A group of children, ready to face the first major hurdle in their education, eagerly taking part in a pahan poojawa (a ceremony of light) on Friday, to invoke blessing of the Triple Gem at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple. Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, which will be held today, will be attended by 313,000 students at 2,744 exam centres islandwide (The Nation)Action with a heart Headline Animator
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Grade 5 Scholarship Examination is today
A group of children, ready to face the first major hurdle in their education, eagerly taking part in a pahan poojawa (a ceremony of light) on Friday, to invoke blessing of the Triple Gem at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple. Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, which will be held today, will be attended by 313,000 students at 2,744 exam centres islandwide (The Nation)
Iran test fires surface-to-surface missile
TEHRAN, Aug 20, 2010 (AFP) - Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced on Friday that Iran has test fired a surface-to-surface missile, Qiam, a day before it is due to launch its Russian-built first nuclear power plant.State television showed images of the sand coloured Qiam (Rising) blasting into the air from a desert terrain, amid chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest). The words “Ya Mahdi” were written on the side of the missile, referring to Imam Mahdi, one of the 12 imams of Shiite Islam, who disappeared as a boy and whom the faithful believe will return one day to bring redemption to mankind.Vahidi, whose speech during Friday prayers in Tehran was broadcast on television, did not say when the launch took place nor did he reveal the precise range of the missile.Fars news agency had in a report earlier this week quoted the minister as saying that Qiam was a short-range missile.(times Online)
Woman fraudster arrested
A woman was arrested by Mirihana police who had defrauded around three million rupees promising jobs at the Ports Authority, Petroleum Corporation and Sri Lanka Cricket Board. The 55 year old woman has told eighteen job seekers that she is a relative of Minister Wimal Weerawansa and the jobs can be given through him and collected Rs. 150,000 from each applicant. Minister Wimal Weerawansa himself had got to know the fraud and informed Mirihana Police.(TimesOnline)
Opposition edges out Labor in Australia polls
SYDNEY, Aug 22 (AFP) - Australia's opposition Liberal/National coalition is “back in business” and ready to govern, its leader Tony Abbott told an ecstatic crowd Saturday as the nation faced a hung parliament.“The Liberal and National parties are back in business, we stand ready to govern, and we stand ready to offer the Australian people stable, predictable and competent government,” he said after nailbiting elections.The conservative leader told a wildly cheering crowd in Sydney that while no clear winner had emerged from the polls, the ruling Labor Party could not govern with a minority in parliament.“We do not have a clear result from tonight,” he said as broadcaster ABC gave the opposition 72 seats in the 150-seat parliament to Labor's 70 -- both falling short of the 76 needed to rule in their own right.“What I will say is the Labor party has definitely lost its majority,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's party “will never be able to govern effectively in a minority”.Abbott's coalition was kicked out of government unceremoniously in a November 2007 Labor landslide victory led by former prime minister Kevin Rudd and his deputy Gillard, who two months ago ousted Rudd in a party coup.(The unday Times)
Report on Sigiriya frescoes handed over to President
A comprehensive report on the current state of the frescoes at the Sigiriya rock fortress, a world heritage site was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for further evaluation on Friday.
The President said that he would visit the Sigiriya Fortress in the near future to assess the current situation, Director General of the Archaeological Department Prof. Senerath Dissanayake told the Sunday Observer.
He said the Government is considering bringing down a renowned Italian expert to the country to restore the frescoes to its original state.
Some of the frescoes were badly defaced when an insane man sprayed paint on the frescoes and it created a commotion in the country in 1967. The then Government brought down world-renowned Italian expert, Luciano Maranzi who after much effort restored the damaged frescoes.
The Director General said the 22 frescoes at Sigiriya need a complete facelift as the original colours had been fading gradually since 1930. The protective coating on three or four frescoes had come out with the passage of time, he said. However, he denied reports, that the frescoes had been damaged in the recent past due to neglect or as a result of sunlight falling on them towards evening.
According to newspaper reports the cloth cover to prevent sunlight falling on the frescoes had been removed on a directive issued by the Cultural Ministry. There were also certain reports that suggested that building toilets near the Lion's paws were stalled following public agitation.
Asked whether the spraying of insecticide to drive away bumble bees that often attack visitors to the Rock Fortress had an effect on the frescoes, as alleged in some newspapers, the Director General said that the bumble bees leave the rock every two months and regroup a few months later and added that nobody had sprayed any insecticide to drive them away.(Sunday Observer)
The President said that he would visit the Sigiriya Fortress in the near future to assess the current situation, Director General of the Archaeological Department Prof. Senerath Dissanayake told the Sunday Observer.
He said the Government is considering bringing down a renowned Italian expert to the country to restore the frescoes to its original state.
Some of the frescoes were badly defaced when an insane man sprayed paint on the frescoes and it created a commotion in the country in 1967. The then Government brought down world-renowned Italian expert, Luciano Maranzi who after much effort restored the damaged frescoes.
The Director General said the 22 frescoes at Sigiriya need a complete facelift as the original colours had been fading gradually since 1930. The protective coating on three or four frescoes had come out with the passage of time, he said. However, he denied reports, that the frescoes had been damaged in the recent past due to neglect or as a result of sunlight falling on them towards evening.
According to newspaper reports the cloth cover to prevent sunlight falling on the frescoes had been removed on a directive issued by the Cultural Ministry. There were also certain reports that suggested that building toilets near the Lion's paws were stalled following public agitation.
Asked whether the spraying of insecticide to drive away bumble bees that often attack visitors to the Rock Fortress had an effect on the frescoes, as alleged in some newspapers, the Director General said that the bumble bees leave the rock every two months and regroup a few months later and added that nobody had sprayed any insecticide to drive them away.(Sunday Observer)
Sri Lanka - 66th best country
The USA based Newsweek magazine has ranked Sri Lanka as the 66th best country in a recent survey. Sri Lanka now holds a topmost place in South Asia and is getting close to the goal of becoming the ‘Wonder of Asia’.
Sri Lanka is the fourth best country in the Asian region while Malaysia is ahead of all other Asian countries and is the 37th best country.
Thailand, China and the Philippines are the other Asian countries positioned at 58th, 59th and 63rd. Quoting the World Bank assessment, the Newsweek survey said that it takes only 38 days to launch a new business in Sri Lanka.
The magazine selected 100 countries based on a survey conducted on different parameters including the levels of education and health fields, quality of life, economic dynamism and political environment.
The survey was conducted by a panel of economists and social policy experts.
Of the 100 countries, India is 78th, Bangladesh 88th and Pakistan 89th. Finland has been ranked the best country with Sweden and Switzerland dropping to second and third places.
USA ranks 11 and Germany 12. Singapore has the best economic dynamism, according to the survey. Burkino Faso came last in the 100 countries selected.
Germany leads the list of the countries with the best quality of life while Japan earned the slot with the best healthcare system.
With peace restored and security improved, many western nations including USA and UK have lifted travel restrictions to Sri Lanka. Records show that the number of tourist arrivals has been increasing each month while investments continue to flow in.(Sunday Observer)
Sri Lanka is the fourth best country in the Asian region while Malaysia is ahead of all other Asian countries and is the 37th best country.
Thailand, China and the Philippines are the other Asian countries positioned at 58th, 59th and 63rd. Quoting the World Bank assessment, the Newsweek survey said that it takes only 38 days to launch a new business in Sri Lanka.
The magazine selected 100 countries based on a survey conducted on different parameters including the levels of education and health fields, quality of life, economic dynamism and political environment.
The survey was conducted by a panel of economists and social policy experts.
Of the 100 countries, India is 78th, Bangladesh 88th and Pakistan 89th. Finland has been ranked the best country with Sweden and Switzerland dropping to second and third places.
USA ranks 11 and Germany 12. Singapore has the best economic dynamism, according to the survey. Burkino Faso came last in the 100 countries selected.
Germany leads the list of the countries with the best quality of life while Japan earned the slot with the best healthcare system.
With peace restored and security improved, many western nations including USA and UK have lifted travel restrictions to Sri Lanka. Records show that the number of tourist arrivals has been increasing each month while investments continue to flow in.(Sunday Observer)
Call for 'No Fishing Zone' in Palk Straits
Fishermen in the North have called for a “No Fishing Zone” in the Palk Straits and Gulf of Mannar to help preserve marine wealth and avoid conflicts between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen.
The fishermen from several fisheries associations in the North, made this proposal during a series of meetings now under way with fishermen’s societies in Tamil Nadu. The Sri Lankan fishermen have said that the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) should be a peaceful area and there should not be any bloodshed among fishermen.
Incidents of fishermen from both countries crossing the IMBL are common. This is the first time that fishermen from both sides are having formal discussions after the 2004 tsunami which devastated the fisheries industries in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The leader of the group, K. Sooryakumar from Jaffna told reporters that the fishermen from both countries had been in constant touch till 2004 and sorted out their issues but the contact was totally lost after the tsunami.
“We want to revive the mutual link and friendship to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the Palk Straits and Gulf of Mannar,” he said.
The 23-member team from Sri Lanka discussed with their Indian counterparts the damage caused to marine wealth due to the use of trawlers and the need to evolve a strategy to protect the livelihood rights of fishermen of both countries.
“The use of certain fishing gear and trawlers by Indian fishermen is detrimental to Sri Lankan fishermen as it has depleted the fish resources in the Palk Bay area,” Sooryakumar said.
Sooryakumar said, “The depletion of fish resources was affecting the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen in the Northern province.”
He said, “Sri Lanka has a demarcated maritime boundary. Whenever there are violations, it should be dealt with according to the law. It is for the governments of both countries to discuss the issue and settle it.
Some Sri Lankan fishermen also alleged that Indian fishermen snapped their fishing nets in the high seas and wanted an “amicable” solution to the problem.
