The Director-General of Health Services has issued new guidelines pertaining to permitted public activities under ‘Alert Level 3’ amidst the upsurge in virus infections in Sri Lanka.
The new guidelines will be in effect from today (May 01) until further notice, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.
The guidelines are supported by the previously guidelines and circulars previously issued by the Health Ministry with regard to the relaxation of public activities in response to COVID-19, which include operational details.
Health authorities have introduced an ‘Alert Level’ system based on an understanding of public and work settings in Sri Lanka.
Alert Level 1 – Cases reported are only those coming from outside the country (detected in quarantine); no clusters Alert Level 2 – One cluster of cases Alert Level 3 – Several clusters in different districts Alert Level 4 – Cases are appearing with no connection to any cluster (community transmission)
As identified by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka is currently at Alert Level 3.
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll reached 687 on Saturday (May 01) as nine persons succumbed to the virus infection, the Director-General of Health Services confirmed.
According to the Department of Government Information, the victims are as follows:
01. A 65-year-old man from Karandana area: He died on April 29 while receiving treatment at the Horana Base Hospital. The cause of death was identified as COVID chest infection and chronic liver disease.
02. A 72-year-old man from Avissawella area: After being diagnosed with novel coronavirus, he was transferred from Kopay Treatment Centre to Jaffna Teaching Hospital where he died on April 30. Acute coronary syndrome and heart failure along with COVID infection were identified as the cause of death.
03. A 75-year-old man from Ruwanwella area: He was first admitted to the Wathupitiwala Base Hospital and then moved to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. He was later transferred to Homagama Base Hospital after testing positive for the virus. He died on April 28 due to COVID pneumonia.
04. A 66-year-old woman from Devalagama area: She passed away on April 30 while receiving treatment at Homagama Base Hospital. The death was caused by respiratory failure due to COVID infection.
05. A 79-year-old man from Mawanella area: He was diagnosed with novel coronavirus while receiving treatment at the Warakapola Base Hospital and was later moved to Theldeniya Base Hospital where he died on April 30. The cause of death is severe COVID pneumonia with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
06. A 33-year-old youth from Yakwila area: He was transferred from Ambanpola Treatment Centre to Theldeniya Base Hospital after testing positive for the virus. He died on April 30 due to severe COVID pneumonia and acute kidney injury with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.
07. A 57-year-old man from Walapane area: After being diagnosed with novel coronavirus, he was transferred from Rikillagaskada Base Hospital to Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) where he succumbed to COVID pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis on April 30.
08. A 68-year-old man from Ratnapura area: He was tested positive for the virus at Ratnapura Teaching Hospital and was later moved to the IDH. He fell victim to the sepsis shock, COVID pneumonia, acute kidney injury, diabetes mellitus and hypertension on May 01.
09. A 69-year-old man from Kuliyapitiya area: He died on April 30 while suffering from COVID pneumonia, kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. He was under medical care at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital at the time of his death. He had been transferred from Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital after being diagnosed with the virus infection.
Sri Lanka on Saturday (May 01) hit a record high of 1,699 coronavirus infections as 396 more persons were tested positive for the virus within the day.
This marks the highest single-day spike in the country’s infections and it is also the third consecutive day Sri Lanka’s daily cases stayed above 1,500-mark.
Daily virus infections in Sri Lanka first crossed the grim milestone of 1,000 on the 27th of April.
Press Release- Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UNESCAPBangkok, Thailand
Sri
Lanka calls for stronger regional cooperation for building back better from the
pandemic through promotion of trade, investment and foreign employment
opportunities at the 77th Session of the UNESCAP in Bangkok
Speaking on the
theme ‘Building back better from crises through regional cooperation in Asia
and the Pacific’ Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the inauguration of the 77th
Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP) outlined Sri Lanka’s successful approach in controlling the COVID-19 and called
for renewed South-South”
cooperation, to recover from the pandemic.
The session was held virtually in Bangkok from 26th to 29th April
2012.
Prime Minister stated
that even during the pandemic, economic and export sector continued to function,
tourism restarted in January and the Central Bank reduced policy rates and
implemented several concessionary refinancing programs in Sri Lanka.
Further, Prime
Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka
is deeply committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and
toward this end, an Inter-ministerial Steering Committee on Sustainable Development
and Sustainable Development Council have been established and the decade 2021
to 2030 has been declared as the ‘Decade of Skills Development’ in Sri Lanka.
Delivering the Country
Statement, Foreign Secretary Admiral
Prof. Jayanath Colombage stated that the Government of Sri Lanka was able to
mitigate the speared of the pandemic and keep the death rate comparatively low
against the high recovery rate due to its Whole of Government and Whole of
Society” approach, Preemptive Strategy”, and matured Public Healthcare
system”. He stated that to date hundred and thirty thousand standard Sri
Lankans were brought home from over 120 countries and that Sri Lanka continues
to provide quarantine facilities free of charge especially for migrant workers.
Given Sri Lanka’s ongoing resilient,
inclusive and sustainable development pathways, Foreign Secretary requested
that Member States of economic strength in the Asia-Pacific region should
provide smaller economies like that of Sri Lanka with investment, greater
market access and trading opportunities, foreign employment opportunities
and assistance in vaccination programs, to smoothen the
path to build back better from crises.
Reaffirming its
commitment to international cooperation, along with Indonesia, Japan, Maldives,
Pakistan and Vietnam, Sri Lanka co-sponsored the resolution put forward by
Thailand, which was adopted by the
Commission on the theme ‘Regional cooperation to build back better from crises
in Asia and the Pacific” in support of all similar efforts of Member States.
Over 50 member
states participated in the four day online session and
Heads of State/ Government of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia,
Kiribati, Kyrgyz Republic,
Marshall
Islands, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Pakistan,
Thailand, Tuvalu and Uzbekistan
addressed the inauguration of the 77th Session.
United Nations
Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP Armida Salsiah
Alisjahbana emphasized that As we move towards recovery, our efforts must take
into account the aspirations of all countries, including the least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States,
of Asia and the Pacific. More than ever before, the full potential of inclusive
and networked multilateralism should be tapped. International development
cooperation, including South-South and triangular cooperation, must be further
harnessed”.
Permanent
Representative of Sri Lanka to the UNESCAP Ambassador C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne,
Director General Chamindry Saparamadu of Sustainable Development Council, senior
officials from the Foreign Ministry, Central Bank, Department of External
Resources and Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka were in the
delegation.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UNESCAPBangkok, Thailand
The
most important achievement of the 1956 government was the entrenchment of
Buddhism. MEP government gave Buddhism its ‘rightful place.’It
is tempting to make fun of this phrase but it is an accurate description of the
historical role of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Buddhism
came to Sri Lanka in the time of Gautama Buddha, in 6th century BC. The
evidence lies in the regular exchange of travelers between the Ganges plains
and Sri Lanka during this time. Arahant Mahinda who came in the 3rd century BC
did not bring Buddhism, it was already there. He came, on invitation, to set up
the Sinhala Sangha with its own upasampada and monasteries.
The
visit of Arahant Mahinda would have been a high level embassy involving much
planning. King Devanampiyatissa would not have been deer hunting in a forest
when Mahinda arrived. He would have been in the city, waiting to greet Arahant
Mahinda. Mahinda would not have needed to climb up a hill either.
Buddhism
lacked the qualities popularly associated with ‘religion’. It was not based on
blind faith and had no salvation component. Instead Buddhism offered its followers
a daunting physical and mental discipline based on a
highly intellectual argument. Anuradhapura, to its credit, was careful not to
distort or reduce this thinking. It took care to preserve the doctrine.
Anuradhapura
over time became a recognized centre for Buddhist studies. Maha vihara
held a valuable set of commentaries written in Sinhala. Abhayagiri monastery
was an international centre for Buddhist scholarship in the three main schools
of Buddhism, Theravada, Mahayana and Tantra.
Anuradhapura
helped spread Buddhism in Asia. Sinhala bhikkhunis went to China in 5 AD,
probably to develop Mahayana. Bhikkhuni Chandramali went to Tibet to help with
Tantric Buddhism. Abhayagiri influenced Buddhism in Indonesia. Maha vihara
helped to entrench Theravada Buddhism in Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and Laos.
Buddhism
produced a substantial literature which is well regarded today, this includes
the Vamsa collection. The Buddhist architecture
of Anuradhapura was much admired. Jetavana is recognized as one of the world
tallest building, pre 7 century. In another
ranking, two stupas from Anuradhapura are included in the ten highest buildings
in the ancient world, Jetawanaramaya at
4th place and Ruvanvelisaya at 7th place.
Jetavanaramaya boasted of
the largest stupa in the entire world (while also holding the honor of the tallest
stupa in the ancient world), said the selectors. The originally 400-ft tall
stupa accounted for an astronomical base area of 233,000 sq m, which is equivalent to 43 football fields!
This massive structure was estimated to be constructed from 93.3 million baked
bricks (each of which could withstand loads of up to 166 kg), with one side of
the enormous stupa measuring 576 ft (176 m) in length.
Ruvanvelisaya (2 BC ) has a massive tapering dome
originally rising to 300 ft, and a
diameter of around 295 ft (90 m) and circumference of 950 ft (292 m)., the base
area of Ruvanvelisaya equates to over 68,300 sq ft, which is bigger than a
conventional football field. [1]
Buddhism
played a significant role in the social and cultural life of the country from
Anuradhapura period to the
end of the Udarata kingdom. The Udarata kingdom remained Buddhist. Kings
were imported from Tamilnadu, but were compelled to embrace Buddhism. There is
no mention of kovils in Udarata. There were no mosques either. Muslim traders stayed in Buddhist temples.
This
special position of Buddhism was recognized in the 1815 convention. Clause 5 of
the Kandyan convention said. . The religion of Boodhoo, professed by the chiefs and
inhabitants of these provinces, is declared inviolable, and its rites,
ministers, and places of worship are to be maintained and protected.”
The
British administration had no intention
of keeping this promise. The British rulers were not interested in protecting
Buddhism, they wanted to contain Buddhism. They did so by encouraging three
other religions, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. These religions were
brought in for a disruptive purpose, to challenge Buddhism.
Christianity,
Hinduism, and Islam were firmly entrenched in the island by the British administrators.
The entrenchment was done mainly by the allocation of strategically placed land
for churches, kovils and mosques. They were given prime land. The dates of origin of present day churches,
kovils and mosques fall within the British administration.
In
Christianity, the British encouraged both Catholics and Protestants. Therefore
both Catholics and Protestant churches flourished in British times. St Paul’s
Church was built in the premises of the Dalada Maligawa and a Roman Catholic
convent was set up in the heart of the Anuradhapura sacred area.
Hinduism
was a new arrival. It catered to the Tamil immigrants brought in by the Dutch
and British rulers. Hindu kovils were artificially
introduced into places which had never had Hinduism before, such as Colombo, Kandy
and the central hills.
These activities were resentfully observed by the Buddhists living
under British rule. Their resentment was building up and would burst at some
point. They hoped for a change once Independence was granted. Independence came
in 1948. The Buddhists found that after 450 years of Christian rule, they were
now facing a fresh bout of post independence Christian rule under the UNP. The Buddhists
were not prepared to tolerate continued Christian dominance.
In 1951 the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress wrote to Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake
referring to the disappointment, almost resentment, growing among the
Buddhists of Ceylon,” and asked the UNP government to extend to Buddhism the
same patronage as was extended to it by Sinhalese rulers of old.”
The ACBC called upon the government to remedy
some of the damage done to Buddhism during the reigns of the Portuguese, Dutch
and British by offering greater state support for Buddhist education, monks and
temples, and to appoint a Buddhist Commission. .
