If you thought everything in Bujang Valley was destroyed, you were right until now. In August 2023, a team of 11 researchers discovered a 1,200-year-old Buddhist stupa at Bukit Choras in Malaysia’s Bujang Valley in northwest Kedah.
The discovery of the stupa is exciting as it’s the best preserved in the country and experts say it could hold the key to Malaysia’s multicultural past, especially Ancient Kedah’s history.
Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw, the chief researcher of the team from the University of Science Malaysia’s Global Archaeology Research Centre (CGAR) in Penang, said the site is an anomaly because it stands all by itself.
After archaeologists cleared vegetation on top of Bukit Choras, they discovered a Buddhist stupa. Image: Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw
According to Al Jazeera, the stupa is isolated on the northern side of Mount Jerai unlike the 184 archaeological sites discovered in the Bujang Valley.
Nasha said the stupa measured about nine metres long and the most important discovery was two stucco statues of Buddha in good condition that have not been found in the area before.
According to Nasha, stucco was thought to be only found in Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, and India, at the time.
The two Buddha statues feature an inscription in Pallava, the language of the Pallava Dynasty that ruled in South India between the 3rd and 8th century CE.
The statues also have architectural features resembling the other artefacts from the Srivijaya kingdom that prospered between the 7th and 11th centuries CE, in an area from southern Thailand, through the Malay peninsula and into Java.
Currently, the statues are being studied and restored at CGAR in Penang.
Nasha said the function of Bukit Choras is not clear but it might have been a military garrison or coastal trade outpost. He shared that preliminary findings showed there are plenty of similarities with other sites found in Java and Sumatra, Indonesia.
The team plans to work at the site throughout the first half of 2024 to unearth its secrets.
Asyaari Muhamad, a senior archaeologist and the director of the Institute of the Malay World & Civilisation at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said it was important for researchers to collaborate and reach a better understanding of the origins of civilisations in and beyond the Malay peninsula.
Any statements about new or previous findings need to be carefully examined so that […] a theory, discovery, and the results of a study do not become an issue and controversial in nature.
Asyaari Muhamad, a senior archaeologist and the director of the Institute of the Malay World & Civilisation at UKM
How did Nasha and the team discover the stupa?
Nasha said a British officer first reported about Bukit Choras in 1850 while looking for treasure. It was briefly studied by another British scholar, HG Quaritch Wales, in 1937.
Wales undertook minor excavations and found a squarish Buddhist stupa. He took note of the measurements but never provided any illustration or plate for the site.
In 1984, fifty years later, the then-director of the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum returned to Bukit Choras to do some site cleaning and documentation. Other than that, the site remained largely undisturbed.
Nasha realised no one had done a proper investigation since then. He managed to scrounge up funding to survey the site in 2017.
They used electronic waves to physically detect what was hidden underground and found big structures below.
In 2022, Nasha received more funding from Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education to conduct proper excavations.
Nasha and his team were stunned to discover the well-preserved site compared to the other sites in the Bujang Valley that have deteriorated due to erosion, human activities, and accidental destruction.
Can you take a look at it?
The Department of National Heritage said the site has the potential to be a tourist attraction and it’s being preserved under Act 645 of the National Heritage Act 2005 at the moment.
Since the other sites have been damaged, it’s not a surprise if the authorities want to preserve and protect the latest site the best they can with the help of the public.
The department reminds the public to immediately report any findings that have significant historical and heritage impact to them or the relevant authorities.
What was the Ancient Kedah Kingdom” like?
The Bujang Valley sites showed that an ancient civilisation once thrived here. Referred to as the Ancient Kedah Kingdom, it prospered between the 2nd and the 14th century CE.
The kingdom predated the arrival of Islam in the region and stretches across the northwestern coast of the Malay peninsula and into Thailand.
Ancient Kedah grew on rich international trade and the production of iron and glass beads. Multiethnic and multireligious residents and foreign traders lived together.
Nasha shared that findings in the area suggested that traders from China, India, and the Middle East came to the area for centuries to do business. They often spent long spells in Kedah when the harsh monsoon seasons made sailing home impossible.
Archaeological discoveries showed that Ancient Kedah went into a decline when climate transformed the large maritime bay and accessible riverways leading to the iron smelting site of Sungai Batu into mangrove and tidal swamps that were impassable to ships.
By P.K.Balachandran/Counterpoint Courtesy NewsIn.Asia
Colombo, March 19: It was no surprise that Vladimir Putin won the Russian Presidential election last Sunday. With no one of any standing to challenge him, he bagged 88% of the vote, a record till date. The nationwide turnout was 74.22%, surpassing the 2018 level of 67.5%.
Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov finished second with just under 4%, newcomer Vladislav Davankov was third, and ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky fourth.
However, in some places, the followers of the anti-Putin leader Alexei Navalny (who died in suspicious circumstances in an Arctic prison in February) protested.
As expected, the Western press dubbed the election as a massive fraud, given Putin’s reputation as an iron-fisted ruler. But what is not taken into account is that the Russians have never tasted democracy as the West knows it. They transitioned from Tsarist absolutism to communist dictatorship, and then to Putinesque authoritarianism. Perhaps democracy had a brief look-in after the breakup of the USSR.
In Russia in the ruler is judged by other yardsticks. If Lenin ended Tsarist rule and established a modern State, Stalin made it an industrial and military power that could defeat Hitler’s army. His successors made the USSR a space and nuclear power to match the US, but failed to build the economy to match the West in a globalized world.
The West succeeded in dismembering the USSR, but Putin came and salvaged Russia. And to defeat the West’s plan to use Ukraine as a bridgehead to intimidate Russia and destroy Russia, Putin initiated military action against Ukraine in February 2022. The West imposed punishing sanctions on Russia and poured billions of dollars into Ukraine to enable it to drive out the Russians. But success has eluded it so far.
The war is now in the third year with no end in sight. But while the going has been bad for Ukraine, Russia has been able to circumvent the sanctions, keep its economy humming, and build international links principally with China. And thanks to burgeoning defence production, the Russian economy grew by 3%.
Though sections of Russians society dislike the war and many have fled the country, the bulk of the population has remained in the country, with most of them ardently supporting the war fired by the proverbial Russian nationalism.
Putin told supporters in a victory speech in Moscow that he would prioritise Russia’s special military operation” in Ukraine. We have many tasks ahead. But when we are consolidated – no matter who wants to intimidate us, suppress us – nobody has ever succeeded in history, they have not succeeded now, and they will not succeed ever in the future,” Putin declared.
Supporters chanted Putin, Putin, Putin” when he appeared on stage and Russia, Russia, Russia” after he had delivered his acceptance speech, Reuters reported.
Putin portrays the war as part of a centuries-old battle with a declining West that he says humiliated Russia after the Cold War by encroaching on Moscow’s sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.
A new survey of Russians highlights a sentiment towards Putin’s leadership. Most Russians see the war in Ukraine as defence against threats from NATO and the West and report little personal effect from the conflict.
A recent poll of the Russian public conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago finds little material improvement in the quality of life for many Russians since the war, but also not a significant deterioration in overall economic conditions despite international sanctions.
Overall, Russians have a favourable view of Putin’s job performance. While 67% approve of how Putin is handling foreign policy, fewer, 58% approve of his management of domestic affairs. But the Russian public on the whole views their country’s actions in Ukraine as a justified response to an outside threat.
Attitudes among Russians about their nation and its place on the global stage are palpably strong. 94% have at least a moderate level of pride in their Russian identity. 62% believe Russia is unjustly treated by the world.
A notable concern for many Russians is the perceived encroachment of Western values on traditional Russian beliefs. 64% see the conflict in Ukraine as a civilizational struggle between Russia and the West.
However, 74% agree with the importance of having an opposition in the nation’s political system. But only 42% feel an immediate need for an opposition.
The above mentioned survey was funded and conducted by the University of Chicago. The poll was conducted in Russian between November 13 and November 21, 2023, with Russian mobile numbers throughout Russia, including Crimea.
The most reputable public opinion data available in Russia are from the Levada Centre, a non-governmental research organisation conducting regular surveys since 1988.
Levada surveys on from 17 to 21 February found that the majority of respondents (52%) felt negatively towards Ukraine. Most (60%) blamed the US and NATO for the escalation of tensions in Eastern Ukraine, while only 4% blamed Russia.
Levada polls suggest that the net public approval of Putin had surged by about 13 percentage points since December 2023, a rally-round-the-flag effect, with almost three-quarters (71%) expressing approval of his leadership by February 2024.
These were not isolated results; even stronger sentiments were recorded in the pre-war poll conducted on 7-15 February for CNN in Russia by a British agency, Savanta ComRes, where half (50%) agreed that it would be right for Moscow to use military force to prevent Kyiv from joining NATO”.
Two thirds of Russians (64%) in the poll said that Russians and Ukrainians are ‘one people’, a position taught in the Soviet era and a view that Vladimir Putin has been pushing, compared to just 28% of Ukrainians.
In their survey of 25-27 February, VCIOM reported strong support for the special military operation” in Ukraine, with two thirds (68%) in favour, around one quarter (22%) against, and only 10% unable to provide an answer.
The Washington Post also reported that a poll conducted a week into the assault by a consortium of researchers again confirmed that the majority of Russians (58%) approved of the invasion while only a quarter (23%) opposed it.
Western commentators point out that Russians are not exposed to as much information as Westeners, even Ukrainians, are. The main of source of information is domestic television, which gives only pro-Russian or pro-government content. It is also believed in the West, that the Russians indulge in self-censorship, which is common in countries with authoritarian regimes.
Special correspondent Pravda.Ru Daria Aslamova met in India with the President of the BRICS International Forum, Ms. Purnima Anand.
Photo: Pravda.Ru by Daria Aslamova
Why are you participating as an international observer in the election campaign in Russia, including in the new Russian territories?
“Elections in Russia are very important for the whole world, because the Russian Federation is creating a new model of democratic values. In the European model, the new Russian territories are unrecognized, but it is Russia that saves the people in those regions. Russia also defends democratic values that are not recognized by the EU and the U.S., because the West exists in a post-World War II system.
Now the world is moving towards a new model that is developing in Russia, including in four of its new regions. These are very positive changes, because people themselves choose a country where they can preserve:
sovereignty
Traditions
Culture
History.
In this way, the people come first, not the authorities, and I hope that in the future it is the people who will become the levers of power.
Western leaders call Russia a dictatorship. What would you say to them?
“If some peoples or countries do not fit into the system of the West, it opposes such countries, and their interests are rejected. Russia has its own geographical and cultural features, its own traditions, which are unusual for Europe. The West is wrong to refuse to recognize other countries as democracies. Other states have the right to pursue their own interests, and this is one of the reasons why President Putin succeeds every time. People gather around such leaders.
I have visited many regions and cities of Russia and saw that people there are happy. They have jobs, they have a good education, they can communicate their needs to the authorities, and the municipalities respond to these requests. People have their own values, they hold regional events, historical festivals, cultural programmes dedicated, for example, to Afanasy Nikitin.
You were an election observer in the new Russian territories in Donbass. What are your impressions?
“I received an invitation to go to Donbass when international observers were actively discussing the crisis in Ukraine. When we had the opportunity to become observers at referendums in four new regions, I decided to take advantage of this chance. I was the only observer from India.
The journey was not easy, as we had to cover many kilometers by car. Once we stayed in a very nice and nice hotel, where we had dinner. When we left the hotel and drove to another place, our hotel was hit by a bomb. The façade of the building was destroyed. We were able to feel what it is like for people to live in such difficult conditions.
I can only admire the people of these four regions. Most of the young men serve in the army, and their women live without husbands and sons. They’re in danger all the time.
Where exactly did you work as an election observer?
“We visited several polling stations, mostly schools. The polling stations were decorated with balloons, people danced – it was a celebration of democracy and faith in the Russian Federation.
We arrived at one of the polling stations when it was already closing. A man with a young son came, voted, and gave his ballot to the child to put the form in the ballot box. After the vote, we asked the man why he had done so. He said very good words:
“I believe in the Russian Federation, I believe in the next generation. We don’t know if we will survive today, but we are giving our children the opportunity to preserve democracy here.”
In addition, I was in the Kherson region and in the Crimea. Observers from the European Union came with us: from France and Germany. They were independent media representatives, not official EU observers.
As far as I know, you were also the organizer of an international group of non-European observers in political elections.
“I had such an opportunity in March 2018, when the presidential elections were held in Russia. Even then, the West did not want Putin to become president again. The Russian government invited EU observers to the elections, but they refused. At that time, your government invited independent observers from India, Africa and other regions of the world.
This was my first experience of working as a political observer in the Russian Federation. Then we got our own observation group. We believe that the European Union has no right to interfere in the elections. We visited a number of small countries in Africa, such as Congo and Madagascar. There, we have developed our own parallel system of international election observation.
EU observers were also present. But now the European Union is not the only authority that can send its international observers to all countries of the world. There are parallel organizations: the African Union, our own groups, as well as EU groups. It’s more honest.
Are you going to go to Russia in the near future to act as an independent observer?
