The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

One was himself and the other was former President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, he said. Both are debarred from going for a third term under existing provisions of the Constitution. "Do you want to give her nomination," asked UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe somewhat jocularly at the reference to Ms. Kumarartunga. Not to be outdone, shot back Rajapaksa, "I thought you all are looking for a candidate."

5th Column

Honey, don’t you ever leave me

My dear Rauf,

I thought I must write to you after hearing that you and your party would be supporting Mahinda maama. Of course, knowing you and knowing Mahinda maama, this does not surprise me but then, all this sounds a little bit funny, considering what you have been saying in the recent past.

The Economic Analysis

IMF says economy on track

The IMF is satisfied with the economic progress this year and the next tranches of the IMF stand-by facility will undoubtedly be disbursed. This would further strengthen the foreign exchange reserves that have fallen somewhat recently. Not withstanding the IMF assessment, the external trade situation is not at all encouraging. The merchandise trade deficit is heading to a huge amount this year, very similar to the experience of 2008.

Lobby

Not issued with this week

Focus on Rights

A question of justice for all

Some months ago, a grizzled and soft spoken gentleman somewhere around in his mid sixties told me bluntly in Batticoloa that the people in his area did not 'believe' in the National Human Rights Commission and the National Police Commission.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Crooks and cricket crockery

Some Rs. 50,000 worth of crockery and cutlery brought to the Dambulla Cricket Stadium to serve the VIPs who were there, have all gone missing.