Candid Comments and and the Bathiudeen Brothers Brouhaha’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Today, 21 April, is the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings which rocked and shocked Sri Lanka and the world at large two years ago. On the morning of that fateful Easter Sunday, suicide bombers targeted three plush hotels and three churches in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa; 269 were killed and over …
Continue reading ‘Is Naufer “Moulavi” the Mastermind Behind the Easter Sunday Bombings?’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj On April 12th, two days before the advent of the “Pilava” April New Year , Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala released 11 suspects who had been in custody for two years since early 2019. These included well-known underworld figure Sanjeewa Samararatne alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa a.k.a. Malingamuwe Sanjeewa and ten others who were …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Catholic Bishop of the Mannar Diocese the Most Rev. Rayappu Joseph passed away peacefully in Jaffna on 1 April, just 15 days before his 81st birthday. He served as Mannar Bishop from 1992 to 2016. There was spontaneous grief and widespread mourning. Having served as Bishop for over two decades in Mannar, …
Continue reading ‘Mannar Emeritus Bishop Rayappu Joseph and the Madhu Church Crisis of 2008’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Easter Sunday bombings of April 21st 2019 and its consequences have caused a profound impact on the body politic of Sri Lanka. A significant feature of his fall-out has been the bold initiative taken by the Catholic Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. Immensely disappointed by the slow and tardy …
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( The World’s first Woman Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was born on April 17th 1916. This article published in 2019 July is being re-posted here without any changes to commemorate her 105th Birth Anniversary) Germany’s defence minister Ursula von der Leyen has been elected president of the European Union (EU) Commission following a …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sinhala cinema’s pioneering director Lester James Peries is the Sri Lankan filmmaker I like, admire and respect most. The master movie maker’s 102nd birth anniversary falls on April 5. Sri Lankan Superstar Gamini Fonseka remains my favourite actor on the Sinhala silver screen since childhood. The Movie monarch’s 85th birth anniversary was on …
Continue reading ‘Cinematic Links Between Director Lester and Actor Gamini’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ‘Is Sri Lanka fighting a lost battle in Geneva?’ was the heading of the article by this writer in these columns a fortnight ago. The answer became known conclusively as events unfolded at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 23 March. In spite of Sri Lanka’s strong opposition, the resolution titled …
Continue reading ‘Setback in Geneva For Sri Lanka at UNHRC Despite Strong Fightback’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The final version of the proposed resolution to promote “reconciliation, accountability and human rights” in Sri Lanka was tabled on 12 March at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. It was sponsored by the United Kingdom (UK) and co-sponsored by Germany, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro and North …
Continue reading ‘Is Sri Lanka Fighting a Lost Battle at the UNHRC in Geneva?’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The ‘Great Game’ in Geneva involving Sri Lanka is now underway at the UNHRC! The 46th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that commenced on 22 February at the Palais des Nations in Geneva is scheduled to end after 30 days on 23 March. The current membership (2021) of …
Continue reading ‘UNHRC, Gotabaya Government and the Great Game in Geneva’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday attacks was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Chairman of the Commission Supreme Court judge Janak de Silva at the Presidential Secretariat on February 1st 2021. Former President Maithripala Sirisena appointed the Commission of Inquiry on September …
Continue reading ‘Zahran Hashim, Kattankudy and the Islamic State in Sri Lanka.’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an Updated Version of an Article written for the “DBS Jeyaraj ” Column in the “Daily Mirror ” of Feb 20th 2021.) The flower bud is the accredited electoral symbol of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which is ruling Sri Lanka. However the image of that flower bud resembles the …
Continue reading ‘The “Maravanpulavu” Man Behind Moves to Form the “BJP” in Sri Lanka’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an Enhanced Version of an Article written for the “Political Pulse” Column in the “Daily Financial imes” of Feb 18th 2021). February 20th 1961 is a very important date in the history of the Sri Lankan Tamil political struggle to regain lost rights. It was on this day, sixty years ago …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This is an Enhanced Version of an Article written for the DBS Jeyaraj Column in the “Daily Mirror” of Feb 13th, 2021.) The “Pottuvil to Poligandy” (P2P) Protest that ended successfully last week was a watershed moment in the political history of Sri Lankan Tamils. The Five day “P2P” protest march began in …
Continue reading ‘Tamil “Satyagraha” Paralyses Administration in North and East 60 Years Ago’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The five-day-long ‘Pottuvil to Poligandy’ (P2P) protest that began in the East on Wednesday 3 February concluded in the north on Sunday 7 February on a triumphant note. Thousands of Tamils marched on foot and proceeded in vehicles from Pottuvil in the Amparai District to Poligandy in the Jaffna District. Tens of thousands …
Continue reading ‘Sarath Weerasekara and the Withdrawal of STF Security For Sumanthiran After P2P’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj There has been a lot of political excitement in the Tamil speaking areas of the Eastern Province for the past two days (Feb 3rd and 4th) due to the launching of a protest demonstration named “Pottuvil to Poligandy” or “P2P”. This was to be a long march on foot and in vehicles from …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj It was widely reported in the media early this week that the National Anthem would be sung in Sinhala only at the official celebrations of Sri Lanka’s 73rd anniversary of gaining independence from Britain. Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne made it unambiguously clear at a press briefing that the National Anthem …
Continue reading ‘Excluding National Anthem in Tamil on Independence Day’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Only God can save the Tamil people now” (Thamil Makkalai Inik Kadavul Thaan Kaappaatra Vaendum) was the anguished response of respected Sri Lankan Tamil political leader Samuel James Veluppilaai Chelvanayakam after the results of the 1970 Parliamentary Elections were known. The United Front (UF) led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike had swept the polls with …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj On January 12th 2021, a three judge bench of the Supreme Court imposed a sentence of four years rigorous imprisonment on Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alphonsu alias Ranjan Ramanayake finding him guilty of the offence of Contempt of court. Prior to being taken away in a prisons dept …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj An overwhelming feeling of relief has descended upon the world – not merely the US- after the Presidential elections of the United States of America ended. Joseph Robinette Biden jnr known as Joe Biden is the new US President-elect. Biden’s creditable, credible electoral triumph has ensured that decency, dignity and decorum will once …