A mandamus to stop the ritual animal slaughter in Munneswaram

The Court of Appeal yesterday empowered the IGP and the police authorities in Chilaw to prevent the slaughter of animals at the Munneswaram Kovil in Chilaw, if those administering the kovil violated the Butchers’ and Cruelty to Animals’ Ordinances. The Court issued a Writ of Mandamus (mandatory order) directing the IGP, the DIG of Police, Puttalam District, Senior Superintendant of Police and the OIC of the Chilaw Police Station, to take all necessary action, as permitted by law, to prevent the slaughter of animals, defined in the Butchers’ Ordinance, at Sri Badra Kali Amman Kovil, Munneswaram, Chilaw if M. Kanegaratnam, K. Shivapakyasuntheram and Mahendra Samy, at the Kovil, did not possess a licence under the Butchers’ Ordinance and/or if they violated the provisions of the Butchers’ Ordinance.

Slaughtering animals on the kovil premises 

The Court also gave a similar direction to the police to prevent the slaughter of animals, defined in the Cruelty to  Animals Act, at the same Kovil, if they violated the Provisions of the Cruelty to Animals Act. The judgment was by Justice Sisira J. De Abrew with Justice Deepali Wijesundera and Justice Sunil Rajapakshe agreeing. Delivering the order, the Court of Appeal explained that fowls had been killed in the years 2009 and 2010, at the Sri Badrakali Kovil, Munneswaram Chilaw, in an unnecessary manner, and that Kalimuttu Shivapakyasuntheram and Mahendra Samy, of the aforesaid kovil, had violated Section 4 of the Cruelty to Animals Act. "There is no guarantee by the aforesaid two respondents and M. Kanagaratnam, of the same kovil, that they would not violate the same provisions at the next festival season.

"If they violate Section 4 or any other provision of the Cruelty to the Animals Act, the police will be entitled to prevent the violation," the Court said. The Court also held that the person who killed animals and/or the person who turned the carcasses of the animals into meat, in the kovil premises, carried on the trade of a butcher. The judgement explained that the respondents, Kalimutthu and Mahendra Samy, admitted that animal sacrifices took place within the Kovil premises. "This showed that the animals were killed in the kovil premises. The aforesaid two respondents and respondent Kanagaratnam had been offering alms, by using animal flesh. These respondents had carried on the trade of a butcher.

"They should obtain a licence under the provisions of the Butchers’ Ordinance, if they continue to kill animals in the kovil premises, and if they continue to turn carcasses of animals into meat," the Court said. The court added that the permitting of the slaughter of animals on the occasion of any religious festival or other special event was in the hands of a proper authority, and not in the hands of the priest of the Kovil or a person in charge of the festival. Thus, the priest of the Kovil or person in charge of a festival cannot, after killing the animals, took up the defence that he did it on the occasion of any religious festival if the proper authority, had not published a notice under Section 17(1) if the Butchers’ Ordinance.

"Section 17 of the Butchers’ Ordinance was not enacted. A licensed butcher can kill animals, even on Vesak or Poson Poya Day or any Poya Day and can take up the position that he does so by virtue of the licence granted to him. Such a situation can be avoided by taking steps under Section 17(1)," Court said. Among petitioners who had complained of cruelty to animals at the kovil premises were the Sri Bodhiraja Foundation, Embilipitiya, Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya of Rajagiriya, Olcott Gunesekera, the President of Dharamavijaya Foundation, Venerable Bandirippuwe Vineetha Thero, Irangani de Silva, Chairperson of Animal Welfare Trust and several others. L. R. de Silva, Raja dep, Suren de Silva and Chinthaka Rankothge appeared for the petitioners. Deputy Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe, appeared for the IGP. President’s Counsel A. R. Surendran appeared with M. Jude Dinesh and K. Kadeepan for K. Shivapakyasuntheram of the Kovil. 

The largest ever 100 kg of heroin in South Asia arrested in Sri Lanka

  Heroin Powder

A large stock of 100 kg of heroin was seized by Narcotics Bureau of Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Customs from a cargo container which had arrived in Sri Lanka from Pakistan, officials said Friday. The discovery was made when a container, declared to be containing lubricants, was inspected at the Custom Clearing Section at Orugodawatta, Colombo.  100 kilograms of heroin found are the largest ever heroin haul seized in South Asia. The value of the stock is estimated at one billion rupees.

Customs Director Mali Piyasena said that the containers were seized on suspicion and sent to a container yard for checking.  Police Narcotics Bureau says that they were looking for the container for two months and finally discovered it from the Orugodawatta yard. The container is being searched for more drugs. The customs department said that two people, including a Pakistani national, had been arrested over the incident for further intorogation..  

Meanwhile, Indian enforcement agencies last year sounded an alert on drug cartels using India as a transit point for smuggling heroin to Sri Lanka, where the demand for heroin has doubled. Sri Lanka has become a transit point for heroin smuggling in South Asia mostly by heroin dealers from Pakistan and India.

18,000 and 26,000 square kms available for oil and gas exploration

An off shore oil and gas drilling site 

Six ultra-deep water blocks of area between approximately 18,000 and 26,000 square kilometers each around the country's coastline are available to be awarded outside the current bid round, said Sri Lanka's Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS).  Proposals from  Suitably experienced oil companies are  invited for oil and gas exploration,

These awards will be based on the experience and capability of the applicant along with their proposed work commitment, the PRDS exposed. The basic framework for the agreement is a 2 year period of exclusivity for data acquisition, processing and interpretation, followed by a further 1 year for discussions with the PRDC on potential next steps. The PRDS will hold a pre-bid clarification meeting in Colombo on August 29 to discuss the format for submission of bids, data purchase requirements, and availability of new data among others.

