by Pearl Thevanayagam
(July 11, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Most corrupt leaders give themselves a decent interval of at least a couple of years before they descend into dictatorial mode and ensconce their family members in positions of power. But President Mahinda Rajapaksa came pre-packaged and ready to distribute the wealth of the nation to his family and he already had a head-start on this. Read More
=======================================
=======================================
Democracy and SAARC
 |
| File Photo |
Speech made by Mangala Samaraweera MP at the 5th conference of the association of SAARC speakers and parliamentarians.
(July 11, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Mr. chairperson, Hon. Speakers, fellow Parliamentarians, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentleman,
In the latter part of the 20th century, there was a "fashionable" school of political thought prevalent in some sections of our societies, which argued that democracy is not conducive for economic progress in developing countries. In the guise of wanting to achieve economic development, some countries moved towards oligarchy and autocracy with disastrous results for the countries concerned. Read More 