Opinion

Low Caste Tamil Hindu Converts: Failed Effort To Hide The Identity Of Muslims

By Rushdy Nizar Getaberiya - Failed effort to hide the identity of Muslims origin in Sri…

A ‘Muslim’ Thing?

By Hameed Abdul Karim - ‘The media are the eyes and the ears of the…

A Response To The President’s Address On ‘Victory Day’

By Rajasingham Narendran - I read with much interest the President’s ‘Victory Day’ speech at…

Gota, The National Security State And The PTA

By M A Sumanthiran - The arrest and detention of Azath Salley, leader of the Muslim Tamil…

The Agony Of Peace

By Tisaranee Gunasekara - “To change masters is not to be free” - Jose Marti (eddosrios.org…

Sri Lanka Retreats Into The Dark Ages

By Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena - As lights are dimmed over Sri Lanka following prohibitively crushing electricity hikes, the…

Pakistan’s Democratic Milestone: First Electoral Succession In 66 Years

By Rajan Philips - Pakistan passed a rare milestone in its bumpy 66 year history. …

Let Us Celebrate, Let Us Mourn Too

By Malinda Seneviratne - Four years ago the nation, which had held its collective breath…

Rural Realities Notwithstanding “Negumas” Of All Kinds

By Emil van der Poorten - I have, over several years past and in a variety of…

Electricity Economics: Pointless Populism

By Kumar David - On April 28, in this column, I discussed the design of…

Six Myths Of The Opposition

By Dayan Jayatilleka - Erroneous political thinking and analysis obscure and obstruct the path of the political…

The Great Victory Of Our Motherland: Today We Have The Fourth opportunity To Celebrate With Dignity

By Mahinda Rajapaksa - Today we have the fourth opportunity to celebrate with dignity the…

Where Are We Now?: The Diaspora Four Years After The War

By Raj Subramaniam - Four years have passed without seeing any progress in the lives…

The Battle Of Ravens: Mullivaikkal Lagoon Resounded With The Roar Of Ravens

By Thrishantha Nanayakkara - The morning in Mullivaikkaal lagoon was unusually silent. The thunder and…

Launching Of The North East Provincial Council

By S. Sivathasan - Prelude The election of R. Premadasa as President of Sri Lanka…

Blundering Politicians Continue Their Assault On Higher Education

By Shanie - FUTA3 Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way With blossom’d furze unprofitably gay,…

Mullivaikkaal

By Mahesan Niranjan - An intriguing day, this eighteenth of May.   Between Devils and deep sea…

Sri Lanka: The Destruction Of The Bureaucracy

 By R.M.B Senanayake - It was the Chinese who first realized the importance of a…

Four Years Ago The Sinhalam Robbed Our Dignity, Denied Our Right To Life

By Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran - Vanakkam, Distinguished guests, fellow members of the Transnational Government, brothers and…

A Partial Reversal On Electricity Tariffs, CHOGAM, The NPC & Azath Sally

By Harim Peiris - President Mahinda Rajapakse used his speech to the ruling UPFA’s May Day rally…

Provincial Devolution Or Ethnic Unilateralism?

By Dayan Jayatilleka - My thanks to Prof GH (‘Gerry’) Peiris, a scholar for whom I have…

Vesak: What The So Called Buddhist Balavegaya Is Doing In Sri Lanka?

By Basil Fernando - The people in Hong Kong will be celebrating what they call…

The Spectre Haunting The Rajapaksas

By Tisaranee Gunasekara - “Never will tyrants freely consent to the extirpation of servitude….” - Thomas…

A Reply To Minister DEW’s Question

By Hema Senanayake - Rajan Philips observed that the regime is fast becoming a victim of its…

Part 2: Worries Of Bodu Bala Sena

By Rifai Naleemi - I take extra precaution when I write this series on Bodu Bala Sena.…

BBS And Wimal Weerawansa’s Big Mouth

By C. Wijeyawickrema - One would expect Wimal Weerawansa (WW), the minister, to be different…

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Sumanthiran In Parliament On PTA & Land Grabbing

