By Easwaran Rutnam The recent arrest of former Colombo Deputy Mayor Azath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) sent shockwaves in the political arena reminding most people of the prevalent uneasy environment in the country during and after the war. The government had removed the emergency regulations after the war, but the PTA [...]
By Nirmala Kannangara Sri Lanka’s public health care service that is intended to benefit many, especially the poor, is plagued with corruption and malpractices. While the government and higher officials at the Health Ministry are allegedly making money from the Health Ministry budgetary allocations, those who go to government hospitals seeking free health services face [...]
By Dr. Devanesan Nesiah The focus of my article in The Sunday Leader of 5 May was on the need for Northern Provincial representation. It now looks as if those elections may be held in September 2013. I will elaborate on the likely consequences of representation, or the lack of it, drawing on past experience in [...]
Agitations against electricity tariffs intensify Nation-wide protest campaign and strike on the 21st By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema The working masses last week drew battle lines with the government in demanding a withdrawal of the increase in electricity tariffs and are now moving towards a day of protests on Tuesday (21). The massive protest march organized [...]
Steady increase in Cost of Living By Camelia Nathaniel Private and Public sector employees are disgruntled with not receiving their long due Cost of Living payment when they are facing the sky-rocketing cost of living. Due to the government’s failure to gazette the Cost of Living Index new value, many employers calculate the cost of [...]
Court orders full probe on Matale mass grave The Matale mass grave issue was back in the limelight last week with families of several persons who had gone missing in the Matale area during the 1988-1989 period requesting courts to carry out investigations to determine whether remains of their loved ones are among the skeletal [...]
By S. Sivathasan When the Jaffna Development Council started functioning a Minister who made frequent official visits to Jaffna was Hon. Gamini Dissanayake. His known closeness to the President lent some significance to the discussions he had with Mr. Nadarajah the Chairman of the Council. A warm rapport developed between the two. To the Chairman [...]
By Vijitha Herath MP The 1st of April is famous around the world as “The Fool’s Day”. This is another European tradition that was dipped in to our culture. In Europe, on the 1st of April, people lie to each other and tease them for joy. And the one who gets caught to these white [...]
Clergy And Civil Society Question By Raisa Wickrematunge Last week, uproar erupted as former deputy Mayor of Colombo, Azath Salley, was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). At the time, The Sunday Leader learned that Salley was being detained partly for causing religious disharmony, following an interview he had with a magazine in [...]
By N Sathiya Moorthy Now that the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu is caught up once again after a long gap in the web of local issues like caste-clashes, and continual concerns, including drought, Cauvery water dispute and the Centre’s alleged neglect on both and more, it may be time for Sri Lanka and [...]
