‘Stay away from green leaves, salads for the moment’

Health Education Bureau sources today requested the public not to eat leaves, salads and raw vegetables due to the bad weather experienced these days. “Green leaves should be thoroughly washed before consuming or cooking,” they said.

The sources also requested the public to drink boiled water and eat home cooked meals.

“Food should be eaten as soon as it is cooked. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap after using toilets, before cooking meals, before taking meals etc. All fruits should be thoroughly washed before consuming,” they said.

Ice cream and iced packets sold on waysides should not be consumed. All garbage should be properly disposed and garbage collected in welfare camps should be burnt, the sources said. They added that children below six months should be breast fed.

Wife's piety served his purpose

A person who had brewed moonshine after sending his wife to the temple to observe ‘Sil’ on Vesak Poya day was arrested by the Police in Anuradhapura.

The suspect had confessed to brewing moonshine for his personal use and not with the intention of selling the illicit liquor. The Police seized five bottles of moonshine and brewing equipment.

The suspect is to be produced in court.

No restrictions in funds: Amaraweera

The government will provide funds without any restrictions to provide relief to the displaced, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

“A large number have been affected by floods and mudslides. Nearly 90 people have died and over 100 persons have disappeared. A large group have also lost their houses and other property. We as the government has the responsibility to start rebuilding the lives of the people,” the minister said.

President Maithripala Sirisena instructed the authorities to provide financial allocations to assist the families, he said.

The minister made these remarks at a ceremony to hand over fisheries equipment valued at Rs. 3 million among fishermen in Batticaloa.

Amaraweera said some groups are making allegations that the government did not provide enough facilities to those affected by floods.

“Our government is doing everything possible to provide aid to the affected families. The entire Cabinet, led by the President and the Prime Minister, are doing much to help disaster hit families,” the minister said.

Get vaccinated against yellow fever

Sri Lankans planing to visit yellow fever affected African and South American countries should get vaccined against yellow fever 10 days prior to departure, the Health Ministry stated.

According to the Health Ministry announcement, the vaccine is available free at the Assistant Port Health Office at the Medical Research Institute (MRI), Borella during working days.

Once vaccinated against yellow fever one will get life long immunity against the disease after 10 days of obtaining the vaccine.

Persons above nine months should be vaccined. The WHO issued a warning about yellow fever is spreading through a virus carried by Aedes mosquito in Sri Lanka and many other countries. Yellow fever is reported from many African countries including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Niger, South Sudan and several South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Panama, etc.

Sri Lankan with counterfeit passport deported from Taiwan

Taiwan deported a Sri Lankan man back to the island on Sunday after finding he was trying to transit to New Zealand through Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport using a counterfeit Singapore passport.

According to the National Immigration Agency (NIA), officers of the agency’s Special Duty Brigade stopped the man for questioning at the airport Saturday night after noticing him acting strangely. As the traveler was being questioned, his Singapore passport was found to be counterfeit, the agency said.

The man said he was a cook in Sri Lanka and was able to barely support himself with what he made. To escape his predicament, he arranged for a human smuggling organisation to help him settle overseas, the man said, according to the NIA.

The syndicate suggested he try making his way to New Zealand because popular underground routes to Europe, the United States and Canada have been closely watched by local immigration authorities in recent years, the man said.

He purchased a counterfeit Singapore passport for US$1,000 and first traveled to Malaysia before flying to Taiwan, where he hoped to transit to New Zealand, the NIA said.

During questioning, the brigade found the man also had a counterfeit Singapore ID and driving license, the NIA said.

The man was deported back to Sri Lanka on Sunday on the instruction of the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office.

- CNA

Vehicle registrations drop sharply

Motor car registrations recorded 3,618 units in April up from 3,326 units a month ago and significantly down from 5,116 units 12 months ago.

According to J. B. Securities the precipitous fall in registrations recorded in January and February may not entirely be explained by a fall in demand but by a go slow from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) that resulted in a reduction in the number of registrations. In a similar vein part of the pickup in numbers in the subsequent month’s maybe clearing of the previous months’ backlog.

