Global poverty soars — as Incomes of world’s billionaires hit new highs
UNITED NATIONS, (IPS) – The phenomenal rise in extreme poverty — for the first time in 20 years — has been accompanied by an upsurge in the incomes of the world’s billionaires and the super-rich. The paradox of poverty amidst plenty is being blamed largely on the coronavirus pandemic which has driven millions, mostly in [...]
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and why Turkey backs Azerbaijan
I am deeply concerned about some biased articles stemming from a number of foreign news agencies published recently in the Sri Lankan media on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I would like to enlighten the Sri Lankan public opinion on some truths about the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as Turkey’s position on the [...]
Role of the Sangha as kingmakers
Religion and politics have been a heady mix with the potential of creating vast empires, great civilisations, magnificent monuments and tinpot-dictators. The history of empire building is too vast a subject for this columnist to take on and we will begin with the severance of this country from the British Empire with the dawn of [...]
Communications gone topsy-turvy in Sri Lanka Police
Reports on senior police officers contradicting each other and even accusing each other of lying have become a common feature in the media these days. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundera and former Senior Deputy Inspector General M.R. Lathif, who was the head of the of the Special Task Force, are two witnesses [...]
South Korea donates masks, pledges to strengthen ties between police forces of two countries
South Korea’s Ambassadro Woonjin Jeong met a Sri Lanka police delegation-led by Acting Inspector General C.D. Wickramaratne on Thursday at the Korean Embassy in Colombo and donated a consignment of re-usable fabric masks for distribution among Police personnel in appreciation of their dedication and commitment to control COVID-19 Island wide. The masks were manufactured by a [...]
Malay Confederation elects new officials
The Sri Lanka Malay Confederation (SLAMAC) established on 18 August 1984 is the umbrella body of all the Malay Associations in Sri Lanka numbering 26. The body was formed to preserve the Malay’s rich heritage and culture and promote unity, understanding, cooperation and harmony among Malays and Malay organisations in Sri Lanka and to promote, [...]
WNPS lecture: Windfall for Lanka’s wildlife and wilderness
This month’s WNPS (Wildlife and Nature Protection Society) lecture – on ‘COVID-19; an unexpected windfall for Sri Lanka’s wilderness and wildlife’ will be delivered online by Rukshan Jayewardene on October 22 at 6 p.m. via Zoom and FB Live. Those interested could log in to register on: https://forms.gle/icbSR6x8v6u6Ld146 Jayewardene is a past president of WNPS, [...]
What the US election is really about
CHICAGO – Next month’s United States election is not about policy, nor is it even about President Donald Trump. It is about America’s constitutional system. This is not to suggest that the election could end that system. While Trump has an authoritarian temperament and admires dictators like Russian President Vladimir Putin, he is unlikely to [...]