Jubiliee push to revive culture through cinema, theatre and literature
The year 1956 not only saw the dawn of revolutionary changes in the country’s political landscape with the election to power of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike as Prime Minister and the ushering in an era of the “government of the common man”, it was also a coming of age year in the fields of cinema, theatre and [...]
Sanga, Mahela bat to stop violence against women
By Kaveesha Fernando It has been estimated that more than 50% of women in Sri Lanka have experienced some form of gender-based violence, but this issue is not always discussed openly. It has also been found that many men believe that they have the right to be violent towards women in certain situations, while societal [...]
Prime Minister’s political biography launched
‘Ranil Wickremesinghe – A Political Biography’ was recently launched as a Sarasavi Publication. Running at 264 pages, this comprehensive political biography of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also has over 75 rare photographs. The book encompasses significant eras in the life of the Prime Minister. The book reviews various facets of the forty-year long political career [...]
Book on universe
Journalist Tissa Dias is seen here presenting his book ‘Vishwayata Athwelak’ – a guide to the universe — to Pragna Pradeepa Foundation president and Western Province Councilor Jayantha de Silva at the Pragna Pradeepa head office in Borella recently.
Three fundraisers in aid of children and adults with HIV
By Minushi Perera Aiming to decrease societal judgement of children and adults with HIV and create a comfortable environment for them to live among society, two NGOs, Chibby’s Friends and House of Hope, have organised three fundraisers in November and December. House of Hope is a German non-profit organisation which provides nutritional, financial and educational [...]
Inside the invisible Govt: War, propaganda and US elections
By John Pilger The American journalist, Edward Bernays, is often described as the man who invented modern propaganda. The nephew of Sigmund Freud, the pioneer of psycho-analysis, it was Bernays who coined the term “public relations” as a euphemism for spin and its deceptions. In 1929, he persuaded feminists to promote cigarettes for women by [...]
The scourge of narcotic drugs
Prevention is better than cure By B. Anton Jeyanathan The above wise saying may directly refer to people’s medical condition and it has been proved that if early preventive action is taken, the person afflicted has recovered remarkably without going through hospitalisation or spending more money to regain normal health. This adage is very relevant [...]
Achieving durable reform in Sri Lanka
By Mark Freeman and Asanga Welikala Time and again, countries that have experienced repression and armed conflict have an opportunity to transition to a better future. Yet, only a minority succeeds. The challenges may appear obvious, but the path forward is rarely so. And, as the initial optimism generated by the 2015 elections comes to [...]
The return of containment
By Dominique Moisi VENICE – “The main element of any US policy towards the Soviet Union must be that of a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment,” the US diplomat George Kennan wrote in 1947 in a Foreign Affairs article, famously signed “X.” Replace “Soviet Union” with “Russia,” and Kennan’s “containment policy” makes perfect [...]
How to stop cell hangings
(by hook or by crook) Last month a Tamil youth in police custody was found hanging from the roof of his cell less than two hours after he had been arrested. In the protest that followed his death, two policemen of the Pussellewa Police were interdicted. Many opinions were also tended on how best to [...]
Maidens groped over in cricket’s dressing room
Confidential sec tells of hands-on Trumps at Sri Lanka Cricket You would have thought it only happens in America. But behind closed doors at Lanka’s own Cricket Board, the art of the grope is not only locker room man talk but also office room bawdy action as well. Last Wednesday, the gloves were off when [...]