The LTTE chief’s rise and fall
A new book masterly sums up the life and legacy of Velupillai Prabhakaran Reviewed by Erik Solheim What turns a young man, who leaves home to fight legitimate grievances in his community and nurtures big dreams on behalf of his people, into a dedicated killer who sees violence as the answer to every problem? The [...]
“Riviera Of the Middle East”: A paradise inside a hornet’s nest
By Somar Wijayadasa NEW YORK, (IDN) – President Donald Trump’s bombshell proposal that the United States would take over the war-ruined Gaza—that he described as a “demolition zone”—relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries—possibly in Egypt and Jordan—and redevelop the war-torn enclave into what he described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” That imprudent proposal promptly [...]
New York City Council celebrates Sri Lanka’s Independence Day
The New York City Council celebrated Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, just ahead of February 4, in its Council Chambers, in the presence of a gathering of Lankans and Lankan-Americans. Speaking on behalf of New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E Adams, Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks said “to celebrate the 77th Independence Day, this year marks the [...]
Vidyaloka Prefect’s Day
The annual Prefect’s Day of Wattala Hendala Kerawalapitiya Vidyaloka Maha Vidyalaya was held recently. Wattala Police OIC Anura Gunawardana was the chief guest on the occassion. Here he is seen pinning a badge on a prefect. Past pupil Shervin Perera and Principal Jayanthi Wijesekara were also present. (Wattala Sarath Chinthaka)
Zero Plastic Movement and ministry join forces to address pollution
The Ministry of Science and Technology has partnered with the Zero Plastic Movement to combat the growing crisis of plastic pollution. This marks a step toward finding solutions to a pressing environmental challenge. The collaboration was officially launched at the Ministry’s auditorium. Nishshanka de Silva, founder of the Zero Plastic Movement, conducted an educational session [...]
Potential new battle: UN vs. US over Greenland and Panama Canal
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – US President Donald Trump’s ominous threats to take over the Panama Canal and Greenland—plus Gaza—set the stage for a new political battle with the United Nations. But judging by the UN’s track record of failures—including the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the 2022 Russian invasion of [...]
Breaking US democracy beyond repair
By Ian Buruma, Project Syndicate, Exclusive to the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka NEW YORK – Compared to other Western democracies, the United States is still a profoundly religious country. Around 24% of Americans identify as evangelical Christians. Five US Supreme Court justices are conservative Catholics (the only other conservative on the bench, Neil Gorsuch, [...]