President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, Sri Lanka stands among the worlds best, when it came to implementing welfare measures to support the economic and social well-being of its citizens. Commenting on the extensive reach of free health care, the President said that even a foreigner could walk into any state run hospital in Sri Lanka and obtain health services free of charge.

He said that there is a wide range of state funded welfare programmes in Sri Lanka to support the public.

The President pointed out to free and universal education and health care, subsidized fertilizer and other agricultural utensils, Samurdhi benefits, pensions and a wide range of public sector programmes and added that these have contributed to improving the quality of life.

The President said so addressing over 5,000 nurses at Temple Trees yesterday during the main ceremony to mark International Nurses’ Day which coincides with the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing.

The event was organized by the Public Services United Nurses Union.

President Rajapaksa noted that while funding such welfare measures the government also spends monies for development, to generate new employment etc. and added that however some people have failed to understand the enormity of this task.

The President pointed out that earlier there had been plans to curtail the strength of the public sector below 600,000 and added that instead of reducing the numbers, the present government had taken steps to increase the state sector employees to over 1.3 million.

He said that the government has given maximum resources including necessary manpower to supplement the health sector as well.

He noted that whatever obstacles lay in its path, the government was determined to overcome them and fulfill its duty by the people.

“We have a duty to make this country a better place not only for the present but the future generations as well”, he added.

On the service provided by the nurses, the President noted that they have won the admiration of the public due to their efficiency and the quality of service they provide.

The President also commended their service saying that it was one sector he has not received any complaints, alleging the acceptance of bribes in exchange of services.

He also urged the nurses to solve any issues faced by them through dialogue and added that their union headed by Ven.Murutettuwe Ananda Thera was doing yeomen service in this regard.

President Rajapaksa told nurses to consider their duty as a service than a profession. “Consider it as a service to the public and the nation” he added.

Health Minister Maithripala Siresena and the head of the PSUNU Ven.Murutettuwe Anada Nayaka Thera also spoke. Several government Ministers, MP’s, Health sector officials too were present.

By: Rasika SOMARATHNA
Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

* තමිල්නාඩු දේශපාලන පක්ෂ කරන ප්‍රකාශ හෙළා දකිනවා
– ඉන්දියා පාර්ලිමේන්තු විපක්ෂ නායිකා සුෂ්මා ස්වරාජ්

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ දෙමළ ජනතාවට කිසි විටෙකත් ද්‍රවිඩ රාජ්‍යයක් අවශ්‍ය නොවන බව ඉන්දියා පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ විපක්ෂ නායිකා සුෂ්මා ස්වරාජ් මහත්මිය අවධාරණය කරයි.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ දෙමළ කණ්ඩායම්වලට අවශ්‍යව ඇත්තේ එක්සත් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවක් තුළ අව්‍යාජ දේශපාලන විසදුමක් බව පවසා ඇති විපක්ෂ නායිකාව එවැනි අවස්ථාවක තමිල්නාඩු ඇතැම් දේශපාලඥයන් ද්‍රවිඩ ඊළමක් ඉල්ලා සිටීම දැඩිලෙස විවේචනයට ලක්කර තිබේ.

ඒ මහත්මිය මේ බව ප්‍රකාශකර ඇත්තේ ඉන්දියාවේ මදුරෙයිහිදී පැවැති භාරතීය ජනතා පක්ෂයේ පස්වන ප්‍රාන්ත සමුළුව අමතමින් බව වාර්තා වෙයි. ඉන්දියාවේ එක්සත්භාවය සහ ඒකාග්‍රතාවට ගරු කරන්නාසේම ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ඒක්සත්භාවයට හා ඒකාග්‍රතාවයට ගරු කළයුතු බව ප්‍රකාශකර ඇති සුෂ්මා ස්වරාජ් මහත්මිය තමිල්නාඩුවේ ඇතැම් දේශපාලන පක්ෂ ඉල්ලා සිටින පරිදි වෙනම දෙමළ ඊළමක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ජීවත්වන දෙමළ ජනතාවට අවශ්‍ය නොවන බවද පවසා තිබේ.

මේ අතර තමිල්නාඩු දේශපාලන පක්ෂ විසින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ දෙමළ ඊළමක් උදෙසා කරන ප්‍රකාශ හෙළා දකින බවද ඉන්දීය ලෝක් සභාවේ විපක්ෂ නායිකා සුෂ්මා ස්වරාජ් මහත්මිය ප්‍රකාශකර ඇත.

මෙරට දෙමළ ජනතාව නියෝජනය කරන ප්‍රධාන දේශපාලන පක්ෂය වන දෙමළ ජාතික සන්ධානය හෝ ඊළාම් රාජ්‍යයක් ඉල්ලා නොසිටින අවස්ථාවක තමිල්නාඩු දේශපාලන පක්ෂ මෙසේ ඉල්ලීම් කිරීම පුදුම සහගත බවද ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ දෙමල ඊලමක් අවශ්‍ය බවට ප්‍රකාශකර ඇත්තේ තමිල්නාඩු දේශපාලකයන් කිහිපදෙනෙකු පමණක් බවද ඇය ප්‍රකාශකර තිබේ.

ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සහ ඉන්දියාව අතර පවතින ද්වීපාර්ශ්වීය සබඳතා ශක්තිමත්කර ගැනීමේ අරමුණින් සහ ඉන්දීය රජයේ ආධාර මත ක්‍රියාත්මක කෙරෙන සංවර්ධන ව්‍යාපෘතීන්හි වත්මන් තත්ත්වය නිරීක්ෂණය කිරීමේ අරමුණින් තමා ඇතුළු කණ්ඩායමක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සංචාරය කළ බව සිහිපත්කර තිබෙන ඉන්දීය විපක්ෂ නායිකාව එම සංචාරය බෙහෙවින්ම සාර්ථක වී තිබෙන බවද පවසා තිබේ.

