The Sunday Times Sri Lanka

Columns

Political Column

The event was observed last Sunday by Hindus worldwide and with much gaiety in the neighbouring southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The next day, (Monday) when the event was fixed at 'Temple Trees,' it was Maattu Pongal or Cattle Pongal Day where Hindus pay reverence or thanksgiving to cattle. Bulls and cows are given a special prominence for ploughing fields or providing nourishing milk. T

5th Column

13 plus the problem - not the answer

"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what is so special about the number thirteen?"
"Why, Bindu," Bindu's father Percy said, "thirteen is supposed to be an unlucky number…"
"Then why is everyone suddenly so interested about thirteen now?" Bindu wanted to know.
"Why," Percy asked, "who is interested in thirteen?"

The Economic Analysis

Roadblocks to foreign direct investment

The hopes and expectations of sustaining the current rate of economic growth and raising it to a still higher trajectory of growth would depend on whether the country would be able to attract adequate foreign and domestic investment.

Lobby

Govt. bows to the will of the people

The Government’s attempt to introduce a Private Sector Pension scheme looks a closed chapter, at least for now, with the decision to withdraw the three relevant Bills from the Order Book of Parliament last Wednesday.

Focus on Rights

What veritable fairy tales are these?

Are we to seriously believe the Government's explanation in Parliament this week that it cannot ascertain the fate of two political activists of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) who 'disappeared' in Jaffna in early December last year, despite 'four investigative teams' being deployed for this purpose?

Talk at the Cafe Spectator

Training for carrier diplomats

The day when dog trainers will train airline pilots or attendants will train doctors is not far off. This is judging by the number of unqualified personnel being assigned to train those in specialised areas.
The latest is in the field of diplomacy.

From the sidelines

India gives Sri Lanka a gentle nudge

On Friday India's External Affairs Minister S.M Krishna concluded his second visit to Sri Lanka in fourteen months. Behind the ceremonial events of handing over houses, bicycles, medical equipment, railway lines etc and signing numerous bilateral agreements, lay weightier purposes of nudging Sri Lanka ...