State must not fail in its duty to protect all its citizens
Thereafter, however, the Police and the Security Forces moved very quickly to arrest those involved and dismantle the network that carried out the attacks. What is more important, however, is to identify the masterminds behind the attacks against Muslims last week, as well as in Digana in 2014. Attention must also be paid to training the Security Forces to be alert to violence unleashed by mobs that seek to disturb good relations between the communities. In the 1980s, the Security Forces were often accused of human rights violations, during their operations against the LTTE, but after intense training in the 1990s, with the help of the ICRC, the image of the Security Forces improved considerably. It is the duty of the State to ensure the safety and security of the entire country and all its people.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Auditor General exposes serious flaws in airport lotteries
Auditor General exposes serious flaws in airport lotteries By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s):Lottery draws conducted at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), particularly the 32nd ‘Colombo Airport Super Draw Lottery’, were loss-making, riddled with irregularities and deprived the Government of revenue, a special inquiry carried out by the Auditor General’s Department has found. The Auditor General conducted an inquiry into the 32nd ‘Colombo Airport Super Draw Lottery’, the ‘Dollar Fortune Lottery’, and ‘New Airport Lotteries’. The NLB introduced the Airport Super Draw in 1992 to generate funds for the Airport and Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (AASL). The Auditor General observes that the 32nd Airport Super Draw was held despite permission having been granted to stop it. The Auditor General also says that an income of Rs 429.744mn was earned from 31 other Airport Super Draws.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Let us unite in the spirit of the Dhamma this Vesak
Let us unite in the spirit of the Dhamma this Vesak By Tiricunamale Ananda Maha Nayaka Thera View(s): View(s):The commemoration of the Thrice-Blessed Day of Vesak marking the birth of Prince Siddhartha, His attainment of Buddhahood and the Passing Away of Buddha by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka took a different turn this year. Although the people have to face such a calamity due to the short-sightedness of state administration, let us discuss a few relevant matters in the Dhamma preached by the Buddha. The Dhamma shows the path to end suffering and the way to solve the problems we are faced with. In this Vesak season let us clean our homes and temples, illuminate them and decorate them as usual. Above all let us unite in the spirit of the Dhamma, with everyone sharing thoughts of peace and Metta, celebrate the joy of the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the Thathagatha with even more enthusiasm than in previous years.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Dark side of the global economy
Dark side of the global economy View(s):Students, learning economics know that the value of “illicit liquor” made by someone does not enter into the gross domestic product (GDP) of that country. But the output value of these economic activities is not counted into GDP. There is no question about the complexity of the question whether arms production is good or bad, because it all depends on the “intention”. For the same reason, there is a possibility of creating demand for arms production and its expansion to keep the economy going. The more they fight, the greater will be the demand for arms; the arms producer can keep up the arms production and meet the demand.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Sri Lanka Football must unite for the Good of the Sport!
Sri Lanka Football must unite for the Good of the Sport! By that token, Football is a sport that embraces all races of our nation and has, over the years, united us like few other disciplines have done. As usual, the FFSL President is prone to hide under the AFC umbrella, as if Sri Lanka Football cannot kick with its own feet. Let all the gladiators who claim to be Football pundits, get together, put away their differences and forge a united FFSL. Those following the National Team preparations say that the performance of the National Team, at a recent practice game against a local Services team, was so pathetic, that the writing is on the wall for our lads on tour.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Bedtime snacks for better sleep
Bedtime snacks for better sleep By Dr. Nirmala M. Pieris View(s): View(s):Early birds or night owls, we all want to fall asleep when we lay our head on the pillow. When our stomach is growling, sleep will evade us, so go ahead, have a snack and get a good night’s sleep. Some recommended bedtime snacks:NutsA handful of almonds is a sleep- inducing winner as they are bursting with tryptophan and magnesium. OatsGenerally known as a breakfast food, oats is still a good bedtime snack. LettuceWhile a salad is not a common bedtime snack it is a surprisingly effective one.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Jason Roy on ‘emotional’ century against Pakistan after ‘rough morning’
Jason Roy on ‘emotional’ century against Pakistan after ‘rough morning’ View(s):England batsman Jason Roy said his century against Pakistan was “very emotional” after a “rough morning” in hospital with his baby daughter. The opener struck 114 from 89 balls as England claimed a tense three-wicket win in the fourth ODI at Trent Bridge. “This is a special one for me and my family,” Roy, 28, said. “It was a very emotional moment.”The century was the eighth of Roy’s one-day career and his second of the year, following his 123 against West Indies in February. The Surrey batsman struggled with a back problem at the start of the domestic season and missed England’s opening ODI against Pakistan.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Roy Dias hunts for quality