Sri Lanka has extended the deadline for bids until November 29 on 13 offshore blocks in the Cauvery and Mannar basins.PRDS held a Exploration and Production (E&P) symposium titled 'Sri Lanka Upstream 2013' in July and the representatives of top oil exploring firms like ONGC, Cairn, Total, Exxon Mobil, ENI, Shell, Schlumberger, Halliburton, CGG participated in it. Meanwhile the Director General of PRDS Saliya Wickramasuriya said the government is waiting for the early commercialization of the first discovery of Cairn Lanka, the Sri Lankan subsidiary of Indian oil explorer Cairn India.

According to the Director General Cairn Lanka, the only oil and gas explorer currently active in Sri Lanka is now refining their appraisal plan for the for the first two discoveries. Cairn Lanka, which made gas discoveries in two of the four exploration wells it drilled, has scheduled more wells in the Mannar Basin for the end of this year and the beginning of 2014. The Company said it continues to consider appraisal options for the gas discoveries made and evaluate Monetization of the existing discoveries under various development and commercial scenarios and plans to continue into exploration phase-III. Cairn Lanka said discussions with the Sri Lankan government regarding commercial terms and gas pricing are progressing.

Traditional police dog wedding in Sri Lanka condemned

Police hold a pair of sniffer dogs at a wedding 

Sri Lanka Police have come under severe criticism from cultural organizations as well as from the Minister of Culture and the Arts T. B. Ekanayake over a ceremony performed to wed  police dogs. Police "married" nine pairs of dogs on a platform decorated with white cloth and flowers in a ceremony resembling a traditional marriage. The "brides" wore mittens, shawls and hats while the "grooms" wore red ties. Police have defended the "wedding" saying that it was done to promote the domestic breeding of sniffer dogs. But in a statement they also apologised for their actions.

The Police, as part of the Police Canine Breeding Program, held a wedding ceremony on a Poruwa, a structure used for traditional Sinhala weddings, yesterday at the Asgiriya Grounds in Kandy to wed pairs of police dogs belonging to the Asgiriya Police Kennels. Veterinarians have presented "marriage certificates" to the dog couples certifying them suitable for breeding. The Minister of Culture and the Arts, T.B. Ekanayake condemned the wedding ceremony as damaging to the country's culture and requested the Inspector General of Police to conduct an immediate inquiry regarding the ceremony. Several organizations  expressed condemnation saying that it was an insult to the culture of the country.

But police say that the structure where the "weddings" were staged had nothing to do with Buddhism and that it was necessary to elevate the dogs so that they could be better photographed. "This did not in anyway resemble a poruwa and was simply placed there for the photo opportunity," the police said in the statement. Police have apologised for any offence caused to cultural and religious sensibilities - Sri Lanka is 75% ethnic Sinhalese and Buddhist.

They say that the "wedding" on Monday was intended to promote a programme to breed sniffer dogs domestically. Police told local media that in 2011 Sri Lanka spent 70m rupees ($526,000; £339,000) on importing police dogs from Netherlands. They said that the domestically-run breeding programme would not only keep this money in the country but would also produce dogs better suited to its climate.

Constables served milk rice and cake to about 1,000 guests at the specially decorated venue where the ceremony was held.The dog couples were driven off by police van to the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya for their "honeymoon". The event was held to commence the new program to breed police dogs within the country to save the cost of purchasing them from other countries.

Meanwhile, the Police Headquarters issuing a statement apologized for the event and said the Police Department had no intention of causing any insult to the Sri Lankan culture and expressed regret regarding any harm the activities of the inauguration ceremony of Police Canine Breeding Program may have caused to any cultural heritage or if it caused any person any discomfort.

Used ACs and Fridges are banned from importing

The importation of second hand air conditioners and refrigerators will be prohibited shortly to prevent ozone depleting substances entering the country because importing second hand air conditioners and refrigerators in bulk has become a severe obstacle to attempts by Sri Lanka to phase out ozone depleting substances in accordance with the Montreal Protocol to which Sri Lanka is a signatory since 1989.  Harmful gases such as Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon (HCFC) in these equipment contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and Sri Lanka has targeted to phase out HCFC completely by 2030. The National Ozone Unit (NOU) promotes and encourages the use of electrical items containing ozone friendly gases and chemicals.

As developed countries are gradually shifting to environmental friendly modern technologies, these countries sell electrical goods produced using old technologies that contain ozone depleting substances at cheaper rates to developing countries. Certain local importers collect these items discarded by these countries and bring them to Sri Lanka. These items even though sold at cheaper rates in the market are outdated, not energy efficient and consume more power resulting in the increase in household electricity bills. Due to these reasons there is no long term benefit for the consumers from these second hand electrical items, especially air conditioners and refrigerators, adding that the wrong impression people have about these items should be changed.

Import restrictions and limitations for items that carry HCFC have been imposed in Sri Lanka since the beginning of this year.   The NOU is working to introduce a new green labeling system shortly for refrigerators and air conditioners with the coordination of Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) to cater to this purpose. Attention has also been paid towards introducing a star rating system to indicate the energy efficiency in them as presently done for the CFL bulbs. The NOU Director also pointed out that since the technology to dispose ozone depleting substances are not available in Sri Lanka, the discarded items should be sent to the USA incurring additional costs, adding that the USA not only charges money from the developing countries, but also gains carbon credit from this move.

Bank of Ceylon Awarded Asia’s Best Brand Award 2013

Bank of Ceylon was awarded Asia’s Best Brand award 2013 by the Chief Marketing Officer’s Council (CMO Council) based in Mumbai, India. Bank of Ceylon is the only Sri Lankan bank to receive this Asia’s Best Brand award in 2013 at the 4th CMO Asia Awards for Branding and Marketing held at Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore on the 31st July 2013. Asia’s Best Brand Awards are judged by the Global Research Cell of the CMO Council and this award was presented to Bank of Ceylon after evaluating its “Mind Share”, which indicates a brand’s strength inside the minds of customers, “Market share”, which shows a brand’s strength in the operating market in terms of customer’s buying behavior and “Commitment Share” which indicates a brand’s strength in encouraging customers to buy that brand in the future.

