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Dengue treatment: Rs. 300 million for sophisticated equipment

Dengue treatment: Rs. 300 million for sophisticated equipment

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe wants the Treasury to allocate Rs 300 million to the Health Ministry for the “immediate purchase of several sophisticated equipment” to ensure “effective treatment of dengue patients.” The move follows a recommendation by a four-member official committee headed by Premier’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake. It was appointed by the Cabinet Committee on [...]

Govt uses Joint Opposition theatrics to rush through Legislation

Govt uses Joint Opposition theatrics to rush through Legislation

More and more people view the country’s Legislature with skepticism and that too, with good reason. This is mainly due to the lack of seriousness with which some of those elected to such high office, choose to conduct themselves, over and over again. This week saw a repeat of some of the disruptive methods that [...]

President wants to take control of economy through national council

President wants to take control of economy through national council

Proposal placed before Cabinet, but deferred till talks are held between Sirisena and Ranil Hambantota port deal signed yesterday; security matters will be strictly under the SL, says Govt. Bombshell at bond commission hearings; Ravi vows to fight back, says interested groups want to make him fall guy   The ruling coalition, now in its [...]

Silently contemplating

Silently contemplating

My dear Ravi, I thought I should write to you this week because you seem to be in the news right now for so many reasons. Many people are saying many things about you and some are even asking you to leave your job – and all you have done so far is to maintain [...]

Inland Revenue Bill: Higher revenue through progressive taxation

Inland Revenue Bill: Higher revenue through progressive taxation

The proposed Inland Revenue Bill would increase government revenue, simplify the tax system, broaden the tax net and make it more equitable. Revenue would be increased by eliminating tax exemptions, reducing tax evasion and tax avoidance and increasing certain tax rates. The new tax regime is a step towards a more progressive tax structure in [...]

The Octopus-Like Tentacles of High Corruption in Lanka

The Octopus-Like Tentacles of High Corruption in Lanka

For decades since independence, Sri Lankans were wont to look over the Palk Strait and enviously compare the strides that the Indian legal system had been taking in regard to protection of the Rule of Law. True, serious blimps were evidenced on the radar in regard to practical implementation of good judicial decisions. Allegations of [...]

The long and winding forty year quest to reach the elusive presidential door

The long and winding forty year quest to reach the elusive presidential door

Ranil Wickremesinghe was born on 24th March 1949 with the proverbial silver spoon awkwardly stuck between his toothless gums which his father carefully extracted and thus freed the new born’s silver tongue for future use on the nation’s behalf; and which spoon was, thereafter, used by the family to dish out to him all the [...]

Governance wrapped in scented rubbish

Governance wrapped in scented rubbish

The world might not think much of the inventive genius of Sri Lankans. But where else would you find politicians that can inflate their egos (besides other things) into unbelievable proportions with nothing more than hot air which can generate enough power to meet a temporary energy crisis caused by striking workers. Certainly there are [...]

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