MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR, Asia regional correspondent Courtesy Nikkei Asia

Sri Lanka’s government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa desperately needs cash to service over $15 billion in foreign debt. (Source photos by Reuters) 

COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s ultranationalist government looks set to receive a financial lifeline from China rather than an International Monetary Fund bailout to avoid defaulting on foreign debts, affirming the Asian giant as lender of the last resort to the strategically located South Asian island nation.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government desperately needs cash to service over $15 billion dollars owed to foreign creditors. China eased some of the tension earlier this year by injecting $500 million as part of a $1.2 billion syndicated loan from the China Development Bank.

“We have been in touch with the China Development Bank,” Nivard Cabraal, minister of money and capital market and state enterprise reforms, told Nikkei Asia. “We are now negotiating the additional $700 million.”

The second tranche is wanted for the end of the year. “There are options available for Sri Lanka to have inflows coming in from our bilateral partners, and we are confident that they will materialize,” said Cabraal, who was governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for nearly nine years until 2015.

“If we have to go and hold the IMF’s hand — or if the IMF has to hold our hand — that, I think, is a danger signal,” he said. “We know we have to get our debt situation under control. Do we need the IMF to say that? No.”

Sri Lanka’s preference for China is tied to the country’s complex history with the multilateral lender in Washington D.C. Colombo has needed IMF bailouts 16 times over the past 55 years. That places it second only to Pakistan, which has gone to the IMF 20 times — making it the most IMF-dependent of the world’s debt-strapped nations.

Only nine of the 16 IMF programs in Sri Lanka were completed. Sri Lanka last went to the IMF in 2016 during the right-of-center coalition government that preceded the incumbent Rajapaksa government. It sought a $1.5 billion extended fund facility, which came to an abrupt end with the new administration produced by elections in November.

“Sri Lanka has a bipolar relationship with the IMF,” Nishan De Mel, executive director of Verite Research, a Colombo think tank, told Nikkei. Like the World Bank, its Bretton Woods twin, the IMF is seen as having “imperial and colonial” trappings. “Part of Sri Lanka’s political tradition views the IMF with suspicion, and going to it is presented as having a negative outcome,” he said.

Sri Lanka had $50.8 billion of foreign debt on its books as of June, and China makes up about 10% of the total. Chinese funding mostly supported an infrastructure spree that included development of Colombo’s port. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)

Consequently, Sri Lanka has become a hunting ground for Chinese creditors with deep pockets. The Rajapaksa government was voted into power on the back of ultranationalist sentiments, and needs dollars to service its multibillion dollar international debts and to run a current account deficit estimated at $1.1 billion annually.

In 2018, Sri Lanka secured a syndicated loan from China Development Bank. Later that year, another Chinese bank offered to buy the entire $1 billion sovereign bond issue, a banking source in Colombo told Nikkei. The previous government declined “in the interest of diversity” — ensuring it did not appear completely under obligation to Chinese creditors — the banking source added.

October provided another glimpse of the ticking national debt clock. Sri Lanka settled a $1 billion maturing international sovereign bond at the beginning of the month by digging into its foreign reserves, which duly shrank to $6.4 billion. Far bigger debts loom with annual settlements of $4.5 billion to $5 billion due for the next three years.

The $88 billion economy generates some grim reading. Public debt rose to 83% of gross domestic product at the end of 2019, and is expected to exceed GDP by the end of this year. Sri Lanka’s trade deficit has been averaging $10 billion annually, and that has only been reduced this year by heavy import restrictions imposed after exports were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sri Lanka had $50.8 billion of foreign debt on its books as of June, mostly from borrowings in international markets. The debt to China is about 10% of this, mostly used for an infrastructure spree over the past decade. There is also debt to Japan worth $4.4 billion, once the country’s largest lender for development projects.

Sri Lanka’s efforts to borrow more have been thwarted by downgraded ratings. Bonds were reduced to junk status after Moody’s Investors Service recently downgraded the country two notches from B2 to Caa1. It was another blow to the anemic economy, which is facing growth of just 0.5% in the wake of COVID-19. In April, Fitch Ratings downgraded the country to B1 with a negative outlook.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, right, was behind a series of China-funded infrastructure projects when he was president from 2005 to 2015, and cultivated a close relationship with President Xi Jinping.   © Reuters

Local analysts believe an agreement with the IMF would help with financial markets, and enable Sri Lanka to borrow again.

“An IMF program puts Sri Lanka on a debt-sustainable path, and that creates credibility when you go to the markets,” said Murtaza Jafferjee, managing director of JB Securities, a financial consultancy in Colombo. “After the Moody’s downgrade, and without an IMF program, Sri Lanka will not be able to access the markets.”

Some foreign analysts consider the government as being cavalier with regard to the dire economic assessments. “Sri Lanka cannot ignore the views of the ratings agencies,” said Prasanna Athukorala, a former senior portfolio manager at the Sydney-based AMP Capital Investors. “They are widely accepted for their independent, objective and composite view of creditworthiness of a sovereign issuer.”

He argued that if the government ditches the IMF course, ratings upgrades will only emerge with self-imposed discipline, he said: “A credible and secure medium-term financing strategy should ensure the cost of debt is maintained at manageable levels and there is a sustainable buildup of foreign exchange inflows.”

But geopolitics may come into play if Sri Lanka is unable to raise dollars normally and turns to China to settle debts with Western lenders.

“China doesn’t want its money to be used to repay Western creditors,” said de Mel of Verite Research. “After the first six months of next year, Sri Lanka will be on thin ice.”

By Sugeeswara Senadhira/Ceylon Today

Members of the opposition Samage Jana Balawegaya who make irresponsible remarks on the pandemic should follow the example set by its leader Sajith Premadasa.

Colombo, October 12: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most dangerous challenges we Sri Lankans have faced in our lifetime. It is a human crisis with severe health and socio-economic consequences. In the second phase, what initially began as a single case of a 39-year-old employee of a garment factory testing positive for COVID-19, shot up to 1000 infections in just 48 hours. The infected patients were from the ‘Minuwangoda Brandix Factory Cluster’ in Gampaha district.

Alarm bells began to ring across the country at a time when most people were becoming complacent. Many had ignored health regulations in the mistaken belief that the dreaded pandemic was well under control.

Tracing Difficulties

While the health and defense authorities managed to trace all those who were infected in the first two clusters within a short duration and take effective measure to treat and quarantine them to defuse the situation, this time, there were major difficulties in tracing some of the people who were associated with infected persons.

As President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured the people, our health, security and other services are doing their best to save us from this pandemic. He urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the health authorities in respect of COVID-19 and told them not to fall prey to false propaganda. In a Facebook post, President Rajapaksa recalled that when the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping the globe, Sri Lanka defeated it together as a strong nation. Today, COVID-19 is getting activated in our country. As before, our health, security and other services are doing their best to save us from this pandemic.

In this challenging situation, I urge you to follow the instructions given by the health authorities and obtain the necessary information from official government information services without being deceived by false propaganda spread by various groups,” he said.

Wasting Parliament Time

It is unfortunate that some politicians try to fish in troubled waters when the country is battling the pandemic. On Friday the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP, Lakshman Kiriella, wasted the valuable time of Parliament by attempting to score brownie points on the current COVID-19 phase. He referred to a comment of Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi made some time ago that the pandemic was under control and it had not spread to the society. He took that comment out of context, ignoring the fact that the Minister in the same statement had cautioned the people that the pandemic could resurface if they did not adhere to health regulations strictly.

Parliamentarian Kiriella’s unsavoury comments were quite in contrast to fellow SJB leader Sajith Premadasa’s praiseworthy statement that the opposition would not try to gain political mileage from the pandemic. He said that he was willing to extend cooperation to the government in its efforts to curb the pandemic. The former Leader of the House, Kiriella, as an experienced politician, should learn from his leader.

False Propaganda

Minister of State, Prof Channa Jayasumana, condemned the false propaganda at a time of national calamity. He pointed out that there had been discussions on the imposition of curfew on the basis of recommendations of health and security experts. But there was fake news with regard to the curfew and the closure of some institutions. There was another allegation by the opposition that the number of PCR tests being conducted was not sufficient. That is not true, the State Minister pointed out.

The gravity of the COVID-9 pandemic is evident from the speed of its spread. Arrogant US President Donald Trump, who earlier ordered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to stop negotiations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on COVID, later called for cooperation with the Senate and the Congress to immediately approve additional relief packages.

New Standards for COVID-19 Vaccines

While Trump was also infected, there were over 210,000 fatalities in the United States since February. Stephen Miller, Trump’s senior policy adviser, was the latest administration official to test positive for COVID-19. The White House approved tough new standards for COVID-19 vaccines after weeks of delay.

US Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are in isolation after a top Coast Guard Admiral tested positive for COVID-19. The disclosure has raised new questions about the White House’s handling of a 27 September event for the family members of fallen U.S. troops.

In contrast to the irrational attitude of Trump, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered cancellation of the 71st Army day celebrations in view of the detection of infected COVID-19 clusters in Gampaha district. Army Commander Lt Gen Shavendra Silva issued instructions to suspend all commemorative arrangements in connection with the forthcoming anniversary scheduled for 10 October. A series of religious ceremonies and other formalities was earlier scheduled to be held at Galle Face Green, graced by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces as the Chief Guest on the Army Day.

Opposition Leader’s Offer

Despite this, Opposition leader Premadasa’s constructive offer of cooperation, some SJB Parliamentarians continue to indulge in diverting the attention of the August House on irrelevant issues. MP Harin Fernando called for conducting PCR tests on all MPs to ensure that they did not have COVID-19.He said so in his response to SLPP MP Premanath C. Dolawatte’s accusation that Fernando had deliberately put other lives in danger by coming to Parliament. Dolawatte said that Harin Fernando had put up a post in his twitter account that he underwent a PCR test on Tuesday.

To undergo the PCR test, the MP should have felt some complications. Has he shown any symptoms of COVID-19? Please let us know the results of his test,” Dolawatte demanded.

Time For Unity

However, some members only raised important issues. Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said there was no police curfew in some areas in Gampaha District and people continued to move about freely.

If the Government declares curfew in the remaining areas, it might help contain the spread of the pandemic, he said. He also referred to the need for arrangements to deliver food and essential items to the curfew areas.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres said: Now is the time for unity, for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences”. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa called on the opposition to extend cooperation, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s positive response will be appreciated by the people.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Education Minister Professor G.L. Peiris today said there will be no legal requirement to go for a referendum in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution’s draft when the government incorporates all proposals, if any, recommended by the Supreme Court.

Speaking at the weekly SLPP news briefing, Minister Peiris said the Supreme Court’s determination on the constitutionality of the draft of the 20A will be presented in Parliament on October 20 by the Speaker.

If the Supreme Court has made any proposals to change the draft, the government will incorporate them at the committee stage in Parliament. Based on the recommendations made by the Supreme Court, the government is ready to make more changes to the 20A. In that way, there is no legal necessity to go for a referendum. Supreme Court proposals will be added to the final draft and with a two-thirds majority, the 20A will be legalised,” he said.

When the 20A is taken up for a second reading in Parliament, Minister Peiris said party leaders and the Committee on Parliamentary Business will decide on a date to debate the 20A and for how many days the debate will last.

He said the government’s position to add more changes to the 20A during the committee stage has already been expressed to the Supreme Court by the Attorney General.

Apart from the government’s amendments, we will add more amendments to the 20A based on the Supreme Court recommendations,” he said.

When asked about concerns raised by Government MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Minister Wimal Weerawansa over the 20A, Minister Peiris said he hoped all stakeholders in the government will consent to the legislation in line with the collective responsibility. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Former President Maithripala Sirisena informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks today that several Non-Governmental Organisations and politicians were directly involved in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquires, hampering it from conducting independent inquiries during the former Government’s tenure.

The former President made the above statement while responding to a question raised by the representative from the Attorney General’s (AG) Department regarding a statement made before the Commission by former Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka.

Earlier, testifying before the Commission, Mr. Ratnayaka said that pressure was bought upon Investigation Officers by former President Maithripala Sirisena when conducting inquiries, especially related to Army officers.

When the AG’s department official posed the question on blaming former Minister Ratnayaka and CID officers for conducting certain inquiries, the former President had accepted the fact that he had blamed the former Minister and the officials.

However, former President Sirisena admitted that he was not aware that the CID was reporting facts to the Magistrate’s Court according to provisions under Criminal Procedure Code regarding the above inquiries.

“I never asked to halt the independent inquiries but I blamed the CID officers and the former Minister for involving several NGOs and politicians when conducting these inquiries,” he said.

Referring to some previous incidents, the former President said that due to certain political pressure that came upon current State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director, Brigadier Suresh Salley, he had taken steps to send him to Malaysia, highlighting LTTE threats.

“The CID was trying to arrest Salley politically and I had taken steps to send him to Malaysia with the assistance of the former Army Commander,” he said.

The former President also said that the CID had taken former heads of tri-forces and the former Defence Secretary to the Courts against a bribery case, without his knowledge.

“Dilrukshi Dias Wickremesinghe was then Director-General of the Bribery Commission (BC) and she has taken unnecessary decisions without informing me. She was working at the BC in the mornings and she was doing politics at Temple Trees in the evenings,” he said.

