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Home » ColumnsCabraal’s logic: Better a recovery plan criticised than no plan at all
Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal had to field some tough questions on Friday after the Monetary Board’s policy review meeting. In a surprise move, the Monetary Board decided to raise rates and suggest a fuel price hike to manage the ongoing economic crisis. As Governor Cabraal is adamant not to go to the International [...]
Blood is thicker than water
My dear Wimal and Udaya, I thought I should write to you when I heard that you had suddenly been stripped of your Cabinet portfolios by Gota maama. I know most people have more important issues to think of – such as finding petrol or surviving without electricity – but your dismissal is also worth [...]
National Government for one year–a possible way out
Last week saw another crisis add to the long list of crises faced by the country currently. This was as a result of the political convulsion caused by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sacking Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila. The cracks in the Government which have been simmering for sometime finally erupted last week, with 11 [...]
Good riddance of bad rubbish
Finally on Thursday evening, the President reached the end of his long tether and sacked the two main sprites of the unholy trinity existing in his cabinet, sparing only the ghost. The presidential act would have only been surprising if it had not been taken. It was long overdue. For far too long Industries Minister [...]
Putin putting pressure might save Lanka’s face
Some of our politicians appear to have a penchant for autocratic rulers. Others are more likely to label these foreign rulers with local admirers ‘dictators’ and perhaps rightly so. What’s in a name after all, as the Bard said. Never mind if they are leftists, rightists, centrists, or of some other unconscionable type such as [...]
The Russian invasion of Ukraine worsening our economic plight
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict will have severe repercussions on the fragile external finances of the country. Our Import expenditure will increase, tea export earnings could decline, export manufacturers could face shortages of raw materials and the expected revival in tourism this year is unlikely. Trade deficit Consequently, the trade deficit would widen and the balance of [...]
The cardinal and the high commissioner, come hell or high water?
The powerfully symbolic image of the head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican and soon thereafter, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Geneva this week conveys an unmistakable warning to the Rajapaksa Presidency. A Government besieged on all sides This was not [...]
Sacking of two ministers exposes division in ruling coalition
Premier Rajapaksa tried to persuade brothers Gotabaya and Basil to reverse their decision, but failed to convince them UNHRC to continue Lankan issues tomorrow; Cardinal well received for meeting with UN Human Rights Chief Basil’s cancelled India visit: New Delhi says it cannot crisis manage Lanka’s economic problem without a proper road map President Gotabaya [...]
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