Mental health crisis: 'I've nearly died four times - but no one has helped me' 

Nine young people have died in mental health units since 2010

 By Radhika Sanghani -19 APRIL 2016

“I’ve nearly died three or four times,” says Cristina, 23. “From overdosing to trying to commit suicide to self-harm. No one's helped me. I’ve been on a waiting list for therapy for eight months. All the GP can do is prescribe medication but it makes me worse – I don’t want to take it.

“I’ve tried to call my care worker a number of times but they tell me I have to wait. The only support I can access is from the crisis helpline, but by then I’m already thinking about killing myself. I’ve realised you have to help yourself because no one else will help you. It’s a waiting game.”

Cristina has mental health problems, but was only diagnosed last year with borderline personality disorder, anxiety and impulsiveness.

She grew up in south London , the daughter of an Italian Catholic mother and Turkish Muslim father. Her parents fought regularly and would often beat Cristina. At one point she ran away from home, but ended up living back with her abusive father.

“I began smoking and drinking as a child. I was nine when I started because I saw my dad doing it. He told me off then gave it to me. At 15, I turned to cannabis and coke. I had so much in my head - so much pain I wanted to get rid of. My teachers knew I had problems, but no one did anything to help me.”

"All I want is someone to talk to – a consultant or therapist.”

Cristina

Cristina turned to drugs and crime, before eventually leaving her dad’s house at the age of 22. She moved in with a boyfriend – but he was also abusive. After a physical argument, she was taken by police to a women’s refuge.

That was when she started to turn her life around. “If it wasn’t for the refuge I wouldn’t be the way I am now – I might not be here. I’ve stopped drinking and want to do a course on drug and alcohol awareness. I’ve been living in a hostel for eight months, and feel much more stable. But I’m still fighting to get help.

“I just want therapy, but I’m still on a waiting list. The only option is to go to a crisis inpatient centre but it’s like being in a mental institution. All I want is someone to talk to – a consultant or therapist.”

Cristina is still struggling with her mental health problems and is desperate for help – but she’s one of the lucky ones. Her suicide attempts didn't end in her death. She has managed to pull herself back from the brink.

But not every young person struggling with mental health problems can do this. Statistics show that girls aged 15-19 are the demographic most likely to attempt suicide worldwide. While, last week - and ahead of Depression Awareness Week (April 18-24) - new figures showed that nine young people have died while being treated in mental health units in England since 2010.

“These figures are really troubling and it’s really worrying the Government doesn’t know exactly how many children have died in mental health units,” says Katharine Sacks-Jones, director of women and girls' charity Agenda. “The problem we see is that, often, young people and girls can’t access support until crisis point.”

Full Story>>>

A Matter of Trust and Confidence

2016-04-20

In the transition from the populist authoritarian recent past to government conducted with governance, public trust and confidence in institutions and processes of government is pivotal.  That trust and confidence is what provides the oxygen for the transition and the reform it entails  - a diminution of it constituting a warning sign of displeasure and disquiet and therefore one to be taken seriously. At the same time, an increase underpins and sustains optimism. The recent survey by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) where I work is in this regard revealing.  The following responses have been thrown up in the recent (late February – March) CPA Democracy Survey on public perceptions and expectations of democracy.  True enough, survey results shift and are not carved in stone.

Furthermore, the public can be notoriously fickle. Surveys do however provide an indication at least of trends in opinion and enduring concerns.  Sign posts in the storm, perhaps.....?

Public perceptions of faith, trust and confidence in politicians and political parties should be better since they are key players in ensuring the reinstitution of governance in our government.  No doubt, the experience of coalition government over the last 15 months and the fight over the heart and soul of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has had its toll on public perception and opinion. The point may well be made too, that this is a global problem, even one peculiar to long established electoral democracies, as the debate in the US presidential election attests to.  As is the case in that election, there needs to be a public debate here too as to the structure and functioning of political parties, their funding and the calibre of candidates they nominate for election.  Neither the March 12 Movement or the Speaker’s attempt to institute a Code of Conduct for MPs will necessarily succeed without the parties themselves recognizing the importance of the issue for the well-being of electoral democracy in the country. This is something that must follow constitutional reform.

