Several Ministers in pro-Ranil group By Shamindra Ferdinando The New Alliance, a newly-formed political outfit, consisting of a group of dissident SLPP MPs, over the weekend, reached an understanding with the SLFP to pursue a common agenda, widely believed to be beneficial to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The formation of the New Alliance-SLFP was announced at […]

Monday 10th June, 2024 Presidential candidates of the SJB and the JVP-led NPP, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, respectively, have chosen to sprint even before the commencement of the next presidential race, which is a marathon, wherein one has to pace oneself skilfully to prevent fatigue and maintain momentum. The two sides have been […]

by Rajan Philips It is tempting to ask if Ranil Wickremesinghe can electorally survive the referendum fast one that he got his cop-turned politico Party Secretary to pull on his behalf. Will Mr. Wickremesinghe even contest? Might his effervescent mind think of another pre-election ploy? Such as a special referendum to consult the people if […]

The Ceylon tea industry, a vital component of the national economy, is under immense pressure from the proposed 700 Rupee wage increase for tea estate workers. While it is said that the intention behind the wage hike is to improve worker livelihoods, industry experts refer this as a pure political move aimed at gaining the […]

by ACB Pethiyagoda A desire to visit Burma (Myanmar since 1989) having seen the film ‘The Story of Dr. Wossell’ as a school boy was fulfilled recently. The film was about a dedicated British Army Medical Officer who during World War II fell in love with the country and more deeply with a lithesome and […]

Over a dozen SJB MPs, Maithripala skip vote By Shamindra Ferdinando In spite of differences between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) over the latter’s call for early General Election, a consensus seems to be emerging on the overall political strategy with the ruling party voting for the Sri Lanka Electricity […]

Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement By Gomi Senadhira senadhiragomi@gmail.com “You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the […]

In recognition of veteran actor Ravindra Randeniya’s outstanding contributions to Sri Lankan cinema over five decades, the ceremony, “Ravi – Self-Reflection on Half-Century in Cinema” took place on Wednesday (05) at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall in Colombo, presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ravindra Randeniya, who entered the film industry with the 1974 movie [̷...

By Saman Indrajith Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory recorded by his party BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Indian elections. Both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader said that the victory would further elevate the bilateral relations between […]

By Shamindra Ferdinando The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will be in a dilemma today (06), when Parliament is scheduled to vote on the Electricity Amendment Bill. Opposition sources pointed out that it would be the first vote since SLPP leader and former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a statement on May 12, urged President […]

The seven political parties representing the ÂSarvajana Balaya alliance, including the National Freedom Front (NFF), Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP), Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Yuthukama organisation and the Independent MP s Forum engaged in a peaceful protest today (05)...

By Shamindra Ferdinando Attempts had been made to compel UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to give up the premiership immediately after the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had left Janadhipathi Mandiraya in the early afternoon of July 09, 2022. That had been the devious Aragalaya strategy meant to pave the way for Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to […]

Poverty is one of the most pressing and pervasive issues facing the world today. It affects billions of people globally, diminishing their quality of life, limiting their opportunities, and perpetuating a cycle of deprivation that can span generations. Understanding poverty requires a multidimensional approach that goes beyond mere economic measures. It encompasses social, cultural, political, [&#...