ISSUE 1254 President discusses peace building ... 02 NEWSLANKA 17 DECEMBER - 2015 ISSUE 1254 By...

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President discusses peace building,reconciliation and climate with Pope

Sanga says selectors should focus on Test cricket

Future of politics in the country and the vision of the government

ISSUE 1254NEWSLANKA 17 DECEMBER - 2015PAGE 02

By Sujeeva Nivunhellain London

(island.lk) Former MinisterCounsellor of the Sri Lankan HighCommission in London, ChamindaKularatne, attorney-at-law, wasfelicitated by the Consular Corps ofLondon (CCL) for his services to SriLanka and Asia, last week.Kularatne who returned to Sri Lankaafter completing his term was inLondon for the felicitation ceremonyat the Churchill’s Library at HyattRegency Hotel.Kularatne was an executivecommittee member of the ConsularCorps of London. He was the onlyAsian in the Committee.More than 55 diplomats from Londondiplomatic community, including those fromAustralia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, China, Congo,France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, UAE, Ireland,Finland, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia attended theceremony.David Varney, Head of Parliamentary and

Diplomatic Protection delivered a special speechon "How to face Paris-style attack in London" atthis eventKularatne said that he was honored by the kindgesture of CCL and the credit should go to SriLanka.

Pictured here are Bernard Silver, Consul Genaral ofSeychelles, Ms. Elizabeth Stewart, Editor of Embassy

Magazine,. Christian Sys, Consul of Belgium and President ofConsular Corps of London and Chaminda Kularatne.

Consular Corps of London felicitatesex Lankan Minister Counsellor

By Saman Indrajith(island.lk) Police investigations into the allegedcoup attempt at Temple Tress in the morning on Jan09, 2015 had been completed, Law and Order andSouthern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaketold Parliament.The report of the police investigations had beensent to the Attorney General for further instructionsand the future course of action would be decided onthe basis of AG’s advice, the Minister said, addingthat the House would be kept informed of all detailspertaining to the coup attempt soon.The minister said so responding to a question

raised by UPFA Matara District MP DullasAlahapperuma.Alahapperuma said that responsible politicians ofthe present governmenthad made various statements with regard to analleged coup attempt and their statements had beengiven wide publicity in local and foreign media. TheMinister of Foreign Affairs and the governmentmedia spokesman at a post-Cabinet press briefingand in Parliament said that there had been such acoup attempt. Those statements had tarnished thename of the country, the MP said. Ratnayake saidhe would give a response to the House very soononce the Attorney General’s Department sent its

report.

SAITM to get clinicaltraining at Avissawella

Hospital( ) The Health Ministry today gavean undertaking to the Supreme Court to provideclinical training to the students of the SouthAsian Institute of Technology and Medicine(SAITM) at the Avissawella Base Hospital andthe Kaduwela MOH. Heath Ministry SecretaryAnura Jayasekera appearing gave theundertaking when a fundamental rights petitionfiled by a group of SAITM students was takenup for hearing. He said SAITM students wouldbe provided clinical training under four sectionsnamely forensic medicine, psychiatric medicine,public health and community medicine at theAvissawella Base Hospital and the KaduwelaMOH. Each student will have to pay Rs.50,000for his or her clinical training. Pursuant to theundertaking, the petitioners withdrew theirapplication. The Bench comprised Chief JusticeK. Sripavan, Justices Sisira J.De Abrew andAnil Gooneratne. The matter was fixed to bementioned on January 18 to consider theprogress. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silvaappeared for the Petitioners while Senior StateCounsel Shahida Barrie appeared for the

dailymirror.lk

respondents. (S.S. Selvanayagam)

Alleged TT coup attempt: Minister sayspolice awaiting AG’s advice

BY SUBASHINI SAMARANAYAKE

(Contd: on P4)

(island.lk) The Presidential Commission toInvestigate Complaints Regarding MissingPersons (PCICMP) has received 154 newcomplaints as of last Sunday.The Commission began its public sittings to hearcases of missing persons in Jaffna District onFriday (11).The Commissioners had so far inquired into 600out of 1,620 complaints, Secretary of theCommission H. W. Gunadasa told The Island.This is the second public sitting in Jaffna to call forevidence regarding missing persons in the district.The Commission had sittings in Nallur on Friday,Jaffna on Saturday and Point Pedro on Sunday

and in Vadamarachchi North (Point Pedro) onMonday. It will have sittings in the ValikamamSouthwest (Sandilipay) and Valikamam West(Chankanai) on Tuesday.The Commission will hear cases in ValikamamSouth (Uduvil) and Valikamam North (Tellipalai) onDec. 16.Since the establishment of the Commission onAugust 15, 2013, up to date it has received morethan 23,099 complaints including 5000 from therelatives of missing security forces personnel.The Commission has since then held publicsittings from January 2014 to August 2015 inKillinochchi, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Mannar,

Missing Persons Commission receives154 new complaints in Jaffna

ISSUE 1254 NEWSLANKA 17 DECEMBER - 2015 PAGE 03


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Millions paid in one goto Air Force to off setVIP family travel debt

(dailynews.lk) The Air Force isinvestigating to identify the person whomade a prompt payment of millions ofrupees owed to the Air Force for domesticair travels undertaken by some membersof a VIP family of the previousgovernment.The payments, which had been delayedfor a long period, had been paid hurriedly.The Air Force had informed about thispayment to the Presidential Commissionof Inquiry. However, the Air Force hasbeen unable to trace how the money waspaid and who paid it.

(dailynews.lk) The annual Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)Pilgrim season will begin on Poya day onDecember 24, 2015.The casket of relics and the statue of God SumanaSaman will be taken from the Galpottawala SriPada Rajamaha Vihara to the Sri Pada Maluwa onDecember 24.The pilgrimage season runs from Unduwap poya(December) to Wesak poya Festival (May),reaching its peak mid-season at Medin poya. At thistime, there is a constant stream of pilgrims & thetop can get very crowded. The busiest period isduring January to February.Approximately 20,000 people scale Adam's Peakon weekends during the pilgrimage season. Theendless steps can shake the strongest knees, & if

the shoes don't fit well toe-jam starts to hurt too.Hats would come handy since the morning sungets strong quite fast. Stretching leg musclesbefore & after the climb is a good idea so that wewill not be limping for the next few days. We canhave Ayurvedic oil massages too.The three routes taken by the pilgrims who climbthe Peak today are Ratnapura route, Kuruwitaroute and Hatton route.The Police calls upon the pilgrims to refrain fromcarrying or consuming liquor during the pilgrimageand to handover all musical instruments to thePolice Post for collection on their return. ThePolice warns to take legal action on pilgrims whoignore these instructions. (Govt. Info)

Sri Pada Season begins on 24 Dec.

(colombogazette.com) The government hasidentified heavy road congestion as one of themajor issues facing Colombo, Deputy Minister ofPublic Enterprise Development EranWickramaratne said today during the ColomboMayor’s Conference in Colombo.Wickramaratne said that 500,000 vehicles enteringColombo daily is neither eco-friendly nor anefficient means of getting from home to work orschool.“Time is wasted and people arrive late at officesand classrooms, tired and frustrated. The mainrailway station, Fort Railway station, hasn’tchanged since Independence in 1948,” he said.Wickramaratne said that the government is working

towards a public transport system that takes overfrom private transport.“As seen in Bangkok, it is necessary for thegovernment to explore investing metro systems,which allows for speedy journeys for those living inthe outstations. This expands access to humancapital for employers, increasing job possibilities forthose in the job market. We know that in someAsian cities you use smart cards as an integratedsystem to pay for transportation. Why can this notbe introduced in Colombo over the next 5-yearperiod? According to DNV GL, in America, Uberand Waze (Google) are sharing anonymized traveldata with the City of Boston to apply smart data totraffic decongestion,” he said. (Colombo Gazette)

Over 500,000 vehicles enter Colombo daily

Missingfrom P2Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Ampara. Duringthese sittings, the Commission recorded oralevidence in 3,252 complainants.Those complaints are being analysed by anindependent investigative team.

The Commission has held regular meetings withthe International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)and the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and obtained their views on mattersrelating to missing persons at the end of aconflict.The Commission will continue its public sittings invarious parts of the North and East of Sri Lanka.

(sundaytimes.lk) Three mega road projects to belaunched next year, trip to Kandy in 75 minutesByDamith WickremasekaraThree mega expressway projects, including one tothe north through Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee, willbe launched next year, officials said.Funding for the projects estimated to cost US$ 13.4billion (Rs. 1,900 billion) will come from multiplesources including China, the Asian DevelopmentBank and local avenues, Road DevelopmentAuthority Director General M.P.K.L Gunaratne toldthe Sunday Times.He said the expressway to the Central Province willbe the first to be started in March next year, followedby the expressway between Kahathuduwa andPelmadulla and then the northern project.Thenorthern expressway would start from Dambulla andcut across Polonnaruwa, Kantale, Trincomalee andMullaitivu to reach Jaffna. It is estimated to cost US$5.5 billion.He said that earlier the plan was for the northernexpressway to be built through Vavuniya andKilinochchi.RDA Chairman Nihal R. Sooriyaarachchi said thechange was made to cater to the needs of theTrincomalee harbour and the thriving tourismindustry there. He said acquiring lands for the newexpressway would also be easier as it would passthrough largely uninhabited areas.He said that currently the RDA believed the A9 road

to Jaffna through Vavuniya and Kilinochchi wassufficiently developed.Central Expressway Project Director L.V.S.Weerakoon said this expressway would be built infour stages with construction taking placesimultaneously and more than 20 km of the roadwould be on elevated structures.The first stage of 37 km from Kadawatha toMirigama would be funded by China. The secondstage of 49 km from Mirigama to Kurunegala and theAmbepussa link road would be funded by the ADBwhile the third stage of 32.5 km from Pothuhera toGalagedara would be built with local funding. For thestage four of 60 km from Kurunegala to Dambulla,the funding source is yet to be determined, as is thefinal part from Galagedara to Katugastota.He said the 48 km Ruwanpura project fromKahathuduwa to Ratnapura would cost US$ 1.5billion and the 23 km from Ratnapura to Pelmadullawould cost US$ 2.2 billion. Highways MinisterLakshman Kiriella told the Sunday Times that oncethe central expressway project was completed thetravel time between Colombo and Kandy would beabout one hour and 15 minutes compared to the fourand half hours now.Mr. Kiriella said they hoped to complete the Kandyexpressway in three years. There would be servicestations and fuel stations in Mirigama with extrasafety features where the expressway passesthrough hills and difficult terrain.

Expressway to Jaffna through Polonnaruwaand Trincomalee

By Leon Berenger(sundaytimes.lk) A Junior National Rugby squadplayer participating in the Junior Rugby Asiadwas detained at the Singapore Airport after hewas found to be travelling on his brother’spassport, perhaps accidently, officials said.They said the Isipathana school boy left theBandaranaike International Airport (BIA) alongwith the squad of 25 but the passport mishapwas not detected by local Immigration officials.Schools Rugby Association President RanjithChandrasekera said he had been informed ofthe incident and arrangements were beingmade to bring the sportsman back home on the

first available flight. He would be sent back assoon as possible since Sri Lanka is scheduledto take on host Singapore in the opener today.Immigration Chief Nihal Ranasinghe said if itwas a genuine mistake then the player wouldhave to prove it on arrival at the BIA since hewould be detained by the Immigration. Hisfamily or officials would have to rush to the BIAand produce his passport to justify his claims orelse he would be detained further untilinvestigations are completed, he said. “Thisappears to be a genuine slip by the officials atthe BIA. The player and his brother may eitherbe twins or they look alike.

We do not have a biometric scanningsystem at the BIA and officials at theImmigration desk depend only on thepicture in the passport,” Mr. Ranasinghesaid. He said he would probe the slip toprevent a re-occurrence, becausesometimes it could be of a serious nature.Apart from Sri Lanka, the Junior RugbyAsiad includes teams from Singapore,Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Junior National ruggerite in passport red card

Leismaniasisspreading, warns

expertsat Peradeniya UniChamikara Weerasingheand Asela Kuruluwansa

(dailynews.lk) A flesh-eating skindisease known as Leismaniasis,transmitted through sand fly bites,is reportedly spreading in thecountry.Tropical medicine experts at thePeradeniya University yesterdaywarned that the disease is fastspreading. The Director, Centre forResearch in Tropical Medicine,Peradeniya University, Prof. S. A.M. Kularatna said at a pressconference in Getambe, thedisease is spreading via a certainspecies of sand flies.The affected people will havelesions on their faces, arms andbody. The lesions can evolveovertime, he said.Experts say that the disease isfound in 90 tropical countries,including Bangladesh, Brazil andIndia.It was first found from thecountry’s Eastern coastal areas.Anyone can contract Leismaniasisskin disease especially when theyare in outdoors between dusk anddawn when the sand flies are mostactive, they said.

(sundaytimes.lk) The Colombo Municipal Council, the pioneer local council in Sri Lanka, celebrates its 150thjubilee on Monday. Its landmark, the Colombo Town Hall, was decorated and a mega stage was set up for the

gala jubilee ceremonies and dinner attended by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe. Colombo residents express the hope that the jubilee would inspire the CMC to provide them a

more efficient service. Pic by Indika Handuwala.

CMC–150 Years

Crime CornerCouple found dead

in Elpitiya

Johnston granted bail

Women stabbed todeath and burnt in

Udupussellawa

Tenth suspect arrestedin Vithya murder

remanded

(dailymirror.lk) The bodies of a young coupleaged 23 and 18 years were recovered by ElpitiyaPolice near a waterfall this morning.The Elpitiya Police being alerted by the publicfound an unattended motorcycle near AdahelenaElla waterfall in Pituwala area.When searched the area furthermore the policefound the bodies of a young couple lying on theground. They also found a small bottle containingpoisonous substance near the bodies.The victims had been identified as residents ofNavadagala area, male aged 23 years and thefemale aged 18 years old.The bodies had been transferred to ElpitiyaHospital Morgue for the post mortem. (K. K. K)

(asianmirror.lk) TheAttorney Generalindicted State Ministerof Skills Developmentand Vocational TrainingPalitha Range Bandarain Colombo High Courtregarding an allegedincident of financialfraud.On March 22, 2002, Bandara had allegedlyaccepted Rs 5.4 million from an individual namedDinesh Rathnayake, after promising to give thepermit of a Mitsubishi Jeep in five years.Range Bandara was indicted under clause 403 ofthe Penal Code.

(dailymirror.lk) Former Minister JohnstonFernando was granted bail by the Colombo ChiefMagistrate over cases filed by the BriberyCommission for not declaring assets. Five casesfiled by the Bribery Corruption were taken upbefore the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

(ceylontoday.lk) A woman has been foundmurdered and burnt inside a house inUdupussellawa area, yesterday (14). The policeinvestigations has uncovered that the 25-year-oldvictim has been stabbed to death.The remains of the victim is kept at Nuwara Eliyahospital morgue, Udupussellawa Police isconducting further investigations to identify thesuspects.

public.(Colombo Gazette)

State Minister IndictedOver Financial

Transaction

(colombogazette.com) A tenth suspect arrestedover the murder of schoolgirl SivaloganathanVithya in Jaffna, was produced in court today andordered to be remanded.Vithya was abducted and was believed to havebeen gang-raped before she was killed. Earliernine suspects had been arrested over the incident.However the police arrested another suspect andproduced him in court today. The tenth suspectwas identified as Jayawardena Rajkumar.The incident had sparked an outrage in Jaffna withviolent protests held by students and the


(ft.lk) The Colombo Fort Magistrate extended theremand of former Securities and ExchangeCommission (SEC) Chairman Dr. NalakaGodahewa and two others till 23 December.Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanagerejected bail pleas of the three defendantsaccused of financial fraud at the SEC.The defense counsel told court that there wereno substantial facts in the case to keep themremanded but the judge refused to grant bail.Dr. Godahewa was arrested by the FinancialCrime Investigation Division of police on 7December when he arrived at the FCID to make

a statement. The Fort Magistrate remanded himtill 14 December.The former SEC Chairman was summoned tothe FCID to record a statement regarding a Rs. 5million ‘grant’ allegedly given by the regulator forthe Tharunyata Hetak Fund headed by theformer President’s son, MP Namal Rajapaksatwo years ago.The police on 4 December arrested two seniorofficials of the SEC – former Deputy DirectorGeneral of the SEC Dhammika Perera andRonny Ibrahim over the fraud alleged to havetaken place in 2013.