Public perception of the government’s commitment to eradicating corruption is worrying since this is the issue that feeds and fuels the erosion of faith and trust in the institutions of electoral democracy.  Following on from my theme about communication a fortnight ago, the government must indicate the situation in respect of a number of cases on this score.  A website dedicated to this, charting progress or the lack thereof with reasons is surely possible and not detrimental to ongoing investigations? The refrain of tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow in respect of decisive action on corruption will seize to have any traction with a public that is now being fed on allegations of dicey deals on bonds and housing with all the allegations that will surely attend Megapolis when it gets going, waiting to happen. 

Clear movement away from populist authoritarianism towards governance will only come if transformative change comes to be welcomed, supported and institutionalized in the popular mind.  It would indeed be a tragedy if the perception of the public is to be that of change only in form and of continuity, more or less, in the content of public affairs.

The recent Democracy Survey reveals amongst other responses that:

1.Nearly 45% of respondents believe that the current economic situation is bad and of them 62.4% believe that the policies of the current government account for the situation.

2.In October 2015, 49.6% felt that the government was committed to eradicating corruption. In February 2016, the figure dropped to 34.5. Scepticism is highest in the Sinhala community – 47.4% believing that the government is not committed to the eradication of corruption.

3.The top three institutions that citizens have a “great deal of trust” in are the Army (46.7%), the Courts (40.1%) and the Civil Service (22.9%).  When the figures for “ some trust” are added to these, the totals are approximately 80% for each institution whilst the figure for the Central Government is almost 70%– this constitutes a drop from responses in 2013 and 2015 of 84.2% and 74.5% respectively with regard to the Central Government.

4.Nationally the figure for trust in Provincial Government is approximately 65%, with the highest figure of 80%registered with the Tamil community and the lowest figure of 61% with the Sinhala community.

5.The Tamil community’s trust in the Army has undergone considerable change – in 2011, 32.8% from the Tamil community and 27.3% from the Up-Country Tamil community stated that they had no trust in the Army.  This figure increased to 52% among the Tamil community and 47% among the Up-Country Tamil community in March 2015. A year later, the figure is 35.7% for the Tamil community, and 13.8% for the Up-Country Tamil community.

6.Across ethnic lines, on average, some 80% of Sri Lankans repose trust in the Courts and 48% in Parliament.  Some 41.5% of the Sinhala community has “no trust” in Parliament and 50.8%, likewise in respect of political parties.  Only 36.7% of Sri Lankans trust political parties.

- See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/108383/A-Matter-of-Trust-and-Confidence#sthash.noSwrMZF.dpuf

Tamils' land occupied by Sri Lankan security forces

Apr 19, 2016

Nearly seven years after the end of the war, the Sri Lankan military is still occupying more than 96% of the land belonging to the Tamil people who were driven off their own lands, in the pretext of “national security”.

Field data obtained by British Tamils Forum (BTF), in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, indicate that as of 1st March 2016, the military is occupying 67,427 acres of land belonging to the Tamil people.

During the previous government of Mahinda Rajapakse, in the North alone, nearly 70,000 acres of land was under occupation.  Since the change of government in January 2015, just over 2,500 acres of these lands has been released. This constitutes a mere 3.6% of the total land taken over in the North by the Sri Lankan military.  

BTF provides below the breakdown of land occupation, obtained from primary sources in the north.

Land occupied by the Security forces in the Northern Province in Sri Lanka

The present Sri Lankan government has been making much fanfare of the minuscule land releases while hiding the true extent of the occupation.

Above statistics show the continuing occupation of private land and lack of progress in addressing the suffering of the displaced people, who are prevented from returning to their own land.

 As per our reliable sources from Jaffna, Sri Lankan government survey department has been instructed to survey 118 new locations for land acquisitions in the Jaffna peninsula for building permanent military camps for the Sri Lankan military. These surveys, initiated by the previous government, had been abandoned due to public protest at the time.  Resumption of this process by the present government exposes its true intentions, contrary to its pledge on demilitarization and return of land to the Tamil people.

BTF calls upon the Sri Lankan and International media to expose the above reality and calls upon the politicians who came on a promise of change to stop the deception and deliver the promised change to the Tamil people immediately.

BTF calls upon the British government to take up the issue of demilitarisation urgently and exert due pressure on the Sri Lankan government to return all the land occupied by the Sri Lankan military to the rightful owners.  

We call upon the Sri Lankan government to honour its promises on several occasions including its commitment to return these lands, in accordance with the UNHRC Geneva resolution it co-sponsored.

