Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Chennai visit may be a time to recall the roles that some Tamils played in his ascent in national politics. Modi may have found little support among Tamil voters despite the BJP’s best efforts. But, individually, some Tamils have played a significant role in his...
Politically and economically besieged Sri Lanka could well be staring at another anti-government revolt on the lines of the 71’ and 88’/89’ insurrections, orchestrated by the Marxist and nationalist ‘Peoples Liberation Front’, JVP. ‘Black Monday’ – 9 May – saw one of the most violent...
A journalist get so many experiences in the process of gathering news. But those experiences rarely get recorded. They go unnoticed though they can reveal a world of information that is not always apparent. Some editors unveil the inside story of what happens behind the news. They share their...
The new Sri Lankan PM is the man many Lankans love to hate – the enigmatic Ranil Wickremesinghe. He was sworn in as the Prime Minister for a record sixth time yesterday by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Wickremesinghe is the Leader of the United National Party (UNP) and the go-to man whenever Sri...
Before Independence, tor the British, sedition meant Indians working against the colonial government while in Tamil Nadu now the real meaning of sedition is democratic criticism of the government. The Tamil Nadu government has not baulked at charging critics of the administration with sedition,...
On May 11, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told his countrymen that he is ready to talk about removing the Presidential form of government. He promised to give more powers to Parliament and facilitate a national government this week. Once the new government is in place, steps will be taken and...
In Sri Lanka, known for violent uprisings put down by brutal government crackdowns, the power of non-violent protests proved its mettle today [May 9] when Sri Lanka’s beleaguered Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa finally caved into the nation’s demand and resigned from office, a short while ago. ...
Chennai was the first city to celebrate May Day in India. As early as 1923, Singaravelar conducted May Day meetings in front of high court and at the Tiruvellikeni beach. Subramaniya Siva and Krishnaswamy Sarma and other Congress leaders participated in the meeting. The theme of the meetings...
Sri Lanka has approached many for help including IMF to overcome crisis created largely by bad governance. The unprecedented economic and political crisis in the face of rising public debt that has escalated to unsustainable levels coupled with low foreign currency reserves, insufficient to pay...
Once the uncrowned king of Sri Lanka and hailed as the hero of 6.9 million Sri Lankans, former President and incumbent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is today referred to as the Naki Myna – a derogatory reference to an old man - by the very people who once hero worshipped him. Mahinda...