The Sri Lankan fishermen and officials will visit Rameswaram, Jegadhapattinam, Kottaipattinam, Mallipattinam, Velankanni, Nagore, Pattinacherri, Akkaraipetai, Keerchangkuppam and Chennai during their stay in Tamil Nadu. Vivekanandan, advisor to the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies, (SIFFS), said that the three-day event would be a serious exercise in understanding each other’s problems and would propose a number of measures of co-operation that could contribute to easing the current problems associated with trans-border fishing.
This visit followed a visit to Sri Lanka last week by members of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Federation.
The Indian Government recently cautioned its fishermen against crossing the Sri Lankan maritime border, especially the areas designated as “sensitive” by the Sri Lankan Government.
Informing the Rajya Sabha that the number of apprehensions and firing at fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka has come down significantly since the October 2008 bilateral understanding, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said caution from the Indian side was also important.
“Incidents have taken place in Sri Lankan waters where our fishermen stray across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). It is important that we sensitise our fishermen to respect the IMBL and not stray into Sri Lankan waters for their own safety and security, especially in areas designated as sensitive by the Government of Sri Lanka,” he said.
He said India has conveyed a similar request to Sri Lanka to sensitise their fishermen who cross the IMBL and enter the Indian waters.
He said the Sri Lankan Government has denied that its Navy has had any responsibility in incidents of firing at Indian fishermen.
“They have also said that their Navy does not enter Indian territorial waters,” he said.
According to the Understanding on Fishing Arrangements of 2008, both sides agreed to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide fishermen crossing the IMBL.(Sunday Observer)
The fishermen from several fisheries associations in the North, made this proposal during a series of meetings now under way with fishermen’s societies in Tamil Nadu. The Sri Lankan fishermen have said that the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) should be a peaceful area and there should not be any bloodshed among fishermen.
Incidents of fishermen from both countries crossing the IMBL are common. This is the first time that fishermen from both sides are having formal discussions after the 2004 tsunami which devastated the fisheries industries in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The leader of the group, K. Sooryakumar from Jaffna told reporters that the fishermen from both countries had been in constant touch till 2004 and sorted out their issues but the contact was totally lost after the tsunami.
“We want to revive the mutual link and friendship to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the Palk Straits and Gulf of Mannar,” he said.
The 23-member team from Sri Lanka discussed with their Indian counterparts the damage caused to marine wealth due to the use of trawlers and the need to evolve a strategy to protect the livelihood rights of fishermen of both countries.
“The use of certain fishing gear and trawlers by Indian fishermen is detrimental to Sri Lankan fishermen as it has depleted the fish resources in the Palk Bay area,” Sooryakumar said.
Sooryakumar said, “The depletion of fish resources was affecting the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen in the Northern province.”
He said, “Sri Lanka has a demarcated maritime boundary. Whenever there are violations, it should be dealt with according to the law. It is for the governments of both countries to discuss the issue and settle it.
Some Sri Lankan fishermen also alleged that Indian fishermen snapped their fishing nets in the high seas and wanted an “amicable” solution to the problem.
The Sri Lankan fishermen and officials will visit Rameswaram, Jegadhapattinam, Kottaipattinam, Mallipattinam, Velankanni, Nagore, Pattinacherri, Akkaraipetai, Keerchangkuppam and Chennai during their stay in Tamil Nadu. Vivekanandan, advisor to the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies, (SIFFS), said that the three-day event would be a serious exercise in understanding each other’s problems and would propose a number of measures of co-operation that could contribute to easing the current problems associated with trans-border fishing.
This visit followed a visit to Sri Lanka last week by members of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Federation.
The Indian Government recently cautioned its fishermen against crossing the Sri Lankan maritime border, especially the areas designated as “sensitive” by the Sri Lankan Government.
Informing the Rajya Sabha that the number of apprehensions and firing at fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka has come down significantly since the October 2008 bilateral understanding, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said caution from the Indian side was also important.
“Incidents have taken place in Sri Lankan waters where our fishermen stray across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). It is important that we sensitise our fishermen to respect the IMBL and not stray into Sri Lankan waters for their own safety and security, especially in areas designated as sensitive by the Government of Sri Lanka,” he said.
He said India has conveyed a similar request to Sri Lanka to sensitise their fishermen who cross the IMBL and enter the Indian waters.
He said the Sri Lankan Government has denied that its Navy has had any responsibility in incidents of firing at Indian fishermen.
“They have also said that their Navy does not enter Indian territorial waters,” he said.
According to the Understanding on Fishing Arrangements of 2008, both sides agreed to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide fishermen crossing the IMBL.(Sunday Observer)
Islam means ‘peace’, which Sri Lanka is finally experiencing after three decades of bloodshed. For Muslims in Sri Lanka and all over the world, Ramazan is a period of religious obeisance and reflection in a climate of peace. This is only the second year that the Sri Lankan Muslim community is celebrating Ramazan in a climate of total peace and harmony. On Friday, they had an opportunity to meet and closely interact with the architect of the dawn of peace - President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who offered Ifthar at Temple Trees. Here grateful members of the Muslim community share their views with the President. Pic: Sudath Silva(Sunday Observer)
வன்னியில் கைவிடப்பட்ட வாகனங்கள் ஒப்படைப்பு
இறுதிக்கட்ட யுத்தத்தில் பொதுமக்களால் கைவிடப்பட்டுப் பின்னர் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டச் செயலகத்திற்குக் கொண்டுவரப் பட்டுள்ள வாகனங்களுக்கான உரிமத்தை அடையாளம் காணும் பணிகள் நேற்று (21) மீண்டும் ஆரம்பமாகின.
இதற்கான நடமாடும் சேவை இன்று (22) ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமையும் இடம்பெறுவதாக கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட அரசாங்க அதிபர் திருமதி ரூபவதி கேதீஸ்வரன் வாரமஞ்சரிக்குத் தெரிவித்தார்.
இன்றைய தினம் உரிமத்தை அடையாளம் காணும் பணியை நிறைவு செய்ய எதிர் பார்ப்பதாகவும் கூறினார். நேற்றைய தினம் 250 மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களுக்கான உரிமையாளர்கள் தமது உரிமத்தை உறுதிப் படுத்தியுள்ளனர். வாகனப் பதிவுச் சான்றிதழ், இயந்திர இலக்கம் என்பன ஒப்பிட்டுப் பார்க்கப்பட்டு உரிமம் உறுதிப்படுத்தப்படுவதாகவும் அதன் பின்னர் உரியவர்களிடம் ஒப்படைக்கும் பணி மேற்கொள்ளப்படுமென்றும் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டச் செயலகத்தின் கணக் காளர் ஜெயராசா வாரமஞ்சரிக்குத் தெரிவித்தார்.
முள்ளிவாய்க்காலில் இருந்து 6400 மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களும் 20 லொறிகள், பெளஸர்கள், கொள்கலன்கள் ஒரு பஸ் உட்பட 70 கனரக வாகனங்களும் கிளி நொச்சிக்குக் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டுள்ளன. இவற்றுள் 700 மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களும் ஆயிரக் கணக்கான துவிச்சக்கர வண்டிகளும் ஏற்கனவே உரிமையாளர்களிடம் ஒப்படைக் கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகக் குறிப்பிட்ட கணக்காளர் ஜெயராசா, இன்றைய தினம் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களின் உரிமையாளர்கள் அடை யாளப் பணியைப் பூர்த்தி செய்ய எதிர் பார்ப்பதாகவும் குறிப்பிட்டார்.
இறுதி யுத்தத்தின் போது கைவிடப்பட்ட மேலும் பல வாகனங்கள் முள்ளிவாய்க் காலிலிருந்து கொண்டுவரப்படவிருப்ப தாகவும் அந்தப் பணிகளை ஆளுநர் மேற்கொள்வாரென்றும் அவர் மேலும் தெரிவித்தார். தற்போது கிளிநொச்சிக்குக் கொண்டு வரப்பட்டுள்ள வானங்களை உரிமையாளர் களிடம் ஒப்படைப்பதற்காக மோட்டார் போக்குவரத்து ஆணையாளர் பீ. டி. லலித் தர்மபிரியவின் ஏற்பாட்டின் கீழ் எஸ். ஏ. பிரேமரட்னவின் தலைமையில் மோட் டார் போக்குவரத்து திணைக்களத்தின் 20 பரிசோதகர்களின் பங்களிப்புடன் இந்த நடமாடும் சேவை நடத்தப்படுகிறது.
வாகனங்களை உரியவர்களிடம் இலகு வாக ஒப்படைக்க ஏற்பாடுகளை செய்ய உதவுமாறு போக்குவரத்து அமைச்சர் குமார வெல்கமவிடம் கிளிநொச்சி அரச அதிபர் திருமதி கேதீஸ்வரன் விடுத்த வேண்டுகோளுக்கு அமைய இந்த ஏற்பாடு கள் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.
நடமாடும் சேவையின் போது வாகனங் கள், மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களின் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்ட உரிமையாளர்கள் இனம் காணப்படுவர். அத்துடன் இதுவரை பொதுமக்களினால் இனம் காணப்பட்ட வாகனங்களின் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களின் பதிவு செய்யப்படாதவை தொடர்பான பிரச்சினைகளுக்கும் உடனடி தீர்வு காணப்படும்.
ஏற்கனவே வாகன தரிப்பிடத்துக்கு வந்து தமது வாகனங்கள் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களை இனம்கண்டு வாகனங்கள் கையளிக்கப்படாத உரிமையாளர்கள் தீர்வினைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ளுமாறும் அரச அதிபர் வேண்டுகோள் விடுத்துள்ளார்.(Thinakaran )
இதற்கான நடமாடும் சேவை இன்று (22) ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமையும் இடம்பெறுவதாக கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்ட அரசாங்க அதிபர் திருமதி ரூபவதி கேதீஸ்வரன் வாரமஞ்சரிக்குத் தெரிவித்தார்.
