PM calls for an Indian Ocean Order
‘Global Power Transition and the Indian Ocean’–Inaugural address by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Indian Ocean Conference on September 1, in Singapore No one state to dominate, cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN needed Over the past 500 years, the Indian Ocean region lost control of its geo-political and geo-economic relevance. First the entire region was [...]
Ends to justify means and cry of bogey men
By Tassie Seneviratne The article by Kishali Pinto Jayawardena, (KPJ) titled “The ends cannot justify means in nation-building”, that appeared in the Sunday Times of August 21st 2016, gives food for much thought. My mind first went to a conversation I was privileged to have with a friend who was connected to President J.R Jayewardene [...]
Electoral reform – MMP the only game in town
By Asoka Obeyesekere The fact that proposing a new electoral system is a responsibility placed upon the main twenty-one member steering committee of the Constitutional Assembly underscores its importance. The committee must address three key questions. Q1. What principles must a new electoral system champion? Q2. Which electoral system can deliver these principles? Q3. What [...]
7th anniversary celebration of the Samadhi Buddha Statue at New Jersey Buddhist Vihare
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY – The Seventh Anniversary of the Samadhi Statue at the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center in Princeton, New Jersey was celebrated on August 20. This all day celebration was attended by many dignitaries including a Sri Lankan ambassador, President of a Japanese Buddhist temple in New York, Mayor Phillip Kramer, [...]
8 Sri Lankans receive Chevening schols
The United Kingdom has increased the number of Chevening scholarships for Sri Lanka, for the second consecutive year. The increase in awards was announced at a reception hosted at the British High Commissioner’s Residence on September 1, where eight Sri Lankan scholars were presented with their certificates. This year’s scholars will travel to the UK [...]
Outreach clinics for elders
The Geriatric Medical Unit of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital will hold Community Outreach Clinics for elders in Dehiwala and Piliyandala. They hope to give their caregivers advice, do an initial geriatric screening, check vision and also do basic Physiotherapy for patients with Musculoskeletal Disease. The first clinic was held yesterday in Piliyandala and the [...]
Community services get helping hand
Community services at Kalipulla watte, Dematagoda were revived under the auspices of the Dematagoda Youth Front and the National Youth Services Council at the request of Provincial Council member and Pragna Pradeepa founder Jayantha de Silva, who is seen in the picture lighting the oil lamp on arrival at the ceremony.
Lanka safe and scenic for Miss Intercontinental 2016: Organisers
By Kaveesha Fernando “Besides the beautiful landscapes and beaches that Sri Lanka has to offer, we are also looking for security. This is why we decided to hold Miss Intercontinental in Sri Lanka because it’s a safe place and we feel very secure here,” said CEO of the Miss Intercontinental Organisation Detlef Tursies. For Sri [...]
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Police
Police vs. Community Complex dynamics in civilian policing By Asoka Wijetilleka In every civilized society, a police system exists for the common good of the entire community. World over, the primary duty of any police force is the prevention and the detection of crime and criminal law enforcement with the view to apprehending perpetrators of [...]
A Foreign Minister who remained embedded in the UN landscape
UNITED NATIONS – When Foreign Minister ACS Hameed came under attack for staying in five-star luxury hotels during the UN General Assembly sessions in New York, he fired back at the Opposition MP in Parliament with a rejoinder dripping with sarcasm: “Where do you want me to stay when I travel overseas?”, he asked. “in [...]