A world order defined by sheer madness

Monday 2nd March, 2026

We are witnessing a new world order that is anything but rules-based. The US has once again demonstrated that might is right. Big powers have placed themselves above international law and reduced the UN to a mere spectator.

US President Donald Trump has graduated from abductions to assassinations in dealing for foreign leaders he considers hostile. The US and Israel seem to think they have succeeded in engineering a regime collapse in Iran by assassinating Supreme Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and scores of others in a series of air strikes on Saturday. Those killings must be condemned unreservedly. President Trump has audaciously claimed in a social media post that a wicked man was eliminated. The question is whether those who ordered Saturday’s air strikes, killing many Iranian civilians, including schoolgirls, can consider themselves any less wicked.

If history is anything to go by, air strikes alone cannot bring down long-established systems, and there is no guarantee that the toppling of a repressive regime always yields positive results and helps bring order out of chaos. Iraq and Libya may serve as examples. They remain fragmented and are in a far worse situation than they were under Saddam Hussain and Muammar Gadhafi respectively. The US and its allies plunged those two countries into anarchy in the name of eliminating repressive regimes.

The US and Israel are accused of waging a diversionary war for the benefit of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both of them are facing scandals at home. Trump is troubled by a renewed scrutiny of the Epstein files and a Supreme Court judgment preventing him from imposing tariffs according to his whims and fancies. Netanyahu is facing bribery and fraud charges, and will be in serious trouble if voted out of power. He has to cling on to power at any cost. Fighting wars purportedly to save Israel seems to be the only way he thinks he can keep his political enemies at bay at home.

Iran has threatened to destroy Israel and the US, but its military capabilities are limited, as is known to military experts. It would never have taken on the US militarily or done anything fraught with the danger of triggering disproportionate military retaliation. It has been nowhere near developing nuclear weapons. The casus belli that Trump and Netanyahu used to attack Iran reminds us of the falsified intelligence dossiers President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair unashamedly produced in a bid to justify the invasion of Iraq. They said Saddam Hussain had stockpiled weapons of mass destruction, but they could not trace any.

The current Iranian regime, whose crackdown on protesters claimed thousands of lives, has weakened international opposition to US aggression significantly. However, some prominent Democrats have already condemned Trump’s bombing spree. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has pointed out that Trump’s military action is illegal in that according to the US Constitution, if the President wants to start a war, the Congress, elected by the people, needs to sign off on it. He has said the Senate needs to come back immediately to vote on Trump’s senseless and illegal bombings. The Republicans have defended Trump’s military aggression, claiming that it is in the interests of the Iranian people.

One can only hope that the US Congress and judiciary will make Trump act with restraint.

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Adopt QR remedy

The escalation of the Middle East conflict has triggered panic buying of fuel in Sri Lanka. Long lines of vehicles could be seen near fuel stations in various parts of the country at the time of going to press. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had to step up fuel supply yesterday while claiming to have fuel stocks sufficient for more than one month and urging the public not to panic. The raging conflict is bound to affect the global fuel supply, and this is why Sri Lankans have panicked.

There is no reason to doubt the veracity of the CPC’s claim that it has sufficient fuel stocks, but panic buyers are impervious to reason. Unless hoarders are kept at bay, the CPC will run out of its stocks soon. One may recall that during the 2022 economic crisis, pumps ran dry at most filling stations mainly due to excessive hoarding. Rationing helped bring the situation under control.

The only way to stem the current wave of panic buying of fuel is to activate the QR-based fuel issuance system. Unless the government adopts that method forthwith and arrests panic buying, hoarders will have a field day and create a fuel shortage.

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Hilton Colombo Welcomes Ramadan with ‘A Middle Eastern Flair’

“Middle Eastern Hair” hosted at Graze Kitchen’ and features an Iftar Buffet inspired classic Middle Eastern dishes until March 18th. Hilton Colombo has brought the magic of the Middle East to the heart of the city, its latest culinary celebrations. Tender lamb Kabsa, infused with spices, and other delicacies treat the visitor in a traditional Middle Eastern way. Every detail anticipates every need – reflecting the generosity and grace central to Middle Eastern cuture.

Hilton Colombo invites guests to observe the season of Ramadan with ‘A Middle Eastern Flair,’ a specially curated Iftar celebration taking place until 18 March 2026 at Graze Kitchen. Inspired by the time-honoured traditions of the Middle East, this month-long showcase brings together authentic flavors, generous hospitality, and the spirit of togetherness that defines the Holy month. At Graze Kitchen, the Iftar buffet will be available daily from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, priced at Rs. 10,888 nett per adult and Rs. 5,444 nett per child (6–11 years). The lavish spread features an array of mezze, fragrant rice dishes, slow-cooked specialties, and indulgent desserts. Signature highlights include Lamb Kabsa with Vegetables, Braised Ouzi with Khalta Rice, Meat-Stuffed Artichokes, Cheese and Meat Sambousek, Jordanian Maqluba, and traditional Kunafa.

Complementing the dining experience at Graze Kitchen, Café Kai presents ‘Iftar, Brought to You’, a specially curated Middle Eastern selection available throughout the promotional period, featuring Iftar Sawan, Biriyani, varieties of hummus, stuffed dates, baklava, and Turkish delight—perfect for sharing with family or taking home.

Commenting on the initiative, Manesh Fernando, Area General Manager for Hilton Sri Lanka and General Manager of Hilton Colombo, said, “‘A Middle Eastern Flair’ reflects our commitment to honoring cultural traditions through authentic culinary storytelling. This Ramadan, we are delighted to bring guests together over flavors that celebrate heritage, generosity, and the joy of sharing a meal.”For reservations or more information, guests may contact +94 11 2492 448.

