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Finally a lockdown after garbled messaging, confusion and blind panic

Garbled messaging, confusion and blind panic marred the government’s announcement on Friday of a 10-day countrywide lockdown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had resisted calls for a countrywide lockdown for several weeks, arguing that the resulting damage to daily wage earners and the economy would be too great. In the [...]

Cabinet reshuffle like changing the batting order in cricket

Namal gets plum position as sign he is being groomed for leadership; GL to the fore to address key international issues; Pavithra unhappy about the change Questions as to why a donation of 200 respirators was rejected by Health Ministry’s top officials, including medical specialists Pandemic death toll and number of afflicted people reach highest level; IMF report [...]

A new broom can sweep, but the old broom knows where the dirt is

My dear Pavithra, I heard that you had been removed from overseeing the Health Ministry, in what was a called a ‘Cabinet reshuffle’, and asked to look after the Transport Ministry. Some say that you have been asked to supervise conductors after looking after doctors for some time. Although you were not dropped from the [...]

Finally the Government announced a lockdown in the country on Friday. This decision of the Government followed two to three weeks of expectations in the minds of people, that a lockdown would be enforced sooner rather than later. Despite strong appeals from health specialists, members of health sector trade unions, including Public Health Inspectors, other [...]

Widening trade deficit weakening balance of payments and eroding external reserves

The widening trade deficit in the first half of this year and a likely increase in import expenditure in the second half are weakening the balance of payments and eroding the country’s perilously low foreign reserves. Impact on people The balance of payments statistics have come to bite the ordinary man. They are determining the [...]

The ‘black death’ of a political plague ravishing this beautiful land

The black flags that the head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church has requested his flock to hoist this Saturday in silent protest against the Government’s inaction to secure justice for hundreds of innocents killed in jihadist attacks on Sri Lankans (2019), should be fluttering aloft the houses of all people, Buddhists, Catholics, Christians, Hindus [...]

The great American betrayal in the Graveyard of Empires

World condemns Biden’s Afghan botch-up by hasty pullout AFGHANS FLUNG TO TALIBAN MERCY MARKS TRILLION DOLLAR LEGACY OF US OCCUPATION No matter the excuses now pathetically trotted out, nothing can justify the sordid unbecoming manner in which the Americans pulled out from Afghanistan and abandoned its people to the mercy of the wolves. True. The [...]

In those golden days when there was no pandemic to hide from and the forces of law and order respected the law and applied it equally, there was a story circulating about Mapitigama Buddharakkita Thero, the chief monk at the time of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare. The then Health Minister Wimala Kannangara appointed the [...]

House unites for Covid Bill, yet sees lockdown prescriptions and prognoses on protests

With the country being battered by COVID-19 and the daily death toll nearing 200, what was supposed to be four days of Parliament sittings was curtailed to just one day this week, mainly to pass through the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill, with amendments made in keeping with the opinion of the Supreme [...]

Oil prices: No short-term solutions in Gammanpila’s booklet

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila in preparation to face the No -Confidence Motion against him by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya had prepared the groundwork for the challenge by publishing a 56-page booklet called the ‘Indana Mila Sanshodanaye Eththa Kathawa‘ or the ‘True story of the fuel price revision’. Minister Gammanpila circulated the booklet not only among [...]

How will the economic crisis be resolved?

Everyone is aware that the country is in an economic crisis. Especially that we are facing a severe crisis in foreign finances. Low foreign reserves have to meet foreign debt repayment obligations and pay for essential imports. When and how will the Government resolve the crisis in external finances? Problems compounded The difficulties in external [...]

Farmers’ goosebumps as fields go cold turkey

If expectations had been raised to fever pitch among farmers that Basil Rajapaksa’s return to Lanka last month to assume the nation’s financial reins would see reversed a presidential ban on chemical fertiliser, they were swiftly flayed when the Government’s media division announced two weeks ago that the new Minister of Finance had no intention [...]

These days when allusions to military doings of one sort or the other seem quite au fait, a reference to the charge of the Light Brigade is quite in place surely. Especially so if it refers to the ill-conceived and thoughtless actions of the SJB-led opposition that charged at the solid phalanx of the government [...]

The very great harm of the PTA and lessons from history

To a protesting (Sinhalese) Stalin, (or for that matter, a Marx or Lenin), who is released along with comrades following public outrage and street anger after unjustifiable detention by the police using Sri Lanka’s covid-19 health protocols, there are a hundred others who languish in squalid detention under the country’s savagely inhumane anti-terrorism laws. Health [...]

SJB, UNP leaders pow- wow in the making?

