WE CARRY THE BROADEST SELECTION OF SL NEWS FOR THE BROADEST CROSS-SECTION OF SRI LANKANS FREE, WEEKLY NEWSPAPER. Established since.

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1 WE CARRY THE BROADEST SELECTION OF SL NEWS FOR THE BROADEST CROSS-SECTION OF SRI LANKANS NEWSLANKA (DailyNews.lk) - If the comment made by Sanjay Manjrekar is to be taken quite seriously then it more or less defines what Sri Lanka cricket has gone through during The former India cricketer turned international cricket commentator said during the third and final T20 international at Mumbai that the Indian team no longer enjoyed the success they had against Sri Lanka and the fielders and the bowlers hardly reacted to dismissing a Lankan batsmen because the contest has got to a stage of being a foregone conclusion. What we see here is cricket of a past era where players didn t run into congratulate or hug each other and traded high fives at the fall of a wicket which is the present trend, said Manjrekar. Capturing the wicket of a Sri Lankan batsman has become no longer a thrill for the Indians who have been so dominant in the two one-day formats. India completed another triple series victory over Sri Lanka in back to back contests winning the Test series 2-0, the ODI series 3-0 and the T20I series 3-0 to go with their 3-0 (Tests), 5-0 (ODI) and 1-0 (T20I) victories three months ago. It is unfortunate that Sri Lanka had to be pitted against the top ranked Test, number 2 ranked ODI and number 2 ranked T20 team in the world twice in such a short space of time when they are struggling to build a team that could compete and win consistently. If the defeats they suffered at the hands of India have not mentally defeated them then they stand to gain a lot from playing one of the top most teams in the world, if not, the results could have a detrimental effect on the future career of the players. Where the Lankans have erred is their lack of consistency in building an innings to give their bowlers a chance to get at the opposition. There have been one or two individual contributions in each match but such returns don t build partnerships to give a side a competitive total. The batting has to a great extent contributed to the downfall of the Lankan side that with new coach Chandika Hathurusingha taking over, chief selector Graham Labrooy expects it to be put right. Although Sri Lanka has a team batting coach in Thilan Samaraweera, Labrooy feels that Hathurusingha taking overall charge would have a bigger impact and expects to see a big improvement FREE, WEEKLY NEWSPAPER When Hathurusingha was head coach of Bangladesh he roped in Samaraweera as the batting coach and the combination worked very well for the Tigers who feared nothing and took on the opposition toe to toe without feeling inferior. What Hathurusingha brought to the Bangladesh team was self-belief and mental toughness which they lacked to compete with the best. Hathurusingha is renowned to work on the mindset of the cricketers and there is no better person to validate that than Samaraweera himself. Samaraweera was such a defensive batsman in the early part of his Test career that he hardly made the scoreboard tick despite the many hours he spent at the crease. Such defensive ploys also saw him lose his place in the national team. A meeting with Hathurusingha who was then the coach of the Sri Lanka A team changed all that. In 2005 when I went through a bad patch I met Chandika, he changed a few things then my mindset got better and better, recalled Samaraweera. He is very good in all three departments tactically, mentally and technically the main thing is he clears the mindset of the batsman he gives them the freedom to play. That has been the reason for his success as coach from 2009 to 2010 with the Sri Lanka team. That s the biggest ability for him. Sri Lanka s dismal record for 2017 is: TESTS Played 13, Won 4, Lost 7, Drawn 2; ODIs Played 29, Won 5, Lost 23, No Result 1; T20Is Played 15, Won 5, Lost 10. One hopes that 2018 will be a better year for Sri Lanka cricket. A lot of emphasis has been laid on the success of Hathurusingha taking over as head coach. You don t need rocket science to understand what is required to get the Sri Lanka team up and running. It s just that Hathurusingha should be allowed to do what he thinks is right and given time to make Sri Lanka a competitive and consistent nation across all three formats. He is no magician so let s give him the courage and the backing to put the team back on track without throwing obstacles in his path and hinder the progress that the entire nation is eagerly waiting for. NEWSLANKA Established since. THURSDAY 28 DECEMBER 2017 T: E: info@ newslanka.net ISSUE 1360 SriLankan Board decide to resign: Minister not aware (FT.LK) - State Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim is unaware of the decision taken by members of the Board of Directors of national carrier SriLankan Airlines to tender their resignation to clear the way for the restructuring of the organisation, despite the expectation of new appointments being made early next year. A letter communicating the offers of six of the seven members of the board to resign along with the minutes of the board meeting where the resolution was reached has already been handed over to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe s office. However, the Minister is yet to be informed of the decision, Hashim told the Daily FT. I have not been told nor has the secretary to my ministry. I learnt of the issue from social media but no official intimation has been given regarding the matter, the Minister said. The letter with the offer to resign was handed over to the Prime Minister s office as he is now heading the Ministerial Committee on SriLankan Airlines, its chairman, Ajit Dias, told the Daily FT. He also explained that the Board was appointed by the Secretary to the Treasury, not by the line ministry. However, according to normal practice, the resignation is first handed over to the relevant ministry secretary, who then communicates the matter to the respective minister for further action. The move to resign may have stemmed from an earlier discussion within the officials committee appointed to lead the restructuring of the carrier, suggesting that it would be more appropriate to appoint a new board to carry out the changes, a member of the committee told the Daily FT. The suggestion was included in a brief report presented by the committee during the first few sittings. It was only a suggestion, it wasn t a decision taken at the time. However, this may have instigated the action taken by the Board, the official said. However, the current Board will function until a new one is appointed, which is expected to happen during the first few weeks of The whole Board has to function till the new Board is appointed as the company has to run till then, Dias explained. The two committees were also tasked with the selection of a suitable strategic partner and investor to operate the national carrier. SriLankan has been able to earn a net profit of Rs.4.4 billion during the management of the airline Newslanka would like to wish everyone A Happy & Prosperous New year 2017 a terrible year for Sri Lanka cricket by Emirates Airlines at the time. However, in 2008 the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa removed Emirates Airline CEO Peter Hill and redeemed 40% of its stake. The management agreement between Emirates and SriLankan Airlines ended in After the termination of Emirates management, the national carrier incurred losses and the loss for the airline from 2008 to 2014 was Rs 107 billion. Recently, the Board, has been in conflict with the unions. The Alliance of Unions of SriLankan Airlines in a letter addressed to its Chairman Ajith Dias had claimed that they had no confidence in both him and the Board to be in charge of the National Carrier. For the first time in the long history of our National Carrier, you as a Chairman, having enjoyed all the benefits of your position for the last 3 years, have made an unprecedented statement that the lives SEE PAGE 17 FOR YOUR FREE 2018 CALENDAR LOOK OUT IN FUTURE ISSUES FOR MORE CALENDARS REGGIE FERNANDO - IS NOW IN COLOMBO Give him a call on FREE PERSONAL CLASSIFIEDS NOW YOU CAN ADVERTISE YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY RENTALS IN UK & SRI LANKA, ECT... FREE OF CHARGE AND IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS, IT ONLY COSTS 6 PER WEEK. FOR FULL DETAILS GO TO PAGE 26 OR and sustenance of nearly 7000 employees and their families is now in jeopardy, through no fault of their own" the letter stated. The letter was a response to a recent communique sent to the employees of the national carrier by the SriLankan Chairman. The Communique warned that SriLankan Airlines was facing closure and that this was inevitable and in the larger interest of the country s economy if tangible and sustainable restructuring cannot be achieved. In response, the letter signed by the Pilots Guild, Aircraft Engineers' Association, Executives' Association, Flight attendants' Union, Aircraft Technicians' Association and the Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya of the National Carrier said that the communique substantiates previous assertions. "Your communique on the present status of the Airline now serves to substantiate what has been echoed on many occasions... 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2 PAGE 02 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 Croc threats in Hambantota on the rise Audience with Pope Francis Raja Waidyasekera (dailynews.lk) Threats posed by crocodiles in the "One World One People" We are working for a greener, peaceful, democratic and socialist world. Campaign for natural justice based on redistribution of wealth. Visit Peoples-International Hambantota district on the rise, residents complain. A crocodile farm was to be set up in the Hambantota district, but it has not been established yet, the residents who undergo threats of crocodiles said. Hundreds of residents in the district depend on water from tanks since they cannot afford pipe borne water. They said they have to wade into tanks for water amidst crocodile threats. They suggest that the proposed crocodile farm will be the only solution for the issue. Govt. in overdrive with US assistance Search for stolen funds By Shamindra Ferdinando (island.lk) A US official is in Colombo to coordinate high profile ongoing asset recovery operations undertaken by the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration. Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) President s Counsel Sarath Jayamanne yesterday said the US official coordinated training programmes involving his outfit and related work. PC Jayamanne said so when The Island inquired from him about the recent US State Department announcement that Sri Lanka would receive US assistance in this regard. PC Jayamanne succeeded Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe in late Oct following her sudden resignation after an incident where President Maithripala Sirisena took the CIABOC to task. The State Department Spokesperson on Dec.5 declared that since 2016, the US government had assisted in Sri Lanka s anti-corruption efforts to improve the functioning of the legal system and civil society and to enhance good governance. The spokesperson said programmes included the provision of a Resident Legal Advisor to provide anti-corruption and asset recovery training, and support to the CIABOC. PC Jayamanne said that on the basis of the State Department statement Sri Lanka had been erroneously categorised as one of the four most corrupt countries by a section of the media. The DG, CIABOC said that the US had offered assistance consequent to Sri Lanka s request last year. Ukraine, Tunisia and Nigeria had been named as other recipients of US assistance, he said. The US official works with the Attorney General s Department as well as Presidential Task Force engaged in anti-corruption work. The Island sought an explanation from the Public Affairs Section of the US embassy in Colombo on Dec. 11 regarding State Department categorising Sri Lanka among a group of countries selected to receive US assistance to combat corruption. In spite of repeated reminders, the following questions went unanswered: (a) Has the State Department examined treasury bond scams perpetrated in Feb 2015 and March 2016 before offering special assistance to Sri Lanka, including provision of Resident Legal Advisor, Colombo? (b) As the State Department has revealed allocation of USD 115 mn annually for global anticorruption activities, could the embassy reveal the allocation for Sri Lanka? (c) What is the status of Rs 1.92 bn (USD 13 mn) USAID project meant to strengthen accountability and democratic governance in Sri Lanka against the backdrop of the country being named as one of the four countries which required US assistance to tackle corruption? Although the proposal didn t materialize, the UK, too, in mid-2016 offered to station some personnel in Colombo in support of CIABOC. PC Jayamanne explained how Nigeria had benefited from US-led assistance to recover stolen funds. Nigeria and Sri Lanka had been at the recently concluded inaugural Global Forum on Asset recovery (GFAR) cohosted by the US and the UK in Washington. Jayamanne said that initially Nigeria would receive USD 300 mn from Switzerland. PC Jayamanne was on Sri Lanka s delegation along with other senior Attorney General s Department officers. Following GFAR, international news agencies quoted Nigerian Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami as having said at the Chatham House, London, that he had signed two agreements, on behalf of Nigeria, with Switzerland and the United States of America, respectively, for the return of USD 621 million in looted funds. According to agencies, former head of state, late General Sani Abacha and the former Bayelsa State Governor, late Diepreye Alamieyeisegha were responsible for illegal transfers. Jayamanne stressed that Sri Lanka s desire to secure international assistance in asset recovery operations shouldn t be construed as a failure of the domestic mechanisms. "Some investigations do require international assistance and expertise," he said. The media has revealed that the stolen funds currently in the custody of the US were stashed away in the United Kingdom (USD 1.6m and 21.7m Pounds), France (USD 145m) and Jersey (USD 299m) respectively. Jayamanne said the World Bank, too, had been involved in the initiative. Referring to an international conference in Austria he had participated several months ago, Jayamanne explained the stand taken by some that recovered money should be utilized subjected to strict international scrutiny. Sri Lanka reselected for MCC grant (adaderana.lk) The Board of Directors of the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) reselected Sri Lanka for its grant programme at its meeting on December 19. This will enable MCC to continue developing its compact programme with the government of Sri Lanka for which Sri Lanka was selected a year ago, in December MCC compact programmes are large, fiveyear grants for selected countries that meet MCC s eligibility criteria of good governance, economic freedom and investment in their citizens. The selections are based on performance indicators compiled by MCC in an annual scorecard for countries under consideration. (island.lk) Rev. Fr. Clement Gnanapragasam, OSB, (Rector, St. Benedict s College, Kandy) concelebrated Holy Mass with His Holiness Pope Francis on December 18 at the Capella Santa Marta, together with a host of other visiting Bishops, members of the clergy and lay faithful. The Pope in his homily, referred in particular to the fatherly role of St. Joseph and his influential guide on the close upbringing of his son, Jesus. Pope Francis receiving an album of photographs prepared and gifted to him by teaching staff and student groups of St. Benedict s College, Kandy. Rise in country s CKDu patients presently halted Nadira Gunatilleke (dailynews.lk) There are 21,000 Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) patients in Sri Lanka, and the country is successfully maintaining the number without letting it to increase further, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. According to Minister Senaratne, by the time this government came into power on January 8, 2015, there were only 299 dialysis machines in the country and now, this number has been exceeded 500. He was addressing the gathering after the launching of the newspaper Kidney in Colombo, recently. Minister Senaratne stated that by the end of next Nadira Gunatilleke (dailynews.lk) A successful open-heart surgery had been performed at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital yesterday, a Health Ministry spokesman Cabinet approves Ruwanpura Expressway Project (dailynews.lk) Cabinet has approved a proposal made by the Higher Education and Highways Ministry, to call for technical and financial proposals for the first phase of the Ruwanpura Expressway Project. Accordingly, technical and financial proposals of the Kahatuduwa - Ingiriya section of the Ruwanpura Expressway would be invited by the China National Technical Import and Export Corporation. The Ruwanpura Expressway is 73.9 km from the Kahatuduwa interchange to Palmadulla. Under the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management, the Ruwanpura Expressway Project has been divided in to four sections, depending on the nature of works involved and specific places on the trace of the Expressway. The Kahatuduwa - Ingiriya section would be 26.3 km in length, and would be handled by the China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC). Ingiriya - Kahengama year (2018), the number of dialysis machines in the country will be increased up to 1,000. A total of 900 more dialysis machines will be installed island-wide with the support of an Indian investment. From next year, a mobile dialysis unit will be made available for the service of the patients. The construction work of the National Kidney Hospital to be set up in Polonnaruwa, has already been commenced, he added. Scholarships were awarded for 120 schoolchildren belonging to kidney patients. School instruments were provided for another 150 such children during the launching ceremony. Jaffna Teaching Hospital performs successful open-heart surgery said. According to the spokesman, the open-heart surgery had been performed on a 27 -year-old male from Vavuniya by Consultant Cardiologist Dr. S. Sithamparanathan Mugunthan, with the support of the Consultant Anesthetist Dr. S. Premakrishna and the staff. Jaffna Teaching Hospital Director Dr. T. Sathyamurthi confirmed that the patient is in good condition at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after the surgery, he said. Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe congratulated the staff over the phone, he added. section would be 21 km in length, and would be handled by the China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC- ENG). Kahengama - Bela section would be 12.7 km in length, and would be handled by the Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation (HCEGC). Bela - Palmadulla section would be 13.9 km in length, and would be handled by the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC). The Higher Education and Highways Ministry expects to complete the project within a period of three years.

