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Home » ColumnsPolitical row continues over Weerawansa’s call for change in SLPP leadership
A noteworthy feature of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was an exercise in self-confession when their members err on a serious issue. Even the fiery orator that he is, Wimal Weerawansa, did not escape that rule when he was in that party. When the late JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe held office, he had to write [...]
PM undermined; Lanka grappling with issues of governance amidst uncertain leadership
One of the criticisms of the Yahapalana Government particularly during the latter part of its tenure was its inability to act decisively when the situation demanded. Hamstrung by policy differences between the two segments of Government led by President Maithripala Sirisena (SLFP) and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (UNP), the Yahapalana Government struggled to keep the [...]
Further reflections on Lanka’s economic development
An annual average economic growth of four percent in the seven decades (1950-2020) after independence was far below the country’s potential, especially as the country began with favourable initial conditions. These advantageous initial conditions consisted of a thriving plantation agriculture, a good network of roads and railway, a good administrative system and a functioning democracy. [...]
Battles fought and a life well lived
My dear Dr Neville, We were saddened to hear that you had reached the Land of Never Return, a victim of the coronavirus that has claimed the lives of millions of others. That your passing shocked many, even though you were 89 years of age indicated the type of person you were, so active and [...]
The road to redemption from Pottuvil to Polikandy
A chest thumping Minister of Public Security has warned Sri Lanka’s Tamils and Muslims that if they go on protest marches despite court orders banning the protests, they will be put in prison and their vehicles seized. Despite how well all this untoward roaring for punitive action sounds on television, he must advise himself to [...]
SLPP embarrasses Prime Minister; then buries its head in the COVID sand
Not often does a Government make a complete fool of its own leaders but the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) did that in spectacularly farcical fashion this week by embarrassing Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa over the controversial “cremation only” policy for COVID-19 dead. The bizarre saga unfolded in Parliament after Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo [...]
Let Muslims be allowed to bury their COVID dead
Lankan Muslims were over the moon on Wednesday when Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa rose in Parliament and, in a brief reply to a question raised whether the Muslims will be allowed to bury their COVID dead, assured the House that thenceforth ‘’We will allow the bodies to be buried.” The news of the Prime Minister’s [...]
So where is that Singapore?
For 50 years or so some Sri Lankan leaders fascinated by what Singapore had achieved as an independent nation hoped to emulate that city state. After all, they used to say, Sri Lanka had many more resources — natural and human, especially politicians. Not that the ‘architect’ of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew had much [...]
Govt. to UNHRC: Targeted sanctions without “a semblance of evidence”
Rejects Human Rights Chief’s Report but says in a 30-page response that will “constructively engage” with the UN system Charges that many of the contents are “speculative, presumptive and unsubstantiated opinions” UK to lead tough resolution on Sri Lanka based on Human Rights High Commissioner’s Report PM’s announcement in Parliament – Technical Committee to make [...]
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