Increasing The Education Budget & The Merging Of Education & Business

By Amali Wedagedara, Lakmali Hemachandra & Niyanthini Kadirgamar –December 15, 2015

Public education has been at the centre of many struggles in Sri Lanka. While images of the brutal attacks on the HNDA student protests are still fresh in our minds, another budget has been presented to us by the Government. Increases in the allocations for education was announced as a highlight of the 2016 Budget. As a sector that has a widespread interest among the people, this Government’s policy direction for education proposed in the budget has generated much debate.

The expenditure increases for education have to be situated within the broader economic policy direction set by this Budget, which is an intensification of neoliberalism in Sri Lanka characterised by the power of business interests. Indeed, there are concerns as to whether the Government is investing in the education sector to develop it as a revenue making business in the future, instead of investing in education with the purpose of raising the social wellbeing of the people.

Education Budget for 2016

There is considerable confusion regarding the education budget figures. Although it was widely reported in the media that the allocation for education is 5.4% of GDP, the total government spending on education as stated in the budget is Rs. 461 bn, which is 3.7% of GDP.

However, a significant portion of this education budget amounting to Rs.121 bn is for “capital carrying costs” of the government, a new budget item included for the first time in this year’s budget. No explanations have been provided as to how such a major allocated line item will be utilised. It is perhaps merely a fictional figure based on creative financial engineering that has been added to education and health totalling Rs.139 bn, which is counter-balanced in the revenue side by a new budget item called the “notional rent income from land and building.”

The proposed education budget for 2016 makes up 2.72% of GPD when the controversial capital carrying costs are removed from the calculations. Regardless of such confusion, there is a significant increase of 31% in allocations for education compared to the 2.07% of GDP in 2015.   Read More

Editorial: Sri Lanka— Jumping on the bandwagon does not mean justice

We believe the Prime Minister has not forgotten, as the most experienced person in losing elections and the people’s mandate for a prolonged period, that curiosity killed the cat. Will the country to fall back to the drawing board? The ball is in your court Mr. Prime Minister!

( December 15, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Sri Lankan Minister for Justice and Buddhist Affairs has cried foul yet again.  In an hour-long talk show he has tried his very best to present himself as a saint. While narrating his chilling involvement in politics, he has offered millions to the failed revolutionary Marxist party and later licked the feet of the plutocrats. His present day politics contain little but “attractive” slogans.

Would his explanations benefit the people or the government? Sincerely, the answer is no! Absolutely not!  According to him, accusing him of wrong doing is barking up the wrong tree.

He was merely countering the bombshell hurled against him by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka Rtd.  The photographic evidence of his long-term friendship with Nissanaka Senadhipathi, the chairman of the Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd., proved the true colours behind the man who is responsible for justice over 22 million of innocents in the country. This according to him is nothing. However, it is a serious issue for the country and her future.

Having such person at the decision-making level is an adding insult to injury of the people that had, or still have, faith in good governance.

However, there were a few major facts in his lamentation that can be highlighted. First, he was dragged into politics and gifted with a ministerial post by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunge. It was a perchance, as he said. Second, he was one of closest friends of Nissanka Senadhipathi, the alleged fraudster who is under investigation. Third, he knows the law and others don’t. Fourth, he claims to be an “honest” Buddhist who is well-read in Buddhism. Fifth, he is ready to give up his ministerial post with no worries, or, once again, so he claims.

What can the people in the country assume by hearing such a self-proclaimed discourse of holiness?

According to him, he has not met Nissanaka Senadhipathi after 2007. But, he said, he has supported Sarath Fonseka when he was contesting the election in 2010, in which Senadhipathi was also supportive. But again, he said, he has not meet him after 2007. The lie of the Justice Minister is loud and clear. The lie can prevail until evidence is unearthed to prove the contrary. Then he will manage to create another lie. This is the sham culture of this country.

Despite the political intelligentsia in the parliament yesterday (December 14th 2015) during the speech made by the Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, one could observe the path we are now heading in when it comes to such issues.