இன்றைய தினம் உரிமத்தை அடையாளம் காணும் பணியை நிறைவு செய்ய எதிர் பார்ப்பதாகவும் கூறினார். நேற்றைய தினம் 250 மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களுக்கான உரிமையாளர்கள் தமது உரிமத்தை உறுதிப் படுத்தியுள்ளனர். வாகனப் பதிவுச் சான்றிதழ், இயந்திர இலக்கம் என்பன ஒப்பிட்டுப் பார்க்கப்பட்டு உரிமம் உறுதிப்படுத்தப்படுவதாகவும் அதன் பின்னர் உரியவர்களிடம் ஒப்படைக்கும் பணி மேற்கொள்ளப்படுமென்றும் கிளிநொச்சி மாவட்டச் செயலகத்தின் கணக் காளர் ஜெயராசா வாரமஞ்சரிக்குத் தெரிவித்தார்.
முள்ளிவாய்க்காலில் இருந்து 6400 மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களும் 20 லொறிகள், பெளஸர்கள், கொள்கலன்கள் ஒரு பஸ் உட்பட 70 கனரக வாகனங்களும் கிளி நொச்சிக்குக் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டுள்ளன. இவற்றுள் 700 மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களும் ஆயிரக் கணக்கான துவிச்சக்கர வண்டிகளும் ஏற்கனவே உரிமையாளர்களிடம் ஒப்படைக் கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகக் குறிப்பிட்ட கணக்காளர் ஜெயராசா, இன்றைய தினம் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களின் உரிமையாளர்கள் அடை யாளப் பணியைப் பூர்த்தி செய்ய எதிர் பார்ப்பதாகவும் குறிப்பிட்டார்.
இறுதி யுத்தத்தின் போது கைவிடப்பட்ட மேலும் பல வாகனங்கள் முள்ளிவாய்க் காலிலிருந்து கொண்டுவரப்படவிருப்ப தாகவும் அந்தப் பணிகளை ஆளுநர் மேற்கொள்வாரென்றும் அவர் மேலும் தெரிவித்தார். தற்போது கிளிநொச்சிக்குக் கொண்டு வரப்பட்டுள்ள வானங்களை உரிமையாளர் களிடம் ஒப்படைப்பதற்காக மோட்டார் போக்குவரத்து ஆணையாளர் பீ. டி. லலித் தர்மபிரியவின் ஏற்பாட்டின் கீழ் எஸ். ஏ. பிரேமரட்னவின் தலைமையில் மோட் டார் போக்குவரத்து திணைக்களத்தின் 20 பரிசோதகர்களின் பங்களிப்புடன் இந்த நடமாடும் சேவை நடத்தப்படுகிறது.
வாகனங்களை உரியவர்களிடம் இலகு வாக ஒப்படைக்க ஏற்பாடுகளை செய்ய உதவுமாறு போக்குவரத்து அமைச்சர் குமார வெல்கமவிடம் கிளிநொச்சி அரச அதிபர் திருமதி கேதீஸ்வரன் விடுத்த வேண்டுகோளுக்கு அமைய இந்த ஏற்பாடு கள் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.
நடமாடும் சேவையின் போது வாகனங் கள், மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களின் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்ட உரிமையாளர்கள் இனம் காணப்படுவர். அத்துடன் இதுவரை பொதுமக்களினால் இனம் காணப்பட்ட வாகனங்களின் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களின் பதிவு செய்யப்படாதவை தொடர்பான பிரச்சினைகளுக்கும் உடனடி தீர்வு காணப்படும்.
ஏற்கனவே வாகன தரிப்பிடத்துக்கு வந்து தமது வாகனங்கள் மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்களை இனம்கண்டு வாகனங்கள் கையளிக்கப்படாத உரிமையாளர்கள் தீர்வினைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ளுமாறும் அரச அதிபர் வேண்டுகோள் விடுத்துள்ளார்.(Thinakaran )
FORMER ARMY COMMANDER SARATH FONSEKA INDICTED ON 41 CHARGES
Former Army Commander parliamentarian Sarath Fonseka was indicted under 41 charges at the Colombo High Court yesterday. The Charges filed by the Attorney General state he should be punished for violating sections 102, 113, 128, and 133 of the Penal Code, during the period between September 16, 2009 and January 26, 2010.
Former Army captain Senaka Haripriya Arnold has been named as the second respondent in the case.
The charges against MP Sarath Fonseka state that after he retired from military service, he attempted to dissuade military police officials, who were not attached to his security contingent legally from carrying out their work and their loyalty to the government.
The persons who allegedly joined him have been charged separately.
After considering the charges Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundara issued summons to the accused to appear before court on the 15th of September to hand over indictments.
Twenty-nine witnesses have been listed to give evidence in the case.(News-Lakresa)
Former Army captain Senaka Haripriya Arnold has been named as the second respondent in the case.
The charges against MP Sarath Fonseka state that after he retired from military service, he attempted to dissuade military police officials, who were not attached to his security contingent legally from carrying out their work and their loyalty to the government.
The persons who allegedly joined him have been charged separately.
After considering the charges Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundara issued summons to the accused to appear before court on the 15th of September to hand over indictments.
Twenty-nine witnesses have been listed to give evidence in the case.(News-Lakresa)
JUMBO JOLLY
One of the Maligawa tuskers that will be dressed up for the annual Esala Maha Perehera is seen being bathed on the streets of Kandy last week by passers-by in preparation for the Perehera. (Lakbima News)Supreme Court judge’s arrest imminent
The CID has informed the IGP Mahinda Balasooriya that there is adequate evidence to arrest a Supreme Court Judge for alleged abuse of his housemaid. However, police sources said that the IGP has refereed the matter to the Attorney General, considering the potential controversy of arresting a Supreme Court Judge with immediate effect and to prevent repercussions that may come the way of the police by doing so. The CID has forwarded an abstract of its investigations done so far to the AG.The statements of the judge, his wife, another housemaid in the house and the victim were also forwarded to the AG, said a top officer of the CID. Based on the issue, the Chief Justice Asoka De Silva has also taken steps to stop the particular judge from coming to court. Meanwhile, the executive committee of Sri Lanka Bar Association also held lengthy discussions on the issue recently. It has been decided to send a letter to the CJ, pointing out the necessity of carrying out an immediate investigation on the issue. Meanwhile, a complaint was lodged against the particular judge in the National Child Protection Authority last May. The NCPA revealed that the judge had earlier been reported for groping an under aged girl, who was one of his relatives, at a funeral house in Galle. Presently, investigations are underway on the particular issue as well. (Lakbima)
CANADA SHIP FOR LTTE REVIVAL
Tamil Tigers in fact smuggled 492 passengers aboard asylum ship Sun Sea on a major fund raising drive to revive the defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The LTTE has made around 20 million Canadian dollars from this trip, a terrorism expert said.Prof Rohan Gunaratna of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, who was first to reveal details of the mystery voyage of Sun Sea, the former Thai Cargo ship ‘Harin Panich 19’ as way back as May this year, told Lakbimanews that LTTE had smuggled its leaders and Tamil civilians aboard Sun Sea to Canada in a multi million dollar venture.Referring to Canadian estimates that the ship load of asylum seekers had paid to the tune of 20 million Canadian Dollars, Prof Gunaratna says the profit would be spent to revive the LTTE by lobbying politicians and international orgnizations, filing litiginous action against the Sri Lankan state, and redeeming LTTE’s image as a political organization.He says the Malaysian-Thai region has become a haven for LTTE activities as Tiger cadres who fled Sri Lanka regroup in those environs. Sun Sea set sail from Thailand, carrying a human cargo of Tamils, many of whom visited Thailand on tourist visas just before the ship disappeared into sea. Gunaratna said two more ships are preparing for similar journeys and are collecting the passengers, and he echoed remarks by Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews that Sun Sea was a ‘test boat.’ Navy spokesman Captain Athula Senarath said the Navy had stepped up surveillance and sea patrols to check human smuggling.“Last week, on a tip off by the Naval intelligence, Police arrested five persons from a guest house in Marawila awaiting a boat to go to Australia. They have paid an agent to smuggle them to Australia,” he said.Earlier in November, last year, Navy arrested 160 people aboard four boats off Galle coast. Investigations revealed that the would be illegal migrants had paid 600,000 rupees each to a smuggler to leave for Australia.(News-Lakbima)
Sajith rejects media reports
UNP Rebel Group leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday pooh-poohed newspaper reports that he has agreed to share the Deputy leadership of the party with Ravi Karunanayake.A visibly angry Premadasa said: “Some newspapers and web sites are carrying lies! I have not agreed to accept a Deputy Leadership. As far as I know there is no move to make Ravi Karunanayake a Co-Deputy leader either.”He said that it is correct to say that he met party Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday and Wednesday.” But I did not agree to accept a Co-Deputy Leadership or any other proposal for that matter.”Talks between him and the party leader revolved around an action plan for democratisation of the party. “Democratisation of the party is the main topic I am interested in. I insisted that the voting right at the election of office bearers of the party be extended to our party members of PCs and local authorities as well as our party organizers at electorate level
Asked whether he discussed any other vital matters, Premadasa said: “Of course, we did. For instance, I emphasized the need to work out `an election winning formula’.”UNP leader Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa had a one-on-one meeting at Sirikotha party headquarters on Tuesday as a sequel to a decision taken by the party’s last Working Committee meeting that they should make a bid to sort out their differences at a one-on-one meeting. Their talks lasted for about 40 minutes and later they agreed to hold extended talks with the participation of Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake who were present at Sirikotha at the time.
