Wind turbines in Mannar designed to pose no threat to birds: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on the floor of the Parliament recently that according to the EIA Report, meticulous planning has been undertaken to mitigate potential risks to migratory birds. Contrary to assertions, the EIA report explicitly states that turbines will not be situated within the migratory birds’ flight corridor. Moreover, innovative solutions such as an AI-based radar system are slated for implementation. This cutting-edge technology will swiftly identify birds in the path, triggering mechanisms to halt rotor movement, thus safeguarding avian populations an in-depth analysis of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report reveals.

The minister also said that the government has removed six turbines belonging to wind power plants in Mannar and will also keep a corridor of 2km for bird migration.

He also revealed that a former member of Viyathmaga is actively advising opposition and its leader, to oppose the proposed wind power project which aims at providing Sri Lanka affordable renewable energy and reduce dependence on costly and climate averse fossil fuel.

The opposition to the $386 million, 250 MW renewable energy project in Mannar, Sri Lanka, raises concerns about its potential benefits and the motivations behind resistance. Despite offering the promise of affordable energy, state-of-the-art technology, and minimal environmental impact.

The developer, India’s Adani Group, in a statement said the company has underscored its commitment to environmental stewardship. Their proposal includes the utilization of high-capacity turbines, strategically designed to minimize the project’s overall impact area. Additionally, specialized blade designs aim to enhance visibility for avian species, ensuring their safety amidst the project’s operations.

Thorough planning detailed in the EIA Report, combined with the developer’s proactive steps, represents a dedicated commitment to align renewable energy initiatives with the principles of ecological conservation.

The Mannar project transition not only positions Sri Lanka as a frontrunner in renewable energy technology but also opens doors to increased investment and innovation, further solidifying its status as a progressive and forward-thinking nation on the world stage.

According to the EIA, it is expected that 1048 GWh of Annual Energy Production (AEP) can be obtained, which is around 6% of the country’s requirement leading to an 18 billion rupees worth of annual fuel saving, and 0.8 million metric tons of Green House Gas (GHG) reduction, annually. After the implementation of the project, the cost per kWh energy production will be 0.04 USD cents, which is a low-cost power generation option, in comparison to other type of conventional power plants in the country. This would save a significant amount of foreign exchange throughout the operational life of the project. Additionally, the Mannar region will benefit immensely from the project related infrastructure development.

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Heat Index at Caution level in Western, Southern, North-western, North-Central, Eastern provinces and Ratnapura, Monaragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts

Heat Index advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre At 4.00 p.m. 31 March 2024, valid for 01 April 2024

The Natural hazards Early Warning Centre has warned that the Heat Index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Western, Southern, North-western, North-Central, Eastern provinces and Ratnapura, Monaragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Electing a President: Three against one in the US, and three against three in Sri Lanka

by Rajan Philips

On Thursday, in New York, President Joe Biden and his two Democratic predecessors, Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton, appeared together in a fund raising event to launch Biden’s reelection campaign against Donald Trump, their common foe and America’s ugly manifestation. The fundraiser reportedly netted in over $25 million boosting Biden’s impressive war chest which is said to be more than $150 million. Trump is handicapped with less than a third of that to spend on elections in addition to his personal financial challenges of having to cough up over half a billion dollars in penalties and damages in civil fraud and personal libel cases. The three amigos and the lone fraudster and felon represent the best and worst of America.

That Trump still has more than a fighting chance of winning in November also speaks to the turmoiled state of American society and politics in spite of its economic strength and superpower resources. He is currently facing 88 criminal charges in two federal and two state level trials. Yet he is the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, the Party of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Trump has misappropriated the grand old party and weaponized it to serve his own ends, which primarily are to get elected as president again and pardon himself from the indictments he is facing.

But if he were elected as president for a new term, there will not only be presidential chaos in America and confusion abroad, but also the rolling back of two centuries of incremental advances in American norms and values and processes on everything from – law and order and role of government, minority rights and racial inclusion voting rights and election acceptance, women’s rights and sexual diversity, the environment and natural resources, to education, health and housing.

The effects of his judicial appointments to the Supreme Courts and lower federal courts during his first term have wreaked havoc on the judicial landscape that had been taking shape for over half a century on affirmative action, voting rights, environmental and resource protection, sexual diversity and women’s rights. The high or low point of judicial backtracking came in June 2022 with the overturning of the 1973 landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade that affirmed women’s constitutionally protected right to have an abortion.

A majority of the American people and a greater majority of women are opposed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the six conservative majority (five of them Catholics) justices of the current Court. And it is hurting the Republicans politically, but the six justices appointed by Republican Presidents (Trump, Bush Jr, and Bush Sr) are pursuing their ideological convictions in other areas. Perhaps to the embarrassment of conservative Supreme Court Justices and national Republican leaders, Republican state legislators and lower courts with Trump appointed judges have started taking the overturning of Roe v. Wade to its ridiculous extensions.

In February this year, the Alabama Supreme Court quite bizarrely ruled that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) should be considered children. Earlier in Texas, a Trump appointed conservative federal judge, Mattehew Kacsmaryk, had ordered the removal of mifepristone, a common abortion-inducing drug, from the market in a case filed by anti-abortion activists and doctors. The drug has been in use for decades after approval by the US U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an agency whose decisions are taken as guiding standards throughout the world. The mifepristone case reached the Supreme Court after appeal by the Federal government, and during oral arguments last week a majority of the Justices including conservatives clearly indicated that they are not in favour of upholding the Texas ban of the pill. The Supreme Court ruling that will come in June is expected to overturn the Texas ban by a seven-two majority.

American Anomalies

Trump is certainly keeping the Supreme Court busy, for on April 22 the Court will hear arguments to determine if a former President could be tried for alleged acts of crime during his time as President. The case is all about Trump and his exertions to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election by inciting an insurrection on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, when the US Congress was convening to ratify the election of Joe Biden as President. That he is a candidate in the very next election in 2024 is a uniquely American anomaly.

The anomaly is falsely premised on democracy – to let the people decide if Trump could be elected as president in spite of all that is known about him. He should have been barred from contesting and even incarcerated for violating the constitution and his oath of office to uphold it. Scores of ordinary citizens who participated in the insurrection at the urging of Trump have been and are being tried and punished including with jail terms. Lawyers who unethically worked on his brief are being professionally held accountable and are having their licenses revoked.

But Trump is a candidate, perhaps the only person to be a candidate for a third time after Franklin Roosevelt and Richard Nixon. Roosevelt, the war time president, won all three elections and died in office during his third term. But his three wins led to the 22nd Amendment in 1951 that brought in the two-term limit for presidential office. Nixon lost the first election to Kennedy, won the next two. He resigned in disgrace before his second term was over, but in abidance with the Constitution. Trump knows no shame and he is flouting the Constitution with impunity, hoping for permanent immunity by winning the election in November.

In a straight election contest, Trump has no chance of winning against anyone. He came up short, in fact very short, in the popular vote count both against Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. He eked out a victory against Hillary Clinton thanks to the evanescent mechanism of the Electoral College. Four years later Joe Biden turned the tables on Trump. After four more years, America is literally back to square one for electing a new president – but from the same two candidates as last time. Biden is almost certain to win again the popular vote, but the question is whether he can hold on to the handful of swing states that tilt the balance in Electoral College tally. It is also the concern for Democrats and everyone else who do not want to see another Trump presidency. It is that concern that brought the two former presidents, Clinton and Obama, to join President Biden in Thursday’s gala fundraising event in New York.

Biden, older than his two predecessors, can still pack a good punch in his speech as he showed in his annual State of the Union address to the Congress in January. But he could very much use the two former presidents to enthuse and energize the base to turn out to vote. Clinton and Obama are supremely, but differently, gifted campaigners. While Obama takes flight with his soaring eloquence, Clinton can charm and bring an audience to its feet by offering the folksiest of explanations to the most complex of issues. Obama is expected to be fully engaged in the campaign targeting young audiences, while joining Clinton and drawing on their popularity among the two communities, to canvas the African American and Latin American vote,.

Biden’s four year record as president is not at all a bad record to run on by American standards. It is indeed a good record in the circumstances. In fact, in domestic policy and social welfare programs Biden is easily the most consequential president after Lyndon Johnson, who was so himself after Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal regime of policies. American foreign policy has never been non-controversial even in the best of times. But purely from a domestic election standpoint, Biden should be able to weather out the American political effects of the war in Ukraine and the devastation of Gaza. From any standpoint, the alternative to Biden would be dreadful. For the pruriently curious, there is also this year a Kennedy gadfly in the American ointment. That is better left for the social media.

