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Home » ColumnsAlleged fuel fraud: FCID to question former minister and his successor
A former Cabinet Minister from the plantation highlands is now under investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over the use of fuel for his official vehicle for more than a year. Detectives alleged he had utilised Rs 7.6 million unlawfully. At first fuel has been pumped from the Ministry’s funds. When it had [...]
National Unity Govt. problems may ease after Cabinet reshuffle
President agrees to wait till May 19 when PM returns from China Sirisena tells Wickremesinghe not to include Hambantota Port Concession Agreement in MoU with Beijing SLPA wants more changes in port deal; submits 42-page response to Special Assignments minister By Our Political Editor Most Sri Lankans are unaware of the customary rituals that precede [...]
What brings you here?
My dear Narendra Modi, I thought I should write to you because you are visiting us again, even though you may have left our shores by the time this reaches you. On this occasion, they say it is to mark the Vesak celebrations. This is your second visit to Paradise in two years, so I [...]
Tourist earnings significant to balance of payments: Concerns and challenges in tourist development
Earnings from tourism have become very significant to the balance of payments. Last year, tourist earnings of US$3.7 billion offset 41 percent of the trade deficit of US$9.1 billion. They were one third the value of total merchandise export earnings and exceeded export earnings from total agricultural exports and all industrial export items except garments. [...]
The menacing promise of the CTA, gift -wrapped for the future
Only the naïve would believe the rosily repeated plea by the European Union (EU) that ‘the implementation of twenty seven international conventions is the only criterion for regaining’ the GSP Plus trade facility for Sri Lanka. Posing infinitely greater harm Repetition does not make what is false, true though this is a well accepted propaganda [...]
Wimal’s call to black out Lanka’s Light of Vesak
The most venerable Mahanayakes of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters to whose feet Wimal Weerawansa sporadically rushes with his ata pirikara gifts to gain their blessings and whitewash his image, should take careful note and be wary the next time the supposed penitent drops by with his platter of offerings begging for another round of [...]
Will it be May’s day in June?
This is no tribute to the late unlamented Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein who predicted a “mother of battles” as the invading forces approached Baghdad. It never happened and he was eventually deposited in the dust heap of history. His colourful phrase has joined the burgeoning bag of clichés. But what is trite and commonplace is [...]