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran in Parliament on PTA & Land Grabbing.…

What Is Happening; Event Invitations

Events: Pianist Kausikan Rajeshkumar’s Recital A recital by pianist Kausikan Rajeshkumar, award winner of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund. Venue : The Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 11 April 2013 at 6pm Read more ‘Herstories’ –…

Video: “Religion, Reconciliation And Future” – Javid Yusuf

Former Ambassador Javid Yusuf‘s presentation at the panel discussion on “Religion, Reconciliation and Future” organised by Sri Lanka Young Journalists Movement. Sri Lanka Press Institute Auditorium 96, Kirula Rd, Colombo – 05 on Monday, 8th April, 2013.…

Video: Yashwant Sinha Speech On The Plights Of Tamil In Sri Lanka

Loksabha :  BJP leader Shri Yashwant Sinha’s speech on the plights of Tamil in Sri Lanka : 07.03.2013…

Legendary Sitarist, Composer Ravi Shankar Dead At 92

Sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar, who helped introduce the sitar to the Western world through his collaborations with The Beatles, died in Southern California on Tuesday, his family said. He was 92. Ravi Shankar Read…

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Behold The Future

By Tisaranee Gunasekara - “Everything is going to end in violence….and who knows what limits of madness will be reached?”- Georg Forster (Works XVII) A Presidential Offspring hammers a referee, in full view of hundreds of spectators. An Appeal Court Judge…

Is “Bodu Bala Sena” A Racist Organization?

By Hema Senanayake - A couple of months ago BBS became a household name in Sri Lanka. We may agree or may not agree with the views of BBS but we all agree that it created a heavy impact in the social…

We Must All Be Patriots, Not Just Azath Salley

By Silma Ahamed - The Government has inadvertently made Azath Salley a hero, or so some believe.  No, the Government has not contributed to Azath turning a hero, he is one anyway. The hate campaign against Muslims needs no elaboration.  Azath…

Sri Lankan Muslims Are Low Caste Tamil Hindu Converts Not Arab Descendants

By Rifat Halim - The recent execution of Rizana Nafeek in Saudi Arabia  has underlined the bogus claim of Arab ancestry by Sri Lankan Muslims (formerly known as Ceylon Moors). Ms. Nafeek, a domestic worker from a poor family in…

So-Called “Causes Of The Sinhala-Muslim Conflict”

By Laksiri Fernando - There is a slang term in Australia, some people calling others ‘going troppo’ to mean going crazy. The origin of this slang is supposed to be the tropical heat in the northern parts of Australia driving…

Victims Of Sri Lanka’s ‘Development’ ?

By M A Sumanthiran - The opening of the Mattala Rajapaksa International airport in Sri Lanka has been hailed by representatives of the Sri Lankan government as a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s economic development. In keeping with the priority…

The BBS That My Mother Likes

By Darshanie Ratnawalli - I am the legitimate issue of a woman who unabashedly claims…

Salley, A Courageous Voice Against The Majoritarian Racist Elements

By Mangala Samaraweera - We were gravely disturbed to learn of the arrest of former Deputy mayor…

Arresting Salley And Duminda’s Ceremonial Welcome At The Presidential Palace

By Karu Jayasuriya - It is in the strongest possible terms that the arrest of…

Islamic Culture And The Challenge Of Buddhist Fundamentalism

By Liyanage Amarakeerthi - When I heard about the Boston explosions I had many hopes.…

Rally For Unity – It Can Be Done!

By Ajita Kadirgamar - There is an American expression “sometimes you can’t see the forest  for…

Duminda Gets The Last Laugh?

By Malinda Seneviratne - Duminda Silva, MP (UPFA) is something else.  First he was accused of murdering ex-UPFA…

Hail!

By Rasika Jayakody - He was never the first to shoot first to kill first to flee…

The Land Of Miracles

By Tisaranee Gunasekara - “I think we are blind….. Blind people who can see, but…

Whence Sri Lankan Tamils And Whither Sri Lankan Tamils

By C.V. Wigneswaran - Ajnaana Timiraamdhasya Gnaanaanjana Shalaakayaa Chakshuru Miilitam Yena Tasmai Shrii Gurave Namah Honourable Chairman,…

What Is ‘Bodu (Buddhist)’ In The ‘Bodu Bala Sena’?

