Courtesy Adaderana

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.  

BY EDWARD THEOPHILUS

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.     

Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . KJ 6G1 Canada

26 April 2021

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 4 strings 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.

Sincerely

Asoka Weerasinghe (Mr.)

Prime Minister’s Media Unit

Hon. Minister, I’m am very happy to welcome you to Sri Lanka. We appreciate your deciding to visit despite the pandemic situation. We have had a number of high-level visits from China since the outbreak of the pandemic. I look forward to our discussion today and the opportunity, through this visit, to further strengthen our already strong and friendly bilateral relations.

At the outset, allow me to convey my warm wishes on the 100th year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party this year and for all its achievements. It is indeed an important milestone.

Furthermore, let me also congratulate you on your achievements in poverty alleviation. China has uplifted nearly 100 million rural residents out of absolute poverty. And you have accomplished this 10 year in advance of the completion of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal in poverty alleviation. This is an impressive achievement.

Hon. Minister, I think we can agree that it has now become very clear to the entire world that vaccines will be the only way to overcome this pandemic. On that front, on behalf of all Sri Lankans, I extend my sincere appreciation for the generous donation of 600,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment since the outbreak of the pandemic. We look forward to China’s continued support in dealing with this crisis.

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.

Hon. Minister, I thank you once again for your visit and look forward to working closely with you and your Government to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and further enhance our cooperation.

අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මාධ්‍ය අංශය

ගරු ඇමතිතුමනි, ඔබව ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට පිළිගැනීමට හැකිවීම ගැන මම ඉතා සතුටු වෙමි. වසංගත  තත්ත්වය නොතකා ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සංචාරය කිරීමට ඔබ කළ තීරණය අපි අගය කරමු.

වසංගත තත්ත්වය හමුවේ වුවද චීනයේ ඉහළ පෙළේ දූත පිරිස් අවස්ථා ගණනාවක දී ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට පැමිණියා. ඔබගේ මෙම සංචාරය  සහ හමුවීම තුළින් අපගේ ශක්තිමත් හා මිත්‍රශීලී ද්විපාර්ශ්වික සබඳතා තවදුරටත් ශක්තිමත් කර ගැනීමට අවස්ථාව ලැබෙනු ඇතැයි මම බලාපොරොත්තු වෙමි.

පළමුවෙන්ම මේ වසරට යෙදෙන චීන කොමියුනිස්ට් පක්ෂයේ 100 වැනි සංවත්සරය සහ  එහි සියලු ජයග්‍රහණ සඳහා මගේ උණුසුම් සුබ පැතුම් පළ කරමි.එය සැබවින්ම ඉතා වැදගත් සන්ධිස්ථානයක්.

තවද, දිළිඳුකම තුරන් කිරීමේ දී චීනය ලබා ඇති ජයග්‍රහණ පිළිබඳව  මම ඔබට සුබ පතමි. චීන රජය මිලියන 100 කට ආසන්න ග්‍රාමීය වැසියන් මේ වනවිට දරිද්‍රතාවයෙන් මුදා ගෙන තිබේ. අනෙක් අතට දරිද්‍රතාවය පිටුදැකීමේ  එක්සත් ජනපද ගෝලීය තිරසර සංවර්ධන ඉලක්කයන් වසර 10 කට පෙර සම්පූර්ණ කිරීමට චීනයට හැකි වී තිබේ. මෙය විශිෂ්ට ජයග්‍රහණයකි.

ගරු ඇමතිතුමනි, මෙම වසංගත තත්ත්වය මගහරවා ගත හැකි එකම ක්‍රමය එන්නත් කිරීම බව මුළු ලෝකයටම දැන් පැහැදිලි වී තිබේ. කොවිඩ් වසංගතය පැතිර ගිය දා සිට සමස්ත ශ්‍රී ලාංකිකයන් වෙනුවෙන් චීනය සීනෝෆාම් එන්නත් 600000 ක් සහ සෞඛ්‍ය ආරක්ෂක උපකරණ ඉතා නොමසුරුව පරිත්‍යාග කිරීම ඉතා අගය කොට සළකමි.  මෙම වසංගත තත්ත්වය සමඟ කටයුතු කිරීමේ දී ඉදිරියටත් චීන රජයේ අඛණ්ඩ සහයෝගය අපි බලාපොරොත්තු වෙමු.

පසුගිය සති කිහිපය තුළ  කොවිඩ් 19 ආසාධිතයින් පිරිස වැඩිවුව ද රටේ ආර්ථික හා සමාජයීය බලපෑම සළකා මුළු රටම අගුලු නොදැමීමට රජයක් ලෙස අපි තීරණය කළෙමු. පශ්චාත් වසංගත තත්ත්වයට මුහුණ දීම සඳහා තවත් බොහෝ දේ කළ යුතු බවට ඔබත් එකඟ වන බව මට විශ්වාසයි.

මේ වනවිට අපගේ ප්‍රමුඛතාවය වී ඇත්තේ ලොව පුරා ආයෝජනයන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව කෙරෙහි ආකර්ෂණය කර ගැනීමයි.  එවැනි ආයෝජකයින්ගේ විශ්වාසය ශ්‍රී ලංකාව කෙරෙහි ගොඩනැගීම සඳහා ඔබේ සහයෝගය මම බලාපොරොත්තු වෙමි.

ගරු ඇමතිතුමනි, ඔබගේ මෙම සංචාරය ගැන නැවත වරක් මම ඔබට ස්තූතිවන්ත වන අතර වසංගත තත්ත්වය හමුවේ පැනනගින අභියෝග ජය ගැනීම උදෙසා දැනට පවතින සහයෝගිතාවය වැඩි දියුණු කරගැනීමටත්  ඔබ සහ ඔබගේ රජය සමඟ ඉතා සමීපව අඛණ්ඩව කටයුතු කිරීමටත් බලාපොරොත්තු වෙමි.

News Releases

Uttareethara Sanga Consultant Sabawa for Sri Lankan High Commissioner for India has requested the Maha Sangha to recite the ‘Rathana Sutta’ in every temple in the country on Saturday 01^st May with minimum participant for the benefit of the most affected Indian citizen, all the human in the world and finally Sri Lankan in the country in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issuing a press release, the Uttareethara Sanga Consultant Sabawa, including Ven. Dr. Niyangoda Wijithasiri Anunayaka Thero says that not only our neighbor   Country but the entire world is facing a severe crisis due to the epidemic. In such a backdrop, the ‘Rathana Sutta’ is being chanted at many temples in the island, wishing all the people of the world protection from the COVID-19.

