The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

LLRC calls for Rule of Law, not rule of men

More talks on the final report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) began last week just after President Mahinda Rajapaksa, returned from attending the Asia Pacific Democracy Forum in Bali, Indonesia

5th Column

Howzaat for the sport that binds

My Dear Chamal,
I thought I must write to you when I heard that you had organised a cricket match for our politicians, to be played between ministers and MPs for a trophy named in your honour. And we all saw the match on television. I must say it provided us with some real entertainment indeed!

The Economic Analysis

Balance-of-payments crisis looms despite export growth

The balance-of-payments anxieties are escalating rather than declining. The external trade statistics for September 2011 confirms that the massive trade deficit is continuing to strain the balance of payments. In the first nine months of 2011, the trade deficit swelled to US $ 6,865 million and is likely to reach around US$ 9,000 million for the year. This large trade deficit has been incurred despite earnings from exports increasing by 27.7 per cent to US $7,820 million by the end of September.

Lobby

Govt.’s call for responsible media culture falls on deaf ears

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella spoke some home truths in Parliament last week during the committee stage debate of his Ministry. He said the Opposition should support Government moves to build a responsible media culture in the country from what exists at present, because the day the Opposition comes to power, it would also serve them well.

Focus on Rights

Weighing the LLRC report in the scales of justice

Stripped of all ambiguities, the moral question regarding state accountability for civilian casualties during the last stages of the war between government troops and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was whether the government deliberately pressed ahead with its military offensive despite knowing full well the terrible toll that it would take.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Carrots like carat: Johnnie eats humble vegetable pie

Residents in main cities, including Colombo, were without vegetables - the result of a work stoppage by distributors countrywide. Such shortages normally occur only once a year, during National New Year when shops close and life comes to a standstill.

From the Sidelines

Happy (recycled) Christmas!

Mrs. Anumaana has been feeling the pinch of the skyrocketing cost of living this festive season. She's bemoaning the fact that she may not be able to afford gifts for all the friends and relatives on her list this year. What would people think?