- BTF -

CONFLICT AFFECT DISPLACEMENT IN SRI LANKA: MAJOR OBSTACLES TO DURABLE SOLUTIONS

(Vikalka photo: Sinhalese IDPs in Panama)

Read the full report on line here or as a PDF here:NATIONAL POLICY ON DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR CONFLICT -AFFECTED DISPLACEMENT April 7 3rd Draft

19/04/2016

[Ministry of Prison reform, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu religious Affairs – Report on national policy on durable solutions for conflict affected displacement ( 3^rd Draft) 7^th April 2016]

It  is  imperative  that  the  Government  sets  out  a  time  frame  for  expediting  resettlement  and ensure that the bulk of the displaced find a durable solution with a settlement option of their choice  within  this  period.  The  following  are  some  of  the  major  obstacles  which  need  to  be addressed and resolved as a matter of urgency, if this objective is to be achieved.

1. Release and Return of Land Occupied  by  the Military and  Police to  their Original Owners/Former Occupants.

The Ministry of Defence in coordination with the Ministry of Law and Order must ensure that an accurate mapping is made of all land that is or was owned, claimed or used by civilians and is currently occupied by any of the three security  forces –army, navy or air force – or by the police.  All such lands, particularly private land, should be released and returned to civilian use and ownership urgently, unless the State determines that it is required for public purpose. This purpose, be  it  national  security  or  development, should  be  carefully  scrutinised,  including  to ascertain that no alterative land can be found for the stated purpose. This also means, interalia,  releasing  land  that  is  being  used  by  the  military  for  purposes  not  related  to security  including  but  not  limited  to  agricultural  production,  tourist  enterprises,  or recreation. It must be ensured that land that is released is made safe from unexplored ordnance or other sources of danger, and returned in a state that can be used by former residents and owners for their residential or economic pursuits.

2. Land claimed by Other Government Departments and Authorities.

Read the full report on line here or as a PDF here:NATIONAL POLICY ON DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR CONFLICT -AFFECTED DISPLACEMENT April 7 3rd Draft

Full Story>>>

Accountability is imperative for peace

19 April 2016

Sri Lanka’s new government has managed to make progress in regaining what it believes to be its rightful place in the international community, since taking power in January last year. By engaging foreign governments on issues that have been high on the international community’s agenda, such as accountability and democratic reforms, the Sirisena-government appears to have returned to the international fold to an extent not seen since before the end of the armed conflict. However this renewed positive engagement on trade, reform and, albeit limited, military relations, has not resulted in significant progress on a credible accountability mechanism for mass atrocities. More importantly the government has failed to convince the Tamil community of its sincerity. While public, positive engagement by the international community increases, the slim hopes of the victim community for justice are waning and making way for frustration and resentment, at the government’s backtracking over accountability, its sluggish pace of reforms, and the Sri Lankan state’s decade-long failure to provide the Tamil people an equitable stake on the island.

The shock at Rajapaksa’s defeat last January was followed by cautious optimism by the international community, who hoped to see reforms in Sri Lanka, allowing re-establishment of relations halted under the previous regime. Sri Lanka’s government resumed engagement with countries like the US on issues such as accountability. The promises it made were significant. The government signed up to a historic resolution at the UN Human Rights Council, calling for a credible accountability mechanism with international participation. However, whilst the international community supported the government in its efforts and Tamil political leaders also engaged with Colombo, change which could address longstanding problems was lacking.

The military continues to be a suffocating presence across the North-East and human rights violations continue to occur. This month alone there are reported to have been three white van abductions. Meanwhile statements made by senior government officials, including the president and the prime minister, have thrown doubt on the state’s sincerity in addressing the primary concern of the victim community, namely, accountability. The government is unable or unwilling meaningfully address issues that are relatively straightforward for it to prove its intent, failing to use the time it has had so far.

Instead it tells the international community that the mixed messaging, and slow pace in enacting change are due to the threat posed by Mahinda Rajapaksa and the difficulty of holding the ruling coalition together. This does not serve as an excuse to pander to Sinhala nationalism and to pussyfoot around accountability. Indeed, it is Sinhala nationalism that remains the the biggest obstacle to accountability and political reform. Accountability will remain elusive as long as the government fails to tackle the toxic nationalism in Sri Lanka head-on and has frank conversations with the Sinhala south about the mass atrocities committed by the state. Otherwise moves towards holding soldiers accountable, a move vital for any form of reconciliation, will only be met by fury amongst the Sinhala electorate.