The former President also said that during his tenure he had difficulty in conducting the Kandy Esala Perahera because certain NGOs and politicians had said that using elephants in the Perahera festival was animal cruelty.

“These NGOs and politicians made use of elephants for other purposes and claimed that using elephants in the Perahera festival was animal cruelty. These actions by certain politicians in the previous government had affected the country’s Sinhala- Buddhist traditions,” he said. (Yoshitha Perera)

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said it decided to stop all public agitations against the proposed 20th Amendment due to the latest outbreak of COVID-19, its National List MP Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday.

Mr. Wickramaratne said the party would carry out its campaign against this piece of legislation via social media and the mainstream media. We have cancelled the programmes planned earlier against the 20th Amendment and decided to confine our agitation campaign only to the platforms of social and mainstream media,” he said.

The MP said his party is not against the Executive Presidency as long as long as there are checks on it to ensure democracy. We are against the repealing of the section in the 19th Amendment which provided for anyone to file fundamental rights applications against the President. SJB is also against the reducing of powers of the Auditor General where the Auditor General will not be able to carry out audits on 100 state-owned institutions under the 20th Amendment. It is important that the Auditor General is able to carry out audits on institutions such as SriLankan Airlines,” the MP said.

Besides he said Sri Lanka should make a note of the fate of countries such as Iran and Iraq which having been having a system based on Executive Presidency. (Yohan Perera)

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Negotiations were underway for a 10 billion RMB (Renminbi) currency swap agreement between the Central Bank and the People’s Bank of China, a Minister said yesterday.

He said the currency swap would boost liquidity in the country.

Money, Capital Markets and Public Enterprise Reforms Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal told Daily Mirror this would help the government tide over the present difficulties.

He said there was a similar agreement signed by him, as the then Governor of the Central Bank.

We are seeking a similar arrangement with People’s Bank of China which is the Central Bank of China.,” he said.

Earlier, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed an agreement for extending a $400 million currency swap facility to Sri Lanka to boost foreign reserves and ensure the financial stability of the country. (Kelum Bandara)

Courtesy Adaderana

The Attorney General met with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and officers today (12).

This is as the Attorney General summoned the DIG in charge of the CID and its Chief Investigating Officer over the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen, brother of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who was recently released after being detained in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The CID officers were asked to bring the investigative material related to the release of Bathiudeen.

However, upon meeting, the Attorney General noted deficiencies in the stalled investigations against suspect, stated the Coordinating Officer of the Attorney General State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne.

In addition, the Attorney General has directed the CID to conduct further comprehensive investigations on specific matter.

Further, Attorney General Dappula de Livera has informed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) that stalling investigations in the case of Riyaj Bathiudeen by the CID is unjustified.

Courtesy Adaderana

Former President Maithripala Sirisena says that he fought a line battle, when the former government, in which he was President, attempted to imprison pioneers of Sri Lanka’s victory in the conflict with the LTTE terrorists.

His comments came during the proceedings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, during which he also criticized his own Defence Secretaries.

He also told the Commission, that former Defence Secretaries lied to him about holding intelligence coordination meetings weekly, when he was shown evidence, that they weren’t.

The former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasunadra, and the former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Nilantha Jayawardena who were named as respondents over the failure to prevent the attacks were at the premises to witness the testimony of the former President who appeared before the Commission for the second day today (12).

The State’s Additional Solicitor General asked the former President as to why 5 Defence Secretaries were sporadically appointed during his tenure as the Head of State.

The witness responded saying that when some defense secretaries were appointed to control those in military uniforms their mentality changes and some defense secretaries encountered serious health issues leading to their transfers.

He also told the Commission that some reasons for the change in defense secretaries should be given without media presence, and submitted them to the Commission in writing.

The Additional Solicitor General then put to the witness that, state officials that testified before the commission said that they faced practical issues in conveying information pertaining to national security, owing to the sporadic change in Defense Secretaries.

The former President responded, There was an intelligence coordination meeting every Tuesday, with the attendance of Director SIS, Director of Army Intelligence Directorate, the tri-forces commanders, and the State Minister of Defense. As such, change in defense secretaries was not a hindrance for responsible factions to be aware on national security.”

The Additional Solicitor General then asked the former President whether he can confirm that the intelligence coordination meetings were held once a week during your tenure, as it was held weekly on every Tuesday before 2015.

The former President’s response to that was, There were no reports of the intelligence coordination meetings not being held, and it looked to have been held continuously.”

At this point, the Additional Solicitor General showed former President Sirisena records from 2015 to 2018 depicting lapses in holding the intelligence coordination meetings.

After perusing the records, former President Maithripala Sirisena said, So these records make it apparent as to why I changed defense secretaries from time to time. They had even lied to me saying that it’s held weekly.”

The Additional Solicitor General then questioned the witness whether he summoned personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and made enquiries about on-going investigations, when Sagala Ratnayake was the Minister of Law and Order.

The former President said, Yes, I summoned then-Minister Sagala Ratnayake and senior officials of the CID and made an enquiry. It wasn’t as much an enquiry, but a severe criticism, because by then, pioneers of the war victory, former defense secretary, and the tri-forces commanders were set to be taken to court.

They worked together with NGO’s to imprison one of the chief contributors to the war victory, Officer Suresh Salley. It was I who gave Salley a position and sent him to Malaysia to save him from being imprisoned.

There was a day when the pioneers of the war victory, former defense secretary, and the tri-force commanders were taken to court, but I wasn’t aware of it until it happened. They were taken to court under a bribery and corruption case.

I severely criticized it at a function held at the Foundation Institute the very next day. The former Directress of the Bribery Commission took the initiative in these. She was at the Bribery Commission during the day and engaged in politics at Temple Trees at night. After I severely criticized her publicly, she left the position two days later.

Processions at Buddhist temples too had to be stopped during that time. Elephants were taken over to the government, citing animal cruelty. There were also issues when conducting the procession of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

I fought alone. The last blast in the end was the removal of Ranil Wickremesinghe and the appointment of Mahinda [Rajapaksa] as Prime Minister.”

The former President also told the Commission that he instructed the Cabinet to crackdown on extremist ideologies during this time.

The Additional Solicitor General asked the witness as to how the explosions happened at 8 different locations on April 21, 2019, if instructions were given to that tune.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena replied, After Ranil Wickremesinghe returned as Prime Minister, my instructions were never enacted. Ranil Wickremesinghe had even instructed Ministers and officials to disregard my letters.

A situation like this was caused, as the given instructions were not passed down.”

Courtesy Hiru News

Attorney General informs Acting IGP that stalling investigations in the case of Riyadh Bathiudeen by the CID is unjustified.

Courtesy Hiru News

Update: Another 51 from Minuwangoda cluster have tested positive for Covid-19.

Among them 15 are from quarantine centres while 36 are close contacts of apparel factory workers.

Courtesy Hiru News

Former President Maithripala Sirisena says that Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed the heads of state institutions including the Central Bank not to implement his orders.

Giving evidence before the Easter Commission, he stated that under the good governance government, the CID conducted investigations under the influence of NGOs and politicians.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, who was Sri Lanka’s defense minister at the time of the Easter attack, testified for the second day before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing into the Easter attacks.

Hawaii was annexed by US in 1898. The reason for Hawaii to be annexed was the fear of Hawaii becoming part of European empire. US doesn’t want to see Sri Lanka tilt to China and is exerting tremendous pressure via Quad partners. Are we interested enough to protect our sovereignty? Before that do we understand the dangers lurking at our door. Didn’t the wise say don’t accept any gift horse that can be a Trojan Horse!

Hawaii was an independent state proved by the 2001 Permanent Court of Arbitration’s arbitral tribunal. By 1893 there were only 44 independent and sovereign States and Hawaii was one of them.

How much of Hawaii’s Polynesian history dating 200AD remains today? Hawaii’s first contact with white settlers was in 1778 with the arrival of Capt James Cook followed by traders, missionaries from Europe & US.

Hawai was made into a kingdom by uniting 8 main islands in 1810. British took over Hawaii briefly in 1843. The whites brought with them gifts of small pox, venereal disease & even mosquitos resulting in native population being reduced by 75%. Pearl Harbour was ceded to the US resulting in US sugar planters taking control of 4/5 of Hawaii’s arable land. 5 corporations wielded political power over Hawaii – Castle & Cook, Alexander & Baldwin, C. Brewer & Co, American Factors & Theo H. Davies & Co controlled 90% of the sugar business.

King Kalakaua’s ruled from 1874 to 1891 during whose time the Bayonet Constitution was introduced manipulating the corrupt King giving greater power to whites & diluting powers to the native Hawaiians. King was turned into a mere figurehead. At his death in 1891 his sister Queen Liliukalani took over. She set out to amend the Constitution returning power to the monarchy and restoring ONLY Hawaiians, the right to vote. The whites planned to overthrow her. The whites secured traitors to their fold. She was betrayed no different to present betrayals. Despite the backing of her countrymen, to avoid bloodshed the Queen stepped down. Signing MCC, ACSA, SOFA and having a formidable foreign presence in Sri Lanka, would this not eventually result in Sri Lanka’s leaders having to do a repeat of Kandyan Convention? Having put the country in a vulnerable and precarious position, they will quickly hand over the country & vacate to better climes!

17 January 1893, Hawaii’s monarchy was overthrown

Not all leaders are bad and President Cleveland certainly differed from other US Presidents. Having heard of the US covert coup he withdrew the annexation treaty and appointed a Special Commission. The report concluded that the Queen had been illegally overthrown & majority of Hawaiians opposed the coup. Though the report proposed the monarchy to be restored the US propped provisional government declared Hawaii a republic in July 1894. The Queen was forced to abdicate & placed in prison for 8 months. Doesn’t it recall the manner US masterminded the ouster of Gaddafi from Libya and all that the US leaders did in 2011 was to laugh and declare ‘we came, we conquered & he died’.

Hawaii came into prominence during the Spanish-American War in 1898 as a strategic position for US troops fighting in Philippines. President William McKinley was opposite to President Cleveland and annexation of Hawaii took place. President Bill Clinton in 1993 signed a Bill apologizing for the overthrow but an apology some 100 years later was really meaningless to Native Hawaiians who had lost their native cultures, traditions & sovereignty. the native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished to the United States their claims to their inherent sovereignty.”was what Congress said. In 2009 the US Supreme Court declared that the apology did not include land rights that now belonged to the US Government.

Comparing Hawaii & Sri Lanka

You may want to know how Hawaii can be compared to Sri Lanka. The US Pivot to Asia partnered with US allies is nothing Sri Lanka can ignore altogether. Sri Lanka is America’s ‘real estate’ says US official Alice Wells. MCC is a US corporate arm proposing to give $480m over a 5 year period. Is it really a big deal? Sri Lankans working overseas sends remittances annually exceeding what MCC is giving over 5 years! In July 2019 Sri Lankan worker remittances was $702 million – MCC is giving $480m across 5 years! And some say we should be indebted to US for this gift J

MCC is not only the corporate arm of the US Govt, the money it is presumably ‘granting’ is given through a private bank and handled by a private company but the GoSL has to agree to take all responsibility of what this private company does. MCC agreement says US procurement procedures have to apply, Sri Lanka has to waive all taxes and duties for anything going out or coming in. MCC staff and contractors have to be given immunity, we have to change our constitution, land laws & land policies and international law will apply. So what is the sovereign and independent status Sri Lanka can boast about after signing MCC?

In Benin West Africa where MCC has an agreement it was not the Benin Government awarding a contract for a national high voltage substation but the MCC giving to a US company – General Electric.

This is what politicians should feel cautious of.

Soon transnational companies will descend and take away all contracts leaving local companies and citizens with tuppence. Soon international personalities will be swooping all the jobs and Sri Lankans will have no choice but to work under them. Sri Lanka’s Politicians should be alert to how Queen of Hawaii was deposed by a group of businessmen & sugar planters and this was how Hawaii became part of US territory in 1898 and the 50^thstate of US in 1959.

Hawaii native language was banned in 1896. Majority of Hawaiians know to speak only English. MCC Sri Lanka is to also conduct affairs only in English. Hawaiian lands and waters have been taken for military bases, resorts, urbanization and plantation agriculture. Take a good look at the MCC Sri Lanka map — all of the areas it highlights will fall under their domain. Hordes of Tourists & Corporate Tourism has only resulted in cultural prostitution. The hula, which is an ancient form of dance with deep spiritual meaning, is today made into a form of exotica for the gaping tourist. Hawaii’s culture has been commodified – Sri Lanka’s culture will see same results.

There are similarities in Hawaiians & Sri Lankans

• Land-rich but capital poor landowners soon had lands converted to large resorts, golf courses and fancy restaurants sprang up near beaches & on conservation lands.
• Most beautiful land areas were grabbed by multinationals & became no-go areas for natives.
• 2million acres of land was taken over from Native Hawaiians.
• The natives had to make do with poorest agricultural lands situated in inaccessible areas and with no monies given to improve the lands.
• The US military controls over 30% of O’ahu island (most populated island in Hawaii)
• US military (100,000) make up 11% of Hawaii’s population 1.1million (that is almost the Muslim population in Sri Lanka) https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/nation-under-gun-militarism-and-resistance-hawaii
• Hawaii is the headquarters for the command in chief, U.S. Pacific Command.
• Hawai’i is the linchpin” of U.S. military strategy in the Asia-Pacific region
• The US military owns or controls more than 205,925 acres, or roughly 5% of the land.
• Hawai’i served to launch US wars in Vietnam and Iraq.

