After the Floods:Let us not be like the monkey next time

By Jayantha Obeysekera,Ph.D., P.E.-June 25, 2017, 8:11 pm 

Now that the flood waters appear to be receding, it is time take stock of how the flooding and landslides unfolded and develop measures that would mitigate these impacts in the future. Unfortunately, we do not seem to learn from prior catastrophic floodsand plan better for future events. Past responses to floods may be compared to the fictitious act of "monkeys building houses." The story goes like this:when the heavy rain comes, the monkeys call a meeting to discuss plans to build houses for themselves and when the rains are over, they abandon the planning and resume their normal behavior of roaming around by jumping from one tree to another. Unfortunately, this analogy lays out exactly what happens after a disaster but the citizens wish that it would be different next time. The recent floods and landslides have caused an unbearable toll on human lives and extensive damage to property and disruption to a large region of Sri Lanka. Floods and landslides have happened many times,not only in the southwest like the May 2017 event but also in other areas. Unfortunately, the follow-up actions to the past extreme events, if any, have not produced significant changes on the ground. There is an opportunity, once again, to learn from this disaster and take steps to develop and implement plans that will alleviate impacts in extreme storms in the future. The writer of this article has a few thoughts that will be discussed below.

After the Floods Let us not be like the monkey next time.docx by Thavam Ratna on Scribd

DIG describes how colleague Lalith Jayasinghe was saved from Vidya court case!

Jun 26, 2017

Retired DIG Cecil Silva, alias Kacha Kacha Silva, related to CID officers during a recent wedding how senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe and dean of law at the Colombo University Prof. V.T. Thamilmaran were saved from being indicted over having aided, harboured and aided to flee those responsible for the rape and murder of Sivaloganathan Vidya. The case is to be taken up by a Jaffna High Court trial-at-bar from June 28.

Seeing the CID officers who investigated the crime, Silva said, “You tried to ruin our boss Lalith? I wouldn’t have allowed it,” and boasted about himself. Knowing that they were onto something, the CID officers had a couple of drinks with him, and told him “We know you are a clever man. How did you do it?”

With his tongue loosened by the liquor, he told them like a hero, “Lalith boss knows that Dappuwa (additional solicitor general Dappula Livera) is a good friend of mine. The boss met me and told me that only I can save him. I told him, ‘Boss, don’t be afraid. I will enter the game.’ Then, I met Dappuwa. I gave him a real good one. Everything’s fine. In the end, I saved not only Lalith boss, but also the professor. How can you challenge me? Are these wrongs compared to what our big-shots do?”

However, attorney general’s department sources say they are considering filing indictments separately against Jayasinghe and Thamilmaran. So far, the AG has not permitted the CID at least to record a statement from the two.

Previous article

Vidya murder case before trial-at-bar, to save Lalith, Thamilmaran?

SRI LANKA: TOLERATING RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE

Meera Srinivasan.-26/06/2017

Developments unfolding in Sri Lanka over the last few weeks look ominously similar to those in 2013-14, when a surge in targeted attacks against minority Muslims and Christians went unchecked by the Rajapaksa administration. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, an umbrella organisation for civil society groups, has recorded 25 attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned establishments since April, and the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka has reported over 40 incidents in 2017.

Amid growing concern among civil society and the international community, as well as mounting pressure on the government by Muslim MPs, reassurance came from the highest levels. President Maithripala Sirisena asked the Law and Order Ministry to act against perpetrators without fear or favour, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe vowed tougher laws to address hate crimes.

However, a recent remark by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe did not quite square with the leaders’ statements. He issued an open threat to disbar human rights lawyer Lakshan Dias for pointing to attacks on the Christian community, while on a television show. That Mr. Rajapakshe, who is also the Minister for Buddhist Affairs, chose to threaten the lawyer rather than counter his argument with facts has shocked many. International human rights watchdogs have urged the government to take action against the Minister, whose threat they saw as an attempt to silence critics of the government’s inaction.

Buddhist Power Force

Meanwhile, controversial Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero — who was in hiding following charges of hate crimes against Muslims — surrendered at a Colombo court on Wednesday, after evading arrest for a month. He was arrested in court, only to be granted bail soon after. Mr. Gnanasara heads the hard-line Sinhala-Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Sena (BBS, or Buddhist Power Force). He has in the past been accused of stoking communal tensions, including in Aluthgama, a southern coastal town where violent clashes claimed four lives in 2014, and faces many cases. Over the last few months, he was again seen airing provocative anti-Muslim sentiments, while reports of attacks in different parts were mounting.

