Shenali D Waduge

Now that MP Udaya Gammanpila has made public the Imam Committee Report, it is poignant to return to September 2023, when Channel 4 first broadcasted its program. at 1105p.m. (SL time 0335a.m.). The Cardinal issued a 3page letter dated 6 September (hours after C4 release). Given that he appeared on the program, he would have been aware of its contents. Before we summarize the Imam Report, it is necessary to read the contents of that congratulatory letter by Cardinal to C4 & connect that to the Justice Alwis & Justice Imam reports.

Cardinal on Channel 4 Easter Sunday broadcast

• Expresses our” gratitude to the C4 for focusing attention to a great plot” – by our” we take it to be himself & the entire Church.
• The Imam Committee has clearly refuted this in their report.
• Cardinal who yearn continuously for Truth” thanks C4 for its project of inquiry” – read below as to what the Imam Committee has to say.

Channel 4 has not answered

• If Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley was in Sri Lanka in February 2018
• If Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley visited a coconut estate in Puttalam
• If Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley actually spoke to Hamsa
• If Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley called a TMVP operative on 21 April 2019
• If Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley was in Sri Lanka at the time of the Easter Sunday attacks

C4 has only accepted Hamsa’s statements as facts” without evidence. So this grand plot” is only a figment of the imagination.

Cardinal’s letter states no positive action” has been taken.

• Supreme Court ordered former President Sirisena to pay compensation of Rs.100m
• Former SIS Head Nilantha also paid compensation of Rs.75m
• Present President as former PM will also have to make payment.
• Several Islamic movements were banned
• Over 23000 charges were filed by the AGs dept
• 25 men were put on trial

Are these not positive actions?

The Cardinal in 2023 gave 4 points

1. He demands a free, impartial, just, transparent, broad based investigation” into Channel 4 & its grand plot” theory. The Imam Committee has flatly demolished this notion & termed Hamsa’s statements as hoax”.
2. He asks for an independent international investigation” – all that is required is to ask Malaysian authorities to confirm if Suresh Salley left Malaysia in February 2018.
3. Cardinal demands who should comprise the investigation team – this is the most relevant part of his letter. This demand has to be read together with the Justice Alwis report also released by MP Udaya Gammanpila.

Cardinal’s 3^rd demand is to reappoint the team who were transferred to continue the investigation. This is indeed a strange request by a Cardinal. The Justice Alwis report actually faults the 2 senior officials & recommends criminal action against them for criminal negligence while Cardinal is requesting them to be reinstated to continue investigation. Something is definitely amiss here! Why does Cardinal want to select who should investigate!

• Cardinal is not only asking the transferred officers to head the investigation but to suspend all other police & intel high ranking officials until investigation completes while he is also demanding removal of high-ranking officials named by Channel 4.

If we are going on the path of grand plot” we have to wonder how many would admit like former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando we knew something would happen but not to this extent” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPLopoYWJS8

As per former SIS Head, at least 15,000 knew something would happen” – their conscience should now prick them about how they saved their own skin but sacrificed 269 innocent people.

Channel 4 is a channel that broadcasts privately funded programs. Did money take precedence over ethical journalism?

In other words, did the Channel 4 neglect to assert authenticity of what they were broadcasting? This, questions, the nature of their investigative” journalism. In fact the Justice Imam report completely demolishes the credibility of Channel 4. It should also recall a series of previous Channel 4 broadcasts on Sri Lanka & clearly establish the lack of credibility in those bogus claims as well.

Had Channel 4 stuck by their investigative journalism, they should have answered the Commissions queries. Instead the Committee comprising Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, Harsha Soza and headed by Justice S.I. Imam tore to shreds the Channel 4 program on Easter Sunday.

Just as Channel 4’s star witness Vany Kumar” turned out to be a former LTTE, Hamsa Maulana for likely political asylum attempted to link Sri Lankan intelligence with Easter Sunday & floated the notion that the attacks were to return Rajapakses to power. To strengthen this claim, Hamsa accused Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley of being involved & colluding with the attackers so far as to even claim he arrived & visited a coconut estate to discuss the plans. However, Hamsa could not provide evidence & failed to even appear to testify.

1. Channel 4 & Hamsa attempted to Link Sri Lanka’s intelligence with Terrorist group National Tawheed Jamaat (NTJ) 

The Imam Committee:

• No evidence to support this claim
• Channel 4 & Hamsa attempted to Link Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley with Easter Sunday assassins even showing blurred footage implying he met them at a coconut estate

The Imam Committee:

• Established that Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley was not in Sri Lanka & was in New Delhi.
• Channel 4 & Hamsa attempted to float a notion of a political agenda of Rajapakses to return to power: 

The Imam Committee:

• Found this assertion baseless & mere conjecture sans facts (with the unpopularity of the yahapalana govt increasing, the 2018 local government results & sweeping victory for the SLPP clearly showed Rajapakses would return to power)
• Non-Disclosure of sources & documentation by Channel 4 & UNHRC on Hamsa’s claims

The Imam Committee:

• Highlighted lack of transparency & raised doubts about the Channel’s motives & legitimacy of claims.
• Hamsa’s claims against Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley 

The Imam Committee:

• Gen. Suresh Salley was not in Sri Lanka nullifying Hamsa’s story as fake & defamatory

• Hamsa’s claims of Pillayans connection to bombings:

The Imam Committee:

• There was no credible evidence to prove such a connection & allegations were defamatory
• Coconut Farm meeting – Hamsa claims Sri Lankan intelligence officers met attackers at a coconut estate:

The Imam Committee:

• As per police investigations, the structures mentioned by Hamsa did not exist at the time of the supposed meeting
• The Committee states that Hamsa’s story is an outright hoax” & unproved”

Sensationalism cannot replace truth & facts.

Channel 4 is guilty of sensationalism to steer people away from truth & facts.

Who did Channel 4 misguide or disinform?

1. The Sri Lankan general masses who easily fall for sensationalism
2. The Imam Committee even suggests that Cardinal too may have fall prey to narratives.

Lapses highlighted by the Imam Committee

1. Actionable intelligence was ignored resulting in a system-wide failure.
2. Sufficient intel was available with the people who could take action & who should have taken action.

Recommendations of the Imam Committee

1. Conducting regular Security Council meetings to assess national security
2. Intelligence units to meet & evaluate actionable intelligence
3. Hamsa to be held legally accountable & prosecuted for spreading falsehood & defaming national institutions
4. Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies to enforce clear procedures & responsibility-sharing protocols to ensure prompt action to future threats

Imam Committee on Channel 4

The Committee refers to Channel 4 broadcast as yellow journalism” & calls for restoring journalistic integrity by media when reporting on matters of national security, using credible sources & verifiable data instead of using journalism as a tool for harm & character assassination.

Thus, the Committee report gives a deep seated message not only for Channel 4 but local & international media vis a vis their reporting of national security issues, but also individuals in media & others who resort to using sensationalism, disinformation, misinformation & lies for political gains such as asylum & to manipulate the general public as well.

Taxpayers money has been spent on 5 reports only for Easter Sunday. It is unfair by all other victims especially throughout 30 years of LTTE terror. Cardinal has not issued one statement on investigations into LTTE crimes or those who aided & abetted these crimes.

Shenali D Waduge

Shenali D Waduge

Sri Lanka managed to avert a disaster as a result of timely intel surveillance & prevented a likely massacre of Israeli tourists frequenting the Eastern Coast of Arugam Bay for surfing. The sudden targeting of Israeli’s in Sri Lanka had to have a reason beyond the excuses being floated. The actions of Israeli Consulate General have not helped matters & has only aggravated the situation by adding coal to the fire! The Israeli government & intel must locate the masterminds behind the attack as well as take prompt action against its Consulate General.

Questions we want answers for

• Who was planning terror attacks between October 19-24 on Israeli tourists?
• Were these killers the same who underwent training for Easter Sunday?
• Were any of them linked to the Easter Sunday suspects now released & related to Zaharan?
• Did a team from Kattankudy go to Lebanon to meet other terror group leaders in 2023 – were investigations held regarding this or were this team prevented from being arrested by diplomatic intervention
• What about the sudden arrest of 4 ISIS members that emerged during an election in India. The same occurred during the 2019 Indian elections when Easter Sunday attack took place – are these terror suspects emerging within a larger plan for bigger geopolitical objectives? Were these incidents only meant for public drama?

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sri-lankan-cops-arrest-handler-of-4-isis-terrorists-caught-in-gujarat-5790086

https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-aviation-clears-bomb-scare-on-vistara-amid-threat-to-scores-of-indian-flights-184237/  (Bomb scare ahead of elections)

https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/india-behind-easter-sunday-attacks-claims-former-sri-lankan-president

These answers would certainly take us to the foreign power” or mahamolakaru” of probably both Easter Sunday attack & Arugam Bay too.

What is clear & reconfirmed by Sagala Ratnayake, was that Sri Lanka’s intel were already aware of a plot before the new President was elected & were engaged in surveillance of the area.

However, it was the US, based on its own intel to bring the situation into the open by issuing a travel advisory which soon led to the Western missions also issuing travel advisories & asking Israeli’s to leave Arugam Bay. It was later, that the public came to know that India had also informed of an attack on 7 October.

Why would the plotters or masterminds change the narrative? 

What is important is that Sri Lanka’s intel was a step ahead & knew about an attack & had taken measures to monitor the situation. Which meant that they were about to intercept those tasked to carry out the attack. It is probably to avoid this outcome that the masterminds plotting the attack quickly changed the narrative and diverted people’s attention.

Had Sri Lanka’s intel apprehended the players tasked to attack the Israeli tourists, the sympathy would have been with the Israeli’s. Instead, the new narrative quickly churned out turned from a terror attack to land grab & illegal religious structures to the point of accusing Israelis of invasion”.

Plan B worked stupendously.

It was indeed artfully done and escaped the attention of all except those with a penchant for geopolitical games at play.

Moreover, the fuss about illegal religious sites are coming from the very quarters who are invading ancient Buddhist sites & even destroying ancient Buddhist artefacts & those who set up mushrooming religious sites disproportionate to their population ratio.

Who were the masterminds who had studied the landscape long enough to know that Arugam Bay was a frequent & popular destination for Israeli’s for decades and regular flights were bringing scores of Israeli holiday goers, yet it was also in an area predominantly Muslim.

What was the real reason behind a plot to scare off Israeli’s from visiting Arugam Bay for surfing? If Israeli’s had been coming for decades to surf in Arugam Bay, it meant that inspite of the Muslim presence there was absolutely no disharmony between the two. In fact Muslims were benefitting from Israeli tourists & their shops even have Hebrew letters. How did this all suddenly change? Who suddenly changed this coexistence?

Just as the Easter Sunday attacks had prior unheeded warnings, the Arugam Bay terror plot also had tell-tale signs. Firstly, an Israeli tourist was drugged and kidnapped in Trinco in July, a moulana was arrested with a T56 and a blast took place in Kattankudy. Was the terror attack or threat of one, a means to ensure Israeli’s do not visit Arugam Bay in the near future. In terms of geopolitics is it eventually aligned to the gas line that will come across South Asia to Sri Lanka from which it will be distributed.

