Why is the Ebola crisis TV appeal so significant?

WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2014

The Disasters Emergency Committee is launching a major television appeal over the Ebola crisis, the first time it is calling for donations in response to a disease outbreak.

The DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal is said to be "unprecedented", as the committee has never run an appeal in response to the spread of disease in its 50 year history.

The committee, made up of 13 of the UK's major aid charities, said it took the decision as the effects of the killer virus threaten to become "a humanitarian catastrophe".

The UK's main broadcasters, including Channel 4, are due to screen the appeal tomorrow.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "This appeal is completely unprecedented and that is a sign of just how serious the situation in West Africa has become. In its 50 year history the DEC has launched appeals for humanitarian disasters caused by floods, famines, earthquake, typhoons, and countless conflicts.

We are seeing a disease create not just a medical crisis but a humanitarian emergency.Saleh Saeed

"While many chronic diseases cause untold suffering in poorer countries, the worst acute outbreaks of deadly diseases such as measles or cholera have usually occurred in the wake of another type of disaster. In West Africa today we are seeing a disease create not just a medical crisis but a humanitarian emergency. Without urgent action to stop the spread of Ebola and to help those affected by the crisis, parts of West Africa face catastrophe within 60 days."

According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 5,000 people have died and more than 10,000 have been infected with Ebola since the start of the year.

To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900 or donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.

இயற்கையின் அகோரம்...

புதன்கிழமை, 29 ஒக்டோபர் 2014 11:37 0 COMMENTS

பதுளை, கொஸ்லாந்த மீரியபெத்தையில் ஏற்பட்ட பாரிய மண்சரிவில் சுமார் 200 ஏக்கர் நிலப்பரப்பு, இந்த மண்சரிவால் முற்றாக புதையுண்டுள்ளதாகவும் இதில் புதையுண்டவர்களை மீட்கும் பணிகள் தொடர்ந்து முன்னெடுக்கப்படுவதாகவும் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகின்றது.  (படங்கள் - நயனாநந்த - புவனெக்க, எஸ்.பி.நாணயக்கார, ரஞ்சித் ராஜபக்ஷ)

இயற்கையின் அகோரம்... by Thavam Ratna

யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்களுக்காக போராடத் தயார் 

28 அக்டோபர் 2014, செவ்வாய்

அனைத்துப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியம் யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்களுக்காக போராட தயாராக இருப்பதாக அனைத்துப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியத்தின் ஏற்பாட்டாளர் நஜீத் இந்திக்க தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

 

அண்மையில் வார இதழ் ஒன்றிற்கு கருத்து தெரிவிக்கும் போதே அவர் இதனைத் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

 

 

அனைத்துப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியம் மாணவர்களைத் தவறான பாதைக்கு இட்டுச் செல்வதாக அரசாங்கம் குற்றம் சுமத்துகிறமை தொடர்பாக கருத்து தெரிவித்த அவர்.

 

இந்தக் குற்றச்சாட்டு புனையப்பட்ட ஒன்று.  நாங்கள் மாணவர்களைத் தவறான பாதைக்கு ஒருபோதும்  இட்டுச் செல்லவில்லை ஆட்சியிலுள்ள அரசாங்கம் தான் மக்களையும் மாணவர்களையும் குழப்புகிறது.

 

மாணவர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் மகாபொல போன்ற கொடுப்பனவுகள் சரியான முறையில் வழங்கப்படுவதில்லை.இதனால்  67 வீதமான மாணவர்கள் பகுதி நேர வேலைகள் செய்தே பல் கலைக்கழகக் கல்வியினை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டி உள்ளது.

 

அது மட்டுமின்றி இலவசக் கல்வியை அரசாங்கம் இல்லாதொழித்து தனியாருக்கு கல்வியை விற்பனை செய்ய முயற்சிக்கிறது . இதற்கு பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் மட்டும் போராடினால் போதாது.  நாட்டிலுள்ள அனைத்து மக்களும் அரசின் அராஜகத்துக்கு எதிராகக் கிளர்ந்தெழ வேண்டும்.

 

 

கேள்வி-  நாட்டில் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்களுக்கு எதிரான வன்முறைகள் கடந்த காலங்களிலும் கட்டவிழ்த்து விடப்பட்டிருந்தன. போர் நடந்த காலத்தை விடவும் இப்போது இந்த வன்முறைகளின் வீரியம் அதிகரித்து இருப்பதாக உணர்கிறீர்களா?