Three against Three

Sri Lanka has a presidential system that has lasted 46 years despite all the efforts to ditch it lock, stock and barrel. Thankfully, Sri Lanka is spared of the Trumpian shenanigans of presidential politics. Perhaps the customary inertia of traditional societies provide a deterrent to upstart upheavals like Trumpism that is tantalizing the forever immigrant society of America. That does not stop quite a few Sri Lankans and others from being fascinated by and even supporting Trump. Hitler too had his admirers beyond what was then wholly non-immigrant Germany, and was recommended as a presidential role model just five years ago in Sri Lanka. That was for Gotabaya Rajapaksa who once said that he had made a study of Trump as a non-career politician. Some study, some politician! All that saga is now reduced to a weird book by a ghost writer blaming others of conspiracies.

It would be wrong to say that the presidential system alone produced a Trump in America and a Gotabaya in Sri Lanka. But it would be mostly correct to say that they would have been vetted out in a parliamentary system. Historically, America stumbled on the presidential system because the only model that was available at the time of the American revolution was the British political system, which then was mostly monarchical and only nascently parliamentary. The presidential system was a negation of the monarchy that the Americans had liberated themselves from. The model was invariably adapted and replicated in the neighbouring new countries to the south.

A much more evolved parliamentary system with only a long distance monarchical link arrived in Sri Lanka and big neighbour India. It evolved under local conditions in Sri Lanka and enabled itself to sever the monarchy and create a new republic. The imposition of the presidential system came shortly after. The question of abolishing it is still an active question and its latest manifestation is in election sequencing.

Advancing the parliamentary election is seen as a precursor to abolishing the presidency. At the same time, the long-titled Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, the loquacious Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe, is musing about constitutional changes including the establishment of a Senate and electoral reforms. He has not mentioned abolition. We have been down this road before, and nothing may come out of it as usual.

As for certainty, it seems almost certain that the presidential election will be held sometime between mid-September and mid-October. What is not clear is if there will be a parliamentary election before that. The SLPP parliamentarians seem agitated to pass a resolution in parliament asking the President to dissolve parliament and have a general election before the presidential election. That is their best route for re-election and hence their anxiety.

But no one knows what the President will do. The joke on the street is that even the President is not sure what he might do. And conveniently so. Seriously, however, it is a Sri Lankan anomaly that the timing of a parliamentary election is entirely the business of the executive even if it is after two and half years of the last election.

The Election Commission, twice bitten by the Executive over local government elections, seems not at all shy about being prepared to conduct both the parliamentary and presidential elections within the current year. The EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake is on record as having said that much. Unless a parliamentary election is held first, it now seems likely that there would be three presidential candidates – Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sajith Premadasa, and Ranil Wickremesinghe. Three against Three.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the only openly committed candidate so far. Sajith Premadasa, although the presumptive candidate of the SJB, often sends mixed signals saying that he/they are ready for either election. Ranil Wickremesinghe might be feigning a Nasser-like reluctance and hoping to be sponsored by a grand alliance, but the real pressure on him will come from the SLPP and the Rajapaksas.

It would fundamentally be mendicant pressure from Basil and Mahinda to Ranil – to save their bacon, one last time, in spite of, or because of, all the previous transactions between them. Ranil’s calculation will be about the vote catchment that the Rajapaksas can muster. In any event, they would bring him more votes than he or the current UNP could ever garner. The question is if that would be enough in a three way contest to go over the 50% mark in the first count. The question applies to all three candidates, and deadlock is a possibility.

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Shaping Tomorrow, panel discussion emphasises need for strong female influence

Lifebuoy Shampoo’s Support Drives Dialogue on Importance of Inclusivity

A diverse and esteemed panel came together to delve into a crucial conversation surrounding the significance of impactful female figures in shaping the aspirations and dreams of future generations. The panel discussion served as a platform highlighting the critical need for recognising and celebrating the remarkable achievements of prominent female personalities in the public sphere of Sri Lanka.

The discussion involved notable figures, Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane, retired Acting Chief Justice and Supreme Court Judge, Madam Ferial Ashraff, former Cabinet Minister for Housing, Jerusha Crossette-Thambiah, Attorney-at-Law, Gender and family law practitioner, lecturer, and Dr. Giselle Dass, Child and Adolescent Psychologist. Moderated by Yashodhara Pathanjali, Principal and Co-Founder of Independent Collective School, the panellists offered their independent perspectives on the vital importance the role of strong female personalities play in motivating and empowering young girls. Throughout the dialogue, they expressed their personal viewpoints on the multifaceted roles women play culturally and socially and strategies to recognise and immortalise the contributions made by Sri Lankan women.

As the discussion drew to a close, Shamara Silva, Marketing Director of Beauty, Wellbeing, and Personal Care at Unilever Sri Lanka, expressed her gratitude, stating, ‘We sincerely thank each distinguished panellist for their insightful contributions to today’s discourse. Their impassioned insights have sparked profound reflections on the objectives that Lifebuoy Shampoo seeks to accomplish through this initiative.’ She further stated, ‘Recognising a vital gap in the portrayal of inspiring Sri Lankan female figures, the campaign was launched in partnership with MullenLowe to rectify this imbalance. We’re pleased to announce that the initiative garnered more than 100,000 pledges. For each pledge, we are dedicated to contributing Rs. 5/- towards the creation of a statue honouring a remarkable female personality.’

The event wrapped up with a heartfelt invitation for the public to join this worthy cause. Individuals were encouraged to pledge their support and honour these inspiring legacies. To make your pledge and pay homage to these remarkable figures, please visit: https://www.inspiregirls.lk/

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Climate change could affect timekeeping, study says

Climate change is affecting the speed of the Earth’s rotation and could impact how we keep time, a study says.

Accelerating melt from Greenland and Antarctica is adding extra water to the world’s seas, redistributing mass. That is very slightly slowing the Earth’s rotation. But the planet is still spinning faster than it used to. The effect is that global timekeepers may need to subtract a second from our clocks later than would otherwise have been the case.

“Global warming is already affecting global timekeeping,” says the study, published in the journal Nature.

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) – which is used by most of the world to regulate clocks and time – is calculated by the Earth’s rotation.

But the Earth’s rotation rate is not constant and can therefore have an effect on how long our days and nights are.

Changes to the planet’s liquid core have meant the Earth has been spinning slightly quicker.

Since the 1970s, to correct for this, about 27 leap seconds have been added to the global clock, with timekeepers planning on subtracting a second for the first time in 2026. This is known as a “negative leap second.”

However, the study finds that ice melt caused by climate change has partly offset that acceleration.

Ice sheets are now losing mass five times faster than they were 30 years ago, meaning that the negative leap second change will not be needed until 2029, the study suggests.

“It’s kind of impressive, even to me, we’ve done something that measurably changes how fast the Earth rotates,” Duncan Agnew, the author of the study, told NBC News.

“Things are happening that are unprecedented.” The negative leap second has never been used before and, according to the study, its use “will pose an unprecedented problem” for computer systems across the world. “This has never happened before, and poses a major challenge to making sure that all parts of the global timing infrastructure show the same time,” Mr Agnew, who is a researcher at the University of California, San Diego told AFP news agency.

“Many computer programs for leap seconds assume they are all positive, so these would have to be rewritten,” he added.

There has been some scepticism of the study, however.

Demetrios Matsakis, former chief scientist for time services at the US Naval Observatory, told AFP that “Earth is too unpredictable to be sure” if a negative leap second would be needed any time soon.

Human activities like burning fossil fuels are causing world temperatures to rise. That temperature rise is having a huge effect on the environment, including the rapid melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

(BBC)

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“People’s Bank ends 2023 with remarkable successes on multiple fronts”

People’s Bank announced the results for its year ended December 31, 2023 reporting total consolidated operating income and pre-tax profit of LKR 96.8 billion and LKR 19.3 billion, respectively.

A People’s Bank press release said: ‘Reflecting high interest costs on term deposit funding, due to the high interest rate environment which prevailed during 2022 and early 2023 – and significant interest concessions extended to the customers for the ultimate benefit of the country – saw consolidated net interest income slip to LKR 67.8 billion during the year from LKR 91.0 billion in the year prior. However, the last quarter of the year showed a forward movement on this front as its interest expense continues to normalize with the current interest rate environment. Consolidated net fees & commission income amounted to LKR 13.9 billion, reflecting a 11.0% growth over 2022 less extraordinary items during the said prior year.

“Despite inflation-pushed cost pressures, total consolidated operating expenses rose by only 5.5% to reach LKR 62.2 billion (2022 LKR 59.0 billion) ultimately reflecting stringent cost control and efficiency improvements which compared well with peers.

“Total consolidated customers’ deposits and rupee loans grew by 12.0% and 1.4%, respectively whilst it’s all currency net loans contracted by 4.0% reflecting both the appreciation of the rupee impact on its foreign currency loan book as well as measured growth by both the Bank and the Group in the first half of the year considering macro-economic circumstances. Total consolidated assets stood at LKR 3,208.2 billion at period end (end 2022: LKR 3,133.1 billion).