Yes, I will work there as a member of a civic organization that was recently founded by presidential decree. Representatives of about 50 countries were invited to the elections: from Brazil, South Africa, many African countries and the CIS. I would like to visit four new regions of Russia once again to see what changes are taking place there and how people perceive the transition to a new democracy.
It seems to me that if Western officials listened to you, they would consider you a victim of Russian propaganda.
“They’re actually listening to us. They criticize us, and this means that we are not an empty space for them. They are aware of the emergence of new blocks. This is very important for the development of democracy.
— Which region of Russia are you going to visit?
“I hope I’ll go to Crimea. I visited him three times. Once I went there for elections, then I visited Crimea on the way to the Kherson region, and then I visited an economic forum there. I have been observing the electoral process since 2014.
Crimea is indeed a very important region. It represents a new model of development. After World War II, the Yalta Palace hosted a meeting of three world leaders: Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. They gathered there to develop a new model of democracy and civilization as a whole.
Today, however, government officials in the EU are convinced that any decision they make is final. They don’t think about Africa, Asia, the CIS. But everyone should be heard.
Today, the BRICS bloc has become much more important than before. The BRICS countries have a huge geographical territory and a large population. Today, countries that did not get a seat in the UN are joining the BRICS. This is another parallel system in which we are working to achieve a balance in politics and economics.
Does this mean that BRICS is a new model of democracy in the world?
“Yes, that’s right. The BRICS model is based on human-centered development. The previous model focused only on governments that control the people. The BRICS countries argue that equality and sovereignty are important first and foremost. We need to succeed in this direction for the sake of the future. We all have different models of civilization – different traditions, languages, currency, religion, laws. It’s very difficult to put everything in one basket.
But we have one goal – this is development focused on supporting people. Everyone should have their own rights, and our main rule is not to exploit people for the sake of money, the construction of infrastructure. Everyone should be a partner and a stakeholder in the development process. I believe that the BRICS economy will take care of this. We raise this issue every time we participate in BRICS conferences and seminars.
BRICS is a successful political platform, but it has economic problems. The bloc does not have a single currency, hence the difficulties with making payments. How can this problem be solved?
“If you want to make a difference, you have to see the light and move towards it. You are right when you say that the BRICS are more successful politically. Its economic development is the next stage.
BRICS is already active in the economic sphere. After the coronavirus pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis, we began to work on new trade rules. We try to make payments in local currencies. In the past, all countries had to exchange their money for dollars before paying off another country, and this led to additional costs. Today, the seller and buyer countries can skip the dollar part of this process, thanks to the BRICS economic model.
The BRICS economy is developing, and other countries are seeing it. If they don’t have a chance to join the World Trade Organization, they want to join the BRICS, because here they will have space for new technologies, innovation clusters, trade and development.
You were in Crimea at the 2014 referendum. Do you remember the feelings of the people when they voted to join Russia?
— Yes, people were very happy. They have come to this after overcoming many adversities and hardships. When the referendum finally took place, people rejoiced that they had achieved a better future for their children, safety, security and peaceful development.
I was there when President Putin inaugurated the Crimean Bridge, the “Bridge of Prosperity.” It was a historic moment and a major economic breakthrough for Crimea and all of Russia. The life of Crimeans has improved dramatically since 2014, but it must be remembered that the other four regions are still being shelled.
Do you think there will be another Yalta conference after the hot phase of the Ukrainian conflict has passed? Will there be a new agreement between Russia and the West?
“Of course. A peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine will be signed, and it will be a historic moment for Russia, because oppression will be ended and the peace mission will end.
Why does Russia occupy such an important place in your life? Why did you decide to become an international observer in Russia?
Russia has as long a history as India. After India gained independence, Russia has always provided great support to it, in all circumstances: in times of conflicts, wars, economic problems. Russia has also made a great contribution to India’s defense.
Today, we feel that everything the Russian Federation is doing is right, because your country has always been on the side of universal values. This has been the case throughout the history of the world, during the Second World War, and it continues to be so today.
The West has imposed a huge number of sanctions on Russia, only because it still believes in its monopoly on everything. Today, the Russian Federation is a strong country that can resist it. That is why so many countries support Moscow. This is not only political, but also economic support. Russia has new friends in the East, including China and India. Читайте больше на https://www.pravda.ru/world/1975335-gospozha-anand/
Parliament, March 19 (Daily Mirror)- The Central Bank has no powers to increase the salaries of its employees without the approval of Parliament in terms of the Constitution and the move to increase their salaries is wrong, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.
He told Parliament that Parliament has powers over Public Finance in terms of the Constitution and that the Central Bank cannot increase the salaries of its employees without Parliamentary approval.
The Minister said the claim by the Central Bank that it has the independence to take decisions in terms of the new Central Bank Act is wrong as any Act must come under the Constitution.
“The Central Bank was granted independence under the new Central Bank Act to ensure that it functions free of political intervention. We expected that the Central Bank would function according to the requirements of the country. Unfortunately, the Central Bank acted to increase its employees’ salaries as the first action,” he said, while explaining his position during the cross talk over the Central Bank employees’ salary increase.
Opposition MP Mohammed Muzammil said no action has been taken regarding the salary increase despite the matter being raised in Parliament for several days.
State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said the government will take a decision on the Central Bank salary increase after the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) submits its report to Parliament.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the government must not wait for the report of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and said that the government must take a decision to withdraw the salary hike.
“The Central Bank is not under the COPF, it is under the government,” he said.
The buying rate of the US Dollar has dropped below the Rs. 300 mark for the first time since July 05, 2023.
According to the official exchange rates announced today by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the buying rate of the USD is Rs. 299.29 and the selling rate is Rs. 308.90.
Meanwhile the indicative rate is listed as Rs. 304.63.
The Cabinet of Ministers has given its approval to provide 10kg of rice per month for each low-income family for a period of two months.
As per the proposal furnished by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as many as 2.74 million low-income families will benefit from this relief program.
These low-income families will be identified through District Secretaries/Government Agents by involving small- and medium-scale mill owners, the government said in a statement.
In the first half of 2023, the government took measures to provide 10kg of Nadu rice per family for a period of two months covering 2.74 million families in the 25 districts, including Samurdhi beneficiaries.
In order to help maintain the nutritional level of the identified low-income earners, the government decided that it is only appropriate to resume the program this year as well.
The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal to draft the necessary laws to amend the electoral system to elect 160 Members of Parliament directly from the voters of the respective constituencies, also known as the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system, and for the remaining 65 MPs to be elected according to the proportional voting system at the national or provincial level.
The need to revise the current electoral system has been identified in order to meet the objectives of the Election Expenses Regulation Act No. 3 of 2023 and to achieve a fully democratic election, the Government Information Department said.
Accordingly, a Cabinet sub-committee was appointed to ask the views of all party leaders and other relevant parties representing the Parliament and submit a report to the Cabinet with relevant recommendations.
Suggestions have been presented to the committee to elect 160 Members of Parliament directly from the voters of the respective constituencies and the remaining 65 Members of Parliament to be elected at the national or provincial level according to the proportional voting system and the agreement of the majority has been received for this, the statement said.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms to advise the Legal Draftsman to draft the necessary laws taking into account the recommendations made by the committee appointed under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to amend the electoral system.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Education and Microsoft Company at the Presidential Secretariat today (19), marking the commencement of a pilot project to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the school curriculum. This initiative will offer students above grade 8 the opportunity to delve into AI within the realm of Information Technology.
The pilot project is slated to be rolled out in 20 selected schools across 20 districts, with a commitment to provide conducive classrooms and necessary technical equipment. A dedicated team from Microsoft will extend support to facilitate online educational activities.
Prior to the signing, President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in discussions with Microsoft representatives at the President’s Office. The representatives assured the President of their unwavering support towards incorporating AI into the educational framework.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft’s India and South Asia region, expressed gratitude for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership in spearheading Sri Lanka’s advancement through the integration of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.
Education Minister Susil Premjayanth disclosed that the program aims for full implementation by 2025.
In attendance at the event was Mrs. Julie Chung, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, who highlighted the significant opportunity this initiative presents for the Sri Lankan people, urging all to seize it to its fullest potential.
Mrs. Julie Chung also noted the forthcoming support from volunteer groups aimed at enhancing the English language skills of Sri Lankan citizens and schoolchildren.
Among the distinguished guests who attended the event were Minister of State for Technology Kanaka Herath, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary of the Ministry of Education Wasantha Perera, Secretary of the Ministry of Technology Dharmasiri Kumaratunga, as well as senior officials from Microsoft. Representatives from various educational institutions including D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo, and students, teachers, and principals from Muslim Ladies College, Pussellawa Hindu National School, and Tangalle Girls’ College were also present at the event.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
Dr. Sunil J. Wimalawansa, MD, PhD, MBA, DSc, Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, will be honored with the 2024 Eugene T. Davidson, MD, Public Service Award by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). The award ceremony will occur during the 33rd Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, in May 2024. The Eugene T. Davidson, MD, Public Service Award, named after a founder and former president of AACE, celebrates exceptional contributions to advancing AACE’s mission of providing quality healthcare for patients with endocrine diseases and enhancing public health. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding clinical excellence, education, research, public health, medical ethics, technological innovations, medical advancements, community involvement, and individual accomplishments within the endocrinology community. It is highly esteemed and sought after in the field of endocrine medicine. AACE is the largest clinical endocrinologist association globally, representing over 8,000 endocrinologists worldwide. Most members are certified in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, specializing in treating patients with a wide range of endocrine and metabolic disorders, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, lipid disorders, hypertension, and obesity [www.aace.com]. Dr. Wimalwansa is a renowned educator, author, researcher, innovator, executive board member, administrator, and philanthropist. He is also skilled as a process consultant and Lean Six Sigma executive. Dr. Wimalwansa obtained a diploma in medical administration from Johns Hopkins University School of Business in 2000 and an Executive aster’s in Business Administration from Rutgers University Business School in 2006. He has significantly contributed to academia and research with over 300 peer-reviewed articles and numerous book chapters. He has also authored books spanning various disciplines and taught undergraduates, graduates, and postgraduate levels.
Dr. Wimalwansa’s illustrious five-decade career has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to advancing global endocrinology and public health. In 1984, his pioneering work on inventing intraoperative hormone measurements revolutionized endocrine surgical procedures. This innovation enabled surgeons to precisely locate and remove endocrine tumors, significantly reducing the need for repeat surgeries. Widely adopted by endocrine surgeons worldwide, this technique has benefited millions of patients.
Dr. Wimalwansa’s development of once-a-week bisphosphonate therapy and affordable medications for metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, has profoundly transformed patient care in this field. He and his colleagues developed animal models of microgravity, MRI-based quantitation of muscle mass and bone density in small animals, and pre-eclampsia. His diverse pursuits include serving as a retired squadron leader, outdoor activist, an avid explorer (climbing the Himalayas in 1972), and a distinguished sportsman— among others, the recipient of the all-around sportsperson award from the university in 1974. With a legacy of scientific excellence, he continues to shape the future of global health through education and research focused on disease prevention and philanthropy.
In 1994, Dr. Wimalwansa pioneered the first live remote medical consultation clinics” (the first real telemedicine clinic) between Galveston, TX, and U.S.-Mexico border towns, covering over 250 miles. His exceptional contributions have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Dr. Boy Frame Award for Clinical Excellence in Metabolic Bone Diseases (1993), the Glen Foundation Awards from the American Endocrine Society, and an innovation award from the Asian Chamber of Commerce (2000). Recognizing his humanitarian endeavors, he received the Dr. Oscar Gluck International Humanitarian of the Year Award (2007) from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sri Lanka Foundation, Los Angeles in honor of his remarkable contributions to science, humanity, and society.
Dr. Wimalwansa is the first trained Clinical Endocrinologist from Sri Lanka; previously served as a squadron leader in the Air Force. In addition to delivering lectures, he has significantly contributed to global endocrinology education by offering free courses worldwide. His commitment to serving society is evident through his founding of nonprofit organizations, including the International Foundation for Chronic Disabilities, the International Foundation for Revitalization, Empowerment, Education, and Development, the Hela Empowerment Foundation, the Wimalawansa Foundation, and the Preventive Health, Environmental Protection, and Research Organization. Dr. Wimalwansa’s extensive contributions extend to his service on the boards of directors for prominent organizations such as AACE, ISCD, and the Turner Foundation. Furthermore, he has played integral roles as a member or consultant for various national and international scientific committees, including NIH, VA, IAEA, DEA, and NASA. His commitment to advancing scientific knowledge is evident through his regularly reviewing manuscripts for granting organizations and national and international scientific journals. Additionally, he actively serves on editorial boards and remains deeply engaged in scientific research and publications. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication inspire positive change and advancements in healthcare globally.
By Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel (LL.M (UCL)), former Ambassador to UAE and Israel, President of the Lanka Ambassador’s Forum – United Kingdom, Solicitor in England and Wales, and Suchithra Withanage (LL.M (UK) (LL.M (UK) MBA (UK | Reading) LL.B (Hons) (UK)) Diploma in Law (UK) MCIArb (UK) MBCS (UK) MCMI (UK) ACIPR (UK) ASIArb (Singapore)
Historically, Sri Lanka has been a significant player in international trade, with its strategic location making it a key hub in the ancient maritime Silk Road. The country’s history is marked by the export of spices, gems, and other valuable commodities, which have been sought after by traders from around the world for centuries. In the contemporary era, Sri Lanka has continued to play an important role in global trade, albeit with a diversified trade portfolio. The country has focused on sectors such as apparel, tea, rubber, and information technology. As of recent data, Sri Lanka’s top exports include black tea (fermented and partly fermented), solid tires, and gloves impregnated with plastics or rubber, amongst others. The country’s trade partners are widespread, with the United States, United Kingdom, India, Germany, and Italy being the top destinations for Sri Lankan exports. Sri Lanka’s import profile is also diverse, with petroleum oils, transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, semi-finished iron or non-alloy steel products, and knitted or crocheted fabrics being among the top imports. The country primarily imports from China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Singapore. In an effort to revive its economy and facilitate growth, Sri Lanka has been actively seeking to enhance its trade relationships. A recent example is the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand in February 2024. This agreement aims to enhance market opportunities and covers various aspects such as trade in goods, investment, customs procedures, and intellectual property rights. The bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Thailand was worth about $460 million in 2021, with Sri Lanka exporting mainly tea and precious stones to Thailand and importing electronic equipment, food, rubber, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Sri Lankan trade missions are designed to promote the country’s exports, including key sectors such as apparel and textiles, spices, essential oils, oleoresins, food, beverages, diamonds, gems, jewellery, boat and shipbuilding, ICT, wellness tourism, logistics, electrical and electronics. These missions seek to identify and penetrate new markets for Sri Lankan products and services, thereby diversifying the country’s export destinations and reducing dependency on traditional markets. Trade missions are crucial in creating stronger economic ties with other countries, facilitating mutual trade, and encouraging foreign investment. They provide a platform for Sri Lankan businesses to display their products and services to potential buyers and investors in target markets. Moreover, they enable direct interaction with potential buyers, investors, and business partners, facilitating networking and the establishment of new business relationships. Participating in them helps Sri Lankan businesses understand market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive dynamics in foreign markets. An example of a specific trade mission is the RAK – Sri Lanka Business Forum & Trade Fair 2024, organized to strengthen economic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objectives of this event include exploring new opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses in the UAE, Gulf, and Middle East, promoting Sri Lankan exports in these regions, and enhancing bilateral trade, investments, employment opportunities, tourism, and financial cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE. Furthermore, the role of Sri Lankan missions overseas extends beyond trade promotion to include investment promotion, tourism promotion, and enhancing the image of Sri Lanka. These missions work towards strengthening relations with host nations, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating aid availability. Sri Lanka has strategically targeted key regions such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America for its trade missions. These missions aim to improve export opportunities, explore new markets, and strengthen bilateral trade relations. In Asia, Sri Lanka has a longstanding relationship with India. The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA), in operation since March 2000, has facilitated trade between the two countries. Additionally, Sri Lanka and India are in discussions to further economic ties, including connecting to India’s oil and power grids, which could provide Sri Lanka with cheaper fuel and reliable electricity. There are also talks about integrating Sri Lanka into India’s emerging supply chain framework and promoting bilateral foreign direct investment flows. China is another significant partner for Sri Lanka in Asia. The two countries are negotiating a free trade agreement, which aims to provide Sri Lankan goods with greater access to the Chinese market. The discussions, which began in 2014, are focused on an “asymmetric” trade deal that considers the size difference between the two economies. This agreement could open up a market of 22 million people to Chinese exports and further strengthen China’s influence in Sri Lanka. In Europe, the European Union (EU) is Sri Lanka’s second-largest trading partner and a major export destination, absorbing 22.4% of Sri Lankan exports in 2020. Textiles and clothing dominate Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU, accounting for over half of the total exports to the region. Since 2017, Sri Lanka has benefited from enhanced market access to the EU under the Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) scheme, which allows for the full removal of duties on a significant portion of tariff lines. In North America, the United States and Sri Lanka have a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in place. The 14th U.S.-Sri Lanka TIFA Council Meeting, held in September 2023, discussed a wide range of bilateral trade and investment-related issues, including investment climate policies, labor reforms, intellectual property protection, and market access for various products. The two countries also explored collaboration and technical assistance in sectors such as the digital economy, gem and jewelry industry, and floriculture. The expansion of export-oriented industries, driven by trade missions, has led to the creation of numerous employment opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, services, and agriculture. This has contributed to poverty reduction and improved living standards in various regions of the country. Trade missions have thus helped position Sri Lanka as a competitive player in the global market by showcasing the country’s strengths and capabilities. For instance, the “Ceylon Tea” brand has gained international recognition, and the country is now known for its high-quality apparel, IT services, and gemstones. They have also been effective in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Sri Lanka. By presenting investment opportunities and facilitating interactions between Sri Lankan businesses and foreign investors, these missions have contributed to the inflow of capital, technology, and expertise into the country. It must be stated that Sri Lanka has experienced periods of political instability, which can deter foreign investors and trade partners. The recent economic crisis and political turmoil in 2022 have underscored the need for stable governance to maintain investor confidence and sustain trade relationships. Inadequate infrastructure, particularly in transportation and logistics, can hinder the efficiency of trade operations. Investing in infrastructure development, such as improving port facilities, road networks, and digital connectivity, is crucial to support trade and attract investment. As a small, open economy, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to global market fluctuations, including changes in commodity prices, trade policies, and economic downturns in key markets. Diversifying export markets and products can help mitigate these risks. Tariff and non-tariff barriers in target markets can limit market access for Sri Lankan products. Negotiating trade agreements and addressing regulatory hurdles are essential to develop market access. Limited access to finance can restrict the ability of Sri Lankan businesses as well, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to expand their operations and engage in international trade. Improving access to credit and financial services is vital to support business growth. Improving the skills and capacity of local businesses to meet international standards and compete in global markets is crucial. Initiatives for workforce development, technical assistance, and knowledge transfer can support this goal. As global trade increasingly emphasizes sustainability, Sri Lanka must ensure that its trade practices align with environmental and social standards to maintain market access and appeal to conscious consumers. To address these challenges and seize the opportunities presented by trade missions, Sri Lanka needs a comprehensive approach that includes strategic planning, policy reforms, investment in infrastructure, and capacity building. Collaborating with international partners, leveraging technology, and giving rise to an enabling environment for business can further improve Sri Lanka’s trade prospects and contribute to its economic development. Looking ahead, Sri Lanka is poised to capitalize on its strategic location at the crossroads of major shipping routes and leverage its trade missions to tap into emerging markets. The focus is on several key areas: Technology: The country aims to position itself as a hub for information and communication technology (ICT) in the region. The country is already known for its IT and software services, and it plans to further develop its technology sector by nurturing innovation, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing its digital infrastructure. Renewable Energy: With an abundance of natural resources, Sri Lanka is exploring opportunities in renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power. The government has set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy in its power mix, which presents opportunities for investment and collaboration in this sector. Sustainable Tourism: Sri Lanka’s profound cultural heritage and natural beauty make it a popular tourist destination. The country is focusing on sustainable tourism development, promoting eco-friendly practices, and developing niche tourism products such as wellness and adventure tourism to attract more diverse and high-value tourists. Value-Added Exports: The country is also working on enhancing its export portfolio by focusing on value-added products in sectors such as apparel, gem and jewelry, and agricultural products as discussed above. The long-term aim is to move up the value chain and increase the competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports in the global market. Facilitating Innovation: To remain competitive in the global arena, Sri Lanka is emphasizing the importance of innovation across all sectors. This includes supporting research and development, encouraging startups, and creating an ecosystem that nurtures creativity and technological advancement. Trade Agreements: Sri Lanka is actively pursuing trade agreements with key partners to improve market access and strengthen its trade relations. Negotiations with countries such as China and India are ongoing, and new agreements are being explored to expand Sri Lanka’s trade network. It is important to recognize that trade missions can be a double-edged sword. They are necessary but can be dangerous and controversial, especially for a strategically placed country like Sri Lanka, which is significant for major powers. Concerns arise about trade agreements with major powers, as we may not be strong enough to safeguard ourselves like countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Self-criticism indicates that we are not, though educated. It’s the responsibility of academics to assist policymakers and the government in drafting holistic agreements to position Sri Lanka as a hub for trade and arbitration. There is a world to look at, and this area must be strongly dealt with, along with a word to the Sri Lanka Law College and judiciary to be more concerned about international law, arbitration, and international trade. The good news is that our youth are intellectually advanced, sophisticated, and capable of assisting in these processes, and it is time for governors to go the extra mile on this to make Sri Lanka a hub in South Asia for trade relations by taking small developed nations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia as examples. Overall, Sri Lanka’s future prospects in trade and economic development are promising, with a focus on leveraging its strategic location, diversifying its economy, and embracing innovation amongst other facets of development. By capitalizing on these opportunities, it aims to achieve sustainable growth and enhance its position in the global market in the forthcoming decade.
• The procession of the Sacred Omniscient Relics of Deegawapiya Stupa and the Crest-Gem on exposition at Buddhist shrines in Anuradhapura.
The island-wide public veneration of the Sacred Omniscient Relics of Deegawapiya Stupa unearthed from the Deegawapiya site during excavations and the Crest-Gem commenced from Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on August 30, (2023) to provide devotees with opportunity to pay their homage is continuing further.
Accordingly, these revered articles will be on display at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweli Maha Seya and Sandahiru Seya premises from March 18 to April 05.
Hence, devotees can worship the Sacred Omniscient Relics and Crest-Gem of the Deegawapiya Stupa and also support this worthy act by making financial contributions to the restoration project.
A recent India-Sri Lanka agreement for constructing renewable energy systems in three islands off the Jaffna coast reaffirms India’s domination of the sector.
On March 1, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, the Government of Sri Lanka, and U-Solar Clean Energy Solutions from India signed an agreement for the construction of hybrid renewable energy systems on Nainativu, Delft (Neduntheevu), and Analaitivu islands situated in the Palk Bay. The three facilities which will have a combined renewable energy capacity of 2,230 kilowatts will be funded by a $11 million grant from the Indian government.
A statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo said that the project which integrates solar and wind energy will address the energy requirements of the three islands, which are currently not connected to the national grid.
The energy sector has been identified as a priority in the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision document, a commitment established during President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India in July 2023.
The hybrid energy project was initially awarded to China. In January 2021, the Sri Lankan cabinet approved a collaborative effort involving China’s Sinosoar to implement hybrid renewable energy systems” in the aforementioned three islands in Palk Bay. The joint venture deal, secured through a competitive bidding process adhered to the procurement guidelines of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a pivotal supporter of the project.
However, India strongly objected to the deal as the three islands are located barely 50 km from the southern Indian coast.
New Delhi then proposed undertaking the same project, offering a grant instead of a loan from the ADB. Under pressure, the Sri Lankan government scrapped the agreement with the Chinese and is proceeding with the project in collaboration with India.
India has expressed heightened sensitivity toward foreign-funded development initiatives in Sri Lanka, particularly in the Northern and Eastern provinces. India has an interest in maintaining a foothold and dominating the two provinces given the proximity to India as well as Trincomalee harbor, which is located in a strategic area.
Notably, the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, perceived by some as an agreement pushed on Sri Lanka by India, stipulates that if Sri Lanka engages in the development of Trincomalee Oil Tanks with a foreign partner, that partner must be India.
During the 1980s, when India was aligned with the Soviet Union, there existed a palpable concern that the J.R. Jayewardene administration would permit the United States to establish a foothold in Trincomalee.
Over the last couple of decades, India’s apprehensions have shifted to China, which it perceives as its primary strategic rival in Asia. It is concerned over China’s growing presence and influence in its neighborhood.
In this context, Sri Lanka’s mounting dependence on China has been a matter of grave concern to India. New Delhi has identified integrating Sri Lanka into a common energy architecture as vital to its geopolitical aims and made it clear to successive Sri Lankan governments that establishing energy projects in the north and east with other partners is out of the question.
Since Sri Lanka slipped into a severe economic crisis in 2022, India’s role in its recovery has been substantial. By extending the cash-strapped country loans and grants India has strengthened its hold over its renewable energy sector. It appears to have managed to completely sideline China in this sector, as evident from the way in which it was able to snatch the project to build hybrid renewable energy systems in three islands off the coast of Jaffna, from China.
The latest renewable energy deal is the third India-backed energy project coming up in Sri Lanka’s north and east. While the National Thermal Power Corporation is implementing a solar energy project in the eastern town of Sampur, where India had previously hoped to build a controversial coal power plant, the Adani Group is setting up renewable energy projects in Mannar and Pooneryn in the north.
