I often wonder why people can’t unite. Is it because they are so consumed with hate? That they are blinded by it? I refuse to believe that. No man would hate so much that he cannot love. We are frail, after all, and inasmuch as none of us is perfect...

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview with The Nation said that he would work aggressively to restore faith in institutions related to law and order if his party is voted to power.  He spoke confidently of his chances and said he relishes the prospect of going head to head with Ranil Wickremesinghe, who he claims had been using proxies for many years instead of facing him directly.  The following are excerpts of the interview held in his home in Medamulana.

The Passing Away of Don Randall, MP for Canning

The untimely death of West Australian Federal Liberal MP Don Randall is a great shock to us all and has sadness to all.  Don was a decent and a genial person who always gave a listening ear to others, and was much loved by Australians of Sri Lankan origin. 

Don was the Chair of the Sri Lanka Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group from its inception and swapped the position with Labor Senator Steve Hutchins to become the Deputy for short periods. Both statesmen became truly great friends of Sri Lanka in her time of greatest need.  Don always stood up in Parliament to put the record straight whenever an issue related to Sri Lanka arose.  

We are saddened by the sudden death of Don, who was a dynamic personality. He stood for the people of Canning electorate looking after their interests and establishing a clear margin of nearly 11% in favor of Liberal party whereas it was a very marginal seat fora long time. His frequent visits to the community at large in the electorate won him the goodwill of his constituencies.  We , the Australians of Sri Lankan origin have lost a genuine friend in Don as he was the Chairman of Sri Lankan group in the Parliament for a long time after the establishment of this forum during the tenure of High Commissioner, late Gen Janaka Perera.