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Home » ColumnsThe online safety bill indicates a government ‘frightened out of its skin’
Four months ago, President Ranil Wickremesinghe was quick to retort to his detractors, (friendly or otherwise), who were outraged by the Broadcasting Regulatory Commission Bill that he is a media ‘defender’ and, as such, had abolished criminal defamation laws in Sri Lanka. Presidential assurances and UK precedents Apparently stung by strident public criticism of badly [...]
Election assignment after assignment for Lankan envoy in Kenya; will we need him here
In Kenya, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner V. Kananathan is setting records by getting invited to be an independent observer of election after election on the African continent. This time, Liberia’s National Elections Commission has asked him to be part of an observer team for its October 10 elections for a President, Vice President, almost a [...]
Not very diplomatic
My dear Ali Sabry, I didn’t think I would have to write to you so soon after writing to your namesake from Puttlam who was found to have been involved in some hanky-panky, smuggling several gold bars while returning from overseas. Somehow, it seems as if overseas travel is not healthy for all Ali Sabrys! [...]
Economy expected to perform better in last quarter
The economy is expected to recover in this year’s last quarter, which begins today. The improvement in foreign reserves, liberalisation of imports, lower inflation, and reduction in interest rates are expected to revive the economy in the last quarter. It is expected to perform better than the previous three quarters owing to these favourable factors. [...]
Addressing the brain drain critical to nation building efforts
The grave economic mismanagement of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Presidency resulted in the declaration of bankruptcy by the government. The consequence of such misgovernance has impacted every citizen in the country in some way or another, making day-to-day life increasingly difficult for the large majority of the citizenry. The knock-on effect it has had on different [...]
Lanka’s great ‘Carry on Corruption’
Long-running, record-breaking tragi-com smashes the box office Rife is not the word to describe the state of corruption in Lanka. Like a fish stinks from head to tail, it has seeped into every nook and cranny, smelled from each and every human pore. Though once it was thought to have been marooned on Diyawanna’s isle, [...]
Ali Sabry, Podi Sabry and what a diplomess!
Amidst all this verbal ‘adi pudi’ over Channel 4 and how those chaps in the rather disunited kingdom had some antipathy for the Rajapaksas—or so says Namal—it came to light that within a couple of days of the Easter Sunday attack, brother Gotabaya announced his candidature for the upcoming presidential election. The saviour has come, [...]
Basil offers support to President on condition he disowns Lanza’s alliance
Masterstroke by SLPP strategist for presidential election; but Lanza goes ahead with his campaign of winning SLPP MPs Confusion and controversy over resignation of Mullaitivu judge; contradictory statements issued by parties involved Probe committee wants Channel 4 to testify before it; seeks affidavit with proof from whistleblower Mowlana New Police Chief to be appointed soon, [...]
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