“The Bank’s Tier I and Total Capital Adequacy Ratios were 12.4% and 17.4%, respectively at December 31, 2023 (end 2022: 11.9% and 16.3%) whilst, on a consolidated basis, it was 13.7% and 18.2%, respectively (end 2022: 13.3% and 17.2%). The Bank’s solvency levels remain sound ultimately reflecting efforts made since the onset of Basel III on July 1, 2017. Further efforts to bolster its regulatory capital, including for the purposes of additional contingency, is currently in process.

“Commenting on the results of the Bank and the Group, the Chairman of People’s Bank, Sujeewa Rajapakse, stated, among other things, that: ‘Considering the added burden shouldered as a State Bank – amidst the most challenging set of circumstances over the last four (4) years, I am very pleased with the Bank’s overall performance on both quantitative and, even more importantly, a qualitative front.

Taking on some of these challenges head-on, we have navigated the first phase of the Domestic Debt Optimization program with great success, converted our rupee liquidity stresses to now an all-time high excess, further augmented our regulatory capital amidst limiting circumstances and drive super normal growth across all our overall digital platforms – all of which whilst continuing to place national interest and serving our customers at the heart of all our decision making ahead of profitability.’

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Four boys drowned

Four school boys drowned while bathing in the Ma Oya in Alawwa while another student was rescued and hospitalised.

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said a group of five boys had been bathing in the river when the incident occurred.

One of the boys was rescued by residents in the area and admitted to hospital.

The victims were Grade 09 students of a school in the Polgahawala area.

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IUSF prefers central govt. run schools to those coming under PCs

Complains that funding cuts have reduced schools to mere shells

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The systematic and sustained reduction of funds allocated for education has degraded education provided by schools, and even ‘popular’ schools, to mere husks of what they once were, convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Madushan Chandrajith said.

“There is a question whether children can enter local universities without tuition. We need to overhaul the system. The government, about a year ago, presented a framework for changing the educational system. Instead of improving the quality of education and expanding access, it proposes to close more schools and privatize education,” he said.

Chandrajith added that although the government insists that the education provided by fee levying schools is better, even children who go to private schools that charge over a million rupees a year can be found in tuition classes to study for foreign O/L and A/L exams.

“Children who study at international schools can’t successfully pass their international exams without tuition. Expanding private education is not a solution.”

The IUSF convener said that most state-owned schools are administered by provincial councils and these schools have been neglected for decades. There are about 370 national schools that are run by the central government, he mentioned.

“People are demanding the central government to take over all schools and enhance the standards. The government is doing the exact opposite,” he said.

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All-round Chennai Super Kings thump Gujarat Titans

Chennai Super Kings were clinical with both bat and ball as they completely outplayed Gujarat Titans to register their second win on the trot in IPL 2024. Packed with powerful performances right through with the bat, their bowlers mirrored the collective effort to ensure that Gujarat were never allowed to squeeze their way back in the game, and condemned them to a 63-run loss.

CSK found someone to keep them going right through the innings. Through the powerplay this role was taken up by Rachin Ravindra who blitzed his way to 47 in a 62-run opening stand with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ravindra first went after Umesh Yadav’s missed lengths hitting him for a six and a four off consecutive deliveries. In the following over, he meted out similar treatment to Azmatullah Omarzai. When Yadav opted for slightly shorter lengths next time around, he was still not spared as Ravindra picked up another six and a four. The boundary flow didn’t stop as Omarzai erred similarly next up to be put away promptly. Ravindra’s blitzkrieg came to an unfortunate end when he was out stumped after the ball deflected off his body and close to the wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.

Ajinkya Rahane next up could not keep up with the tone set by Ravindra as he was out stumped after a run-a-ball 12. But Gaikwad had found his groove by now and kept the momentum up with a flurry of boundaries. He raced away to 46 but just as he was looking good for more, Spencer Johnson found an edge from a delivery angled across. But by now, the next of CSK’s hitters – and the one who had maximum impact – was ready.

Shivam Dube played his role to a tee as he hit the first two balls he faced – against the favourable match-up of Sai Kishore’s left-arm spin – for sixes. It set him up beautifully for the rest of the innings as he kept upping the ante. Rashid Khan was tonked for a six as well before Johnson was hit for a four and a pulled six as the short ball ploy went for a toss. He brought up his fifty off just 22 balls and looked set for a bigger finish heading into the last couple of overs.

Rashid Khan got the better of Dube with a googly early in the 19th over raising Gujarat’s hopes of applying the brakes. However, debutant Sameer Rizvi had other ideas. He hit his first ball in IPL for a six as he slog-swept Rashid and followed it up with a lofted six over long off making sure that it turned into a 15-run over. But Mohit Sharma’s final over went for only eight with Rizvi holing out to long on even as CSK finished with a total over 200, which eventually proved to be more than enough.

Gujarat were dependent on getting a good start in the powerplay to pose a challenge in the chase. Both Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha made their intentions clear with Gill even lofting his first ball for a six but neither was able to make it continue for long. Deepak Chahar had Gill lbw with a skidding delivery while Saha holed out to to the deep giving Chahar his second wicket. At 34/2, Gujarat were already put on the backfoot.

With the tone set, none of Gujarat’s middle-order batters could do enough to reverse the pressure back. It didn’t help that CSK held onto sharp chances. Veterans MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane each held onto sharp chances while Rachin Ravindra dropped one but held onto three more ensuring that the collective control was never let up right till the end.

What next?

Chennai play their first ‘away’ game of the season as they travel to Vizag, the temporary ‘home’ for Delhi Capitals this season. On the same day – Sunday, March 31 – Gujarat Titans will go back home to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Brief Scores:
Chennai Super Kings 206/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 51, Rachin Ravindra 46, Ruturaj Gaikwad 46, Daryl Mitchell 24*; Rashid Khan 2-49, Sai Kishore1-28, Spencer Johnson 1-35, Mohit Sharma 1-36) beat  Gujarat Titans 143/8 in 20 overs (Wriddhiman Saha 21, Sai Sudharsan 37, David Miller 21; Deepak Chahar 2-28,  Mustafizur Rahman 2-30,  Tushar Deshpande 2-21, Daeyl Mitchell 1-18, Matheesha Pathirana 1-29) by 63 runs

(Cricbuzz)

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CID records Sirisena’s statement on his claim of knowing Easter Sunday terror mastermind

By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

The CID yesterday recorded a statement for nearly seven hours from former President Maithripala Sirisena on his controversial statement that he knows the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Sirisena arrived at the CID Headquarters around 9.50 am yesterday, and was interrogated until evening.

The team of interrogators comprised an ASP.

Sirisena arrived at the CID with some of his party supporters, including SLFP’s current General Secretary Sarathi Dushmantha.

Following last Friday’s statement, various parties and individuals complained to the CID, demanding the immediate arrest and questioning of Sirisena.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, on Saturday, instructed IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to launch an investigation into Sirisena’s claim immediately. On Sunday, Sirisena announced that he would be present at the CID on Monday morning to give a statement.

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PM’s China visit begins today

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will pay an official visit to China from 25 – 30 March at the invitation of Chinese Premier, Li Qiang.This was announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian, during a regular press conference on Friday (March 22).

During the visit, PM Gunawardena is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and the Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji.

The two sides will exchange in in-depth views on carrying forward traditional friendship, deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, and international and regional issues of common interest, Lin told reporters in Beijing.

Emphasizing that China attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka, he said China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka implement the important common understandings reached by leaders of the two countries.

Further, the two countries will seek to expand exchange and cooperation in various fields, including high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for new progress in the strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson added.

Commenting further, Lin said: “China and Sri Lanka are traditional friends and neighbours. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1957, the two countries have always stood together and moved ahead shoulder-to-shoulder, setting a good example of equality and friendly relations between countries.

“In recent years, the two countries have had frequent high-level interactions, advanced political mutual trust, strengthened exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, people-to-people exchange, and other fields, and maintained sound communication and coordination on regional and international affairs.

“Last October, President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China. President Xi Jinping had an in-depth exchange of views with him and they reached important common understandings on developing the bilateral relations.”

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Gujarat Titans keep their cool in nerve-wracking win

A masterclass in death bowling ensured that Gujarat Titans came from behind to pouch a six-run victory over Mumbai Indians – their third against the opposition at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Needing 42 off the last six overs with 7 wickets in hand, Mumbai Indians lost their way completely as Gujarat stuck to their plans.

Nearly all of Shubman Gill’s death bowlers packed a punch with the tone set by veteran Mohit Sharma. With his back-of-the hand slower ones gripping well on a sticky pitch, Mohit proved hard to hit. He first had Dewald Brevis caught and bowled and then bounced Tim David out to have him caught in the deep splendidly by an athletic David Miller. With 39 needed off the last three overs, Tilak Varma proceeded to deny singles off Rashid Khan’s final over with David for company. The spinner did not give away any boundaries in the over adding to the pressure building. Spencer Johnson, bowling the penultimate over, gave away a six off his first ball but came back in style. He had Varma caught at fine leg and then had Gerald Coetzee caught and bowled.

