by Rajan Philips The economy is the base; everything else is superstructure. That is the old Marxian concept, simply put. The base ultimately determines what goes on in the superstructure, which includes among other things the state and its institutions, as well as their processes and functions. Included are the legislature, the executive and the […]

ECONOMYNEXT –Two bills, aimed at advancing gender equality and empowering women, will be presented to Parliament in May, Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said. “It is imperative that women’s rights go beyond mere rhetoric; therefore, it is crucial to enact appropriate legislation, a task that has been neglected for far too long,” Wickremesinghe said […]

ECONOMYNEXT –President Ranil Wickremesinghe has convened a meeting with leaders of ‘accepted’ political parties to discuss the proposals put forth by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader S Sridharan have been invited to […]

Approximately 40% of women in Sri Lanka have stopped using feminine hygiene products against the backdrop of the ongoing economic crisis, a new survey has revealed.

Six people, including a mother, her four young children, and a family acquaintance, were killed inside a townhouse in the south Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven, late Wednesday night. During a media briefing Thursday afternoon, Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs said there were initially two calls to 911 around 10:52 p.m. Wednesday. He said first responders […]

A group of civil society organisations and activists have expressed their concerns over the way the government is trying to address grievances of the Tamil speaking community. The following is the text of letter, dated March 07, they wrote to Dr. Asanga Gunawansa, PC, Director-General Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM): We, activists, […]

By Neville Ladduwahetty During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s India visit in July 2023, five Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) were signed by India and Sri Lanka to establish physical connections between the two countries. This was followed more recently by the launch of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – a mechanism that claims to reduce the cost […]

Friday 8th March, 2024 The Parliament of Sri Lanka is never united when it has to tackle vital national issues. The government and the Opposition go for each other’s jugular at the drop of a hat, but they unitedly take moral high ground and censure others. Parliament is in the news for the wrong reasons, […]

By Rathindra Kuruwita Water consumption has increased significantly due to the dry weather coupled with unusually high temperatures since last month, compelling the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to urge people to use sparingly, Water Supply Professionals Trade Union Alliance (WSPTUA), coordinator Neil Leelarathna says. Leelaratne said that people consumed more water due […...

The gross salary of the lowest ranking employee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), an Office Assistant – Grade 1, has been increased by 29.53% up to Rs. 188,827 in accordance with a collective agreement, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane told Parliament yesterday. Responding to a question by SJB Colombo District MP S. M. […]

The Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) has urged the Wickremesinghe-Rajapakse government to revoke the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the IGP. The following is the text of FUTA statement: “FUTA vehemently condemns the recent appointment of Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Sri Lanka. This appointment not only […]

In addition to the officials and categories of individuals required to disclose their assets and liabilities as specified in the amended Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 01 of 1975 by Act No. 74 of 1988, Section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 introduces provisions for further disclosure by various other […]

by Jehan Perera President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a conference of over 300 members from inter-religious committees from across the country summed up his plan for national reconciliation in less than 20 minutes.  The president was clear in his articulation. He spoke with no notes.  There were no superfluities in his speech.  He noted how racism […]