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Home » ColumnsBig overhaul plan for country’s largest prison
The country’s largest prison complex will be established in Millewa in Horana. This will pave the way for a mixed development project on the 42 acres that the Welikade prison is now located. The move follows a joint recommendation to the Cabinet of Ministers by Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa and Justice MinisterAli Sabry. The Premier is [...]
Medics sans conscience
My dear Doctor Padeniya, I thought I should write to you now, when our little Paradise island is facing its greatest health crisis in a century. You are the boss of the most powerful medical organisation in the country at a time when thousands are getting infected with the coronavirus and dozens of people are [...]
Former AG laments lack of quality investigators
Shortly before his retirement, Attorney General Dappula de Livera made a statement that he would not be able to file indictments in respect of the Easter Sunday attacks prior to his leaving of office, as the investigation files submitted to him were not complete. The statement took even Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera by surprise. [...]
Memo to US: Don’t do the dirty on the Lankan people
On the day following the enactment of the controversial Port City Bill which enshrined China’s solid presence on the island as a legal tenant in the Lankan law books, enjoying undisturbed possession of a 2.69 square km land mass next to the capital’s heart for the next 99 years, the American Government may have showed [...]
Lockups, lockdowns and political toxins
What is truth, asked Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, of Jesus. But he did not wait for an answer, history tells us. That is not at all surprising. In today’s world surfeit with all types of politicians and other noxious breeds, it would be farcical to expect an answer, for “truth” is what [...]
Containing COVID for economic survival: Restrictions or complete lockdown?
The burning question is whether the life threatening COVID-19 could be eliminated by partial and intermittent measures of imposing restrictions with intervals of relaxation or whether a draconian 14-day lockdown is essential. Current strategy At the time of writing this column, the Government had opted for a limited shutdown of economic activity with measures to [...]
Saluting Sri Lanka’s courageous public officials amidst political antics
It is said that, whom the Gods wish to destroy, they first make mad. Well, Sri Lanka exemplifies the madness of a State, perpetuated by a regime unwisely elevated to power through an enormous electoral majority, which now makes use of that vote to do whatever it wishes. A tragi-comedic vaccination process A few days [...]
Government fighting fires at home and abroad
Covid deaths mounting; medical specialists accuse officials of mismanagement of vaccination programme Sri Lanka’s economy takes severe beating; PM works out $200 million currency swap deal with Bangladesh; it may go up to $500 million Tough resolution against Sri Lanka before US Congress; recognition for Tamil “homeland” in Northern and Eastern Provinces is the aim [...]
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