ඊට අමතරව ඒ මහත්මිය ප්‍රකාශ කර ඇත්තේ තම සංචාරය අතරතුර දෙමළ ජාතික සන්ධාන නායක ආර්. සම්බන්ධන් සමඟ සාකච්ඡා කළ බවත් දේශපාලන විසඳුමක් සඳහා ඔවුන් බලාපොරොත්තු තබාගෙන ඇති බවත්ය. දෙමළ ජනතාව ගරු කරන ආර්. සම්බන්ධන් වැනි නායකයකු එක්සත් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවක් තුළ දේශපාලන විසඳුමක් බලාපොරොත්තු වන්නේ නම් තමිල්නාඩුවේ ඇතැම් දේශපාලන පක්ෂ බෙදුම්වාදී ගැටලුවක් නඟන්නේ ඇයිදැයි ස්වරාජ් මහත්මිය මෙහිදී ප්‍රශ්න කර තිබේ.

මහින්ද අලුත්ගෙදර
Source : Dinamina (Sri Lanka)

Millions of tonnes of wheat are going to waste in India because there’s nowhere to keep the grain dry.

After a bumper harvest, sacks full of the foodstuff are being left to rot – despite millions of the country’s children starving.

Sharad Yadav, a key opposition leader, said it was ‘a colossal waste of food’.
He added: ‘It is unfortunate that while people are dying of hunger, food grain is rotting in the open.’
It has been a particularly good year for wheat crops in India but as a result, the country’s storage space has run out.
Food minister KV Thomas said the government was taking ‘all necessary steps’ to increase storage and working with the private sector to buy new warehouses.
About 42 per cent of Indians under the age of five are malnourished.
Selling the grain at a subsidised price is not possible because it will expand the fiscal deficit, economists say.

Source: Metro (London)

The President must have intervened and scotched the attempt as Ms TK’s performance on behalf of Sri Lanka, at the UNHRC Sessions in Geneva, March 2012, was a performance par excellence and she outshone, in my view and surely in that of many others, all the other Ambassadors, Envoys, Representatives and who even else, gathered there and arrayed against our country. The case she made in defence of Sri Lanka, showing also that attacking your opponents is sometimes warranted as the best form of defence, instead of mere rebuttals and fence offs, surely played no small part in 23 countries refusing to support the mighty, powerful (what else) USA’s Resolution against Sri Lanka.

It seems that envy, jealousy is treading the corridors of the M/External Affairs to a virulent degree. No doubt career officers must get their due place in the Ministry’s hierarchy and postings, but some outside talent, real talent can certainly enrich its performances. Ms Kunanayakam clearly displayed that she is one who can handle key positions in the Ministry, not merely well but outstandingly, and could give as well as she gets. She gave as good as we got from the West.

Besides the need to recognize the aspect of proved brilliance in the performance of her brief at Geneva and her work in the Ministry, and as Ambassador abroad, there is also this to be pointed out to the powers that be. In the face of her performances as stated above, it would be an act of deep ingratitude to move her against her wishes, and without any valid reason (as known) to another posting, that too so soon after her Geneva feats. There should be no repeat of what happened to Dr Dayan Jayatilleke, our current Ambassador to France after a like performance by him at Geneva in May 2009. We may have been able to tip the scales at Geneva 2012 had he too been included in our Delegation, instead of some of the ‘passengers’ that were. We may assume, nay, must assume that H.E, the President will recognize this aspect and scotch the envy- ridden manoeuvres that reportedly are the order of the day in the M/EA. One Lesson to be learned from Geneva 2012. The Govt must not only be re-active’ but also have done other admirable things like stridently pointing out that our Accusers, have been the worst offenders as regards the Human Rights violations, moving a like Resolution as moved against Sri Lanka, against the West.

The mechanics must be worked out by the M/EA. One supposes that the support of the Non-aligned countries, our Asian neigbours, and other friendly Govts. must first be canvassed, and much other preliminary diplomatic and other work done to determine the chances and feasibility of such a counter Resolution. But why would it not be possible? The usual “geo political realities” and “economic realities’ bugbear? Yet there’s nothing like a try, but astutely.
Source : PROLANKA

The transfer of students from one national school to another for Advanced Level studies has been cancelled by the Education Ministry in a circular, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said today.

Students, after passing the Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination, seek enrolment in another school for their Advanced Level (A/L) studies. However, hereafter, this opportunity will not be available for national school students.

By: Ranjan Kasturi
Source :

The Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has signed for Middlesex to play in the Friends Life t20. His debut will come in the their fourth match of the competition, against Essex at Lord’s on 21 June, after featuring in Sri Lanka’s one-day and Twenty20 series against Pakistan.

Middlesex’s managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said by signing the 28-year-old Malinga, Middlesex “will have the best [bowler] in the world”.

Malinga is currently playing for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, where he has taken a competition-leading 20 wickets.

Fraser added: “Every county is looking for a bowler that provides their attack with variety, the ability to bowl during powerplays and at the death … something different from the norm.”

The T20 competition begins on 12 June.

Source: The guardian (UK)

The final countdown to London 2012 began today as the Olympic torch set out from the ancient birthplace of the Games.

In the Greek town of Olympia, “high priestess” Ino Menegaki captured the morning sun’s rays in a bowl-shaped mirror and used them to light an Olympic flame.

The flame was then placed in an urn and taken to the stadium where the ancient Olympic Games were staged.

Amid tight security, it was then used to light a London 2012 torch carried by Greek marathon swimmer, Spyros Gianniotis, for the first leg of a 10,000-mile relay before its arrives at Stratford’s Olympic stadium on 27 July.

The ceremony featured messages of hope and peace from International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe — but also a recognition of the dire economic climate.

A crowd of thousands — including Olympic officials, visitors and residents of Olympia — as well as millions on the internet worldwide, watched as the Union flag was raised to take its place alongside the Olympic and Greek flags as the host city for 2012.

Lord Coe said: “It’s a huge landmark. It’s the rallying call for athletes to come to London.”

“As torchbearers lift the Olympic flame in the days and months ahead, it is our hope that they will also lift the spirits and hopes of people across Britain and across world.

“This is an extremely important day, and when the torch lands in Land’s End it’s massive, there’s something about the torch starting out on domestic soil.”

The flame was lit according to tradition by the morning rays of the sun. Accompanied by drums and flutes, women in the role of “priestesses” and 14 men dressed in traditional robes danced around a temple dedicated to the goddess Hera before the torch embarked on the first leg of its journey to Athens, where it will be met by the British delegation — including Princess Anne — before it is flown to Britain next week. There was a heavy police presence at the ceremony but there were no apparent attempts to disrupt proceedings.