Members of the Uttareethara Sanga Consultant Sabawa for Sri Lankan High Commissioner for India is Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Maha Nayaka Thero, Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayake Thero, Ven. Nadagamuwe Wijayamaithree Anunayaka Thero, Ven. Prof. Madagama Nandhawansa Nayaka Thero, Ven. Balangoda Sobitha Thero, Ven. Thubulle Seelakkanda Thero, Ven. Dr. Ittademaliye Indasara Thero,, Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thero, Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero ‪Ven. Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Nayaka Thero, Ven. Kanaththegoda Saddhaarathana Thero, Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Thero, Ven. Muruddeneye Dhammarathana Thero, Ven. Prof. Medagampitiye Wijithadhamma Thero, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, Ven. Vitharandeniya Nanda Thero, Ven. Pannila Ananda Nayaka Thero

Dr. Harold Gunatillake

Transcript: After reading Tim Newman’s article, in MNT Newsletter, I was inspired to present this video, because Parkinson’s disease seems to be on the increase among the aging Sri Lankan population. Parkinson’s disease is a condition where the nerves of the brain and the other parts of the nervous system are affected. Symptoms about to be discussed are due to loss of nerve cells. What causes this to happen are not noticeably clear. Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. In the United States, approximately 1.6% of the over 65 group is affected with Parkinson’s disease. In Germany, the standard prevalence was 1680 cases per 100,000 of population. In 2016, an estimated 6.1 million people worldwide had Parkinson’s Disease. The number has doubled in the past 25 years. Data is not available for the incidence in Sri Lanka, but Parkinson’s disease is on the rise as more people with PD are getting registered for follow up clinics. What is the cause or causes of this chronic disabling disease? Let us probe further into this condition to find out how it starts. Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that affects the nervous system. Its symptoms occur because of low dopamine levels in the brain. What is known is that it is caused due to the death of dopamine secreting neurons in the brain. These cells are found in a specific region of the brain called the substantia nigra. Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter- meaning that it helps to send messages between nerve cells. It is also referred to as a chemical messenger. https://youtu.be/A3vDxzzNbhg Click Website: www.Doctorharold.comIt plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It is the opposite of pain, and the experience that makes you feel good. It makes us aspire a good lifestyle and takes part in our ability to think and plan. It is made in the brain, by converting the amino acid tyrosine to a substance called dopa and then into dopamine. The body makes tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine. Tyrosine is found in dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats, legumes, and wheat. Pork chops, salmon, turkey, and chicken are all rich in tyrosine. Loss of dopamine affect movement, both skeletal muscles and smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. This can result in slow shuffling gait, muscular stiffness or rigidity, resting tremor, slowness of movement, and slowed peristaltic movements of the bowel. Mostly, there is cognitive impairment or dementia, depression and anxiety, sleep dysfunction, pain, apathy, sexual dysfunction, and bowel incontinence. They have a high incidence of bone thinning and fractures. Also, the sense of smell and taste may be diminished in the early stages. They seem to have a high B vitamin deficiency, and especially when medications like levodopa- carbidopa seem to increase vitamin B6, folate and vit B12. Constipation is quite common in PD or may be due to the treatment. Chronic constipation can lead to fecal impaction and colon cancer. Among farmers, there seems to be a high incidence of PD due to the usage of pesticides. It was also revealed that the persons living in the cluster with vineyards had a higher incidence of PD. In France, vineyards rank among the crops that require most intense pesticide use. Regions with greater presence of vineyards are characterized by higher PD risk; non-professional pesticides exposure is a possible explanation. A new study finds that the number of new cases per year of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and related diseases known as parkinsonism, may have increased over a 30-year period. A possible explanation lies in the dramatic decline in cigarette smoking in recent decades. The research appears in the June 20 online edition of JAMA Neurology. A person with Parkinson’s disease may have clumps of protein known as alpha synuclein, or Lewy bodies, in their brains. The accumulation of Lewy bodies can cause a loss of nerve cells, leading to changes in movement, thinking, behavior, and mood. It can also lead to dementia.An earlier study suggested that smokers may have a reduced risk of PD and speculated that the decrease in smoking could lead to a higher incidence of PD decades later. Recent studies conclude that diets high in animal fat or cholesterol are associated with an increase in risk of Parkinson’s disease, in contrast fat of plant origin does not appear to increase risk. Vegan diet may be protective against PD. When your doctor tells you that you have PD, cycling and golf seem to help. A person with PD can cycle quite steadily. Golf could be a good form of exercise therapy for Parkinson’s, and it is a game that you will like, and helps improve balance. Swinging a golf club demands a high level of balance. The drugs that are given to alleviate symptoms are levodopa (Sinemet), which replenishes dopamine levels. Oxidative Stress One cause of cell loss in the substantia nigra is oxidative stress. Sesame seed extract shows promise for Parkinson’s, Sesame seed husks, a waste product from the manufacture of sesame seed oil, are rich in the antioxidant sesaminol. Scientists have found that sesaminol protects nerve cells in laboratory cultures from damage and prevents Parkinson’s symptoms in an animal model of the disease and reduces oxidative stress factor. Clinical trials are necessary to determine whether the antioxidant can prevent Parkinson’s or slow its progression in humans. This led Dr. Kojima-Yuasa and colleagues to investigate whether sesaminol, a powerful antioxidant, could prevent nerve cell death in a model of Parkinson’s. Sesaminol, is found in abundance in sesame seed husks, which are a waste product from the industrial extraction of sesame oil. The protective effect of feeding with small amount of sesaminol, is suitable for use as preventive treatment for Parkinson’s disease. So, the bottom line is that, if you or a loved one shows early signs of Parkinson’s Disease, in addition to taking medication prescribed by your doctor, it is advised to start playing golf, cycle, joining clubs to socialize, dance and be merry. There is much ongoing research for Parkinson’s disease, and I have not gone into that, because they are still in the experimental stages. Hope you like this video talk.Take care Goodbye for now

Courtesy The Hindustan Times

A huge crowd attended the festival at the Sri Kamakshi Amman Kovil temple in Tamil-dominated Jaffna without maintaining social distance or wearing face masks.PTI | 

Top officials of a Hindu temple in Sri Lanka have been arrested for holding a festival despite a ban on large gatherings amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to a media report.

