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Home » ColumnsWill the IMF facility be a turning point in the economy?
The IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of US$ 1.5 billion with an agreement on an economic program supported by the IMF is now imminent. This could be a turning point in the economic fortunes of the country. The IMF facility would replenish the reserves, add confidence in the economy and have a salutary effect on [...]
Taking back the space of legitimate public dissent
The regular posturing by the so-called Rajapaksa-led Joint Opposition calling for the upholding of democratic rights in Sri Lanka must be treated with the rightful contempt that it deserves. Condemning hypocritical posturing Even as sanctimonious hypocrisy drips off the tongues of these worthies when they speak with fervor on multifarious topics, ranging from the appointments [...]
Police chief: Secret ballot and one spoilt vote
Even if Speaker Karu Jayasuriya cautioned members of the Constitutional Council regarding media leaks about their deliberations when they met last Monday to select a new Police Chief, the story was out. In the absence of a consensus as to who should become the IGP from among three recommended by President Maithripala Sirisena, the matter [...]
Sirisena faces May Day test of strength, growing challenge from pro-Rajapaksa ‘JO’
Despite threats of disciplinary action, dissidents go full steam; President asks why UNP going soft on former leaders Polonnaruwa VAT bombshell reverberates at crucial talks with IMF in Washington; major topic at Cabinet meeting Tax not withdrawn, experts not sacked, but major changes made in proposals to reduce burden on people He neither put a halt to [...]
The joy of victory
My Dear new IGP, I am writing to congratulate you on your new appointment. You must be a relieved man after getting the top job in the Police after weeks and weeks of speculation and media reports about three contenders, all with roughly the same qualifications, vying for the post. You have already made history [...]
So VAT’s the trouble with y’palana economics
At the risk of being labelled anti-nationalist snowed under worse epithets one is constrained to admit that the great British dramatist and poet Willie Shakespeare had anticipated Sri Lankan political life and times centuries earlier. Had Mahinda Rajapaksa’s favoured astrologer read his Shakespeare he would have been far more accurate in his political forecasts than [...]
New testament to make MPs angels will demand a quantum leap of faith
A new testament of the faith to be hopefully observed by those deified mortals who dwell in the pantheon of the people’s sovereignty was handed out to them two days before the dawn of the New Year to be perused during the holiday break, suggestions made and to be returned to the Speaker’s office within [...]