Spyros Gianniotis, 32, said it was a huge honour to be chosen as the first person to carry the flame, describing it as the “topping” on his career.

The Liverpool-born Greek world champion swimmer said: “It’s my last Olympics and I’m half English so it’s very important to me.”

He handed the torch to Alexandros Loukos, a 19-year-old apprentice project manager and keen boxer from East Ham.

Loukos, who was involved in Britain’s bid to host the Games as a young ambassador, said: “I’m more excited than nervous. Now London’s involved it does mean a lot to me”.

Over eight days the torch will be carried by 490 bearers across Greece before it is handed to the British delegation at the Panathinaiko Stadium. During the British relay from Land’s End it will have 8,000 bearers as it covers 95 per cent of the UK.

Craig Reedie, International Olympic Committee member and chairman of the British Olympic Association until 2005, said he hoped the torch relay would be a “unifying” experience for Britain.

Dr Jacques Rogge added: “As the Olympic torch travels the width and breadth of the UK, its powerful symbolism and the inspiring stories of many of the torchbearers will touch hearts and fire imaginations around the world.”

By Miranda Bryant
Source :  London Evening Standard

Lasith Malinga is a unique cricketer in many ways. It is not just his slinging action that is a standout feature; he’s probably the only cricketer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) who has hardly attended more than a couple of practice sessions and still stands out as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 20 scalps in eight matches.

The exciting Sri Lankan believes in being match fit and prefers to rest well in between games. Malinga spared some time on the eve of Mumbai Indians’ clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore to talk to MiD DAY on a host of things.
Excerpts from the interview:
How would you describe your five years in IPL?

It has been good. The crowds keep cheering; so many people come for the matches. I have learnt how to handle the pressure now.

You are the most popular bowler in Mumbai…

People cheer performers. If I don’t play well tomorrow, they will not cheer for me. That is how cricket is. If someone else starts performing well, they will cheer him.

You invariably end up being the best bowler in every IPL. How do you maintain your consistency?

I don’t think I am the best bowler. I like to play with some pressure… either in the beginning, in the first Power play or in the end with a few overs left. Every time I bowl with pressure. All I think about is taking wickets.

How tough is it to consistently bowl those yorkers?

It is tough. If you want to be a journalist, you have to be a trainee and learn things. Same is with bowling. If you want to bowl yorkers and short deliveries, you have to train hard.

Can you tell us a bit about your training sessions?

I am 28 now, and looking to play for another two or three years. I cannot run much or train hard now after the knee injury, but I try to maintain my skills and fitness levels. I don’t go much to the gym. Whenever I am fit, I directly play a match. It is very important for bowlers to maintain bowling fitness. I have that and know how to manage it. I trained very hard when I was 20-21 and did a lot of running.

You are again in the reckoning for the Purple Cap…

I never set any such targets. I only look to take as many wickets as I can. That is my mindset.

What would you tell youngsters trying to copy your action?

Don’t do that! Nobody should imitate anyone. Every individual is unique and has his own style. One must develop it. Only then will you be effective. You can copy me, but there’s no point. You have to be accurate. I have come up my own way. It’s (slinging) my natural action. I never developed it.

There will be a new auction at the next IPL. How much value do you put on yourself?

I don’t know if I will be playing in the next IPL or no. I only concentrate on my next match. I don’t know how much my value is… they (team bosses) will decide it.

Does the 2011 World Cup final loss still haunt you whenever you enter the Wankhede Stadium?

I got Sachin (Tendulkar) and (Virender) Sehwag’s wicket in the final. I enjoy playing here. Before the (2011) World Cup final, I played in the IPL and got a lot of support here. I’m happy. It is quite similar for me… playing in India or Sri Lanka.

Tell us about your hairstyle…

I just apply colour to my hair. If anyone else would have done it, people would have made fun of them. Just because I am a cricketer, it becomes stylish.

Source: NDTV Sports

President Mahinda Rajapaksa making a financial donation for the construction of Sandahiru Seya to Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga and Sandahiru Seya Project Coordinator Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando were also present.Picture by Sudath Silva

President Mahinda Rajapaksa donated Rs.25 million for the construction of Sandahiru Seya, a monumental stupa, at the old Kurunegala junction, the southern entrance of Jayasrimaha Bodhi in Anuradhapura in honour of fallen war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice to eradicate the 30 year terrorist war.

The government took a decision to erect nine monumental Stupas in the nine provinces in appreciation of the noble services rendered by the Armed Forces and Police to defeat terrorism and bring lasting peace to the country. The construction of the first Stupa is underway on the directions of Defense Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The President offered the financial donation to Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

The Stupa will be built at a cost of Rs. two billion. The extent of the Stupa will be 215 feet while its height is 285 feet. Around 30 million bricks would be required for the construction together with 9.5 million lime stone, 50,000 cubes of granite, 20,000 cubes of ABC (Granite Powder) and 500,000 kilos of cement. Construction of the bubble shaped Stupa is estimated to take around four years.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga and Sandahiru Seya Project Coordinator Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando were also present.

By Atapattu BANDARA
Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

A blessings ceremony by a world Sangha congregation for global peace to mark the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment, began at the Nelum Pokuna(Lotus Pond) theatre in Colombo yesterday under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Over 500 members of Maha Sangha from 30 countries joined over 1,000 members of Maha Sangha from Sri Lanka at the inuagural ceremony yesterday.

It is organized by the World Buddhist Sangha Council with its Sri Lankan branch spearheading efforts in hosting the event.

Pirith chanting was conducted in Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Korean traditions to invoke blessings for World Peace and unity. Prior to this Buddha Pooja was conducted with 20 Monks, 20 lay persons and 20 drummers taking part.Several devotional traditional dances too were conducted on stage where the magnificent background settings included a Buddha statue, a stupa and a replica of Buddhagaya.

Later as the Maha Sangha chanted pirith President Rajapaksa made offerings at the Buddha statue. Most Ven. Liao Chung Maha Thera, President – World Buddhist Sangha Council praising Sri Lanka for organising the ceremony said “ Sri Lankan Buddhism has made magnificent achievements in the past as well as in the present. It is not only an old Buddhist country but the pioneer in promoting the Buddhist internationalization in the modern day” “May the very success of this congregation bring about world peace, humanity’s happiness, the prosperity of Sri Lanka, and the good health of the President Rajapaksa, members of the Maha Sangha and all devotees”, the Thera added.

Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anunayaka Maha Thera who headed the Organizing committee in an ‘anusasana’ said that the World Buddhist Council has brought the global Buddhist community under one flag. The Thera welcomed the joining of world Buddhist community for world peace and unity and added that this happening at the 2600 Sri sambuddhathwa Jayanthi had added significance. Religious ceremonies as a part of the ceremony will be held in various parts of the country until Friday. Maha Sangha from all sect’s in Sri Lanka will join the visiting Maha Sangha at these events. Yesterdays ceremony was also attended by Ministers, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, heads of various Buddhist Organizations and devotees.

Some of the countries which are participating are Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, Hongkon, Macau, Phillipines, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US, UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Indonesia and China.

By Rasika SOMARATHNA
Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

In the wake of an Indian parliamentary delegation visiting Sri Lanka on a fact-finding mission, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris has written to Chief Ministers of all Indian States on the progress made in the post-war national reconciliation process.

Responding to a query, Prof. Peiris said that the GoSL felt that it would be useful to brief Chief Ministers as part of the overall efforts to keep all stakeholders up to date.

Minister Peiris said that GoSL was confident that they would appreciate GoSL efforts to address issues, including the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

Although Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram’s ruling AIADMK pulled out of the delegation at the eleventh hour, Prof. Peiris wrote to her. Tamil Nadu Opposition DMK, too, boycotted the visit.

Meanwhile, the government has set up a high powered committee to implement LLRC recommendations, which would acceptable to the government. Headed by presidential secretary, Lalith Weeratunga, the committee was in the process of formulating a list of recommendations.

Asked whether LLRC proposals in their entirety would be implemented, Prof. Peiris emphasized the majority of recommendations would be implemented. But it wouldn’t be realistic to expect the GoSL to implement the entire set of proposals, the minister said adding that all UPFA constituents were recently asked to furnish their proposals to the Weeratunga Committee, which would function as the implementing mechanism. Elaborating further, the minister said that choosing LLRC recommendations would be a political decision, whereas the Weeratunga Committee handles implementation.

Prof. Peiris said that the SLFP, too, would provide its own response. Although there is no deadline for UPFA constituents to furnish their response, many political parties made available their position.

Responding to another query, Prof. Peiris said that forthcoming bilateral talks with the US would give GoSL an opportunity to discuss the entire gamut of issues. Prof. Peiris said that Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was invited to join the delegation as he headed the Sri Lanka-US parliamentary friendship association.

The Sri Lankan delegation is scheduled to leave on May 14 for five-day visit, with the meet with US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton scheduled for May 18th.

By Shamindra Ferdinando
Source: The Island

The Army announced that over 2,500 soldiers who deserted during the war period were arrested during the first three months of this year. Around 36,500 soldiers who deserted were arrested during 2009, 2010 and 2011), Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said.

Around 65,000 soldiers deserted the Army over the last two decades and 36,500 among them have already been arrested, he said.

Brigadier Wanigasooriya said deserting their ranks and being absent without leave is illegal and liable for punishment.

“Measures are in place to take disciplinary action against soldiers who have deserted their ranks. They have taken measures to re- appoint the deserters who can be accommodated in their ranks following disciplinary inquiries while others are to to be dismissed from service. These decisions will be taken by a military tribunal,” he added.

However, 60 percent of deserters who were arrested have been re-appointed to their ranks, the Brigadier said. “It is only around one percent out of the Army deserters who are involved in unlawful activities in society and arresting them is the only solution,” Brigadier Wanigasooriya said.

By Ridma DISSANAYAKE
Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

• Reduces travel time for people
• Equal distribution of facilities to all areas

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday noted that an improved road network has reduced travel time between areas, supplemented development and established closer links between people. “The government’s emphasis on developing roads has ensured that people spend less time for travel and have more time for work. I feel like the country has become smaller due to improved roads” the President added.

The President was addressing a large crowd in Ududumbara, after declaring open the renovated, ancient 18 Bend(Dahata Wanguwa) road on Kandy – Mahiyangana road. The renovation work cost of Rs.5,000 million.

The President before opening the road drove his vehicle the entire length of the Dahata Wanguwa. Speaking of his experience he told the crowd that such experiences for him were a rare occurrence and added that he had done it after he drove a car during the opening of the Southern highway.

President Rajapaksa also said the government while building better roads for vehicular traffic was also conscious of the safety of the pedestrian and added that to ensure the above he had instructed officials to include separate lanes for pedestrians when planning and development of major roads in the future.

Speaking on the Kandy-Mahiyangana road, he said the development of this historic road was neglected by successive governments. “They neglected the development of rural areas in the same manner,” he added.

He emphasised that the present government never neglects development and activities are being carried out with equal focus in all areas. “Our aim is the equal distribution of facilities to all areas, “ he added

He also observed that these development activities have helped the country to become self sufficient in rice and they plan to extend this to liquid milk production as well. “We are planning to provide every child in the country a free glass of milk in the future,” he added.

He also emphasized on the need to become self sufficient in other food production by imcreasing production.

The President also emphasised the need to accelerate development to achieve equal distribution of resources and facilities to all areas at the earliest possible time.

However on the same note he said the government was not prepared to subjugate religion, good moral habits, traditions and customs of the country and nature in the name of development.

He also requested the people to look after these newly built roads and not to misuse them.

The re-construction work of the road was carried out at an estimated cost of five billion rupees granted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The 41 KM long road was widened to 15 metres and carpeted from Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya.

The entire stretch of road includes 10 bridges and 320 box culverts with 37 widened culverts.

Renovation work on the 18 bend road which commenced in April 2008 completed construction in less than four years providing motorists a safer and a comfortable journey reducing travel time from four to 1 ½ hours.

Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kotalawela, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, MPs Lohan Ratwatte, Earl Gunasekera, Shantha Bandara, ADB Country Director Rita O Sullivan, government officials and a large gathering.

By Rasika SOMARATHNA in Ududumbara
Source :  Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

A lunar phenomenon known as a ‘supermoon’ illuminated the night sky last night, with the Moon appearing up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter.

