My Country of Contradictions
Some years ago, when I was younger, I could see where all the stereotypes about our island came from. I could see why people said Sri Lankans were particularly warm or friendly…
Year: 2009
Rights, democracy and an “incorrigible†common candidate
While President Rajapaksa left the issue of elections steaming hot on the plate without any forks or spoons for popular consumption, the main opposition the UNP has been left grinding their teeth,…
Chellaney on Indo-Sri Lanka relations: How not to win friends and influence your neighbours
Intellectuals in India have unfortunately not played positive roles in building good relations with its small neighbors. For the most part they ignore all neighbors other than Pakistan. In the few cases…
REFLECTIONS ON LIBERTY IN SRI LANKA AT A GROUNDVIEWS MILESTONE
in 1859. As Chou En Lai said of the French Revolution, in an era of crisis for global capitalism, many may feel that it might be too early to tell whether or…
Sarath Fonseka and the Role of the Opposition: Will Sanity Prevail?
Sri Lanka is a small miracle, and miraculous things happen here. Not only did it defeat terrorism. It is just about to witness another battle. Something grotesque, gruesome. We are playing into…
Love Displaced
If I only knew you were all right or even just okay or less than all right but alive I could survive in this – this place where there are shops clinics…
GSP+, SOVEREIGNTY, DOUBLE STANDARDS AND TERRORIST TRAITORS
It is worth clarifying here the situation regarding the EU GSP+ facility, given the confusion prevailing in the mainstream media. The EU has NOT threatened trade sanctions against Sri Lanka. The GSP+ facility…
The unwritten revelations of Sarath Fonseka’s letter requesting retirement from service
After weeks of media speculation on the prospective “Common Candidate”, to every one’s relief, confirmed news about General Sarath Fonseka’s decision to retire from military service with effect from 01st December, 2009,…
This one for President!
Java and I were mulling over the presidential possibilities – what with all the rumours going back and forth and the opposition thrashing around like headless chickens looking for an option to…
Lazy Academics and a Diaspora Without Direction
The recent Amnesty International sponsored forum “Sri Lanka: Human Rights Issues and Media Representation” held last week in Melbourne was a missed opportunity. The forum could have signposted the strategies needed to…
The vicious cycle that is eating away Sri Lanka’s healthcare: The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), the Ministry of Health and the Treasury
There has been a lot written about the blunders of the Ministry of Health after the death of two young children. However, even though the rubella vaccination has been secured from a…
What must it be like to live behind these Kovil gates?
[Authors note: This is something I wrote a few months ago, that still resonates I believe with our society today.] I was on my way for practice yesterday, when I passed the…
Is Sri Lanka on the East Asian Path?
Many questions with regard to democratic values and system of government in Sri Lanka have surfaced in recent years and it has been argued by some that Sri Lanka is heading at…
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy: Speaking in many tongues and still not making any sense
Is it just me or are you also wondering how many times can the government of Sri Lanka shoot itself in the foot or put the proverbial foot in the mouth when…
A response to Mano Ganeshan: Beyond engaging the ‘Sarath Fonseka worshipers’
Once in a way, in this sad little Republic as Mano Ganeshan aptly calls Sri Lanka, there happens discussions, worth following up on. So thank you Mano, for following up on my…