 

 

பதில் - ஆம்! நிச்சயமாக கடந்த காலங்களையும் விட தற்போது மாணவர் மீதான வன்முறைகள் அதிகரித்துச் செல்வதை ஊடகங்களில் வெளிவரும் செய்திகள் வெளிக்காட்டுகின்றன. முன்னைய காலங்களில் பெரும்பாலும் மறைமுக ரீதியான அழுத்தங்கள், மிரட்டல்கள், அச்சுறுத்தல்கள் என்பனதான் இடம்பெற்றன. அல்லாது விடின் ஆர்ப்பாட்டங்கள் நிகழும் போது மாணவர்களை பொலிஸாரோ, அரசின் கைக்கூலிகளோ தாக்கியிருப்பார்கள்.

 

ஆனால் இப்போது நேரடியாகவே மாணவர்கள் மீது அரசு கைவைக்கத் தொடங்கிவிட்டது. மாணவர் ஒருவரை எந்தவிதக் குற்றச்சாட்டுகளுமின்றி பகிரங்கமாகப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்துக்கு வந்து கைது செய்து இழுத்துப்போகுமளவுக்கு இந்த வன்முறைப் பிசாசு மாணவர்களை நோக்கி ஏவிவிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

 

 

கேள்வி- ஆனால் நீங்கள் சொல்வது போன்ற நேரடி வன்முறைகளை யாழ்.பல்கலைக் கழக மாணவர்கள் சில தசாப்தங்களுக்கு முன்பிருந்தே அனுபவிக்கத் தொடங்கிவிட்டார்கள். பல பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்கள் கொலையுண்டுமிருக்கிறார்கள். இப்படி இலங்கையிலேயே அதிகளவான வன்முறைகளை எதிர்கொண்டவர்களாக யாழ். பல்கலை மாணவர்கள் இருந்த போதும், அனைத்துப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியத்துக்கும், யாழ்.பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியத்துக்கும் இடையிலான தொடர்புகள் குறைவடைந்தே உள்ளனவே.அது ஏன்?

 

 

பதில்- உண்மைதான். எமக்கும் யாழ்.பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்களுக்கும் இடையே  அதிகளவு தொடர்புகள் இல்லைத்தான். கலந்துரையாடல் மட்டுமே சில சந்தர்ப்பங்களில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது. நாட்டில் இடம்பெற்ற முப்பது ஆண்டு காலப்போரும்  யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவ ஒன்றியத்துடனான தொடர்புகளை மேற்கொள்ள தடையாக இருந்தது.

 

தற்போது அவ்வாறான நிலைமை இல்லை. யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர்களுக்கு அதிகளவான பிரச்சினைகள் இருக்கின்றன. எங்களுக்கும் நன்றாகத் தெரியும். அனைத்துப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியம் இனம்,பால், மொழிகளுக்கு அப்பாற்பட்ட ஒரு மாணவர் அமைப்பாகும்.நாங்கள் மாணவர்கள் என்ற ரீதியில்தான் பிரச்சினைகளை அணுகுகின்றோமே தவிர இன,மத பேதங்களைக் கவனத்தில் எடுப்பதில்லை.

 

அனைத்துப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியத்துடன் யாழ். பல்கலைகழக மாணவர்களும் இணைந்து செயற்பட வேண்டுமென்பதே எங்களின் விருப்பமும். அவ்வாறு யாழ்.பல்கலை மாணவர்களும் எம்முடன் இணைந்து கொண்டால் எமக்குப் பலம்.அத்துடன் யாழ்.பல்கலை மாணவர்களின் பிரச்சினைகள் தொடர்பில் நாம் உடனடி நடவடிக்கையில் இறங்கும் இந்தப் பிணைப்பு அவசியமானது என அவர் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

- See more at: http://www.onlineuthayan.com/News_More.php?id=178163587128765033#sthash.7NoEEHfy.dpuf

Why The Northern Tamils Are Not Allowed To Exercise The Devolved Powers

By R.M.B Senanayake -October 28, 2014 

R.M.B. Senanayake

The President says he allowed elections to the Northern Provincial Council. But what he ahs given with the right hand he has withdrawn with the left hand. The NPC is hamstrung because the power is exercised by the Governor. Provision was made legally for it by the Provincial Councils Act of 1987 which undid the devolution to the PC under the 13th Amendment.

