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Home » ColumnsThe second coming of Basil Rajapaksa
The appointment of Basil Rajapaksa as Finance Minister last week was overshadowed by the situation arising from the use of regulations purportedly under the Quarantine Ordinance to prevent demonstrations and protests from taking place. Several trade unions and political parties defied the Police orders and held protests resulting in many of them being arrested and [...]
The age of the three ‘R’s
My dear Basil maamey, How can I not write to you this week, maamey? So many are excited about your return to Parliament and the Cabinet. Some make it sound as if your ‘second coming’ was the most anticipated arrival after Vijaya’s arrival to meet Kuveni and Arahat Mahinda’s arrival to meet Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale! [...]
On adjournment debate and puppets on strings
A heated exchange on Thursday over who should move the adjournment debate on the annual report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka led to a back and forth among government and opposition MPs as to who among them were ‘puppets.’ It began when National People’s Party (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake demanded to know [...]
Remittances from around the world strengthen balance of payments
Remittances that are the main strength of the balance payments, have been increasing in recent years. They increased from US$ seven billion in 2019 to US$ 7.1 billion in 2020. In the first five months of this year, remittances increased by a further 18 percent compared to the same period last year to US$ 2.8 [...]
Rajapaksa triumvirate in Chariot of the Demi-Gods
With all the hosannas sung in his grace, all the invocations to the Devas made in his hallowed name, with all the blooming adulations garlanding his mortal frame, even before the Messiah’s arrival on this thrice blessed island’s soil, by a host of SLPP angels gathered in choir to sing his praise in unison, one [...]
Lifting Sri Lanka’s Covid mask to unveil the frightful face of state terror
Waves of brutal police violence directed towards trade union leaders, students, fishermen and farmers in Sri Lanka this week underscored a deadly purpose on the part of the State. It was no accident that the clothes of female protestors were torn, that the media was shoved while covering these ugly scenes and even white haired [...]
Justice and the B’lore principles
Just the other day Justice Minister Ali Sabry told parliament that there would be a major overhaul of the country’s justice system. Not capable or willing to undertake that Herculean task alone, the minister has gathered 200 experts and true to help him modernise the system that has been creaking for years. Some litigants waiting [...]
Sweeping powers for new Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa
Nine-page Gazette notification sets out wide ranging subjects and functions for SLPP’s chief strategist Overnight Basil has become the Government’s most important personality after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; New FM’s tasks also involve reconciliation Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa gets back some of his subjects given to Basil SLFP to wait and see before taking decision on [...]
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