News

The general public who were battered by the inclement weather prevailed in the country during the past couple of weeks is faced with a difficult situation as their water resources and wells have been polluted after the flash floods.
 
Responding in this hour of need, the relief teams of the Sri Lanka Navy are undertaking cleaning efforts in the areas of Horana, Kalutara, Agalawatta, Gampaha, Bopitiya, Puttalam and Naththandiya and going by that initiative they have cleaned a total of 254 wells of late.
 
Meanwhile, the Navy had also installed a mobile Reverse Osmosis plant to provide safe drinking water to the community in the locality of Naththandiya.

Source : Navy Media

Menstruation, colloquially known as ‘periods’, is a normal biological process. However, it remains a globally stigmatized issue, and many are reluctant to speak up about it. This is why the world comes together on 28 May, every year, to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day – to raise awareness on the challenges women and girls face due to menstruation, and to highlight solutions to address these challenges.

According to a UNICEF and WaterAid study, 60% of parents in Sri Lanka do not allow their daughters to go to school during their period, and 80% of teachers think that bathing should be avoided during menstruation. Such taboos and misinformation affect the menstrual hygiene of women and girls, and undermine gender equality. It leads to discrimination, causing women and girls to miss out on their education, work and other opportunities in life.

Identifying the need to increase awareness on menstrual hygiene and to break the stigma around menstruation, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka marked Menstrual Hygiene Day by running a quiz competition on its social media channels. Winners received passes to watch the Bollywood film ‘Pad Man’, at a special screening held on 28 May 2018.

‘Pad Man’ is a film based on the inspiring life story of Arunchalam Muruganatham, an Indian man who revolutionized the concept of menstrual hygiene by manufacturing low-cost sanitary napkins in India, upon learning that his wife used filthy rags and newspapers during her periods. The film explores many important aspects such as gender stereotypes and challenges the social stigma around menstruation.

Speaking at the event, UNFPA Sri Lanka Representative, Ms. Ritsu Nacken said; “The social stigma associated with menstruation can undermine gender equality. By having open dialogues about menstruation we can promote healthy attitudes and safer practices in hygiene and sanitation. It is important to recognize that menstruation matters not only to women and girls, but also to men and boys. Including men and boys in conversations about menstruation will help create normalcy and foster a safe and supportive environment for women and girls”.
At the event, over 100 young people also had the opportunity to learn about three eco-friendly menstrual hygienic products: 1) Candra – a reusable undergarment manufactured by Sri Lankan apparel company Hela Clothing, 2) Me Luna - Menstrual Cups produced in Germany, and 3) Momiji Natural – a reusable cloth-based sanitary napkin locally produced by a female Japanese entrepreneur.

Court of Appeal on Wednesday suspended elections for the crisis-ridden cricket board, whose president Thilanga Sumathipala is being challenged for the top job.

The Court of Appeal suspended for two weeks a vote due to be held Thursday pending the hearing of a petition by Nishantha Ranatunga, who argued that Sumathipala is unsuitable for re-election.

"The court issued a stay order on the elections till June 14," a court official said.

Sumathipala is pitted against Ranatunga, a younger brother of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, in the election. The Ranatunga brothers accuse Sumathipala of violating International Cricket Council regulations by holding office despite alleged links to gambling.

Sumathipala acknowledges that his family is involved in gambling, but says he has nothing to do with the business and has not violated the ICC code of conduct.

In 2016 Arjuna Ranatunga stood for vice president but lost by 22 votes to businessman Jayantha Dharmadasa, while Nishantha Ranatunga who stood for president lost by 32 votes to Sumathipala.

The latest court intervention in the cricket board came as four Sri Lankans were implicated in an alleged match-fixing scandal exposed in an Al Jazeera documentary broadcast on Sunday.

Arjuna Ranatunga told reporters that cricket corruption in Sri Lanka was far more serious than alleged in the report and blamed the ICC for not acting swiftly.

