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 […]

The week that passed saw considerable political activity related to the forthcoming presidential election that must be held late next year in accordance with the constitution. Connected events included business magnate Dhammika Perera’s declaration that he is willing to run for president provided the political parties – he did not identify which parties though he […]

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 […]

Sri Lankan citizens’ freedom of expression is being restricted and threatened by administrative and criminal sanctions, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has said.The BASL has in a media statement said it believes that the right to protest, as manifested in the freedom of assembly, association, and expression, is an important feature of a […]

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 […]

IMF has shown the way and now Sri Lanka has to dig itself out of the mess, says Governor by Sanath Nanayakkare Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe recently said that Sri Lanka needs to build and keep a ‘comfortable level’ of currency reserves in order to maintain the country’s balance-of-payments situation in the event […]

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. […]

The 51 sessions of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council is underway. Sri Lanka is again in the focus with Western powers and their lackeys targeting the war-winning Sri Lanka military. Successive Sri Lankan governments, including the incumbent administration, failed to address core issues. Their failure to counter accusations that over 40,000 Tamil civilians […]

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.

On Friday July 22, lawyers and judges stayed away from courts around the country protesting against the alleged threat to the Magistrate of Mannar over the telephone by Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Trade and Commerce.  Also connected to this allegation is the attack on the Mannar courts complex by a mob said to be in ...

Ranil Wickremasinghe and his UNPers preparing for elections are like medieval knights going to war without body armour, swords, lances and even horses. Elections in the 21st century are fought with the media – press, radio, TV and now on Internet – but Ranil’s faction of the UNP which is the main body of the ...

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 ...

Last week Mervyn Silva was on the run. The foul-mouthed thug switched off his phones having purportedly declared that he would not speak to the media. No small wonder there. Given that Silva was under fire from men not only within his own constituency but from those very persons he had handpicked to perform local ...

The Supreme Court today ordered an inquiry into the alleged political victimization and interdiction of eight media personnel of state run Rupavahini by its chairman and others. The court appointed...

The occasion was the annual Budget Speech in Parliament. Unlike in the Westminster- system days, and in terms of age-old traditions of parliamentary practices, the Finance Minister, in this instance His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka (as he could not trust to give this vital portfolio away to any other member of his sixty one-strong ...

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 ...

OCTOBER 17, 2011: Status: Not Free Legal Environment: 23 Political Environment: 30 Economic Environment: 18 Total Score: 71 Despite the end of the government’s long-running war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebel group in May 2009, media freedom remained restricted in Sri Lanka, with journalists subject to myriad forms of legal harassment and physical intimidation. Altho...

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 ...

President Rajapakse has said that that the Kokavil transmission tower is a symbol of mutual relations between communities.   The nation had the right to be aware of what was happening in the world as well as the country. Such a Tower has been installed mainly for communication. It will expand the friendly and mutual ...

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

Youth Affairs Minister and senior SLFP member, Dullas Alahapperuma has said that the main opposition UNP has abused state resources. Alahapperuma has told the media that the UNP while accusing the government of abusing state resources has in fact been the largest abuser of the resources. He has said that UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera owed ...