The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

The tempo built up by an extravagant Indian International Film Academy awards (IIFA) in Colombo this week, no doubt lent an air of goodwill. Yet, it had little or no impact in India with most of the frontline film artistes keeping away from Colombo. Perhaps due to the unofficial nature of the event, even officials in the Indian High Commission in Colombo were conspicuous by their absence.

5th Column

We too have all the makings of stars!

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “what is all this fuss about the Indians?”
“What fuss is that?” Bindu’s father Percy wanted to know.
“Why, thaaththa, everyone is talking about this Indian film festival and all the film stars who have come here for that…” Bindu explained.

The Economic Analysis

Import duties slashed despite increasing trade deficit

It is surprising that in a situation when the country is incurring a large trade deficit that the government has decided to reduce the import duties on motor vehicles on the grounds that such vehicles are needed for increasing tourist arrivals. Duties have also been reduced on a number of electronic items, wristwatches and other similar consumer items.

Lobby

Not Issued with this week

Focus on Rights

Turning the searchlight inwards

To a critical observer, the most visible difference between Nepal and Sri Lanka concerns the nature of political debate in this erstwhile Himalayan kingdom. Despite the tumultuous nature of the political process in Nepal with the latest crisis being averted by the Constituent Assembly being given a further one year extension at the proverbial eleventh hour on May 28, 2010, the public sphere is dominated by vibrant and open debate.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Only the suite, not the star

A deputy minister was highly enamoured by his film idol, Shahruk Khan. He made plans weeks ahead to check into a five-star hotel where the star was expected to check in for the International Indian Film Academy Awards. However, SRK did not turn up.