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Home » ColumnsWill we fall for this trick yet again?
My dear Natasha, I thought of writing to you, as you languish behind bars, because almost the entire country is talking about you, and you are on the front page of every newspaper and on every television and radio channel, not to mention social media. You have even upstaged ‘Raththaran’ Raheem! To think all this [...]
Fore’s Tuk Tuk wins food Oscar, but someone’s got bad taste
Just weeks after a Sri Lankan-origin baker won the most revered baguette competition in France, another Sri Lankan-origin Chef Sam Fore became a popular name in culinary circles this week after she was announced as one of the finalists in the James Beard awards, often considered as the so-called “Oscars of the food world” — [...]
Electronic media must follow example of print media
The Government’s intention to set up a Broadcasting Authority has raised concerns among not only stakeholders in the media but also human rights activists as well as political parties. Media freedom is an integral part of the freedom of expression and therefore a key component of a democratic society. It is also closely linked with [...]
Rebel SLPP MPs issue ultimatum: ‘Make us ministers or we decamp’
Looming rift in ruling party threatens Govt’s slim majority in Parliament Diehard SLPP MPs who had once enjoyed the pomp of ministerial power are beginning to feel the heat. The strain, the stress, bereft of office and exiled to a political wasteland, has reached alarming levels, and now threatens to burst in oozing putrefying pus, [...]
A joke is a serious thing—or so we hear
Now that was a shocking thing to say, even if it came from the mouth of a government MP. Just the other day I read an MP of the Pohottuwa party claim there are some idiots in the cabinet. So what. Even idiots have a constitutional right to sit in the cabinet and vote with [...]
Political confusion: A setback to economic stabilisation and reforms
The expectation of a presidential election next year has created considerable confusion and uncertain-ty in the country. This is not conducive to the country’s economic stabilisation and reforms and conti-nuity of economic policies that have been recently introduced and envisaged. Whatever the outcome of the election, the confusion and uncertainty have been a serious setback [...]
Sri Lanka’s broadcasters to face the sword of Damocles?
The unsightly and itchy rash of ‘bad laws’ being proposed by the Sri Lankan Government seems to be never-ending. The Government’s unconvincing explanations Hot on the heels of the appallingly crafted Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Anti-Corruption Bill comes a proposal to establish a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission replete with major contradictions. A fundamental flaw goes to [...]
Major move to strengthen military and role of CDS
President’s concept paper gets Cabinet nod; Legal Draftsman to work out draftlegislation in consultation with AG Amendment to the CDS Act envisages the establishment of a combined force using industry technology for warfare After CDS Shavendra Silva’s letter of demand, Weerawansa vows to reveal more; makes new nexus with anti-US countries By Our Political Editor [...]
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