(dailynews.lk) Former IGP JayanthaWickramaratne was questioned by the CIDyesterday in connection with the murderof former Editor of The Sunday Leadernewspaper, Lasantha Wickremetunga. Ahighly placed police source saidPrassana Nananaykara who was aSenior DIG at the time of the murderand former Mount Lavinia police SSPHemantha Adikari were also questioned.The CID is also to obtain advice from the AttorneyGeneral to question Army intelligence officer

Kandegedera Piyawansa, who was arrested forthe murder.

The Army intelligence officer was earlieraccused of giving false evidence.Wickrematunge, the founder editor ofThe Sunday Leader, was assassinatedon January 8, 2009 by four assailantswho stopped him on his way to his officeand opened fire at him.Investigation into the murder was

reopened this year with the change of thegovernment.

(adaderana.lk) The Colombo Magistrate’s Courttoday (15) set the trial for former UPFA MP Sajinde Vass Gunawardena in connection with thecase filed against him by the Commission toInvestigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.The case will be again taken up for hearing onFebruary 02, 2016.The Bribery Commission earlier filed actionagainst Gunawardena under section 9 of theDeclaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1on 1975.Anti-corruption body has so far barred the

Parliamentarian and former central bankgovernor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from leaving thecountry because of corruption complaints.On January 22, the Bribery Commission issued adirective to the Department of Immigration andEmigration (DIE) to seize the passports ofGunawardena and that of Cabraal.This came after the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) lodged a complaint with the BriberyCommission against 12 former governmentalmembers after the January presidential poll.

Sajin’s assets case postponed to February 02

Ex-SEC Chief further remanded till 23 Dec

(sundaytimes.lk) Basil Rajapaksa, the formerMinister of Economic Development and powerfulbrother of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa hasbeen indicted on multiple criminal charges rangingfrom bribery and corruption to misappropriation ofpublic funds. Mr. Rajapaksa who left the countryimmediately after the defeat of his brother at theJanuary 8 Presidential election was arrested onhis return several months later but later releasedon bail after spending time in remand prison. Hewas formally indicted by the Attorney General onFriday in the Colombo High Court for publishing

thousands of almanacs on the eve of thePresidential election under the ‘Divineguma’village upliftment programme that came under hisministry’s purview. While Mr. Rajapaksa is the firstaccused the ex-Director General of theprogramme is the second accused. They arecharged under the Penal Code, the country’scriminal law and the Public Property Act as well asunder the Presidential Elections Act for inducingthe voter through bribery and corruption. If foundguilty, the charges carry jail sentences.(Courtesy; Times online)

Basil, former Divineguma DG indictedon criminal charges

(dailynews.lk) The CID is keeping a close track ofan individual known as ‘Captain Tissa’ inconnection with the death of former rugby playerWasim Thajudeen, Police Headquarters sourcestold the Daily News.‘Captain Tissa’, a military officer, had functionedas a driver of former President MahindaRajapaksa. They said several eye-witnesses, whogave evidence to the Police, had seen anindividual similar to ‘Captain Tissa’ at the scene ofthe alleged accident in which Thajudeen waskilled. The Colombo Additional Magistrate hasalready observed that the rugby player’s deathwas not an accident, but a possible murder.Several eye-witnesses, in their statements, toldthe Police that said they saw two Defenders nearThajudeen’s vehicle immediately after it caughtfire. The CID had received information that‘Captain Tissa’ had come in one of the twoDefenders.One eye-witness had said some people who camein a defender prevented by-passers from coming

near Thajudeen’s vehicle, saying it could explodeat any moment.According to that statement, those who came inone of the defenders had prevented people in thearea from making a last ditch effort to save therugby player’s life. Meanwhile, a CCTV footageobtained from the Kirulapona junction showed acar similar to that of Thajudeen being followed bya few vehicles. However, police officers furthersubmitted to Court that the number plates and thepeople who were inside the vehicle were notclearly visible and the University of ColomboSchool of Computing was in the process ofidentifying the number plates of the vehicles.The CCTV footage clearly showed Thajudeen’svehicle trying to avoid the chasers. His efforts hadbeen futile as the rugby player’s escape routeswere blocked by the vehicles of the chasers. Hisefforts to escape indicated that Thajudeen wasaware of the grave threat he faced. That is whyThajudeen’s telephone records play a crucial rolein identifying possible suspects in the case.

DNA test identifiesserial killer

BY Kavindya Chris Thomas(ceylontoday.lk) The DNA samples of thesuspect arrested in connection with the 17thmurder that was committed in Kotakethana-Kahawatte, have been positively identified withbiological samples taken from the sites of crimeand from the bodies of six other murder victimsin the area.Presenting the DNA comparison reports of the35-year- old suspect, Neil Lakshman, at thePelmadulla Magistrate's Court yesterday, theCriminal Investigation Department (CID) saidthe Genetech Molecular Diagnostic ResearchInstitute (GMDRI) had found the positive linkagewith the six other murders.Head of the GMDRI Dr. Ruwan Illeperuma toldCeylon Today that if this suspect was foundguilty of the six murders by Court, he would bethe first serial killer in Sri Lanka.According to Dr. illeperuma, the suspect's DNAprofile had been positively identified with acommon DNA profile compiled from four othercases – two double murders and four singlemurders which were committed in 2010, 2011and 2012 respectively. The DNA samples hadbeen gathered from vaginal secretions, sperminside the vagina of a victim and saliva frombetel spit.Dr. Illeperuma said that prior to this suspect'sDNA profile being presented to Court, 1,000s ofDNA samples had been analyzed by theGMDRI.The 17th murder victim was identified as NadanPaabu, a 48-year-old plantation worker from thearea. The body of the woman was found in atea estate in Opatha, Kahawatte on 28September.Her body bore several lacerations but the causeof death had been determined as acute internalhaemorrhaging, Police said.The CID arrested the suspect, who had beenidentified as Neil Lakshman, last Friday afterseveral weeks of investigations. The CID wasreluctant to divulge information about the casefearing extensive media coverage could havean adverse impact on it. The arrest comes afterover two months of a patient search. Sixteenout of 17 murders in Kotakethana are still openand remain unsolved with investigations stillcontinuing into those cases. Even though onesuspect was arrested for the 16th murder inApril 2016, he is yet to be proven guilty. Somesuspects who were arrested for the murders inthe years 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012 havebeen acquitted while others are still in remandcustody. Several forensic experts have said thatthe murders committed in the two areas mighthave been committed by a person or groupbecause of the specific pattern in the killings,gender and age group of the victims,senselessness of the crime, methods of murder,brutality, and cooling off period.Investigators confirmed that there is a possibilitythat these murders were committed by a serialkiller or serial killers.

Former IGP questioned over Lasantha killing

Wasim Thajudeen matter : ‘CAPTAINTISSA’ UNDER WATCH

All nationalities can beresettled in NP –

PalihakkaraBy Niranjala Ariyawansha

(Contd: on P14)

(ceylontoday.lk) Governor of the NorthernProvince H.M.G.S. Palihakkara told Ceylon Todaythat the Northern Provincial Council has come toan agreement with the government, opening theway for the settlement of families from allnationalities in the Northern Province. Thisincludes Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims who hadlived in the North prior to the commencement ofthe war.Palihakkara said steps will be taken to restoreseveral acres of land which the Army had beenusing in Valikamam West, in the NorthernProvince, to their rightful owners who lived thereprior to being displaced by the war.Meanwhile, another 41,000 IDPs, who weredisplaced by the war, still live in eight camps andwith friends and relatives. Land belonging tocivilians had been acquired by the Army duringthe war on the basis of a policy decision of thegovernment. He added Grama Niladharies in theNorthern Province at Grama Niladhari DivisionalLevel are gathering information on all

Discussions led by US Under Secretary ofState Thomas Shannon to be held in

Washington DCMajor reset in US-Lanka ties, especially withregard to security cooperationShannon says armed forces can play“constructive” role in Lanka’s futureDiscussions on economic, security andinternational and regional cooperation saysMangala

By Dharisha Bastians(ft.lk) Dates have been set for thefirst US-Sri Lanka PartnershipDialogue, a round of discussionsin Washington DC that will seek toenhance security and economicties between the two countries,according to a Senior Official ofthe US State Department visitingColombo.The move is seen as part ofongoing efforts to ‘reset’ relationsbetween Colombo andWashington after the newSirisena-WickremesingheAdministration took office nearly ayear ago.US Under Secretary of State forPolitical Affairs Designate,Thomas Shannon told reportersafter he walked out of a meetingwith Foreign Minister MangalaSamaraweera, that the USwelcomed Sri Lanka’scontributions to globalpeacekeeping and humanitariandisaster assistance and believedthe country’s armed forces couldplay a constructive role inensuring a bright future.“In May, Secretary Kerry and the Foreign Ministerannounced that our two governments wouldlaunch a Partnership Dialogue to build on thathistory of exchange and to intensify ourcooperation across the board and to furtherenhance our relationship,” Shannon told reportersat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last evening.The first meeting of the U.S.-Sri Lanka Partnership

Dialogue will take place in February 2016 inWashington, DC, the US Under Secretary said.Shannon said the annual meeting will provide anopportunity to discuss all aspects of therelationship and ways in which the United Statesmay be able to engage directly with the people ofSri Lanka and the Government.The visiting US Under Secretary of State hailed SriLanka’s contributions to the development of a

“regional consciousness - one thatpromotes the values ofdemocratic governance andrespect for human rights, freedomof navigation, sustainabledevelopment, and environmentalstewardship.Foreign Minister MangalaSamaraweera said that as thesenior most official at theDepartment of State, UnderSecretary Shannon will guide theUS-Sri Lanka Partnershipdialogue.Minister Samaraweera said thekey areas on which the dialoguewill be based include governance,development cooperation, people-to-people ties, economiccooperation, security cooperationand international regional affairs.“These four areas were decidedupon after discussion with bothPresident and Prime Ministerduring the last few months, in thecontext of ways and means ofdeveloping the US-Sri Lankarelationship in line with the reformagenda of the Government andthe requirements of the people of

our country,” Samaraweera explained.Re-engagement on security issues is a major stepforward in Colombo’s relationship withWashington, after war crimes allegations againstSri Lankan armed forces and strained ties with theRajapaksa administration drastically altered thesecurity partnership between the countries.

(Contd: on P12)


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( ) The US Embassy has yet not givenapproval to the visa application submitted byDemocratic Party Leader Field Marshal SarathFonseka two weeks ago, sources close to FieldMarshal Fonseka said today Sources said the USState Department has blocked Field MarshalFonseka's visa application for the past two weeks inconnection with war crimes charges against SriLanka during the time he was the army commander.“Most probably this must be why the US embassyhas refused him a visa to visit the US. There are no

other issues,” they said. “He has not visited the USduring the past five years and his green card hasalso expired.”Sources also said Field Marshal Fonseka hadapplied for a visa to visit his daughters living in theUS and to meet the Sri Lankan community livingthere. It was also reported that Sri LankanAmbassador Prasad Kariyawasam had alsocontacted the State Department to obtain the visafor the Field Marshal. (Darshana Sanjeewa)

dailymirror.lk

US blocks visa for Field Marshal Fonseka

( ) Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe announced yesterday that thegovernment had decided to appointthe president of Rotary International,K. R Ravindran, as a specialambassador to attract foreigninvestment.Speaking at a banquet of RotaryInternational last night, he saidRavindran would be responsible forbringing investments into Sri Lanka: “Bring infunds to the country and not for the politicalleaders, including me,” he told him.

Mr. Wickremesinghe also focused on whatseemed an appropriate topic -- that of consulting

astrologers to fix dates for elections.He said one should not consult anastrologer, but rather see to it thatone's opponent chooses a bad one.He said Sir John Kotelawala, whenhe was prime minister, had hired anastrologer to fix a date for the generalelections of 1956 and lost. He said

Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike had also consultedastrologers when fixing dates for elections, andthen lost. (Yohan Perera)

dailymirror.lk

President of Rotary International appointedSL's special ambassador: Ranil

Ruins of Kuveni Palace,a tourist attraction

Text and pix. by M. A. R. Manukulasooriya(dailynews.lk) The ruins of the Kuveni palace is apopular place among local and foreign touristsvisiting the Wilpattu National Park.The ruins can be seen at a place inside theWilpattu National Park and according to thechronicles, Prince Vijaya landed in the island fromKudiramale point located adjoining the WilpattuNational Park.The Kudiramale point is the highest place in theWilpattu National Park.According to history, Kuveni had been engaged inspinning Kapok. Even today one can see a largenumber of Kapok trees around this site.The soil of the area has a copper colour.It is linked with the name given to Sri Lanka as"Thambapanni".

Copper coloured soil.

US Under Secretary of State(Designate) for Political Affairs

Ambassador Thomas Shannon onMonday met Foreign MinisterMangala Samaraweera at the

Ministry. Shannon, who is on athree-day visit in Sri Lanka, is

scheduled to visit Eastern provinceon Tuesday. He would call on

President and the Prime Ministeron Wednesday – Pic by Pradeep

Pathirana

(colombogazette.com) Sri Lanka has resolved topositively engage with the United Nations with arenewed vigour to further the existing relations andto resume its position as a responsible member ofthe international community, Sri Lanka’sPermanent Representative to the United Nations,Ambassador Rohan Perera said.He said that like inrelations among states,the relations between SriLanka and the UnitedNations have alsoundergone ups anddowns over the years.The Permanent Missionof Sri Lanka in New Yorkyesterday celebrated the60th anniversary of theadmission of Sri Lanka tothe United Nations withan archival photographic exhibition, which wasfollowed by a breakfast reception.Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was admitted to the UnitedNations on 14th December 1955 along withAlbania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Finland,Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Laos, Libya, Nepal,Portugal, Romania, and Spain, following itsapplication to join the Organization in 1948.The archival photographic exhibition that illustratedthe key milestones of Sri Lanka-UN relations since1955, were held at the Permanent Missionpremises with the participation of the PermanentRepresentatives of the fifteen countries that wereadmitted to the United Nations along with Sri Lankasixty years ago, as well as senior UN officials.Making his welcome remarks at the event,Ambassador Rohan Perera gave a brief account ofthe excellent relations that Sri Lanka has beenmaintaining with the United Nations as an activemember of the Organization. He elaborated on the

significant role that Sri Lanka has been playingsince its admission to the United Nations, includingas a member of the Security Council and a leadingcontributor of troops to UN peacekeepingoperations, and how the Organization has, in turn,contributed to the socio-economic development inSri Lanka.

