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My dear Dayasiri, I had to write to you this week when I heard the news that you had been sacked as secretary of the Blue party by Aiyo Sirisena. It takes a lot to dislodge a vote of no confidence against a minister and the controversial Channel 4 documentary from the headlines but you [...]
All’s well that ends well for Keheliya and Govt. but not for the health sector
By Sandun Jayawardana After being on the order book of Parliament for more than a month, the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was finally debated and ultimately defeated in Parliament by a majority of 40 votes. When the vote was finally taken at about 5.30 p.m. on Friday after a fiery three-day [...]
Channel 4 documentary and lessons not learned
Unsurprisingly, the recent production by the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 about the Easter Sunday terror attacks of April 2019, has ignited a fierce debate among the people, stirring up controversy. While those accused by the whistleblowers have vehemently denied the allegations, they have nevertheless piqued the curiosity of the general populace, sparking intense discussions. Critics [...]
Grow more, export more: An agri strategy to improve Lanka’s external finances
It is vitally important that merchandise exports be substantially increased to improve the country’s external finances. The current improvement in the external finances has been entirely due to increased remittances from abroad, earnings from tourism and foreign financial assistance. Foreign reserves that were US$ 3.7 billion at the end of June this year are projected [...]
On ‘grand conspiracies’ and political games
The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner’s annual report on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, prepared for the forthcoming 54th session of the Human Rights Council (11th September – 6th October 2023) has an interesting titbit tucked away in its pages. Sri Lanka’s ‘commitment’ to justice This is contained in the report’s most [...]
‘Grand plot to gain power’
Cardinal reiterates demand for independent international commission to conduct full probe into Easter bomb blasts The graves mark the names of the innocents who were killed in the Easter Sunday bomb blasts in 2019 but they do not reflect the still continuing trauma and anguish of the loved ones they left behind. Nor do the graves [...]
Battles begin over Sri Lanka’s Easter killing fields
What confusion. The government’s left hand goes one way and its right hand another way. It seems that two ministers who were at the same Cabinet meeting have completely contradictory views on what was said there on a vital issue that would resurrect the tragic story of the Easter Sunday carnage four years ago. Labour [...]
Channel 4 exposé: President to order probe by retired SC judge
Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry also possible, but no international investigation Minor Cabinet reshuffle with removal of Rambukwella SLFP in crisis after party leader Sirisena suspends General Secretary Jayasekera Ranil to visit Cuba and address UN General Assembly; major changes likely on his return By Our Political Editor President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appoint a retired [...]
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