Author: Rohan Samarajiva

Sept 03, 2007 (LBO) – Taxes are necessary.   The consistent theme of the “Choices” columns has been that choices have to be made; that one cannot have the cake and eat it too. The present administration got elected by promising to fight a war, give government employment to all graduates, give subsidies to all and sundry, […]

July 18, 2007 (LBO) – Recently the JVP trade union in the hotel industry put up posters asking for prompt government action to address the crisis in the hotel industry, by ensuring the restoration of tourist arrivals and extending low-interest loans and related concessions to the hotel industry. online pharmacy buy spiriva inhaler with best […]

June 22, 2007(LBO) – A little over a year ago, I wrote a column called “The Sri Lankan state: Failed, failing or maligned?” It was about a comparative ranking on countries on the likelihood of them becoming failed states.  At the end of a critical assessment of their methodology, I concluded that “Notwithstanding these methodological problems, […]

June 12, 2007 (LBO) – The theme of this column has been public policy about infrastructure. online pharmacy buy abilify with best prices today in the USA    This time, it will not be about infrastructure as such, but about the ability to engage in public discussion about public policy in this thrice blessed isle. I […]

May 17, 2007 (LBO) – The theme of the 2007 World Telecom and Information Society Day (May 17th) is connecting the young.  It is difficult to connect the young without also connecting the old. The young usually connect within the context of economic and other decisions made by family units. This column examines what is required […]

March 28, 2007 (LBO) – It seems like a no-brainer: A mobile phone is better than a fixed phone, especially in Sri Lanka.   The costs of getting a connection are lower:  a new phone and SIM can cost as little as LKR 4,000, while SLTL charges around LKR 20,000 for a fixed connection and its competitors […]

March 08, 2007 (LBO) – Indonesia, like Sri Lanka, sends its women to foreign lands to work as housemaids. online pharmacy buy spiriva with best prices today in the USA   The numbers may be larger, though the proportion is smaller. Telecom networks are expanding fast in both countries, Indonesia faster. buy zithromax online https://www.soundviewmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/png/zithromax.html no […]

January 29, 2007 (LBO) — What shall we make of the new 52-member, multi-party Cabinet (depicted in Figure 1) sworn in on January 28th, 2007? Source:  News reports Note:  Party affiliations are per Supreme Court, and are subject to interpretation. Is it good for Sri Lanka and its future? Each person will have to make […]

January 4, 2007 (LBO) – It appears that the government of Sri Lanka is getting back into the airline business that it exited in 1998. According to the official news release (http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1351&Itemid=44), the objective is to ensure low-cost travel for migrant workers and tourists. A cursory examination of the profit-and-loss reports of the world’s airlines […]

December 3, 2006 (LBO) – Recently, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission issued an order setting the maximum price that could be charged for an SMS at LKR 5 per message. Given that SMS messages have never cost that much and their prices have dropped down to as low as LKR 0.50 depending on the package, one […]

November 22, 2006 (LBO) – The Colombo-Habarana Road is a military supply route. Those driving on it are likely to come across slow moving convoys of army containers guarded by soldiers going North and buses carrying soldiers and sailors going South on home leave. Yet, the recent rains washed away parts of this road between […]

November 15, 2006 (LBO) – At a recent discussion on comparative rankings of economic performance, an esteemed economist decried the tendency of Sri Lankans to see the glass as half-empty; to think that Sri Lanka was in bad shape and getting worse. “Development will come only when we pump up our self-esteem and think of […]