A huge crowd attended the festival at the Sri Kamakshi Amman Kovil temple in Tamil-dominated Jaffna without maintaining social distance or wearing face masks, the Colombo Gazette newspaper reported.

Police said that the Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the temple have been arrested for holding the event despite a ban.

Such large events have been banned by the Government until May 31.

Last week, the government announced that tuition classes, parties and public gatherings have been banned until May 31st after Sri Lanka was placed on Alert Level 3 following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Health officials have warned of a potential surge to follow the traditional new year festivals in mid-April.

According to new health guidelines, casinos, night clubs and beach parties have also been temporarily banned.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

The Attorney General has filed indictments in the Puttalam High Court under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Terrorist Financing Act against six accused of collecting explosives and maintaining an explosive manufacturing base in Wanathawilluwa in 2019 January. 

He requested the Chief Justice for a Trial at Bar to try Mohammed Mufees, Mohammed Hamas, Ibrahim Mohammed Naufar, Mohammed Sajid, Ibrahim Sadeeq Abdullah, and Gaffoor  Mama along with the deceased Zaharan Hasim and Mohammed Hasthun.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka and China agreed to enhance defence cooperation, particularly in terms of high level exchanges and training, informed sources said.

The enhancement of defence ties and other bilateral cooperation were discussed when visiting Chinese National Defence Minister Wei Fenghe held talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today.

According to informed sources, Sri Lanka was appreciative of China’s cooperation.

Before his arrival in Sri Lanka, he visited Bangladesh and met with the top political and military leaders there. He is the second top ranked official from China to visit Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic after foreign policy chief Yang Jiechi visited the island last October.(Kelum Bandara)

Courtesy Adaderana

Mutations specific to UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7) have been detected in Sri Lanka, says Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of Allergy, Immunity and Cell Biology Unit of Sri Jayewardenepura University.

Addressing during a special media briefing on Wednesday (April 28), he said the mutations were discovered in the samples obtained from Colombo, Boralesgamuwa and Kurunegala areas.

This confirms that B.1.1.7 is the currently circulating strain in Sri Lanka, responsible for the ongoing massive outbreak, Dr. Jeewandara noted.

Speaking further, he explained that this variant has a 50% increase in transmissibility and 55% increase in death as opposed to other variants.

However, the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine which is currently being rolled out in the country is effective against the B.1.1.7 variant, he stated on a more positive note.

This highly contagious variant, which was first found in Kent of southern England last December, is also dominating the virus transmissions across Europe and North America at present.

Courtesy Adaderana

With a spike in COVID infections, Sri Lanka’s daily cases count stayed above the grim milestone of 1,000 for the second consecutive day on Wednesday (April 28).

The Health Ministry initially confirmed 988 new coronavirus-positive cases earlier today, and 463 more later in the day.

Following the new development, the island nation has recorded 1,466 fresh cases of coronavirus within the day, marking the highest single-day spike in positive cases.

Government Information Department said 32 of the new infections were from the prison cluster, 15 were arrivals from foreign countries and the remaining 1,419 were associates of the Peliyagoda cluster.

According to official figures, Sri Lanka’s confirmed coronavirus cases count now stands at 104,953 and 9,209 active cases are still under medical care at treatment centres and hospital.

Number of patients who recovered from the virus infection meanwhile sits at 95,083.

Sri Lanka has also witnessed 661 deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Courtesy Adaderana

Six new COVID-related deaths were reported in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (April 28), says the Director-General of Health Services.

Following the confirmation of latest coronavirus victims, the country’s death toll now stands at 661.

According to the particulars released by the Government Information Department, the details of the victims are as follows:

01. A 56-year-old man from Pallegama area: He died on April 25 while receiving treatment at the Mawanella Base Hospital. The cause of death was identified as COVID pneumonia.

02. A 45-year-old woman from Weerapokuna area: She was diagnosed with novel coronavirus while receiving medical care at the District General Hospital in Chilaw. She was then moved to the Homagama Base Hospital where she died on April 27. COVID pneumonia and sepsis were cited as the cause of death.

03. A 72-year-old man from Haliela area: He was transferred from Badulla General Hospital to Theldeniya Base Hospital where he died on April 28 due to acute COVID pneumonia.

04. A 65-year-old woman from Mawanella area: After testing positive for novel coronavirus, she was transferred from Mawanella Base Hospital to Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital where she died on April 23. The cause of death was recorded as heart failure aggravated due to COVID infection.

05. A 66-year-old man from Nittambuwa area: He died on April 24 at Wathupitiwala Base Hospital after suffering from COVID lung infection.

06. A 69-year-old man from Wattala area: He passed away on April 27, while undergoing treatment at the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases in Welisara. The cause of death was recorded as COVID pneumonia.

Courtesy Adaderana

Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe is currently holding bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, says the Premier’s Media Division.

During the meeting, PM Rajapaksa has appreciated China for donating 600,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Sri Lanka to help the fight against the pandemic situation. We look forward to China’s continued support in dealing with this crisis,” he said further.

Speaking further, the Premier explained that, despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Sri Lankan government has decided not to pursue countrywide lockdowns due to the impact such lockdowns have on the island’s economy and society.

There is still a lot that needs to be done for post-pandemic economic recovery,” PM Rajapaksa said noting that one the government’s main priorities in this effort is to attract investments from around the world. Sri Lanka looks forward to China’s support in rebuilding investor confidence in the island, the Premier told the Chinese Defence Minister. 

The prime minister conveyed his warm wishes on the 100th year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party this year and for all its achievements. China has uplifted nearly 100 million rural residents out of absolute poverty. And you have accomplished these 10 years in advance of the completion of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal in poverty alleviation. This is an impressive achievement.”

The Chinese defence minister also called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa earlier today (April 28). Commenting on the meeting with the President, General Wei Fenghe has stated that the bilateral discussions were extremely fruitful. He also stated that relations between the two nations were further strengthened by this visit.

The Chinese defence minister arrived in Sri Lanka last night (April 27) on a two-day official visit.

