Columns

Political Column

Last week's elections to the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils were different from all previous ones in many respects. It delivered different messages to the victor and the vanquished. For the victor, the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, it was an overwhelming voter endorsement of the on-going military campaign against Tiger guerrillas. Weeks ahead of the polls, a focused media campaign had highlighted how defeat was staring in the face of the guerrillas who were losing both territory and cadres. Their stronghold of Kilinochchi was within reach of the Security Forces, voters were told.

5th Column

I’m on top of the world—looking down on reds and greens!

Situation Report

The grave story of the "ghost" aircraft

LTTE air wing's first strike for 2008 causes deaths, damage and poses questions
Main target missed but danger of flying bomb increases

Thoughts from London

Lanka paying the price for diplomatic neglect

Earlier this month the Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that LTTE front organisations in Canada had used overseas bank accounts for money transfers that eventually found their way to Sri Lanka or to LTTE accounts elsewhere.

The Economic Analysis

Stripping garments of GSP Plus

We pointed out last Sunday the startling fact that there has been an appreciable decline in garment exports to our main export markets, the United States and the European Union (EU) countries. Garment exports have declined by 8.9 in June this year in comparison with earnings in June last year. The growth in exports of textiles and garments was only 1.5 percent in the first half of the year compared to what it was in the first half of last year..

Lobby

Will not appear with this week

Focus on Rights

The question of proper electoral governance

In the current conducting of elections in Sri Lanka, there is superficial understanding that the only missing element in this scenario, insofar as the right to vote freely and fairly is concerned, is an Elections Commission.

Inside the glass house

Russia talks tough as US moral nakedness is exposed

When US Ambassador Alejandro Wolff blasted Russia for its recent invasion of Georgia and for its perceived violations of international law and the UN charter, the articulate Russian envoy Vitaly Churkin hit back with a load of stinging sarcasm.