Confounding matters is the questionable role of the Israeli Consulate General who is a Christian & not a Jew & violating diplomatic protocols by initiating a construction of a synagogue which requires much more than being a Jew to establish one and then obtaining Sri Lankan security protection as a result. There are allegations of promising Israeli citizenship for those who join his synagogue.

No diplomat is appointed to engage in religious conversion or religious promotion. Therefore, the Israeli government must seriously address this issue as it has given rise to unwanted tensions and will result in unwarranted issues to guise the real issue at hand, which is what has taken place. Due to this single action, the entire narrative has been transferred from an attack on the Israeli’s to chiding Israeli’s about land grabs & illegal religious structures. No Sri Lankan is able to differentiate traditional Jews and those who are arousing trouble by construction of illegal religious sites.

These are certainly serious allegations which need to be investigated by both Israeli government & Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s traditional Christians remain pro-Israeli vis a vis their homage to Israel. This is why the Birds of Power Ministry in Batticoloa holds annual processions carrying the Israeli flag as homage for Jerusalem. No sooner the recent incident took place, the same mischief makers were quick to circulate a 2018 procession arousing anti-Israeli sentiment. Even the Ministry is unaware of how or who has suddenly shared this clip. Let us not forget, that the Zion Church in Batticoloa was one of the Easter Sunday targets in 2019. The reason to choose this particular Church has not yet been investigated. Many believe it was a place of comfort for non-Christian abused children & battered women belonging to the faith of the assassins.

Land along the coastal belt was swooped by foreigners during the Premiership of the past President in 2002 who allowed foreigners to buy land along the coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Large tracts of land were bought by foreigners at that time. Some lands have since been sold. However, if land has been acquired illegally by any foreign national now, the associated authorities must take prompt action. Administrative hiccups cannot result in diplomatic tensions.

As for religious sites. We are well aware how even Sri Lankans are putting up illegal religious worship centres, turning garages, restaurants and homes into prayer centres & then making a scene when authorities take action. The law is that any religious new site must have the concurrence of all religions and in particular the approval of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana vis a vis Article 9. The municipality must be held accountable if any religious sites are put up illegally without proper procedure being followed.

Israelis have been travelling to Arugam Bay for decades to surf. There have been no incidents of any tensions between Israeli’s & Muslims who are predominate in the area. If at all, Muslims would have reaped from tourism in the area. This is an undeniable fact.

However, the present incident has given unwanted publicity & raised unwanted tensions & has facilitated the twist in the narrative away from a terror attack on Israeli tourists to Israeli’s building religious worship centres & grabbing land, extending the narrative to a state of invasion” by Israel.

This shows that the narrative has a political objective and has been planned well.

Israel needs to look at both narratives & take appropriate action.

Sri Lankan authorities were quick to monitor & were about to arrest those involved. Before they could do so, the masterminds quickly got unrelated men arrested & changed the narrative, diverting people’s attention away from the masterminds.

It is for Israel to investigate the real masterminds that plotted to actually kill Israeli’s & thereafter changed narrative to create tensions between Israeli’s & Muslims in Sri Lanka and even the general public in Sri Lanka. The issue is also likely to destroy Sri Lanka’s thriving tourism industry but most of all prevent Israeli’s from coming to Sri Lanka in particular the Eastern Coast for surfing.

Arugam Bay cannot be removed as a tourist destination simply by using a fake narrative.

Shenali D Waduge

Prof. Hudson McLean

Sri Lankan Educated Professionals Suffer Abroad!

During the past 12 months, several thousand Sri Lankans with their families moved to Finland, Sweden, Poland, Estonia, etc

Most of them have Sri Lankan University qualifications are Medicare Nurses, some experienced in middle management functions, and emigrated with High Hopes!

However, they lacked basic skills, which are demanded, when in Europe.

Their English language skills are almost non-existent!

In Europe, basic Table Etiquette requires the use of cutlery, not fingers.

Many of them are totally lost when at work café or in a school cafeteria!

European hospital staff treat almost 100% local Europeans which demands basic etiquette.

The Sri Lankan government’s Nationalistic Policies now indicate the self-destructing teachings when in foreign employment for Sri Lankans, which are so important in many ways.

Hope Dhammika Perera of DP Education takes Note!

I sincerely hope that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake includes Basic Etiquette & Good Manners by Debrett’s, in his curriculum!

Express Your Opinion – Read What Others Say!
The Independent Interactive Voice of Sri Lanka on the Internet.

Please visit -: http://www.lankaweb.com/

Prof. Hudson McLean

A New Twist to Humpty Dumpty, an Old Nursery Rhyme! With Donald Trump Impending Victory, the USA

Mighty Dollar Will Roar Again!

China Humpty & Russia Dumpty Sat on a BRICS Wall!

Donald Trump being elected the New President of USA,

Made China Humpty & Russia Dumpty to have a Great Fall!

All Brazil’s Horses & All India’s Men Could Not Put

The BRICS wall back together Again!

However, Russia may not need BRICS, since the

the gentle strangling of Ukraine will make Russia Stop the

Aggression and Accelerate the Flow of Oil at USD 100/barrel!

Stopping the flow of cheap Russian Oil to India &

China, will create a double whammy for USA, in one

blow!

Express Your Opinion – Read What Others Say!
The Independent Interactive Voice of Sri Lanka on the Internet.

Please visit -: http://www.lankaweb.com/

Prof. Hudson McLean

Billionaire Businessmen Backing Donald Trump Smell Blood!

And American Arabs & Muslims Sense Victory at Last!!

With the Expected Impending Victory of Donald Trump

as the Next President of the USA, making Trump the Global

King of USA, with the USA Ruling the World, It will be Pay-Back Time.

USA may become totally Income Tax-Free!

Many benefits for the Working Class!

The Billionaires will see some becoming the Global Trillionaires and Palestine becoming a New State in the Middle East!

The USA will turn a blind eye to Israel and drip-feed Military support to end the Middle East War!

Express Your Opinion – Read What Others Say!
The Independent Interactive Voice of Sri Lanka on the Internet.

Please visit -: http://www.lankaweb.com/

RANJITH SOYSA 

Many news sources in Sri Lanka have reported several incidents of foreigners holding visit visas arriving as tourists running business ventures mainly in tourism and cyber crimes. The latest we heard was that Israeli citizens/visitors owned tourist villas and prayer centers,  With the unstable and threatening world and especially amid the prevailing war between Israel and some Arab countries, such a situation can create many internal security issues to Sri Lanka,

All authorities are involved in tourism and immigration. the tax department and internal and external Sri Lankan security organizations should launch an immediate and comprehensive evaluation of this unenviable situation and implement it urgently measures to put a complete stop and eradicate this nonsense.

Courtesy Interfax

SAMARA. Oct 29 (Interfax) – Russia’s Red Wings Airlines launched direct flights between Samara and Mattala, Sri Lanka, on October 29, the press service of Samara’s Kurumoch Airport said.

The flights are scheduled for every 10 days at 8 hours per trip.

Boeing-777s will be the mode of transport for passengers according to the online board of Kurumoch Airport.

Red Wings is among Russia’s largest airlines, based at Moscow’s Zhukovsky and Domodedovo airports, Yekaterinburg’s Koltsovo Airport, Chelyabinsk’s Balandino Airport, and Makhachkala Airport. Red Wings has 20 regional Superjet 100 aircraft, three long haul Boeing-777, and two Tu-204/214 in its fleet.

Airports of Regions Management Company manages JSC Kurumoch International Airport , operating regular flights on over 20 Russian and foreign air carriers to 46 destinations.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is the third busiest airport in Sri Lanka, and is located 18 km from the city of Hambantota.

Courtesy PIME Asia News

The annual document for Pope Francis on initiatives for the prevention of child abuse was presented today. The Commission calls on local Churches to overcome a culture of silence, a reluctance to report abuse, and a general lack of education and awareness concerning safeguarding practices.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The first Annual Report on Church Policies and Procedures for Safeguarding was presented today in the Vatican. The picture dedicated specifically to the Asia-Pacific region still shows how far there is to go in protecting minors.

In this region’s Catholic Churches, it is still hard to identify and address the true scale of abuse within Church institutions due to a pervasive culture of silence, a reluctance to report abuse, and a general lack of education and awareness concerning safeguarding practices. These challenges are compounded by challenges of clericalism.”

The document was drafted at the behest of Pope Francis, who asked the Pontifical Commission on the Protection of Minors, the body created ten years ago to promote the fight against paedophilia in the Church and chaired by Card Sean O’Malley, to present every year an assessment of what is being done around the world for the sake of “transparency and accountability”.

The document was drafted by a working group chaired by jurist Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, a member of the Commission, with a long experience in defending minors on behalf of international institutions.

In its 96 pages, it takes stock of both the overall responses of the Church and a series of particular situations examined during the last 12 months (including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and that of Sri Lanka, who made their ad limina visit to the Vatican).

What stands out is the second chapter, dedicated to analyses produced by Regional Groups, drawn up by some members of the Commission together with experts from the individual continents. It is in this context that the above-described cross-section of the Asia-Pacific context is offered.

This is not to say that there are no positive experiences in this field: the Regional Group expressly mentions some in South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan), where safeguarding measures have been implemented in some dioceses, as exemplified by the St. Joseph’s Safeguarding Centre in Mumbai, India.”

The study also praises the significant commitment to the path of Justice and Conversion – the path indicated by Pope Francis, based on the five steps of Conversion from evil, truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence – carried out in Australia and New Zealand, also thanks to the collaboration with outside bodies like the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Australia) and the current Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions (New Zealand).

However, alongside these positive steps, the challenges to be met remain great. Within South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bhutan), the Church has been a force for community support,” reads the report, but there have also been instances of clerical abuse that require careful attention and resolution.”

It goes on to stress that “Unique socio-economic landscapes, with factors such as religious diversity and legal systems, require individualised protection strategies”, which are still evidently struggling to assert themselves.

Regarding Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines), the report states that, instances of clerical abuse have been inconsistently reported, often hindered by traditional hierarchical structures, patriarchal values, ineffective legal mechanisms, corruption, and fears of social reprisal.”

In Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), it notes, the presence of the Church is relatively insignificant, shaped by the region’s predominantly Muslim culture and constrained by political and legal factors. Collaboration between the Church and state agencies should be improved, which requires a comprehensive strategy to build trust within local communities, enhance legal and policy frameworks, and invest in community-based interventions.”

As for the Pacific islands, while they have diverse cultures, they all face issues such as a lack of data, high abuse rates, and a culture of silence. The Catholic Church holds influence but faces complexity in safeguarding. Samoan culture struggles with addressing abuse and the situation calls for introspection, education, and collaborative intervention.”

Finally, with respect to East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macao), the report states that, there is a persistent need to develop specific partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders,” hinting at important slow pace.

However, the report also indicates ways to help these local Churches to make progress. Solidarity among Bishops’ Conferences is essential to overcome the dearth of specifically dedicated resources in the Churches of Asia, as well as in those of Africa and Central and South America.