What we have learnt when it comes to the theory is that Justice is the spine of the state. Justice is the faith of governance. Justice is the flesh of the political will of the people. Justice is the power of the power. Justice is the oxygen of the rule of law. Justice is the last milestone of every citizen.

But when it comes to practicalities, we hardly find a politician whose commitments are based on justice. We can hardly find state officials whose commitments are based on justice. What we can find is those whose tendency is to abuse the principle of justice for their personal benefit. The subject of justice in the government is most of the time preached by those who knows how to distort justice.

Launching the tabloid to boost the personal images out of public money or sitting for hour long talk shows to express how good you are in lying will not find solutions to the grave issues in the country. It will further worsen the situation.   The success of any leader not only relies on himself but those who are chosen by him.

Well… The minister of Justice, the self-claimed thinker is showing us, how arrogant the justice of good governance is.

We believe the Prime Minister has not forgotten, as the most experienced person in losing elections and the people’s mandate for a prolonged period, that curiosity killed the cat. Will the country to fall back to the drawing board? The ball is in your court Mr. Prime Minister!

Development Council should be more strategic

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

It is good news indeed that the National Human Resources Development Council (NHRDC) has been rescued from obscurity and placed under the Ministry of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs, under the guidance of the Prime Minister himself.

Development Council Should Be More Strategic by Thavam Ratna

Will ‘Yahapalanaya’ Roll Back Racism ?

By Afreeha Jawad 
-December 15, 2015 

Afreeha Jawad

Canada’s celebrated Sikh soldier Harjit Sajjan is among the many Sikhs appointed to Justin Treaudeau’s new cabinet. His outstanding performance in the Canadian military has been duly recognized with his appointment as Canada’s Minister of Defence. Sajjan’s military brilliance was displayed in combat operations in Bosnia and Afghanistan .What message does this convey to those that  run  and those that ran the affairs of state over here in Sri Lanka for over half a century? Besides, what does this prestigious appointment speak of the Canadian mind.

Opposing Lakshman Kadirgarmar’s Prime Ministerial appointment despite all his efforts in proscribing the LTTE internationally was the restricted, warped ultra-nationalist mindset . They were not willing to let go but would still call themselves Buddhists and lay claim to a religion that vehemently calls for detachment. Contrary to this is all inclusive Indian pluralism so evident in the presidential appointments of Zakir Hussain and Abdul Kalam not to forget Sonia Gandhi a non national who even gave Congressional lead to the 2004 Indian election victory. A minority Sikh Manmohan Singh took control of Prime ministerial office. 
The swiss cantons and India’s state formation – Telangana the latest, symbolize the accommodation of ethno/religious minorities in those countries.

Very recently  the Lankan jingoistic membership could not help but grudgingly green light R. Sampanthan as oppostion leader – the international community focus on his appointment. Yet it was not without rumblings from certain quarters.

To be treated equal among equals is only on paper,  and a recent case in point displays the gross violation of this profound thought coming off the Sri Lanka police. Some DIGs during Rajapaksa’s era were promoted to the post of senior  DIG s overlooking DIG Latiff formerly of the STF with  a 37 year service record, masters qualification, numerous awards and ambidextrous ways. Can the former regime then deny the charges of racism staring at their face.

In another instance Sumeda Jayasena, Vijithamuni Soysa, Sashindra Rajapaksa, Jagath Pushpakumara and Chairman Moneragala Pradeshiya Sabha Gamini ganged up against him for the “unpardonable crime” of personally arresting their henchman – a team of  poachers, sand miners and illicit timber fellers. With just one stroke of a pen, this honourable officer was transferred out of Moneragala in a letter worded, ‘with immediate effect.’ That was the audacity and arrogance of the Rajapaksa era who now from roof top criticize the the present regime. That an officer of his calibre was humiliated by a set of empty brained vagabonds for the moral discharge of his professional duties is to say the least ,nauseating. The fate that may have befallen this country if not for that mysterious  January   8th revolution, followed by that discreetly manipulated creative hopper party is only God’s knowledge. Yet, this is certainly not to pay a glowing tribute to Yahapalanaya. There are moral meanderings and they too carry the potential to equal Rajapakse and company unless a stern Presidential eye is cast on them. Not to forget are the Rajapaksa acolytes now in presidential company who may disrepute him in corruption and racism.                                           Read More

SL ranked 73rd in Human Development Index

2015-12-15
Sri Lanka has maintained its rank in the 'high human development category' at 73rd place according to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2015 released yesterday in Ethiopia by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 

According to the Human Development Index (HDI), Sri Lanka had gradually improved in human development reaching 0.757 in 2014 from 0.679 in 2000, the Government Information Department said quoting the HDR. 

