Features

Is it time to write Pohottuwa Obituary?

Published

2 years ago

2023/12/27

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

Reading “From heyday to ‘hay day’”, the hard-hitting editorial laced with sarcasm (The Island, 18 December) and “Declining power and challenges before SLPP” by Shamindra Ferdinando in the Midweek Review of 20th December, I began wondering whether the recently concluded SLPP convention was the final flicker before the flame was extinguished and the time has come to write an obituary for Pohottuwa! Having been fortunate enough to outlive them, I have written about many friends and relatives of mine but that was an easy task as they had taken the path of no return. However, I fear caution is needed in doing so for political parties as, unlike humans, they seem to have mysterious powers of resurrection.

In fact, I am reminded of the multitude of obituaries written about the UNP after the abysmal defeat at the last general election. Who would have thought Ranil W, who got the largest number of preferential votes for any candidate at the previous general election, would poll such a tiny amount, not worth a count even? But miraculously he is the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, fast becoming a dictator and may rule over us for a dozen years to come, if we go by the predictions of his acolytes!

Much has been written about the economic calamity foisted on by Pohottuwa and many, not without reason, consider it deserves to die. Unfortunately, some use the unprecedented recent Supreme Court judgement to justify this but there is cause for concern as the learned judges looked at only the period referred to in the petition, not over the long term. Further, their judgement of ‘contributed to’ has been widely misinterpreted as causation. The other party responsible for the economic catastrophe is well referred to in the highlighted paragraph accompanying Shamindra’s piece which states: “In actual fact the foundation for the current economic chaos was laid under the Yahapalana rule when they borrowed as much as USD 12 billion from the international bond market, at high interest rates, with them not even undertaking any developmental works, like the Rajapaksas, or, for that matter, any worthwhile economic activity. We certainly like to see at least a single project that the Yahapalana regime built with that USD 12 bn. Of course, it ensured the country was bled of valuable foreign currency by doing away with time tested exchange controls that were in place since 1953. Then can we forget the record Central Bank heists staged twice during that regime? And virtually all culprits are yet free.”

Hard to disagree with Shamindra Ferdinando! In fact, there is hardly any doubt that the twin-evils that ruined Sri Lankan economy areYahapalnaya and Pohottuwa. By implication, this lays the blame on all the parties and their breakaway groups represented in parliament, as all of them were supporters of one or other of this twin-evil; in fact, some supporting both! None without blemish it seems and, ideally, all should be sent home. But then, there will be a vacuum and that is the conundrum facing the country at the moment!

The emerging new force is the NPP/JJB, darlings of the West as seen by the visits of their dignitaries to the head office to shake hands with AKD. One wonders whether he has signed a secret agreement with the West and given up the Marxist ideologies on which his organisation was founded!

On the other hand, sceptics view all these advances as a means of making use of the emerging force by the West to achieve sinister ends. However, Shamindra casts doubts and states: “Regardless of big boasts, the JVP-led Jathika Jana Balawegaya lacks the anticipated support to win at the next presidential election.”

In spite of the projections from published opinion polls, we need to take Shamindra’s views seriously for good reasons. Their attempts to dissociate themselves from the economic disaster does not hold water as the JVP propped up the Yahapalanaya. Further, they have stubbornly refused to apologise for the atrocities committed in the past. It cannot be forgotten that they were responsible for the demise of a generation of Sinhala youth. They and their comrades continue to ruin university education. However, the most important is that their policies are still undeclared!

It is a great shame that Sajith has failed as the Leader of the Opposition and refused to take over the reins of government when requested to do so. Even those who do not agree with some of the things his father did, acknowledge that RP was a man of action and does not seem to have passed on that gene to SP!

One of the biggest critics of Sajith is the chairman of his own party, FM Fonseka, whose presidential ambitions have not gone away! Sajith demonstrates very poor leadership by not taking action against Fonseka.

Although Rajapaksa bashing is the order of the day, it is naive to disregard the core of village voters who regard Mahinda Mahattaya as the saviour of the nation and their votes count too! There were concerns expressed about Mahinda’s health but his performance at the SLPP rally showed a good degree of rejuvenation which must have reassured the hardcore Pohottuwa supporters.

Sajith’s shying away from responsibility is likely to put off the voters as much as Ranil’s dictatorial tendencies. AKD’s false sense of security may well be his undoing. Pohottuwa is said to be considering fielding a businessman as the presidential candidate but the voters disenchanted by the failures of a non-politician president are not likely to warm to the prospect of another non-politician president. It looks as if the field for the next presidential election is widely open and anything can happen.

In this scenario, though Pohottuwa is most unlikely to be the force it once was, it is difficult to write it off completely. Therefore, it is still premature to write the obituary for Pohottuwa!

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Features

Maduro abduction marks dangerous aggravation of ‘world disorder’

Published

7 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 prgressive 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 or 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

7 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

7 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.