Heart Association wants dedicated cardiac care countrywide to stem 25,000 deaths annually

•  Kicks off 14th Annual Academic Session under theme ‘Optimising STEMI Care Saves More Lives’

Sri Lanka Heart Association President Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe (right) at the media briefing yesterday. Others from left are Dr. W.S. Santharaj, Dr. Vajira Senaratne and Dr. Naomali Amarasena – Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe

 By Shabiya Ali Ahlam- July 12, 2014 

With around 25,000 deaths due to heart attacks annually, the Sri Lanka Heart Association (SLHA) is advocating the need for easily available dedicated cardiac care countrywide.

Noting that optimising programs for ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), commonly known as a heart attack, are essential, SLHA President Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe said: “We currently do have STEMI programs but it is not a dedicate one. We need to have a program where a patient from any part of the country can reach the nearest hospital in an ambulance that provides the necessary care till he has access to specialised treatment.”
At present, 24-hour STEMI care is available in government and private hospitals in Colombo, but in other regions the facility is only available for few hours each day.
“Other neighbouring countries have successfully implemented a dedicated system and it is imperative Sri Lanka too does the same. To ensure we have such a system in the near future the SLHA will be speaking to the relevant health authorities in this regard,” added Dr. Ranasinghe in his comments at a press conference held on the sidelines of the 14th SLAH Academic Sessions which kicked off yesterday in Colombo.

Dr. Ranasinghe said that with statistics showing that an average of 25,000 deaths occurs per year due to heart attacks, it is necessary to implement a dedicated STEMI program in the near future to reduce this number.
The opening of the SLAH academic sessions featured as Chief Guest Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena and the conference will be addressed by over 70 healthcare professionals out of which 40 are from overseas.
Having picked the theme ‘Optimising STEMI Care Saves More Lives’, Dr. Ranasinghe said the conference is the starting point of the dialogue.
The conference will have plenary lectures, symposiums and research lectures covering a wide range of cardiovascular topics conducted by national as well as guest faculty from USA, UK, Italy, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Pakistan, and India. In addition to the sessions the event will also facilitate programs for nurses and allied care professionals.
“We aim at raising awareness among the healthcare professionals on the importance of providing timely STEMI care. It is important that a patient to have expert care within three hours from the first pain. Heart attacks cannot be cured, but it can be prevented. And it can be prevented if the patient has access to medical assistance within the first three hours. This is imperative,” he said at the press conference also attended by Dr. Vajira Senaratne, Dr. Neomali Amarasena and Dr. W.S. Santharaj, who are council members of the SLHA.
Pointing out an emerging trend on the instances of heart attacks, Dr. Senaratne shared that while in the past it was the older population that were affected with the disease, in the recent years it is mostly younger persons that are being affected.
Attributing the increasing instance of heart attacks amongst the younger population to unhealthy lifestyles and diets, Dr. Senaratne said: “Just as it is important to increase awareness amongst healthcare professionals on preventive measures, it is equally important to educate the public on measures that should take when they doubt to be having a heart attack. Never ignore the symptoms and disregard it as a minor issue. It is important to reach the nearest base hospital as soon as possible since there is a chance of sure at the very early stage.”
The SLHA, that has a history of more than 40 years, is the main gathering point for cardiologists in the country. Every year the association conducts a series of academic events to promote the professional development of their members and translate knowledge into effective patient care.
The annual academic sessions are patronised by more than 400 delegates including cardiologists, doctors of other related specialties, postgraduate trainees and allied healthcare professionals.