The world average in 2014 is 0.711 and South Asia averaged at 0.607.

 Noting the positive relationship between work and human development, the HDR said most Sri Lankan workers in the formal sector retire in their 60s, and a relatively small fraction are employed part- or full-time. But casual workers and self-employed workers tend to keep their full-time jobs for many more years. 

Sri Lanka has integrated human resources and employment strategies in its National Human Resources and Employment Strategy, which began in 2014, to reduce unemployment and create more work opportunities. In Sri Lanka annual job growth is 12 percent. 

Sri Lanka's neighbor, India is ranked at 130th in the 'medium development' countries along with Bhutan at 132, Maldives at 104, Bangladesh ranked at 142. Under 'lower development' countries Nepal is ranked at 145 and Afghanistan at 174. Pakistan at 47 is in the High development category.

 The top five countries in rank order of HDI are Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Denmark and Netherlands, with no changes from 2014. The Bottom five countries in rank order of HDI are Niger, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Chad and Burundi. 

Heavy traffic in Fort as Banking sector protests

Dec 15, 2015

Around 10,000 employees of the banking sector have joined the protest and there is a heavy traffic congestion in the area, our reporter says.

The protest demonstration is being held against certain proposals of the 2016 Budget.

Speaking, Executive member of the Bank of Ceylon employees' trade union - Keshara Kottegoda says that employees of 08 state banks and 12 private banks have joined today's protest demonstration.

(Pics : Roshan Chathuranga)

Building Colombo into a Globally Competitive City

As Sri Lanka transitions towards peace, it’s time to discuss what cities of the future will look like.

by Raisa Wickrematunge 

- on 12/15/2015 

Colombo has numerous problems caused by urban sprawl – flooding and traffic congestion being some of them. How will these issues be addressed by the Government? Groundviews explores this using the immersive platformSway.

View the story directly on Sway here:

Sounds incredible but true -whopping Rs. 29,000,000,000.00 spirited away ! Basil indicted !!

Government’s answer to people’s query ‘where no case against Rajapakse cheats?’

(Lanka-e-News -15.Dec.2015, 3.30PM)  The former economic development minister Basil Rajapakse (the brother of Mahinda Rajapakse the ex president of Sri Lanka ) and ex Director of Divineguma , R.K.E Ranawake were indicted by the Attorney General based on six grave charges of misappropriation of public funds running into a whopping Rs. 29 billion ! (Rs. 29,000,000,000.00 !), and a case had been filed against them in the Colombo high court. 

The case had been filed on charges of misappropriation of these funds without Treasury approval under the penal code , acting in violation of the Presidential election Act.

The funds of Divineguma were misused for so called distribution of Sil clothes etc .as bribes during the presidential election. If the funds of the government are to be used for purchases and distributed , the recipients should obtain them after duly placing their signatures . In this so called distribution of Sil Clothes , there is no record whatsoever of what quantity of clothes or to whom they were distributed. 

This case is to be called up very soon and heard in the high court.   

This case must be easing the anxiety of the masses   who question ‘ where , it is nearly a year  since this government of good governance was installed , have they filed any case against the Rajapakse cheats?’

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by     (2015-12-15 10:17:04)

Delhi CM Kejriwal says office raided, calls Modi a psychopath

Media crew members sit outside the Delhi Secretariat building which houses the offices of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior officials, in New Delhi December 15, 2015.-REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI

Arvind Kejriwal, chief of Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party (AAP), addresses his supporters after taking the oath as the new chief minister of Delhi during a swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila ground in New Delhi February 14, 2015.