MCC Sri Lanka – Hawaii Torrens (Bim Saviya) 

The Australian land title certificate introduced in 1858 known as Torrens Certificate of Title is applied in Hawaii (only 10 states in US follow Torrens system) The Torrens certificate replaces the deed and is the ultimate legal authority over title to a property. It erases the prescription details and history in a deed and has the details of only the owner possessing the title certificate. Torrens certificate comes with an Insurance policy sponsored & funded by the government to resolve title disputes. Land forged & registered unfortunately leaves the original owner to be satisfied with only compensation. He cannot obtain his land back.

Land grab – https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg-faces-backlash-from-hawaiians-over-land-grabbing-lawsuits-2017-1

He who controls the land controls the sovereignty of the land.

He who vests that control in foreign hands is ceding the sovereignty of the land.

Let us learn from mistakes and not repeat those mistakes

Shenali D Waduge

BY EDWARD THEOPHILUS

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, has recently made a public statement that the establishment of deviated schools for kids in different religious and ethnic groups was a major reason to deflect society according to religions and ethnic groups.  The policy created many issues in the process of building a united country and one nation. In the past, this issue was not reflected in society as people believed that society would be continued in the future without dynamism in attitudes and modernization has shown that society reflects it is an unstable condition as Lord Buddha said.  This was reminded by Mr.J.R.Jeyawarddane when Mr. Gamini Jayasuriya left from politics in 1978. There is no doubt that the establishment of schools for kids in various religions, and social groups were the major reason for the division of society, the expression of Mr. Rajapaksa was supported by Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga.  It is regret to note that religious leaders and ethnic leaders did not express their supports to eliminate divisive schools in the country and this is politics in society (notional differences).

The uniting effort of people as one nation in the country for a long time has been negatively motivated by a divided school system promoting notional differences in society, and many political, religious leaders have been making public speeches, and talking without practical actions to eliminate the problem. The approach in modern society is quite different from the past and if King Dutugemunu is in today society he would have negotiated with Elara than conducting a blood-letting war to defeat the enemy The prime minister’s view reflected a major barrier to policy development for the reconciliation of society, and he should task the idea as a conceptual base of the new government to make education reforms to eliminate divided schools to productively use all citizens.

During the reign of Kings and Queens, the establishment of schools for different groups was not either permitted or actively worked in society. When critically evaluates the education distribution policy in the society of the reign of Kings and Queens the deviation of society was not an issue because the order of the King or Queen or the will of the King or Queen was the law.  Deviated schools was not an implicated issue as the knowledge, skills, and personal quality was not rated in terms of the ownership of the school at that time. During the LTTE war-time, war-hero were not recruited from specific schools and people educated in all schools contributed to defeat the separatist war.   

Sri Lanka had a system of educating kids for centuries and many historians expressed that universities for educating a variety of subjects were in the Anuradhapura era.  The wide distribution of education began with the religious base was promoted by Portuguese and in response to Portuguese policy all ethnic and religious groups, established schools for their groups, and this division has been expanded until today. The policy of nationalizing aids-granted schools in 1962 had not come to standstill the deviation of society by various schools for religions and ethnic groups, deviated schools. National education policy for all was not developed and many people educated in rural schools were insulted in society. No government had a pulse to change the system, many religious leaders especially, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, and the Methodist church in the country pressed the UNP government in 1965 to maintain Christian Colleges to the urban rich class and the same actions were followed by other religious groups in the country.  The reaction of Christian churches followed by other religious administrators appeared like openly fueling to small fire against the teaching of Jesus Christ and the policy initiation of the Second Vatican Council. 

While taking the idea of reconciliation the germ (dividing society by education in schools specified to various religious and ethnic groups), was allowed to spread, and today Sri Lanka has a divided society on an ethnic and religious basis. Later, the education policy promoted certain religious and ethnic schools for the rich, and the quality of education destroyed in the country. I had personal experience of how difficult to admit a kid to urban schools, and I was demanded by Catholic school principals in Colombo, a large sum of money as a bribe to school to admit a kid and finally, I have chosen to migrate overseas to get away from the problem and in overseas I haven’t had any problem admitting my kids to the Catholic schools, which are more advanced in education level and quality than in Catholic Schools in Colombo.

The other barrier to national unity is being regarded as past pupil associations that worked with school administrators to gain bribe and to bribes to school administrators who work against national reconciliation.  It shows that past pupil associations in the country have created problems for national reconciliation and many administration activities of the country in Colombo and other urban towns bringing unnecessary people and vehicles (Human and Motor traffic) wasting funds of the country that could be spent for regional development.  The additional traffic could remove from Colombo and it would bring justice to poor people in Colombo and change the appearance of roads in Colombo like in developed countries.

The major issue in Sri Lanka is associated with education distribution and the problem cannot eliminate overnight and the government needs to work with relevant groups.  Education is a qualitative factor and it has no value from where it gained and knowledge, skills, and quality are unique factors irrespective of where they are gained. The education reforms in the country need to consider vital factors that have universal significance to people.    

By Kalinga Seneviratne  

https://www.indepthnews.net/index.php/the-world/asia-pacific/3907-sri-lanka-bans-cow-slaughte-but-has-yet-to-pass-animal-welfare-bill

This article is the 44th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous reports.

SINGAPORE (IDN) – The Sri Lankan government will be amending the Animals Act (1958) after the Cabinet approved a proposal by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to ban the slaughter of cattle  in this predominantly Buddhist country.  However, animal rights activists point out that there are no animal welfare laws in the country, and an attempt to enact an Animal Welfare Bill in Parliament has been blocked since 2006.

After the Cabinet approved the proposal on September 28th the Government released a statement presenting it as a rural economic self-reliance measure.

As a country with an economy based on agriculture, the contribution of the cattle resource to develop the livelihood of the rural people of Sri Lanka is immense,” the government said in a statement. Various parties have pointed out that the livestock resources that are required for traditional farming purposes is insufficient due to the rise of cattle slaughter and the insufficiency of livestock resources is an obstacle to uplift the local dairy industry”.

The statement further said that this decision would help to uplift the rural economy by developing a dairy industry, as well as saving a  substantial amount of foreign exchange, that is now spent on importing milk and milk powder. Immediate steps are to be taken to amend the Animals Act of 1958 and the Butchers Ordinance of 1893.

The ban on cattle slaughter is part of the tradition of Dharmic religions” argues animal rights activist and lawyer Senaka Weeraratna. Once these countries became colonies the ban was lifted and all three European powers Portuguese, Dutch and British freely encouraged the locals to flout tradition and Buddhist precepts by eating meat and drinking alcohol”.

When going to temple, Buddhists always recite the Pancha Sila (five precepts) that includes refraining from killing animals and taking alcohol. But, a sizable number of people on the island are strong meat-eaters and consume alcohol. Yet, in the past decade, beef-eating has decreased by over 25 per cent.

Love and compassion for animals is growing in Sri Lanka and is a good sign of the advancement of culture and civilization.  But we must not be complacent” says Weeraratna. This is the first time that the Government of Sri Lanka had ever withdrawn state sponsorship of a slaughter industry in Sri Lanka at the request of the Buddhist public,” he told Lotus News.

But, critics, who promote multiculturalism, argue the government is trying to reinforce the Buddhist identity of the country, ignoring the rights of other religious minorities.

Pointing out that it’s mainly non-Muslims (Buddhists) who sell cows to slaughterhouses, ZamZam Foundation’s  Moulavi Amhar Hakam Deen told Daily Mirror, that it is by selling cattle that these non-Muslims earn an income. Hence, they will be badly affected if the ban comes into play. We donʼt consider this an alarming threat and injustice to the Muslim community as it is non-Muslims who are involved in the farming industry, while Muslims have been aimed as beef consumers. We wonʼt incur any losses from this because we can shift to mutton if the ban comes into effect,” he added.

To offset criticism that the cattle slaughter ban is directed at the Muslim minority (who make up about 10 per cent of the Sri Lankan population), who are significant beef eaters and dominate the beef industry in the country, the government has said that the import of beef will be increased and subsidised.

Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Mahathera, a long time campaigner for a ban on cattle slaughter, who runs a large orphanage for rescued cattle, argues that there is no need to import beef either, because, even if cattle are slaughtered elsewhere in the world, it is a sin. Nobody dies sans beef. Therefore it is pertinent that the government also bans the import of beef” he argues in a recent media interview.

Sobitha Mahathera, who has saved hundreds of cattle from slaughter and given them to families – both Buddhist and Hindu – to use them to get milk for their families with an undertaking that they will not sell the cow to slaughterhouses, argues that the government should promote cow milk from local cows to discourage the importation of milk powder. He insisted the government should stop importing milk powder and instead provide much-needed facilities to upgrade the local dairy industry. The Mahathera said the ban would produce results from both an economic and health perspective, and therefore it was important that the government implement the move despite any obstacles to it.

Sri Lanka’s animal-friendly cultural heritage really began over 2300 years ago, when Arahant Mahinda (the son of emperor Ashoka) stopped the Sinhala King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale, while he was on a regular hunting trip. He preached to him the Buddha’s message of compassion for all living beings. After the King embraced Buddhism, historical records tell that King Devanampiyatissa created the very first animal sanctuary in the world and outlawed hunting.

In spite of the long history of such an admirable animal friendly cultural heritage, in contemporary Sri Lankan society regular media reports expose cases of immense cruelty to animals. These include animals clubbed to death for food; livestock farms in appalling conditions; Zoo animals kept caged for human entertainment; stray cats and dogs being poisoned, and captive elephants (often in temples) severely bruised due to heavy chaining.

However social critic Ms. Shenali Waduge believes that the cattle slaughter ban is a diversionary tactic by the government, which is not committed to enacting an animal welfare act. If all the (senior) monks are united, this can be done,” she told Lotus News. But, they are not united, and they can be bought over, except for a few”.  While the older ones are beyond repair” the younger ones could be tapped to spearhead this campaign, she notes.

While many countries now recognise animals as sentient beings (which is at the very root of Buddhist teachings) with a Right to Life” by law and even constitutional status, sadly Sri Lanka lags way behind. Interestingly, rather than in Buddhist countries, such laws have been enacted in recent years in predominantly Christian majority countries, such as New Zealand, Australia and some European Union (EU) member nations.

EU’s Welfare of Farm Animals Act, while not banning the slaughter of animals, imposes minimum standards in respect to the welfare of animals in farming, transport and killing. In Australia’s New South Wales state’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was enacted way back in 1979.  New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999 recognizes animals as sentient” and it is a comprehensive bill with stiff penalties for violators.

The Law Commission of Sri Lanka, after extensive consultations with the public and examination of laws of other jurisdictions, had prepared an Animal Welfare Bill and handed it over to the then President Mahinda Rajapakse in May 2006. As there was no sign of enactment of this Bill in Parliament, Venerable Athureliya Rathana, M.P. tabled in Parliament a draft Animal Welfare Bill, (almost the Law Commission drawn Bill with a few changes) in February 2009. The Parliament was dissolved at the end of the year and the Animal Welfare Bill never progressed for a Second Reading. 

Senaka Weeraratna, who was the Legal Consultant to the Law Commission in respect to preparation of the Animal Welfare Bill, says that 14 years after it was released there is no light at the end of the tunnel for this Bill. We hope that with the banning of cattle slaughter the next logical step in the continuum would take place shortly. This Bill has to be re-introduced in Parliament in 2020 for enactment without further delay” he adds.

The welfare of animals is still governed by the archaic Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, No. 13 of 1907, which was enacted during the British colonial era. Its maximum punishment is a mere Rs. 100 (less than $1) for a heinous crime committed on an animal. It is a shame to think that with such low penalties captive and domestic animals can be effectively protected from harm” argues Weeraratna.

Weeraratna says that the cattle slaughter ban and the enactment of the Animal Welfare Bill will set a standard for other Asian (Buddhist) countries to follow suit. ”It is also a test of our national commitment, and compassion to other sentient beings,” argues Weeraratna. [IDN-InDepthNews – 10 October 2020]

Photo: Collage of pictures of Prime Minister Rajapaksa and cattle. Source: Sri Lanka Newswire.

IDN is the flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate.

Courtesy:  Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews

නීතිඥ අරුණ ලක්සිරි උණවටුන (2020.10.11)

ලිපිය දීර්ඝ වීම වැළැක්වීම සදහා විසිවන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පතේ 14 වන වගන්තිය (70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව) ඇසුරෙන් පමණක් විග්‍රහ කරමින් මෙම ලිපිය ලියා ඇති අතර අනෙක් ව්‍යවස්ථා 3 අදාලවත් අවස්ථානුගතව එය අදාල කරගත හැකිය.

