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Home » ColumnsA year gone by
My dear Anura sahodaraya, I am writing to you as you are about to mark your first year in office which you will be spending overseas, addressing the UN. Some may see this as completing one year in office although I know you won’t be celebrating it as such. My suggestion to you is to [...]
Bus drivers defend drug use, saying it helps them stay awake
Police seem to be facing a major challenge in minimising road accidents, with reports saying that an increasing number of bus drivers use narcotic drugs to ensure they do not fall asleep while driving. Yesterday the Moratuwa Police detected one such driver under the influence of drugs. The bus he was driving from Hambantota to [...]
Remembering Colombo amid India-Pakistan cricketing ties and missed handshakes in Dubai
The recent refusal by the Indian cricket team to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the ongoing series in Dubai has sent ripples far beyond the boundary ropes. For some, it may appear a small gesture—or the absence of one—but in a region where symbolism carries deep weight, such an omission speaks volumes. It [...]
US tariffs and escalating wars threaten economic recovery
The escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war, the broadening of hostilities in West Asia and the extension of US tariffs could seriously impact Sri Lanka’s trade-, remittance- and tourist-dependent economy. The gains in stabilising the economy, the momentum of economic growth and the build-up of foreign reserves could be set back if these challenges persist. Escalation [...]
The ‘lion of Ruhuna’; roars replaced by a mewling cry for sympathy
It is a pity that former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not abide by his own injunction that, ‘a politician who is not bound by feelings for the people can never become a peoples’ leader,’ when Sri Lanka was led by the nose down the ruinous path of racism, majoritarianism and finally bankruptcy under [...]
Wasantha: Poor little rich boy
What is all this hullabaloo about Marxist JVP Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe being rich, as if it’s a crime to be rich in this country? Though JVP Minister Samantha Vidyaratna, himself a relatively rich man as shown in his asset declaration form for the years 2023 and 2024, said at an election rally last year, ‘If [...]
Israel grabs not only land, but sea sand too
This is a hell of a situation, no! I mean, one can understand if you take a few inches from your neighbour’s garden or push his fence back without a by-your-leave. But this is outrageous. I can understand Israel letting loose a Shylock or two, as it has when the Brits and a few others [...]
UNP’s unity convention aims to rally anti-NPP forces
Opposition’s show of strength seen after arrest of Wickremesinghe last month appears diminished Conspicuously absent: SJB leader Sajith, SLPP leaders Namal and Mahinda; Sajith and Namal send good wishes UNP-SJB reunion seems shaky despite Grand Old Party’s move to lift suspension on ‘rebels’ Ranil and opposition stalwarts call for unity to defeat NPP’s ‘constitutional [...]
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