Ambassador Perera also gave anaccount of the prominent SriLankan diplomats who have heldmany a high position in theUnited Nations including that ofthe Presidency of the GeneralAssembly, the Third UnitedNations Conference on the Lawof the Sea, as well as theimportant resolutions that SriLanka has successfully proposedand piloted through the GeneralAssembly including on the Indian

Ocean Peace Zone, International Year for Shelterfor Homeless, the international recognition of theDay of Vesak , and the World Youth Skills Day.Ambassador Rohan Perera further observed thatlike in relations among states, the relationsbetween Sri Lanka and the United Nations havealso undergone ups and downs over the years, inparticular during the past few years. However, withthe changes in the Sri Lankan political landscape,Sri Lanka has resolved to positively engage withthe United Nations with a renewed vigour to furtherthe existing relations and to resume its position asa responsible member of the internationalcommunity. He added “we are committed to theideal of decency and mutual respect in dealingsamong nations, to the protection and promotion ofhuman rights and preserving the dignity of allpeople, irrespective of race, gender, colour orcreed”.Ambassador Rohan Perera later participated in a

luncheon jointly hostedby the PermanentRepresentatives of thesaid sixteen countriesin honour of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon,to mark the 60thanniversary of theirjoint admission to theUnited Nations.A short videodocumentary on “SriLanka’s sixty years inthe United Nations”produced by the SriLanka RupavahiniCorporation, was alsoscreened on thisoccasion. (ColomboGazette)

US-Lanka Partnership dialoguekicks off in February 2016

Sri Lanka resolves to positively engage with UN

(dailymirror.lk) The Wildlife Ministry said today that5,000 African tusks confiscated by the Customs in2012 would be destroyed next month withmaximum security.Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said thetusks belonging to 2,500 African tuskers would bedestroyed following a religious ceremony.“The religious ceremony would be held in honourof the killed elephants. The stock will bedestructed at the HolcimCement Plant in January26 in front of themembers of NGOs,Customs and the Media,”he said.He said the internationallaw is as such thatconfiscated ivory mustbe destroyed.“Many internationalorganisations areconcerned about theivory smuggling,” hesaid.Sri Lanka Customs onMay 14, 2012 seized astockpile of African ivory

valued over US $3 million, which was beingsmuggled out from Kenya and was on its way tothe international market through Dubai via the Portof Colombo.The Customs after a formal inquiry confiscated theentire shipment, pending destruction of the ivory inpublic as per the international law. (DarshanaSanjeewa)

Gov. to destroy 5,000 of blood ivory


(dailynews.lk) Super Power United States as wellas Regional Power India are none too happy withthe political conduct of C.V.Wigneswaran, theChief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majorityNorthern Province.US and Indian envoys have directly conveyed tohim their concern that his unhelpful and radicalposturing could jeopardize the Lankangovernment’s bid to find an amicable solution tothe long-standing Tamil question.Last Thursday, Indian High CommissionerY.K.Sinha met Wigneswaran and urged him not tosplit the moderate Tamil National Alliance (TNA)but instead cooperate with the leaders of the TNAsuch as R.Sampanthan, M.A.Sumanthiran andMavai Senathirajah in engaging the Lankangovernment to find a solution to the Tamil problemwhen there is light at the end of the tunnel.Wigneswaran told Sinha said that differenceswithin the TNA could be solved through talks, but itwas apparent that the gap was wide, if notunbridgeable. He vehemently justified hisopposition to the Sirisena-Wickremesinghegovernment and to the TNA leadership’s reposingfaith in it.Samantha PowerEarlier on November 23, Samantha Power, theUS Ambassador to the UN, met Wigneswaran inJaffna and trashed his argument that the newregime in Colombo has not done anything for theTamils. According to D.B.S.Jeyaraj, Wigneswaranhad to revise his stand somewhat after Powerdemolished his case with an 11-point rebuttal.After the meeting, Power tweeted: “Urged JaffnaChief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran to help reinforce

precious moment for reconciliation and re-building.”Power’s tweet after meeting TNA chiefSampanthan was of a noticeably different kind.She described the moderate Tamil leader as a“passionate voice of Tamil rights seeking results bybuilding national consensus.”She was pleased with the progress made byLanka under the new government led by PresidentMaithripala Sirisena. She said she was “honored”to meet Sirisena “who is committed toreconciliation, democracy, reform, justice.” Theranking US diplomat described Foreign MinisterMangala Samaraweera as a “friend” who is “afirm advocate of the rights of the Sri Lankanpeople, accountable government and reform.”Unlikely to Climb DownDespite expressions of concern from influentialquarters, Wigneswaran is unlikely to give up hisradical posture because he has been led tobelieve that he can take on the TNA with the helpof the “people” and the support of the pro-LTTETamil Diaspora. He is said to be under theinfluence of forces which believe that the LankanTamils can do without India and perhaps even theUS.Wigneswaran could therefore either try andcapture the TNA or adopt existing friendlyorganizations like the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) and the Tamil National Political Front(TNPF). Political circles expect him to act beforethe local bodies elections in April 2016.TNA UnfazedHowever, the TNA’s leaders are unfazed.Sampanthan threw the gauntlet when he said in

Batticaloa: “If theparty and the peoplewant it, I will stepdown in favor ofWigneswaran.” He isnot walking away.According toSumanthiran,Wigneswaran’s claimsof a mass followingare hollow. “His realstrength was seen inthe August 17parliamentaryelections. The TNAswept the pollswithout his support.The TNPF, which heindirectly supported,came a cropper,”Sumanthiranobserved. (IndianExpress)

(dailynews.lk) The Sri Lankan government mayclose down its diplomatic missions in Uganda andSeychelles, authoritative government sources toldthe Daily News."There is a serious question about the rationalebehind setting up of the two diplomatic missions. Itis widely speculated that the diplomatic mission inUganda was set up to draw the country's supportat the UNHRC session in Geneva. The decision toset up a High Commission inSeychelles was linked to someunder-the-radar activities ofcertain top brass members of theprevious regime," a seniorgovernment spokesman saidyesterday.Both missions were set up duringthe tenure of former President MahindaRajapaksa.The Sri Lanka's High Commission in Kampala,Uganda was opened on May 13, 2013, during theformer President's official visit to Uganda. TheHigh Commission in Seychelles was opened bythe former President on June 28, lastyear.Government sources also added that theForeign Ministry was in the process of assessingthe strategic importance of a few other diplomatic

missions in the South American and Africanregions.In his speech during the budget Committee Stagedebate, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweerasaid Sri Lanka intended to introduce Non-ResidentAmbassadors to further cut-costs and to establisha presence where a full-scale embassy cannot bejustified but where Sri Lanka's interests need to befurthered.

"We are also undertaking theshort-term and long-termrestructuring of the ForeignMinistry. In the short-term weintend to cut costs and focus ourresources by closing downmissions abroad for which noclear rationale exists," the Foreign

Minister said."We also intend to introduce Non-Resident Ambassadors to further cut-costs and toestablish a presence where a full-scale embassycannot be justified but where Sri Lanka's interestsneed to be furthered. Perhaps most importantly,we intend to create the necessary systems andpolicies to ensure that our diplomatic service isable to perform at the highest levels ofexcellence," he added.

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US and India Displeased With North LankanCM Wigneswaran

Govt to close down High Commissionsin Uganda and Seychelles

By Mohamed Haniff(island.lk) A Catholic religious leader fighting forthe rights of the Tamils in the North and Eastclaims that the government is not genuinelyinterested in solving the spiritual issues that hinderthe path to reconciliation.Rev. Fr. S.V.B. Mangalarajah said; "A lot could beachieved if the spiritual needs of the Tamils couldbe seriously looked into."Although the Commission for Justice and Peace ofthe Catholic Diocese of Sri Lanka had appealedfor the release of lands belonging to places ofworship, the government had not done anythingsignificant, Chairman of the organisation, Rev. Fr.Mangalarajah alleged. "They have handed overland belonging to smaller place, but the people

want the bigger places of worship released," hetold The Island.Fr. Mangalarajah said the feeling in the North andEast was that the government was under seriouspressure from southern extremist elements but itshould, however, show gestures of goodwill forreconciliation by initiating substantial actionagainst those persons who were just a few innumber.Asked whether the Commission for Justice andPeace of the Catholic Diocese of Sri Lanka soughtthe support of Tamil political parties to pressurethe government, Fr. Mangalarajah said, "We dohave good relationships with all political parties,but do not resort to action with political agendas inmind".

Govt is not even interested in solving spiritualneeds of NE Tamils - Catholic priest

The Government says it is open to deal withallegations raised against the armed forces overvarious incidents related to the conflict, rangingfrom allegations about secret detention centres, totorture, disappearances, rape and executions.Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says as ademocratic nation, Sri Lanka should be open todeal with such allegations as democracies do andthe way to deal with such issues is by facing themand not by disengaging with those who raise suchallegations.“This involves proving throughindependent and open judicialand investigation procedures,”he said.He however noted that neverfor a moment does theGovernment discount thesacrifices made by securityforces personnel throughoutthe long years of conflict.“Our position is that oursecurity forces do not deserveto be hounded by allegationsof this nature for the rest oftheir days. That is not what you deserve as areward for the many sacrifices you have made toenable us today to build the future of our nation onthe foundation of peace that you have created forus,” he said.The Foreign Minister said that it is the duty of theGovernment to take steps to ensure that the cloudthat hangs over the heads of the security forces islifted once and for all.“We owe it to you as a Government to provide you

an opportunity to clear your name. The way thiscan be done is not by standing in a street cornerand shouting defensive slogans, or by sitting inprotest in front of the Office of the UN orEmbassies of Foreign Countries and antagonizingour partners, but by adopting sensible, meaningful,constructive approaches to these problems so thatwe lay these allegations to rest,” the ForeignMinister said at a ceremony held at the DefenceServices Command and Staff College.He also noted that there are attempts by some to

make an issue over therecent visit of the UNWorking Group on Enforcedor InvoluntaryDisappearances to the NavyBase in Trincomalee.“This again is a classicexample of some interestedparties trying to take politicaladvantage of a situation. Infact the visit of the WorkingGroup to the Navy Baseproved to those both withinthe country and outside the

country who allege that there are still secretdetention centres in this site, that there are nosuch detention centres in existence anymore inthe Navy Base in Trincomalee,” he said.The Foreign Minister said that this kind ofcooperation is what will re-create trust in the eyesof the public and in the eyes of the families ofvictims as well as the international community thatthe Sri Lanka security forces are responsible andprofessional. (Colombo Gazette)

(colombogazette.com) The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) today reiterated a demand to theGovernment to release civilian land occupied bythe military in the North.Speaking in Parliament today, TNA member MavaiSenathirajah said that while the new Governmenthas freed several acres of land in the North, a lotstill remains under military control.Senathirajah took note of the land being used bythe military in Palaly, some of which belongs tocivilians who fled the area during the war..He also said the TNA has no objections toSinhalese families who are the rightful owners ofland in the North from claiming their property.However he said in some areas the formerGovernment had resettles Sinhalese families

illegally on landowned by Tamils.Meanwhile theJanatha VimukthiPeramuna (JVP)said that severalfamilies whohave beenresettled in theNorth do nothave basicfacilities to resume their day to day activities.JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake said thatsome families are still living in camps, including intents and need to be given proper homes.(Colombo Gazette)

Government open to deal with allegations

TNA makes push to release land in North

( ) The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS)today objected to the amending of the CriminalJustice Procedure Code and the Penal Code.BBS General Secretary Ven. GalagodaatteGnanasara Therasaid it would be badfor the country andthe people if thatwere to happen.“These Acts ifamended can beused as weapons tosuppress people,politicians andnationalorganisations in thecountry,” he said.“These two amendments have been publishedin the Gazette notification on November 6. Wehave the right to stand against the move toamend the acts and we will not allow them to bepassed in Parliament.”The government seeks to amendment the firstschedule of the Code of Criminal Procedure

and Section 291 C of the Penal Code to makeprovisions to punish those who use words oruse signs or visible representation with theintention of causing, instigate or attempt to

instigate acts ofviolence or religious,racial or communaldisharmony orfeelings of ill will orhostility betweencommunities oramong differentclasses of persons.Those found guilty tobe sentenced to twoyears imprisonment.“If the Acts were

amended every coconut tree could be used asgallows and every government school andinstitutions would turn into prisons,” the Therasaid. “We are urging the government to pass anAct to stop religious conversion, but little ornothing has been done in that direction.”(Chaturanga Pradeep)

dailymirror.lk

Don't amend Penal Code: BBS


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( ) UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions ChristofHeyns said he was encouraged by the Sri Lankangovernment's progress on human rights and thathe was hoping to visit the country as it hasbecome more ‘receptive’ to workingwith the world body, Economic TimesReported today.He said he is awaiting an invitationfrom Sri Lanka to visit the country.In a statement, Heyns has said SriLanka stands out as the mostdefining moment when carrying outhis mandate in 2015. "They have accepted someof the other mandates but not my mandate, But Ihave a standing request to the government to visitSri Lanka", he said."Accountability is the central point in protecting the

right to life and I am encouraged by the progressmade in Sri Lanka and the government has beenreceptive," Heyns said.As per the UN Human Rights Council resolution of2014, Sri Lanka was expected to allow visits by

UN rapporteurs. However, formerpresident Mahinda Rajapaksa deniedthem permission to visit. But underRajapaksa's successor MaithripalaSirisena, Sri Lanka has becomingmore amenable to the UN system aslast month a team from the UNWorking Group on Disappearances

visited the island. The latest October 1 UNHRCresolution seeks to set up a local mechanism toinvestigate war crimes allegations during the laststages of the civil war with the LTTE that ended in2009.

dailymirror.lk

Top UN official encouraged by SL progresson human rights

(colombogazette.com) The Chief Ministerof Sri Lanka’s Tamil-dominated NorthernProvince, C V Wigneswaran, has assuredIndia that the differences in the TamilNational Alliance (TNA) will be ironed outand that unity will be maintained toenable the Tamils to secure their rights inSri Lanka, the New Indian Expressreported.This assurance was given to the IndianHigh Commissioner in Lanka, Y.K.Sinha,when he had a two-hour meeting ChiefMinister Wigneswaran in Jaffna.Sinha was on a three-day tour of theNorthern Province which ended onSaturday.Briefing the media on his talks with theHigh Commissioner, Wigneswaran saidthat the envoy expressed concern overinternal dissensions in the TNA and saidthat such dissensions could be used bythe majority community to deny theTamils their rights at a time whenchances of finding a political solution tothe Tamil question are brightening.Sinha urged the Chief Minister to getalong with the TNA leadership comprisingR.Sampanthan, M.A.Sumanthiran andMavai Senathirajah.Wigneswaran admitted that there areideological differences between theJaffna-based leaders and the Colombo-based leaders of the TNA. His case wasthat the Tamil question looks differentwhen viewed from different places. As aJaffna-based leader, he has aperspective which is different from that ofthe Colombo-based leaders like

Sumanthiran, Wigneswaran said.However, he assured that he is all for theunity of the TNA and that any internaldifferences will be ironed out throughdiscussions. Wigneswaran recalled thatSumanthiran was his student in the SriLanka Law College and that there shouldbe no difficulty in making up with hisstudent.Although the formerSupreme CourtJustice andessentially apoliticalWigneswaran wasput up for the ChiefMinister’s post in2013 by the TNA’stroika comprisingSampanthan,Sumanthiran and Senathirajah, he beganto act independently of the troika andeven the TNA as a party. He alsoreportedly developed contradictions withthe Northern Provincial Council (NPC)and its Chairman (or Speaker)C.V.K.Sivagnanam. There were alsocomplaints of his playing favorites withinhis four member Board of Ministers andof being guided by some “rank outsiders”.But what proved to be the last straw onthe camel’s back was Wigneswaran’sdeclaration on the eve of the August 17,2015 Lankan parliamentary elections thathe would be “neutral.” He then went on toappeal to the voters to vote for persons ofa particular kind which clearly suggestedthat he was asking them to the vote forthe radical Tamil National Peoples’ Front

(TNPF) whose leaders are seen bymoderates as being acolytes of theLiberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).In his various statements as CM,Wigneswaran seemed to be plugging theradical line. He was functioning more asa political agitator than the head of anadministration charged with the task ofpost-war developmental work.

Matters came a head whenSumanthiran openly declaredthat the TNA will sackWigneswaran for anti-partyactivities. Wigneswaranretorted saying that he is not amember of any political partyto be sacked and that he wonthe Provincial Councilelections with the highest

number of preferential votes on hispersonal credentials rather than any partyaffiliation.In his meeting with the Indian HighCommissioner, Wigneswaran requestedIndia to secure the release of the 217LTTE cadres still in detention. The Tamilsconsider these to be political prisonersbut the government sees them ashardcore terrorists. Indian aid was alsosought to rehabilitate about 12,000released LTTE cadres who are finding itdifficult to survive in post-war society.When the High Commissioner spokeabout the paucity of funds, the ChiefMinister said that the Tamils are lookingup to India for help because they have noone else to turn to.