Following 35 complaints, including 21 pertaining to hate speech, the police have arrested 15 people. Arresting a Buddhist leader and arresting a layman is not the same thing, spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said at the Cabinet briefing this week. There were cultural sensitivities to be considered, he said.

His view has to be seen alongside the significant influence Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy wields on the country’s political affairs. A day before Mr. Gnanasara surrendered, a powerful Buddhist sect, the Asgiriya chapter, issued a statement attacking the government on its move to arrest the monk. The council said that while Mr. Gnanasara’s actions may not be acceptable, his concerns about threats to the majority could not be ignored. The government must take corrective action, it urged.

The Prime Minister assured that the government was considering new laws, suggesting shortcomings in existing legislation. But Sri Lanka’s independent Human Rights Commission noted that the recent incidents amounted to crimes under Sri Lanka’s Penal Code and its ICCPR Act. “Laws existing on the statute books without implementation have a corrosive impact on the rule of law,” the Commission cautioned, in a letter to the President.

The question that remains is whether tackling religious intolerance is a legal challenge or a political one.

The Hindu

“Chief Architect Of ECTA Has Passed Away” – GMOA Sends Text Messages Matter-Of-Factly

JUNE 26, 2017

Government Medical Officers’ Association, Sri Lanka (GMOA) has sent a semi-celebratory SMS to the membership about Dr. Saman Kelegama‘s death.

The wordings in the SMS goes on to read “ECTA chief architect Dr. Saman Kelegam passed away. We are in the final stage of drafting the key framework of ‘National Trade Policy”. (please see the screenshots below)

“This was as the news hit that he passed away. I mean isn’t this unbelievably insensitive? Also they seem to believe that it is ‘Karma’ having a go at Dr Kelegama,” a member of GMOA told Colombo Telegraph.

According to him, in an another SMS the GMOA has unethically divulged the condition of the STF officer who led the team at the Health Ministry during last week’s clash between anti-SAITM university students and ministry officials. In a SMS the GMOA said: “SFT officer-in-charge who led attack on students got [Edited out by Colombo Telegraph] just after beating and was admitted to NHSL [Edited out by Colombo Telegraph] done.”

“Patient information is a ‘holy secret’. They can’t do this. They are a terrorist organization. If you look up the definition of terrorism, they fit it. I’ll give my resignation from GMOA” he told Colombo Telegraph on the condition of anonymity.

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GMOA bites the dust..! Says we cannot reverse government’s decision now - Joker Padeniya who begged for a discussion from Ranil lands on a tragicomedy stage !

(Lanka-e-News - 26.June.2017, 11.00PM) The failed leaders of the GMOA that has become the laughing stock of the country owing to their own ruthless, senseless, meaningless strikes  are by now via sly and scheming methods trying to portray that the policy decision taken by the government pertaining to private Medical College SAITM in May are the result of their  diabolic strikes and threats. The public no matter , the Inter University buffoons  who stoop to do the sordid biddings of the GMOA however via  that portrayal  are being taken for a ride. 

This was clearly confirmed when  the official  communique was  issued by the president’s secretary. 

Though GMOA issued a communique day before yesterday that their  decision was following a discussion held with President , in the communique issued by the  president not a word is mentioned which has reference to the discussion with the GMOA.  Based on reports reaching Lanka e news , the president gave his consent to a discussion on two strict conditions : The GMOA must call off the strike before coming for the discussion , and the discussion will not be on official terms.

It is then  the GMOA which bit the dust before meeting with the president day before yesterday, revealed to the media that they are calling off the strike, while adding that a further  communique will be issued . It was based on that the media via  a news alert  reported that the doctors had called off the strike. 

The GMOA which has become a confirmed pack of jokers , tricksters and liars after meeting with the president told the media that the president has agreed to  their four conditions . This was in fact an absolute lie , and a face saving exercise of theirs , for the president did not have  any need   to agree with any conditions anew. Nalinda Herath of the GMOA speaking like a great hero said , ‘students will not be enrolled to SAITM , degrees will not be awarded, and there won’t be a SAITM   again .’

Though this zero tried to show off as a hero , the government made its  decision not to enroll new students to SAITM ,  and suspend   medical degrees being awarded by SAITM as far back as in May this year. The statement made by the minister of higher education in this connection was : ‘Government’s instruction  is not to enroll new students’ which was reported by the Dinamina newspaper on the 15 th of May. This can be read by clicking what is within the brackets .. (http://www.dinamina.lk/2017/05/15/පුවත්/34107)  

 ‘There will not be another SAITM in this country ‘ stated by Nalinda Herath the unmasked  zero pretending to be a hero is an absolute lie vis avis the  communique issued by the secretary to the president which  clearly states : ‘Solutions will be provided to  change the SAITM administrative structure in order that  it will function as a State and private  joint project.’ In other words it will not be closed in the manner the GMOA mafia is demanding. 