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4 PAGE 04 (ft.lk) Visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has fallen in love with Sri Lankan crab and wants the Ministry of Crab to open up shop in Kuala Lumpur. After arriving on Sunday for his three-day State visit, Razak realised he was free for dinner and had suggested he liked to try the world-famous Sri Lankan delicacy of crabs. Sri Lanka s High FOR SHOPKEEPERS ASSOS 7 YEARS WARRANTY (PART & LABOUR INCLUDED)* Wall Unit FROM 3300 Gondola Unit 1 Eastgate Business Park, Argall Way, London E10 7PG SPECIAL OFFER NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER Ministry of Crab Ferry from Kankesanthurai to Chennai for SL pilgrims (dailymirror.lk) The Indian government has decided to permit pilgrims from the northern parts of Sri Lanka to take a ferry to Chennai and from there travel to Chidambaram and visit the Nataraja temple. The services will be operated between Kankesanthurai (near Jaffna) and Chennai, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. Sri Lankan pilgrims have expressed a desire to come to Chidambaram, about 235 km from Chennai, in connection with the Aarudhraa Darshana festival, which will begin on December 24 and go up to January 2. The release stated that a large number of Sri Lankan Tamil pilgrims were expected to come to Chidambaram. Welcoming the government s move, S.C. Chandrahasan, founder, OfFER (Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation), reiterated his long standing demand for the resumption of Bread Unit Commission in Malaysia A.J.M. Muzammil had swiftly suggested the Ministry of Crab, to which Najib had responded with surprise over it being a ministry. After assuring the Malaysian Premier that he would enjoy the experience, Muzammil had made swift arrangements at the Ministry of Crab for a special dining session for Premier Razak. Ministry of Crab co-founder Darshan Munidasa was alerted of the impending arrival of a VVIP guest and was at hand to make a special dish as well. Razak had savoured the Sri Lankan crab, with the dish he was served weighing 2 kg, and had promptly suggested that Malaysians too should enjoy the Lankan delicacy and recommended to Munidasa that it would be great to have a Ministry of Crab in Malaysia. Upon being told that crabs found in Malaysia were small in size, Razak had then suggested that the Ministry of Crab could import crabs from Sri Lanka so that more Malaysians could savour this seafood item. 178,434 DENGUE PATIENTS THIS YEAR (sundayobserver.lk) Assistant DMO, Kurunegala, Dr. A.Priyadarshna, said, during the period January 1 to December 14 this year, about 178,434 positive Dengue patients have been detected in various parts of the country and this number has been confirmed by the Ministry of Health. The Colombo District has recorded the highest number of patients, around 33,267. The Kurunegala District has detected about 10,932 Dengue cases during this period, of which 422 patients have died. Dengue cases have been recorded in all 25 administrative districts, so that all citizens of the country should give priority to eradicate mosquito-breeding grounds in their surroundings, regularly, and those who ignore the instructions of health authorities should be legally punished for placing others at the risk of death due to mosquito-related diseases such as, filaria, dengue, brain fever and malaria, Dr. Priyadarshana said. Rameswaram-Talaimannar ferry services on a regular basis so that poorer and more deserving pilgrims and people could come to India. He sees the start of these services as a pre-requisite for voluntary repatriation of refugees living in Tamil Nadu. V. Niranjan, coordinator of the Jaffna Managers Forum, a civil society organisation based in Jaffna, said the decision would go a long way in strengthening traditional ties between the people of Tamil Nadu and the Northern Province. He hoped that the step would strengthen the relationship in the fields of education, health, trade and commerce.(the Hindu) 31,000 expatriate Lankans get dual citizenship (ft.lk) A large number of Sri Lankans who had obtained citizenship in other countries are applying for dual citizenship in Sri Lanka, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Nihal Ranasinghe revealed. Since 2015 March, 31,000 have been granted dual citizenship, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration said. Each applicant for dual citizenship is required to pay Rs. 300,000 and Rs. 50,000 each for their spouse and children. The Controller General said the Immigration and Emigration Department is receiving a large number of applications for dual citizenship and the department is taking measures to expedite the review of applications and granting dual citizenship to eligible applicants. Nimal Wijesinghe (dailynews.lk) CKDu CARE is a project, dedicated to relief service, education and research on Chronic Kidney Disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka. It has been initiated by a group of Western qualified and Ayurveda qualified medical professionals.the Institute of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (IAAM), Kotelawala Defence University (KDU),the Kebithigollewa Divisional Secretariat and the Department of Ayurveda North Central Province support this project. A CKDu dedicated clinic has begun at the Kebithigollewa divisional secretariat office premises in October As of October 2016 the clinic shifted to the Ayurveda community health center of the area as requested by the Ayurveda Commissioner of the North Central Province. The project is designed to provide a free service for CKD patients of which a majority represents the low income farming community. Native medicine revealed by late Ven. Waharaka Abhayarathanalankara thera a renowned and veteran indigenous Ayurvedic physician are being practiced applied and used for remedying the renal patients. So far 32 clinics have been conducted managing over 400 registered patients under its care and with a clinic attendance of patients per clinic. Services provided through the project include medical examination of patients by qualified Western and Ayurveda physicians. Laboratory testing for evaluation of CKD status including blood creatinine, urinary albumin creatinine is conducted free. A customised medication pack for three weeks is then provided based on patient status. Health education sessions are conducted for all patients attending the clinic emphasizing on good agricultural practices (highlighting significance of agrochemical free agriculture), food habits and life style modifications essential for prevention of CKDu. CKDu CARE has also successfully conducted a knowledge and skill-sharing workshop for Ayurveda physicians who treat CKDu patients in the north central province. This five-day workshop was conducted at the Ayurveda Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura. This workshop covered aspects of essential basic knowledge and skills with regard to clinical management, preparation of simple traditional medicine remedies for CKDu using ingredients abundantly found in northern Sri Lanka as well as systematic data recording in CKDu clinics. Training was provided for over 20 government Ayurveda doctors who also underwent an onsite ISSUE 1360 CKDu Care project helps kidney disease patients Dr. Nishantha Kumarasinghe and patients at the clinic. clinical training at the CKDuCARE clinic, Kebithigollewa. Now they are ready to provide comprehensive health care for CKDu patients using Western - Ayurveda integrated method. Some medicines for CKDu are now been prepared at the Ayurveda medicine manufacturing plant at Thambuttegama Thelhiriyawa under the purview of commissioner Ayurveda North Central Province, using the ancient prescriptions donated by Dr. Nishantha Kumarasinghe for providing medical treatments for a larger section of the kidney patients. It is envisaged to treat the CKDupatients with this course of native medicine through the 45 ayurvedha hospitals in the NCP. A decline in serum creatinine level (a measure of degree of kidney injury) has been reported in over 70% of patients under treatment. A considerable proportion (30%) hasalso demonstrated normal levels of creatinine following a 6month to 9 month duration of treatment.these remarkable outcomes have been shared with the scientific community So far research on CKDu conducted locally as well as internationally has failed to present any fruitful outcomes. The aim of CKDu CARE research is to find a feasible solution to CKDu using a Western and Ayurveda integrated approach. The young researchers working with CKDu CARE are systematically recording data of patients covering biological, psychological, socio-demographic and environmental aspects of their lives. These data together with our remarkable findings are being presented to the national and international forums in order to create awareness among the scientific community who has similar intention to find a solution for this seemingly incurable disease. More in-depth research such as 2 PhD researches projects and 08 undergraduate research projectswill be carried out with the support from the university of Sri Jayewardenepura (R 4 million grant has been approved for one project), National Science Foundation for which grant application forwarded, National Research Council Kothalawala Defence University and Institute of Ayurvedha and Alternative Medicine. Dr. Kumarasinghe said this volunteer medical care project has achieved a lot for a period of one year from its start in October 2015 without seeking funding or any major support from the government. Tourists at Nine Arches Bridge (dailymirror.lk) A large number of foreign and local tourists are seen enjoying at Nine Arches Bridge of Demodara. The bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in Sri Lanka and considered as one of the best examples of British Railway Constructions. Pics by Pradeep Pathirana

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6 PAGE 06 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 Crimes & Accidents (dailynews.lk) A female child was found dead in a cultivation well at Pahala Bohingamuwa, Kuliyapitiya, police said. The deceased, Alagiyawanna Mohottalalage Lakisha Lakduli Alagiyawanna, three years and eight months old, was found in the well by her father. The grandfather of the child her mother s father had allegedly thrown the child into the well following a family brawl. The grandfather who had been drunk on the day, has had an argument with his wife regarding the latter s plan to go abroad. Following the heated argument, the grandfather has said that he will teach a lesson to the whole family. Child found dead in well According to the grandmother, the child was put to bed around 7.30 pm. Then, the father of the child, A. M. Rasika Premaratne, has found his wife and her mother looking for the child, when he reached his home. While the family was looking for the missing child, the suspect had been sleeping at the back of the house and had not responded. The father had later found his daughter s body in the cultivation well. Kuliyapitiya police arrested the grandfather. Police are investigating as to the reason why the clothes worn by the child were missing when her body was found in the well, Kuliyapitiya police said. Bus veers off road into stream; two dead Duminda Senarath (dailynews.lk) Two persons died after the bus in which they were travelling went down a precipice and into a stream at Pathulpaana on the Ratnapura -Embilipitiya main road on Saturday. Police said some of the 44 passengers including the driver and the conductor who sustained injuries were admitted to the Ratnapura and Kahawatte hospitals. According to Police, the accident had occurred at 2.45 a.m. last Saturday due to the negligence of the driver who was feeling sleepy and had asked the conductor to drive the bus. However, after taking over the steering wheel of the bus, the conduc or too had fallen asleep, which had resulted in the bus t veering off the road and going down the precipice into a stream in Pathulpaana. One of the passengers,identified as Ratnayake Diyapotha Sumanadasa (61) of Ambahagahena, Urubokka was pronunced dead on admission to hospital. Police Also found the body of a woman, (adaderana.lk) For decades, female genital mutilation (FGM) has been practiced in Sri Lanka. However, to those outside the practicing communities, this information elicits shock and disbelief. Secrecy about FGM in Sri Lanka is both imposed and internalised. Women who have experienced FGM strongly fear retaliation for speaking out. There is a lack of freedom to discuss, question and explore alternative views within practicing communities. In December 2017 a news story broke the public silence on FGM, opening a contentious debate. Spokespersons for some sections of the Muslim communities in Sri Lanka confirmed the practice of cutting but have taken pains to make a distinction between FGM and female circumcision. They argue that what happens in Sri Lanka is just a nick of a girl s clitoris that does not constitute mutilation. This distinction is not recognised by the World Health Organisation ; the types of FGM it classifies include forms described as just a nick. Based on personal testimonies of women, our work shows that FGM is practiced within the Moor, Malay and Dawoodi Bohra ethnic communities in Sri Lanka. The practice appears to vary regionally, and there are clerics who denounce FGM, those who promote it, and also those that say it is mandatory. This means there are also sections of the communities abandoning the practice, with some reporting that FGM is diminishing with each generation and could possibly die out. Some women are opting to not get it done to their daughters or pretend to have it done to save face within their families and communities. The form and conditions under which the genital cutting happens are varied. Moor and Malay women speak of a practice done at 40 days after birth by an Osthi mami, a medically untrained woman who carries out the ritual. Shaving blades are used and there is no mention of sterilisation. What exactly is nicked and how deep the nick is is left to the untrained Osthi mami to decide. Blood is drawn and sometimes ash is sprinkled on the wound. Dawoodi Bohra women describe experiencing identified as Walakadage Karunaawathie (60) of Poththadeniya, Urubokka which was pinned under the bus. FGM in Sri Lanka: It s never just a nick cutting at age seven, usually by medical professionals. Some have recounted traumatic memories of the procedure, of being pinned down on tables, feeling pain between their legs and feeling pain when passing urine for days after. Some mothers have expressed regret with hindsight at having done this to their children. For others, it has strained their relationships with parents. A 27 year-old Sri Lankan woman who got herself medically examined as an adult, found part of her clitoris and labia had been cut when she was a child. Another woman testified to experiencing pain during sexual intercourse as an adult, due to nerves being exposed when she was cut as a child. There is no established medical benefit, even of hygiene, that justifies the cutting of the clitoris or labia of young girls. Proponents of FGM claim the WHO has not studied local practices, arguing that the local form of the practice somehow does not cause harm and, on the contrary, is beneficial - an argument for which no medical evidence has been presented. It is hard to deny that the local practice involves interfering with the genitalia of a child who is unable to give informed consent. The clitoris matures to have a high concentration of nerve endings in a small piece of flesh. Given this, even if the clitoris is only minimally or accidentally injured, scar tissue develops and it can affect the ability of the woman to experience pleasure normally. That FGM is done to control a woman s sexuality is well documented and echoes the narratives of Sri Lankan women we have spoken to between the ages of 25 and 60. These women have bravely testified to the lasting harm and trauma caused by their childhood experiences of being cut, despite great fear about the social and personal consequences of doing so. Supporters of FGM have been loud and vehement. They are community gatekeepers who hold power and authority and are often male. Their insistence on the cultural practice is an attempt to trump the voices of women saying they have been hurt and don t want it done to any other child. There are also women who say the cutting has not affected them. The latest argument of some proponents of FGM Dies in collision Thennakoon Bandara (dailynews.lk) A motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries after admission to the Moneragala Sirigala Base Hospital after his motor cycle collided head with a Cab bound for Moneragala at Gallidaara, Meegahapitiya on the Dambagalla Mariarawa Road on Friday. According to Police, the deceased Wasantha Deshapriya(53), a Science In Service Adviser attached to the Madulla Divisional Education Office is a resident of Galbokka, Dambagalla. He was a father of three. Killed by elephant S.M.Wijayaratne. (dailynews.lk) A father of two was killed by a wild elephant in the Kurunegala District yesterday. The dead man was identified as R.M.Mudiyanse (54) of the IhalaKonwewa area. He was pronounced dead on admission to the Galgamuwa Base Hospital,Kurunegala. The Inquirer into Sudden Deaths of Galgamuwa West Shantha Ranaweera conducted the inquest into his death and recorded a verdict of death due to an attack by a wild elephant. Lorry-cab collision W. Vidanapathirana (dailynews.lk) One person died and four others were injured when a lorry collided head on with a cab at Hingureaara in Embilipitiya yesterday. The lorry driver had died and four men in the cab were injured in the collision. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Priyantha Perera of Kosgama, police said. Embilipitiya police are investigating. has been to say that the practice as described in the recently publicised excerpts of testimonies is not in line with the cultural practice they promote, and should in fact be done properly. Their attempt to medicalise or regulate the practice would not undo the physical and psychological harm done to girls and women. FGM proponents debates on the methods and extent of cutting also distracts from the central fact that the practice of FGM is a violation of the rights of a child as protected by national and international law. The Muslim clerics in Sri Lanka who denounce the practice of cutting also highlight the issue of protection of children, along with their calls to respect the perfection of God s creation. Women have started to speak up on the issue and have approached state authorities to lobby them to take action. FGM is a public health issue, but it is also a child abuse issue. Sri Lanka s Penal code criminalises any form of grievous hurt and genital cutting clearly falls within that definition. However, the women affected are calling for FGM to be recognised as a specific criminal offence. This will address the reluctance of law enforcement officials to take action on what they see as a private matter for families or a cultural practice of a specific community. The pushback to women s advocacy raises important questions about whose voices we privilege in debates around cultural practices and women s bodies. While debate is a healthy process of exchange of information and views, vilification of and threats against women who raise the issue of FGM are simply attempts to silence them and must be condemned. Women are reaching out for state protection because the problem of FGM is not an issue they are able to resolve within the community due to the overwhelming resistance from powerful interests that do not recognise their suffering. Banning FGM could help women resist harm to their daughters and protect the reproductive and sexual health of the future generations of women in Sri Lanka. - Al Jazeera - Agencies Cremation By Manushi Silva (adaderana.lk) The petition filed against holding of the Cremation Ceremony of Venerable Meegahadure Gnanarathana Thero at the public ground-jaffna Fort, was rejected by Jaffna Magistrate today (22). The Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Northern Province and Chief Incumbent of the Jaffna Sri Naga Vihara Venerable Meegahadure Gnanarathana Thera passed away on Tuesday (19). Shalila Moonesinghe By Sanchith Karunaratna (adaderana.lk) The request made by former Litro Gas chairman Shalila Moonesinghe to travel overseas for medical treatment was denied by the Fort Magistrate s Court earlier today (22). The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested N.M.S. Moonesinghe in connection with the transfer of 1.1 million USD from the far Eastern Bank of Taiwan to a Sri Lankan bank account in October. Impersonator caught Dharma Sri Abeyratne (dailynews.lk) Examination Department sources said a person was arrested while sitting the Ordinary Level examination with a forged identity card at an examination centre in Piliyandala. The person was answering the Geography examination papers after impersonating a student when arrested. Police sources revealed that the suspect had pasted his picture on the National Identity Card (NIC) belonging to the student he was impersonating. At a first glance the bogus identity card cannot be identified as it has been much similar to a normal identity card. However, he has managed to answer eight examination papers using this bogus identity card until he was arrested. Invigilators on duty took the 25-year-old suspect into their custody and later handed him over to the Piliyandala Police. The Examinations Department will conduct an inquiry in this regard. Aava group (colombogazette.com) The Aava group; has bee influenced by South Indian films, the Jaffna Army chief said. Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Major General D.D.U.K Hettiarachchi said that there is no truth to claims the LTTE was regrouping in the North. Hettiarachchi said that intelligence agencies have also confirmed the LTTE, which was defeated in is not active in Jaffna. He says while there is no threat from the LTTE the group known as the Aava group has been responsible for some crime related incidents recently. The only security related issue we have had over the past few months here is the issue arising from the activities of the Aava group. This group consists of a few youth who are addicted to drugs and liqueur. They watch South Indian films and try to imitate what they see in these films. Most of them have been arrested. So there is nothing to worry, he said. He also said that when releasing land held by the Army in Jaffna, serious consideration will be given to national security. (Colombo Gazette) Report by Ashanthi Warunasuriya Selfie tragedy (dailymirror.lk) Two 17-year-old school children drowned in Kallady Oya in Pudukuduirippu last evening while they were taking a selfie, Police said. They said a group of seven school children had gone to bathe in the Kallady Oya and the two victims had gone into the middle of the Oya to take a selfie and had fallen into a pit created due to sand mining.