Brand new segment registrations recorded 1,709 units in April significantly up from 1,186 units the previous month but significantly down from 2,926 units recorded 12 months ago. Maruti recorded 1,142 units in April significantly recovering from 639 units the previous month and the extremely low 255 units in Jan but yet significantly down from 2,239 units 12 months ago.

Micro recorded 141 units up from 108 units the previous month and Hyundai recorded 125 units gaining on 112 units recorded the previous month.

Re-owned car registrations recorded 1,909 units in April marginally down from 2,140 units a month ago and also marginally down from 2,190 units 12 month ago. Toyota recorded 798 units in April marginally down from 906 units in March and Suzuki recorded 624 units in the month marginally down from 675 units the previous month. The taxes have increased by around 80% and the CIF value of vehicles in Rs have also increased doubling their value. Financing share was 66.3% significantly up 55.9% the previous month.

Electric cars recorded 85 units in April significantly down from 160 units the previous months and 152 units 12 months ago. Nissan Leaf accounted for 85 of the units down from 185 units the previous month.

SUV registrations recorded 706 units in Apr up from 610 units the previous month and marginally up from 704 units 12 months ago. Hybrid registrations recorded 2,253 units in Apr up from 2,328 units the previous month and 2,300 units 12 months ago.

The 3-wheeler registrations recorded 4,151 units in Apr up from 3,978 units the previous month but significantly down from 10,839 units 12-month ago. At the peak in Nov 2015 registrations hit 13,668 and in Feb registrations at 2,939 units was a 60-month low. The two -wheeler registrations recorded 23,956 units in April down from 28,619 units the previous month but 27,669 units 12 months ago. Bajaj claimed a segment share of 33.3% followed by Honda with 24.6%, Hero with 19.8%, TVS with 12.3% and others accounted for 10%.

Van registrations recorded 295 units in Apr down from 429 units the previous month and down 68% from 12 months ago. Financing share was 72.9%.

Pickup truck registrations recorded 236 units in Apr marginally up from 228 units the previous month but significantly down from 403 units 12 months ago. Tata is the market leader with 66.9% followed by Toyota with 17.8% and Mahindra with 5.5%. Mini truck registrations were 788 units in Apr down from 840 units in Mar and significantly down from 1,357 units recorded 12 months ago.

Lite truck registrations recorded 541 units in April up from 595 units the previous month and 504 units 12 months ago. Medium trucks registrations were 107 units in Apr down from 163 units the previous month and 167 units 12 months ago. Heavy trucks registrations were 81 units in Apr down from 132 units the previous month and significantly down from 284 units 12 months ago. Ashok Leyland unseated Tata to claim segment leadership with a share of 47.5% followed by Tata with a segment share of 41.3%. Financing share was 53.8% institutional purchase.

Buses recorded 144 units in Apr down from 182 units the previous month but up from 122 units recorded 12 months ago. Ashok Leyland is the market leader with a share of 41.3%. Financing share was 85.7%.

Brothel raided, Sri Lankan Madam arrested

Farwaniya police in Kuwait learned about a prostitution ring involving suspects of various nationalities, where the madam sent prostitutes to the flats of customers she made deals with through phone. The brothel was raided and the Sri Lankan madam was arrested along with two other women. A catalogue of women’s pictures was also found at the scene. (kuwaittimes)

Stay away from affected areas

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi yesterday urged politicians and other groups to refrain from visiting affected areas since the President and the government will look after the affected people and provide relief assistance to them.

“I also informed the Inspector General of Police not to allow politicians to visit the affected areas. The officials engaged in disaster relief operations should be allowed to do their job without hindrance,” he told the media at the Disaster Management Centre yesterday.

The Defence Secretary said relief activities have been delayed due to heavy traffic reported in the affected areas because of visitors.

He added that according to Water Board sources, it had taken nearly five hours for water bowsers to reach the landslide affected area in Aranayaka from Colombo because of the heavy traffic caused by visitors.

