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Home » ColumnsClarification over President’s surname: Confusion creates more confusion
There has been for some time now confusion over how one should spell the surname of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. There was no clarity over if the name should be spelt as Dissanayake or as Disanayaka, the latter being the one given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the President’s Media Division has been [...]
Retired hurt
My dear Mahinda maama, I thought of writing to you, but will now have to send this to ‘Carlton’ instead of Wijerama Mawatha. A lot of fuss was made about the ‘leader who saved the nation being evicted from his home’ but you took the right decision in the end, even if it was done [...]
Removing ex- presidents’ benefits popular now, but Govt. may have to face repercussions : MP
By Sandun Jayawardana The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which sought to abolish many of the perks enjoyed by former presidents and widows of former presidents, was passed overwhelmingly by the House on Wednesday (10) by a majority of 150 votes. The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) Government had pledged to abolish special privileges enjoyed by [...]
Uprisings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal: A few reflections
In recent years, South Asia has witnessed an unprecedented wave of people’s movements, led not by traditional political actors or institutions, but by youth, informal workers, and the digitally connected. The uprisings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal represent a fundamental shift in political mobilisation across the region. While each movement had a distinct trigger [...]
The other side of remittances: Social disruption and weakening of development capacity
Remittances of Sri Lankan migrant workers make significant contributions to our economy. Being the highest source of foreign earnings, they are the crucial part of our balance of payments. Besides, they enhance livelihoods of poor households and enable people to begin small businesses. However, there are severe costs and consequences for our economy and society. [...]
Chemmani and Kurukkalmadam; atrocities that lie heavy on our conscience
What precisely is the position of the National People’s Power (NPP) Government in regard to bringing closure for victims of mass graves in Sri Lanka beyond pious promises in Geneva and solemn affirmations by politicians in Colombo that, ‘though we are not responsible, we will assure justice’? Terrible tales of mass atrocities Many are familiar [...]
Booted out of homes and thrown on the streets, denied all facilities
The fate that befell Lanka’s former Presidents this Wednesday It must have been with relish that the JVP ate their dish of revenge, served cold after being in cold storage for years. For years on end, they have watched with festering hate and anger special privileges granted to former presidents for no earthly reason at [...]
NPP Govt. should cut a new path away from old diplomessy
For Sri Lanka’s one-year-old government, it would be a new experience. Particularly for the new foreign minister, who has already made an appearance at the current sessions of the UN Human Rights Council now meeting in Geneva. I am not quite certain when Sri Lanka would have to face a debate—if there is a debate—on [...]
Evicted Rajapaksa signals he’s still in the game
As Speaker endorses new law at the speed of summer lightning, former presidents are stripped of privileges Rajapaksa decries what he calls ‘political terrorism’, but NPP says it’s the fulfilment of a campaign promise SJB plans petition against Speaker after he refuses to entertain No-Confidence Motion against deputy minister; Parliament in uproar Powerful political message [...]
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