Indian projects in Sri Lanka have often triggered controversy. This has been the case particularly with contracts handed to the Adani Group. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, had slammed the Rajapaksa administration for allowing the Indian company to gain entry through a backdoor” approach. The Rajapaksa administration was accused of favoring Gautam Adani, a close associate of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In June 2022, M.M.C. Ferdinando, chairman of the state-run Ceylon Electricity Board, informed Parliament’s Committee on Public Enterprises that the Sri Lankan government faced pressure from the Indian prime minister to grant tenders for renewable energy projects to the Adani Group.
Following the wind power plant’s completion, Sri Lanka is set to procure a unit of electricity from Adani at a rate of U.S. 7.55 cents per unit which is twice the rate determined through competitive tendering. Ferdinando’s revelation came shortly after Sri Lanka amended its Electricity Act, eliminating the requirement for competitive bidding for energy projects, thereby facilitating the Adani Group’s involvement in renewable energy projects within the country.
Given Adani’s close ties with Modi the average Sri Lankan is suspicious of these projects and some opposition politicians have been quick to capitalize on this. On the other hand, the government has not been transparent about any of the power and energy agreements with Indian companies, which has deepened public suspicion.
In the intricate realm of strategic agreements with foreign nations, transparency emerges as a linchpin, particularly when steering crucial developments such as renewable energy initiatives. Sri Lanka’s forays into developing sustainable energy projects in its Northern and Eastern provinces underscore the critical need for clear, open communication in such ventures.
As it navigates partnerships with influential neighbors like India, the importance of transparency becomes paramount to build trust and mitigate concerns surrounding foreign involvement.
Sri Lanka’s north and east have significant potential for renewable energy and given that we can’t harvest these resources without Indian approval, the task at hand is to determine what a win-win situation is for the two countries.
Jaffna, March 17 (Daily Mirror) – The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a total of 18 Indian poaching trawlers and 146 Indian fishermen within Sri Lankan waters in 2024.
In a latest incident, the Navy seized two Indian trawlers and arrested 21 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island.
The Navy said they conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters during the dark hours of yesterday and the arrest was made during this operation.
The Sri Lanka Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign trawlers, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.
The seized trawlers together with 21 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s memoir claims regular dinner invitations from Cardinal Ranjith until the 2019 Easter Sunday attack
A woman looks at the copies of the ‘The Conspiracy’ book written by toppled Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa displayed at a bookshop in Colombo on March 7. (Photo: AFP)
Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has alleged in a new book that the Catholic Church played a key role in mass civil protests that blamed him for the nation’s worst economic crisis since independence and unseated him from power in July 2022.
That the cardinal [Malcolm Ranjith] and sections of the Catholic Church played a major role in my ouster was obvious,” Rajapaksa wrote in his explosive memoir titled The Conspiracy to Oust Me from the Presidency,” released on March 7.
The most visible presence at the Galle Face protests was that of the Roman Catholic clergy,” he noted referring to demonstrations at Galle Face Green, a public space near the Presidential Secretariat building.
The sensational claims by the former president and member of the powerful Rajapaksa clan have made the book a bestseller in the Indian Ocean island nation, with the first edition sold out within a few days of its release.
However, the Church has yet to respond to the claims made in the book, although it’s been more than 10 days since its release.
Written in first-person narrative, the memoir claimed that there was an internationally backed conspiracy to oust him from office by various sections of Sri Lankan society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Tamil diaspora outfits in Western countries.
“The Catholic clergy would ‘turn up every morning for the protests'”
The conspiracy was in the making, it claims, since he assumed duties in November 2019 through a majority of Buddhist votes.”
Talk of ‘Catholic Action’ and the clandestine political machinations of the Catholic Church was a part of the political discourse in this country some decades ago. But this time, Catholic priests and nuns came out openly onto the streets,” Rajapaksa alleged.
He further details how the Catholic clergy would turn up every morning for the protests on Galle Face.”
On 9 July 2022 when mobs took over the President’s House, Catholic priests and nuns were seen among the intruders,” he alleged.
The former president even wonders given the excellent relationship that existed earlier, why the cardinal and sections of the Catholic Church turned away from me in this manner is a mystery.”
He claims to have maintained close ties with Ranjith before he took office in 2019 while serving as defense secretary under his brother’s government which was unseated in an election in 2015.
A high point of my relationship with the Catholic Church was the invitation of His Holiness the pope to Sri Lanka towards the end of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government,” he wrote.
Rajapaksa wrote in detail on the lengthy process beginning about two years before the visit when personnel from the Vatican visited the country to conduct security assessments and other preparations.
“The Church was misled to believe in conspiracy theories”
I became so close to the cardinal during this period that when the visit of the pope took place soon after we had lost power in 2015, he obtained a special audience for former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and myself to meet His Holiness at the house of the Papal Nuncio in Colombo,” he claimed in the memoir.
This contact, the former president stressed, remained during the years of good governance government (2015-2019)” and I and my wife would occasionally be invited to dinner with the cardinal.”
The close rapport between them underwent a dramatic change when the Catholic Church expressed its disappointment with his government’s probe into the Easter Sunday attack that shook the nation months before Rajapaksa was elected to office.
The deadly terror bombings on April 21, 2019, claimed the lives of 279 people including 37 foreign nationals, and injured over 500 others, most of whom had flocked to churches for Easter Sunday Mass.
The Church said it would be forced to seek “international justice” through other means in the absence of justice and truth over the attacks through local mechanisms.
The former president claimed the Church was misled to believe in conspiracy theories based on selective testimonies of witnesses.
Recalling Ranjith’s allegation, made in mid-January 2022, that certain leaders used the attacks for their political advantage, Rajapaksa claimed he did seek assistance from foreign governments and investigating agencies to ensure legitimacy to the probe assigned to a Presidential Commission of Inquiry.
What was now being alleged in so many words was that eight Muslim fanatics had launched suicide attacks in order to make me president,” he claimed.
In early 2022 when the cardinal started making the accusation that I had somehow orchestrated the Easter Sunday bombings in order to create the political conditions for me to get elected to power, I instructed Sri Lankan Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe in Washington to explore the possibility of obtaining the US government’s Federal Investigation Bureau/ Central Intelligence Agency assistance in the investigations,” the former president explained.
He further claimed that the US Department of Justice, after a two-year-long investigation by the FBI, filed charge sheets against three Sri Lankan nationals in January 2021 for conspiring to provide materials to ISIS.
Sri Lanka and Japan today signed the Exchange of Notes pertaining to the grant assistance amounting to Japanese Yen 1,600 million (approximately LKR 3.3 billion) to be provided under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme.
The Government of Japan, as one of Sri Lanka’s main development partners, provides concessional loans and various grant aid schemes such as the Economic and Social Development Programs, Technical Cooperation, Research Partnerships, Development Studies, and non-project grant aid with a view to improving the socio-economic status by strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
During the present economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the government of Japan has extended its cooperation by providing required immediate humanitarian assistance for the affected community as well as by equipping the public sector, aiming to improve the socioeconomic situation in the country.
At this juncture, at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan agreed to provide grant assistance amounting to Japanese Yen one thousand and six hundred million (approximately LKR 3.3 billion) under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme, considering the requirements of diversified fields namely marine environment, fishing, health care, and vocational training.
Under this grant assistance four vessels for oil boom with the necessary accessories, a generator, and a cargo truck with a crane for improving oil spill response and management of the Sri Lanka coast guard; portable ultrasonic scanners, gynecological examination tables, a laparoscopic system, mammography, fetal heart raters, and infant warmers for improving the maternal and pediatric care in major hospitals in Northern Province; industrial sewing machines, zigzag (industrial) machines, overlock (5 thread) machines, and button holder (5 thread, industrial) machines for dressmaker courses at vocational training centers in Northern Province; and a petrol boat, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, lighted buoys, and HG radio Transceivers will be provided for the project of ensure the safety of fishermen will be provided.
The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant were signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka on March 18, 2024, at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies. The Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, Mr. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the Government of Japan.
Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, is renowned for producing some of the world’s most exquisite sapphires. The rich blue hue of Ceylon sapphires has captivated gem enthusiasts for centuries, with its deep and mesmerizing shades reminiscent of the ocean at dusk. These precious gemstones are valued not only for their beauty but also for their rarity and unique color variations, ranging from cornflower blue to velvety indigo.
In the world, Sri Lanka is one of the top gem-bearing countries, with over 75 varieties of precious and semi-precious gemstones that can be found in Sri Lanka. The gem retail section offers a wide range of gemstones, including Ruby, Spinel, Amethyst, Alexandrite, Zircon, Garnet, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Agate, Cymophane, Topaz, and Moonstone.
Ceylon Sapphires: Prized for their exceptional quality and clarity, Ceylon sapphires are highly sought after in the world of fine jewelry. Their alluring brilliance and stunning luster set them apart from other gemstones, making them the perfect choice for elegant and sophisticated pieces.Sri Lanka has a long history of ethical gemstone mining, ensuring that each Ceylon sapphire is sourced responsibly and sustainably. This commitment to ethical practices not only preserves the natural beauty of the land but also supports the local communities that rely on the gemstone industry for their livelihood.Beyond Ceylon sapphires; the world of gems is a treasure trove of beauty and wonder. Each gemstone possesses its own unique charm and significance. Diverse Colors and Symbolism: Gemstones come in a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and sizes, each with its own symbolism and lore. Whether it’s the passionate red of a ruby or the cool tranquility of a sapphire, each gemstone has a story to tell and a beauty to behold. From the depths of the earth to the hands of skilled artisans, gemstones are a testament to the wonders of nature and the ingenuity of humanity. Gemstone jewelry has long been cherished for its beauty and symbolism, with each piece telling a unique story and capturing a moment in time. Whether it’s a sparkling Royal Blue Sapphire ring or a vibrant other color of sapphire can range from blue to violet, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and intermediate hues known as fancy sapphires. Gemstone jewelry is a testament to the enduring allure of these precious stones and the artistry of the craftsmen who bring them to life.
In conclusion, Ceylon sapphires and gemstones in the world are not just beautiful adornments but also symbols of nature’s bounty and human creativity. Their timeless appeal and ethereal beauty continue to enchant and inspire generations, making them truly timeless treasures to be cherished and admired
Sri Lanka emerges a treasure trove of Ceylon gems, each one a testament to the island’s rich geological history and the skilled hands that shape them. These gemstones, born deep within the Earth’s embrace, carry stories of time immemorial of whispers of nature herself.
When we talked about Ceylon Sapphire, the royal blue gem, reigns supreme in Ceylon. Its velvety depths evoke the cerulean seas that cradle this island nation around. Sri Lankan gem deposits have been found within the Highland and, to a lesser extent, Southwest Groups. Today, large expanses of alluvial deposits have been extensively mined in the main Ratnapura and Elahera gem fields in Sri Lanka, where a majority of colored gemstones are found
In Specially in Ratnapura, and you’ll find gem markets teeming with sapphires—their hues ranging from cornflower blue to midnight indigo. In the gem workshops of Ratnapura, master craftsmen transform rough any type of gems stone into exquisite facets, their brilliance rivaling the island’s sunsets its self.
Second to Ratnapura, most of the world-class gem traders reside in Kandy Town. Well-known gem traders from around the globe have their own shops lining the streets. There are gemologists specializing in gem certification, and Nilmini Gems and Gem Laboratory Kandy CEO and Founder have received international awards recognized by the Gemological Association of Great Britain, United Kingdom, including the prestigious Christie’s Prize for the best trade candidate in 2002. Gem trading and gem testing have flourished in Kandy Town, largely due to the presence of renowned gemologists. Additionally, there are newly qualified gemologists operating a new gem testing lab in Kandy Town. If you’re seeking world-class, reputable gem certification, I recommend exploring Kandy Town itself and considering the expertise of professionals in the field. Some gem certifiers boast up to thirty to twenty years of experience in the gemological industry, ensuring reliable gem certification overall..
GIA stands for the Gemological Institute of America. It’s a nonprofit organization that specializes in gemstone research and education. Since 1931, GIA has been a prominent authority on all things related to gemstones
‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’
e-Con e-News 10-16 March 2024
How many think ‘liberal’ only means extending ‘freedom’ as in ‘liberate’? – yet, think again – what ‘liberal’ really means is: theright of some individuals toown private property, not just land, but humans – by enslavement – as European history amply demonstrates!
‘Neoliberalism’ – a misnomer widely popular among both so-called Left & Right – was coined by European economists, all funded by the Exxon-oil-tax-hideout, the Rockefeller Foundation, who sought to extend their white power. Those European economists who later formed the secretive Mont Pelerin Society (MPS) –later touted by token off-white mimics, too – warned of an imminent ‘suicide of the West’, deeply concerned about controlling the ‘hordes’ of non-white countries who could take over the United Nations. They wished to block the rise of a so-called ‘postcolonial world’, especially to maintain white power (protecting settler white South Africa & Zionist Israel was essential) anchored in the North Atlantic aka White Atlantic (buttressed by its military wing, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – NATO), which now bleeds through US & EU warships into our ocean called Indian.
