Editorial
Home » EditorialRajapakshe falls between two stools
The relatively swift and somewhat unceremonious dismissal of the Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister on Wednesday is one more in a somewhat long line of ministerial sackings, and another bizarre episode gripping the Government in general and the UNP in particular. The former Finance and later Foreign Minister escaped this ignominy only by a whisker [...]
Neo-colonial powers exploit Indo-Pakistan rift
Both India and Pakistan celebrated their 70th anniversary of Independence from British rule, and with it marked the same number of years of hostility, suspicion, rage and arguments over the disputed territory of Kashmir, the departing rulers left behind after partitioning the sub-continent. Such is their animosity towards each other that both countries are armed [...]
Hambantota Port; a Concession (like no other) Agreement
The photographs that appeared in last weekend’s newspapers after the signing of the tripartite agreement between China Merchant Port (CMP), the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the Ministry of Ports and Shipping to lease the debt-ridden Hambantota port, said it all. On the prompting of the vice chairman of CMP for a cross handshake [...]
Bring in the Animal Welfare Bill
It was only last week we wrote in this space about the culture of torture prevailing in Sri Lanka. Just then, news broke out that there was cruelty to animals taking place as well following the extermination of stray cats and dogs within the premises of the University of Moratuwa. The incident brought into focus, [...]
Torture: Truth, twists and turns
UN Special Rapporteurs are taking turns visiting Sri Lanka; last week the envoy on Counter Terrorism and Human Rights came and made waves with his critical report on existing torture practices. The report would have come as a rude shock to many, almost to the point of disbelief. The fallout in officialdom seems to be [...]
Changing pillows for FDI headache won’t do
The sudden resignation of the Board of Directors of the Board of Investment (BOI) this week was not so sudden in a sense; it was a long time coming. Friction within the country’s ‘One stop shop’ for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and the Minister in charge had dogged the Government’s desperate search for foreign investors. [...]