Given the state’s long history or broken promises and failed commissions, there has been scepticism about the government’s willingness to reform from the outset amongst the Tamil community. But last year’s elections and the overwhelming vote for the TNA showed there was willingness to engage and progress on reforms. International pressure though, remained a part of the equation which was needed to result in meaningful change. Yet, with the noticeable easing of international pressure, coupled with renewed engagement with the Sri Lankan state, the government’s backtracking on its promises and continuing militarisation, disillusionment and resentment has set in amongst the Tamil community. The recent entertainment show, hosted by the US Navy in Colombo, alongside the war crimes-accused Sri Lankan military, makes statements pledging to support credible accountability ring hollow.

International pressure was key in bringing Sri Lanka where it is today and will remain crucial to achieving accountability, the basic prerequisite to achieving reconciliation and a lasting peace. The government’s and the TNA’s focus on constitutional reform has appeared to put the accountability process on a backburner. While constitutional reform is key to creating a lasting political solution, this must not come at the cost of accountability. Foreign governments, particularly the US and the UK who led the charge at the UN Human Rights Council, must maintain pressure on the Sri Lankan government to forge a serious path to achieve justice. The international community also mustn’t alienate the victim community by appearing to embrace Sri Lanka back into its fold, without it having made substantial progress on core issues, such as demilitarisation of the North-East. The Sri Lankan government must at once act to gain the trust of the Tamil community to prove it is sincere about reform and lay the groundwork now for eventual prosecutions and substantial devolution. When the time for action on these issues comes, it cannot point towards nationalist sentiment as an excuse not to act. History has shown that the state will only act when its at the pranger. If left to its own devices it will not act and the small window of opportunity which appeared to have opened when this government came into power, never really existed.

Dealing with instigators of racial discord

Aren’t the misunderstandings between Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims artificially created?

2016-04-19

I appreciate and endorse Dr Ranga Kalanasooriya’s views in his March 1, 2016 column in the Daily Mirror reiterating the need to seek means to create better understanding between Sinhala Buddhists and Muslims.  

Details of burning issues faced by Muslims provided in my response were aimed at highlighting their current miserable plight to dispel the myth that Muslims float in wealth and do not care for the country. 

The reality is that, according to a survey by Dr A.M.M.Riyas, only five percent of the Muslim community is well to do while 25 per cent belongs to middle class and the remaining 70 per cent live below poverty line suffering from vicious related health, education and illiteracy problems.

This segment remains ignored by successive governments and their own politicians. The need of the hour is to attend to their legitimate grievances, help alleviate their sufferings, give them some hope in life and make them feel part of the system.

In this regard it is time that governments take the Muslim community into confidence and provide them with job opportunities from government establishments, armed forces, semi government and other sectors to help solve their socio- economic problems.

See more >>>

SRI LANKA: Proposing a way out of the societal-crisis

Hong Kong, 19 April 2016

After decades of engagement across Asia, and in particular, in Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries, seeking to learn about and confront the most fundamental problems plaguing our societies, the Asian Human Rights Commission has arrived at a juncture where both the root malady can be diagnosed and ways forward for society can be proposed.

Using the example of Sri Lanka, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is putting forward a unique proposal, which is being presented in this manner.

The undermining of both the criminal justice system and the political system have worked in tandem to create a society-wide morass, clambering out of which is a complex task. This latest publication of the AHRC seeks to make a beginning.

“ The need to prevent the political system and the Criminal Justice System from mutually destroying each other” Read full version here.

The proposal details the fundamental features of a robust criminal justice system, which if absent can send a society reeling into insecurity and manifest an environment that encourages the basest human action, making institutions, meant to protect citizens, predatory.

But, not only features, what is also proposed are both immediate short-term measures and those that can be implemented in the long term to create a legal system that increases freedom in all aspects of life and encourages creative pursuits for the greater good of all.

Furthermore, it suggests that to solve the problems of the criminal justice system, the political system has to be squarely tackled by society, and vice versa. In seeking to bring together the complex goals of greater democratizationof the political system and theestablishment of the rule of law in countries of South Asia, such as Sri Lanka, this proposal hopes to generate a discussion that ultimately enables the people to make meaningful and fundamental changes.

In terms of Sri Lanka, the AHRC has explores in this proposal possible ways in which the criminal justice system can be improved, in order to support the attempts to re-strengthen the democratic institutions that have suffered a great setback in the last four decades. The presidential and the parliamentary elections held in 2015 demonstrated a serious protest on the part of the people against this collapse and thus created an opportunity for change.

