Features

Of that non-traditional budget

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/19

A non-traditional budget they say! With a few nasty asides thrown in about it being presented by a dual citizen. Now, anyone who bothers to read what I write knows my stand on involving dual citizens in running a country run by frogs in the well. Of course, the qualifications, life experience and morals of those dual citizens matter, but not to denizens of the Pearl, methinks. At least not to the 6.9 million of them who voted this mob in. I see this as just another occasion for the Rajapaksa clan, who seem to suffer from collective Attention Deficit Syndrome, to look ‘pretty’ and try to look regal in the public eye.

The incumbent head honcho has made a veiled statement about the 6.9 million needing to look at fresh candidates, should any chance to vote arrive in the near future. Now, this statement, if analysed with probably more insight and intelligence than can be attributed to the perpetrator, could mean that certain realizations are in place. Realizations that the current system, which is entrenched in bribery, corruption and an overwhelming ‘you scratch my back and will scratch yours’ mentality, is the root cause of the predicament that the Pearl is in. If that is the realization, and I sincerely doubt it, there is a rather pathetic ring to those words. A man who started off with the intention and truly believed that he could make a difference has found out that he is simply a puppet, or is it moppet, being controlled by the ‘system’ that overwhelms everything in the Pearl. On the other hand, it can be a masterful move (again am I giving too much credit) to switch tracks and rise phoenix-like from the ashes of the despair that is affecting everyone in the Pearl at present.

The first step towards achieving this is to defeat the budget in parliament. Let me tell something to all the ‘earthworms’ who sit in that island on the Diyawanna and destroy our country each day. All those who vote to pass this litany of lies that passes for a budget, traditional or not, should be aware that they should ‘never’, ever be voted for again under any circumstances. There is talk of the JVP being the saviour in waiting. I say ‘no’ for two reasons. The obvious one being the insurgencies, but a more recent one being the JVP squandering a golden opportunity to stop Rajapaksa senior in his tracks by voting against one of the first budgets tabled at the start of this misrule. That was the time the JVP had their highest representation in parliament and rightfully the people never forgave them for that sin.

Find capable successors who have no connection with the present system. A tall order for sure. Simply bringing in people with foreign qualifications and experience is not the answer either. To govern a country democratically, the rulers should understand the grass roots and be steeped in the different cultural nuances of that land. The obvious need for integrity and moral fortitude notwithstanding, where on earth do we find such people from? That is the question on which the very future of our beloved country depends. It cannot be valued in monetary terms or in anything but the future of our children and the propagation of a 2500 plus year civilization, therefore this task is beyond all value. We need a leader with self-belief and a sterling background. The self-belief should stop short of egoism or egotism. The future leader must be incorruptible and must not give way to the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely. For that very reason we may need to revert to the Westminster system of democracy that ensures no one has absolute power.

An insurmountable task you may say. I tend to agree. But we need to start somewhere, and this is the time for the ‘earthworms’ who have had enough, surely there ‘must’ be some in the Government ranks, to make a stand. Vote against the budget, it may still be passed but at least you would have made your stand. Like Custer in his last stand, you will probably lose your scalp, but you will go down in the history of the land as responsible politicians who had the nous to say, “enough is enough”! It is also time for a new political party. Come forward at least a dozen “good men and true”. Come forward and give us a draft constitution and a manifesto that makes sense and is different to the gobbledegook and utter rubbish that has been tabled as alternatives in the recent past.

Let’s progress into the land of fairy tales and imagine the ‘head honcho’ rounding up a few earthworms who suddenly develop a backbone (biological impossibility), defeating the budget and forming another government without his ‘secret seven’ kinsmen and other assorted idiots holding ministerial portfolios. Even if this desperate dream is realised, are there enough earthworms around who we can trust to break free of the system and build a real future for our country? The answer again is a resounding ‘no’, I believe, but strong leadership may make a difference. However, here again there is many a difference between tough talk and having the character to change a system. There is talk in recent times of catching people by the scruff of their necks, using the armed forces and implementing certain policies but the falsetto voice of the deliverer of those threats lapses when delivering them, leaving the discerning listener with certain doubts in their minds.

We need ‘new’ people. People who are capable of unrelenting, round the clock work and uncompromising morals and ethics. People with no connections to the existing system. How will such people, even if they do exist, win a democratic election? How will they convince a voter base used to voting for people who promise the greatest number of ‘freebies’ to vote for them? Another impossibility but a clear indication that our woes are created by ourselves, and the only salvation lies in changes to society and the education levels of our voters and ourselves.

All News Advertisement

Features

Maduro abduction marks dangerous aggravation of ‘world disorder’

Published

18 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

18 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

18 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.