Sajith arrived at Sirikotha the following day too for another round of one-on-one talks with Ranil Wickremesinghe. But he was surprised to find that the UNP had come for the talks along with Karu Jayasuriya, Tissa Attanayake, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera and Ravi Karunanayake. When Sajith Premadasa had reminded the party seniors Tissa, Karu and Gamini Jayawickrama that the Working Committee decision was for him to have talks with the party leader alone, the former had quietly withdrawn from the room. Ravi Karunanayake who lingered there briefly too had later walked out, Sirikotha sources said.Sajith Premadasa and UNP leader Wickremesinghe are due to meet today again for another round of talks aimed at building a better understanding between them.Colombo District UNP parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake who himself is a leadership contender contacted in this regard said that as the party was in a critical juncture he did not wish to make any public comment.(News-The Nation)
Facebook love leads to suicide
A 16-year-old student committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at home in Hendala, Wattala with her mother’s saree early this week. The girl, a grade 11 student of a Tamil school in Wellawatte, had been scorned by a male she met on the Facebook which led to her taking her own life tragically.The girl who operated a Facebook profile had befriended a 19-year-old male hailing from Jaffna and now living in London. He had been in the habit of sending her messages of love via the Facebook for the past six months. On August 2 he had visited Sri Lanka to look up his parents and had visited the girl’s home in the absence of the rest who worked in their family shop situated at Elakanda, Hendala. According to a relative, the youngster from England had avoided the girl after the visit and gone back to England after his short trip.
The girl, who had tried messaging him, found no response and had been moping ever since in silence that proved her undoing. On the night of August 17 returning home around 9.30 from the shop, the family found her hanging from the ceiling fan with the aid of her mother’s saree. They rushed her to Ragama hospital with the help of the police where she died after admission.
At the post mortem conducted by JMO Ragama Dr. SMPD Rajapaksa it was revealed that death was due to hanging. The inquirer into sudden deaths Ragama ordered that the body be buried and not to be cremated. PC 28516 Ariyaratne of Wattala police led the evidence.(The Nation)
The girl, who had tried messaging him, found no response and had been moping ever since in silence that proved her undoing. On the night of August 17 returning home around 9.30 from the shop, the family found her hanging from the ceiling fan with the aid of her mother’s saree. They rushed her to Ragama hospital with the help of the police where she died after admission.
At the post mortem conducted by JMO Ragama Dr. SMPD Rajapaksa it was revealed that death was due to hanging. The inquirer into sudden deaths Ragama ordered that the body be buried and not to be cremated. PC 28516 Ariyaratne of Wattala police led the evidence.(The Nation)
බුදුරදුන් අවබෝධ කරගත් ධර්මයේ සුවිශේෂත්වය
වෙසක් මස පුර පසළොස්වක දිනයක උදෑසන බුද්ධගයාවේ ඇසතු බෝ රුක් මුලයේ දී සියලු කෙලෙසුන් නසා ධර්මය අවබෝධ කර උතුම් බුද්ධත්වයට පත්වීමත් සමගම බුදුරදුන් ලොව උසස්ම උත්තමයාණන් වහන්සේ බවට පත් වූහ. උන්වහන්සේ මෙම ධර්මය අවබෝධ කරන ලද්දේ ඉතා අපහසුවෙනි. මෙය ගැඹුරු ය. පහසුවෙන් අවබෝධ කළ නොහැකි ය. බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේ අවබෝධ කළ ධර්මය කිසිවකට සම කළ නොහැකි ය. “න තෙන ධම්මෙන සමත්ථි කිඤ්චි” යන දේශනාවෙන් එය මැනවින් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. මෙම ධර්මය අවබෝධ කළ බුදුරදුන් ද කිසිවකට සමාන කළ නොහැකි ය. “න නො සමං අත්ථි තථාගතෙන” යනුවෙන් ඒ බව සඳහන් වෙයි. මුහුදෙහි ජලය කොතනින් ගත්ත ද ලුණු රස වන්නා සේ බුදුරදුන් දෙසූ සියලු දහම් පද එකම විමුක්ති රසයෙන් යුක්ත ය. පන්සාළිස් වසක් මුළුල්ලේ දෙසූ ඒ හැම දහම් පදයක්ම සත්වයාට නිවීම සැනසීම යහපත උදාකරයි. කාලයාගේ ඇවෑමෙන් මිනිසුන්ගේ සිතින් මෙම ධර්මය අතුරුදන් වී යයි. එවිට බුදුකෙනෙක් ලොව පහළ වී නැවතත් මෙය සොයා ගනිති. උප්පාදාවා තථාගතානං අනුප්පාදාවා තථාගතානං ඨිතාව සා ධාතු ධම්මඨිතිතා ධම්මනියාමතා ඉදප්පච්චයතා... යන දේශනාවට අනුව ධර්මය සැමකල්හි ලොව තුළ පවතින බව පැහැදිලි වෙයි. සියලු බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේ අවබෝධ කරගනු ලබන්නේ ද, දේශනා කරනු ලබන්නේ ද එකම ධර්මයකි. දේශ කාලානුරූපව නම් ගොත් ආදිය වෙනස් වූව ද අර්ථය කිසිදා වෙනස් නොවේ. මෙම චතුරාර්ය සත්ය ප්රකාශිත ධර්මය බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේ නමකට හැර වෙනත් කිසිවෙකුට දේශනා කළ නොහැකි ය.
සියලු බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේ අනිච්ච, දුක්ඛ, අනත්ත යන ත්රිලක්ෂණ දේශනාවම පවත්වති. බුදුකෙනෙකුන් ලොව පහළ වන්නේ මෙම ත්රිලක්ෂණය ලොවට ඉගැන්වීමට බව ධර්ම ග්රන්ථවල සඳහන් වෙයි. ධර්මය දැකීම යනු බුදුරදුන් දැකීමයි. බුදුරදුන් දැකීම යනු ධර්මය දැකීමයි. එසේම යමෙක් පටිච්චසමුප්පාදය දකී ද ඔහු ධර්මය දකියි. යමෙක් ධර්මය දකියි ද ඔහු පටිච්චසමුප්පාදය දකියි යනු බුද්ධ දේශනාවයි. බුදුන් දැක නිවන් දැකිය යුතුය යනුවෙන් අප සමාජ ව්යවහාරයේ පවතින ප්රකාශය මේ අනුව පැහැදිලි ය. සියලු සත්ත්වයන් නිවන් දැකීමට නම් බුදුරදුන් දැකිය යුතු බව මෙයින් අනාවරණය වෙයි. බුදුරදුන්ගේ ධර්මය මුල මැද අග යන තුන් ස්ථානයම යහපත් වූවකි. උන්වහන්සේ දේශනා කරන්නේ අර්ථ සහිත, ව්යඤ්ජන සහිත අතිශයින්ම පිරිසුදු වූ බ්රහ්මචර්යාවකි. එහි අඩුපාඩු කිසිවක් නැත. එය සත්ත්වයා දුකින් නිදහස් කරන්නකි.
“ආදිකල්යාණං මජ්ඣෙකල්යාණං පරියොසානකල්යාණං සාත්ථං සව්යඤ්ජනං කෙවලපරිපුණ්ණං පරිසුද්ධං බ්රහ්මචරියං පකාසෙති.”
යන ප්රකාශයෙන් ඒ බව පැහැදිලි වෙයි. මෙම බුද්ධ දේශිත උතුම් ධර්මයෙහි හැසිරෙන තැනැත්තාට දුක් කරදරවලින් මිදීමේ වාසනාව උදාවන අතර නිවන් සුවය ද ප්රත්යක්ෂ කිරීමේ භාග්යය උදාවෙයි. මහා සතිපට්ඨාන සූත්රයේ දී පැහැදිලි කරන්නේ ශෝක පරිදේව ඉක්මවායන්නට, දුක්දොම්නස් වලින් අත මිදෙන්නට, ඤාණයට පැමිණෙන්නට, නිවන් අවබෝධයට එකම මඟ සතර සතිපට්ඨානය වැඩීම බවයි.
“එකායනො අයං භික්ඛවෙ, මග්ගො සත්තානං විසුද්ධියා සෝකපරිද්දවානං සමතික්කාමාය, දුක්ඛදොමනස්සානං අත්ථඩ්ගමයා, ඤායස්ස අධිගමාය, නිබ්බාණස්ස සච්ඡිකිරියාය යදිදං චත්තාරො සතිපට්ඨානා.”