Alongside this, the path forward remains listening to the victims and their families. As Card O’Malley said during the presentation of the document, their courage to speak out, calling the Church and her leadership to accountability” made possible all the steps that are being taken in the world for the protection of minors.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

• Central Bank Governor says uncertain on the timeline

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe

The next review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be delayed, the Central Bank confirmed on Friday.

As reported by Reuters, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe while acknowledging the delay, did not give a timeline on when it would happen. It is unclear if the review will take place before the end of 2024.

The fund said earlier this month after a visit to Colombo that it would continue to engage with Sri Lanka’s economic team to set a date for the third review.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka delegation that is in Washington DC had met with bondholders to discuss a debt exchange.

Dr. Weerasinghe shared that the talks, which happened on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington, aim to quickly get Sri Lanka out of the default category.”

Citibank has been appointed as the dealer manager to oversee a consent solicitation, a key step in Sri Lanka’s path out of default. 

The island nation, which experienced its first-ever default in 2022 amid an economic crisis, reached a draft agreement with creditors in September to restructure US$ 12.5 billion in international bonds. Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund and official bilateral creditors backed the proposal.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, October 29 (Daily Mirror)- The government reiterated today that no financial allocation had been made for any pay hike for public servants in keeping with the recommendations by the committee headed by Udaya R. Senevirathne despite a Cabinet decision taken by the previous rule.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath told the weekly Cabinet briefing that the government is happy to implement a pay hike for public servants but it all depends on the financial viability of the Treasury. He said the previous government led by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe had not even considered the financial situation of the Treasury when taking such a decision.

It is easy to make such decisions. But, implementation is not possible,” he said.

He said the government would give a salary hike for public servants, but the amount would depend on the financial situation.

We will give you a pay hike for sure next year. But, we cannot tell you the exact amount right now. The amount will be decided in accordance with the financial situation,” he said.

He charged that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had hoodwinked the masses with the promise to grant a cost of living allowance effective from October whereas a circular had been signed to effect it only from January, next year.

We don’t want to deceive you ahead of postal voting,” he said.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  ලංකා ලීඩර්

අලුත් යෝජනා නිසා රටේ ආදායම රුපියල් බිලියන 3,000 ක් දක්වා පහත වැටීම නිසා අය වැය හිඟය රුපියල් බිලියන 1000 සිට 2,500 ක් දක්වා වැඩිවන බවත්, මෙම පරතරය පියවන්නේ කෙසේදැයි ජනාධිපතිවරයා වහාම රටට පැවැසිය යුතු බව හිටපු ජනාධිපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ පැවැසීය.

නව ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදී පෙරමුණ යටතේ ගෑස් සිලින්ඩරයෙන් තරග කරන අපේක්ෂකයන්ගේ ජය තහවුරු කිරීම සඳහා පැවැති ජන හමුවකදී ඔහු මේ බව කියා සිටියේය.

වැඩිදුරටත් අදහස් දැක්වූ හිටපු ජනාධිපතිවරයා,

”අන්තිම වන විට අපේ ආදායම බිලියන 3700 ක් වී තිබුණා. මේ වසරේ දළ දේශීය නිෂ්පාදනයෙන් සියයට දහතුනක ආදායම් ලබා ලබාගන්න අප ඉලක්ක කර තිබුණා. අලුත් යෝජනා ඔක්කොම දානවානම් අපේ වියදම ඩොලර් බිලියන 5600 ක් පමණක් වෙනවා. අනෙක් අතින් අපේ ආදායම රුපියල් බිලියන 3000 දක්වා පහත බසිනවා. එවිට අයවැය පරතරය රුපියල් බිලියන 1000හේ සිට 2500 දක්වා වැඩි වෙනවා. එවිට ඒ මුදල් හොයන්නේ කොහොමද”

2024-10-29

Courtesy Adaderana

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that two suspects, who were arrested in relation to the investigations carried out according to the intelligence received regarding a plan to launch a terrorist attack targeting a tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, will be detained further for interrogations.

The investigation officers have also submitted a highly confidential report regarding the progress of investigations to the Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (29).

The Additional Magistrate, who considered the facts presented, ordered the TID to report further progress of the investigations to the court.

On October 23, Israel’s national Security Council had issued an urgent warning to Israeli citizens to leave popular tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka immediately, and classified the Arugam Bay region as a level four threat, advising Israelis to take precautions, such as concealing their Jewish identity and avoiding large gatherings.

It also advised Israelis in other parts of Sri Lanka to exercise caution and avoid holding large public gatherings.

The Russian Embassy and the UK issued a similar warnings to its citizens, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid large gatherings.

Security has subsequently been tightened in tourist hotspots across the island including Arugam Bay, while Sri Lanka Police have so far arrested three individuals in connection with the investigations related to the incident.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය ගැන හරීන්ගේ පියාට තොරතුරු දී ඇත්තේ ඊබ්‍රහිම් බව දෙවැනි ප්‍රහාරය වැලැක්වූ ලොරි රථයේ රියැදුරු වූ ශාන්තලාල් පවසනවා.

ඔහු මේ පිළිබඳව ප්‍රකාශකර සිටියේ හිරු රතු මිනිත්තුව වැඩසටහන සමඟ එක්වෙමින්.

එහිදී අදහස්දක්වමින් ඔහු සඳහන් කළේ මෙවැණි අදහසක්.

”මම ජනාධිපති කොමිෂන් සභාවේ සාක්ෂි දෙන්න ගියානි. 2020 ජනවාරි 20,21 23,29 මම ප්‍රකාශ ලබා දුන්නා. ඒ ප්‍රකාශ ලබා දෙද්දි මගෙන් ප්‍රකාශ ගත්ත පොලිස් පරික්ෂක මහත්තයා තමයි මට කිව්වේ ශාන්තලාල්, මේක කාටවත් කියන්න එපා කියලා – හරීන් ප්‍රනාන්දු එවකට ඩිජිටල් යටතල පහසුකම් ඇමතිතුමා. ඒකේ තඹ, අබලි ද්‍රව්‍ය තියෙනවනි, ඒවා අළෙවි කිරීම සඳහා හරීන් ප්‍රනාන්දු මැතිතුමාගේ තාත්තට තමයි භාරදීලා තියෙන්නේ. හරීන් ප්‍රන්නන්දුගේ තාත්තා, වැල්ලම්පිටියේ තඹ කම්හල බෝම්බ ප්‍රහාරයෙන් මැරිච්ච ඊබ්‍රහිම්ගෙනි. ඒ තඹ කම්හලට තමයි භාර දීලා තියෙන්නේ. අන්න එතනදි තමයි ඊබ්‍රහිම් එක්ක හරීන් ප්‍රනාන්දුගේ තාත්තා මිත්‍ර වෙලා තියෙන්නේ. ඒ මිත්‍රත්වය මත තමයි කියලා තියෙන්නේ හෙට පල්ලිවලට බෝම්බ ගහනවා. පල්ලි යන්න එපා කියලා. ඇත්ත නැත්ත මම දන්නෑ. මට කියපු දේ.

“හරීන්ගේ පියාට තොරතුරු දී ඇත්තේ ඊබ්‍රහිම් – දෙවන ප්‍රහාරය වැළකූ ලොරි රථයේ රියැදුරා කරන නවතම අනාවරණය

Sisi Tv

by Professor Sunil Wimalawansa, MD, PhD, MBA, DSc. Professor of Medicine

The fundamental difference between males and females is that males typically have XY chromosomes. In contrast, females have XX chromosomes, which are biologically different and specifically identifiable. The X and Y chromosomes determine womanliness (femineity) and manhood (masculinity). Atypical chromosomal abnormalities like 47-XXY (Klinefelter Syndrome) or rare 47-XYY (Jacobs syndrome) syndrome result from errors in chromosomal splicing, adding extra sex chromosomes (trisomies).

Fundamental differences between males and females:

The primary distinction between males and females is their chromosomal composition—Males possess XY chromosomes, while females have XX chromosomes. The genes on the X and Y chromosomes govern whether a person is a male or a female, their development, and the synthesis of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

While gene-directed biology determines gender, sex hormones maintain physiological functions, physical appearances, as well as capabilities in males and females. Sex steroid hormones also influence and regulate the activity of the adrenal glands and associated physiology.

Genetic differences and gonadal development

The presence or absence of the Sex-Determining Region Y (SRY) gene is critical in determining whether an embryo develops into male or female physical characteristics. The SRY gene on the Y chromosome defines the male gender. Without the SRY gene (as in XX females), gonadal tissue develops into ovaries, producing estrogen and progesterone.

The SRY gene initiates the process of male gonadal development—which triggers the development of testes from the undifferentiated gonadal tissue in the embryo. This leads to the production of testosterone, which signals the development of male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.

Fundamental aspects of sexual development

The synthesis of sex hormones and associated second messenger signaling drives biological development, including internal glandular structures and external physical traits. These biological aspects cannot be altered fundamentally through surgical or chemical means. Therefore, functionally changing a male into a female or vice versa is unfeasible; only superficial characteristics can be modified by transgender interventions. However, such interventions often have significant risks and lasting adverse effects, including serious mental health challenges.

The processes involved in synthesizing and releasing sex hormones and their receptor-mediated effects on cellular function underscore their vital role in developing internal glandular structures and urogenital formation during the embryonic stages. In addition, secondary sex characteristics during /puberty and growth.

It is impossible to alter intrinsic anatomical structures and biological functions through sex change processes—via surgery or chemicals. These interventions only focus on external modifications. Nevertheless, they are associated with substantial, often irreversible harm, particularly adverse physical and psychological outcomes and impaired long-term well-being. These emphasize the complex biological role of genes and sex hormones and the limitations of altering fundamental sex-specific functions through medical interventions.

Differences in the sexual development of males and females:

Males and females exhibit distinct physiological differences, behavior characteristics, and physical capabilities. Biologically, sex hormones direct embryonic genitalia development and maintain physiological function and distinctions between males and females.

Biological sex determination occurs through X and Y chromosomes, not by a person’s name, clothing, or hormonal treatments. Robust scientific evidence underscores the biological distinctions between sexes, as well as the physiological and mental health impacts of cross-sex hormone treatments. 

Confusion around sex and gender arises partly due to efforts to separate the two concepts. Gender dysphoria, classified as a mental health condition, can often be managed effectively through empathy, understanding, and psychotherapy. Gender transition should not be the primary approach, as many individuals express the desire to revert to their original gender post-transition.

Administering sex hormones does not change biological characteristics:

Administering male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone) to females or female sex hormones(e.g., estrogen)  to males does not change the fundamental structures or biological determinants of sex or physiological capabilities. Despite changes in external appearances, the capabilities of masculinity remain intact in males after transgender interventions. Therefore, allowing males to compete in female sports is not only unethical, unfair, discriminatory, and pointless but also ridiculous.

Transgender-related medical interventions notably influence brain functions, leading to mental health issues such as depression, aggression, and suicide tendencies. These underscore the biological role of sex-specific genes and hormones and the potential adverse effects of cross-sex hormone administration.