Upon arrival, General Wei Fenghe was received by a Sri Lankan Defence delegation led by Defence Ministry Secretary, Gen. (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The visiting Chinese delegation had arrived in a special aircraft and was welcomed in keeping with Sri Lankan traditions at the BIA.

The visit and the reception had been organised in accordance with the healthcare guidelines and ‘Air Bubble’ concept to prevent the spread of coronavirus, according to the government.

Courtesy Adaderana

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that a variant of COVID-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.

The UN health agency said the B.1.617 variant of COVID-19 first found in India had as of Tuesday been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded to the GISAID open-access database from at least 17 countries”.

Most sequences were uploaded from India, the United Kingdom, USA and Singapore,” the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic.

The WHO recently listed B.1.617 — which counts several sub-lineages with slightly different mutations and characteristics — as a variant of interest”.

But so far it has stopped short of declaring it a variant of concern”.

That label would indicate that it is more dangerous that the original version of the virus by for instance being more transmissible, deadly or able to dodge vaccine protections.

India is facing surging new cases and deaths in the pandemic, and fears are rising that the variant could be contributing to the unfolding catastrophe.

The explosion in infections in India — 350,000 new cases were recorded there on Tuesday alone — has driven a surge in global cases to 147.7 million.

The virus has now killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide.

The WHO acknowledged that its preliminary modelling based on sequences submitted to GISAID indicates that B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility”.

It stressed that other variants circulating at the same time were also showing increased transmissibility, and that the combination may be playing a role in the current resurgence in this country.”

Indeed, studies have highlighted that the spread of the second wave has been much faster than the first,” the WHO said.

It highlighted though that other drivers” could be contributing to the surge, including lax adherence to public health measures as well as mass gatherings.

Further investigation is needed to understand the relative contribution of these factors,” it said.

The UN agency also stressed that further robust studies” into the characteristics of B.1.617 and other variants, including impacts on transmissibility, severity and the risk of reinfection, were urgently needed”.

Source: AFP
-Agencies

Courtesy Adaderana

Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister, General Wei Fenghe, today called on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a bilateral discussion at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning.

The Chinese Defence Minister was received by the Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera and Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Prof. Jayanath Colombage, upon arriving at the Presidential Secretariat.

General Wei Fenghe said the bilateral discussions held with the President were extremely fruitful and also said the relations between the two nations were further strengthened by this visit.

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe placed a note on the Book for Special Guests to mark the meeting with the President.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Deputy Chief of staff of Joint Staff Department under the China’s Central Military Commission Lieutenant General Shao Yuanming, Major General Ci Guowei and Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera participated in the discussion.

The Chinese defence minister had arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a two-day official visit.

The high-ranking Chinese official is also expected to meet Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today (28) for a discussion before leaving the country tomorrow morning (29).

General Wei Fenghe was received by a Sri Lankan Defence delegation led by Defence Ministry Secretary Gen. (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), upon arrival in the island last night.

The visiting Chinese delegation had arrived in a special aircraft and was welcomed in keeping with Sri Lankan traditions at the BIA.

The visit and the reception had been organised in accordance with the healthcare guidelines and ‘Air Bubble’ concept to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the government said.

Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Air Force Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe, Chinese Embassy Officials and Senior Military Officers were also present to receive General Fenghe.

Courtesy The Straits Times

MUMBAI (AFP) – Airfares soared and demand for private jets boomed Friday (April 23) as Indians who could afford it scrambled to escape a Covid-19 surge before flights to the United Arab Emirates shut down.

All flights from the UAE to India – one of the world’s busiest air corridors – will be suspended from Sunday as coronavirus cases in the South Asian nation reach record levels and overwhelm hospitals.

Price comparison websites showed one-way commercial flights from Mumbai to Dubai on Friday and Saturday costing as much as 80,000 rupees (S$1,400), around 10 times the usual rate.

Tickets for the New Delhi to Dubai route were going for more than 50,000 rupees, five times the normal level.

No tickets were on offer from Sunday, when the 10-day flight suspension comes into force.

For private jets, the amount of interest was “absolutely crazy”, a spokesman for charter company Air Charter Service India told AFP.

“We have 12 flights going to Dubai tomorrow and each flight is completely full,” the spokesman said.

“I’ve fielded almost 80 enquiries for flying to Dubai today alone,” said a spokesman for Enthral Aviation, another provider.

“We have requested more aircraft from abroad to meet the demand… It costs US$38,000 (S$50,000) to hire a 13-seater jet from Mumbai to Dubai, and US$31,000 to hire a six-seater aircraft,” he told AFP.

“People are making groups and arranging to share our jets just to get a seat… We’ve had some queries for Thailand but mostly the demand is for Dubai.”

About 300 commercial flights a week usually operate between the UAE and India, according to local media.

The UAE is home to roughly 3.3 million Indians, who make up a third of the population – most of them in Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the federation.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said those coming from India through other countries must stay in that third destination for at least 14 days.

UAE nationals and passengers in private jets are exempt from that requirement. Cargo flights are not affected.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

India posts new world record of daily Covid-19 cases, airlifts cryogenic oxygen tanks from S’pore

‘Double mutant’ Covid-19 strain raises concerns in India

On Friday, a ban on arrivals to Britain from India also came into force, except for British and Irish citizens or third-country nationals with residency rights.

One-way flights from Mumbai or Delhi to London on Friday were priced at between 100,000 and 150,000 rupees, at least double the usual rate when booking at short notice.

Seats on routes to the United States were still available but with prices substantially higher, in some cases almost double the normal fare.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Families allowed to bury dead in backyards as India’s Covid-19 surge overwhelms crematoriums

‘The system is broken’: Covid-19 patients die on trolleys outside Delhi hospital amid second wave

By Noor Nizam – Peace and Polotical Activist, Political coomunications Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart and Member “Viyathmaga”, April 27th., 2021..

IS HE AN IMAGE OF THE LATE KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ OF THAILAND WHO SAID DURING HIS RULE THAT THERE WAS MUCH TO DO AT HOME.

HE. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the image of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (ninth king of the Chakkri dynasty (1950–2016), who said during his rule that there was too much to do at home. He was content to trudge through croplands in distant provinces in an open-neck shirt and sport coat, tending to the many development projects he encouraged and oversaw: milk-pasteurizing plants, dams that watered rice fields, factories that recycled sugar-cane stalks and water hyacinths into fuel, and countless others. 