Nuwara Eliya Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Palani Thigambaram has been missing from Parliament in recent months. It turned out that he had been abroad on a personal visit and on three-months leave from sittings. He returned to the country early this month and attended a meeting at Sirikota, headquarters of the United National Party [...]

The country is in a multiplicity of inter-related and intertwined crises and widespread social upheavals. Apart from solutions to the specific grievances, drastic changes in economic policies are required to ensure financial and economic stability. Social unrest Protests and social upheavals due to severe economic difficulties, unavailability of fertiliser, protests against the charging of fees [...]

On militarised universities and a government’s harebrained folly

Friday (July 16th) was an eventful day for Sri Lanka. Just as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was holding forth to obediently head-nodding members of the Maha Sangha comprising the Government’s Buddhist Advisory Council gathered at the Presidential Secretariat, on his firm intent to proceed with enactment of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Bill before Parliament, students [...]

It is both inconceivable and incomprehensible that laws are applied selectively in a democratic society where the Constitution itself postulates that all are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law. When such selective application applies to individuals the norms of justice stand violated. When such violations relate to larger [...]

Government hoping for near normalcy by September amid multitude of challenges

Plans to vaccinate all under 30 within next 75 days; military playing key role in battle against pandemic Basil moves fast into forefront of policy making and diplomacy; meets top envoys for a balancing act vis-à-vis China Govt. throws full weight behind Gammanpila as he faces no-confidence motion next week; Cabinet reshuffle put on hold [...]

Saving the gentleman’s game

My dear Namal baby, I thought I should write to you because everyone is concerned about something that is very near and dear to most of us and they are relying on you to ensure that it stays that way. No, I am not thinking of the ‘Royal family’ of which you are the Crown [...]

Govt’s ‘Aloysius Special’ poured back to the bottle

A whopping one for the road was offered on the house by the Excise Department two weeks ago to ‘bond scam’ first accused Arjun Aloysius to help the fallen financial magnate revive his ailing liquor firm W.M. Mendis & Company Ltd and get his arrack distillery back on the production line. The deal done with [...]

Cometh the miracle man: Accolades and bouquets from members and supporters of the party that the new finance minister put together from scratch continue. Like the three “Wise Men” who followed the star to Bethlehem, envoys from countries near and far have trekked to the Finance Ministry to meet the man tasked with uplifting the [...]

The 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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Media groups take aim at top cop for veiled threats against journalist

Media rights groups have written to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne raising concerns over “indirect threats” levelled by a Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) against a journalist on Facebook. In a joint letter to the IGP, six media rights groups have drawn his attention towards a series of angry Facebook posts by the [...]

In collective move, SLPP backbenchers invite Basil to enter Parliament

(As the Sunday Times Political Editor is unwell, we publish today a translation of the Thiraya Pitupasa (Behind-the-Scenes) column that appears in the Sunday Lankadeepa today.) As fertiliser crisis deepens, President meets farmers’ representatives and promises relief President says no family feud, Rajapaksa brothers remain united and Basil is coming back with their blessing SJB holds [...]

Greener times ahead?

My dear Green Man, I thought I must write to you because you are in the news once again after many months, entering Parliament as the only Green MP. It must have been a surreal experience for you to take oaths as a mere MP, when you have been Prime Minister and Leader of the [...]

Inappropriate economic policies in a weak state of the economy

The country is heading towards a severe economic crisis. External finances are perilously low; foreign debt repayments are large; weak public finances severely limit the capacity of the government to take adequate measures to alleviate the escalating poverty by providing income support and prevent starvation or stimulate economic growth. These fragile financial conditions are compounded [...]

Give heed to the war cries of Sri Lanka’s farmers

As the seething fury of Sri Lanka’s farmers spills over onto village roads and sets the country ablaze with war cries of ‘give us fertilizer to farm our crops, our paddy lands and our vegetable fields,’ the best role that an utterly inept and incompetent Opposition can play is to refrain from polluting this anger [...]

Continuous mismanagement of the economy has made the country vulnerable and over dependent on questionable measures to keep the economy afloat. Large scale printing of money and currency swaps are being resorted to as a means of replenishing the empty coffers of the Treasury. With Sri Lanka’s Fitch Ratings being shown up in a negative [...]

Economy flashes red light: ‘Coming colours, no good’

People may be compelled to brace themselves for a brewing financial storm that may make landfall soon and possibly leave the country’s economy flattened in its relentless trail. On both the domestic and the international front, the rupee has come under siege with no relief in sight. In the domestic sphere, the Government took the [...]

Though I did not hear the deafening sounds of relief, there surely must have been many from different quarters back in our Resplendent Isle. Concerns began to mount as Chinese nationals in seemingly camouflaged military-type fatigues were spotted digging up the ancient Tissa Wewa in Tissamaharama not too far from the Hambantota port. It was [...]