(colombogazette.com) A referendum will be held todecide on the final proposals to the newConstitution, Minister for National Dialogue ManoGanesan said.The Minister, who is part of a steering committeetasked with drafting a new constitution, told TheSunday Leader that Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe had proposed that the public beallowed to decide on the way forward.A Cabinet sub-committee headed by PrimeMinister Ranil Wickremesinghe was recentlyformed to draft the new Constitution.The committee comprises Ministers Nimal Siripalade Silva, Lakshman Kiriella, Rauff Hakeem, SusilPremajayantha, Rishad Bathiyutheen, PataliChampika Ranawaka, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe,

D.M. Swaminathan,Mano Ganesan, andMalik Samarawickrama.Ganesan said that theCabinet sub-committee,or steering committee,had decided to formthree technicalcommittees to make proposals on constitutionalamendments.One technical committee will draft electoralreforms proposals, the other amendments to thePresidential system and one on the national issue.The technical committee on electoral reforms hasalready been formed and is being headed byParliamentarian and constitutional expert

JayampathyWickremeratne.(Colombo Gazette)

Wigneswaran assures rift in TNA will be sorted

Referendum will determine new Constitution

(asianmirror.lk) President Maithripala Sirisena hasminimized his yearly financial requirements for2016 by Rs. 1275 billion - whencompared to former PresidentMahinda Rajapaksa’s spending in2014.During 2014, former PresidentMahinda Rajapaksa controlled Rs.1652 billion while PresidentMaithripala Sirisena will control Rs.377 billion in 2016.Rajapaksa controlled Rs. 1160 billion as theMinister of Finance and Planning, Rs. 144 billionas the Minister of Highways, Ports and Shipping,and Rs. 53 billionas the Minister of Law and Order.Rajapaksa also controlled Rs. 283 billion as the

Minister of Defence and Urban DevelopmentIn addition, he controlled Rs. 10 billion for Special

Spending Units which also cameunder the President’s purview.President Sirisena, for the year 2016,will only control 2.3 billion for SpecialSpending Units.Sirisena will control Rs. 306 billion asthe Minister of Defence. He will alsocontrol Rs. 69 billion as the Minister ofMahaweli Development and

Environment.During 2014, Rajapaksa controlled 62% of totalexpenditure of the budget whereas Sirisena willcontrol only 12%.(Courtesy: Manthri.lk)

US-Lankafrom P8US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, on avisit to Colombo last month, told Daily FT that thelast administration in Sri Lanka had “necessitatedthe suspension of different programs.”Power said the US would like to see a relationshipwith the Sri Lankan military that is “strong andreinforces shared regional security interests.”“But we have made very clear that that kind of

progress is dependent on progress onaccountability, on demilitarisation and with timealso on security sector reform,” AmbassadorPower asserted.Ambassador Shannon arrived yesterday for a twoday visit in Sri Lanka.In Sri Lanka, Ambassador Shannon will meet withsenior government and parliamentary leaders,business leaders, and civil society, as well as toura USAID-funded livelihoods project in the EasternProvince, the US Embassy said.

President minimizes his financial requirementsby Rs. 1275 Billion: Comparison of spending

under MR and Sirisena

(asianmirror.lk) The government will destruction allanti-corruption bodies in the countries in acomprehensive manner, with the aim of expeditingaction against those who were involved in largescale scams over the past 10 years, a topgovernment spokesman told Asian Mirror.Under the restructuring process, major anti-corruption bodies will be allowed to work togetherand they will also be able to seek assistance frominternational parties in an effective manner, thespokesman said. "Current legislations will also beamended to make way for a comprehensive

restructuring process," he further added."At this point, the biggest challenge crippling anti-corruption investigations is the lack of expertise onthe part of local officials. The restructuring processshould be done with the aim of addressing thisproblem," he said. He said it was essential to givespecialised foreign training to Sri Lankan officershandling anti-corruption investigations.Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe presented aspecial Cabinet paper in this regard at the lastCabinet meeting, chaired by President MaithripalaSirisena.

Govt. to restructure major anti-corruptionbodies to fast track investigations

(asianmirror.lk) The Sri Lankan government said onMonday that it is looking to advance its publictransportation system as the capital battles to dealwith heavy traffic congestion.Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise DevelopmentEran Wickramaratne, speaking at a Mayor'sConference in Colombo, said that currently over500,000 vehicles enter the city on a daily basiswhich was neither eco-friendly nor an efficient wayof getting to work. He said that it was necessary forthe government to explore investing in metrosystems, which allows for speedy journeys for thoseliving in the outstations. "As seen in Bangkok, it isnecessary for the government to explore investingmetro systems," he said. "This expands access to

human capital for employers, increasing jobpossibilities for those in the job market. We knowthat in some Asian cities you use smart cards as anintegrated system to pay for transportation. Whycan this not be introduced in Colombo over the next5-year period?" Wickramaratne said.Vehicle prices have seen a rise in the island nationdue to proposals included in the government'sbudget for 2016.Sri Lanka's Vehicle Importers' Association said thattax amendments proposed through the 2016 budgetwould cause the cost of vehicles to go up by200,000 rupees (1,400 U.S. dollars) up to 2.5million rupees (17,500 USD).(Xinhua)

Sri Lanka Looks To Advance PublicTransportation To Minimize Private Vehicles


(dailynews.lk) A Parliamentary Select Committeehas to be set up to verify if the contents of the NoConfidence Motion moved against FinanceMinister Ravi Karunanayake were true,before the same is taken up by Parliament, PrimeMinister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliamentyesterday.The Premier said the government was ready to doso, responding to the Point ofOrder raised by oppositionmember Vasudeva Nanayakkaraquerying as to when the NoConfidence Motion was to betaken up in Parliament. Themotion was moved alleging thatthe allocation for educationincluded in the budget proposalswas not genuine.“It should be investigated as towhich government in reality cutallocations for education. We can study this at aParliamentary Select Committee,” PremierWickremesinghe said and then challenged theopposition members saying: “If it was under yourregime, would you resign from beingparliamentarians?”The Premier also questioned if the previousgovernment allocated money for education in theNorthern Province.

At this stage, Leader of the House and HigherEducation and Highways Minister LakshmanKiriella said the No Confidence Motion against theFinance Minister was based on matters pertainingto the Budget proposals and as the same has beenpassed by a two thirds majority at the SecondReading, the No Confidence Motion is null andvoid.

He also brought to the notice of theHouse that former President andKurunegala district MP MahindaRajapaksa had not signed the NoConfidence motion.Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that thematter was discussed at the PartyLeaders’ Meeting on Monday andagreed to take up the same next year.At this stage, the Prime Minister saidthe budget is a means to expressconfidence in the government.

“If the budget is defeated , the Prime Minister aswell as the Cabinet of Ministers have to resign,”,Premier Wickremesinghe said. The Prime Ministersaid when the budget proposals are presented bythe Finance Minister, it is a document of thegovernment.He added the government has time to makeamendments to the same document during theSecond and Third Readings.

“Thereafter one can vote for or against. But, a NoConfidence motion cannot be moved against theFinance Minister based on the same,” the Premiersaid. “When the same document was passed witha two thirds majority, how could you move a NoConfidence Motion”. He said due to this situation aParliamentary SelectCommittee should beset up on this matter.The Prime Ministersuggested to grant onemonth to theCommittee to study andreport.At this stage JVP MPAnura KumaraDissanayake said thatthe government’sstance is the NoConfidence Motioncannot be moved asthe budget is beingdebated.MEP leader andOpposition MP DineshGunawardena said thatit was agreed at theParty Leaders’ meetingto grant a day for the

No Confidence Motion. Justice Minister Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that since the budgetproposals have been passed with a two thirdsmajority, the No Confidence Motion is null andvoid.

No faith motion against FM: Parliamentary Select Committee should verify contents - PM

MangalaCONT FROM P1... in the cabinet which was then limited to 21.

These things are not weaknesses amendingbudget proposals, resignation of ministers,opportunity for good dialogue etc. But these showthe strength of a government.

Certainly not. We have only entered a new pathdeviating from the old one to create a new countrywith a new economic order. Those whose visionare not far-reaching but limited to a small area are

like frogs in a well criticize us. All countries aretoday economically and politically interconnected.Our policies on economy and foreign affairs haveto be compatible on international basis. China acommunist and a socialist country and Vietnam arewell pursuing market economy better than ourcountries. They have achieved economicdevelopment rapidly through access to the modernpolicies. School uniform has become a problem forthose exploit through the distribution of schooluniforms and provoke the people. The new methodis profitable to the government and new system willbe continued.

Anyone can argue. Uniforms are given to all

students whether poor or rich alike. Students inColombo 7 give these uniform materials to theirservant boys. Our aim is to give relief to those whodeserve it. We intend to initiate a social securitysystems for the benefit of have-nots.

No, but we have to march forward for economicdevelopment. Today Sri Lanka is a mid-incomeearning country therefore we are not eligible forforeign aids. We have also to attract Direct ForeignInvestment to achieve a rapid economicdevelopment. Meanwhile we will also ensure thesubsidies for the needy people.

We didn't oppose Packer and giving opportunities

for him. We opposed only the Casinos.

We will not allow to emerge a Casino City in thecountry. You are still on the same decision. Wehave to create good environment for the foreigninvestors. They are interested in a gooddemocratic form of government, Good judicialsystem, good policing, And mere good appearanceof the airports are not enough. We seek at leastfive investment in our country from each countrieswith discussion with the foreign diplomats. Or wewill ask for certain number of job opportunities forour youth in their countries, we have also plannedto streamline our foreign mission services withproper management.

Q Is it good for government even before threemonths of its existence?

Q At the very start UNP government began toshow its attitudes by infringing on the right forrelief on fertiliser and school uniforms.

Q But some argue that same method may beapplied giving money for patients instead ofmedicine.

Q Is the government going to do away withsubsidies?

Q But you talked differently during Packer'svisit to the country.

Q but taxes on Casinos has been reduced bythis budget

(Contd: on P14)

By Professor Geoffrey Hunt Professor ofPhilosophy and Director of the Centre forBioethics, at St Mary's University, TwickenhamA talk on “Mindfulness for Professionals” wasdelivered by Professor Geoffrey Hunt, Professor ofPhilosophy and Director of the Center forBioethics, at St Mary's University, Twickenham atthe Sri Lanka High Commission in London on 21stNovember 2015.This talk was organised by the Association ofProfessional Sri Lankans in the UK under the“APSL Ask the Expert Series” programme with thesupport of the Sri Lanka High Commission.Mr Manoj Warnapala, Counsellor (Education andCulture) represented the Acting HighCommissioner Mr Sugeeshwara Gunaratna at this

event. Several members of APSL and their guestsattended the talk.Mr Leslie Dep, President APSL UK welcome thespeaker and the attendees and gave a briefaccount of the history of APSL , the projects donein the past and what is planned in the future as aprofessional organisation and as well as a UKregistered charity. He specifically mentionedthe recently launched Student Grant Schemein Sri Lanka where each child is given Rs5000 as an initial setting up grant and thereafter a monthly grant of Rs 3000.He also mentioned the Solar Village project ina village in the Eastern Province where APSLis planning to provide Solar Panels to providepower supply to water pumps for drinking

water and irrigationin the village. Herequested supportfrom everyone tocarry out thesehumanitarian projects.In introducing the guestspeaker Professor Hunt,he mentioned thatProfessor Hunt wastrained as a philosopherat the University ofWales and the Universityof Edinburgh, withspecialist interests inWittgenstein, philosophyof science and socialphilosophy and ethics.Professor Hunt was theProfessor in Healthcare

Ethics at the University of Surrey, UK, until 2008.He taught in universities in Africa for 12 years andtravelled extensively on that continent. He was theBritish Visiting Professor in healthcare ethics atKagawa University,Japan for three months in 2001 and has been

invited back almost every year since, now havinglectured at over a dozen Japanese universities andgovernment institutions on issues in the ethics oftechnology and health.He has been a researcher in major EuropeanCommission projects in nanotechnology, as theexpert in ethical and social implications. He wasCo-Researcher in "nanotechnology and society" atthe University of Shizuoka, JapanProfessor Hunt in his talk thanked the APSL UK forgiving him an opportunity to address Sri LankanProfessionals at the Sri Lanka High Commission.He gave a very good introduction of what“Mindfulness” is and explained how people act insituations without mindfulness. He described theeffect of mindfulness in relation to stress at workfor professionals. He also explained how the mind

reacts without mindfulness when you areconfronted by someone by acting straight awaywithout taking a step back and thinking about thesituation you are in.Before the conclusion of his talk he carried out anexercise with the audience to demonstrate how

you could feel mindfulness usingthe “Body Scan” technique. Inthis technique one is given tocontemplate on imagining ascanner going through the bodyand experience the variousfeelings when it is moved fromhead to foot and back andrepeating it several times.The talk was very well receivedby everyone present and therewere requests to invite ProfessorHunt to give talks in future onother related topics.

Dr. Mahesh De Silva, General Secretary of APSLgave the vote of thanks. He thanked the ActingHigh Commissioner Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratnaand all the High Commission staff for the supportgiven in organising this event at the HighCommission and thanked Mr. Manoj Warnapala inattending the event on behalf of the Acting HighCommissioner. He also thanked the local mediaNewslanka and Sesatha for the publicity given tothe event. Finally he thanked all those who werepresent and requested their fullest support inparticipating in APSL events in the future.Mr. Leslie DepPresidentAssociation of Professional Sri Lankans in the UK(APSL)


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(ceylontoday.lk) Bank employees staged a protest outside the FortRailway Station in protest to budget proposals relating to the banking

sector, today (15). It was reported that over 10,000 bank employeesjoined the protest. Ceylon Bank Employees Union (CBEU) PresidentKesara Kottegoda said the protest was organized in protest to the

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SangaCONT FROM P1Sanga"Sometimes one-day cricketand T20 cricket overshadow Testcricket, but at the end of the day ifyou're a cricketing nation you wantto have the best Test-playing sideout there in the middle."Thirimanne has scored a centuryand four 50s in Test cricket and isa "fantastic player", according toSangakkara, who retired last yearafter playing 134 Tests duringwhich he made 12,400 runs.

He said Sri Lanka's Test side wasvery young."They are not going to performovernight miracles. We need agood solid one-and-a-half years toreally build up. Hopefully someconsistent selection will also go along way towards helping that."Sangakkara noted creditableperformances in Dunedin byopener Dimuth Karunaratne (84and 29) and Dinesh Chandimal(83 and 58).Sri Lanka's second Test againstNZ starts on Friday in Hamilton.(AAP)

MangalaCONT FROM P13Q With the presentation of the budgetthe country has changed to battle fieldof workers. A big protest within fourmonths, Why?

Q There are disputes among ministers.Especially among the minister whojoined the UNP government from otherpolitical parties. They seemed to becontrolling the government.

Q We are still tend to think about thematters as they were during Rajapaksagovernment. President and the PrimeMinister monitor the government. Somehave not realized this reality. Todayhave the opportunity of having serviceof a Nelson Mendela and Li Quan U atthe same time. You are the one whoestablished the claim that Ranil is notcapable. But the world sees our PrimeMinister as a prudent leader.

Q How long will the government last.

We have this type of people in any country.The Prime Minister made a clear statementon the situation. Many doctors were silentduring the last government when murderswere committed, when boys were killedwhen they asked for water. Now they try toprovoke people.Even JVP to has freedomto hold protests. But anyway we are withpeople. You can see this at the localgovernment election to be held soon.

I don't see such a situation.

But today I am proud to say he can. Duringthis nine month I was able to experiencehis efficiency and capability. Sri Lanka'spresent two leaders are good rewards forthe country.

Definitely this fiver-year term.

(colombogazette.com) The opposition todayquestioned the keen interest the United States ishaving on Sri Lanka with several top US officialsalready having visited the country this year.Opposition Parliamentarian DullasAlahaperuma said that while theGovernment says it is following amiddle line in Sri Lanka’s foreignpolicy, the reality does not seem tobe the case.Alahaperuma said that over thepast four months top US officialsincluding Nisha Biswal, SamanthaPower and Thomas Shannonvisited Sri Lanka and had talks with theGovernment.“I the last four months there were six US officialswho visited Sri Lanka. In the past six months somany US officials have not gone to any othercountry. Are theycoming with a goodintention,” he asked.Alahaperuma notedthat even after theAugust 17 Parliamentelections, before thecabinet took oaths,three Ministers tookoaths so they couldhave talks with USAssistant Secretary ofState Nisha Biswalwho was visiting the

country at the time.US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs(Designate) Thomas Shannon is the latest USofficial to visit Sri Lanka.

Speaking at an event todayShannon said Sri Lanka is anexample of the power of citizens toreinvigorate their democracy, toretake control – through the ballotbox – of their country’s trajectory,and to set a course to a brighterfuture.He said the US now looks to SriLanka to also provide inspiration to

others around the world, to show them how justiceand compassion can overcome a difficult past andhelp create a stable and prosperous future, andstrengthen a nation’s security, prosperity, andprestige. (Colombo Gazette)

Opposition questions US interest on Sri Lanka

Palihakkarafrom P6residents who had lived in the above mentionedproperties prior to the war."In 2009 at the time that the war ended, the Armyhad possession of 12,000 acres of land in the

Northern Province alone. The previousgovernment from time to time returned some ofthis land to the original residents or owners.Another 1000 acres in Sampur were returned tothe original owners by the new government. Only5000 acres of land belonging to civilians areoccupied by the Army" Palihakkara said.


