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Home » ColumnsWhere to now, Mangala?
My dear Mangala, I thought I must write to you when I heard you announce that you would not be running as a candidate from Sajith’s party at the general election which Maco and others at his commission have now fixed for early August. This is despite submitting nominations as a candidate from the ‘telephone’ [...]
Obtaining court orders to prevent protests may amount to abuse of judicial process
Police action during the protests that took place near the US Embassy in Colombo where Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) members were to stage a demonstration in solidarity with the protests in the United States, following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police has caused an uproar on several fronts. The [...]
Despite COVID, MR maintains tradition of greeting people
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is easily one of the most popular politicians in Sri Lanka with a powerful rural vote base. Last week, he marked 50 years since becoming an MP — the youngest MP in the 1970 Parliament. Whether in power or not, there are hundreds who turn up to tell their woes and [...]
Trade and balance of payments prospects this year
The trade and balance of payments outcome this year are critical for the country’s external financial stability. Although it is difficult to predict the balance of payments (BOP) outcome at the end of 2020, it is fairly certain the BOP deficit would increase from that of last year and make a dent in the foreign [...]
That iron hand in the demonstrably iron glove
To those who scoffed that the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Presidency would not come in with a sweepingly heavy hand after the first few months of sweetness and charm, this frightening moment of the iron hand in the iron glove that Sri Lanka is experiencing at its onset must surely teach otherwise. The world vis a vis [...]
Ugly American burns down Star Spangled Banner on Lankan soil
A white, male American official, charged with carrying aloft his country’s Star Spangled Banner abroad burnt it down instead and reduced to ashes the valour, justice and innocence the flag’s red, blue and white represented when he burst into a boorish bout of bullish obstinacy by refusing to undergo the mandatory COVID test applicable to [...]
SLPP strengthens position while UNP-SJB infighting continues
Group of JSS trade unionists infiltrate Sirikotha; cause minor commotion over party leadership Polls Chief Deshapriya in public dispute with EC member Hoole, but denies any crisis in the Commission Samaraweera decides to pull out of August 5 election; speculation he may re-joinUNP The parliamentary poll was delayed by the deadly coronavirus, but the fears [...]
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