Today Sri Lanka, our “MAATHRUBOOMIYA” has got a President and Leader –  like King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who is “TRUDGING” the villages of the the most remote Divisional Secretariat Divisions of our “MAATHRUBOOMIYA” Sri Lanka to implement and monitor the development projects the president had initiated in these villages at the request of the people.

The bigest threat to the “PEOPLES” welbeing and “DEVELOPMENT” of our “MAATHRUBOOMIYA” is not terrorism or extremism as it seems. IT IS THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVELS OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY. 

HE. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, should NOT fear the 1.3 million odd public/government servants because they may retaliate if the president takes action against them or strike and cripple the economy/country, but like how the president eradicate the ruthless LTTE in 2009 during his tenure as Secretary of Defence in the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, wage war against these corrupt officials and rid the country of this menace once and for all. Those patriotic government officials/servants who love their “MAATHRUBOOMIYA” should come forward to help the president do this. The president has just 31/2 year left of his Presidency. The president should make it a “TOP PRIORITY” to rid corruption in the country during this balance period. 

The people will vote the present government and the president again at the next elections, if the president will fulfill this inner “DESIRE” of our NATION. Even the humble voters supporting the opposition, JVP, SJB, TNA, SLMC & ACMC will give their votes to the president to continue this “NOBLE” task for the benefit of our “NEXT GENERATION”.

The people and the government officials and all parliamentarians should extend their fullest support to his development programmes with out putting politics and party affiliations and importance for “SELFISH” reasons. The country should be in their foremost thoughts. The Gama Samaga Pilisandara’ programme of the President should be made a success.

A.A.M.NIZAM

The prat-fallen and shameless Jeppo leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was mainly responsible from 2015 to 2020 for all the ravages, hardships, and torments suffered by the people of this country due to his utterly disgraceful servitude to protect his Ranil Haamu and his destructive government keeps on holding meetings just in a vain attempt to project that he is a valid politician in this country by making mischievous and scornful allegations against the government.

This member of the gang of robbers who ferociously snatched away the ID cards, gold jewelry, and money from the people during their horrendous rule from 87-90 and still audaciously celebrate these atrocities in the despicable name of Ilviriu Semarumaruma” in the month of November every year has that this government is run by a ‘Ring of Thieves’ that is bleeding the country’s coffers dry and embezzling billions of rupees in kickbacks while thousands of rural schools around the island lack basic toilet facilities and citizens are killing themselves unable to repay predatory loans. One pertinent question to ask him before proceeding further is from where he got funds to buy the alleged house and property in Ireland where property prices are reported to be very high? *

The traditional Red Shirt is no more – perhaps left in Ireland

As he has suddenly fallen from an alien planet and was not in this country from 2015 to 2020, he has said that the People in this country are starving. There are invalids unable to afford their medication, farmers losing their livelihoods and homes because of the human-elephant conflict, people are paying with their lives because of predatory loan schemes. Meanwhile, the people’s wealth is being embezzled,  These were the malaise that existed in this country between 2015 toc2020 which were oblivious to this former Gonibilla as he was enjoying the comforts of Temple Trees office and was traveling in chauffer driven SUVs.

This alleged Gonibilla seems to be very angry and ferocious about the report of the Presidential Commission, led by Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, which has remended that Dissanayake and several leading opposition MPs be stripped of their civic rights for their role in an ‘anti-corruption committee’ established by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to supervise action on high profile corruption cases in the 2005-2014 period.

Mocking the recommendation by the Abeyratne Commission that his civic rights should be stripped for his participation and leadership” in the Anti-Corruption Committee, Dissanayake said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa could roll up the threat and shove it.”Whether they appoint 8 or 9 commissions, throw me in any number of prisons or even kill me on the streets, he has said that he will never end his battle against this corruption. Speaking in the parliament he has admitted that on the invitation of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe he attended the Anti-Corruption Committee meetings to give information.

Continuing venting out his fury on the Abeyratne Commission he has said that based on its mandate, the Commission to investigate political victimisation could only entertain complaints from public officials, armed forces and police personnel and personnel at state institutions.

Who did they eventually entertain complaints from? The Avant-Garde Mudalali, Udyanga Weeratunga, Jaliya Wickremasuriya, Rohitha Bogollagama – how are these people, public officials?” Dissanayake charged.

Dissanayake has further stated that he took the Commission to court for investigating a complaint about a case that was an ongoing trial before the High Court. The JVP leader filed an action in the Court of Appeal against the Commission for summoning him to testify in a complaint lodged by Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi. He has said that he went to the Court of Appeal against the Commission to complain about its decision to entertain the complaint by Avant-Garde Chairman. The Commission sent an official to the Court who provided an undertaking to the Court of Appeal that until the Avant-Garde trial was concluded the Commission would not summon me for an inquiry-based on the Avant-Garde complaint,” Dissanayake revealed.

But when the Commission issued its report, Dissanayake said his name had been listed as an accused in the Avant-Garde complaint. Upholding Senadhipathi’s complaint, the Commission recommended that Dissanayake and a host of others, including Navy officers that the Avant-Garde chairman has accused of victimizing him, be prosecuted and punished under the Penal Code of Sri Lanka.

After shamefully carrying out scavenger work for almost five years thinking that Rajapaksas will never come back to power m this country the Jeppo leader has never expected that he will have to face a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on political victimization and he will be grilled by this PCoI about the bizarre misdeeds he and his acolytes carried out against JO MPs and their family members and their activists by imprisoning them on feigned and bogus allegations.  Some JO members had to languish in prisons for almost three months and the former Minister Johmstomn Fermamdo had to face 12 Court cases against him.  The Jeppo leader and his hooligans made much rejoicing over the misery faced by these victimized JO members. 

As it says that every action has a reaction the table has been turned on them now and this Jeppo leader seems to be extremely furious about the determinations that have been made by the PCoI.  In a fiery speech in Parliament on 23rd April 2021 the Jeppo leader has condemned what he called the highly suspect behavior and conduct of the Presidential Commission on Political Victimization, and the ludicrous manner in which it exonerated crooks and criminals associated with the President and his family

He has said that in 75 days, the Commission had investigated 136 complaints and in  78 such complaints, the Pissu Poosa Commission” (he has borrowed the term from the ultra-racist MP  C.V.Wigneswaran) recommended exonerating and acquitting some Rajapaksa family members, military officials and political associates – even those against whom criminal trials are currently underway in the courts of law.

