Columns

Political Column

A paradox in Sri Lanka's politics in the recent years has been the anger the public vent against the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration for its sheer incompetence, with the arguable exception of the military offensive against the LTTE. When their fury reaches a crescendo, ironic enough, they transform into greater anger against the main opposition UNP.

5th Column

Making believe! Oh, I need you and you need me!

My Dear Karu,

I thought I must write to you, what with all this fuss about you rejoining the Greens and being appointed deputy leader once again-and everyone beaming for the cameras as if nothing had happened over the past two years.

Situation Report

Troops capture land, but face growing resistance

For Imelda Sukumar, Government Agent of the besieged district of Mullaitivu, her office has become both a work place and home. She believed the District Secretariat (Kachcheri) located alongside the hospital, in the heart of this strategic northeastern coastal town, is a safe location. Troops advancing to regain control of Mullaitivu, the military nerve centre of Tiger guerrillas, would not target her office building since the hospital lay next door. In fact, the relative calm in areas in and around her office in the past many weeks had only bolstered her confidence.

Thoughts from London

Tamil Nadu undermines Indian policy

Widespread speculation has followed the announcement that Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee would visit Sri Lanka shortly as a result of Tamil Nadu pressure on the central government to take decisive action against Sri Lanka.

The Economic Analysis

The growing economic predicament

At last there is some recognition that the country is facing a serious economic crisis. Rubber growers and tea smallholders are on the streets protesting their loss of livelihoods. Garment factories are closing down or downsizing. Industrialists are saying their industries are no longer viable and competitive in international markets that are themselves depressed.

Lobby

With budget battle also won, govt. rides high on battlefield victories

Parliament sittings wound up for the year last week with the government securing a comfortable victory in the final round of voting on the Appropriation Bill by a majority of 42 votes, with 126 votes in favour and 84 against.

Focus on Rights

"I am less than a magistrate"

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's rather petulant cry this week that 'I am less than a Magistrate' is important for the implications that it carries for the judicial service. Apart from (unconsciously perhaps) belittling the crucial role that magistrates play in the legal system, this lament is underscored by the sense of grievance that the political executive is clearly labouring under in the wake of the recent 'Public Trust' decisions of the Supreme Court.

Inside the glass house

Not Issued on this week