Columns

Political Column

Just ten days after Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected as Sri Lanka's fifth President, Tiger guerrilla leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, described him as a "realist, committed to pragmatic politics." In his "Maveerar" (Great Heroes) day, speech in 2005 he wanted to know how he was going to handle the peace process. Two years later, last Thursday, Prabhakaran declared "we wish to stop the war and seek a peaceful resolution to the national question of our people."

5th Column

Members one of another! Put them to pasture and let them graze!

“Thaaththa” Bindu Udagedera asked, “don’t you think it is time for a cabinet reshuffle?”

Situation Report

Prabha strikes a defiant note

Hours ahead of Tiger guerrilla leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's "Maveerar" ("Great Heroes") Day speech on Thursday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera sent out an urgent message to Commanders of the Army, Navy, the Police Chief and the Director General of the Civil Security Division (CSD).

Thoughts from London

C'wealth cannot shirk responsibility now

Last week's Mumbai massacre should shake some of the Commonwealth countries that still take a rather benign attitude toward the dangers of modern terrorism out of their complacency.

The Economic Analysis

Responding to the energy crisis with alternate energy

There are two factors emerging that could postpone taking action regarding the growing energy problem. One is the recent evidence that electricity consumption has declined and the other is the sudden fall in international oil prices. Both of these are misleading signals.

Lobby

Legislators give lessons on journalism and deteriorating values!

In a week dominated by news of the terror attacks in Mumbai, India, the Sri Lanka Parliament on Friday too joined to condemn the attacks and reiterated the need for a common approach to tackle the menace of terrorism world wide.

Focus on Rights

The question of police abuse

The recent incident of a lawyer being humiliated and abused by the officer-in charge of the Bambalapitiya police station when he had accompanied his client to the police station is manifestly symptomatic of the general malaise prevalent in this land.

Inside the glass house

Father slams Israel from UN pulpit

When the General Assembly commemorated the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" last week, a routine annual event turned into a political firecracker reverberating inside and outside the building.