The Athulathmudali Assassination

By Rajan Hoole -July 12, 2014

Rajan Hoole

Political Murders, the Commissions and the Unfinished Task – 6

The claims made by the Government and the Police in the weeks following the assassination on 23rd April 1993, as we had averred before, aroused public incredulity and indignation. Amarasena Rajapakse, DIG, CID, is said to have been at a dinner party that evening and was reportedly informed of the shooting 15 minutes later at 9.00 PM. For a man who, acting on a rumour, went to Premadasa’s home and addressed the kitchen staff at mid- night about guarding against the President being poisoned, was accused in the Press of not going to the scene of Athulathmudali’s shooting until after midnight. IP Ranagala who had reportedly said that he was ordered by superior officers not to provide Police security for the meeting was said to be in hiding by the Press.

The body of a dead youth with an identity card having the name Appiah Balakrishnan was found in front of a co-op building on Mugalan Road about 200 yards from the scene of shooting about 11.00 AM the following day (24th). It was then broadcast in the evening news bulletin of the state media the next day (25th) that Athulathmudali’s killer was Appiah Balakrishnan, who was believed to be a member of the LTTE. IG Police, Ernest Perera, later told the Press (Sunday Times 2 May ’93) that the identity card was a fake and that the Police had not given such information to the state media. He did not know how the state media got that information. In effect, a Tamil name had been touted out as that of the killer with no sound evidence.                                                   Read More

First Budget Of Modi And Jaitley, 2014 – 15

By S. Sivathasan -July 12, 2014

S. Sivathasan

It was the best of times for England and the worst of times to France as they appeared in parallel to Charles Dickens. The times are best and worst for the same Modi in Budget 2014–15. Advantageous, since any action after a long spell of paralysis would make a show of movement. But challenges are most exacting as expectations are high, resources least plentiful, prevailing welfarism rife and directional change longing to be introduced.

Direction and New Drive

A budget is often the financial expression of a government’s drive and shift in emphases. The pre-budget increase in train fares and petroleum pricing, noticed the consumer that the leadership of the BJP dares to touch the untouchable. The voter has got an inkling that populism is not a sacred cow and it will be sacrificed for better prospects in the coming years. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made bold to say that reform decisions will be taken as the exchequer was being burdened mindlessly.

It had fallen to the lot of Hon. Arun Jaitley the Finance Minister to navigate in these trying waters and he did it deftly together with Modi the Prime Minister as able helmsman. Giving motion while providing a ballast of subdued inflation was the first challenge. Imparting direction for the journey with speed in the next eight months was the next. They have done them both with wide acceptance. In presenting the budget, Jaitley was very articulate conveying strong conviction and inspiring confidence. The government’s determination to succeed was the mood.

Read More

Iran: Release Reporter Detained for Protests and Anti-State Propaganda

• Demand the Release of Reporter Detained for Exercising Freedom of Speech
  
• author: Kristi Arnold
• target: Iran President Hassan Rouhani,
• signatures: 1,426
• we've got 1,426 signatures, help us get to 2,000
• • overview
  • petition
  Iranian reporter Marzieh Rasouli writes about literature for reformist newspapers and on her blog,Three Days Ago. She has been sentenced to two years in prison and 50 lashes for participating in street protests in 2009 and writing "anti state propaganda." The incidents for which she was arrested included working with BBC Persian. BBC Persian, which is staffed by Iranian expatriots in London denies employing anyone in Iran. Rasouli later was accused of cooperating with British intelligence services.

  Rasouli explained via Twitter that she had been convicted of “propaganda against the establishment and disruption of public order through participation in gatherings.”

  Arrest reports don't specify work with BBC Persian, but instead focus on Rasouli's blog writing and participation in protests.

  Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has spoken about the need to relax restrictions on free speech. Tell President Rouhani and the Iranian government to release Rasouli and stop persecuting journalists for exercising free speech and participating in protests!

Dear Sir,

We the undersigned ask that you release Iranian reporter Marzieh Rasouli and stop persecuting journalists for exercising free speech and participating in protests!

Rasouli writes about literature for reformist newspapers and on her blog, Three Days Ago. She has been sentenced to two years in prison and 50 lashes for participating in street protests in 2009 and writing "anti state propaganda." The incidents for which she was arrested included working with BBC Persian. BBC Persian, which is staffed by Iranian expatriots in London denies employing anyone in Iran. Rasouli later was accused of cooperating with British intelligence services.