The full text of the secretary to the president’s communique is hereunder  , and the government had made these proposals  to these buffoons  about  two months ago , and these are the same proposals which were rejected by these two legged  buffaloes.

Although the GMOA said they agreed on four grounds  ,  the main grounds of the president’s secretary  are five.  In order to dupe the Inter University imbeciles and gullibles,  the GMOA has not disclosed the fifth ground.  That is ,  “the course followed by the present students at SAITM shall be so arranged  that it will be compatible with  what are accepted by the SL Medical Council , and  a system shall be devised  whereby the students of SAITM who complete their degrees now can be registered with the SL Medical Council.”

In  the communique of the president’s secretary ,there are 8 reasons stated which were announced earlier  (read the communique hereunder) 

True story behind the GMOA mafia fiasco

The GMOA mafia  commenced the strike on  the 22nd to end it at 3.30 p.m. on the 24 th targeting their annual conference , and thereby  to pose of as heroes. 

However when the provoked public that stormed into the hospitals mounted  threats of attacking the doctors on strike , and a group of  genuine doctors who did not yield to the pressures of the GMOA mafia returned to work ignoring the strike , the diabolic aims and agendas of the mafia began to fall to zero level, and so was the morale of selfish  self centered Dr. monster Padeniyas.

The GMOA president Padeniya  and secretary Soysa (the face that attracts nothing but a good pummeling) who were going behind the president and the prime minister begging for a discussion were in the ready to somehow hold discussions , and make that an excuse to call off the strike because they were aware if they  go on with the strike for one more day , they were headed for a good thrashing .

Neither the president nor the P.M. invited the doctor monsters for a discussion. The president told those who brought the message begging for a discussion that only after the strike is called off , any discussion will be considered. Besides,  that discussion will not be official, and it  will be only to give consideration to their  woes , because the government has already done its best via its  policy decision in that regard. In fact , already with a view to standardize SAITM and private Medical Colleges , a cabinet paper containing the 8 reasons was in the ready to be tabled at the cabinet meeting , with a view to issue  a gazette notification . That discussion was scheduled for 27 th (Tuesday) of this month. What was stated in the communique of President’s secretary are the 8 grounds mentioned in the cabinet paper to be gazetted ,  in respect of which  the GMOA mafia has nothing to do. 

When the GMOA mafia was trailing and going  behind the president and the P.M. to request for a discussion  , a most interesting and intriguing incident happened. Dr. Amal Harsha is a friend of Vajira Abeywardena . The GMOA secretary Soysa ( face that attracts nothing but a good pummeling)  had spoken to Harsha and wanted him to arrange a discussion with the P..M. through Abeywardena.

When Harsha told this to Abeywardena , the latter had replied , he cannot make a request for a discussion with Padeniya from P.M. who was described by Padeniya in public as a mental patient who should be treated by a psychiatrist .

Meanwhile  Dr. joker Padeniya developed a strong  itch in his panic  to speak with the P.M. He had then spoken to Malik Samaraweera (minister) with a view  to  meet and discuss with Ranil Wickremesinghe P.M.  Padeniya who is always looking for scapegoats to pin the blame for wrongs committed by himself  had said , it is Rajitha the health minister who pushed him to this strike mania , and hence  to somehow get him an appointment with the P.M. for a discussion . 

To Padeniya’s utter dismay the  individual answering the call at the other end had a different voice , and his response was  ‘ Mr. Padeniya …I am not the Malik you wished to speak . I am Dr. Malik Samaraweera attached to Kalubowila hospital.’ Padeniya who is always in a state of mental imbalance  was so baffled he immediately terminated the call .

Padeniya who was by then in a deep predicament because of his disappointments in his efforts to get an appointment with the P.M. for a discussion had in the confusion spoken by accident with  Kalubowila hospital paediatrician and surgeon  Dr. Malik Samaraweera . He was a most bright medical student who entered the medical profession , and being a genuine doctor loyal to the oath of Hippocrates , he was  one of those who  did not support   the GMOA mafia machinations.

In  any event , Dr. joker Padeniya who attended the annual GMOA conference in the evening spoke for one and half hours. (He does not even  know talk is cheap) . Finally he said , the decision taken by the government to open private medical Colleges cannot be reversed by us now. 

