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Home » ColumnsCBSL made huge payments to Strauss Kahn’s tottering company
The disclosure of how the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) remitted US$ 250,000 (or Rs. 32,586,525) to former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss Kahn’s company when it was going bankrupt has raised eyebrows in the corridors of power. The remittance was made on September 10, 2014. It was then well known in [...]
Wigneswaran roasts his ethnic nuts over Lanka’s crackling racial fire
If it came as a surprise that the Northern Chief Minister Vishvalingam Wigneswaran had helped write the now infamous genocide resolution, had presented it and had it passed by the Northern Provincial Council unanimously, resolving that the Sinhalese are a demon tribe of barbaric genocidal racists bent on exterminating the Tamil people from the face [...]
The right to know but how much
If the schedule has been kept, the long awaited Right to Information (RTI) Bill should have already been tabled in parliament when this column appears. The new Government has received plaudits from near and far for having presented so quickly legislation that should have been in the statute books at least two decades ago if [...]
House unites to approve legislation for the people’s benefit
Government gained Parliament approval this week for two vital Legislations that would, to some extent, help overcome its challenges in the international arena, both from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as well as the European Union (EU). The long pending Bill to provide protection to victims and witnesses of crime, a key demand of, [...]
Tread cautiously: Benefits and costs of infrastructure investment
The improvement of the country’s economic infrastructure was an achievement of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government. However, there were large infrastructure investments whose costs were enormous and benefits doubtful. These include large sports stadiums, a second international airport and the expansion of the Hambantota harbour. The costs of infrastructure projects are also deemed excessive owing to [...]
Mangala’s deal with human rights chief — a sell-out?
The UN Human Rights Council on Monday approved a recommendation by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’Ad Al Hussein to defer the publication of his report on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka till the Council’s 30th session in September instead of presenting it at the 28th session that starts next month. This [...]
Release the Udalagama Commission report
Talking with a Kashmiri lawyer in New Delhi on Saturday morning, I realized anew that the universal problem of justice for the disappeared cannot be met purely by law reform or by the prosecution of a few low-level offenders. Experiences throughout the world show that these are superficial measures, designed to placate and mollify in [...]
Credible reports of bid to harm new Govt. leaders at National Day military parade
Defence Secretary was tipped-off of plan similar to the assassination of Egyptian President Sadat Sweeping changes in Army; new commander takes over today Ven. Sobitha Thera calls for postponement of parliamentary elections till electoral reforms in place Sirisena moves to consolidate his position as SLFP leader amid attempts by some UPFA parties to bring Mahinda [...]
Just question their motives, maama
My dear Mahinda maama, I thought I must write to you again because, after losing your job and going home to Medamulana, people are still talking about you, especially after what happened at Nugegoda this week. Honestly, Mahinda maama, I am not really sure whether I should be happy or sad about your plight. When [...]