Columns
Home » ColumnsUnified timetable: JVP trade union throws policy under the bus
At the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), several trade unions are on strike protesting against the National Transport Commission’s decision to implement a unified bus timetable for SLTB and private buses. Trade unions affiliated to the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) and its main constituent party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), however, are conspicuous by [...]
Remand season
My dear Uncle Ranil, Rajitha and Rathana hamuduruwo, I didn’t think I will be writing to all of you in one letter. I am doing so because the three of you have something in common: you have been detained into custody over the past few days. The reasons for that are different, but it does [...]
The Ranil Wickremesinghe saga and its implications for justice in Sri Lanka
The arrest and subsequent release of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe last week has become one of the most contentious episodes in Sri Lanka’s recent political and legal history. On the surface, it appears to be the story of a prominent political figure accused of misusing public funds. But the deeper implications go far beyond Wickremesinghe [...]
The economic implications of the Wickremesinghe arrest
The arrest of former President Ranil Wickremasinghe on charges of misusing state funds has sparked off gatherings of large crowds near the Colombo General Hospital and several parts of Colombo. Indications are that there would be organised and spontaneous demonstrations against his arrest. Economic implications The intent of this column is to draw out some [...]
The ‘Geneva factor’ and Sri Lanka’s PTA; old fears, new concerns
The announcement by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs late last week, that a new law to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) would be published in the gazette ‘by the beginning of September 2025,’ is akin to a bolt of lightning from sunny blue skies. Dazzled by a ‘false dawn’? The month of [...]
Condoms come to school
The Scene: Students at school gathered at the assembly hall listening to the principal speak. “Today I came to talk to you,” the principal of the school said to the children who had gathered at the assembly hall, “about a special course of study that will be introduced into the school curriculum from next Sunday [...]
Digging for cans of worms—and witches’ broth too
Ever since the last parliamentary election perceptively changed the country’s political topography, there have been constant discussions and debates on where Sri Lanka would head in the coming decade or so. Not that the country’s politically conscious population has not been averse to sensitive change or had shut their eyes and ears to what might [...]
Saturday’s UNP convention: Will its unity platform be a game changer?
SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena among invitees Unity talks between SJB and UNP gain ground; Ranil to resume active politics after brief rest High drama at magistrate’s court: lawyers rally behind UNP leader; DSG Peiris alleges intimidation CID submits further report; probe focuses on invitation letter from UK university; [...]
Read More