Rasouli explained via Twitter that she had been convicted of “propaganda against the establishment and disruption of public order through participation in gatherings.”

Arrest reports don't specify work with BBC Persian, but instead focus on Rasouli's blog writing and participation in protests.

Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has spoken about the need to relax restrictions on free speech. Tell President Rouhani and the Iranian government to release Rasouli and stop persecuting journalists for exercising free speech and participating in protests!

A treasure map, assassination plot and kidnapping among dark secrets of Sri Lankan asylum seekers

Jason Koutsoukis-July 11, 2014

Fear for their lives ... from left, Janaka Gayan Athukorala, 40, Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, and Sujeewa Saparamadu, 42. Part of group of 41 asylum seekers returned to Sri Lanka. Photo: Jason Koutsoukis

• Waleed Aly: Harsh treatment of asylum seeker is same old story
• Medical advice ignored in case of asylum seeker who attempted suicide

Colombo, Sri Lanka: The 12-metre fishing vessel called the Sithumina left Batticaloa on Sri Lanka's east coast at 2.30am on June 12.

The 41 passengers on board had met the ship several hundred metres from the beach after being ferried there in two small boats powered by outboard motors.

A Treasure Map, Assassination Plot and Kidnapping Among Dark Secrets of Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers by Maria Anderson

United States Hails Japan Easing of Restrictions on Military

World | Associated Press | Updated: July 12, 2014 

Associated Press

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomes Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera during an honor cordon at the Pentagon, Friday, July 11, 2014.

Washington:  Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday hailed as "historic" a Japanese government decision to loosen restrictions on its military.

Hagel said once Japan's parliament passes implementing legislation, the Asian nation will be able to contribute more to regional security and expand its role on the world stage.

Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera met with Hagel at the Pentagon and discussed a July 1 Cabinet decision to reinterpret the nation's pacifist constitution to allow its military to help defend allies, the particularly the US.

Hagel said the US strongly supports the decision, and that the two governments should have new guidelines for defence cooperation by year's end.

Japan hosts 50,000 U.S. troops, the main American military contingent in the Asia-Pacific.

Hagel said the reforms will allow Japan to be more active in missile defense, counter-proliferation, counter-piracy, peacekeeping and a wide-range of military exercises.

"The United States and Japan will also be able to work more closely together to maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and other areas," Hagel told a news conference.

"We can raise our alliance to a new level, and we intend to do that," he said.

But the Cabinet decision to allow so-called "collective self-defence" has divided Japan's public and drawn sharp criticism from rival power China which claims it could portend a slide toward Japanese militarism. South Korea, a US ally once colonized by Japan, has reacted cautiously.

Onodera said Japan, which is locked in a tense territorial standoff with China, remains committed to peace.

"It's natural for a great power like Japan to play a responsible role for the region based on the significance of the area and the increasingly acute regional security environment," Onodera told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

He said Japan did not want confrontation with China, and was always open to dialogue with Beijing. But he said Japan would respond firmly to "unilateral behavior" that disrupts regional order.

Disabled Palestinians unable to escape Israeli air strike on home

Two killed and three injured in deadly blast as international criticism grows over rapidly rising civilian death toll in Gaza

A Palestinian boy carries a damaged wheelchair amid the debris of the Gaza home where two disabled people were killed by an Israeli air strike. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Peter Beaumont in Beit Lahia

Saturday 12 July 2014

Who knows who lived in the two first-floor apartments above a home for eight disabled adults in a neighbourhood of eastern Gaza.

Perhaps, as a neighbour suggests, one of them was a militant with Islamic Jihad who lived there with his family. But the neighbour says he isn't sure. What is certain is that the occupant was absent in the early hours of Saturday morning when the two Israeli drones "knocked on his roof" – firing warning shots to encourage civilians to vacate the building prior to a strike.