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Nations Trust Bank records a strong FY2025 with a PAT of LKR 19.3 bn

Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) delivered a strong end to the financial year, reporting robust financial results for the 12 months ending 31 December 2025, with a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 19.3Bn, reflecting a 15% yearonyear growth. The Bank’s performance was driven by healthy asset growth, resilient Net Interest Margins (NIMs) and disciplined risk management, reflected in a low Net Stage 3 Ratio of 0.91%. A strong capital base underpinned this momentum, with a Return on Equity (ROE) of 21.86%, highlighting the Bank’s strategic success and its readiness to pursue the next phase of growth.

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Trump health fears soar as Republicans reveal concerns - 'he's become erratic with age'

The US President has been accused by critics of slowing down in his old age and declining mentally.

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Coal, sweets and bitter reality

Friday 27th February, 2026

Three teenage girls from a children’s home in Kalutara have been arrested for breaking into a canteen and making off with a stock of confectionery worth Rs. 40,000. Upon being informed of the theft, the police lost no time in recovering the sweets and making arrests. Those who conducted the ‘raid’ posed for photographs with the recovered items and released them to the media. Such is their selective efficiency.

One may recall that some years ago, the police arrested a small schoolgirl in Kalutara for stealing a few coconuts. In the same district, a little girl was taken into custody for stealing a five-rupee coin. If only the long arm of the law dealt with the politically backed perpetrators of serious crimes in a similar manner.

The three girls arrested for stealing sweets may have thought that in a country where people get away with grand thefts, their offence would go unnoticed. The incumbent government tells us that its political rivals stole colossal amounts of state funds while in power, but no legal action has been taken against most of them. Worse, the corrupt politicians in the Opposition have embarked on a crusade against corruption.

Worryingly, the incumbent government, which has undertaken to eliminate bribery and corruption and restore the rule of law, is led by a party with a history of terrorism, extortion, armed robberies and wanton destruction of state assets. A Cabinet minister has had the audacity to boast that he and his ‘comrades’ destroyed transformers, etc., in the late 1980s. He has sought to romanticise such acts of terrorism which are nonbailable transgressions under the Offences Against Public Property Act. Strangely, no action has been taken against him or his colleagues on the basis of his confession. If such crimes had been investigated properly during previous governments, some of the ruling party politicians who indulge in moral grandstanding would have been behind bars.

It has now been revealed that the procurement of eight shipments of substandard coal has caused a staggering loss of Rs. 8 billion to the state coffers. The coal supplier is said to be a company blacklisted for selling substandard rice to Sathosa. The corrupt coal tender has not been cancelled.

The present-day rulers, who came to power vowing to eliminate bribery and corruption, are now in overdrive, trying to justify losses caused by low-grade coal imports and shield the racketeers. Substandard medicines imported after the 2024 regime change have not only caused massive losses to the state but also snuffed out several lives in government hospitals. Much has been spoken in Parliament about corrupt procurement deals in Sathosa under the current dispensation. Curiously, no arrests have been made.

What was made out to be a new beginning in late 2024 has turned out to be another false dawn. The champions of good governance have been exposed for corruption and abuse of power.

The current rulers claim to be on a mission to restore the rule of law in keeping with one of their main campaign promises. That no doubt is a noble goal that must be achieved. However, mere rhetoric won’t do. They have to back up their words with deeds.

The least the government can do to convince the public that it is serious about fulfilling its pledge to restore the rule of law is to ensure that the police deal with the corrupt elements in both the Opposition and the government in the same way as they did in the case of the three girls who stole sweets in Kalutara.

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Donald Trump reveals 'great news for America' as he issues major White House update

The US president took to Truth Social to make the announcement.

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CEB unions to launch strike today, warn of escalation over dissolution move

Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will launch a six-hour token strike today (26 February) from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m., marking a dramatic escalation in their confrontation with the government over what they describe as an attempt to dissolve and unlawfully restructure the country’s power utility.

Union leaders said the strike was inevitable after authorities failed to respond to their eight core demands and amid mounting reports that a Gazette notification to liquidate the CEB is imminent.

The dispute has been simmering for weeks. Earlier, the unions cautioned the government that they would resort to trade union action immediately after the conclusion of the GCE Ordinary Level examinations if satisfactory solutions were not forthcoming.

They insisted that they deliberately delayed action in consideration of students sitting the national examination, but warned that their patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

At the heart of the crisis is the proposed restructuring of the CEB, which unions allege is being pushed through without transparency, stakeholder consultation, or a clear national energy policy framework. They argue that the move amounts to a backdoor dissolution of the Board under the guise of reform.

“If a wrong and unlawful decision is taken to restructure or dissolve the CEB without listening to our demands, we will be compelled to act within 48 hours — even unwillingly,” union representatives warned earlier this week.

The unions further charged that employee rights, job security, and national energy sovereignty are being jeopardized. They contend that restructuring without first establishing a coherent and publicly debated energy policy could destabilize the country’s electricity supply and open the door to arbitrary decision-making.

Tensions escalated further after employees, who applied for the CEB’s Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), claimed that the CEB Chairman had indicated a Gazette notification announcing the dissolution of the Board would be issued on February 28. Union leaders described this as a “serious and irreversible step” that could fundamentally alter the structure of Sri Lanka’s power sector.

While today’s action is limited to six hours, trade union leaders made it clear that this is only the beginning. They warned that if the government proceeds with gazetting the dissolution or continues to ignore their demands, stronger and more prolonged industrial action would follow without further notice.

With the strike now underway, the standoff has entered a decisive phase, raising serious concerns over the stability of the national grid and the future direction of Sri Lanka’s energy sector.

By Ifham Nizam

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