Hettiarachchi said measures will also been taken to resettle all families living in flood prone areas in safer locations under the proposed New City Colombo plan.

“The New City Colombo was collectively planned by a group of engineers attached to the Department of Irrigation. This plan has already been provided to the Megalopolis Ministry for implementation on the instructions of the President,” the Secretary said.

Red Cross Society of China donates $50,000 to Sri Lanka on flooding, landslide

The Red Cross Society of China donated $50,000 to Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) to support Sri Lanka's relief and rebuilding efforts in the ongoing disaster of flooding and landslides,a statement released by Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said on Saturday.

 

Pang Chunxue, political counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, handed over the donation to S.B.Madugalle, deputy director general of SLRCS.

 

Pang extended the deepest sympathy and condolences to the Sri Lankan people especially the families affected by the disaster, hoping the donation could assist the current relief operation of SLRCS and provide help to the people in the disaster-affected areas.

 

Madugalle introduced the disaster situation and expressed appreciation and gratitude to the generous donation from the Red Cross Society of China.

 

Over 450,000 people have been affected by floods and landslides across the country while the Disaster Management Center said that 64 people had been killed.

 

The government had this week sought urgent foreign assistance as the death toll from the floods and landslides rose and the number of displaced also increased. (Xinhua)

Another landslide in Aranayake

Another landslide was reported in Kabaragala Mountain at Aranayakae this afternoon the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) told Daily News Online.

According to the DMC the landslide occurred in the forest area and no casualties were reported.

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Cyclone Roanu batters Bangladesh, kills 21

Tropical Cyclone Roanu lashed the coast of Bangladesh with heavy winds and sheets of rain, killing at least 21 people and forcing the evacuation of half a million residents, authorities said.

 

With 55 mile-per-hour winds and downpours of more than a foot in some areas on Saturday, the cyclone hit the south and southeast regions of Barisal and Chittagong especially hard -- damaging hundreds of houses and causing landslides, according to disaster officials.

Roanu made landfall Saturday and began to weaken as it roared over Bangladesh, according to CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar.

In the days before it touched down, the cyclone dumped 9 to 13 inches of rain in parts of Bangladesh and more than 18 inches in Kakinada, India, more than 800 miles away.

 

Parts of Bangladesh could see additional accumulations ranging from 2 to 6 inches, according to Chinchar.

"We've confirmed 21 deaths in six districts so far," Dalil Uddin, a representative of the disaster management ministry, told CNN.

Uddin said many fatalities involved people who were buried under uprooted trees, damaged houses and landslides. The death toll was expected to rise.

Vast swaths of land in coastal cities were inundated and some 500,000 people were evacuated to shelters, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, minister of disaster management and relief, told reporters.

 

The storm disrupted power and road communications in many parts of the country, officials said.

Its sea level geography and location have conspired to make Bangladesh vulnerable to cyclones.

In 1991, a cyclone killed at least 140,000 people, according to the United Nations.

In 1970, Cyclone Bhola struck Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, killing 500,000 people. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called the storm the 20th century's "greatest tropical system disaster."

Since then, improved warning systems and shelters have helped reduce the number of deaths during more recent storms. (CNN)

Sri Lanka thrashed at Headingley

England fast bowler James Anderson took five wickets to inspire the hosts to a crushing victory over Sri Lanka by an innings and 88 runs in the first test in Leeds on Saturday.

 

Anderson claimed 10 victims in the match as Sri Lanka crumbled to 119 all out in their second innings on the third day after being asked to follow-on.

 

Anderson had Dimuth Karunaratne (seven) and Kaushal Silva (14) caught by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow in another probing spell in the morning before rain forced the players off for an early lunch with Sri Lanka on 77 for two.

 

Spinner Moeen Ali forced Dinesh Chandimal, on eight, to chop the ball on to his stumps before Kusal Mendis, dropped twice, became the first Sri Lankan batsman to pass fifty in the match.