A few minutes later, an Israeli war plane fired a missile into the house. But it didn't detonate on the first floor. Instead, it smashed through to the ground floor where the explosion ripped through the room where five of the disabled residents were sleeping, killing two and injuring the others.

A neighbour found one of the dead, who was missing initially, after he noticed flies buzzing around the place where she was buried. "A body! A body!" the man shouted. Gingerly he lifted the piece of concrete concealing a curly head of hair, face down in the debris.

Atef Abed, a supervisor with the private charity that runs the home, recognised Suha Abu Saada, 47, as her body was dug out of the rubble, one of her legs missing. As small as a child, she had been thrown out of the room where she was sleeping by the blast and buried beneath a concrete wall.

"That's Suha," Abed said as the body was carried past on a mattress covered in a blanket. "Ola Wishaa was 30. She was killed as well. And Ahmed was injured along with Mai and Sali. Luckily two of the other residents were away visiting their families."

It seems a miracle that anyone could have survived a strike that exploded in the very centre of the room where a fin and part of the guidance system remained embedded in the concrete.

A scorched bed stood to on side, damaged by the blast which blew out all the walls and left the palm trees in the garden as truncated stumps standing among the rubble.

"The bomb came straight through the roof," said Mohammad Bahri, a 22-year-old who lives next door. "About 4.30am two drones fired warning shots and then the jet came in and bombed."

The residents were barely mobile, said neighbours, spending their time in bed or in wheelchairs, and could not escape the building.

Imad Abu Shedek denied there had been missile fire nearby. "There was no resistance here. The guy upstairs, I heard he was maybe affiliated with Islamic Jihad, but he wasn't there. The first I knew was when I heard the air strike and got here and saw the bodies."

An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was looking into why the centre was targeted.

The latest deaths came on the deadliest night so far of the campaign, claiming 14 lives.

Other civilian infrastructure damaged in the last 24 hours, according to the UNWRA spokesman Chris Gunness, includes nine of its schools.

The death toll in Gaza, which includes a significant number of civilians, rose overnight to more than 120 after five days of bombing and artillery bombardment, with almost 1,000 injured. There have been no fatalities inIsrael.

Israel's defence minister, Moshe Ya'alon, warned in a security briefing that "long days of fighting" were ahead. "We are working to push forward our next objectives. Achievements are accumulating, and we are continuing to destroy significant targets belonging to Hamas and other terrorist organisations."

Both militant factions in Gaza and Israel continued to trade fire on Saturday, with the sound of artillery, guns and air strikes echoing through almost empty streets amid the periodic whoosh of rockets into Israel.

There is growing international concern, and criticism of Israel, over the rapidly rising death toll. The US and European leaders have stressed Israel's right to defend itself, but the UN has expressed its concern over the civilian deaths and anti-Israel protests have been held in Europe.

A senior Arab League official said Arab foreign ministers would hold an emergency meeting in Cairo on Monday to discuss the Israeli offensive and measures to urge the international community to pressure Israel.

The British foreign secretary, William Hague, said on Saturday he was "extremely concerned" about the deaths in Gaza.

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has urged the UN security council to order an immediate ceasefire.

Two mosques were among buildings hit for the first time overnight, according to the militant Islamist group Hamas.

"The bombing of two mosques in Gaza overnight shows how barbaric this enemy is and how much is it hostile to Islam," said Husam Badran, a Hamas spokesman in Doha, Qatar. "This terrorism gives us the right to broaden our response to deter this occupier."

The Israeli military, however, released an aerial photo of the mosque it hit, saying it concealed rockets right next to another religious site and civilian homes.

It said Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Gaza militant groups used religious sites to conceal weapons and establish underground tunnel networks, deliberately endangering its own civilians.