Senanayake refused. The Buddhist Congress created their
own Buddhist Commission of Enquiry. The ACBC Commission undertook a two-year
investigation to explore the extent of the injuries done to Buddhism during the
colonial period and to recommend actions that the state should take to repair
them. The work culminated with the publication of a Sinhala report, the English
summary of which was titled The Betrayal of Buddhism. This report of the
Buddhist Commission became one of the leading campaign documents of the 1956
election.
The 1956 MEP victory
brought to the Buddhists the recognition they had asked for. Buddhism also became important in politics. After 1956, all
politicians, on taking office paid a visit to the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, dressed in white and bearing trays
of flowers. Buddhism has continued to
strengthen its position .
A related development of 1956
was the rise of the Maha Sangha as a political force. the aggressive Buddhist movement that started
in the 1940 and gathered momentum in the 1950s brought the entire
Maha Sangha to the forefront as an active social and political force, said Wiswa Warnapala.
In ancient times the Sangha had a legitimate role in the political affairs of the country. They guided the king. They did not wield power directly. This traditional role was now resurrected in a modern setting. The Sangha is now an active social and political force in modern Sri Lanka, he concluded. It is now a permanent part of the political culture of Sri Lanka. ( continued)
The Shameless
Jabbering Bandits (SJB) have accused the government of attempting to impose
civil disabilities on key opposition leaders on the recommendations of the
Special Presidential Commission on Political Victimization, saying that riot is
tantamount to over-riding the judiciary and therefore unconstitutional.
The Special
Commission had indicted 22 political leaders and individuals associated with
the previous government (many of them top leaders of the SJB now) for the
violation of the Constitution in establishing or being part of the
Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) and the Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat
(ACCS).
Among the
indicted are former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Ministers
Mangala Samaraweera, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, Malik
Samarawickrema and Sarath Fonseka; Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R.
Sampanthan; TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader
Anura Kumara Dissanayake; Attorney-at-Law J.C. Weliamuna; and former MP Dr.
Jayampathi Wickramaratne.
On January 29,
2021, a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry was set up to implement
recommendations of the earlier Presidential Commission of Inquiry into
Political Victimization established under retired Supreme Court judge Upali
Abeyratne on January 9, 2020.
The Special
Presidential Commission was empowered, among other things, to recommend the
imposition of civic disability on persons found guilty of political
victimization. The Commission had found that the establishment of the
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Financial
Crimes Investigations Division (FCID), and the Special Investigations Unit
(SIU) of the Sri Lanka Police was against the provisions of the Code of
Criminal Procedure.
This series of articles aim to highlight actions of
some of the former Ministers whose names were listed in the PCoI report as
offenders :
Helping Hambantota Project
Supreme Court ordered Kabir Hashim to pay
compensation to MR over Helping Hambantota case false allegations.
There are certain politiciasns who hail from feudal
families and they are committed to maintain their family stastus by hoodwinking
lor pretending as people friendly politicians so that people belomging to
underlying segments of their areas or societies will nlot be able to command
them. This was D.S.Seanayake rejected
the Madampa reform proposa.ls presented by the late Prime Minister
S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike since he feared that those reforms will eliminate their
dominant status and the Tamil politicians (the Vellala clan) continue to keep
the Tamil masses trampled for the last 70 odd yesars with the prlomise of
selfrule status.
The
former Minister Kabir Hashim, presently the Chairman pof SJB also hails from a
feudal family from a feudal family in Sabsragamuwa and his father is said to be
a Barrister. He entered parliament in 2001 and continue to represent Kegalle
district since then. He is reported to
be very mjuch consdcious about his family and social status. He has a natural aversion to Rajapaksas
because of their championing for the cause of the underlying people.
In this acversion, Kabir Hashim alleged that Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa he has
swindled nearly Rs. 83 crores delivered to the Premier’s Office in aiding the
victims of the Tsunami tragedy and the money was credited to a special account
at the Union Place branch of People’s Bank called ‘Prime Minister’s Revival
Fund’ on December 31, 2004.
Mr.
Rajapaksa filed a court case against this allegation and cited Chandra Fernando IGP,
Lionel Gunatilake, DIG, P. Ampawila, Inspector of Police, Kabir Hashim, MP, and
the Attorney General as Respondents and the case was taken up for hearing by a
three member judges panel comprising Chief
Justice, Sarath N. Silva, Justice Shirani Tilakawardena, and Justice N.E. Dr.
Mahinda Rajapaksa a,leged that the 4th Respondent
being a former Minister and a Member of Parliament representing the United
National Party (UNP) a political party opposed to him made a complaint to the
Criminal Investigation Department of the Police (CID) alleging the commission
of an offence of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation by him,
falsely and maliciously, in order to tarnish his public image and thereby to
gain political advantage at the Presidential Election in which he was due to be
the candidate of the political party in power.
Further,
that the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Respondents being the Inspector General of Police,
Deputy Inspector General of Police (CID) and an Inspector of the CID forming
part of the executive arm of Government, purported to take action on the said
false complaint and continued an investigation in order to support the
malicious political campaign against him by the UNP, which was in turn actively
assisted by a partisan weekly newspaper that carried a continuous flow of false
information regarding the same matter.
Thus,
the case of the Petitioner is that the executive arm of Government wielding
Police power was made use by his political opponents who were in turn backed by
a partisan newspaper, to besmirch his character and gain undue political
advantage and that such abuse of the legal process of criminal investigation
denied to him the equal protection of the law guaranteed by Article 12(1) of
the Constitution.
In
delivering the verdict of the case the Cou.rt granted the declaration prayed
for by the petitioner that his fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 12 (1)
of the Constitution has been infringed by the 1st to 4th Respondents.
Considering
the preceding findings the Court ordered that the 1st, 2nd and 4th Respondents
pay personally a sum of Rs. 100,000 each, to the Petitioner by way of
compensation.
The
Court ordert said that this amount is awarded only as a recognition of the
infringement of the Petitioner’s fundamental rights and not intended to
compensate him fully for the loss suffered by him by being denied equal
protection of law and hence the State will pay a sum of Rs. 200,000 as costs to
the Petitioner.
D.S.
Wijesinghe, PC, with Sanjeewa Jayawardena and Priyantha Jayawardena appeared
for the Petitioner.
Tilak
Marapana, PC, with Ronald Perera appeared for the 4th Respondent.
Palitha Fernando, DSG,
with P. Nawana SSC appeared for the 1-3rd and 5th Responden
*****
Calculations made
by MP Hashim dismissed
MP Kabir Hashim
was asked to get coaching on calculations by someone who knows the subject.
Money and Capital
Market and State Enterprise Reforms State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal told
Parliament that as at the end of December 2019 total loans granted by the
Central Bank to all banks for pawning advances stood at Rs. 210 billion and at
the end of September 2020 it had increased by 27 billion to Rs. 237 billion.
Participating in
the debate on the 2020 Appropriation Bill, the Minister dismissed the figures
presented by SJB MP Hashim as being inaccurate and demanded to know where the
latter had obtained the misleading information from.
MP Kabir Hashim
during his speech said that it was a clear indication of the failure of the
government that people had pawned jewelleries to the tune of Rs. 643 billion.
Minister Cabral
said by the end of December 2019 the credit card payments stood at Rs. 131
billion but had dropped by Rs. 25 billion to Rs.126 billion. Therefore, I urge
MP Kabir Hashim to get his facts right and perhaps get some expert advice on
such matters by someone like MP Harsha de Silva, who knows this subject.”
The State Minister
said that the year 2020 had been a very difficult and uncertain year for the
country. For over half the year we had a minority government and during the
major part of the year we were speculating on whether an election could be
held. The whole world was facing difficulties with the pandemic wreaking havoc.
It was only after the formation of the new government that we were able to
formulate a clear policy and delegate responsibilities.
Therefore, we have
been able to move forward with a clear vision during the last three months,” he
said.
The Minister said
that the government had faced many challenges during the first three quarters
of this year apart from the Covid pandemic, due to the mismanagement and
misdeeds of the previous government over the past five years.
During the past
five years under the previous regime, the 6.3 per cent growth rate we
maintained from 2010 to 2014 had dropped to 2.3 per cent For the first time in
2019 the per capita income fell by USD 227 under the yahapalana government. Now, they are trying to
discredit us by claiming that the country is in a debt trap. They are hoping
for the fall of the government, but they will be disappointed; we will not
their wild dream come true.”
Minister Cabral
said that the debt burden was measured as a percentage of the GDP and in 2005,
it stood at 91 per cent. However, our government had reduced it to 70 per cent
by 2014 and after the Yahapalana government took over they increased it back to
87 percent. This happened as they had increased the foreign debt by 49 per
cent. They increased the short term loans within a short period and now we are
tasked with rectifying their mistakes. The previous government paid Rs. 1,430
billion more than we did in debt interest within their five year tenure.”
Cabral urging ignoramo’us Kabir Hashim to
get coaching on economy
Cabraal add that
the previous regime had also managed to devalue the rupee and now the present
government had to pay for its predecessor’s sins.
He said that the
government was committed to steering the country on a path of progress and
urged all MPs to cast aside their political differences and support the passage
of the Appropriation Bill.
*****:
Southern
highway project corruptions under yahapalana
An anti-corruption group has sent
information to the presidential secretariat that point to the tender procedure
relating to the construction of the stretch of the southern highway from Matara
to Mattala being extremely corrupt.
The construction of the highway
began during the previous government, and those who had pioneered the regime
change on January 08 severely criticized the cost of the project.
The previous government estimated
the cost of construction for the 96 km stretch at Rs. 242 billion plus Rs. 12 b
as consultancy and planning expenses.
The estimated costs for its four
phases were – Rs. 103.28 b for the 30 km stretch from Matara to Beliatta, Rs.
55.5 b for the 26 km stretch from Beliatta to Wetiya, Rs. 31.57 b for the 15
kms from Wetiya to Andarawewa and Rs. 52.16 b for the 25 kms from Andarawewa to
Hambantota.
The Chinese contractors secured
loans through the Chinese banks named by them for the Sri Lankan government.
The anti-corruption group charges
that local and foreign racketeers shared the money that was the difference
between the actual cost and the estimated cost.
It urges the authorities to once
again go through all the contracts relating to this project.
Technical committee report ignored
The first highways minister of the
present government Kabir Hashim appointed a technical committee headed by
renowned engineering consultant M.B.S. Fernando to undertake a review of the
project.
The committee report handed over
to the minister on 28 April 2015 says the project could have been completed at
a cost which is Rs. 123 b less.
However, by August, the tenders
were awarded at the previous cost estimates, and the specialist report
completely disregarded.
After the general election in that
month, a newly-appointed minister took up the job.
Then, the estimates were gone
through once again and the same contractors were to be given the job on new
estimates.
Surprisingly, this time the
decision is to raise the costs – from Rs. 103.28 b to Rs. 122.5 b for the
Matara-Beliatta stretch, from Rs. 55.2 to Rs. 66.83 b for the Beliatta-Wetiya
stretch and from Rs. 31.57 b to Rs. 39.97 b for the Wetiya-Andarawewa stretch,
while the estimate for the remaining stretch is still under review.
The anti-corruption group notes
that the present is more corrupt than the past.
Some
activists of civil organizations were making baseless allegations misusing the
freedom of expression ushered in by the incumbent Government, Highways Minister
Kabir Hashim said.
Those
allegations against me were malicious and baseless,” he said.
Today
they have the freedom to make allegations. But there should be a base for these
allegations. I am sorry to state that those activists as well as media, which
publicise these allegations, should ascertain the veracity of the information
published,” he said.
