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Home » ColumnsCOPE blasts Peradeniya University staff for misusing Rs. 6,690,000 in public funds
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has expressed strong displeasure over revelations that at the Peradeniya University, nine academic and non-academic staff members, have gone on foreign training programmes in Germany and Italy at a cost of Rs. 6,690,000 in taxpayer funds, despite clear instructions not to do so. COPE noted that the staff members [...]
Khaki conundrums
My dear IGP Chandana, I thought of writing to you because you were granted a three-month extension as the top cop of the country when thousands of other public servants are forced to retire on their 60th birthday. I suppose I should say congratulations, but your extension is also a reflection of the sad state [...]
Has there been sufficient discussion on opening up the fuel industry to foreign oil companies?
The crippling economic crisis has pushed the Government to taking drastic measures to keep the economy afloat. After making an official declaration of bankruptcy the Government has had to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bail out package as an initial step to revive the ailing economy. Import controls, the imposition of high [...]
Storm in Trump’s tea cup over hushing porn star’s kiss-and-tell
The guns are out for Donald Trump in Washington as he seeks a presidential comeback, and the first shot was fired on Thursday to thwart his return. The sound resonated throughout the States, when millions heard the breaking news that a grand jury had voted to indict Trump after investigating a $130,000 pay-out to porn [...]
Seems the cure is worse than the disease
Hardly had the two-handed applause for President Wickremesinghe’s deal with the IMF for its much-awaited ‘gift’ subsided and the celebratory kiributh in some lucky people’s stomachs had already been digested, a dark cloud emerged over the horizon. That was the new Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATB) which lay beyond the horizon for a few days before the [...]
Implementing IMF reforms vital for economic stabilisation and growth is a challenging task
The success of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme depends on whether the country would follow pragmatic economic policies and prudent economic management, eliminate corruption, undertake economic reforms, and properly utilize the funds. These are difficult given the country’s political culture and social milieu. Ex-Governor Central Bank’s former Governor Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy told a webinar [...]
Sri Lanka’s perpetual ‘anti-terror’ trap
Will the booing of Ministers by disgruntled voters run the risk of being classified as an ‘act of terrorism’ under the Anti-Terrorism Bill recently gazetted by the Sri Lankan Government? Clever Presidential sidestepping and public anger Can that be construed within the Bill’s prohibition of ‘wrongfully or unlawfully compelling’ the Government ‘to do or abstain [...]
Crossover politics in the air
SJB MPs have publicly expressed satisfaction over the President’s economic recovery policy after the IMF bailout package was received Mahinda Rajapaksa says President has handled the economic crisis excellently SLPP jubilant, plans to hold largely attended May Day rally with Basil as main organiser Ranil gives priority to ethnic reconciliation, plans to set [...]
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