A host of celebrities took to Twitter to express their astonishment at the annual event which is the result of a full moon occurring during the moment it is closest to Earth during its orbit.
Fears that tidal patterns and other natural elements would be affected by the phenomenon were earlier quashed by experts. Geza Gyuk, an astronomer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, said: ‘Super moons have been happening for billions of years, and nothing particularly special occurs on these dates – except, of course, for a beautiful full moon.’

On Saturday night, stars such as Demi Moore and Kim Kardashian took to Twitter to express their joy at the natural phenomenon, with the former tweeting: ‘The Super Moon is really beyond words! Have you seen it?’
Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn also posted: ‘The super moon shines big in the desert sky! Awesome sight!’
Yesterday’s supermoon was the first since March of last year, when the orbiting body was 400km closer to Earth than it was be this weekend.
And those with an interest in the astronomy won’t have to wait long for their next fix, with a solar eclipse due on May 20.

Source: Metro (London)

An Irish parliamentarian has asked the British government to use its not inconsiderable international influence to advocate a patient approach in Sri Lanka.
Ian Paisley Jnr, a Member of Parliament for North Antrim, said Britain must also refuse to rush in with international declarations and resolutions that will not work, but to promote the model for an international approach based on an experience that did work.
“Ultimately the path to reconciliation can only be laid by the citizens of that country. The UK should look to plant the seeds of progress by allowing Sri Lanka to take the lead in addressing its own past,” he said in a statement.
The statement further said “The Sri Lankan parliament has begun debating the resolution from the UN Human Rights Council urging Sri Lanka to conduct an investigation into alleged war crimes committed during its battle against Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009.
On hearing of the UN passing the resolution the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, immediately hailed the council’s action, saying it encourages the government of Sri Lanka to continue on the path toward reconciliation following 27 years of civil war.
As someon e who has grown up in a war torn country I have some experience of what it is like to be a citizen in a place where the territory is disputed and where such a dispute brings conflict and eventually conflict resolution. Sri Lanka has emerged from a long and difficult conflict; now what is important is how it advances as a society today. Undoubtedly part of this will be measured by how willing Sri Lanka is to accept its past and progress to the future. However, I fear while many will welcome the decision by the UNHRC as a step in the right direction, determination to achieve their objective may well make achieving a lasting peace for the citizens of Sri Lanka less not more likely. The debate in Sri Lanka’s parliament will be fascinating to follow.
There is a fundamental question for someone such as myself who has seen their community follow a path of reconciliation: have international governments learnt nothing from building a lasting peace in Northern Ireland?
The resolution passed in Geneva is provocative and effectively commences the internationalisation of the internal politics of Sri Lanka. As we have seen in Africa with similar intervention by another body, the International Criminal Court, this can be destabilising and counterproductive. Such a move, no doubt well intentioned, has the potential to set back the difficult progress that has already been made.
Let me be clear, human rights violations, and allegations of atrocities anywhere, must be openly and transparently addressed by the local government in a manner that builds the confidence by all in that administration. However, there is more than one way to address this and the international community, by now, ought to appreciate the methods which work, achieving lasting settlements, and which escalate tensions thus creating further hurdles to reconciliation.
The strategy being pursued by the US is in stark contrast to the way administrations under Presidents Clinton and Bush assisted in the process of building a lasting peace process in Northern Ireland. Simply put, bullying did not work. Encouraging, cajoling and charming internal actors to step up to the mark and lead was what proved successful.
Steps that internationalise internal and historic problems – allowing external siren voices to dominate – will not lead to realistic progress in Sri Lanka. Some may point out how US senator George Mitchell was imposed as chairman of the talk’s process in Northern Ireland. But, the subtle fact is the role he played was sought by the sovereign government of the disputed territory. By contrast the US administration is attempting to force Sri Lanka to accept America’s regulations and “advice and technical assistance on implementing” the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee (LLRC) report, when the internal government has already commenced this process.
International governments must know when to push and when to hold back. Nothing sets back progress more than when communities feel they are being pressed by a foreign government to take action that they will take in their own time. I am the first to understand the impatience many feel with progress being made, but impatience should not be a substitute for diplomacy.
In Sri Lanka, a country emerging from 30 years of conflict, a more subtle and tested approach ought to be followed. The UK and USA have good cause to pursue such an approach when they consider what worked for Northern Ireland. The internal LLRC report made positive recommendations about building a credible reconciliation process that has the potential to build political confidence and judicial independence, thus enabling human rights. It is a step-by-step process that will lead to the necessary confidence to address allegations of military violations of human rights at the end of the conflict. The international community appears to be putting outcomes before process and, as we in Northern Ireland know, the long hard road to peace and reconciliation is process – not a single event.
It amazes me that, after the success of such a process here, the lessons are not always transferred abroad. Unduly rushing the process flirts with a breakdown that will benefit no one.
Patience is required with process politics. Ultimately justice will follow only by a process of evidence gathering, charges, trial, prosecution and punishment. Even in this process victims feel the slowness of progress but ultimately accept that the wheels of justice turn slow but they turn fine.
I would urge the UK government to use its not inconsiderable international influence to advocate a patient approach. To refuse to rush in with international declarations and resolutions that will not work, but to promote the model for an international approach based on an experience that did work. Ultimately the path to reconciliation can only be laid by the citizens of that country. The UK should look to plant the seeds of progress by allowing Sri Lanka to take the lead in addressing its own past.

Source: The Sunday Leader

Vesak Full Moon this year would be larger and brighter than full moons of the past, Colombo University Physics Department’s Senior Lecturer Prof Chandana Jayaratne told the Daily News yesterday.

He explained that this occurs not due to the moon being non-circular but due to its elliptical shape, the moon’s orbit around the earth. He observed that this year’s Vesak Poya Day had fallen on a day the moon travelled closer to the earth.

The closest distance of the moon to earth (“perigee”) was about 50,000 km closer than the furthest distance (“apogee”). Full moons that occur on the perigee side of the moon’s orbit seems extra large and bright. This kind of a full moon is called a “Supper Moon” or a “perigee full moon” he said. He observed that this Vesak Full Moon would be 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than other full moons of this year. He said that the moon lies only 356,955 km away from the earth today.

‘There will be somewhat of a high tide on this day (today), but rumours such as earthquakes or other natural disasters were baseless,” Prof Jayaratne said.

