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Home » ColumnsPolls humour: From golden darling to the grave
The polls campaign for yesterday’s Provincial Council elections was not without a sense of humour. In one instance in the Puttalam District, a candidate had almost fallen in love with his voters. In an SMS message he sent, he called them “Raththarang” or Darling. This is what he said: “Raththaran, mama godak lengathuwa oyage dukedi [...]
Polls over: Govt. borrows billions more; key world issues next week
President gets Cabinet approval for more sovereign bonds, but analysts say it is to bridge Budget deficit President addresses UNGA on Tuesday; Pillay’s report to UNHRC on Wednesday President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in an unusually buoyant mood last Thursday when he chaired the weekly cabinet meeting late afternoon at the President’s House in Kandy. At [...]
Playing smart on all teams
My Dear KP, I am writing to you because I believe you must be the luckiest man alive and I would like to know the secret of your success. Why, just the other day, I saw a picture of you walking with Kings-rubbing shoulders with Mahinda maama, no less, while he was touring the North [...]
A toxic brew of election fury promising disunity
As Saturday the 21st of September 2013 draws to a close, marking the first provincial council election held in Sri Lanka’s Northern region for decades, there is a certain terrible inevitability as to where the metaphorical (so far) lines of battle are drawn between this Government and its most determined detractors. Driven to their backs [...]
Will TNA’s election mandate promote Northern Tamils’, or Diaspora’s agenda?
It is with a sense of disillusionment that many in the South will observe the final stages of the first ever Northern Provincial Council election process as the results start coming in today. Moderates and progressive minded sections in civil society, as well as those in government ranks such as the Left Alliance, had thrown [...]
Foreign direct investment essential for growth
The importance of foreign investment for the country’s economic development can hardly be over emphasised. This is particularly so as domestic savings are low. Foreign direct investments (FDI) are especially important as they have multiplier benefits for economic development. Higher amounts of FDI in manufacturing could make a vital difference to the country’s sustained economic [...]