Category Archives: democratic measures

Ideas of Political Reform Mooted in June 2009: Dilute the Asokan Model

Michael Roberts, in the cover story in FRONTLINE, 19 June 2009, where the title reads “Some pillars for Lanka’s future”

One can win the War, but lose the Peace. A cliche this may be, but it is also a hoary truism that looms over the post-war scenario in Sri Lanka. The triumphant Sri Lankan government now has to address the human terrain rather than the fields of battle.

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Jesse Owens: For People of Colour vs Fascism and White Racism

Sarah Fling, in The White House Historical Association, 28 June 2021, where the title reads “Running Against the World: Jesse Owens and the 1936 Berlin Olympics”

The 1936 Summer Olympics were unlike any other. In Berlin, Germany, under the shadow of Chancellor Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, an African-American track and field athlete rose to stardom: Jesse Owens.1

Owens’s record-breaking athleticism carried him from the cotton fields of the South to the White House and made him one of the most famous athletes in American history.

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Chandrahasan broaches ‘Pragmatic Amendments’ in Sri Lanka’s Political Framework

Dr Nirmala Chandrahasan,  in The Island, 11 February 2022 , with this title “13th Amendment and Tamil polity: A pragmatic approach”  …… with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

There is much speculation in the Tamil political circles as to the usefulness or otherwise of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and whether the Provincial Council system set up under its aegis gives a measure of power sharing or devolution of powers to the Tamil speaking provinces, or whether it is an ineffective institution which blocks out any greater devolution under the exercise of internal self- determination. This debate has been sparked by the decision of Tamil speaking parties including the TNA, to send a letter to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, requesting him to use his good offices to induce the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment fully, in the context that the 13th Amendment arose out of the provisions of the Indo -Sri Lanka Peace Accord of July 1987, to which treaty India and Sir Lanka are signatories.

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Yoga: From Servanthood to Millionaire Restauranteur

Lorenz Pereira, in The Island, 6 February 2022, where the title reads “An Epic and Inspirational Journey” …. presented here with highlighting imposed 

I have always felt deeply about the dire plight of the plantation workers and the hopelessness of their lives. I have been concerned and somewhat saddened as to how hard they have to work under the most inhospitable of external conditions for paltry earnings and a life destined to very little hope of betterment. There is little doubt that their lot has been exploited for greater profits of owners.

 Yoga in recent times in UK Continue reading

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Addressing Sri Lanka’s Future in June 2009

Michael Roberts, reprinting here an article that appeared in FRONTLINE vol. 26/12, 19 June 2009 … with this title “Some Pillars for Lanka’s Future”

“One can win the War, but lose the Peace” — A cliche this may be, but it is also a hoary truism that looms over the post-war scenario in Sri Lanka. The triumphant Sri Lankan government now [must] address the human terrain rather than the fields of battle.

 

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Remembering DS Senanayake on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day

Senanayake Foundation, Item in Daily Mirror, 4 Feb 2022

The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) D.S. Senanayake entered the National Legislature in 1924. He was relatively unknown in the country and was pushed into prominence by his elder brother F.R. Senanayake, who was a very popular and active figure in the social and political arena. Many were surprised and taken aback to see D.S. entering the political field, as they were expecting his brother F.R. to fit the role. Perhaps the only person who had faith in D.S’s capability at that time was none other but F.R. Senanayake himself. 

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Darkness to Light in the Midst of Covid in Hambantota

Sarath Wickremasinghe of LIONs CLUB to ANDUREN ELIYATA

Dear Mr. Chandra Fernando, Project Officer, Anduren Eliyata – Darkness to Light Inc., Australia.

Dear Sir, …………………Our expected projects in Hambantota had to be postponed several times due to the health regulations prevailed in the country, and  finally we were able to implement the project on 05.01.2022. 50 Solar Power Units donated by “Anduren Eliyata” were given to 50  families recommended by Col. Jayarathne.  Recipients of Solar Units were very grateful to your organization and requested us to thank you on their behalf. Thank you very much for the services you do for the needy people.

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Conflicts in Sri Lanka reviewed in 2009 by Muralidhar Reddy

Muralidhar Reddy, in Frontline, vol. 26/20, Sept 26-Oct 09, 2009 where the title reads “Analytical Anthropology”

Michael Roberts’ collection of essays on Sri Lankan identity is a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere polluted by callous accounts.

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Major Political Strands & Challenges in 20th Century Sri Lanka

Uditha Devapriya, in The Island, 29 January 2022,  where the title is Socialist revolution or bourgeois compromise?” …. with highlighting being the imposition of The Editor, Thuppahi

For the oppressed masses of the Third World, the establishment of UNCTAD and the proposal for a New International Economic Order marked the high point of 20th century multilateralism. These coincided with the longest spell of decolonisation recorded in history, in turn fuelled by a spate of bourgeois democratic and Marxist Left alliances in almost every corner of the developing world [in the middle decaades of the twentieth century]. Though such alliances did not bring about emancipation for the masses, the experience of the 1960s suggested that radical transformations, for the Global South and the world in general, were in the offing.

 

Mrs Bandaranaike

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Lord Tariq Ahmad on His Visit to Sri Lanka

Lord Tariq Ahmad

I’m Tariq Ahmad, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. I’ve just come to the end of my incredible 3 days in Sri Lanka. Taking of course all the necessary precautions that we need to in today’s world against COVID. Yet I’ve still been delighted to have met so many different people from across Sri Lanka – from all communities, from all faiths. Not just here in Colombo, but in Jaffna and Trincomalee as well. So I’ve not just travelled to the capital. I’ve gone north and I’ve gone east. And what is really important to me is how we can build further cooperation between our two countries.

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