Features

Contrasts in the House by the Diyawanna; glimmer of hope

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/24

The Island editorial of Wednesday November 22, as usual or as always, says it as it should be said; hits the nail bang on its head; minces no words and thus succinctly proclaims what has to be proclaimed. Most importantly, The Island editorials reflect exactly how the majority of Sri Lankans – sensible and intelligent – feel and opine.

The deplorable

The November 22 editorial is titled Terror in the House. Terror, or extreme fearful behaviour was perpetrated by some white garbed MPs as seen on TV on November 21. The editor calls them ‘a bunch of rowdies’. Too mild a description. Cass labels them the scum of the earth, low down scallywags who only know to shout and attack just as mad dogs bark and spring to bite. Why did these ‘beyond redemption’ (editor’s epithet) SLPP members advance belligerently to the centre of the Chamber in Parliament? The Leader of the Opposition was preparing to ask a question when these rabble rousing dogs of conflict sprang to attack the Opposition Leader who had every right to speak.

The attackers heard their leaders’ names mentioned and like Pavlov’s experimented-upon dogs salivated at the sight of food, these loyal SLPPrs jostled to jousting with arms outstretched and stentorian cries. One of the leaders mentioned in the SC ruling as guilty of having violated Sri Lankans’ human rights, sat there rigidly watching it all, with glee, we presume. Supposed to have been a chandiya in his salad days. When the law named him and others as having sent this land speedily to bankruptcy and people expressed satisfaction and others rightly demanded punishment and recouping of pilfered state money, it must have been mighty pleasing to note there remained loyal sycophants.

The PM too sat quietly watching the mayhem created by some on his side of the Chamber. Sanath Nishanta seems to be at the head of the remaining loyalists to the Rajapaksa family, closely followed by Rohitha Abeygunewardena. The latter did not move his bulk to do battle but gave off his stentorian voice later. It is Sanath N who paid more than two million rupees to settle an unpaid CEB bill for the illumination of Namal’s wedding reception.

When you ponder on these shenanigans, some bordering on the criminal like throwing chilli powder at the Opposition MPs, thronging the well of the House at the mere mention of a name even before what is to be said, or question to be asked, is said or asked, one comes to the conclusion for the umpteenth time that Sri Lanka is a land like no other – for all the wrong reasons. And one reason is the great number of MPs who seem to fit better in Mariakade or a fish market, than sit in the stately, decorum demanding Parliament of Sri Lanka.

The wise, knowledgeable, gentlemen MPs

To save the country’s integrity and dignity, and its people’s sanity, there are among the 225 MPs a considerable number of very decent, knowledgeable, well debating men and women legislators. Sensible, far thinking voters sent them to Parliament and they have not failed their supporters nor the general public. Cass often names some who are in the SJB mostly, in her Friday chats.

She makes mention today of an MP who definitely wins the people’s approbation, and approval too. That last is of those Sri Lankans who are true citizens of a Sri Lanka that is multi-racial and multi-religious.

M A Sumanthiran, MP, made a good speech in Parliament, well balanced and delivered with authority sans emotive nuances, the video of which went viral. In it he praised the Supreme Court judgment that found three Rajapaksa brethren, two ex CB Governors, some members of the 2019–22 Monetary Board and certain high bureaucrats of having violated people’s rights through their mismanagement, wrong judgment, omissions and commissions.

They were named and blamed. What MP Sumanthiran said was that that was insufficient indictment; they had to pay for their grave mistakes or mismanagement, which are equivalent to economic crimes. He hinted the money stashed away should be brought back to the country where all those billions of dollars belong. Thus, we roundly agree with him and loudly applaud him.

Just as the Parliament of Sri Lanka consists of MPs of diverse character, personalities, backgrounds, schooling and education levels, wealth and behaviour patterns, the county is beset by major troubles, woes and worries. The scum sits in Parliament just as corruption is a canker that has eaten into the core of the land from the highest officers to the lower, MPs and Ministers of State.

And then we find admirable men and women debating in the Chamber of Parliament who genuinely love our country and are concerned. They, with bureaucrats like the Governor of the CB, send glimmers of hope to the people of this land.