Roy Dias hunts for quality By Ishan Samaraweera Confident of Sri Lanka's 'A 'performance in India View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka ‘A’ team Coach Roy Dias is confident of his team’s chances in the upcoming tour of India despite missing two key players due to injury. Dias, a former Sri Lanka head coach is undertaking his first assignment as Sri Lanka ‘A’ Coach since being appointed early this month. Both the squads (four Day &one day) are well-balanced and we are determined to do well in India” skipper Priyanjan said. This is the future of Sri Lanka cricket,” Wickremaratne said. He will be working with Dananjaya closely to help him to make his comeback to the National team,” Dias added.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth – two sides of the same coin
Post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth – two sides of the same coin By Prof. Raveen Hanwella View(s): View(s):What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger – NietzscheOn April 21, the series of bombs that exploded killing 253 persons and injuring over 500 left the nation in a state of shock. I thought it would be timely to discuss the effect of such a trauma on us humans; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the lesser known more positive aspect of the impact of trauma; post-traumatic growth (PTG). They have undergone post-traumatic growth. There are many aspects to post-traumatic growth but three in particular are common. Next month I will discuss post-traumatic growth in more detail and also ways of fostering such growth in ourselves as well as in others affected by trauma.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
After Easter Sunday terror attacks, Vesak radiates waves of resilience
There are hardly any pandals or large scale Vesak lanterns, while many dansal have also been called off owing to security concerns, as such places attract large crowds. In many parts of the country this week, people enthusiastically decorated roads with Buddhist flags, colourful lights and Vesak lanterns. Karunaratne (68) from Bandaragama had even come with some old Vesak lanterns to a stall to try and see if they too can be fixed as he purchased new lanterns for his daughter’s office. Sri Lankan Buddhists have not lost their faith or belief as they mark the Vesak festival with memories of terrorist attacks led by extremist groups who have distanced themselves from noble teachings. Excerpts; Malwatta Mahanayaka the Mostvenerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera: Celebrate Vesak festival by attending religious ceremonies peacefully, safely and intelligently considering the prevailing sad situation.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Sacred Relics: from Britain to then Ceylon
It spoke about how, in that year almost eight decades ago, Nick’s grandmother Ethel Leslie-Smith and his great aunt Winifred Burrows had gifted to Ceylon the Sacred Bone Relics found in 1851 in Sanchi by Nick’s great-great grandfather- Frederick Charles Maisey. Yet who was General Maisey, and how did he come across that beautiful casket and the sacred treasure concealed therein? It was in Bhojpur, a site near the famous great Sanchi stupa, that Maisey discovered these relics. The Relics were handed down to his son- Colonel Maisey- and through him later to the sisters Mrs. Leslie- Smith and Mrs. Burrows. Each December, the Sacred Relics are displayed in their three-storeyed shrine for a selected number of days, in the evening from 5 to 8.
Source:Sunday Times
May 18, 2019 18:54 UTC
Five key policy lessons from the terror attacks in Sri Lanka
To deal with the negative fallout, Sri Lanka must respond with a mix of security, governance and development policy actions, offering lessons for other lower-income, fragile countries. Five policy lessons following the attacks in Sri Lanka:1.Re-establish security, intelligence coordination, and political stability. This national narrative, which has troubled Sri Lanka since independence in 1948, has several aspects. Since 9/11, the likelihood of terror attacks that cause significant disruption to the economy, politics and society of fragile countries like Sri Lanka has greatly increased. Sri Lanka Attacks: What We Know and Don’t Know.
Source:Sunday Times
May 13, 2019 18:33 UTC
BOC only Sri Lankan Bank to exceed Rs.50 billion brand value
BOC only Sri Lankan Bank to exceed Rs.50 billion brand value View(s):Bank of Ceylon (BOC), whilst becoming the first bank to exceed Rs.50 billion in Brand value, has retained its position as the No.1 brand in the Banking sector according to the Brand Finance Lanka. Figures further confirmed that the BOC brand has performed 21 per cent brand value growth over the previous year with the highest growth the brand has ever recorded and now counts for an impressive Rs. 51.8 billion Brand value. “The Bank of Ceylon has always looked towards long term strategies that bring genuine value added services to all our stakeholders, which has been the base of strengthening our brand. The brand was able to build trust and confidence among all stakeholders through its responsible business practices,” stated BOC Chairman Ronald C. Perera.
Source:Sunday Times
May 11, 2019 20:09 UTC
Sri Lanka ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’ – Post incident?
Sri Lanka ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’ – Post incident? By Colonel (retired) Parakrama Dissanayake View(s): View(s):Pre-incident: The saying ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’ stands true with Sri Lanka getting caught up with the sensationalised news of Namal Kumara, Makandure Madush and drugs. Two decades later in Sri Lanka, the pre-incident activity and the modus operandi of the terror attacks are similar. That was to be Sri Lanka. Having been on US higher training, I am of the opinion that the US has everything that it needs to know about Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
May 11, 2019 20:09 UTC
Launch of Nihal Seneviratne’s memoirs in Sinhala
Launch of Nihal Seneviratne’s memoirs in Sinhala By Oshani Alwis View(s): View(s):‘Galumuwadorin Diyawannawata’, former Secretary General of Parliament Nihal Seneviratne’s memoirs in Sinhala was launched on Monday, May 6 at the Mahaweli Centre, Colombo. The book recounts Mr.Seneviratne’s experiences in his 33 years of service at the Sri Lankan Parliament, 13 of which he served as the Secretary General. The Chief Guest at the event was Speaker Karu Jayasuriya while Communist Party leader D.E.W.Gunasekara and Dr. P.G. Seneviratne was appointed to Parliament at a time when the country was going through social, political turmoil and challenges. “Nihal’s expertise on political matters, honesty, sensitivity and political unbiasedness are reflected in his memoirs,” he said.
Source:Sunday Times
May 11, 2019 20:09 UTC