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Home » ColumnsNetanyahu at UN: Lanka torn between walkout and staying put
(Top) The walkout; (Bottom) the solitary Sri Lankan diplomat attending The Sri Lanka delegation to the UN General Assembly seems to have been caught this week between a ‘rock and a hard place’, as the saying goes. Sri Lanka reiterated its support for a state of Palestine but also has been coy about criticising Israel [...]
‘Ice’ container row sparks heated debate; MPs trade barbs and blame
By Sandun Jayawardana As President Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked one year in office, his National People’s Power (NPP) government became embroiled in a controversy over two recently seized containers found to contain chemicals used for the production of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’. The issue came up repeatedly throughout this week’s debates in Parliament. [...]
Let them eat bread
My dear Handun, I thought of writing to you because you have suddenly become the talk of the town, beating the tonnes of chemicals used to manufacture Ice being discovered in Tangalle, and Anura sahodaraya’s maiden address to the United Nations. Who knew that two words from you could create such a hullabaloo! Those two [...]
NPP’s anti-corruption crusade and collateral damage: Handle the judiciary with care
The National People’s Power (NPP) government is clearly banking heavily on its campaign against corruption to sustain its popularity. From the very beginning of its administration, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his cabinet identified the fight against graft as both a moral imperative and a political strategy. In the government’s first year in office, the [...]
Expansion of Russia-Ukraine war and its impact on our economy
Russia’s intrusion into the airspace of Estonia, Poland and Latvia has evoked calls for military responses from NATO countries. However, the US has not intervened militarily. Instead, President Trump’s strategy is to impose more sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries that trade with Russia, as he believes such measures will weaken Russia’s economy and [...]
The world awaits the laboured birth of a Hamas-free State of Palestine
It was inevitable that justice would finally prevail for the Palestinian people, long denied a state to call their home. And, ironically, Israel had quickened the process. Though still not officially recognised by a minority of states, their dream for a separate state is rapidly coming closer to being realised at the United Nations. After [...]
Many a slip between cup and lip, comrade
It seemed that the UN and its secretary-general had turned out a special annual gathering of its 193 members in honour of our own president, Anura Kumar Dissanayake. Such was the esteem it had for the president in his first year in office as Big Chief that he was allowed to lecture—or was it hector?—the [...]
President decries Gaza tragedy—yet stops short of blaming or naming Israel for it
Govt. finds itself in a Catch-22 over Palestinian issue; under pressure to take a principled stand Speaker questioned after AG and Secretaries’ Panel say no-confidence motion can be moved against deputy minister; SJP vows NCM Govt. to launch nationwide anti-drug campaign; drug lords in custody cough up overdose of information; police pursue politicians who shielded criminals Easter [...]
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