One day to dream of and hope for will be when we, the voters, send decent, able, honest persons with solid home and school backgrounds to Parliament. That day will see our country return to its pristine position of a land of happy, well fed, intelligent people in which almost every prospect pleases. Both are not impossible-to-realise dreams. Sri Lanka has the great good fortune of forging unity in racial and social diversity in an environment suffused with genuine religiosity of pirit chanting, kovil bells tinkling, the azaan call of the muezzin at dawn and dusk, and hymns sung in churches. We need statesmen and there are very many likely ones in the present House by the Diyawanne. Thank goodness for that!

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Related Topics:chandiya Rohitha Abeygunewardena Slpp

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Maduro abduction marks dangerous aggravation of ‘world disorder’

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Venezuelan President Maduro being taken to a court in New York

The abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces on January 3rd and his coercive conveying to the US to stand trial over a number of allegations leveled against him by the Trump administration marks a dangerous degeneration of prevailing ‘world disorder’. While some cardinal principles in International Law have been blatantly violated by the US in the course of the operation the fallout for the world from the exceptionally sensational VVIP abduction could be grave.

Although controversial US military interventions the world over are not ‘news’ any longer, the abduction and hustling away of a head of government, seen as an enemy of the US, to stand trial on the latter soil amounts to a heavy-handed and arrogant rejection of the foundational principles of international law and order. It would seem, for instance, that the concept of national sovereignty is no longer applicable to the way in which the world’s foremost powers relate to the rest of the international community. Might is indeed right for the likes of the US and the Trump administration in particular is adamant in driving this point home to the world.

Chief spokesmen for the Trump administration have been at pains to point out that the abduction is not at variance with national security related provisions of the US Constitution. These provisions apparently bestow on the US President wide powers to protect US security and stability through courses of action that are seen as essential to further these ends but the fact is that International Law has been brazenly violated in the process in the Venezuelan case.

To be sure, this is not the first occasion on which a head of government has been abducted by US special forces in post-World War Two times and made to stand trial in the US, since such a development occurred in Panama in 1989, but the consequences for the world could be doubly grave as a result of such actions, considering the mounting ‘disorder’ confronting the world community.

Those sections opposed to the Maduro abduction in the US would do well to from now on seek ways of reconciling national security-related provisions in the US Constitution with the country’s wider international commitment to uphold international peace and law and order. No ambiguities could be permitted on this score.

While the arbitrary military action undertaken by the US to further its narrow interests at whatever cost calls for criticism, it would be only fair to point out that the US is not the only big power which has thus dangerously eroded the authority of International Law in recent times. Russia, for example, did just that when it violated the sovereignty of Ukraine by invading it two or more years ago on some nebulous, unconvincing grounds. Consequently, the Ukraine crisis too poses a grave threat to international peace.

It is relevant to mention in this connection that authoritarian rulers who hope to rule their countries in perpetuity as it were, usually end up, sooner rather than later, being a blight on their people. This is on account of the fact that they prove a major obstacle to the implementation of the democratic process which alone holds out the promise of the progressive empowerment of the people, whereas authoritarian rulers prefer to rule with an iron fist with a fixation about self-empowerment.

Nevertheless, regime-change, wherever it may occur, is a matter for the public concerned. In a functional democracy, it is the people, and the people only, who ‘make or break’ governments. From this viewpoint, Russia and Venezuela are most lacking. But externally induced, militarily mediated change is a gross abnormality in the world of democracy, which deserves decrying.

By way of damage control, the US could take the initiative to ensure that the democratic process, read as the full empowerment of ordinary people, takes hold in Venezuela. In this manner the US could help in stemming some of the destructive fallout from its abduction operation. Any attempts by the US to take possession of the national wealth of Venezuela at this juncture are bound to earn for it the condemnation of democratic opinion the world over.

Likewise, the US needs to exert all its influence to ensure that the rights of ordinary Ukrainians are protected. It will need to ensure this while exploring ways of stopping further incursions into Ukrainian territory by Russia’s invading forces. It will need to do this in collaboration with the EU which is putting its best foot forward to end the Ukraine blood-letting.