යමෙක් දින හතක් නමුත් බ්රහ්මචරියාවෙහි හැසිරෙන්නේ නම් ඔහුට ධර්මාවබෝධය ලැබීමේ වාසනාව උදා වෙයි. එහෙත් එහි දී පුග්ගල විසමතාව දත යුතු ය. එසේම සතර සතිපට්ඨානය යනු බුද්ධ ශ්රාවකයාගේ පිය උරුමය යි. කැට කිරිල්ලියට ඇගේ පියාගේ සීමාවෙහි දී ආරක්ෂාව සැලසෙන්නේ යම් සේ ද බුද්ධ ශ්රාවකයාට ද තම පියා වන බුදුරදුන් දෙසූ මෙම සතර සතිපට්ඨානයෙහි හැසිරෙන්නේ නම් ආරක්ෂාව සැලසෙයි. මාරයාට කරදර පැමිණවීමේ අවස්ථාව නොලැබී යයි. මේ නිසාම සිය ශ්රාවකයන්ට සිය පියාගේ සීමාවෙහි හැසිරෙන ලෙස බුදුහු උපදෙස් දුන්හ. ගොචරෙ භික්ඛවෙ චරථ සකෙ පෙත්තික විසයෙ යනු බුද්ධානුශාසනය යි. මෙම ධර්මය අවබෝධ නොකිරීම නිසා සත්ත්ව ප්රජාව කුරුළු කූඩුවක කෙඳි මෙන් ලණු කැරැල්ලක කෙඳි මෙන්, පාපිස්සක කෙඳි මෙන් අවුලෙන් අවුලට පත් වී සසර ඇවිදින බව, ආනන්ද හිමියන්ට දෙසූ අයුරු, දීඝනිකාය මහානිදාන සූත්රයෙන් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. අකුසලයට නැඹුරු වූ සිත් ඇත්තාට මෙම ධර්මය අවබෝධ කිරීම ඉතා අපහසු ය. එය බෙහෙත් නෙල්ලි කොළයකින් ගොටුවක් තනා දින ගණනක් තිස්සේ පිපාසිතව සිටින පුද්ගලයෙකුට එය පානය කර පිපාසය සංසිඳවා ගන්නා ලෙස උපදෙස් දෙන්නාක් වැනි ය. දිනක් ආනන්ද හිමියන් පිණ්ඩපාතයේ වඩින විට ලිච්ඡවි කුමාරවරු අශ්ව කෙන්දක් ඉලක්කය වශයෙන් ගෙන දුන්නෙන් විදීමට පුරුදු වනු දැක බුදුරදුන් වෙත පැමිණ ලිච්ඡවි කුමාරවරුන් ඉතා අපහසුවෙන් දුනු ශිල්ප හදාරන බව පැවසී ය. එහි දී එම අශ්ව කෙන්ද හතකට පළා එකකට විදීම අපහසු වන්නා සේ චතුස්සත්යාවබෝධය ද ඉතා දුෂ්කර බව පැවසූ හ.
මෙසේ ධර්මාවබෝධය අපහසු වූවත් කුසල් දහම් සම්පූර්ණ කරන්නාට එය අපහසු නොවෙයි. වඩන ලද කුසල් ඇත්තා තමන්ට ගැළපෙන ධර්මය ලද වහා ධර්මාවබෝධය ලබයි. එබඳු අවස්ථා කිහිපයක් මෙසේ ය.
1. අස්සජි මහතෙරුන් දෙසූ ගාථාර්ධයක් අසා උපතිස්ස පිරිවැජියා සෝවාන් වීම.2. කෝලිත පිරිවැජියා එම ගාථාවම අසා සෝවාන් වීම.3. සුදුරෙදි කඩක් පිරිමදිමින් සිටි චුල්ලපන්ථක හිමියන් රහත්වීම.4. පහන් දැල්ල දෙස බලා සිටි උප්පලවණ්ණා තෙරණිය රහත් වීම.5. පා සේදූ ජලය බිමට උරාගන්නා දෙස බලා සිට පටාචාරාව රහත් වීම.
මෙම පුවත්වලින් පූර්වකෘත කුසල ශක්තිය ඇත්තෝ වහා ධර්මාවබෝධය ලබන අයුරු පැහැදිලි වෙයි. මෙම ධර්මය ශාන්ත ය. ප්රණීත ය. අංගුªත්තර නිකායේ කාරණපාලි සූත්රයේ දී බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේගෙන් ධර්ම ශ්රවණය කිරීමේ ප්රයෝජනය කුමක්දැයි ඇසූ කාරණපාලි බ්රාහ්මණයාට පිඞ්ගියාණි විසින් ධර්මයේ ඇති අගය ප්රකාශ කිරීම පිණිස යොදාගත් උපමා වලින් ධර්මයේ ඇති උත්තරීතර බව මැනවින් වටහා ගත හැකි ය.
1. ඉතා උසස් භෝජන අනුභව කරන පුද්ගලයෙකු කටුක අහරක් ලද විට එය විසිකරන්නා සේ බුදුන්ගෙන් ධර්මය ඇසූවන් අනෙක් ශාස්තෲවරුන්ගේ ධර්මය පි්රය නොකිරීම.2. දින ගණනාවක් කුසගින්නේ සිට අයෙක් මීවදයක් අනුභව කිරීමෙන් යම් සතුටක් සුවයක් විඳී ද බුදුබණ අසන්නා ද එබඳු සුවයක් විඳින බව.3. සඳුන් හරයක් සිඹින්නා මුල මැද අඟ යන ත්රිවිධ ස්ථානයේදීම මිහිරි සුගන්ධයක් ආඝ්රාණය කරන්නා සේ ධර්මය ශ්රවණය කරන්නා ඉතා උසස් සුවයක්, මිහිරක් විඳන බව.
4. දීර්ඝ කාලයක් තිස්සේ නිදන්ගත රෝගයකින් පෙළෙන තැනැත්තකුට ඉතාම දක්ෂ වෛද්යවරයකු මුණ ගැසීමෙන් පසු ඔහුගෙන් ලද පළමු බෙහෙතෙන්ම එම රෝගයෙන් සුවපත් වීම නිසා යම් සුවයක් සතුටක් විඳින්නේ ද බුදු බණ ශ්රවණය කරන්නා ද එබඳුම සුවයක් පී්රතියක් ලබන බව.
5. ගී්රස්ම කාලයෙහි එක්තරා පුරුෂයෙක් කාන්තාරයක් මැදින් දාහයෙන් පෙළෙමින් පිපාසිතව කුසගින්නේ පැමිණෙයි. ඔහු කාන්තාර සීමාවෙහි රුක් ගොමුවකින් වට වූ ඉතා ශීතල ජලය ඇති පතුල පෙනෙන තරම් පිරිසුදු පැන් පොකුණක් දැක, එයට බැස පැන් පානය කොට දාහය හා පිපාසය සංසිඳවා ගන්නේ යම් සේද එවැනිම වූ සතුටක් පී්රතියක් සොම්නසක් බුදු බණ ඇසීම තුළින් ලැබෙන බව පැවසී ය.
මෙම උපමා ඇසූ පමණින් බුදු බණ ඇසීමේ ප්රයෝජනය තේරුම් ගත් කාරණපාලි බ්රාහ්මණයා, සිටි අසුනින් නැගී සිට උතුරු සළුව එකස් කොට, බුදුරදුන් වැඩ සිටි දෙසට හැරී තෙවරක් නමො තස්ස භගවතො අරහතො සම්මා සම්බුද්ධස්ස යනුවෙන් ප්රකාශ කොට තෙරුවන් සරණ ගිය උපාසකයෙකු බවට පත් විය. ධර්මයේ ඇති විශිෂ්ටත්වය මෙම උපමා වලින් මැනවින් පැහැදිලි වෙයි.
ධර්මයට වඳින ගාථාවේ එහි ගුණ හයක් අන්තර්ගත වෙයි. මෙම ගුණ මෙනෙහි කරන විට භය තැති ගැනීම් දුරුවන බව ධජග්ග සූත්රයෙන් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. නො චෙ මං අනුස්සරෙය්යාථ අථ ධම්මං අනුස්සරෙය්යාථ භය තැති ගැනීම්වලින් අත්මිදීමට ධර්මය මෙනෙහි කරන ලෙස පැවසූ අයුරු මෙම පාඨයෙන් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. එම ගුණ හය මෙසේ ය.
ස්වාක්ඛාත ගුණය – භාග්යවතුන් වහන්සේ විසින් පර්යාප්ති ධර්මය හා නවලෝකෝත්තර ධර්මය ද මනා කොට දේශනා කළ බැවින් ධර්මය ස්වාක්ඛාත නම් වෙයි. මෙහි පර්යාප්තිය නම් ආදි කල්යාණ, මජඣෙ කල්යාණ, පරියෝසාණ කල්යාණ හා අර්ථ සහිත ව්යඤ්ජන සහිත බවයි.
සන්දිට්ඨික ගුණය – තමන් සන්තානයෙහි ඇති කෙලෙස් ධර්ම නැති කරන හෙයින් ද තමා විසින් අවබෝධ කළ යුතුය යන අදහසින් ද සන්දිට්ඨික නම් වෙයි.
අකාලික ගුණය – කාල භේදයකින් තොරව කුසලය විපාක දෙන බව හා මාර්ගයෙන් ඵලයට පත්වීමේ දී අතර කාලයක් නොමැති වීම.
එහිපස්සිකො ගුණය – නවලෝකෝත්තර ධර්මය ඒකාන්තයෙන් ම පිරිසුදු බැවින් ද විද්යමාන බැවින් ද එව බලවයි කීමට සුදුසු බැවින් ද එහිපස්සික නම් වෙයි.ඕපනයික ගුණය - ලෝකෝත්තර මාර්ග ඵල ධර්මය සිතෙහි උපදවාගත යුතු බැවින් ද පිහිටුවා ගත යුතු බැවින් ද ඕපනයික නම් වෙයි. පච්චත්තං වෙදිතබ්බ විඤ්ඤූහි ගුණය – නුවණැත්තන් විසින් තම සිත්හි ලා දත යුතු දැක්ක යුතු බැවින් නවලෝකෝත්තර ධර්මය පච්චත්තං වෙදිතබ්බ විඤ්ඤූහි යන නමින් හඳුන්වයි.