The last-man standing between the Titans and victory turned out to be their former skipper Hardik Pandya, who had delayed his entry. Pandya smacked a six and a four off the first two balls bowled by Umesh Yadav to bring the equation down to 9 off four. But he then fell trying to pull a short ball to be caught at long on, signaling the final nail in the coffin and sealing Mumbai’s rapid downward slide after a breezy start.

After a four-ball duck for Ishan Kishan, MI’s chase was first put on course by a breezy 10-ball 20 from Naman Dhir coming in at No. 3. Thereafter Rohit Sharma and Brevis found the going easy in dewy conditions as they added a quickfire 77-run stand. Gujarat’s standout bowler in this period turned out to be left-arm spinner Sai Kishore who finished with 1/24 in his four overs. He also picked up the wicket of Rohit, out LBW on the sweep, to kickstart a stunning turnaround.

The bowlers ensured that they made a middling total look far more than it was.

The pitch did not hold too many demons, albeit gripping slightly for the spinners. Plenty of Gujarat batters got off to starts but could not convert them into bigger ones. Sai Sudharsan knocked his way to 45 while Shubman Gill hit three fours and a six in his 31. Gujarat depended on one of their top order batters to carry through after getting their eye in.

Because of the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, mainly, the pacer finished with figures of 3-14 and applied the brakes with crucial strikes. Showcasing a full range of his skills, Bumrah first had Wriddhiman Saha bowled for 19 with a booming yorker. He then proceeded to outfox David Miller with a slower one and a ball later had the well-set Sudharsan caught in the deep. With that he ensured that Gujarat’s momentum was constantly nipped in the bud. It continued so in the death overs.

MI’s newest recruit, pacer Gerald Coetzee, was saved up for the second half of the innings fully. It worked well as Coetzee first had an attacking Azmatullah Omarzai caught while trying to hit off a hard length. At the back-end, Gujarat threatened to get more than they eventually would when Rahul Tewatia tore into Luke Wood. The 18th over of the innings went for 19 runs with Tewatia hitting the straps. But Bumrah and Coetzee gave away only 12 in the last two overs with Coetzee snapping up Tewatia as well.

The plans that new captain Hardik Pandya brought in worked pretty much to a tee but that was not enough to win over the crowd.

The former Gujarat Titans title-winning captain moved to Mumbai Indians on a transfer and it seemingly hasn’t gone down well with at least a part of the fans in the stadium. Hardik was welcomed with boos at the toss and at various points during the match. Returning to bowling in the tournament, he ended up giving away 30 runs in his three overs. He came close to turning it around with the bat but to no avail.

Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 168/6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 31, Sai Sudharsan 45, Rahul Tewatia 22; Jasprit Bumrah 3-14, Piyush Chawala 1-31, Gerald Coetzee 2-27) beat  Mumbai Indians 162/9 in 20 overs (Nahman Dhir 20, Dewald Brevis 46, Rohit Sharma 43, Tilak Varma 25; Azmatullah Omarzai 2-27,  Umesh Yadav 2-31, Spencer Johnson 2-25, Mohit Sharma 2-32, Ravisrinivasan  Sai Kishore 1-24)  by 6 runs

What next for the teams?
GT have just a day’s gap to go from their home city to Chennai where they face Ruturaj Gaikwad’s CSK on Tuesday (March 26). MI also head south – to Hyderabad -where they face SRH a day later (March 27).

(Cricbuzz)

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Sheraton Colombo Hotel celebrates International Women’s Day with empowering insights

Sheraton Colombo Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, marked International Women’s Day with a powerful event themed ‘Women at the Workplace,’ bringing together influential women leaders to inspire and empower attendees.

Sheraton Colombo’s International Women’s Day celebration reaffirmed the hotel’s commitment to promoting gender equality, empowerment, and creating an inclusive environment that nurtures and uplifts women professionals.

The celebration featured keynote speeches’ from Amanthi Perera, Head of Social Sustainability at MAS Holdings, Sharnila Henry, Partner at Deloitte Sri Lanka, and Roshanie Jayasundera Moraes, CEO of Link Natural Products Pvt Ltd. They shared their inspiring journeys and invaluable insights.

The event also provided a platform for women to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable insights from trailblazers who have excelled in their respective fields. The speakers’ stories of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering determination served as a powerful reminder of the incredible potential women possess.

Female associates of Sheraton Colombo Hotel had the opportunity to participate in interactive activities, attend a women’s health session, and capture cherished moments during a photoshoot session. The celebration also incorporated uplifting elements, such as a dance warm-up and high tea, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and joy.

Amanthi Perera, a sustainability champion, shared her journey advocating for environmental and social issues while navigating the challenges women face in balancing multiple roles. She encouraged women to celebrate their achievements, seek help when needed, and embrace small steps that drive meaningful change.

Addressing the participants, she said “My passion was for the environment and sustainability. My journey has been one of continuous growth as a woman wearing multiple hats. When doors closed, I found new opportunities. Moving away from home for my studies taught me independence and perseverance. While striving for dreams, ask graciously, accept rejections, and let go. Small changes make a big difference, so speak up about achievements with pride. Give selflessly, seek help, and find your unique life-work balance. Most importantly, choose a fulfilling career path.”

Sharnila Henry, a leader in the auditing and accounting field, emphasized the importance of financial independence and mindful decision-making. She inspired attendees with lessons learned from her parents on being a ‘people’s leader’ and maintaining a healthy work-life balance through trust and commitment.

Recalling her journey she said, “Workplace challenges taught me to embrace multitasking and manage change positively as a learning opportunity. I am grateful to my parents for instilling the values of being a ‘people’s leader’, loving yet firm – lessons I pass to my own children. Financial independence brings security, so strive for it before long-term commitments. Be mindful in decisions, considering others’ perspectives. Do not stress over perfection; focus on doing your best work. Prioritize quality family time, be there for milestones. Gain your employer’s trust through commitment to maintain work-life balance. Set your heart on goals, taking small steps with perseverance to achieve them.”

Roshanie Jayasundera Moraes, a seasoned corporate leader, celebrated the strength of womanhood and the resilience to handle difficult situations. She highlighted the power of building relationships, continual learning, and the importance of saving and investing for financial stability and independence.

She advised, “Career paths can move laterally or even downwards before moving up again, therefore embrace the journey. As women, we are blessed with inner strength to handle difficulties. Prioritize saving and investing to secure financial stability. Build relationships through hard work; others will support your growth. Prove your worth by outworking everyone. Continuous learning elevates your ascent up the ladder. Let your skill and performance speak for you”

Sheraton Colombo Hotel’s International Women’s Day celebration served as a powerful catalyst. Through inspiring stories shared by distinguished speakers, the participants were inspired with a collective determination to break barriers and uplift one another on the journey towards empowerment and equality.

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FSP warns Lanka becoming colony of India with govt. behaving like a lackey of Delhi

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Sri Lankan government was going to great lengths to suppress those who criticise unsolicited and disastrous Indian projects and interventions in Sri Lanka, Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Pubudu Jayagoda said on Friday, addressing a press conference in Colombo.

Jayagoda said that on 20 March members of the Jana Aragala Movement held a demonstration against the disastrous IMF policies and the Indian interventions that are inimical to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.

“Police tear gassed the protestors and arrested 33 people. Five protestors have been accused of attacking the police and they were presented before an identification parade on 22 March but because some policemen didn’t turn up, the five protesters have been remanded till 27 March. The police is making up allegations to keep them behind bars,” he said.

Jayagoda mentioned that these five men do not face any allegations that prevent bail. No public property was harmed and there were no court orders against the demonstration.

“We held a protest against the sale of strategic assets to India. We also demonstrated against the privatization of what was previously considered public goods. Under this government, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a colony of India. We are a victim of Indian political, economic, and military interventions. The government is quick to punish people who criticize India.”

Jayagoda asked whether the Sri Lankan police and the government are lackeys of the Indian state. A few months ago, Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando said Sri Lanka is a part of India, he said.

“Now our police are going out of their way to suppress anyone who criticizes India. The opposition political parties, too, are silent about the Indian and IMF interventions in Sri Lanka.”

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Speaker’s parting shot and need for probe

Saturday 23rd March, 2024

Never a dull moment in this country despite its economic difficulties! Parliamentary sessions, more often than not, leave the public none the wiser, but at times they can be really entertaining although they cost the public an arm and a leg. On Thursday, Parliament had a sitting, which was replete with theatrics, diatribe, invectives and rhetoric. But what turned out to be most interesting was Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s parting shot.