Sri Lankan police as well as the ICC have begun investigations into the allegations.

Source : Times of India

Sri Lanka Customs says that the 74 containers of canned fish which were seized and declared as unsuitable for human consumption will be re-exported to their countries of origin. 

General food items are released after being approved by the Food Inspector of the Health Department and sometimes subject to Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) approval. 

Especially for canned fish, both approvals are required while the goods will not be be released when such approvals are not granted, the customs spokesman said. 

He said that approval for the recently imported 74 containers were rejected according to the issues in quality.

The total weight of the canned fish in the 74 containers is approximately 137,000kg and the value is approximately Rs 388 million 
It has been ordered to re-export to the countries of origin which include China, Taiwan and Thailand. 

Sri Lanka Customs said that 18 out of the 74 containers were approved for re-exporting while action will be taken to re-export the rest of the container as well in due course. 

Source : Ada Derana

Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila and Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to go head to head in a public debate on June 7 on Hiru TV regarding the 20th amendment to the constitution. 

The debate came about after Dissanayake accepted the challenge for a public debate from JO MP representing the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Udaya Gammanpila during a press conference held by the latter recently. 

Accordingly, the two will debate on the matter during the Balaya, political program on Hiru TV telecast at 10 pm on the day.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has been re-accredited with ‘A’ status by Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in recognition of its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Commission Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama said.

GANHRI promotes and strengthens National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to be in accordance with the Paris Principles and provides leadership in the promotion and protection of human rights.

GANHRI‘s Sub-Committee on Accreditation which met from May 14-18 in Geneva, Switzerland re-accredited ‘A’ status to HRCSL after a rigorous process of review. ‘A’ status means that the institution is in full compliance with the Paris Principles adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993. The review takes place every five years.

Dr. Udagama said HRCSL had only received ‘B’ status in the previous reviews in 2000, 2007 and 2009.

She pointed out that the HRCSL has been working tirelessly over the past several years to win public confidence as an independent body.

“We voiced our concerns even when the matter was politically sensitive. At times, we were criticised due to this reason. We came forward for the rights of socially discriminated groups, prisoners and women. We strongly recommended the Government to establish the Office of Missing Persons (OMP). We have taken a keen interest on economic and social rights of the people,” she said highlighting the performance of the Commission over the past years.

The Paris Principles set out six main criteria for NHRIs and they include having a broad mandate, based on universal human rights norms and standards, autonomy from Government, independence guaranteed by statute or Constitution, pluralism, adequate resources and adequate powers of investigation.

The institutions that receive the ‘A’ status can participate fully in the international and regional work and have voting power. They are also able to participate in sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and take the floor under any agenda item, submit documentation and take up separate seating.

HRCSL Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan in a Tweet in her account said, “Grateful our hard work has been recognized and rewarded”.
UNICEF SriLanka Child Protection Manager Ramiz Behbudov reacting to the Tweet said, “Great news for SriLanka. This will allow UNICEF to further enhance our partnership with the HRC SL to advance child rights monitoring in the country. We thank HRCSL Commissioners for their unyielding determination, principled position and positive optimism for getting the HRC to this point”.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne congratulating the HRCSL said, “So proud of the Commission’s remarkable work. Wish the Commission more strength, power and wisdom to keep on working for the rights of all Sri Lankans”.

Source : Daily News

Popular soothsayer in the country, P.D. Perera from Natanadiya is said to have committed suicide after jumping in front of a train. 

According to Police, he had been emotionally disturbed after being unable to settle his mounting debts pushing him to end his life. He had committed the act near the Negombo railway station according to the Police. 

Eyewitnesses claim that he was seated near the station and had suddenly jumped before a train plying to Chilaw.

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara who admitted he had received a sum of Rs.1 million from a company affiliated to Arjun Aloysius’s Perpetual Treasuries yesterday said 118 other Parliamentarians has taken a sum totalling Rs.1.3 billion for electioneering from the businessman.