Though the new government that has taken power has created a greater space for freedom, measures for genuine reform are still scant. Particularly in the area of criminal justice reforms, there have virtually been no policy developments to introduce necessary changes in order to undo the damage done over the past decades.

On the other hand, independent opinion makers and the civil society have not yet taken any efforts to articulate the depth of the crisis the country is facing due to weaknesses in both the political system and the criminal justice system. The civil society organisations are yet to show that they have grasped the mutual interdependence of both these systems, and that in a situation of a criminal justice vacuum it is not possible to achieve the political demands they have been making for rapid progress towards good governance.

This proposal has value well beyond Sri Lanka, South Asia, or even developing countries across the world. The hope is that it generates a discourse worldwideon the all-pervading societal crisis caused by undermining of both the political and the criminal justice system.

Dheepan: Undermined By Disregard For Detail & Talent

By TU Senan –April 20, 2016

TU Senan

Dheepan has both collected the Palm d’Or at Cannes and caused controversy among Tamils. This is particularly so among Tamil writers given that the leading actor is a well-known writer in Tamil. From the point of view of the Tamil literary circle, there are many truths that need to be told about this movie. With that aim and perspective this review is written to shed light on few points – so look away now if you expect an ‘objective view’.

In a way the real story is about an opportunist but clever director and one extraordinary artist. Shoba Sakthi (Antonythasan Jesuthasan) plays the leading role as an ex-LTTE militant who continues to the fight to ‘protect’ – this time an adopted family. But in real life Shoba is no ordinary artist. His short stories have defined modern Tamil literature and he is one of the most highly praised short story writers of our time. Even those like us, who oppose some of Shoba’s political views, have enormous respect for his artistic talent. But Dheepan is the sort of a story, I am sure Shoba himself would consider, average.

From the off, the film is packed with mistakes. There are mistakes of both fact and storyline. The story of the main character appears to be set in 1989, and then merges into the events of 2009 without any characters aging. The ambiguity found in the directors’ style may help to hide these facts from some audiences. However, it also fails miserably in terms of the casting of other actors – the translator, the female lead, etc.

Of course, it is not just a story of a Tamil family, but an attempt to depict the ‘universal’ life of an immigrant fleeing war and what they face in France. And it’s also a love story. Violence in the immigrant community in the Paris suburbs is inherently connected to state oppression, racism, lack of services, joblessness, etc, etc – none of which features in Dheepan. Almost every aspect of the state and the ‘native French’ characters are portrayed ‘naively’. Not that the French people are anti-immigrant, but the uncritical portrayal in the film successfully hides key factors that contribute to the alienation experienced by immigrants.

Read More

GMOA’s anti-India ‘Malaria’ xenophobia: Disgusting

2016-04-19

he Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) spokesperson wound up the year on the Sinhala calendar in an ugly style. A day before the ‘Parana Avurudda’, Dr. Nalinda Herath, the GMOA’s General Secretary took cheap advantage of a reported detection of a malaria patient, who happened to be an Indian worker in Sri Lanka and advised the public “to be cautious if Indians are around them”.
 His logic is no less skewed than if Indian medics ever thought of telling their countrymen to be cautious of Sri Lankan docs, since some of the latter, of course, a few bad apples indeed, are now accused of being part of a kidney racket. (A counsel appearing on behalf of Indian victims  earlier told the Colombo Chief Magistrate  that over 1,200 Indians have their kidneys removed in Sri Lanka)! 

 Dr. Herath’s fear-mongering has no statistical value. He is referring to one out of over 300,000 Indian tourists who visited Sri Lanka last year and a few thousand workers who are  living here. You are more likely to be killed in a road accident (eight fatalities are reported daily) or die while being transported in a rickety three-wheeler after a heart stroke. GMOA has also vehemently opposed a pilot project for an ambulance service since Indians are involved.  
The latest remarks are not just ignorant bunkum, they are racist, xenophobic and bigoted; all the evils that we, as a nation try not to repeat.  That an esteemed professional body of the country could stoop to such a low is unprecedented. The only convincing explanation is that morons have hijacked the governance of those organizations, perhaps because saner individuals in the trade are not simply interested in.  That is however sad since those organizations are meant to contribute constructively to the national discourse and policy. 

"The GMOA’s strategy is cheap, so is its objective. It holds a grudge  against the ECTA, the proposed trade agreement with India and is worried  that an influx of Indian professionals would threaten their jobs."

