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Home » ColumnsHulugalle: The job hullabaloo deepens
Lakshman Hulugalle, at the centre of many a controversy, has been removed from the only other post he held under the Ministry of Defence. This was the post of Director General of the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Secretariat. Yet, he continues to retain other positions. Earlier, his position as Director General of the Media [...]
The Khobragade affair and American exceptionalism
During his visit to India in 2010 US President Barack Obama told the Indian parliament that the relationship between the US and India would be ‘one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.’ It appears that this strategically important relationship has been considerably rattled by the ongoing diplomatic row over the arrest of Devyani [...]
Global economy key factor for 2014 economic show
Global economic and political developments could determine to a large extent the economic performance this year. In as much as there are favourable international developments that would benefit the economy, there are possibilities of external shocks impacting adversely on the economy. Weather too could have an influence on the economy. Global economic conditions show signs [...]
Duty cast on us to ‘respect’ our systems first
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s admonition during the 2013 November Commonwealth heads of Government (CHOGM) meet, aimed primarily at United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, that other countries should ‘respect Sri Lanka’s systems’ raises several interesting questions. Balancing systemic independence no longer possible Do Sri Lankan politicians respect Sri Lanka’s systems? Indeed, does the common man or woman [...]
Alarm bells in Geneva: Govt. in hyperactive mode
The Government has gone into hyperactive mode after signals through its own channels indicated that the United Nations Human Rights Council’s March sessions may take a serious turn over alleged war crimes and other issues. Hectic preparations, a feature absent in the past except a show of strength in numbers in Geneva, are under way. [...]
Exam hero or Lankan Nero?
My Dear Bandula, I thought I must write to you because I heard that you were planning to scrap the Grade Five Scholarship Examination and that this was causing a lot of heartburn among parents throughout the country-and most of them were blaming you for this hullabaloo. Knowing you, Bandula, I am of course not [...]
MR, Wignes must orchestrate peace waltz
The life of Nelson Mandela demonstrated, as did the life of Mohandas Gandhi illustrate, that a people’s legitimate aspirations cannot be snuffed out but will triumph in the end. A people’s spirit that finds incarnation in a determined soul to give it life, flesh and blood cannot be extinguished. It cannot be incarcerated. It cannot be [...]