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UN declares Vesak as ‘floating’ holiday

UN declares Vesak as ‘floating’ holiday

The 193-member UN General Assembly, which in 1999 declared an “International Day of Observance for Vesak” — on the initiative of the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar — has gone one better, this time declaring May 20 this year an unofficial UN holiday for Vesak. Respecting the diverse religious affiliations of UN staffers, the General [...]

As 2016 dawns, UNP and SLFP face internal crises

As 2016 dawns, UNP and SLFP face internal crises

One year after election, Sirisena still struggling to take control of his party; open challenge from Rajapaksa now, new alliance likely UNP constitution also likely to be amended, two key posts may be scrapped; two ruling parties to sign new agreement By Our Political Editor The dawn of 2016 portends a bagful of challenges for [...]

Whip them all with madu walige

My dear Maithri, I thought I must write to you not only to wish you all the very best for the New Year but also because I heard that you had been very annoyed by what happened at a musical show where that chap, Enrique what’s his-name had performed. I wanted to congratulate you on [...]

2016; the year of the bitter pill–hard times and no great expectations

2016; the year of the bitter pill–hard times and no great expectations

The New Year that has just dawned should have been a time of hope and expectations for the country. Unfortunately there are little expectations of economic prosperity. The economy is in crisis and hard times are inevitable as corrective measures are needed to stabilise the economy and place it on an even keel. In the [...]

On great expectations and greater losses

On great expectations and greater losses

It is fittingly ironic that end-of-year debates in regard to Sri Lanka’s future reform agenda on accountability and the Rule of Law have been eclipsed by President Maithripala Sirisena’s ill-judged outburst regarding the conduct of one or two frenzied fans at the Enrique Iglesias concert recently. The agony and the ecstasy The President’s agony was [...]

Maithri’s Yahapalana at stake over Hirunika’s kangaroo court

When a slip of a girl is suddenly elevated to the ranks of parliament and, with pride swelled crest and power bloated head, holds court in her political office and dispenses the Bharatha Lakshman brand of summary street justice to one kidnapped by her goons and forcibly brought to her feet, it is time President [...]

Why not a cultural police for our megapolis

Why not a cultural police for our megapolis

As children many long years ago we were regaled with national folk tales that featured such loveable characters as Andare, Gamarala, Mahadenamuththa and King Kekille. Sinhala folklore has its origins in traditional peasant life and reflects our rural, agricultural society of a bygone era. Just the other day President Maithripala Sirisena castigated the organizers of [...]

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