Speaker Abeywardena told Parliament, immediately after the defeat of the Opposition’s no-faith motion against him, that some foreign powers had striven to dragoon him into taking over the executive presidency, at the height of the 2022 uprising, and govern the country, but he had refused to do so, for such an undemocratic course of action would have amounted to a blatant violation of the Constitution and plunged the country into anarchy.

The Speaker deserves praise for having done the right thing and helped bring order out of chaos. But the question is why he took so long to inform Parliament of that abortive move to create a situation here similar to that in Libya. There is reason to believe that he would have kept the matter under wraps indefinitely but for the no-faith motion the Opposition moved against him. He may have sought to portray himself as a patriot being unfairly targeted by the Opposition.

The Speaker, however, made no revelation. He only confirmed what ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa have said in their books, The Conspiracy, and Nine: The Hidden Story, respectively. His statement has lent credence to the conspiracy theories about the 2022 uprising. Gotabaya has said in his book that his ouster in 2022 was due to an internationally-backed conspiracy, and Wimal has argued that there was a foreign involvement in Aragalaya. Weerawansa, in his book, accuses the US of having used Aragalaya to compass its geopolitical ends. He was the first to reveal that some foreign governments had tried to railroad Speaker Abeywardena into taking over the presidency, but in vain. His critics sought to dismiss his claim as a figment of his imagination.

Now that Speaker Abeywardena has declared that some foreign powers pressured him to violate the Constitution, albeit without success, he ought to name the countries that did so and reveal whether any Colombo-based foreign diplomats tried to coerce him into committing that unlawful act. The government must reveal what action it will take against them. Foreign envoys have been expelled from this country for less serious diplomatic excesses.

It is hoped that pressure will be brought to bear on Speaker Abeywardena to respect the people’s right to know the foreign powers that conspired to have the Constitution of this country violated. Let the Opposition be urged to take up this issue and call for a parliamentary debate thereon.

The Speaker has said that among those who strove to have him violate the Constitution were some leading Sri Lankans as well. The government must explore the possibility of instituting legal action against them for treason.

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Meeting in Court; COPE; poem read at Oscar Awards 76

One of two headlines in The Island of Monday March 18 was “Let’s meet in court, JVP tells Rohitha.” The proposer JVP will be represented by former COPE Chairman Sunil Handunetti and Vijitha Herath and of course Rohitha is Abeygunawardena, always in the news. The challenge is consequent to the newly appointed Chairman/COPE threatening to bring legal action against Vijitha Herath who, Rohitha accuses, made a defamatory statement against him. Handunetti states: “We accept the challenge and dare Abeygunawardena to go before the courts. We will get an opportunity to prove all allegations against him.”

Will he? Won’t he?

   Will Rohitha A institute legal action against these two stalwarts of the JVP? Cassandra places a sure bet: he won’t. Our politicians usually threaten to go to courts but definitely fight shy of doing so. If they are as white as their kapati suits, they need not fear appearing in any court or public forum. But many have skeletons rattling in their cupboards. And they rattle loud and clear.

   Some even keep hidden in their closets not one but several skeletons. Is Rohitha one of these?  I suppose the main reason why he will fight shy of appearing in a court case is fear that the opposite side will refer to his nickname, or sobriquet. It has been shouted out in Parliament and the reason for it sticking on him like a strip of Band Aid plaster, exposed. Cassandra has her views on this, expressed before but not in print. Rohitha himself explained either in Parliament or elsewhere how he came to have the sobriquet bequeathed on him.

His aarchie, who loved him dearly, used the loving term on him. He was her Raththaran Munupura.  So, the term stuck on him. Aney, suweet no? Very plausible story too. Then it was said he frequented railway stations, Galle particularly. So what? Boys were and are fascinated by moving vehicles, more so by locomotives, those days hissing and steaming, pulling railway carriages. Cass can bet her last 1000 rupee note that like most other boys, Rohitha A aspired to be a locomotive driver hooting and puffing his way along railway lines built by the British. How did he become a politician? Must have seen how the kapati suited politicos in his area very soon got bloated with riches and poundage acquired through posh living. Sure path for getting rich fast, with the added bonus of power.  Hence MP and COPE Chairman – Rohitha Abeygunawardena Amathithuma – go to Courts and face those JVPers.

Latest on the issue of COPE is the resignation of COPE member Eran Wickremaratne, honourable MP that he is. He has been an effective member of this investigative body of Parliament for many terms. His reason as given in The Island of Tuesday March 19 goes thus: “COPE was established to ensure the observance of financial discipline in Public Corporations and other semi-governmental bodies in which the government has a financial stake. By appointing a ruling party member as its Chairman, the committee fails to meet its objectives of keeping a check on the executive arm of the government.” So clear, so precise with no side tracks of stupid surmises and mention of gossipy hearsay. There are MPS deserving of honour and admiration in a collection of under-educated, dishonest 225 legislators.

   Subsequently six more COPE members resigned. Cass applauded but two friends were disapproving as they contend that disagreeing members need to stay on and steer proceedings with a disapproved of MP occupying the Chair.

Conspirators

   Quoted from page 1 of The Island of Tuesday March 19 is this: “Gota accuses Church of having a role in his ouster” and he means the Roman Catholic Church. The article is long and quotes his accusation in his “explosive memoir” titled ‘The Conspiracy to Oust Me from the Presidency’”. It narrates how Cardinal Ranjith and the Rajapaksa brethren saw eye to eye and had good relations, which turned completely sour and bitter after the Easter Sunday 2019 suicide bombings of churches and hotels. The word used in The Island   news item is most apt: ‘explosive’ because terms like ‘Sinhala Buddhist’, ‘Catholic action’ and ‘Sinhala Buddhist majority’ are used in the book.   These terms are incendiary in this land of ours. Cass has not read the book, neither will she read it.

Cass presumes the term Sinhala Buddhist was a coinage of either the Rajapaksa’s or their old political party or newly-formed party – SLPP. We were just Buddhists and remain thus. There is no meaning to the term. Are there other groupings like Tamil Buddhists? The term Sinhala Buddhist is loaded with very dangerous, nay explosive connotations, which we right thinking Buddhists reject outright.

   So coming back to the list of conspirators that ousted Prez Gotabaya R in addition to foreign and local groups – political and interfering – is the Catholic Church. How many more are named in the book? Will he fish out and present more to the public?

What Cass timidly proposes, nay advice Ex-Prez GR, is to look within himself and find the real cause; also, within the advisers who crowded round him – ViyathMaga and all that – and not outside for causes that made him escape from this country. He actually need not have run away. If he resigned from the presidency he would not have been further exhorted or harmed in the slightest. The real Aragalaya wanted a system change, not blood and mayhem. This is the truth. Of course terrorists who infiltrated and then crashed in were blood and revenge thirsty. One proof of bona fides of true Aragalayists (to coin a term) was their returning a wad of notes – millions – to the authorities without taking even one note to share among themselves, the finders?

Cass quotes two religious sayings to prove her point that the Ex Prez will find all the reasons for his ouster within himself, his brothers, his coterie of advisors.

“First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” The Holy Bible makes this command, not helpless Cassandra, so please no white van for her.

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you,” That is the Buddha’s wise saying. In this case we can substitute the word ‘served’ for ‘loved’ and ‘graciously’ you let go. So, fitting is the final bit of Buddha’s advice in the case under discussion. There are no two words about it: Gotabaya was a powerful commander during the civil war but a failure as the president of the country.

The saddest report on Gaza

   Multitudinous are the reports, documentaries, speeches, poems on Gaza and the severity of the travails of its people. Palestinian children themselves have cried out vocally, in song and in writing. To Cass the most heart wrenching was the poem read out by journalist Chris Hedges to the glittering audience on Oscar night 2024 in Hollywood. “Why do they kill children?”  he asked. “All that was familiar is gone” “Who will die next?  You mother, your father?” “Are these your last moments on this earth?” and he speaks of injuries, blindness, amputations and starvation. He speaks as a journalist reporting the attacks of Israel on the Gaza strip and Rafah particularly. “We have children like you: precious, innocent, loved.” and that’s why we come over. He ends on a hopeful note of “I will be old” and you would travel the world in safe planes. With tears he ends: “We have failed you but we will film and report – not much help, but …”

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SJB to launch hunger strike to remove COPE Chairman

By Saman Indrajith

A hunger strike campaign will be initiated soon if Rohitha Abeygunawardena is not removed from the Chairman post of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with immediate effect, says SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara told Parliament.

MP Bandara said yesterday: “The members of the COPE are resigning one by one. Already eight members have tendered their resignations. Their protest is a reflection of displeasure the public have against appointing Abeygunawardena to this position. We demand that the Chairman be replaced with an MP from the Opposition. Whenever we raise this issue, the Chair tries to remain non-committal stating this and that. It should tell this House whether the Chairman would be removed or not,” Bandara said.