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8 PAGE 08 (adaderana.lk) Russia has decided to lift the ban imposed on tea imports from Sri Lanka with effect from December 30 following discussions, Sri Lanka s Ambassador to Moscow Dr. Saman Weerasinghe said. (ft.lk) Surrounded by the sea and boasting an impressive number of waterways inland, Sri Lanka is blessed abundantly in terms of water. But when it comes to water safety, we sink. With a staggering 1,100 deaths (estimated) a year by drowning, Sri Lanka has fallen short quite dismally in terms of delivering on health and safety obligations in the water. What s even more tragic is that all of these deaths are preventable. A look at the comparative NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 Lit up! Berlin mourns Ambassador Amunugama (ft.lk) Nelum Kuluna was a blaze of light yesterday during twilight Pic by Lasantha Kumara Russia lifts ban on tea Sri Lankan Cardinal Malcom (ft.lk) Sri Lankan Cardinal Malcom Ranjith (left) attends Christmas mass in Colombo on 25 December. Christians account for some 6% of Sri Lanka s 21 million people AFP A delegation from Sri Lanka, comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Plantation and Ceylon Tea Board, left for Russia last week for discussion on lifting the ban. A meeting was held today (25) between officials from both countries at the Russian Plant Quarantine institute in Moscow. Russia s agriculture safety watchdog also confirmed that it will resume imports of tea from Sri Lanka. The imports will resume on Dec. 30, the RIA news agency cited its head Sergey Dankvert as saying on Monday. Russia had placed temporary restrictions on imports of tea and all other agricultural products from Sri Lanka from Dec. 18 after a beetle was found a tea consignment. Russia s agricultural safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said the insect, known as the Khapra beetle, was discovered in the packaging of a consignment of tea from Sri Lanka. statistics provided by Life Saving Victoria (Australia), which is engaged in drowning prevention work in Sri Lanka with Sri Lanka Life Saving (SLLS) formerly known as the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka highlights the severity of the problem. While 1,100 drowned in Sri Lanka, by comparison in 2016/17 there were 291 drowning deaths in Australia alarming differences given the similar population numbers of Australia and Sri Lanka and the greater participation in water activities and larger land mass of Australia, as highlighted by Life Saving Victoria (LSV). In fact, it states that Sri Lanka has the 12th highest drowning rate out of 61 countries analysed in the 2014 World Health Organisation Global Report on Drowning and the 10th highest when compared with 35 Low and Middle Income Countries. Water related opportunity in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has an abundance of beautiful beaches and inland waterways including rivers, lakes, dams and reservoirs, and the water is warm all year-round providing a great opportunity for locals and tourists alike to enjoy and use for recreation. Providing a safe environment around water through the provision of lifesaving services enhances the value of these natural waterrelated assets and there is tremendous opportunity in Sri Lanka for tourist, economic and social development through better utilisation of water related assets, Sri Lanka Life Saving and Life Saving Victoria asserted. Life Saving Victoria Chief Operating Officer Mevan Jayawardena stated that LSV has been working with SLLS since 2011, starting at a grass-roots level, and most recently moving to a holistic strategic level. Sri Lanka is abundantly blessed with beautiful beaches and inland waterways, including lakes, dams, rivers, and reservoirs, which can be Lalith Ganhewa in Berlin (dailynews.lk) Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany Dr. Karunatilaka Amunugama passed away suddenly on December 13, at the age of 63. The newly-appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany Karunasena Hettiarachchi and his wife, along with the entire staff of the Sri Lankan embassy in Berlin, organised a 7th day alms giving to the Maha Sangha on Wednesday (20), in the late Ambassador s memory. This was attended by the highest Sangha Nayake of Germany, Doranagoda Sumanthindarama and Berlin Sambodhi Viharaya Chief Priest Ven. Rambukwelle Devananda Thera, Ven. Rathmale Punnyarathana Thera from Hamburg, Ven. Gurudeniye Pannyakitthi Thera (presently visiting Germany), and Ven. Maahgama Suvineetha Thera of the Buddhistische House Frohnau Berlin. Representatives of Berlin based Sri Lankan organisations, along with few other close associates of late Ambassador Dr. Amunugama were present at the alms-giving. Over 1,100 deaths by drowning each year accessed all year round. In making these natural waterways safer, there is an opportunity to promote better use of these assets for both locals and tourists. As more people congregate and participate, local micro businesses can thrive and create employment. We have seen this done well in Australia and other places around the world. Jayawardena stated that training was started at the grass-roots level with first aid, pool lifeguarding and beach lifeguarding, and progressed to rescue board operations and swim teacher training, while most recently there have been major efforts to build capacity and capability in setting strategic direction and a governance framework for a holistic approach to water safety. Our goal is to support the development and implementation of a holistic national plan, which addresses drowning and realises the opportunities that water-related assets provide in Sri Lanka, he Newly-appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany Karunasena Hettiarachchi, his wife, and the staff of the Sri Lankan embassy in Berlin paying homage to the late Dr. Karunatilaka Amunugama. Picture by Samantha Madura Abesekara. Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama was educated at St. Thomas College, Matale. A graduate of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura in Sri Lanka, he went on to complete a postgraduate programme in Manpower Planning at Victoria University in the United Kingdom in He received his doctorate in 2013 from Bejing University, China. Dr. Amunugama joined the foreign service in His first posting was to Cairo in Since then he has held various positions in the foreign ministry, including the prestigious and influential position of Foreign Ministry Secretary. Ceremony to commemorate tsunami anniversary (dailynews.lk) A special religious ceremony was held at the tsunami memorial at Pereliya, Galle to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the devastating tsunami on boxing day, 2004 which killed over 35,000 people. Two minutes silence was observed from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m. to commemorate the tsunami victims. The 2004 tsunami-rail disaster in Peraliya is the largest single rail disaster in world history where over 1,500 people travelling in the Matara bound train from Colombo died. emphasised. The people who work in lifesaving must represent the people lifesaving aims to serve. That is the first and foremost reason why both male and female representation is essential. Given lifesaving has only 5% female representation in Sri Lanka, clearly there is an opportunity for development. Sri Lanka Life Saving President Asanka Nanayakkara said: Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in Sri Lanka and on average we lose three people per day, which accounts to over 1,100 people per year. Sri Lanka has 1,340 kilometres of coastline and thousands of waterways, including rivers, lakes, beaches and dams, which are used 365 days a year. Many people in Sri Lanka have minimal swimming skills and knowledge of being safe in the water. (Contd: on P14)

