Second thoughts
The government has apparently had second thoughts about abolishing the 13th Amendment
that deals with devolution of power to the provinces. Its spokespersons now say that such an action is not contemplated at the present time. They even say that the government is considering how to go ahead with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s war time promises […]

ONE of the worst atrocity crime stories of recent decades has barely registered in the world’s
collective conscience. We remember and acknowledge the shame of Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
We agonise about the failure to halt atrocities being committed almost daily in Syria. But, at least until now, the world has paid little heed to war […]

“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, […]

“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 […]

“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, […]

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

“For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour” – Mary Kay Ash
It’s hardly possible that President Rajapaksa is happy with what is going on in the country in
general and within his Government in particular. Even though the recent Provincial Council […]

New missions in African countries aimed at courting the continent
The government has done a considerable amount of background work in preparation for the forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In dealing with the Universal Periodic Review, which is a four year report on a country’s human rights performance, the
government is […]