Meanwhile, the repercussions that the Maduro abduction could have on the global South would need to be watched with some concern by the international community. Here too the EU could prove a positive influence since it is doubtful whether the UN would be enabled by the big powers to carry out the responsibilities that devolve on it with the required effectiveness.

What needs to be specifically watched is the ‘copycat effect’ that could manifest among those less democratically inclined Southern rulers who would be inspired by the Trump administration to take the law into their hands, so to speak, and act with callous disregard for the sovereign rights of their smaller and more vulnerable neighbours.

Democratic opinion the world over would need to think of systems of checks and balances that could contain such power abuse by Southern autocratic rulers in particular. The UN and democracy-supportive organizations, such as the EU, could prove suitable partners in these efforts.

All in all it is international lawlessness that needs managing effectively from now on. If President Trump carries out his threat to over-run other countries as well in the manner in which he ran rough-shod over Venezuela, there is unlikely to remain even a semblance of international order, considering that anarchy would be receiving a strong fillip from the US, ‘The World’s Mightiest Democracy’.

What is also of note is that identity politics in particularly the South would be unprecedentedly energized. The narrative that ‘the Great Satan’ is running amok would win considerable validity among the theocracies of the Middle East and set the stage for a resurgence of religious fanaticism and invigorated armed resistance to the US. The Trump administration needs to stop in its tracks and weigh the pros and cons of its current foreign policy initiatives.

Features

Pure Christmas magic and joy at British School

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Students of The British High School in Colombo in action at the fashion show

The British School in Colombo (BSC) hosted its Annual Christmas Carnival 2025, ‘Gingerbread Wonderland’, which was a huge success, with the students themseles in the spotlight, managing stalls and volunteering.

The event, organised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), featured a variety of activities, including: Games and rides for all ages, Food stalls offering delicious treats, Drinks and refreshments, Trade booths showcasing local products, and Live music and entertainment.

The carnival was held at the school premises, providing a fun and festive atmosphere for students, parents, and the community to enjoy.

The halls of the BSC were filled with pure Christmas magic and joy with the students and the staff putting on a tremendous display.

Among the highlights was the dazzling fashion show with the students doing the needful, and they were very impressive.

The students themselves were eagerly looking forward to displaying their modelling technique and, I’m told, they enjoyed the moment they had to step on the ramp.

The event supported communities affected by the recent floods, with surplus proceeds going to flood-relief efforts.

Features

Glowing younger looking skin

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hi! This week I’m giving you some beauty tips so that you could look forward to enjoying 2026 with a glowing younger looking skin.

Face wash for natural beauty

* Avocado:

Take the pulp, make a paste of it and apply on your face. Leave it on for five minutes and then wash it with normal water.

* Cucumber:

Just rub some cucumber slices on your face for 02-03 minutes to cleanse the oil naturally. Wash off with plain water.

* Buttermilk:

Apply all over your face and leave it to dry, then wash it with normal water (works for mixed to oily skin).

Face scrub for natural beauty

Take 01-02 strawberries, 02 pieces of kiwis or 02 cubes of watermelons. Mash any single fruit and apply on your face. Then massage or scrub it slowly for at least 3-5 minutes in circular motions. Then wash it thoroughly with normal or cold water. You can make use of different fruits during different seasons, and see what suits you best! Follow with a natural face mask.

Face Masks

* Papaya and Honey:

Take two pieces of papaya (peeled) and mash them to make a paste. Apply evenly on your face and leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it with cold water.

Papaya is just not a fruit but one of the best natural remedies for good health and glowing younger looking skin. It also helps in reducing pimples and scars. You can also add honey (optional) to the mixture which helps massage and makes your skin glow.

* Banana:

Put a few slices of banana, 01 teaspoon of honey (optional), in a bowl, and mash them nicely. Apply on your face, and massage it gently all over the face for at least 05 minutes. Then wash it off with normal water. For an instant glow on your face, this facemask is a great idea to try!

* Carrot:

Make a paste using 01 carrot (steamed) by mixing it with milk or honey and apply on your face and neck evenly. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Carrots work really well for your skin as they have many vitamins and minerals, which give instant shine and younger-looking skin.