The world watches legendary Khan in jail
To be the sporting idol adored by millions in a nation is a rare achievement in our times. To be a leader of a nation on whose behalf tens of thousands of his followers risk their lives armed with only sticks and stones, defying the armed forces of a ruling authority is also a rare [...]
Muslim personal law reform: Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
By Naazima Kamardeen Much has been written about the efforts to bring about reforms related to Muslim personal law, most specifically in the areas related to marriage, divorce, and maintenance. The proponents of such reforms do so on the basis that these are in keeping with the spirit of Islam and do not violate any [...]
Devolving police powers to provinces is not a threat to national security
The all-party conference on reconciliation and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the visit of the President to India have generated arguments with regard to the implementation of the 13th Amendment, in particular, devolving police powers to the Provincial Councils. However, an analysis of the provisions of the 13th Amendment with special reference to [...]
A book to facilitate national harmony
Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Imitiaz Bakeer Markar’s latest book “Sithamu” was launched on Thursday at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena attending the event. The book, a collection of Mr Bakeer Markar’s weekly column to Divaina newspaper, analyses socio-political and economic issues [...]
SLTDA, USAID launch sustainable waste management initiative
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently launched a new sustainable waste management initiative for the tourism industry in partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private sector. The programme includes the collection of garbage at the destination, separation, storage for collection, transport to a [...]
Prof P L Ariyananda to deliver 20th E A Wijesooriya Oration
Mahinda College OBA Colombo is organising the annual event in memory of late Principal E A Wijesooriya on August 17 at 5 pm, at the Meteorology Department Auditorium in Colombo 7. This year, Prof P L Ariyananda, former Dean, Medical Faculty of Ruhuna University, will deliver the oration on his experience “Seven habits that helped [...]
FM Ali Sabry underlines need for data-based research in policy making
Foreign Minister M U M Ali Sabry underlined the importance of data-based research to guide government policy making, noting that if such practice had been followed, particularly in regard to the economy, Sri Lanka would have averted the crisis which it faced. The Minister said it is important to conduct research, present papers, debate openly [...]
Japanese artist displays Lankan-inspired artworks
Ambassador E Rodney M Perera visited the solo exhibition of paintings depicting Sri Lanka by Toshiro Kurihara, a 90-year-old Japanese artist who worked as a primary school teacher. The exhibition, hosted at Gallery Bian in Ginza, is open for public viewing from August 8 to 13. Mr Kurihara’s exhibition is testimony to his admiration for [...]
Sanasa Life Insurance conducts training for staff
Sanasa Life Insurance is implementing a series of outdoor training programmes for its staff members. The initiative is aimed at ensuring the betterment of the staff, led by its Human Resources Department, and Training and Development Department. The purpose of this programme is to provide the necessary knowledge, and develop attitudes, skills and communication of [...]
Inhuman profiteering from global food crisis
By Jennifer Clapp and Phil Howard, exclusive to the Sunday Times WATERLOO/EAST LANSING – The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have caused commodity prices to soar in recent years, severely undermining global food security. Now, global food prices are down from the peaks of a year ago, but no one should be complacent: [...]