Politicians, media & economists in Sri Lanka gaily parrot this imported ‘neoliberal’ dictat. In 2004, then-Prime-minister & now-President Ranil Wickremasinghe held a special Mont Pelerin meeting at that swanky Kandalama Hotel. In April 2015, just 3 months after his 2nd appointment as PM, Wickremesinghe appointed fellow Mont Pelerinist, Singapore-based ‘Professor’ Razeen Sally as Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Chairman. In 2016, the US’ Advocata thinktank – funded by the Atlas Network, a fingerling of the MPS – was formed at the Lakshman Kadiragamar Centre.
Sally, who seeks revenge since his father was jailed in Sri Lanka for foreign-exchange fraud in the 1970s, is the Mont Pelerin point-man linking US-funded thinktank Advocata & online media outlet EconomyNext, also tied to ‘1st NGO’ Exxon-Rockefeller-funded Sarvodaya. Sally ghostwrites EconomyNext’s run-on&on column Bellwether, which splatters many of the names & terms beloved & despised by these neolibbas. The Atlas Network too is funded by ExxonMobil & the US government, including John Templeton etc, who bestowed a $10,000 award on a former ‘poor Moratuwa boy’ who is grandly named CEO of Advocata, for their ‘research work’.
However, the real power within US$thinktank Advocata, is wielded by its chairman, the regional Borah merchant Murtaza Jafferjee, appointed in May 2022 by then-PM & Minister of Finance Ranil Wickremasinghe to form an ‘Economic Stabilisation Dialogue’ between the Ministry of Finance and certain ‘independent’ economists. It is these ‘independent economists’ who demanded & got an ‘independent’ Central Bank, and pushed the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) which allows ‘investors’ to ‘take your profit away as & when you wish, without having to obtain any formal, regulatory approval from the authorities.’ Sally’s father is thus posthumously pardoned from samsaric bondage!
Now both Sally & Jafferjee are careful not to be seen or even heard of in the media during these days of auctioning national resources to Wall Street. Sally after all blames Sinhala-Buddhist ‘majoritarianism’ for all the country’s woes. It’s no coincidence therefore that those European economists, who coined the term neoliberalism, proclaimed that ‘rich countries are rich’ because they have a certain ‘geist’ (spirit) emanating from Christianity! – the true spiritual ‘genealogy of economic organization’.
This Christian spirit can only be found in the ‘fully developed industrial countries of the free world’. The ‘lack of punctuality, reliability, the inclination to save & to create’ meant that industrialization schemes in the global South were ‘doomed to fail’.
Indeed, what we have now come to understand as ‘independence’ is what these founders of the neoliberal movement recommended: ‘formal political sovereignty but a diminished economic autonomy’, regulated by ‘the free flow of capital and investment over borders.’ A loose world federation’ (read, UN, World Bank, IMF, WTO!) ‘would help prevent mass popular expectations from becoming reality as the ‘ever-present threat of capital flight would curb campaigns of expansionary social policy’ as embodied in such policies as the USA’s ‘New Deal’, they label as Keynesian.
This ee reproduces an interesting exposé of these economists, even as this exposé uses such dubious terms as ‘postcolonial’ and fails to see these so-called ‘Rightist’ opponents to the so-called Leftist FD Roosevelt’s New Deal & JF Kennedy’s New Frontier as 2 sides of the same dud coin. Roosevelt, Kennedy (& his tanned grandsons B Obama & paler J Biden) escalated wars on the world. US ‘War Keynesianism’ is the father of their US Military Industrial Complex. Keynes, who still dominates the thinking of trade unions & NGOS etc (who deploy ‘gesturing’ & ‘virtue-signaling’ as their signboards), was also a boorish & vehement opponent of Karl Marx. Marx, unlike Keynes, saw that only labor creates profit, not capitalists or machines (see ee Focus).
How then did this ambiguous trope ‘neoliberalism’ come to be so widely used by aficionados, both white & off-white, of the ‘Left & Right’? Why not use, straight & simple, ‘capitalism’? In fact, these European economists chose ‘neoliberal’ from several labels ‘of self-description’, including ‘neocapitalism’, which would have been more honest! These economists were brought together by Rockefeller to oppose not just the USSR & socialist movements elsewhere. The transatlantic alliances of Germanic neoliberalism & US conservatism make it clear that world economic issues in the mid-20th century were always also about white supremacism, fearful of any alliance between Asia, Africa & African Americans. This North Atlantic front seethed like a hidden virus beneath so-called civil rights & anti-colonial movements, during the period spanning the Non-Aligned Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, in April 1955 & the declaration of the New International Information Order (NIIO), in 1974 (which sought to challenge the power of the imperialist news agencies) and the New International Economic Order in 1975 (which sought to challenge the power of multinational corporations) – all of which was carefully undermined by bribery, assassination & mass murder.
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• Cuba, about to celebrate in 2025 the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the 1975 New International Economic Order (& its subsequent sabotage), this week exposed a detailed US plan to subvert their economy, which eerily mirrors what is taking place in Sri Lanka (see Random Notes).
Former President Gotabhaya Rajapakse’s new revelations – which one analyst hysterically compares to Hitler’s Mein Kampf, threatening to provoke communal rioting – recalls the attempt to destroy longstanding relations with China & Russia – by eg, preventing Sri Lanka from obtaining inexpensive oil from Russia, and organic fertilizer from China. ee has had need to point to the endless ingenuity of our merchants (yes, predominantly, but not only, of a ‘minority’ vintage) to sabotage any attempt to actually industrialize the country. Anybody who seeks to liberate this country from its thrall, must recognize how imperialism corrupts & fattens its allies in order to control (& later destroy) them, as the US trial of a relative of the ruling Rajapaksas – former SL Ambassador to the US, Jaliya Wickramasuriya – which ran concurrently during the aragalaya, displays.
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• Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, a gentleman with hallowed links to the IMF & World Bank, has interesting origins. He mirrors the Colombo oligarchy’s own rise to power, as licensed rentiers in the colonial hard liquor business. Another ‘nobody to somebody’, Weerasinghe’s family are rumored to be infamous ‘enforcers’ in Dickwella. Their origins are in the ‘herbal’ business, Nandalal’s father Hichchi Mahaththaya was a ‘herbal’ mudalali. It’s said, he used to produce a ‘herbal’ extract+ghee concoction, which they smuggled & sold everywhere. His uncle Jinadasa Weerasinghe, known as ‘Herbal’ Hutan, apparently looked like that Hollywood cowboy John Wayne, a tall fair man like Nandalal. Adding eateries & lorries etc, they later became bigger businessmen, but carefully remained importers, and not industrialists, not wishing to tread on the Colombo importer-mafia’s toes. Jinadasa was a UNP MP, who was shot & killed (by a suspected JVP assassin). They had their UNP office in Tangalle. One of their men was killed during an election. The Rajapaksas & the Weerasinghes were also arch enemies. Yet, how to explain then the same Rajapaksas inviting Nandalal to become CBSL governor during the Aragalaya?
N Weerasinghe studied at Rahula College, Matara, got his BSc in Kelaniya, PhD in Australia. He became Deputy Governor under CBSL Governor Arjuna Mahendran during the 2015 bondscam. In April 2022, he was appointed as the 17th Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which had declared Sri Lanka bankrupt (but not bankrupt enough to deny their officials huge golden handcuffs & golden handshakes?). This too is yukthiya.
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• Another interesting character, whose father was a UNP MP, involved in the attempt to damage links with Russia, to prevent Sri Lanka from importing oil from Russia by seizing an Aeroflot plane at Katunayake, is Captain Themiya Abeywickrama. Abeywickrama, who worked at India’s Kingfisher Airlines, was appointed CAASL (Civil Aviation Authority Sri Lanka)’s Director General & CEO in April 2020, after his predecessor HMC Nimalsiri was retired. Abeywickrama is the son of late MP Sumandasa Abeywickrama, a landed proprietor who was Deputy Minister of Agriculture Development & Research Minister, 1977-83, a period which saw the booming of import-export fraud, and the massive applications of imported chemical fertilizers.
In May 2020, Abeywickrama as CAASL CEO had to reject ‘false rumours’ circulated on social media accusing him of the ‘illegal transport & removal of any person or persons from Sri Lanka’. He also denied that he ‘in any manner or form threatened any licence holder/pilot by interfering in the legal performance of their flying duties’. No ‘guwan seeya’ commented on this matter.
In September 2021, the attempt to import organic fertilizer from Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group of China was sabotaged, which former President GR in his recent book, attributes to the regime-change project, much to the chagrin of chemical importers like USA’s Exxon, and England’s Unilever & ICI-CIC.
At that time, ee noted that a major law firm was behind an illegal act involving bribery by the US embassy to seize a Russian Aeroflot aircraft. This ‘first’ law firm is linked to the colonial robbery of lands to set up plantations, and the undermining of true independence, such as the assassination of a Prime Minister and an attempted coup d’etat against another.
The drama involving the seizure of the Russian plane began on 2 June 2022. The operation was funded by the US embassy via one of Lanka’s most powerful & infamous old law firms, FJ&G de Saram. De Saram sent their lawyers to impose a now apparently never-given court order to seize the craft.
The ‘junior attorney representing the plaintiff served notices on my client instructing to stop the aircraft… Can a lawyer perform the duty of a fiscal officer, while the duties of a fiscal officer are being governed by Fiscal Ordinance?’ asks an Additional Solicitor-General.
The Aeroflot case centred around the antics at the Colombo Commercial High Court (CCHC), set up at the urging of the US to fast-track ‘justice’ for big capitalists. A CCHC ‘Court Registrar’ stands exposed as having ‘given several telephone calls to the Airport Navigation Centre requesting them to implement the Court Order in an unprecedented manner’. To make matters worse, newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremasinghe declared the game was ‘a matter between 2 private parties’, as did the Foreign Ministry… Online or offline, Sri Lankans who have made their names as writers of fictions, including ethnic historiographies, will surely fill in the blanks of how a government & a leader that won the largest majorities in our history, was laid low.
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• Coterminous with the release of former President Gotabahya Rajapaksa’s book, Reuters news agency, this week, released an ‘Exclusive: Trump launched CIA covert influence operation against China’ story.
This Reuters ‘exclusive’, reveals a US ‘clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government’. This is news? ‘A small team of operatives used bogus internet identities to spread negative narratives… leaking disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets.’ Reuters yet adds: ‘the disparaging narratives were based in fact!’ It quotes China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying ‘The CIA initiative shows the US government uses public opinion space & media platforms as weapons to spread false information and manipulate international public opinion.’ What resonates in Sri Lanka however is that: ‘Sources described the 2019 authorization uncovered by Reuters as a more ambitious operation. It enabled the CIA to take action not only in China but also in countries around the world where the USA & China are competing for influence… Covert messaging allows the USA to implant ideas in countries where censorship might prevent that information from coming to light, or in areas where audiences wouldn’t give much credence to US government statements.’
The joke of course is that Reuters itself is a covert operation, displaying itself as a news agency, which ends each news item, proclaiming ‘Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles’, whatever they mean! Reuters is named after that ‘baron’ who, working in tandem with the Rothschilds bankers, monopolized the new 19th-century news services, before grabbing all of Iran’s economy in the mid-19th century. And that was just a start. 95% of Reuters news is ‘exclusive’ business data unavailable to the masses. Until Sri Lanka has its own news media (the current set promote Exxon’s oils & Unilever’s palm oils, which greases a lot of palms), there will be no independent country.
The German Economy is finished. Once the economic powerhouse of Europe, Germany is now struggling for economic survival and guess which country is most responsible? The United States! Germany’s economy is crashing for three main reasons: Sky High Energy Prices, Reduced Exports to China, and Increased Military Expenditures. In today’s video I’ll break down exactly how the US is to blame for all three problems and show you why the future of the German economy has never looked this bad. 0:00 – Intro to German Economy 1:53 – 3 Major Problems with German Economy 2:25 – Why German is Reducing Exports to China 3:45 – How the US Government Forced Germany to Leave China 7:22 – How the US Controls International Chipmakers 8:40 – How the US Bombed the Nordstream Pipeline 10:00 – Germany’s High Energy Prices 13:10 – How NATO Started Germany’s Energy Crisis 16:22 – How Germany’s Military Spending is a Waste of Money ✅ Join our new Locals Community here: https://cyrusjanssen.locals.com/ ✅ Join this channel to get access to perks: / @cyrusjanssen
by A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Sri Lanka.
Where a veto power exists, the scales of justice can never be balanced” – Ahmadiyya Head.
According to our Press Department, U.K., on 9 March 2024, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at the 18th National Peace Symposium hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.
The event was attended by more than 1,200 people including more than 550 dignitaries and guests who had gathered from 30 countries, comprising of Ambassadors of State, Members of Parliament and academics.
During the proceedings, His Holiness presented Adi Patricia Roche, founder of Chernobyl Children International (CCI), recognised for her long-lasting post-Chernobyl disaster efforts, with the 2020 Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace.
His Holiness also presented David Spurdle, founder of the charity Stand By Me, with the 2023Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace, for his remarkable support for orphans and underprivileged children across the world.
