Columns

Political Column

Sudden visit by top officials sparks speculation
Focus on SAARC security but various other issues also taken up
Govt. under intense pressure but divided opposition leaves people without options

A high-powered three-member delegation from India arrived in Colombo on Friday in a special Air Force flight. It comprised National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh.

5th Column

Obey or depart: The school in a right royal mess

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera said, “I want you to become a minister…”

Situation Report

will not appear this week.

Thoughts from London

Mending fences with the media

During a conversation I had with President Rajapaksa in London when he was here for the Commonwealth mini-summit I raised the issue of the state of the media in Sri Lanka and the sense of fear that has been instilled in journalists through threats and intimidation which have been highlighted locally and abroad in recent months.

The Economic Analysis

Coping with, and responding to high oil prices

Last week we discussed some of the ways in which we Sri Lankans would have to cope with the continuing high prices of oil. There were adequate signs that oil prices would rise though the response of the world at large was slow to put in place policies to cope with the impending crisis. A curious fact is that when the first oil price shock struck the world the responses were far more urgent and compelling than this time.

Lobby

Deadlock continues over 17th Amendment

The much talked about 17th Amendment to the Constitution was once again the focal point of debate in Parliament last week. By now it is evident that all the talking in the world is not going to break the deadlock with regard to the reappointment of the Constitutional Council (CC) given the polarizing views held by the Government and opposition on how to resolve the issue.

Focus on Rights

Victims and witness protection - part one

My perceptible lack of enthusiasm however in immediately embracing this draft law is influenced not only by the problematic nature of its contents and the secretive manner of its passing but also by my serious conviction that all these laws are but patchwork attempts by politicians to convince their voters that something is being done to address the perilous plight to which the Rule of Law has fallen into in our society.

Inside the glass house

The worst president ever

Harking back to the politically inglorious days of Richard Nixon in the 1970s, there is a running gag that the popularity of American presidents take a quantum leap upwards whenever they leave the country on overseas trips.