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Home » ColumnsTop UN advisor’s one-party rule remarks anger Basil
These are days when different United Nations agencies have focused considerable attention on Sri Lanka. Even UNDP Asia Pacific regional head Neil Buhne, was in Colombo this week to make a first-hand study of developments in Sri Lanka. He was onetime UN Resident Representative in Colombo, a position now held by most affable Hanna Singer. [...]
Govt.’s quandary: How to say ‘yes’ to US$480m without losing face
The Greeks have a saying for it: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. And in the countdown to the presidential election, the party that would emerge triumphant at the hustings, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, turned the old adage on its head; and, draped top to toe in the Lion flag of patriotism, [...]
Secretary General under fire: Splurging, nepotism anger C’wealth states
Over in Colombo, the Attorney General has changed gear and what some call direction and is hunting for his “Gang of Twelve”. Those are the people he believes have been involved in the so-called “Bond Scam”. That includes former minister Ravi Karunanayake who not too long ago fell from his then residential penthouse to the [...]
Conversions 2020 and the new mantra
Ever the consummately expedient political strategist, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, (and former President), Mahinda Rajapaksa wishes to rejuvenate the controversial anti-Conversions Bill that was discarded more than one and a half decades ago following enormous public concern and an adverse ruling by the Supreme Court. Factors behind this move This wish, expressed in the Rajapaksa [...]
Here’s hoping sane counsel prevails
My dear Dappula, I thought I must write to you after watching you work over the past few months – and especially over the past few days when you ordered the arrest of Bond Ravi and his band of alleged bank robbers. It was a courageous step, no doubt, and a smart one too, considering [...]
Only small balance of payments surplus despite significant decrease in trade deficit
In spite of a significant decrease in the trade deficit by US$ 2.3 billion last year, the balance of payments (BOP) surplus was only US$ 377 million. The much reduced trade deficit last year did not improve the balance of payments by much owing to lower earnings from tourism, a dip in workers’ remittances and [...]
Sajith walks away from UNP; Grand Old Party splits up
Talks between the UNP’s two warring factions end in split The Eagle has crash-landed: Sirisena sees stars over his remarks; SLPP leaders losing trust in him Eya apiwa vinaasa kara or he has destroyed us bemoaned Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, a key player in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), referring to his leader [...]
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