In search of a leader with vision and moral courage
Robert Knox in his 1681 book An Historical Relation of the Island of Ceylon stated “it is a usual saying among them, that if they want a king, they may take any man of either of these two counties from the plough, and wash the dirt off him, and he by reason of his quality [...]
C.P. de silva: The prince among Sri Lanka’s politicians
C P De Silva the Minister of agriculture, lands, irrigation, power and Mahaweli development and Leader of the House in all governments from 1956 to 1970, died at a young age of 60 on the 9th of October 1972. Currently, politicians at all levels and political leaders are distrusted and are under heavy criticism for [...]
UN women envoys reach new heights but fall short of gender parity
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – New York’s diplomatic community has continued to be enriched by a record number of women Permanent Representatives (PRUNs)—50 in all, as of October 2 – compared with about 15 to 20 back in the 1980s and early 1990s. But the history-making number is still short of gender parity, falling far behind [...]
Patriotism resurrected: Did Gota take the American oath of allegiance?
Election time is when the Morality Theatre moves on to the political stage and begins its performance. Since nomination day, candidates with their supporters and TV crews have been besieging sacred places of worship, temples with political orientation, kovils, churches and receiving the blessings of chief incumbents. Nationalist-religious sentiments have not been trumpeted out — [...]
Oxford publishes Amunugama’s ‘The Lions Roar’
Oxford University Press has published Sarath Amunugama’s award-winning book — The Lions Roar. It is subtitled ‘Anagarika Dharmapala and the making of modern Buddhism’. The book will be released to the market at the beginning of next month. Professor Gananath Obeyesekere has this to say about this work: “One witnesses the other side of Sarath [...]
Choir of St Francis of Assisi presents ‘Way Maker’
The Choir of St Francis of Assisi will present ‘Way Maker’ a soul-stirring worship experience on Saturday, October 19 at 5.30 p.m. at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, No. 80 Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia. Arranged and orchestrated by Bradley Knight, ‘Way Maker’ is a musical for everyone, especially for those lost, hurting or [...]
Life and times of Mahadevan Sathasivam
Mahadevan Sathasivam played cricket for Wesley College from the age of 15 and produced several sizzling innings for the school. His last season for Wesley in 1936 was considered his best and most magnificent, when he ended the season with a classic 145 against S. Thomas’ College in Mount Lavinia. A schoolboy batsman rarely has [...]
The hooligan spirit: Increasing political violence in democracies
NEW YORK – The late Alan Clark, a British politician of the Margaret Thatcher era, chiefly known for his womanizing and his hard-right views, once lamented to me the decline of the British fighting spirit that built empires and won wars. Half in jest, I suggested that this aggressive disposition was still there among British [...]