If only the GMOA mafia had not opposed the use of ambulances and  the trade agreements about which they have no knowledge;  from the outset had not been  villains pursuing  the evil political agenda  to bring corrupt criminal Rajapakses back to power ; and been honestly following the  policy to raise the standard of education of private medical colleges all along , the GMOA hadn’t the need to get humiliated and insulted  to this disgraceful extent among the people. It is a pity Padeniya and his group of moronic villains must blame themselves for their present plight as they are the architects of their misfortunes. 

If the doctors were  not like  Soysas who are marauders  and hooligans, not like Heraths who are downright scoundrels , not like Padeniyas who are out and out villainous  opportunists, the trade union in the name of GMOA could have maintained  its prestige and reputation .

Meanwhile the government’s salutary aim and agenda is to maintain the standard of private Universities , and open another 15 such Universities in the future. 

In the end , the JVP the party with Neanderthal policies not in conformity with the advanced modern world  , which always takes wrong decisions and always sides with the wrong group to the detriment of its own party and the people , by trailing behind and supporting these GMOA villains has proved once again to the whole world and the people they are still in the stone age , and prefer that primitive way of life . 

Even uncouth  Sunil Handunetti making a most uncivilized and barbaric  statement ,‘it is a matter for regret the students who caused damage to the health ministry did not carry iron rods too’  only goes to confirm to what disgraceful level Handunetti and his party can  descend by encouraging immature students to resort to violence. Their becoming genuine Buddhists  by 2020 was further postponed .

Indeed it is this demonic and despicable attitude of the JVP and its leadership that led its innocent youth members  to unnecessarily die in the stupid failed JVP insurgency in the past . The JVP  sacrificed the lives of thousands of innocent youths at the altar  of their foolish selfish political agendas.

(The communique  of the president’s secretary is in the image hereunder . By clicking the small icon , it can be read after magnification. )

By a member of the staff of Lanka e news 

---------------------------
by     (2017-06-26 17:34:21)

Cinnamon Garden police becomes three-wheeler park, Sagala finds for himself

Jun 26, 2017

The Cinnamon Garden police, an A-1 grade very important police station in the Colombo municipality area, has today been relegated to a three wheeler park, subject minister Sagala Ratnayake found during an unannounced inspection visit this morning (26).

Policemen own 65 three wheelers

Every policeman attached to the Cinnamon Garden police own a three wheeler or two. And it has become a daily occurrence that they go on hires even during duty hours, according to complaints received by the law and order ministry. The situation has become such due to no OIC being appointed to the police station for nine months now. The acting OIC was not in when Ratnayake paid the visit.

Angered by the inefficiency and misconduct by the police, the minister telephoned DIG in charge of Colombo Pathinayake on his mobile phone, but he intentionally avoided answering the call. He did not get any response when he telephoned western province DIG Nandana Munasinghe either.

Later, Ratnayake telephoned the IGP, who was doing his morning exercises at the Police Park. He arrived at Cinnamon Garden police a short while later, and had no answer to give in the face of the barrage of questions thrown at him by the minister. He only managed to tell the minister that the Police Commission was responsible for appointing an OIC, but despite several reminders sent by him, it had not yet made the appointment.

The acting OIC there is a wealthy businessman and is known as a money-lender. His wife owns a beauty salon at Wellawatte. It is patronized by SSPs, SPs and ASP in Colombo. When they need a vehicle for a private matter, it is the acting OIC who come to their help.

Ratnayake has been receiving complaints about Cinnamon Garden police, and he paid the surprise visit to find out the truth for himself. Until this afternoon, the DIGs for Colombo and western province had not responded to the minister’s calls.

Await a detailed report about the three wheeler mafia by Cinnamon Garden police….

SriLankan Airlines: CEO Ratwatte Violates Aviation Safety, Demands To Fly With Hand Picked Check Pilot

JUNE 26, 2017

In a mind boggling aviation first, Capt. Suren Ratwatte, the CEO of SriLankan Airlines has ordered the Crew Scheduling Department to roster a Line Check Instructor of his own choice for his first Line Check Flight scheduled on the 12th July 2017.

The CEO Capt. Ratwatte had cited that he would be more comfortable and happy to have Capt. Ranga Amadoru complete his first Line Check Flight.

CEO Ratwatte

This flight incidentally is the airline’s inaugural commercial flight scheduled to operate to Hyderabad and strangely will now be operated by a three man cockpit crew comprising of a pilot under training and accompanied by a Line Check Pilot and also Safety Pilot to mitigate any unforeseen emergencies.

