Columns
Home » ColumnsAll that glitters is not gold; controversy over statues gifted to Dalada Maligawa
Did the Thai donors with connections to the Thai government take the authorities for a ride when gifting Buddha statues to the Sri Dalada Maligawa? The hue and cry in 2018 at the loss of “gold Buddha statues” has become a whimper according to a report from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. Twenty-five gold [...]
Unplugging PUCSL chief: Govt. accuses him of playing power politics
By Sandun Jayawardana Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake, seen as a thorn in the side of the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government, was removed by a comfortable majority of 46 votes on Wednesday after a fractious day-long debate. The 123-to-77 vote saw pro-Government Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs voting in favour [...]
The golden catch
My dear Ali Sabri Raheem, I thought of writing to you, although I must confess that I didn’t know who you were till just the other day. I suppose, being a politician, being known nationally and having your photo shown on every television channel and newspaper is something you wouldn’t mind, even if it is [...]
Repairing dent in Sri Lanka-Japan relations caused by cancellation of LRT Project
During his visit to Japan last week, President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, expressed his regret to the Japanese Government for the suspension of the Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) project which was to be implemented with Japanese Government support. The LRT project was initiated by the Yahapalana Government [...]
Uncertainty in the country’s exchange rate likely to continue
The exchange rate took a huge plunge recently, then steadied to some extent and continues to fluctuate within a narrow range. What lies ahead with respect to the exchange rate is quite uncertain. An optimistic view The exchange rate appreciation is the big news, and in a main scenario, while there might be some deprecation [...]
‘75m gold’ MP Raheem’s tit for tat revenge vote to spite Government
Sabri wages retaliatory strike against Ranil for not coming to his rescue Puttalam MP Sabri Raheem who was arrested by Customs officials on Tuesday for attempting to smuggle 3.5 kilos of gold bars, was back in Parliament on Wednesday to nonchalantly attend to the business of the House as if nothing untoward had happened to [...]
Political help let forged passport holder into country
They call Sri Lanka “a country like no other” not without cause. But it is not for the reasons that tourism blurb writers first created it. Recent events in this unique country have fortified the sobriquet first used to attract tourists from wherever. Now they come in their hordes to personally verify that there is [...]
VIP smuggler MP travelled to Dubai six times since March this year
Customs find date-stamps in Puttalam MP Ali Sabri’s Passport, and he confirms it in his statement They also seize receipts from gold shops in Dubai for purchases made by him Sabri’s ‘assistant’ who smuggled 19 smartphones on the same occasion fined Rs 100.000 Customs ponder whether he is a courier for a wealthy smuggling ring [...]
Read More