මෛත්‍රීපාල සිරිසේන ජනාධිපතිවරයා ලෙස 2015 ජනවාරි 08 තේරීපත් වීමෙන් පසු රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ අගමැතිවරයා ලෙස පත්කර ගත්තේ ය. විධායක ජනාධිපති ධූරය යහපාලනයට බාධාවක් ලෙස දකිමින් රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ අගමැතිවරයා 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය 2වන වරටත් 2015 දී පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ඉදිරිපත් කළේය. 

පළමු වරට 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනයක් 2002 දී චන්ද්‍රිකා බණ්ඩාරනායක ජනාධිපතිවරියව සිටියදී පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ගෙන ආවේත් රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහමය. 

ඒ එවකට ජනාධිපතිවරයාට වසරකට පසු පාර්ලිමේන්තුව විසුරුවීමට බලය ලැබූ ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කිරීම 2002 දී 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය ගෙන ඒමෙන් බලාපොරොත්තු විය. 

ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කිරීමට 2002 දී ගත් උත්සාහයේදී අදාලව සරත් නන්ද සිල්වා (අ.වි), වඩුගොඩුපිටිය (වි), බණ්ඩාරනායක (වි) ඉස්මයිල් (වි) එදිරිසූරිය (වි) සහ යාපා (වි) ද සිල්වා (වි) විසින් 2002 ඔක්තෝබර් 1 සහ 3 යන දිනවල ඒ සම්බන්ධව විභාගකර, එකී ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ විනිසුරුතුමන්ලා 7 දෙනෙකුගෙන් යුත් පූර්ණ විනිසුරු මඩුල්ල තීරණය කරන ලද්දේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කිරීමට පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ නොපැමිණි මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් ද ඇතුලුව 2/3 සහ ජනමතවිචාරණයක් මගින් ජනතාවද එයට අනුමැතිය දිය යුතු බවයි. 

ඒ අනුව 2002 දී පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ඉදිරිපත් කළ 19 යේ ඉදිරි ක්‍රියා මාර්ග ගැනීම එතෙකින් අවසන් විය. 

නැවත 2015 දී 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය ගෙන එමින් ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව ඇතුළු තවත් විධිවිධාන 16ක් සංශෝධනය කිරීමට උත්සාහ ගත් අතර ඒ අවස්ථාවේ එහි ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථානුකූලත්වය විමසා බැලූ ශ්‍රී පවන් අගවිනිසුරු ප්‍රමුඛ ත්‍රී පුද්ගල විනිසුරු මණ්ඩලය 2002 දී 19ය ගෙනා අවස්ථාවේ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ පූර්ණ විනිසුරු මඩුල්ල ලබා දුන් තීරණය අනුගමනය නොකර 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කිරීමට ජනමතවිචාරණයක අවශ්‍යතාවයෙන් මිදී යනලෙස කටයුතු කර ඇත. ඒ අනුව 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනුව ජනාධිපතිවරයාට පාර්ලිමේන්තුව විසුරුවීම වසර 1 සිට 4 1/2 ක් දක්වා සීමා කිරීමට කටයුතු කරගෙන තිබුණි.

ඒ අනුව 2015 දී 19වන සංශෝධනය අවස්ථාවේ ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව  ජනමතවිචාරණයක් මගින් සංශෝධනය කිරීමකින් තොරව පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ 2/3 ක පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන්ගේ ඡන්දයෙන් පමණක් සංශෝධනය කිරීම සිදුවිය. (මෙය ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 80.3/ 80.2 අනුව නීතියක් නොවන බව ලියුම්කරුගේ ස්ථවරයයි)

මෙය ව්‍යවස්ථා කුමන්ත්‍රණයක් බව මෙම ලේඛකයා අවස්ථා ගණනාවකදී පුවත්පත් වලට ලිපි ලියමින් අනාවරණය කරන ලද අතර නීති අධ්‍යයන වැඩමුළු පවත්වමින් ජනතාවගේ අවධානයට යොමු කරන ලදී. විශේෂයෙන් මේ ව්‍යවස්ථා කුමන්ත්‍රණය මැඩ පැවැත්වීමට නිසි ක්‍රියාමාර්ග ගන්නා ලෙස ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ ජනාධිපතිවරයාගෙන් අවස්ථා කිහිපයකදීම ලිඛිතව ඉල්ලා ඇත. 

එමෙන්ම නීතිපති ලෙස කටයුතු කරන දප්පුල ද ලිවේරා නීතිඥවරයා 2002 දී 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පත සම්බන්ධයෙන් ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ විනිසුරුවරු 7ක් විසින් ඒකමතිකව ලබා දුන් ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තීරණයට පටහැනිව 20 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පතේ 14 වන වගන්තිය කෙටුම්පත් කිරීම මගින් (70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය) 1988 ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ රීති(නීතිඥවරුන්ගේ වෘත්තීය ආචාර ධරම පිළිබද රීති) කඩ කිරීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් අගවිනිසුරුවරයාටද මෙම ලියුම්කරු පැමිණිලි කර ඇත.

ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කිරීමට 2015 දී උත්සාහ ගත් අවස්ථාවේ දී ශ්‍රී පවන් අගවිනිසුරු ප්‍රමුඛ ත්‍රී පුද්ගල විනිසුරු මඩුල්ල ඒ සම්බන්ධ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තිරණය ලබා දීමේදී 2002 වර්ෂයේ දී පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට ඉදිරිපත් කළ 19වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පත සම්බන්ධ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ පූර්ණ විනිසුරු සභාවේ තීරණය අනුගමනය නොකිරීම පර් ඉන්කූරියම් / Per Incuriam / ප්‍රමාද දෝෂයෙන් කර ඇති යන්න මෙම ලියුම්කරුගේ ස්ථවරය විය. 

කෙසේ වෙතත් මේ වන විට 20 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පතට අදාල ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථානුකූලත්වය සම්බන්ධ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ පංච පුද්ගල විනිසුරු මඩුල්ලක් සිය විභාගය පැවැත්වීම අවසන්කර ඇති අතර, අගවිනිසුරු ජයන්ත ජයසූරිය, බුවනෙක අළුවිහාරෙ, සිසිර ද ආබෲ, ප්‍රියන්ත ජයවර්ධන සහ විජිත මලල්ගොඩ යන ජ්‍යේෂ්ඨ විනිසුරුවරු විසින් එකී විභාගය පවත්වා ඇති අතර එහි තීරණය (Determination) පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ කථානායකවරයා වෙත දන්වා යවනු ඇත.

එකී තීරණයේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව එනම් 20 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පතේ 14 වන වගන්තිය නීතියක් වීමට පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ නොපැමිණි මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් ද ඇතුලුව 2/3 ක් සහ ජනමතවිචාරණයක් පැවැත්වීම අවශ්‍ය බව කියා තිබුණහොත් 2015 දී 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය ගෙන ඒම එය සම්මත කරගෙන ඇති ක්‍රියා දාමයම බරපතල ලෙස නීතිමය ලෙස අභියෝගයට පත් වේ. මන්ද යත් 2015 දී ජනමතවිචාරණයකට නොගොස් සංශෝධනය කරගත් 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව නැවත මුල් තත්ත්වයට ගෙන ඒම අර්බුදකාරී වීමයි. ( එනම් ජනමතය නොවිමසූ 70ට ජනමතය විමසන්නේ ඇයි? යන්න ජනතාව ප්‍රශ්න කරනු නිසැකය.)

ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය විසින් 20 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය සම්බන්ධයෙන් 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව එනම් 14 වන වගන්තිය සම්බන්ධයෙන් ජනමතවිචාරණයක අවශ්‍යතාවය තීරණය කළහොත් ඉන් හැගී යන්නේ ජනමතය විමසීමෙන් අනතුරුව 19 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය මගින් 2015 දී 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කරගෙන ඇති බව යන්න ඇතැමෙකුට තර්ක කළ හැකිය. මන්ද 2002 දී 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය අනුව ලබා දුන් ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තීරණය අනුව 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය විය යුත්තේ ජනමතවිචාරණයකින් පසුව විය යුතුය. නමුත් අප කවුරුත් දන්නා පරිදි 2015 දී 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය වූයේ ජනමතවිචාරණයක් මගින් 80.2 ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනුව ජනාධිපතිවරයාගේ සහතිකයක් ලැබීමෙන් නොව 80.1 ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනව කථානායකවරයාගේ සගතිකය ලබාගෙනය.

මේ සියලු කාරණා නෛතිකව විසදෙනු ඇත්තේ 20ට අදාල ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තීරණය ලැබීමෙන් පසුවය. එහිදී 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව (14වගන්තිය) සංශෝධනය කිරීමට ජනමතවිචාරණයක අවශ්‍යතාවය පංච පුද්ගල විනිසුරු මඩුල්ල තීරණය කළහොත් ඉන් හැගී යන්නේ එම විනිසුරුවරු 2015 දී 19යට දුන් ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තීරණය අනුව නොව 2002 දී 19 යට දුන් පූර්ණ විනිසුරු මඩුල්ලේ තීරණය මත පදනම්වී 20 සම්බන්ධයෙන්  තීරණයට එළඹී ඇති බවයි.

20 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනයට අදාල ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ පංච පුද්ගල විනිසුරු මඩුල්ලේ තීරණය මේ දක්වා පාර්ලිමේන්තුව හෝ ජනාධිපතිවරයා විසින් ප්‍රකාශයට පත්කර නැති නමුත් එකී තීරණයේ 70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව (14 වගන්තිය) සම්බන්ධයෙන් ජනමතවිචාරණයක අවශ්‍යතාවය ලියවී තිබුණහොත් අර්බුදයට යන්නේ 20 නොව 2015 ගෙන ආ 19යයි. මන්ද 2015 දී 19 ය ජනමතවිචාරණයකට යොමු නොවීමයි.

ඉහත මතුකරන කරුණු අනුව පැහැදිලි වන්නේ,

70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනය කිරීමට ජනමතවිචාරණයක් අවශ්‍ය බව ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය 20 දී තීරණය කළහොත් 2015 දී ගෙනා 19 වන සංශෝධනය නීතියක් ලෙස තවදුරටත් සැළකිය නොහැකි බවයි. එනම් 19ය යනු පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ 2/3 ක ඡන්දයෙන් සම්මතවී ඇති පනත් කෙටුම්පතක් පමණක් බවත් මේ දක්වා ජනමතවිචාරණයක් මගින් අනුමැතිය ලැබී නැති බවත් ය.

ඒ අනුව 2015 දී 19ය ගෙනවිත් ව්‍යවස්ථා කුමන්ත්‍රණය කළ අයට අත්වන ඉරණම ගැන බලා ගත හැක්කේ 20 ට ලැබෙන ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තීරණය අනුව සහ 19 යේ වැරැද්ද නිවැරදි කිරීමට ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ ජනාධිපතිවරයා ගන්නා ඉදිරි පියවර අනුවය.

ඒ සදහා ජනාධිපතිවරයාට මේ නෛතික අර්බුදය විසදීමට ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ උපදේශන අධිකරණ බලය අනුව ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය වෙතින් මතය (Opinion) විමසීමටද ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවේ 129 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනුව හැකියාව ඇත.

එමෙන්ම වත්මන් කථානායකවරයාටද මේ ව්‍යවස්ථා අර්බුදය විසදීමට විසල් කාර්යයක් පැවරී ඇත. එනම් 2015 දී 19යට සහතිකය යෙදූ කතානායකවරයා සිදුකළ ව්‍යවස්ථා වැරැද්ද නිවැරදි කිරීමයි. එනම් 2015 දී එවකට කථානායකවරයා 80.1 ව්‍යවස්ථාව අනුව සහතිකය යොදා ඇත්තේ 80.2 ව්‍යවස්ථාව යටතේ ජනාධිපතිවරයා සහතිකය යෙදිය යුතු ජනමතවිචාරණයකින් පසුව නීතියක් විය යුතු ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාව සංශෝධනයකට හෙයින් එය නිවැරදි කිරීමයි. ඒ සදහා 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනයට 80.1 ව්‍යවස්ථාව යටතේ  කථානායකවරයා යෙදූ වැරදි සහතිකය ඉවත්කර 79 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව යටතේ නිවැරදි සටහන යොදා 19 වන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පතට ජනමතවිචාරණයක් පැවැත්වීමට ජනාධිපතිවරයාට අවස්ථාව සළසා දීමයි.

ඉහත කරුණු අනුව පැහැදිලි වන්නේ විසිවන ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධන පනත් කෙටුම්පතේ 3 වන වගන්තිය (33 ව්‍යවස්ථාව), 5 වන වගන්තිය (35 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව), 14 වන වගන්තිය (70 වන ව්‍යවස්ථාව) 22 වගන්තිය ( 104උ උ ව්‍යවස්ථාව) සංශෝධනයට ජනමතවිචාරණයක් නියම කළහොත් ජනමතවිචාරණය පැවැත්විය යුත්තේ 20ට නොව 19 යට බවයි. 

මන්ද යත් ජනමතවිචාරණයක් පැවැත්විය යුත්තේ ජනමතවිචාරණයක් පවත්වා සංශෝධනය කරගත් ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය කිරීමට මිස ජනමතවිචාරණයක් නොපවත්වා කුමන්ත්‍රණකරුවන් මාර්ගයෙන් සංශෝධනය කරගත් ව්‍යවස්ථා සංශෝධනය කිරීමට නොවන හෙයිනි. 

