Come down to earth, warns Judge Weeramantry
H. L. D. Mahindapala
Part 1
The marked and recurring theme in Judge C. G. Weeramantry’s legal philosophy has been to resurrect and elevate religions and traditional values to the highest level in the global agenda as a guide to the future. He demonstrated his commitment to his principles when, as [...]

Politics threaten the environment
H. L. D. Mahindapala
Part II
In his book Tread Lightly on the Earth Judge Weeramantry provides a compelling argument for humanity to rediscover the wisdom of traditional societies that found their happiness in less than in craving for more and more. For how long can 6.5 billion people keep on exploiting the limited [...]

by Lt Col (Retd.) Anil Amarasekera
When I wrote the article ‘United we stand divided we fall’ I could see trouble brewing ahead with an effort by vested interests to divide the nationalistic forces. It is now fast reaching the boiling point with the resignation of General Sarath Fonseka from the post of Chief of Defence [...]

Reviewed by Dr Muralidaran Ramesh Somasunderam
The writer makes a new analysis of the conflict in Sri Lanka, touching on the areas of terrorism, ethnicity, and the political economy.  The Introduction and Chapter 1 indicates the wide approaches to these sensitive areas of study, and comment.  In the past, most of the writers have dwelt with [...]

Asoka Weerasinghe. Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario Canada
November 18, 2009
Professor Chelva Kananganayakam
University of Toronto
Toronto
 Dear Professor Chelva Kananganayakam:
Re: MUNK CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Panel Discussion on Illusionary Justice: Threats to the Rule of Law and Human Rights in Sri Lanka on November 16, 2009.
I am not certain why I am writing to you, perhaps may be [...]

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
“Return must be both voluntary and informed”
(Colombo/New York, 18 November 2009): United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes concluded the second day of his three-day mission to Sri Lanka today with visits to Vavuniya in the north and Mannar [...]

By Walter Jayawardhana
President Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrated his 64th birthday by distributing gifts to 64 twins at a Buddhist temple in Narahenpita Colombo.
pictures by Nalin Hewapathirana
Clad in a cream coloured national costume the President came to the temple ceremony where the twins have been brought.
Among the twins brought to meet the Presidents were also triplets. The [...]

By Janaka Alahapperuma
President Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrates his 64th birthday today (18th November) and the fourth anniversary in assuming office as Executive President the same day.

 Many religious programmes are planned to celebrate and invoke blessings on the Head of State Island wide. Venerable Maha Sanga including Uduwe Dhammaloka thero chanted Seth Pirith at President’s House in [...]

Dr.P.A.Samaraweera, Australia
 It was reported in the 22nd Nov. issue of the Catholic Leader – Brisbane, that Dr. Brian Seneviratne (Catholic married to a Tamil) and Fr. Pan Jordan (Tamil), presently in Brisbane, beleive that the Pope must visit welfare camps in Sri Lanka to see for himself the mistreatment of the 280,000 IDP’S. In fact, [...]

By Walter Jayawardhana
The remainder of the original group of 78 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers , after a three week stand off agreed to leave an Australian customs ship moored of near the Indonesian island of Bintane on Wednesday, Australian newspapers reported.
 The 78 asylum seekers were picked up by the Australian ship Oceanic Viking in [...]

By Walter Jayawardhana
The mandatory security clearance for civilians to travel overland from Northern Province to other areas will be no longer needed government sources said.
The biggest beneficiary of the lifting of the former security measure will be citizens travelling on the A9 highway.
The confidence of the government that such security measures are no longer necessary [...]

Media Release -Public Communications Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka
This is further to my initial Statement made on 04 Nov. 2009  on the question raised by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake , Member of Parliament and raised again by Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, Leader of the Opposition on 06 Nov. 2009 seeking a statement by me on [...]

Media Release Public Communications Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, I warmly welcome you all this afternoon for an interactive session on the role the Sri Lanka Diaspora can play in the post conflict developmental efforts. I am confident that our interactions will [...]

Ranjit Wickremeratne
We all wish you from the bottom of our hearts very happy birthday to you on this great day.
 May Lord Buddha give you strength, wealth and good health to overcome all the evils facing you today.
 May you live long taking our country forward with happiness Love and Peace
 May God Bless you on your 64th [...]