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10 PAGE 10 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER JVP claims it is squeaky - clean UN condemns by Saman Indrajith (island.lk) The JVP yesterday said none of its candidates had corruption charges against them and dared the main political parties to prove its claim wrong if they could. Addressing a press conference at the party head office in Pelawatte JVP Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said: "We have held four ministerial and four deputy ministerial posts but there was not a single allegation of corruption against those JVP members. We did the same with Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha. Our s is the cleanest list of names. No main party could give that assurance to the electors and vow that their candidates are corruption free. "We have been able to hand over nomination lists both rounds without none being rejected. We have handed over nominations for 311 local government bodies countrywide successfully. We did not give nominations to the Bandarawela Urban Council and the Bandarawela Pradeshiya Sabha as per the request of people there who put forward an independent team comprising SLFP, UNP and JVP candidates fighting against the Uma Oya project. (island.lk) Colombo s former Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam has thrown the hat into the ring to contest the February 2018 local government elections under the Sri Lanka Podujana Party flower bud symbol from the Havelock Town ward "I worked for the Colombo Municipal Council for 26 By Shamindra Ferdinando (island.lk) State Minister for Child Affairs Vijayakala Maheswaran (Jaffna District MP) has claimed that the Tamil community wouldn t have lost their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran if they had voted for UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe at 2005 presidential election. Maheswaran said so outside Jaffna District Secretariat last Friday (Dec 22) after handing over UNP nomination lists. Jaffna based Kalaikkathir quoted State Minister Maheswaran as having claimed had the people of the North voted for Wickremesinghe, they wouldn t have lost their leader and 200,000 people in the Vanni war. The armed forces brought the war to a successful conclusion on the morning of May 19, 2009 with the killing of Prabhakaran on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon. By Yusuf Ariff (adaderana.lk) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that construction of the Rajagiriya Flyover, which is being built according to a concept of the unity government, will be completed 11 months early. Speaking to reports during an inspection tour of the construction work this morning (21), he said that the flyover was scheduled to be completed in Dr. Kariyawasam "Other parties have submitted nomination lists against the election laws. Some of them were rejected. We call on people not to vote for corrupt elements in main parties. "The SLPP suffered the heaviest loss in getting their lists rejected. Six SLPP lists were rejected in the first round and five in the second. "All main parties have been accused of corruption. The UNP which came to power promising to eradicate fraud and corruption committed the biggest ever fraud in the history of the country by robbing the central bank. Both factions of the SLFP are known for corruption. Though they are divided today they were in the same government and swindled the country. We do not think people can be fooled again by the same crooks again "The government is spreading a lie that there is no point in giving other parties power in the villages because such councils will not have the government backing. That is a lie, we showed how to run a local body without government backing in Tissamaharama," MP Herath said. years, 14 of them as the Chief Medical Officer. I feel that I still have something to offer the people in the city, especially in making it a clean, healthy and safe place to live", he said. "I also want to improve the way the CMC functions by eliminating bureaucracy especially where obtaining licensing, building approvals by the public are concerned", he noted. Tamils lost P'karan due to 2005 polls boycott There had never been a previous instance of a Jaffna based UNP politician blaming northern presidential polls boycott in Nov 2005 as leading to the LTTE s battlefield defeat and death of Prabhakaran. Editor of Kalaikkathir N. Vithyatharan told The Island that his paper had given sufficient coverage to all political parties contesting local government polls in the northern region. Asked whether he had carried Maheswaran s statement as he believed in her claim of 200,000 deaths on the Vanni front, Vithyatharan emphasized that her assertion certainly deserved front-page coverage. Maheswaran made that statement as the key Jaffna-based UNPer spearheading local government polls campaign and was responsible for that assessment, Vithyatharan said. Rajagiriya Flyover completed December However, it will be declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2018, he said. The Prime Minister stated that although the construction of all four lanes at once had resulted in severe traffic congestion in the area, that situation would be resolved very swoon. Wickremesinghe stated that traffic congestion has now become a serious issue in the country and that several solutions have been proposed for this. He said that in order to solve Colombo s traffic issue, a road will be built from Kelani Bridge to Colombo Fort while they intend to connect a byroad of this to Rajagiriya Junction. The PM said that it is normal for the public to blame the incumbent government whenever there are traffic jams and that despite the criticisms, the government will push forward with the development of roads. By Sanchith Karunaratna (adaderana.lk) The United Nations refugee agency has condemned Australia s forced return of an asylum seeker to Sri Lanka without any assessment of his claim for protection, saying the man is at serious risk of persecution in his homeland. The UNHCR had sought assurances from the Australian government the man would not be removed from the country and would be allowed to apply for protection. But on Wednesday, the man was forcibly removed, in handcuffs, from Villawood detention centre and flown back to Sri Lanka. The Australian government has maintained that By Cyril Wimalasurendre (island.lk) KANDY Responding to a statement by Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake that former president Mahinda Rajapakse would be sacked from the SLFP if he campaigned for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna former Minister and Media Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that Duminda Dissnayake was only a child. It was reported on Saturday that Dissanayake had said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was still an SLFP member and, therefore, the latter would be sacked if he campaigned for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Rambukwella said so addressing the media at his Anniewatte residence on Sunday evening. Rambukwella said the SLPP was faced with the gargantuan task of selecting candidates out of tens of thousands of applicants. With great difficulty 8,500 had been chosen out of 71,000 applicants, he said. The SLPP spokesman explained that the election laws introduced at the local elections required amendments since the regulations challenged the democratic rights of the people. Some regulations were so rigid as even a minor error in filling nomination lists could result in the rejection of an entire list. Rambukwella said people wanted to bring former President Rajapaksa back to power as they feared the presentday rulers would grant federalism if they were allowed to continue to be in power. The yahaplana was under pressure from the politicians of the ISSUE 1360 SLFP confirms Azath Salley as Colombo Mayoral candidate (adaderana.lk) Azath Salley will be the Colombo Mayoral candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at the upcoming election, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva confirmed today (22). He said that Salley is not an imported candidate as alleged by certain individuals. The upcoming Local Government polls will be an election where racism is eradicated and reconciliation is established, the Minister added. The Minister made this statement while addressing an SLFP media briefing held in Colombo today (6). He also said that the lack of cooperation between two organizers of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is responsible over the rejection of SLFP nominations for two Local Government institutions. the man was removed because he missed its October 1 deadline to apply for protection, and was deemed not to be seeking protection. Keheliya says not to take SLFP Secretary seriously 31 JVP members join with SLFP (adaderana.lk) Thirty-one members of the JVP including four former parliamentarians and seven provincial councilors defecated from the JVP to pledge their support to President Maithripala Sirisena and the SLFP. Accordingly Dimuthu Abeykoon, R.P.A.Ranaweera, S.K.Subhasinghe and Anjan Ummah who are all former parliamentarians joined Sampanthan recovers (island.lk) Opposition and TNA leader, R. Sampanthan who was hospitalized after he suddenly fell ill, has now "recovered and doing fine", a member of his household said yesterday. Asked what had gone wrong, he replied, "I don t want to go into details, but he s okay now. There s no problem". North to set up a federal state, Rambukwella said. Northern Provincial Council Minister Wijayakala had recently said that if their leader Prabhakaran had lived North would have got federal status by now. Rambukwella said that only 35 percent of the Tamils lived in the Northern Province and 65 percent of them were in Colombo and other parts of the country. Responding to a media query he said, the JVP had thrown in its lot with some political party at the last general election and won a negligible number of seats and, therefore, should not be taken seriously. (island.lk) Communist Party General Secretary D. E. W. Gunasekera seems to be congratulating Health Minister and cabinet spokesperson Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, who spearheaded efforts to bring all political parties represented in parliament and other groups on one platform at the New Town Hall last Friday (Dec 22) against US decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Sri Lanka was among 128 countries which voted for the resolution moved by Egypt in the UNGA. (Pic courtesy health ministry) the SLFP while provincial council members Eraj Krishantha de Alwis, Saman Pushpakumara, Anura Dissanayake, H.M.K.Herath, M.Jayaratne, Aruna Dissanayake and P.Bhuminadan also joined the SLFP. Meanwhile former provincial councilor Palitha Lihiniya Kumara and two other UNP members also joined the SLFP. The nominations submitted by SLFP for Dehiattakandiya and Padiyatalawa Pradeshiya Sabhas were rejected on December 14. While speaking at media briefing the Minister said that he requests the Election Commissioner to implement election law firmly. The government has no intention of misusing state power at the upcoming Local Government elections, and we do not have any need to do so, he added.

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12 SPECIAL OFFER PAGE 12 Help the needy, helpless - Cardinal (dailynews.lk) It was to bring the message of humbleness that Jesus Christ decided to be born in a manager. Therefore let us resolve to extend love and compassion to needy people leading helpless lives and children undergoing untold suffering during this Christmas,Colombo Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said in a special Christmas message. Let us honour others. Love people s lives and share our happiness and joy with others eschewing selfishness. Let us remember that man s value depended on his conduct rather than on his riches and material possessions. While enjoying Christmas, I request you to desist from causing destruction to the environment and using polythene for decorations. In the name of Jesus Christ, I request you to (ft.lk) Harin skeptical of independent group s genuine intentions in contesting Badulla The JVP yesterday revealed that its mayoral candidate for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) would be specialist doctor Ranil Jayasena. The JVP is to hold rallies in every district, with the more significant districts to have multiple rallies. Their first rally is to kickoff on the 27 December in Anuradhapaura. In addition, JVP MP Vijitha Herath disclosed that they would not be contesting for the Bandarawela Municipal Council or the Bandarawela Pradheshiya Sabha; instead the JVP would allow a local independent group called the Collective Against the Uma Oya Project to contest that (island.lk) President Maithripala Sirisena, who is at loggerheads with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe s United National Party (UNP), has strongly hinted at a possible split of their coalition mid-way of its five-year term. The President told his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) loyalists that he has decided to carry out the "second stage" of his daring political bravery of FOR SHOPKEEPERS ASSOS 7 YEARS WARRANTY (PART & LABOUR INCLUDED)* Dr. Ranil Jayasena FROM 3300 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS MESSAGES honour children and uplift them with love and care and desist from causing harm to them whoever they many be because that is the best sacrifice you could make in the name of child Jesus Christ. Wish you a Merry Christmas. May the blessings of Jesus Christ he with you, the Cardinal said. A reunion of powerful divinity and the fragile humanity President Maithripala Sirisena extended his warmest greetings for a happy Christmas to all Christians who are devoted heirs of this magnificent universal festivity. Christmas has often been depicted as a reunion of powerful divinity and the fragile humanity. That glorious reunion occurred with the coming of a religious leader who instilled the values of love, sacrifice and justice in the society, marking a significant victory of humanity in its history that is millennia old, the President said in his Christmas day wishes. The birth of Jesus Christ and his rise as a electorate. The people of the area have been demanding that they be allowed to contest independently. This would see SLFP, UNP and JVP supporters coming under one banner to contest the Bandarawela electorate. We listened to the people and gave them their democratic right to contest independently, he said. Meanwhile, UNP organiser for the Badulla District, Minister Harin Fernando told Daily FT that if the JVP initiative in Bandarawela was genuine it was indeed a just cause, but added that he had personal reservations that the JVP was capitalising on the grievances of the local populace to gain political milage. COLOMBO BEGGARS TO BE REMOVED (sundayobserver.lk) All beggars found violating the prohibition against begging in Colombo, after January 1, will be transferred to the rehabilitation facility in Rideegama, Ambalantota. According to the Secretary to the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, Nihal Rupasinghe, the beggars found within the city will be picked up with the assistance of the Municipal authorities and the Police. Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara told the Sunday Observer that the Police will arrest beggars under the Police Ordinance and the Vagrants Ordinance. They will be fined for the offence after arrest, he said, adding that the police is prepared to assist in the plans of ridding Colombo of its beggar population. According to Gunasekara, the Police also currently monitor city centres and traffic lights and take action against people found to be begging in these places. According to sources of the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, discussions regarding the project to remove beggars from the city from January 1 were held in October among all related parties with a comprehensive plan devised for the purpose. Last week, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka declared that begging in Colombo will be prohibited from January 1. According to the Minister, there are around 600 beggars who operate within the Colombo city limits. defecting from the then strongman President Mahinda Rajapaksa s government in November A rank outsider, Sirisena quit his Health Ministry portfolio and challenged his former boss at the snap presidential election of January He won spectacularly with the support of a UNP-led rainbow coalition clamouring for good governance after a decade of autocratic rule. Unit 1 Eastgate Business Park, Argall Way, London E10 7PG Office: / On Friday evening, Sirisena said the way to save the country from the scourge of bribery and corruption was to strengthen his SLFP which he described as the only "clean political force in the country." "Without strengthening the SLFP, I don t see any clean political force that could save the country at this time in its history. "As I took a courageous and bold decision to leave the (then) government on November 21, 2014, I religious leader contrasted with the backdrop of inequality and brutality that was the order of the day. It was to cleanse the world of those degenerate values that Jesus Christ was born in the human world, and experienced the full range of human emotions and sufferings. Through this sacrifice, mankind reminded itself of the gravity of human existence and the unassailable values of humanity. Today, as the human race faces unprecedented challenges, the Christian belief undoubtedly proves to be a guiding star for us to find enduring solutions. It is when one starts to love oneself and then spread that love and kindness towards others that humanity will ultimately pave the way for lasting peace and reconciliation. Overcoming the multitude of challenges that threaten humanity can only be achieved through such a collective journey. May the silver bells of such sincere beliefs be heard all over the world this Christmas! I wish all Christians in Sri Lanka and around the world a merry Christmas filled with joy and prosperity, President Maithripala Sirisena said. I will not forsake Mahinda Rajapaksa - Keheliya By Manushi Silva (adaderana.lk) Former Media and Information Minister MP Keheliya Rambukwella said that he is not prepared to forsake former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. MP made this statement in answer to the statement made by Minister of Rural Economy P. Harrison in Anuradhapura recently. Minister of Rural Economy Anuradhapura District Parliamentarian P. Harrison recently said that MP Rambukwella is ready to join the United National Party (UNP). State Minister of Public Enterprise Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that 51 other political parties are ready to join Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) this week. However, Minister of Fisheries and State Minister of Mahaweli Development. Mahinda Amaraweera stated that no one will be allowed to form governments in an arbitrary manner. President hints at ditching UNP-dominated govt. have today decided to take my next major step. It will be in the interest of the country and its people to ensure a clean political force," he said. He said he did not fear consequences of his impending action out of his love for the country and its people. "Whatever happens to me, I will do it. Otherwise we cannot save this country. Someone has to do this. The person who is doing it will have the support of lakhs of people," he added without specifying what his action will be. His comments come ahead of the February 10 local council elections at which his SLFP will take on Prime Minister Wickremesinghe s UNP as well as the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) loyal to the Rajapaksas. Last month, President Sirisena suggested that Wickremesinghe s government could be more corrupt than the previous regime. He said the Rajapaksa was responsible for several mistakes, but the UNP-dominated government was no better. "The SLFP made some mistake, but if the UNP is also making the same mistakes, and even exceeding (the corruption) of the SLFP regime, the people will not approve it. "If there is any allegation against me, I am willing to give up all my posts and join the battle against corruption," he said amid applause at a public meeting in Nikaweratiya in November. However, the UNP pointed out that Sirisena had ISSUE 1360 Spirit of Christmas shared universally -PM Christians in Sri Lanka and all over the world rejoice at Christmas which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a Christmas message. The message adds: The spirit of Christmas is shared universally and is a time to spread the goodwill, love and joy that the birth of Christ brings. Born in a Manger to parents from a humble background, Jesus Christ brought equality, compassion and fellowship to mankind. He chose to set the captives free from social injustice and their mental, physical and spiritual burdens. Today, we live in a society that seeks freedom from tyranny and injustice, stigma and prejudice. One in which people will be free from religious and ethnic strife, able to live together in harmony and a spirit of tolerance. The Holy Bible tells us that good trees bear good fruit; an outpouring of goodness in our hearts can help us find the good in others. May you have a blessed Season of Goodwill that truly celebrates the birth of the Prince of Peace. Top Tamil diaspora head holds meeting with Foreign Secretary (colombogazette.com) The head of a leading Tamil diaspora group says he had talks with Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam and other Foreign Ministry officials in Colombo. Head of the Global Tamil Forum, Professor Dr.S.J.Emmanuel said that he had discussions related to reconciliation in Sri Lanka. I had a good meeting again with Prasad Kariyawasam Secretary 2 Ministry/ Foreign Aff. assisted by Mahishini & Satya discussing Interreligious collaboration of all religions 4 Peace & Reconciliaton in SL, thus complementing efforts of Govt. politicians & civic leaders, Father Emmanuel tweeted. (Colombo Gazette) Postal voting on January 25, 26 (dailymirror.lk) Postal Voting for the upcoming Local Government Polls would be held on January 25 and 26, the Elections Commission announced today. Officials of the Elections Department and Police personnel could cast their postal votes on January 22, a Spokesman for the Commission said. since been in contact with Basil Rajapaksa, the then Economic Development minister under his president brother, and had been seeking rapprochement with SLFP dissidents in a bid to beat the UNP at the February local elections. Basil Rajapaksa had been accused of being a symbol of the Rajapaksa-ear corruption and is currently facing prosecution over his allegedly ill-gotten wealth. He has denied any wrongdoing. The UNP is also blaming Sirisena for blocking the arrest of former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who is a person of interest in several high profile murder investigations and massive scale corruption. However, President Sirisena has denied he was interfering with investigations. He said his appointment of a commission to investigate controversial bond purchases under the current government was applauded by both Sri Lankans in the country and abroad. After he was provided with a full report at the end of this year, he will appoint another commission to investigate state-owned SriLankan Airlines and Mihin air, he added. The current board of SriLankan Airlines, appointed by Wickremesinghe, has been accused of mismanagement and corruption and several ministers have already called for a clean-up of the airline s top management.