"Hamas terrorists systematically exploit and choose to put Palestinians in Gaza in harm's way and continue to locate their positions among civilian areas and mosques, proving once more their disregard for human life and holy sites," said Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman.

Israel has insisted it is determined to end cross-border rocket attacks that intensified last month after its forces arrested hundreds of Hamas activists in the West Bank following the abduction there of three Jewish teenagers who were later found killed. A Palestinian youth was then killed in Jerusalem in a suspected revenge attack by Israelis.

The Resurrection of Ahmad Chalabi

The man who helped convince the United States to invade Iraq has spent the last decade in the political wilderness. But now, with his country in chaos, he could be its next leader.

BY JANE ARRAF-JULY 10, 2014

HDAD — Outside the steel doors and high walls of what was once a country estate on the outskirts of Baghdad, trash is piled along dusty streets marked with concrete blast barriers. In large swaths of the country, Sunni fighters intent on erasing Iraq's borders to create a sweeping Islamic state battle Iraqi soldiers and Shiite militiamen. Inside, in the more refined world he has willed into being, Ahmad Chalabi ponders his political resurrection.

The Resurrection of Ahmad Chalabi by Maria Anderson

Finance secretary Mayaram defends 4.1 percent fiscal deficit target

BY SHYAMANTHA ASOKAN

Sat Jul 12, 2014

(Reuters) - Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram said that plans announced in this week's budget to stick to a fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent of GDP are "very credible", despite criticism from ratings agencies that the number is optimistic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took office in May, on Thursday unveiled a budget that focused on attracting investment rather than reining in spending, in order to balance India's books and revive a weak economy - an approach that fell short of expectations.

On Saturday Mayaram said however that he thought the approach was feasible.

"If you look at the numbers as they stand today, I think it's a very credible number," he told a panel session hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Saturday.

"We are looking at bringing the investment cycle back. That'll be the pump primer," Mayaram said, confirming that India's government is projecting economic growth will rise to 5.8-5.9 percent this fiscal year.

He also said Modi's administration might be able to exceed the $9.7 billion divestment target set out in the budget - which it aims to meet by selling government stakes in both state-owned and private companies - partly because India's stock markets were stronger this year than they had been last year.

Asia's third-largest economy grew by 4.7 percent in the year that ended on March 31 - the second consecutive year of growth of below 5 percent.

While Thursday's budget contained a number of measures to attract foreign investment and kick start infrastructure projects, a major revival in private investment across the economy is by no means guaranteed.

With varying degrees of severity, ratings agencies Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's have all expressed worries that the pledge to keep the fiscal deficit at 4.1 percent in 2014/15 is unrealistic. The target was set by the previous government, an unwieldy coalition led by the now ousted Congress party.

Two particular challenges for India's economy in the coming months are the threat of a bad monsoon, with the annual June-September rains that determine farmers' incomes off to a poor start, and volatile oil prices due to civil war in Iraq.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as he presented the budget in parliament, called the fiscal deficit target "daunting" but said he would take on the challenge. He has also vowed to cut the deficit to 3.6 percent by 2015/16 and 3 percent the year after.

Sophisticated radiation detector designed for broad public use

07/10/2014

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Nuclear engineers at Oregon State University have developed a small, portable and  inexpensive radiation detection device that should help people all over the world better understand the radiation around them, its type and intensity, and whether or not it poses a health risk.

The device was developed in part due to public demand following the nuclear incident in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, when many regional residents were unsure what level of radiation they were being exposed to and whether their homes, food, environment and drinking water were safe.

Devices that could provide that type of information were costly and not readily available to the general public, and experts realized there was a demand for improved systems that could provide convenient, accurate information at a low cost. The new system should eventually be available for less than $150.

Findings on the new technology were just published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, a professional journal. The systems are not yet available for commercial sale.