Bank of Ceylon Chief Marketing Officer Indunil Liyanage accepted this award on behalf of Bank of Ceylon at a prestigious ceremony which was attended by close to 200 well-known officials in the region including leaders and senior decision makers in the spheres of marketing and branding. The CMO Asia is represented in 35 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Other internationally renowned brands such as Malaysia Airlines, Samsung Electronics, Linkedin, Fuji Xerox, Globe Telecom, Master Card, Qatar Airways, Telecom Malaysia, Walmart Asia and The Jetstar Group are among Asia’s Best Brands. Now Bank of Ceylon is also in this international league. BOC has branches in Chennai, Male and banking operations in London. Bank of Ceylon Chairman, President’s Counsel Razik Zarook commented that “Brand Finance Lanka ranked Bank of Ceylon as the No: 01 brand for the last five consecutive years and the bank is also ranked among the top 1000 banks in the world above all other Sri Lankan banks (country ranking is No: 01) by “The Banker” magazine UK in 2013.

BOC has penetrated half of the population in the country with 10 million account holders with over 1,000 customer touch points covering all parts of the country. Bank of Ceylon is the only bank in Sri Lanka with an asset base of over Rs.1 trillion and is the market leader in the banking and financial services sector in Sri Lanka”. Bank of Ceylon General Manager Mr. D.M. Gunasekara stated that “BOC’s strategic marketing initiatives have enabled us to take the BOC brand forward and this award further establishes the strength of our brand. Bank of Ceylon is truly the No: 01 Bank in Sri Lanka and is among Asia’s Best Brands. At this juncture, I would like to thank our loyal customers, dedicated staff and all stakeholders who have supported us to elevate the BOC brand to great heights”. 

India in the "ProFood ProPack and Agbiz 2013, Sri Lanka

 The ProFood, ProPack and Agbiz 2013 was inaugurated at BMICH, Colombo. India is participating in the event as a partner country. This year, about 65 Indian companies are participating in the exhibition. The number of Indian companies in the exhibition has grown over the years.The Indian companies are showcasing a wide range of agro and food products, bakery & kitchen equipment, hotel equipment, packaging equipment & machinery, ready-to-eat snack foods, pulps, fruit juices, health foods, curry paste and chocolates, organic spices etc. The exhibition will provide an ideal opportunity for the food processing & packaging companies from India to partner with Sri Lankan companies to work together. The food processing industry holds immense potential for small-scale entrepreneurs.

 The Indian High Commissione Y. K. Sinha  met Indian exhibitors

The Indian companies are participating under the banner of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and from Kerala and other individual companies. APEDA is an apex body set up under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India for the development and promotion of export of agricultural products including Floriculture, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Foods, Livestock Products, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic beverages, cereal products etc. Under the banner of APEDA, around 20 Indian companies had successfully participated in the “Pro Food Pro Pack 2011”. APEDA pavilion was adjudged the best pavilion in the international category at the “Pro Food Pro Pack 2012”.

The Indian food industry has witnessed strong growth over the past few years. India is the second largest producer of food items. Currently, the Indian processed food market is estimated at US$ 121 billion, with the market growing at a rate of 10% per annum. The market is expected to reach US$194 billion by 2015. According to APEDA, Indian’s agro and processed food exports increased by 63% to reach US$16.96 billion in the first 10 months of 2012-13, as compared to US $ 10.39 billion in the corresponding period in 2011-12. The food processing industry in India has attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) worth US$ 1,811.06 million during April 2000 to March 2013.

Madras Café banned in Tamil Nadu but screening in Sri Lanka soon

John Abraham starrer and Soojit Sarkar’s directed‘Madras Cafeé’ faces the heat of the Tamil Nadu activists and political parties. The film will see the light of the day today in every part of India except Tamil Nadu. The film is banned in Tamil Nadu for showing the LTTE group in bad light, but found place at a movie hall in Colombo. The pro-Tamil group demanded delete of some objectionable scenes but the leading actor of the film John refused to do so. He claimed that if censor board has not objection in any scene of the film then why should he delete those scenes. The film is set in the late 1980s and early 1990s and includes the time when Mr Gandhi was assassinated by Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels in 1991 at an election rally in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

A spokesperson for Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the producers of Madras Café, told that the movie was released in Colombo after a cinema regulatory body there suggested a minor 10-second cut. But he did not reveal what it was about. “There were no apprehensions over Madras Café’s release. We secured its approval straightaway as it is neutral at all levels,” said the source. He, however, added that not a single theatre owner in the State was willing to screen the film as they were scared stiff over its repercussions. Director Shoojit Sircar describes the film, which will be released across India and many parts of the world on 23 August, as "an espionage thriller", but concedes that it draws from real-life events.

Scenes in Madras Café

“Theatre owners are worried that should the movie release, the halls would be vandalised. So they are not willing to take any risks. Our marketing personnel are in constant touch with them,” he added. Madras Café was slated to release in 200 screens in TN and Kerala on Friday.It now seems that the release of its Hindi and Tamil versions might be deferred to next week. Asserting that the movie was non-derogatory, he pointed out that the Hindi prints were certified U/A more than a month ago. The intent behind releasing it in Tamil, was to let people know more about the situation then. All allegations leveled against the movie are baseless and specious arguments, he averred. “There is no reference to Malayalees as suggested by some groups,” he said.