He said so when newly appointed COPE member SLPP Kandy District MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara announced his resignation from the Committee yesterday.

Soon after Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe announced to the House that the business committee had nominated MP Yapa Bandara’s name to the COPE to fill the vacancies created by resignations, Yapa Bandara got up and stated that he would resign. “This Committee demands that a member from the Opposition should be appointed as its Chairman. As such I resign from this Committee. I will send my resignation in writing,” Yapa Bandara said.

Nalin Bandara said: “Time has come for the Chair to announce to the House what it is intending to do in the face of these resignations. This crisis is evolving fast to become a catastrophe because people consider this a joke. This will further erode public trust in Parliament. As the Chair goes on without heeding to the voice of the people, it seems we’ll have to start a hunger strike to effect this change.”

Nine members have resigned from COPE since the appointment of Abeygunawardena to chair the committee.

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Resignation contagion

Hot on the heels of SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne resigning from parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), six other members of the same committee announced yesterday that they, too, would resign.

SLPP Kurunegala District dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, SJB Colombo District MP M. S. M. Marikkar, SLPP dissident MP Prof. Charitha Herath, TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, SLPP MP Gamini Waleboda, and SJB MP Hesha Withanage, announced that they, too, would resign from the committee.

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US state with 'breath-taking natural beauty' named top 'most beautiful' in country

This beautiful US state is known for its glaciers, fjords, and rugged coastline.

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US traditional behaviours that reveal 'obvious signs someone is an American'

These are some of the obvious signs that someone is from the US, according to users online.

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Minimum room rate policy ‘killing hotel industry’

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Policy inconsistency for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector pulls the industry into jeopardy and the new laws that impose a minimum room rate on Colombo City hotels, could make Sri Lanka lose the competitive edge among other countries in the region, a top travel and tourism expert Chandana Amaradasa said.

‘The imposing of a minimum room rate on Colombo City hotels is actually killing the industry, resulting in the industry losing the competitive edge among hotels in the region. Room rates, accordingly, could henceforth rise to between 80 percent and 100 percent even in low standard city hotels in Colombo as well, Amaradasa said.

‘The minimum room rate in Colombo city hotels is currently a bit high with the new law on a minimum charge rate for Colombo City hotels coming into effect and it would affect the industry because all the city hotel standards are not the same. On top of that, to attract high- end tourists into the country Sri Lanka does not have world call events, Amaradasa told The Island Financial Review.

Amaradasa added: ‘All hotels in Colombo have a massive supply chain and with the loss of business/occupancy rates the entire economy will be affected and so far two major MICE tourism events that were scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka have shifted to Thailand.

‘The tourism industry is just picking- up and this type of move is detrimental to the entire sector because these room rates are normally determined by demand and supply and not by gazette notifications.

‘At present, Colombo five star hotels are mainly patronized by Indian tourists, corporate clients and MICE tourists. This will not only impact hotel revenue but the outside supply chain as well. Nowhere in the world is the tourism industry regulated in this manner and this would enable our competitors, such as Vietnam and Thailand, to attract tourists.

‘As a long term consequence, some of the airlines could also pull out of Sri Lanka and hotels will halt recruiting new staff and training them with the limiting of their revenue sources.

‘At present many experienced/quality hotel sector employees have left the country. Once this law comes into play most city hotels will suffer. Therefore, existing hotel sector employees in every category will go for greener pastures.’

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Donald Trump demands debate with 'crooked' Joe Biden: 'Anytime, anywhere, anyplace!'

Donald Trump and Joe Biden could be set for an explosive televised clash just months before the crunch US presidential election.

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One killed, 37 injured in road mishap

A bus ran off the road at Yahalatenna, on its way to the Nelligala sacred area, killing one passenger and injuring 37 others, on Saturday.

 The injured were admitted to the Peradeniya and Kandy hospitals.

The ill-fated bus was carrying a group of pilgrims from Pundaluoya to Nelligala.

Peradeniya police are conducting investigations.

(CW-Kandy)

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Iceland violent volcanic flare-up triggers state of emergency

A state of emergency has been declared in southern Iceland after another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula – the fourth since December.

Lava has reached the eastern defences around the small, evacuated town of Grindavik, local media said.

The powerful and fast lava flows began late on Saturday – but the authorities say they have since diminished significantly. Activity around the fissure – initially 3km long (1.9 miles) – has dissipated.

Iceland’s Meteorological Office said the streams of lava were still flowing on Sunday, but the rate at which they were moving had begun to slow down. The director of Iceland’s civil defence, Vídir Reynisson, said all that could be done to prepare for the flow of lava had been done, and the biggest concern was the impact on infrastructure. Pools of lava gathering near defences were also of concern, he added.

The eruption began after 20:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, north of Grindavik, according to the country’s civil defence service,

This is a similar location to the eruption that began on 8 December.

Footage of the explosion showed clouds of smoke and glowing magma oozing and bubbling from vents in the earth.

The explosion has not affected the main international airport, which lies to the north-west of Grindavik

(BBC)

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Donald Trump chillingly warns of 'bloodbath' in US if he is not re-elected to White House

Former president Donald Trump made the comment as a guest speaker Bernie Moreno's Senate primary campaign in Ohio.

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Washington DC horror with two shot dead and five hospitalized as cops hunt gunman

Five people have been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, it has been reported.

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Navy detains two trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation on Saturday (16) night to chase away Indian  trawlers which were engaged in illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters. The operation led to the detention of two (02) Indian trawlers and twenty one (21)  Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island.

The seized trawlers together with the Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and were to be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.

(Navy Media)

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LOLC champions female diversity and leadership

LOLC Holdings PLC, the premier multinational conglomerate spanning over 25 countries across Asia, Africa, and Australia, proudly celebrated International Women’s Day under the theme, “Count Her In.”

This year’s commemoration of women within the LOLC Group highlighted the organization’s commitment to female diversity and leadership, uniting the extraordinary achievements, resilience, and leadership spirit of its female staff. The focal point of this year’s International Women’s Day was the symposium held at LOLC’s head office, featuring two impactful sessions: “LOLC Spotlights” and the “LOLC Panel Discussion.”

The ‘LOLC Spotlights’ session stood out as a distinctive platform meticulously crafted to highlight gender diversity across its nine leading sectors. One of the notable participants was Ms. Priyanthi Makeswaranathan, the first and sole female estate assistant superintendent in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector, representing Uddapussellawa Plantations, affiliated to Browns Plantations. This session also showcased the breadth of female talent within the LOLC Group, featuring female scientists, chefs, engineers and chemists. The narratives shared by these inspiring women shed light on the real-life obstacles, from maintaining a delicate work-life balance around the clock, to thriving in competitive environments.

The event then highlighted the prominent panel discussion spearheaded by Ms. Kalsha Amarasinghe, Director, LOLC Holdings PLC. Delving into relevant discussions on female career advancement, the panellists, comprising esteemed female leaders within the group, openhandedly shared their personal journeys and success strategies with the audience.

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Hot Air and Ruffled Feathers

The Mannar Wind Energy Controversy

Ifham Nizam
of The Island interviews Conservationist
Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda

 The government must have an open and transparent bidding process, says foremost Biodiversity Expert cum Electrical Engineer Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda.Speaking to The Island about the proposed wind power project in Mannar by Adani Wind Energy (Sri Lanka) Limited, he stressed: “We must make payment for the energy only in Sri Lankan rupees even if, so as to compensate for inflation, the price formula is tried to an international currency.

We need to evaluate multiple sites and choose the one with the lowest environmental impact and greatest socioeconomic benefits. And when that is done, maybe the government will still end up choosing Adani, pay 9.7 US cents per kilowatt hour, and locate the project on Mannar Island.

If that is the outcome, fine, environmentalists will just have to suck it up. All I am asking for is for the process, as laid down in law and the government’s standard operating procedure, to be followed. As it stands, the project has been decided completely according to the whims of politicians. And we know where that has led this country in the past. That is why we’re bankrupt.”

Excerpts of the interview:

Q:  You released a YouTube video last week criticising the proposed wind power project in Mannar by Adani Wind Energy (Sri Lanka) Limited. As an environmentalist, shouldn’t you be a supporter of renewable energy?

A:   Indeed, I am a supporter of renewable energy, especially wind power, because it is the cheapest form of energy now. I also recognise that all power generation technologies carry environmental and social costs. The challenge before us is to minimise these costs while developing clean energy. We have the potential to generate around 25% of Sri Lanka’s electricity from the wind, and I would like to see us achieving that target within the next 25 years.

Doing so will mean that these turbines will disturb our landscapes, they will cause noise and flicker in local environments, and they will kill some number of birds and bats. Although we have to accept these harms, we also have a duty to minimise them. Cheap, clean energy is needed for national development. But the Adani project falls short on many fronts, and I think there needs to be a national discussion about this before signing off on it.

Dr. PethiyagoDa

Q:  What are the kinds of problems you are concerned about?

A: First, this is an unsolicited project. We see a foreign company coming to Sri Lanka literally out of the blue, harnessing our wind energy, which is a sovereign national resource, and then selling it back to us for foreign currency over a fixed 25-year contract. How does this make economic sense? If the government called for bids from local companies, Sri Lankan shareholders would have had a chance to invest. That way we don’t bleed foreign currency, and what’s more, there’s tax revenue as well. What is the logic in giving this on a platter to a foreign company?

Q:  But it seems Adani Green Energy is investing USD 400 million in this project. Doesn’t Sri Lanka need foreign investment?

A:   In fact, they are investing less than USD 150 million and borrowing the rest. I can think of many Sri Lankan companies that can make that kind of investment. In any case, government had an obligation to call for bids, so that a transparent competitive process could take place. But the way this deal was transacted smells strongly of fish.

Q:  Given that Adani Green Energy is a big energy provider in India too, perhaps they have economies of scale that make them more competitive?

A:   In that case, let them prove it by actually competing in a transparent budding process. Besides, even the price they have quoted, of USD 0.097 per kilowatt hour is several times the wind energy price obtaining in the USA, according to the US Department of Energy. They are making a massive profit on this, and Sri Lankans will have to foot the bill for the whole of the 25-year contract period.

More than USD 2.3 billion flowing out of the country. That is substantially more than the combined cost of the Hambantota Port, the Mattala Airport, Nelum Kuluna and the Matara-Mattala Expressway combined. Those cost us only USD 1.8 bn and although many people claim that those projects were wasteful, at least we have something to show for it.

What’s the sense in bleeding yet more foreign exchange at a time when we are officially insolvent and chronically short of foreign currency? Just imagine our plight if we were paying for the hydroelectricity from the Mahaweli scheme in dollars. What is strangest about the Adani project is that it seems no Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee was appointed to work out the price and other terms and conditions. According to a statement made by Kanchana Wijesekera, the Minister of Power and Energy as reported in EconomyNext on 8 March, the minister himself was doing the “negotiating”. This is a funny how-do-you-do, a shocking abuse of power.

Q:  If the project is as bad as you say it is, why has there been no public outcry?

A:   People didn’t know the facts until the Environmental Impact Assessment was published last month. Besides, these documents are technical and difficult to digest. But the exposé I published on YouTube had more than 11,000 views in the first 72 hours, which suggests that there is substantial public interest.

Q:  As an environmentalist, what is your assessment of the environmental impact of this project?

A:   First off, I do not want to be straight jacketed as an environmentalist. I am primarily interested in development. So long as people are poor, the environment doesn’t stand a chance. In my world view, prosperity is the key to environmental integrity. In addition to whatever else I am, I am also an electrical and electronics engineer, and so I might be a little more aware of the technical aspects of a project like this.

Q:  So, where do you think the Environmental Impact Assessment falls short?

A:   My main grievance is that it does not clearly explain why these 50 turbines are being placed on the Mannar Island. Remember, these are massive structures. Each one is almost tall as the Altair Towers in Colombo. They will substantially alter the landscape of Mannar Island and make it unattractive for tourism. The EIA is obliged to consider sites at which the impact could be lower, but it has failed to do so. For example, why can’t this project be located in a nearby less environmentally sensitive location such as Seelavatturai, Kondachchi , Arippu or even Kalpitiya? Where is the cost-benefit analysis, or the evaluation of alternative sites?

Q:  Why didn’t the authorities fail to decide locating it on the Mannar Island?

A:   Studies have shown that Mannar Island is among the most important bird areas in Asia, and perhaps the world. Every winter, millions of birds representing more than 120 species, come from all over the northern hemisphere. Some come from as far away as the Arctic Circle, flying over the Himalayas. This is therefore a hugely important conservation site, with huge potential for tourism. In fact, the Ministry of Environment deems Mannar to be an environmentally sensitive area, and this is evidenced by the large number of protected areas there. And these wind farms kill birds, especially because the birds are concentrated into a relatively narrow corridor at this location. Experts such as Professors Devaka Weerakoon and Sampath Seneviratne have eloquently made the case for the greater protection of this national asset, especially so that local communities will benefit. According to the EIA, there are virtually no benefits for the local community.

The EIA doesn’t provide a socioeconomic cost-benefit analysis or evaluate alternative sites. In terms of the EIA process, it is incumbent on the proponent to demonstrate that they have looked at alternative sites and selected the one with the lowest impact. As it stands, the EIA is just a whitewash.

Q:  Looking through the comments on your YouTube channel, I see that many people disagree with you. What’s your take on that?

A:   Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but no one is entitled to their own facts. And the facts speak for themselves. I am happy to have a respectful discussion or debate on any issue with someone who identifies themself by name and has an intelligent viewpoint to offer, but I have no time for those who criticise while hiding behind pseudonyms. I see them as cowards. They do not get my attention. Besides, who wants to argue with a bot?

Q:  In your opinion how should this project be implemented?

A:   The government must have an open and transparent bidding process. We must make payment for the energy only in Sri Lankan rupees even if, so as to compensate for inflation, the price formula is tied to an international currency. We need to evaluate multiple sites and choose the one with the lowest environmental impact and greatest socio-economic benefits. And when that is done, maybe the government will still end up choosing Adani, pay 9.7 US cents per kilowatt hour, and locate the project on Mannar Island.

If that is the outcome, fine, environmentalists will just have to suck it up. All I am asking for is for the process, as laid down in law and the government’s standard operating procedure, to be followed. As it stands, the project has been decided completely according to the whims of politicians. And we know where that has led this country in the past. That is why we’re bankrupt.

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Sri Lankan economy seen as showing consolidation over past several months

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The Sri Lankan economy has shown some consolidation in the last several months and its financial sector should be smart when making decisions to harness its potential in order to become a financial hub in the region, a top financial services professional said.

“Sri Lanka has made great progress in the financial sector but it needs to promote electronic transactions and be more digitalized in order to ensure efficient and effective services to the people through financial sector entities, said CEO, Silverlake Symmetri (Singapore) Pte Ltd Dr Gyorgy Tamas Ladics.

Dr. Ladics told the media at a function/panel discussion aimed at urging banking sector decision makers to utilize emerging technologies and digital platforms to improve customer service and their operational efficiency. The event was organized by Silverlake Symmetri and held at Hilton Colombo Residences on Tuesday.

Dr. Ladics said that the right financial leadership is needed for maintenance of the quality asset portfolio, better operational methods, process optimization and operational efficiencies by applying high technology to the financial sector, especially the banking sector.

Dr Ladics, a Hungarian national on a brief visit to Sri Lanka said that if Sri Lanka adopts electronic and digital technology in financial sector decisions, it would increase customer loyalty and therefore banks should invest more in cyber security.

‘To transform the banking sector, Sri Lanka must use the opportunity to delve into the latest trends, strategies and innovations driving the evolution of the banking sector. Silverlake Symmetric leveraged emerging technologies and digital platforms to revolutionize customer experience, enhance operational efficiencies and shape the market dynamic, he said.

‘Sri Lanka should have proper financial leadership, with good governance and professional leverage would improve the overall payment ecosystem to achieve hub status, Ladics explained.

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Shanto, Mushfiqur and bowlers headline Bangladesh’s comfortable win

Sri Lanka had no answer to Najmul Hossain Shanto’s career-best unbeaten 122 which powered Bangladesh to a six-wicket win in the first ODI in Chattogram. The home side won with 32 balls to spare despite losing three early wickets, as Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim added 165 runs for an unbroken fifth-wicket stand.

Mushfiqur gave Shanto good support scoring his 49th half-century, allowing the Bangladesh captain to dominate Sri Lanka. The pair at one stage went through 60 deliveries without hitting a boundary but that didn’t keep them from being ahead of the required rate.

Shanto struck the bulk of his boundaries in front of the wicket, with his best shot, a scorcher through the covers, helping him reach his second ODI century. He also hit the winning runs, lofting Maheesh Theekshana over the cover region.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s trio of Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam and Taksin Ahmed grabbed three wickets each, making it only the second time that Bangladesh fast bowlers have taken nine or more wickets in a home ODI. That Sri Lanka reached 255 was down to half-centuries from Janith Liyanage and captain Kusal Mendis after they gave away a good start by their openers.

Sri Lanka, however, fought back with the new ball. Litton Das was sent back first ball as he inside-edged Dilshan Madushanka onto his stumps. Soumya Sarkar fell in Madushanka’s second over when he top-edged a simple catch straight to Theekshana at square leg. Pramod Madushan then joined the party, removing Towhid Hridoy’s off-stump with a subtle outswinger as Bangladesh slipped to 23 for 3 in the sixth over.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim crafted an broken 167-run fifth-wicket stand (BCB)

Immediate recovery came in the form of a Shanto-Mahmudullah fourth-wicket stand. Mahmudullah went after Madushanka in the ninth over, clubbing him through the covers twice and then brushing him through point. After Shanto top-edged Lahiru Kumara for his first six, Mahmudullah blazed Wanindu Hasaranga for his first six too, in the next over.