What determines sexual attraction to same-sex individuals:

Sexual development is primarily regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland directing most endocrine glands, including those responsible for sex hormone production. However, environmental factors, such as stress, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (e.g., bisphenol A), diet, and medications, have been shown to influence these brain centers and may disrupt normal hormonal synthesis. Nevertheless, these changes are often reversible upon removal of the influencing factor.

Contrary to popularized narratives, there is no gay gene” or specific chromosome determining sexual attraction” or familial tendency, and claims regarding genetic determinants lack substantial scientific merit. Studies that propose otherwise often suffer from faulty conjectures, study designs, other methodological weaknesses, and conflicts of interest. Flawed conclusions from such studies cannot conclude genetic causality.

Some historical scripts, as in Greece, have mentioned homosexuality. However, circumstances that attract the same sexes for sexual purposes have nothing to do with genetics. Large-scale studies on genetics and sexual orientation, including genome-wide association studies or other scientific data, indicate that no single or combination of genes drives sexual attraction.

Instead, sexual attractions are influenced by a person’s mentality—social, environmental (peer-influences), drug use, and behavioral factors that are congregated through childhood upbringings and exposure, but not genetics. Interest groups use these myths for political advantage, and pharmaceutical companies leverage such misconceptions to market products for profit. They target impressionable and vulnerable populations, like adolescents and young adults.

Transgenderism:

The transgender medical sector is highly profitable and is growing. The demand for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies carries significant health risks, particularly in younger generations. This industry already generates billions of dollars in revenue with high-profit margins for the pharma and health sectors. Consequently, they seek expansion through aggressive lobbying, partnerships with government bodies, and spreading misinformation to capture customers.

High-profit margin incentivized promotional strategies that target vulnerable groups, particularly children and adolescents, through media and educational settings. Lobbying efforts within this sector advocate for policies that mandate insurance coverage for gender-affirming procedures, including surgeries and lifelong hormone therapy, despite the controversial efficacy, costing thousands of dollars annually per person, despite miseries created for families, considerable harm.

Who bears the transgender costs?

Such policies, if enacted, will lead insurance companies (or health departments)  to absorb the high costs associated with these treatments, which are passed down to consumers. Additionally, instances have emerged where some healthcare professionals alleged to prioritize such treatments despite ethical concerns, contravening the Hippocratic principle of first, do no harm.” The financial motives, ethical concerns, and impacts on families and healthcare costs associated with the transgender industry on the public are not trivial.

The purported influence of educators who may promote gender dysphoria ideas on youth and related interventions is done under pressure from industry incentives, creating a loop of reinforcement that shapes young people’s beliefs and decisions. Critics argue that these are part of a larger effort to distance individuals from traditional family structures and religious institutions, which may indirectly benefit certain political parties by creating more malleable social structures.

These interventions, which encompass medications, surgeries, and hospitalizations for their complications, ultimately shift financial burdens to taxpayers, contributing to rising healthcare expenses for everyone. Studies have highlighted that gender dysphoria is a mental illness accentuated by the environment in which he or she lives. So, unsurprisingly, medical interventions infrequently provide the desired relief but instead result in poorer long-term physical and mental health outcomes. The above underscores and offers insights into the impacts of educator influence on the vulnerable, creating broader socio-political implications and the financial incentives and mental health outcomes associated with gender dysphoria interventions.

Summary:

The concepts of gender dysphoria and transgender identity are planned to be introduced to Sri Lanka. Western perspectives and interests primarily influence this. Advocates do so often without a comprehensive understanding or consideration of the social and cultural implications. These trends risk challenging traditional cultural and religious values, providing financial benefits primarily to healthcare entities while imposing substantial harm and financial burdens on society.

Introducing legislation could open doors to an entirely unnecessary and harmful chapter in Sri Lanka, potentially leading to irreversible societal damage. This influence mirrors the actions of global organizations like the World Economic Forum, which have been criticized for advancing agendas that, some claim, favor elite interests at the expense of public welfare.

Another notable example is the rapid promotion of COVID-19 vaccines, often described as experimental gene therapy. Pharmaceutical companies reported record-breaking profits—exceeding $200 billion—throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This is despite ongoing debates surrounding vaccine safety and significant short- and long-term adverse health effects reported worldwide, with limited demonstrated benefits. This situation highlights broader concerns over the impact of pharmaceutical interests, potential conflicts within leading health authorities, and the effects of restrictive public policies on individual freedom, societal health, and overall well-being.

by Prof Sunil J. Wimalawansa

Eliminating corruption, re-establishing judicial independence, curtailing wastage and unnecessary imports, and embracing technology are key priorities for the new National People’s Power (NPP) government in Sri Lanka. Now is the time for the NPP leadership to deliver on their promises, ensuring that appointments to government positions, such as chairmanships, are made based on merit rather than favors. Furthermore, public corporations and departments are overstaffed and top-heavy. Instead of mindlessly filling these positions, it is in the country’s best interest for the President to carefully assess and eliminate unnecessary roles first.

Prioritizing actions:

The NPP must gain the public’s confidence through decisive actions, such as eliminating the corruption that the people demand. This assertive approach will help the NPP secure a significantly larger majority in the next Parliament, surpassing the minimum 108 seats required. A stronger mandate would enable the NPP to implement an effective economic development plan to lift the country from bankruptcy without resorting to additional loans or raising taxes, thereby restoring public confidence.

Addressing the structural problems within the government and eliminating wasteful and duplicate programs created by previous presidents, governors, and mayors as favors to cronies would make systems more efficient and increase public trust. This, in turn, would make it easier for the NPP to navigate the difficult decisions it must make in the coming days. The government should not function as a job creation factory; instead, the private sector should be encouraged to generate employment opportunities for the public.

These actions, both directly and indirectly, will boost the business community’s and investors’ confidence, increasing opportunities, employment, and productivity. Prioritizing the reduction of burdensome regulations and taxes would further stimulate private sector growth and, consequently, the economy. The government should emphasize and facilitate local production and growth over importation while also expanding technologies and making fertilizers more readily available to the agricultural sector to jump-start output.

What needs to be done in the short term?

In parallel, enacting anti-corruption laws and re-establishing the independent committees eliminated by the past two regimes is essential to maintaining law and order and eradicating corruption. It is crucial to ensure that the executive and legislative branches do not interfere with the judiciary, as this is critical to preserving the country’s integrity and curb corruption, particularly by the privileged. Expert examiners appointed to investigate corruption and other irregularities in committees and commissions must be able to operate without interference.

Regarding candidate nominations for elections, it is vital to uphold the democratic process by ensuring that party leaders and headquarters are not involved in selecting regional representatives or nominees. This responsibility should lie with local residents to eliminate the practice of nominating corrupt individuals as candidates through favoritism. Candidates must be chosen from those who live locally, have pledged to prioritize the nation’s interests, oppose the sale of national assets and federalism, and commit to eliminating all forms of discrimination.

Medium-term actions:

These actions will make systems more efficient in the medium to longer term, boosting business opportunities and productivity. Reducing regulatory burdens and taxes will facilitate this progress. Another critical step is prioritizing local production and properly distributing products at affordable costs over importation. These measures will increase agricultural outputs and ensure the safe storage and distribution of goods.

Organic farming is not a viable option when the country is bankrupt, facing severe food shortages, and people are starving. Instead, ensuring safe storage through refrigerated transportation and storage facilities would significantly reduce wastage and preserve nutritional value. Alongside enhancing research and development, providing affordable, appropriate, and cost-effective fertilizers and pesticides in recommended amounts, based on guidance from the Department of Agriculture, would drastically improve agricultural output, food security, and sufficiency.

IMF Conditions are Not Favourable to Economic Growth

The two and a half years under the caretaker government, led by a self-serving and ineffective leader alongside a corrupt cabinet, have brought no tangible progress in restoring the economy or balancing the budget. Instead, these officials have enriched themselves at the expense of taxpayers. Many International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions appear designed to prolong public suffering rather than address corruption, foster economic recovery, or promote sustainable growth. This approach has kept the country in a state of dependence, allowing foreign powers, notably the West, to exert control, including installing puppet governments.

Any successes during this period have resulted from the private sector’s internal efforts, independent of government policies. Meanwhile, the interim President has unthinkingly and willingly accepted the stringent conditions imposed by the IMF.

The last government signed much less than optimal agreements with the IMF; whether due to poor negotiating skills or ignorance and poor policies of the Central Bank and Finance Committee), they had had a detrimental impact. Despite the harmful effects of the IMF conditions on the country and its people, the unelected President and cabinet remain singularly focused on retaining power at any cost. Their only achievement was postponing payments, which merely increased interest and proved disastrous.

Contrary to claims, the IMF conditions do little to promote economic development in Sri Lanka, increase GDP, or ease loan repayments. While the IMF offers a platform for negotiating loan repayment structures with other entities, it also serves as an obstacle to implementing real growth and GDP expansion solutions.

The country must shift from a survival-focused, loan-dependent consumption economy to a productive one prioritizing local needs and value-added exports. Restructuring the IMF loan conditions, including securing a portion of loan forgiveness, will create the breathing space needed to transfer the debt to a more favorable country like Japan.

Modifications of the Process of Nominating Candidates for Elections:

Upholding the democratic process in nominating candidates for public elections is essential. Party leaders and headquarters should not participate in selecting or recommending regional representatives or nominees; this responsibility must rest with residents in the locality. This approach is critical to preventing the nomination of corrupt or unrepresentative candidates as favors from party leadership.

Candidates must be chosen from individuals who live locally, are committed to prioritizing the nation, opposing the sale of national assets, uphold sovereignty, and are dedicated to eliminating discrimination. Those with criminal convictions or liabilities should be prohibited from running for elected office or holding public positions. Any false declarations or violations must result in jail time and permanent disqualification from public office.

In addition, election expenditures must be capped, and all political contributions above a specified amount must be disclosed, along with the donor’s information. This information should be made publicly available on a government website. Furthermore, all nominees for elected positions must disclose and certify their assets under oath for public scrutiny. Alongside enforcing strict term limits (e.g., two or three terms), these measures will help ensure qualified individuals receive nominations and reduce the likelihood of corrupt individuals gaining elected positions.

Replacing the Constitution:

The current NPP leadership requires a strong people’s mandate in the upcoming general election to secure a substantial majority in Parliament. This majority will enable them to fulfill their campaign promises and implement the proposed agenda. More critically, they must secure enough parliamentary votes to replace the flawed Constitution with one that facilitates the separation of government branches and propels the country forward.

Given the unnecessary costs, the NPP should rely on obtaining a two-third parliamentary majority rather than a public referendum to replace the Constitution. However, the new Constitution must be devoid of loopholes, uphold law and order, ensure an independent judiciary free from external influence, and abolish the executive presidency. To achieve the required two-thirds majority, the NPP may need to form a coalition with patriotic parties, such as Vinivida Padanama, that are truly committed to fighting corruption and preserving the nation’s sovereignty, thus making this vision a reality.