කෙසේ වෙතත් ඉදිරියේදී ලැබෙන 20සේ ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ තීරණය සිංහල භාෂාවෙන් ලබාගැනීමට හැකියාව ලැබේවායි ලියුම්කරු ප්‍රර්ථනා කරයි. ඒ සදහා පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ ස්ථාවර නියෝග සහ පාර්ලිමේන්තු බලතල සහ වරප්‍රසාද පනත මගින් පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන්ට අධිකාරයද පිරිනමා ඇත.

Sarath Bulathsinghala

11 Oct 2020

Perhaps very few realize the dilemma Sri Lanka is in with respect to the Quad’s and their Indo-Pacific Strategy and its closest implications – earlier ACSA, SOFA and now MCC!

When big powers move in they don’t necessarily ask your permission to walk through your country. They just walk in prosecute their operations and sometimes leave a devastated country asking them to fend for themselves. This happened during World War I and World War II during the Vietnam War and more recently in Yugoslavia, Libya and the Middle East. The armies of the Allies sometimes in the garb of NATO and sometimes even UN Peace Keeping Forces walk through many a small nation violating their land and airspaces as if they owned them hiding behind craftily worded resolutions their Think Tanks have cooked up to subjugate the less powerful and the less endowed.

In today’s context, the US has assumed unipolar power and have declared themselves the Exceptional Nation, meaning they are above all International Laws and can do what they please around the world. All this they say is to protect democracy, human rights and sometimes reconciliation in subject nations they helped to divide and balkanize using the divide and conquer modus operandi.  It is in this background the US has commandeered her lackey nations – India, Australia and Japan calling themselves the QUAD to counter the growing power of China in the Indo- Pacific region.

RANIL WICKRAMASINGHE, THE CAT’S PAW OF WESTERN CHRISTIAN POWERS IN SRI LANKA’S  ROLE WAS TO MAKE SRI LANKA A FAILED STATE AS A PART OF THIS EXERCISE TO IMPLEMENT THE MCC AND ITS DICTUMS. IT WAS THE SOFTENING OF SRI LANKA BEFORE THE FINAL ONSLAUGHT WITH MCC TO OCCUPY SRI LANKA AS A LOGISTICAL BASE FOR THE INDO- PACIFIC COMMAND.

Ranil W inflicted heavy losses on the economy with the Central Bank Bond Scams, then went onto destroy food security, kill commodity markets and in the process, impoverish and disenfranchise the farmer. On the one hand, it made Sri Lanka import dependent and thus at the mercy of donors for funds and at the mercy of suppliers for food and other needs. The security was dismantled to its lowest limits throwing confusion and mayhem among the ranks ending up with the Easter Sunday attacks. All the evidence in this regard is now unravelling before the Presidential Commissions of Inquiry now in progress. The Easter Sunday attack was to bring chaos across Sri Lanka and to bring foreign boots on Sri Lanka’s soil on the pretext of R2P!  At every moment, the sanctions on exports and imports and various bogus charges including war crimes are dangled like the sword of Damocles to keep us in tow!

Giving land titles to farmers occupying state land was also a part of this exercise directly in the purview of the coming MCC. The gambit was to enable selling of land for valueless Rupees to foreign companies and thus disenfranchise and make the very sons of the soil – landless in perpetuity! This is what happened to Hawaii now the 50^th State of the United States of America!

However unfortunately for them the intended sequence of events did not eventuate exactly as planned and the unintended consequence of Sinhala Buddhists rising en masse ensured a massive victory for the Rajapakse brothers, this time even bolstered by a segment of the Sinhala Catholics and Hindu Tamils. In the aftermath Rajapakse Brothers brought about a change of government with a massive mandate. This mandate is to keep the nation undivided, unitary and independent and definitely not for a measly sum of $480 Million as envisaged by the MCC! Shenali Waduge has written how this sum of money they intend to spend – see:

However, this does not mean the 50 – 100 year plans for the world of the Neo Conservatives, Neo Liberals call them what may are going vanish or we can wish away their enterprise to gain hegemony over the entire globe. If one operation fails they have back up plans. Now they will do their utmost to woo the Rajapakse brothers using all in their statecraft and warcraft and get what they want done through them. Bribery, threats and blackmailing are part of their war arsenal. Rajapakse brothers’ challenge is whether they will become permanent shining jewels in the golden threads of our chequered history or go down in ignominy as Ranil W and Maithreepala Sirisena only to be scorned as pariahs who sold their nation for a few pieces of silver!

The silver lining for Sri Lanka and other nations similarly affected by the might of the powerful may be the Covid-19 pandemic.  How this pandemic will pan out to re-position the so-called Big Powers in the world arena in the post Covid-19 era is something to be watched at closely in the future? Emergence of Russia’s military prowess – mainly her capacity to inflict devastating blows with newly minted hypersonic missiles will give a chilling prospect to those who espouse war as the final arbiter in settling the world balance of power. China’s economic and growing military clout as a power balancing behemoth of sizeable power is welcomed by nations around the world, who value their culture, identity and independence. Then this again is not carte blanche for China to replace the Western Christian Powers and their failing Neo Liberal or Neo Conservative thinking and ideology with another more tyrannical ideology of their own!

What is in offing is a Scylla and Charybdis situation for Sri Lanka – either loose sovereignty or the wrath of the Neo Cons led Western Christian powers! As always, the ultimate burden is with the people and people alone. Their vigilance to keep the rulers to their word will prove necessary if the push needs to be made a shove. That and that alone can ensure whether Sri Lanka which has been a single and separate geographical and political entity for the last 2600 years and more will be valid for the future! It is the Rajapakse Brothers keeping this endearing promise with history and their Motherland that will be valued for eternity. After all the flesh will go their way and soon become topsoil and only the deeds will remain either to be dumped in the dust heap of history or to be enshrined for ever in the mind of man to be valued and emulated by their progeny!

Please read Sriyan de Silva’s enlightening article on the Neo Cons, their genesis and power

N.A.de S. Amaratunga 

As discussions on drafting a new constitution gathers momentum the ethnic problem may assume significant importance as it has been an intractable issue in the politics of Sri Lanka. Some political scientists believe that ethnic based conflicts could be resolved by power sharing methods that strengthen democracy (Hartzell CA, 2015) while others disagree as results are rather disappointing in a large majority of countries (Horowitz D, 2015). This letter looks at these points of view in an attempt to see what useful information could be gleaned from these studies relevant to Sri Lanka.

The concept of power sharing is not new to Sri Lanka, during the time of kings there were administrative units at village level which were continued by colonial rulers, Rate Mahathaya”, Korale” are examples. In 1927 Donoughmore Commission had recommended Executive Committee system for executive function in the State Council to be formed out of the 58 elected members. This could be considered as a method of power sharing at the centre. The Commission also recommended Provincial Councils as a means of devolving power to the periphery.       

Sri Lanka had provincial councils since India forced it on us in 1987 as a solution to the ethnic problem which, however, have not been very successful to say the least. For one thing, it does not solve the problems of Tamils as more than half of them live outside the North and for another, it is a huge redundant financial burden for a small country like ours. Further the 13^th Amendment carries land and police powers which are almost federal features and difficult to implement though there is pressure for their implementation. We must also remember that the Supreme Court only very narrowly endorsed the 13^th A and also Justice Wanasundera’s powerful dissent when it was referred to the Supreme Court for clearance before enactment in the Parliament in 1987.

Therefore it may be worthwhile to examine the alternative methods available and tried out in other countries that come out of conflict when a new constitution is under consideration in Sri Lanka. Ethnic based conflicts are not uncommon in the world. From 1945 to 2006 there had been 127 civil wars in the world that ended during that period. Only 67 (52%) of these countries had called for power sharing.

In most of these countries there had been intense civil wars and none had ended with one side winning the war. The wars had been brought to a halt by third party intervention, either the UN or regional countries. The Sri Lankan conflict was a war waged by a group of terrorists against an elected government and was brought to an end by a total defeat of the terrorist group. The terrorists were fighting for a separate state or something close to it. Moreover terrorism in the country was sponsored and assisted by foreign countries who also had their own agendas. Whether it could recur may very much depend more on the geopolitical situation in the region and the foreign powers involved in it and their designs for the region including their capability and strength of carrying it through than local politics. 

Power sharing methods that are being discussed by political scientists of repute (Liphart A, Horowitz D, O’Leary B, Wolf S, Weller M)  fall into two broad categories known as Consociationalism and Integrationalism or Centrepetalism. The former is more suitable for countries where there is no significant difference in the  population ratios of communities. This arrangement  may have the following features; coalition government, proportionality, veto rights and autonomy. Consociationalism in its early times featured only political power sharing, later power sharing had extended to other areas such as economic, territorial and military (Hartzell CA, & Hoddie M, 2015).

In integrationalism or centrepetalism as the name suggests there is encouragement of voluntary cross ethnic cooperation and inducement for inter ethnic cooperation and fair allocation of resources. The goal of both these methods is inter-ethnic power sharing. Consociationalism attempts mandatory post-electoral governing conditions of all ethnic antagonists who find their way into parliament through a proportional electoral system. Centrepetalism by contrast aim at voluntary per-electoral inter-ethnic coalitions of moderates.

Of the 67 countries mentioned above which had adopted power sharing methods most had gone for a combination of these methods, 54 (80%) had wanted political power sharing while 29 (43%) had territorial and economic arrangements and 47 (70%) had wanted military power sharing as well (Hartzell CA, & Hoddie M, 2015).

These arrangements no doubt could be considered fair and just if the difference in the population ratios of the groups involved is not too big. If on the other hand one group is less than 30% of the total population the criticism that it is rewarding violence may arise. Further the arrangement may be viewed as an agreement between elite groups instead of a social contract for the benefit of ordinary people. However whether these arrangements in any case have lasted a length of time that justifies their adoption needs to be looked at.

There were 78 countries in Asia, Africa,  Middle East, Eastern Europe, former USSR and the Caribbean which were in intense ethnic conflict during 1980 to 2010. Of these only 20 managed to conclude inter-ethnic power sharing arrangements, many failed, some experienced genocide eg. Rwanda in 1993 and others ended with secession eg. Sudan in 2005. Only 4 to 6 achieved stable arrangements but even these have serious political instability (Horowitz D, 2014).

These inter-ethnic power sharing arrangements seem to have failed due to three innate problems. Firstly there is the difficulty of adoption, for example the majority would want majority rule and the minority would want guarantees against majority rule which may be given when the majority is weak but take back when strong. Another problem is the degradation of the arrangement due to manipulations by both sides which could happen in Centrepetalism, a good example is what happened in Malaysia in 1969. Third problem is due to immobilism caused by mechanisms like minority veto which could be a power endowed to the minorities in a second chamber. The veto could cause immobility of progressive projects resulting in economic stasis as experienced in Northern Ireland, Belgium, Bosnia and perhaps in Sri Lanka too regarding Divineguma” project. 

Researchers who support the idea of power sharing as a means of resolving ethnic conflict do not seem to have substantial evidence of success anywhere in the world, yet they say it is the only means of encouraging democracy in these countries in deep conflict and violence (Hartzell CA & Hoddie M, 2015). Security concerns of minorities cannot be addressed by any other means. For example some stability has been achieved in Burundi as both political and military power sharing has been attempted. However it is a fragile arrangement as seen by intermittent flaring of violence. In Sudan, they say, territorial power sharing has worked but the opponents say what happened in 2005 is virtually a secession. Economic power sharing has been attempted in Sierra Leon and Indonesia, the situation in the former is improving and in the latter it is stable and economy is doing well.

What useful information could be gleaned from all this that could be used in resolving the problem in Sri Lanka. Regional autonomy within a unitary state was attempted with the 13^th A which would be almost federal if land and police powers are granted. The majority community had never been consulted regarding this arrangement and opposition against it is mounting in the society and within the parliament also. Some may say it is a fate accompli and is best left alone without creating an issue of it and may be utilized with improvements to solve the problem. Yet they forget that it does not solve the problem of 50% of the minorities who live outside the North and the East. For instance the minorities who live in Colombo and in the Estates have well organized political parties with representatives often joining the government in coalitions. They may not need provincial councils and now nobody seem to want them. Few of the elected representatives from the North also have joined the government. In fact the coalition governments at the centre  that include the minorities proposed by consociationalism as one of its main features have been operative to some degree in most of the governments since independence.

Proportionality in government expenditure in the important areas like employment, education, infra structure, culture etc. would be another aspect the constitution committee  could look at and devise means of giving constitutional guarantee for such expenditure. Political power sharing at cabinet level proportional to population ratios of the minorities utilizing those elected to parliament could also be considered and this arrangement could also be given constitutional guarantee. The degree of power sharing in the areas of politics and economy as proposed here would be more meaningful to everybody than provincial councils.

N.A.de S. Amaratunga 

චන්ද්‍රසේන පණ්ඩිතගේ විසිනි.