 

Stuart Broad forced Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews to nick another catch through to Bairstow and Mendis, on 53, was bowled by Anderson off the inside edge.

 

Dasun Shanaka's unhappy stay at the crease ended when he edged Anderson through to Bairstow, the ninth catch of the match for the flame-haired keeper who scored a brilliant 140 in England's innings.

 

Rangana Herath chipped Steven Finn to Broad at short extra cover and the touring side limped to tea on 116 for seven.

 

England ruthlessly wrapped up the last three wickets in 10 minutes.

 

Dushmantha Chameera was caught by Nick Compton at short leg off Finn for a duck, Lahiru Thiramanne edged Finn to Joe Root at second slip for 16 and Anderson bowled Nuwan Pradeep to complete figures of 5-29 and a match haul of 10-45. (supersport)

Facebook safety check for Sri Lankan flood victims

With severe floods and landslide being reported from all parts of the island, many families and relatives are left wondering if their loved ones have reached a safe area or have been left stranded somewhere needing assistance.

The rapid floods and landslide have not only taken over 37 lives as of now, it has left thousands homeless needing assistance. The property damage is not limited to houses but has severely affected infrastructure such as roads and bridges. The power lines have been also affected disrupting essential services during this calamity period.

Modes of communication has been also severely affected due to lack of electricity in some areas as well as due to damage caused to the communication infrastructure.

Now Sri Lankans with a Facebook account are given the opportunity to mark yourself or someone you know as safe. This allows those searching for a person through Facebook to have an idea, if a person has reached safety or not.

Facebook allows users to; “Let your friends know you're OK by marking yourself safe.”  As well as  “Check on Friends Quickly find and connect with friends in the area. Mark them safe if you know they're OK.”

Facebook has used this safety check feature earlier in disaster situations to assist friends and families know if their loved ones have reached safety. This feature has been used during the recent Nepal earthquakes, the Paris attack, the Brussels attack, and last year during the South Indian floods.

Philippine rebels to enter talks, name allies to Duterte Cabinet

PHILIPPINES: Philippine communist rebels waging one of Asia's longest insurgencies said Wednesday they would enter into peace talks with president-elect Rodrigo Duterte and ask him to add four of their political allies to his cabinet.

Duterte, who won a landslide victory in last week's elections, had offered four cabinet posts to the insurgents and expressed willingness to free ailing guerrillas from prison to jumpstart peace negotiations that had stalled three years ago.

“We applaud the plans and programmes announced by president-elect Duterte. We believe these would be key factors to achieving peace,” Luis Jalandoni, the rebels’ exiled chief peace negotiator told Manila radio station DZMM by telephone.

Netherlands-based Jalandoni said the rebels were expected to shortly exchange delegation visits with the Duterte camp “as part of the process for preparing the resumption of peace talks” as well as to iron out terms of cooperation.

Duterte, the mayor of the southern city of Davao, on Monday welcomed plans by Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison to end nearly 30 years of Dutch exile to take part in the peace talks.

He said the return of Sison, his former political science professor at a Manila university, would be important in helping to end the rebellion, which has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives since the 1960s.

Both Jalandoni and Sison said no guerrillas would actually serve in Duterte's cabinet prior to reaching a political settlement, when the insurgents hoped to lay down arms and join a coalition government.

“We have relayed to president-elect Duterte that (guerrilla) personnel themselves would not be taking up government posts, but we will recommend a list of qualified, competent and dedicated persons that could fill the posts,” Jalandoni said.

He said this would include nominees to the labour, social welfare, environment, and agrarian reform portfolios that were offered to them by Duterte, who takes office on June 30.

Jalandoni also told DZMM the rebels would consider a ceasefire and would ask the Duterte government to release 543 “political prisoners”, the insurgents’ term for imprisoned comrades.

Incumbent leader Benigno Aquino ended talks with the communists in 2013 over the rebels’ demand for the unconditional release of their detained comrades that his government was unwilling to grant. - AFP

Tree falls on house killing man

A large tree which was uprooted following strong winds, fell on a house occupied by a couple in Egodawatte, Madampe killing the husband and critically injuring the wife.

