The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

It was felt most in the country's main opposition United National Party (UNP), which is torn by internal feuding and power struggles. On Wednesday night, the UNP's besieged leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had just returned to Colombo after another visit to India. Whilst moves were afoot in Colombo to oust him from leadership, he was in New Delhi.

5th Column

Oh dear, they could easily touch the sky!

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedara asked, “what is all this fuss about the rising cost of living?”
“Why,” Bindu’s father Percy inquired, “who is making a fuss about the cost of living?”
“Well,” Bindu said, “everyone seems to be complaining including one person in particular…”
“And who is that?” Percy wanted to know.

The Economic Analysis

Perspectives on the economy

At the dawn of the New Year expectations of rapid economic growth are high. Post war peaceful conditions, the expected growth of about 8 per cent last year, a budget that ushered in a more friendly investment climate, the high foreign reserves of nearly US$ 7 billion, recent promise of World Bank assistance for reconstruction and the boom in tourism are foremost reasons for this expectation.

Lobby

Not Issued with this week

Focus on Rights

This country is not a political plaything

A couple of years ago, engaging in a chance conversation with an avowed defender of the government’s foreign policy, his insistence that Sri Lankan democracy would improve once the war ended, provoked a most contentious argument.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Highly taken up but badly let down

Thank god there were no photographers around. Otherwise there would have been much embarrassment, remarked Health Minister, Maithripala Sirisena, during his first official visit to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Borella.

From the sidelines

Not Issued with this week

Column By Gomin Dayasiri

Agenda Twenty-Eleven: Click east, not west

Agenda 2011, twines around two strings to a bow to weather poison arrows darted from a westerly quarter- (i) brisk attendance to Minority Grievances (ii) make progress on Good Governance. Legitimate Tamil Grievances, is a matter for identification by the Lessons Learnt & Reconciliation Commission after hearing representations.

Double Take

Mrs. Anumaana has a problem with New Year resolutions

Mrs. Anumaana was never one to take New Year resolutions seriously – either her own or those of other people. But this year Sunil’s resolution has been a cause of some concern to her. It is not so much his resolution as his reasons for setting his sights on his chosen goal that have led to her misgivings. He has resolved once again that his career goal is to become a Member of Parliament.