What is further disturbing is that such xenophobic garbage has gone without being challenged by the wider civil society.  The likely reason is that folks are too busy in  Avurudu  merrymaking, that they did not want a few good days of holidaying, partaking in New year rituals and boozing be disturbed by peripheral stupidity.  However, if Sri Lanka is to remain sane, such a lunacy, no matter that it emanates from some quarters of doctors themselves need to be addressed. 
There is always the danger of average villagers accepting as received wisdom whatever mouthed by the educated elite, such as doctors. And they could well act on the GMOA spokesman’s advice.  Grassroots innocence (or ignorance) has regularly been exploited by the  elites for their selfish advantage.  The GMOA spokesman is now playing the same trick. That is disgusting. 
Sri Lankans should see themselves in the looking glass self.  How could it have been, if a foreigner with authority were to make a broad brushed categorization of us? What if the British police tell the female visitors to Sri Lanka “to be cautious” of Sri Lankan men, since a Rajapaksa acolyte and his goons in Beliatta sexually abused a foreign woman and killed her British partner? By the GMOA’ spokesperson’s logic, we, all Sri Lankans could be potential murderers and rapists!
The GMOA’s strategy is cheap, so is its objective. It holds a grudge against the ECTA, the proposed trade agreement with India and is worried that an influx of Indian professionals would threaten their jobs. ECTA is a different story, though a host of research programmes have proved small countries receive greater relative and absolute gains through integration with larger economies.

"We tend to see India in its teeming millions of poor, and not in its  hordes of IT engineers, world class multi-nationals, and globe-trotting  rich middle class.  Thus, our intellectual frailties make us victims of  loud-mouthed buffoons who exploit our weaknesses for their self-seeking  ends"

The GMOA’s concerns are pecuniary and self-serving. India is two worlds. True that India’s overall health indicators are dismal, yet it also has superior healthcare facilities that cater to its rich Middle class and attracts droves of medical tourists from the West and the Middle East. If the Indian doctors are sub-standard as the GMOA wants us to believe, the rich Sheiks from the Gulf would have second thoughts before seeking treatment in Chennai, Bangalore or Mumbai. Rather, our folks are up in arms, because they want to preserve their monopolistic privileges. It is not about quality, free healthcare or any other holier than thou concoctions. In fact, competition and openness enhance quality.   
Sri Lankans also have a problem, partly due to our frog-in-the-well mentality, born out from our Swabasha education. 

We tend to see India in its teeming millions of poor, and not in its hordes of IT engineers, world class multi-nationals, and globe-trotting rich middle class.  Thus, our intellectual frailties make us victims of loud-mouthed buffoons who exploit our weaknesses for their self-seeking ends.
Adding a new flavour of anti-Indian xenophobia to this campaign is a new low. It is also a dangerous gamble. We have been through that earlier when the JVP banned dhal and forced the then President R. Premadasa to expel Indian Peace Keepers, who, by then, had driven the LTTE to the jungles in Mullaitivu.  The IPKF could have finished off the LTTE for us, had it been given time. Instead, a myopic campaign in the South made us fight that war for the next two decades, during which several thousands of innocent civilians and 25,000 security forces perished.  

We should not leave room for another round of xenophobia. 

Understanding our youth

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Beginning this decade, Sri Lanka will experience a decreasing youth population and the dividend potential will decrease accordingly. The window is expected close in around 2037. A comprehensive human capital strategy for youth is needed if Sri Lanka to reap the full benefits of this narrow window of opportunity

During Avurudu, the cities are emptied as people head ‘home’ to the outstations. Some of us city folks who visit relatives in those areas get to see our youth relaxed and happy in their natural habitat as they take the lead in Avurudu uthasavas, cross-village runs and other Avurudu activities. How many of them are home for the holidays from work or study in the city? How many never left and have been just hanging out?

The much-quoted story of ‘140,000 or so youth qualify at GCE (A/L) but only 22,000 gain entrance to universities’ does not give a true picture of our youth, because the numbers do not refer to a cohort of the same age. In fact, these numbers grossly exaggerate the pass rates because those sitting for the A/L often use all three attempts allowed and 50% or more never sit for the examination.

National surveys conducted by Sri Lanka Department of Census and Statistics give a better picture of our youth population. By international convention, the youth population in a country is defined as those in the 15-29 age group. The 2011 Census of the population estimates this youth population to be at 4.5 million.