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14 PAGE 14 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 US decision on Jerusalem unfair Nomination Lists Rejected says Archbishop of Colombo Conveyancing Specialist Edward De Silva & Co. econ. (island.lk) Apropos Church frowns on US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel capital in yesterday s city edition of The Island, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo has sent us the following (ft.lk) Sri Lanka Telecom has announced the resignation of its CEO along with one of its directors. Group CEO Dileepa Wijesundera has resigned effective 11 March 2018 while Rohan de Silva has tendered his resignation from 19 December. SLT said its Board was in the process of searching for a new Group CEO. In the interim, the SLT Group will be led by Chairman (ft.lk) Family-owned Jetwing Sympony Ltd. has attracted 346 applications for its Rs. 750 million IPO. From the responses, two applications with a payment made by bank guarantee had accounted for over half of the IPO value of Rs million. The balance 344 applications are, at a retail level, (colombogazette.com) Subsequent to the agreement signed between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Merchant Port Holdings Co. Ltd., US $ mn has been credited to the US Dollar account of the Government of Sri Lanka maintained at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as the initial payment for the lease, the Central Bank said today. The Hambantota port was formally handed over to a China-Sri Lanka joint venture company on President of Stock Brokers Association (ft.lk) Prashan Fernando, CEO of Acuity Stockbrokers, was unanimously elected as the President of the Colombo Stock Brokers Association at its 22nd Annual General Meeting held on 20 December. He succeeds Ravi Abeysuriya, who stepped down as President upon the conclusion of his tenure as President. SriLankan Airlines CONT FROM P1... at numerous forums; that your Board does not have the prerequisite competencies or the attributes to manage our airline, leave alone bring any stability to it," it said. The Unions further said that the Board had been acting in violation of its duties owed to the Airline. "The task entrusted and accepted by the Board and yourself was not to compromise the livelihoods of nearly 7000 employees and their families by CEO, Director quit SLT Jetwing Symphony IPO Incorporating J.A. Phillips & Co. Est Solicitors 11 Greenford Avenue Southall Middlesex UB1 2AA DX: Southall 3 Will do house conveyancing at 450 statement: "I have been disturbed about the newspaper item appearing on page 3 where it is said that I condemned the US for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This is not correct as I never condemned anyone. What I said was that Jerusalem belongs to several communities and not just one community and so the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is unfair. " "The published insinuation of a condemnation is a journalistic addition which I do not agree to." Kumarasinghe Sirisena and the Executive Committee of the Board, supported by senior management. The Board thanked Wijesundera, who joined SLT in March 2015, for his contributions and services to the company. The Chairman of the McLarens Group, de Silva joined the SLT Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 30 December requesting Rs million shares. A total of 346 applications have requested Rs million shares. Jetwing Symphony is the investment arm of the Jetwing leisure and travel group. The IPO of 10% stake was based on a formal book-building process with a price band ranging from Rs Sri Lanka receives US $ mn December 9. Following the signing of an agreement, the port operations was handed over to Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) this month. As per the agreement, after one month from the effective date 10% of investment value should be paid, 30% of value should be paid after 03 months and the remaining 60% of value should be paid within 06 months. China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd. (CMPort) owns 85% and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owns 15% of the stake in Hambantota International Port Group Ltd. (HIPG), which will undertake the project identified to restructure the Hambantota Port development and transform it to be a commercially-viable national asset in collaboration with the SLPA with an envisaged investment of $794 million. Hambantota International Port Services Ltd. (HIPS), which will own common user facilities, will be 58% owned by HIPG, and 42% by the SLPA. Under the 99-year lease agreement, CMPort will agree to invest an amount of up to US$ 1.12 billion into Hambantota Port and Hambantota port and marine-related activities. (Colombo Gazette) giving yourselves priority to stature, travel benefits, bonuses, or having dealings which could be viewed as a conflict of interest for a director of the company. You are well aware that there has been a formal request through the RTI by the ALPGSL for information regarding the benefits enjoyed by individuals of the top management as well as details pertaining to the exorbitant lease agreements and its eventual cancellation, which have been denied on the grounds of Confidentiality, the letter said. The letter was copied to the President, Premier and Cabinet of Ministers. plus VAT and disbursements Will also undertake Business Sales, Purchases & Transfers, Company Law, Immigration & Nationality, Work Permits, Wills & Probate, Family Law in UK & Sri Lanka on different fee scales. Specialist in speeding & traffic Offences. Tel: Fax: edslawyer@btconnect.com.."the Board and specifically the current CEO had absolutely no business or managerial experience of any significance to be appointed for a task of this magnitude at a critical time such as this. It needs to be stressed that all these controversial decisions were implemented during your tenure as the Chairman and that you too must bear the responsibility for what is going to transpire in the coming months" the letter added. (asianmirror.lk) Three more nomination lists presented by the Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna were rejected on the last day of nominations. The latest additions to the rejected list are the SLPP's nomination papers for the Jaffna MC, Valikamam - North, Valikamam - East and Delft Local Government bodies. The elections officials had informed the SLPP that the nomination papers had been rejected due to By Sanchith Karunaratna (adaderana.lk) Major Tamil estate Trade Unions of Matale issued a collective statement declaring that 90 percent of Tamil estate workers will boycott the upcoming Local Government elections by absconding from voting. Representatives from the Trade Unions stated that technical faults. Earlier in the day, the party's nomination papers for Thirappane LG body, the Anuradhapura district also got rejected. This is the first time eleven nomination papers presented by one party have been rejected at an island-wide election. Sagara Kariyawasa, a lawyer by profession, is the General Secretary of the SLPP. 90 percent of estate Tamils to boycott LG polls (ft.lk) Reinstating its claim to superior luxury hospitality services, LAUGFS Leisure s luxury hotel chain, Anantaya Resorts & Spas won high honours at the annual World Luxury Hotel Awards 2017, hosted at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz in Switzerland recently. While Anantaya Resort & Spa Chilaw clinched the Country Awards for Luxury Conference Hotel as well as the Luxury Event Hotel Award for the second consecutive year, Anantaya Resort & Spa Passikudah claimed the Country Awards for the Luxury Spa Resort and the award for the Best Luxury Beach Resort in Sri Lanka. The 11th annual World Luxury Hotel Awards recognised and awarded best luxury hotels across the globe following a public voting competition. The winning hotels claimed their awards in a number of categories that included Country, Region, Continent and Global. Since its inception in 2006, World Luxury Hotel Awards has won the recognition of the hospitality industry as one of the most prestigious luxury hotel awards competition. The competition commences each year with hotel guests, travellers and industry players casting their votes to select the best luxury hotels in the world during a four week period. The signature Anantaya style combines luxury, service excellence and an appealing blend of breathtaking views, aesthetically pleasing architecture and fine dining experiences. The prestigious recognition that we received at the World Luxury Hotel Awards testifies to our inherent capability to satisfy our guests and provide them with an unparalleled luxurious experience. We are pleased that both our beach resorts were recognised at the awards ceremony, commented LAUGFS Leisure Director/Chief Executive Officer Roshan R. Perera. The first luxury hotel of LAUGFS Leisure, Anantaya Drowning from P8 Sri Lanka Life Saving has been working on drowning prevention and water safety for over 70 years, and after connecting with the international community, was reenergised in Since then, we have made significant developments. We have trained more than 50,000 people in life saving skills and saved over 5000 lives. Lifesaving services are now available throughout the country and there are more than 50 affiliated clubs involved including the armed forces, the Police, Coast Guard, CSD and community groups. the community arrived at this decision as most of the previous governments and Tamil leaders have done little to nothing to develop the living standards of the Tamil estate community. Residents of the area stated that the estate community has been one of the most neglected groups of society in Sri Lanka. Anantaya Resorts & Spas Anantaya Resort & Spa - Passikudha Anantaya Resort & Spa - Chilaw Resort and Spa in Chilaw, caters to a discerning clientele of luxury conscious travellers that seek beauty and serenity. The resort possesses 87 starclass luxurious rooms with picturesque views of the azure tinged lagoon and the sea. Guests find the resort a veritable haven nestled comfortably in between the Chilaw lagoon and a silky stretch of beach flanking the vast Indian Ocean. Having commenced operations in 2016, Anantaya Resort & Spa, Passikudah has attracted a large number of guests to its exquisitely designed resort premises set in the midst of serene and beautiful environs. The spacious setting facing the endless turquoise depths and a sandy beach makes Anantaya Resort & Spa, Passikudah a sought after beach resort by both local and foreign tourists alike. The 51 room resort with its well-equipped gym and luxurious spa facilities create an ideal getaway for travellers seeking an indulgent escape. The resort offers its guests beautifully designed villas, pool suites, an authentic Balinese spa, a play area for children with trained professionals to care for them, as well as a sports and recreation centre and a travel desk. With infinite luxury on offer, Anantaya Resorts & Spas continue to attract a host of international and local guests as one of the most sought after hospitality and leisure experiences in Sri Lanka. LAUGFS is one of the largest diversified business conglomerates and a trusted name in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1995, LAUGFS today has expanded across 20 industries in Sri Lanka and overseas, establishing a strong presence as a leader and pioneer in the power and energy, retail, industrial, services, leisure, logistics and real estate sectors. With over 4,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 28 billion, LAUGFS continues to expand and empower millions as a trusted Sri Lankan brand. Nanayakkara noted that over the past two years, their personnel have been deployed to flood rescues situations around the country and they have developed the Swim for Safety program that teaches children to swim in lakes, rivers, dams and pools, in just 12 lessons. We have trained, free of charge, over 1,000 children in Swim for Safety and we are now in discussions with the Ministry of Education about making it available to all students in Sri Lanka. Through our journey, we have been supported internationally by Life Saving Victoria, which has provided us with technical and strategic expertise.

15 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Rising Sun Hotel & Restaurant and Abi Caterers PAGE 15

16 PAGE 16 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 SRI LANKA LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION (UK) 11TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 11th Annual General Meeting of the SriLanka Leukaemia Foundation (UK) was held on 17th December 2017 at the residence of two Committee Members in Wimbledon. The President Narada Wijeyatilake welcomed all members present and called the meeting to order. The minutes of the last AGM were presented by Secretary Asoka Disanayake followed by the Accounts for the preceding year presented by the Treasurer, Sirini Nizar. It was noted that the main fund raising event conducted during the year under review was the Annual Dinner / Dance held on the 4th of June 2017 at the C&L Country Club attended by a large gathering which resulted in an impressive net profit of which included 508 of donations related to the Dinner/Dance. Providing funds for various projects of the Apeksha cancer Hospital in Maharagama being the main objective of the SLLF, it was with great satisfaction that members received the news that an amount of 9600 had been donated to the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in October, this year to fund the purchase of 100 Oxygen regulators and an Air Conditioning Unit for the second Endoscopic Unit which was funded by the SLLF last year. The President stated that a total sum of 40,000 has been donated to the Apeksha Cancer Hospital for various projects by the SLLF (UK), from its inception eleven years ago. The Following Office Bearers were unanimously elected for the year 2018 President: Asoka Disanayake Vice President: Murtaza Ali Kaderbhoy Secretary: Nihal Perera Asst. Secretary: Nevomal Fernando Treasurer: Sirini Nizar Asst. Treasurer: Subi Perera Events Coordinator: John Kern GENERAL COMMITTEE Narada Wijeyatilake Perry Perera Ranjani Perera Charmaine Wijeyatilake Jeeva Disanayake Surangani Amaratunga (Representative in SriLanka) The out going President, Dr Narada Wijeyatilake thanked all members for the support and cooperation rendered to him during the two year tenure of his presidency. He added that the SLLF was able to conduct very successful Dinner / Dance events in the last two years which resulted in raising substantial amount of funds which enabled SLLF to donate 8000 and 9600 in the last two years respectively. Narada had a special word of thanks for the Events Coordinator, ever vigilant John Kern who has established a reputation for completing a given task almost single handedly. Narada also thanked all the other committee members for all their hard work in helping to successfully complete all the events organised by the SLLF. The incoming President, Asoka Disanayake thanked the members for confidence placed in him for electing him as the next President of the SLLF and promised to carry out all responsibilities placed in the position to the best of his ability. He stated that it has been a privilege to be part of the SLLF from the time he joined the organisation as all the members have worked tirelessly to achieve the objective of the SLLF to help the Leukaemia and other cancer patients in Sri Lanka as best as possible and have borne most expenses incurred in organising all events to make it possible to maximise the profits available for donation to the Cancer Hospital. He pointed out that at the time of his taking over the helm of the organisation there was not much funds left in the kitty as most of it had been used for donation. However, he said that with the help of all members he will strive hard to collect a reasonable amount of funds in the ensuing year to make a substantial donation to the Apeksha Hospital before the end of the year. Usage of Sinhala script domain names By Chathuri Dissanayake (ft.lk) In a bid to accessibility of internet and related technology for Sri Lankans, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) last week launched the Sinhala General Panel to commenced work enabling usage of domain names and access content in language. The move will enable the local community contribute towards developing secure and stable access to the Internet in Sinhala. Although Sri Lanka was one of the first to obtain top level domain names in both Sinhala and Tamil, lack of awareness and misconception has limited its usage, while lack of set standard has also been restricting. A Dambadiva Pilgrimage Sriya Weerakoon: sriyamalw@gmail.com +44 (0) International Domain Names are domain names represented by letters or characters from different scripts and writing systems. They offer the possibility of using the domain names in languages across the globe, including Sinhala, Tamil, Thai, Chinese, Hindi, and others. Thus, providing a truly multilingual Internet with greater flexibility and opportunities for billions of users, said Sarmad Hussain, ICANN s IDN Programs Director. The ability for Internet users to come online in their native languages and scripts is a significant development for the Internet. As Sinhala is a commonly used language in Sri Lanka, the work by the Sinhala GP will lay the groundwork for allowing complete domain names in the Sinhalese language. The move is expected to boost Sri Lanka s current Internet penetration rate of approximately 32%, which is below the average penetration of 46.7% in Asia 1, ICANN s Security, Stability and Resiliency Regional Manager Champika Wijayatunga said. Head table from left: ICANN Security, Stability and Resiliency Regional Manager Champika Wijayatunga, ICANN IDN Programs Director Sarmad Hussain, Co-Chair of Sinhala Generation Panel Harsha Wijayawardhana, ICTA Program Director/Legal Advisor Jayantha Fernando Experience an all-inclusive trip to holy Buddhism and other attractions including: Buddha Gaya: Other important sites: A Luxury Sri Maha Bodhi Nepal(Lumbini Park) 11 Day Tour Dhamika Stupa Dushkara Kriya Kala Jethawanaramaya Seweth Nuwara for Anagarika Dhramapala Place February 2018 Varnasi Mulagandha Kuti Vihara Museum Isipathanaya Mighadaya Ananda Bodhi Sujathagama Kapilawasthupura Rajagaha Nuwara Vishala Mahanuwara Flights: Kushinagar Nalanda University London New Delhi & New Delhi Varanasi Agra (Taj Mahal) New Delhi London Accommodation: High quality hotel accommodation is provided throughout the pilgrimages with breakfast, lunch, dinner buffets. Transfers: All inters-state transfers use high comfort, fully air-conditioned coaches with helpers and amenities. The Sinhala GP comprises two Co- Chairs and a number of local community representatives from the policy, linguistic fields, as well as members with technical expertise in Sinhala language computing, Unicode and the Internet s domain name system. Although standards for Tamil language has been developed thanks to advancements in India, but Sinhala a language used only in Sri Lanka has not seen such advancements. (ft.lk) When you think of experiencing a life of adventure and constantly being on the move to meet new people, tasting new flavours and resting your mind and body at a fraction of the cost think Hotel J, a brand dedicated to select service and no frills accommodation! Hotel J is a fresh look at an often overlooked concept, and offers quality accommodation with value-formoney features. 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17 N EWSLANKA 2018 TEL: FAX: N N N ET January S M T W T F S February S M T W T F S INFO@NEWSLANKA.NET March EWSLANKA. ET S M T W T F S April May June S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S July August S M T W T F S S M T W T F S September S M T W T F S UK public holidays October S M T W T F S England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland public Holidays England, Wales & Northern Ireland public Holidays New Years Day January 1 2nd January (S) January 2 Saint Patrick's Day (I) March 17(March 19*) Good Friday March 30 Easter Monday (EIW) April 02 Early May Bank Holiday May 07 Spring Bank Holiday May 28 Orangeman's Day (I) July 12 Summer Bank Holiday (S) August 06 Summer Bank Holiday (EIW) August 27 Saint Andrew's Day (S) November 30 Christmas Day (*) December 25 Boxing Day December 26 * substitute day Sri Lanka public holiday Northern Ireland Sri Lanka & Scotland public holiday Sri Lanka public holidays November S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Scotland January 01 Duruth Full Moon Poya Day PBM 14 Tamil Thai Pongal Day PBM 31 Navam Full Moon Poya Day PBM February 04 Independence Day PBM 13 Maha Sivarathri Day PB March 01 Medin Full Moon Poya Day PBM 30 Good Friday PB 31 Bak Full Moon Poya Day PBM April 13 Day prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day PBM 14 Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day PBM 29 Vesak Full Moon Day PBM 30 Day following Vesak Full Moon Poya Day PBM May 01 May Day PBM December England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland & Sri Lanka public Holidays May 29 Adi-Poson Full Moon Poya Day PBM June 15 Id-Ui-Fiter (Ramazan Festival Day) PB 27 Poson Full Moon Poya Day PBM July 27 Esala Full Moon Poya Day PBM August 22 Id-Ul-Alha (Hadji Festival Day) PB 25 Nikini Full Moon Poya Day PBM September 24 Binara Full Moon Poya Day PBM October 24 Vap Full Moon Poya Day PBM November 06 Deepavali Festival Day PB 22 IL Full Moon Poya Day PBM December 22 Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day PBM 25 Christmas Day PBM P - Public Holiday B - Bank Holiday M - Mercantile Holiday

