Continuing the story of what happened in the history of Jaffna By H. L. D. Mahindapala Before proceeding any further it should be emphasized that the focus in these essays has been on the Vellahlas because no other factor or entity wielded the kind of power in northern — and subsequently in national — politics […]

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By Senaka Weeraratna The Portuguese while pursuing a policy of destruction and plunder of Buddhist Temples held out various inducements for Buddhists to convert to Christianity. Conversion meant a sure means of exemption from taxes due to the Government. For example, Christians were exempt from the marala i.e. death duties. This meant that they could […]

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by Krishnan Srinivasanƒ”š‚ ƒ”š‚  -Courtesy The Island (The writer is India’s former Foreign Secretary) THE Cold War came to an end with a whimper after 40 years, and India lost the leverage of having a superpower positioned on its side in moments of crisis. It was obliged to adjust itself to globalisation and free market economies, […]

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By Neville Ladduwahetty Courtesy The Island A section of the diplomats who participated in the Residential Workshop for Heads of Sri Lankan Missions, at Diyatalawa .File Photo The resolution on Sri Lanka at the recently held UNHRC secessions in Geneva has caused Sri Lanka to reassess the effectiveness of its investment in the deployment of […]

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By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Sri Lanka. According to our Press Department, U.K., on 11 July 2012, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa, officially inaugurated the “ƒ”¹…”Tahir Hall’, a three-storey complex built by the Ahmadiyya Community (Jama’at) on land adjacent to the […]

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By I. Ahmad Dalupotha, Negombo. ƒ”š‚ Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad “ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Founder of Ahmadiyya Jama’at in Islam, is accepted as Promised Messiah and Mahdi by Ahmadi Muslims world-over. the terms “Messiah” and “Mahdi” are synonymous terms for one and the same person. Like the term Messiah which, among other meanings, in essence means being anointed by […]

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By Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai, Dehiwela. It has become a custom to send wedding invitations which sayƒ”š‚  “Avoid gifts”ƒ”š‚ or “Please do not bring gifts.”ƒ”š‚ Exchangign gifts isƒ”š‚  a wonderful way of showing love and affection. In fact Prophet (sal) said “Exchange gifts, for it increases brotherhoodƒ”š‚  amongst you.”ƒ”š‚ He even went on to […]

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Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai Dehiwela. It is amazing how unconcerned the authorities seem to be regarding the A/L results and the Z score and the battle seems to be going on and on forever. Do they realize how demoralizing this is for the youngsters who are looking forward to continue their studies? Are we […]

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