මෙසේ උතුම් ගුණ සමුදායකින් හෙබියා වූ තථාගතයන් වහන්සේ වදාළ ශ්රී සද්ධර්මය නිරන්තරයෙන් සිය ජීවිතයට බද්ධ කරගෙන නුවණැතියෝ සතුටින් වාසය කරති..(බුදුසරණ)
සියලු බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේ අනිච්ච, දුක්ඛ, අනත්ත යන ත්රිලක්ෂණ දේශනාවම පවත්වති. බුදුකෙනෙකුන් ලොව පහළ වන්නේ මෙම ත්රිලක්ෂණය ලොවට ඉගැන්වීමට බව ධර්ම ග්රන්ථවල සඳහන් වෙයි. ධර්මය දැකීම යනු බුදුරදුන් දැකීමයි. බුදුරදුන් දැකීම යනු ධර්මය දැකීමයි. එසේම යමෙක් පටිච්චසමුප්පාදය දකී ද ඔහු ධර්මය දකියි. යමෙක් ධර්මය දකියි ද ඔහු පටිච්චසමුප්පාදය දකියි යනු බුද්ධ දේශනාවයි. බුදුන් දැක නිවන් දැකිය යුතුය යනුවෙන් අප සමාජ ව්යවහාරයේ පවතින ප්රකාශය මේ අනුව පැහැදිලි ය. සියලු සත්ත්වයන් නිවන් දැකීමට නම් බුදුරදුන් දැකිය යුතු බව මෙයින් අනාවරණය වෙයි. බුදුරදුන්ගේ ධර්මය මුල මැද අග යන තුන් ස්ථානයම යහපත් වූවකි. උන්වහන්සේ දේශනා කරන්නේ අර්ථ සහිත, ව්යඤ්ජන සහිත අතිශයින්ම පිරිසුදු වූ බ්රහ්මචර්යාවකි. එහි අඩුපාඩු කිසිවක් නැත. එය සත්ත්වයා දුකින් නිදහස් කරන්නකි.
“ආදිකල්යාණං මජ්ඣෙකල්යාණං පරියොසානකල්යාණං සාත්ථං සව්යඤ්ජනං කෙවලපරිපුණ්ණං පරිසුද්ධං බ්රහ්මචරියං පකාසෙති.”
යන ප්රකාශයෙන් ඒ බව පැහැදිලි වෙයි. මෙම බුද්ධ දේශිත උතුම් ධර්මයෙහි හැසිරෙන තැනැත්තාට දුක් කරදරවලින් මිදීමේ වාසනාව උදාවන අතර නිවන් සුවය ද ප්රත්යක්ෂ කිරීමේ භාග්යය උදාවෙයි. මහා සතිපට්ඨාන සූත්රයේ දී පැහැදිලි කරන්නේ ශෝක පරිදේව ඉක්මවායන්නට, දුක්දොම්නස් වලින් අත මිදෙන්නට, ඤාණයට පැමිණෙන්නට, නිවන් අවබෝධයට එකම මඟ සතර සතිපට්ඨානය වැඩීම බවයි.
“එකායනො අයං භික්ඛවෙ, මග්ගො සත්තානං විසුද්ධියා සෝකපරිද්දවානං සමතික්කාමාය, දුක්ඛදොමනස්සානං අත්ථඩ්ගමයා, ඤායස්ස අධිගමාය, නිබ්බාණස්ස සච්ඡිකිරියාය යදිදං චත්තාරො සතිපට්ඨානා.”
යමෙක් දින හතක් නමුත් බ්රහ්මචරියාවෙහි හැසිරෙන්නේ නම් ඔහුට ධර්මාවබෝධය ලැබීමේ වාසනාව උදා වෙයි. එහෙත් එහි දී පුග්ගල විසමතාව දත යුතු ය. එසේම සතර සතිපට්ඨානය යනු බුද්ධ ශ්රාවකයාගේ පිය උරුමය යි. කැට කිරිල්ලියට ඇගේ පියාගේ සීමාවෙහි දී ආරක්ෂාව සැලසෙන්නේ යම් සේ ද බුද්ධ ශ්රාවකයාට ද තම පියා වන බුදුරදුන් දෙසූ මෙම සතර සතිපට්ඨානයෙහි හැසිරෙන්නේ නම් ආරක්ෂාව සැලසෙයි. මාරයාට කරදර පැමිණවීමේ අවස්ථාව නොලැබී යයි. මේ නිසාම සිය ශ්රාවකයන්ට සිය පියාගේ සීමාවෙහි හැසිරෙන ලෙස බුදුහු උපදෙස් දුන්හ. ගොචරෙ භික්ඛවෙ චරථ සකෙ පෙත්තික විසයෙ යනු බුද්ධානුශාසනය යි. මෙම ධර්මය අවබෝධ නොකිරීම නිසා සත්ත්ව ප්රජාව කුරුළු කූඩුවක කෙඳි මෙන් ලණු කැරැල්ලක කෙඳි මෙන්, පාපිස්සක කෙඳි මෙන් අවුලෙන් අවුලට පත් වී සසර ඇවිදින බව, ආනන්ද හිමියන්ට දෙසූ අයුරු, දීඝනිකාය මහානිදාන සූත්රයෙන් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. අකුසලයට නැඹුරු වූ සිත් ඇත්තාට මෙම ධර්මය අවබෝධ කිරීම ඉතා අපහසු ය. එය බෙහෙත් නෙල්ලි කොළයකින් ගොටුවක් තනා දින ගණනක් තිස්සේ පිපාසිතව සිටින පුද්ගලයෙකුට එය පානය කර පිපාසය සංසිඳවා ගන්නා ලෙස උපදෙස් දෙන්නාක් වැනි ය. දිනක් ආනන්ද හිමියන් පිණ්ඩපාතයේ වඩින විට ලිච්ඡවි කුමාරවරු අශ්ව කෙන්දක් ඉලක්කය වශයෙන් ගෙන දුන්නෙන් විදීමට පුරුදු වනු දැක බුදුරදුන් වෙත පැමිණ ලිච්ඡවි කුමාරවරුන් ඉතා අපහසුවෙන් දුනු ශිල්ප හදාරන බව පැවසී ය. එහි දී එම අශ්ව කෙන්ද හතකට පළා එකකට විදීම අපහසු වන්නා සේ චතුස්සත්යාවබෝධය ද ඉතා දුෂ්කර බව පැවසූ හ.
මෙසේ ධර්මාවබෝධය අපහසු වූවත් කුසල් දහම් සම්පූර්ණ කරන්නාට එය අපහසු නොවෙයි. වඩන ලද කුසල් ඇත්තා තමන්ට ගැළපෙන ධර්මය ලද වහා ධර්මාවබෝධය ලබයි. එබඳු අවස්ථා කිහිපයක් මෙසේ ය.
1. අස්සජි මහතෙරුන් දෙසූ ගාථාර්ධයක් අසා උපතිස්ස පිරිවැජියා සෝවාන් වීම.2. කෝලිත පිරිවැජියා එම ගාථාවම අසා සෝවාන් වීම.3. සුදුරෙදි කඩක් පිරිමදිමින් සිටි චුල්ලපන්ථක හිමියන් රහත්වීම.4. පහන් දැල්ල දෙස බලා සිටි උප්පලවණ්ණා තෙරණිය රහත් වීම.5. පා සේදූ ජලය බිමට උරාගන්නා දෙස බලා සිට පටාචාරාව රහත් වීම.
මෙම පුවත්වලින් පූර්වකෘත කුසල ශක්තිය ඇත්තෝ වහා ධර්මාවබෝධය ලබන අයුරු පැහැදිලි වෙයි. මෙම ධර්මය ශාන්ත ය. ප්රණීත ය. අංගුªත්තර නිකායේ කාරණපාලි සූත්රයේ දී බුදුරජාණන් වහන්සේගෙන් ධර්ම ශ්රවණය කිරීමේ ප්රයෝජනය කුමක්දැයි ඇසූ කාරණපාලි බ්රාහ්මණයාට පිඞ්ගියාණි විසින් ධර්මයේ ඇති අගය ප්රකාශ කිරීම පිණිස යොදාගත් උපමා වලින් ධර්මයේ ඇති උත්තරීතර බව මැනවින් වටහා ගත හැකි ය.
1. ඉතා උසස් භෝජන අනුභව කරන පුද්ගලයෙකු කටුක අහරක් ලද විට එය විසිකරන්නා සේ බුදුන්ගෙන් ධර්මය ඇසූවන් අනෙක් ශාස්තෲවරුන්ගේ ධර්මය පි්රය නොකිරීම.2. දින ගණනාවක් කුසගින්නේ සිට අයෙක් මීවදයක් අනුභව කිරීමෙන් යම් සතුටක් සුවයක් විඳී ද බුදුබණ අසන්නා ද එබඳු සුවයක් විඳින බව.3. සඳුන් හරයක් සිඹින්නා මුල මැද අඟ යන ත්රිවිධ ස්ථානයේදීම මිහිරි සුගන්ධයක් ආඝ්රාණය කරන්නා සේ ධර්මය ශ්රවණය කරන්නා ඉතා උසස් සුවයක්, මිහිරක් විඳන බව.
4. දීර්ඝ කාලයක් තිස්සේ නිදන්ගත රෝගයකින් පෙළෙන තැනැත්තකුට ඉතාම දක්ෂ වෛද්යවරයකු මුණ ගැසීමෙන් පසු ඔහුගෙන් ලද පළමු බෙහෙතෙන්ම එම රෝගයෙන් සුවපත් වීම නිසා යම් සුවයක් සතුටක් විඳින්නේ ද බුදු බණ ශ්රවණය කරන්නා ද එබඳුම සුවයක් පී්රතියක් ලබන බව.
5. ගී්රස්ම කාලයෙහි එක්තරා පුරුෂයෙක් කාන්තාරයක් මැදින් දාහයෙන් පෙළෙමින් පිපාසිතව කුසගින්නේ පැමිණෙයි. ඔහු කාන්තාර සීමාවෙහි රුක් ගොමුවකින් වට වූ ඉතා ශීතල ජලය ඇති පතුල පෙනෙන තරම් පිරිසුදු පැන් පොකුණක් දැක, එයට බැස පැන් පානය කොට දාහය හා පිපාසය සංසිඳවා ගන්නේ යම් සේද එවැනිම වූ සතුටක් පී්රතියක් සොම්නසක් බුදු බණ ඇසීම තුළින් ලැබෙන බව පැවසී ය.