Among those whose trials the Government is seeking to terminate on the basis of the PCoI recommendations he has said were Nalaka Godahewa and Udaya Gammanpila and the two MPs would perform the unprecedented and historic action of raising their hands to vote in support of ending their own judicial proceedings and has alleged that the Commission has gone to many lengths to accommodate complaints from Government affiliated stooges.

The Jeppo leader has further stated that although the Commission was mandated to conclude accepting complaints on March 7, 2020, seven months after this deadline, and mere weeks before the Commission handed over its report to the President, the Commission heard two complaints, submitted on October 25, 2020, by Mr. Nadesan, a Rajapaksa in law, and on October 23, 2020, Yoshitha Rajapaksa lodged a complaint with the Commission. On the 26th, 27th, and 28th of October, the cases were heard.

Dissanayake alleged that the Commission had summoned Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara for questioning. He said that these are trials that are ongoing in our courts of law and for the first time ever a Commission has begun to investigate those trials.

Dissanayake said that the Commission’s recommendation, brought before the Parliament through the Prime Minister’s Resolution, was to end judicial proceedings in 78 cases, and of these, eight were ongoing trials in the High Court. One of the MPs in Parliament had spent an hour explaining a case in which he had been a lawyer, but all of these facts could be presented in a court of law.

Dissanayake listed the cases set for termination which were just reputation of news items and articles that appeared in the media many times earlier and in conclusion, he said that the JVP’s fight was against corruption. However, he failed to mention or deliberately avoided giving reasons why they not only remained silent but even collaborated in corruption and malpractices during the Sirisena/Ranil rule from January 2015 onwards.

Meanwhile, testifying before the PCoI on political victimization on 28th September 2020, the JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake in an apparent betrayal of his cherished and beloved Ranil Haamu, stated that the statement made by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe about the Anti-Corruption Committee was completely untrue. Testifying before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization when the complaint lodged by the former Divi Neguma Director General Kithsiri Ranawaka was heard on 28th September 2020 Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the evidence given by the former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe before the Commission that the Anti-Corruption Committee was set up with the approval of the National Executive Council was false. He denied seeing the relevant cabinet paper before but added that he had noted a mentioning of a cabinet memorandum in the file of Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke and has added that no such cabinet paper was presented at any of his meetings.

He further stated that nowhere in the testimony of the former Prime Minister does it say who presented it to the National Executive Council.

He has explained that the President is the head of the National Executive Council and if it is approved by the National Executive Council, it should go through the President and no such document was submitted to the National Executive Council.

Responding to a question raised by the Chairman of the Commission, former Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that he cannot read the mind of the former Prime Minister so well, no one can and he cannot say what the Prime Minister was trying to convey to the Cabinet by applying such a word with the approval of the National Executive Council” to the Cabinet Paper.

Responding to a question asked by his lawyer whether there was a suggestion to grant him membership of a committee such as the Anti-Corruption Committee or to say that he was not reluctant to be appointed to such a committee, Dissanayake said that there could be two interpretations. It could be said that the Anti-Corruption Committee was set up with the approval of the National Executive Council or that it was not me, the National Executive Council set up the Anti-Corruption Committee.”

In further response, Dissanayake said whether there was a suggestion to grant him membership of a committee such as the Anti-Corruption Committee or to say that he was not reluctant to be appointed to such a committee, he was not aware of any facts regarding his appointment as the Coordinator of the Anti-Corruption Committee Quick Response Committee and that he never represented or coordinated it.

As India battles devastating COVID-19 crisis, the US has decided to lift embargo on export of raw materials required by SII for production of Covishield.

As India battles the devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic with the nation clocking more than 3 lakh cases every day and making a new high in single day spike of COVID-19 infections, the US government has decided to lift the export ban on the essential raw materials required by the vaccine manufacturer in India for production of COVID-19 vaccine.

This development comes as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US counterpart Jake Sullivan had a phone conversation regarding the dangerous spike in COVID-19 infections across the country. Sullivan affirmed America’s solidarity with India, the two countries with the greatest number of COVID-19 cases in the world.

A statement released by the White House read, “Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need.” 00:08 / 00:30

This also seemingly comes after several US lawmakers voiced their concerns over the COVID-19 situation in India. They exerted pressure on the Biden administration to extend assistance, release vaccines and other raw materials critical for India.

‘Identified source of specific raw material’

“The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India. To help treat COVID-19 patients and protect front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India,” the statement read.READ | US lawmakers express concern over India’s COVID situation, press Biden to provide help

“The United States also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis. The U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022,” the statement added.READ | UK sends life-saving medical equipment to India to tackle COVID-19

Adar Poonawalla appeals to Biden

Earlier in April, Serum Institute of India’s (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla had requested United States President Joe Biden to lift the embargo of raw material exports from the US. Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla appealed to Biden Poonawalla to lift the ban by stating that it will “ramp up” the vaccine production amid the COVID-19 pandemic.READ | Registration on CoWIN must for those between 18 and 44 years to get vaccine shot

SII is currently manufacturing AstraZeneca-Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covishield’ and it will reportedly soon start producing Novavax vaccine, developed by the US biotech company. Poonawalla had also said in an interview that SII was struggling due to an embargo in the US and India requires those materials sooner. He also said that India has ruled out importing raw materials from China considering the quality issues.READ | US CDC recommends pregnant women to take COVID-19 vaccine jabs

India continues to grapple with the alarming surge of COVID-19 infections, deploying all its resources to battle the pandemic. The country has recorded over a million infections in four days, with 349,961 new cases on Sunday. The Sunday’s record spike has become another highest single-day spike globally. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.READ | Maharashtra sees worst 1-day COVID fatality with 832 new deaths; state offers free vaccine

Courtesy NewsIn.Asia

Colombo, April 26 (ECONOMYNEXT): Sri Lanka’s ruling party MPs have requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate legal action against the entire cabinet of the United National Party (UNP)-led Yahapalana government over the 2019 Easter bombings, a top minister said.

Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage told reporters yesterday that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the attack has clearly stated in its report that the previous government should be held responsible for failing to prevent the deadly bombings.

