The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

He told cabinet ministers last Wednesday night he was most impressed with the work carried out in the north. He said those responsible deserved credit for this remarkable progress. Though he did not mention names, it became clear he was commenting on a multitude of projects under Uthuru Vasanthaya (Northern Resurgence). Spearheading the programme is Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

5th Column

Oh dear, apologies are so dear!

“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera said, “what is this fuss about apologizing all over again?”
“I think it is because one former Tiger wants another former Tiger to apologize...” Bindu’s father Percy explained.

The Economic Analysis

The economy and the stock market performance

There is a tendency to think that the performance of the stock market is an indicator of the country’s economic performance. Most people, including foreign observers, draw a connection between the economy and the stock market and the stock market and the economy. It can hardly be denied that there is an association between the two.

Lobby

Some are more equal than others!

Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratna has utopian ideals of how the judiciary works in this country. He told Parliament on Wednesday that “everyone is equal before the law” as the Constitution states, and hence people should place their faith in the system, and not take to the streets to challenge a court ruling with which they disagree.

Focus on Rights

Sweet logic and commissions of inquiry

The sweetly logical and more than faintly aggrieved protestations that we hear from government spokespersons, including in particular, the Minister of External Affairs, implore us to give Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission the benefit of the doubt rather than prejudge it unfairly.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Twists and turns in Deputy Minister's incident

Last week's reference in these columns about Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Dissanayake has had its sequel. His spokesperson Harsha Hiyarapitiya claims, "A simple incident has been sensationalized by using words such as "outburst" and "top gear" which are having tarnishing effects on his good image"."The actual facts relating to the incident are very clear.

From the Sidelines

GL takes on the world

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris has been engaging with a variety of foreign dignitaries, media organizations and audiences overseas these days. Given the negative attitude that prevails in many parts of the western world with regard to the post-war situation in Sri Lanka, and the dismal performances of some of the country’s diplomatic personnel in the past, he has not done too badly.