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Home » ColumnsMFA not contacted over Lankans to be deported
Even though there are more than 3,000 Sri Lankans awaiting deportation by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has not yet been contacted regarding any deportations. However, more than 100 Indian citizens were deported from the United States on Tuesday in a military aircraft under President Donald Trump’s [...]
Remembered at elections, then forgotten
My dear Lasantha, It is rarely that we write to our own tribe. Having written to the departed Victor only a fortnight ago, it is even rarer to do so again within such a short time. However, I feel I must because you are now making headlines in Paradise though it has been 16 years [...]
Aragalaya compensations for MPs, perks and privileges heat up the House
By Sandun Jayawardana It was no secret that MPs from the former government who had their houses and property destroyed or damaged in the unrest that erupted during the ‘Aragalaya’ period in 2022 were compensated by the State. Yet until Chief Government Whip and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa rose in Parliament on Thursday, the country had [...]
Judicial, not political, review of AG’s decision in Lasantha’s case can strengthen public trust in the administration of justice
The process of criminal investigations, especially in cases with political overtones, often encounters numerous obstacles that hinder timely resolution. This is evident in the investigations into the assassination of Lasantha Wickremetunge as well as the Easter Sunday attacks. Despite the passing of so many years, both cases remain unresolved due to political interference, lack of [...]
Commemoration of independence in a frugal, united and cultural manner
Last Tuesday’s commemoration of the 77th anniversary of gaining independence was low-key, less costly, more participatory, and had a cultural orientation. It did not have the parade of military hardware and air display. The celebration was less costly, more participatory and cultural. The celebration was not confined to Independence Square or Colombo; it was nationwide [...]
The ‘Lasantha case’; a government caught in the glare of hostile headlights
What is most remarkable about the directive by the Attorney General to discharge three key suspects relating to the magisterial inquiry on the 2009 assassination of Sunday Leader editor, Lasantha Wickrematunge, easily one of Sri Lanka’s most emblematic cases of political impunity at the highest levels of political and military command, is the (apparently) stunned [...]
Did the 76 year curse end this Independence Day?
The NPP government had come to power mainly on the slogan to finally end the 76-year curse that began, as they said, the day the Union Jack was unfurled and, in its stead, the Lion flag hoisted to freely flutter over the independent isle of Ceylon. It marked the end of an insufferable 133-year era [...]
Trumpeting like a threatening bull elephant worries the world
Those who have read about the American ‘Wild West’ would recall that much of the violence that spread across the land then was over land and gambling. John Henry, better known as “Doc” Holliday, was not a fictional figure but a true Old West gambler and gunfighter and a great ally of lawman Wyatt Earp. [...]
FCID papers reveal widespread multi-layer deception in MiG-27 deal
Documents confirm that neither Ukrinmarsh, the manufacturer, nor its state-owned parent company has signed contract with any Sri Lankan entity for purchase of any type of aircraft Brokered by Udayanga Weeratunga, the deal was signed, among others, by an alleged Ukrainian fraudster as ‘service provider’ and an unauthorised ‘designated party’ of front company Bellimissa No [...]
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