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ISSUE 1254NEWSLANKA 17 DECEMBER - 2015PAGE 16 ISSUE 1254 NEWSLANKA 17 DECEMBER - 2015 PAGE 17

By Fritz KodagodaTHE TSUNAMI SURVIVORS; CAN WE EVERFORGET THEM?Disasters seem to assail us so often that most ofus have conditioned ourselves to forget thedismal consequences and comfort ourselveswith the passive feeling that we are powerless toprevent or to redress the damage done.The public perception of lawyers is also that theyare a hard hated tribe whose paramount pursuitis the betterment of themselves.However, the commencement and continuationby the ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKANLAWYERS IN UK [ASLLUK] TSUNAMI

CHARITY, is a stark contradiction of this generalmisconception.For the 11th. consecutive year the ASLLUKTSUNAMI APPEAL spearheaded by CriminalDefence Barrister Lalith de Kauwe , has beensuccessfully conducted atGarden Court Chambers ,Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and raisedfunds to assist those in need inSri Lanka. Whilst continuing tocare for the welfare of thevictims of the 2004 Tsunami,the Charity has widened itsscope to help other vulnerable

groups. The Reception thisyear held on 20 November2015 raised £1200 from theauction , by that persuasive SolicitorSumalFernando of a pinting entitled “Anabiosis “ by Sri Lankan Artist EmalkaHapuarachchi donated by James Yorke , anactive young member of ASLLUK.The affable President of ASLLUK Harendrade Silva QC in his message said: “This is aparticularly important occasion as it focuseson an extremely important and worthwhilecause, the victims of chronic kidney failure

deserve all the support that we can provide -financial and otherwise.”The Chairman of the Tsunami Charity, Lalith deKauwe, in his usual passionate style, stated:“There is still today grave injustice done to

thousands of women and men who toil in thefields as agricultural workers. They are paid apittance. They endure long hours of backbreaking work under the hot sun and in torrentialmonsoon rains. They work to grow rice andvegetables for the benefit of the community andthe profit of their lords. In return they developkidney failure. They are forgotten. Chronickidney failure is preventable… They were notwarned of the dangers of the use of toxicfertilisers in agriculture or the risks in consuming

that food…… Support these poor people in theirstruggle for justice. Give them a chance to havethe fundamental right to live. Donate what youcan to provide dialysis machines to save theirlives in memory of Tanoo Mylvaganam, acomrade who fought for social justice.”Two minutes silence was observed to respectthe memory of Tanoo Mylvanagam ’s untimelydeath. This was followed by the Key notespeech by Dr. Kamal Gammampila on ChronicKidney Failure in North Central Dry Zone of SriLanka.The event was graced by the Acting HighCommissioner Sugeeshwara Gunaratne andManoj Warnapala Counsellor, Cultural andEducation Division of Sri Lankan HighCommission, Richard McKee Retired Judge,

Michel and Ann Aslangul representing theCommonwealth in England BarristersAssociation CEBA, and numerous Solicitors andBarristers and their families who were treated toa delightful Sri Lankan Dinner, reminding us ofthe wise words of the Buddha in Verse 177Dhammapada: “Misers certainly do not go to theheaven of the gods, and fools not praiseliberality, but noble men find joy in generosity,and this gives them joy in higher worlds.”


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Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham and Heston,joined supporters in celebrating the contribution ofsmall firms in Hounslow, as part of this year’sSmall Business Saturday on December 5th.Launched in 2013, Small Business Saturdaybrought a boost to local high streets across thecountry. In 2014, 16.5 million Britons visited a localindependent store – 2.7m more than on SmallBusiness Saturday in 2013.

Seema Malhotra MP backed local businesses totake advantage of the campaign on a key shoppingday in the year in the run-up to Christmas andencouraged local people to shop locally in smallfirms as part of the day. It’s hoped this will give along-term boost to trade and give a lift to the highstreets.Seema Malhotra MP said: “This is a vital campaignand I am proud of all our local businesses. We

should do all we can to thank them for thecontribution they make to the local economy, andfor what they add to the local community andboosting diversity on the High Street.”Councillor Hanif Khan, local business owner fromHanworth Park said: “Small Business Saturday isgrowing bigger and better every year, it’s such animportant day because it puts small businesseslike mine in the spotlight. It was a fantastic day of

celebrations and I welcome this greatinitiative”Joined with MP Seema Malhotra CllrBishnu Gurung. Cllr Hanif Khan. From janahandafoundation Srilaldias parliament Secretary toSeema Malhotra Sofia Patel and other councillorsand labour party Supporters.. Miss Sofia Patelwith janahanda media

SEEMA MALHOTRA MP BACKS SMALL BUSINESSES SATURDAY

(colombogazette.com) PresidentMaithripala Sirisena who is in Vaticanon a special invitation of Pope Francisvisited St Peter’s Basilica Churchtoday (Dec. 15). St. Peter’s Basilicais an Italian Renaissance church inVatican City, the papal enclave withinthe city of Rome. It is famous as aplace of pilgrimage and for itsliturgical functions

Pope Francis exchanges a gift with Sri Lanka’sPresident Maithripala Sirisena during a private

audience at the Vatican. REUTERS

Pope Francis greets Sri Lanka’s President MaithripalaSirisena during a private audience at the Vatican. REUTERS

Pope Francis meets Sri Lanka’sPresident Maithripala Sirisena (L) andwife Jayanthi Sirisena during a private

audience at the Vatican. REUTERS

President in Rome

Bethany Faith Ministries (BFM) celebrates 20years of faith-filled and passionate ministry to thediaspora community of Tamil and Sinhalese.The church is hosted by Rev.T.M.I Sathiyaraj who has a deepdesire for people to experiencethe tangible presence of God.He serves alongside his wife,Pastor. Chrishanthy Sathiyaraj,who has a heart for people totruly know and live outeverything God has called themto be, in every area of their lives.Bethany has a range of activitiesfor those of all ages. They striveto make the community feelwelcomed and involved. From kids shows, youthprogrammes and senior citizen outings - no onewill feel left out!

Bethany Faith Ministries celebrated their 20thanniversary in a room filled with hundreds ofpeople on the 5th December 2015 at prestigious

venue of Greenford Town Hall,including the Mayor of Ealing,Madam Mayor, HarbhajanKaur Dheer who appreciatedRev. T.M.I Sathiyaraj's andPastor Chrishanthy'srelentless pursuit of God'speople and twenty years ofdedicated service to thecommunity.The service included theyoung people of BFMperforming a skit that ended

with an astonishing merge ofcolours representing the rainbow. Arainbow symbolises various many

things but a few connotations for the symbol are:Life, hope and promise. You can find the sign rightthere in BFM's logo. Not only has God has kept His

promise to expand the church but all who walksinto this church receives a brand new life and alifetime of hope.


Bethany Faith Ministries (BFM) celebrates 20 years

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The Sri Lanka Christian Association held its 29thAnnual Christmas Carols service at the KensingtonReform Church in Kensington London on Sunday6th December.The occasion was graced by Her Royal Highness,Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia, adirect descendant of Her Royal Highness, QueenVictoria. Her Royal Highness was joined by TheWorshipful Mayor of the Royal Borough ofKensington and Chelsea, Councillor RobertFreeman, and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman.The President Ms. Charmaine Jayatilleke MBE andthe executive committee of the Sri Lanka ChristianAssociation were also honoured by the presenceof Dr. Zimar Sivardeen, Chairman of the British SriLankan Association (BriSLA) and The Acting HighCommissioner of Sri Lanka to The UnitedKingdom, His Excellency SugeeshwaraGunaratna.All distinguished guests lit the Advent candles forPeace and Unity around the world, and for thesafety and protection of people everywhere,especially children and the vulnerable, fromneedless and thoughtless violence.

The evening was of prayer, and readings fromScripture, read by several members of theaudience and the committee.Mrs. Marie Ryde read a beautiful Poem 'What isChristmas' written by Ms. Hermion Tavarayan,which made everyone ponder the real meaning ofChristmas.Rev. Dr. James Mather who facilitated the Carolsservice, highlightedthe poignantmessage from the'Hymn for Ceylon'sung by The SriLanka ChristianAssociation Choir,when concludingthe evening event,he reminded theguests of thetouching lyrics:'Peace within herborders, twixt manand man goodwill,The love all

unsuspicious, the love that works no ill…Following the Carols, The President of the SriLanka Christian Association, Ms. CharmaineJayatilleke, invited the entire congregation to joinfor delicious snacks provided by the generous Mr& Mrs Bilal Omar and the staff of Golden Platter,who continue to support the efforts of thisassociation.

The Sri Lanka Christian Association takes thisopportunity to thank its committee and friends, withspecial mention of Marie, Hermion, Angela,Manoja, Shiran, Channa and all the othervolunteers, and particularly the members of thechoir, and especially its well-wishers and itsgenerous long-standing donors and supporters.

29 Years in a Row, and Still Singing CAROLS AT CHRISTMAS…


The Annual Kathina Ceremony of LetchworthDhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural Centrewas held on Sunday 15th November 2015 at StMichael's Church Hall in Letchworth Garden City. Itwas the 12th consecutive Kathina Ceremony to beheld by DhammaNikethanaya Community.This year The KathinaCeremony was sponsoredmainly by Mr Sujeewa & MrsSujeewa Lokuwadugetogether with their childrenHarindi & Hasindu Thilsara,and all the members of theDhamma NikethanayaBuddhist Centre Community.A large gathering ofvenerable monks and overtwo hundred cosmopolitanmember families of DhammaNikethanaya Communityparticipated despite thetorrential stormy and very cold weather conditions.Accustomed to the 26 centuries old unhinderedtradition and the words of the Blessed One LordBuddha, monks at Letchworth DhammaNikethanaya Buddhist Cultural Centre observedthis year's Three Months Rains Retreat on Sunday26th Esala (July) Full Moon Day 2015. Duringthese three months,public from all walks oflife had wonderfulopportunities to learnmuch of the BuddhaDhamma (teachings ofthe Lord Buddha) andpractice Meditation forpeace and happiness intheir daily lives.The Kathina Ceremonyis one of the biggestBuddhist Communityfestivals and regardedas highly meritoriousand significantly blissful.It is a ceremony held tomark the end of the annual three-month spiritualrains retreat, observed by venerable monksresiding at the monastery. The members of the

community engage fully by contributing more timeand efforts for practising Meditation, studyingDhamma Teachings, Practising generosity (dana),observing Moral Conduct Retreats and offeringmany Blessings Poojas.

This year's ceremonycommenced early morningwith taking the cloth- materialto the temple to make therobe. After offering morningdana to venerable monks andsharing breakfast, everyonejoined the blissful processionto take the Kathina RobeMaterial, Sacred Relics ofLord Buddha, Buddha Statue,Bodhi Tree and other sacredobjects of veneration to theceremony venue.Children and Parents ofDhamma School led theelegant Kathina Procession

from the Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre,through Letchworth Garden City town centre to theSt Michael's Church Hall, braving the most unusualand torrential stormy weather. Local residents weredelighted to experience a sight of spectacularblessings on a Sunday Morning, with traditionaldrummers clad in beautiful costumes and flag

bearers.The Ceremony wasblessed with thepresence of over 14venerable BuddhistMonks representingleading BuddhistTemples in the UnitedKingdom. Among themwere Most VenerableTawalama BandualaMaha Thero (DeputyHead Monks of LondonBuddhist Vihara), MostVenerable EhaliyagodaDhammapala MahaThero (Head Monk of

Thames Buddhist Centre), Most VenerableBhikkhu Gonulle Assaji Maha Thero (Croydon),Most Venerable Kanamuldeniye Ariyawansa Maha

Thero (Edmonton Samadhi MeditationBuddhist Centre), Most VenerableDenunupitiye Upananda Maha Thero(Calgary, Canada), Most VenerableMadugalle Mahanama Thero (Deputy HeadMonk of East London Lumbini BuddhistCultural Centre Palistow), Most VenerableWaskaduwe Subodhi Thero (RepresentingKingsbury Temple), Venerable KirioruweDheerananda Thero (East London PlaistowTemple), Venerable Galayaye DhammadassiThero (Kingsbury Sri SaddhathissaInternational Buddhist Centre), VenerableRambodagama Naradha Thero (ThamesBuddhist Vihara), Venerable KuruduwattePangnasiri Thero (Edmonton SamadhiBuddhist Meditation Centre) VenerableKothmale Sumedha (Thames Buddhist

Vihara), and Venerable Panna Sri ofBangladesh (East London Lumbini Vihara).In appreciation of Venerable Akurala SamithaThero's (Head Monk of Letchworth Dhamma

Nikethanaya) services to other temples, somespecial guests also attended. RepresentingThames Buddhist Vihara, Surrey, Croydon, DrHerath Kularathne, it's President together with MrsKularathne, Mr Ariyadasa Kodinkaduwa, Mr NihalJayasinghe and some other members of ThamesVihara were pleased to attend. Dr C Nanayakkara,the president of Leicester Buddhist Vihara alsoattended.The day's programme commenced with sewing the

Kathina Robe, brought in procession to theceremony hall, followed by offerings to Wish-Fulfilling Tree (kapparukka), offering gifts and foodto monks, listening to Dhamma talks delivered bymonks in English & Sinhala languages, blessingschanting and sharing food with all present.The keynote speech was delivered by MrMadawala Hemananda on “We are our Mind” whoalso introduced his latest book on Buddhism andMeditation. On behalf of the centre, VenerableAkurala Samitha Thero deeply appreciated thecontributions of Mr Hemananda personally tothe Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya and tothe wider community.Everyone deeply appreciated the highlyspiritual harmonious feeling felt throughout theceremonies. The community was very gratefulto Venerable Akurala Samitha for hisremarkable dedication particularly for children'seducational programmes. The local communityappreciated very much the opportunity toexperience the traditional cultural items of theceremony.The closing item of the ceremony was thebeautiful pooja fortwenty eight LordBuddhas, which wassponsored by MrsNita Gurusinghe forgood health andblessings to lovingparents.All the VenerableMonks chantedspecial blessingswishing peace,happiness,prosperity andsecurity on thecommunity.Everyone bore the

thoughts in solidarity for the unfortunate thingshappenings in Paris and other parts of the globeand expressed their sorrow at the death of thebeloved borther of Miss Padma Wijerathna.Venerable Akurala Samitha thanked everyone forgiving a tremendous support to make the event agreat success. In particular, Hertfordshire PoliceSafer Neighbourhood Team, PC Mr Carla Little &PCSO Mr Baringer; Children of Thames ViharaRalph, Devan, Kevin and Gayan organized by MrsRenuka Amarasinghe & Mrs Nitha Wijewickkrama.On behalf of the centre, Mrs Rathnawalie Dep andMrs Cheryl Green, Parents of Milton Keynes DrMahesh Dias, Dr Arosha Bandara, Mrs SamanthiDe Silva, Mrs Asha Sooriyabandara, Mrs WasanaDeepani Kariyawasam and others wereremembered with gratitude.Outstanding hall decorations and ceremonyarrangements were also highly appreciated byeveryone. Venerable Samitha invoked blessingsespecially on Mr Paul Martin, Mr Chanaka Herath,Mr Lokuwaduge Family, Mr Uluvita family, Mr NickCoplowe and Mr Chris Sill for their relentless andsleepless support for the hall arrangements. MrPriyantha Uluvita and Mr Devapriya Perera werethanked for their support with photography.For more details and pictures please visit ourwebsite: www.buddhistacademy.com Our Nextprogramme will be New Year Blessings on Friday01st January 2016 at 5PM.May the Blessings of this greatest meritoriousdeed fulfil the aspirations of all, and lead to theeverlasting happiness Nibbana! May all be secure,well and happy with Noble Blessings of the TripleGem!

