Post-nuclear nightmares still linger over Pacific Islands
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The Pacific islands have long remained victims of nuclear crimes – but the perpetrators, three of the world’s major powers with permanent seats in the UN Security Council, never paid for their deadly sins.The testing grounds in the Pacific, included the Marshall Islands (Bikini and Enewetak), and also Johnston Atoll and [...]
Donald Trump versus Mideast peace
JERUSALEM – In a matter of three weeks, the United States government has attacked the Palestinian people on three fronts. First, on November 17, President Donald Trump’s administration announced its decision (subsequently reversed) to close the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s diplomatic office in Washington, DC. Then, on December 5, the US Congress voted unanimously to adopt [...]
Can this Lankan American lawyer fix America’s deadliest city?
In a banner year for South Asian Americans successfully seeking public office, super lawyer and former Deputy Attorney General of Maryland Thiru Vignarajah is running to be the top prosecutor in America’s deadliest city, his hometown of Baltimore. Vignarajah has staked his candidacy on a pair of ambitious promises: bring Baltimore’s record murder rates to [...]
Port City: Good site practice minimises particle pollution
We refer to the above article published in the Sunday Times of 19th November 2017, by Ms Carmel Corea, and draw your attention to the writer’s statement where she says, “No mention is made of the effect of the ambient toxic particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 that would be produced during the 15-20 year project [...]
Sir Ivor Jennings’ statue unveiled at Peradeniya University
Last Wednesday a life size statue of Sir Ivor Jennigns, the founder Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya was installed in the campus. This was to mark the 75th anniversary of University Education in the country, commencing in 1942.Rebcca Sarah Caine, a granddaughter of Sir Ivor Jennings graced the occasion as chief guest. Amidst [...]
Sri Lanka and China in the eyes of photographers
To mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka, a photographic exhibition titled ‘Sri Lanka and China in the Eyes of Photographers’ was held at J.D.A. Perera Gallery in Colombo 07on November 23 and 24. The exhibition was opened by Petroleum Resources Development Minister and Chief Guest Arjuna [...]
Eminent lawyer, outstanding politician and man of valour
It will always be a matter of pride and gratification to the people of Sri Lanka that the struggle for political emancipation was launched, supported and sustained by a long line of patriots. One such pioneer was Charles Edward Victor Senewiratne Corea of “Sinhapura”, Chilaw. An Advocate of the Supreme Court, Victor Corea was the [...]
A dear devoted friend
Vajira Fernando News reached us in Sri Lanka that Vajira Fernando, a very dear and close friend of mine had passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he had spent the last 10 days. Our association goes back over 75 years when he and I together joined Royal Primary [...]
S.Thomas’ College Scouts felicitate first Lankan to be elected to World Scout Committee
The 16th Colombo Scout Group, S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, felicitated a distinguished old boy Janaprith Fernando, the first Sri Lankan to be elected to the World Scout Committee of 12 members which consists of 169 member countries with a membership of 42 million. The event was held at the College Main Hall on December 5 [...]
Open forum on the ‘commercialization of Christmas’
The Journalists’ Movement for Media Ethics and Social Justice, (JMMESJ) together with the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka will be conducting an open forum on the topic, ‘The Commercialization of Christmas’, on December 14 at 5.00 pm at the board room of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, 368/6 Sarana Road, off Bauddhaloka [...]
Understanding the North Korea threat
BEIJING – North Korea recently tested its Hwasong-15 ballistic missile, reaching an altitude of 2,780 miles (4,475 kilometres) during its 53-minute flight. Using a flatter trajectory could provide Kim Jong-un’s regime with the capability of hitting the east coast of the United States. Although it has not yet demonstrated a re-entry vehicle capable of surviving [...]