යමෙක් අපට බලශක්තිය ලබාදෙන සුර්යා තුල  ජීවින් සිටින බවක් සදහන් කළහොත් ඔහුට අත්වෙන ඉරණම සම්බන්ධව අපට වටහා ගත හැක. සමාජයේ අති බහුතරයක් ඔහුට එරෙහිව නැගී සිටිනු ඒකාන්තය. ඒ නුතන විද්‍යාවට අනුව සුර්යා තුල ජීවයක් පැවතීමට කිසිදු ඉඩක් නැති බවට අප මනස තුල බලවත් මතයක් ගොඩනංවා ඇති බැවිනි. ඊට අමතරව අන් කිසිදු ග්‍රහ ලෝකයකවත් ජීවයක් පවතින බවක් වත් කීමට සමාජයේ එකද පුද්ගලයෙක්වත් මැලිවන්නේ නවීන විද්‍යාවයයි, තමන් අදහන බලවේගය මේ වනතෙක් එවැන්නක් ප්‍රකාශ කර නැති බැවිනි. ඒ අනුව නවීන විද්‍යාවද එක්තරා ආගමක ස්වරූපයකින් සමාජය තුල කටයුතු කරන බව පෙනේ. නවීන විද්‍යාව මේ මුළු ලෝකයේ පාලනය තමන්ගේ අතට ගෙන මිනිසුන් මත විශාල ආධිපත්‍යක් ගොඩනංවාගෙන ඇති බවක් අපිට දක්නට ඇත. මේ ආධිපත්‍ය විසින් මිනිසුන්ට සිතීමේ නිදහස අවුරා දමා ඇත. මෙය සමාජයේ දියුණුවට ප්‍රබල බාධාවක් බවට පත්ව තිබේ.

අපි ශ්‍රී ලංකාව නම්වූ දිවයිනේ ජිවත් වෙන වැසියන්ය. අප වටකොට ඇති, මහා මුහුදින්  එහා රටවල් ඇති බවත්, ඒවා තුල ජීවින් සිටින බවත් තේරුම් ගෙන, එම ජීවින් සමග කටයුතු කිරීම ආරම්භ කලේ නවීන විද්‍යාව කැලේ  සිටි සමයකය.අද නවීන විද්‍යාව කැලෙන් එලියට පැන, අපව අල්ලා මෙල්ල කරගෙන ඇත.ඒ අනුව ඈත ග්‍රහ ලෝකවල සිටින දෙවිවරු සම්බන්ධව අපි කතා කිරීමට මැලිකමක් දක්වමු. ඈත ග්‍රහලෝකවල සිටින බ්‍රහමනයන් ගැන කතා කිරීම නතර කර ඇත්තෙමු. නවීන විද්‍යාව විසින් වෙනත් ග්‍රහයන් තුල ජීවින් සිටියි සොයාබලා ප්‍රකාශ කරන තෙක් අපි වෙනත් ග්‍රහයන් තුල ජීවින් සිටි යයි යන මතයට තිතක් තබා නුතන විද්‍යාව යයි කියන දෙවියාගේ, දේව වචනය එන තෙක් වෙනත් ග්‍රහයන් තුල ජීවින් නැතැයි යන මතයට බරව දෙගිඩියාවක් තුල ජීවිතය ගෙන යමින් සිටින්නෙමු. අපේ ජිවිත කාලය තුලදී මේ නවීන විද්‍යාව කිසිලෙසකින්වත් තවත් ලෝකයක සිටින ජීවයක් සම්බන්ධව සොයාගන්නෙවත්, සොයා ගැනීමට හැකියාවක් ඇත්තෙවත් නැත. එබැවින් අපිට වෙනත් ලෝක වල සිටින ජීවින් සමග ගනු දෙනු කිරීමට අවස්තාවක් කිසිදාක මේ නවීන විද්‍යාව තුලින් උදා නොවන බව ඉතාම පැහැදිලිය. එබැවින් අපි නවීන විද්‍යාව දෙස බලා නොසිට, එයට එසේ ගලා යාමට ඉඩදී, අපි අපේ ගමනද ඉදිරියට යා යුතුය.

ඉන්දියන් සාගරයේ කොදෙව්වක ජිවත් වෙන අපි, එම කොදෙව්ව, පෘථිවිය නම්වූ ග්‍රහ ලෝකයේ ඇති බවත්, එම පෘතුවි මාතාව, සෞර්යග්‍රහ මණ්ඩලය නම්වූ විශ්වය හරහා ගමන් කරන විශ්වතරණ යාන්ත්‍රනයේ, එක උපාංගයක් බවද දනිමු. මෙම විශ්වතරන යන්ත්‍රය විශ්වය හරහා පැයකට කිලෝ මීටර් 828,000ක වේගයෙන් මහා ගමනක් යමින් සිටින බවක්ද දනිමු.
මෙම මහා යාන්ත්‍රණයේ, ඉතා කුඩා උපාංගයක් වන පෘතුවියේ, ජීවින් සිටින අතර, මෙම යාන්ත්‍රණයේ න්‍යෂ්ටිය හෙවත් පාලන මැදිරිය වන සුර්යතුල ජීවින් නැතයි සිතීමට තරම් අපේ මනස පහත් තලයකට පත් කිරීමට මේ නවීන විද්‍යාවට ඉඩදිය යුතුද යන්න ඔබම සිතන්න. මේ යන්තරය මෙහෙයවන පාලක මැදිරිය වන සුර්යා තුල අපිට වඩා ප්‍රබලවූ ජීවින් කොට්ඨාශයක් ජිවත් වෙමින් මෙහි පාලන කටයුතු මෙහෙයවන බව ඔබට නොසිතෙන්නේද?

By James Gallagher Health and science correspondent Courtesy BBC

Scientists in the UK have begun testing the BCG vaccine, developed in 1921, to see if it can save lives from Covid.

The vaccine was designed to stop tuberculosis, but there is some evidence it can protect against other infections as well.

Around 1,000 people will take part in the trial at the University of Exeter.

But while millions of people in the UK will have had the BCG jab as a child, it is thought they would need to be vaccinated again to benefit.

Vaccines are designed to train the immune system in a highly targeted way that leaves lasting protection against one particular infection.

But this process also causes wide-spread changes in the immune system. This seems to heighten the response to other infections and scientists hope it may even give our bodies an advantage against coronavirus.

• Previous clinical trials have shown the BCG jab reduced deaths by 38% in newborns in Guinea-Bissau, mostly by reducing cases of pneumonia and sepsis.
• Studies in South Africa linked the vaccine to a 73% reduction in infections in the nose, throat and lungs; experiments in the Netherlands showed BCG reduced the amount of yellow fever virus in the body.

“This could be of major importance globally,” Prof John Campbell, of the University of Exeter Medical School, told the BBC.

“Whilst we don’t think it [the protection] will be specific to Covid, it has the potential to buy several years of time for the Covid vaccines to come through and perhaps other treatments to be developed.”

The UK trial is part of the international Brace-study, which is also taking place in Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and Brazil, recruiting 10,000 people in total.

It will focus on health and care workers, as they are more likely to be exposed to coronavirus, so researchers will know more quickly if the vaccine is effective.

Sam Hilton, a GP from Exeter, is taking part in the trials since, as a doctor, he is at higher risk of catching Covid.

“There’s quite a good theory BCG might make you less likely to get unwell when you get Covid,” he told the BBC.

“So I see it as a potential for me to get protected a bit, which means I’m more likely to come to work this winter.”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, is one of the authors of a Lancet article saying the BCG vaccine has the potential to “bridge the gap before a disease-specific vaccine is developed”.

“This would be an important tool in the response to Covid-19 and future pandemics,” the article states.

However, the BCG vaccine will not be a long-term solution.

Any enhanced resilience to Covid is expected to wane meaning people who were immunised with BCG in childhood would no longer have protection. BCG has not been routinely used in the UK since 2005 because levels of tuberculosis are so low.

Additionally, the vaccine will not train the immune system to produce the antibodies and specialist white blood cells that recognise and fight off the coronavirus.

End game

The big goal remains a vaccine that specifically targets the coronavirus. Ten such vaccines are in the final stages of clinical research, including the one developed at the University of Oxford.

Prof Andrew Pollard, from the Oxford Vaccine Group, told the BBC: “The way that most vaccines work is to make a very specific immune response against the germ you are trying to prevent.

“But in order to make a good immune response, there is also a rather non-specific ‘souping-up’ of the immune response and that changes the way the immune system is able to respond in the future.

“The problem we have today is I can’t tell you what you could do with other vaccines to try to improve your ability to respond to coronavirus because we have no evidence at all.”

By P.K.Balachandran/Daily Express Courtesy NewsIn.Asia

But the court has said that fundamental rights petitions can be filed against the Attorney General, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President in his official capacity.”

Colombo, October 11 (newsin.asia): In the determination on the 20th Constitution Amendment Bill leaked to the Sunday Times, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court has let the basic structure of the proposed 20A bill remain unaffected while making a referendum necessary in the case of four relatively minor provisions.

The Court’s determination suits the government because its basic requirements have been met. And the government has already expressed its readiness to entertain amendments at the committee stage in parliament which will look after some of the demands of the Supreme Court. The court has accepted these assurances.

As per the court’s determination, the government’s bid to strengthen the Executive Presidency by abolishing the powerful Constitutional Council (with non-MPs in it) and replacing it with a powerless Parliamentary Council of MPs, will not need a referendum.

The 20A bill’s stipulation that the Parliamentary Council will only make ‘observations’ on the proposals of the President in respect of appointments to key positions in the public service and the judiciary, is not unconstitutional the court said. That provision only amounts to a ‘redefining’ of the presidential power of appointments, the court ruled.

The Court also held that empowering the President to remove the Prime Minister and appoint a new Prime Minister who, in his opinion, commands the confidence of Parliament, does not infringe the sovereignty of the people and therefore, does not need a Referendum.

The 20A’s bid to make the President immune from legal action if he intentionally violated the constitution, will be subject to a referendum in addition to getting a two-third majority, the Court ruled. It dismissed the argument that: ‘immunity is essential for the unimpeded and efficient discharge of functions’. The Court further said that the remedy of impeachment of the President, which had been advanced by the Attorney General to suitably address the question of the President’s intentional violation of the Constitution, is not an alternative remedy sufficient for the purpose.

The court added that Clause 5 of the 20th Amendment Bill should be amended to provide for the people to invoke the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in such instances. The Court’s ruling is in line with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which, amended the old Article 35 of the 1978 Constitution by allowing fundamental rights petitions to be filed against the Attorney General, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President in his official capacity.”

The Court ruled that the 20th Amendment Bill’s repeal of Article 104GG which made it an offence, inter alia, for a public officer and others holding like positions to disobey directives and guidelines issued by the Elections Commission would have a prejudicial impact on the franchise and as such, would require a Referendum to be passed along with a special majority in Parliament.

The Court said that Clause 3 of the 20th Amendment Bill which deleted the duty of the President to ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conducting of elections on the advice of the Elections Commission was, to that extent, inconsistent with Article 3 read with Article 4 of the Constitution and would have to be approved by the People at a Referendum along with the special majority in Parliament.

However, it noted that the committee stage amendments proposed by the Attorney General includes restoring that duty to Article 33. As such, the Court ruled that the inconsistency would cease as a result of that amendment as proposed.

Dual Citizenship

The Court has dismissed the claim that holding Dual Citizenship is a disqualification for election as a Member of Parliament, stating that arguments pertaining to ‘split loyalties’ and ‘conflicts of interests’ are surmise and conjecture” that it is not called upon to consider.

Clause 15 of the 20th Amendment Bill that, any amendment proposed to a Bill in Parliament must not deviate from the merits and principles of such Bill, has been noted as progressive” by the Court. It also acknowledged that this clause appears to have been removed in the proposed committee-stage amendments by the Attorney General.

In relation to the time limit to challenge a Bill being narrowed to seven days from fourteen days, the Court has declined to hold that this affects the People’s judicial or legislative power but has opined that this merely ensures that challenges to Bills are efficiently and expeditiously filed.

Urgent Bills

The Court held that the clauses of the 20th Amendment Bill, bringing back the mechanism of Urgent Bills requiring the Supreme Court to make its Determination within twenty four hours or such longer period not exceeding three days as the President may specify or allowing the President to place bills defeated by Parliament to the People by a Referendum, can be passed by the special majority alone.

Auditor General

As regards the powers of the Auditor General over auditing the Office of the Secretary to the Prime Minister and the Secretary to the President that were absent in the 20th Amendment Bill which amended Article 154 of the Constitution, the Court noted that the committee stage amendments proposed by the Attorney General would bring back that power which then rectifies the adverse impact on the legislative power of the People.

Where the auditing of companies where the Government holds fifty per centum or more of the shares are concerned which provision was to be deleted by the Bill, the Court accepted the argument of the Attorney General that the mere absence of reference to any class of institutions in Article 154 does not preclude the Auditor General from exercising his powers under the National Audit Act which includes such entities as ‘auditee entitees.’

Sumanthiran’s Reaction

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP and President’s Counsel, M.A. Sumanthiran welcomed the Court’s upholding the citizen’s right to challenge a Presidential decision in court. The Court’s ruling is in line with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which, amended the old Article 35 of the 1978 Constitution by allowing fundamental rights petitions to be filed against the Attorney General, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President in his official capacity.”