The dead man was identified as Rakshan Fernando, 38. His wife aged 36 is said to be in a critical state, hospital sources said.

The incident happened on Monday night. Neighbours with the help of police entered the house after removing parts of the tree, and found Fernando dead and his wife critically injured. Heavy rains and winds during the last couple of days have caused damages to both man and property in the area.

Australia, Sri Lanka cooperate to eradicate dengue

The Australian High Commission supported Sri Lanka’s National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) in facilitating a workshop in Colombo on May 16 to tackle dengue.

The workshop allowed the two countries to share their experiences and knowledge on dengue control.

Professor Scott Ritchie from James Cook University of Australia, visiting Sri Lanka under an Australian government sponsored programme, joined the NDCU’s National Coordinator Dr. Hasitha Tissera to manage the workshop, together with Deputy Director General (Public Health Services) Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Dengue Control Unit Director, Dr. A.M. Thowfeek.

Around 40 medical doctors and entomologists from Sri Lanka’s various districts participated in the workshop, which also included a field visit to the Colombo East Municipal Council office of the Public Health Department to speak with public health inspectors carrying out dengue surveillance and control activities.

Dr. Tissera pointed out that more than 16,500 suspected dengue cases had been reported during the last five months of 2015, with more than half of these from the Western Province.

Poor drainage systems and ineffective solid waste management were the key reasons for creating mosquito breeding places, he said.

Professor Ritchie said the key measures for preventing the spread of dengue are good sanitation, a reliable water supply and the adoption of targeted indoor residual spraying rather than outdoor fogging. Professor Ritchie discussed his involvement in the successful pilot of an innovative programme in North Queensland where the Wolbachia bacterium has been introduced into the mosquito population with the remarkable effect of preventing dengue vector mosquitoes from transmitting dengue viruses.

Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson said Professor Ritchie’s visit is another example of the excellent technical cooperation between Australian and Sri Lankan experts. Together we can fight dengue and ensure a better quality of life for our people.

The workshop drew on research conducted in several other countries including Colombia, India, and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region. High Commissioner Hutchesson said it is imperative that countries with experience in this field share their knowledge and build networks between experts.

No assistance, call 1919

 

The public is informed to call hotline 1919 and inform the President through #TellThePresident initiative, if government agents or officers have not reached disaster stricken areas yet

President to open Dagoba

A Dagoba built on top of Wedasitikanda in Kataragama will be unveiled by President Maithripala Sirisena on May 19 morning. The Dagoba was built under the leadership of Sellakataragama Dhamma Nikethanarama Pirivenadhipathi and Wedasitikanda Chief Incumbent Shastrapathi Heelle Gnanananda Thera

WP Governor urged to remove CMC Commissioner

A group of Colombo Municipal Councillors today handed over a petition to Western Province Governor K. C. Logeswaran urging him to remove Municipal Commissioner V. K. A. Anura.

Out of 53 councilors, 47 - government and opposition councilors - signed the petition putting aside party differences.

Municipal Councilor Sunil Ananda Vithanage (UNP) said the media has highlighted many of the Commissioner’s malpractices and arbitrary acts alleged to have taken place in the recent past. He has allegedly issued an entitlement certification illegally for a land belonging to a private company to an outside party violating the ownership of its legal owners, Vithanage said.

It has been revealed that this is a forged document and that the receiving party are close associates of the Commissioner, Vithanage said.

“He has tarnished the good name and the reputation of the CMC as well as the dignity of the post of Municipal Commissioner,” he said.

UPFA Council member Riza Zarook said the Commissioner is also a very weak administrator.

Although a large number of residents in Colombo were affected by the floods, the Commissioner did not even take steps to provide cooked meals to the affected people.

“We had to make a huge effort to obtain food and distribute them among the needy due to the lack of his support.”

UNP Council member M. A. Sharafdeen said it is their duty to uphold the dignity and maintain the honour of the Council.