Earlier in another unprecedented move CEO Capt. Ratwatte got down Captains Pujitha Jayakody Jnr and Rakhitha Wijeratne to conduct Ground Training classes exclusively for him in his office at the World Trade Center.

Meanwhile members of the Pilots Guild expressed their displeasure in CEO Capt. Ratwatte picking and choosing his own instructors and sent in a letter of protest to their Head of Flight Operations Capt. Rajind Ranatunga. (To read the letter click here) 

Strangely Capt. Ranatunga in his capacity as the Head of Flight Operations has also opted to remain mute and facilitate the CEO’s demands. The stance he has taken in this regard is followed closely on the heels of his predecessor Capt. Druvi Pepera, who also gave into the demands former Rajapaksa regime’s appointed airline management.

Whilst Capt. Druvi Perera attempted to lower the pass marks to accommodate two pilots during the pilot intake during his tenure as the Head of Flight Operations, Capt. Ranatunga currently opts to stay mute and permit the CEO Capt. Ratwatte to violate safety procedures.

Meanwhile Capt. Ranga Amadoru who was once praised in the Weliamuna Report when he along with Capt. Patrick Fernando refused to compromise the airline’s safety training standards in giving into the whims and fancies of the former Rajapaksa regime led Management, has now agreed to his roster being changed to accommodate the CEO’s request. Capt. Amadoru it is reported had earlier submitted his Letter of Resignation in his quest to seek employment with Scoot Air in Singapore. However he later withdrew his Letter of Resignation just before the notice period ended. He is now tipped to be appointed as the Manager Flight Training by the airline’s management.

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Ravi removed at Malik’s behest, says Salley

By Shamindra Ferdinando-June 26, 2017, 12:00 pm 

National Unity Alliance (NUA) leader Azath Salley has alleged that President Maithripala Sirisena

deprived Ravi Karunanayake of the finance portfolio as a result of UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema’s intervention.

Salley strongly regretted President Sirisena giving into Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Samarawickrema’s demand.

Salley named Minister Samarawickrema in the wake of Minister Karunanayake blaming black sheep in the party for his removal at the Sirikotha media conference on Sunday.

President Sirisena in consultation with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe assigned Karunanayake foreign affairs portfolio. Mangala Samaraweeera succeeded Karunanayake as Finance Minister.

Salley was on live TV 1 news line hosted by Faraz Shauketally.Former UNP Working Committee member and one-time UNP Central Provincial Councillor, Salley faulted President Sirisena for not being constant in responding to complaints received from others in respect of some.

The UNPer quit the CPC in March last year.

Responding to a query, Salley asserted that as a result of the UNP-SLFP coalition’s failure to adopt a result oriented strategy over two years after the change of government, the country was in turmoil. The administration had been sharply divided over national policy in respect of vital sectors with various people pulling in different directions.

The yahapalana proponent cited recent declaration made by Premier Wickremesinghe at a meeting with some investors to underscore the crisis within the administration. Salley quoted Premier Wickremesinghe as having requested investors to get in touch with a committee appointed by him without seeking the assistance of the Board of Investment (BoI) of Sri Lanka.

Comparing the ousted Rajapaksa administration and Yahapalana administration, Salley said that the former in spite of waste, corruption and irregularities at every level was able to achieve development objectives whereas ineffectual UNP-SLFP coalition was struggling. The incumbent government hadn’t been able to achieve even the basic requirements, the former PC member said.

Salley flayed the government for the shocking state of mismanagement at every level and further rapid deterioration of the national economy for want of proper strategy. The UNPer asserted that national carrier SriLankan had been severely hampered by ill-fated government strategy.

Responding to another query, Salley said the government had included provision in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to prevent wartime Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Economic Affairs Minister Basil Rajapaksa contesting parliamentary polls. They had been deprived of their right to seek office on the basis of them being dual citizens of Sri Lanka and the US whereas dual citizens now hold various positions, Salley said. President Sirisena should decide on dual citizens holding key positions, Salley said. The ruling coalition couldn’t adopt double standards on the contentious matter of dual citizens receiving key appointments.

The outspoken politician said that President Sirisena had caused a debilitating setback to yahapalana ideals by taking over the SLFP to pave the way for those who had served the Rajapaksas to switch allegiance to the new government. Salley faulted President Sirisena for accommodating those who had been rejected by the electorate at Aug 2015 general election through the UPFA National List.

In his interview with Shauketally, Salley faulted the government for seeking to privatize loss making SriLankan without taking tangible measures to revive the airline.

