Suranimala

What Did Lasantha Write?

The following is a selection of articles written by Lasantha in his Suranimala column, at this time of year, spanning a seven year period from 2002 up until 2008. Followers of both the local and international politics of Sri Lanka will be able to draw unique insight from the views and analyses of this veteran political commentator.

Be sure to check back every Sunday for a new selection of Suranimala columns from the corresponding week. 

 

Suranimala 05-12-2002
Net closes in on Chandrika
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 12th, 2002

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While the noose slowly but surely tightened around the high flyers of the People's Alliance on issues relating to corruption, violence and abuse of power, the government last week decided to proceed with its reform agenda, notwithstanding opposition from President Chandrika Kuma-ratunga and the SLFP.

2003-05-18
Battle for war and peace
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 18th, 2003

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While the government and the LTTE were exploring avenues of bridging their differences and resuming the peace process with the backing of the international community, President Chandrika Kumaratunga was setting the stage for an all-out political confrontation to ensure the peace talks are stalled indefinitely and the Tokyo donor conference derailed.

2004-05-08
LTTE's googly on peace process
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 9th, 2004

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While hectic activity is underway to restart the peace process with a host of international players due in the days to come, the government is finding itself circumscribed by its own past rhetoric on the issue of the interim administration and the status of the LTTE, with the Tigers driving home the advantage in a series of master strokes.

2005-05-15
UPFA's politics of duplicity
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 15th, 2005

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With internal contradictions within the UPFA bringing the ship of state to a standstill, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in a show of resignation last week called upon President Chandrika Kumaratunga to hand over the administration to Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe while the donor community was planning its own set of ultimatums given the confusion in government.

2006-05-21
Govt. put on human rights notice
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 21st, 2006

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While the international community put the government on notice last week over human rights violations in the lead up to the Co-Chairs meeting in Tokyo scheduled for May 30, President Mahinda Rajapakse moved to soften the negative fallout by directing investigations into mounting incidents of violence affecting civilians in an effort at damage control.

2007-05-13
International pressure that has placed govt. on shaky ground
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 13th, 2007
  • Boucher tells govt. to keep hands off media
  • Mangala sets down conditions for comeback
  • Boucher told SLFP proposals go back to 1984
  • Govt. cites The Sunday Leader as example of media freedom in country
  • Janaka agreeable to offer his services if invited by government
2008-05-11
Stage set for no holds barred battle in the east
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Sunday, May 11th, 2008

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For a government that has showcased the east both locally and internationally as its prime trophy in two and a half years of putting the country through a deadly war and economic ruin, the up coming eastern polls is crucial.