Lawyer-activist Nuwan Bopage was a pillar of support for those arrested during the 2022 Aragalaya protests. In an exclusive interview, Nuwan talks about his decision to contest the presidential election on behalf of the Aragalaya activists, his opposition to IMF policies and his views on ties with India. Edited excerpts:
Q/ Why did you decide to contest?
A/ This is the first election after the 2022 uprising when the country witnessed people’s power. In the past two years, certain reforms were introduced by the Ranil Wickremesinghe government which were detrimental to the general public. The intervention of the IMF, the activities of India and the US and the expansion of the new liberal policies are all a matter of concern. Those of us who participated in Aragalaya decided that we wanted a solution and I was nominated as presidential candidate.
Q/ What kind of changes do you think you can bring about?
Esta historia es de la edición September 22, 2024 de THE WEEK India.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 22, 2024 de THE WEEK India.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Why Trump covets Greenland
There’s no denying it. Donald Trump is a prince among real estate developers, known for his pushy, winner-takes-all approach.
Bomb man who kept his mouth shut
The best thing about Rajagopala Chidambaram, who passed away recently, was that he “could keep his mouth shut”, as his mentor Raja Ramanna wrote in his memoir, Years of Pilgrimage. No wonder, he tested six atom bombs with no CIA, ISI or satellite spy eyes getting any wiser beforehand.
Extreme to mainstream
With the recent surrender of six Naxals, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declares Karnataka almost “Naxal-free”. The BJP is questioning his “closeness” to the far left
SUMMITS, SURVIVAL AND SERVICE
Mountaineering expeditions play a crucial role in mountain warfare training
EYES ON THE ICE
THE INDIAN ARMY TRAINS ITS MOUNTAIN WARRIORS AT THE MACHOI GLACIER WHERE THEY LEARN ICE AND SNOW CRAFT IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES. THE HIGH ALTITUDE WARFARE SCHOOL IN GULMARG PREPARES THEM FOR WARS THAT ARE DRIVEN BY TECHNOLOGY AND INTELLIGENCE. ON SNOW-COVERED BATTLEFIELDS LIKE THE HIMALAYAS, THE ARMY WANTS ITS JUNIOR LEADERSHIP TO BECOME DECISION-MAKERS AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL
Time to dream big
Every year, January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day—as homage to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, honouring his enduring teachings and visionary ideas.
Climbing the power ladder
In his latest book, T.V. Paul explores India's search for its day in the sun as a global power
Howdy, rowdies
The world is already exhausted, and Donald Trump has not even begun his second term.
The going gets rough
It’s been a very macho fortnight
Eastward Ho!
Odisha, which hosted this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, is emerging as a focal point for India's Act East Policy, given the turmoil in the northeast