18 PAGE 18 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 Christmas Party 2017 by Surrey Lankans 2017 Christmas party which was held on Saturday, 16th December at Woodmansterne Village Hall. The event in its fourth year drew 150 Sri Lankans from Sutton, Croydon, Kingston and Merton. International Rent a Car Business for Sale One of the leading International Rent A Car company in Sri Lanka for urgent sale with running businesses (Owner migrating). Office located only 5 km from the BIA Airport. It's a high profitable business, selling Including land, building with Offices, Vehicles, brand name and signed rental car agreements for the next 10 years. Company is 14 years Old and have contracts with worldwide Operators. Please call Rasika on (WhatsApp / Viber) or by - explorehighlife@gmail.com

19 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE 19

20 PAGE 20 The annual commemorative ceremony was held in London in memory of late Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thera by the Isipathana Old Boys Association UK branch. Venerable Soma Thera was a past pupil of Isipathana College and in 1974 ordained as a novice monk under the guidance of Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thera and Venerable Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thera. He continued to study the teachings of the Buddha at Maharagama Bhikkhu training centre. Having obtained his higher ordination in 1976, he took a keen interest in meditation and spreading of the Dhamma. His greatest attribution was his ability to engage with all communities in SriLanka, Sinhala Muslim and Tamils. In a fast changing modern world he wanted to mould the younger generation to live according to the Dhamma teachings. Traveling throughout the country, he supported and helped the needy people in various ways and encouraged other sangha to follow his vision. During these travels he noticed alcohol was affecting the society and strongly campaigned to NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER open the eyes of the nation, especially the younger generation, showing the dangers of alcohol use. He also did not appreciate the worship of Hindu gods by the Buddhists and wanted to root out this practice and criticized having Devala at temple premises. He visited London on two occasions attracting larger crowds to listen to his sermons. He also fulfilled part of his vision by opening two temples in Australia, one in Victoria and the other in Melbourne. This years ceremony commenced with a Dharmadesana (sermon) conducted by Venerable Konwawe Ariyarathana Thero on 16th December 2017 at London Buddhist Vihara. During his sermon Venerable Ariyarathana Thero reminded the vision and the legacy Venerable Soma Thera created and the importance to continue with the work he did. On this day OBA also commemorated the eleventh anniversary of the passing away of Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayake Thero, the founder and former head of the current Vihara. The ceremony was concluded with a Dana, Pan Wadeema and Atapirika Puja to Venerable Maha Sangha at London Buddhist Vihara on17th December Head of London Buddhist Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain Most Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera in his Anusasana paid special Punyanumodana to ISSUE TH COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY OF LATE VENERABLE GANGODAWILA SOMA THERA Asanga and Ishani Gajasinghe and their family and friends for kindly accommodating the Isipathana OBA in the Dana Pinkama which was previously arrange to commemorate their son Trevon's 1st birthday. The OBA thanked Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera, the Maha Sangha, Gajasinghe family and all those who helped and participated in this event. Photographs by Tissa Madawela LET US HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES OUR SERVICES: Business planning and development Business research and strategic planning Project and change management Human resource planning and mentoring System planning Online business development services Business advisory and support services Contact Us: Ravindra S Rupasinghe / Priyantha P Gamage Management Consultants 494, Midsummer, Boulevard, Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire, MK9 2EA. Phone:+44(0) Fax: +44(0) Mob: +44(0) /+44(0) info@rpbizsolutions.co.uk Web: rpbizsolutions.co.uk

21 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE 21 (sundaytimes.lk) Financial assistance for 112 families affected by the 2017 floods was handed over at the Kalutara Bodhi premises yesterday. The event was jointly organised by the Kalutra Bodhi Trust, the Ratnam Foundation and National Savings Bank (NSB). The two associations provided Rs.1 million each while the NSB provided Rs 500,000. The selected families were those of teachers at Sunday Dhamma schools and parents of monks from Jayani Nadeesha the Kalutara District. All families had been affected when the overflowing Kalu Ganga damaged their homes and destroyed their furniture. The welcome speech was made by Kalutara Bodhi Trust General Manger Janath Gunaratne, on behalf of President Ajitha De Zoysa. Mr Gunaratne also explained the objectives of the event. He said the groundwork for the initiative had been made in London where the Kalutra Bodhi Trust President was during last May, when he learned of the disaster which severely affected the Southern part of the country. Meanwhile his friend Dr Vidya Harischandra (a member of the Ratnam Foundation,which consists of members of the Tamil community resident in London) met him in London and promised to provide funds to help the affected people. Accordingly, the foundation donated Rs. 1 million which it had collected, he said. Mr Gunaratne explained that due to the assistance of the Ratnam Foundation they started the Aid for flood victims Chandrasiri Gamage programme and expanded it by adding another million rupees from their organisation and also received Rs 500,000 from NSB. Delivering the keynote oration, Venerable Thebuwana Piyananda Nayaka Thera stressed the importance of reconciliation and thanked the Ratnam Foundation for providing financial assistance for the programme. Disaster Management Minister Anura Priydharshana Yapa who took part at the event as Chief Guest said M.M. Rasintha Kalutara was one of the areas most severely affected by the floods.he said the Ministry also was building 500 houses for the victims. There are matters the Government alone can handle and matters that cannot be handled alone. Members engaging in religious observances Therefore we are thankful for the communities for gathering to help each other during difficult times, he said. The minister said that there could not be any issues and obstructions if the people were united. He handed over financial assistance to 15 affected families afterwards and promised to provide a house for two visually handicapped Dhamma School teachers who claimed that their house was under the threat of landslides.

22 PAGE 22 The annual Athula Dhassan Dhamma School prize giving ceremony took place on the 9th December 2017 recognising, celebrating and rewarding the achievements of our Dhamma School students. This special event was organised by the Dhamma School Development committee under the patronage of Ven Wanduramba Kassapa, Chief Sanganayake of Amarapura Sri Saddhamma Wansa Niyaka of Great Britain, the Head of the Athula Dassana International Buddhist Vihara and the Dhamma School. We were extremely pleased that Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mrs Amari Mandika Wijewardane and Mrs. Liz Mammatt Chairman of Feltham and Heston Conservative Association attended the celebration as the special guests. Addressing the gathered Dhamma School Children, their parents and other special invitees, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mrs Wijewardane commended the excellent work done by the Atula Dhassana Vihara Dhamma School in teaching our children the Buddhist way of living. NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER Athula Dassana Dhamma School prize giving ceremony Mrs. Liz Mammatt expressed her gratitude and commended the effort of Dhamma school and Ven. Kassapa Thero's for promoting Sri Lankan culture and Buddhist values among expatriates. Among the Dhamma school students, Chanul Liyadipita from Level 06 class won the special Ven Wanduramba Kassapa Thero award for the best student of the year. In addition, following students have won the respective best student of the class awards. Beginner - Udamsa Mudunkotuwage Level 01 - Akain Kahaduwa Arachchi Level 02 - Menudi Wijethunga Level 04 - Viduni Ediriweera Level 05- Lehansa Mudiyanselage Level 06 - Chanul Liyadipita Level 07 - Dhanushika Mudiyanselage In the advisory speech, Ven Kassapa Thero said; The awards highlight the excellent work that all staff and students put into their work, and it is great to see this is rewarded Ven Kassapa Thero also commended our Dhamma School Children for their participation at various events organised by our Vihara including the Independence Day celebration and New Year Festival. Ven. Thero emphasise the dedication of Dhamma school teachers and their plans to prepare Dhamma School children for YMBA exams from June ISSUE 1360 Since 2011 Heathrow Athula Dassana Dhamma school has been promoting Buddhist values and Sri Lankan culture to ensure moral upliftment of Buddhist Children. Dhamma school held every Saturday at Lampton School, Hounslow from 14:30 17:30. If you are interested in sending your children to Dhamma school or participate in Dhamma school activities please contact us via E- mail dhammaschool@heathrowvihara.org. Admission for 2018 will be started from 6th January and you can enrol your children every Saturday 14:30 at Lampton school. Photographs by Asanka Wanniarachchige

23 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE 23 Dayada 2018 Dayada; a word that is so familiar to the Ceylonese ear. It signifies giving to others. And in our case to the helpless kidney patients back home who are struggling to eke out every possibility of surviving hours, days or if lucky even months so that they might have a chance of enjoying the luxuries that we have. By luxuries we mean the most basic things in life such as ability to go to work, have a family, enjoy meals and above all to not worry about a tomorrow. Born in a country that cannot support its people, the responsibility falls on us to look after our very own. So we got together to form the Sri Lankan Kidney Foundation (SLK Foundation) here in the UK to provide continuous support the struggling kidney patients back home. We initially started as a group of people supporting dialysis kits/treatments, and erythropoietin injections. Overtime, we started contributing towards their personal lives by sponsoring religious pilgrimages, food, transport and lodging. As the kidney patients continuously get corned in society due to their inabilities, we help them start their own small businesses from home allowing them to fulfil their financial needs. We have also sent shipments in aid of the displaced during the 2 recent floods. In addition, the SLK Foundation's inaugural fundraiser was held in 2017; Dayada 2017 at Nottingham. It was a huge success as we managed to raise over to provide Dialysis treatments and Erythropoietin injections to over 100 patients. With so much reception for this good cause, Dayada 2018 has been upscaled. We will be hosting a dinner dance at the Kashmir Suite at the City Conference and Banqueting Centre in Nottingham on the 17th of February 2018 from 5.30 pm onwards. The evening will feature the rocking legendary Sri Lankan Artist Chitral Somapala from Germany to entertain the crowd along with Exceed, the leading Sri Lankan band in the UK. Furthermore, an authentic Sri Lankan Buffet will add to this already decorative event. Most importantly, the evening will be filled with presentations, videos and various events to raise awareness about the kidney problem in Sri Lanka. It will provide the attendees with plenty of opportunities to set-up monthly donations, to contribute dialysis treatments, erythropoietin injections and a platform to personally meet the kidney patients in Sri Lanka during their holidays to see the real impact they are making through a simple donation. Please do get in touch with us to get to know more about our foundation and please do not hesitate to contact us at our . Thank you very much for your co-operation! Official Facebook Page Dayada@SLKFoundationUK Official Website - Official - slkfoundation@hotmail.com Contacts - Chamara Perera Roshendra Abewickrama Theekshana Win Anushka Navaratne

