Columns
Home » ColumnsMotorbikes for journalists: Roadblock by angry ministers
Ministers at their weekly meeting on Wednesday turned down a request by some media groups to buy motorcycles at concessionary or duty free rates. The move seems to have come as a tit for tat. As one minister pointed out at the meeting, it was the media that had given wide publicity to a move [...]
From paradise to hell: The inside story of how SriLankan Airlines was skyjacked and plundered
Minister Kabir Hashim reveals details of how billions were wasted or pocketed by unqualified political lackeys Cancellation of huge Airbus order costs millions, but minister says there is no option; Govt. gives six-month lifeline for turnaround of national carrier Economic crisis: Govt. must stop giving top jobs to racketeers who rob people’s money SriLankan Airlines, [...]
Spotted at a birthday bash
My Dear Green Man, I thought I should write to you not only to wish you a happy birthday but also to let you know about a few matters that seem to be escaping your notice. Of course, even your birthday went almost unnoticed, unlike in previous years when we had grand tamashas to celebrate [...]
Bold unwavering policies needed to resolve current economic crisis
Confusion and uncertainty in economic policies are hampering the resolution of the current economic crisis. Palliatives such as the currency swap with the Reserve Bank of India is easing the strFess on the foreign reserves but not providing a solution to the balance of payments problem. The crisis in the external finances is symptomatic of [...]
Can Sri Lanka’s RTI law make a difference?
For those inclined to greet this week’s tabling of Sri Lanka’s Right to Information (RTI) Bill in Parliament with exuberant joy, a note of caution must be struck. As a first premise, this law is certainly essential in order to achieve the minimum necessary in responsible governance. Its appearance in the House is despite the [...]
Ranil fronts for Ravi who apparently has no confidence in the House
Economic woes facing the country took centre stage in Parliament this week with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe cautioning that the rapidly changing global scenario could impact the country, but there was no need for people to tighten their belts as yet. However, the problems for Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayaka seem far from over, with a [...]
Was Sobitha Thera ‘done in’ to stop him singing the Yahapalana blues?
Monk makes startling claim from Mahinda’s office in political temple ‘Don’t come to play around with the Buddhist robe’ warning to Govt When a Buddhist monk belonging to the Rajapaksa chapter suddenly stands up and says there is something fishy in the way the chief architect of the Yahapalana movement, the Venerable Sobitha Thera, died; [...]