A 2014 report from the Ministry of skills Development titled ‘Youth and Development’ brings together data from the population Census and the 2009/2010 Higher Education Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) to give a more complete picture of the 20-24 age group of youth in Sri Lanka. For the purposes of this column, the author added and the data from Quarterly Labour force Survey (QLFS) from the third quarter of 2010 to further complete the picture.

Of the 1.5 million youth in the 20-24 age bracket, 3% are in ‘Universities’, 4% in ‘Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)’ and another 7% in ‘Other’ institutions for total of 14% saying they study at some institution. This leave an 86% of the population as not attending an education or training institution (Youth & Development, 2014). The labour force participation data for 2010 the quarter tells us that 54% of this age group participated in the labour force, leaving 32% as not attending or not working. 

Youth and the demographic dividend

 See more >>>

Why Liberals Opposed Mahinda?

By Kamal Nissanka –April 19, 2016

Kamal Nissanka

In 2005 Liberal Party decided to support Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa candidacy in the Presidential Election though there were dissenting views in the party against that decision. The relationship continued till 2010 Presidential election and Liberal Party was also considered as an alliance party though there was no formal agreement with the UPFA. In 2010 over 30 political parties rallied under Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and he won the presidential election comfortably. The Liberal Party initiated some talks with the heavyweights of UPFA and was able to include one of its members as a national list candidate from UPFA national list. With election victory the leader of the UPFA Mr Mahinda Rajapakse offered the Liberal Party a national list seat.

18th Amendment

To our dismay the first policy decision by Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa after the parliamentary election victory was to introduce the 18th amendment to the constitution to revoke the 17th amendment and while doing so made provisions the incumbent president to contest future presidential election erasing the two term limitation. Few of us in the Liberal Party were against 18th amendment but a real and a genuine debate against the 18th amendment was not taken place in the party that had continuously stood for democratic reforms. As the party under Dr Chanaka Amaratunga (leader since 1987-1996) had always agitated against these types of draconian legislation, in 2010 the party’s inactivity and subordination under Rajapaksa administration resulted in losing its integrity as a party of principles.

Impeachment of Chief Justice

Dr Chanaka Amaratunga

The next incident that the Liberal Party could not support Rajapaksa policy was the impeachment against the chief justice. The Liberal Party initially did not accept and approve the appointment of Ms Shirani Bandaranayake as a superior court judge as it was against the seniority basis and the appointment was widely regarded as political. However during the course of time she performed well in the Supreme Court. When Rajapaksa administration wanted her to act according to the whims fancies of executive she refused to work accordingly. Thereafter the impeachment was brought against her in late 2012. On behalf of the Liberal Party impeachment was condemned and criticized with a series of articles by me. The then leader who was also a member of parliament was in a difficulty as the party stance was clear and he abstained from voting the impeachment motion.

Ban of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Read More

Can you beat that..! Not only Laggala police even Katunayake Airport has no CCTV system -A victim exposes..!

(Lanka-e-News- 19.April.2016, 5.30PM) Lanka enews in a security analytical report yesterday exposed the dire security situation in connection with the robbery of weapons at the Laggala police and the  absence  of CCTV  camera system at the police station which system in Sri Lanka (SL) costs less than Rs. 50,000.00. when it  is a well and widely known fact that even a kotthu roti kiosk has a CCTV camera system in SL .Following this report, a  Sri Lankan passenger who faced an ordeal  informed Lanka e news , not only in police stations in SL , but even in the international airport the CCTV camera installation is lacking.   

The informant is Noel Fernando by name , and is employed in Jeddah International Airport, Saudi Arabia , as a Traffic Controller. When he arrived in SL on the 5 th of January , his hand luggage was robbed when he was at the Katunayake airport car portico.

In that bag were 24000 Saudi riyals and  US dollars 400 in cash. In addition there had been 4 mobile phones, a gold chain , a valuable wristlet , foreign liquor and perfumes. The value of the goods was Rs. 200,000.00 approximately.

Noel Fernando has immediately complained to the airport security division . The latter had however told him to lodge a complaint with the Airport police. The reference number of his complaint recorded by the police was MOIB 101/84.

Subsequently , when the investigations were initiated , it was discovered to the utter consternation of Noel , that the CCTV camera system of the security division only covers certain areas of the airport .  That is the CCTV camera system does not cover the most important car park portico area of the airport ! The Katunayake airport OIC Kobbewala’s tracking down of thieves operation via CCTV had abruptly terminated at that point. 