මෙම උපමා ඇසූ පමණින් බුදු බණ ඇසීමේ ප්රයෝජනය තේරුම් ගත් කාරණපාලි බ්රාහ්මණයා, සිටි අසුනින් නැගී සිට උතුරු සළුව එකස් කොට, බුදුරදුන් වැඩ සිටි දෙසට හැරී තෙවරක් නමො තස්ස භගවතො අරහතො සම්මා සම්බුද්ධස්ස යනුවෙන් ප්රකාශ කොට තෙරුවන් සරණ ගිය උපාසකයෙකු බවට පත් විය. ධර්මයේ ඇති විශිෂ්ටත්වය මෙම උපමා වලින් මැනවින් පැහැදිලි වෙයි.
ධර්මයට වඳින ගාථාවේ එහි ගුණ හයක් අන්තර්ගත වෙයි. මෙම ගුණ මෙනෙහි කරන විට භය තැති ගැනීම් දුරුවන බව ධජග්ග සූත්රයෙන් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. නො චෙ මං අනුස්සරෙය්යාථ අථ ධම්මං අනුස්සරෙය්යාථ භය තැති ගැනීම්වලින් අත්මිදීමට ධර්මය මෙනෙහි කරන ලෙස පැවසූ අයුරු මෙම පාඨයෙන් පැහැදිලි වෙයි. එම ගුණ හය මෙසේ ය.
ස්වාක්ඛාත ගුණය – භාග්යවතුන් වහන්සේ විසින් පර්යාප්ති ධර්මය හා නවලෝකෝත්තර ධර්මය ද මනා කොට දේශනා කළ බැවින් ධර්මය ස්වාක්ඛාත නම් වෙයි. මෙහි පර්යාප්තිය නම් ආදි කල්යාණ, මජඣෙ කල්යාණ, පරියෝසාණ කල්යාණ හා අර්ථ සහිත ව්යඤ්ජන සහිත බවයි.
සන්දිට්ඨික ගුණය – තමන් සන්තානයෙහි ඇති කෙලෙස් ධර්ම නැති කරන හෙයින් ද තමා විසින් අවබෝධ කළ යුතුය යන අදහසින් ද සන්දිට්ඨික නම් වෙයි.
අකාලික ගුණය – කාල භේදයකින් තොරව කුසලය විපාක දෙන බව හා මාර්ගයෙන් ඵලයට පත්වීමේ දී අතර කාලයක් නොමැති වීම.
එහිපස්සිකො ගුණය – නවලෝකෝත්තර ධර්මය ඒකාන්තයෙන් ම පිරිසුදු බැවින් ද විද්යමාන බැවින් ද එව බලවයි කීමට සුදුසු බැවින් ද එහිපස්සික නම් වෙයි.ඕපනයික ගුණය - ලෝකෝත්තර මාර්ග ඵල ධර්මය සිතෙහි උපදවාගත යුතු බැවින් ද පිහිටුවා ගත යුතු බැවින් ද ඕපනයික නම් වෙයි. පච්චත්තං වෙදිතබ්බ විඤ්ඤූහි ගුණය – නුවණැත්තන් විසින් තම සිත්හි ලා දත යුතු දැක්ක යුතු බැවින් නවලෝකෝත්තර ධර්මය පච්චත්තං වෙදිතබ්බ විඤ්ඤූහි යන නමින් හඳුන්වයි.
මෙසේ උතුම් ගුණ සමුදායකින් හෙබියා වූ තථාගතයන් වහන්සේ වදාළ ශ්රී සද්ධර්මය නිරන්තරයෙන් සිය ජීවිතයට බද්ධ කරගෙන නුවණැතියෝ සතුටින් වාසය කරති..(බුදුසරණ)
ලබන වෙසක් පුර පෝදා සිට 2600 සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති වර්ෂය නම් කිරීමට ජනපති තීරණය කරයි
ලබන වසරේ (2011) වෙසක් පුර පොහෝ දින සිට 2012 වෙසක් පොහෝ දිනය දක්වා “2600 ශ්රී සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති වර්ෂය” ලෙස නම් කිරීමට ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මහතා තීරණය කළ බව සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති ලේකම් කාර්යාලය පවසයි.
සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ කමිටු ලේකම් කේ. කළුපහන මහතා ඒ පිළිබඳව අදහස් දක්වමින් කියා සිටියේ පාලි භාෂාව ප්රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා ප්රවීණ විද්වතුන්ගෙන් සමන්විත මණ්ඩලයක් පත්කිරීමට පියවර ගන්නා බව ද ජනාධිපතිවරයා ප්රකාශ කළ බවයි. ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මහතා මේ අදහස් දක්වා ඇත්තේ (02) සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති මෙහෙයුම් කමිටු සාමාජිකයන් සමඟ සාකච්ඡාවකට සහභාගි වෙමිනි. සාකච්ඡාව අරලියගහ මන්දිරයේ පැවැත්වුණි.
මෙම අවස්ථාව සඳහා ශ්යාමෝපාලි මහා නිකායේ මල්වතු පාර්ශ්වයේ අනුනායක නියංගොඩ විජිතසිරි නාහිමියෝ ප්රමුඛ නායක හිමිවරුන් ඇතුළු ගිහි පැවිදි පිරිසක් සහභාගි වූහ.(බුදුසරණ)
සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ කමිටු ලේකම් කේ. කළුපහන මහතා ඒ පිළිබඳව අදහස් දක්වමින් කියා සිටියේ පාලි භාෂාව ප්රවර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා ප්රවීණ විද්වතුන්ගෙන් සමන්විත මණ්ඩලයක් පත්කිරීමට පියවර ගන්නා බව ද ජනාධිපතිවරයා ප්රකාශ කළ බවයි. ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මහතා මේ අදහස් දක්වා ඇත්තේ (02) සම්බුද්ධත්ව ජයන්ති මෙහෙයුම් කමිටු සාමාජිකයන් සමඟ සාකච්ඡාවකට සහභාගි වෙමිනි. සාකච්ඡාව අරලියගහ මන්දිරයේ පැවැත්වුණි.
මෙම අවස්ථාව සඳහා ශ්යාමෝපාලි මහා නිකායේ මල්වතු පාර්ශ්වයේ අනුනායක නියංගොඩ විජිතසිරි නාහිමියෝ ප්රමුඛ නායක හිමිවරුන් ඇතුළු ගිහි පැවිදි පිරිසක් සහභාගි වූහ.(බුදුසරණ)
Sri Lankan Ambassador to US leads inaugural tour:
Sri Lankan Ambassador to US, Jaliya Wickramasuriya and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, DC, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, launched the first in a series of Signature Tours that will bring more American travellers to Sri Lanka.
"It is our pleasure to bring this group of American travellers to Sri Lanka," Wickramasuriya said. "I look forward to introducing the travellers to our island of unrivaled splendour and our welcoming culture. I know our journey will be an eye-opening experience that will highlight Sri Lanka's boundless potential."
The 12-day itinerary includes travel from Colombo to the UN World Heritage site of the Galle Fort and then a visit to the renowned countryside and tea fields of Nuwara Eliya. Working with the Embassy, the itinerary was organized by Jetwing Travels.
Earlier this year The New York Times named Sri Lanka its number one travel destination in 2010 and National Geographic ranked Sri Lanka second among its top 25 places to visit in 2010.
The Embassy plans to arrange Signature Tours on an annual basis.
Due to the stable peaceful conditions in Sri Lanka since May 2009 end of a conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the number of tourists arrivals has increased by 50 percent during the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The US Department of State in May recognized the lasting peace and lifted a travel advisory.
"We believe we are just scratching the surface of our tourism market and we look forward to continued growth," Ambassador Wickramasuriya said.
Guidance and cooperation extended by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority officials were essential in the timely implementation of this initiative.(News_Daily News)
"It is our pleasure to bring this group of American travellers to Sri Lanka," Wickramasuriya said. "I look forward to introducing the travellers to our island of unrivaled splendour and our welcoming culture. I know our journey will be an eye-opening experience that will highlight Sri Lanka's boundless potential."
The 12-day itinerary includes travel from Colombo to the UN World Heritage site of the Galle Fort and then a visit to the renowned countryside and tea fields of Nuwara Eliya. Working with the Embassy, the itinerary was organized by Jetwing Travels.
Earlier this year The New York Times named Sri Lanka its number one travel destination in 2010 and National Geographic ranked Sri Lanka second among its top 25 places to visit in 2010.
The Embassy plans to arrange Signature Tours on an annual basis.
Due to the stable peaceful conditions in Sri Lanka since May 2009 end of a conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the number of tourists arrivals has increased by 50 percent during the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The US Department of State in May recognized the lasting peace and lifted a travel advisory.
"We believe we are just scratching the surface of our tourism market and we look forward to continued growth," Ambassador Wickramasuriya said.
Guidance and cooperation extended by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority officials were essential in the timely implementation of this initiative.(News_Daily News)
Locally manufactured BTI to be used from next week
The locally manufacture BTI bacteria will be used from next week to combat dengue mosquito larvae.
The Health Ministry has taken this decision on a directive issued by Minister Maithripala Sirisena.
This was disclosed at a special meeting on the dengue eradication program held at the Health Ministry chaired by Acting Health Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala, said a press release issued by Health Ministry Media Officer W. M. D. Wanninayake.
The release said the Ministry had finalised arrangements to use the Cuban BTI bacteria for dengue control.
The Cuban Government had informed the ministry that the ordered shipment of BTI bacteria had been despatched from Cuba on Monday.
Since it would take two weeks for the Cuban shipment to arrive in the country the Ministry decided to use the locally made BTI in the meantime as an emergency measure. (News-Daily News)
The Health Ministry has taken this decision on a directive issued by Minister Maithripala Sirisena.