He
said that he worked as the Minister of Higher Education up to March 2015 under
the 100-Day Programme and Dr Sarath Amunugama was appointed as the Minister of
Higher Education on March 22, 2015, by the President.
Meanwhile,
on June 19, the Board of Directors of the University Grants Commission decided
to channel the investments through National Savings Bank. At that time the
Minister of Higher Education was Dr Sarath Amunugama. Not me. The decision was
taken by the University Grants Commission.
Therefore
as blamed by an activist I have no connection at all with these matters and
clearly I must say that this allegation was baseless,” he said.
He
said that the UGC was blamed by the COPE Committee and a system was introduced
in 2013 for the UGC to make such investments.
They
have done it under the instructions of the Attorney General,” he said.
The
Minister then asked the media to publicise the frauds occurred before the
Yahapalana Government.
Reveal
the frauds committed by companies like Entrust, which defrauded over Rs. 12
billion. Out of that Rs. 2,500 million was taken from the Central Bank Pensioners
Fund and another 2,500 million from Ceylon Electricity Board Pensioners Fund,”
the Minister said
Meanwhile, Kabir Hashim’s family
members have even been accused of taking bribes to put people into the banks.
He has also been accused of buying expensive cars and houses from his illegal
bank accounts. Many charges have been leveled against him by the Public.
Instead of taking action against him, the Prime Minister gave Kabir Hashim more
responsibility and the opportunity to become even more corrupt. He has
petroleum and roads. According to unconfirmed reports, these two can bring the
government into severe disrepute.
******
Kabir and Malik
testify before Bond Commission
A
news report dated 1st April, 2019 said that Minister Malik
Samarawickrama the one time controversial businessman who has a habit of
putting his finger into every contract and has more than 10 bribery charges
filed against him by the public for giving concessions to businessmen in return
for favors, is about to meet his Waterloo.
The
report said that his allegiance to Ranil and Mangala will not save him this
time, because the President is not willing to pardon anyone.
Two senior Cabinet Ministers told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the
controversial bond issuance that at a meeting held on 26 February 2015, a fund
requirement of Rs. 18 billion had been discussed for stalled road development
work initiated by the previous administration.
Ministers Kabir Hashim and Malik Samarawickrama, testifying before the
commission, appeared to confirm evidence previously given by former Central
Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran that a meeting had taken place in the morning of
26 February, the day before the controversial bond auction, attended by
Mahendran, the two ministers, former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake,
officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Treasury, the
Director General of the Road Development Authority (RDA) and officials from the
Ministry of Highways and others, where urgent fund requirements for road
development work was discussed.
In
evidence given to the commission last month, it was mentioned that a request
had been made to the former Governor at the 26 February meeting to raise a sum
of Rs. 75 billion within a month for urgent road construction work, as
substantiated by a letter purportedly written by the former Finance Minister
that was furnished to the Bond Commission as evidence (document No. AM22). The
Prime Minister, however, in a statement to Parliament on 17 March 2015, had
made reference to an urgent requirement of Rs. 15 billion only. This was later
clarified by Mahendran as an initial requirement of Rs. 15 billion needed
immediately, followed by a further Rs. 75 billion.
Hashim
had taken part in the 26 February meeting in his capacity as then Minister of
Highways and Investment Promotion while Samarawickrama had attended as then
Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister.
There had been Rs. 18 billion outstanding, Rs. 3 billion of which had been
allocated by the Ministry of Highways, said Hashim. This meant that Rs. 15
billion was needed immediately, as had been communicated to the Treasury
Secretary.
The shameless rogues
According
to the Minister, the matter had previously been taken up at a Cabinet Committee
on Economic Management meeting held on 24 February. Two days later, he and
other officials of the Ministry had been asked to come to the CBSL premises for
a discussion where the requirement for Rs. 18 billion had been submitted.
I
think my accountant had certified that we had allocated Rs. 3 billion,” said
Hashim, responding to a question, adding that the figures were not exact, as
bills had been coming in sporadically. However, he said, the focus had been on
the Rs. 18 billion requirement.
Samarawickrama, too, provided a similar answer in his testimony: It was found
at the meeting, as I recollect, about Rs. 18 billion of funds were required to
pay these outstanding contractors. The Ministry had allocated about Rs. 3
billion. There was a deficit of about Rs. 15 billion.”
Minister Hashim told the commission that the Finance Ministry and Treasury
officials had said they would look at a way of helping us get the funds.”
Commissioner
Justice Prasanna Jayawardena asked Hashim if the CBSL had been asked to do
anything at the meeting.
Not
anything I’m aware of,” said the Minister.
Asked
about any follow-up action, Minister Samarawickrama said there had been no
discussion whatsoever” on how to raise the funds, nor had there been any
discussion at the meeting about issuing bonds or about the bond auction to be
held the following day. The purpose of the meeting had been solely to find how
much money was required, he said.
According to Hashim, his Ministry had received Rs. 8.3 billion from the Treasury.
Around 16 March, a new requisition had been sent asking for the remaining Rs.
10 billion.
At this point, Justice Jayawardena noted that the requirement of Rs. 18 billion
had remained unchanged in the month of March. Hashim agreed.
Samarawickrama
said he did not meet or speak to the former Governor over the telephone after
the meeting or on the day of the auction. Hashim, too, could not recollect
having done so.
Both Hashim and Samarawickrama said that neither Perpetual Treasuries Ltd.
(PTL) nor its former Director Arjun Aloysius, his father Geoffrey Aloysius nor
any of their immediate families had made any fund contributions to the United
National Party (UNP) during the period which the two senior UNPers had served
as the party’s Chairman and General Secretary respectively.
The Attorney General’s Department had no questions for either witness.
Attorney-at-law Neranjan Arulpragasam, representing PTL, asked Minister Hashim,
under whose purview state banks came following the August 2015 general election,
if the National Savings Bank (NSB) had made a loss or a profit.
I
think they haven’t made a loss during that time. They have been making
profits,” he said.
Asked if these were substantial profits compared to previous years, the
Minister said: Yes, I think, because the dividends that we transferred to the
Treasury were of record levels in 2015 and 2016.”
Arulpragasam then asked the witness if he thought former NSB Chief Dealer
Naveen Anuradha was a good performer. Said the Minister: I can’t specifically
say about a person, but overall we monitor operations of the bank and look at
the overall performance. There’s a team that works there in the Treasury unit.”
Meanwhile,
Personal Assistant to Arjun Aloysius Steve Samuel, who was supposed to testify
before the commission yesterday, according to his attorney, was admitted to the
emergency ward of a private hospital due to cardiac problems. An affidavit,
along with medical records, is to be submitted to the commission today.
Samuel’s
testimony was sought seeking clarification on files said to be maintained by
PTL under the initials of RK and AM. Former Governor Mahendran had previously
denied any knowledge of who RK and AM might have referred to.
Justice
Jayawardena noted that, even if the witness was not present, the files could be
produced.
We have also endeavoured to serve summons on [Arjun Aloysius] and [Geoffrey
Aloysius] who apparently are difficult to locate,” he said.
Noting
the presence of the company’s counsel, Justice Jayawardena added: We will not
look at a failure to produce those files very kindly.”
According
to Samuel’s lawyer, his client was not in possession of any of those files.
However, an affidavit will be filed today pertaining to the documents requested
as well as medical records indicating his clienAt’s health.
Former
Governor Mahendran is to be re-examined by President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva
*******
Allerged corruption and misuse of funds by Kabir
Hashim’
‘
Social media reported on 13th December
2019 that under the Golden Roads programme carried ou t by the former Minister
Kabir Hashim a sum of Rs. 10 milluon was allocatred for the construction of a
new bridge to access the maha vihaharaya of the Shri Nihrodfharama mountain. Up
to mopw the construction work of this nridge has not been completed. The people of the area have protested against
bringhing in of parts of an old rusted iron bridge in an attempt to fix it
there instead of construction of a new bridge as promised.
In asdsition to the original allocation of Rs. 10
mi lliomn the Minister is reported to have made a further allocation of one
million rupees for the projectr.
The
SLPP members of the Mawanella UC allefged that the Minister and his ministry
officials and the Minister’s political cohorts are wasting and pocketing state
funds in the pretext of construction of roads.
They said a glaring fraud being done bu them is carpeting already built
concrete roads and these carpet layers gets detached in a few months time causing
hige losses. They also alleged that the
Ministers relatives have provided to several peple in Banks soliociting bribes
and they are also reported to be involved in buyinmg and selling of vehicles
anmd the Minister has also sold his duty free vehicle permits to these vehicle
dealers.
Colombo, April 30 (South Asian Monitor): Sri Lanka and China vowed on Wednesday to enhance pragmatic cooperation in all sectors between the two countries, including the military, China’s official agency Xinhua reported.
The pledge came after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, Wei Fenghe,
Closely following the pragmatic cooperation in the military field between the two countries, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hoped that the two militaries will carry out closer exchanges so as to further lift the level of pragmatic cooptation.” The Sri Lankan President is also the Defense Minister of Sri Lanka.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Wei noted the long-lasting friendship between the two militaries, and called on the two sides to further deepen cooperation and promote relations between the two militaries.
No bending to major powers outside the region
President Gotabaya said that Sri Lanka has prioritized developing relations with China and firmly supported China’s positions on issues concerning its core interests. The Lankan President added that his country has been pursuing an independent foreign policy and will never bend to pressure from major powers outside the region and never forge an alliance with any country.
Gotabaya thanked China for providing long-term and precious support to Sri Lanka and hoped to learn governing experience from the Communist Party of China on poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, among others.
Meeting with PM Mahinda Rajapaksa
In his meeting with Wei, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa noted that Wei and his delegation visited Sri Lanka at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is still not contained, demonstrating that China attaches great importance to developing the ties with Sri Lanka.
Hailing China for its achievements made in the pandemic prevention and control, economic development and poverty alleviation, the Prime Minister thanked China for providing unselfish help to his country.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa requested China to help Sri Lanka secure foreign investment to help it develop its economy and fight poverty.
Rajapaksa said Despite the increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, our Government has decided not to pursue country-wide lockdowns due to the impact such lockdowns have on our economy and society. I’m sure you’ll agree that there is still a lot that needs to be done for post-pandemic economic recovery. One of our main priorities in this effort is to attract investments from around the world. I look forward your support in rebuilding investor confidence in Sri Lanka.”
Gen. Wei Fenghe with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Gota Photo.Xinhua
Sri Lanka will always be a sincere friend to China and will firmly support China’s position on safeguarding its own core interests, the Prime Minister said.
For his part, Wei said that China and Sri Lanka enjoy a long history of friendship with deep bilateral relations.
The two countries are jointly working for the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road, Wei said, pointing out that they share a bright prospect of development.
The Chinese side appreciates Sri Lanka’s position on issues relating to China’s Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and will as always support Sri Lanka’s stance over issues relating to human rights and national reconciliation, Wei said.
Wei Slams Formation of Regional Cliques
Peaceful development and win-win cooperation is the global trend and the right way forward, Wei said, adding that certain major countries are keen to form cliques and factions and seek regional hegemony, which goes against the people’s shared aspiration and severely harms the interests of the regional countries.
China appreciates Sri Lanka’s independent and non-aligned policy and will make joint efforts with Sri Lanka to strengthen coordination and safeguard regional peace and tranquility, Wei added.
On Wednesday, Wei also held talks with Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and jointly launched a website of the Chinese National Defence University Alumni Association of Sri Lanka.
Military Relations with Bangladesh
On Tuesday, General Wei held talks with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka. A statement from China’s official Xinhua news agency quoted him as calling for the two militaries to increase high-level visits, deepen cooperation in equipment technology, broaden exchanges in specialized fields and forge closer military relations.”
To jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” Wei said, the two sides should make joint efforts against powers outside the region setting up military alliance in South Asia and practicing hegemonism.”
China Builds Rival Network in South Asia
On Tuesday a video conference of the Foreign Ministers of South Asian countries and China on the containment of the raging COVID-19 pandemic in the region. But India and its allies, Bhutan and the Maldives, were conspicuously absent, perhaps due to the participation of China. New Delhi envisages no role for China in South Asia.
Those who participated in the conference were the State Councilor Wang Yi (China), Dinesh Gunawardena (Si Lanka), Mirwais Nab (Afghanistan), A.K Abdul Memon (Bangladesh), Pradeep Kumar Gyawali (Nepal) and Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Pakistan).
Minister Wang Yi told the conference that, an invitation had also been extended to India. To get India in, Wang said: China expresses the deep sympathies for the raging pandemic in India and extends its sincere condolences to the Indian people. China is willing to provide support and assistance to the Indian people at any time in accordance with the needs of India.”
According to the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, Foreign Minister Wang told the conference of his country’s decision to establish a China-South Asia Emergency Supplies Reserve, set up a China-South Asia Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center and hold a China-South Asia E-commerce Cooperation Forum on Poverty Alleviation in Rural Areas, and gained full support from all other five countries.
China’s Multi-pronged Entry into South Asia
China is making a multi-pronged entry into South Asia, traditionally considered to be India’s exclusive preserve. China has already penetrated the Sri Lanka economy through investments and credits. Sri Lanka owes China a little above US$ 5 billion.
Earlier in April, Sri Lanka inked an agreement with the State-run China Development Bank for a loan of US$ 500 million. A month or so earlier it signed a currency swap deal worth US$ 1.5 billion with China to ensure fiscal stability in the face of the unceasing pandemic. The US$ 500 million loan was a part of the US$ 1 billion loan (signed before), out of which US$ 500 million was released last year,” the Sri Lankan embassy in China explained. Sunday Times added that another US$ 700 is being sought.
Colombo, April 30 (Daily News): The Chinese Defense Minister Gen.Wei Fenghe’s visit to Sri Lanka this week could be described as yet another high-level exchange to boost political and economic cooperation as much as defense links with Sri Lanka’s closest and most dependable friend.
Minister Wei was the second senior Chinese official to have visited the country since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic after the trip by China’s foreign policy chief Yang Jiechi in October 2020.
After his talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Gen.Wei said the bilateral discussions held with the President were extremely fruitful. He also said that the relations between the two nations were further strengthened by this visit.
This was reciprocated by Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Had a fruitful discussion with #china defense minister General Wei Fenghe this morning. This visit will further strengthen the ties between two countries,” Rajapaksa tweeted.
Sri Lanka and China signed a protocol on defense cooperation and to mark the strong defense ties, the website of the association of Chinese Defense University’s Sri Lankan alumni was also launched. There are more than 80 Sri Lankan officers who passed out from the Chinese Defense University.
The fact that the Defense Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department under China’s Central Military Commission, Lieutenant General Shao Yuanming as well as Major General Ci Guowei, who heads China’s international defense cooperation, showed the importance Beijing gives to defense ties with Sri Lanka.
We are looking forward to working together with Sri Lanka to enhance practical cooperation and to promote bilateral relations to a greater extent,” Gen.Wei said after his discussions in Colombo.
Wei’s visit marks another important milestone in China–Sri Lanka relations, which have stood the test of time. What continued from the ancient spiritual ties since the visits of Chinese Buddhist monks centuries ago, received a big boost when the Rubber-Rice deal was signed in 1952, even before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two newly independent countries. The Ceylon–China Trade Agreement of 1952 was undoubtedly the most useful trade agreement negotiated by Sri Lanka and one of the most successful and durable trade agreements in the world, having been in operation for 30 years.
As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in October 2020 after his talks with top foreign policy official Yang Jiechi, who is a member of the Communist Party of China’s Politburo and the Director of the Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Commission, China’s selfless help and governance experience are of vital importance to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.
Under the defense protocol signed between the two countries, China provides military training, communication equipment and other services to Sri Lanka as a grant.
As President Rajapaksa told the Chinese delegation last year, the allegation that China was funding the Colombo Port City project in Sri Lanka to gain influence in local affairs is a fabrication. Many geopolitical analysts interpret this project as a ‘debt trap’ set up by China to gain control over Sri Lankan affairs. I want to prove that it is not the case and that this large-scale project will help improve the living standards of the people. We are convinced that it would be a project with a vast potential for generating income and employment opportunities,” he told the Chinese delegation.
Minister Wei held discussions with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who later tweeted: We also discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and steps to be taken to ensure economic stability. Assistance in rebuilding investor confidence and attracting investments – I explained is a key priority for Sri Lanka and essential in the path to economic growth of the country.”
Liu Yang Sloan of the NeoChina International Research Centre said high-level visits would boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries, and as strategic cooperation partners, they should continue to maintain high-level exchanges and consolidate mutual political trust.
China has identified a number of areas conducive to the development of multilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka in addition to completing large-scale projects already underway; these include agriculture, education, tourism, water supply, healthcare, medical supplies, modern technology, the Digital Economy, the Blue Economy, and labor training,” he said.
The two countries attach great importance to military-to-military ties and the Chinese military has expressed willingness to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields with the Sri Lankan military. The two sides agreed to strengthen defense cooperation, and maintain the momentum of visits between the two defense authorities and military forces at all levels.
Further, the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation in military training, training of personnel and to cooperate in the areas of defense-related science and technology, exchange of military academics, and provide logistic support.
Although, a section of Indian analysts expressed concern over the visit of Chinese Defense Minister to Sri Lanka, the majority of the views expressed through the Indian media was that India need not be concerned over Wei’s visit. They pointed out that Sri Lanka had assured India it would not allow any country to have a military base on its soil and it would not encourage activities that could jeopardize India’s security interests.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said there was nothing to suggest Wei was coming to clinch a significant military deal.
The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties at a time when Sri Lanka is saying it does not want to get drawn into military confrontation between great powers,” he said.
Mathai’s interpretation of the possible aim of the Chinese Defence Minister’s visit was to ensure Sri Lanka stayed neutral” with regard to tensions over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a four-nation group comprising the United States, India, Japan and Australia that is aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, has been increasing the pressure on Beijing in recent months by seeking a common front with other coastal states in the region.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Mathai said Sri Lanka and other nations in South Asia shared China’s concerns about the Quad. He said the recent passage of an American warship through India’s exclusive economic zone without Delhi’s consent could be highlighted during Wei’s visit as a way of illustrating US double standards.
It also ensures India’s Quad-based strategies will find critics in India’s neighborhood,” Mathai added.
However, it has not been disclosed if the issue was discussed during the Chinese Minister’s visit to Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s relationship with China has therefore evolved through Buddhism, trade and aid, and in recent years it has been upgraded to a strategic cooperative partnership. Apart from being a major trading partner, China has also has become a major partner in Sri Lanka’s drive towards economic development with more strategic ties based on infrastructure development and global connectivity.
In addition, China had always supported Sri Lanka in global forums, especially at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), based on a shared understanding of certain basic norms of international relations, such as non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
Hence, Defense Minister Wei’s visit is another important milestone in the close bilateral relationship with China, a nation Sri Lanka considers as a dependable friend on the global stage and an indispensable partner in Sri Lanka’s economic development.
SINGAPORE – All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have been in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the last two weeks will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore, Education Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Friday (April 30).
This move, which kicks in from 11.59pm on Saturday, also applies to those who had transited through these countries and who had obtained prior approval for entry to Singapore.
But returning Singaporeans and permanent residents who have been to these countries will still be able to enter Singapore, said Mr Wong, co-chair of the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19 , who was speaking at a virtual press conference.
The change was made in view of the recent sharp increases in cases reported by Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a press release.
“Since we last announced some border measures, the situation unfortunately has continued to deteriorate, and we know that the infection is spreading beyond India to the surrounding countries,” said Mr Wong.
This follows a move to bar long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have travelled to India in the past 14 days from entering or transiting through Singapore following a second wave of infections in India.
Additionally, all travellers with recent travel history to these four countries who have not finished their 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) period by 11.59pm on Sunday will need to complete an additional seven-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities.
They will also need to have a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test when they arrive, on the 14th day of their SHN, and before the end of their 21-day SHN period.
From May 2, at 11.59pm, all travellers entering Singapore who have been in Thailand in the past 14 days will have to serve the 14-day sta-home notice at dedicated SHN facilities, said Mr Wong.
They will no longer be allowed to opt out of serving it at dedicated SHN facilities, even if they had obtained approval to opt out earlier.
But travellers from Fiji and Vietnam are still allowed to apply to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence if they fulfil certain criteria, said MOH.
Sixteen Grama Niladhari Divisions in Kalutara and Polonnaruwa districts have been placed under isolation orders with immediate effect, says Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva.
Eleven more persons who were infected with COVID-19 have succumbed to the virus infection in Sri Lanka, says the Director-General of Health Services.
The latest coronavirus victims have pushed the country’s death toll from the pandemic outbreak to 678.
01. A 79-year-old woman from Piliyandala area: She died on admission to a private hospital in Colombo. The cause of death was determined as COVID pneumonia.
02. A 76-year-old man from Dehiattakandiya area: He died on April 30 while receiving treatment at the Polonnaruwa District General Hospital. COVID infection and acute heart disease were recorded as the cause of death.
03. A 67-year-old woman from Matale area: She died on April 29 due to COVID pulmonary syndrome, while receiving medical care at Matale District General Hospital.
04. An 82-year-old man from Kalutara area: He was transferred to Ingiriya Base Hospital while receiving treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. He succumbed to COVID pneumonia on April 30.
05. A 53-year-old man from Wattala area: After being diagnosed with novel coronavirus, he was moved from Colombo National Hospital to Kotelawala Defence University Hospital where he died on April 29. The cause of death was cited as COVID pneumonia and respiratory infection.
06. A 51-year-old man from Divulapitiya area: He died at his home due to novel coronavirus infection and chronic liver disease.
07. A 77-year-old man from Pepiliyawala area: He died on April 30 while receiving medical care at Wathupitiwala Base Hospital. The cause of death was identified as COVID-19 infection and pneumonia.
08. A 64-year-old woman from Anuradhapura area: She was transferred from Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to Nochchiyagama District Hospital after testing positive for the virus. she was then moved to Methsiri Sevana Treatment Centre in Anuradhapura. She passed away on April 30 due to acute respiratory distress syndrome along with COVID pneumonia.
09. A 94-year-old man from Colombo 14 area: He died at his home on April 28 due to COVID pneumonia.
10. A 65-year-old man from Paragasthota area: She succumbed to sepsis, COVID-19 infection and heart disease on April 28 while being admitted to Nagoda General Hospital in Kalutara.
11. A 46-year-old woman from Kelaniya area: She died on admission to Colombo National Hospital on April 27. The cause of death was identified as acute respiratory distress syndrome and novel coronavirus infection.
Sri Lanka’s COVID infections soared yet again on Friday (April 30) as 740 more people were tested positive for the virus.
Following the new development, the island nation has recorded a total of 1,662 fresh cases of coronavirus within the day, marking the highest single-day spike in infections.
Sri Lanka’s daily cases count have been staying above the grim milestone of 1,000 for a fourth consecutive day since April 27.
Government Information Department said 1,636 of the new infections were linked to the New Year Cluster and the remaining 26 have been identified as arrivals from foreign countries.
According to official figures, Sri Lanka’s confirmed coronavirus cases count now stands at 108,146 and 11,504 active cases are still under medical care at treatment centres and hospital.
Number of patients who recovered from the virus infection meanwhile sits at 95,975.
