The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

Krishna visit likely to propel devolution talks

For more reasons than one, the coming weeks remain crucial for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. With a comfortable two thirds majority in Parliament and a separatist war over, his UPFA government has still been floundering.

5th Column

They are good at doing the job other than theirs

"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera said, "I think I know why our country is in such a mess…"
"I didn't think that we are in a mess, Bindu," Bindu's father Percy said, "but why do you think so?"
"I think people are not doing the job most suitable for them…" Bindu declared.

The Economic Analysis

Widening trade deficit: Depreciation of the rupee the way out

The devaluation or even the depreciation of the rupee has been a controversial issue among academics and politicians for a long time. Economists and politicians of the left have often opposed devaluation on the grounds that it would increase the costs of living and the economic burden on the poor while not benefiting the country's trade balance appreciably.

Lobby

Not Issued with this week

Focus on Rights

Impunity in north, east, south and west

The continuing failure of Sri Lanka's institutions of justice is well demonstrated in the most recent Views of the Geneva based United Nations Human Rights Committee (UN Committee) calling upon the Sri Lankan State to effectively investigate and prosecute the murderers of a small time businessman in Negombo after he, his wife and their two children had been repeatedly intimidated and threatened by police officers whom they had angered.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Karu at Temple Trees but not upstairs with MR

The United National Party (UNP)'s one time deputy leader, Karu Jayasuriya, was at 'Temple Trees' on Friday. As was expected, phones of UNPers began ringing with queries whether he was returning to the government fold again. Jayasuriya served a stint as Minister of Public Administration in the Rajapaksa regime.

From the sidelines

Sri Lanka takes a beating in South Africa -- not just in cricket

In the past week Sri Lanka's political leaders have been in travel mode, with External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris touring parts of Africa, while a TNA delegation has just returned from South Africa, where four parliamentarians attended the African National Congress (ANC) centenary celebrations.