As he began his address, His Holiness mentioned that for over two decades he has repeatedly urged policymakers to work towards peace and harmony of the world.”
Highlighting the importance of learning lessons from history, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
History teaches us that internal conflicts can spiral into regional wars – often fuelled by the interference and influence of external powers who ferment instability and division in other countries to serve their interests. In recent decades, we have witnessed the devastating consequences of such interference in countries such as Kuwait, Iraq, Syria and Sudan.”
His Holiness mentioned that he has warned of how unjust policies of major powers are triggering an ever-rising tide of inequality” leading to global insecurity.
His Holiness stated that many intellectuals and policymakers had previously held the impression that His Holiness was wrong to believe that existing conflicts could escalate into a global war and even trigger the use of nuclear weapons, considering it to be unnecessarily pessimistic.”
Commenting on those who held such views, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
Either due to their idealism and a desire to look at the world through rose-tinted glasses or perhaps due to an incapability to learn lessons from history, they seemingly ignored the widening cracks that have been opening up in recent decades in international relations. Perhaps, they simply did not wish to accept the reality of what was staring them in the face. As they say, ‘ignorance is bliss’.”
His Holiness stated that although many of the same people are now raising the alarm warning of a world war, in which nuclear weapons could wreak unimaginable devastation, many still seem unwilling to consider what must be done to end these conflicts and remain reluctant to hear the genuine voices for peace that exist in the world.”
Because those with the power to influence seemed unwilling to sincerely work towards lasting peace, His Holiness said he had questioned whether there was any point in reconvening for the event once again to speak of the urgent need for peace. However, he determined to proceed because Islam teaches Muslims never to waver in the pursuit of peace.”
His Holiness said that to speak truthfully and courageously before one’s leaders, especially those who are hard-hearted, unjust and cruel” is in fact the greatest form ‘Jihad’ as stated by the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
His Holiness reiterated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to use all the means available to work towards establishing peace in the world, and will continue to do so without fear of any sanctions.
Turning towards the role of the United Nations, which he referred to as a weak and almost powerless body,” Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
Instead of deciding each issue based on its facts and merits, nations have formed alliances and vote according to their self-interests. Ultimately, critical decisions are made by a few privileged nations in whose hands rest the veto power. Instead of faithfully serving the cause of peace and justice, they wield their veto like a trump card wherever their narrow interests are threatened, irrespective of whether their decision shatters the peace and prosperity of other nations and leads to the death and destruction of scores of innocent people.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued and said:
Where a veto power exists, the scales of justice can never be balanced…Regrettably, due to its inherent lack of justice, the fate of the United Nations seems set to mirror that of its failed predecessor, the League of Nations. And, if the system of international law, weak as it may be, completely collapses, the resulting anarchy and destruction is beyond our comprehension.”
During the address, His Holiness explained how the teachings of Islam in relation to warfare and the creation of peace are extremely important today at a time when several wars are being fought where these principles are not being adhered to.
His Holiness explained that although in extreme circumstances, the founders of the major religions, including the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), permitted the use of limited force, it was always solely with the intention of ending warfare and oppression.”
Referring to the teachings of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
In chapter 42, verse 41 of the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty commands that where a person or nation has been wronged, they must never respond disproportionately or stray into realms of seeking revenge. Furthermore, Allah says that it is better to forgive if it can lead to reformation. Chapter 49, verse 10 of the Holy Quran, says that if two nations are at war, neutral parties should mediate between them and strive to establish peace based on the principles of justice and equity.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:
If having reconciled, one party violates the terms of the agreement and again resorts to warfare, other nations should forcefully unite against the aggressor until it desists from its aggressive conduct. Once it stops, the other nations must also cease using force. The objective should always remain to build sustainable peace underpinned by justice. It should not be that a third party takes advantage of the vulnerability of the warring parties by usurping their rights for his own benefit.”
His Holiness said if these principles were observed by the United Nations and other relevant bodies, conflicts would be resolved far more amicably and swiftly.”
Turning to the present-day conflicts, His Holiness said that just like the Russia and Ukraine war, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is also geopolitical and territorial” as opposed to being a religious war.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
I firmly believe there is only one way to end these wars – by ensuring that justice prevails and that whatever settlements are made are based on equity, as opposed to what better serves the interests of external powers.”
Commenting once again on the perils of the veto power and its role in the present conflicts, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
In terms of the Ukraine war, Russia has a veto power at the UN Security Council, whilst, in effect, Ukraine also has one by virtue of its alliance with those Western nations who have permanent membership of the Security Council. How can a settlement be agreed if both sides can effectively wield a veto?”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:
As for what is happening in Gaza, though both the Israelis and the Palestinians have their supporters, the veto power has only been used in Israel’s favour since the current war ignited several months ago. For example, in February, 13 out of 15 members of the UN Security Council voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza but the United States utilised its veto power and the Resolution was defeated. How can peace be established where the majority view is so easily discarded? That is not justice – instead, it is a rejection of democracy and the principle of equality.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke of protecting the sanctity of all places of worship and said:
Islam also teaches that unless one’s opponent uses a place of worship as a military base, it is not permissible to violate the sanctity of a place of worship by fighting within it or even near it. It is strictly forbidden to knock down or desecrate the places of worship of your opponents.”
Turning to the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, His Holiness quoted a recent interview of US Senator Bernie Sanders, who strongly condemned the actions of the Israeli government, describing them as unspeakable” and said that we in the United States, through our financial support of Israel are complicit in what’s happening.”
The Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stated that he took no satisfaction in the fact that politicians and commentators were now reaching the same conclusions that he had long warned the world about for over two decades. Rather, he felt only regret that necessary efforts had not been made to bring an end to inequality, injustice and warfare.
Certainly, it is my opinion that there should be a full ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and also in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Thereafter, instead of inciting their respective allies towards further warfare, all members of the international community should prioritise ensuring relief efforts are stepped up to help those in desperate need and focus on bringing about a lasting and peaceful settlement.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded and said:
We must all come together, setting aside national, political, and other vested interests for the greater good of humanity and to ensure that we leave behind a prosperous world for our future generations. It is the need of the time that we must focus all our energies and efforts on establishing true peace so that we may live in a world of hope and prosperity, rather than a world defined by inequality, hatred and bloodshed.”
Prior to His Holiness’ address, several dignitaries addressed the audience including the winners of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace, as well as the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK, Mr Rafiq Hayat.
Representatives of several political parties also addressed the Peace Symposium.
Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP spoke and said:
The Ahmadiyya community has been at the forefront of calling for peace since the very start of the conflict. It is his holiness who urged all world powers to de-escalate and work towards a lasting peaceful solution”
Jonathan Lord MP said:
Your commitment (the community) to promoting peace, justice and tolerance across the world, is truly commendable…In the face of such uncertainties in the international situation, Your Holiness, and your Community have been true beacons of peace, reminding us of the values that should unite us all.”
The Four Stooges saga of Bundeswehr officers plotting to blow up the Kerch bridge in Crimea with Taurus missiles and getting away with it is a gift that keeps on giving.
President Putin, in his comprehensive interview to Dmitry Kiselev for Russia 1/RIA Novosti, did not fail to address it:
They are fantasizing, encouraging themselves, first of all. Secondly, they are trying to intimidate us. As for the Federal Republic of Germany, there are constitutional problems there. They correctly say: if these Taurus hit that part of the Crimean Bridge, which, of course, even according to their concepts, is Russian territory, this is a violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.”
Yet it gets curioser and curioser.
When the transcript of the Taurus leak was published by RT, everyone was able to hear Brigadier General Frank Gräfe – head of operations of the German Air Force – speaking with Lieutenant Colonel Fenske from the German Space Command Air Operations on the plan to deploy Taurus systems in Ukraine.
A key point is that during the plotting, these two mention that plans were already discussed four months ago” with Schneider”, the successor of Wilsbach”.
Well, these are German names, of course. Thus it did not dawn on anyone that (Kevin) Schneider and (Kenneth) Wilsbach could instead be… Americans.
‘I am extremely happy that the College has selected a timely theme this year: Diversity and Inclusion towards Excellence in Military Medicine.” I firmly believe that striving for excellence in military medicine cannot be achieved by merely being knowledgeable and developing skills in military medicine but by creating and fostering an attitudinal and behavioural change, which is implied by the theme you have selected’.
Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne made these remarks while taking the stage as the Guest of Honour at the Inaugural Ceremony of the Seventh Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Military Medicine (SLCOMM) held at the Wave n’ Lake Navy Banquet Hall, Walisara on Friday (Mar 15).
Hon. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, the Minister of Health and Minister of Industries graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The seventh Annual Academic Sessions of the SLCOMM are to be unwrapped for two days from March 16 at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo.
President of SLCOMM, Surgeon Commodore Nandanie Wijedoru welcomed the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour on arrival to the venue.
The SLCOMM functions with an executive committee consisting of the respective heads of the military medical services and its seventh annual academic sessions will provide a platform to share experiences and exchange knowledge and insights among Tri-Forces and foreign military medical experts.
The dignitaries including Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Palitha Maheepala, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Directors of the Tri-Forces Health Services, Executive Committee Members of the SLCOMM, senior officials of the Ministry of Health and foreign delegates were present at the occasion.
India has repealed three colonial-era laws that governed India’s Criminal Justice System namely the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, and three new laws were enacted by the Parliament in December 2023.
The three new laws are Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.
The earlier laws were based primarily on the protection of the colonial rulers. Now, a new era has begun in India which is firmly grounded in the principles of ‘Citizen First-Justice First-Dignity First’
The chief motive behind these reforms is to provide convenience to the general public. But before doing that the framers of the new laws thought that it was essential to break the shackles of colonialism by replacing the regressive colonial laws.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day speech (August 15, 2023) delivered from the Ramparts of the Red Fort, that a nation burdened by a colonial legacy must dedicate itself to the ‘Panch Pran’ (five pledges). One of these pledges was the elimination of all remnants of colonial servitude.
The purpose of the new laws is to protect and reinforce the concept of justice rooted in India’s civilization inspired by the Sanatana Dharma.
Prime Minister Mody also said that India stood at a juncture between a thousand years of slavery and a thousand years of a new and energized nation. Now, we neither have to pause nor live in doubt”, he said. The laws made by the British before Independence, reflected a punitive mindset. Now, the new laws reflect a sense of justice by eliminating the imprints of the dark patches of colonial mindset”.
The Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, said that discussions, consultations, and deliberations for changes in these laws had been underway since August 2019. It is not just the names of the laws that have been changed, but there has been a fundamental transformation in their objectives,” he said.
Swaraj does not only mean ‘self-governance’. The word ‘Swa’ is not just connected to ‘governance’. Swaraj also means advancing ‘Swadharma’ and ‘Swabhasha’, by promoting ‘Sanskriti’ and establishing ‘Swashasan’. Mahatma Gandhi did not fight only to free us from British rule”, he said.
While introducing the three bills in the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2023, Shri Shah said that from 1860 to 2023, the criminal justice system of India had continued to be operated based on laws made by the British Parliament, but now those three laws would be replaced by imbibing the Indian soul, which would bring about a major change in our criminal justice system. Shri Shah said that a total of 313 changes have been made in the old laws, which would bring a widespread change in the criminal justice system.
New Criminal Laws: Salient Features
1) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, replacing the Indian Penal Code, has 358 sections instead of the earlier 511 sections, 175 sections have been changed, 10 new sections have been added and 19 sections repealed.
2) The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, which replaced the Criminal Procedure Code, has 531 sections, 177 sections have been modified, 9 provisions added and 11 sections have been deleted.
3) The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, which replaced the Indian Evidence Act, of 1872, has 170 sections instead of the earlier 167. As many as 23 sections have been changed, 2 new sections have been added and 11 sections have been repealed.
4) The entire process—from the first information report to the case diary, from the case diary to the chargesheet, and from the chargesheet to the delivery of justice—will be digitized.
5) The presence of a forensic team at the crime scene for offenses with a punishment of seven years imprisonment or more has been made mandatory, providing the police with scientific evidence that will greatly reduce the likelihood of the accused being acquitted in court.
6) In cases of sexual violence, video recording of the victim’s statement is now required.
7) Police will give the status of the investigation within 90 days to the victim.
8) A time limit of 90 days is fixed for filing supplementary chargesheet during the trial and depending on the situation, the court can further permit 90 more days.
9) The scope of summary trials in minor cases has been expanded, it now includes offenses with up to three years of imprisonment. This provision alone will eliminate over 40% of cases in the courts.
10) Provision of the death penalty has been included in cases involving gang-rape of girls under 18 years of age, and provisions for life imprisonment and death penalty have been made for mob-lynching cases
Here are some of the new Changes:
Speedy Justice
*Maximum three-year timeframe for dispensing justice, eliminating prolonged waiting for justice.
*Timeline has been added in 45 sections.
* If a complaint is given electronically, the e-FIR is to be registered within three days.
* The medical examination report for rape cases must be submitted within seven days.
*Charges to be framed within 60 days from the commencement of the first hearing on the charge.
