The Genocidal Human Catastrophe In Gaza And The Barefaced Hypocrisy Of The Rajapaksa Regime

By Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe -August 13, 2014

Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe

The stand taken on the recent genocidal catastrophe in Gaza by the External Affairs Ministry of the Rajapakse Regime is revealing in its barefaced hypocrisy. There is no reference to the cause of national liberation and self-determination of the Palestinian nation. There is no outright condemnation of the carpet bombing, including civilian and refugee populations, and the ground invasion by the occupying forces of the Zionist-Fascist State of Israel, which have caused immense human dislocation and suffering, and catastrophic destruction of social infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, power stations and water supply.

There is no condemnation of the role of US imperialism which has backed up the Zionist State to the tune of 130 billion, and which functions as the frontline outpost of imperialism in the Middle-East. There is no mention of the criminal complicity and collaboration of the feudal-comprador Saudi Arabian State and the Egyptian military junta in this history of genocidal occupation. This recent catastrophe follows over six decades of the most barbaric war of invasion, aggression and genocidal occupation of the Palestinian Homeland by Israel, backed by its imperialist masters.Read More

On Election Gimmicks And The Politics Of Social Choice Over Policy Less Policies

By Rushdy Nizar - August 13, 2014

Rushdy Nizar

In the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the accountability of policy construction rests exclusively with the executive office, using other divisions among the central, regional/provincial and local governments as in any other democratic country. Thus, constructive policy making is imperative as much as its implementation. Hence, who initiates the process of policy formulation? In theory, a voted administration has a strategy/agenda on the foundation of which it is elected to power. The governing party and its patronage should in principle make decisions on priorities stated in the manifesto.

Public policies for all intents and purposes demonstrate the objectives of the government or administration. In the absence of a policy or a strategy there can be no governance. To govern, it is essential to have a set of guiding principle. Policies facilitate the common people to measure the accomplishments of the government. Provided there is a public policy which can be assessed critically and that the regime can be toppled for not executing its policies.Read More