He said that on May 19, the moon would swing out to apogee ( its furthest point for the month ) at 406,448 km.

By Disna MUDALIGE
Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

It is indeed a great privilege to once again commemorate the triple festival of events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, with great reverence and honour, and with full state patronage, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Vesak message.

The message: “We had great joy in seeing Sri Lankan Buddhists giving emphasis to the principles of Buddhism with the dawn of the Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi at the last Vesak festival. With the immense pleasure of contemplating on the Buddha, we recall the great religious awakening of devotion and wisdom that spread throughout Sri Lanka during this year, as we now see the end of the Sambuddha Jayanthi commemorations on this Vesak Day. It is our wish that this joy in the Buddha and his teachings would abide in the minds of all Sri Lankans.

The teachings of the Buddha are the best way to lead a life that is free of confusion. These teachings show us the path to lead a life free of the four-fold evils and achieve success in this world and the next.

We must be aware that all who are of wrongful mind and thinking cause many divisions and clashes that close the doors to our progress. As it is stated in the Dhammapada:

“Attana va katam papam – attana sankilissati
Attana akatam papam – attana va visujjhati
Suddhi asuddhi paccattam – nannno annam visodhaye”

“Evil done by oneself will defile one. Evil not done by oneself will purify one. Purity and impurity depend on oneself. No one can purify another.” Therefore, let us in this Vesak season pave the way to success in this world and the next, by eschewing all disputes and divisions and making a commitment to national unity and religious co-existence through seeing the true light of Buddhist teachings.

May you receive the blessings of the Samma Sambuddha!

All sections of the media in Sri Lanka should act responsibly and put the country first. Various fingers are being pointed at the government by NGOs etc since the government eradicated terrorism and gave freedom to the country and its people. Certain incidents that took place in the country in the recent past is part of those pressures, Acting Media Minister and Acting Cabinet Spokesman Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said at yesterday’s Cabinet briefing.

According to the Acting Minister, the main objective of these elements which promote ‘incidents’ is bringing such ‘issues’ to the international level and start a ‘discussion’ at that level to create problems for Sri Lanka. The recent ‘milk incident’ and ‘Dambulla incident’ are some good examples of the ‘operation’ carried out by certain elements which are interested in bringing Sri Lankan issues to the international stage. Some of those ‘issues’ created by them are now being discussed in Geneva etc.

Acting Minister Yapa pointed out that the media and such organizations should think about where we are heading for. The media should give priority to national responsibility than the publicity.

“The media should give publicity to incidents and they should also mention the fact that such incidents are not doing any good for the

country and people.Some people cast aspersions at the state owned television channel for showing the Eelam flag been carried during the UNP May Day rally in Jaffna. But,if a private television channel showed this visual, nobody will point the finger,” he said.

“As the Acting Media Minister, I responsibly say that no crew from ITN covered the UNP May Day rally held in Jaffna. Therefore, nobody can point the finger at ITN journalists or its administration. Television channels telecast visuals obtained from other sources. One UNP MP says they warned and released the persons who displaced the Eelam flag and another UNP MP says nobody displayed the Eelam flag during the rally,” he said.

“Their statements are totally contradictory and raise suspicion on releasing the persons without handing over to the Police. What can be the hidden intention of releasing the culprits after warning them ? Some say the UNP commemorated Babu (The LTTE suicide bomber who killed former President R. Premadasa) by holding their rally in Jaffna. The government has ordered that a full investigation be held in to this incident,” the Acting Media Minister said.

“There is nothing wrong in showing crime stories, such as, the Vilachchiya incident. Can anybody wearing a STF uniform become a STF member. Anybody can wear uniforms. If the incident which took place in Mexico on the World Press Freedom Day, happened in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government would have been subjected to countless attacks by all. When a government governs a country, incidents take place here and there from time to time and the government takes action. But the most important fact is the freedom enjoyed by Sri Lankan people to day,” he said.

“Protecting people is the responsibility of the government and the Sri Lankan government is doing its duty”, the Acting Minister added.

Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)
by Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)
The World Buddhist Sangha Council (WBSC) Sri Lanka branch has organised a blessing ceremony for world peace to celebrate the completion of one year of the 2,600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi commemoration.

Buddhist monks from the 29 member countries of the Council will participate in this ceremony, said Ven Prof Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera addressing a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. Ven Prof Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera said 480 foreign Buddhist monks from Eastern and Western countries representing the three major sects have confirmed participation while invitations have been sent to about 800 Sri Lankan Buddhist monks to take part in this event.

The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Lotus Pond Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on May 8 with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a special guest.

WBSC President Most Ven Liao Chung Maha Thera and Maha Culalonkorn University in Thailand Rector Most Ven Prof Phra Dhammakosajarn will deliver lectures on the occasion.

A Declaration of Universal Peace will be read and awards will be presented to outstanding Buddhist monks to appreciate their service.

The event is organised under the coordination of Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.

The delegations of Buddhist monks are scheduled to visit Kandy and Anuradhapura during their stay.

They will invoke blessings by Buddhist chanting at Sri Dalada Maligawa and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi for world peace and harmony.

The delegation will be able to see the post war situation of the country.

They are scheduled to leave the country on May 11. The WBSC was founded in Sri Lanka in 1967.

Editor of the Sinhala Dictionary Ven. Akuretiye Nanda Thera, Ven Bodagama Chandima Thera and Presidential Advisor on Buddhist Affairs Ven Getamanne Gunananda Thera also participated.
By Disna MUDALIGE

Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)

* Certain individuals trying to destabilise country

* Sri Lanka, no longer a colony

* Working community should be protected

* Govt places enormous confidence in working masses

President Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed that he will not permit international conspirators to create disputes and destabilize the country, under any circumstances. He said Sri Lanka is one of the oldest democracies in the Asian region and honours all kinds of democratic norms and practices.

“We will never deny the people’s right to change governments through Universal Adult Franchise,” he said.

President Rajapaksa was addressing the May Day rally of the United People’s Freedom Alliance at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds yesterday.

Thousands of people irrespective of political and other differences kept streaming in from Campbell Park, Borella, from where the rally commenced yesterday noon.

President Rajapaksa said that the working masses in Sri Lanka are so intelligent they would not fall prey to certain segments trying to destabilize the country.

