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Home » ColumnsITAK defends Harini but points out omissions in Tamil textbooks
With a no-confidence motion being launched against Prime Minister and Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Parliament over the controversy of the school book for Grade Six, one of the opposition political parties, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi, condemned the move and noted the prime minister is subjected to hate speech both online and offline by [...]
PM attacked from within and without, MP cautions
By Sandun Jayawardana The debates during Parliament’s first sitting week for 2026 may have been about other topics, but it meant no difference as the roll-out of the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s controversial new education reforms dominated proceedings. The controversy, which has been heightened by the recent discovery that the Grade 6 English Language [...]
A slip too far?
My dear Harini sahodariya, I cannot help but write to you this week, because you are the talk of the town. Suddenly, you have become the prime target of the opposition. You are being accused of single-handedly trying to destroy our cultural values. A lot of abuse and hate is being directed at you by [...]
ITAK’s misreading of CC’s role: party discipline cannot override constitutional duty
The recent call by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) for its parliamentarian, S. Sritharan, to step down from the Constitutional Council raises important constitutional questions that go far beyond internal party discipline. At its heart lies a fundamental question: what is the Constitutional Council for, and how are its members expected to function under [...]
Importance of friendly relations amid growing international conflicts
Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy has served the best interests of the country. The proof of this is the response of many countries to assist us when Cyclone Ditwah devastated us recently. In addition, the country has special relationships with many countries. The government must continue to pursue policies that do not offend any of [...]
‘Walking back’ minimum safeguards in anti-terror laws; is this confusion or intent?
It is mystifying as to why the National Peoples’ Power Government sanguinely placed a draft ‘Protection of the State against Terrorism Act’ (PSTA) before the Sri Lankan public at the cusp of the dawning of a New Year, almost as if to pat itself on the back for a highly commendable act. ‘Bad’ Bills not [...]
SJB, UNP to rise like the Phoenix from the ashes of election defeat?
The New Year dawned for the UNP and SJB on an optimistic and positive note. Ranil broke the ice with Sajith with a simple phone call to the younger on January 1st to convey his New Year wishes. The gesture finally ended the cold war that had existed within the family fold for over five [...]
When uncivilised thugs move to rule the world – that is system change
So US President Donald Trump and his fellow trumpeters want to Make America Great Again (MAGA). I cannot remember when America was great the last time. One cannot be great again unless one was great earlier. That must surely penetrate this trumpeter unless there is an urgent case to be made for a massive transfusion [...]
Upholding separation of powers doctrine, Speaker rejects opposition call to scrutinise JSC action
Rebuffs claim that ruling upends Speaker Bandaranaike’s assertion of parliamentary supremacy, says issues then and now differ SJB initiates no-confidence motion against Premier Amarasuriya over reference to adult website in Grade 6 English module UNP-SJB unity efforts make progress; UNP Working Committee adopts roadmap for unification; SJB Working Committee schedules meeting for next week Indian [...]
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