We have had a highly centralized state during the colonial period as well as after Independence. But after 1956 we adopted something peculiar to Sri Lanka. Our Members of Parliament who were elected to the legislative body began intervening in the Executive branch of the State at the level of the district to further their electoral power. They unofficially intervened in the functioning of the District Administration which really should be controlled by the Head Offices of the central departments and the Home Ministry in charge of the Kachcheris. This intervention created a politicized administration in the districts where the Opposition electorates were ignored for the disbursement of central government funds.  It also undermined all the principles of good public administration like unity of command- the hierarchical levels, distorted the flow of information. If we wanted the district administration to be under the control of a political head then we should appoint a provincial governor under whom the district offices would work. Various mechanisms such as a District Political Authority were tried but they came up with the problem of which Member of Parliament should be the Political ‘Authority. Whichever MP was appointed he would pay more attention to his electoral needs than that of the other ruling party MPs in the District. Of course the Opposition MPs had no influence or say whatsoever. The problem became serious for the Tamil and Muslim MPs who were not part of the ruling party. So many Muslims and Indian Tamil MPs supported the ruling party and even joined it. But the Tamil parties of the North and East refused to do so. The result was that their electorates were ignored in the development exercise of the government. After all, funds are scarce and if you are not in the bargaining process you will be ignored.

There are three crucial respects in which a centralized state may no longer be fit for purpose. Economically, several provinces outside the Western Province  have consistently performed below the national average in terms of GDP per capita, which is markedly different in the different provinces. So  the national economy needs regional rebalancing for it is the State and the public sector that is driving economic growth’

Read More

UN should immediately intervene to get war crime witness released: TNA

October 27, 2014

Making an urgent appeal, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on Monday has urged the UN to intervene in securing the immediate release of a 58-year old Tamil man, who was arrested in Kilinochchi by Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism police for allegedly distributing forms meant to be circulated among the witnesses of the ongoing war crime probe by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Terrorists Investigation Department (TID) personnel on Saturday arrested Sinnathamby Krishnarajah at Mulankavil in Kilinochchi alleging that he was distributing UNHRC witness forms. The father-of-six has now been brought to the TID headquarters in Colombo for further interrogation.

“Sinnathamby Krishnarajah from Sivapuram, Iranchi in Kilinochchi is badly affected by the brutal war. One of his young daughters was killed due to shelling during the final phase of the war, thus becoming potential witness to the ongoing UN inquiry. The TID has arrested him for allegedly carrying witness forms of the OHCHR. The UNHRC should intervene immediately to ensure his safety and security and get him released,” TNA spokesman and Jaffna District Parliamentarian Suresh K. Premachandran has said.

“Is it a crime for a potential war crime witness to be in possession of UN forms and documents? Therefore, it is the bounden duty of the UNHRC and the UN affiliated to protect its witnesses wherever they are, and in this case Sinnathamby Krishnarajah from Kilinochchi,” he has said.

“At a time when the war-victims are invited to give affidavits before Presidential Commissions of Inquiry why were they being targeted, intimidated and arrested when doing the same with the UNHRC, which is a powerful international body,” MP Premachchandran has queried.

He said that the TNA has already made an appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has not only refused to cooperate with the OHCHR inquiry, but has threatened to take action against those cooperating with the investigation, for the immediate release of Sinnathamby Krishnarajah.

UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Delegation Arrives In SL Today

Sify

Tue, Oct 28, 2014

A UN Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) delegation headed by its Executive Director Jean-Paul Laborde, is due to arrive in Sri Lanka today on a three-day visit.

The team is expected to lay stress on the importance of having a comprehensive approach to countering terrorism in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, including human rights, as requested by the Security Council.

The delegation will also visit Jaffna, reports the Colombo Page web site.

During their visit, the team, on the request of the Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC), is tasked with meeting three main objectives, namely (1) To assess Sri Lanka's implementation of the provisions of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) , including the ratification and implementation of international instruments against terrorism as well as international cooperation in these matters (2) To make relevant recommendations concerning steps that Sri Lanka should take in this regard; to recommend areas in which Sri Lanka would eventually benefit from receiving technical assistance and (3) To address measures put in place by Sri Lanka to implement Security Council resolution 1624 (2005).

Adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and therefore, binding on all member states, resolution 1373 (2001) addresses threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, whereas resolution 1624 (2005) calls on States to enhance dialogue and take all necessary measures to counter incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and intolerance.

The delegation will emphasize that terrorism will be defeated not only by military and law enforcement measures or judiciary decisions, but will also require constructive dialogue with communities.

Members of the delegation include counter-terrorism experts from CTED focusing on legislation, law enforcement, and countering violent extremism, as well as representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL. (ANI with inputs)

SUMMERY OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT by MP Dr. Wijedasa Rajapksha

(Lanka-e-News -27.Oct.2014, 11.55PM) While the Executive Presidency is abolished, a President will be elected from among the members of Parliament by secret ballots. Upon his election, he shall perform his duties on apolitical basis.

While the President is the Head of the State who performs his duties on advice of the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister is the Head of the Government and the Head of the Cabinet.

Cabinet of Ministers shall consist of not more than 30 and there shall be Deputy Ministers also not exceeding 30.

There will be a Constitutional Council consisting of the Speaker, Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, two members from the government side and two members from the opposition, which will be chaired by the Speaker. Prior approval is required in making appointments of members to the commissions, to the superior courts and to the high offices of the state.

Right to information on matters concerning public finance and affairs is recognized as a fundamental right, but subject to restrictions in the interests of national security.

In the process of impeachment against superior court judges, the Speaker in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition is obliged to appoint a penal consisting three retired Supreme Court Judges to inquire and report on the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity of the Judge concerned.

Interim arrangement is provided that the incumbent president shall deemed to be the duly appointed Prime Minister and may continue until he commands the majority support of the members of Parliament or until the term of the existing Parliament is over, whichever comes first. In any event he will remain to sit and vote in the Parliament as a Member of Parliament.

……… AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

Summery of the Proposed Amendment by Mp Dr. Wijedasa Rajapksha by Thavam Ratna

A Presidency Under Threat – Information Gaps

By Rajiva Wijesinha -October 28, 2014

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha MP

In my student days I had a great friend who simplified Wittgenstein into the theory that people simply created their own mythology. That was a satirical idea, used about the more obsessive amongst us, but I fear it is the most suitable image for what is now happening in government. And the saddest aspect of such personal mythologies is that those who create them begin to believe them, and become enthralled by their own vision of the world, even if it has no connection with reality.

This phenomenon seems to lie behind some of the confusion that has beset the country in the last few weeks. And it is compounded by what seems the sheer ignorance of government about the information revolution that has taken place in recent times. A simple understanding of the world, as it actually is, would have prevented the efforts to give a positive spin to the President’s meetings with other leaders, while he was in New York. But there were immensely optimistic pronouncements, which came an absolute cropper. This was not only because of the immediate response of the American Government, but also because several news outlets that Sri Lankans read with ease today cited that response.

The manner in which the Americans corrected the spin ‘government sources’ had tried to put on the meeting the President had with John Kerry was pretty shaming. Their spokesman said, about the report that had appeared in a Sri Lankan paper, to the effect that the American position was softening, that ‘The only thing that was right was that the Secretary did speak with the Sri Lankan President on the margins of the UN General Assembly. He did so with the express purpose of conveying that US policy with regard to Sri Lanka has not changed’. In effect, she made it clear that the report had got everything else wrong, so that she was able to assert clearly the opposition of the American Government to what is going on in Sri Lanka. Had we not tried to lie about that, it would not have become known so widely.  Read More 

Moody’s says Budget 2015 signals continued deficit reduction; debt burden a concern

 October 28, 2014

International rating agency Moody’s yesterday that the 2015 Budget presented by President and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday signalled continued fiscal deficit reduction.