He said certain individuals were trying to destabilize the country by using the working masses as a cat’s paw but the masses did not fall prey to their designs.

Some such individuals do not have a country or a particular name but some countries are in the process of inciting them, he said.

The President stressed the importance of increasing the country’s productivity as ‘imperialists are operating in various forms to acquire national assets’.

The President said imperialists are still under the impression that countries like Sri Lanka are their colonies and it was for this reason that ‘they exert more pressure on us’.

He said that the government led by him reacquired state ventures, including national carrier SriLankan Airlines which were privatized by previous governments , He said that productivity of state ventures has to be uplifted as imperialists are awaiting their collapse to acquire them.

The President emphasized that what the government, the working community and the country at large have gained should be protected from these imperialists. “The country was deprived of the GSP facility and the Opposition thought that the government was on the verge of being overthrown by the working masses.’ ‘But that did not happen’, the President added.

President Rajapaksa said that the members of the working class worked harder and effectively tackled the challenge facing the country.

The President said that the working masses, irrespective of racial, religious and other petty differences should show more commitment to the country. He stressed that the government led by him adopted a policy of not recognising such differences in its effort to achieve freedom for the country . The President said that the United National Party should apologize for depriving the Tamil community of its rights in the Jaffna district by carrying out the infamous vote rigging at the District Development Council election in Jaffna and for the destruction of the Jaffna Library before they hold a May Day rally in Jaffna .

“I was delighted on hearing the news that the UNP was organizing its Rally in Jaffna after the government wiped out terrorism from the country, he said.

He said that the UNP leaders are having boat rides and visiting places where they have never been to in Jaffna after the Security Forces eradicated terrorism from the area.

President Rajapaksa added that those who left for Jaffna can see how the area has been developed by the government, if they are free of petty political objectives.

‘Every stride UNP leaders make in Jaffna will remind them of the importance of the government and they will themselves see how the area has been developed by the government. I wish they will understand the importance of freedom won by the country when they move freely in the Jaffna peninusular, he added.

President Rajapaksa said that the government increased the workforce in the government sector and one in every ten persons is a government servant at present.

He stressed that the government did not adopt a policy of privatizing state ventures to fill the state coffers. The President recollected how the state workforce was dwindling during the UNP regime as they adopted a policy of not recruiting personnel for state sector.

“We have ensured a better future for the members of the working community. The President said that the government faced the looming food crisis by initiating a number of programmes to grow food crops locally and these programmes have borne fruit. He said that the people themselves can feel how their village, town and cities and the country at large are being developed.

The President said that the government has placed enormous confidence in the working masses and has built up a stable economy in the country , he said.

Certain persons who identify themselves as economists have been saying that the government would collapse in April since 2005. But the government was strengthened more and more every April, the President said. The President said that the economy gained more vigour by focusing on production of food crops locally and creating more and more employment ventures for youth every year.

By Chaminda Perera

Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)
A 14 – day grace period has been given for motor vehicle clearance at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa harbour, before the full clearing charges will be levied, Ports Authority chairman Dr Priyath Bandu Wickrama said. According to him, port charges will not be imposed for the first seven days from unloading and a 50 percent of the port charges

will be levied for the next seven days. Vehicle importers will be entitled to a grace period of 14 days before the full clearing charges are levied.

Motor vehicle unloading will be carried out from the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port by the end of this month. According to Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, arrangements are being made at the Magampura Port in this regard.

Port Authority sources said vehicle importers have agreed to this arrangement.

“Vehicle imports through the Magampura port will become more convenient since vehicles can easily be distributed to various parts of the country from the Magampura port. Vehicle distribution from Hambantota is rather cost effective since the Hambantota road network is less congested than the Colombo road network,” the sources said.

By Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

Source: dailymirror(Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lankan government on Tuesday slammed a British human rights report which listed the island among countries of concern over human rights issues.

Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera said that Britain had no right to accuse Sri Lanka of not doing enough to address accountability of the war just three years after the conflict ended.

The Human Rights Report for 2011 released by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Monday said that significant progress was still needed in Sri Lanka to address the institutional weaknesses that allow for frequent human rights violations.

The report also called on the Sri Lankan government to implement recommendations of a local war commission and address outstanding questions regarding accountability for alleged war crimes.

“How can they say we have not done enough? On what basis are they saying that? The Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) handed over its final report only in December last year so how can the UK report say we did not do enough to address the issues mentioned. We have started addressing them now and some of the recommendations of the LLRC are also being implemented,” Neomal Perera told Xinhua.

The British report also said UK will contribute to Sri Lanka’s Universal Periodic Review under the UN human rights system in Geneva but Perera said Sri Lanka would have done a lot by then to address most of the human rights concerns.

“We are still in May and October is a long way ahead. They cannot prejudge us when we still have time in our hands and are already working on most of the issues,” said Perera.

He also said that a visiting European Union Parliamentary delegation which met him on Monday expressed satisfaction on the progress achieved by Sri Lanka in addressing most issues.

“They did say there were still some issues but overall they were happy with the progress,” he said.

Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Sri Lanka player Jehan Mubarak was taken in custody by police and later released on bail after the car he was driving was involved in a fatal accident that killed one person and injured another at Maikkulan on the Chilaw-Colombo main road on Sunday.

Mubarak was driving back to Colombo at around 1.00 pm when his car hit two youths who were heading to Chilaw on a motorbike.

The victim, identified as a 31-year-old resident of Dumbaladeniya, was admitted to the Chilaw Base Hospital and transferred to the National Hospital in Colombo where he succumbed to his injuries. The injured person was receiving treatment at the Chilaw hospital, police said.

Mubarak, who was produced before the Chilaw district judge on Monday, was released on personal bail of two sureties of Sri Lankan rupees two million each after being remanded immediately after the accident.

The court also ordered Mubarak to pay SLR 600,000 to the family members of the deceased and SLR 400,000 to the injured person. Of this amount SLR 200,000 and SLR 100,000 have already been paid to the victims’ families, it was revealed in court.

The case will be taken up again on May 3.

Mubarak, a 31-year-old left-hand batsman from Royal College, Colombo, has represented Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2009, appearing in 10 Tests, 38 ODIs and 16 T20Is.

