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Home » ColumnsIndia says credit lines to overcome crisis not an endorsement of the current regime
As India extended its credit lines to assist Sri Lanka during the ongoing economic crisis, it has also actively pursuing development projects to secure geopolitical and bilateral interests in its backyard. In recent weeks, the neighbouring country has also been careful to assert that the extension of it credit lines should not be perceived by [...]
Slapstick comedy in Parliament while citizens suffer
My dear Dishonourable Deputy Speaker Ranjith, I feel sad and ashamed that I have to write to you in this manner. However, I also feel that I must, after watching the totally unnecessary drama that was played out in Parliament on Thursday. So, instead of saying ‘congratulations’ to you, I would say ‘commiserations’ to the [...]
Government’s bad faith with political games further delays hopes of resolution of crisis
Writers and political analysts have repeated ad nauseum that what the country is facing is a crisis of a magnitude not witnessed in living memory. To the thousands of helpless citizens there is no need of any analysis to confirm the reality they experience everyday when they stand in never ending queues to purchase gas, [...]
Beggared Lanka bared raw
FRIDAY’S HARTAL PROTEST AGAINST RULERSBRINGS NATION TO A STANDSTILL After tear gas attacks, will bullets now wring the tears? This is the sad stark shocking state of the nation this Sunday morn, beggared beyond belief with only the fig leaf of her lion flag left to hide her nakedness. The President confined to his office [...]
How the mighty are crumbling
That was meant to be a candid statement. At least that is what Finance Minister Mohamed Ali Sabry perhaps thought it was and hoped that most of those who are now at the collective jugular of the president, prime minister and the pohottuwa -not to mention corporate acolytes of the lotus leaders-would see it at [...]
Political undercurrents supersede contest for deputy speaker post; opposition unity in shambles
Any thoughts that a stronger and more united Opposition would emerge in Parliament on the back of month-long street protests against the Government were swept aside on Thursday during the election for the post of Deputy Speaker. By the end of the vote, different Opposition groups were accusing each other of “betrayal” as the Government [...]
The hard road to economic recovery, stability and growth
The resolution of the widespread protests, political and constitutional issues and ensuring law and order are essential for the country’s economic stability and economic recovery. The expeditious resolution of the political crises is vital for solving the country’s severe economic problems. The salient issue is whether there would be political stability and conditions to resolve [...]
Sri Lanka’s ‘bunker government’ and a parliament under siege
Bright smiles of determined young Sri Lankans contrast starkly with the tear gas and water cannons used by the police this Friday to smash tents and scatter protestors outside the newly established ‘HoruGoGama’ (‘thieves, get out’) on the road to Parliament. On the one side, there is youth, optimism and hope. On the other side, [...]
Protests to intensify in the coming days despite state of emergency
Fears of continuous wave of hartals; any government move to use brute force could be highly damaging President’s supporters believe they have numbers in parliament to pass emergency; others say they misread the vote on the deputy speaker’s post Prime Minister’s resignation on Monday? President may ask Premadasa to form the next government; but SJB [...]
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