Daily News Online

DateLine Tuesday, 18 March 2008

News Bar »

News: Jobs for Lankans in Libya ...        Political: JHU wants TMVP in APRC ...       Business: Kelani Cables aims for Rs 3b turnover ...        Sports: IOC to set up panel to postpone Beijing events ...

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Anura Bandaranaike

The passing away of Anura Bandaranaike removes from the local political stage a colourful figure who adorned the country’s Supreme Legislature with great aplomb.

His demise will certainly leave a huge void in the country’s Parliamentary tradition which he upheld and defended with all his might.

One has only to recall the historic ruling he gave as Speaker of Parliament enthroning the sovereignty of Parliament over that of the Supreme Court during an impasse that threatened to challenge the supremacy of the House.

If there was one trait that stood out in his political life most it was the courage of his convictions which he never allowed to be blighted by party considerations and for which he was held in high regard and respect even by his political opponents.

Anura Bandaranaike had few peers for oratory and his ready wit and rapier like thrust and parry during Parliamentary debates are part of folklore and legend engraved in the annals of Parliament. He held himself with poise and dignity and brought in to Parliament that degree of character and decorum which alas is a fast vanishing quality in our August Assembly.

Steeped in the volumes of Erskin May it was characteristic of Anura to wind up a debate with significant quotes from world authorities and the Hansards may be awash with Shakespeare or Elliot during a speech of Bandaranaike in full flight that had colleagues and visitors to the Public Galleries spellbound.

There surely will be many a tribute paid to this great son of Sri Lanka in the days to come eulogising his contributions that enriched Sri Lanka’ politics and also that part of his life as the scion of the Bandaranaike family.

Suffice it to say that Bandaranaike was among a fast vanishing breed of politicians whose who will be remembered for their immense contribution to foster Parliamentary democracy.

There will also be commentaries by those who will analyse and dissect his political career. Some would argue that there was an inherent flaw in his judgment that kept him missing the road to leadership and power.

Certainly his decision to join the UNP, the arch foe of the party founded by his late father militated against his chances of ascending to the throne. Only time will tell whether his demise will spell the end of the Bandaranaike saga.

But in his lifetime Anura Bandaranaike was a larger than life figure in all respects that hovered over and influenced the course of the country’s politics earning him the reputation for being an uncrowned prince in Sri Lanka’s politics.

Momentum for Democracy

The present trend of mor their willingness to join the fray for the upcoming Provincial Council Elections in the East is a salutary move that augers well for the momentum of democracy in a region which has been reeling under a culture for decades.

The chief opposition UNP is to make a decision today about its participation but from all accounts the party will be taking the plunge even though how it will explain it’s withdrawal from the local poll in Batticaloa which had the identical ground situation that will obtain at the Provincial poll will be interesting to see.

The TNA too is on the fence so to speak and is awaiting the arrival from abroad of its leader R. Sampanthan for a final decision.

Here too the signs are in the affirmative for contesting the poll.

All in all the possibility is open for a keen contest if all actors are thrown into the fray which on its own would be a positive sign for setting the ideal groundwork for democracy to flourish among an embattled people.

For the Government this would no doubt be a test of its popularity and a positive verdict would be tantamount to vote of confidence in it and an endorsement of its development plans under the Eastern Reawakening Programme.

It would also be a reiteration of people for the Eastern Province to function as a single unit and be tantamount to the final nail in the coffin of the LTTE designs vis-a-vis the Eastern Province.

Therefore, unlike the Local Poll the upcoming elections will throw up much larger stakes and it would be interesting to see the configurations of the results that could send a message to the Government to increase the momentum to reinforce democracy in the East and put paid to the LTTE machinations once and for all.

Media Accreditation Card: Silver Jubilee

The month of March 2008 marks the silver jubilee of the Media Accreditation Card. I do not know how many young journalists in the trade born after March 1983, are aware of the cause behind the birth of the Media Accreditation Card issued annually by the Government Information Department.

Full Story

A witness of Uva rebellion

What were the impressions that the new rulers of Ceylon had of the country and its people when the Kandyan Chieftains transferred power to them in 1815? Here are some: "The wild stories current among the natives throw no light whatever on the ancient history of the island. The earliest period at which we can look for any authentic information is the arrival of the Portuguese under Almeida in 1505."

Full Story

Do not allow rain to interfere rubber tapping and lower your income levels

A major factor that lowers the income levels of rubber growers and latex harvesting officers is the interference of rain on tapping. Rain is a hindrance for the latex harvesting officer to tap. Further if a wet rubber tree is tapped it leads to panel diseases.

Full Story

 

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Gamin Gamata - Presidential Community & Welfare Service
www.stanthonyshrinekochchikade.org
www.srilankans.com
Ceylinco Banyan Villas
www.buyabans.com
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
www.helpheroes.lk/
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk

| News | Editorial | Business | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2006 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor