Typos in WHO report trigger fake news; Health Minister hails removal
Typos in WHO report trigger fake news; Health Minister hails removal View(s):Something strange occurred when the World Health Organisation’s Sri Lanka office took down two critical reports compiled by an Independent Group of Experts from its website. It was the newly appointed Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who took up the matter with the local WHO chapter on the basis that fake news was being spread based on those reports. Minister Rambukwella has long been a Government spokesperson and often defends a bad brief. The embassy also sent statements from ambassadors to local media institutions as part of the counter campaign. It was titled “The U.S. Intelligence Report on COVID-19 Origins: Ugly Agendas Under a Worn-Out Cover”.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Economic emergency to squash food hoardings
Economic emergency to squash food hoardings Opposition expresses fears of ‘Govt acting in bad faith’ View(s): View(s):On Monday, by midnight gazette, the President invoked the provisions of the Public Security Ordinance, effectively placing the country under a state of emergency. The proclamation stated that this was being done to ensure the supply of essential food. Accordingly, in terms of Section 5, imposing Part II of the Ordinance took effect throughout Sri Lanka from thenceforth. And, armed with the new emergency powers, the crackdown on hoarders has begun in earnest. “After hearing the song,” Yohani says, “I did a small Tik-Tok of it.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Cabraal pushes for pension with arrears for all Central Bank governors
Cabraal pushes for pension with arrears for all Central Bank governors By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s):The Monetary Board (MB) has approved pensions with arrears for several former and the incumbent Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka irrespective of the lengths of their tenures, the Sunday Times learns. The MB’s decision follows requests from Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms. He was CBSL Governor from July 2006 to January 2015. Until 1998, all CBSL employees including Governors and State Bank workers were eligible for pensions similar to other public officials. However, Mr Cabraal in 2015 sent a request to Governor Coomaraswamy asking to also include Governors in the new scheme.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Sunday Times Deputy Editor Namini inducted to prestigious ICIJ
Sunday Times Deputy Editor Namini inducted to prestigious ICIJ View(s):The Sunday Times Deputy Editor (Investigations) Namini Wijedasa has been selected by the US-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) as one of its distinguished worldwide members, the consortium announced this week. She is only the second Sri Lankan journalist to be inducted to this prestigious body, the first being Sunday Times Consultant Editor/Political Editor and former Defence Correspondent, Iqbal Athas. Officially announcing the selection of Ms. Wijedasa, the ICIJ stated that they have “boosted its network of trusted journalists”. Thirteen new members, including four from Africa were selected by the consortium’s Network Committee. The new members have worked on several recent ICIJ projects including FinCEN Files, West Africa Leaks, Panama Papers, Implant Files and others.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Some Lankan exporters shifting manufacturing to West Africa
Some Lankan exporters shifting manufacturing to West Africa By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):Some exporters, in the wake of the currency exchange crisis, are contemplating or have already decided to shift their manufacturing businesses to countries in the burgeoning West African region depriving Sri Lanka from earning export dollars. The exchange rate crisis has brought about this new situation with more and more businesses opting to balance their eggs. “Other manufacturing firms will follow suit sooner or later,” a second economist said. He pointed out that the US dollar exchange rate gap between the published rate by the Central Bank and the going rate in the black market has widened to unprecedented levels over the past month. This situation has made a compelling case for local exporters looking to go out and start in Africa – especially in countries like Ghana and Kenya which stand out for their relative political stability and economic diversification.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Four South Asian countries jointly write to FIFA
Four South Asian countries jointly write to FIFA football View(s): View(s):Four South Asian nations, namely Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, have joined hands in support of proposals to review the international match calendar, while the global governing body of football, FIFA, too has acknowledged its support to the notion. “Four-year gaps between FIFA World Cup is too great – and the window of opportunity too small – to preclude whole generations of talent. Less than a quarter of current AFC (Asian) member associations have been represented in almost a century of FIFA World Cup finals in a situation where these tournaments are the real drivers of development,” the press release stated. players and traditional of leagues and competitions in Europe, but football is a truly global sport, and Asia is an equal shareholder in that,” acknowledging the concerns raised by the four nations, FIFA added. “Our aspiring players, coaches and officials should have a dream of playing their part in a truly global sport.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Their gift to Bawa
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust brought five artists to respond to the ‘gift’ that architect Bawa’s serene country estate has always been, having creatively nourished the likes of writer Michael Ondaatje and artist Laki Senanayake when working on his fantastic sculpted beasts. Each of the five chosen artists’ works was their gift back – to Bawa and to Lunuganga, for the deep inspiration always generously given. As The Gift project comes to a close, the Trust hosted a virtual conversation where the five artists talked about their work, inspiration, exchanging ‘gifts’ and creating art in troubled times. Dayanita Singh’s work, Lunuganga Chairs, was another attempt to get at the elusive soul of Lunuganga. Artist Lee Mingwei’s work for The Gift was perhaps the most stirring, because he brought Zephyrus’ Breath to the garden; a circle of brass tubes hung from the tall trees.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Good food for the rich
I don’t think there is anyone who would refuse to consume chemical-free food; we all like to switch from chemical-laced food to organic food, and there is no dispute about it. It is in this context that we have decided to make an abrupt change from chemical fertiliser usage to organic fertiliser usage. Poverty and inequalityAt the end of the day, we have chemical-free “good food” for domestic consumption; it’s a good thing! As a nation, it is not unwise to anticipate food shortages and increase in food prices; I must say that Sri Lanka has been a country with high food prices in the region. Therefore, there will be “good food” for the rich who can afford to it, but not so easily for the poor.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
COVID-19 can affect your heart; take care of it
Dr. Ranasinghe creates clear images of how COVID-19 can affect the heart. Maybe about 20-30% of those patients who get the infection in the heart would go into heart failure. Such clots can travel to the heart or block the blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack. “In the first two waves, we saw some damage to the heart but it was not that widespread among COVID-19 patients. Dr. Ranasinghe’s advice to those in home-based care is: If you get chest pain; chest pain when you walk or a chest pain that keeps getting worse; or have either little or excessive breathing difficulties; then go to hospital immediately.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Crowned corruption hits Sri Lanka to the core
Crowned corruption hits Sri Lanka to the core View(s):The fact that corruption has become a way of life in Sri Lanka is accepted by all and sundry. In the wake of the current COVID-19 crisis, corruption has taken on a new dimension of free rein for corruption. To date, however, there has been no will to reinstitute the EC administrative measures for control of bribery and corruption. The result is that this useful means in the EC to control corruption is blatantly disregarded. Plainly, the propaganda was in lieu of effective action to control corruption.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
New Zealand attacker identified; Lankan police on trail of his contacts
New Zealand attacker identified; Lankan police on trail of his contacts View(s):The Sri Lankan national shot dead inside a shopping mall in Auckland on Friday after he attacked several locals has been identified as Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen, a 32-year-old from the Eastern town of Kattankudy. Sri Lankan Police yesterday launched an investigation into the man’s family and have already traced his mother. Samsudeen had applied for refugee status soon after arriving in New Zealand on a student visa in October 2011. He was not known to have held extremist views at the time he arrived in New Zealand in 2011, according to New Zealand authorities. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry stated Sri Lanka had sought more details from New Zealand authorities over reports that the attack had been carried out by a Sri Lankan national.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
As public discontent mounts, bungling in diplomatic issues
That the Foreign Ministry together with its overseas missions annually works out an Action Plan with key progress indicators is known. It was none other than India which held the presidency of the UN Security Council for August. A resolution on peacekeeping focused on ensuring accountability for crime against peacekeepers, with 80 sponsors including all Security Council members. This oral update on Sri Lanka was mandated by the country specific Resolution A/HRC/RES/46/1 that was adopted in Feb 2021. The Sri Lanka document, in anticipation of the issues that would come up at the UNHRC, gives answers to the Government’s official position.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Sharma hits century as India take control of Oval test
Sharma hits century as India take control of Oval test cricket View(s): View(s):REUTERS, Sept 4: A dominant India took control of the fourth test against England at The Oval on Saturday, extending their lead to 171 at stumps on day three, as Rohit Sharma struck his first test hundred away from home and eighth overall. The visitors were on 270-3 when bad light brought a premature end to proceedings. Sharma constructed his innings perfectly, resolutely defending outside the off stump and taking runs off anything loose, with Moeen Ali’s off-spin often a target. Put into bat by the hosts on day one, India were bowled out for 191 in their first innings. England, with Ollie Pope top-scoring with 81, responded with 290 all out.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Cause for the Afghan debacle: Biden or clash of civilisations
Cause for the Afghan debacle: Biden or clash of civilisations By Gamini Weerakoon View(s): View(s):To be wise after an event, particularly one of disastrous consequences, is a natural human reaction. But the Taliban kept flouting all such conditions, attacking President Ghani’s government forces while participating in Peace Talks at Doha. As the Taliban kept capturing city after city what was Biden to do with about 5,000 American soldiers left in the country? In the 20th and 21st Centuries Afghan men unlike those in any other country were seen always carrying guns. Is Afghanistan going through the process of clash of civilisations as identified by the late Prof Samuel Huntington?
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC
Nisal and Sandali grab regional chess titles
Nisal and Sandali grab regional chess titles View(s):Nisal Dilushana Thilakarathne of St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela and Sandali Somarathne of Royal International School, Kurunegala won the Sri Lanka National Online Novices Division Chess Championship of the Sabaragamuwa Province (Open) and North Western Province (Women) convincingly. Nisal was unbeaten throughout the whole tournament making it an impressive score of 7 out of 7 possible games. She was also unbeaten and had an extraordinary score of 7 out of 7 possible games. She had a walkover in the first round beating Osandi Madurapperuma, Senuli Dinethma, Useli Bandara, Binudi Madurapperuma, Dahamli Rasnayake and Kavini Amarathunga. With that, the regional tournaments came to an end in style, marking the end of all seven regional Novices Division Chess Championships.
Source:Sunday Times
September 05, 2021 00:45 UTC