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A non-political citizenry for a no-politician democracy
"The most radical idea at this political moment could very well be the notion of a no-politician citizenry, i.e. a movement of the people, by the people, for the people, with or without the state."...
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The small problem of the big parties
How many times have we heard that there’s no room for any third party in Sri Lankan politics? ‘Third party’ as in an entity other than the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party or else...
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Legitimacy of the coercive power
Protests are part and parcel of a healthy democracy. Another crucial element of a functioning democracy is the Rule of Law which includes legal protections, enforcement where necessary and recourse to...
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No government in the country or no country in the government?
The Mahanayaka Theras of three Nikayas and other Sangha Sabhas, expressing their opinion on constitutional reform, have made it clear that they are opposed to moves "that could generate crises". While...
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The true meaning of ‘Disce Aut Discede’
[A tribute to Lanil Kalubowila]The first time I heard the words ‘Disce aut Discede’ not only did I not know what they meant, the fact of my ignorance did not bother me one bit. The truth is, I didn’t...
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Let’s define “National Interest” as “A Sustainable Nation”
There’s a descriptive that was liberally used not too long ago to describe Sri Lanka: “failed state”. Those who used that term not surprisingly were (at the time) ardent cheer-leaders of that 21st...
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Re-size cabinet to specified subjects in the national interest
Elections are fought over all kinds of issues. The winners typically secure the rights to interpret mandate. “This election was about A, B, C or D,” they would say and often give their own...
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Laughing at Dayasiri or ourselves?
On Wednesday evening at Sooriya Village, while speaking on relationship-education, vulnerabilities of children, especially girls, in cyber space, what can be done, what is being done and what should be...
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O Zorro, Zorro, wherefore art thou Zorro?
There’s a singular vacancy in this country, according to some. Ranil Amirtthiah of the popular local band ‘Black,’ whenever he speaks and in whatever forum he chooses to do so, is often poetic but...
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The bodhisatva prerogatives of love
Pic courtesy 'Vintage Posters of Ceylon,' by Anura SaparamaduDhammika Bandara is a man with many hats. Probably best known as a ‘tuition sir,’ Dhammika is also a poet, a lyricist and a theatre person....
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The fault is in the (political) constellations and not the stars
These are not 'the stars', no....most certainly not!“We must unlearn the constellations to see the stars…” — Jack GilbertJack Gilbert (1925-2012), celebrated poet from the USA, in a poem titled ‘Tear...
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Onella Karunanayake has a point
Yeah, why single out Ravi! Onella WIranthi Karunanayake has asked a valid question: “Why only my father’s name comes up all the time in such a huge government?”The ‘father’ is of course Ravi...
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Let the Court of History summon all perception-peddlers
Dayan Jayatilleka is absolutely opposed to any move that goes beyond the 13th Amendment (in terms of power-devolution). ‘Not even a single millimeter!’ is he ready to concede. He adds a caveat: ‘even...
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The legislator’s executive presumptions
There was a time when ‘separation of powers’ was intensely discussed. It was over a question of territoriality, in particular the transgressions. The focus was the Chief Justice and the debate was...
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The Diyanath Samarasinghe Award 2017
Touched by the Untouchable What are gifts and what truly is appreciation? What affirmations delight and which annoy or diminish us? In accordance with the philosophical canons that I find logical, I...
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’i’ is also for ‘intrigue’
THE CERAMICIST ASELA GUNASEKARA AND HER EXHIBITION 'I'Who is the fool on the hill? That’s a question that never came up in any A/L English Literature exam paper in all the years that the Beatles’ song...
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I am not buying "corruption-inevitability," are you?
Dr Harsha De Silva, Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Development, has come out strong on the subject of corruption. He has observed that the entire country is corrupt. The implication...
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And we say 'aye' to no-confidence motions against ourselves....!
"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”“Time it was…and what a time it was…it was…a time of innocence…a time of confidences. Long ago it must be…I have a photograph…preserve your memories… they're all...
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The pathetic ‘at least’ whine of Yahapalanists
Cartoon by Anjana Indrajith, Daily FT (January 8, 2017)In the third week of January 2015, just two weeks after he became President, Maithripala Sirisena appointed his brother Kumarasinghe Sirisena as...
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Executive, legislative and judicial: ALL OUT OF ORDER
SYSTEM ERRORS MUST BE ELIMINATED!The presumption of innocence until and unless proven guilty is one of the foundational and sacred principles of the judicial process. So let us not be presumptuous....
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