Sri Lanka has also witnessed 667 deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.
Sri Lanka Police has arrested 104 more individuals within the past 24 hours for not following quarantine regulations.
A total of 4,191 arrests have been made by the police since 30th of October last year, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.
The quarantine law gazette notification was published on the 15th of October 2020, however, the police have been enforcing the law regarding the quarantine gazette since the 30th of October 2020.
The police spokesperson urged the members of the public to strictly adhere to health protocols during the weekend to prevent the further spread of novel coronavirus.
A motorcyclist who had arrived at a fruit shop in the Atalugama, Dehiowita earlier today (29) had attempted to snatch the necklace of the shop owner and had tried to flee the premises.
However, putting up a fight, she had not allowed him to flee.
Afterward, the residents of the area had tied the suspect to a nearby pole and had handed him over to the Ruwanwella police.
The suspect was identified to be a resident of Udapotha, Bulathkohupitiya who had escaped from the Army.
Ruwanwella Police are conducting further investigations.
Intelligence Bureau and Kerala Police have started to dig into Kerala connections of All Ceylon Makkal Congress Leader and Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen after he was arrested by Sri Lankan Police on April 24 in connection with April 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279 people and injured hundreds.
While the specifics of the links which Bathiudeen had in Kerala are yet to be revealed, the agencies will be looking into the inputs on his visit to Kasaragod in 2009 and also his acquaintance with a few religious leaders in Kerala, who had met him in Sri Lanka and also when he toured India especially Chennai when he was Sri Lanka’s Minister for Industry and Commerce in 2013.
As per intelligence officials, Rishad’s father hailed from Padna in Kasaragod and he was in touch with a few persons in the region. Already, Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency (NIA) are coordinating with Sri Lankan government in the probe and the NIA even busted an IS module in Tamil Nadu by arresting a person in June 2019 for being in touch with Sri Lankan ISIS leader Zahran Hashim and his accomplices over social media. Hashmi is one of the suicide bombers who executed the Easter Day bombings in the island nation.Kerala police will be looking into the links of arrested Sri Lankan political leader in Kerala to confirm the reports,” said Kerala State Police Chief Loknath Behera.
Bathiudeen was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). His brother Riyaaj Bathiudeen, who was arrested in April 2020 but released later due to lack of evidence, was also arrested again. According to intelligence officers, the Kasaragod connection of Bathiudeen will be explored in detail as an earlier probe into the missing of five young Muslim families from Padna, who left for Syria in 2016 to join IS, had revealed that a few in the group had been to National Thowheed Jamaath in Sri Lanka where they underwent religious training before proceeding to Syria.
The Global Elites want to keep vaccine patents locked. The US remains non-committal on waivers. Now, Bill Gates has said no to lifting patents to share vaccine formulas with the developing world. WION’s Palki tells you how patents on vaccines are the biggest roadblock towards recovery.
SWRD Bandaranaike was
assassinated in 1959. This was followed by two attempts to remove his successor,
Sirimavo. First, the failed coup of 1962
and second, the JVP insurgency of 1971. The 1971
rebellion was the first armed uprising against the state.
Mano
Ratwatte, son of Mackie Ratwatte, Private Secretary to Prime Minister Sirimavo,
recalls that in January 1966, at a political rally the Air Force guard had threatened to open fire
on Prime Minister Sirimavo and Dr. Baduiddin Mohammed.
The 1971 JVP
insurgency has been described as a romantic, innocent revolution, an unplanned
spontaneous attack. It was nothing of the sort. It was pre-planned and well
organized. Its purpose was to bring down
the SLFP government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike. JVP was planning a putsch, to
remove the government by force. Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike would be
taken into custody from her Rosmead Place residence, and very likely, killed.
The timing of
this April 1971 insurgency is significant. A highly popular government had been
elected a year before in May 1970 and like
in May 1956, the SLFP won splendidly. The SLFP coalition won 118 seats as
against 17 by the UNP, 13 by the Federal Party and two by the Tamil Congress.
The SLFP (UF) manifesto featured extensive nationalization, a pro-Soviet
foreign policy, expanded social programmes, and replacement of the Soulbury
Constitution with a Republican Constitution that ‘would restore Buddhism to its
rightful place.’
This election
was not to the liking of the west. Therefore, for the third time, the west
tried to bring the Government down. It
had to be done soon, before the government got going. That was why the
insurgency took place so quickly. The
public, thinking that this was a home grown insurgency, could not understand
why it had taken place at all. The public were surprised.
The JVP had
made detailed preparations. JVP recruits
had been taught various ways to survive in the jungle. They had been told what to
eat apart from fruits and berries and tender leaves creatures such as lizards
and snakes and insects, particularly termites and earthworms. They were advised to chew betel to offset
thirst. They were given tetanus injections. I had my blue uniform made and waited for
my tetanus shot, ready to revolt, said former JVPer, Indrawansa de Silva.
JVP had bases and retreat plans. At Anuradhapura the
JVP had established a base camp as well as six sub camps in the surrounding
jungle where weapons, explosives and food had been stored. JVP operations in
the Rajangana and Tambuttegama areas were controlled from this base camp. Those who evaded capture in Kegalle area
withdrew into jungle sanctuaries in the Kegalle, Elpitiya, Deniyaya and
Kataragama areas added Jayantha.
It was not easy
to dislodge the JVP from these retreats. The army had set up a forward base in Horowupotana in November 1972 and carried
combing out operations from there until April 1973. The Kegalle
operation closed only in December 1974.
The JVP was
not interested in improving the country.
That is clear. In 1956, Lakshman Rajapaksa, MP for Hambantota and Deputy
Minister for Commerce and Trade set up a cotton processing factory at Mirijjawila
near Hambantota to encourage cotton cultivators in Hambantota and Monaragala.
During this period cotton was a popular crop in Hambantota and Monaragala. Cotton
was cultivated under rain-fed conditions. This factory functioned
satisfactorily. It was set on fire by the JVP in 1971 and never revived.
The 1971
insurrection was a violent destructive movement. The JVPers were trained to
kill. I arrested many insurgents
including Hewabatage Premapala, Narammala Leader Bola Samare’, and Bullet
Mahinda” alias Mahinda Jayawardana .They were all armed with pistols and other
weapons, recalled Nihal de Alwis .
We believed in violence from the outset said
former JVPer, Indrawansa de Silva. Our writings, classes, publications, posters
and public speeches were very open about our belief in violence. We didn’t
shy away from saying how brutal we could be. Jayantha Somasunderam, another
former JVPer said that JVP it was recruiting combatants into a clandestine
military organization. Its communism was only a front. Around 9,000, had
military training. JVP had also recruited very young lads of 14 and 12 as
helpers.
One immediate
task of the JVP was to take Sirimavo prisoner. One Piyatilake was responsible
for operations in Colombo, said Jayantha Somasunderam. Piyatilake had detailed Raja Nimal an Advanced Level
student to storm the Rosmead Place residence of Prime Minister Sirima
Bandaranaike on the night of the 5th along with 50 student cadres, to capture
the Prime Minister and transport her to a place where she would be held.
However the expected vehicle and Piyatilake failed to arrive at the prearranged
rendezvous in Borella and the attack did not take place. Sirimavo, in the
meanwhile had been moved to Temple Trees.
My parents
home had been marked for attack, recalled Mano Ratwatte, son of Mackie
Ratwatte. The markings were faint, a crude X” made with red brick. This was
repeated at the homes of some other relatives of the Prime Minister, as well.
We were oblivious, never noticing the ominous markings. I have no
doubt if the JVP had succeeded they would have executed Mrs. Bandaranaike and several of her family as well, said Mano.
The JVP
endeavored to recruit sympathizers in the armed forces, with Wijeweera
establishing contact, as early as 1965, with Tilekaratne, a rating in the Royal
Ceylon Navy. Later Uyangoda held classes for naval personnel, made contact with
Air Force personnel in Wanathamulla and Katunayake, and delivered lectures to
them. They also provided classes for soldiers stationed at Diyatalawa.
There is similarity between the JVP insurgency
and the 1962 coup. The 1962 coup saw the Panagoda cantonment as the
enemy. So did the JVP. At the Urubokka Conference, it was observed that rockets would be
effective against the Army’s Panagoda Cantonment, at Homagama, said Jayantha.
The army cantonment at Panagoda would be attacked. Navy personnel at Ragama and air force
personnel at Katunayake were to be immobilized by introducing a purgative to
their food.
Prior to
April 5, there was information down south that police stations were to be
attacked at night. This was openly conveyed via threatening postcards. The Army
camp at Embilipitiya and the Ridiyagama Army agricultural camp being
dismantled, too, had received such postcards and the latter requested
protection the very first day I arrived at Weerawila.
The Special
Branch of the police had filed reports, before the 1970 general election, showing in minute detail plans by the JVP for a Blitzkrieg operation to take
over the government. The government of Mrs. Bandaranaike did not take the
intelligence reports seriously, said former police officer, Tassie Seneviratne.
When it
became clear that the attack would be at night a wireless message was sent to Temple
Trees requesting for flares to assist in night fighting operations, recalled
Captain Musafer, who had been assigned
to Wellawaya and Weerawila. There was no response. An officer later
conveyed to me that I was the subject of ridicule by some, who said that I had
got the jitters. He said it was no laughing matter when news of the Wellawaya
attack at night was received.
If not for
the premature attack in Wellawaya which alerted the police and military, the
situation would have been very grave. The JVP would have been able to arm
itself with modern weapons taken from the police stations they captured.” said Jayantha Somasunderam. The security forces
would have been far less prepared and the rebellion may well have succeeded.
JVP came
perilously close to overthrowing the lackadaisical government, but by the end
of April were completely suppressed by military means. It seemed ‘touch and go’ for a while, but my
father said that the Prime Minister never panicked, recalled Mano.
The Sri Lanka
armed forces were not equipped to fight such an insurgency. The tiny Armored Corps, equipped with a few
Daimler armored cars, (the largest of which had a 2-pounder gun) was used to
secure Kegalle and Mawanella, A few vintage Ferret Scout cars armed with WW2
era Bren guns, were deployed at Temple Trees. Later one of the Saladin
six-wheeled armored cars, with a bigger 76mm gun was also deployed facing Galle
Road, recalled Mano Ratwatte then 11
years old. In 1966 the navy was mostly
armed with obsolete WW1 vintage Lee Enfield Rifles, or the small Sterling ‘Sten’
submachine guns, he added.
The
government was able to crush the
insurgency because of the military aid
provided by foreign countries. China,
Australia, Pakistan, Yugoslavia, Britain,
India gave helicopters, arms, ammunition, grenades. Russia gave jet
fighters, helicopters and a MIG fighter. The Soviet aircraft were accompanied
by 200 trainers and ground crew. USA sent spare parts for the helicopters. These donations all differed from each other
and this caused problems when the
military tried to use them.
The western
press rushed to Sri Lanka when the insurgency started. They presented the JVP as heroes and the state as
the offender. The international media reported that summary executions had
taken place. The Police who had killed
them let them float downstream to terrorize the population.” The New York Times in its 15th April
edition said that many were found to have been shot in the back.”
Officer was
quoted alongside him in the International
Herald Tribune of 20th April as saying Once we are convinced prisoners are
insurgents we take them to a cemetery and dispose of them.” And the Washington Post on 9th May quoted a
major who said that we have never had the opportunity to fight a real war in
this country. All these years we have been firing at dummies, now we are being
put to use.”
Edward
Gunawardena who was in charge in Kurunegala
had nine captured insurgent brought t him. All those under arrest were
boys in their teens dressed in blue shorts and shirts. They had all been badly
beaten up. On questioning they confessed that they were retreating from the
Warakapola area and their destination was the Ritigala jungles in Anuradhapura.
