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Home » ColumnsSecret Dubai account: Govt. fails to unlock vault
The Government’s intensive efforts to obtain details of money deposited by a former VVIP’s son in a Dubai bank have come a cropper. Authorities in the emirate have made clear that the request cannot be proceeded with since it would be contrary to their banking laws and practices. One source said the Dubai authorities contended [...]
Running repairs to Ravi’s 2016 budget omnibus
President, PM and others seek and obtain changes, minister faces growing revenue gap Positive aspect seen in Govt’s openness to accommodate public protests and changes Rajapaksas decide to form new party for local polls, oppose resolution for Constitutional Assembly Champika launching Megapolis project to mark anniversary of Sirisena’s election In his own teaser ahead of [...]
First find out who’s naughty and nice
My Dear Santa Claus, I thought I must write to you as you would be preparing your Christmas gifts these days and there are many people in our Paradise who are in need of gifts — and quite a few of them who don’t deserve any gifts as well. It might make your task a [...]
Effective policies needed to avert instability
Bold pragmatic policy initiatives are needed to resolve the current economic crisis. However, the policies of the government have not shown adequate sensitivity or response to the developing crisis. The public, trade unions and interest groups are clamouring for more benefits that would aggravate the crisis. The postponement of remedial actions owing to their unpopularity, [...]
Bad laws and the good governance ethos
Close to one year since the change in political leadership in Sri Lanka, glaring peculiarities of bad law-making decisions have begun to cling to this Government much like an unpleasantly persistent odor. Almost without exception, each and every draft law presented to the House displays a manifest lack of clear-headedness. Such laxity may be excused [...]
So go tell it to the marines
“Timeo Danos et dona ferentes”, wrote Virgil, one of the greatest of Roman poets. With Latin rarely taught in our schools in the last several decades one might be forgiven for translating the above into English for the uninitiated- “beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” The Greeks are hardly in a position today to bear anything but [...]
The nation’s pampered jades get more without even asking
They came to your door in the guise of beggars imploring for alms; beseeching you, in the bowels of Demos, to fill their empty bowls with your ballots. Knelt at your feet and vowed to be your humble servants. They beat their breasts and swore to dedicate their lives to serving you. The altruistic joy [...]