Tue Dec 15, 2015

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his office was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday on the orders of Narendra Modi, in the latest clash between the feisty local politician and the prime minister.

The CBI was not raiding Kejriwal's office, said a senior official of the investigating agency, who declined to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

CBI investigators were searching the office of Rajendra Kumar, principal secretary of the Delhi government, near Kejriwal's office, the official said. Kumar is under investigation for corruption.

"Modi is a coward and a psychopath," Kejriwal said on his Twitter page. "When Modi couldn't handle me politically, he resorts to this cowardice."

The central government rejected Kejriwal's allegations, and said it had no role to play in the police investigation.

Kejriwal and Modi's central government have been involved in a power struggle over the appointment of bureaucrats and the control of police since Kejriwal's party came to power in the capital earlier this year.

That election victory in New Delhi smashed the aura of invincibility built around Modi in his first major electoral upset since being appointed prime minister.

Kejriwal says Modi has been attempting to sabotage his government to stem his popularity and destroy his chances of breaking the dominance of India's two national parties.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters the CBI is an independent organisation and does not act under the orders of the government.

"It has become a fashion of the Delhi chief minister to quarrel with the central government and take the name of the prime minister for each and everything," Naidu said.

(Reporting by Rupam Jain Nair and Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Ryan Woo)

What Really Happened on Burundi’s Bloody Friday

The government says it entered a neighborhood looking for rebels. Residents say they were looking for revenge.

BY TY MCCORMICK-DECEMBER 14, 2015

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — In the hours after rebel forces launched a pre-dawn assault on three military installations here on Friday, the embattled government claimed to have killed 79 insurgents in a joint military and police security operation. Some insurgents died in the initial clashes with the military, the government said, while others supposedly retreated into neighborhoods known for their staunch opposition to the regime, where they were later shot by security forces and left bleeding in the streets.

What Really Happened on Burundi’s Bloody Friday by Thavam Ratna

BBC forced to admit it misled over Palestine

The grim reality endured by Palestinians under Israeli occupation is apparently of little concern to BBC’s flagship radio news program.

 Yotam RonenActiveStills

Amena Saleem-11 December 2015

For the second time in just over six months, the BBC has been forced to admit that its flagship news and current affairs program — Today — has misled its audiences over the situation in Israel and the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

BBC Forced to Admit It Misled Over Palestine by Thavam Ratna

Fighting continues in Taiz, Mareb despite Yemen ceasefire: Sources 

Houthi representatives at peace talks in Switzerland have denied breaching an agreed truce in Taiz and northern Yemen 
Yemeni supporters of the Houthi militia attend a demonstration in the second largest city of Taiz (AFP) - 

Saeed Al-Batati-Tuesday 15 December 2015

AL MUKALLA, Yemen - Attempts to secure peace in Yemen were under threat on Tuesday evening, with a fragile ceasefire agreed between pro-government and Houthi forces apparently breached multiple times in its first hours.

Medical and pro-government sources in the central Mareb province told the AFP news agency that Houthi fighters had killed 15 pro-government fighters and injured 20 others in fighting after the ceasefire came into effect at midday (9am GMT). 

“Houthis militias breached the truce by attacking many positions controlled by the resistance in Jadaan Mas region and killed many fighters from Sanaa resistance,” Abdul Kareem Thouael, a member the Mareb-based Sanaa resistance told Middle East Eye. 

Residents in the city of Taiz, who have seen fierce fighting in recent weeks, also reported that Houthis and their allied forces began shelling residential areas and enemy positions. It is unclear if there were any casualties. 

Zakaria al-Sharaabi, a Taiz resident and anti-Houthi journalist, told MEE that Houthis began firing on the city with anti-aircraft guns shortly after the truce began.

“Houthis forces stationed in the hills pounded some districts in the city. At 12.24pm they fired a rocket from al-Kandra region at the mountain of Saber [under control of resistance fighters].”

Later in the afternoon, Sharaabi said, the Houthis stormed a local college and have prevented people from entering parts of the city, while also firing some mortar shells into the Senah district.

