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Home » ColumnsVehicles for a message: Political stunts on top gear
Amid government moves to provide official vehicles to parliamentarians under ‘certain conditions,’ the vehicle issue indeed has become a vehicle for MPs to send a subtle message to the government. Ramanathan Archchuna, the attention-seeking Jaffna district medical professional turned politician, was in the news once again this week when he argued with traffic police officers, [...]
The small-made man who took on political giants
My dear Victor Ivan, We were saddened to hear that you had left us for the Land of Never Return this week. Still, it is fitting to write now to someone who wrote so much for so long without fear of any consequences. If anything, this is possibly the best time to reflect on the [...]
A mud-slinging match over going clean
By Sandun Jayawardana “Clean Sri Lanka,” the much discussed flagship project of the National People’s Power (NPP) government was the subject of an intense two-day Parliamentary debate over the nature, scope and objectives of the programme. The ambitious project aims to fully transform the country based on three key pillars – social, environmental and ethical. [...]
The puzzling aspect of voter behaviour and preferences
In the context of a general election, when voters make their decision about which political party to support, the reasoning behind their choice is often relatively clear and based on substantial political issues. However, when it comes to selecting individual representatives, the reasoning behind voter preferences can sometimes be puzzling. The complexity of voter behaviour [...]
The formidable challenge of balancing relations with China and India
The government faces two formidable challenges: balancing Sri Lanka’s relations with China and India and balancing the budget for 2025. Today we discuss the formidable challenge of balancing relations with China and India, while the budget for 2025 will be discussed after its presentation next month. Balancing act The antagonistic character of the Sino-Indian relations [...]
Trump’s roadshow rocks the world with ‘drill, baby, drill’ trending hit
Unlike Lankan politicians’ election promises to build a people’s dream of a rich and beautiful life in castles in the air, dissolving into dust when elected, Trump’s election promises had already taken concrete shape and form with over a hundred executive orders waiting to be signed the moment he took his presidential oath. But before [...]
Travels of AKD: passage to India and even farther
It had to happen. It was inevitable. When the neighbourhood becomes more geopolitical and particularly geostrategic, the geographic scenario changes, and sometimes dangerously so. Though we talk of historic times and we have been long-time friends we forget the times when friends have turned enemies or at least not the all-weather friends we now claim [...]
Back from China visit, President takes governance into his own hands
AKD’s involvement in day-to-day operations prompts critics to question the efficacy of Cabinet ministers in delivering promises Criticism grows over delays in delivering campaign promises In TV interview, President gives candid answers to burning issues; progress in investigations into several high-profile cases Former President Rajapaksa’s official residence emerges as a hot political controversy, arrests expected in [...]
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