Jayasekera said he did nothing wrong in accepting the funds which he had used for his electioneering to seek a Parliament seat.

Jayasekara said he was the Chief Minister of the Wayamba Province when the sponsor money was given to him.

The former Sports Minister said there were names of 118 MPs in some pages of the Bond Commission report which he alleged are yet to be submitted to Parliament.

The former Sports Minister revealed this at a special press conference held yesterday (May 28) morning at the Center of Media for the Freedom in Ananda Rajakaruna Road in Punchi Borella.

The former minister also stated that some of the Parliamentarians had launched a mudslinging campaign against him by accusing him of taking bribes.

But, the former minister further stated that, though he had received a cash cheque, he wasn’t aware that it was sent to him by Arjun Aloysius at the time.

He further said that it is common for most Parliamentarians to receive donations from all the top class businessman, during the period of an election campaign.

Also, Jayasekera said that at the time he received the money, he was not a member of Parliament and he didn’t put it to his personal account in a bank.

He said that all the money was spent on food, caps, T-Shirts for the supporters and also to hire buses to give transport facilities to the supporters.

Also at this special press conference, former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara empathised that, though he had received money from the infamous Arjun Aloysius, he didn’t take any action to protect him after the allegations were made against him with regard to the Treasury Bond matter.

Source : Daily News

The group of 16 who left the government recently is set to meet opposition leader R. Sampanthan today. According to sources the meeting is set to happen at his office located on Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha. A spokesman for the group said the future course of the country will be discussed at the meeting.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged to accelerate the development of the island's poorest province strengthening the state machinery and going beyond concretization to increase the economic productivity helping the people.
 
The Prime Minister made this pledge during a tour in the Northern Province today to inspect the progress of development projects launched in the Province.
 
The Premier is touring the Northern Province to review progress of the development projects including resettlement, housing construction, land release, job creation and infrastructure development commenced in the Province, after the present government came to power.
 
Participating in the progress review meeting of the development projects in the Kilinochchi district secretariat, the Premier emphasized that measures should be taken to increase economic production aiming at improving the quality of life of the people.
 
The Premier said he has discussed the problems faced by the people in the Province during a meeting with the people's representatives of the area MPs S. Sritharan and Mavai Senathirajah and made the visit to the area today to look into those problems as well as to discuss the progress of the development projects.

"We must remember that Northern Province is the poorest among the nine provinces of the country. Except Jaffna, the situation has a major impact in the province, mainly in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu areas. There has been some progress in the Vavuniya area," he noted.

The Premier pointed out that there are several problems to resolve when developing the Jaffna area, especially return of military occupied land.

"It is especially important to hand over the lands that are in the custody of the Army. The Jaffna city could be transformed into a massive urban development. But there is a huge problem with the use and wastage of water," he pointed out.

"Therefore we first focus on improving infrastructure, returning the lands and resettlement of people," he said adding that there is some progress to be seen but in some places there are still shortcomings and the needed work is being carried out with the collaboration of the relevant ministers

"We must also focus on uplifting the living standard of the people in these areas," he said.

Recalling that the UNP government started the Mahaweli Project in 1977 to develop the entire country the Premier said the Northern Province did not benefit since the war erupted before the development could reach the Province.

"Now we must restore that development somehow. Getting water to this area is very important for development. Through the Malwathu Oya reservoir, water can be obtained for parts of Mannar and Vavuniya," he said.

The Premier revealing that the government has commenced a massive development program from Kandy to Hambantota and Monaragala and a massive development plan has been prepared for Rajarata, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee as well, said what is needed now is to include Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi areas also into the development plan.
"We need to plan to expand Sri Lanka's development from Jaffna to Hambantota, and the Kilinochchi area is the first that need to be developed," the Premier added.