By Malinda Seneviratne - Way back in the year 2004, when the Jathika Hela Urumaya…

The Trouble With Mr Guruparan’s ‘Tamil Civil Society’ View

By Dayan Jayatilleka - Oh dear, oh dear, here we go again. Early in his article Mr…

The Idiotic Gene

By Tisaranee Gunasekara - “Despotic governments…..all follow the same logic”. Umberto Eco (The Prague Cemetery) Economic…

Much Ado About Nothing

By Kumaravadivel Guruparan - Much Ado About Nothing: The Northern Provincial Councils, 13th Amendment and the…

A Heartbreaking Story: ‘Agape Orphanage’ Ripped Apart

By Eva Kodithuwakku - I am a Sri Lankan lady 72 years of age and…

Work Of Political Buddhism: The Kid Refused To Go Along, As It Happened To Be A ‘Muslim’ Shop

By Harishchandra Lokumanna - This is my humble response as a fellow Sinhala Buddhist to…

On Dayan’s ‘Logic’, Mildly

By Malinda Seneviratne - This refers to Dayan Jayatilleka’s response (Anti-BBS Vigil: A critique of the critique)…

Building An Anti-Islamic Bridge To America

By Tisaranee Gunasekara - “Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be…

BBS: Bullocks, Balderdash & Showmanship

R.A.Ratwatte - BBS seems to be the most important letters of the alphabet today, in…

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Campaigners Urge Rolls-Royce Deal Not To Influence UK’s Diplomatic Position Over Human Rights In Sri Lanka

“Rolls-Royce is expected to provide the engines for a multi-billion dollar refitting of SriLankan Airlines planes…

Handing Sri Lanka The Lead Role For Two Years Would “Kill” The Commonwealth, But Cameron Will Attend The CHOGM

David Cameron will defy boycott calls to attend Sri Lanka Commonwealth Summit, the Telegraph UK…

Sleeping Left On May Day

Vasudeva Nanayakkara, DEW Gunasekara and Tissa Vitarana at Socialist Alliance May Day stage – Photo by a member…

Salley’s Arrest: Commonwealth Leaders Must Take A Stronger Stand Against The GoSL – Amnesty International

A prominent Muslim politician and government critic arrested today in Sri Lanka must be immediately…

Petition: Stop The Process Of Destroying Sources Of The Wildlife In Mattala

Sri Lanka’s second international airport has been built in the arid zone, in close proximity…

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner UK Tells BBC That IBAHRI Is ‘Absolutely Welcome To Come In’

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United…

Salley Arrested Under PTA, Facebook Hate Campaign Started Against Salley

Azath Salley was taken into custody under the PTA and the police stated that according…

WikiLeaks: Installing Criminal Devananda As The Head Of A ‘Quisling’ Tamil Regime

“The leader of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EDPD), Douglas Devananda, has a long history…

“Unified Tamil Power Will Influence The Course Of Events In The Indian Ocean Region” Rudrakumaran Tells TGTE Gathering In Canada

Highlights of the TGTE’s annual event in Toronto, Canada , by Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah “Presently,…

BBS US Pictures: Sumptuous Feasts For BBS Monks

The picture below shows the Bodu Bala Sena Secretary General, a Buddhist monk Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero…

Amnesty International Report: Sri Lanka’s Assault On Dissent

“In their attempt to consolidate power, Sri Lanka’s authorities have criminalized freedom of expression, and…

BBC Video: Protest Against Ethnic Hatred In Sri Lanka

About 500 people have marched through the centre of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, protesting…

Whose Remains Are In The Mass Grave At Matale: 26 Cases

“Since this mass grave is in Matale we looked into the evidence given to the Special…

Kolonnawa God: Sinhala Video From Duminda Silva

An alleged suspect in the killing of former Parliamentarian Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra on 08 October 2011…

