The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

Hyde Park rally draws prompt Govt. retaliation

The reaction of the United People's Freedom Alliance was spontaneous. Just two days after the main Opposition United National Party (UNP) spearheaded a rally at Colombo's Hyde Park to demand the release from jail of former General Sarath Fonseka, there was one by trade unions backing the government.

5th Column

The issue is not one tie but the many knots

My Dear Green Man,

I thought of writing to you soon after writing to Mahinda maama last week because, no matter what criticism is made against you, no one can blame you for not being in the news, as you so cleverly demonstrated this week.

The Economic Analysis

Confusion and controversy over exchange rate

There have been considerable confusion and controversy over the exchange rate since the budget devalued the rupee on November 21. Admittedly, it is not an easy issue to understand. Sometimes even economists get the mechanics of exchange rate adjustments wrong. There are complexities that are not easily comprehended.

Lobby

Ranil ‘with a cause’ rebels against a gag ruling

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe seems almost like a rebel without a cause. Which is probably why he is keen now to take up the ‘cause’ of jailed former Army Commander and Opposition common candidate at the last presidential election, Sarath Fonseka, both inside and outside Parliament, and that too, in rather dramatic fashion.

Focus on Rights

A question of systemic abuse rather than a few excesses

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse's keynote address at the inaugural "National Conference on Reconciliation - the way forward for post conflict Sri Lanka" held at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Studies late last month, is a provocative indication of Sri Lanka's apparent change of heart in regard to the accountability question.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Quips and courtable quotes at Voetlights

Last night the black gowned ladies and gentlemen of the legal fraternity had their yearend fellowship at the Cinnamon Grand. It is one event where the epicurean delights are enjoyed to one's heart's content in a convivial atmosphere.

From the Sidelines

Not issued with this week