"The first requirement is to get water. We need more systematic water supply schemes. During the rainfall, area receives more water than needed. We should store the rain water to use during the droughts and should look into rain water conservation projects," he emphasized.

The Premier said during the reign of Rajarata, a large number of paddy fields were found in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and there was a program to save water for paddy cultivation. In some places, paddy was cultivated and other grains were cultivated in some areas. "We have to implement these programs again," he stressed.

"We also hope to commence a program to uplift the fisheries industry in this area. The tourism industry in Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, and Trincomalee areas should also be developed. We also focus on setting up factories in Paranthan. With all these programs, we will explore the possibility of improving this area," he said.

"In 1978 this area became a district. At that time no one from Jaffna was elected to universities. I hope to return this area to development after it became a battlefield. We can come together again without the division of North and South. Since the war is over, these areas should be added to our national plans," he said.

The Premier noted that President Maithripala Sirisena also visited Jaffna area several times to solve land issues. "I came here today to look into the development work here. I hope to increase the economic output of this region not just constructing buildings for the benefit of the people.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stressed that Kilinochchi's contribution to the country's GDP needs to be increased at least by one-tenth. Then in the future it will be possible to increase it further. "I hope to come back to these areas again and look into these development activities in the future. Especially a project to collect rainwater needs to be started."

He said after obtaining the land in Paranthan he will initiate discussions with the Board of Investment to initiate industries. "We should provide employment to the war-affected youth."

The Premier said he held discussions with the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the OMP will visit Kilinochchi in the future and the government is ready to resolve those humanitarian problems.

"We must create a future for the youth of this area. We should even solve the problems of people disabled during the war. We are ready to work together with the Northern Provincial Council to move ahead with all these efforts. These activities will be continued discussing with the Chief Minister and the Governor. We will inquire whether there will be progress in the economic situation of the people in the future. That's what need to be done through politics," the Premier said.

He said the funds will be allocated to the area based on the progress in the education sector and asked the teachers to inform the government if they have problems.

"If teachers have problems, let us know. They can be solved through the Minister of Education," the Prime Minister said adding that graduates will be given jobs in the next few months.

Minister D.M. Swaminathan and Parliamentarian Vijayakala Maheswaran were among those present at the progress review meeting held at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat today.
The Prime Minister also participle in a progress review meeting at the Jaffna District Secretariat.

Attention was drawn to many matters including the building of the economy in the North, developing industries unique to the North and the Premier revealed that a special commercial hub will be established centering the Jaffna District.

Discussions also centered on the development of the Palaly Airport and also special housing projects launched on behalf of the resettled families in Jaffna.

Provincial Governor Reginald Cooray and Parliamentarians Mavai Senathirajah, E. Saravanabavan and S. Sritharan were among those who joined in the discussion.
 
Source : Colombo Page

The first ever Vesak Pandol put up by the Sri Lankan Army in Malaysia was ceremonially inaugurated at the Brickfields Buddhist temple premises in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday (26). The pandol was part of the International Vesak Celebration which is being held at the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Malaysia from the 26th of May to the 01st of June. It is organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia and the Buddhist Maha Vihara. 

According to Army media, the pandol was constructed by the Sri Lanka Army's Corps of Engineer Services (CES) following an initiative by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia.

Sri Lanka, celebrating six decades of diplomatic ties with Malaysia has presented the Vesak Pandol depicting the 'Kundalakeshi' jathaka story. With a height of 60 feet and a width of 50 feet, the pandol is illuminated with 35,000 colourful bulbs.

The Vesak Day Celebrations at the Buddhist Maha Vihara is expected to be attended by over 100,000 devotees.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake last week in parliament is set to be announced by the Joint Opposition tomorrow. 

Presenting his views on the issue, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that it is needed to be ascertained if the real focus of the proposed amendment is only to abolish the executive presidency along with the real parties behind it.  The issue needed to be probed further he said adding that decisions must be made in view of the public and not in a haphazard manner.