24 PAGE 24 Aries(the Ram) 21st March-20th April You can make money if you work on personal investments. Your ability to be practical in business will help. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad. You can bet that situations will get out of hand if you allow others to interfere. Your lucky day Sunday. Taurus(the Bull) 21st April - 20th May Take time to talk things over. Travel for business or pleasure. Think of changes to your home that will please and add to everyone's comfort. You can enjoy your involvement in organizations that make charitable contributions. Your lucky day Thursday. Gemini(the Twins) 21st May - 20th June You need to spend some time pampering yourself. Consider a conservative investment that will stay solid when everything else goes sour. Don't hold back; go with the flow and take a bit of a chance. You should consider getting into self improvement endeavors. Your lucky day Sunday. Cancer(the Crab) 21st June - 20th July Get involved in creative projects that could turn into moneymaking ventures. Promotions will be yours if you have acted professionally in times of crisis. Leave things as they are for the moment and focus on reaching your highest potential at work. Your lucky day Monday. Leo(the Lion) 21st July - 19th / 22nd Aug Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. Others may want to steal your thunder when they realize your ideas are pretty solid. Your lucky day Wednesday. Virgo(the Virgin) 20th / 23rd Aug - 22nd Sept Empty promises are evident. You need to get out and be an observer. Concern yourself with legal matters and formulating contracts rather than finalizing your objectives. This will not be the day to start new business ventures or make drastic changes in your career. Your lucky day Tuesday. Libra(the Scale) 23rd Sept - 22nd Oct Try to be considerate in your personal obligations. You will take on too much if you aren't careful. Stick to basics. Social activities will be satisfying. First find out if they're married. Your lucky day Friday. Scorpio(the Scorpion) 23rd Oct - 21st Nov Try to keep to yourself; work diligently on domestic chores and responsibilities. You will easily capture the interest of those you talk to. Deception is apparent. Your communication skills will bring you popularity and increased self esteem. Your lucky day Friday. Sagittarius(the Archer) 22nd Nov - 20th Dec You will be in a high cycle regarding work. Avoid friends or acquaintances who drink too much. You could lose money or precious belongings if you aren't careful. Bring work home if it will help you get caught up. Your lucky day Thursday. Capricorn(the Goat) 21st Dec - 20th Jan Be sure to keep communication open with those you live with. Get back into a routine that promises a better looking, more aware individual. You may find that family members may not be too easy to get along with. Your ideas will be well received. Your lucky day Monday. Aquarius(the Water Carrier) 21st Jan -19th Feb You can meet a new romantic partner or secure the love connection you already have by going out and entertaining yourself. Try to be fair in your dealings with acquaintances. Your moneymaking opportunities will flourish. It may be a disappointing day emotionally. Your lucky day Tuesday. Pisces(the Fishes) 20th Feb - 20th March You may find your nights sleepless due to bad dreams. Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. You may have been trying to do too much, leaving yourself exhausted and open to colds and infections. Your lucky day Monday. NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ABAYASEKERA - GLADYS ABAYASEKERA - GLADYS -812, 11 Lisa Street Brampton Ontario L68 4E8, Canada. ASMADALE KUMARIHAMY - MRS RACHEL LEELA. CHANDRASEKERA NIROSHA - No. 41, Gramasanwardana Rd., Ambillawatta, Boralesgamuwa. COORAY P. MARY - No. 85, Issipathana Mawatha, Colombo 05 DE COSTA - PROSPER ST LEONARD DE SARAM - EDWARD (GARRY) - No. 5, Greenland Mawatha, off Anderson Road, Nedimala, Dehiwala DE SILVA - CHULA DE SILVA - KATUWALAWATTAGE SRIMATHI NALINDA -. 63/10, Mullegama, Homagama. DEVARAJ MRS. GNANESWARI - No. 7, Moor Road, Wellawatte DIAS - MEEKEL (VELONA) - 25/8, C.S.A. By M. Shamil Amit Under 19 Cricket (sundaytimes.lk) Maris Stella crushed St John s Panadura by an innings and five runs in their Under 19 inter-school cricket encounter concluded at Negombo yesterday. The outright win for Maris Stella was laid by Kevin Perera who slammed a quick fire 141 ball knock of 164 which included 25 boundaries and three sixes with support coming from Ashen Fernando and Ravindu Fernando which helped them post a formidable score of 336 for 7 declared. St Benedict s too coasted to an outright win when they outclassed Moratu MV by an innings and 36 runs in the match which ended at Kotahena yesterday. St Benedict s after bowling out their opponents for a low score of 116 and ending day one on 207 for 7 went on to make a score of 271 with overnight batsman Kaveeska Jayatilleke making a top score of 79. Moratu MV batting the second time having to erase a deficit of 155 runs was in deep trouble again and was in a bad position of 81 for 6 before being bundled out for 119 runs. Zahira recorded their first outright win of the season when they defeated Bandaranayake MMV Gampaha by five wickets in the match concluded at Maradana yesterday. Scores At Negombo: Maris Stella won by an innings and 5 runs Maris Stella 336 for 7 declared (Kevin Perera 164, Ashen Fernando 50, Ravindu Fernando 50, Roshen Fernando 21: Praveen Sandamal 5 for 88) St. John s Panadura (105/8 overnight) 129 (Sachin Dhananjaya 34, Reshan Fernando 24, Rukshan Dissanayake 24: Naveen Fernando 4 for 123, Lasith Croospulle 3 for 26, Pasindu Ushetti 2 for 26) and 202 (Reshan Fernando 60, Praveen Sandamal 24: Ravindu Fernando 6 for 66, Lasith Croospulle 2 for 48) At Kotahena: St. Benedict s won by innings and 36 runs Moratu MV 116 (Dilshan Peiris 25: Mahesh Theekshana 4 for 31, Pritvi Jeyarajasingham 3 for 24, Jason Charles 3 for 31) and 119 (Janitha Fernando 53: Kaveesha Jayatilleke 4 for 27, Mahesh Theekshana 4 for 47) St. Benedict s (207/7 overnight) 271 (Kaveesha Newslanka Notice It is a condition of acceptance of advertisement orders that the proprietors of Newslanka do not guarantee the insertion of any particular advertisement on a special date or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers: further they do not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing or nonappearance of any advertisement. They also reserve the right to classify correctly any advertisement, edit or delete any objectionable wording or reject any advertisement. Newslanka does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for any services or goods offered by the advertisers. Perera Mawatha, Uyana, Moratuwa DIAZ EDWARD - No. 76, St. Sebastians Mawatha, Kandana FERNANDO - CHARLES PETER CHRYSOLOGUS FERNANDO - CHARLES PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, - No. 45, St. Anthony's Road, Kadalana, Moratuwa FERNANDO - SUHEETHA (nee COORAY) - 1A, Jayasooriya Mawatha, Kapuwatta, Ja-Ela HAMER - SHIRLEY. HATHIRAMANI - RAMESH PRITAMDAS - No. 17, Ramya Road, Colombo 4. IRUGALBANDARA - ERNEST MICHAEL NANAYAKKARA - RANGANA - No. 38, Chapel Lane, Nugegoda PALIHAKKARA - MRS. NELIKA KOSHALI - 469/26, Mahaiyawatta, (Thapowanaya Temple Road), Aggona, Angoda. PEIRIS - BERTY Maris Stella crush St. John s by innings Jayatilleke 79, Mahesh Theekshana 62, Shehan Fernando 46, Vihanga Ruwanara 28, Hasindu Kaviratne 20: Shehan Fernando 2 for 39, Nadith Nishendra 2 for 42, Rashan Fernando 2 for 62) At Maradana: Zahira won by 5 wickets Bandaranayake MMV Gampaha 107 (Sisinda Madanayake 33, Arosha Madushan 24, Pasindu Sankalpa 20: Mohamed Rifath 4 for 43, Ridmika Nimesh 2 for 17) and 181 (Janidu Jayawardena 60, President's batsman Pramuka Gayashan lifts one over the mid-wicket fence for a six against Isipathana at the BRC ground on the first day of their First XI encounter - Pic by Ranjith Perera Arosha Madushan 33: Mohamed Shamas 6 for 59) Zahira (186/6 overnight) 230 (Yasith Nirmala 74, Mohamed Shamas 29, Chathura Dilrukshan 29: Gayashan Hettiarachchi 3 for 31, Janidu Jayawardena 3 for 84, Hachintha Thimal 2 for 40) and 62 for 5 (Mohamed Shamas 24: Sisitha Madanayake 3 for 29, Arosha Madushan 2 for 33) At Ananda Mawatha: First innings win for Ananda vs De Mazenod De Mazenod (77/5 overnight) 211 (Praveen Jude 40, Mithila Geeth 32, Praveen Fonseka 22, Romal Fernando 44 n.o.: Kamesh Nirmal 5 for 48, Daminda Reshan 2 for 25, Chamika Gunasekera 2 for 31) Ananda 364 for 5 (Dushan Hettige 105, Kamesh Nirmal 91, Asel Sigera 81, Kanishka Ranthilakage 31: Praveen Fonseka 3 for 63, Saliya Jude 2 for 42) At Piliyandala: Match PUBLISHED BY NEWSLANKA LTD P. O. BOX 27429, LONDON SW9 7WH TEL: address:info@newslanka.net Registered at the post office as a newspaper FIRST CLASS NEWSPAPER RATE PRINTED BY MORTONS PRINT LTD ISSUE 1360 OBITUARIES PEIRIS - RUPA - 488/1A, Pitakotte, Kotte. PERERA - MISS SEETHA - No. 20, 'Siri Mewna', Old Galle Road, Walana, Panadura. PONNUDURAI - Dr. Lion KANDASAMY - St. Lawrence Centre, 37, Bromley Road, London SE6 2TS, UK. RATNAMALAR PACKIANATHAN - No. 1, De Soysa Avenue, Mount Lavinia. REV. FR. A.S. MERVYN FERNANDO REV. FR. KINGSLEY NONIS. - St. Francis Xavier's Church, Wewala. SAMARASINGHE - M.B.N. (Sam) SOMARATNE - DEVAPRIYA - No. 39, Anura Mawatha off Anderson Road, Dehiwela WICKREMARATNE - MYRA (nee KOTHALAWALA) wdys¾jdo mqcd Blessing Puja^ Lucksri UK fj;ska& Y%S,xldfõ iqm%isoao Ydia;%fõÈkshlf.a fiajh Services of Sri Lanka's famous astrologer foajdys¾jdofhka Ydia;%lSu iy ish u foaj mqcd bgqlr fokq,efí' Blessings of God - astrology and pujas to the Gods will be fulfilled Ok,laIaó mqcd Dhanalakshmi Pujas wfkl=;a ish foaj mqcd All other Pujas drawn Piliyandala MMV 347 for 8 declared (Chamod Sandaru 126, Gayashan Chathuranga 78, Malshan Gunatilleke 43, Sasanka Lakmal 59 n.o.: Ravindu Nethpahan 4 for 86) and 79 (Chamod Sandaru 20: Pubudu Reshan 4 for 26, Dilshan Madusanka 4 for 30) Mahanama Panadura 103 (Randula Dasun 23: Ushan Deemantha 3 for 5, Sasanka Lakshan 2 for 7, Heshan Madusanka 2 for 30, Madawa Nimesh 2 for 50) and 77 for 2 (Ravindu Shan 54 n.o.: Ushan Deemantha 2 for 3) At BRC: Match in progress President s Kotte 108 (Pramuka Gayashan 25 n.o.: Sanjula Bandara 6 for 36, Lahiru Dilshan 3 for 39) and 104 (Ganidu Dewmina 28rtd, Nirmal Dharmapriya 52 n.o.: Sanjula Bandara 2 for 33) Isipathana 73 (Sanjula Bandara 20 n.o.: Pramuka Gayashan 4 for 22, Chamod Wickramasuriya 3 for 14, Damindu Nelumdeniya 3 for 19) At Horana: Match in progress Siri Piyaratana MMV Padukka 281 for 8 declared (Kavindu Nimesh 62, Yasiru Dineth 61, Rajitha Ashen 25, Saveen Dewmina 25, Kavindu Ishwara 22, Rasindu Hansika 22: Seneth Vinvinu 3 for 25, Thilina Tharinda 3 for 66) Taxila Central Horana 90 for 2 (Shasindu Janeth 52 n.o.) iriaj;s mqcd Saraswathie Puja wfkl=;a fiajd All other services,smskh# NO 60, BELMONT ROAD, HARROW, HA3 7PN ÿrl:k# / lucksriuk@yahoo.co.uk Newslanka SUBSCRIPTION 52 ISSUES = 65 Please send name and address with postcode & payment to the address given below to receive your weekly copy. 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25 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE Dismal year for Sri Lanka ODI cricket (dailynews.lk) Five wins and 23 defeats from 29 One-Day International (ODI) matches just about sums up what a dreadful year it has been for Sri Lanka cricket. To find a parallel to such a disastrous international cricket season one has to roll back the years to 1987 when Sri Lanka played a total of 10 ODIs and lost all of them. That was the year they failed to win a single match in a Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka went through six matches against Pakistan, West Indies and England meeting each country twice in the group stages and were beaten in all of them. There have been other worse years prior to and after that but none as bad as Those years one might say Sri Lanka were still finding their feet on the world stage and can be excused for their shoddy performance. At the time there were only eight nations playing ODI cricket Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe compared to today where there are 16. The only two bright sparks for 2017 was Sri Lanka ending their dismal run of 12 consecutive ODI defeats with an eight-wicket win over India in the first ODI at Dharamsala and former captain Upul Tharanga becoming the third batsmen for the Fawz Mohamed (dailynews.lk) President Thilanga Sumathipala said that Sri Lanka Cricket was today a stable institution and could carry on without being dependent on anyone for the next 5-10 years. I am proud to say that today we are not indebted to anyone. We have settled all our debts. Our financial position is very strong and the SLC can continue for the next 5-10 years without depending on anyone, said Sumathipala in an interview. The most important thing in an institution is financial stability. Today we have no player problems. When we look at individual talents and inborn talents we have a very good team today. As president I have more than 20 years experience at SLC. I know where I should rebuild the cracks. I take full responsibility of putting the team back on the winning track because I am the most experienced person in cricket administration in the whole world. I know what to do and what not to do. The SLC ExCo is also guiding and assisting me to follow the correct path, he said. Speaking further Sumathipala said, I took over Sri Lanka Cricket after 11 years when it was in dire financial straits. SLC was Rs. 4.5 million in debt. An office worker functioned as a national trainer. All units in SLC were in disarray. Loans amounting to several millions of rupees had been taken to build the Sooriyawewa Stadium. There were no proper infrastructure facilities. Nothing was heard about school cricket. There were problems about match fixing. Several cases were pending in the FCID. I admit that the team was suffered setbacks in recent times. One of the reasons for the setbacks is the mental distress caused to Angelo Mathews by singularly targeting him. He was labeled as a match fixer. Some former cricketers came forward calendar year to reach the 1000-run mark. Despite a shaky year for him where he was twice suspended as captain for slow over rate and eventually the ODI leadership taken away from him and handed to all-rounder Thisara Perera when he (Tharanga) had reservations of travelling to Lahore for the third T20 international against Pakistan, the left-hander who is the most capped ODI player in the present squad with 218 matches did not let such off field matters deter him but continued to pile on the runs for his country and become his country s most successful batsmen for the year. At the other end of the stick was the troubled year that Angelo Mathews went through. He was earmarked as a long term captain and everyone was looking forward to seeing him lead the country to the 2019 World Cup. But things didn t pan out as expected. The crunch started with the resignation of head coach Graham Ford who was contracted till the 2019 World Cup but circumstances led him to quit his post well ahead of time. It is no open secret to say that Ford and Mathews had a good relationship going as captain and coach and when the former decided to move out Mathews confidence as captain took an unexpected body blow. The home ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe and criticized him in a very unfair manner. When the captain is targeted the whole team suffers a setback. When the captain lost the toss he is labeled as a man who had given up the game. I had to intervene to rebuild the mentality of the cricketers. I discussed with the players and I am trying to discuss things with the ICC and clear players of all allegations and start a new journey. This is not an easy job. Our main target is to win the 2019 World Cup. The country or a team should have a development target to achieve progress. My main objective is to transform the Sri Lanka team as the best Test team in the world. We have to build up the best ODI and T20 team in the world. Thereafter our objective is to win the Under 19 World Cup. Other units in the SLC also have such targets. One should have faith in me and my team. They should also have faith in the cricketers. We have many shortcomings which will take about 6-8 months to fulfill. This is a time consuming job. We should select the best 20 players suitable to take part in the 2019 World Cup. We have only 45 ODI matches prior to the next World Cup. The 20 member team selected must play at least 30 out of 40 one day matches. A person who has no experience in at least 30 matches cannot be brought into the final 15 member team. The SLC is the only Cricket Board in the world where former cricketers are working. There are so many members of the Sri Lanka team Asanka Gurusinha is the cricket manager, Chandika Hathurusingha has come back to take over as Old Royalists from Down Under on Lankan tour (sundaytimes.lk) A combined team of Old Royalists and Friend from Australia is on a cricket tour of Sri Lanka at present. So far they have played three matches against Maris Stella, Foundation of Goodness, Seenigama and the Colombo Masters Cricket Association. Marist Stella was captained by former Sri Lanka First Class Cricketer Wendell Labrooy. The Foundation of Goodness Combined Team was captained by Anura De Silva. Chief Guest for the game against the Colombo Masters was the 1971 Royal College Cricket Captain Jagath Fernando who was introduced to the two teams at the start of the game. Following are the results Vs Marist Stella Old Boys at Negombo Old Royalists and Friends 88 for 9 off 20 overs (Radesh Rajaratnam 21; Lalin Anthony 2/6, Kasun Fernando 2/3) Maris Stella 89 for 6 in 13 overs (Vinod Fernando 25rtd, Niluk Fernando 15rtd, Viraj Jayasundera 17rtd; G. Skandakumar 2/19) Vs Foundation of Goodness Combined Team at Maggona (the first suffered by Sri Lanka against them) was the last straw for Mathews who threw in the towel and resigned from the captaincy across all formats. This sudden move by Mathews caught Sri Lanka Cricket unawares and had them struggling to find suitable successors to lead the team in the three formats. How big an impact it had on the leadership can be gauged by the fact that the ODI side for the year was captained by no less than five players Mathews, Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Lasith Malinga and finally Thisara Perera the present captain. While this musical chairs was going on with the captaincy Sri Lanka in the mean time was being pounded mercilessly by South Africa, India and Pakistan suffering 5-0 humiliations against each nation. Interference in selections and selection bungles coupled with the unfitness of players contributed largely to the substandard performances on the field especially the fielding and catching which to say the least was appalling. Sri Lanka was once a proud nation who could boast as being one of the best fielding sides in the world but were now putting up a performance as a team of novices. With things going from bad to worse it took a while for the hierarchy of Sri Lanka Cricket to realize that the path they were treading on was the wrong one and if they were to successfully serve another term SLC financially stable - Sumathipala Old Royalists and Friends 148 for 7 in 30 overs (G. Skandakumar 23, Kingsley Rajaratnam 27rtd, Stanley Jayanthakumar 25rtd, Janaka Subasinghe 25n.o; Chikary 4/29) FOG 78 (Sathya 27, Nadeesha 16; Rajan Sivarajah 2/5, Stanley Jayanthakumar 2/8) Vs Colombo Masters Cricket Association at the Oval CMCA 177 all out in 35 overs (Nalliah Devarajan 30rtd, Amitha Abeynayake 30rtd, Sisila Indraratne 33n.o; Gane Sanmugaratnam 2/23, G. Skandakumar 2/16, Stanley Jayanthakumar 2/34, Rajan Sivarajah 2/22) Old Royalists and Friends 172 for 8 in 35 overs (Prasanna Kariyawasam 31rtd, G. Skandakumar 28, Kingsley Rajaratnam 23) VS St. Anthony s College Old Boys at Katugastota Old Royalists and Friends 134 (Janaka Subasinghe 26rtd, Kingsley Rajasingham 25rtd; Muthalip 4/5) SAC 135 for 8 in 21 0vers (Siriwardena 25rtd, Muthalip 26 rtd; Kingsley Rajasingham 2/38) head coach. There is Thilan Samaraweera and Rumesh Ratnayake who are the batting and bowling coaches. The lower rungs of the SLC also comprise several players who have represented Sri Lanka, Sumathipala said. The SLC president said as regards fitness they had no clear program of work. It is the Minister of Sports who intervened and settled the problem by taking a firm stand. All in all our cricketers were not used to fitness exercises. Senior players put on weight with time. The fitness standards have been systematically upgraded from September 1. We will not select anyone who does not conform to the fitness levels. Fitness tests will be held on February 1, April 1 and June 1 according to the Minister s circular. This decision has helped to energize the players. This will also help improve the fielding. These standards should be introduced to the A team too. Correcting these things is very difficult. When we set about doing these things people blamed the coach. Everyone tried to chase Gurusinha away. I brought back Gurusinha to build up discipline. It is the manager who is acting as our agent to implement our policy. He should rebuild discipline and fitness. We cannot play cricket with people who are drunk the whole night and break rest the whole night. People planned to chase Gurusinha because he insisted in instilling discipline. Gurusinha is a person who has followed the Level 3 training course and undertaken Cricket Management in Australia for 20 years. He is a Sri Lankan, a By Dian Abeywardena Professional golf tour of India (sundaytimes.lk) R.A. Anura Rohana, the 44-yearold Sri Lankan who won the Silver Medal in the 2002 Seoul Asian Games, Korea, has matured greatly with age and in the likes of Jeev Milka Singh and Mukesh Kumar, Top PGTI Senior Professionals who have continued to win on the PGTI and even on the Asian Tour, proved his worth beating a star studded field of top Indian Professional Golfers, on their Indian home soil! Whilst the Sri Lankan Cricketers performed pathetically getting thrashed by the Indian Cricketers at will in India, the four Sri Lankan Professional Golfers playing in a field of 120 comprising largely Indian and other Pro s dominated the Indians. Anura Rohana, winner of the in office drastic changes and moves needed to be made to address the situation at hand. With a new selection committee under former Sri Lanka fast bowler Graeme Labrooy coming into place in September things have gradually started to fall into place. The players unlike before have been given the confidence that they won t be dropped after a match or two but given a decent run of two to three series before their performances are assessed. With that confidence behind them the team has now started to show some positive results that led to the chief selector making the remark: From the Indian tour in Sri Lanka and then the Pakistan tour we see light at the end of the tunnel, there is an improvement but still to decide. If you take a comparison with the Pakistan and Indian ODIs our guys played more competitive and positive cricket. Although we didn t come on top in both series we performed better. The side looks that they believe in themselves, they think that they can win and beat the best side in the world. They got that belief and play more positive cricket. In the Pakistan series they were too much on the back foot all the time. With another former Sri Lanka cricketer Chandika Hathurusingha taking over Ford s position as head coach there is an air of expectancy that things will finally fall into place and Sri Lanka will be back to winning ways. Let s keep our fingers crossed. member of the World Cup winning team. When we asked people to take up new technology those who could not fathom it organized themselves to oppose it, said Sumathipala. My main responsibility is to do the correct thing without concern about undue criticism. If I give into criticism I won t be able to achieve the main target of bringing the team on the winning path. If I give into pressure and give up my post I will be doing a grave injustice to the country as a most experienced person in cricket administration. So I have decided to perform my duties by keeping silent. There is no other person experienced as me to take over this post. The best thing is to get things corrected by supporting me in this task. People off the field of cricket are well aware of the damage that will be caused if I leave this post. As such most of them have offered me their support and encouraged me to continue this work. I will definitely take the team forward to the 2019 World Cup, he said. Speaking on Thisara Perera s captaincy Sumathipala said what the team needed was a strategist who can unite the team as captain. At present Thisara Perera has performed this job well. He is a fearless leader with a strong backbone. He showed fearless leadership qualities by taking the team to Pakistan. Fearlessness is one trait required in a captain and Thisara has it. This is not a Test squad but a One Day squad. Thisara may have other shortcomings which can be corrected by the coach. We have brought in an efficient coach and I am confident that we will be able to build up a proper team. It will be almost 90 percent complete after the Independence Trophy next year, he concluded. - Translated by Sherifdeen Amath Sri Lanka s Anura Rohana wins 16th TATA open in style PGTI Pune Open in April with a 10 under Total and Ranked 12th in the PGTI 2017 Rankings, prior to the 16th TATA Open produced a stunning under par, second round at the 16th TATA OPEN 2017, at the Golmuri Golf Course, Jamshedpur, on Friday to rise to joint 2nd place from 43rd place after Round 1.