The movie’s overseas release, too, was marred with hostilities, ranging from bomb threats and opposition by outfits. Movie halls screening Madras Cafe in UK reportedly received bomb threats – pro-Tamil outfits had expressed displeasure at its screening in Singapore. ‘Madras Café’ is the third film in a row to face a ban in Tamil Nadu this year. Earlier, Kamal Hassan’s ‘Vishwaroopam’ and Vijay’s 'Thalaivaa' were objected to be released in the state.  

Top AAC Students rewarded at Annual Academic Awards Ceremony

A batch of talented Sri Lankan students who are due to leave to Kingston University London next month to complete their degree, were awarded at the annual awarded ceremony for their tremendous performance in their first two years of studies at AAC, for the 17th consecutive year. Asian Aviation Centre (AAC), incorporating the AAC Flight Academy and the AAC Engineering Academy held its Annual Academic Awards Ceremony  with the participation of  Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Chairman, Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd  as the Chief Guest.

Chairman Chandran Ratnam addressing the gathering

The engineering academy also conducted a programme of air craft maintenance technicians for a group of the Sri Lanka Navy who would be  expecting to join the aviation maintenance branch of the Sri Lanka Navy said Mr.Chandran Rutnam, the Chairman of the Asian Aviation Centre addressing the audience at the ceramonay. 31 cadet pilot officers those who have successfully completed their training programmes at the flight academy,  Ratmalana  have been given employments in Sri Lankan airlines, the chairman noted. It was highlighted that the various of commercial airliners are expecting to offer employment opportunities to the cadet pilots those who are from Asian Aviation Centre flight academy.

  

The Asian Aviation Centre (Pvt )Ltd was registered as a private limited liability company in 1985 to operate a flying training school providing ab-initio pilot training. The flying school Sri Lankas Premier Centre that molds the youngsters to reach the sky high limits yet again took glory for a remarkable job done by producing some of Sri Lankas finest pilots. The College Air Craft Maintenance students have been increasingly popular not only among the National Carriers but also the International. Once again a fistful of AAC Aircraft Maintenance Engineering fully qualified students were given recognition in order to be hired by many organizations around the World. The Asian Aviation Centre has been in operation for over 28 years with both a Flying School as well as an Engineering School.

In 1990 , apart from flying training activities, the AAC commenced a programme of  aircraft maintenance and  enable its students to sit for the Aircraft Maintenance engineers licenses examination conducted by the department of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka (name later changed as  Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka). The AAC flight academy is the premier flying training school in Sri Lanka based at the  Asian Aviation Centre Complex,  Ratmalana. The ground school activities and the flying training are carried out at the main complex in Ratmalana. The flying school has been training many local and  international students from countries such as Germany, United Kingdom , Nigeria, Malaysia, India ,Switzerland, Holland , Iran , Norway , Singapore, South Africa, Korea and Maldives upto commercial pilot license with instrument rating (CPL/IR) and multi engine rating. The acedemay has also successfully provided a basic flying training for two groups of cadets from the Sri Lanka Air Force .

  

Air Vice Marshal E.G.J.P. De Silva ( Retd)- Director of studies , Asian Aviation Centre, Ms.Nihara Jayatilleke –Managing Directress - Asian Aviation Centre,  and Mr.Prasanna Wickramasuriya –Chairman at Airport and Aviantion Services (Sri Lanka)Ltd  also expressed their views in this academic awards ceremony. 

Economic ties between Sri Lanka and Israel are growing

Diamonds, brought down from Israel to Sri Lanka, are cut and polished here and shipped back to Israel. Annually, such diamond exports exceed US $ 40 m mark and in 2012, Israel became the second largest Lankan diamond buyer with a total of $ 54 Mn. According to the Export Development Board, Sri Lanka’s overall exports to Israel increased by a strong 30% in 2012 to US $ 74.36 m. Diamonds were the leading export in 2012 with 73% of total exports, followed by tea, frozen fish, rubber products, and textile articles.

The Lankan embassy in Tel Aviv has lined up nearly 50 business giants and personalities to visit Sri Lanka for partnerships and joint ventures in dairy, agriculture, high tech, water and tourism. Some of the visiting firms are experts in advancing underdeveloped agricultural lands and other underdeveloped industries and they already work with Companies in China and USA. As a result of the Sri Lankan embassy’s  in Tel Aviv effort,  a top Israeli Business and High-Tech mission is arriving in Colombo next week.

“This is the strongest such delegation to arrive in Sri Lanka in recent times. Among the delegation are high-end Israeli companies in dairy, agriculture, high tech, water and tourism and they are willing to share their knowledge and experience gained in these sectors, with our industries" said Sarath Wijesinghe, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Israel , speaking from Tel Aviv. The Ambassador shall be leading the 30 strong Mission to Sri Lanka whose visit is now scheduled from 25-31 August. Among the firms included in this mission are Naan Dan Jain (agro-irrigation), Earnix (Banks, Financial Institutions, Insurance), A & G Partners (innovative consulting), Niru Group (diamonds), Magic (enterprise software), Afimilk (dairy farming), and Agrotop (livestock). While in Colombo, the delegation is scheduled to take part in a B2B Forum, and will undertake several on-site visits.

US$ 200m ADB loan to improve the secondary education in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government receives a US$ 200 million loan facility  from the Asian Development Bank has granted to ‘revamp’ the country’s secondary school system. The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Sri Lanka Country Director, Rita O’Sullivan, and Secretary to the Treasury and Alternate Governor for Sri Lanka in ADB, P. B. Jayasundera, have signed an agreement for a US$ 200 million loan to help the Government of Sri Lanka revamp its secondary school system to cut youth unemployment and meet the country’s urgent need for a skilled workforce, a joint statement said.

