The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

Weeks ago, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkoddy was in the chair at a party leaders' meeting that discussed Parliamentary business in the days ahead. A heated debate ensued when Karu Jayasuriya, co-deputy leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), announced he would move a Private Member's Bill on Freedom of Information.

5th Column

Oh, to be in H’tota now that games are due!

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “what is all this fuss about Hambantota?”
“Why, Bindu.” Percy said, “I thought we have been fussing about Hambantota for the past five or six years…”

The Economic Analysis

Isn’t there a significant role for agriculture?

In view of the diminished contribution of agriculture to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that was discussed last week, is there a significant role for agriculture? Does agriculture have a significant contribution to make to the Sri Lankan economy now that its relative importance in GDP has declined?

Lobby

Victory bubble fast bursting with one bungle after another

The ruling party which seemed invincible since the military defeat of the LTTE now appears to be blundering into one thing after another, not realizing that the “war victory bubble” would burst sooner than later. The government’s actions in Parliament last week were a classic example of how it is mishandling matters, which can only work against its own interests.

Focus on Rights

An unenviable dilemma of extreme non-governance

In a perfect world, it would be delightful to form part of a collective onslaught on this government, indisputably the most illiberal and quite shamelessly undemocratic political administration that we have been unfortunate enough to witness in recent decades. This is not a statement that is made lightly in the sense of the deliberately pejorative terms employed.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Azwer's babel

National List ruling party MP A.H.M. Azwer's comment in Parliament last Tuesday that the family of Prabhakaran is being looked after by the President was picked up by many foreign news agencies and web sites.

From the sidelines

Not issued on this week