Photographs by Mr Priyantha Uluvita &Mr Devapriya Perera

Report by Secretary, Dhamma Nikethanaya


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Press Release:

Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony 2015

Main Sponsor of Kathina 2015 Mr Sujeewa& Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge family

Main sponsors of the Morning Dana transferringmerits to parents

Bring the Kathina Robe materials to make a robeby the main sponsor family

Taking the Sacred Ralics from the Centre to theCeremony Hall in Procession

Devotees sewing the Kathina Robe

Kathina Procession proceed through Letchworth Town Centre

Kathina Procession proceeds from the Pix Road Kathina Procession at the Heart of Letchworth Town Centre

Venerable Monks attending to the Kathina Ceremony Kathina procession reaching the Main Ceremony Hall St Micheal’s Church


Bringing the Objects ofVeneration to the Ceremony Venue

Sponsors Offer the half sewn Kathina Robes to Monksfor further completion

Arranging Food for Kathina Dana Offering first dana to Lord Buddhaon Kathina Pinkama

Respectfully placing the Sacred Relicsof the Lord Buddha at the Hall

Offering Buddha Poojaon Kathina Pinkama

Lightening the TraditionalOil Lamp

Special Guests Lighteningthe Traditional Oil Lamp

Members of the centre lighingthe traditional lamp

Centre Members Lightthe traditional Oil lamp

Devotees paying homage and doing the chantingto offer the Buddha Pooja

Devotees Attending the Buddha Pooja Ven Rambodagama Narada Thero of ThamesBuddhist Vihara conducting Pooja

Venerable AkuralaSamitha welcomesVenerable Monks

Most Ven Dedunupitiye Upananda NayakaThero Calgary Canada giving a talk

Offering refreshments to Venerable Monkswho attended Kathina procession

Most Ven Kanamuldeniye Ariyawansa Thero sharing merits

Offering Dana to Venerable Monks Offering Dana to Venerable Monks

Devotees attending the Kathina Dana Ceremony Offering Gifts to Venerable Monks Devotees offering Atapirikara

Robes offering to venerable Monks Children offering gifts to venerable monks Offering the Kathina Robe Main Sponsors and Devotees taking the Kathina Robe to offer

Taking the completed kathinarobe in procession Devotees dedicating the Kathina Robe to venerable monks Offering the Kathina Robe Main Sponsors with Venerable Monks who attended the ceremony

Main sponsors of the Atavisi Buddha pooja Devotees attending the Atavisi Buddha Pooja Main Sponsors wiht Organizing Committee and Helping Committee

Venerable Samithaconducting the Atavisi

Buddha pooja

ABEYSIRIWARDENE - YOSHAN. - 52, PothgulVihara Mawatha, Ratnapura.ABHAYARATNE - PATRICK FRANKLYN WAMARASEKERA - PATRICKWICKRAMAWANSA -'Sisila', Medihena Watta,Radawana.ATTANAYAKE - PERCYBULUMULLA - BANDULACANAGASABEY - MARIE (nee BALDSING).DAVY - FELIX ANTHONY - 22/2B, PeirisMawatha, Panadura.DE SOUZA - RODGERDe Zoysa - No.24, Tichborne Place, Colomb-10DOLEWATTE - ANTON

EDIRISINGHE - LAKSHMI. - 26, Gower Street,Colombo 05.FAROOK - UMMU RAHEEMA - 189/53 1/2,Dematagoda Road, Colombo 9.FERNANDO - P.M.D. (MELVILLE)GOMES - THERESE CARMENGUNASEKARA BELPAMULLAGEDHARMADASAGUNASEKERA - GODFREY DE SILVA.JOACHIM - CYNTHIAKANAGAPERUMAL - PATRICK ARUNESH -40/12, Station Road, KapuwatteKUMARASINGHE - NOELIN (nee SILVA) - No.75, Sri Rahula Mawatha, Kovinna,AndiambalamaLIYANAGE - MRS PRIYALATHA SEELAWATHI-. Kapugewatta Navimana South Matara.MENDIS - B.J. ANTON F. - No. 385/4,Kularathne Mawatha, Kimbulapitiya Road,NegomboPADUMAWATHIE - K.P.W. (BHADRA). -“Sagala”, Wellawatta, Hikkaduwa.PEIRIS - Dr. T.C.PERERA - DR. CHANDRA SENERAT (MCS), -No. 8, Tereva Crescent, Wheeler's Hill, Vic3150.PERERA - LESTER. - 58/2, Meda WelikadaRoad, Rajagiriya.PERERA - M.H. - No.48, DammarathanaMawatha, Madiwela, Kotte.PERERA - MANEL. - “Nisala Arana”PERERA - MRS. ANGELA SELESTINA (neeNUGERA). - 82/1, Rukmal Mawatha,Jambugasmulla Road, Nugegoda.PERERA - P.V.E (VICTOR) -No. 173,Negombo Road, WattalaPERERA - W.M. GERARD PERERA - 7,Pubudu Mawatha, Dias Place, Walapola,Panadura.

PERERA M.H. - No.48, DammarathanaMawatha, Madiwela, Kotte.REV. JOHN JESUDIAN - No. 50, MaradanaRoad, Hendala, Wattala.RICHARD - THOMAS. - No. 6, 1st Lane,Nawala Road, Nugegoda.SAMARAKOON - MARY (nee MULHOLAND). -Springvale Cemetery, Vic. Australia.SAMARASINGHE - MERCY PIYASEELI.SAPARAMADU - LAXMAN - No. 306/45,Thalawathugoda Road, Madiwela, KotteSELVARAJAH - VASASPATHYSENARATNE - S.B. - No.12, Kanatte Rd,Boralesgamuwa.SITHY RUKAYA -. 1/1, Fernando Place, WaidyaRoad, Dehiwela.UDALAGAMA - NANDA DULLEWA - “RanwalaWalawwa”, Kegalle.WEERAKKODY - WIJAYASENA ALWIS -107,Old Road, Moraketiya, Pannipitiya.WICKRAMARATNE - DODANGODAGELEELAWATHIE (nee KAPURUGE)-106/1,Thalangama North, BattaramullaWICKRAMASINGHE - SUSANTHAWIJEYESINGHE MALLIKA

EDITED BY REGGIE FERNANDO JP

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Gemini(the Twins) 21st May - 20th June

Cancer(the Crab) 21st June - 20th July

Leo(the Lion) 21st July - 19th / 22nd Aug

Virgo(the Virgin) 20th / 23rd Aug - 22nd Sept

Libra(the Scale) 23rd Sept - 22nd Oct

Scorpio(the Scorpion) 23rd Oct - 21st Nov

Sagittarius(the Archer) 22nd Nov - 20th Dec

Capricorn(the Goat) 21st Dec - 20th Jan

Aquarius(the Water Carrier) 21st Jan -19th Feb

Pisces(the Fishes) 20th Feb - 20th March

Aries(the Ram) 21st March-20th April

Taurus(the Bull) 21st April - 20th May

Gemini(the Twins) 21st May - 20th June

Cancer(the Crab) 21st June - 20th July

Leo(the Lion) 21st July - 19th / 22nd Aug

Virgo(the Virgin) 20th / 23rd Aug - 22nd Sept

Libra(the Scale) 23rd Sept - 22nd Oct

Scorpio(the Scorpion) 23rd Oct - 21st Nov

Sagittarius(the Archer) 22nd Nov - 20th Dec

Capricorn(the Goat) 21st Dec - 20th Jan

Aquarius(the Water Carrier) 21st Jan -19th Feb

Pisces(the Fishes) 20th Feb - 20th March

Aries(the Ram) 21st March-20th April

Taurus(the Bull) 21st April - 20th May

Do things with your children and avoid situations that makeyou feel as if you've neglected the ones you love. It's time tolet loose. Your nerves are frazzled. Renovations to yourdomestic scene will pay high rewards.Your lucky day Friday.

Your ability to see other people's points of view will allow youto come to reasonable agreements. Travel will promote newromantic encounters and additional cultural knowledge.Someone may not be thinking of your best interests. Spendsome time with the one you love. Your lucky day Tuesday.

You need more space for the whole family. Your need to be in aleadership position will help you surpass any rivals you mightencounter. Be an observer before getting involved. Make anydecisions you have to in order to avoid feeling unsettled.Your lucky day Saturday.

You can make excellent investments if you are in the right placeat the right time. Stabilize your own position by locking up yoursavings. Escapist tendencies will result in a poor reputation anda lack of confidence. You are best to back away fromcommitment. Your lucky day Tuesday.

Take the time to close deals that have been up in the air.Stress may cause minor health ailments. You need topamper yourself for a change. Channel your energy intodecorating or household chores.Your lucky day Friday.

Be prepared to have relatives or close friends introduceyou to new and exciting individuals. Elders may need yourhelp. Be sure not to burn any bridges. You'll get to yourdestination just as quickly.Your lucky day Tuesday.

You may be confused regarding your love life. You won'timpress anyone by being overly generous. Your ability toconverse with charm will entice someone you may havehad an interest in for some time now. Do not let them blowsituations out of proportion. Your lucky day Saturday.

You would be wise to consider attending lectures thatwill broaden your awareness concerning yourprofessional direction. Go out with close friends whounderstand your situation and your needs. Just beyourself. Reevaluate your motives. Your lucky day Friday.

You may have the opportunity to get involved in someinteresting conversations. Don't be too quick to judgethose you live with. Your ability to help others will win youpoints. Don't delay; go to your physician or dentist and getto the bottom of the discomfort. Your lucky day Saturday.

Pleasure trips will bring you into contact with new andinteresting people. Don't let yourself get rundown. You canhave a great time if you go out with the one you love. Directyour energy into physical exertion. Residential moves will befavorable. Your lucky day Thursday.

Be creative in your efforts. Be courteous if you wish to avoidmajor delays. Try not to lose your cool, and make your pointknown. You should socialize with clients or upper echelons ofyour industry if possible.Your lucky day Monday.

Don't let the erratic behavior of someone you live withinterfere with your professional performance. Look beforeyou leap. Try to bend but by no means should you give incompletely. You can make it up to them later.Your lucky day Tuesday.

Funeral

Sandhya Trayner(nee Opatha)

Sandhya's

There will be buffet food and drinks from 2:30 pmin the Back Bar, Kingsmeadow Function and

Conference Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422aKingston Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 3PB.

funeral will take place on Friday 18December at 1:00 pm, at the Kingston

Crematorium, Bonner Hill Road, Kingston uponThames, KT1 3EZ

Ian & Natasha Trayner and Clara, Kumari, Ruwan& Sudil Opatha

(sundayobserver.lk) Theannual limited overs cricketencounter between LyceumInternational SchoolNugegoda and LyceumInternational SchoolPanadura for the NikithaGrero Challenge Trophy willbe played on December 21at the SSC grounds.The teams LIS Nugegoda.From.Bimsara Gamage (captain), Chehan Walpola(V.Capt), Nihindu Walpola,Sheik Moulana, JanithJayakody, SadithaKaluarachchi,Jason Cruse,Chanode Fernando, Nimesh Kahawatte, RushdyAshrof, Poorna Lokuarachchi, Lashawn de Mel,Anuk Silva, Avinash Perera, TharinduWeerakoon, Devmin de Alwis,HemakaGunasekera, Binuk Thambavita, EvinGrero, Joshua Suppiah,Mithila Nettasinghe.LIS Panadura . From. Buddhika Jayasuriya,(captain), Kalana Perera (V.Capt), ChalakaNallaperuma, Aditha Iddamalgoda, Nesanda

Weerasekera, SithiraThennekoon, SudaraSenanayake, Sasindu deSilva, Vishal Fernando,Shayan Guruge,Nirmantha Ransilu,Navodh Kalupahana,Isuru Perera, SheronLiyanage, Abdullah Faril.

Lyceum Nugegoda

Lyceum Panadura

The Battle of the Lyceumers


By Pandula RanatungaThe Annual Winter Fundraising Dinner organisedby the parents and teachers of London BuddhistVihara's Dhamma School raised aconsiderable amount of money for theTemple and also helped promote SriLankan cuisine and its unique culturein a positive light. It was anothersuccessful night for everyone whoworked diligently to organise theevent. The dinner comprised abountiful array of many delightful SriLankan vegetarian dishes especiallycreated to attract food lovers andsupporters from those living near andfar and from many walks of life. Theattendance of a large gatheringensured that this year's FundraisingDinner was the most successful todate and a fitting tribute to itsorganisers - the parents and teachersof London Buddhist Vihara's Dhamma School. Thekey to its success was once again the dedication,diligence and hard work of everyone whovolunteered by organising and planning the eventin a collaborative spirit. The buffet-style dinneroffered guests agenerous selection ofdelicious and mouth-watering Sri Lankandishes, whilst there wasalso a grand aura of SriLanka's beauty andculture on displaythroughout the Vihara.The event enticed notonly the Temple's usualcongregation, but alsoits Chiswick neighboursand other British friends and visitors, whoclamoured in their droves to form long queues inanticipation of tasting the culinary delights andexperiencing the special Sri Lankan ambience thathad been especially organised for them.Careful preparation and meticulous planningcertainly seemed to have helped the cause, withno stone being left unturned to help create a warm

and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. From themenu to the decoration, there was painstakingattention paid to details, so that attendees

experienced a flavour notonly of Sri Lankan food, butalso a taste of the country'srich culture, religiousheritage and scenic beauty.So it was that on a crisp andcold winter's evening,Chiswick's genteelmulticultural residentsgathered inside the warmthof the oldest Buddhist templeoutside Asia, to tasteauthentic Sri Lankan cuisineand be transported by thesights, smells and sounds ofa tranquil, tropical pearl-dropisland far away inthe Indian Ocean.

Inside the Temple Hall, the walls wereadorned with picturesque posters andwall hangings capturing the beauty ofSri Lanka and its renowned splendour.The centre of all the dining tables were

decorated with flowers of popularBuddhist colours, designed tocreate a bright welcomingatmosphere, in comparison to thedark gloomy wintery night outside.Even the Vihara entrance was notneglected by the organisers' magictouch, with the pathways elegantlydecorated with hurricane lanternsthat added a sense of drama andcelebration to contrast with the wintery gloomyweather outside.The organisers who planned and created this

event came from numerous LBV Dhamma Schoolwell-wishers comprising parents, volunteerteachers and children of all ages who willinglyrallied together with customary great diligent,respect and team spirit to help the cause of raisingfunds for the Vihara. These helpers werethemselves part of the visual theme of Sri Lankathat ran throughout the event, draped in their

traditional Sri Lankanattires from brightlycoloured saris tosarongs, batik attire, tocloth and jackets, whichhelped create an aura ofEastern authenticity,charm and hospitality. Inaddition, televisionprojection screenssuspended at each endof the halls showedBuddhism and Sri Lanka-themed films,encapsulating the soundsand images of Buddhistart, culture and rituals asa fitting background experience to the sumptuousmeal.

On a more serious theme, therewas also a talk given by a DrKamal Gammampila, in theadjoining Hall who spoke to agathering about an importantissue that continues to affect thepeople of the North Centralregion of Sri Lanka ChronicKidney Disease. DrGammampila is a BiomedicalPhysicist attached to ImperialCollege, who has independentlyresearched the tragicpredicament of thousandssuffering from Kidney Diseasewhich is now believed to becaused by the Cadmium

contaminated soil that has in turn made the cropsand diet toxic for many people living in Sri Lanka'sNorth Central Region. Ven Konwewe Ariyarathana,who originates from the Anuradhapura District,which has been particularly ravaged by ChronicKidney Disease, expressed his thanks to Dr KamalGammampila for providing such an enlighteningtalk on a very important humanitarian topic. VenAriyarathana, related how he personally knewabout the plight of people, sometimes as young 17,who were experiencing kidney failure and were

unable to obtain any significant relief becauseof the lack of proper medical treatment, suchas dialysis; he hoped that now there wasgreater public awareness of this great healthcrisis following Dr Gammampila's talk, thatpeople everywhere will be galvanised to helpdeal with andalleviate thegreat sufferingmany peoplewere enduring.Everyoneagreed that itcertainly was amemorableevent to meetold and new

acquaintances, to be imbued by the stimulatingatmosphere and enjoy the authentic Sri Lankancuisine as well as other delicacies that were madeavailable on the day. It was all praises for thosewho organised and worked hard behind the scenesfrom cooking, to Hall and table decorating, toprinting tickets, to serving and ushering guests. Ithad certainly gave everyone considerableencouragement to organise similar events in fuur,in this same well-thought out manner, to help raisefunds for the Vihara and its Dhamma School. TheTeachers of London Buddhist Vihara DhammaSchool would like to sincerely thank all those whohelped and supported the event in so many waysand contributed to making it a great success.

London Buddhist Vihara Dhamma School's Winter Fundraising Dinner Attracts Sizeable Crowd

(island.lk) Girls High School, Kandy wonthe All- Island Schools under 14 ‘ADivision’ team badminton championshipwhich was conducted in Galle recently.At the semi-finals, Girls High School beatDharmapala Vidyalaya, Kottawa 3-1 andat the finals beat Dharmashoka College,Ambalangoda comprehensively 3-0.

Coincidentally it was the same teamback in 2011 became the Under 10runners up in the ‘C division’ All-islandschools badminton tournament.The winning team was captained byDinuki Kulatunga and coached byNalinda Sampath under the guidance ofTeacher-in-charge Thanuja Gunasinghe.

