The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

"Be careful about whatever you say," he declared in his first encounter with the MPs after the April 8 parliamentary elections. In a speech to them ahead of a buffet lunch, Rajapaksa spoke plainly, when he demanded their undivided loyalty. To underscore the seriousness, he said, he had planned to play a tape recording. However, he was asked not to do so.

5th Column

‘Keep smiling’—it’s all that’s needed

My dear Di Mu,

I thought I must write to you to congratulate you on your new appointment as the second-in-command. I know you think it is a long overdue appointment but then, as they say, it is better late than never!

The Economic Analysis

An opportunity for long-term economic growth

With a new cabinet sworn in, a stable government in power and war and terrorism ended, the government has the opportunity to put the country on a high trajectory of economic growth. However these favourable conditions alone would not suffice to achieve self sustaining high levels of growth. They must be complemented and supplemented by many other prerequisites for economic development.

Lobby

Lots of smiles, some frowns as parliament kicks off

One could say the inaugural session of the seventh Parliament of Sri Lanka kicked off on a positive note given the smooth manner in which the proceedings of the House were conducted on Thursday, This was in sharp contrast to the dramatic scenes that took place in the Legislature exactly six years ago, when an Opposition candidate was appointed the Speaker of the House.

Focus on Rights

Performing exactly as the president pleases

The composition of Sri Lanka's current Cabinet of Ministers certainly carries the unmistakable message that appropriate rewards have been handed out to those political supplicants who performed exactly as the President pleased, regardless of whether those actions may have been beneficial in the long run to Sri Lanka or not.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Mervyn makes news

As he walked towards the President, hands clasped in greeting, he paused for a while. Then he loosened his cuffs, pulled the sleeves of his shirt up and showed his wrist. He whispered a few words. He showed an abrasion on his wrist, once used to place a saline drip and said he had worked tirelessly for the party. Then he placed his signature before he received his letter of appointment.