While the amendments suggested by the court will be taken up at the committee stage to avoid a referendum, the basic issue of the gargantuan powers sought to be assumed by the Executive President through 20A still remains, Sumanthiran said.

Since the Supreme Court has already given its determination, the legal avenue is closed to us. We have to fight the 20A bill politically, which is what we are going to do,” he added.

The political battle is not going to be a walkover for the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). It has 149 MPs, one short of a two-thirds majority needed to pass the 20A. But already one MP, Vidhura Wickramanayake, has said that he is voting against the bill. Another MP Wimal Weerawansa has said that he will not be responsible for any unfavorable political fallout of the 20A.

The main complaint of the MPs and the political class against the 20A is that it renders parliament, the cabinet, the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Council, virtually powerless and makes a single man, the President, all powerful.

Health News

COVID-19 health regulations to be gazetted into laws

Courtesy Adaderana

The Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi says that steps will be taken to gazette the recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health for the control of COVID-19 into a law.

The Minister stated that the new laws regarding health regulations will be published in a gazette notification within the coming two days.

As a result, the courts will be able to impose severe punishments on those who violate the quarantine laws, she added.

I hope to issue a gazette notification within two days, to enable legal action against those who do not comply with the health provisions in the areas declared by the Director-General of Health Services as a virus-affected area.

This gazette will be issued in such a way that those who do not wear masks in those areas, who do not practice the one-meter social distance, or who do not measure body temperature at the entrance to certain premises, can be legally penalized.”

Accordingly, those who violate these health provisions in areas declared as virus-infected areas can be penalized with a maximum fine of Rs 10,000 or 06-month imprisonment or both, she added.

Minuwangoda COVID-19 cluster expands by 61 more cases

Courtesy Adaderana

Sixty one more individuals have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus thus increasing the Minuwangoda cluster, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, confirmed.

Among them, 39 patients have been identified among those who had been undergoing quarantine at quarantine centers operated by the Sri Lanka Army.

The remaining 22 are close contacts of the employees of the Minuwangoda apparel factory.

Accordingly, a total of 1,247 infections have been reported from the Minuwangoda cluster so far.

Two villages in Mannar declared isolated areas

Courtesy Adaderana

Two villages in Mannar have been declared isolated areas in an attempt to control the COVID-19 pandemic, stated the Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

The Pattithottam and Periyakadai areas in Mannar have been isolated in this manner.

Two who visited Dambulla Economic Center test COVID-19 positive

Courtesy Adaderana

Action has been taken to disinfect the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Center last night (10) after it was identified that two people infected with COVID-19 had visited nearly 80 shops at the center.

A businessman in Divulapitiya, who had contacts with Minuwangoda apparel factory employee, and a lorry driver employed under the businessman have been subjected to PCR tests.

And it has been identified that the duo, who had visited the Dambulla Economic Center, has contracted the virus.

The health authorities are currently in the process of carrying out PCR tests of over 100 people at the Dambulla Economic Center who have been identified as associates of the two COVID-19 patients.

Single infected person can transmit virus up to 522 people – Army Chief

Courtesy Adaderana

There have been instances of the Minuwangoda COVID-19 cluster extending to the first and second contacts, according to Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

The Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), joining the TV Derana breakfast show ‘Derana Aruna’, said that 26 of the COVID-19 cases reported yesterday (10) were from Minuwangoda, while 23 are from Gampaha and 22 are from Divulapitiya.

In addition, 01 infected person from Panadura, 02 from Colombo, 02 from Polonnaruwa, and 01 from Matale have been also been detected yesterday. At least one person from different parts of the country has been identified so far, he added.

The Army Chief says that the virus can be transmitted to as many as 522 people through a single infected person.

However, it cannot be ascertained yet that the virus has entered the society apart from the cluster, he said.

While it has not yet been possible to identify the origin case of the cluster, the focus is currently on to determine the possible infections through the cluster, the Army Chief said.

As per the investigations carried out so far, it has been revealed that there had been Minuwangoda apparel employees who had reported illnesses to the facility’s sick bay since the September 21.

Student of Kelaniya Uni contracts COVID-19

Courtesy Adaderana

A student of the University of Kelaniya is also reported to have contracted the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

The patient is reportedly a female student studying in the Department of Statistics in the Faculty of Sociology, at the university.

She is a resident of Minuwangoda and reportedly her father is an employee at the Minuwangoda apparel factory.

Media Director of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe, stated that two other students who had contacts with the infected student have also been subjected to PCR tests.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Professor Sudantha Liyanage, says that a final decision will be taken tomorrow (12) regarding the future academic activities of the university, where a person infected with the coronavirus was identified.

No students will be allowed within the university campus until then, he added.

Hela Clothing’s employee tests positive

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Hela Clothing, an apparel manufacturing group, said that an employee at its Thihariya plant tested positive for Covid-19 on October 11.

Issuing a statement it said that the points below outline the series of events that took place and the steps management has taken to ensure the safety of all our colleagues and their families.

On October 3, Hela management immediately requested all individuals having any connection to the current Covid-19 epicenter in Minuwangoda to self-isolate.

An additional doctor and nurse were brought in to Thihariya to monitor staff and advice procedures.

As of today (11), we have one employee who has tested positive for Covid-19, he was and continues to be asymptomatic.

This colleague’s wife is an employee of the Minuwangoda apparel plant and had been at a quarantine center since October 7, as mandated by the government. He last reported to work on 2nd October.

The company has now arranged PCR tests for all colleagues who had contact with this individuals.

As a precautionary measures we have now closed down our Thiharaiya Plant which will remain closed until the result of the PCR tests have been released.

The plant is currently undergoing our standard disinfection protocol in adherence to authorities’ guidelines.

As a company, we will do our utmost to support our affected colleague and those who are impacted. We are rallying together all our resources to ensure that the impact, if any, on our employees and our communities is minmimized, the statement added.

Three doctors among Covid-19 infected patients today

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Three doctors are among the infected Covid-19 cases that were reported today, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPOC) said.
Accordingly, two doctors are from the Mawanella area and one doctor is from the Kegalle area, who have been identified as the first contacts of Covid-19 patients in the Minuwangoda cluster.
Yesterday, four monks at a temple in Eluwapitiya in the Attangalla area and another person have tested for the virus.

Courtesy Adaderana

The Attorney General has summoned the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and its Chief Investigating Officer.

This is over the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen, MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, after being under arrest in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The officers have also been directed to bring all investigative material related to the matter, the Coordinating Officer of the Attorney General State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne.

Accordingly, the duo are to appear before the Attorney General tomorrow (October 12).

Courtesy Adaderana

Another 60 persons from the Minuwangoda coronavirus cluster have tested positive for the virus, stated Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

Among them, 48 have been detected from the Sri Lanka Army-operated quarantine centers.

The remaining 12 patients are close contacts of the Minuwangoda apparel factory workers.

So, a total of 121 COVID-19 patients have been detected from the Minuwangoda cluster.

Accordingly, the Minuwangoda cluster has expanded to 1,307 infections.

Courtesy Hiru News

The person who pretended to be a van driver at the white van news conference which caused a great deal of controversy during the last government had called a press conference today.

He said that he was pressurized by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne regarding the case related to that incident.

He has lodged a complaint with the Meegahawatta Police Station requesting that he be given proper protection.

Courtesy Hiru News

Army Intelligence Officer Kanishka Gunaratne says that some officers of the CID had intimidated him and tried to obtain false evidence.

This was while giving evidence for the first time before the Presidential Commission Investigating Political Victimization

By Kelum Bandara Courtesy Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka and China also signed an agreement for a grant of 600 million RMB grant (Rs.16.5 billion) for livelihood development in the island.

Colombo, October 10: China responded positively to Sri Lanka’s request to cooperate in the provision of a vaccine being developed by it against COVID-19, a diplomatic source said on Friday.

Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have requested for this when a top-level Chinese delegation led by Yang Jiechi, who is a member of the politburo of the Communist Party of China, called on him.

The Chinese side responded positively to Sri Lanka’s request. Once the vaccine is developed and approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), they will consider cooperation with Sri Lanka,” the source said.

Yang, who was in Colombo on October 8 and 9, is the highest Chinese official in terms of protocols as far as foreign relations are concerned in that country. The seven-member delegation led by him was in the country for 18 hours and interacted with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

A diplomatic source said seven vaccine candidates qualified for human trial at the level of stage 3, and four of them were from China. According to the source, one vaccine is already in use for urgent requirements.

The Chinese side responded positively to Sri Lanka’s request. Once the vaccine is developed and approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), they will consider cooperation with Sri Lanka,” the source said.

The President and the Prime Minister sought investment from China in the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Industrial Party. The Chinese side responded positively in this instance. Also, the delegation gave positive response to the President’s request for a technology university in Hambantota.

The delegation led by Yang Jiechi also promised to support Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

Yang served as the Chinese Foreign Minister between 2007 and 2013. At that time, he supported Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva. He also ensured support of some African countries to Sri Lanka.

The diplomatic source said the delegation followed strict health protocols in the country. They got their PCR testing within 24 hours before departure form Sri Lanka. They wore face masks and kept social distancing. They arrived in a chartered flight. The crew members also stayed at a quarantine hotel. Members of the delegation had also been vaccinated against the virus in China.

(The picture above shows CPC Politburo member Yang Jiechi with Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa)

By P.K.Balachandran/Daily Mirror

From the 16 th. to the 18 th.,Century, Jesus could be easily adopted as one of the Hindu gods like Vishnu and Natha and looked upon as a benevolent being. Virgin Mary could be absorbed as Pattini, Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere points out.

Under the Sinhala Kings, Kandy showed a remarkable degree of cosmopolitanism which should be an inspiration to us in this day and age when nations are torn asunder by ethnic, linguistic and religious divisions. People of all faiths and ethnic groups, immigrants from the rest of the island and overseas were welcome to settle down, trade, work, inter-marry and prosper in Kandy under the Kings.

According to Prof.Gananath Obeyesekere’s latest book: The Many Faces of the Kandyan Kingdom 1591-1765 (Sail Fish, Colombo, 2020) there was no communalism or ethnic conflict in that era. This article gives some interesting facts culled out of the above-mentioned book.

Obeyesekere says that people (and Kings too) effortlessly slipped in and out of Buddhism and Catholicism. It was possible to be a Catholic outwardly and a Buddhist deep inside. Places of worship of different faiths were constructed without let or hindrance. Kings and commoners spoke more than one language. While the hoi polloi spoke Sinhalese (the language of the majority) and Tamil (the language of trade), a section of the elite were familiar with Portuguese and Dutch as well.

It was during the reign of Jayavira Bandara (1511-1552) that, for the first time, European Catholic priests got a place in the Kandyan court. In order to please the Portuguese, who were a force in the Kotte Kingdom, Jayavira Bandara became a nominal” Catholic. Jayavira was deposed by his son Karalliyadde Bandara (1552-1582), who became a devout Catholic, publicly embracing Christianity around 1562-64. But such public display of the conversion alienated him from his subjects and he had to flee to Trincomalee with his daughter Kusumasana Devi. He died of small pox there but Kusumasana Devi was rescued by the Portuguese, baptized and renamed Dona Catherina.

After Karalliyadde Bandara’s death, Kandy became a bone of contention between Rajasinha I of Sitavaka and Virasundara Bandara of Peradeni in Kegalle district. Rajasinha I killed Virasundara. Subsequently, Virasundara’s son Konappu Bandara took the help of Dharmapala of Kotte to capture Kandy. Dharmapala had converted to Catholicism, gifted the Kotte Kingdom to the Portuguese King in Lisbon and ruled Kotte as a vassal. Konappu Bandara, married the daughter of Sembagaperumal, a Catholic prince and brother of Vidiye Bandara, the father of Dharmapala. This marriage (the first to be referred to by the Portuguese term Kasaada) was performed as per Catholic rites in Dharmapala’s palace.

However Konappu Bandara was sent away to Goa in India by the Portuguese following the murder of his confidante Salappu Bandara. Konappu was baptized and renamed Don Joao of Austria. Konappu alias Don Joao, came back to lead a Portuguese campaign to oust Rajasinha I from Kandy. But after ousting Rajasinha I, he ditched the Portuguese and took over Kandy and crowned himself as Vimaladharmasuriya I.

He then reverted to Buddhism. Angry with this, the Portuguese invaded Kandy with an intention to place Dona Catherina, the Catholic princess of the Bandara clan, on the throne. But Vimaladharmasuriya destroyed the entire Portuguese regiment, captured Dona Catherina and married her. While Vimaladharmasuriya remained a strong Buddhist after marriage, Dona Catherina, his wife, remained a staunch Catholic, though she brought up her children as Buddhists.

In 16^th.Century, changing religion was not uncommon in Sri Lanka. People also had dual affiliations. Obeyesekere says: Buddhists could become Christians and some would even go to church. Yet at the same time, they could continue to be Buddhists.” Further, Jesus could be easily adopted as one of the Hindu gods like Vishnu and Natha and looked upon as a benevolent being. Virgin Mary could be absorbed as Pattini,” he points out.