Pictures: ‘Hate Has No Place In Sri Lanka’ Marched Through Colombo

About 500 people have marched through the centre of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, protesting…

Canada Fury At Sri Lanka Choice For Commonwealth Talks

Canada is “appalled” that Sri Lanka has been chosen to host the Commonwealth heads of…

Full Transcript Of The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Press Conference

At a news conference after the meeting yesterday the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group said it…

Commonwealth Dodges Sri Lanka Problem

The Commonwealth has failed its first major test since it strengthened its Ministerial Action Group…

Sri Lanka: ‘Lay Down Clear Benchmarks’ – Joint Civil Society Submission To Commonwealth Ministers

A  joint Joint Civil Society submission on Sri Lanka was sent to the Commonwealth Ministerial…

Tamil Man Claims Rape And Torture Upon Return To Sri Lanka

A Tamil man living in Australia has detailed shocking claims of rape and torture at the hands…

International Bar Association Video On The Crisis Of Justice In Sri Lanka

The video the International Bar Association made about the crisis of justice in Sri Lanka…

Commonwealth Urged To Reassess Sri Lanka’s Suitability To Host CHOGM And Assume Chair

At a panel discussion to launch the new International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)…

Video: “Religion, Reconciliation And Future” – M.A. Sumanthiran

Tamil National Alliance MP,  M.A. Sumanthiran‘s presentation at the panel discussion on “Religion, Reconciliation and Future” organised…

WikiLeaks: Sinhalese Extremist Sihala Urumaya – A Small Party That Packs A Political Wallop

WikiLeaks: Sinhalese Extremist Sihala Urumaya – A Small Party That Packs A Political Wallop

“The Sihala Urumaya (SU) party is minuscule as an electoral force. The party packs a…

WikiLeaks: Party Of Extremist Buddhist Monks Stirs Up Tension During Holiday Season

“The Buddhist extremist JHU party looks set to stir up religious tension during this holiday…

Pictures: Bodu Bala Sena In America

Bodu Bala Sena delegation headed by BBS Secretary General Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero had a successful meeting with high monks in…

Tangalle Rape Victim Has Spoken For The First Time

A student has spoken for the first time of her ordeal at a Sri Lankan…

Sri Lanka: US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices For 2012

“The major human rights problems were attacks on and harassment of civil society activists, persons…

Bar Association To Monitor The Breaches Of Rule Of Law

Lawyers Collective welcomes the decision of the executive committee of the Bar Association to appoint…

Video: “Religion, Reconciliation And Future” – Malinda Seneviratne

Editor in Chief – The Nation, Malinda Seneviratne’s presentation at the panel discussion on “Religion, Reconciliation and…

Treating Elderly – Two Pictures: Namal Rajapaksa And Ranil Wickremesinghe

Treating Elderly – Two Pictures: Namal Rajapaksa And Ranil Wickremesinghe

By Colombo Telegraph - “Elderly people are now who you will one day become. Respecting…

Law Society Supports CLA Call For Suspension Of Sri Lanka From Commonwealth

By Colombo Telegraph - The Law Society of England and Wales today added its voice…

Commonwealth Judges And Lawyers Want Suspend Sri Lanka From The Councils Over CJ Impeachment

By Colombo Telegraph - The three branches of the legal profession, assembled at the 18th…

Pictures: Anti-Hate Vigil Campaigner’s Personal Safety At Risk; ‘My Daughter’s Safety Also At Risk’ – BBS CEO

By Colombo Telegraph - “I would like to inform you that BBS has not taken…

Full Text Of The Petition: Propriety Of Conduct Of Chairman, Bribery Commission In Question

By Colombo Telegraph - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is required…

USA: Boston Marathon Explosions

By Colombo Telegraph - A large explosion has  been detonated near the finish line of…

Full Text: Letter By Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake To DG Bribery Commission

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption was in possesion of enough evidence pertaining to ex-CJ Shiranee Bandaranayake to prove bribery and corruption allegations against her, state run Daily News today (11th) reported. “The charges include the amassing…