Additionally, the Vinivida Padanama draft represents the most relevant and legally sound Constitution to date, one that preserves democratic values and upholds law and order. The author urges the NPP leadership, particularly President Dissanayake, to collaborate with Mr. Kodituwakku, a leading constitutional scholar, to refine and adapt it to suit the country’s best interests. Aside from personal pride, there is little reason to reinvent the wheel or revert to older versions when an excellent draft is available, which Mr. Kodituwakku is willing to share for the nation’s benefit.

Concluding Remarks

The government must avoid temporary fixes or superficial solutions and address the root causes of financial mismanagement. This requires eliminating harmful practices, reducing the size of the government by at least one-third, cutting expenses to the bare minimum, curtailing unnecessary foreign trips and public expenditures, and serving as a role model for responsible governance. Establishing robust oversight mechanisms is crucial to prevent the recurrence of such issues in the future.

By taking these decisive actions, the NPP leadership can expect to earn the public’s trust and confidence. This will empower the NPP to secure a significantly larger majority in the next Parliament, exceeding the minimum threshold needed. With this majority, the NPP could implement an effective economic development plan, allowing the country to emerge from bankruptcy without relying on further loans or tax increases, thus restoring confidence in the government and its leadership.

Prof. Hudson McLean

Whether it is NATO or EU, or the World Bank, USA Drives the World!

Where does Russia Stands with BRICS?

Two Questions – Right Now facing USA Elections!

Donald Trump with His Billionaire Boys

1: Will They Support USA or Butter Their Own Bread?

2: Whether it is Israel or Ukraine – UNCLE SAM decides.

USA leading NATO, supported by EU, 

against 

Russia with BRICS and Iran & North Korea

NATO Members-;

Country	Joined		Country	Joined
Albania	2009		Lithuania	2004
Belgium	1949*		Luxembourg	1949*
Bulgaria	2004		Montenegro	2017
Canada	1949*		Netherlands	1949*
Croatia	2009		North Macedonia	2020
Czech Republic	1999		Norway	1949*
Denmark	1949*		Poland	1999
Estonia	2004		Portugal	1949*
Finland	2023		Romania	2004
France	1949*		Slovakia	2004
Germany	1955		Slovenia	2004
Greece	1952		Spain	1982
Hungary	1999		Sweden	2024
Iceland	1949*		Turkey	1952
Italy	1949*		United Kingdom	1949*
Latvia	2004		United States	1949*

BRICS Founders & New Members

Brazil, Russia, India,  China, South Africa

Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were invited to become members with effect from 1 January 2024.

The Top Tech billionaires in USA Support Donald Trump

1: Elon Musk  – Net Worth USD 274.7 (2024)

2: Mark Zuckerberg/Net worth USD 198.3 billion (2024)

3: Steve Schwarzman worth USD 47 billion

4: Miriam Adelson worth USD 34 billion

5: Jeff Bezos worth USD 204.4 billion

6: Tim Cook worth USD 2.2 billion

The Top Twenty Five Billionaire Donors to Trump Campaign-;

1. Timothy Mellon  Donations $76.5 million | Net worth: Nearly $1 billion

2. Linda McMahon (spouse of Vince McMahon)

Donations t $16 million | Net worth: $3.1 billion

3. Diane Hendricks

Donations $6.3 million | Net worth: $20.9 billion

4. Miriam Adelson

Donations $5.8 million | Net worth: $27.8 billion

5. Kelcy Warren

Donations $5.8 million | Net worth: $6.2 billion

6. Timothy Dunn

Donations $5 million | Net worth: $2.2 billion

7. Elizabeth Uihlein

Donations t $5 million | Net worth: $6 billion

9. Jeff Sprecher and Kelly Loeffler

Donations: $4.9 million | Net worth: $1.1 billion

10. Phil Ruffin

Donations $3.3 million | Net worth: $2.6 billion

11. Jimmy John Liautaud

Donations $3.1 million | Net worth: $2.4 billion

12. Geoffrey Palmer

Donations t $3 million | Net worth: $3.1 billion

13. Bernard Marcus

Donations $2.7 million | Net worth: $9.9 billion

14. Robert Woody” Johnson

Donations $2.7 million | Net worth: $3.3 billion

15. Kenny Troutt

Donations $2.2 million | Net worth: $1.7 billion

16. George Bishop

Donation  $2 million | Net worth: $3.2 billion

17. J. Joe Ricketts

Donation $2 million | Net worth: $3.6 billion

18. Andrew Beal

Donations $1.8 million | Net worth: $12.2 billion

19. Cameron Winklevoss

Donations $1.3 million | Net worth: $2.7 billion

20. Tyler Winklevoss

Donations  $1.3 million | Net worth: $2.7 billion

21. Don Ahern

Donations: $1.1 million | Net worth: $1 billion

22. Roger Penske

Donations $1.1 million | Net worth: $6.3 billion

23. Steve Wynn

Donations  $1.1 million | Net worth: $3.4 billion

24. Richard Kurtz

Donations $1 million | Net worth: $1 billion

25 (tie). Antonio Gracias

Donations $1 million | Net worth: $1.2 billion

25 (tie). Douglas Leone

Donations $1 million | Net worth: $7.9 billion

——-ENDS——-

Express Your Opinion – Read What Others Say!
The Independent Interactive Voice of Sri Lanka on the Internet.

Please visit -: http://www.lankaweb.com/

Chanaka Bandarage

It is a great relief that the Arugam Bay attack/incident did not materialize.

We have many 9/11s of our own (the 2019 Easter Sunday attack is just one). Would Arugam Bay have become our Bali 2005? (on 1 October 2005, 20 Australians holidaying in Bali were killed by Indonesian terrorists, over 100 were injured). 

Kudos to all those who worked to avoid this, including the NPP government.

The local media reported that the Indian intelligence has given us the tip. But, the government now denies this. What is the real truth? Who is the source then; solely local?

The NPP government boasts that it is due to their good governance that the attack was foiled. Let them take the credit. But, the government must answer these 3 important questions:

• The government has given two different dates for our Intelligence first knowing about the attack – (i) 2 weeks prior to 23 October 2024 and (ii) before the Presidential election. Which one is correct? Surely both cannot  be correct.  

• . Immediately upon knowing the possible attack, perhaps on the same day,  the US government issued a travel alert. That was on 23 October 2024. Similar alerts were immediately issued by Canada, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. World media reported this widely (headline news in many TV stations).  The discussions continue.

Would the Sri Lankan government accept that until the US travel alert, there have been no media releases by anyone including the Sri Lankan government? If yes, would it accept that this is not good enough on their part?

The public has a right to know.

(3). Why did the Sri Lankan government fail to appraise these governments (especially the US) well in advance and avoid their adverse travel alerts? They were extremely harmful to our tourism.

If the culprits were caught and law and order was fully restored, there was no requirements for the tourists to leave Arugam Bay/Sri Lanka.

In order to minimize the economic impact, what prudent governments do is to discuss matters with friendly governments. This is a highly confidential matter.

Our government ought to have known that any adverse travel alerts by foreign (western) governments would bring forth very bad results to our tourism industry and the country at large.

After the adverse travel advisories, bulk of the foreign tourists left Arugam Bay. Tourists in other parts of the country also left. A large number of potential visitors cancelled their arrivals.

The sad irony is that our tourist season has just begun (thankfully, the Arugam season has just ended).

What would the government do to bring back the lost tourists not only to Arugam Bay but to the whole country? We were expecting 1.5 – 2 million tourists this year. Would all of them come or less as a result of this?

The US government has currently given us a Level 2 Travel Advisory. This means – ‘Exercise increased caution due tocivil unrest and terrorism’. As there are no signs of civil unrest and we are terrorism free, the government should respectfully request the US to upgrade us to Level 1 – ‘Exercise Normal Precautions’. If this happens, our tourist numbers will increase by 10 times.

Blame game

Some in social media have started blaming Sri Lanka’s Muslims stating it was their plan to attack the Israelis. Not a single Sri Lankan Muslim has been involved.

There is a lot of vilification of the Israel tourists. They are blamed for coming to Sri Lanka. Haven’t they helped our tourism industry?

The Israelis have done no wrong. They visited Arugam Bay because they love surfing and overall they like Sri Lanka.  

Currently, thousands of Sri Lankans work in Israel. Israelis want more Sri Lankans because our workers are very good. And, our workers are very happy there.

Due to this good relationship, since recently, Israelis have been coming to Sri Lanka in large numbers.

In October 2024, there may/may not have been Israeli armed forces personnel in Arugam Bay. But, they were here on holiday. In Israel, every male between 18 – 60 must do compulsory military service.

Apart from a very few, all countries (including Muslim), allow Israelis to visit them as tourists.

It is estimated that on 23 October 2024 there had been thousands of Israelis in Sri Lanka (exact number is unknown to the writer). Most are now gone. Unless the government takes extraordinary steps, it is difficult to believe that many Israelis would return.

This is a major loss of revenue for the country. We are desperate for dollars.

In deep south, Russians and Ukrainians who have come here on short stay tourist visas are running many small businesses – restaurants, hair salons, laundries, tailor shops, bakeries, night clubs etc. They are taking away our locals’ work.  Some of these businesses due to racism have refused entry to Sri Lankans (in our own country!). Then, Chinese have been involved in large scale racketeering here. About 150 were arrested recently in different places. These illegal stayers and criminals must be brought to justice and ultimately deported. Good business owners must be screened and facilitated with proper business visas.

The mastermind and the terrorists

It is alleged that a foreign government was the mastermind of the failed attack owing to its animosity with Israel. The writer is unable to comment about this. All is hearsay.

Israel has not apportioned blame on that foreign government or any other government for the failed attack.

3 people have been arrested by the law enforcements. They say 1 is a Maldivian Muslim (who speaks Sinhalese) and the other two are Sri Lankan Tamils.

According to local media the two Tamils have been ex-LTTE fighters. One is from Chunnakam, Jaffna. The 2^nd arrest was made in Rathmalana (his native place is unknown). The Police are looking for more suspects.

If this is true, then it is a very dangerous and serious situation.

Who can be their local mastermind?

A suggestion only

It is a well-known fact that a former Tamil Tiger who later became a Chief Minister has presence in Arugam Bay. It is alleged that his people are involved in many illegal/unethical activities there. 

He – a darling of recent governments, was accused of murdering a TNA MP. He is widely blamed for committing the Gonagala murders.

The Gonagala massacre occurred on 18 September 1999, at the 31 Colony in Ampara. The LTTE hacked to death 50 Sinhala Buddhist civilians. The terrorists split open bellies of pregnant mothers; infants were grabbed from mothers who were feeding them. These infants were then smashed down on the ground. A middle-aged man who tried to protect himself had his hand severed and skull pulverized.

Some say this former Chief Minister was involved in the Aranthalawa Buddhist Monk murders. A possibility.

Arguam Bay has a vibrant night life with night clubs and discos. Mafia type Tamil cadres (Arguam Bay is predominantly a Muslim town) are blamed for money extortion from lawful businesses, drug peddling, serious law and order breaches and petty crimes.

Could this person (the former Chief Minister) be the local mastermind of the failed Arugam Bay terrorist attack?