Residents in Taiz also talked about heavy clashes erupting in the afternoon as Houthi fighters attempted to advance into areas controlled by pro-government forces. 

The reports of fighting threaten to undermine peace negotiations in Switzerland between the Houthis and the government of Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. Hadi promised a ceasefire last week before talks began, a condition he had previously dismissed.

Delegates from the Saudi-led coalition supporting Hadi told MEE that fighting has been rocking Taiz for much of the day, although Houthi representatives denied the reports and insisted they were sticking to the ceasefire. 

 Follow

Nawal Al-maghafi @Nawalf

Ceasefire has allegedly been broken by the #Houthis in #Mareb #Shabwa and #Althalei #yemen #peacetalks

11:08 AM - 15 Dec 2015

 
•  1010 Retweets
 
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Talks between in Geneva collapsed in June as the government insisted the rebels should accept a UN Security Council resolution that obliges them to pull out of cities, hand over arms to the state and allow the government, which was working in exile in Saudi Arabia, to return to Yemen.

Clashes intensified subsequently as the government forces backed by Saudi-led coalition took the offensive and managed to drive the rebels out of the strategic port city of Aden and a large swathe of land the restive south.

Recent figures by the UN have showed that the war has killed 5,884 people since March and left millions of people in dire need of aid.

Additional reporting by Nawal al-Maghafi in Switzerland 

- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/fighting-continues-taiz-despite-yemen-ceasefire-sources-1537815568#sthash.48x2DTH0.dpuf

Malala Yousafzai: 'I'm a feminist and a Muslim'

TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and campaigner for girls' education, says she considers herself to be a feminist - as well as a proud Brummie.

Talking to Jon Snow in Birmingham, where she lives, the 18-year-old also had words for politicians who make inflammatory remarks about Islam and Muslims, saying they are helping to encourage terrorism.

Ms Yousafzai said she was inspired to call herself a feminist by a speech the actress Emma Watson made at the UN.

"When I listened to Emma Watson's speech at the UN, that was a really inspiring speech. Because that confusion you have in your mind, whether you should call yourself a feminist or not," she said.

'I should not hesitate'

"Even though you are, you believe in equality, you believe in equal rights for both men and women, but you just can't say that single word, that you are a feminist. And then I said I should not hesitate and I should say that I am a feminist."

Ms Yousafzai, who settled in Britain after being shot on a school bus in her native Pakistan, was asked if it was easy for her as a Muslim to say she was a feminist.

'Islam is about equality'

She said: "I think in terms of religion, there is not a very clear-cut answer to these issues. For example, women's rights, in terms of politics, everything is interpreted in different ways by different people. But to me Islam is about equality and calling myself feminist would have no position from the religion."

Ms Yousafzai said she considered herself to be a Brummie.

"I think I am a Brummie and I'm proud to be a Brummie. Also I'm really thankful to people here in the UK for all their support, their love and for making me feel that this is home, and that you have the right to live and that you deserve love and kindness.

"What I went through in my life was a horrible incident, but here the love of people really strengthened me. And it continues to strengthen me. That's why I am able to continue my campaign for education."

'The more terrorists you create'

Following Donald Trump's comments about ending Muslim emigration to the US, and asked how she responded to the "wild things being said about Islam and Muslims", she said: "I can just highlight one thing. The more you speak about Islam and against all Muslims, the more terrorists we create.

"So it's important that whatever politicians say, whatever the media say, they should be really, really careful about it. If your intention is to stop terrorism, do not try to blame the whole population of Muslims for it because it cannot stop terrorism. It will radicalise more terrorists."

3 years on, rights groups demand answers on Sombath Somphone disappearance

Human rights representatives speak at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok, Monday.-------------------------------------Sombath Somphone. Pic: AP.

By John Quinley III-15th December 2015

ON the eve of the third anniversary of acclaimed community development leader Sombath Somphone’s forced disappearance, human rights groups on Monday in Bangkok urged the Lao government to provide information regarding Mr. Sombath’s whereabouts and fate.
3 Years on, Rights Groups Demand Answers on Sombath Somphone Disappearance by Thavam Ratna