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Home » ColumnsAuditor General slams CIABOC for poor prosecutions; hundreds of cases languishing for over five years
The Auditor General has raised issue over the poor performance of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). In its observations on the Annual Performance Report of the CIABOC, the Auditor General’s Department has pointed out that while the Commission had completed 69 cases in 2021, 40 of these cases or 58% [...]
A man despised by many
Aiyo Sirisena, I thought of writing to you because you are always in the news now and not many people seem to like you these days. It began when the Channel 4 documentary on the Easter attacks was aired, then you fought with your secretary Dayasiri and now you are fighting with the Field Marshall! [...]
As the president speaks overseas, Sri Lanka is hit by a tsunami of ‘bad’ bills
It takes a Government wholly insensible to public opinion to be audacious enough to gazette two Bills grievously impacting on constitutional liberties of citizens literally within a few days apace. Doom for Sri Lanks’s constitutional governance Or maybe this was precisely the intent, deadly and clear in its mes-sage. First, the so-called Anti-Terrorism Bill is [...]
Tempers rise in House as Easter Sunday attacks are revisited four years on
By Sandun Jayawardana More than four years afterwards, lingering questions surrounding the Easter Sunday terror attacks were raised in the House yet again as Parliament held another debate on the atrocity. The two-day debate on Thursday and Friday came in the backdrop of the recent documentary aired by Britain’s Channel 4, which accused senior members [...]
Channel 4 Parliamentary debate reinforces need for credible investigations
The unresolved enigma surrounding the Easter Sunday attacks of April 2019 continues to cast its long shadow over the nation’s political landscape, even after four and a half years have passed since the horrifying incident claimed the lives of 267 individuals and left many more wounded, some with severe injuries. The impassioned call for truth [...]
Upcoming elections may undermine economic reform, stability and growth
The country is on the eve of yet another phase of economic uncertainty, as elections next year are likely to arouse opposition to the ongoing economic reforms and policies. Consequently, the stability and growth of the economy are at risk. Elections A presidential election by the end of 2024 is constitutionally mandatory. It cannot be [...]
Sri Lanka to ring death knell for online dissenting views on media and Facebook
Vibrant social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp under threat Two most obnoxious legal bills were published in the government gazette this week. One, newly called ‘Anti-Terrorism’ bill could potentially make terrorists out of us all if we express dissenting views in public on government policy. The other, euphemistically titled ‘Online Safety’ bill could toll the [...]
Geneva: Same old tales of sound and fury
The times have not changed. Sri Lanka carries on its usual blustering, bovine way, never mind who occupies the seat of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This month in Geneva the shrill sounds of Sri Lankan protests were heard again. Sounds yes, but missing was the sense of it all. It is especially at [...]
RW’s whirlwind trip to the Americas
Treasury Secretary complains of threat to his life; cites allegations made to Parliamentary Select Committee by Vajira and Cabraal President’s visits demonstrate that his foreign policy is paying off Questions over Foreign Minister Sabry’s son’s participation in official events in New York Health Minister Rambukwella to resign next week; physician Romesh Pathirana will succeed him [...]
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