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Home » ColumnsBudget 2017: Critical assessments, plaudits and ideological prejudices
The wide range of comments, criticisms and appraisals of the 2017 budget have been mostly motivated by political agendas, ideological biases and based on economic ignorance. The budget has been viewed mostly from the point of view of one’s own self interest and benefits it confers rather than the nation’s long term economic interest. Constructive [...]
MPs’ ‘Conduct unbecoming’ continues on live TV despite Speaker’s admonishment
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced this week that daylong Parliamentary proceedings would be telecast live on national television but, along with it came a warning to lawmakers to conduct themselves in a dignified manner befitting of elected representatives. However, a week into the experimental stage of what is expected to be the forerunner to the launch [...]
‘Highly inflammatory; approach with maximum care’
For far too long following the change of power last year, many have responded to the policy and practice of the Unity Government with the plea to ‘tread softly in case the Rajapaksas return.’ The logic (if that is the appropriate word) in this thinking was asinine at its core. An outrageous condescension in governance [...]
To be in debt takes away our peace of mind
Rrich or poor, educated or uneducated, strong or weak, we are citizens of the country. Even if confined like a hermit, a Buddhist monk has needs money. Today, the day to day living is influenced by money and we must examine whether we contribute enough by way of our labour. It is a major issue. [...]
Govt. considers measures to ‘discipline’ the media
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and other ministers highly critical of print, electronic and social media coverage, but Mangala holds counterview National Security Council focuses attention on religious extremist groups; intelligence chief identifies more than 20 Sweeping laws on national policy for accelerated economic development; wide-powered agency for development and trade, five provincial boards By Our Political Editor It seemed ironic [...]
Passing the buck
My dear Ravi, I thought of writing to you when I heard that the budget you presented in Parliament had been passed – by a two thirds majority at that! It reminds us of the times when Ronnie used to present budgets during the JR era and get them approved by a two-thirds majority with [...]
World’s an oyster for Lanka’s MPs
Money seems to be the only motivator to kick start Lanka’s MPs to do an honest day’s work. Perhaps it is after taking cognisance of this ignoble truth and identifying it as the ignominious cause of their conditioned inertia that moved the Prime Minister last week to raise their pathetic financial plight and prompted him [...]
Trying to stop the buck with even more bucks
Making a case for enhanced salaries and perks for the representatives of the people enjoying short stays at Diyawanna Oya, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have said that this could help reduce corruption and attract better talent to parliament. One hopes his thoughts have been conveyed correctly lest one is accused of ‘distortion’ [...]
Arrest of former STF commandant: President questions IGP
President Maithripala Sirisena has expressed his displeasure to Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera over the arrest and subsequent remanding of the former Commandant of the Police Special Task Force (STF), K.L.N. Sarathchandra. Mr. Sarathchandra, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), was arrested and produced before Colombo’s Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya. He was remanded till [...]