The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

The next day (last) Sunday morning, his blood-drenched body was hanging from a goal post in a playground in Putur, just two kilometres from his home. It bore torture marks. The nails of fingers in both hands had been plucked out, Jaffna Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), Dr. S. Sivaruban, testified at the post-mortem inquiry. He said there were no suicide signs on the body that hung from a nylon cord. The inquest is still pending.

5th Column

Committees – only a means to an end!

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “what is all this fuss about a committee?”
“Which committee are you referring to, Bindu?” Bindu’s father Percy wanted to know.
“Why, thaaththa,” Bindu asked, “are there so many committees?”

The Economic Analysis

Essential policies for getting agriculture moving

Despite the significant contribution that agriculture could make to the country’s economy that was discussed last week, and the incessant rhetoric supportive of agriculture, the reality is a lack of funding to improve the country’s agricultural productivity. This is not so only in Sri Lanka but the world over. Even international assistance for agriculture has been inadequate.

Lobby

Not issued on this week

Focus on Rights

The barbarians at the gates

In terms of democratic freedoms, are Sri Lankans worse off now than they were before the war ended? This is perhaps a most crucial question in the current post war phrase. When the danger of oneself or one's loved ones being blown to bits on any given day is no longer a threat, answering the above question may seem ludicrously easy.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Diplomatic outlaws and illegitimate ads

Former Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama may have left the ministry and the political scene, but his shadow still lingers on. His brother-in-law who was posted at the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi (primarily to baby sit the former minister's daughter who is studying there) has completed four years in the chancery -- and is now seeking an extension of his term.

From the sidelines

Not issued on this week