Azath Salley Has Been Released

Azath Salley has been released a short while ago. His detention order was revoked by the president. He is at a private hospital now. Related posts; SC Postpones FR Case To Secure Salley’s Fundamental Rights For Tomorrow Behold The Future Due Process…

Assaulting The Rugby Referee: ‘It Was A Misunderstanding’ – Namal Rajapaksa

Namal Rajapaksa MP today said his younger brother’s attack to a Rugby referee ‘was a misunderstanding’. Namal Rajapaksa’s response came as a reply to a tweet sent to him by another tweeter user Zaman Alfeoz. Zaman asked “@RajapaksaNamal, did your…

Censorship: Presidential Offspring ‘Referee-Beater’ Rohitha Rajapaksa On Buzz With Daily Mirror

Presidential offspring Rohitha Rajapaksa assaulted Rugby referee Dimitri Gunasekera last week  (5th May) at the Havelocks Grounds in Colombo after the Navy lost a qualifying match. Non of Sri Lankan media reported the story. Daily Mirror today interviewed Rohitha but failed…

Hate Incidents Report: Muslims Continue To Be Subjected To Violence And Persecution Often At The Hands Of Militant Buddhists – SFM

Sri Lanka’s minority Muslims continue to be subjected to violence and persecution, often at the hands of militant Buddhists, who are very active at the grassroots level. The Secretariat for Muslims (SFM) documented 21 incidents occurring from January to March, and 54 incidents in March alone.…

Translation Of Azath Salley’s Controversial Interview: “Muslims Will Also Take Up Arms”

On 20 April 2013, in an interview to the Tamil Nadu bi-weekly magazine “Junior Vikatan”, Azath Salley is alleged to have said that “the Muslims too should launch an armed struggle against the state in the same manner in which…

Queen To Miss Commonwealth Meeting In Sri Lanka

The Queen will not attend this year’s Commonwealth summit as the palace reviews her long-haul travel. But there are calls for Britain to boycott the meeting due to Sri Lanka’s human rights record. The Queen has been present at every…

‘I Sold The Majority Shares And Have No Decision Making Powers Anymore’ Says Lal Wickrematunge

“As long as I was owner, all journalists (past and present) were afforded legal representation. I sold the majority shares and have no decision making powers anymore. All managerial and legal issues including settlement of cases are handled by the new…

Appeal Court Judge Abrew Verbally Abused And Attacked Fellow Judges

Appeal Court Judge Sarath de Abrew caused havoc in Bangalore airport when he verbally abused his colleagues and even attacked one with a bottle of water, while returning home after a judges’ conference. justice Sri Lankan newspaper Dailly Mirror reported the story without…

Presidential Offspring Rohitha Rajapaksa Assaulted Rugby Referee In Full Public View

Presidential offspring Rohitha Rajapaksa assaulted Rugby referee Dimitri Gunasekera today (5th May) at the Havelocks Grounds in Colombo after the Navy lost a qualifying match. The incident took place when the Police A team defeated Navy knocking the latter out…

The Inside Story: Sri Lankan Court Orders Frederica Jansz To Pay Rs 1 M To Ladduwahetty

A Colombo District Judge, Amal Ranaraja, has ordered former Editor of The Sunday Leader, Frederica Jansz to pay Rs 1 million to President’s Counsel, Nalin Ladduwahetty, for allegedly having defamed him in four articles published by The Sunday Leader. Frederica…

What The Muslim World Believes, On Everything From Alcohol To Honor Killings, In 8 Maps, 5 Charts

A sweeping, 226-page report from the Pew Forum explores attitudes and opinions from Muslim communities around the world. In the process, it turns up some fascinating insights into not just the views held in the “Muslim world” but the wide diversity of…

Cameron Under Fire Over Decision To Attend Sri Lanka Summit

Human rights groups react with disgust to David Cameron’s decision to attend the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka this November, Channel 4 Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jonathan Miller reports. The Prime Minister’s decision comes amid growing alarm over Sri Lanka’s dismal and…

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