Heavily exposed to the Portuguese, Vimaladharmasuriya and Dona Catherina led a partially Western-style life with the King shaking hands with Europeans and Don Catherina and the children wearing Western dresses. The King spoke Portuguese fluently, learnt to speak Dutch and was interested in Western instrumental music. But at the same time, he dedicated himself to the promotion of Buddhism by housing Buddha’s Tooth Relic is a grand temple and sending a mission to Arakan in Burma to get monks to come to Sri Lanka and ordain Lankan monks. But Vimaladharmasuriya was not dogmatic. According to the Dutch chronicler P.A.Baldaeus, he sincerely believed in freedom of religion. To cement ties with the Tamil Hindus of the East coast, he married one of their princesses.

Kandy’s tolerant culture continued under King Senarat (1604-1635), a cousin of Vimaladhramasuriya’s, who was a former Buddhist monk. Senarat married Vimaladharmasuriya’s widow Dona Catherina. When 4,000 Muslim were driven out of the Western coast by the fanatic Portuguese, Senarat settled them on the Eastern coast. When the Dutch persecuted the Catholics in their dominions, Senarat gave them shelter in Kandy.

Cosmopolitan Demography

Under Vimaladharmasuriya and his successors, Kandy was a veritable display of diverse humanity”. Obeyesekere quotes Dutch Admiral J.V. Spilbergen as saying: Among the Singales there live many Moors, Turks and other heathens, who all have special laws. Brahmos (Brahmins) are there in large numbers, who are superstitious and respected by the other nations. These Brahmos never eat anything that has life.” There were also Malays, Javanese, North Indians, and Hindu ascetic wanderers such as Andis and Pantarams, adds Obeyesekere. King Rajasinha II (1629-1687) loved to have foreigners his domain. The Kandyan Kings sometimes forced” many European prisoners to settle there.

Jesuits Joseph Vaz and Jacome Goncalvez

Vimaladharmasuriya II (1687–1707), son of Rajasinha II, allowed Joseph Vaz, a Jesuit missionary from Goa, to settle in his Kingdom and preach Catholicism when the Dutch were persecuting the Catholics in areas under their control. Vimaladharmasuriya II and his son Narendrasinha (1707-1739), ignored the 1638 treaty between Rajasinha II and the Dutch, which had enjoined the Kandyan King to drive Catholic missionaries out of the Kingdom.

Like his predecessor Francis Xavier, Fr.Joseph Vaz was a great success among the poor because he was sworn to a life of simplicity, service and poverty. Like Francis Xavier, Fr.Vaz wore no shoes, wore a tattered black gown and slept on the floor like a Sanyasi. His simple ways earned him the title Mahaswami. People respected him also because he was originally a Brahmin, a caste much respected in Sri Lanka.

King Narendrasinha, grew up in the company of Fr.Vaz and his disciple and successor Fr.Jacome Goncalvez, also a Konkani Brahmin from Goa. Fr.Goncavez had contributed immensely to Catholic literature in both Sinhala and Tamil. Narendrasinha, who was highly educated and liberal in outlook, sought the company of both Vaz and Goncalvez. But Narendrasinha was a devout Buddhist too. He put up Samaneras (student monks) in his abode. He constructed shrines for Vishnu and Natha. According to historian Lorna Dewaraja, Narendrasinha did not do much for the Buddhist Sangha and was given to pleasurable activities. But Obeyesekere feels this criticism to be unfair, as Narendrasinha had renovated the Temple of the Tooth and had got 32 Jatakas painted on its walls.

Indian Nayaka Connection

No account of the liberalism of the Kandyan Kingdom will be complete without a reference to the three-King Nayaka dynasty from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The Nayakas entered Kandyan royalty through marriage as Sinhala Kings married Nayaka princesses. Sinhalese Kings used South Indian troops in their military campaigns. They took part in the rout of the Portuguese at Gannoruva in 1638 when Rajasinha II decided to put the Portuguese in their place.

The first Nayaka King of Kandy was Sri Vijaya Rajasinha (1739-1747) and the last was Sri Wickrama Raja Sinha who was deposed in 1815 by the British. Except for the last King, the earlier two were popular because they backed Buddhism to the hilt. According to Obeyesekere, it is incorrect to say that Narendrasinha was the last Sinhala King” as for generations, the Sinhala kings were related to the Hindu Nayakas of Madurai through the female line. The Hindu Nayaka mothers must have played a significant role in the socialization of Kandyan royalty, he adds.

(The painting at the top shows Fr.Joseph Vaz from Goa preaching in Kandy)

By Sugeeswara Senadhira Courtesy Newsin.asia

Opposition politicos and irresponsible social media blatantly misinterpreted police and court decisions on the release of Riaj Bathiudeen, brother controversial former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, says Sugeeswara Senadhidra

Colombo October 9 (Daily News): Sri Lanka’s Opposition politicians are ready to grab any weapon to attack the government as they have run out of issues. In the rush to make allegations against the ruling party, they put their feet in their mouths again and again. The latest weapon they have picked up in their witch hunt is the release of the detained Riyaj Bathiudeen, brother of All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), leader Rishad Bathiudeen.

They have conveniently forgotten that the power to discharge a suspect lies solely with the judiciary and the crime investigations by police, and that any attempt to question that right is an attempt to interfere in free and fair justice.

As Irrigation and State Minister of Internal Security Chamal Rajapaksa clarified in Parliament on Tuesday (October 6), the release of former minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday carnage did not mean that he had been cleared of all charges. It was a decision taken by the courts and it can also decide to order the arrest of the suspect if new evidence linked to him surfaces.

The issue was raised in Parliament by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chaminda Wijesiri. In reply, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa said that Riyaj had been taken into custody on April 14, 2020 on suspicion of having connections with Insaf Ahmed, the terrorist who blew himself up at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo during the terror attacks that took place on April 21, 2019. The CID found out that there were 17 calls made by the suspect to the terrorist. Initially, the suspect had been detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for three days for questioning and thereafter permission of the courts were obtained twice for three months each. But the investigators found that the suspect and the terrorists had no terror links. The calls had been made for business purposes.

There is no evidence to prove that the suspect aided and abetted the terrorist(s) to carry out the attacks, and, therefore he was released on Sept 29, 2020. The last call was three months prior to the attacks. However, if there is new evidence, he will be arrested again,” the Minister said.

He further said that 130 employees in public institutions and statutory institutions had been interrogated with regard to the Easter Sunday terror attack. After interrogations it had been found that some of them were innocent. They had been released. Ten employees in public institutions and statutory institutions had been arrested on terror charges. Their cases are pending before courts. With regard to some others in custody, the police have sought the Attorney General’s instructions.

The Members of the Opposition and irresponsible social media activists blatantly challenged the decision of the courts and tried to interpret it as a political ‘deal’ to get Rishad Bathiudeen’s support to the government.

These wild allegations were levelled despite the categorical statement issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the government has not entered into any political deal with MP Rishad Bathiudeen. Reiterating his absolute commitment to the safety and security of the country and the people, the President stated in a Facebook post that ensuring national security is the first and foremost responsibility of my government”.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he is not prepared to hand over the power of arresting or arbitrarily releasing people to politicians, as happened in the past. I will also take action to rectify any omissions or mistakes made by the relevant authorities or officials,” said the President.

I emphasize that our government has not entered into any political deal with MP Rishad Bathiudeen,” he said and assured citizens that he will not forsake the trust that they have placed in him and he will most certainly continue to work towards strengthening this trust.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that since there are some concerns over Bathiudeen he should not be taken into the government. The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Permauna (SLPP) also announced that neither the government nor the SLPP had entered into any agreement with MP Rishad Bathiudeen. There is no discussion or any idea to absorb MP Bathiudeen in the government,” SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

However, responding to a question asked at the SLPP weekly news briefing over the concerns raised by Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith over the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen, MP Kariyawasam called for an immediate investigation into the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen. We request the Defense Secretary to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and to find out if there has been any irregularity in the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen,” he said.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa, known for his outspoken statements, said that the government is not stupid to have any deal with Bathiudeen. He said that if any attempt is made to allow Bathiudeen to join the government he will be chased out. Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa too said the government maintains its stand that it will not have any dealings with extremists.

Furthermore, Rishad Bathiudeen clarified that his party, the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, did not have any agreement with the government nor has it had any talks with the government.

The people have the highest expectations from law enforcement institutions. The police have the fullest responsibility of probing crimes, arrest suspects and also discharge a person if there is no sufficient evidence to prove his guilt.

Hence, politicians should not jump to give their own interpretations of ‘political deals’ when a suspect is arrested or discharged. It is not a sign of a mature democracy. Constantly questioning the capacity to interpret the law is akin to constantly questioning the legitimacy of politicians to even make any law in the first place. In the past, we have seen ugly scenes such as stone throwing at the houses of judges who had given verdicts that were not seen as being favorable to the party in power at that time. The members of the Opposition should think, not twice but several times, before challenging a Court decision merely to score brownie points over the ruling party.

(The featured image at the top shows Rishad BAthiudeen (on the left), and his brother Riaj Bathiudeen. Photo: Hiru News)

Courtesy Newsin.Asia

The Lankan President said he will prove that Hambantota port is not a debt trap laid by China but is a development project with high potential

Colombo, October 9: Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo and a former Foreign Minister, told Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa here on Friday, that Chinese President Xi Jinping gives key priority” to relations with Sri Lanka and that China will support Sri Lanka in world bodies including the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Yang was on a two-day visit during which he met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, other Ministers and top officials.

Yang said that China’s assistance will not be just lip service but will be concrete to achieve the development goals contained in the Saubhagyaye Dekma” policy statement of President Gotabaya.

China has identified several areas conducive for the development of bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. In addition to completing large-scale projects already underway, the area of assistance includes agriculture, education, tourism, water supply, healthcare, medical supplies, modern technology, digital economy, the blue economy and labour training. Plans are afoot to recommence discussions on the China – Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and to complete the Hambantota Industrial Scheme expeditiously,” Yang said.

The present status of bilateral relations between China and Sri Lanka is highly satisfactory” Yang said. Further: Maintaining and promoting this friendship is a key priority of President Xi Jingping,” the head of the seven-member delegation said.

China will firmly stand with Sri Lanka to protect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at international fora including United Nations Human Rights Council,” he added.

Yang Jiechi is in the Central Committee of the CPC and is Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee. Yang had served in the US from 2001-2005 was Foreign Minister of China from 2007-2013. His current position in the Chinese administrations is equivalent to that of a Vice Premier.

Yang said that Sri Lanka is the first country in his current four-nation tour of Asia.

Gotabaya Wants Trade Deficit Reduced

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed satisfaction over the current state of Sino-Sri Lanka relations and said China has been long-standing friend who supported Sri Lanka irrespective of the government in power.

China extensively supported us to defeat terrorism. Bilateral relations reached a higher level following the end of the armed conflict,” the Lankan President said and recalled the contribution of China to the development of Sri Lanka’s infrastructure facilities.

China had contributed to a number of large-scale infrastructure projects. The Hambantota Port, the Port City project, and Southern Expressway are some of them. Constructing a port in Hambantota is an idea of Sri Lanka and not China’s. We were convinced that it would be a project with a vast potential for generating income and employment opportunities. China offered to fund it. Many geo-political 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,” the President said and sought China’s help achieve these goals.

Sri Lanka’s Needs Outlined

The Lankan President said that he had toured China 13 times prior to the assumption of the Presidency and said he had seen first-hand the progress that China had achieved.

I have seen massive development especially in the rural areas. My target is to bring about a similar development especially in the rural areas of Sri Lanka and to raise the living conditions of the people in this country, especially that of the poor. I look forward to seeing a visible progress in the Port City project over the next four years”, the President said.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that Sri Lanka’s trade deficit with China is high and called on the leader of the Chinese delegation to increase the volume of goods purchased from Sri Lanka to bring the deficit down.

Sri Lanka has a strong private sector. They manufacture various products. Open the Chinese market for these items. Encourage Chinese investors to invest in Sri Lanka. Encourage the Chinese people to visit Sri Lanka. If China can participate in Sri Lanka’s tea auction, it will be a major boost to economic stability”, the President said.

Explaining the limited tertiary educational opportunities available to Sri Lankan youth who pass GCE Advanced Level, the President said establishing a University of Technology for them will be an area where China can invest in Sri Lanka.

Yan Jiechi invited President Gotabaya to pay an official visit to China, once the COVID – 19 pandemic is successfully contained globally.

Among those present at the talks were the Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency Wang Xiaotao, Assistant Foreign Minister of China, Deng Lee, Hu Wei, Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Chen Song, Deputy Director General in the Department of Asian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Secretary Adm. Jayanath Colombage and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador-Designate to China Dr. Palitha Kohona.

Courtesy Daily Mirror

Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has directed the Labour Commissioner to immediately submit him a report regarding allegations levelled by several trade unions against the Brandix management that the company had allegedly failed to follow safety and health protocols.

Minister de Silva said he informed the trade unions to file a written complaint with the ministry to consider further action. He also added that the management of such factories or any other companies were bound to follow the relevant safety and health protocols, gazetted by the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance.

If we find that the company has not followed the safety protocols, action can be taken against them according to quarantine law,” he further said. (Piyumi Fonseka)