Getting ready to next step 

The money would be utilized to upgrade the school facilities, train teachers, enhance the number of students studying science and commerce and also to train school administrators to improve their leadership, management, and planning are among several other planned activities. "The loan marks the first results-based lending program approved by ADB. Loan payments will be linked to the achievement of goals such as the rollout of a full curriculum in schools, implementation of a technology stream, and training principal teachers. The program supports the Government of Sri Lanka’s Education Sector Development Framework and Program for 2013-2017.

"Effective schools with competent teachers and good facilities are critical for young people to learn the skills they need to find good jobs once they graduate and, in doing so, to contribute to economic growth in Sri Lanka," said Ms. O’ Sullivan. "Under the Education Sector Development Program, ADB’s loan will finance the development of a national student assessment framework, which integrates school assessments with external exams to improve pass rates, and supports the introduction of technology classes to allow secondary school graduates to move more easily into vocational courses. School facilities will be upgraded and training and placement of teachers carried out to raise the number and enhance the capabilities of students studying science and commerce. School principals and education agency staff will receive training to improve school leadership, management, and planning, and a financing facility will be developed to ensure that upgraded equipment and facilities are properly maintained", She further added.

The government will spend US$ 4.8 billion to implement the National Education Section Strategic Plan for General Education over a period of 5 years from 2013 to 2017 under the Medium Term Expenditure Framework of the government and the ADB has agreed to give 4 percent of the total cost. While Sri Lanka has achieved strong primary education enrolment and high literacy levels, the end of the civil conflict and the anticipated rapid economic growth had made improvement of survival rates through secondary education and the increase in relevance of the knowledge and skills to meet the requirements of the private sector more urgent and necessary. The government's five-year plan envisages these challenges and the ADB will provide technical assistance to implement the project. The Cabinet has approved the Sri Lankan President's proposal to enter into a loan agreement with the ADB. 

3,000 kidney patients in Uva may die within six to ten months

The Uva Provincial Health Ministry today said it feared that a majority of the 3,000 kidney patients now receiving treatment might be dead within the next six to ten months. “Some 3,000 kidney patients are receiving medical treatment in Uva Province and their lives are at risk,” Uva Provincial Health Secretary Sandhya Ambanwala said. She said the investigations carried out by doctors, university professors and health ministry officials had revealed that the disease was caused by the use of arsenic, pesticide and chemical fertilizer.

Meanwhile, a majority of ordinary patients suffering from chronic renal failure in the North Central, North Eastern and Mahaweli B zone areas had to buy costly drugs from pharmacies to be used in the dialysis machines.Although the Health Ministry spends around Rs.3,500 million annually for the treatment of nearly 30,000 kidney patients, adequate funds had not been allocated to purchase drugs required for renal dialysis treatment,Health Ministry sources said.

North Central Province Medical Officer (Planning) Dr.Dammika de Silva told that the patients had to purchase the required drugs from private pharmacies and due to this many patients were compelled to neglect the prescribed treatment. Dr.de Silva said that hundreds of people living in Madawachchiya, Padaviya, Kebethigollawa, Elahara and Mahaweli B Zone are seeking medical attention due to chronic kidney failure.Although medical experts were of the view that ,cooking in aluminium pots,illicit liquor brewed with agro-chemicals and drinking water without boiling were the cause for chronic kidney failure.

Referring to the preventive programmes,Dr.de Silva said that the root cause for kidney failure had not been detected and mismanagement of preventive programmes introduced had also aggravated the rapid spread of the disease.Even though the spread of kidney disease was on the increase so far no action had been taken to conduct scientific research with the assistance of international medical experts.Local and international medical experts had substantiated that high content of fluoride in the water was not the cause for chronic renal failure.

Preventive programmes and research work were mismanaged so that new cases had increased.Clinical management on kidney patients left much to be desired.If the health authorities fail to take appropriate action to prevent the spread of the disease there will be thousands of new patients in another five years time. Health authorities warned. He noted that babies born to kidney patients could have deformities.Purchasing drugs for renal dialysis machines at subsidised prices could relieve ordinary people from neglecting treatment.

Sri Lanka’s FDIs on the rise, a US $ 2 billion target for 2013

Sri Lanka received US $ 537 million worth Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the first half of 2013, CeyNews reported. Sri Lanka has set a FDI target of US $ 2 billion for 2013. In 2012, Sri Lanka received US $ 1.34 billion in FDIs, falling short from a target of US $ 1.5 billion. Meanwhile, net inflows to the stock market and commercial banks in the first half stood at US $120.2 million and US $ 664.3 million respectively. Net inflows to the government securities market amounted to US $ 664.4 million. Sri Lanka targets FDIs to be at least 2 percent of GDP for the next 4 to 5 years.

Notable inflows to the financial account include FDI inflows amounting to $ 537.0 million, net inflows to the stock market of $ 120.2 million, net inflows to the Government securities market amounting to $ 664.4 million and inflows to commercial banks of $ 664.3 million during the period. Such inflows display that foreign investors’ confidence in Sri Lanka has remained unchanged despite the volatility caused by global markets reacting to prospects of the tapering of quantitative easing by advanced economies,” the Central Bank said in its statement following the August Monetary Policy review. It also said that in the external sector, merchandise exports in June 2013 have showed some turnaround, recording a positive year-on-year growth after the decline observed in the past 15 months.

Meanwhile, imports have also inched up in June (year-on-year), driven partially by the importation of certain one-off items, expanding the trade deficit during the month. However, the cumulative performance in merchandise trade depicts a salutary 7.1% decline in the trade deficit for the first six months of 2013. Earnings from tourism and workers’ remittances have continued to improve, whilst financial inflows have been substantial in the first half of the year. Central Bank stated that the recent global developments have been reasonably encouraging with the US economy and the Eurozone showing signs of economic recovery in the second quarter of the year.

