Waiting for a Democratic Opposition
The point had been made often enough. Without a Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency, there wouldn’t have been an Anura Kumara Dissanayake presidency. For the NPP/JVP to go from 3 percent to 42 percent…
Year: 2024
US Imperialism Drives Middle East War
(Lenin) (General Alexander Haig, American Secretary of State) It is little over one year since Hamas fired those deadly rockets on Israel as mark of its violent struggle to liberate Gaza from…
Lingering Crises: Poverty and Malnutrition in the Aftermath of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis
Seetha is an elderly woman who takes care of her three grandchildren, all below the age of 15. She lives in a section of her late daughter’s house, where the electricity has…
Poverty and Malnutrition in Sri Lanka: An Overview
Today is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Poverty and malnutrition are interconnected issues that continue to affect millions worldwide and Sri Lanka is no exception. In recent years, global poverty…
Naming the Dead and Disappeared as an Act of Memorialisation
Naming the names of the dead is an important act of memorialisation; for those they leave behind, it is their names that contain their essence. Palestinians in Gaza are writing the names…
Towards an Imperative of Trauma-Informed Healthcare
Sri Lanka has a storied history filled with a rich tapestry of socio-cultural narratives around how people experience themselves and the world around them. Stories carried through lineages, passed on by our…
Sri Lanka’s Political Moment in 2024: Part 3
At the cusp of a significant political transformation, Sri Lanka stands at a crucial juncture in its history with an opportunity to reclaim and redefine its place among the community of nations….
The September Political Turn: Some Reflections
For the first time in history, the Sri Lankan people have elected a leftist as their president. The left, with its long history, has sought power through both armed insurrections and the…
All Politicians Unpopular with the People
In the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) SLOTS polling through 2024 prior to the presidential election, A.K. Dissanayake, Harini Amarasuriya and Ali Sabry were consistently the most popular politicians tracked. After A.K….
Will the President and the NPP Take Courageous Steps Towards Reconciliation?
Maatram Sri Lanka’s history is deeply scarred by ethnic tensions and addressing these divisions is crucial for the nation’s future. The National People’s Power (NPP) and its leader, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,…
Coping with Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age
As technology continues to evolve, young people increasingly turn to digital devices to navigate everyday life. While these tools have transformed communication, education and entertainment, they also contribute to the mental health…
Gaza as a Moral Compass – and a Strategic Blunder
The government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged solidarity with Gaza and Palestine. In this the National People’s Power (NPP) party differs little from other political outfits in the country, which…
Sri Lanka’s Political Moment in 2024: Part 2
The year 2024 marks a watershed moment in Sri Lanka’s political history. The National People’s Power (NPP) party, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), has ascended to power on a platform that…
Building on Hope, Gaining Trust: Challenges for a New Government
Elections can be times of hope, offering the possibility of a fresh start, yet also bring deep divisions to the surface. Sri Lanka is one of several countries where in 2024 voters…
A Feminist Politician, Political Furore: Feminist Analysis for a New Age
The tectonic plates shifted in Sri Lanka’s political fabric on September 21. The political rupture caused by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, once considered a rank outsider, becoming the president was that moment. It…
