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Home » ColumnsStaying clear of any camp has paid dividends, FM tells House
By Sandun Jayawardana Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, based on the principle of “Friendship to all and enmity to none,” has brought results as it charts a path towards economic recovery, Parliament was told on Thursday. Speaking during the debate on the head of expenditure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said [...]
Horrendous list of errors in draft of Electricity Bill
The Sri Lanka Electricity Bill, which was gazetted on Friday, was plagued with errors, it was pointed out in Parliament. Opposition MPs, who claimed the publication of the Bill, with the courts due to go on vacation on December 15, had been timed to limit the period citizens had to legally challenge it. They also [...]
An acting role
My dear Deshabandu, I am writing to congratulate you on your appointment as our Acting top cop after months and months of suspense and uncertainty. You may feel that it is only an ‘Acting’ appointment for three months, but acting is nothing new to you. Some say all that you did for the past few [...]
The ‘Winter of our Discontent’ Amidst The Shedding of the Nation’s Tears
Parliamentarians draping shawls supposedly in sympathy for the plight of the people of Gaza while deaf, dumb and blind to the fate of their own constituents and exchanging tiringly customary allegations across the floor of the House as to who is ‘more corrupt’ and ‘who is more communalist’ underlines the growing irrelevance of Sri Lanka’s [...]
Political and economic uncertainties and global crises overshadow economic prospects
Political uncertainties, unfavourable economic conditions and the global recession are serious downside economic risks. The performance of the economy is being overshadowed by unfavourable global economic developments that could severely undermine the country’s export income, import capacity, tourist earnings and inward remittances. Dependence Sri Lanka’s import-export, remittance, and tourist-dependent economy could be adversely affected by [...]
Easter Sunday Attacks: Mystery deepens, no action taken against Namal Kumara
Many questions yet remain unanswered with regard to the Easter Sunday attacks of April 2019. While the dependents of those who were killed in the dastardly attacks await answers to such questions, there is no indication whatsoever that the gaps in the investigations revealed so far are being pursued. Additionally the growing distrust among the [...]
The return of the glorified pastor
How miracle maker’s miracle came unstuck 48 hours after his belated advent to face the legal choir in court Pastor turned self-proclaimed prophet Jerome who claims his miracles can move men and mountains, moved Appeal Court President Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Chamath Morais three weeks ago to grant his writ application prayer and issue [...]
Buffoons, bluffers and a lot of hot air
Gone are the days of the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Navarangahala and Tower Hall. Welcome Diyawanna Oya Maduwa. Comedy and tragedy as theatre has shifted to what seems more like a singularly appropriate place with each passing day. Now we have the theatre of the absurd located conveniently by the water’s edge where our tethered citizens [...]
Constitutional Council: The crisis continues
Justice Minister submits new set of rules in three-page document; after Speaker withdraws 58-page set of rules AG says even Justice Minister’s proposals contravene Constitution SLPP dissidents in talks with SJB for political tie-up New Bill to restructure power sector; private entities to play important roles in all activities now carried out by CEB By Our Political [...]
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