Mahmudullah’s fall came swiftly though. Shortly after showing signs of cramps, he miscued a hoick towards deep midwicket where Madushanka took a splendid catch with a full-length dive to his left.

At 92 for 4, Sri Lanka might have hoped for another opening, but they failed to make any further inroads with the dew also not helping them. Shanto and Mushfiqur struck six boundaries in the first seven overs of their partnership. Mushfiqur started with a sweep through square leg, before Shanto pounded Madushan down the ground and pulled him rapidly. Shanto soon reached his fifty off 51 balls

Even when Shanto and Mushfiqur did not get the boundaries going, they kept the scoreboard ticking. Mushfiqur struck the boundary that broke the shackles in the 33rd over when he reverse-swept Hasaranga before slog-sweeping him for successive fours.

Shanto brought up the hundred of the partnership with a swipe over midwicket, before Mushfiqur reached his half-century with a whip off the pads, both in the 35th over. It didn’t take Bangladesh long to romp home, getting over the line in 44.4 overs.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib took the first three wickets (BCB)

In the afternoon, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando gave Sri Lanka a rousing start, adding 71 runs for the opening wicket in 9.5 overs. The pair smashed ten fours and two sixes between them in Chattogram. Nissanka drove a couple of his fours over mid-off while Fernando threaded the square off-side field superbly.

Tanzim, however, pegged Sri Lanka back. He broke through by removing both Nissanka and Fernando in consecutive overs and adding Sadeera Samarawickrama in the next over. He had Fernando and Samarawickrama caught behind, while Nissanka toe-ended an attempted pull to slip as Sri Lanka slipped from 71 for 1 to 84 for 3.

Mendis rebooted Sri Lanka’s innings with a polished fifty. He found an ally in Liyanage, who struck three fours and two sixes to top score with 67 off 69 balls. Liyanage ran out of partners when Mendis and Hasaranga fell in quick succession.

Bangladesh’s pacers hit back towards the end, particularly Taskin and Shoriful who never let the Sri Lanka batters settle. Tanzim couldn’t add to his initial burst of three wickets as he was injured for a while. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the other wicket to fall, with a beauty of an offbreak to the left-handed Charith Asalanka.

Scores:
Bangladesh 257 for 4 in  overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 122*, Mahmadullah 37, Mushfiqur Rahim 73*; Dilshan Madushanka 2-44) beat  Sri Lanka 255 in 48.5 overs (Pathum Nissanka 36, Avishka Fernando 33,  Janith Liyanage 67, Kusal Mendis 56;  Tanzim Hasan Sakib 3-44, Shoriful Islam 3-51, Taskin Ahmed 3-60)   by six wickes

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India’s Modi government rushes to regulate AI ahead of national elections

The Indian government has asked tech companies to seek its explicit nod before publicly launching “unreliable” or “under-tested” generative AI models or tools. It has also warned companies that their AI products should not generate responses that “threaten the integrity of the electoral process” as the country gears up for a national vote.

The Indian government’s efforts to regulate artificial intelligence represent a walk-back from its earlier stance of a hands-off approach when it informed Parliament in April 2023 that it was not eyeing any legislation to regulate AI.

The advisory was issued last week by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) briefly after Google’s Gemini faced a right-wing backlash for its response over a query: ‘Is Modi a fascist?’

It responded that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “accused of implementing policies some experts have characterised as fascist”, citing his government’s “crackdown on dissent and its use of violence against religious minorities”.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, junior information technology minister, responded by accusing Google’s Gemini of violating India’s laws. “‘Sorry ‘unreliable’ does not exempt from the law,” he added. Chandrashekar claimed Google had apologised for the response, saying it was a result of an “unreliable” algorithm. The company responded by saying it was addressing the problem and working to improve the system.

In the West, major tech companies have often faced accusations of a liberal bias. Those allegations of bias have trickled down to generative AI products, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

In India, meanwhile, the government’s advisory has raised concerns among AI entrepreneurs that their nascent industry could be suffocated by too much regulation. Others worry that with the national election set to be announced soon, the advisory could reflect an attempt by the Modi government to choose which AI applications to allow, and which to bar, effectively giving it control over online spaces where these tools are influential.

The advisory is not legislation that is automatically binding on companies. However, noncompliance can attract prosecution under India’s Information Technology Act, lawyers told Al Jazeera. “This nonbinding advisory seems more political posturing than serious policymaking,” said Mishi Choudhary, founder of India’s Software Freedom Law Center. “We will see much more serious engagement post-elections. This gives us a peek into the thinking of the policymakers.”

Yet already, the advisory sends a signal that could prove stifling for innovation, especially at startups, said Harsh Choudhry, co-founder of Sentra World, a Bengaluru-based AI solutions company. “If every AI product needs approval – it looks like an impossible task for the government as well,” he said. “They might need another GenAI (generative AI) bot to test these models,” he added, laughing.

Several other leaders in the generative AI industry have also criticised the advisory as an example of regulatory overreach. Martin Casado, general partner at the US-based investment firm Andreessen Horowitz, wrote on social media platform X that the move was a “travesty”, was “anti-innovation” and “anti-public”.

Bindu Reddy, CEO of Abacus AI, wrote that, with the new advisory, “India just kissed its future goodbye!”

Amid that backlash, Chandrashekar issued a clarification on X adding that the government would exempt start-ups from seeking prior permission for deployment of generative AI tools on “the Indian internet” and that the advisory only applies to “significant platforms”.

But a cloud of uncertainty remains. “The advisory is full of ambiguous terms like ‘unreliable’, ‘untested’, [and] ‘Indian Internet’. The fact that several clarifications were required to explain scope, application, and intent are tell-tale signs of a rushed job,” said Mishi Choudhary. “The ministers are capable folks but do not have the necessary wherewithal to assess models to issue permissions to operate.”

“No wonder it has invoked the 80s feelings of a licence raj,” she added, referring to the bureaucratic system of requiring government permits for business activities, prevalent until the early 1990s, which stifled economic growth and innovation in India.

At the same time, exemptions from the advisory just for handpicked start-ups could come with their problems — they too are vulnerable to producing politically biased responses, and hallucinations, when AI generates erroneous or fabricated outputs. As a result, the exemption “raises more questions than it answers”, said Mishi.

Harsh Choudhry said he believes that the government’s intention behind the regulation was to hold companies that are monetising AI tools accountable for incorrect responses. “But a permission-first approach might not be the best way to do it,” he added.

India’s move to regulate AI content will also have geopolitical ramifications, argued Shruti Shreya, senior programme manager for platform regulation at The Dialogue, a tech policy think tank.

“With a rapidly growing internet user base, India’s policies can set a precedent for how other nations, especially in the developing world, approach AI content regulation and data governance,” she said.

For the Indian government, dealing with AI regulations is a difficult balancing act, said analysts.

Millions of Indians are scheduled to cast their vote in the national polls likely to be held in April and May. With the rise of easily available, and often free, generative AI tools, India has already become a playground for manipulated media, a scenario that has cast a shadow over election integrity.  India’s major political parties continue to deploy deepfakes in campaigns.

Kamesh Shekar, senior programme manager with a focus on data governance and AI at The Dialogue think tank, said the recent advisory should also be seen as a part of the ongoing efforts by the government to now draft comprehensive generative AI regulations.

Earlier, in November and December 2023, the Indian government asked Big Tech firms to take down deep fake items within 24 hours of a complaint, label manipulated media, and make proactive efforts to tackle the misinformation — though it did not mention any explicit penalties for not adhering to the directive.

But Shekar too said a policy under which companies must seek government approvals before launching a product would inhibit innovation. “The government could consider constituting a sandbox – a live-testing environment where AI solutions and participating entities can test the product without a large-scale rollout to determine its reliability,” he said.

Not all experts agree with the criticism of the Indian government, however.

As AI technology continues to evolve at a fast pace, it is often hard for governments to keep up. At the same time, governments do need to step in to regulate, said Hafiz Malik, a professor of computer engineering at the University of Michigan with a specialisation in deepfake detections. Leaving companies to regulate themselves would be foolish, he said, adding that the Indian government’s advisory was a step in the right direction.

“The regulations have to be brought in by the governments,” he said, “but they should not come at the cost of innovation”.

Ultimately, though, Malik added, what is needed is greater public awareness.

“Seeing something and-believing it is now off the table,” said Malik. “Unless the public has awareness, the problem of deepfake cannot be solved. Awareness is the only tool to solve a very complex problem.”

(Aljazeera)

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