Some call Tilvin Silva the phantom President. The JVP’s general secretary for thirty years, he is the party’s ‘nucleus’ and role model. The president calls him ‘aiya’. Hiranyada Dewasiri examines what Tilvin is doing with all this influence.

Parliament will vote on the new microfinance bill in March. But it could crush non-profit village lenders like women’s societies. It falls short in protecting victims from predatory lending. The bill’s ambiguity may also affect supplier and trade credit.

Still morose about the Galle Literary Festival’s cancellation? The Matara Arts Festival kicks off today. Galle anyway smelt a bit too much of sunscreen, and FILTH - Failed in London Try Hong Kong. Ofc

How did a UNP carpenter's son become the JVP's General Secretary? In the first half of a two part series, Hiranyada Dewasiri examines the experiences, the women, and the books that made the enigmatic Tilvin Silva who he is today – possibly the most powerful man in the country.

The Easter Sunday trial-at-bar is speeding up; the trial moved to daily hearings this Wednesday. Defence counsel are unable to cope with the pace. They’re dropping out, leaving the accused to defend themselves. As a result, activists worry they may not have a fair trial.

Mashallah, we have at least one literary festival this year. The Ceylon Lit Fest kicks-off today. In the evening; toxic drama from Mind Adventures, a Bawa Trust talk on architects, spooks, and silk in Thailand,

Getting things done has been a challenge for successive governments. Despite new laws and policy reform, good ideas keep getting stuck when they reach the implementation phase. One overlooked reason is the quality of our civil servants and the exams that recruit them.

The justice minister says his ministry intends to revise the occupants protection bill, following outcry over inadequate consultations. Condominium developers are challenging the bill in court. Meanwhile, the government will move to repeal the old Rent Act.