The winning team seated - Nalinda Sampath(coach), Thanuja Gunasinghe(teacher incharge). Standing from left, Chalakie Weerasingha, Navini Wijethunga, M.R.F Ilma, Sawindi

Rathnayaka, Dinetha Ranasinghe, Dinuki Kulatunga(Captain)

Girls High School, Kandy win Under 14All – Island Badminton Crown

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LONDON BUDDHIST VIHARA

COLLECTION FOR THEHOMELESS 2015

For the past few years we have madecollections of foodstuff, etc. to donate to the

Homeless Charity in Acton.This year we are intending to donate

sleeping bags as the weather forecasts areall saying that we are going to have a hard

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one time so that we can get a discounttherefore are making a collection, from nowup to Sangamiththa day. This way we will

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(island.lk) Annual Law- Medical cricketmatch was played atP. Sara Oval on 5thDecember. Lawyersteam won the by 17runs in a tight game.Winning the tossDoctors’ captainRusiru invitedLawyers, led byManesh Wevita, to batfirst in a 35-overmatch. Lawyers werebowled out for 151 in34.5 overs withPriyantha Rajapakse scoring 35 runs. Kasun tookfour wickets and Rusiru took three for the doctors.In reply Doctors only maged to score 134 in 32.3overs. Thushara scored 40 and Gawri scored 36.Gihan took three wickets, and Yohan and Maneshtook two each.With that win Lawyers won the BASL SLMCtrophy.Lawyers will now be participating in the 5th

Lawyers’ Cricket World Cup in Brisbane, Australiato be held from 28th December 2015 to 10thJanuary 2016.Scores:Lawyers 151 in 34.5 overs (Priyantha 35, Ershan18, Yohan 17, Paliwaththa 16, Kumaran 16;Kasun 24/4, Rusiru 16/3, Charuka 31/2)Doctors 134 in 32.3 overs (Thushara 40, Gawri36; Gihan 12/3, Yohan 18/2, Manesh 24/2).


Two rejectednominations for SLC

elections to becontested

The currents and under currents at local cricketelections continued to unfold in the aftermath ofthe sports ministry ruling stating that some ofthose contestants are ineligible contest nextcricket AGM.However it is now known that the decision by theDirector General of the Ministry of Sports rejectingat least two nominees would be contested.After the Ministry of Sports rejected the names ofK. Mathivanan (From the Sumathipala faction)Asanga Seneviratne (From the Ranatunga faction)who were contesting for the post of vice presidentand Eastman Narangoda who was going tocontest for the post of treasurer from theRanatunga faction.According to Mohan de Silva of the Sumathipalafaction they are going to challenging the decisionrejecting Mathivanan.De Silva said that in 2012 Nishantha Ranatunga,Hirantha Perera, Asanga Seneviratne and K.Mathivanan faced the objections, but, after theytook the matter up with the attorney general whocleared the names. He said “That is why weforwarded the name of Mathivanan”.Meanwhile Nishantha Ranatunga speaking on thecase of Eastman Narangoda said “We were awarethat Eastman Narangoda – a prominent bankerhad not served the stipulated two years and wehave obtained clearances from the Ministry ofSports. With all that they still have rejected hisnomination. Besides that we also find that evenJayantha Dharmadasa has served for only a yearand eleven months in the executive committee.He was – similar to Asanga Seneviratne --nominated by the executive committee.”

(island.lk) A three-member SL team will play inthe above tournament to be held from Dec.23-29 at Khalifa Int’l Tennis & SquashComplex, Al-Babba, Doha, Qatar. In thepicture is the Sri Lankan team with the SLTAPresident. (From L-R): Nelaka Dissanayake(Ananda College, Colombo), ThevindaPiyadigama (St. Peter’s College, Colombo),Iqbal Bin Issack (President, SLTA), ThevanPerera (Asian Int’l School, Colombo), andNiranjan Cassiechetty (Coach). (Pic by KamalWanniarachchi)

Lawyers beat Doctors

SL team for Qatar Asian Jr. Team Cup U-14


(nation.lk) When passing through Vauxhall Streetin the evening, you are bound to see theneighbourhood kids playing some serious streetcricket. Armed with not more than an undeterredgrit, impressive skill and striking confidence, thesekids firmly believe they will make the Sri Lankanational team someday.Twelve neighborhood friends, who form one of theyoungest teams on the block and call themselvesthe ‘Fire Boys’, were the ‘guests of honour’ at theunveiling of a unique3D creation by AIA.This 3D creation wasconstructed in timefor the ongoing AIAPremier LimitedOvers.It is impossible tomiss this larger thanlife cricket ball,measuring 14 feet indiameter, smashingthrough the AIAbuilding!The enthusiastic littlechief guests were inawe of the giantmural and keen toshow it to theirfriends in theneighbourhood. “I’m

going to bring the aiyas (elder brothers) who playcricket with us and show this to them,” said oneboy. Another kid insisted we send him aphotograph, so that he can show his grandfather,his biggest fan. The boys unanimously agreed thatthere is nothing they enjoy more than cricket andgave a hint that they’ll be future stars!Keep your eyes focused to see this smashingsight if you are passing through Kumaran RatnamRoad in Slave Island. You can’t miss it!

Record 27-12 win in Under 20 ruggertournament

By Indika Amarasinghe(nation.lk) Sri Lanka’s under 20 rugby rugby playersproduced a brilliant second half rally against hostnation Singapore in their first outing of the JuniorRugby Asiad to record a 27 points ( 4 Tries, 2Conversions, 1 Penalty) to 12 ( 2 Tries, 1Conversion) win at Singapore Stadium onDecember 13 (Sunday). The Winners led 10-05 athalf time.

The match got off in muddy conditions. Sri Lankadrew first blood when Kevin Dixon touched downafter covering nearly 40 meters. Reeza Rafaideenput over the conversion. Sri Lanka went into a 7nillead. Singapore reduced the lead to 7-5 with anunconverted try.Sri Lanka then took the lead 10-5 through a ReezaRafaideen penalty and this score stood at lemons.Soon after the break, Sri Lanka went further aheadto lead 15-5 through a sensational try which cameoff a 60 metre dash through winger ReezaRafaideen. The try was unconverted.

Singapore scored aconverted try to makethe score 15-12.Sri Lanka full backBuddhima Piyarathnascored a breathtakingtry which wentunconverted. Sri Lankaincreased the led andmade the score read20 -12.Tuskers sealed thematch in their favourwhen their second rowforward Mithila Pererascampered through fora try which wasconverted byRafaideen. This trymade Sri Lanka runaway with a 27 pointsto 12 win in the end.

Driven away by political backstabbingthe ex-paceman says Sri Lanka is notkeeping pace with modern demands:

by Allaam Ousman(sundayobserver.lk) DUBAI Former SriLanka cricketer Chaminda Vaas hascalled for an overhaul of coachingtechniques in the country to keep pacewith changes in the modern day gamewhile stressing on the importance offitness.Sri Lanka’s pace spearhead for a longtime, 41-year-old Vaas certainly looks asfit he was during his active playing days.“As a fast bowler you have to alwaysmaintain your fitness. That’s one thing Ialways take seriously and I still do mysame routines every day,” said Vaas, atireless workhorse for Sri Lanka andoneof only four bowlers to reach themilestone of 400 ODI wickets with twohat-tricks.However, his emphasis on fitness andattempts to change the system, mayhave hurt a few egos despite his bestintentions when serving as Sri Lanka’sbowling coach for two years.“I always wanted to be a part of Sri Lankacricket but there are lot of politics. It’s noteasy to do a proper job there. There areso many interferences,” said Vaas whohas taken flight to offer his servicesoutside the country.“I want to try my hand in a differentcapacity. I want to get involved with aglobal community,” said Vaas who will bebased in Sharjah from January as headcoach of the Vaas Victoria CricketAcademy.“I was involved with New Zealand and SriLanka .I always take up new challengesand try to do the best. Over the yearswhat I learnt from cricket I will put it intopractice and help budding cricketersdevelop into good cricketers,” said Vaaswho even got the chance to captain hiscountry against Australia in an ODI at theWACA.“I always love to give my services for SriLanka if there is a structure. I would loveto work there and do the right thing for SriLanka cricket,” said Vaas who felt someof the coaching methods were outdated.“There are coaches who have been therefor 10 or 15 years. Same old trainingmethods are used every day but thegame keeps changing every year. Youneed to have plans and new ideas. Wehave to move on and implement thoseideas with the new generation,” saidVaas while urging youngsters to grab theopportunities that come their way.

“It’s a transition period for Sri Lankacricket. There are so many talentedyoungsters who have to grab thechances to fill Mahela (Jayawardene)and (Kumar) Sangakkara’s shoes, andthey have to perform,” he said reiteratingthe need for a structured plan to fill thevacuum caused by the departures ofthese legends.“There are a lotof talentedyoungsters whoare capable. Butthe problem islack ofexperience. Theyneed to be givenexposure and dothe right thing forplayers. Whenthey playinternational levelwe have tomotivate themand get the bestout of them,” saidVaas arguably the greatest fast bowler tocome out of Sri Lanka.He proudly recalls how Sri Lanka wonTest matches in England and young fastbowlers were unearthed during histenure.“You got to groom them properly. Wehave coaches who have been working forso many years. They have been trainedin that way but there are so many newmethods. We have to follow thosethings,” said Vaas who made his mark inthe County Circuit for Middlesex,Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.

His message to aspiring cricketers wasclear - there are no short cuts to success.“It’s fitness as well to be mentally strong ifyou want to be a great bowler. When Iwas young, I always give 100 per cent forfitness. It is the key for players to showtheir skills and to play longer,” said Vaaswho made his first-class debut at age 16.“I always concentrate on fitness because

we have to be physicallyfit enough to go alongwith the mental side.Number one is fitness,”reiterated Vaas who wasno stranger to bendinghis back onunresponsive tracks.Vaas also felt bowlersshould be managedproperly once they areidentified at an early age.“We need to have ashort term and long termplan for bowlers. Wehave to look after themproperly, even the

nutrition part. Taking care of them is veryessential nowadays because so muchcricket is being played,” reiterated Vaaswho was against the splitting of captaincyfor different formats.“This is one thing I don’t agree. You mayhave different captains but Angelo(Mathews) is a young cricketer who has alot of cricket knowledge. I think he canhandle all the formats, including one-dayand-T20 and he is capable to do so. Ialways wanted one captain for allformats,” he said.

Vaas warns, drops bombshell

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Sri Lanka down hosts Singapore at Asian rugby

(colombogazette.com) Former Sri Lanka captainMahela Jayawardene has joined the AdelaideStrikers in Australia for BBL|05 on a one-year dealas the side’s second international signing, with theclub now finalising their squad for the upcomingseason, Cricket Australia announced.Jayawardene replaces Kieron Pollard after theWest Indies international was last month ruled outof the competition when he suffereda knee injury in South Africa’s RamSlam T20 Challenge. Featuring inmore than 600 internationalmatches for Sri Lanka,Jayawardene is widely regarded asone of cricket’s modern greats andbrings a wealth of experience someserious batting quality to theStrikers’ line-up. Head coach Jason Gillespie saidJayawardene would not only have a huge impacton the field, but would also act as a mentor to theyounger players in the team.“Mahela is a champion of the game and is withouta doubt one of the greatest batsman to play cricketin the modern era,” Gillespie said. “Having playedagainst him myself I’m fully aware of the type ofdamage he can do, so it’ll be exciting to have himon our side this time.” Jayawardene retired from

International cricket this year at the conclusion ofthe ICC Cricket World Cup, but has continued hiscareer in various domestic competitions, mostrecently guiding the Central Stags to victory overthe Northern Knights with a knock of 97 off just 59balls in New Zealand’s T20 domestic tournament.“Losing Pollard was disappointing because hedefinitely provided our team with extra spark, but

Mahela has been in really goodform in New Zealand and we’reconfident we’ve found a verycapable replacement,” addedGillespie.“He’s been in the game for a longtime and I think the younger battersin the group will definitely learn a lothaving both Mahela and Brad

Hodge in the squad.” Overnight, Jayawardene wasalso awarded Honorary Life Membership of theMarylebone Cricket Club (MCC), becoming the14th Sri Lankan to receive the honour. He appearson the famous Lord’s Honours Boards twice,having scored 107 and 119 against England in2002 and 2006 respectively.“It is an honour to be awarded Honorary LifeMembership of MCC,” Jayawardene said.

(Contd: on P31)


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(sundaytimes.lk) As part of St. Benedict’s College’s150th year Jubilee Celebrations, the school isconducting a basketball carnival to promote thegame among the beginners. The event has beennamed after one of the finest basketball products ofthe College – the late Percy Perera.Percy Perera Memorial Basketball Carnival will takeplace from December 18 to 21 at the Collegepremises in Kotahena with the participation of 12invited schools and eight teams from St. Benedict’s.The event is conducted by St. Benedict’s College’sUnder-19 basketball players with the guidance ofRev. Br. Janaka Fonseka, Director of St. Benedict’sand Rev. Br. Praveen Vaz, Sports Co-ordinator ofthe College.Around 300 children are expected to take part in theBasketball Carnival and each participant will bepresented with a certificate.This year, St. Benedict’s is celebrating the College’s

150th jubilee.As part of the jubilee celebrations, the College hasalready conducted Schools Double Wicket CricketTournament and La Sallian SwimmingChampionship this year.Percy Perera was perhaps the finest basketballproduct of St. Benedict’s College.He went onto represent the country with distinctionand was a leading star in 1960s.He represented Sri Lanka in the 1964 Asian Gamesin Bangkok and was named Asia’s Best Shooter.Among Percy Perera’s team-mates in the 1964Asian Games were Dr. Thurairaja, Dr. Sriskandaraja,Dr. Jesudason, former Army Commander RohanDaluwatte, Cosoms Perera and Graham Ludowyke.Percy Perera’s trade mark hook shot brought himmuch success and he was unstoppable during hispeak."I would get to the court about one hour before

practice and shootabout 500 hook shots,"Perera told celebratedsports writer T.M.K.Samat in the 1980s.Perera was no meancricketer.He represented St.Benedict’s and laterwent onto representSaracens and on oneoccasion took seven for57 against SSC. Amonghis victims were oneDuleep Mendis.Percy Perera migratedto Australia after hisplaying career.He passed away in2014, exactly 50 yearsafter becoming Asia’sBest Shooter.