This was disclosed at a special meeting on the dengue eradication program held at the Health Ministry chaired by Acting Health Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala, said a press release issued by Health Ministry Media Officer W. M. D. Wanninayake.
The release said the Ministry had finalised arrangements to use the Cuban BTI bacteria for dengue control.
The Cuban Government had informed the ministry that the ordered shipment of BTI bacteria had been despatched from Cuba on Monday.
Since it would take two weeks for the Cuban shipment to arrive in the country the Ministry decided to use the locally made BTI in the meantime as an emergency measure. (News-Daily News)
District Judge interdicted
The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) yesterday interdicted Kandy Additional District Judge Rohan Jayawardane with immediate effect, a JSC official told the Daily News.
He was interdicted after an inquiry conducted by Supreme Court Judge Justice S.I. Imam and JSC Deputy Secretary Manjula Thilakaratne, the official said.
They inquired into the complaints of lawyers and litigants regarding undue delays in case proceedings and delivery of judgments. The inquiry was conducted on an order by Chief Justice Asoka De Silva, the official said.
The official stressed that the JSC would conduct inquiries into the several other complaints regarding certain other judges and take necessary steps accordingly.
He said that the Matale Magistrate had been earlier interdicted after an inquiry on several allegations including arbitrarily taking leave without appointing an acting judge and delivering judgments sans legal reasoning that would prevent litigants from appealing. (News-Daily News)
He was interdicted after an inquiry conducted by Supreme Court Judge Justice S.I. Imam and JSC Deputy Secretary Manjula Thilakaratne, the official said.
They inquired into the complaints of lawyers and litigants regarding undue delays in case proceedings and delivery of judgments. The inquiry was conducted on an order by Chief Justice Asoka De Silva, the official said.
The official stressed that the JSC would conduct inquiries into the several other complaints regarding certain other judges and take necessary steps accordingly.
He said that the Matale Magistrate had been earlier interdicted after an inquiry on several allegations including arbitrarily taking leave without appointing an acting judge and delivering judgments sans legal reasoning that would prevent litigants from appealing. (News-Daily News)
Indian hospital chains to re-look at Sri Lanka?
With two of the top hospital chains in India eying overseas expansion, local analysts are excited about the possibility of either one or both of them investing in the healthcare business in Sri Lanka.According to Indian media, Apollo Hospitals, India’s industry leader is looking for contracts to manage hospitals abroad, while Fortis Healthcare is aggressively looking for acquisitions as an expansion strategy. Further, Fortis is evidently preparing for other opportunities beyond India to become Asia’s healthcare leader after their battle to acquire Singapore-based hospital chain Parkway Holdings. Fortis Chairman, Malvinder Singh was recently quoted in the Indian media reports as saying “there are a heap of opportunities we have already identified which we will evaluate and engage with”.
He added that the company has $800-900 million in cash and an established line of credit, which would be used for the acquisition of one or more assets outside India.Apollo, India’s largest hospital operator which exited Sri Lanka following a hostile takeover of its hospital by a local business tycoon has a stake in a Mauritius hospital, its only investment overseas, but manages a few hospitals overseas on contract.“An Indian hospital chain can operate successfully in Sri Lanka due to two major reasons. The first being it can help to offer cheaper drugs and services to patients and the other is Sri Lanka doesn’t have the bed capacity needed in light of the projected increase in grey heads in future” a stock market analyst who doesn’t want to be identified said. According to recent labour ministry data, the percentage of people above the age group of 60 years increased from 6.3% in 1971 to 9.2% in 2001 and was estimated by the United Nations at 11% in 2008. By 2031, 21.9% of the people will be over 60 years, or one out of four will be an aged citizen.“Now the no-brainer is the tourism industry. Almost everyone is looking to put-up a hotel somewhere to be a part of the expected tourism boom. Healthcare poses almost the same opportunities being a defensive sector with strong growth prospects” another analyst said.He also pointed out that health insurance facilities and medical benefit schemes provided by corporate employers also play a major role when analyzing the growth prospects of healthcare sector in the country. “This has supported and in demand for paid private sector healthcare services which will continue” he said.He remarked that the number of beds in government run hospitals is almost stagnant due to budgetary constraints. “This allows private sector both local and foreign investors to make money by setting up new and expanding the existing ones”.At present about 25% of the total hospitals in the country are private owned (numbering 174) with a total bed capacity of 8,650, i.e.15% of the total bed capacity of Sri Lanka, which is concentrated mostly in urban areas and especially in Colombo. According to Health Ministry data, the capacity of beds in the government hospitals amounts to 68905 in its1,016 hospitals. (News-Bottom Line)
He added that the company has $800-900 million in cash and an established line of credit, which would be used for the acquisition of one or more assets outside India.Apollo, India’s largest hospital operator which exited Sri Lanka following a hostile takeover of its hospital by a local business tycoon has a stake in a Mauritius hospital, its only investment overseas, but manages a few hospitals overseas on contract.“An Indian hospital chain can operate successfully in Sri Lanka due to two major reasons. The first being it can help to offer cheaper drugs and services to patients and the other is Sri Lanka doesn’t have the bed capacity needed in light of the projected increase in grey heads in future” a stock market analyst who doesn’t want to be identified said. According to recent labour ministry data, the percentage of people above the age group of 60 years increased from 6.3% in 1971 to 9.2% in 2001 and was estimated by the United Nations at 11% in 2008. By 2031, 21.9% of the people will be over 60 years, or one out of four will be an aged citizen.“Now the no-brainer is the tourism industry. Almost everyone is looking to put-up a hotel somewhere to be a part of the expected tourism boom. Healthcare poses almost the same opportunities being a defensive sector with strong growth prospects” another analyst said.He also pointed out that health insurance facilities and medical benefit schemes provided by corporate employers also play a major role when analyzing the growth prospects of healthcare sector in the country. “This has supported and in demand for paid private sector healthcare services which will continue” he said.He remarked that the number of beds in government run hospitals is almost stagnant due to budgetary constraints. “This allows private sector both local and foreign investors to make money by setting up new and expanding the existing ones”.At present about 25% of the total hospitals in the country are private owned (numbering 174) with a total bed capacity of 8,650, i.e.15% of the total bed capacity of Sri Lanka, which is concentrated mostly in urban areas and especially in Colombo. According to Health Ministry data, the capacity of beds in the government hospitals amounts to 68905 in its1,016 hospitals. (News-Bottom Line)
Greenlight for Colombo South Port by September
Dispelling earlier rumours that Aitken Spence Holdings was out of the Rs.50bn Colombo Port Expansion Project (CPEP) deal, a source close to the deal said that according to amendments submitted last week, tender hopeful- Aitken Spence-China Merchant consortium had agreed to increase the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project from Rs.14,375mn (US $ 125) to Rs.17,250mn (US$150mn).
“A draft Letter of Intent (LoI) was forwarded to the consortium and amendments proposed by them will be considered by the Attorney General before the final LoI is prepared. Both parties had to compromise a lot,” he added.
Once given the greenlight by the Attorney General, which is expected this week, the LoI will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, by way of a Cabinet Memorandum. Thereafter, the government will issue the final LoI to the consortium. Cabinet will give the nod hopefully by first week of September if everything goes smoothly. All the while, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the consortium had been unable to come to a settlement on the revised bid for the much-delayed Colombo South Port project as they couldn’t agree on the financial bid submitted by the latter. The consortium was asked to submit a fresh bid as the bid conditions had not met stipulated criteria, while bidder was known to have written to the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) requesting for extended time to review any alteration. Consortium comprised of Aitken Spence and China Merchant Holdings jointly tendered the only bid to Design, Develop and Operate a container terminal as part of government’s initiatives to expand the already congested Colombo Port.Out of the Rs.50bn funding required, nearly Rs.30bn is made available by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a loan on the basis that the project be carried out with the participation of the private sector.
The much delayed project received just one bid in comparison to when bids were initially called for in 2007 June, where five parties - John Keells Holdings (which presently manages South Asia Gateway Terminals) in partnership with Pembinan Ridzai Berhard of Malaysia, Hayleys -Carsons and in partnership with Terminal Link of France, Aitken Spence in partnership with Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), Hutchison Terminals of Hong Kong and China’s Hanjin Shipping with its local agent - Navigation Maritime, sent in their bids. (News- Bottom Line)
“A draft Letter of Intent (LoI) was forwarded to the consortium and amendments proposed by them will be considered by the Attorney General before the final LoI is prepared. Both parties had to compromise a lot,” he added.
Once given the greenlight by the Attorney General, which is expected this week, the LoI will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, by way of a Cabinet Memorandum. Thereafter, the government will issue the final LoI to the consortium. Cabinet will give the nod hopefully by first week of September if everything goes smoothly. All the while, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the consortium had been unable to come to a settlement on the revised bid for the much-delayed Colombo South Port project as they couldn’t agree on the financial bid submitted by the latter. The consortium was asked to submit a fresh bid as the bid conditions had not met stipulated criteria, while bidder was known to have written to the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) requesting for extended time to review any alteration. Consortium comprised of Aitken Spence and China Merchant Holdings jointly tendered the only bid to Design, Develop and Operate a container terminal as part of government’s initiatives to expand the already congested Colombo Port.Out of the Rs.50bn funding required, nearly Rs.30bn is made available by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a loan on the basis that the project be carried out with the participation of the private sector.
The much delayed project received just one bid in comparison to when bids were initially called for in 2007 June, where five parties - John Keells Holdings (which presently manages South Asia Gateway Terminals) in partnership with Pembinan Ridzai Berhard of Malaysia, Hayleys -Carsons and in partnership with Terminal Link of France, Aitken Spence in partnership with Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), Hutchison Terminals of Hong Kong and China’s Hanjin Shipping with its local agent - Navigation Maritime, sent in their bids. (News- Bottom Line)
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