The April 21 attack, perpetrated by an Islamist outfit known as the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), killed 269 people and injured over 500. The Yahapalana (Good Governance) administration of then President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stood accused of failing to prevent the massacre despite having received intelligence of an impending terrorist attack.

When the report says ‘former government’, it means the blame should be put not just on Sirisena and Wickremesinghe but on the entire cabinet which includes [incumbent opposition leader] Sajith Premadasa, [former ministers] Lakshman Kiriella, Kabir Hashim and Champika Ranawaka,” said Aluthgamage.

So we asked the president to take legal action against the entire cabinet of ministers over the Easter bombings,”he added.

Former minister Rishad Bathiudeen was arrested last Saturday (24) for allegedly aiding and abetting the suicide bombers and for doing business with them, said Alutghagame.

The former minister and brother arrested over alleged links to Easter Sunday bombers

As a followup to Bathiudeen’s arrest, the agriculture minister said, authorities must look into how Mohamed Yusuf Ibrahim, the businessman father of two of the suicide bombers, became a national list candidate of the opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Ibrahim, a wealthy spice trader, was reportedly well-acquainted with a number of politicians in both the government and the opposition.

This is not an attempt to suppress the opposition. The presidential commission has recommended that proceedings be initiated against these people. When we do that, we get accused of suppressing the opposition,” said Aluthgamage.

He added that opposition leader Premadasa who spouts much rhetoric about the Easter attack must also be held accountable and produced before the courts with the others.

These revelations about the attack came to light after the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government came into power, he further said.

If Gotabaya Rajapaksa had not become president, there wouldn’t have been an Easter Sunday commission,” he said.

The presidential commission of inquiry (PCoI) was appointed by former president Sirisena. The commission recommended in its final report that criminal proceedings be initiated against Sirisena and other officials. Notably, the PCoI did not recommend action against ex-PM Wickremesinghe, who Sirisena had politically fallen out with in the months leading up to and after the 2019 bombings.

The security and intelligence lapses that allowed the attack to take place was blamed on the animosity between the two, in particular Sirisena’s alleged refusal to invite Wickremesinghe to meetings of the national security council.

In its report, the PCoI faulted Wickremesinghe for not raising the issue of not being invited to security council meetings in parliament or cabinet and also for an alleged lax approach” to Islamic extremism.

Sirisena is now a member of Parliament representing the SLPP-led government, of which his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is a constituent, though unofficially tensions between the SLPP and SLFP appear to be at an all-time high.

Wickremesinghe’s UNP failed to secure a single seat in parliament at the 2020 general election following the departure of Premadasa and a large chunk of the party membership who went on to form the now main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB).

Prensa Latina

Colombo, Apr 27 (Prensa Latina) The first batch of Russian Sputnik-V vaccines will arrive in Sri Lanka this week, State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Channa Jayasumana said on Tuesday.
According to Jayasumana, talks are being held to organize the means of transportation in order to bring the shipment to Sri Lanka, News First website reported.

‘We will most likely receive confirmation today or tomorrow as to when air transportation will be available,’ the minister said.

Sri Lanka has reported 102,376 Covid-19 cases, 647 deaths and 94,577 recovered patients from this pandemic so far, according to official statistics.

By P. K. Balachandran Courtsey Eurasia Review

The visit of the Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe to Sri Lanka which begins on Tuesday, is significant as it indicates that Sino-Lankan relations may go beyond economic engagement to acquiring a military dimension.

It is reported in a local Sunday paper that Wei’s visit will result in China’s giving Sri Lanka equipment to modernize the army, navy and air force and enhancing  the training component. Though independent confirmation of this has not been possible, what is clear is that China is  looking beyond infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka. It views the island nation as a strategic asset in the military sense also.

China has been a supplier of military hardware to Sri Lanka during the long drawn out war against Tamil separatists when other countries refused to supply arms on humanitarian grounds or because they were partial to the Tamil movement. China did not have any such considerations. After the war ended in 2009, training of Lankan troops and the supply of new hardware continued, albeit on a limited scale. The focus had shifted to infrastructure development in a big way. China built highways, a container terminal, a whole new port and a new airport with amazing speed.

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 USD 500 million loan was a part of the USD 1 billion loan (signed before), out of which USD 500 million was released last year,” the Sri Lankan embassy in China explained.  A Sunday paper added that another US$ 700 is being sought.

Apparently under pressure from the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, who spoke to his Sri Lankan counterpart Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Lankan government tried to speed up implementation of the languishing US$ 1.4 billon Chinese added Colombo Port City project. A hurriedly drafted Port City Commission Bill was submitted to parliament. But the Bill was immediately taken to the Supreme Court by 19 litigants who alleged that the Bill bristled with unconstitutionalities. The most embarrassing allegation was that the Lankan government is creating a Chinese colony in Sri Lanka” through the Colombo Port City Commission Bill. The Court’s verdict is awaited.

It is in this situation that the Chinese Defense Minister Gen.Wei Fenghe has come to Sri Lanka for a three-day stay which ends on April 29. Chinese sources described the visit as a routine one undertaken as part of a trip to other countries. On the face of it, this could very weIl be just that, but there is more to it than meets the eye.

Wei’s sojourn in Vietnam, just prior to his arrival in Colombo, may provide a clue to what might emerge from his trip to Sri Lanka. On Monday, Wei met the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and the  Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. On the Sino-Vietnamese conflict in the South China Sea, Trong was soft, saying that the two countries should properly handle the issue based on mutual trust and respect, and prevent any related negative effect on bilateral relations. President Phuc said that Vietnam firmly upholds the One-China principle and opposes any forces’ interference in China’s internal affairs.

” Vietnam will stay on guard against and firmly resist any schemes to undermine the Vietnam-China relations, and will never follow other countries in opposing China,” Phuc noted.

Both countries spoke about enhancing military cooperation. But no details were given.

Likewise in Sri Lanka too, military cooperation is likely to be discussed. In his phone conversation with President Gotabaya Rakapaksa on March 29, President Xi Jinping had said that China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral ties, and stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to determine the strategic direction and achieve steady growth of the relationship.”  

There was no mention of military cooperation in Xi’s remarks, but the use of the term strategic direction” is noteworthy in the context of the US and Indian interest in recruiting Sri Lanka as a partner in their ventures to safeguard their maritime security interests against alleged Chinese expansionism in the Indian Ocean Region. Sri Lanka is already a part of the India-inspired Indian Ocean Maritime Domain Awareness Structure. The Secretariat for this is located in Colombo.

