Mine-clearing at a steady pace

Text of keynote speech for the defence seminar, 'Towards Lasting Peace And Stability' delivered by Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on August 8,

Full Story

Political Revery

Democracy, oligarchy and the UNP

In the Hollywood parable on racial struggle in the USA Remember the Titans, Denzel Washington’s character American Football Coach Boone says: 'This is not a democracy, this is a dictatorship. I am the law'. He was, of course, stressing the need for extreme discipline in a highly competitive sports environment.

Full Story

On My Watch

The Five R’s of peace and stability

Less than two weeks ago President Mahinda Rajapaksa told a group of rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres, “We will not allow petty politics to harm the communal harmony reinstated after defeat of terrorism.” He was speaking to 1,250 former LTTE fighters who were being reintegrated into society and given livelihood loans to enable them to move into society.

Full Story