“Authorities were able to more than meet their target for the budget deficit in 2014, and aim to bring the deficit lower in the next year. Continued deficit reduction is premised on stronger economic and higher tax revenues, as expenditures will rise further in 2015. Success in hitting the targeted deficit reduction in 2015 would bring Sri Lanka’s fiscal deficit, which has historically been very high relative to rating peers, more in line with the median for similarly-rated countries,” Moody’s said.
However, the Government’s debt burden would remain considerably higher than peers, it added.
Moody’s said since the end of the civil war in 2009, the Government has reaped a peace dividend in reducing its budget deficit from a peak of 9.9% of GDP in 2009.
In 2014, authorities reported a deficit of 5.0%, coming within their target of 5.2%, and is projecting a further shrinkage to 4.6% in 2015. “If achieved, this would bring the deficit below the median average of 5.2% for B-rated peers,” Moody’s said.
Revenues, which have been on a decelerating trend as a percent of GDP over the last six years, posted a reversal in 2014, coming in at 14.1% of GDP.
While growth in revenues (including grants) has been below budgeted levels in 2014, the government is counting on an 18.8% year-on-year increase in 2015, following an 18.1% rise this year, through higher collections of trade-related taxes. If achieved, this would be the highest revenue growth in nine years. Targets may be all the more challenging since they are based on real GDP expanding by 8.2% year-on-year in 2015, versus Moody’s estimate of 7.5% year-on-year, with is in line with Sri Lanka’s potential growth rate.

Moody’s said authorities are relying on a refinance facility to recover disputed tax arrears, which is estimated to generate Rs. 40 billion, nearly 3% of total projected tax revenues. Other proposals include the imposition of a tax on motor vehicle imports, and an increase in excise duties on liquor. These measures are expected to offset a one percent reduction in the value-added tax rate.
With the Government recently announcing that Sri Lanka will hold presidential elections early next year, nearly two years ahead of schedule, expenditure measures are focused on addressing infrastructure deficiencies and meeting social welfare demands from low income groups. Steps include improving rural transport and irrigation networks, expanding railway infrastructure, and the provision of health benefits.
The Budget also proposes a rise in minimum wages for private sector employees, an increase in the employer contribution for provident funds, and a reduction in electricity tariffs for small consumers. However, the increase in recurrent spending is to be more moderate than that of capital spending, which is targeted to increase 26% year-on-year or 6.2% of GDP versus 5.6% in 2014.
Similar to 2014, the Government estimates the Budget to be roughly evenly financed through domestic and foreign funding. Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to fiscal consolidation would help facilitate a reduction in its elevated debt burden, which at 78.3% of GDP in 2013, is significantly above the peer median average of 42.8% and is a constraint on the Government’s credit rating.
In its Fiscal Management Report, also released on Friday, the Government reiterated its aim to bring the debt stock down to 63% of GDP by 2017. These targets are premised on an increase in Government revenues to 16% of GDP over the medium term, as well as on strong growth trends and a gradually improving primary balance, Moody’s said.

Stalemate 

By Upatissa Perera-October 28, 2014

The much awaited talks between Ven. Sobhitha Thera and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to decide on a common candidate, for the anticipated Presidential Election in January, ended in a stalemate last Saturday (25), informed sources said.The Convener of the National Movement for Social Justice, Ven. Sobhitha Thera and Wickremesinghe met at the Naga Viharaya, in Kotte.
 
Sources said that Wickremesinghe has pointed out to the Thera that he would contest the Presidential Poll and after assuming office as the Executive President he would give priority to scrapping the Executive Presidential System. "He had urged Ven. Sobhitha to extend his cooperation to him."
 
Ven. Sobhitha has told Wickremesinghe that he (SobhithaThera ) had held talks with several Opposition political parties, civil organizations, university academics and intellectuals. He had further explained to Wickremesinghe, that if Wickremesinghe wants to contest as the common candidate he should be identified as an independent candidate outside the UNP and the elephant symbol.
Wickremesinghe has told Ven. Sobhitha Thera that he would discuss the proposal with the party and convey the decision to the Thera.
 
UNP sources said that party MPs have stated that Wickremesinghe should not contest the election outside the party and the party symbol as the UNP was a single party, which had a large vote base in the country. They have further stressed that as the leader of that party, Wickremesinghe should not surrender to the demands of any other section in the country.

There Is No Reason Why Muslims Shouldn’t Vote For Rajapaksa: BBS

October 28, 2014

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has today stated the Muslim community in Sri Lanka should not hold any reservations in voting in support of the Rajapaksa regime, claiming it is the Muslims who have been benefitted the most since this government was elected into power.

BBS Gnanasara

“Many have accused the BBS and its activities as the reason behind the loss of votes for the government at the Uva Provincial polls. It is an unfair accusation – what is it that this government has not done for the Muslims?,” BBS General Secretary Galagoda Atte Ganasara had questioned while adding that handing over extremely important portfolios such as the Justice Ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to two Muslims itself has spoken for the current government’s affiliation with the Muslims.

