By Philip Fernando, Former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka Positive postures and adjustments following post-war transition had brought on a more upbeat attitude in the country. Most analysts predict a development decade beginning in 2011. It is not a matter of number crunching the robust export earnings or the GDP but a deepened urgency […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka ƒ”š‚ The greeting card conveyed a heart-felt personal note, charming and creatively wrapped. Internet has turned it into to a high tech spectacle honing on a captivating message meant to dazzle. In an information age, what’s more informational than saying “I want you to know that […]

By Philip Fernando Former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka ƒ”š‚ A durable technological environment is a reality in several areas like agriculture, industry, tourism, telecommunications and Internet access. Optimum productivity levels seeping in due to technology use seemed well within reachable sights in the country. What is manifestly clear is that modernization is occurring not […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka Indo-US relations are going beyond the basic bilateral interests. They include key joint projects worth several billion dollars amidst China’s colossal global presence. The relations are at a crucial and decisive stage according to most observers. The urgent need for capital inflow into India and […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka ƒ”š‚ President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term commences on a manifestly futuristic note signifying a creative approach to governance. Political observers credit the president for being remarkably accessible casting himself as the proverbial safe pair of hands, an unmatched leadership quality. Many favourable trends mark the event: […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka Most people say-“ƒ”š‚we will be back in five or ten minutes.”ƒ”š‚ We are used to a seven-day week, 24-hour day and 12-month year. Our fondness for certain numbers may show attitudinal inclinations. Numbers are a very quirky story indeed. Do numbers seven or nine; for […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka Web’s immense outreach in connectivity has produced a robust literary culture and its new icons have emerged. The new “Digiterati”ƒ”š‚ complement the revered literati as millions access the “digital frontier. Lankaweb’s expose of public affairs exemplified the throbbing discourse now occurring. “Computers are not about […]

By Philip Fernando,former Deputy Editor Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka ƒ”š‚ This is a short comment on Dr. U. B. Gunasinghe’ piece “UN panel has asked for submissions.’ƒ”š‚  We will have to study this carefully”ƒ¢¢”š¬‚nuances are varied.ƒ”š‚  This is a slippery slope”ƒ¢¢”š¬‚UN panel wants accountability of Sri Lankan government so that Ban-Ki Moon can decide what to […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka ƒ”š‚ It is tragic that Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon’s intellectual bent towards the demonic Tiger remnants, still warped towards their evil designs may tarnish the 65th anniversary of the UN this week. It stuck out as a sour thumb ignominiously mocking the more decent work of […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka Currency wars have heated up with charges that Chinese renminbi (yuan) is under-valued. The Chinese countered that banking policies and lowered interest rates in the West caused the trade imbalance. The exchange rate battle is seemingly indicative of the fading economic clout of many Western […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer Sri Lanka This year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine rightfully but belatedly went to Dr Robert Edwards, the British biologist who amidst intense criticism enabled couples otherwise fated to be childless bear children. In vitro fertilization triumphed as being authentic. What sweet vindication! ƒ”š‚ IVF has produced nearly […]

By Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka The wayward West seemed slowly acquiescing to Sri Lanka’s transition into fulsome post war resurgence. Diplomatic efforts to sway them are beginning to show results. Are we witnessing a constructive trend in the US-Sri Lankan relations? Yes, according Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya in USA. Many believe […]

Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka ƒ”š‚ UN’s 65h General Assembly seemed to have glossed over the millennium goals. World leaders who convened in New York were waxing and waning about a series of ambitious goals established 10 years ago for improving living conditions in the world’s poorest nations. Whether those targets called […]

Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka As imperatives of economic advancement take hold and the prospects of growth come through loud and clear the UNP seemed bewildered not knowing what politics to engage in. It is in political receivership. That usually follows serious losses. Someone has to take control in order to […]

Philip Fernando, former Deputy Editor, Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka The Peradeniya campus nestling amidst the picturesque hills got etched in our memories instantly. A feast of colour from the blossoming Jacaranda trees by the library and lectures halls seemed fittingly ornamental. Bonding occurred mostly at random – the matches just happened – with no time […]

By Philip Fernando –Writer is the former Deputy Editor of the Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka. The anti-democratic slant imputed by the US State Department to the legislative process relative toƒ”š‚ presidential terms limits in Sri Lanka exceeded all limits of proprietorship.ƒ”š‚  US has not merely recommended or suggested what Sri Lanka should do about terms limits.ƒ”š‚  […]