Colorado’s Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump cannot run for president next year in the state, citing a constitutional insurrection clause. In a landmark decision, the court ruled 4-3 that Trump is not an eligible candidate. It is the first time that Section 3 of the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment has been used to […]

In actual fact the foundation for the current economic chaos was laid under the Yahapalana rule when they borrowed as much as USD 12 billion from the international bond market, at high interest rates, with them not even undertaking any developmental works, like the Rajapaksas, or, for that matter, any worthwhile economic activity. We certainly […]

Wednesday 20th December, 2023 SLPP leaders bragged ad nauseam at their second National Convention on 15 Dec., that they were strong enough to overcome any challenges on the political front despite what they called some temporary setbacks. Basil Rajapaksa, speaking as the SLPP National Organiser, declared that his party was confident of winning all future […]

[An article based on the Keynote Address delivered by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, recently at the Annual Research Symposium 2023 of the University of Colombo] Introduction Inflation affects every aspect of our lives; it is a force that shapes our purchasing power, influences our financial decisions, and […]

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for several relief measures for the government officials entitled to political rights who had submitted nominations to contest the Local Government elections.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Prime Minister in his office as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government to implement the following recommendations in the report submitted by the Committee appointed to solve issues  due to the indefinite postponement of the Local Government […]

The Civil Society Initiative on Anti-Corruption Reform for Economic Recovery, comprising Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), Verité Research, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Sarvodaya, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and the National Peace Council (NPC) (the CSI Core Group) has reiterateed its view that governance and anti-corruption priorities that have be...

… many face severe difficulties abroad By Shamindra Ferdinando The Sectoral Oversight Committee on State Financial Strategy (aka Committee on Ways and Means), tasked with inquiring into affected sectors, has revealed that since January 1, 2022, at least 1,198 doctors have migrated. Among them were 348 specialists, the committee chaired by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, the leader […]

Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they launched a drone attack targeting two cargo vessels in the Red Sea, the latest in a series of assaults that have disrupted maritime trade as freight companies seek to avoid the area. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea on Monday identified the vessels as the MSC Clara and Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic, and […]

A huge explosion at the main oil refinery in Guinea’s capital Conakry has killed at least eight people and wounded dozens, officials say. The explosion blew out the windows of nearby houses in downtown Conakry, and hundreds of residents fled the area, eyewitnesses said. The authorities have ordered schools in the city to close and […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged all political leaders to exhibit responsibility in their approach to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and cautioned against engaging in rhetoric merely for public appeasement without shouldering responsibilities.

Unseating of Ahamed no deterrent: By Shamindra Ferdinando The unseating of Batticaloa District Opposition MP Naseer Ahamed for voting for the 2022 Budget during its Third Reading on Dec 10, 2021, was widely expected to serve as a deterrent to other dissidents, but over 20 MPs voted for or against the 2024 Budget last week […]

Monday 18th December, 2023 The SLPP’s second national convention on Friday (15) was a soft launch of its next election campaign, presidential or parliament, to all intents and purposes. The presidential election will have to be held next year, and there is no way the government can postpone it. President Ranil Wickremesinghe himself told Parliament […]

A number of Tamil political parties and organisations have condemned the GTF (Global Tamil Forum)-led initiative aimed at promoting post-war national reconciliation though the US has welcomed it. Tamil civil society groups consisting of university students, families of the disappeared, religious groups, labour unions, academics, women groups et al jointly rejected the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ by [&#...

ECONOMYNEXT –Sri Lanka’s Constitutional Council is making rules to select and appoint commissioners to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and International Monetary Fund report said. Sri Lanka has “committed to ambitious governance reforms based on key recommendations from the Governance Diagnostic (GD) report to help restore and sustain economic, soc...

Since its inception the Pathfinder Foundation and its associated institutions have on a regular basis published original works and translations in Sinhala of texts that could assist a Sinhala speaking audience to better understand the different facets and nuances relating to international affairs, geopolitics, international economics, international law, etc. Continuing this tradition, during 2023,...

By Uditha Devapriya On Tuesday, December 12, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The United States was one of 10 countries to oppose, the others including Guatemala, Nauru, and Paraguay, and of course Israel. New Zealand, Canada, and Australia were among the 153 countries to vote in favour, […]