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…
Issues
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…
The Fate of Nature in Sri Lanka: The Time to Act is Now
Emeritus Professor Sarath Kotagama needs no introduction to any in the conservation community of Sri Lanka. Not always seeking populism but preferring pragmatism, whether one agrees with him or not there is…
Global Israel Poses Global Threat
Global Israel is a name coined by the Israeli historian Ilan Pappe in his latest book and it refers to “a coalition that includes most governments, mainstream media and some parts of…
Gaza, First Death Anniversary
International Words cannot bring back the dead. But they can heal the wounded my teacher said. I went to the house; found its absence baffling and bitter like smoke disappearing…
Sri Lanka’s Political Moment in 2024: Part 1
Jazeera In the wake of the National People’s Power (NPP) party’s remarkable victory in the 2024 presidential election, some observers have been quick to attribute the result to a protest vote against…
The Implications of the Presidential Election on National Unity
Elections are often about creating divisions within the electorate and channeling power to the majority opinion. Sri Lanka’s ninth presidential election concluded with an unprecedented result, signaling a new chapter in the…
Evolution, Not Revolution
I have a few comments to make about the rather inevitable and predictable recent attempts on social media to try and attack and diminish Dr. Harini Amarasuriya’s authority via comments about her…
Remembering Richard Boyle
September 25 was the first anniversary of the death of the writer Richard Boyle at the age of 72. Richard was a prolific writer, perhaps best remembered for the multiple articles he…