“The positive developments in advanced economies, if continued, would augur well for domestic economic growth as a result of a stronger performance of the external sector. At the same time, however, the wide fluctuations of currencies of trading partners and competitors in the international market would need to be closely monitored in order to address any adverse effects on Sri Lanka’s external balance in the period ahead,” the Central Bank added.   

Transfer of sentenced Indian prisoners from Sri Lanka to India

An illegal Indian fishing boat arrested in Sri Lankan waters is escorted by the Sri Lank Navy 

Total of 31 sentenced prisoners under detention in Sri Lanka were found eligible for transfer to India pursuant to the signing of the bilateral agreement on transfer of sentenced prisoners between India and Sri Lanka in June 2010, the Indian high commission in Colombo said .  As stipulated in the Agreement, to facilitate the social rehabilitation of sentenced prisoners into their own country, cases of these prisoners were duly processed by the Government of Sri Lanka and forwarded to the Government of India for completion of required formalities on the Indian side.   

On completion of all formalities, these prisoners have been transferred back to India in two batches.  The first batch of 20 prisoners (6 from Kerala and 14 from Tamil Nadu) were  earlier transferred in February-March, 2013, whereas the process of transfer of  the second batch of 9 prisoners to Tamil Nadu was completed between 12 to 15 August, 2013. This brings the total number of prisoners transferred under this Agreement from Sri Lanka to India, to 29. The Indian High Commissioner acknowledged the assistance rendered by all concerned departments of the Government of Sri Lanka  and expressed hope for continued cooperation in this area. 

A 21% growth in Fruit and vegetable exports from Sri Lanka

Fresh fruit and vegetable exports recorded a 21.8% growth in the first six months of this year, CeyNews reported. The fresh fruit and vegetable sector recorded this growth despite a slump in exports of other commodities. Export revenue has been declining since last year with a revenue drop of 6.8 percent in April this year according to the Central Bank. Export decline has been attributed to the low global demand for commodities. Fresh fruits and vegetables is one sector that has grown when other sectors have recorded a decline in exports. Credit should go to the Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association which is targeting an export revenue of Rs. 4,000 million by the end of this year.

Fruits and vegetables in Sri Lanka

The exporter is confident that they could achieve that target. Sri Lanka exports fresh fruits and vegetables to the Middle East, Europe and the Maldives. Export of fruits and vegetables has grown from 10-12 varieties to around 135 varieties. More than 17 varieties of salads are exported.Sri Lanka produces more than 800,000 metric tons of fruits and vegetables annually and exports fresh and processed varieties to many countries. Around 90 per cent of fresh products are exported to the Middle East and the Maldives and around 75 percent of the processed products to the European market.

Fruits and vegetables are primarily grown by the semi commercialised small farmers whose individual extent of land does not exceed a hectare. The government has encouraged private sector involvement in commercial cultivation. Sri Lanka will commence seed paddy production and supply the local market as import substitution for Thai Basmathi rice by 2015. We will commence exports to India under the FTA and also to Africa. Harvesting of big onions has commenced in Dambulla, North Western region and Matale which will help reduce imports by around 30 percent. Sri Lanka imports Rs. 750 million worth of big onions annually. 

1,000 commercial farmers will be recruited with the help of the University of Wayamba, Ruhuna, Uva Wellasa to help them become commercial farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. Paddy production in Sri Lanka recorded an all time high of 4.869 million metric tons in 2012/13. Agriculture is the most common livelihood of Sri Lankans, and about 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown in Sri Lanka’s varied agro-climatic areas.The cool and salubrious condition in the hill country are ideal for crops such as carrot, leeks, cabbage, cauliflower, salad leaves, beet, bean, bell pepper, salad cucumber while dry and wet areas of the low country are suitable for tropical fruits and vegetables ranging from green chilli, red onion, pumpkin, bitter gourd, melon, sweet and sour banana types, queen pineapple, papaya, mango, lemon and gherkin.

The increase in paddy production is attributed to the end of the battle against terrorism which helped bring vast acreages of land in the North and the East under the plough. The government's fertiliser subsidy has encouraged farmers to increase rice production. Sri Lanka is currently self-sufficent in rice and maize which will be exported next year. Sri Lanka has been exporting rice to the Middle East and Europe where Sri Lankan and Indian expatriates consume Sri Lankan varieties of rice. Rice is the staple food in Asia and Africa which is looking for white long grained rice similar to rice in Thailand and Malaysia. Since rice eating is a traditional habit to make people to consume a new variety is a difficult task but if we persist and promote the health benefits of Sri Lankan rice which is produced using pesticides and weedicides with minimum chemicals, the world will buy our rice. 

Princess Tsuguko, Japanese Princess in Sri Lanka

Princess Tsuguko at the Airport today

Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, the eldest daughter of Japanese Prince Takamado  arrives in Sri Lanka on a four-day visit from August 19 to 23 in response to an invitation extended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa during the latter's visit to Japan in March this year.Princess Tsuguko was born on March 8, 1986 to Prince and Princess Takamado and celebrated her coming of age in March 2006. After studying at the University of Edinburgh, Princess Tsuguko returned to Japan in 2008. In March 2013, she graduated from the School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University and is presently attached to the Japan Committee for UNICEF, but attends ceremonies and functions at the Imperial Palace and other official events.

Her grandfather, Prince Takahito of Mikasa visited Sri Lanka in 1956 and was gifted with a baby elephant by then Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake, which was subsequently donated to the TAMA Zoological Park in Tokyo. President Rajapaksa donated two more baby elephants to the same zoological park during his official visit to Japan in March this year in the presence of Princess Tsuguko. Thereafter, the Sri Lankan government invited her to visit Sri Lanka.Princess Tsuguko will visit the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and the Sri Mahabhodhi at Anuradhapura.