The writer is only suggesting.

This person could be totally innocent and may not have had any involvement in this matter.

But, it is worth investigating.

We must not forget that there is another ex-LTTE commander that lives in Batticaloa, he was a former Deputy Minister (another darling of the past governments). He is blamed for the Aranthalawa, Sri Maha Bodhi and Dalada Maligawa massacres and the killing of 600 un-armed Policemen. This person has some time ago outlined words similar to the effect that ‘Prabhakaran was a good person and his demise was a loss to Tamils’.

It is good if these 2 persons are prosecuted for the crimes that they allegedly committed.

These are crimes against humanity.

They allegedly killed thousands of innocent people. They should not be allowed to live in current luxury.

As they are extremely dangerous, the Sri Lankan Intelligence must keep a sharp eye on them.

Let us hope that the government’s investigation on this matter will not be like the  previous governments’ Easter Sunday attack investigations. Let us hope that they will divulge only the truth to us.

(After winning the war, Gota just let go about 10,000 LTTE cadres. Then, about another 10,000 was rehabilitated. Where  are they now? Do we keep a track of them? There are about 10? LTTErs in remand/jail currently. And, this is how we maintain law and order and anticipate to keep a peaceful/calm country.

The Mahavir Day is soon forthcoming; let us see how the NPP government will deal with this).

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) visited the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Headquarters located at the Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte today (Oct 28).

This is the first official visit undertaken by the Defence Secretary to the Army Headquarters since assuming office as the Secretary to the Ministry Defence.

The Defence Secretary was respectfully received by the Adjutant General of the Army, Major General Chamila Munasinghe set with a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.

The Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, then extended a warm welcome to the Defence Secretary before ushering him to introduce the Senior Officers of the Army Headquarters.

Subsequently, the Defence Secretary and the Army commander sat for a cordial discussion and had a brief exchange of views. AVM Thuyacontha (Retd) then presided over a discussion with the Senior Officers of the Army Headquarters.

Addressing the troops after a welcome note, Defence Secretary appreciated the efforts of SLA on its contribution towards the country’s development process, acting with national security as the priority while paying due attention to possible riots, natural disasters and epidemics.

Afterwards, AVM Thuyacontha (Retd) made a complimentary note in the Visitors’ Book and mementoes were also exchanged to mark the event.

Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army, Military Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Defence, Officers of the Army Headquarters, Other Ranks and Civilian Staff also joined the occasion.

By Ama H. Vanniarachchy Courtesy CEYLON TODAY.

Sri Lanka’s rich archaeological heritage is under serious threat, according to a recent research report titled Analytical Report on the Protection and Conservation of the Archaeological Heritage of National Importance of Sri Lanka – Volume I.”
Sponsored by the Bauddhaloka Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd., this extensive report that covers eight districts of the island, was compiled by a team of leading archaeologists and heritage management experts. It was officially handed over to Professor Sirimalee Fernando, Secretary General of the UNESCO Sri Lanka National Commission by Jagath Sumathipala, Chairman of the Bauddhaloka Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd, on 22 October 2024, at the UNESCO SL NAT COM Office.
During the meeting, several key issues concerning the country’s heritage and its management were discussed. Plans to implement heritage management projects in collaboration with the UNESCO Sri Lanka National Commission and the Bauddhaloka Foundation were also explored.
The report will also be presented to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris this month. A copy of the report was also handed over to the United Nations office in Colombo this week.
The report sheds light on a distressing issue: the deliberate destruction of Sri Lanka’s invaluable archaeological heritage, which is happening across the island. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, as the country’s rich history, culture, and identity are being systematically erased.
In its findings, the report calls for international attention, urging global bodies responsible for protecting cultural heritage to intervene and help stop this growing crisis. It also makes a passionate plea for action from Sri Lanka’s Head of State, His Excellency the President, and the subject minister, highlighting the need for an immediate governmental response to this national disaster. One of the most alarming aspects revealed in the report is the inefficiency of the Department of Archaeology, the very institution tasked with safeguarding Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. The department’s failure to act has left countless historical sites vulnerable to destruction.
The Bauddhaloka Foundation has announced plans to publish the report in both English and Sinhala, making its findings accessible to a wider audience. Volume II of the report will be also published in due course, further documenting the widespread scope of this crisis.
This report is not just a detailed account of the destruction — it is a wake-up call. Sri Lanka’s archaeological heritage is more than just stones and ruins; it is the living history of the nation. Without urgent action, the country risks losing a significant part of its identity forever.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Your Excellency,

I would like to share my observations regarding the pressing need for advanced vocational training in Sri Lanka, particularly in the field of welding and related engineering disciplines.

As the founder of an advanced welding school, I have recognized a significant demand for skilled workers, especially among our youth seeking employment opportunities abroad. In the process of establishing this institution, I have been developing comprehensive course content that integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring that our students are well-equipped to meet international standards.

Key Points of Focus:

1. Comprehensive Curriculum:
The curriculum at our welding school is designed to provide in-depth knowledge, combining theoretical foundations with hands-on training. This dual approach is essential for preparing students to excel not only in local industries but also in international job markets.

2. Targeting Engineering Graduates:
Many engineering graduates from Sri Lankan universities and private technical colleges affiliated with foreign institutions possess a wealth of knowledge. However, they often lack the specific practical skills required for specialized fields such as welding. Our training program aims to bridge this gap, enhancing their employability.

3. Industry-Relevant Training:
We are committed to ensuring that our training aligns with the latest industry standards and technologies. This will not only improve the skills of our workforce but also attract foreign investments, as companies seek qualified professionals who can contribute to their operations.

4. Collaboration with Foreign Institutions:
By establishing partnerships with foreign technical institutes, we can introduce international best practices and advanced technologies into our training programs. This collaboration will further enhance the skill set of our graduates.

5. Focus on Job Creation:
Our ultimate goal is to empower the youth of Sri Lanka with the skills needed to secure employment, both locally and abroad. By equipping them with advanced welding skills, we aim to contribute to the country’s economic growth and help reduce unemployment rates.

In conclusion, by investing in advanced vocational training and fostering collaboration between educational institutions and industries, we can create a skilled workforce capable of meeting both local and global demands. I urge you to support initiatives that enhance vocational training and promote the development of specialized skills among our youth.

Thank you for considering these observations. I look forward to your support in advancing this important initiative.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

අතිගරු ජනාදිපති තුමනි,

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ, විශේෂයෙන් වෙල්ඩින් ක්ෂේත්‍රයේ සහ ඒ ආශ්‍රිත ඉංජිනේරු විෂය ක්ෂේත්‍රවල උසස් වෘත්තීය පුහුණුවක අවශ්‍යතාවය පිළිබඳ මගේ නිරීක්ෂණ බෙදා ගැනීමට මම කැමැත්තෙමි.

උසස් වෙල්ඩින් පාසලක නිර්මාතෘවරයා වශයෙන්, පුහුණු ශ්‍රමිකයින් සඳහා සැලකිය යුතු ඉල්ලුමක් ඇති බව මම හඳුනාගෙන ඇත්තෙමි, විශේෂයෙන් විදේශ රැකියා අවස්ථා සොයන අපගේ තරුණයින් අතර. මෙම ආයතනය පිහිටුවීමේ ක්‍රියාවලියේදී, අපගේ සිසුන් ජාත්‍යන්තර ප්‍රමිතීන්ට අනුකූලව හොඳින් සන්නද්ධව සිටින බව සහතික කරමින්, න්‍යායික දැනුම සහ ප්‍රායෝගික කුසලතා යන දෙකම ඒකාබද්ධ කරන පුළුල් පාඨමාලා අන්තර්ගතයක් මම සංවර්ධනය කරමින් සිටිමි.

අවධානය යොමු කිරීමේ ප්රධාන කරුණු:

1. විස්තීරණ විෂය මාලාව:
අපගේ වෙල්ඩින් පාසලේ විෂය මාලාව සැලසුම් කර ඇත්තේ ගැඹුරු දැනුමක් ලබා දීම සඳහා වන අතර, න්‍යායික පදනම් ප්‍රායෝගික පුහුණුව සමඟ ඒකාබද්ධ කරයි. දේශීය කර්මාන්තවල පමණක් නොව ජාත්‍යන්තර රැකියා වෙළඳපොලේ ද විශිෂ්ටත්වය දැක්වීමට සිසුන් සූදානම් කිරීම සඳහා මෙම ද්විත්ව ප්‍රවේශය අත්‍යවශ්‍ය වේ.

2. ඉංජිනේරු උපාධිධාරීන් ඉලක්ක කර ගැනීම:
ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ විශ්වවිද්‍යාලවල සහ විදේශීය ආයතනවලට අනුබද්ධ පෞද්ගලික කාර්මික විද්‍යාලවල ඉංජිනේරු උපාධිධාරීන් බොහෝ දෙනෙකුට දැනුම සම්භාරයක් ඇත. කෙසේ වෙතත්, ඔවුන් බොහෝ විට වෙල්ඩින් වැනි විශේෂිත ක්ෂේත්ර සඳහා අවශ්ය විශේෂිත ප්රායෝගික කුසලතා නොමැත. අපගේ පුහුණු වැඩසටහනේ අරමුණ වන්නේ ඔවුන්ගේ සේවා නියුක්තිය ඉහළ නංවමින් මෙම පරතරය පියවීමයි.

3. කර්මාන්ත-අදාළ පුහුණුව:
අපගේ පුහුණුව නවතම කර්මාන්ත ප්‍රමිතීන් සහ තාක්‍ෂණයන් සමඟ සමපාත වන බව සහතික කිරීමට අපි කැපවී සිටිමු. සමාගම් තම මෙහෙයුම් සඳහා දායක විය හැකි සුදුසුකම් ලත් වෘත්තිකයන් සොයන බැවින් මෙය අපගේ ශ්‍රම බලකායේ කුසලතා වැඩි දියුණු කිරීම පමණක් නොව විදේශීය ආයෝජන ආකර්ෂණය කර ගැනීමට ද හේතු වේ.

4. විදේශ ආයතන සමග සහයෝගීතාව:
විදේශීය තාක්ෂණික ආයතන සමඟ හවුල්කාරිත්වය ඇති කර ගැනීමෙන්, අපගේ පුහුණු වැඩසටහන් සඳහා ජාත්‍යන්තර හොඳම භාවිතයන් සහ උසස් තාක්ෂණයන් හඳුන්වා දිය හැකිය. මෙම සහයෝගීතාවය අපගේ උපාධිධාරීන්ගේ කුසලතා කට්ටලය තවදුරටත් වැඩිදියුණු කරනු ඇත.

5. රැකියා උත්පාදනය කෙරෙහි අවධානය යොමු කරන්න:
අපගේ අවසාන ඉලක්කය වන්නේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ තරුණ තරුණියන් දේශීය හා විදේශීය රැකියා සුරක්ෂිත කිරීමට අවශ්‍ය නිපුණතා සවිබල ගැන්වීමයි. උසස් වෙල්ඩින් කුසලතාවන්ගෙන් ඔවුන් සන්නද්ධ කිරීමෙන්, අපි රටේ ආර්ථික වර්ධනයට දායක වීම සහ විරැකියා අනුපාත අඩු කිරීමට උපකාරී වේ.

