Easter Sunday disaster: Who is responsible?
In relation to the disaster prevention plan of the Easter Sunday bomb blast, it was a disaster. It is my opinion that it is extremely difficult to prevent a disaster, but in this disaster I could find no reason to justify the disaster. The performance of the observation and analysis exercise pertaining to the Easter Sunday Disaster are given below:a) This disaster could have been prevented. In allocating “responsibility” in relation to Disaster Management I would like to establish three broad levels of responsibility as follows:LEVEL 1: Those persons “DIRECTLY” involved in causing the disaster. The Station Master, the passenger who notified the station master, the passenger who took the brief case, the passengers who forced the station master to release the train.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
State mechanism told to get its act together
State mechanism told to get its act together By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):Terror attacks happen everywhere in the world and almost nowhere is safe given the current situation. However it is the way we manage the crisis that will send the right signals to the world. A foreign investor told the Business Times recently that the government hasn’t shown how it can manage the crisis. It is now a very difficult task to entice foreign investors to set up shop here, but the speed at which most of the perpetrators were caught has given renewed confidence,” a foreign investor observed. He along with many other local investors noted that it is time the government got its act together without indulging in micro issues.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Sri Lanka modernises revenue administration amidst dwindling income
Sri Lanka modernises revenue administration amidst dwindling income By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka will be modernising revenue administration to support recent tax policy reforms by improving the quantity and quality of revenue collection authorities, the Finance Ministry announced. Revenue collection authorities including the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Customs are moving towards the automation of its core activities in a bid to improve efficiency, transparency and financial flexibility in a government saddled by dwindling revenue. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will support the ministry in implementing the reform plan aimed at upgrading the services of the two revenue collection authorities, he disclosed. With respect to income tax administration, a concrete plan is critical to ensure that the IRA is implemented in a timely and effective manner, including the training of tax officers. IRD will adopt compliance strategies for corporate and personal income taxes (structural benchmark), following a successful implementation of the new IRA.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Drive to register people for voting
Drive to register people for voting By Asiri Fernando View(s): View(s):Civil rights groups have launched campaigns to encourage persons to register for voting with the registration process currently underway. Electoral advocacy groups point out that many people, including those who live in apartment complexes, disabled individuals and domestic migrant workers had not submitted their details for the 2018 voter registration. In such an instance, the Elections Commission will have to use the 2018 list which is approved. Several civil groups are conducting awareness programmes around the island to educate the public on the importance of voter registration. Electoral advocacy group PAFFREL, in a statement, urged the public to register as early as possible.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Indian ‘A’ openers punish Sri Lanka ‘A’ bowlers
Indian ‘A’ openers punish Sri Lanka ‘A’ bowlers View(s):Indian ‘A’ openers Priyak Panchal and Abhimanyu Easwaran took the Sri Lanka ‘A’ bowlers by the scruff of their neck and gave it a good shake as they amassed 376 for 1 on the first day of their 4-day Test at Belgaum. That hardly mattered to the Indian pair to whom the pace of Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando, and the spin of Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan came alike. Partner Easwaran was the more aggressive player scoring 189 off 250 balls with 17 boundaries and three sixes and remained unconquered. This is a further proof, if proof were needed, of Sri Lanka’s continuing inability to find wicket taking bowlers. Chief scores: India ‘A’ 376 for 1 in 87 overs (Priyak Panchal 160, Abhimanyu Easwaran 189n.o.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Even Sangakkara’s four successive 100s could not help in 2015
Even Sangakkara’s four successive 100s could not help in 2015 View(s):The 11th Cricket World Cup was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 14th February to March 29th March 2015. The 11th Cricket World Cup was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 14th February to March 29th March 2015. Yet the semi-finalists were Australia, South Africa, New Zealand & India. However, this feat of four successive hundreds in a World Cup by Kumar Sanagakkara will be a feat hard to beat. Reminds one of the 2007 World Cup when Malinga captured 4 wickets in 4 successive deliveries – against South Africa – but still lost the game.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Sri Lanka once again eyes China for a fresh cash injection
Sri Lanka once again eyes China for a fresh cash injection View(s):Sri Lanka is once again turning to China for a fresh injection of cash, which will come during the year as it prepares for a crippling debt repayment cycle, began in 2019. With that new infusion, the US$5 billion received so far as Chinese loans will push the country deeper into Beijing’s grasp. 15 per cent of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt is from China emerging as a large creditor in the country providing much-needed funds for the development, Finance Ministry sources revealed. A senior Treasury official said that 61.5 per cent of the Chinese loans are concessional ones at a much lower interest rate than the international market rates. The country has also obtained concessionary loans at an interest rate of London Interbank offered Rate (LIBOR) plus basis points, which is negotiable to 12-15 years as terms, and 2-5 years grace period.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
FIFA offers prancing monkeys a step ladder to football notoriety!
