Paris is not the solution
By Bjørn Lomborg COPENHAGEN – President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate agreement leaves the US without a global warming policy. That is alarming. But the world’s response – to double down on the pact in opposition to Trump – should also cause concern. There have been two conflicting responses [...]
Sihinayaki Re recorded in Oman
By Clifford Lazarus The Sultanate of Oman is home to over 20,000 Sri Lankans. The talent within the community is showcased at art and photographic exhibitions and musical events. Recently, a group under the name “Seenige Wedak” invited Mahesh Nissanka, the presenter of the long-running musical series “Sihiniyaki Re” to record Oman’s version of “Sihiniyaki [...]
Iftar at Sri Lanka’s UN mission
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York held a traditional Iftar (Breaking Ramadan Fast) ceremony on Wednesday, with the participation of a large number of Sri Lankan Muslim expatriates living in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Welcoming the guests for the ceremony at the mission premises, Ambassador Rohan [...]
Malaysian HC in Iftar with children
Malaysian High Commissioner Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah and his staff held an iftar ceremony at Fathima Welfare Centre in Thimbirigasyaya. The centre provides custodial care and education to Muslim girls, especially those from refugee families. These pictures show the girls getting ready to break their Ramadan fast and High Commissioner Abdullah with officials of the [...]
History behind the Speaker’s Chair and Mace
According to the House of Commons Hansard of Dec. 19, 1947, Captain L D Gammons, MP for Hornsby, by private notice, asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether His Majesty’s Government will make the offer of a gift of a Speaker’s Chair and Mace to the Parliament of Ceylon as a token of [...]
Who is this stranger in the House?
By Nihal Seneviratne During my early years in Parliament, there was a single incident which I cannot easily forget though it was of no political significance. It happened in the 1960s during the opening session of a new Parliament after a general election. It was a busy day for the staff and I, with many [...]
Investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
By Jayantha Gunasekera November 22, 1963 is a day of sad remembrance for Americans, because it was on that fateful day that their beloved President John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK), was shot dead by Lee Harvey Oswald, who concealed himself in the Texas School Book Depository to carry out this dastardly act. President Kennedy along with [...]
Dr. Chamika awarded 11 gold medals for academic excellence
Dr. Chamika De Silva receiving a medal from the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya – the most Ven Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera Dr. Chamika De Silva carried away 11 gold medals at the recently concluded 93rd General Convocation of the University of Kelaniya. Dr. De Silva graduated at the top of his [...]
Making the reader alive to the teachings of the Buddha
Journal review: Government Services Buddhist Association’s annual Vesak Sirisara By Satharathilaka Banda Atugoda The journal of the Government Services Buddhist Association of the 2561 Buddhist era corresponding to the 2017 common era has been published, edited by Neville Piyadigama, a former secretary and ambassador, marking the International Vesak Celebrations. The issue also commemorates two former [...]
Can US states right Trump’s wrongs?
By Barry Eichengreen VENICE – US President Donald Trump, with the help of a Republican-controlled Congress, is undermining many of the fundamental values that Americans hold dear. He is jeopardising their access to health care by seeking to repeal the 2010 Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). His budget proposes massive cuts in everything from early childhood [...]