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Home » ColumnsManaging COVID-19: A lay perspective
One year after the appearance of the COVID-19 virus, the world has come to terms with the fact that the virus is not likely to go away in the near future and will be around for some time longer. In such a context Governments the world over including our own have to work out how [...]
US born Lankan’s law enforcement agency in the thick of Capitol riot
As rioters stormed the Capitol Building in Washington DC last week, there was an American of Sri Lankan ancestry who headed an emergency response unit of a US law enforcement agency battling thousands of demonstrators in an unprecedented attack in which five were killed. Ahead of the rally, Ashan Benedict, the special agent in charge [...]
If truth be told…
My dear Ranjan, I am writing to you because you are the man of the moment these days, although for all the wrong reasons. You have been sent to prison for four years for contempt of court, for saying that most members of a certain profession are corrupt – and it is difficult to know [...]
Lanka hunts for vaccine with begging bowl in hand
While many countries have joined the queue well on time to be in line to receive the life-saving, life-changing, hope-restoring vaccine of vaccines to end COVID’s unchallenged siege in their respective lands, Lanka hasn’t even arrived at the starter’s gate to be whistled out. Instead, she is still in the paddocks making inquiries from potential [...]
Growing nuts or going nuts
What in the names of all the deities is going on? And in this resplendent isle too! It is bad enough that envious eyes are cast in our direction hoping to grab a few chunks of what was once our sacred land to plant a port here and coal plant there. Of course there is [...]
A ‘slip of the tongue’ and a celluloid crusader’s unfortunate downfall
Confusion has been worse confounded in the public mind following the conviction this week of politician and self-proclaimed corruption crusader Ranjan Ramanayake for contempt of court by the Supreme Court for allegations made in 2017, that ‘a majority’ of lawyers and judges in Sri Lanka were corrupt. This acute confusion must be set to rights, [...]
Pragmatic economic policies for post COVID economic growth
Containing the spread of COVID-19 is the immediate and paramount concern. At the same time the adoption of correct economic policies for recovery and growth must address the fundamental weaknesses of the economy. They must be pragmatic and realistic. Immediate concerns The repayment of foreign debt obligations this year is an immediate and pressing task. The Government [...]
The story behind the 60 hours that shook Jaffna
Indian High Commissioner voices concern to Premier Rajapaksa Monday’s hartal paralyses Jaffna peninsula Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Sri Lanka SJB invites disappointed UNP group to join it Ranil to remain as UNP leader The Indian High Commission (IHC) in Colombo made desperate efforts last Saturday (January 9) to reach Prime Minister Mahinda [...]
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