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Home » ColumnsA very fat cabinet
My dear Gota maamey, I have to write to you this week because you are back home, almost three months after the people said ‘Gota go home’ but you went overseas instead. At least now, this will reach you through our local post and I won’t have to spend big money on airmail to the [...]
Arrest of actress Damitha and debate on state of malnutrition in country see sparks fly
By Sandun Jayawardana The arrest of a prominent ‘aragalaya’ activist and a contentious debate on malnutrition among the country’s mothers and children saw sparks fly between the government and opposition benches in Parliament this week. The arrest of award-winning actress Damitha Abeyratne, who had been at the forefront of the ‘aragalaya’ (struggle), saw opposition MPs [...]
The malnutrition issue deserves the highest priority of Government
One does not have to be a nutritionist or health specialist to realise any food security issue arising from the unprecedented economic crisis faced by the country will have its impact on the nutritional levels of the country’s people. The issue of malnutrition among children will inevitably impact the country’s future as it impacts not [...]
Strengthening the executive presidency and the farce of empty promises
It is entirely fitting that, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while swearing in an obscene number of State Ministers including those who assaulted peaceful protestors at the Galle Face Green on May 9th 2022, had the profound gall to issue a directive this Friday instructing the ‘frugal’ manner in which state funds must be spent. Insanity of [...]
Foreign debt sustainability and fiscal consolidation imperative, difficult and challenging
While foreign debt sustainability is a condition for obtaining IMF assistance, the immediate reduction in the fiscal deficit and its progressive decrease are essential for economic stabilisation and economic recovery. IMF agreement Although a staff level agreement has been agreed on with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to obtain an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of [...]
End of an era as beloved Queen bids last farewell
Modern world’s longest-reigning monarch’s death prompts outpouring of grief ‘The Queen is dead’, the four words the British people had long braced themselves to hear, when it came, still came with a shock. Wave after wave of grief plunged the nation into mourning as the death of their beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, at the [...]
Will the new Govt’s appeasement policy crashland in Geneva
Tomorrow Sri Lanka’s new foreign minister Mohamed Ali Sabry faces his baptism of fire. He faces a hard-hitting update on his country’s human rights record and the more recent aggressiveness of Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidential dealings with activists demanding the ousting of the Rajapaksas and a political system change. Those who have read the relevant parts [...]
UNHRC to call for action against political leaders and officials involved in economic crimes
Names of Gotabaya, Basil, and Mahinda likely to be included in new Zero Draft resolution Blunders of the past few years and months exploding at Govt’s doorstep: Ali Sabry to seek more time to address issues Ruling SLPP alliance splits into Koththu rotty groups; they could make things bitter or hotter By Our Political [...]
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