* Prosecution proceedings against declared offenders in absentia should be initiated after completion of 90 days from the date of framing of the charge.
*Judgments required to be delivered within 45 days after the conclusion of the trial.
* Sanction for prosecution, supply of documents, committal proceedings, filing of discharge petitions, framing of charges, pronouncement of judgment, and filing of mercy petitions have been mandated to be completed within stipulated timelines.
* No more than two adjournments are allowed to be given in criminal proceedings.
* Use of technology for issuance and service of summons and deposition of evidence before court removes unnecessary delay and cost attached to court proceedings.
Terrorism
For the first time, a terrorist act has been defined clearly and made a punishable offense.
A terrorist act is punishable with a death sentence or life imprisonment.
Activities such as damage or destruction of property, disruption of supply of essential services, damage to the monetary stability of India, and destruction of any property in India or abroad used for the defense of India are covered in terrorist acts.
Acts such as organizing camps for imparting training in terrorist acts, recruiting any person to commission a terrorist act, and being a member of a terrorist organization are made punishable. Possessing property derived or obtained from terrorist acts is made punishable
Promoting Technology
The new laws promote digitalization and emphasize e-FIRs.
Police officers must provide information to victims through digital means within 90 days. Promoting forensics, mandatory visits to crime scenes, and mandatory videography for collecting evidence in cases with sentences of seven years or more.
The entire process of police search or seizure of any property must be video graphed through electronic devices.
Statements of rape victims are to be recorded in audio-video mode.
Appearance before the court can be done by the use of audio-video electronic means. Audio-video recording of all search and seizure processes. Use of audio-video conferencing modes for deposition of evidence by the accused, victim, and witnesses. Leveraging technology for service of summons and electronic supply of document
There are many other law reforms undertaken under the following titles:
1) Focus on Justice, not Punishment
2) Addressing Offences against Women & Children
3) Eliminating Corruption – Establishment of a Directorate of Prosecution
4) Trial in Absentia
5) Boosting Forensics
6) Provisions Related to Reclassification of Courts
7) Mob-lynching
8) Organized Crime
9) Victim-centric
The Victim gets a chance to express his/her views. Right to Information and Right to Compensation for Loss. Zero-FIR has been institutionalized, now an FIR can be filed anywhere. Victims are entitled to a copy of the FIR and possess the right to be informed about the progress of the investigation within 90 days. The accused-centric approach in defining the term ‘victim’ has been removed in the new law. Victims are entitled to receive police documents. The victim’s right to participation has been recognized at the stage of withdrawal of prosecution.
10) Organized Crime
11) Accountability of the Police
12) Sedition Decriminalized
The offense of sedition, considered one of the most potent tools of colonial suppression, has been abolished. Stringent penalties have been introduced for anti-national activities. Activities against the sovereignty and integrity of India can now result in imprisonment for up to seven years or life. The IPC did not mention ‘intent or purpose’, but the new law includes ‘intent’ in the definition of treason, providing safeguards for freedom of speech and expression. Mere showing disaffection to the Government or contempt/hatred towards the Government is no longer a criminal act under the new law.
13) Expediting the Judicial Process
Mandatory summary trials are now required for minor and less serious cases. Magistrates are empowered to conduct summary trials in cases that involve imprisonment of up to three years. Decision. A timeline has been set for initiating criminal proceedings, proceedings before a magistrate, framing of charges, plea bargaining, the appointment of public prosecutors, trial, bail, judgment, sentencing, mercy petitions, etc. As many as 45 sections have been added with timelines to enable speedy delivery of justice. e-FIR must be placed on record within three days by a person filing a complaint through electronic communication. After the conclusion of a trial. Discharge provision has been introduced in summon cases. The timeline has been prescribed for making discharge applications, charge framing, etc.
14) Undertrial Prisoners
The maximum period of detention for a first-time offender has been reduced. A person who has committed a crime for the first time and has served ‘one-third of the maximum imprisonment’ will be released on bail by the court. In such cases, the Jail Superintendent must immediately apply in writing to the court, for bail. Release on bail will not be available for undertrial prisoners in cases carrying life imprisonment or death sentences.
15) Witness Protection
16) Measures against Declared Criminals
17) Community Service as Punishment
18) Search & Seizure
The procedure of search and seizure by the police will rely on technology. The entire process of searching or acquiring evidence will be video graphed through electronic devices. The records will be sent to the magistrate without any delay
19) Disposal of Property
Since a large number of case properties are lying in police stations, new provisions have been made for their swift disposal. After creating a description of the property by the court or magistrate and photograph/video graphing of such property, they can be used as evidence in any investigation, inquiry, trial, or other proceedings. Orders will be given for the disposal, destruction, confiscation, or delivery of the said property within 30 days of taking photographs/videos.
Removing Colonial Imprints from Indian Legislation
Framed in the 19th Century, the old laws were enacted to fortify and uphold British dominance. They were debated in the British Parliament and not in India. When the old criminal laws were made no Indian leaders were consulted. The essence of the new laws is centered on safeguarding the rights granted to Indian citizens by the Constitution of India. Crafted with the spirit of Indian ethos, these three laws are poised to bring about a significant transformation in India’s criminal justice system. The three old laws, tainted by the specter of colonialism, were originally imposed by the British Parliament and were merely adopted by India after Independence. The old criminal laws used terms such as Parliament of the United Kingdom, Notification by the Crown Representative, London Gazette, Possession of His Majesty, Jury, Her Majesty, Privy Council, Court of Justice, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen’s Printer, Commonwealth, Her Majesty’s Dominions, etc. They have been removed in the new laws. Traditional legal titles such as ‘barrister’, ‘pleader’, and ‘vakil’ have been updated to ‘advocate’. Additionally, outdated terminologies such as ‘metropolitan area’ have been discarded. Terms considered derogatory or demeaning such as ‘idiot’, ‘lunatic’, and ‘mental retardation’, have been updated to more respectful terms such as ‘intellectual disability’ and ‘unsound mind’, aligning with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. These changes signify the shedding of the British legacy, removing the symbols of colonial subjugation.”
Shri Amit Shah said that India was committed to running its criminal justice system with Indian ideas and ethos. India’s criminal justice system is also ready to leap from the 19th Century to the 21st Century. He said that after the implementation of these laws, India’s criminal justice system will become the most modern in the world.
Note: The above information was extracted from a new digital Magazine called
The British Colonial Govt. enacted the Penal Code (Ordinance No. 2 of 1883), Code of Criminal Procedure Ordinance, No. 3 of 1883 (later replaced by Act No 15 of 1979) and the Evidence Ordinance (No. 14 of 1895) in British occupied Ceylon around the same time that the British Raj imposed the counterpart legislation in India.
Though many amendments have been introduced by the Sri Lanka Govt. to these statutes in the post-colonial era there is no resolve within Sri Lanka as yet to follow India in this manner of total replacement. There is no political will to do so. The best example of a lack of political will to reform pre-colonial legislation is the 1907 statute ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ‘No. 13 of 1907’, where the maximum punishment is a mere Rs. 100 fine. It still prevails to this day. It has become a big joke.
The Animal Welfare Bill prepared by the Law Commission in 2006, pro – Animal Welfare document, to replace the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Ord of 1907, has been subject to mutilation of a significant kind such that the latest version of the Animal Welfare Bill (2022) is no longer Animal friendly or pro-animal welfare.
The Animal Welfare Bill proposed by the Law Commission and handed over to the then President, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa in June 2006, was a comprehensive document. Upon enactment, it was felt that it would set the standard for other countries, particularly in Asia to adopt. Unfortunately, the Bill has had an uneasy ride over the last 18 years largely owing to the opposition of people with vested interests e.g. Meat vendors and Abattoirs.
It has reappeared in a new incarnation in the year 2022 as a Bill of Parliament with many of the outstanding features that made the 2006 draft Animal Welfare Bill admirable and highly valued, discarded. Today, the Bill (2022 Version) is at the penultimate stage of its passage. Some of the content is draconian. It has fallen short in critical areas vis-à-vis the original Animal Welfare Bill, henceforth referred to as the 2006 Version. The potential of creating room for possible committing of greater harm to a wider number of animals through misinterpretation and misconstruction of words, though not conceived at the time of drafting, is very high and alarming.
The moral challenge for the people of Sri Lanka is to either give effect to the long-suppressed voice of the voiceless animals via an effective piece of Animal Welfare legislation or accommodate the demands of those who see animals in an entirely different light i.e., as fit only for abuse and exploitation for profit, and thereby belying the noble purpose of the Animal Welfare Bill.
Concluding Remarks: The entire Animal Welfare Bill proposed by the Law Commission in 2006 has been hijacked by the Meat trade and its acolytes and converted into an AWB (2022) protecting not the innocent animals but more the interests of the Poultry and Meat trade, and those who use live Animals in unnecessary experiments despite the availability of viable non-violent and harmless alternatives.
Can the friends of voiceless animals remain silent in the face of enactment of a bad piece of draft legislation to be incredulously called the ‘Animal Welfare Act’ upon enactment?
Senior nurse Somawathi recalled that as the morning progressed the crowd was swelling to uncontrollable levels at Ampara Base hospital, a large crowd had gathered in the public areas of the hospital .people were visibly upset
Bhikkhus from Sri Vidyananda Pirivena, Mahawapi Vihare and from all around Ampara began arriving at the hospital along with neighboring dayakayas who had heard the news. Some monks were openly weeping at the sight of the carnage. Some were angry, wondering if Ven. Indasara’s outspoken and strong stance against LTTE intimidation had got them killed. Some were quiet, in shock.
Ampara resident, W. G Sirisena, a dayakaya remembers the moment when he learned that Ven. Indasara and the samanera had been massacred. He rushed to the Ampara Base Hospital to see for himself. When he saw the bodies of all the monks laid out at the hospital I started shivering and shaking,” he recalled.
The villagers who milled about the temple struggled to grasp the magnitude of their loss. Their beloved Head priest and leader, Ven. Indasara, several members of their community including a driver, conductor, a school-aged youth and all the child monks whose wellbeing and progress they had attended to with personal interest and care were gone.
By late afternoon parents of the victims began to arrive from all parts of the island frantic for news about their children. The villagers helped the family members locate their loved ones. After an emotional reunion, Wawinne Sirinanda’s mother took him back home to Wavinna that same evening.
The state-run newspapers carried a short, sanitized account of the Arantalawa massacre. However, despite the JR Jayewardene government’s effort to downplay the event, the news of the massacre spread across the island. Throughout the nation people reacted to the news with shock and disgust. Buddhists across the island raised yellow flags. It was a restrained reaction to a horrific crime against humanity, observed analysts.
The mood in Ampara however was grim. However the anticipated riot never happened due to the intervention of President J.R. Jayewardene. JR was not interested in the murdered bhikkhus, not at all, his concern was only for the safety of the 144 Tamil families living in Ampara.
He sent Austin Fernando,Secretary to the Ministry of Rehabilitation, to Ampara with the instruction, there are 144 Tamil families living inside the Ampara Town. Ensure that these people are safe, until we sort out this situation.”
Austin Fernando went to Ampara and found that a troubling emotion” was brewing, fury. While the 144 Tamil families he was assigned to protect were of immediate concern, Fernando also worried about that this may lead to a full-blown riot in the country.
At that time, with the relentless barrage of LTTE attacks taking place, a spark of civil unrest in Ampara had the potential to spread through the country like wildfire. While this particular massacre was by no means the biggest in terms of the number of casualties or economic impact, it had a devastating effect on the nation’s morale. Even by LTTE standards, it was a dastardly, dirty thing” that had been done.
Without revealing his mission, Fernando identified a government stenographer he knew, who had his ear to the ground and used him as an informant. The steno told him people are furious and fed up and openly discussing what has taken place,” Fernando asked if there could be retaliation against any Tamil families and the steno replied, I am sure that there will be retaliation” .
Through the stenographer, Fernando learned that a group of thugs and mudalalis” had already gathered at the back of a shop and were discussing angrily, what to do next. The steno knew where the meeting was taking place, but was reluctant to take a government official there, fearing reprisal later.
Fernando went to the location .In the smoke filled back room of a shop, our hero, Fernando faced the group of incensed, sarong-clad men who had been working each other up for some time. The men vowed to take revenge on them”, by which they meant any Tamil, whom they equated with the LTTE, related analysts.
Fernando saw an opportunity to enter the conversation when someone started to talk about funeral expenses. He deftly turned the whole discussion towards the funeral, on which he then talked about at length, until it sobered the men. What do you want me to do regarding the funeral?” He asked them. As he was also the Commissioner General of Essential Services, he stated that he had no problem with bearing the victims’ funeral expenses. He would ask the GA to bear all funeral expenses.
When this was announced, the men settled down. Most of them felt that they had won a battle. Fernando obtained assurances from them that there would be no trouble that night. Once the group had sufficiently calmed down, and he was satisfied with the men’s assurances that there would be no violence against any Tamils in the area, Fernando returned to Colombo via helicopter.