The UNPer also emphasized the need to examine the circumstances under which yahapalana government had made massive payment to cancel state of the art aircraft ordered by the previous administration. Salley said that Sri Lanka should have explored the possibility of going ahead with the arranged transaction and work out a deal with an airline seeking to expand its fleet.

Salley said the UNP leadership denied him promised National List slot at the last general election. "I didn’t go behind anyone seeking NL slot or sought an explanation."

Following the interview, Salley told The Island that Karunanayake losing finance portfolio should be examined against the backdrop of the government turning a blind eye to unbridled waste, corruption and irregularities taking place in every sector. Having supported successful yahapalana campaign against the Rajapaksas, Salley said that he couldn’t believe what was happening now.

Doctor’s and Hospital Staff’s negligence led to the Death of Young Romali?

Jun 26, 2017

On April 7 th 2017 young Romali De Silva from Dehiwela died of Dengue Fever at the posh Central Hospital Colombo 8 after being in Hospital for over seven days. It was a tragic case of mismanagement of a patient that led to the death of Young Romali, who was employed as an executive by Brandix. She was only 25 years at the time of her untimely death. Romali had obtained a degree in Applied Psychology and Management Studies from the prestigious Nottingham University and was in the final stage of her marketing studies. She was an old girl of Ladies College Colombo 7.

Young Romali who had been suffering with fever had been admitted to Central Hospital by her parents. The young house officer who had admitted her had not taken the case so seriously because the consultant he spoke with had said that he would look at her later. However the parents had insisted and got her admitted to the Hospital. She was given a luxurious room in the Hospital knowing the parents could afford the room. We understand the Medical Doctor who attended to her was Dr Panduka Karunanayake.

When young Ronali was sprouting out blood from her nose the hospital staff had told the parents not to worry that it was normal knowing very well that she was diagnosed as having dengue . A Doctor we spoke with said that the Hospital should have been on high alert because the patient was hemorrhaging and it was a medical emergency. Even then, a senior Doctor was not called in by the Hospital Staff. The night before she died when she complained of severe stomach pains, the Hospital had said it is Gastritis ( Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining) and given Gaviscon. Later when she complained of a severe hand pain. A sure sign she was going into cardiac arrest. The Doctor had said it is a muscular pain and got her shoulder massaged.

The parents who are devastated and still in shock have requested His Excellency the President to have a full scale inquiry and we understand they hope to bring a law suit against the Doctor for professional negligence. Today many of our Sri Lankan Doctors who qualify at the expense of the tax payers act in a very high handed manner. The current action of the GMOA is a classic case in point. Doctors who strike and inconvenience the poor people of this country should be from now on banned from private practice and Sri Lankan private hospitals too need to be better regulated by the Ministry of Health to prevent such mishaps.

At the end Romali's parents were given Rs 780,000 bill by the Hospital for 7 days for her treatments.

Does signing an ACSA with USA pose danger to Sri Lanka?

The US Navy Ship ‘Fall River’ belonging to the US  Pacific Command at the Hambantota Port in March 

2017-06-26

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated in parliament that the government would renew the Acquisition and Cross Service Agreement (ACSA) with the United States which had lapsed in March this year.  Apart from asserting that such bilateral agreements are ‘important’ for Sri Lanka in the current international context, he gave no details regarding substance or amendments in the new agreement, which is yet to be made public. 
When the previous 10-year ACSA was signed in 2007, a war situation prevailed in Sri Lanka when it could have been argued there was some benefit to the Sri Lankan side. But the new agreement will be operative in a peace-time situation where the advantage to Sri Lanka could be questionable. For the US on the other hand, securing access to ‘logistics support, supplies and services’ in this part of the world at a time when its strategic focus has shifted to the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, would have undoubted benefits.                                                   
According to the information available on the 2007 ACSA, ‘logistics support, supplies and services’ where mutual cooperation is undertaken refers to areas such as food, water, billeting, transportation - including by air, petroleum, clothing, communication services, medical services etc., as well as base operations support, use of facilities, training, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance and port services. It may be seen that in the event of a confrontation with another state in the region it would be very useful to the US to have such access, in a strategic location such as Sri Lanka. 
 ‘Weapons systems’ and ‘major items’ of military equipment are expressly excluded from the agreement– but then, Sri Lanka does not have ‘weapons systems,’ or military equipment anywhere near the scale and sophistication of the arsenal of the world’s superpower (which includes nuclear weapons as well). So what this ‘exclusion’ really means is that the US will not be obliged to share its military expertise and assets with Sri Lanka.