“That is why we urge the Governor to conduct an impartial investigation and take action against the Commissioner,” he said.

•      

Housing complexes for teachers from distant areas

Housing complexes will be constructed to accommodate teachers coming to serve in the Ampara district from other areas, Petroleum and Petroleum Gas Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage said.

Addressing the Divisional Development Committee Meeting at the Uhana Divisional Secretariat, she said discussions are on to employ graduate development officers as temporary teachers to ease teacher shortage in Ampara.

The minister instructed the divisional secretary to prepare a list of officers who did not attend the coordinating committee meeting and to inform relevant authorities to take immediate action against them.

They also discussed measures to solve the the human-elephant conflict at the meeting.

Eastern Provincial Council Chairman Chandradasa Galappaththi, Provincial Councillors Manjula Fernando and D. D. Meththananda and a number of government officials were present.

 

Sri Lanka Navy denies reports it's building facility on Katchatheevu

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) on Sunday dismissed reports that it planned to build a naval facility on the Katchatheevu islet, which was ceded by India to Sri Lanka during the June 1974 bilateral agreement.

Talking to The Hindu, SLN Commander Vice-Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne termed “baseless” the reports that the Navy had planned to install a detachment on the islet. “Our role in the proposed construction of a new shrine at St. Anthony’s church has been blown out of proportion,” the Commander added.

After Vikas Swarup’s observations

The Commander’s attention was drawn to observations of the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs in the Indian government, Vikas Swarup, a few days ago that the Indian High Commission had been asked to provide more details on the reports and the move to build a shrine without informing India.

Recounting how the Navy got involved in the construction of the shrine for which the foundation stone was laid a week ago, the Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne explained that when the annual two-day Katchatheevu festival took place in February this year, the help of the Navy was sought by both the Diocese of Jaffna and visiting Indian pilgrims, mostly fishermen, for putting up a new shrine as the existing one was too small to accommodate the pilgrims and it was very old.

According to Bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Rev. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, under whose jurisdiction comes the Katchatheevu shrine, the size should be 10 X 8 ft.

Bishop rebuts contention

The Bishop, who attended the festival for the last four years, denied the contention that the original decision was to build the new shrine jointly by the Jaffna diocese and the fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Verkodu parish. “They have no say in such matters. Besides, only the Navy can carry out transportation of material. This was why we sought their help.”

The Navy would also arrange for labour and the Sri Lankan government might sound some private companies in Colombo to provide financial support for the shrine construction.

Rt. Rev. Gnanapragasam asserted that the pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, who approached him and renewed their request for the new shrine this year too, had expressed their desire to make contributions for the construction.

“Archaeological monument”

Pointing out that the existing shrine was built in 1901, the Commander described it as an “archaeological monument,” which the Navy “cannot disturb.” As in India, any structure that had been in existence for not less than 100 years would come under laws on archaeology.

Besides, the steel bar, used to put up a structure during the visit of Pope Francis in January last year, would be utilised on Katchatheevu. The Vice-Admiral said when Pope Francis was in Sri Lanka, Joseph Vaz, a 17 century priest who belonged to Goa and engaged himself in evangelism in Sri Lanka, was cannonised. “This is why we have felt that if we put to use what was blessed by the Holy Father, this would promote ties between peoples of Sri Lanka and India,” the Commander added. (The Hindu)

MR putting up an act for political expediency: Mangala

Responding to several recent statements made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says that they again prove that the Rajapaksa’s efforts to portray him as a human rights defender and upholder of democracy while in the opposition, is merely an act done for the sake of political expediency.

In an open letter to the former President, Foreign Minister Samaraweera said: “The many statements you have been making lately, especially the recent statement made by you opposing the Human Rights Council resolution, brings me genuine sorrow because it reminds once again that your role as a great human rights defender and upholder of democracy was merely an act done for the sake of political expediency while you were in the Opposition.”

