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Home » ColumnsLankan brides for Koreans: Deputy minister to visit Korea after controversial remarks retracted
A South Korean regional politician was in hot water this week after suggesting that his country import young brides from Sri Lanka or Vietnam to marry rural bachelors to deal with the declining population there. Kim Hee-Soo, the head of Jindo County, who made the controversial remark and later apologised, stating that his remarks were [...]
The tough get going
My dear Namal baby, It has been a while since I wrote to you last, but I thought I must do so again after seeing you being summoned to the CID last week, along with your mother who was asked to report to the FCID. Cousin Shamindra was also issued a ‘Red Notice’. It was [...]
The formidable tasks of achieving economic growth with equity and national unity
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined the formidable task of nation building at the 78th Independence Anniversary celebration on Wednesday. Achieving such desirable objectives poses a formidable challenge. He highlighted the economic progress, resilience and achievements during the past 18 months. He said the nation has made steady progress in restoring economic stability despite daunting obstacles. [...]
A duplicitous government and a paralysed opposition; whither Sri Lanka?
The fact that the extension of the State of Emergency was approved by Parliament with reportedly just two opposing votes says more about the paralysis of the political Opposition in the country than the mala fides of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna led National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Government in placing the extension before the House in [...]
Ditwah recovery or stifling dissent: Emergency extended amidst heated accusations
By Sandun Jayawardana Parliament on Friday (6) approved the extension of a state of public emergency, declared by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, amid accusations by the opposition that the government was attempting to use the legislation to stifle dissent. The Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance to extend [...]
As Sri Lanka celebrates 78 years of Independence the unfinished task of nation-building remains a challenge
At Sri Lanka’s 78th Independence Day celebrations last week, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake once again placed national unity at the centre of his message, reiterating that the country’s future depends on the ability of its people to move beyond division and work collectively towards reconstruction and renewal. In doing so, the President sought to frame [...]
Dance that funky freedom music
If this year’s Independence Day celebrations pathetically failed to kindle the flame of inspiration in the collective breast of Sri Lankans, fear not; it was not by accident that they lacked lustre; it was by government design. Minister of Local Government, Professor Chandana Abeyaratne—the one who issued a circular to the ministerial staff shortly after [...]
Still clinging to a fracturing west or strolling down a garden path?
When Donald Trump ordered troops into Venezuela and captured the country’s president and his wife, taking them to New York under custody, the world stood in shock. Not that the world thought such a loudmouth as President Trump was incapable of such callous disregard for international law and civilised conduct. Rather, he was too well [...]
Speaker’s hoodoo pursues NPP Government: Wickramaratne faces fresh allegations
Deputy Secretary General’s suspension triggers crisis; complaint to CIABOC details misconduct claims against Speaker President’s Independence Day message draws fire after instructions to omit war heroes Tilvin–Jaishankar talks in New Delhi: JVP General Secretary’s tour signals political shift, including visit to Amul Milk once opposed by party By our Political Desk It has [...]
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