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Home » ColumnsMore lies in the skies with SriLankan Airlines
Instructions were given to divert to Singapore a scheduled SriLankan Airlines direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo whilst the Airbus A-330 aircraft was on the ground in Malaysia, the Sunday Times can reveal today. That was how Captain Lakshman Fernando, commanding the flight touched down at Changi International Airport in Singapore. The aircraft was on [...]
Economic development and structural changes since independence
The 66 years since regaining independence have been years of structural changes in the economy and economic and social transformations. There have been many achievements as well as emerging concerns. Sri Lanka’s post-independent economic development transformed a predominantly agricultural economy at the time of independence in 1948 into a diversified one where agriculture accounts for only [...]
Anti-Lanka resolutions and the US game plan
Media reports confirming the US’s declared intention to lead a third resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March come during a visit to the country by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Affairs, Nisha Biswal. From Sri Lanka Biswal proceeds to Geneva and London, both [...]
The great tragedy of our ‘non-law’
It is a favorite argument of the cynical minded among us that Sri Lanka never had a functional system of law in a manner which actually served the people. This argument may have its adherents and its critics. Indeed, radical theorists would argue that the role of the law and the courts is at the [...]
Geneva: Hard line at home, heart cry abroad
Ministers at their weekly meeting on Thursday rejected a proposal for the Government of Sri Lanka to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Pacific Command (PACOM) to construct three fully equipped schools in the North. A point at issue was how Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena came to make a recommendation for [...]
Satellite has some space to orbit again
My Dear Satellite, I thought I must write to you when I heard people speculating about how you would be the common opposition candidate-obviously against Mahinda maama — at the next big election. I don’t think you would mind, would you, especially since very few people must be writing to you these days! I know [...]
Dark truths shadow beauty contest on poll catwalk
One would surely be forgiven for wondering this Sunday morn whether it is the provincial hustings or the annual National Film Awards Ceremony that is scheduled to be held come March. The more one considers the lineup of those vying to be nominated for the planned event the more one gets the distinct feeling that [...]