When I read this headline today I thought it was something to do with the aftermath of war. But it was about the plight of two baby elephants in Pinnawala. “The army and the police were deployed to tear two tiny baby elephants from their protesting mothers at the behest of Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge, who granted Diyawadane Nilame Nilanga Dela`s wish that the little jumbos...

Every time you fund me I’m as helpless as can be I become a puppet on a string You can do ‘most anything with me Every time you fund me….. The (edited) verse from Sandie Shaw‘s song felt a fitting tribute to the slain leader of the LTTE upon reading the statements published on BBC News. It is apparent from these views that we who are living in Sri Lanka are not living here at...

There is euphoria in the island and none can deny the relief felt by any peace loving Sri Lankan to know the military conflict is over. Whether he is cultivating in Kakirawa or marketing in Wellawatta the opportunity has dawned for everyone to begin a new and safer journey. Who does not want peace? Who wants to live in fear and get so used to it that it becomes a regular routine to hear of yet another...

The afternoon was hot and humid and a merciless sun scorched everything preparing the ground for the evening showers that rolled from the east like angry gladiators. Bob Dylan was on CD, beautiful words coined together and in the unmistakable nasal rendition mewing about “times they are a changing.” Yes, the heat would change to the cool of the evening when the skies unleash and the daylight will...

Hey, Mister Tambourine man, play a song for me….. So goes the words, the musical version and as I punch my key board there are many men with fancy tambourines carelessly drumming rhythms and jingle jangling around the international stage asking Sri Lanka to plead “mia culpa” according to their hymn sheet in the handling of refugees. War victims are certainly tragic and no one denies the definition....

That was Barak Obama at his brilliant best addressing the Muslim world from a podium in Cairo. His words of wisdom plus his charisma maxima combined together to make anyone listening to be all ears and frozen till the speech was over. There is little doubt He meant what he said and I am sure the world wishes him well and prays that the appropriate action will follow to bring peace among any warring...

Earlier this week Sri Lanka Tourism launched a new look. Whilst the Video etc looks good the website is still not functional. This is the sad part as now you cannot afford to market destinations without having a professional presence online. Compare the Campaign “The Best Job in the World” which was done by Tourism Queensland. It managed to bag Lions in the direct and PR categories and...

Do I know what it means… To stand in the queue as a mere 13 year old, Collecting charity for my younger brother and widowed and aching mother, a  wound in my stomach which hurts and oozes. With no one to care for the pain To live on, not knowing why or the reason or meaning of hope. Do I know what it means… To be orphaned  – a helpless little child playing with others like myself, Without...

Last week Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) filed a fundamental rights case, citing President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Competent Authority for Northern Province G.A. Chandrasiri as respondents. Excerpt from the article from The Hindu (14th June 09):  The petition said the IDPs had begun arriving in government-controlled areas in March 2009. “These IDPs are housed...

Today I was watching Anderson Cooper’s show AC360 in which he was speaking about the shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. As mentioned by many during the program there are many in the US who still believe in white supremacy. The statistics of these groups are alarming. Many think America changed with a African American president well think again. From some of the...