Beyond the extremely rare occasion of a radiological or nuclear incident, the new technology may also help interested consumers learn more about the world of radiation surrounding us, the constant exposure they receive – everything from a concrete wall to the air we breathe, soils around us or a granite kitchen counter top – and how to understand routine radiation exposure as a part of normal life.

“With a device such as this, people will be better able to understand and examine the environment in which they live,” said Abi Farsoni, an associate professor of nuclear engineering in the OSU College of Engineering. “Radiation is a natural part of our lives that many people don’t understand, but in some cases there’s also a need to measure it accurately in case something could be a health concern. This technology will accomplish both those goals.”

Of some interest, the researchers said, is that the technology being used in the new device provides measurements of radiation that are not only less expensive but also more efficient and accurate than many existing technologies that cost far more. Because of that, the system may find use not just by consumers but in laboratories and industries around the world that deal with radioactive material. This could include scientific research, medical treatments, emergency response, nuclear power plants or industrial needs.

The system is a miniaturized gamma ray spectrometer, which means it can measure not only the intensity of radiation but also identify the type of radionuclide that is creating it. Such a system is far more sophisticated than old-fashioned “Geiger counters” that provide only minimal information about the presence and level of radioactivity.

“The incident at Fukushima made us realize that many people wanted, but were not able to afford, a simple technology to tell them if their environment, food or water was safe,” Farsoni said. “This portable system, smaller than a golf ball, can do that, and it will also have wireless connectivity so it could be used remotely, or connected to the Internet.”

The system combines digital electronics with a fairly new type of “scintillation detector” that gives it the virtues of small size, durability, operation at room temperature, good energy resolution, low power consumption and light weight, while being able to measure radiation levels and identify the radionuclides producing them.

Various models may be developed for different needs, researchers said, one of which might be the ability to measure radon gas and check homes with possible concerns for that type of radiation exposure, which can sometimes come from soils, rocks, concrete walls or foundations.

“There are a lot of misconceptions by many people about radioactivity and natural background radiation, and technology of this type may help address some of those issues,” Farsoni said. “Sometimes, there are also real concerns, and the device will be able to identify them. And of some importance to us, we want the technology to be very simple and affordable so anyone can obtain and use it.”

The new device, called a “MiniSpec,” will ultimately be commercialized after final development is completed, researchers said.

SAfrican initiative to complement Geneva, Indian processes

 July 11, 2014

• Ramaphosa tells Wigneswaran SA reconciliation efforts will not be separate exercise
• Northern Chief Minister says biggest problem in north is militarisation
• Says development drive has not touched the people
• Land powers: NPC tells SA Envoy Govt. can’t pick which parts of Constitution to implement