SF reveals how prison days made strange bench fellows

An exchange took place between the Government and Opposition in Parliament on Tuesday regarding the plight of detainees held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa pointed out that many LTTE suspects arrested under PTA had been held for years without charge or had their cases still pending [...]

There is a national consensus about the importance of increasing the English competency of our youth but it is not supported by a strong commitment to achieve this goal. No longer is it necessary to argue the case for the importance of English. English is a window to the world and therefore an important skill [...]

Officials who have failed to get the axe; New faces and portfolios The dilemma of the Opposition as Ranil returns to Parliament Core group may announce tough measures ahead of UNHRC Sept. sessions A motley collection of tractors, earth movers, vans and buses carried the main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MPs last [...]

Back to old ways

Hello machan Dumi, I didn’t think I would be writing to you so soon, although I knew I would have to, sooner rather than later, knowing that Gota maama would grant you a pardon one day. Honestly, I can’t understand why all these people are expressing their shock and horror – we all knew this [...]

Hunger and starvation amidst a multiplicity of economic problems

The severest blows dealt by COVID, globally and in Sri Lanka, is the deprivation of employment and income, which has increased poverty and starvation. Resolving or even ameliorating this human tragedy in poor countries around the world is a near impossible task. It is a near impossible challenge in Sri Lanka too owing to the [...]

Ranil returns with a bang; SJB holds protest over fuel hike

When he took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Wednesday, former Prime Minister and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe finally filled the lone National List seat secured by his party at the 2020 parliamentary election. The fact that the seat had been left vacant for 10 long months is a reflection of [...]

Justice in flames and a president’s grievous paradoxes

Stirring scenes of Sri Lanka’s ancient grandeur in the backdrop of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s speech to a nation in tumult this Friday does not minimise the frightening disconnect between perception and reality that emerged from what the President thought it fit to speak (or rather, fulminated) about. Limits of presidential powers This must surely concern [...]

Euro bells toll the knell of Lanka’s GSP+ status

On June 10 the European Union Parliament overwhelmingly voted for a resolution calling its 27-member states to temporarily withdraw all the concessions coming under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). The GSP is a trade arrangement that allows developing countries to pay less or no duties on their exports to the EU. But it’s [...]

As the furore over the ban on chemical fertiliser and pesticides continues unabated with soil scientists, economists, agriculturists and experienced tea producers joining in the verbal fray, one is tempted to look back at promises made at election time by contending candidates. One is reminded of a remark made by the leading candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa [...]

Proactive professionalism the need of the hour as public unease on the rise

Foreign Ministry slow in handling Sri Lanka’s response to tough resolution in the US Congress Has the Ministry outsourced policymaking to the Pathfinder Foundation? Cardinal launches his strongest attack on the Govt; calls for course correction before further damage is done to the country Medical specialists say death toll and casualty figures are underreported in [...]

Waiting for that second opinion

My dear Sudarshini, It is not often that I write to two doctors in two weeks, but I had to write to you this week, after writing to Doctor Padeniya last week. That is because these are difficult times when medical issues have brought the country a standstill, and you are one of the many [...]

Promoting organic agriculture: Repercussions of the fertiliser ban

The Government’s decision to ban chemical fertiliser and pesticides immediately to promote a green agriculture in the island has serious repercussions on the economy and livelihoods of people. The Government should consider the economic consequences of banning chemical fertilisers immediately and adopt a phased introduction of organic agriculture on scientific principles. Economic consequences An immediate [...]

Sri Lanka was one of the earliest countries to be granted universal franchise. Since 1931 all citizens above the age of 21, (and since 1959 all those above the age of 18)have got accustomed to electing their representatives to the different arms of government at periodic elections. With the voters’ willingness to defeat incumbent governments [...]

Sri Lanka’s version of Dante’s inferno and the ruination of this land

As the stricken X-Press Pearl lays waste to Sri Lanka’s marine environment including one hundred and twenty five kilometres of prized coastline from Chilaw and Negombo to Bentota and Galle in a veritable modern replay of Dante’s Inferno, is there enough money to calculate as fair compensation? Will no one punish these wastrels? The country [...]

A raging inferno at sea and disaster clusters on land: Has all hell simultaneously broken loose in Paradise? It seems as though this once thrice blessed nation has been rendered bereft of its four guardian deities and left, naked and bare, to the mercy of incessant calamities to strike at will with wanton impudence. Such [...]

As though Sri Lanka’s Government did not have multiple problems in its hands that appear to be getting more complex by the day, there enters a ship into our territorial waters. That is not surprising, for Colombo Port accommodates many from different parts of the world, even a suddenly surfacing Chinese submarine as happened in [...]

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