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Home » ColumnsMedia bashing begins: The honeymoon with new govt. ends
Any journalist worth his salt knows only too well, the media is the darling of politicians only when they are out of power. When in power, unless one is absolutely willing to toe their line, journalists soon becomefoes from being friends. Hence, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe‘s outburst against journalists and several media organisations is not [...]
Wide ranging reforms in higher education vital for economic surge
Reforming higher education is a challenging task. However difficult reforming higher education is, the country cannot achieve a significant thrust in economic and social development to be a modern developed nation without a wide range of qualitative improvements in higher education. Blue print Dr. Harsha Aturupane provided a blue print of the necessary wide ranging [...]
On mad monks and chaotic government
Several wickedly problematic tragi-comedies are playing on Sri Lanka’s political stage right now, none of which are to the benefit of the country. Why was no deterrent action taken earlier? The spectacle of mad monks running amok in the Homagama Magistrate’s Court abusing the magistrate, the lawyers and the wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda [...]
Recycled food for Sirisena and world leaders at UN’s gala dinner
When the United Naitons hosted a high-level lunch for visiting world leaders, including Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, during the General Assembly sessions last September, they were in for an unexpected surprise, according to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Speaking at an event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Ban said [...]
Domestic war crimes probe: Lack of clarity as Government tries balancing act
President tells BBC no foreign judges will be allowed, but PM speaks of foreign participation Fonseka likely to enter Parliament and get portfolio as part of the battle against Rajapaksa-linked group One stand for local polls and another for world community could put Sri Lanka in political quagmire again With local council elections only six [...]
What next irreverent one?
My dear ‘Senaawa’, I thought I must write to you because you are in the news these days and your leader is in remand prison, all because of a scuffle that broke out at a court house. As a result, a lot of people are confused about who you are and what you do and [...]
Bigotry’s abbot goes beyond the pale of legal redemption
He may not have realised it yet, perhaps it may take some time for the light to shine through his burly, black, boorish brawn, but Bodu Bala Sena Chief Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera is, no doubt, the darling of the foreign missionaries who use his mug to portray the ugly face of Buddhism. Neither may he [...]
Asian miracle turns comical as days go by
Those who remember the days immediately prior to the Bush-Blair illegal invasion of Iraq 13 years ago and the ensuing media war might recall Saddam Hussein’s information minister and spokesman who the British media called “Comical Ali”. That was a take-off from “Chemical Ali”, the Iraqi scientist responsible for heading the country’s chemical weapons programme. [...]