By Dharisha Bastians
The South African initiatives to assist reconciliation in Sri Lanka will complement processes unfolding at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and bilaterally with India and other international partners, Pretoria’s Special Envoy Cyril Ramaphosa observed during his visit to Jaffna this week.
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran told the Daily FT that he had asked Deputy President Ramaphosa if South Africa’s reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka were a separate exercise from the Indian initiatives, the UNHRC resolutions in Geneva and attempts by other Western countries to resolve the issue.
“He assured us that it was a complementary exercise,” the Chief Minister noted, following the meeting with Ramaphosa at the Tilco Hotel in Jaffna on Tuesday.
Wigneswaran said that the South African Envoy had explained that the Sri Lankan Government had invited the ANC to share their experiences with Sri Lanka after the Commonwealth Summit in Colombo last year.
The Northern Province Chief Minister, who traced the history of the Tamil problem for the South African official, explained that the biggest problem facing the Northern and Eastern Provinces at present was the heavy military presence in the regions.
“I explained that the problem was that the Government had stationed the very same Army – about 150,000 troops – that had bombed, shot, terrorised and fought the war in the north in the areas of the offensives even five years later,” the Chief Minister told the Daily FT about the meeting.
Wigneswaran said he pointed out to the South African Deputy President that the military was involved in every aspect of civilian life in the Northern Province.
“They have taken over acres and acres of fertile lands. They bring persons from the south for fishing and often prevent locals fishing. They allow southerners to take away sand, granite and other resources from the Northern Province. They use up precious ground water in certain areas by pumping off wells or tanks into their bowsers. Locals are deprived of water in those areas, especially at a time like this when there is a drought,” Wigneswaran complained.
The Chief Minister told the Daily FT that Ramaphosa had asked his delegation whether the Government’s infrastructure development initiatives had not improved the quality of life in the former war zone.
Wigneswaran said he had replied in the affirmative, with the caveat that the roads had helped the south more than the north.
“They helped the Army to keep quick and effective control over the area. The roads helped the southerners initially to make a triumphal entry into their areas of capture. They helped the southerners to make a quick buck by exploiting the local markets by taking away products at very cheap rates and selling them at tremendous profits,” the Chief Minister told Ramaphosa.
He explained to the South African Deputy President that the TNA had won such an overwhelming majority in the north at the September 2013 provincial poll, in spite of heavy intimidation, because “development had never touched the people in a significant manner”.
The Chief Minister also explained to the South African Envoy that the Government was appointed ex-military Governors only for the North and East Provinces. “They run a parallel administration,” Wigneswaran said.
The issue of land and Police powers for the provinces also came up in the discussions between Wigneswaran and Ramaphosa.
The Chief Minister told the Daily FT that the NPC Legal Advisor had explained to the South African Envoy that the Government could not pick and choose which elements of the Constitution it wanted to implement.

SRI LANKA: AHRC Replies to Defence Ministry letter that seeks to restrict NGO freedoms

July 11, 2014

The National Secretariat for Non Governmental Organizations, functioning under the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, issued a letter to all registered Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on the 1st of July 2014. The letter attempts to forbid NGOs from conducting press conferences, workshops, training for journalists, and to stop them disseminating press releases. The letter attempts to create the impression that these are outside the mandate of NGOs.

This letter has come under serious criticism from many NGOs within Sri Lanka and beyond. The United Nations has stated that it will inquire into the circumstances under which this letter was issued.

As a result of this condemnation, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued another letter, attempting to explain away the earlier one. The Ministry for External Affairs’ letter attempts to create the impression that the work of NGOs are restricted by several laws under the Voluntary Social Service Organizations [Registration and Supervision] Act Number 31 of 1980, by amendments to the Act, by regulations issued under an Extraordinary Gazette, as well as by a Circular Letter of the Secretary to the President. This letter from the External Affairs’ Ministry is a complete misrepresentation of the law in Sri Lanka.

The Constitution of Sri Lanka has a section on the fundamental rights of citizens. All basic human rights enshrined in the Covenant of Civil and Political Rights are recognized as rights of citizens in Sri Lanka. The freedom of expression and assembly are recognized fundamental rights. The functioning of all organisations within Sri Lanka, whether governmental or non-governmental, is subject to these basic laws.

Any regulations made specifically for non-governmental organisations are solely for the purpose of guaranteeing accountability for any funds received for the functioning of these organisations, i.e. from external or internal sources. There is no other purpose for these regulations and none of these regulations can take away the human rights that are guaranteed within the basic law of Sri Lanka, and also the international conventions to which Sri Lanka has become a signatory by its own choice.

The Asian Human Rights Commission, in several earlier statements, has condemned the attempt to impose any restrictions that curtail the rights of NGOs. In a video presentation, the Director of Policy and Programmes, Mr. Basil Fernando, questions the motives behind the present attempt to restrict NGOs, when, in fact, the country needs to fight against the collapse of the rule of law and the increase in crime, not only among ordinary criminals but also within the state agencies.

The need of the hour is for greater education in ways to overcome the consequences of unleashing a state of lawlessness within the country. Attempts to restrict public education and public discussions will only contribute to greater lawlessness and fear within Sri Lanka.