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SSC’s ‘blackball’ bouncer, Aluthgamage out

SSC’s ‘blackball’ bouncer, Aluthgamage out

He may have been the all-powerful Sports Minister of yesteryear, but the prestigious Singhalese Sports Club doesn’t think he is fit and proper to be made one of its members. Ex-Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been ‘black-balled’ from becoming a member and entering the hallowed portals of one of the country’s oldest clubs at Maitland Place in [...]

Major political realignments as nominations end

Major political realignments as nominations end

UNP forms new alliance with JHU, former UPFA stalwarts and SLMC; will contest as United National Front for Good Governance Sirisena under severe pressure; gives various reasons for Rajapaksa’s re-entry but assures he won’t betray Jan. 8 mandate Fonseka’s party also seeks alliance with UNP, but demand for six slots in Colombo District rejected The [...]

Second coming: What’s on Mahinda’s mind

Second coming: What’s on Mahinda’s mind

My dear Mahinda maama, I thought I must write to you to congratulate you for securing nominations from the betel leaf party once again although the prospect of you running for Parliament after being the big boss for ten years is like Susanthika running the village marathon after winning a medal at the Olympic games. [...]

Trade deficit widens despite fuel price decline

Trade deficit widens despite fuel price decline

Although the recent steep decline in international fuel prices reduced oil import expenditure significantly, the trade deficit increased in the first four months of this year. This was mainly due to lower export earnings. Tea export earnings declined by as much as 13 percent to only US$ 437 million in the first four months of [...]

Preparing ourselves for a test of the peoples’ will

Preparing ourselves for a test of the peoples’ will

From an objective viewpoint, it did not take much foresight very early on this year to predict the fracturing of the January 2015 winning coalition even as it hurriedly groups itself anew against upcoming Rajapaksa forces. Losing the democratic edge In that regard, the profound surprise of some at the sight of the former President [...]

You can’t make Lanka’s omelette without first breaking SLFP egg

You can’t make Lanka’s omelette without first breaking SLFP egg

‘You cannot make an omelette without breaking an egg’ would have been the adage staring in the face of Maithripala Sirisena when he rose at the New Town Hall meeting last November 21st to announce his intention to contest the presidential election and vowed to the nation that he would usher in a new maithri [...]

Our MPs already have an advanced level, no?

Our MPs already have an advanced level, no?

Last Sunday this newspaper reported the views of school principals, teachers and students who expressed their displeasure (to understate it) at the postponement of the GCE A/Level examination because of the impending parliamentary election. Their views are understandable, especially the criticisms of those due to sit the examination. They believe — and who are we [...]

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