"The Americans and Indians would be in Trincomalee, while the Chinese were in Hambantota. Although the SL government says ‘no military use’ of its ports would be allowed, Prof. Vitharana warned that if a military confrontation broke out in the South China Sea, for example, Sri Lanka could get unnecessarily caught up in a big power conflict"

“In addition to host nation supplies and services, ACSA can give US access to basing and infrastructure necessary for force projection in and through the USPACOM (US Pacific Command) area of responsibility” wrote two US army officers in a 2004 position paper presented to the US Military War College in Pennsylvania.  “Agreements of this nature continue to prove critical as countries in the USPACOM area of responsibility currently provide access in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom” they wrote, referring to attacks launched by the US in wars against Afghanistan and Iraq respectively.  The paper, titled “United States Security Strategy for the Asia-Pacific Region,” refers to the military benefits of ACSAs that give vital access to other countries’ infrastructure and other facilities during a time of conflict. PM Wickremesinghe’s assertions that “It is not a defence agreement” and that “we haven’t left the Non-Aligned Movement’ give rise to some scepticism in the light of such analyses coming from the US military establishment. 
 “The alliance which we are forming with the US is not only going to be costly to us, but also endangers national sovereignty and independence” warns LSSP leader Prof. Tissa Vitharana.  The veteran leftist has repeatedly drawn attention to the signs indicating the US is moving towards establishing a military base in Trincomalee. “Not only the paperwork but the actual process of getting together in military manoeuvres” is taking place he notes. Apart from frequent visits by US warships, joint exercises with our sailors are taking place.  He referred to the ‘Second edition of Staff Talks’ between the high ranking officers of the US 7th Fleet and SL Navy held in May at the Sri Lanka Naval Headquarters, where discussions were reported to have highlighted the importance of furthering the mutual cooperation between the two naval units. “These exercises are gathering momentum” he said.
Prof. Vitharana referred to several statements from US officials that revealed their interest in setting up a base in Trincomalee.  The present US ambassador had listed his priorities at the time he was appointed (as ambassador elect) and second on his list was the setting up of this base, Prof. Tissa Vitharana told the Daily Mirror.

• The 10-year ACSA signed in 2007 showed some benefits for SL

• ACSA can give US access to basing and infrastructure necessary for force projection

• Alliance SL forms with US endangers national sovereignity and independence

• Govt was moving in the direction of making Sri Lanka “a part of the military machine formed by the US to control the world

He said further confirmation that the government was moving in the direction of making Sri Lanka “a part of the military machine formed by the US to control the world” could be seen in Premier Wickremesinghe’s statement in April last year, addressing a Commissioning parade at the Naval Academy in Trincomalee, that the Sri Lankan armed forces would have to ‘protect the Indian Ocean from the Maldives to the Straits of Malacca.’ The Premier pledged to buy more ships and weapons to facilitate this exercise. Prof. Vitharana pointed to the irony of suggesting such a course of action at a time when the country was deeply indebted, having sought $1.5 billion from the IMF with the entire attendant conditions “for neo-liberal changes that would enable US exploitation of our economy.” This situation is fraught with danger he said, though nobody is talking about it.
 The Americans and Indians would be in Trincomalee, while the Chinese in Hambantota. Although the SL government says ‘no military use’ of its ports would be allowed, Prof. Vitharana warned that if a military confrontation broke out in the South China Sea, for example, Sri Lanka could get unnecessarily caught up in a big power conflict. He cited award-winning film-maker/journalist John Pilger (director of ‘The coming war on China’) who has described the imminent dangers of the major US military build-up in Asia and the Pacific, also mapping a situation where ‘India has come within the ambit of the American defence arc.’

 For statements on US intentions in the Indian Ocean region, which would seem to reinforce Prof. Vitharana’s arguments, one only has to look at the keynote speech made by the Commander of the US Pacific Command, Adm. Harry Harris at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in January.
“I believe the U.S. and India can truly shape the New Normal – indeed, must shape it – because I guarantee our adversaries are trying to do so” said Harris.  Describing what he called the ‘Global Operating System’ (shaped by US interests, one would infer) he said  “Our leaders have affirmed – and I too believe – that the deepening US-India relationship will be the defining strategic partnership of the 21st century.” The challenges he identified to this Global Operating System in the Indo-Asia-Pacific were the ISIL, North Korea, Russia and China. (So it appears the Operating System is not entirely Global).
 Against this background, the fact that so little is known about the contents of the proposed ACSA is a cause for worry.  Aren’t the public entitled to be informed and to be allowed wider discussion before a decision is taken to sign an agreement that could compromise the country’s sovereignty and independence?