They had received these instructions
from their high command. At this time, as if from nowhere appeared two young
foreign journalists, a man and a woman. One was from the Washington Post and the other, the young woman from the Christian Science Monitor. Apart from
taking photographs they had asked various questions .Christian Science Monitory
is not a religious paper, it is a highly
respected American weekly.
It is now
held that Wijeweera had been recruited by the USA when he was studying in
Russia. The link with China was a cover. When the authorities searched
Wijeweera’s home they found copies of a magazine titled Red China” Red China is the term used by USA for
communist China. There is a doubt whether such a magazine ever existed, if so
it was an obscure one. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_Deletion/Red_China_Magazine
No one today
believes that the JVP was a home grown movement.
Early in the 1971 JVP insurgency, it
was rumored that JVP was receiving
covert aid from a foreign source. Godahewa
stated firmly that JVP had received funds in 1971.
What would
Sri Lanka have been if the JVP had captured power in 1971? I am not sure about
the JVP establishing a proletariat dictatorship, but I am quite sure about
Wijeweera establishing a dictatorship. And because of that, like many of my
fellow revolutionaries, I am glad that we did not succeed in 1971, said
Indrawansa de Silva.
Had
we succeeded it is more than likely that Sri Lanka would have ended up worse
than Cambodia under Pol Pot. I am not being just speculative here. The JVP has shown time
after time its violent and authoritarian tendencies whenever and wherever it
got even a small taste of power. Just take some early signs. If someone with an
opposing view tried to sell a newspaper or distribute a pamphlet at our rallies
they were promptly beaten up and kicked out. We did not hesitate to use power
of the fist when met with opposition even within the organisation. Honest and
sincere questioning of ideas and theories we espoused in our classes and camps
was seen as a threat to the movement and branded as reactionary,
counter-revolutionary, or petit bourgeois tendencies concluded Indrawansa. ( Continued)
The Sri Lankan tea plantation industry is facing serious challenges that call for unbiased analyses of the current status and bold rethinking of the solutions required if it is to continue to hold its place as one of the nation’s leading sources of foreign exchange.
What we are witnessing presently is an industry that cannot be sustained anymore with a colonial-time attendance-based wages system. Tea is a high labour-intensive crop and requires an abundant supply of inexpensive and skilled labour throughout the year. Availability of cheap labour in the colonial period was the most significant contribution to the profits of the tea industry. The labour component of the total cost of production of tea is about 65%. The reality is that Sri Lanka is no more a country with cheap labour.
The periodical demand for wage hikes, given the rising cost of living, is rational and inevitable from the workers’ side. But even with periodical pay increases, some reports state that these workers will continue to remain under poverty levels. According to one trade union leader that the poverty level of tea plantation workers has increased from 22% to 32%. ( Source: Poverty in the plantations increased )
Wages, however, are only part of the problem.
This report analyses the current situation and proposes several measures that can be implemented to revive the tea industry
Under-utilized tea lands: Old Seedling Tea (OS tea) to Vegetative propagated tea (VP tea)
Tea is not native to Sri Lanka and was first propagated by using seeds imported from China and India. Due to the genetic variability among plants and other agronomical factors the plant growth and the yield of those century-old seedling tea bushes were not uniform.
A report published by Tea Research Institute (TRI) states that over 95% of old seedling tea in the high country, Uva, and mid-country are over 60-80 years old. The productivity of seedling tea normally started to decline after 50 years. The TRI introduced high-yielding vegetative propagated clone tea in the 1950s to replace low-yielding old seedling tea. As its name implies, VP tea is a plant that propagated vegetatively by a single leaf internode cutting from a mother plant.
TRI reports that in 2002, 46.7% of the area under VP tea produced 61.7% of the total crop, while 53.3% of the area under old seedling tea produced only 38.4% of the total. The average yield per hectare of made tea under seedling tea was 1050 kg while it was 1972 kg under VP tea. VP tea was, thus, seen to have over 80% greater capacity for than old seedling tea”. This report further states that A bulk of old seedling tea (57.9%) falls within the yield slabs of 700 to 1,300 kg made tea/ha/year. About 24.6% yields an average above 1,300 kg /ha/year . ( Source: agricultural profile of the corporate tea sector – 2002 ) It has been reported that several clones (cultivars) developed by the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka had been yielding around 8,000 kg/ha in Southern India under commercial conditions.( Source: Productivity of the Plantation Sector ) It is unfortunate that RPCs still maintaining about 50% of RPCs managed tea lands with old seedling tea. This is an underutilization of national assets which can be developed to obtain greater tea harvest.
Seedling Tea Plantation with exposed soil. Vulnerable for heavy soil erosion losses.Seedling Tea Plantation.
The ability to produce higher yields is not the only benefit of VP tea. The plant’s uniform canopy cover acts as a protective soil cover. Exposed topsoil in old seedling tea lands tends to cause higher soil losses due to raindrop splash erosion and also due to runoff erosion. Several research studies have proven that the soil erosion losses in VP tea land are very minimal. ( Source: Assessment of replacement cost of soil erosion in Uva high lands tea plantations of Sri Lanka ) One should imagine how much soil would have eroded for about 2 centuries under old seedling tea.
Young plants of Seedling Tea during Colonial Time.. (Source: Lankaputhra)VP Tea gives higher yield and also protects the soil.
In 1958, the first government-sponsored tea replanting (replace old seedling tea with VP tea) subsidy scheme targeted about 2% of tea extent (which is about 1,567 Ha) to be replanted annually. However, the 2011 TRI report states To achieve the conventionally accepted norm of 2% annual replanting in the corporate sector, the extent replanted annually should have been an average of 1,567 ha per annum. What is most disturbing is that the net area the 307 RPC estates failed to replant, to achieve the annual norm of 2% from 1991-2005 is a total of 23,500 ha which would have all been in full bearing by 2008, and given an annual incremental crop of about 58 million kg made tea per year, at a modest yield of 2,500 kg per ha”. The TRI reports that in 50 years (1956-2008) the average rate of replanting in the corporate tea sector was about 0.92%. Highest rate of 1.46% of replanting achieved during 1986-1990. Since then the rate has dropped to 0.42% during 2006-2008 period. ( Source: Agronomic Profile of the Corporate Sector Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka )
Productivity of Tea
About 79% of the seedling tea yielded less than 1,300 kg per ha per annum, of which 11.3% (totaling 4,334.9 ha) yielded even less than 700 kg, while 0.3% yielded more than 2,500 kg per ha. In VP tea, 65.4% of the area (24,360 ha) yielded above 1,600 kg per ha per annum, while 17.9% (6,659 ha) yielded below 1,300 kg. About 75.7% of the seedling tea in the Up country, 81.5% in Uva, 82.4% in Mid country and 89.3% in the Low country produced less than 1,300 kg per ha per annum. The overall productivity of VP tea was relatively high in the Up country (at a yield per ha (YPH) of 2,070 kg), while in the Low country, only VP fields in the early ages (up to 20 years) were more productive at a YPH above 1,900 kg. VP fields in the Up country achieved their highest productivity level at 21- 30 years, whereas, in Uva and Mid country it was at 31-40 years. The highest overall average productivity of VP tea fields in the corporate sector was achieved at the age group of 31-40 years. The declining trend of VP tea yields started at the age of 20 years in the Low country, at 40 years in Mid Country and Uva, and at 30 years in Up Country regions.
About 19.7% of VP tea in the Up country, 8.1% in Uva, 10.2% in Mid country and 8.8% in the Low Country yielded more than 2,500 kg per ha per annum. There was a significant extent of VP tea in Low country (19.2%) producing less than 1,000 kg per ha, while in Up country, Uva and Mid country, 1.3%, 5.5%, and 11.1% respectively fell into the same yield slab. Productivity was also analyzed under Agro-ecological Regions and soil series (types).
Replanting is an expensive procedure that requires a high input of manual labour. This procedure takes about 10 years to make a significant income from the newly replanted tea. The current estimated average expenditure to replant a hectare of old seedling tea is about 3.33 million rupees and about 70% of this cost accounts for manual labour.
Also with the current wage hikes, RPCs may argue the need to take further measures to lower their losses. The impact of such measures will result in gradual negligence of maintaining the plantation such as abandoning low yield tea lands, reduction of labour inputs for maintenance of plantation, etc. This has already confirmed by one of the spoke person attached to RPCs where he stated We will manage and cut the coat according to the cloth, and if we cannot fertilize we won’t, and if we cannot upkeep we cannot,” ( Source: Wage hike to incur Rs.15 billion more losses to RPCs )
As a country, we cannot permit this to happen to one of our national assets because these lands have a greater potential to produce a higher yield than the current rate.
The slow rate of replanting for several decades has resulted in a greater loss to the country and also damage to the environment due to soil erosion. Some say that the required replanting rate was not specified in the 1992 ‘Indenture of Lease’ agreement. This was a grave mistake and one should inquire why the authorities never took any action to force the lessee to implement the replanting operations.
It is now evident that lessees are not in a position to undertake the replanting operation and therefore the government should initiate a well-planned vigorous program to start replacing century-old tea bushes with VP tea. Since it is already late, a proposed program should complete this task within a given time frame. A separate authority with ample powers and funds should undertake this task.
This is a high labor-intensive and expensive task and, therefore, the government should consider obtaining the assistance of personnel from the Sri Lankan Tri Forces and also the help of volunteer groups to complete this task.
Time to replant in tea smallholdings (TSHs) too
One TRI report states that, in the low country, the highest productivity of VP tea reach in the first 20 years. Based on a 2002 TRI report, the productivity has started to decline in 65% of low country lands. This shows that by 2021 more than 90% of VP tea lands in the low country have already started to decline their productivity. This shows how important to increase the current subsidy rates in TSHs sector before it affects the national tea productivity negatively. ( Source: agricultural profile of the corporate tea sector – 2002 )
Labour wages problem in the plantation sector
The current issue on wage hikes is happening in RPCs and the state-managed plantation sector that only contributes about 25% of total national tea production.
To minimize losses from plantations, RPCs came up with several productivity-based wages and revenue-sharing models. ( Source: revenue-sharing model – 1 )( Source: revenue-sharing model – 2 ) However, these models have not been accepted by the trade unions. Mr. Ramiah Yogarajan a trade unionist and a former MP says that proposed models fail due to the non-uniformity of the prevailing conditions in the estate field level, conditions vary from estate field to estate field, due to the age of the bushes or trees and other agricultural inputs and practices. Under this circumstance, it is not possible to fix an all-industry productivity norm. It may be feasible in an industry where conditions are controllable”. This observation is true because the workers who get marginal old seedling tea under revenue sharing models will face grave hardships due to low productivity.( Source: Who has brought tea plantations to the brink of collapse? )
RPC models would have developed after studying the current tea smallholdings (TSH) sector. TSH sector can be considered as a very successful model, initiated with little government backing in the early years. The total extent of TSH was 60,000 ha in 1992 became double within 20 years to 121,000 ha. Remarkably, the production of RPCs managed tea lands declines the TSHs production that went up 2.5 times from 1995 to 2012. Currently, TSH contributes more than 75% of national tea production.( Source: Future of Work for Tea Smallholders in Sri Lanka ); ( Source: Looking Back at Tea Production Trends )
The average productivity of TSH in the year 2018 was 2029, 2075, and 1449 kg /ha/Year in up-country, low-country, and mid-country respectively.
Tea small Holding’s land in the low country – Image 1.Tea small Holding’s land in the low country – Image 2.
It is interesting to observe how the average extent of TSH that was 1.17 acres in 1983 has dropped to 0.69 acres by 2017. This clearly shows that TSHs less than 1 acre which can be managed only with family labour and are becoming popular.
