The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

Fantasies and realities, facts and massive frauds

This week marks a significant milestone in the calendar of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government. Their leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, began his second year in a second term as President of Sri Lanka.

5th Column

A crown of thorns for new captain

My Dear Mahela,

I thought I must write to you when I heard that you have been appointed as captain of our cricket team — again — but then, I am not sure whether I should congratulate you or sympathise with you! You have already made your mark, having led Sri Lanka to a World Cup final and having scored over ten thousand runs in test cricket, so we understand that you have nothing to prove and that you are doing this because there appears to be no one else to take on the job.

The Economic Analysis

External shocks threaten economic growth targets

The optimistic economic scenario for 2012 and 2013 outlined by the Central Bank in its Road Map is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve owing to the emerging global economic conditions. These difficulties have been further aggravated by government economic policies that have added considerable uncertainty and impaired business confidence.

Lobby

Not issued on this week

Focus on Rights

The 'whitewash' of the LLRC's recommendations

It is quite amusing to see the government and all its men using the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC) as a barely inadequate fig leaf to cover its total lack of adherence to the substance of the Commission's recommendations.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

CBK literally told to shut up

It was like a magnet. Both the literati and some of the glitterati were at the Galle Literary Festival. One of the authors was speaking to an enthralled audience.

From the sidelines

Poaching in troubled Sri Lankan waters

While it may be true that Indo Lanka diplomatic relations are, in a broad sense, on an even keel at the present time, one issue that continues to 'rock the boat' is that of fishing activity in the waters that divide the two states.