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Home » ColumnsOpposition gains financial muscle in NPP-controlled CMC
In yet another example of just how unpredictable the situation at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) can be, the National People’s Power (NPP) on Wednesday failed to win control of the all-powerful Finance Committee, with all five positions that are chosen by election being won by the so-called ‘combined opposition’. Wednesday saw members being elected [...]
Reform agendas
My dear Wimal, I began writing to you when I heard you had begun another protest. I was hopeful it would be a ‘fast unto death’ to prevent the proposed educational reforms. Then, I heard that, firstly, it was not a fast unto death but a ‘satyagraha’ and then that you had called it off, [...]
Foreign reserves exceed US$ 6 billion owing to higher remittances, tourist earnings and exports
The country’s foreign reserves reached US$ 6.1 billion at the end of 2025. This increase in reserves that includes a Chinese debt swap of US$ 1.5 billion is the country’s highest foreign reserve since the economic crisis of 2022. It was achieved in inspite of repayments of foreign debts during the year. This favourable outcome [...]
Harini’s fall from divine grace
The government was forced to capitulate to rising public anger over the inclusion of an atrociously inappropriate weblink in the English module for Grade 6 children and withdraw the offensive book from the curriculum for 10- or 11-year-olds. Not even the sudden visit last week of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, donning her Education Ministry hat [...]
An American clown who helps turn tragedy into farce
From the moment I heard that one of the three stooges who has turned a part of the White House into a dance hall has been awarded a special Venezuelan Peace Prize, Machiavelli’s words came to mind. “It is not titles that honour men but men that honour titles.” So when Venezuela’s opposition leader was [...]
Govt. buckles under pressure, but says education reforms are very much alive
After talks between President and Premier, Grade 6 reforms deferred, but Harini insists the process continues Grade 1 reforms to be unveiled on Jan 29; SJB’s no-confidence motion against Premier appears to lose momentum; Minister Wijepala says ‘bring it on’ Chinese Foreign Minister’s stopover visit to be followed up by FM Herath’s visit to China; [...]
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