If both groups failed to come to an amicable solution, the government should consider distributing the plantation land as tea smallholdings to workers. Descendants of the villagers whose land was taken by the British to cultivate coffee and tea should also be considered in this exercise.
Land fragmentation of tea smallholdings. (Source: TSHDA annual report various years).
Distributing plantation land among estate workers who were working in those plantations for 5-6 generations is a humane endeavour. These workers were been subjected to various forms of discrimination from the inception of plantations. Currently, there is a decline in labour force in the plantation sector due to poor living conditions and low wages. Making those workers as TSHs can be an encouragement for them to stay in the plantation. ( Source: Outgoing labour and its impact on the tea plantation sector in Sri Lanka )
This process of distributing estate lands as smallholdings has to be performed in a carefully well-planned manner to assure that the current tea production is not interrupted. Prior to this process, planners should also study how the cooperative tea farming systems function in countries such as Vietnam, Kenya etc.( Source: The contract farming as a determinant promoting tea production and marketing at farm household in Vietnam )
Due to the various conditions of tea estate, some may get unproductive tea lands. Such receivers may need additional assistance during the replanting period.
Tea Factories
With the replanting, the authorities have to look into the tea factories. If such a massive replanting operation is implemented the upgrading of tea factories should be undertaken concurrently.
According to Tea Small Holders Association, 187 factories out of 800 have closed down due to the failure to upgrade them. One factory owner said that the main reason for the closure of tea factories was the lack of sufficient tea leaves. He pointed out that each tea factory had a certain capacity to set up, adding that if the tea harvest was not enough to meet that capacity, the cost of production would be more than the revenue earned. Tea factory owners face many difficulties, he said. Most owners including him were heavily indebted and when incomes are low, they were unable to pay off loan installments.” (Source: Tea industry dying a natural death | History of Ceylon Tea). The Tea Brokers’ Association has too highlighted this issue on tea factories in Sri Lanka. ( Source: Tea industry dying a natural death | History of Ceylon Tea )
Loss-making plantation companies to Tea smallholders ? – Not a Good Idea
A meeting presided by the president in September 2020, examined the cause for the severe setback in the nation’s tea plantation sector. There it was decided to hand over loss-making plantations to the tea smallholders. The main cause for the losses from tea plantations is the low productivity due to the presence of century-old seedling tea. Handing over those low productive estates without replanting to tea smallholders is a grave mistake. How can the new smallholder generate an income from old seedling tea bushes? These marginal unproductive seedling tea should be converted into VP tea before handing it over to smallholders.( Source: Holistic approach to develop tea industry: President reviews number of proposals )
Sri Lanka follows an independent foreign policy, will never bend to outside pressures, Chinese media quoted Mr. Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka has prioritised developing relations with China and firmly supports” China’s positions on issues concerning its core interests, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe, according to Chinese state media.
The Sri Lankan President said his country has been pursuing an independent foreign policy and will never bend to pressure from major powers outside the region as well as never forge an alliance with any country,” Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka and China vowed to enhance pragmatic cooperation in all sectors, including the military”. While specifics of the enhanced military ties are yet to emerge, Senior Sri Lankan Defence officials and the visiting Chinese delegation signed a ‘Military Assistance Protocol’, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement issued after the top Chinese official’s departure Thursday morning.
Thanking China for providing long-term and precious” support to Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa said he hoped to learn from the Communist Party of China’s governance experience on poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation, Xinhua said in its report.
China’s barb at Quad
General Wei, in his talks with the Sri Lankan leadership, seems to have reiterated his message in Dhaka on Tuesday slamming powers from outside the region” for forging military alliances in South Asia. Chinese state media quoted General Wei as telling the Sri Lankan leadership: Certain major countries are keen to form cliques and factions and seek regional hegemony, which goes against people’s shared aspiration and severely harms the interests of the regional countries. China appreciates Sri Lanka’s independent and non-aligned policy and will make joint efforts with Sri Lanka to strengthen coordination and safeguard regional peace and tranquility.”
His apparent attack on the India-U.S.-Australia-Japan Quad grouping echoed reservations voiced by Sri Lanka earlier. Speaking in a webinar in October last year, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary Admiral Jayanath Colombage had said: We are observing the rise of Quad as an exclusive military alliance. That is the problem. If Quad is aiming at economic revival, there are no issues.”
The Chinese Minister also held talks with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on Wednesday. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa said in tweet that he thanked China for extending vaccines to Sri Lanka. We also discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and steps to be taken to ensure economic stability,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay called on PM Rajapaksa on Thursday, the mission said in a tweet. High Commissioner called on Hon’ble PM @PresRajapaksa. He thanked the Sri Lankan leadership for their solidarity with #India,especially at this time of #COVID19 pandemic. He sought guidance of Hon’ble PM in taking bilateral relations in all spheres with even greater momentum,” said the tweet of the meeting, held just after the Chinese official’s visit. It comes a day after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wrote to PM Narendra Modi, expressing concern about the Covid19 surge in India, while offering special Buddhist prayers for the people of India.
Six Grama Niladhari Divisions in Trincomalee District have been placed under isolation order with immediate effect, says the Commander of Sri Lanka Army General Shavendra Silva.
Thereby, the following Grama Niladhari Divisions will be isolated until further notice:
Uppuveli police area: • Sumedagampura GN Division
Trincomalee police area: • Moodovi GN Division • Koviladi GN Division • Linga Nagar GN Division
China Bay police area: • Kavattikuda GN Division • China Bay GN Division
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he will take up the challenge of making Sri Lanka the first country in the world to eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, without taking a step back on the decision to end the use of chemical fertilizers in the country.
The President said the fact that no country in the world has abandoned the use of chemical fertilizers is not an obstacle to achieve this goal. The President urged everyone to get together to educate the farmers to create a healthy generation by taking it to the field, without limiting it to mere talk.
The President made this observation at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (29) to raise awareness on the ban on import of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and their use, the Presidents Media Division reported.
The government must ensure the right of the people to a toxic-free diet in order to create a healthy and productive citizen. It is also a pledge made in the National Policy Framework Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” to accelerate the production of organic fertilizers in the next decade so that only organic fertilizer will be used in the agricultural field of Sri Lanka.”
The 20-member Cabinet Memorandum was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers recently with the aim of creating a green socio-economic model of sustainable solutions to climate change, laying the foundation for making this a reality, he was quoted as saying by the PMD.
Sri Lanka has spent USD 221 million in 2019 on chemical fertilizer imports. With the rise in prices of oil, that cost will be increased by an amount between USD 300-400 million.”
President Rajapaksa pointed out that despite the large expenditures on chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, there has been no qualitative increase in agricultural production.
He added: Reduced yields as a result of infertility of soil and the destruction of biodiversity can be witnessed. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides pollutes rivers and streams and poses a serious challenge to quality drinking water supply. The Government expenditure with regard to a number of non- communicable diseases, including kidney disease and cancer, is rising every year. The loss of livelihoods of the people living in rural areas, deteriorating health conditions and the declining of people’s productivity have become challenges the country is facing today.
Issues and complications may occur at the launch of the programme. But the implementation of a sustainable green socio-economic pattern should not be delayed. We need to identify the perfect solutions to the problems that emerge. Farmers may assume that giving up on chemical fertilizers will reduce the yield.” If it does, the President guaranteed that the Rs. 50 billion spent annually on chemical fertilizers will be used to recover their loss.
Personnel with a proper training and knowledge are required to implement the programme. The warm feeling towards the country and the environment is equally important. The President also said that there is no obstacle for those who are reluctant or have different ideas about the programme to leave it at the very beginning. The President said that he was prepared to personally reach out to the farming community to overcome the challenges.
The President also stated that the government will directly intervene to provide all necessary facilities to encourage the production of organic fertilizer at the district level.
Objections could arise in this regard as it is a sensitive matter for most engaged in agriculture. Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Head of the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival, noted that the goal could be easily accomplished through the contribution of religious leaders, organizations affiliated to farmers, professionals, researchers, government officials, the media and all other relevant parties.
Mr. Basil Rajapaksa highlighted the need to expand the organic fertilizer market in a manner that would be convenient for the farmer.
MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero, Dr. Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thero, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, State Ministers D.B. Herath, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, S. Viyalendran, MPs Manjula Dissanayake, Anupa Pasqual, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, government officials, researchers, organic fertilizer manufacturers and representatives from organizations affiliated to farming were present at the discussion.
he Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has taken measures to seal off a local coconut oil manufacturing company after it was confirmed its products contain the highly carcinogenic substance Aflatoxin.
Further, the coconut oil stocks that the company had released to the market have been removed by the CAA.
Following the recent controversy concerning the presence of Aflatoxin in imported unrefined coconut oil, the authorities have obtained samples of coconut oil products in the markets for testing.
The test results have revealed that the carcinogen Aflatoxin was discovered in the coconut oils samples obtained from the products of a local brand.
Speaking in this regard, State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the company was informed to withdraw its products from the market after receiving the results on 7 samples tested in the labs of Peradeniya University.
The CAA is taking the necessary steps to proceed with legal action against the company, he added.
Meanwhile, Director of CAA Asela Bandara, addressing the media reports on the brand in question, confirmed that the brand in question is a leading coconut oil manufacturer in the country called N-Joy.
The Director General of Health Services announced that all religious congregational activities will be prohibited until further notice due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country.
Meanwhile the maximum number of persons allowed to gather at any place of worship has been reduced to 25. Previously the maximum number of persons allowed at religious places had been 50.
Issuing a media release, the DG of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena states that based on the risks of the current Covid-19 situation, amendments have been made to the restrictions on activities of religious places of worship.
It said that the Ministry of Health has decided to further control the public gatherings due to the increase in the number of daily Covid-19 cases.
Accordingly, congregational activities and meetings are prohibited at all places of religious worship until further notice while the number of devotees allowed enter these premises at any given time should be limited to 50% of the maximum space available and a maximum of 25 persons at a time.
I
read an article published in Daily News on 28.04.2021 ‘World Military Spending
Rises to the US $ 2 Trillion by Thalif Deen.
The article was concluded quoting a statement US Secretary-General,
Bank-Ki Moon, ‘the world is over-armed, and peace is underfunded.’ My question
is could last a funded peace in the modern world? The best example is since the beginning of
the LTTE issue the peace of Sri Lanka had become a funded peace that has not
been succeeded, could we still believe in a funded peace?
The
book, Mahavamsa, describes a peace effort of Lord Buddha between two groups in
Sri Lanka that had been not a funded peace and lasting forever and ever. Do we
need a funded peace or genuine peace between ethnic communities is the major
question we should ask ourselves and different communities? There are people in the UN that they are
desperately looking for brokering a peace deal with intention of making money.
This is called a funded peace. After ending the LTTE war people of Sri Lanka
that many reconciliations and funded peace deals.
I
can remember Mr. Talif Dean also worked in a newspaper in Sri Lanka was he an
agent of funded peace in Sri Lanka. In addition, Mr.Iqbal Athas and other
journalists manured for funded peace. I don’t know people need to judge it. Geneva
Issue against Sri Lanka also seems like a funded peace deal rather than a
genuine peace process.
How
much money was spent on peace deals in Sri Lanka and the people of the country
know that funded peace was not successful and Geneva brokers looking on money
than making genuine steps for long-lasting peace as Lord Buddha did in history?
By Noor Nizam – Peace and Political Activist, Political Communication Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart, Convener “The Muslim Voice” and Member “Viyathmaga”, April 28th., 2021.
Chinese Defence Minister
and President Rajapaksa hold talks.
