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Home » ColumnsIndian troops to freely operate in Maldivian island of Uthuru Thalafalhu
India and The Maldives have signed a Maritime Security and Development Administration and Maintenance of the Maldivian National Defence Forces. This will allow New Delhi to station troops in the island of Uthuru Thalafalhu (UTF). The agreement was signed when the Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishanker visited the Maldivian capital of Male on February [...]
Not much to celebrate, eh?
My dear Sajith, I thought of writing to you when I saw that you were celebrating your first ‘anniversary’. Most people would have asked what the anniversary was for, but it turned out to be the anniversary of the formation of your new party which carries the ‘telephone’ symbol. So, I suppose congratulations are in [...]
Certainties uncertainties and threats to external finances
The certainty of receiving a currency swap of US$ 1.5 billion from the People’s Republic of China has boosted the country’s dwindling foreign reserves and enhanced its capacity for meeting this year’s large debt repayment obligations. There are however several uncertainties that could determine the state of the country’s external finances. Foreign reserves Foreign reserves [...]
Welcome youth activism to halt spike in environmental destruction offers a glimmer of hope for the country
The increasing number of reports of environmental destruction and devastation across the country suggest a spike in such activities on an unprecedented scale. The media is awash with stories where forests and other protected lands are being desecrated with no concern for environmental protection concerns. Even if only 50 percent of what is reported in [...]
Sri Lanka’s circus of painful follies and the Geneva trials
There is an exceedingly dangerous vacuum growing at the heart of the Sri Lankan State that cannot be ignored any longer. If a passionate teenager who speaks her mind about environmental destruction in Sinharaja has state officers visiting her home to interrogate her and if a courageous forest official who protests against the felling of [...]
Govt adds rehab option to its arsenal to combat ‘extremism’
The Government finally came to the end of its tether on Tuesday in suffering the vexations of former Western Province Governor Azath Salley who had made no secret that he was testing the patience of the regime by taunting it at every turn and daring it to arrest him for his anti-government, near inflammatory rhetoric. [...]
UK at its usual two-tongued game
In the days of the American Wild West (not that it is not wild any longer), the Native Americans, chased out of their lands and robbed of their possessions, were even cheated of promises made in official treaties. So much so that one Native American Chief famously said “White man speak with forked tongue.” Long [...]
Diplomatic blunders ahead of vital vote at UNHRC
Vote will take place tomorrow or Tuesday; India’s position still uncertain, despite Colombage’s claims Different strategies by different sections of Govt.; clear-cut strategy needed instead of ad hoc and unprofessional measures Burqa-niqab ban: Minister Weerasekera’s comments provoke international controversy President reassures PC polls in June; Legal Draftsman preparing legislation for approval by Parliament Main opposition [...]
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