She will also pay a courtesy call on President Rajapaksa at the President's House in Kandy. Princess Tsuguko will also meet the Diyadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela and view the Sri Dalada Perehera. She will tour some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites and other sites of historical importance in Sri Lanka, the botanical gardens at Peradeniya and engage in a tour of a National Park to view elephants prior to her on August 23. 

NWSDB Bottled water for drinking on the market soon

NWSDB to start bottling water for drinking 

The first time ever the state sector National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) in Sri Lanka has planned to initiate a bottled water project to provide potable water to the areas of the country where safe drinking water is scarce or not available. NWSDB sources say that the state board expects to introduce the bottled water to the market at a lower price than the average market price. At present, Sri Lanka's bottled water industry, which is million rupee profitable businesses, is entirely run by the private sector. NWSDB plans to introduce the bottled water to the market within the next two months. The first batch of water bottles are planned to be sold in the Anuradhapura District in the dry zone, which has issues regarding the safety of the drinking water. NWSDB could manufacture drinking water at a very law rate than any other company in Sri Lanka as the main resource, water, is under its control. If  the government could shoulder this business in large scale, both the industry and prices would be competitive.

Possible legal action against Fonterra if found wrong doing

The government may even seriously consider legal action against the New Zealand dairy product company Fonterra if any wrongdoing found and has decided to examine the issue of the contamination of milk powder imported from this  company, CeyNews reported. The government is committed to provide the people with healthy foods and follows a clear and accurate policy regarding the contaminated dairy food items and the foods enriched with Whey Protein. The Cabinet has app

Legal action is imminent if Fonterra found wrong doing

roved appointing a sub-committee to examine the contamination issue and make its recommendations for future measures. The sub-committee is expected to submit its report to the next cabinet meeting in two weeks. The government may consider legal actions, if Fonterra is found to have distributed milk containing the toxic agrochemical dicyandiamide (DCD).

A special discussion was also held at the Ministry of Mass Media regarding the advertisements on controversial food items carried out by major advertising firms.

The ministry has urged the advertising companies to be ethical in this issue and self- regulate their advertisements to promote responsible advertising of food items. Sri Lanka's Health Ministry last week banned the sales of 39 metric tons of Fonterra's milk powder in two batches after tests conducted within the country found traces of DCD in the batches tested. However, the New Zealand diary maker has disputed Sri Lanka's test results saying that the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) which conducted the tests doesn't have the necessary equipment to conduct an accurate assessment of contaminant presence.

Following the directive by the Food Advisory Committee of the Health Ministry, Anchor One Plus (Batch no.107610163) and Anchor Full Cream Milk Powder (batch no.0605C0883) batches distributed in March have been removed from stores. The Ministry warned that legal action will be taken against errant traders who try to sell Fonterra milk powder belonging to those batches on the sly.

Meanwhile, The international reaction to Fonterra's whey contamination crisis continues to grow, according to overseas reports. A Vietnamese dairy product firm, Abbott Vietnam, has recalled another 4300 cans of infant formula following continuing concern over whey concentrate from New Zealand tainted with botulism-causing spores. The company says it has received information from the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries that the cans in question, though not made with the contaminated whey, could have been tainted since they were packed with the same equipment. Indonesia has decided to ban the importation of all infant formula products through its Batam port as a precautionary measure, while it investigates whether products containing whey protein concentrate have entered the market. Bangladesh has also beefed up checks at its main seaport to control entry of Fonterra product, although the Government there doesn't know yet whether any such products are imported.

The Historic Kandy Esala Perahera (the festival of the tooth)

  The Tooth Relic and Esala Perahera

Esala Perahera (the festival of the tooth) is the grand festival of Esala held in Sri Lanka. It is very grand with elegant costumes. Happening in July or August in Kandy, it has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist festival consisting of dances and nicely decorated elephants. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances. The elephants are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional 'diya-kepeema'. The Esala believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected 'Peraheras' (Processions) - The Esala and Dalada. The Esala Perahera which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BC, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th century CE, eight hundred years after the passing away of the Buddha.

According to tradition, the Tooth Relic was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha. The rituals connected with the Tooth Relic are conducted by Monks of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters of the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka. It is the duty of the Diyawadana Nilame to organize the Perahera and thus he summons the large number of officials of the Temple of the Tooth and entrusts them with various ceremonial duties connected with the conducting of the Perahera. He first gets the auspicious time from the Nekath Mohottala, the advisor on astrological matters. The task of organising the different types of drummers is handed over to the four officials known as the Panikka Mura Baarakaruwo.

The Maligawa officials also meet the owners of the elephants due to take part in the Perahera (most elephants are privately owned). The dance troupes are given time to prepare. The Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales) are then told to organise their processions. For the next five nights, the 'Devale Peraheras' take place within the premises of the four Devales with the priest of each Devale taking the pole every evening, accompanied by music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers, spearman and the Ran Ayudha, the sacred insignia of the Gods. On the sixth night, the Kumbal Perahera begins and continues on for five days. Initially, the Devale Peraheras assemble in front of the Temple of the Tooth, which is Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist Shrine and where the Buddha's Sacred Tooth Relic has been kept since the 16th Century) with their insignias placed on the ransivige (a dome-like structure) accompanied by the Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales).

The relic casket, which is a substitute for the Tooth Relic, is placed inside the ransivige affixed to the Maligawa Elephant, a the Maligawa Perahera joins the awaiting Devale Peraheras and leads the procession. Whip-crackers and fireball acrobats clear the path, followed by the Buddhist flag bearers. Then, riding on the first elephant, is the official called Peramuna Rala (Front Official). He is followed by Kandyan Drummers and Dancers who enthrall the crowd, and are themselves followed by elephants and other groups of musicians, dancers and flag bearers. A group of singers dressed in white heralds the arrival of the Maligawa Tusker carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic. The Diyawadana Nilame (traditionally required to do everything in his power to ensure rain in the correct season) walks in traditional Kandyan-clothed splendor after the tusker.

