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Home » ColumnsRTI Bill becomes law in a rare display of unanimity
Political parties across the divide displayed a rare show of unity this week by unanimously approving the long awaited Right to Information (RTI) Bill, a landmark law which would go a long way to make the government more accountable to the citizens of the country. The RTI law, under discussion since 2003, was passed after [...]
Road contracts: Minister Gamage’s company change
Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage admitted that a firm connected with his Daya Group of companies had won contracts for two road rehabilitation projects costing the taxpayer Rs. 3.6 billion but said it was wholly under his son. However, a search conducted by the Sunday Times at the Registrar of Companies on Friday revealed that [...]
Sirisena insists executive presidency should be abolished
SLFP wants electoral reforms before new Constitution, but UNP wants both together; two parties to discuss the matter further President meets civil society groups to discuss current issues; secret revealed – a UNP minister ordered STF security for Sajin Vaas PM swings into action to deal with problems arising from Britain’s exit from EU, appoints [...]
What you could have done
David Cameron My dear David Cameron, I thought I should write to you because this is a time when the whole world is talking about why your country voted to leave the European Union. You had campaigned long and hard to keep Britain in it and the verdict of the people must have come as [...]
Growing scepticism on economic turnaround: Will fiscal reforms be implemented?
There are doubts that the IMF bailout package could be a turning point in the external finances of the country. In my June 12th column titled “Will IMF bailout be tipping point to external financial viability?” I suggested that the IMF bailout and the international confidence it inspires could increase capital inflows to relieve the [...]
Using Sri Lanka’s RTI as an ‘extraordinary exception’
This Friday as Sri Lanka’s Parliament unanimously approved the 2016 RTI Bill amidst the mumbling discontents of its gloomy detractors in the House, sceptics raised a rare and hearty cheer. Born out of a tortuous process ranging back over two decades and frustrated by political hostility on several occasions, it was difficult to believe that [...]
Decadent generation sending parents to elders’ homes
Many people try to pursue happiness and improve their lives with courage, determination and tact. But there are others who try to make their lives miserable on their own. They do not realise that they are not living properly. The number of such people may continue to increase. Development needs to be for the happiness [...]
United Kingdom, a kingdom not united
It was a Hamletian moment but on a much larger canvass. If Hamlet was an individual confronted with doubts, the United Kingdom was a nation faced with a historic and life changing decision. To go or not to go, that was the question. It was the question that faced the British voters as they headed [...]