Saman Kelegama (1959-2017): A Thinker Of A Think Tank

By Udan Fernando –JUNE 25, 2017

Dr. Udan Fernando

The totally unexpected and devastating news of the untimely demise of Dr. Saman Kelegama on Friday 23rd June has left many people shocked and sad. I have not seen such an outpouring of messages of condolences from a wide spectrum of people on the death of an Economist. Indeed, Saman was a very gentle and amiable person who earned respect and admiration as a humble and modest human being. While saddened by the realisation of the fact that he is no more, as my professional paths crossed very frequently with Saman’s, I would like to reflect on what made Saman so well-recognised and respected as an Economist in the Sri Lankan context. While I join many people who grieve Saman’s passing, this note is not an obituary but an attempt to understand Saman’s role as a leader of a Think Tank.

Kelegama emerged as an Economist upon receiving an illustrious training at Oxford. His father, Deshamanya Dr. J. B. Kelegama, was an eminent scholar and civil servant who was much respected in Sri Lanka. As such, Kelegama had all the credentials and the pedigree to embark on his career as an Economist. However, he did not choose a conventional academic career, like his father nor did he join the Central Bank or the public service to pursue a career at a place like the Treasury. Instead, Kelegama chose to work for the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) which was called a Think Tank at a time when only a few people knew the purpose and function of a Think Tank. Kelegama’s name is intrinsically enmeshed with the IPS, the Colombo-based Think Tank, which he gave leadership to since 1995 until his untimely demise.

Dr. Saman Kelegama

I think it was Kelegama who made Think Tanks an operative term in the Sri Lankan context. In fact, it was not Kelegama who founded IPS. However, Kelegama was undoubtedly the singular person who made IPS so well-recognised in Sri Lanka, as a premier Think Tank that offers research and policy advice on economic affairs and related subjects.  The emergence of IPS marks a salient milestone in Sri Lankan contemporary history as a direct corollary to the water-shed transformation in Sri Lanka when an aggressive economic policy shift liberalised the economy in 1977. I am privy to an anecdote shared by Dr. Howard Nicholas, an eminent Economist of Sri Lankan origin, now domiciled in The Netherlands, about the conception of IPS. As I recall, the then Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel has stressed the importance of having an independent Think Tank to generate ideas  and offer policy advice to the new environment of the economy, business and trade under what was popularly called an ‘open economy’. Howard has been entrusted with the task of doing the spade work of this novel venture which took the name of IPS in 1988. Howard himself led IPS in the years of its infancy albeit maintaining a low-key.   

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Listen: Tribute to Palestinian mothers

Haidar Eid 21 June 2017

In May 2005, Amna Abdulla Eid passed away. She was Ummi, my mother.

May is the month when all Palestinians, in Palestine and in the diaspora, commemorate the Nakba – the ethnic cleansing of Palestine.

Amna, known as Um Marwan, became a refugee in 1948, after being forcibly removed with the rest of the ethnically cleansed population from the village of Zarnouqa, in Palestine’s Ramla District.

My father took her in a lorry, along with the rest of the Eid clan, to Deir al Balah, in Gaza, for what they thought would be a short while.

In 1949 they moved to Gaza City, then from 1950-52 to Nuseirat refugee camp where I was born, then back to Gaza City in 1969, then to Nuseirat again in 1994 where they both died four months apart in 2005.

I was not there with them in their last years, nor was I able to attend their funerals. Israeli occupation forces were in control of the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt, the only access point Gaza has to the external world.

Israel had no intention of allowing Gazans working abroad to return, not even for a funeral. So when Hafez Eid, my father, died in January 2005, I could not go to Gaza to say a last goodbye.

My mother Amna, being the ever loyal wife, could not let him, her zalameh (man), return alone to Zarnouqa. She decided to follow him in May 2005, and again I was not allowed to say a final goodbye.

One unforgettable moment for me was after the Oslo accords were signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in the mid-1990s.

I was on vacation from university and went to visit my mother. When I asked her what she thought of the “deal” signed by the PLO leadership, she immediately asked: “Does that mean we will return to Zarnouqa? I want to hear the adhan [call to prayer] from the mosque of Muhammad one last time.”

Amna Abdulla Eid is temporarily buried in Gaza until we finally return to Zarnouqa.

This song is a tribute to her and to all Palestinian mothers enduring Israeli occupation, apartheid and colonization. Listen to it in the player above.

Lyrics by Abdurrahman Al-Abnudi, performed by Haidar Eid.