First, it was food as weapon of war, and then came water…
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The Palestinians in Gaza have been victims of a double tragedy: killings by Israel’s mostly American-made weapons and deaths by starvation. And now comes a revelation of a new weapon of war: how Israel has been systematically weaponising water against Palestinians in Gaza, according to a new report [...]
NPP’s science policy: rhetoric vs. reality
By Dinara S. Gunasekera The Jathika Jana Balaya (NPP) recently released its Science and Technology (S&T) policy framework, which aims to serve as a “guideline for enriching scientific and technological knowledge, allocating resources, and establishing a regulatory framework for research and development (R&D)” in Sri Lanka. Despite such lofty goals, the actual proposal lacks substance, [...]
Election antics
I have been musing this month about the strange hoo-ha unfolding in America. It is so ludicrous that I am tempted to laugh—except that the selection of the leader of one of the most powerful countries on earth is a really serious matter. Every four years the American electorate gets the opportunity of electing a [...]
SLAF marks fallen cadre at Kollupitiya Jumma Mosque
The Sri Lanka Air Force organised Ranaviru Anusmarana, an Islamic religious ceremony at the Kollupitiya Jumma Mosque recently. It was held under the patronage of Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa. Wing Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force T M Sham delivered the welcome address. All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama [...]
Pakistan, Sri Lanka to cooperate on money laundering, corruption
An MoU on mutual cooperation in criminal matters was signed between the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Pakistan and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The MoU was signed at the CIABOC office in Colombo. High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz HI (M) signed on behalf of NAB [...]
Das Buddhistische Haus centenary celebrations
This August, Das Buddhistische Haus in Berlin looks back on a century of being the pivot of Theravada Buddhism in all Europe. Begun by Dr Paul Dahlke in 1924 the Buddhist House, neglected under Nazi regime, was brought under the wing of the German Dharmaduta Society by Asoka Weeraratna in 1957. The Dharmaduta Society has [...]
Pera Uni Alumni commemorates late members
The Social and Welfare Sub-Committee of the Alumni Association of University of Peradeniya, Colombo Chapter offered an alms giving to the inmates of the Paramitha Elders home, 59/1, Wanawasala Road, Kelaniya on Friday, July 19. This exercise following a Management Council decision was meant to bestow merit to all former members and their family members [...]
As disinformation thrives, democracy dies
LONDON – Last year, OECD countries collectively allocated more than $220 billion in official development assistance (ODA). But a rising tide of disinformation is undermining the effectiveness of these investments. For example, a massive increase in financing for climate adaptation is urgently needed, but the impact of calls for increased investment would likely be limited [...]