Local Features

Election fever is running wild, with the presidential election scheduled for January 26th. After that, the parliamentary election will be held, these elections will run more wild than the present presidential election underscoring that democracy is very much alive in our island. One community which has unstintingly contributed to the development and welfare of this country which had stalwarts like …

Early this year it was reported that Kifaya Ifthikar, a social worker, who met Rizana in prison, said the maid looked sick and that the doctors had advised her to undergo surgery for hernia. Prolonging the anxiety and worry of an innocent, poor house-maid is abominable. It was indeed heatening a couple of years ago to see the concern for …

Three perspectives on Sri Lankan identity [Slightly revised version of the 12th Bakeer Markar Memorial lecture on ‘Challenges to Strengthening Sri Lankan Identity’, delivered on Nov 17, 2009 by Dr Dayan Jayatilleka, former Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations at Geneva]. (December 02, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) When Imthiaz extended this invitation to me, it was impossible …

One after the other political leaders from the west, especially Britain and France, rushed to the island to show their humanitarian concern for the displaced Tamils who were used as human shield by the now defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam, LTTE, which claimed to fight for the interest of this very same people. However, these Western politicians’ humanitarian concerns …

How to foster lasting peace in this country after three turbulent decades is the topmost discussion point today wherever Sri Lankans meet. There is a strong feeling the silver lining of hope that glimmered on the 18th May 2009, when the source of terrorism received the last bullet, is fading away under the increasing turbulence caused by politicians in anticipation …