අවසාන වශයෙන්, උසස් වෘත්තීය පුහුණුව සඳහා ආයෝජනය කිරීමෙන් සහ අධ්‍යාපන ආයතන සහ කර්මාන්ත අතර සහයෝගීතාව පෝෂණය කිරීමෙන්, දේශීය හා ගෝලීය ඉල්ලීම් සපුරාලීමට හැකි දක්ෂ ශ්‍රම බලකායක් අපට නිර්මාණය කළ හැකිය. අපගේ තරුණ තරුණියන් අතර වෘත්තීය පුහුණුව වැඩිදියුණු කිරීම සහ විශේෂිත කුසලතා වර්ධනය කිරීම ප්‍රවර්ධනය කරන මුලපිරීම් සඳහා සහාය වන ලෙස මම ඔබෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටිමි.

මෙම නිරීක්ෂණ සලකා බැලීම ගැන ඔබට ස්තුතියි. මෙම වැදගත් වැඩපිළිවෙල ඉදිරියට ගෙන යාමට ඔබගේ සහයෝගය බලාපොරොත්තු වෙමි.

IMF සාක්ච්ඡා අසාර්ථකද? මේවා හංගන්න එපා අනුර කියන්න – රනිල් යළි ජනපතිගෙන් ගේම ඉල්ලයි!

Udaya Gammanpila

පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය පිලිබඳ එස් අයි ඉමාම් වාර්තාව ජනගත කිරීම – 2024.10.28

Courtesy Hiru News

Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, has publicly questioned why President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has yet to release the Imam’s report on the Easter Sunday attack. Speaking today (28) in Colombo at a press conference for the release of the report by retired Supreme Court judge S.I. Alwis, Gammanpila criticized the President, claiming that his actions are prioritizing party interests over national accountability.

Gammanpila stated that an individual referenced in the report currently holds a significant government position, and he urged the President to remove this person. He speculated that the President might be withholding the report to avoid exposing potential missteps by the Malima government regarding this appointment. Gammanpila further alleged that the President’s decision to keep the report under wraps may be due to his choice to appoint someone who allegedly sought international support against the nation’s war heroes.

Highlighting the public’s right to know information, Gammanpila argued that withholding the report infringes on transparency. He noted that, during his opposition tenure, Dissanayake was vocal about intelligence-related controversies, and as Commander-in-Chief, he should now recognize and address the complexities of the intelligence sector. According to Gammanpila, these allegations have discouraged some intelligence officers from joining the service, despite the sector’s significant accomplishments, such as countering LTTE terrorism.

He emphasized that the report is crucial for affirming the intelligence sector’s non-involvement in the Easter attack and called for its release to uphold the reputation of the country’s intelligence agencies. Gammanpila asserted that, if there are efforts to undermine the intelligence agencies, he would actively oppose them in his role as an opposition leader.

Gammanpila concluded with a personal note, quoting his father’s words: “Tell the truth and don’t be afraid to sit on the ground.” He also hinted that he expects police questioning on this matter after November 14 and is prepared to respond.

Courtesy Hiru News

The Jana Aragala Alliance has alleged that the government will incur an additional cost of one million dollars due to a new tender awarded for printing foreign passports. Pubudu Jayagoda, a member of the alliance’s executive committee, made the statement during a press conference yesterday, urging the government to clarify its stance on the matter.

Meanwhile, large crowds have reappeared in front of the Immigration Department’s main office in Battaramulla, as people line up to obtain their passports. Many complain they are once again required to wait in token queues.

Sri Lanka has faced ongoing challenges in securing passports, with the Foreign Minister previously announcing that these issues were resolved under the new administration. However, the public contends that the government has yet to deliver effective solutions to the passport crisis.

Courtesy Hiru News

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the importance of implementing a procurement plan and strengthening the National Procurement Commission (NPC).

The President shared these views in a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (28), where he engaged in an in-depth discussion with NPC officials on the current procurement laws and procedures.

Officials from the National Procurement Commission informed the President that although around 60% of all government expenditures, including capital expenses, should ideally follow a proper procurement process, shortcomings in this process are causing significant losses to the government.

This, they noted, creates greater opportunities for fraud and corruption.

The discussion also covered issues related to delays, lack of transparency, and inefficiencies in the procurement process. Attention was given to minimizing shortcomings in handling unsolicited proposals and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) procurements.

President Dissanayake pointed out the need to further expand the authority of the NPC to establish more systematic procurement planning.

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Presidential Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, NPC Chairperson Sudharma Karunaratne, and other officials from the National Procurement Commission.

රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන් දකුණු පළාත් හිටපු ආණ්ඩුකාර 

මැතිවරණ කොමිසම, මැතිවරණ නිරීක්ෂකයින්, හෝ වෙනත් විචාරකයින් නොකියන නිසා හිතවත් ඔබගේ දැන ගැනීමට ඇල්පිටිය ප්‍රාදේශීය සභා ඡන්දය ගැන ලියා තබන්නෙමි.

ඇල්පිටිය ඡන්දය ගැන මා ලියූ සටහන කියවූ අයට නම්, මේ ඡන්ද ප්‍රතිඑලය ගැන කිසිම පුදුමයක් තිබිය නොහැකිය. ජවිපෙ කොට්ඨාශ 17 දිනාගැනීම කළ නොහැකි බව (අභියෝගයක් බව), පුටුව – අමිල කාරියවසම් සාධකය, කුල සාධකය, රූපවාහිනිය සලකුණ යටතේ ඉල්ලන කණ්ඩායම ආසන දිනන බව, මා ලියා ඇත. විදුලි බල්බයට අසුනක් ලැබීම හැර අනෙක් සියල්ල මම සති තුනකට පෙර ඇල්පිටිය ගොස් ඇවිත් ලියා තැබුවෙමි.

අවිත්තාව හා පිටුවල (තරුණයා) සජබ අපේක්ෂකයින් දෙදෙනා අති දක්ෂයින් ය. ගයන්ත හැර, පක්ෂයේ කිසිදු නායකයෙකු නැතිව ඔවුන් ජයගැනීම සුවිශේෂය. සජබ ජයග්‍රහණයට මුස්ලිම් ඡන්ද බලපෑ බව කියන අදහස සත්‍යයක් නොවේ.

මේ ඡන්දය ගැන මැතිවරණ නිරීක්ෂකයින් ඔබට නොකියන දෙය නම්, මේ ඡන්දය දිනයේ එක් පක්ෂයක් (මාලිමාව නොවේ) වාහන යොදා ගනිමින් සංවිධානාත්මක ලෙස ඡන්දදාකයින් ඡන්ද පොළ වෙත ප්‍රවාහණය කළ බවය. එය අවසන් ප්‍රතිඑලයට තීරණාත්මක බලපෑමක් කළේය.

සජබ ය ඔබට නොකියන දේ නම්, පක්ෂ නායකයා, සහ සෙසු අවශේෂ නායකයින් (මහ ලේකම් රංජිත් සහ ඩලස් ගියා) යන්නේ නැතුව ලැබුණු ඡන්ද සංඛ්‍යාව ගැන ඔවුන් සතුටු විය යුතු බවය. නැතිනම්, පක්ෂ නායකයින් පැත්ත පලාතේ නොයා ගමේ කොට්ඨාශයේ අය ඡන්දය කිරීම (පාර්ලිමේන්තු ඡන්දයේ දී ත්) සජබට අතිශයින් වාසි සහගත බවය.

සජබ ඔබට නොකියන්නේ, ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ දී බෙන්තර ඇල්පිටියේ ඔවුන් ලැබූ 27.35% ක ප්‍රතිශයත, පලාත් පාලන ඡන්දයේ දී 21.83% දක්වා පහත වැටී ඇති බවය. එහි ව්‍යවහාරික අරුත අතිශයින් සංකීර්ණය. 2019 ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ ඡන්ද ලක්ෂ 55 ක් ලැබූ ඔවුන්, පාර්ලිමේන්තු ඡන්දයේ දී එය ලක්ෂ 27 දක්වා පහත වට්ටවා ගත්තේය. 2024 ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ දී, ඡන්ද ලක්ෂ 34 ක් ලැබූ ඔවුන්ට උතුරු නැගෙනහිර හිමි වූ ඡන්ද ලක්ෂ 11 මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී ලැබෙන්නේ නැත. එයින් ද, 15% ක් වත් සජබයෙන් අඩුවන්නේය. ඇල්පිටියේ ප්‍රතිඑලයට අනුව නම්, මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී (එනම් සිංහල, බෞද්ධ, ගොවිගම – කරාව – සලාගම සාධකය මත) ලබන ඡන්ද සංඛ්‍යාව ලක්ෂ 21 හෝ 22 කි.

සජබ ඔබට නොකියන දේ නම්, කොට්ඨාශ තුනක ඔවුන් තුන්වන ස්ථානයට ද, තවත් කොට්ඨාශයට ඔවුන් සිව්වන ස්ථානයට ද පත්ව ඇති බව ය. මේ කොට්ඨාශ මොනවා දැයි විග්‍රහ කර ගැනීම සජබයට ම බාරය. (පාර්ලිමේන්තු ඡන්දයේ දී මේ තත්වයට ඇතිවන කොට්ඨාශ ගණන සජබට කරන හානිය අති විශාලය. උපක්‍රම නැති පක්ෂ ඡන්ද දිනන්නේ නැත)

ජාතික ජනබලවේගයේ හිතවතුන් ඔබට නොකියන්නේ, ඔවුන්ගේ 49.37% ක ඡන්ද ප්‍රමාණය 47.64% ට අඩු ව ඇති බව ය. එදා විපක්ෂයේ සිටි ඔවුන්ට ඡන්දය ප්‍රකාශ කිරීමට දැක්වූ රුචිය, අද ආණ්ඩුවේ සිටින විට ජනතාවට නැතිවී ඇති බව ය. අවම වශයෙන් හරිනි අමරසූරිය දවස් දෙකක් ඇල්පිටියට ගියා නම්, මේ ප්‍රතිඑලය එම පක්ෂයට ධනාත්මකව වෙනස් වනු ඇත්තේය. (විපක්ෂයේ සියළු පක්ෂ එහි ගොස් මැතිවරණ උණුසුම ඇති කළ යුතු බව මම මෙයට පෙර ලියා තිබුණි)

මාලිමාව ඔබට කිසි ලෙසකින් හෝ නොකියන දේ නම්, කොට්ඨාශ, ආසන, ඡන්ද බල ප්‍ර දේශ නොතකා අපේක්ෂකයින් ඉදිරිපත් කිරීම හේතුවෙන් ඇල්පිටියේ පසුබෑම තමන්ට ලැබුණු බවය.  මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී, වෛද්‍යවරුන්, නීතිඥයින් හා ටියුෂන් ගුරුවරුන් ගෙන් පිරවූ දිස්ත්‍රික් ලැයිස්තු ද, මෙවැනිම පසුබෑමක් ඔවුනට ලබා දිය හැකි බවය.   