The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in Kandy, dating back to the 14th Century. The third is from the Vishnu Devale (Vishnu being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in front of the main gate of the Natha Devale. The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of Katharagama, identified with the warrior god Skanda) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in Kandy). This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim-dances carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders. The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale (Pattini being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has women dances.

IMF cautions on Sri Lanka’s aggressive monetary strategy

International Monetary Fund is  very concerned about the aggressive monetary policy easing pursued by the Sri Lankan authorities to spur growth amid looming inflationary pressures. The IMF also expressed concern over the possibility of repeating the credit cycle the country had to undergo during post war period which led to a credit bubble and a Balance of Payment crisis ultimately costing as much as US $ 2.0 billion in reserves. The authorities had to bring in a very painful policy package and had to tighten monetary and fiscal fronts and adopt a flexible exchange rate regime to rein in the overheating economy during the first quarter of 2012, IMF noted. 

“We would be very cautious about being too aggressive in relation to loosening monetary policy both in terms of its costly effects on exchange rates, interest rates and especially we worry about starting another credit cycle and perhaps boosting imports once again,” IMF Resident Representative, Dr.Koshy Mathai said.   “Inflation is still far too high,” Mathai remarked at a panel discussion recently. After two rounds of monetary easing since last December which cut the repurchase and the reverse repurchase rate by 75 basis points, the Central Bank governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal last month expressed the possibility of further easing by September or October in an interview with Wall Street Journal.

Two Japanese warships arrived in Colombo

Setogiri DD- 156  and Ariake DD- 109  docked in the harbour 

Two Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, Ariake DD- 109 and Setogiri DD- 156, arrived at the Port of Colombo for logistics requirements, The ships are en route for Counter Piracy Operations off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. They were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. Head of the team, Commander Escort Division 7, Captain Hirofumi Shimizu and Ships’ Commanding Officers, Commander Yoshihiro Kai and Commander Toshiyuki Iwanami paid a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill.

“Ariake” is a destroyer with two helicopters onboard. It is 150.5 meters in length. It consists of a complement of 200 naval personnel and has a displacement of 4,550 tons. “Setogiri” is also a destroyer with a helicopter onboard. It is 137 meters in length and has a displacement of 3,550 tons. It consists of a complement of 200 naval personnel. The ships’ complements will participate in a special programme organized by the Sri Lanka Navy during their stay in Sri Lanka.  

Australia-bound 111 persons handed over to CID

The boat 111 people on-board is escorted by the SL Navy

A group of 111 illegal immigrants that were rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy on their boat  trip to Australia, has been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department. Sri Lanka Navy captured all the Australia-bound persons in the deep seas of Southern Sri Lanka. They were intercepted by Sri Lanka Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Samudura with the assistance of two fast naval patrol craft attached to the Southern Naval Command 220 Kilometers south of Galle. Among the 111 arrested persons are 03 Sinhalese and 108 Tamils that included 46 men, 20 women and 45 children. They are residents of Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Puttalam, Jaffna and Mullaithivu.  

Despite Sri Lanka Navy's efforts and Australia's recent measure of sending the boat people directly to Nauru and Papua New Guinea, would-be asylum seekers continue attempting to migrate to Australia.

Solutions offered to Rathupaswala residents by the president

President Mahinda Rajapaksa  ordered the relocation of the Dipped Products Glove factory which had been at the centre of the controversy in Weliweriya, leading to protests and clashes between residents and security forces personnel, He also said any new factory set up in the future in Sri Lanka must be constructed within a BOI zone. The President gave these directives during a discussion with Rathupaswala area residents and relevant officials on the Weliweirya water issue  the Presidential Secretariat.  

President Mahinda Rajapaksa  

After listening to detailed accounts from residents, factory representatives and other officials, the President offered the following solutions to help resolve the situation:

     1.The main priority of the authorities in this region will be to ensure that the people receive safe water.

     2.The Government Analyst’s Department will carry out testing of the water and issue a report.

     3. If the report reveals that the factory has operated in a wrongful manner, the factory will be shut down immediately.

     4.If the report reveals that the factory has operated within the regulations, the company will be given a stipulated amount of reasonable time to relocate to a BOI zone.

In addition to these specific aspects, President Rajapaksa also stated that any new factory that will be located in Sri Lanka must be constructed within a BOI zone to prevent these types of problems in the future. The residents and the factory representatives, under the guidance of the President, agreed to allow the factory to make use of the items that have already been produced prior to ceasing of operations and to allow the factory administration to function until the report is published. The resident expressed satisfaction at the agreements reached and agreed to work with officials to help resolve the problem. President Rajapaksa urged the citizens to  refrain from taking the law into their own hands if a problem arises in the future and requested all parties to try their utmost to resolve crises through discussion.

Resident of Rathupaswala had engaged in a protest on August 01 claiming that the effluents released by the Dipped Products Glove factory is causing environmental and water pollution and demanded that it be shut down.  The protest however, turned deadly on August 1, when the security forces called to control the protesters blocking the main Colombo-Kandy Highway opened fire at them resulting in three deaths and injuries to scores. The dead were bystanders and two of them were students. However, The company, Dipped Products PLC, part of the Hayleys Group, however has rejected the accusations saying the factory’s effluent water quality is regularly tested by the National Building and Research Organization and that the facility operates with valid Environmental Protection Licence. 

Minister of Economic Development  . Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage  Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Social Services   Felix Perera, Secretary to the President  Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary of the Ministry of Defense and Urban Development Gotabhaya Rajapaksa,  Gampaha District parliamentarians, Western provincial council members, senior military officials and several other high-ranking government officials were present at the discussion.