Columns
Home » ColumnsLanka identified as a partner in Indo-Pacific defence umbrella
Amid Sri Lanka’s denials of China’s plans to set up a military base on its soil, following such a claim in the 2024 threat assessment report by the US Intelligence Community, a recent issue of the Indo-Pacific Defense Forum, a US military magazine, has identified Sri Lanka as a partner in the Indo-Pacific defence umbrella. [...]
To tell the tale
My dear Gota maama, I thought of writing to you after you took us by surprise by launching a book last week. This project of yours appears to have been a well-kept secret because even your family members didn’t know about it. If that was a tactic to sell the book, it seems to have [...]
Responsibility of the voter and integrity of the mandate impact governance
The so called system change that people have been clamouring for after the ‘aragalaya’ does not seem to be forthcoming in the short term. The absence of agreement or consensus as to what form such system change should take among political parties, civil society and the citizenry at large makes it unlikely to happen in [...]
Remittances and tourism earnings continue to increase foreign reserves
The March 3rd column pointed out that meeting our foreign debt repayment obligations of US$ 6 billion this year was a formidable and challenging task, given our current state of foreign reserves. Favourable developments Since then, there have been two favourable developments. The government, with the assistance of the IMF, is negotiating with foreign creditors [...]
‘Transitional justice’ which brings no relief to victims insults the rule of law
As familiar wrangling in Geneva takes place over the review of Sri Lanka by the United Nations Human Rights Council, there is an eminently sound argument to be made, (ad nauseam until the point is acknowledged) that the country’s many ineffective bodies on transitional justice established to meet ‘international scrutiny’ actually harm the Rule of [...]
Comeback rally for UNP hero Ranil after walk on burning rope bridge
Last Sunday the nation’s lone political elephant made a grand appearance to a roaring welcome at a massive comeback rally held in Kuliyapitiya, after four long years in the wilderness, loitering on the outskirts of oblivion. As it emerged from the forest fringes, it would have found the landscape vastly different, the territorial sweep it [...]
Double standards in Geneva and doublespeak in Colombo
Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Sabry is a good man to lead a chorus. Never mind what lyrics or melody he is asked to raise his voice to; he will do so with alacrity and sing in harmony. After all, he is a minister for all seasons, and some time or other the merry-go-round turns a [...]
Which comes first—parliamentary or presidential poll?
Both the ruling SLPP and some opposition parties prefer general election first Hakeem and Ganesan in moves to bring about rapprochement between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa Speaker confident of defeating no-confidence motion against him next week By Our Political Editor As election fever mounts, both the ruling and some opposition political parties prefer a parliamentary election [...]
Read More