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Home » ColumnsUS election: Curfew-hit Lankans fed unending entertainment
Caged in their homes due to the lockdown after the surging Covid-19 pandemic, most Sri Lankans watched the US presidential election on television or through social media. In the Western Province, where a curfew was imposed, newspaper distribution is disrupted. That, however, did not mean there was no interest. The antics of a garrulous President [...]
How to stay in power, Lankan style
My dear Donald, I thought I must write to you after hearing that you are about to lose your job as arguably the most powerful person in the world – although your performance exceeded most expectations and for a moment, many people were worried that you may get another four-year term at the White House. [...]
Duel on pandemic dominates debate on minimum qualification for medical degrees
Tuesday’s Parliament debate reverberated mainly around the Government’s handling of the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic although it was a debate on the minimum education qualifications — two credit passes and a simple pass in Advanced Level biology stream — required to follow medical degrees in Sri Lanka. Opening the debate, Health Minister Pavithra [...]
New threats to livelihoods, economy and exports
The new wave of COVID-19 since last month poses serious threats to livelihoods and the economy. Hunger and starvation hovers over a large proportion of our population as there could be further loss of employment and income that could lead to increased poverty, starvation and death. Export capacity too could be affected adversely owing to [...]
Look, listen and learn from the agonies of ‘these United States’
As the world watches transfixed in amazed horror, the spectacle of ‘these United States’ seemingly heading into a meltdown over the peaceful transition of power with the 2020 Presidential election racing to an unnerving photo finish, the clash here is not purely of civilizations a la Samuel Huntingdon, (Christianity versus Islamic). A clash of ideologies [...]
Drafting a new Constitution: Putting the cart before the horse
During the run up to the passage of the 20th Amendment the Government simultaneously announced its intention to draft a new Constitution. According to the Government the 20th Amendment was only a stop gap measure until the process of drafting a new Constitution is completed and adopted. In accordance with this process the Government announced [...]
Has Govt’s strategy to dam COVID spread gone to pot?
The pathetic picture of Sri Lanka’s Heath Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi making a public exhibition of herself last Sunday morn on a lone Ratnapura bridge cuddling a pot of charmed holy water, before throwing the polythene covered receptacle to the flowing Kalu Ganga, and, thereafter, furtively fleeing the scene in a nondescript vehicle, spoke a thousand [...]
Bullies in the China shop
While US President Donald Trump was still ruling the roost and even before his diplomatic storm troopers could set foot on Sri Lankan soil, those in the China shop had fired a salvo across the bows of the Trump ‘war wagon’ accusing Washington of bullying Sri Lanka. Oh so very considerate of China, so very [...]
No more curfews – new approach to fighting covid-19
Ministerial changes on the cards New measures to keep food supply chains working Police may come under a new Ministry Political dynamics in the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Nidahas Peramuna (SLPNS) have shown signs of a dramatic change. This turn portends the dawn of a fresh collective thrust in governance with new faces and a [...]
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