Strikers sign Sri Lanka star Jayawardene(colombogazette.com) The International CricketCouncil (ICC) on Friday announced the groups andschedule of the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016,which will be staged across eight venues in India from8 March to 3 April.A total of 58 tournament matches, including 35 men’smatches and 23 women’s matches, will be played inthe 27-day tournament in Bengaluru, Chennai,Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur andNew Delhi. New Delhi and Mumbai will host the semi-finals on 30 and 31 March, respectively, while EdenGardens in Kolkata will be the venue of the 3 Aprilfinals. The women’s semi-finals and final will befollowed by the men’s knock-out matches. There is areserve day for the finals.The men’s event will carry a total prize money of$5.6million, which is an 86 per cent increase from the2014 tournament, while the total prize money for thewomen’s event is $400,000, which is a 122 per centincrease from the Bangladesh event.There have been five different winners of the men’sevent while the England women’s team won theinaugural tournament at home in 2009 beforeAustralia won three straight titles in the West Indies,Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2010, 2012 and 2014,respectively.According to the men’s event format, eight sides intwo groups of four, will feature in the first roundmatches with the group winners joining eight sides inthe Super 10 stage (two groups of five teams). Thetop two sides from both the Super 10 Groups will thenqualify for the semi-finals. In the women’s event, the10 sides will be divided into two groups and the toptwo sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals. The first round matches in the men’s event willtake place in Dharamsala and Nagpur from 8-13March and will feature Bangladesh, Netherlands,Ireland, debutant Oman (all in Group A), Zimbabwe,Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan (all in GroupB). In a double-header on the opening day on 8March, Zimbabwe will face Hong Kong in theafternoon match, to be followed by the evening matchbetween Scotland and Afghanistan. Both the matcheswill be played in Nagpur.The group winners will join Australia, England, NewZealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, WestIndies and host India in the Super 10 stage, which willbe played alongside the women’s event from 15-28March.Men’s defending champion Sri Lanka has beenplaced in Super 10 Group 1 along with South Africa,West Indies, England and the Group B winner. It willopen its title defence against the Group B winner inKolkata on 17 March, and play West Indies inBengaluru on 20 March, England in New Delhi on 26March and South Africa in New Delhi on 28 March.Host India, which won the inaugural tournament inSouth Africa in 2007, is in Super 10 Group 2 alongwith 2009 winner Pakistan, Australia, New Zealandand the Group A winner. India will launch its campaignin Nagpur against New Zealand on 15 March, while itwill go head to head with Pakistan in Dharamsala on19 March. Its other matches will be against the GroupA winner in Bengaluru on 23 March and Australia inMohali on 27 March. 2009 champion Pakistan willtake on the Group A winner in Kolkata on 16 March,before locking horns with traditional rival India inDharamsala on 19 March. Its remaining two matcheswill be in Mohali against New Zealand and Australiaon 22 and 25 March, respectively.England, which won the 2010 tournament in the WestIndies, takes on 2012 winner the West Indies inMumbai on 16 March, followed by matches againstSouth Africa (18 March in Mumbai), the Group Bwinner (23 March in New Delhi) and Sri Lanka (26March in New Delhi). After taking on England in itstournament opener, the West Indies will square offagainst Sri Lanka (20 March in Bengaluru), South

Africa (25 March in Nagpur) and the Group B winner(27 March in Nagpur).Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, 2009champion England is in Group B along with the WestIndies, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and will startoff against Bangladesh in Bengaluru on 17 March. Itsother matches will be against India (22 March inDharamsala), West Indies (24 March in Dharamsala)and Pakistan (27 March in Chennai).Australia women, who will be bidding to win the titlefor the fourth straight time, is in Group A along withSouth Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland.Their opening match will be against South Africa (18March in Nagpur), followed by matches against NewZealand (21 March in Nagpur), Sri Lanka (24 March inNew Delhi) and Ireland (24 March in New Delhi).ICC Chairman Mr Shashank Manohar, who attendedthe launch ceremony in Mumbai, said: “India is acountry where cricket is a religion and not manyplaces can match the passion for the game like India.I am fully confident that the Board of Control forCricket in India will deliver an outstanding worldcricket event, just like the ICC Cricket World Cups in1987, 1996 and 2011.“The ICC and BCCI are fully committed and will worktogether to make this a memorable event. I invite fansfrom across the world to witness fast-paced cricketingaction on the field and enjoy the hospitality andculture of India, off it.”ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICCWorld Twenty20 is an event which puts the world’sbest cricketers in the shortest format of the gameagainst each other in a nation versus nation contest.“The Twenty20 format provides the perfect vehicle bywhich the ICC can further globalise the game,providing international exposure and opportunity toour top Associate and Affiliate members. The ICCWorld Twenty20 event structure is designed toprovide highly competitive matches throughout, witheight evenly-matched sides fighting it out in the firstround and the best two then getting in the mix with thetop eight ranked teams in the Super 10 stage wherethe intensity and competition will be of the veryhighest level.” BCCI Secretary Mr Anurag Thakursaid: “We, as hosts, are fully prepared to organise oneof the most entertaining spectacles in world cricket.We draw experience from hosting three ICC CricketWorld Cups and are ready to make the ICC WorldTwenty20 India 2016 one of the most memorableevents. “Our preparations are in full swing, and BCCIand ICC is working together to make it a lifetimeexperience for the players and the fans. India is avibrant country – young, full of colour, energy andexuberance – and is very much like the concept ofTwenty20 cricket itself. We would encourageeveryone involved with the game to experience thebest of India.”The ICC World Twenty20 trophy wasalso present at the ceremony before it leaves Mumbaifor Scotland on Sunday, 13 December, as part of theNissan Trophy Tour. The trophy will return to NewDelhi on 1 February after visiting 11 countries.

First round (group winners to progress to secondround)Group A – Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland andOmanGroup B – Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong andAfghanistan

Super 10 Group 1 – Sri Lanka, South Africa, WestIndies, England and winner group B (Q1B)Super 10 Group 2 – India, Pakistan, Australia, NewZealand and winner group A (Q1A)

Group A – Australia (A1), South Africa (A2), NewZealand (A3), Sri Lanka (A4) and Ireland (A5)Group B – England (B1), West Indies (B2), India (B3),Pakistan (B4) and Bangladesh (B5)

Men’s

Second round groups

Women’s

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 schedule announced

Basketball: Percy Perera MemorialBasketball Carnival this month


(island.lk) Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathewsbelieves it is time to stop talking of former battinggreats Mahela Jayawardene and KumarSangakkara after a 122-run defeat in the first Testagainst New Zealand.Since Jayawardene stepped down from Testcricket in 2014 and Sangakkara followed him intoretirement earlier this year the Sri Lankans havestruggled.On Monday they lost the opening Test againstNew Zealand after winning the toss and bowlingfirst on a green wicket in Dunedin.It was a harsh lesson forthe new-look line-up withKithuruwan Vithanageplaying his ninth Test andUdara Jayasundera,Milinda Siriwardana,Kusal Mendis andDushmantha Chameerahaving only nine Testsbetween them.Jayawardene retired after149 Tests in which heaveraged 49.84 with thebat while the mercurialSangakkara retired afterscoring 12,400 runs at 57.40 in 134 Tests.Skipper Mathews said that was a lot of experienceto lose, but he believed the new brigade willdevelop into a quality side."They showed a lot of guts, they didn’t want to giveup even though one played his debut and otherswere playing their second or third game," he saidafter the match."The quality is there in the dressing room, it’s justthe mindset that needs to shift around."We’ve always talked about not having

Sangakkara and Mahela in the team. It’s historyand we’ve just to move on with it, takeresponsibility and try and score runs."Both Mathews and his New Zealand counterpartBrendon McCullum agreed Sri Lanka had theupper hand when they won the toss and bowledfirst on a wicket ripe for seamers.Mathews lamented that his bowlers were unable tomake the most of the favourable conditions."After winning the toss on a green wicket, Iexpected a lot more from the bowlers. We bowleda lot of loose stuff," he said.

"We lost our way in thefirst couple of sessionsand we let them off thehook. We were also waytoo cautious in our firstinnings batting."In reply to New Zealand’sfirst innings of 431, SriLanka were all out for294.New Zealand declaredtheir second innings at267 for 3 and Sri Lankafound the 405-run target

too much as they folded for 282."As a batting unit we need to score runs to giveour bowlers a chance. Scoring 290-300 is notenough on these tracks," said Mathews."Once the seam movement goes off in the firstcouple of sessions it gets really good for batting."Mathews said he envisaged improvement, but itwould take time."It’s not easy for a batter to straight away come inand start performing," he said. "It’s just a matter oftime, hopefully they’ll learn pretty quickly."

(dailynews.lk) Sri Lanka Under 19’s beat EnglandUnder 19’s by 52 runs in the third match of Under19 Tri-Nation tournament between Sri Lanka, Indiaand England at the R. Premadasa InternationalCricket stadium yesterday.India under 19’s leading points table earned 9points with two wins. Sri Lanka under 19’s secondin the points table earned five points with a win.Sri Lanka under 19’s won the toss and elected tobat. Sri Lanka under 19’s bowled out for 191 runsin 49.1 overs. Charith Asalanka scored 48 runsand Sammu Ashan scored 38 runs. Brad Taylortook 4 wickets for 34 runs. Ben Green and MasonCrane took each two wickets.England Under 19’s bowled out for 139 runs in

38.3 overs. Jack Burnham scored 32 runs andRyan Davies scored 28 runs. Wanindu Hasarangaand Damitha Silva took two wickets each.India under 19’s will meet England under 19’stoday at RPICS.Sri Lanka Under19s: 191 in 49.1 overs (CharithAsalanka 48, Sammu Ashan 38, Vishard Randika18, Salinda Ushan 17, Damitha Silva 17, AvishkaFernando 14, Brad Taylor 4/34, Ben Green 2/20,Mason Crane 2/38)England Under 19’s: 139 in 38.3 overs (JackBurnham 32, Ryan Davies 28, Haseeb Hameed20, Brad Taylor 18, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22,Damitha Silva 2/28).(YK)

Sp Sports Correspondent in Kandy(island.lk) Kandy SC made it four out of four whenthey swamped the Army by 44 points (4 goals, 2tries, 2 penalties) to 8 (a try and a penalty) atNittawela.As has become customary, the visitors toNittawela opened the scoring with a 45 yardpenalty conversion by full back Gayan Salinda.Kandy’s fly half Arshad Jomaldeen having fluffedthree penalties finally put his team on even termsby converting the simplest of penalties.The Army scored again in the 28thminute when the last two Kandydefenders. Nigel Ratwatte and RichardDharmapala showed indecision whenup against a high kick. DinushanAriyapala, the centre, sneaked upcollected and ran through to score.Salinda could not add the extra points.The Kandy backs made a threateningmove and ran the ball in the Army 22. KishoreJehan crashed though after a penalty was offered.Jamaldeen converted for the hosts to lead 10-8.Army fought their way through and camped nearthe Kandy line for seven or eight minutes. One ofthe players crept through, but the try wasdisallowed because of a double movement.An Army flanker was given the yellow card. Justshort of the half-time whistle, PiyumalManchanayake, the prop, forced his way over theline to touch down for an unconverted try. Half timewas taken at 15-8 to Kandy.

That spark of inspiration seemed to have desertedthe Army, and a largely untroubled champion sideadded 29 points in this half.Marija and Richard Dharmapala scored early inthe second half. Jamaldeen’s accurate boot madethe score 29-8. Two Kandy players – GayanRatnaike and Buvaneka Udangamuwa were sin-binned at this stage. However Army was unable tomake use of this.An Army player, in desperation, tried to block aKandy player and the ball ran loose. Dharmapala

seized his chance, booted the ball,chased it and touched down.Jamaldeen failed with the kick.Army was getting a bit ragged at thisstage, and when SashikaJayawardena found the ball lying at hisfeet, he picked up and ran though.Jamaldeen, converted in fading lightand with the minutes inexorably ticking

by.Army substitute Sudaraka Dikkumbura gainedfifteen to twenty yards on about three occasionsby weaving through the Kandy defence. However,his efforts came to naught.Army was disappointing. One expected a bit morefiery play in the loose, coupled with somegrittiness. Even though they were tilting atwindmills, a greater, more purposeful effort couldhave been made.Referee– Priyantha Gunaratne.

(dailynews.lk) Saracens CC and SSC leadingpoint tables in group 'A' and 'B' after fifth weekendin the first round of AIA Premier Inter Clubs LimitedOvers Cricket tournament.Saracens leading in group 'A' with 13 points in fivematches and SSC leading in group 'B' with 15points in four matches.Saracens CC played five matches and they wononly the match against Ports Authority and otherfour matches ended no result between TamilUnion, CCC, Colts and Ragama CC.SSC played four matches and they won threematches against Army SC, Moors SC and GalleCC and other match was ended no result between

Chilaw Marians.This tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricketand sponsored by AIA Insuarnace PLC Ltd (OfficialInsurance partner of SLC).Six matches will be played today (15) at CCC,Colts, NCC, Moors, SSC and Panagoda.Today's match scheduleCCC vs Ragama CC at CCCColts vs Ports Authority SC at ColtsNCC vs Tamil Union C & AC at NCCMoors SC vs Bloomfield at MoorsSSC vs Badureliya SC at SSCSri Lanka Army SC vs Galle CC at Panagoda(YK)

Jayawardenefrom P30“It is a great Club and I’m privileged to now be apart of it. “I’ve always enjoyed playing at Lord’s,and the MCC Members have always given me agreat reception, so to be given this accolade isextra special.”

The Strikers launch their BBL campaign againstthe Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval on Friday,18 December. Adelaide Strikers 2015-16 squad:Jonathan Dean, Travis Head, Brad Hodge, JonHolland, Mahela Jayawardene, Alex Keath,Hamish Kingston, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann,Tim Ludeman, Michael Neser, Gary Putland, AdilRashid, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, CraigSimmons, Kelvin Smith, Billy Stanlake.

by Rex Clementine(island.lk) With the World T-20 just around thecorner, the national cricket team suffered amassive blow after they were forced to sendwicketkeeper Kusal Janith Perera home from thetour of New Zealand earlier this week. TheInternational Cricket Council (ICC) in its website onWednesday said that Perera had been charged foran anti-doping rule violation under the ICC Anti-Doping Code.Perera has been provisionally suspended as thesample he provided in an out of competition test,was found to contain a prohibited substance.Perera has received a lot of support from teammates and former greats. Former captain MahelaJayawardene tweeted, "Let’s not jump the gun onKusal." Jayawardene, who has captained Pererahas given his fullest support knowing too well thathe wouldn’t commit an offence. SLC too needs todo all within their means to save the young player.Even President Maithripala Sirisena took to twittersaying, "I phoned Kusal Perera this evening.Encouraged him to stay strong and face the futurewith courage."The dashing batsman has admitted to takingmedicine for an insect bite on the foot. He wassure it didn’t contain any banned substance.

Although a SLC media release claimed that thedrug test was done during Pakistan’s tour of SriLanka, the ICC said the testing was done muchlater in October.The ICC regularly educatesplayers and the support staff ofteams on banned substances.While performance enhancingdrugs are the major part ofthem, there are also commonmedicines. The medicine Pereratook for the insect bite couldhave contained the bannedsubstance.Players are regularly told tocheck legality of the medicinesbefore using them. Some of theyoung players tend to checkwith the physiotherapists even ifthey take a panadol. The lists ofbanned substances get addedon while some keep changing.Perera is the second Sri Lankan after UpulTharanga to be banned for violating the AntiDoping Code.Perera could be totally innocent, but given hisconduct in recent months, trouble was just around

the corner for the former Royal College batsman.He had irked SLC hierarchy regularly for avoidingthe team bus and travelling in his Mercedes on

game days.When Pakistan played SriLanka in a T-20 International atR. Premadasa Stadium, aprominent SLC official took onPerera after he parked hisMercedes in the slot allocatedfor President Sirisena’slimousine. There were twoPerera who got into trouble onthat instance with the otherbeing Thisara, another playerwhose off the field behavior hadhurt many.Young players have excellentrole models like former captainKumar Sangakkara to follow forthe way they conductedthemselves. Other than the odd

rift with the administration, Sangakkara finished offan exemplary career that lasted 15 stellar years.Current captain Angelo Mathews and batsmanDinesh Chandimal have managed to stay out oftrouble so far, but in the recent past several other

young players have been troubled by off the fieldissues – some of them well published and somesmartly kept out of the public eye.A good indication that a player is going out of trackis when he fails fitness tests. Quite a few youngplayers in the last few months have dropped theirfitness levels alarmingly.Perera’s excuse that he took medicine for an insectbite is unlikely to win him much sympathy from theICC.Perera’s suspension came less than 48 hoursbefore the first Test between Sri Lanka and NewZealand. With his attacking instincts, Perera hasgiven the Sri Lankan team much belief. Batting atnumber seven in Tests, he can take a game awayfrom the opposition in one session. No doubt hiswicket keeping needs polishing, but with the bat hecan be deadly as he has proved during his shortcareer.Perera’s withdrawal was a massive blow for the SriLankans, who had already lost their premier fastbowler Dhammika Prasad with a back injury.Perera will now provide a ‘B’ sample and if that tooturns out positive, he will be in huge trouble. WithSri Lanka defending the World T-20 next year, hisabsence will be a huge blow for a side that’sstruggling to find clean hitters.

Will Sri Lanka’s World T-20 dreams dashed?

Saracens and SSC in leadSri Lanka U19’s beat Englabd U19’s

Kandy continue winning streak

Sri Lanka must move on from Sangakkaraera: Mathews(island.lk) Sri Lanka Under-19s conceded a close

four runs defeat according to the D/L Method atthe hands of India Under-19s as the home teamwere stranded at 250 for five wickets, chasing atarget of 285 runs, when bad weather forced anearly end to the tri nation tournament match atthe R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.Chasing a target of 285 runs to win the Sri LankaUnder-19s were ahead according to the D/LMethod when the 47th over was commenced buta wicket in that over cost hosts dearly as badlight forced an end just three overs remaining inthe innings.

Half-centuries by Avishka Fernando and CharithAsalanka who put on a second wicket stand of94 runs were the highlights in the Sri LankaUnder-19s innings. While Fernando scored 75runs with four fours, Asalanka scored 74 runswith seven strokes to the boundary.In the bowling department, medium pacemanAsitha Fernando of St. Sebastian’s College,Katuneriya was the pick of the bowlers for SriLanka.Deciding to bat first India Under-19s reached 284for seven wickets with Amandeep Khare top-scoring with 102 runs.

SL Under-19s concede four runs defeat

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