The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

Be it military or politics, President Percy Mahinda Rajapaksa, continues to be on a winning streak pushing his popularity to new heights. In May, this year, he saw the military defeat of the LTTE. Just three months later, his Government has begun solving the mysteries behind the guerrilla group's international operations. This is with the arrest and rendition to Colombo of Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP.

5th Column

Waiving the rules now will certainly take the cake!

My Dear IGP,

The Economic Analysis

Fiscal consolidation is vital and imperative

The government is now committed to bringing down the fiscal deficit to 7 percent of GDP this year and to only 5 percent of GDP by 2011. These are conditions on which the IMF stand-by facility has been granted to the government.

Lobby

Not issued with this week

Focus on Rights

Should we bring back the hangman?

In its most recent Communication of Views in relation to Sri Lanka (Weerawansa v Sri Lanka, CCPR/C/95/D/1406/2005, adoption of views, 17-03-2009)), the United Nations Human Rights Committee provides some interesting facets of discussion to the current public debate as to whether the death penalty should be re-implemented. Public opinion appears to be solidly ranged on the side of the 'bring back the hangman' view.

Inside the glass house

Not issued with this week