Meanwhile, the BBS had warned potential candidates at the upcoming elections to stop themselves from expecting the votes of Sinhala Buddhists in their favour unless they are ready to make a strong pledge to implement the six bills introduced for the protection and preservation of Buddhism that have remained unimplemented for over a decade.

“Even though we admit that those bills alone are not enough, their implementation would ensure a certain protection for Buddhism from the widespread conversions and other attacks that are being launched against Buddhism and Buddhists,” Gnanasara has stated while urging the government to take immediate measures to implement the six bills including the Temple and Devala lands draft bill.

Despite calls by the BBS, it is doubtful as to whether the Rajapaksa regime is interested in implementing these bills. Colombo Telegraph in 2012 published a leaked US diplomatic cable from 2005 that referred to a meeting between Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the Prime Minister and then US Ambassador where PM Rajapaksa had assured that the anti-conversion bill is dead and that he had informed the Jathika Hela Urumaya to ‘to forget about it’.

Parliament: MPs playing truant 

 By Saman Indrajith-October 27, 2014, 12:00 pm

Skipping Parliament sessions had become a habit of the MPs, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He made this observation when it was pointed out that there were no MPs to raise questions listed on the Order Paper and there were no ministers to reply. It was found that only two out of 14 MPs listed to raise questions were present in the Chamber. The two MPs present were Sajith Premadasa and Niroshan Perera. But, there were no ministers to respond to their questions.

MP Sajith Premadasa: "This is a world record. There are no ministers to respond to MPs’ questions".

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: What is the world record? Is it the absence of MPs?

UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: Some UNP MPs could not come to Parliament as they had received summons from court to be present there.

Parliament: MPs ...

UPFA National List MP AHM Azwer: MPs should be present in Parliament. There are only two MPs on the Opposition side.

Speaker Rajapaksa: Both government and opposition members are the same. They skip parliamentary sessions. There are no MPs to raise questions and no ministers to respond.

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga: I think the Chair has been informed of the inability of some MPs to be present here as they had to go to courts.

Speaker Rajapaksa: Yes, I am aware of it. But both sides should see to it that MPs are present.

Sri Lanka allays India's concerns over its ties with China 
Sri Lanka Navy chief Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, who is on a five-day visit here, maintained that there is no military presence of China in his country.
NEW DELHI: Amid reports of increase in its military ties with China, Sri Lanka today sought to allay India's concerns, insisting that it will do nothing to compromise the security of this country. 

Sri Lanka Navy chief Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, who is on a five-day visit here, maintained that there is no military presence of China in his country. 

"We have very good co-operation with India. We will never compromise on national security of India. India's security is our security," he told reporters here. 

"We will not compromise the security of another country and especially India, he said calling himself a "personal friend of India". 

Asked about reports that its military ties with China are increasing, he denied it, saying "Their (Chinese) interest is very commercial.... Not only Chinese, even the Russians and other countries also, we have very good relationship. We are a non-aligned country." 

His comments came against the backdrop of reports in Lankan media that Changzheng 2, a nuclear-powered submarine, had docked at the Colombo International Container Terminal Ltd on September 15 to become the first such vessel to visit Sri Lanka. Prior to it, two Chinese naval vessels had docked in Colombo from September 7 to 13. 

When his attention was drawn to Changzheng 2, the Lankan Navy Chief said, "It is (was) a conventional submarine and not a nuclear submarine." He insisted that there is no Chinese military presence in his country. 

Talking about India, Perera said Sri Lanka thanks it "as it wholeheartedly supported in eradication of terrorism" from his country. 

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan stressed on the "very strong" ties with Lanka and said bilateral naval cooperation goes beyond the normal training. 

He said India trains a large number of Lankan personnel, both officers and sailors and is in the process of buidling two off-shore patrol vessels for Lanka.

India expresses its bitter displeasure –Gota dumbstruck and nonplussed

(Lanka-e-News- 27.Oct.2014, 9.25PM) It is with deep regret we break this news that when Sri Lanka ‘s (SL) criminal defense secretary toured India last week he had to face several humiliating and insolent incidents , according to informed diplomatic sources.

