The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

The biggest dividend for Sri Lankans is the confidence to move without fear of bomb explosions that had caused loss of lives and limbs. To the government, which quite rightly took the credit for that transition after two and half decades of war and violence, priding itself for development activity and pledging to provide a better environment for those in the once ravaged areas, has become a priority.

5th Column

Cheap fuel giving us combustible tempers

My dear Petrol Susil,

I thought I must write to you after hearing all the stories about petrol which are circulating these days and everyone trying to blame poor you for their stalling car engines and hedging deals that have cost the country billions of dollars and then demanding your resignation as well! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not in any way trying to add fuel to the fire!

The Economic Analysis

Economic growth and social development

The trade-off between economic growth and social welfare has been a much debated issue. Last week’s column made reference to this in the discussion on poverty issues raised at the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) Colloquium. The pertinent issue in the context of the current higher economic growth trajectory is whether it would enable the country’s social indicators to improve.

Lobby

Not issued on this week

Focus on Rights

Politics in cricket

‘I do not approve of politicians becoming sports administrators, whether they are sports celebrities turned politicians or otherwise’ was an acerbic comment famously known in Hulftsdorp as being made sotto voce by a senior judge of Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, (now retired), from the Bench several years back.

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Lankan visit: Fox hunting in House of Commons

Despite the antipathy towards Sri Lanka by the present British government, its Defence Minister Liam Fox took time off to come to Colombo last Saturday to deliver the fifth Lakshman Kadirgamar oration. It was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute with a crowded audience.

From the sidelines

Not issued on this week