Noel Fernando  via the president’s No. 1919 , had made a complaint reference  PRE/2016/04585 , but so far he had not received any  response. This is most mystifying and rudely shocking.

When even a kotthu roti kiosk is having CCTV cameras in SL , the main international airport of SL not having CCTV camera system to cover certain areas is most intriguing  and shocking . It is also most curious and  shameful , when the security division is deaf and turning a blind eye while valuable goods of the public are being robbed under the very roof of an international airport . It is evident from this the security division and the rogues are hand in glove . This is borne testimony to further by the fact that even though three months have elapsed since the robbery took place , the victim has not still been informed of any developments.  Is this SL the miracle in the making or debacle in the making?   

This is reminiscent  of an  incident in which Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge ‘s travelling bag was broken open by rogues when she was the president of the country. 

Tourists visiting this country in spite of such a situation  prevailing  in the country must be welcomed not only with bouquets but even greeted with a shower of perfumed flowers. 

---------------------------
by     (2016-04-19 15:48:42)

8 Lankans in B’desh cyber heist - Names, details revealed to government -Sets off separate police probe in Colombo

2016-04-20

Eight Sri Lankan nationals, residing in Sri Lanka, have been directly involved in the US$ 1.3 billion cyber heist, allegedly with help from Chinese nationals, from the Bangladesh Central [Reserve] Bank account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, senior State officials in Colombo confirmed yesterday.

The Lankan Government has been given the names and other particulars of the Lankans involved in the scam, agency reports and Lankan officials confirmed.
The confirmation came in a sequel to inquiries made about agency reports to this effect, naming 20 foreigners, including eight Sri Lankans, as possibly being recipients of stolen Bangladeshi government funds while not necessarily being part of the hackers' organization.

The Bangladesh's Bank systems as well as the New York Fed's computer systems were breached for the $1 billion heist, most of it remitted to Philippine casinos and US$20 million to eight others in Sri Lanka which was however mostly blocked in time because of a misspelling of a company name that aroused suspicions leading to the 'stop payment' order.

Mohammad Shah Alam, a senior officer at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Bangladesh Police has been quoted in agency reports as saying that Interpol had helped identify the Philippinos and Lankans identified in the biggest cyber heist ever this year and one of the largest in history.

The Lankan Government has been asked not to divulge details passed on to it because that might impede further investigations. A Philippines Senate Committee continues hearings into the processes of the heist, now clearly linked to the shadier side of night life in the Philippines.

Top Lankan Police Officials declined comment as they too are following the probe in Colombo to verify whether casinos in the country are also involved in the laundering scheme.

Sri Lanka-India diplomatic row!

Apr 19, 2016

India has started raising objections through diplomatic channels with regard to the promises given by prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to the Chinese government during his recent visit to Beijing, say foreign ministry sources.

The Indian government has strongly objected to the resumption of the port city project and the handover of Mattala airport and Magampura port to China. In response to a request to send a special representative to New Delhi immediately to discuss these matters, the government sent international trade minister Malik Samarawickrama to the Indian capital early this morning (19).

According to reports reaching us, India is to take a firm stance with regard to decisions taken by the Sri Lankan government.

Govt. not potent to arrest fraudsters & the corrupt – VAC

TUESDAY, 19 APRIL 2016

The ministers of the previous government who helped Rajapaksa regime to commit various frauds and corruption carried out by brothers and associates have been given ministerial posts in the present government as well and the masses who were waiting for the arrest of fraudsters and criminals of the previous government have been made to rue says the convener of the Voice Against Corruption (VAC) JVP Provincial Councillor Wasantha Samarasinghe.

He said this at a media conference held in Colombo today (19th). The Member of the Lawyers Council of VAC Attorney at Law Thushara Ranatunga and the General Secretary of All Ceylon Bank Employees Union Gamini Rathnasiri too were present.

Speaking further Mr. Samarasinghe said during a period of one year he, as the convener of VAC, has handed over nearly 180 complaints with all evidence to the CID, Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Among them were Thajudeen murder, Lanka Transformer fraud, ‘Mig’ deal, illegal transactions of companies registered in Namal Rajapaksa’s name. He said he had given all information regarding the companies, information regarding accounts in Singapore banks relevant to the companies.

He said there was a big excitement when the Director General for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption was appointed. However, it looks a mere pageant and today it looks as if they have gone into hibernation.

The yahapalana government that came to power promising an end to frauds and corruption has come down to the level of transferring distinguished state officials so that its members could engage in illegal activities.