While identifying the UN resolution as a victory for Sri Lankan’s and the country’s foreign policy Samaraweera added: “Your statement opposing the UN Human Rights Council Resolution exemplifies just how self-serving, unpatriotic and opportunistic politician you have become”.

The minister added: “When you were in the opposition, human rights, Geneva and the international community were your friends. But when power intoxicated you, they were forgotten and anyone who dared to talk of such universal values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law were labeled as LTTE sympathisers and traitors. Now that you are out of power, looking at your coconut-breaker cronies’ business class travel to Geneva, it appears you have remembered them again”.

Parliament’s viewpoint will be consulted: Sagala

The Parliament’s viewpoint will be consulted on the purchase of two VIP security vehicles for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Law and Order and Southern Development Minister and Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka said.

The Prime Minister’s Office issuing a press communique yesterday, said the views of Parliament would be heeded in deciding the future steps with regard to this purchase as the Chief Opposition Whip had registered his objection over this move.

Minister Ratnayaka in the release further stated the price of the two vehicles was Rs. 128 million, adding that the rest of Rs. 468 million was tax payment.

“Rs. 128 million is the actual cost for the government from this purchase. The rest is a transaction of money from one state account to another. The proposal was made following the recommendation of the Security Council as there was no official vehicle for the use of the Prime Minister,” it stated.

“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is presently using two VIP security vehicles and a jeep released by the Presidential Secretariat. The jeep was made in 2006 while the two motor vehicles were made in 2012 and 2008. The conditions of these vehicles are poor and need repairs more frequently. Since January 9, 2015, Rs. 9.8 million had been spent for the repairs and maintenance work. Due to this reason, the Prime Minister is frequently using his private vehicle and does not claim any money from the Prime Minister’s Office for the use of that vehicle,” the minister said.

The release added former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken with him the brand new VIP vehicles which were in the vehicle fleet of the Presidential Secretariat following his defeat on January 8.

“Therefore President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga had to content with the leftover vehicles in the fleet. The purchase of new vehicles by the Prime Minister’s Office is reasonable since the Prime Minister was not given any official vehicle from the Prime Minister’s Office and since the vehicles received by him from the Presidential Secretariat need frequent repairs,” the release added.

Sri Lankan President Sirisena visits Sanchi

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena visited Sanchi on Saturday. Sirisena arrived in India to attend the `Vichar Mahakumbh' in village Ninora, near Ujjain.

 

At Sanchi, Sirisena unveiled the statue of Dhammapathik Anagarika Dharmapala, a Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist and writer who was one of the founding contributors of non-violent Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism.

 

Expressing gratification over his visit, Sirisena said that he felt blessed and thanked MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and BJP spokesperson Ram Madhav for inviting him to Sanchi. He also praised the government for establishing the Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies.

 

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who accompanied President Sirisena announced building a `friendship park' near Sanchi University. ``The park will strengthen the friendship and cultural bond between the two countries'', he said.

 

Chouhan also said that a grand temple dedicated to Sita would be built at the site where she had undergone `Angi Pariksha' in Sri Lanka. ``Expenditure on this would be borne by Madhya Pradesh government while, Sri Lanka government has agreed to provide land for the temple'', he added.

 

Earlier, the Sri Lankan President along with Speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament Karunaratna Jayasurya, visited Chaityagiri temple and worshipped the holy relics of Lord Buddha's disciples Mahamoggalayan and Sariputta. (Times of India)

G.C.E. (A/L) examination to be held in April

The government is looking at the potential to move the G.C.E. (A/L) examination to April instead of August.

 

Currently the students who sit for the examination in August have to stay for nearly 2 years for their university admission. According to the State Minister of Higher Education Mohan Lal Grero, this long wait is a considerable waste of time for those students and even caused to change their minds towards university admission.

 

Considering the situation, steps will be taken to hold this examination in April and to finish the university admission process within 8 months after the examination.