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
April 23, 2012

Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)
The recently released results of the 2012 Change Readiness Index have ranked Sri Lanka at the 22nd place among 60 developing and emerging world economies and first among South Asian countries. The survey conducted by KPMG International in collaboration with researchers from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has assessed the level of change readiness across 60 countries with a focus on developing and emerging markets.

India was ranked 23th, Bangladesh 45th, Nepal 50th and Pakistan 54th.

In introducing the results of the first Change Readiness Index, the researchers say in the current uncertain economic conditions, countries, businesses and institutions around the world are undergoing unprecedented change with new challenges and opportunities every day and some countries, however, are better able to manage and mitigate the risks associated with change and capitalize on new opportunities.

They have evaluated the need and opportunity for a new forward-looking index – the Change Readiness Index – to assess the capability of individual countries to manage change.

The Index is based on the premise that the underlying capability of a country to manage change is dependent on certain fundamental characteristics.

From this, a set of indicators were identified as influencers on a country’s underlying capability to manage change and these factors have been categorised into three broad groups – economic capabilities, governance capabilities and social capabilities. Each category has been assigned a score and a rank.

Courtesy: priu.gov.lk

Source: Dailynews(Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lankan government’s efforts to improve the business environment by tackling existing barriers to trade and streamlining bureaucracy has to be highly appreciated, said British High Commissioner John Rankin, speaking at the recently held Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association AGM. He said that Sri Lanka has improved by ten places from last year in the Global Competitiveness Index.

The government’s policy decisions have helped buyers and exporters in the apparel industry. The devaluing of the rupee, while recognizing the knock on effects on manufacturing costs and the price of imported raw materials.

In developing the Sri Lankan economy, the government has taken initiatives to improve the country’s business environment. Sri Lanka needs to have closer relationships with the UK by encouraging more UK companies to consider Sri Lanka as an ethical and profitable trading partner and source of supply.

UK companies looking to operate in Sri Lanka expect that the government will provide four things, namely certainty and stability; increased transparency over government contracts; tax incentives to allow them to grow; and confidence that their investments will not be subject to arbitrary action.

UK companies also look for things from their government, which is why we are taking decisive action to tackle our budget deficit and gear our economic policies heavily in support of both foreign investment and exports. We believe this is the only way to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth, he said.

Last year the UK government published The Plan for Growth alongside the 2011 budget, setting out a wide-reaching programme of structural reforms to support enterprise and lay the foundations for a stronger and more balanced economy in the medium term in making the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business by simplifying business regulations.

“Despite challenging times for Western economies, I believe that the prospects for bilateral trade between the UK and Sri Lanka remain bright. In 2011, Sri Lankan exports to the UK totalled over US $ 1.2 billion and imports from the UK were worth some US $ 245 million. That made the UK Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner by volume. And there are over 100 companies in Sri Lanka with UK affiliations including major companies in the garment sourcing sector such as Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Triumph and Next,”he said.

(By Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA)

Source: Daily Mirror(Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said that factionalism is the biggest factor that is destroying cricket in Sri Lanka. The former Sri Lanka cricketer turned administrator called all parties including the countries umpires who are divided into various associations to join hands to lift the standard of cricket in Sri Lanka.

 
“The biggest problem we have today in the game of cricket is factions. We have factions among umpires, factions among cricketers and factions among officials. When these factions fight each other, it is the game of cricket that suffers. So we have to unite and work if we are to develop this game” Ranatunga said at the awarding of certificates to the new cricket umpires who successfully passed the examinations conducted by the Sri Lankan Cricket Umpires Association.

“I take this opportunity to urge all umpire associations to join together and work towards a common goal. Three or four associations have joined together recently and formed one association. Please try and join them and take the level of umpiring to a higher level” urged Ranatunga.

“All the players call umpires “sir”. Even off the field, we used to call all the umpires “sir”. Even today, irrespective of positions we hold, we call those umpires “sir” whenever we meet them. That is because of the respect we have, as the umpires job is held sacred by the players. Make sure that you do not lose that respect from the players” cautioned Ranatunga and adviced “You can gather respect by doing your job in a professional and honest manner”.

Ranatunga also reminded the new umpires that they have the great responsibility nurturing the future of country’s cricket the proper way. “The next generation of young players who will make-up the future of Sri Lanka’s cricket will be playing in front of you. Don’t get into any sides, don’t get into politics, don’t try to help wealthy people, don’t try to help friends or their children” was Ranatunga’s advice to the umpires.

“If you want to be a successful umpire, do your job properly. People who do a genuine job might not get the financial or other benefits. But you can be happy and you can be proud of what you have done. It will take you a long way and above all you can go home and sleep properly” said Ranatunga. (By Channaka de Silva)

Source: Daily Mirror(Sri Lanka)
The government has sought views from its alliance partners to prepare an action plan to be presented to the United States (US), on the implementation of recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), political sources said yesterday.

The US -sponsored resolution demanding the implementation of constructive recommendations of the Commission was adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 23. External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris has decided to go to Washington next month with an action plan on the implementation of LLRC recommendations. He will interact with his US counterpart Hillary Clinton during the visit. The government has requested its alliance partners to put forward their views in this respect.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the largest party in the ruling coalition. Besides, there are parties like the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress led by Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, All Ceylon National Congress led by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, National Congress led by A.L.M. Athaullah, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna led by Water Supply and Drainage Services Minister Dinesh Gunawardane, Communist Party of Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara, Lanka Samasamaja Party of Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Democratic Left Front of National Languages Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Jathika Hela Urumaya of Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Ealam People’s Democratic Party of Traditional Industries Minister Douglas Devananada and Jathika Nidahas Peramuna of Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Mr. Gunasekera said his party had no issue on the implementation of the LLRC recommendations. “For us, it is not an issue. We will send our report to the government on Friday. We are for a meaningful implementation of all the positive recommendations,” he said. The other leftist parties in the ruling coalition have also endorsed the LLRC report.

Minister Hakeem said he would submit his party’s report by next week.

The LLRC, in its report, recommends the strengthening of democratic mechanisms, the addressing of accountability issues during the last phase of the war and evolution of a political solution to the national question.

With regard to the proposed action plan, most parties are expected to submit their proposals to the government next week.

Sri Lanka is also required to submit a comprehensive report to the UNHRC on the measures taken by it in this direction, at the session scheduled for March, next year.