A curfew was imposed in Ampara that night. Due in large part to Fernando’s diplomacy, and the president’s decision to send a civilian administrator to calm tensions rather than the military to quell them, that night was a peaceful one. There was no civil unrest and no innocent Tamil people were harmed in retaliation by vigilantes, observed admiring analysts. By all accounts, it was a quiet night.
Due to the tremendous outpouring of grief from the community, the funeral was held at the Ampara municipal grounds on June 05, 1987 with more than a thousand senior monks from temples all over Sri Lanka and several thousand members of the public in attendance.
The STF responded swiftly to the massacre. They moved into the jungle to gather evidence of LTTE activities in the area. They discovered campsites that had been used by the LTTE cadres and some discarded uniforms that resembled those of the Air Force.
They monitored LTTE communications from the STF base in Kalawanchikudi. From this, they learned that the LTTE team that had carried out the attack was led by Regan, who was also chief participant. He was part of a seasoned team of eight LTTE leaders in the East that operated out of Batticaloa They were responsible for many of the attacks on civilians in the Eastern Province such as the Kituluttuwa massacre of 126 civilians and most of the village massacres. Karuna Amman, LTTE commander of the Eastern Province, would have been aware of the attack the STF said.STF added that it was very difficult to prevent such attacks as these were not discussed over the LTTE communications prior to the events.
The STF were also unable to gain intelligence from the Tamil villagers in those areas, as many of the LTTE members were integrated into these villages. In this area, the LTTE lived in the Tamil)villages as ordinary citizens during the day, and would join the (TTE’s)clandestine operations at night. It was difficult to identify the perpetrators before this event because we could not get good information from the villagers.
The STF made an effort to be friendly in these villages during foot patrols, but the villagers were too scared to speak with us, because the LTTE were among them and watching them and would retaliate against them if they were thought to be friendly with the Security Forces.” He recalled an incident where the STF members found someone in a Tamil village killed and strung up on a light pole because (she) smiled with us” on the previous day when the officers were on foot patrol.
A week after the attack the STF responded militarily, targeting the LTTE’s Eastern leaders. Using the communications monitoring from Kalawanchikudi, a small STF team of five led by SI Faizal Hadji carried out a targeted operation in the Unnichchai forest. The team ambushed an LTTE campsite and killed three of the eight LTTE leaders who had carried out the Aranthalawa Massacre. Two other LTTE leaders were killed in a subsequent targeted STF operation.
However, Regan, remained elusive. LTTE leadership went to great lengths to keep Regan alive sending him to South India for medical treatment in 1987 in 1990 after he was injured in another military operation. In addition to the Aranthalawa Massacre, Regan was believed to have participated in many of the gruesome attacks on civilians in the Eastern Province by ambushing buses along eastern roads and killing its passengers by day and by massacring sleeping villagers by night.
Regan later sought and received political asylum in France where he lived in Paris under the name Nadarajah Matheenthiran, while maintaining a low profile. He was eventually granted French citizenship for having a blemishless” record there. After a while, he became active again in the LTTE under the name Parithy and in 2002 took over LTTE’s leadership in France which was operating under the front organization Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC) which was responsible for extorting money from Tamils living in France as taxes” for the LTTE. On November 08, 2012, Regan was shot and killed next to a bus stand in Paris by two unknown assailants on a motorcycle. French authorities believe that he was killed by members of a rival faction within the LTTE. ( Continued)
The intention of the LTTE in their Arantalawa attack was to destroy the Sri Vidyananda Pirivena. But the opposite happened. The late Indasara was promptly replaced by his pupil, Ven. Kirindiwela Somaratana. Ven. Somaratana had recently left Sri Vidyananda Pirivena to pursue his higher studies at the Kelaniya University. He returned immediately to Ampara when he heard about the massacre and took over as the chief priest. He was 24 years old. He also took over the 40 or more temples that had been under the care of Ven. Indasara.
Buddhists rallied around the young chief priest, offering him all assistance .Even the parents of the slain monks gave him their support to continue the Pirivena and maintain the vision of Ven. Indasara .
Ven. Somarathana oversaw the ardhana ceremony and cremation of the slain monks. Then he focused his attention on the needs of the injured who were scattered between hospitals in Ampara, Kandy and Colombo. He also tried to create an environment for the remaining monks to return to a much-diminished Pirivena, which was now without its leader, one teacher and almost all of its students.
One by one the surviving child monks asked to leave robes. Some were dealing with debilitating injuries. Some were scared about being attacked again for being Buddhist monks. Parents too begged to take back their sons. Of the 12 surviving monks, only three would remain in robes.
After the Aranthalawa Massacre Ven. Wawinne Sirinanda felt frightened daily that his saffron robes made him a target of the LTTE. The fear and the terror with which he lived took a mental toll on him. After spending a week with his family after the Aranthalawa Massacre, Ven. Wawinne Sirinanda Thero returned to the pirivena, but struggled to adjust. He found it impossible to stay there especially at night, he said. He missed his friends with whom he had spent every waking hour. I could not fill the void.” He said.One day at the pirivena, he became so frightened at the thought of being attacked again for being a Buddhist monk that he decided to leave the robes and re-enter lay life. He was 15.
The ordained life was a difficult existence back then he continued.. We didn’t always receive alms (at the temple) so we had to often go on pinnapathé with our alms bowls to collect our meals. Unlike many Buddhist monks whose needs are taken care of today, we had to be very self-sufficient. It was a difficult and meager existence, one which lost its appeal to meafter what happened.”
But the Pirivena did not collapse. It survived and in 2022 Sri Vidyananda Maha Pirivena is a bustling school for novice monks .with a new group of 60 students and teachers, said analyst.
The Pirivena now provides both primary and secondary education to its students. There is a strong focus on higher education, dhamma duta work and social service in keeping with Ven. Indasara ‘s vision. The Pirivena also operates the Sri Vidyananda Dhamma (Sunday) School for lay children and also runs a pre-school for the community’s youngest children.
The current Pirivena students are the same age as the victims of the massacre and come from the same parts of the island, mostly the rural heartland, observed analysts. The majority, like their predecessors, felt an urge to become monks at a young age.
There are also a few very young students who were given” to the temple. They are as young as four or five years old and are too young to decide if they want to join the Order. They arrived at the Pirivena due to an unfortunate change in their families’ circumstances, such as the death of a parent or a divorce. These children follow the same routine, classes and Vinaya as the ordained student monks, but are not required to wear robes. If they ask to join the Order, we will ordain them.” the Pirivena said.
The student monks have always actively participated in social service work within the Ampara community. The Pirivena has accepted many refugees who were looked after by student monks.
The Pirivena took in refugees after the Akkaraipattu Massacre on March 24, 1991, another village cutting” in the Ampara district. The Akkaraipattu survivors who were from a middle-class suburban part of Ampara were mostly teachers, public servants and professionals. they arrived in a state of shock, unable to grasp what had happened to them. The monks cared for these traumatized families for more than a year until they could pick themselves back up and leave the Pirivena,
In 2004, when the tsunami struck the East Coast, the Pirivena accepted refugees. This time the refugees were all Tamil, from the east coast’s fishing villages. The BBC Sinhala Service carried a news article about this titled LTTE Massacre Site is Haven for Tamil Victims”. The refuges were not told the story of Arantalawa.
The temple has also remained the sole, safety net for the Arantalawa survivors and the families of the dead samanera. D. M Siriyawathi said the Pirivena was the only institution that provided her with support after her son’s death. Whenever she visited, The Pirivena monks treat me very well.” She said tearfully. They give me sugar, tea, flour to take back with me. They give me money for bus fare or medicine. If we call and ask for anything, Somaratna Hamudurwo will inquire about our well-being and attend to our needs,” Said Wasantha,formerly Ven. Wawinne Sirinanda who was 11 years old when he faced the massacre
Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana , chief priest, felt that this gruesome terrorist act against Buddhist monks should not be forgotten. I vowed that I would keep the memory of this event and of the monks who died alive in the hearts of the people of this country, through some action.”
He decided to build a memorial at the very site of the massacre, though it took place in the middle of a thick jungle .I wanted to show the world, this is where these Buddhist monks were cut, chopped, shot and killed. He wanted to show the b brutality of the LTTE .
He obtained permission from the government to clear the jungle and build the memorial. It was a difficult site, with no access. But volunteers helped Ven. Somaratna clear the area. He then obtained ownership of the bus, was being kept at an SLTB bus depot in Bandarawela which he got delivered to the massacre site.
He was awarded a grant from the Deyata Kirula program. He then commissioned sculptor Anil Arumapura to recreate the scene of the massacre inside the bus, using eye-witnesses’ testimonies and photographs that the temple had collected.
The sculptor got to work, to create a moving scene of the violence and chaos unfolding inside the very bus in which the massacre had occurred. No details were left out, from the injuries depicted on the life-sized bodies made of plaster to the alms bowls covering the heads of some of the dead victims. See https://youtu.be/e0C-yOsO1tc
The Memorial was unveiled on March 24, 2013 . A statue of the Chief Priest Venerable Hegoda Indasara came up nearly sometime later. Ven. Hanguranketa Pūnnyasara , a survivor of the Aranthalawa Massacre, who has visited the Memorial, said. It speaks to the heart,.”
Sunday Observer commented, In 2013, a memorial museum was built at the location using the same bus in which these monks were travelling .The gruesome last minutes of these novice bhikkhus had been re-created in the bus and is open to the public.
The Memorial was also threatened. It was going to be defaced. Monks offered to stay overnight at the site to protect it. They built a small temple adjacent to the Memorial, and the Aranthalawa Buddhist Monks Memorial Temple, came into existence, also in 2013..It was built with donations from Buddhists worldwide.
Visitors observed, a small number of Buddhist monks live here in simple dwellings. They lack basic facilities such as running water and do not have a surrounding lay community that is large enough to support it but Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana now the Chief Incumbent of the Eastern Province, and head of40 temples and pirivenas, intended to expand the site into a large complex.
Ven. Somaratana holds a well attended commemoration every year at Arantalawa, on the anniversary of the Massacre. Religious ceremonies are held annually on June 2. Thanks to the Memorial Temple and the commemoration, this heinous event is slowly being etched into the public memory, while the hundreds of other similar acts of terrorism by the LTTE are now all but forgotten by a population eager to move on after the war ended, said analysts.
This annual commemoration is well patronized .One parent whose child died at Arantalawa said that he finds the annual memorial service conducted by the temple to be immensely helpful, which he had participated in every year until he became frail and lost his vision due to cataracts. Since then, he had been unable to travel to the commemoration events, he said, but he hopes that they continue to perpetuity so that his son and the others who were killed in the massacre can be offered enough good karma to avoid being born into our world again.
D. M. Siriyawathi, the mother of 17-year-old Wavinne Aththadassi who was killed in the Aranthalawa Massacre, had visited the Memorial and has attended the commemoration event every year until the Covid-19 pandemic. She hopes the annual commemoration event continues to perpetuity so that her deceased son and the other victims can continue to be offered good merit to avoid facing such an event in a future life.
B. M. Thilakarathna, brother of Ven. Wavinne Gunawansa who was killed in the Aranthalawa Massacre at the age of 17 said that his parents attended the annual commemoration event every year till they died.
The victims’ families unanimously agreed that the annual commemoration events are an important part of the temple-centered support structure that Ven. Kirindiwela Somarathana Nayaka Thero had created for them. Every year, the families receive letters of invitation to attend the commemoration event. The event is a large and somber one that is also attended by delegations of monks from other temples, local officials, dayakayas and the Ampara community with the survivors and the victims’ parents being its honored guests. Here they are able to connect with each other and check on each other’s well-being, and form a community around their shared trauma. The parents, most of whom are in poverty, also receive an annual financial contribution from Ven. Somarathana, analysts reported .
The government also joined in and commemorated the Aranthalawa Massacre’s 20th anniversary in Colombo at the BMICH, in a photographic exhibition that was open to the public. Sri Vidyananda Pirivena arranged transportation for the victims’ families to attend this exhibition, including finding them accommodation to stay overnight at Colombo temples. Daily News ran a photograph of M.H Kiriappu, father of a samanera killed at Arantalawa viewing the exhibition.( continued)
After archaeologists cleared vegetation on top of Bukit Choras, they discovered a Buddhist stupa. Image: Dr Nasha Rodziadi Khaw
ක්රි.ව 2-3 තරම් ඉතිහාසයට දිවයන වව්නියාවේ වඩුනාගල ඓතිහාසික සිද්ධස්ථානය බෞද්ධ පුරාවිද්යාත්මක ස්ථානයක් බවත්, මෙම ස්ථානයේ ශිව පූජා පවැත්වීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් අධිකරණය විසින් නියෝගයක්ද ලබාදී ඇත්තේ සවස 6.00 දක්වා පමණක් පූජා පැවැත්විය හැකි ලෙස පමණක් බවත් පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්රී විමල් වීරවංශ මහතා පවසයි.
Parliament, March 19 (Daily Mirror)- The Central Bank has no powers to increase the salaries of its employees without the approval of Parliament in terms of the Constitution and the move to increase their salaries is wrong, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.
