Monthly Archives: October 2012

Anatomy of an Amendment

“The future is dark, uncertain. But we can see part of the way leading to it and can tread it with firm steps, remembering that nothing that can happen is likely to overcome the spirit of man which has survived so may perils. Remembering also that life, for all its ills, has joy and beauty, […]

By Vishnuguptha | Published on October 28, 2012 at 11:36 pm

Former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi sentenced to prison

BREAKING NEWS: Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to four years in prison.An Italian court convicted the controversial billionaire on tax fraud. The case involved Berlusconi’s media business dealings.

By Staff Correspondent | Published on October 27, 2012 at 2:46 am

Maithree, Shrilal, Ashok: Last men standing

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who […]

By Vishnuguptha | Published on October 27, 2012 at 12:59 am

Gamini Dissanayake, the last of men

“If you can make one heap of all your winnings, And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss;…..’ Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,…………If you can fill the unforgiving minute, […]

By Vishnuguptha | Published on October 27, 2012 at 12:40 am

The trend of government sponsored violence was set by Sirimavo in the seventies

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Government-sponsored intimidation of leading members of the bureaucracy, judiciary and the
media is not a new phenomenon. Its history could be traced to as far back as the fifties, yet for our conversation, let us begin with […]

By Vishnuguptha | Published on October 26, 2012 at 1:33 am

The tragedy of opposition politics, rally debacles and gross abuse of power by govt

Fissures within the Opposition
The inaugural public rally organized by the Eksath Bhikkshu Peramuna (United Bhikku Front)
on October 18 revealed the fissures within the ranks of the opposition. The event was publicised as being the public coming together of a coalition of forces to abolish the institution of the Executive Presidency. The organizers of the […]

By Dr. Jehan Perera | Published on October 26, 2012 at 1:15 am

Former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell endorses Obama publicly

NEW YORK 25 OCTOBER 2012: Former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed
President Barack Obama for a second term Thursday, telling “CBS This Morning” that he voted for Obama in 2008 but this time was going further and publicly backing him.
“We’ve come out of the dive and we’re starting to gain altitude,” Powell said. “The […]

By | Published on October 26, 2012 at 12:41 am

Superman:Clark Kent quits job as reporter on Daily Planet

In an upcoming issue of the Superman comic series, his mild-mannered alter ego Clark Kent
quits his job as a reporter at The Daily Planet.
Kent, who has been with the newspaper since DC Comics debuted the character in 1940, quits in front of the entire newspaper staff after a heated discussion with Morgan Edge, the owner […]

By | Published on October 25, 2012 at 1:42 am

Opposition cannot abdicate its role to judiciary

The crisis that is brewing between the executive and judiciary is a sign that the system of checks and balances continues to be functional. In the past eight years since President Mahinda Rajapaksa became the Chief Executive the accumulation of power in the executive branch of government has grown apace and appears to be an […]

By Dr. Jehan Perera | Published on October 20, 2012 at 6:45 am

Civil Society under threat: Posters against Dr.Sara hits Colombo walls

MONDAY 15 OCTOBER 2012: Posters appeared Colombo and its suburbs this morning against Dr. P. Saravanamuttu, the executive director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a civil society think tank. The poster says: Lets us save the Divinaguma bill, which will build 1.5 million law income families form the Paikiasothy gang who are encouraging […]

By | Published on October 16, 2012 at 1:15 am