However, China has a long way to go before it can claim to have achieved a credible presence in Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Its naval reach is still short of the requirement in the IOR, which is still dominated by the US and India. But at the same time, China has a pressing need to safeguard its ships plying on the East-West route which lies just south of Sri Lanka. Its efforts to get a foothold in Sri Lanka will thus continue.

But progress in this sphere will necessarily be incremental as alarm bells will started ringing in India the moment Colombo talks of military cooperation with China. India, which considers Sri Lanka as being within its legitimate strategic ambit, got alarmed in 2014 when President Xi Jinping’s visit to Colombo almost coincided with the secret visit of a Chinese submarine to Colombo port.

The US-based Sri Lankan expert, Nilanthi Samaranayake argues in a special report for the United States Institute of Peace, that South Asian leaders are well aware of the Indian military’s operational reach into their countries—whether invited or uninvited. As a result of their fundamentally asymmetric relationship with India, South Asian countries do not have the political will or capability to meaningfully cross this rising power. This includes providing military basing access to China, Samaranayake said.

More recently, India objected to the Lankan government’s giving a Chinese company the contract to build three small power plants on some islands in North Lanka located very near Indian shores across the Palk Strait. The Lankan government had to keep that project in abeyance.

Courtesy Adaderana

Courtesy Adaderana

UPDATE: Education Minister Professor G.L. Peiris stated that all pre-schools and Piriven will also be closed until Friday (April 30).

The government has decided to close all schools, pre-schools and Piriven across the island until Friday (April 30),” the minister told reporters in Colombo today. 

In the weekend, we will discuss with the health authorities, provincial education directors and school principals and reach a decision regarding the next week which is commencing on May 03.”

He assured parents that they always give priority to the healthcare of children when taking decisions regarding schools while also emphasizing the importance of strictly following health guidelines within schools.

The government has decided to close all schools and tuition classes across the island until the 30th of April, says Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The decision has been taken during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held today (April 27).

Minister Rambukwella noted that all other educational institutions also should take measures to remain closed until Friday (April 30).

The country has been seeing a surge in the infections following the festivities of Sinhala and Tamil New Year last week.

Sri Lanka on Monday (April 26) witnessed the highest single-day COVID infections with a total of 997 including 45 arrivals from foreign countries and 8 from the prison cluster. Accordingly, confirmed coronavirus cases in the country now stand at 102,376. The death toll meanwhile reached 647.

Meanwhile, the health authorities revealed that a new highly transmissible, airborne variant of novel coronavirus has entered the country.

Accordingly, the members of the public have been urged to wear face masks properly and to adhere to the health protocols introduced by the authorities to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Courtesy Adaderana

Eight more COVID-related deaths were confirmed in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (April 27), says the Director-General of Health Services.

The latest coronavirus victims have pushed the country’s death toll from the pandemic to 655.

According to the Government Information Department, the details of the deceased are as follows:

01. A 62-year-old man from Polgolla area: He died while receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital on April 23. The cause of death was recorded as COVID pneumonia.

02. A 45-year-old man from Hettipola area: After testing positive for the virus, he was transferred from Kurunegala Teaching Hospital to Kandy National Hospital where he died on April 25. COVID pneumonia was recorded as the cause of death.

03. A 53-year-old man from Matugama area: He died on April 25 due to COVID pneumonia and multiorgan failure cause by sepsis. He was under medical care at the Kalutara General Hospital.

04. A 56-year-old man from Nugegoda area: He died on April 26 while receiving treatment at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID). He fell victim to respiratory failure due to COVID infection, sepsis, diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

05. A 76-year-old man from Pannipitiya area: He was moved from Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital to Homagama Base Hospital after testing positive for the virus. He died on April 26 as a result of COVID pneumonia.

06. A 48-year-old man from Ambagahapelessa area: He was under medical care at the Theldeniya Base Hospital before being transferred to Kandy National Hospital upon testing positive for the virus. he passed away on April 22 due to COVID pneumonia.

07. A 73-year-old woman from Wattala area: She was moved to Pimbura Base Hospital after testing positive for coronavirus at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. She died on April 27 after suffering from COVID pneumonia.

08. A 57-year-old man from Sri Jayewardenepura area: He fell victim to COVID pneumonia and sepsis on April 27 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Courtesy Adaderana

Sri Lanka recorded the highest single-day spike in coronavirus cases on Tuesday (April 27) with more than 1,000 people testing positive for the virus within the day, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) revealed.

A total of 674 people were initially confirmed as coronavirus-positive cases, while another 422 were registered later.

Sri Lanka has thus registered a total of 1,096 fresh cases of coronavirus on Tuesday as the cumulative cases tally touched 103,472

Courtesy Adaderana

A decision has been taken to draft a Bill banning the full face covering in public places, says Cabinet Co-Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

He made this remark during the media briefing held today (April 27) to announce Cabinet decisions.

Speaking further he pointed out that issues concerning national security and terrorism have emerged as full face covering makes it difficult to confirm one’s identity.

There are certain countries that have already banned the full face covering, he said further.

Courtesy BBC

Funeral pyres have been built in parks and other empty spaces after Delhi’s crematoriums reached capacity

Crematoriums in the Indian capital Delhi have been forced to build makeshift funeral pyres, as the city runs out of space to cremate its dead.

Staff are working around the clock, while parks and other empty spaces are also being utilised for cremations.

Families have had to wait hours before being allowed to cremate their dead due to the rise in demand.

Deaths have been surging in India as a second wave of infections devastates the country.

The rising number of deaths – 380 were recorded in Delhi alone on Monday – has left crematoriums in urgent need of space.

At the capital city’s Sarai Kale Khan crematorium, at least 27 new pyres have been built and dozens more are being added in a nearby park. Officials are also looking for additional space near the city’s Yamuna river bed.

A worker at the crematorium, which originally had capacity for only 22 bodies, told The Hindu newspaper that they are operating continuously from early morning until midnight.

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In Delhi, the authorities have reportedly cut down trees in city parks for use as kindling on funeral pyres. Relatives of the dead have also been asked to help with cremations by piling wood and assisting in other rituals.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-56897970