Columns
Home » ColumnsWar hero victim of reported bribe demanded by police
During the separatist war, the Sri Lanka Army commandos, the ‘Red Berets’, were on the frontlines. They broke through the fortified enemy defences to pave the way for the infantry to advance, capture and hold territory once held by Tiger (LTTE) terrorists. In one such incident, a brave commando, who ventured to mount a surprise [...]
Many promises to keep
My dear Anura sahodaraya, I know you are busy with the task of setting up government but I hope you still have time to read this letter. Congratulations on a truly historic victory. For the very first time, a ‘common man’ in every sense of the word has made it to the very top. That [...]
Two plus two does not always make four at an election
There are multiple conclusions that one can draw from the results of the presidential election of 2024 concluded last week. Although such an analysis has the benefit of hindsight, it is possible only to second guess why voters exercised their franchise in the way they did or what message the voter sought to convey. However, [...]
From a ‘wattle and daub’ hut to the presidency; Sri Lanka’s new president faces formidable challenges
Once the “Hallelujah’ cries of the adoring faithful of the National People’s Power (NPP) party in bestowing the long detested executive crown on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) subside, it is time to take sober stock of what lies before Sri Lanka. The first few days of the AKD Presidency This is the country’s spin [...]
The inexplicable quantum leap of Anura Kumara to the Presidency
When Anura Kumara Dissanayaka woke up on Monday morning, he may have thought he had dreamt of being elected President of Sri Lanka. Perhaps, he couldn’t himself believe how a dismal low toll of some 300,000 odd votes five years ago had, in a single inexplicable quantum leap had won him over 5 million votes [...]
The formidable challenges of nation-building and economic development
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake faces the formidable challenge of eradicating corruption, establishing national unity, transforming the country’s work ethic and values, and achieving economic development. The economic challenges loom large, but the task before the new president is much larger. It involves uniting the ethnic and religious communities, eradicating corruption, introducing a work ethic, adopting [...]
President Dissanayake’s historic victory began at grassroots
Small groups went from house-to-house speaking mainly to women and urging them to come to the forefront For upcoming parliamentary elections, efforts to bring Ranil and Sajith together but little hope for success Devastating blow to SLPP; Candidate Namal loses Rajapaksa strongholds SJB dominates Northern and Eastern Provinces; NPP fares poorly By Our [...]
Read More