By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana In this time of moral bankruptcy, on top of an enormous economic crisis, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) is facing a huge challenge; it has had to restore the honour of and respect for the medical profession. It is obvious that corruption has affected all professions, my long-cherished profession being no […]

Easter Sunday controversy: By Shamindra Ferdinando Former Ambassador to Germany, Switzerland and ex-High Commissioner in South Africa, Sarath Kongahage, yesterday (12) alleged that British television Channel 4 had tricked him into discussing political developments with the focus on the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. Claiming that the Channel 4 programme didn’t reflect what he had said […]

New laws contemplated by the government appears to have caused much concern among Opposition political parties for obvious reasons. The constitutionality of the proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill is expected to be challenged in the Supreme Court. The whole process of law making raised quite a stir in the wake of the recent shocking Supreme Court […]

BY GEORGE BRAINE This was early 1981, and the government was planning to start a state-run television service. Applicants were invited for an inaugural training course for producers, directors, researchers, and writers. I had applied, and was called for an interview. The interview was at the newly set up National Television Planning Centre, at Kirulapone. […]

Ranil W appointed Acting President Curfew declared in WP as armed forces, police receive orders to ‘clear’ protesters Party leaders’ decision to elect new Prez on 20 July stands By Shamindra Ferdinando The crisis took an unexpected and violent turn as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country without resigning. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is functioning […]

Unlike in the past, Japan has been very slow in responding to Sri Lanka calls to help it financially, analysts say.

Last week there were more stories making the rounds on contemplated decisions made outside the cabinet meeting than decisions made inside. Of course, the usual briefing on cabinet decisions were spelled out, Thursday afternoon. For a regime that still wants to boast it has popular support, comparing itself to an opposition fractured and quarrelling red and green, it is ...

The Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets Bill that is to be presented to parliament soon has in it economic and political objectives that spell doom for Sri Lankan democracy as well as the economy. It would vest in the Sri Lankan government Hotel Developers (Lanka) PLC which owns the Colombo Hilton that has ...

by Frederica Jansz Bejing has considerable leverage in post conflict Sri Lanka.  Chinese involvement in the defence sector has not reduced after the war, and the Chinese are seen diversifying from being just suppliers of defence equipment to infrastructure and capacity building. The Chinese have used North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and subsequently the state owned ...

Sarath Kongahage, Chairman Rupavahini Corporation, lawyer, political activist, media personality and now ambassador-designate to Germany, spoke to Faraz Shauketaly on his impending  appointment and work at Rupavahini Corporation. He dispelled rumours that he was being replaced at SLRC due

by Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka A quarter of a century ago, the Summer of ’85. Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. I was at the Pugwash Conference, hosted by Senator Fernando Henrique Cardoso, famous ‘dependency theorist’, later to become President of Brazil. I was...

By Sarath Fonseka An Open Appeal Issued by Former Army Chief and Presidential Candidate 2010 Dear Sri Lankans, The time has now come for us to stop being complacent and start taking an active role in shaping our future and...

By Rohini Hensman Sri Lanka’s claim to be a democracy has been tenuous for years, but the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution by parliament on 8 September 2010 dealt it a fatal blow. It changed Sri Lanka...

By Sumanasiri Liyanage Why do we need laws? If all of us are law-abiding citizens, laws may become redundant. Someone has remarked that laws are needed to restrict and limit the actions of the heartless people....

Unp Leadership Battle Moves Up A Gear:  Shows No Sign Of Abating The battle for the UNP leadership has been slowly gathering momentum with the membership across the country calling for a change. A number of players have yet to throw their hats into the ring. Senior UNP stalwarts Ravi Karunanayake and Sajith Premadasa have ...

By Dayan Jayatilleka What is the ‘main contradiction’ in Sri Lanka today? It is that between the very broad national base of support and sacrifice for the war and the resultant peace on the one hand, and the increasingly narrow character of the beneficiaries of the dividends of that popular peace, on the other. The war was national but the peace dividend and its distribution appe...

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is encouraged to learn that Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered an inquiry into the alleged political victimisation and interdiction of eight media workers in the state-run broadcaster, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).