In the last decade, Sri Lanka's picture-postcard perfection has reeled in millions of tourists from around the world, with numbers soaring from fewer than 440,000 in 2008 to more than two million last year.
But that vision of an Indian Ocean idyll is now under threat. Almost 10 years after the nation emerged from a viciously fought civil war, a constitutional crisis is driving frustrated Sri Lankans onto the streets in increasingly violent protests that have already claimed the life of one man and left others injured.
While cricketers representing Sri Lanka and England take to the green at Galle International Stadium for a genial test match, a more sinister clash has broken out between the country’s president and prime minister.
Erstwhile, uneasy partners in a dysfunctional government, their squabbling and mutual suspicion have descended into a dangerous game of chess.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, accused by President Maithripala Sirisena of unlikely involvement in an alleged assassination attempt, has barricaded himself in his official residence, refusing to make way for his replacement.
That replacement, chosen by the president in what many observers regard as nothing less than a constitutional coup, couldn’t be a more polarising choice.
A former president himself, Mahinda Rajapaksa might be popular with the majority Sinhalese population – and the tens of thousands who took to the streets of Colombo on Monday in support of him – but for others, he is associated with the authoritarianism, human rights abuses and corruption that so badly alienated the Tamil minority during his 10 years in office.
Instead of promoting Mr Rajapaksa, Mr Sirisena was supposed to have been investigating him for his role in the killings of Tamils at the end of the war. In a worrying sign of a clampdown on any dissent, Mr Rajapaksa's supporters have already seized control of newspapers in the capital.
The president has taken it upon himself to suspend parliament. Until it is reconvened – ostensibly on November 16 – Sri Lanka has two prime ministers and no effective government.
The heat is rising and parliament's speaker has warned of a bloodbath on the streets if the situation is not resolved by politicians soon.
With a thriving economy fuelled by textile exports and tourism, the last thing the country needs is another descent into bloody chaos. Memories of the 26-year war that divided the nation and its people, claiming the lives of thousands, are still etched onto the minds of many of its citizens.
For their sake, Sri Lanka’s politicians should set aside divisive self-interest and their differences to end its worst constitutional crisis in years – one that threatens to undo the efforts of the past decade and plunge a country that has only recently recovered from the worst ravages of war back into violence and instability.
Colombo must show a proper sense of leadership for the sake of its people and a swift resolution must be reached before more lives are needlessly lost.
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 523hp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh469,000
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