FIFA offers prancing monkeys a step ladder to football notoriety! Indeed, a recent news item that FIFA has offered US$ 500K (LKR 80Mn) to FFSL to conduct a Semi-Pro League has caused more than a flutter in the local football landscape! So FIFA has now foisted on FFSL another excruciating challenge that on all counts is heading for a major scandal. The advent of the Semi-Pro League also has implications for the Dialog Champions League which has been treated like a step-child by its corporate icon. To the top national sports administrators, the football ills of this country are of no great import.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
A firm ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer through DNA Profiling
Delving deep into DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid, Dr Illeperuma explains that all humans have very similar DNA. They are: Nuclear DNA (nDNA) – every cell has a nucleus which controls it and there is DNA in the nucleus. This Nuclear DNA is in a special structure called chromosomes and as such is also known as Chromosomal DNA. A conventional DNA test targets the chromosomes and as such is performed on Nuclear DNA. If a biological sample has undergone extreme decomposition or degradation, almost all the Nuclear DNA may be unusable in a testing procedure.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Where have all the tourists gone?
Where have all the tourists gone? View(s):Nuwara Eliya which usually attracts many local and foreign tourists has been badly hit following the Easter Sunday bombings. Usually during this period the place is a hive of activity with fairs and other festivals starting from April onwards. In contrast the area is bereft of visitors as seen in these pictures.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Trendy Hub opens flagship store
Trendy Hub opens flagship store By Ruqyyaha Deane View(s): View(s):Trendy Hub arrived on the local fashion scene last December with the opening of their first store at Colombo City Centre (CCC). Now making themselves even more accessible, their flagship store was opened in Colombo 3 on May 21. Chief Guest Mahela Jayawardene was accompanied by YNM Trendy Hub Chairman Yoonus Noor Mohamed, YNM Trendy Hub shareholder Andrew Perera, Chanaka Perera and others at the launch. You can showcase who you are, what you like to believe in and how you want others to perceive you,” Andrew Perera commented on the label’s relevance to the market. Follow their Instagram on @trendyhubynm, their Facebook – trendyhubynm or check their website trendyhubsl-ynm.com
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Resilience of a nation
Resilience of a nation View(s):At a Colombo office, a Chairman addresses his fellow directors and staff and talks about unity, peace and understanding and that Sri Lanka will succeed only if there is equality, unity and understanding amongst all communities. At the end of a moving pep talk, the group takes an oath of allegiance or unity pledge. At the end of a moving pep talk, the group takes an oath of allegiance or unity pledge. Economic growth suffered during the many crises that Sri Lanka faced over the past few decades but often bounced back due to its resilience. “Let us all support our tourism industry by taking our vacations within Sri Lanka, cancelling our holidays overseas.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Calls for a verification site for government information
Calls for a verification site for government information By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s):In the wake of the recent Easter Sunday attacks, innumerable information was shared on various social media platforms without verification by the public that compelled the government to temporarily block some social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Rohan Samarajiva shared his thoughts about the prevailing situation with the Business Times and how ICTA can assist in setting up a verification site (VS). We have to persuade multiple originators of government information to publish their letters, announcements and so on, on the VS. The procedures for placing information on the VS must be secure and bar unauthorised information from being placed on the site. The long established Gazette (since 1802) has procedures to ensure only authentic government information is published.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
Freshwater fish promoted to solve Nuwara Eliya District’s nutrition crisis
Freshwater fish promoted to solve Nuwara Eliya District’s nutrition crisis By Shelton Hettiarachchi View(s): View(s):A programme to vigorously promote inland fisheries in the Nuwara Eliya District has been launched as part of urgent measures to address concerns about the nutritional status of women and children in the area. This comes after the District recorded the highest levels of stunting of children in the Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey. According to the survey, 32 percent of the district’s children are affected by stunting. The programme worked out by the Freshwater Fisheries Development Authority (FFDA) was launched last week at a workshop in Kande Ella. They demonstrated how to make tasty dishes from fresh water fish, as part of their contribution to spread the message on the nutritional value of freshwater fish.
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC
All faiths come together for Iftar at the Colombo Town Hall Lawn
All faiths come together for Iftar at the Colombo Town Hall Lawn View(s):Remembering those who lost their lives in the Easter Sunday terror attacks, an Iftar ceremony was held yesterday at the Colombo Town Hall Lawn with the participation of those of all religions, civil society leaders and security forces personnel. Organised by the Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society, the event began with the observance of silent prayers against the backdrop of Vesak decorations and coincided with the one month’s remembrance of the victims. Mayor Rosy Senanayake and the Service Chiefs also participated in the event. Pic by Amila Gamage
Source:Sunday Times
May 25, 2019 19:18 UTC