State Minister said that the discussions in this regard have also been held with the Ministry of Education and other relevant university authorities. (Govt.Info)

Ukraine stuns Russia to win politically-charged Eurovision

 Ukrainian singer Jamala snatched victory from arch-rival Russia to win the Eurovision song contest, adding a touch of political drama to the annual kitsch extravaganza.

After a tense vote count, during which it seemed Australia was going to run away with the crown until the audience votes came in, Jamala was declared the winner in Stockholm after a heart-felt performance of "1944", a song about the deportations of Crimean Tatars during World War II.

Jamala's entry -- which stirred controversy over perceived veiled criticism of Russia's recent annexation of Crimea -- scored 534 points, closely followed by Australia's Dami Im with 511 points, the juries' favourite.

The hotly tipped former Russian child star Sergey Lazarev came in third with 491 points.

In Moscow, public TV channel Rossiya 1's commentators congratulated Jamala on her win, without mentioning the Crimean Tatars.

They said Jamala's song was "about her family members", without offering further details.

Jamala herself described the win as "amazing".

"I was sure that if you sing, if you talk about truth it really could touch people," the 32-year-old said at the winner's press conference.

The stunning turnaround in the final minutes of the show capped an eventful 61st edition of the love-it-or-hate-it kitsch fest, which was expected to be the most-watched Eurovision since the event was first staged in 1956.

Scores were decided by national juries as well as viewers. In an attempt to give the outcome a more democratic feel this year, fans were given the final say -- adding some last-minute suspense to the contest.

Among the evening's other highlights was a guest appearance by US pop star Justin Timberlake, who entertained the crowd with his hit "Rock Your Body" before performing his new single, the upbeat "Can't Stop the Feeling", which itself wouldn't have sounded out of place in the Eurovision line-up.

In another sign of the contest's growing appeal, Eurovision was for the first time broadcast live in the United States on the Logo channel, which is aimed at the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

The show was also live-streamed on YouTube, giving Google a piece of a pie once reserved for European public broadcasters.

"The Eurovision Song Contest is now a truly global phenomenon," producer Jon Ola Sand said, amid expectations that the show will push last year's record of 197 million viewers worldwide.

- 'In my blood' -

Characterised by critics as a potpourri of bizarre performance antics, special effects and cheese, the light-hearted contest usually tries to avoid controversy and steer clear of geopolitics but this year was always going to be different.

Political leaders in Moscow and Crimea had initially sought to get Jamala's song disqualified, arguing that it criticised Russia's annexation of the Black Sea peninsula in March 2014.

The jury approved the lyrics nonetheless, setting the stage for a monumental confrontation.

Inspired by Jamala's great-grandmother's story, "1944" recounts the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by Soviet strongman Joseph Stalin, and she sings it partly in the Tatar language, she says, because "it's in my blood."

The song has resonance for contemporary Ukraine, where memories of that horror were revived by Russia's seizure of Crimea, and Jamala's poignant lyrics tell the story of a people with a history of persecution that continues to this day.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was among the first to congratulate Jamala on her victory.

"Yes!!!" Poroshenko tweeted. "An unbelievable performance and victory! All of Ukraine gives you its heartfelt thanks, Jamala."

Ahead of showtime, bookies had tipped Russia's Lazarev and his catchy "You Are the Only One" tune to win the contest between 26 finalists -- 25 Europeans and one Australian.

Lazarev, popular in his own country and eastern European nations, has built an eventful career as a singer, actor and TV host.

He has also drawn admiration from gay rights campaigners for speaking out against his country's climate of homophobia.

Earlier this month he told Sweden's QX gay magazine that he was happy for fans to wave rainbow flags at his performance, saying he respects his gay fans and they respect him.

Guest competitor Australia also lived up to its billing as a frontrunner, cementing its reputation as a country to be reckoned with in its second year of competition after first being invited to last year's anniversary edition.

South Korean-born Dami Im, 27, a classically trained pianist and former X-factor winner, won over the national juries with her slick performance of "Sound of Silence", but in the end it was the viewers who decided it wasn't quite enough to beat Jamala's performance. (AFP)