රූපවාහිනිය ලකුණින්, ස්වාධීන කණ්ඩායම ක්‍රියාකාරී දේශපාලනයේ ප්‍රධාන පක්ෂයකින් කැපී ගිය නිසා ඉදිරිපත් වූ ලැයිස්තුවකි. ඔවුන් අසුනක්වත් දිනන බව ද මම ලියා ඇත. ඔවුන් දෙකක්ම දිනා ඇත. දක්ෂයින් කපන්නට යන කුමන ලොක්කාටත් අවසානයේ දී එහි වන්දිය පමාවී හෝ ලැබෙනු ඇත.

ලංකා දේශපාලනයේ කුල සාධකය ගැන ශාන් විජයලාල්, ජී.එල්., ඩිලාන් (චන්න ජයසුමන) ඇතුළු පිරිසගේ සජබ කරණම ඇසුරෙන් එදා මම විග්‍රයක් කළෙමි. මා කියූ දෙය එනම්, ඒ පැනිල්ලෙන් සජබට කිසිදු සෙතක් නොවන බවත්, සජබ ඡන්ද පදනම තවත් දුර්වල කරන බවත් ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ දී තහවුරු විය. කුල සාධකය පෙරදැරිව පක්ෂ මාරු කළ සියළු දෙනා එක්කෝ තරඟ වදින්නේ නැත. නැතිනම්, ජාතික ලැයිස්තුවේ ය.

කුල සාධකයේ දෙවැනි කථාව, කරාව කුලය බහුතරය වන කොට්ඨාශ දෙක හමාරකි. එහි ප්‍රතිඑලය සමස්ත ප්‍රතිඑලයේ අපගමනයක් ලෙස ඔබට දැකිය හැකිය. ලංකාවේ කුල සාධකය, තවමත් මැතිවරණයකට තීරණාත්මකය.

පොහොට්ටුව හෝ බැසිල් රාජපක්ෂ ඔබට නොකියන දෙය නම්, නාමල් රාජපක්ෂ ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ ගත්තේ ඡන්ද 2571 කි. ඊයේ පොහොට්ටුවේ ගමේ උදවිය ඡන්ද 3600 ක් ගත්තේ සභික ආසන 3 ක් සමගිනි. නාමල් ට වඩා, ගමේ ‘පොල් ලෙලි‘ (අපහාසයක් නොවේ) ජනප්‍රිය ය. මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී, මේ පොහොට්ටුවේ මේ තත්වය, තවත් පුළුල් වනු ඇත. (බූකි භාෂාවෙන්, දෙකයි පනහේ රාජපක්ෂලා, දැන් 9.9% පොල් ලෙලි වී ඇත) පොහොට්ටුවේ මේ වර්ධනයට මහ ලේකම් සාගර කාරියවසම් ට ගෞරවය හිමි විය යුතුය. තම පියා මන්ත්‍රීවරයෙකු ලෙස කටයුතු කළ ඇල්පිටිය බර තැබූවේ සාගර ය.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂය ඔබට නොකියන දේ නම්, මෛත්‍රී, දයාසිරි, නිමල් සිරිපාල, අමරවීර ආදී වශයෙන් පතුරු ගලවා නොගත්තා නම්, මහා මැතිවරණයේ තීරණාත්මක බලය ඔවුන්ට පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ හිමි කර ගත හැකිව තිබුණි. බොහෝ විට ශ්‍රීලනිප හිටපු ඇමතිවරු මේ බව මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී හොඳටම අවබෝධ කර ගනු ඇත. පුටුවට ලැබුණු ඡන්ද බහුතරය අමිල කාරියවසම් හිටපු සභාපති, ඔහුගේ පියා සහ සහෝදරයා ගේ දක්ෂතාවයකි. (ඇල්පිටිය ඡන්දයට ශාන් පැත්ත පළාතේ ගියේ නැත)

අමිල කාරියවසම් මම හොදින් දන්නා දක්ෂයෙකි. පුද්ගල පෞර්ශය, සමාජ සම්බන්ධතා ඉහළය. සාම්ප්‍රදායික දේශපාලන පක්ෂ කිසිවක් ඔහුගේ දක්ෂතා හදුණා නොගත්තා පමනක් නොව, ඔහුට බිය වූවේය.

ජනාධිපතිවරණයට පෙර එජාප – සජබ එකතුවිය යුතු යැයි ඒ පක්ෂ කියූ ලෙස ම, ඔහු, සජබ – පුටුව එකතු කර ගෙන කොට්ඨාශ අපේක්ෂකියන් දිනා ගන්නට උත්සහ කළේය. ඇල්පිටිය සජබ නායක ගයන්ත පවසා සිටියේ සජබ ට ද, අමිල ඉල්ලූ කොට්ඨාශවල ප්‍රබල අපේක්ෂකයින් සිටින බවකි. ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ දී, නායකියන්ට වැරදුණු තැන ඇල්පිටියේ දී දිස්ත්‍රික් නායකයින්ට වැරදුණි.

අමිල කාරියවසම් ඊලඟ පලාත් සභාවේ අමාත්‍යවරයෙකු විය යුතු තරුණයෙකි. ඔහුට ගැලපෙන පක්ෂය මාලිමාව යි. සුදුසුම තැන, අම්බලන්ගොඩ සංවිධායක ධූරයයි. සියල්ලටම වඩා අමිල, මැකෝ — මහින්ද දේශප්‍රිය ගේ ඥාතියෙකි. අනුර කුමාර වැනිම, නූතන සමාජවාදියෙකි. අනුර තරමටම තිබුණු දේශපාලන සවිඥානිකත්වය ඇත්තෙකි. අමිල ගේ සහෝදරයා මාලිමාව සමඟ එක්ව ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාවේ බලය ලබාගත යුතු යැයි මම පුද්ගලිකව සිතමි. මන්ද, ජනතා කැමැත්ත පැහැදිලිවම ඇත්තේ එතැනය.

කුසලානය හා දැන් ගෑස් සිලින්ඩරයෙන් ඉදිරිපත් වන කණ්ඩායම ඔබට නොකියන දෙය නම්, ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ දී රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ ට ලැබී ඇත්තේ, ආර්ථික අර්බුදයෙන් රට බේරාගත් රනිල්ට ලැබුණු පුද්ගල ඡන්දයක් මිස, හිටපු පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන්ට ලැබෙන/හිමිවන ඡන්දයක් නොවන බව ය. ජනාධිපතිවරණයේ රනිල් ගේ සිලින්ඩරයට ලැබුණු 16% ක ඡන්ද, කුසලානයට ලැබී නැති අතර 3.7%ට වැටී ඇත. පොහොට්ටුවේ ඡන්ද පදනම කුසලානයට ඇවිත් නැත. එය මාලිමාවට ගොස්, ඉතිරිය පොහොට්ටුවේම නැවතී ඇත. ඒ නිසාම, මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී, රනිල් ඇති සිලින්ඩරය සහ රනිල් නැති සිලින්ඩරය අතර වෙනස පැහැදිලිව ම පෙනෙනු ඇත.

විපක්ෂයේ කිසිවෙකුත් ඔබට නොකියන කරුණ නම්, දේශපාලන විචාරකයින් පලාත් පාලන ඡන්දයක සභික ධූර සංඛ්‍යාව තීරණය වන ක්‍රමයට වඩා වෙනස් ක්‍රමයට මහා මැතිවරණයේ දී දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ ප්‍රතිඑලය සැකසෙන බවය. මහා මැතිවරණයක තීරණාත්මකම සාධකය එක ඡන්දයකින් හෝ දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ අංක එක ස්ථානය ලබා ගැනීම පමණී. මේ ප්‍රතිඑලය අනුව නම්, මාලිමාවට පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ සරළ බහුතරය ස්ථිර ය. තුනෙන් දෙකට (2/3) නම් දුරය.

සජබ නායකයින් හෙට ඔබට නොකියන දේ නම්, 2019 දී කොට්ඨාශ සියල්ල පරාජයට පත් වූ නමුත් එජාපය සභික ධූර 7 ක් ලැබූ බව සහ මෙවර එය 6 ට අඩු වී ඇති බවය. අමුතුවෙන් කිව යුතු නැතත්, 2019 සිටියාටත් වඩා දුර්වල තැනකට අද සජබ පත්ව ඇත.

2020 දී පොහොට්ටුව දකුණේ ලැබූ ප්‍රතිඑලයම, මන්ත්‍රී සංඛ්‍යාව අනුව 2024 දී, මාලිමාවට පාර්ලිමේන්තු ඡන්දයේ දී ලැබෙන්නේය. එක අසුනක් අඩු – වැඩි විය හැකි යැයි කියන්නේ මන්ත්‍රී ධූර ලබන පක්ෂ දෙක වෙනුවට මෙවර පක්ෂ 3 ක් ඇති නිසාය.

දැන් ඡන්දය අවසන් ය. මාලිමාවේ ලේකම්තුමාට සභාපති සහ උප සභාපති පත් කළ හැකිය. ඒ ස්වාධීන කණ්ඩායමේ දෙදෙනා ද, පුටුවේ දෙදෙනා ද, මාලිමාවට අවශ්‍ය පුද්ගලයා සභාපති කර ගන්නට ඉඩ සලසා දෙන නිසා පමණක් නොවේ. විපක්ෂයේ පක්ෂ හතර අතර පවතින එකාට එකා පෙනෙන්නට බැරි කම නිසාය.

ඇල්පිටිය පහසුවෙන්ම විපක්ෂයට දිනාගත හැකිව තිබු පළාත් පාලන ආයතනයකි. (ඔය සාම්ප්‍රදායික වමේ ආසන කතාව අද ට නොගැලපෙන මිත්‍යාවකි. පුටුව ඉල්ලුවේ කොට්ඨාශ හතරක තමන්ට සජබ සහාය දෙන ලෙසය. ඉතිරි, 13 හි සහාය පුටුව විසින් සජබට ලබා දිය හැකි බව ය. උපක්‍රමශීලි නොවන දේශපාලන පක්ෂයකට ඡන්ද දිනන්නට බැරිය. පරාජය බාර ගැනීම හැර කුමන්ත්‍රණ කර වැඩක් නැත.

ඇල්පිටියේ දී මාලිමාව පැරදී නැත. ජයග්‍රහණය කර ද නැත. ඡන්ද දිනන්නේ සංවිධානය ශක්තිය මත ය. මාලිමාව ඇල්පිටියේ නොකළේ, පලාත් පාලන ඡන්දය සංවිධානය කිරීම පමණී.

විපක්ෂයේ සජබ, ගෑස් සිලින්ඩරය, පොහොට්ටුවේ නායකයින්ට කියන්නට ඇත්තේ ඔබලා ගමට නොයා තමන්ගේ මනාප සටන කරගෙන ඉදීම මහා මැතිවරණයේ කළ හැකි හොඳම දේ බව ය.

රජිත් කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන්

දකුණු පළාත් හිටපු ආණ්ඩුකාර