Gotabaya undertook the tour of India to meet with its new State defense advisor Ajith Dowal and new defense Minister Arun Jeytli, in order to hold discussions. Gotabaya who met them with great hopes was met by severe castigation and displeasure ,with both of them bitterly opposing the invitation of the Chinese submarine to SL, much to Gotabaya’s dismay and disappointment.

On 15 th September simultaneously with the arrival of the Chinese Prime Minister in SL, the Rajapakses got down the Shangsheng 2 nuclear powered Chinese submarine Y J with protective system to combat torpedoes. There were also ship destroying missiles in it , with capacity to fire a distance of 80 kilometers (it was Lanka e news that published that report with photographs for the first time). Though India is the major power in the SL zone , no prior notice thereof was given to India.

When Gotabaya was questioned on the dangers posed to the security of India due to SL – China activities , Gotabaya was dumbfounded and had not been able to give a satisfactory answer, according to reports.

SL was subjected to a similar imbroglio during the UN conference too in America some time ago. Alongside the UN conference , the CMAG (Commonwealth Ministers Action Group) meeting was held . When Dr. G L Peiris , SL’ foreign Minister who represented SL at the conference was questioned by his Indian counterpart on SL’s involvement in this Chinese submarine arrival and the Indian security that is being placed in jeopardy thereby, Peiris was dumbstruck with no answer to furnish .

Research: Asia most vulnerable to climate change

By Graham Land Oct 28, 2014

Populations living in low-lying, coastal Asian cities are at most risk from the effects of climate change, according to a report titled “Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability,” presented last March at the climate talks in Yokohama Japan. The reportwarns that Asia’s coastline is the region of the globe most vulnerable to future flooding, famine and rising sea levels. These threats — associated with rising temperatures accelerated by human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels — will put hundreds of millions of people in peril.

Other threats in the region associated with climate change include exacerbated food security, hunger, poverty and economic stagnation.

The report clarifies:

The majority of it will be in east, south-east and south Asia. Some small island states are expected to face very high impacts.

Heat stress, extreme precipitation, inland and coastal flooding, as well as drought and water scarcity, pose risks in urban areas with risks amplified for those lacking essential infrastructure and services or living in exposed areas.

— Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability

2013 flooding in northern India. Pic: Diario Critico Venezuela

Since March’s climate summit, further research has highlighted Asia’s vulnerability to climate change. A new report published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, “Explaining Extreme Events of 2013 from a Climate Perspective”, found that while all extreme weather events cannot be linked to human activity, the 2013 heat waves in Australia and Asia were made more severe by human-caused climate change. Research compiled in the report linked both the likelihood and seriousness of the Asia-Pacific region’s extreme temperatures to climate change, but had more difficulty measuring human influence on droughts, storms and heavy rains. However, the study examined four extreme weather events of last year in Asia and found that while natural variability was the prime cause of each event, human activity had influenced its strength or increased its likelihood. This included increased stronger rains in northern India along with extreme hot spells in Japan, Korea and Eastern China.

A lead editor of the report and principal scientist at NOAA’s National Climactic Data Center, Thomas Peterson, was interviewed by Deutsche Welle on the subject:

The report found that long duration heat waves during the summer and prevailing warmth for annual conditions are becoming increasingly likely due to a warming planet, as much as 10 times more likely due to the current cumulative effects of human-induced climate change, as found for the Korean heat wave of summer 2013.

Another recent report warns that climate change may affect Asian rice yields. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report, which came out earlier this month, names western Japan, eastern China, south Indochina and northern South Asia as the regions with rice yields most vulnerable to climate change. On the other hand, wheat and maize farmers in the mountainous parts of Pakistan may experience bumper crops from changing climactic patterns. The report furthermore stated that Asia was the region with the largest amount of weather- and climate-related disasters during the years of 2000-2008, with high levels of economic loss and flood-related mortality.

Finally, research from the University of Tokyo found that the decline of Arctic sea ice had doubled the risk of harsh winters in both Asia and Europe over the past 10 years. The findings, published in the journal Nature Geoscience and led by researcher Masato Mori, may lead some to believe that global warming has stopped because it seems counter intuitive to link cold winters with warming temperatures, but scientists warn against this kind of overly simplistic assumption. While the rise in average surface temperatures has slowed since 2000, Arctic temperatures have continued to warm rapidly.

Rice fields in the shadow of Mt. Iwaki, Aomori, Japan. Pic: Japanexperterna.se (Flickr CC)