By Sanath Nanayakkare When a country is in an economic crisis, it creates an environment conducive to implementing economic reforms which would be difficult to do in good times, however, it still depends on how far the reformist leaders can shape the opinion of the people and the people’s

By DEVENDRA SAKSENA Currently, the words ‘debt trap’ have a distinctly Chinese connotation. According to the Western press, the Chinese, as part of their geostrategy, have inveigled poor nations into borrowing huge amounts from them for fanciful infrastructural projects; almost all borrower countries are in dire economic straits, because most such projects are lying incomplete, […]

by Neville Ladduwahetty What Sri Lanka has achieved since it declared itself insolvent is hailed by some with much optimism. The “relative stability” currently experienced is presented by the Governor of the Central Bank “as the outcome of a united effort from the outset” (The Island, December 26, 2023). The focus of that collaborative effort […]

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government is under fire for its perceived apathy towards looming health threats in the region, leading to a critical halt in the immunisation programme in the vulnerable Diamer district. This suspension not only jeopardises the health and well-being of the local population but also raises questions about Pakistan’s commitments to international organisations. [R...

by Dr Lahiru Kodituwakku MBBS, MSc (Community Medicine), MSc (Disaster Risk Reduction & Development), MBA, PgD in Health Sector Disaster Management Healthcare institutions are often considered to be sanctuaries amidst crises and wars. Not only do they provide lifesaving health services but also give refuge to the most vulnerable, when there is nowhere else to […]

The report addressing issues in Sri Lanka’s cricket realm, prepared by the Cabinet Sub-Committee, was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (01). Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabri, PC, who chairs the committee, handed over the report. Notably, this report was swiftly completed within a brief span of one and a half months following the […]

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in his New Year Message 2024 called upon all Sri Lankans to  work together with dedication for a  prosperous future in a disciplined and democratic society and help eliminate adverse effects of the past and not bequeath them to the future generations. The Prime Ministers New Year message: Wishing all of […]

to the impending crisis caused by the increase of Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 15% 18% and imposition of 18% […]

Monday 1st January, 2024 We wish we could strike a positive note today, but to do so would be to ignore the harsh socio-economic reality, and even insult the intelligence of the public. All, however, is not lost, and no one should give up hope; there is room for some optimism. Hope is said to […]

JVP-led NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Saturday that post-Independent Sri Lanka was led astray by politicians playing the ethnic card to muster votes. Addressing the NPP Women’s Convention in Matara, Dissanayake said: “We have no other option but to rise as a single nation. We never had a national movement comprising all communities […]

Today, the collective misery we experience as a society has nothing positive to show for the promotion of the so-called ‘positive thinking’, which encourages us to rise individually, and not collectively as people. Positive thinkers, who are dime a dozen, flourish in market-oriented, consumerist societies where ill-mannered rulers and their business cronies feed on millions […]