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Home » ColumnsMP status only for Rajapaksa in Japan
A request for protocol and other assistance by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a ten-day “private visit” to Japan was rejected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only courtesies extended to an MP were afforded to Rajapaksa and parliamentarians in his entourage, a Foreign Ministry source said yesterday. An official in the Sri Lanka Embassy [...]
President promises urgent action to reduce CoL, vows to strengthen economy
During exclusive interview with the Sunday Times, huge ammunition depot explodes; Kosgama like Syria, questions as to whether full story will be told High priority for lasting reconciliation; those against it are traitors and extremists Sirisena gives details of what has been done, says time needed for full probe on big corruption cases For President [...]
When the old jalopy won’t do
My dear Ministers and Deputy Ministers who have been allocated luxury vehicles, I am writing to congratulate you on being allocated billions of rupees to purchase luxury vehicles for yourselves. After passing the 19th Amendment to the constitution and setting up a Government of nearly one hundred ministers, this must rank as the greatest achievement [...]
Joint Opposition’s no-confidence move backfires, but Unity Govt. cannot rest on its laurels
The haste with which the Joint Opposition (JO) group in Parliament rushed to bring a No-Confidence motion against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, which, in effect, questions the legitimacy of the entire Government, only helped the UNP-SLFP unity Government to put to rest, speculation of rifts within its ranks, and put on a united front. The [...]
Those many Chequered irons in the ‘yahapalanaya’ fire
It is tragic but telling that within a relatively short period, lofty expectations regarding the performance of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government have dwindled into an abject murmuring of ‘well, at least it is better than the Rajapaksa regime.’ As comforting as this may be to our bruised and battered ears, there is a singular danger in [...]
Beware of false fortune tellers!
We are fond of trying to read our future. We go behind soothsayers or fortunetellers who mislead us. There are so many who come up with fortune tales when a misfortune happens. Of course with the genuine divine power and with the development of brain power certain factors are predictable. During the last Vesak season [...]
Will IMF bailout be tipping point to external financial stability?
The much awaited IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of US$ 1.5 billion was approved. It could usher in external financial viability and more prudent management of the country’s finances. If the government implements the concomitant reform program, the country could move towards fiscal consolidation and an improvement in the balance of payments. These are essential [...]
All this in the name of the people
Sixty years or so ago I remember reading a collection of essays by that superb American humorist S.J. Perelman titled “Crazy Like a Fox” published by Penguin (if my memory serves me right). From that first encounter with Perelman’s writings I was enamoured of his satire and humour, the wry, witty pieces that he contributed [...]
Behold and hail! The pampered Jades of Lanka in the Chariots of the Gods
Yahapalanism’s robe turns transparent to reveal naked truth of inherent greed Billion bucks for 32 luxury limos for 30 ministers is no extravagance but a necessity claims Govt PM moves to delay mega perk till flood hit homes are built but will it lift the dark ominous cloud? For a people who had seen rain [...]