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Home » ColumnsA convenient illness
My dear Dumi, I thought of writing to you this week because you are all over the news these days. One day, you were the head of a government institution. The very next day, you are again a convicted criminal. The wheels of justice turn in mysterious ways in this land like no other, as [...]
Beggars cannot be choosers but political parties can choose the beggars
The old adage goes ‘beggars cannot be choosers’ but when it comes to Sri Lankan politicians, even the goods in the begging bowl cannot be distributed without making sure there is a political advantage to them or to the party to which they belong to. This petty state of the country’s political class as the [...]
The frightening prospect of food insecurity and starvation
The country faces a severe problem of food insecurity both at the national level and household level owing to a fall in food production and the inability to import the deficit. In addition, domestic food production is curtailed by a lack of agricultural inputs that have to be imported. New focus Amidst the serious shortages [...]
No ‘Saviours’ for Sri Lanka, this fiftieth year of the republic
The Sri Lankan political establishment’s ‘dirty tricks’ department seems to be in full swing as the nation is presented with a dizzying array of constitutional amendments, variously titled ’21st Amendment’, ‘21A’, ’21B’, ‘22A’ and so forth. Constitutional Babel, ‘a confusion of tongues’ It says much for the combined idiocy underlying this process of ‘constitutional reform,’ [...]
21A: National interest must prevail over individual benefit
The country’s struggle to stay afloat in the middle of the economic crisis that it faces is further compounded by the inability of the political parties in Parliament to reach agreement expeditiously with regard to the initial steps that have to be taken to ensure political stability. Justice Minister Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has presented the 21st [...]
Hope’s Messiah or Doom’s Prophet
The Ranil Wickremesinghe-led President Gotabaya Rajapaksa‘s Government has been very generous when it comes to doling out the naked truth, sparing no pains to tell the public how bad the economy is and how worse it will get in the months ahead. Right from the start, the new Prime Minister has gloated on giving the [...]
That, my citizens, was most painful decision I’ve made
Seeing young students sitting their “O” level examination recently holding umbrellas over their heads to prevent the rain soaking them and their answer scripts, is certainly the most poignant and heartrending scene I have seen in a long, long time. That such young kids — boys and girls — could be subject to such indignities [...]
Basil supporters in backdoor moves to scuttle 21A
Ex-ministers say President should hold portfolios and need only to seek PM’s advice President warns PM to be careful of yahapalana-era dealmakers Major questions on whether amendment could be passed in Parliament with the two-thirds majority SJB and JVP want executive presidency abolished, while PM is inclined to compromise There was a difference when the [...]
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