Wonderfull friendship. Let it long
last for ever for the benefit of our two Nations. The opponents of our
“Maathruboomiya” are crying foul about the Colombo Port City Project
and slandering the government with false publicity, backed by a media that is
controlled by unscrupulous business magnates who are the “gatekeepers of
the media” bombarding “media metaphors” to stall the progress of
our nation forward to suit the Western Powers/selfish agendas and stop our
people marching forward with development and progress, peace and harmony.
This has to be confronted upfront by
the goverment, by any means, within the “Rule of Law”. A suggestion –
HE. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should discuss with the visiting Chinese
Defence Minister to arrange all parliamentarians, including the opposition ones
to visit the $. 46 billion “KARAKORAM HIGHWAY PROJECT”
(China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – CPEC.), named the “Eighth Wonder of
the world” by the internationl media, in Pakistan.
All these MP’s should be given a
tour of this wonderfull highway project and the allied infrastructure projects
that are being developed in accordence with this “CPEC” project. If
Sri Lanka journalists and media personnel are included, that will help a lot in
bringing forth a concrete “Political Communication” publicity of
print, audio and visual, electronically to the masses of our
“Maathruboomiya” who are being misled by the “anti-China
friendship” propaganda that has been let loose by the Western allied opposition
in our country.
This will give an insight of the
benefits that Pakistan is gaining economically and socially and the 11 – 14
billion sterling pounds of trade that is happening because of this project
annually, even though the project is still to be finally completed. The
visitors should travel the full length of the of the “KARAKORAM HIGHWAY PROJECT” from Pakistan to
China to gain the best insight and knowledge of what China’s friendship project
has contributed to the infrastructure, socio-economic and social welfare
development of Pakistan.
The two-way road (known as Karakoram
Highway and China-Pakistan Friendship Highway) is 1.300km (810 miles) long
running through disputed Kashmir from Hassan Abdal (a small town near
Rawalpindi and Islamabad) to Kashgar, in Xinjiang province, Western China –
Pakistan: 887 km (551 miles) and China: 413 km (257 miles). It is
said to be the highest paved international road in the world running between
Western China and Pakistan. It’s the road to paradise if you like exploring the
mountains. It’s once in a lifetime road trip for adventure lovers.
It has been built jointly by
Pakistani and Chinese engineers, technicians and workers as a joint workforce
of brothers. The highway was a joint Pakistani and Chinese
project and required the skills of about 24,000 workers together.
The Colombo Port City Project in Sri
Lanka will be a similar successfull project once the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill is
approved by parliament.
More over, Sri Lanka should also
join the CPEC project as invited by the PM of Pakistan Hon. Imran Khan during
his recent visit to Sri Lanka.
Mr. Khalid Usman Ward 7 Councillor City of Markham 101 Town Centre Boulevard Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3
cc. Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Dear Councillor Khalid Usman:
Re: Tamil Memorial Monument in Markham’s Ward 7.
Permit me to address the members of the City of Markham’s General
Committee through this letter on the above subject.
Ladies and Gentlemen, so here we go again – the Canadian
Tamil Blarney Lying Gong Show.
The Tamils who arrived in Canada after the1983 July riots in Sri
Lanka, saying that they are running away from discrimination and persecution
and begging to be given a home as Convention refugees, have concentrated their
homes in the Greater Toronto Area and have brilliantly got almost every
Mayor, MP, MPP hook-line-and-sinker into their ‘Net of howling
Canadian Political Fools’. Sad it may sound, but it is the truth.
Facts are there for all of us to see, so I don’t need to be polite or to be
very diplomatic. It is for you to accept or reject my words of
‘crystal-ball caution.’
Notwithstanding what you think of this Tamil community who say
they have been discriminated against and persecuted back home, I tell you that
90% of them who got onto the planes at Colombo airport with legitimate
passports landed their feet on Canadian soil with no valid travel documents to
show the Immigration Officers. Hmmmmm…poor things”, one
would say.
The legitimate legal travel documents lost in the plane in an
amazing A-B-R-A-C-A-D-A-B-R-A Act by these travellers were all economic
refugees. And I bet my last dollar that 90% of them wouldn’t have
had a Snowball chance in Hell to enter Canada as legitimate-immigrants
if they were considered by the Canadian Immigration to accept them as new
immigrants, after their evaluation according to the point system.
Not a chance!
This may be a crude and a rude remark after my observations, but
that is how it is indeed, and that’s the rub.
Almost all of these Convention Refugees will be on a plane to Sri
Lanka after they receive their Canadian passports, and that is proof positive
that a lot of them were economic refugees. And they lied their way in.
Are there any of you who want to challenge me on it, Councillor
Usman? Take me on!
The Manthra they have used to their advantage was We
got votes”. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours with our
Tamil bloc votes. Simple and effective.
But, here’s your problem Councillor Usman and the rest of the
Members of the City of Markham. You’re dealing with an
aggressive Tamil community who will not be satisfied living in a Markham,
but will only be satisfied when the City of Markham evolves into the City of
Eelam-Makkam one day, and you are now been presented with the precursor for
such a City with this motion to erect a Memorial for the Tamils who died during
their separatist war in the island Sri Lanka, 8518 (Ottawa to Colombo)
miles away. Well… let me surprise you Councillor Usman, in the Tamil
terrorist War that Canada aided and abetted, innocent Sinhalese and Muslims
were killed too, and do you know by whom Councillor Usman… Ha! by the the most
ruthless terrorists in the world, who perfected the suicide body-packs.
They were the Tamil Tigers, aka Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) who were Made and military-trained in 32 military
camps in Indira Gandhi’s India in the mid-80s.
Where as the City of Markham is home to a large community of Tamil
Diaspora-Refugees with over 21,000 living in Markham, who are demanding their
right to erect a Memorial for the Tamils who died in a 30-year terrorist war
for the want of their Mono-ethnic, separatist, racist Tamil state, Eelam. After
30 years of fighting and over 100,000 deaths they failed, when on 19 May 2009,
they were kick-arsed and annihilated when their Sun-God leader, Velupillai
Prabhakaran, was shot dead through his forehead on the beach-sands of the
Nandikadal lagoon on the east coast. Well, when you live by the gun you
die by the gun, but Prabhakaran certainly did not die by biting into his
cyanide capsule around his neck, which he had ordered every other Tamil Tiger
to do so in the field when cornered by the Sri Lankan Armed forces.
If the evolution of a new racist City of Eelam-Makkam,
becomes a reality, I say so be it. I couldn’t care 4strings
of spicy dhal-masala wades, in the four Eelam Curry
Huts in the four corners of Eelam-Makkam, with a fried shrimp
stuck curled at the center, for your Councillors to line-up for a Take Out
before you go home. You, after all, have recognized this community to
have made ‘significant contributions to business.’ Well, here is
one such business as the slogan says …. An Eelam-Wade for your Tummy…is
good value for your Money.
But, here is your problem, City of Markham General
Committee. You give in and erect a TAMIL TIGER Memorial in the City of
Markham, what makes you think that will be the end of such a strange
request. What nonsense! You wouldn’t see in it what I see, because
all of you are blinded by the thousands of Tamil votes, and caught in the Tamil
net of Blithering Canadian Parliamentary Fools. It may
sound sad and strange, but that is the Truth.
There is a very good chance that if they get their wish of a Tamil
Memorial erected within the borders of Ward 7, there would be nothing to stop
this Tamil community wanting a Grotto with their Sun God
Prabhakaran erected at every street corner to pay their respect to their Warship
Sun God Velupillai Prabhakaran at every morning, noon and
night. That will be a hoot, won’t it.!
And I don’t see how you all would want to deny this request and
antagonize this Tamil community, when you all want their votes ever so badly to
get back your seats in Council, which is also your bread and butter really. A
sirloin steak on the dinner plate rather than a Hamburger, That’s how the
Markham (Eelam-Makkam) demo-crazy works, isn’t it! This is how
this ethnic refugee political game of chess is being played. pitting the
two Sri Lankan -Canadian communities, Tamils and Sinhalese, with ‘kick-arse’
anger, on both sides, won’t it! For God’s sake stop this foolishness
right now.
Councillor Usman, to please these Eelam-Makkam Tamils,
I won’t be surprised even if you let your Tamil community spray paint your Ward
7 sky, a Sinhalese Blood Red, the colour that they loved to spill during the
30-year long separatist War, which is also the colour of the Eelam flag. You
give in Councillor Usman, and here is what you are walking into by
providing space for the Tamil Memorial in your Ward 7, a Memorial Graveyard
for all the once refugee ethnic communities that make up Ward 7 of the City of
Markham. It is your choice Councillor Usman. It is up to you and your
Mayor, and Councillors to make or break this annoying trend because of the ‘Tamil
vote hungry’ stupidity.
Once upon a time, long, long time ago the first whitemen came
over, I believe it were the Germans, and plundered the land from the Indigenous
people who lived in thousands of hectares of land which makes Markham
now. They were the Iroquois, People of the Long House of the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron Wendat, the Petun and the Neutral.
And they lost the names of the land like Hiawatha, Shenandoah, Onanwatgo,
Tekakwitha, which were changed by the White plunderers, and
the Indigenous people resented it.
You bet the indigenous people who are watching the new phenomenon,
a group of Brown people trying to take over Markham surreptitiously,
and will change the names of roads and streets once again of Eelam-Makkam
into, Logan Avenue,Thamilchelvan Street,
Rathika’s Private, Thileepan Lane, Jaffna A9 Highway,Velupillai
Close,Soosai Way and Vaddu-kodai cul-de-sac.
Councillor Usman, you and your Mayor better get ready to
make peace with the Iroquois and other ethnic communities that have made
Markham their home for donkey’s years, and will resent these rooky Tamil Thambies,
taking over what was theirs, to make it the new Tamil City of Eelam-Makkam.
I say to you present Councillors who will support erecting the Tamil Memorial
which is based on a lie, go and drown yourself in a bowl of hot curry porridge
– Kanji, rather than flying kites.
And here is the reason why I started this brief with
true-to-my-heart’s-words – the Canadian Tamil Blarney Lying Gong Show.
The proposed motion to erect a Tamil Memorial Monument in
Markham is on the premise of a GOD DAMN TAMIL LIE.
And here is Asoka Weerasinghe’s TRUTH.
You stated; Whereas the City of Markham condemns the
demolition of a memorial site built in Sri Lanka at Jaffna University in 2019
which was dedicated to the Sri Lankan Tamil civilians who lost their lives in
the Mullivaikkal at the end of their 26 yer civil war in Sri Lanka ending in May
of 2009.”
WRONG! Shish! What baloney! What a bunch of
poppycock! What a crock full of codswallop! I’d like to meet the
draughtsman of this Markham Fairy Tale. What a LIE.
This Memorial that you are referring to had been declared as
an unauthorized construction by the University Grants Commission which is an
independent body and thereafter, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sivakolandu
Srisatkunarajah, who is a member of the Tamil community ordered its demolition
on the 8th of January 2021. However, on appeal made by the University
students, a replica monument was permitted to be built within the university
premises soon after., Councillor Khalid Usman, that is the
God Damn Truth.
It is time you at the City of Markham Council cut out this
foolishness and get back to your Community political sanity, or else you
will end up with a huge Graveyard in Ward 7, of Memorials
for victims of terrorist war killings around the world whose peoples have found
refuge in Markham. And I will certainly support the Iroquois-indigenous
people whose land was indeed plundered by the Whiteman which is now your
present Markham, and very like will be the City of Eelam-Makkam in
the future,
I wish you luck, Councillor Khalid Usman, and I wish Mayor
Frank Scarpetti a double-dose of Good Luck on this issue of the proposal of a
Tamil Memorial Monument of insanity.