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PLEASE SEND TEXT OF AD. FOR OUR OFFICE USE WE NEED YOUR FULL NAME, ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER. TO INFO@NEWSLANKA.NET BUSINESS CHARGES: UP TO 50 WORDS = WEEKS = MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: NEWSLANKA LTD PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A PAYMENT IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF PAPER WITH YOUR AD. Payment & wording have to be in our office by Monday pm for publication in that weeks paper. T&C's apply. 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27 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE 27 Mahinda past cricket wins Olcott Trophy Lucas in TT news once again By Lakshman Ranasinghe (sundaytimes.lk) Dr. Gerard Nimal Lucas the sole participant from Sri Lanka won Gold at the Forza International Veterans Cup Table Tennis Tournament held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad The champion past cricket team Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao, Goa, India. This former Sri Lankan Table Tennis prodigy yet again proved that the age is no barrier to the game that he loved and continued to keep the Lion Flag flying internationally in TT. Playing in the over-70 Men s Team Event, Dr. Lucas, partnered by two Indian players (Dr. Sainath Iyer and Najmi Kinkhabwala) won Gold Medals. In the Team Event Dr. Lucas was unbeaten in both the Singles and Doubles partnered by Najmi Kinkhabwala. In the over-70 Men s Singles Event, Dr. Lucas reached the final and lost to a Russian Player, Zakris Khandadia in an enthralling five setter, the final scores being 11-7, 13-11, 7-11, 6-11, In the Singles Events, instead of medals, trophies were awarded. Text and pictures by P D de Silva 18th Sir Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Cricket (sundaytimes.lk) Mahinda College Past Cricketers team led by Duminda Wickremasinghe defeated Dharmaraja College past cricketers led by Palitha Jayasundera by 46 runs to emerge winners of the 18th Sir Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Cricket Tournament held at the Training College Grounds Balapitiya. In the tournament for present Cricketers of Mahinda College defeated Nalanda College by 34 runs. Eight Past Cricketers teams from Mahinda College Galle, Ananda College Colombo, Dharmaraja College Kandy, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, Rahula College Matara, Dharmapala College Pannipitiya, Nalanda College Colombo and hosts Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda participated. The teams were led by Duminda Wickremasinghe, Thilina Kandamby, Palitha Jayasundera, Ranjith Madurasinghe, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Gamini Perera, Mahendra Amarasinghe and Saman Mohan respectively. Mahinda College led group A which consisted of Dharmapala College, Ananda College and Maliyadeva College to reach the final while Dharmaraja led group B which consisted of Nalanda College, Rahula College and Dharmasoka College to qualify for the final. Nalin Wijesinghe of Mahinda College was adjudged the Man of the tournament while Tharanga Mahabarage also of Mahinda was named the best bowler and Waruna Herath of Dharmaraja College was adjudged the best batsman of the tournament. Sachitha Gunathilaka of Nalanda College was named the best batsman while Navod Paranavithana of Mahinda College Galle was named best bowler of the tournament for present cricketers. The 18th Sir Henry Steel Olcott Cricket Tournament was held from the 15th to the 17th of December The final: Mahinda 120 in 8 overs (Nalin Wijesinghe 33 not out, Asela Wewelwala 27; Waruna Herath 2/25) Dharmaraja 76 for 4 in 8 overs (Thanuja Godawatte 25; Tharanga Mahabarage 2/16) Present cricketer s final: Mahinda College 83/4 in 5 overs (Ashen Kandambi 34, Apramith Thevarapperuma 33 not out; Kaveesh Madurapperuma 3/20) Nalanda College 49/10 in 5 overs (Chamindu Wijesinghe 31, Pasan Pethangoda 2/16) NEWSLANKA NOTICE DO YOU GET NEWSLANKA IN YOUR LOCAL AREA? IF NOT, PLEASE ASK YOUR LOCAL SRI LANKAN / INDIAN / PAKISTANI / WHATEVER NATIONALITY GROCER / NEWSAGENT / RESTAURANT IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO RECEIVE NEWSLANKA ON A FREE WEEKLY BASIS. IF THEY WOULD LIKE THE PAPER, EITHER THEY OR YOU COULD GET IN TOUCH WITH US WITH THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS. CALL US ON INFO@NEWSLANKA.NET

28 PAGE 28 By Aubrey Kuruppu Dialog League Rugby Tournament (sundaytimes.lk) At the half way stage of the Dialog League Rugby Tournament, Kandy SC continues to set the pace, challenging the other teams to step up to the plate and dislodge them from their perch. Confidence is not a thing that the Kandy players usually lack. The Perfect Seven must have given them swing satisfaction. The race is not over yet but it looks increasingly as though it will be a onehorse affair. This thought is reinforced by the fact that the Havies, who have a slim chance of over hauling them, will be facing the music at Nittawela in the return leg. Gayan Weeraratne, the skipper, may have been a touch surprised by how easy it was. There were a couple of wobbles but, in the end, the all round strength and talent of his team triumphed. CH was brushed aside 23-6 in rain and gloom. Three easy games followed in which the Police, the Army and the Air Force only seemed to be making up the numbers. CR ran them reasonably close, losing Navy played sterling rugby at Nittawela, and the final margin was a little unjust. Then to the Havies who led 6-0 early on. However, the inability of their backs to conjure up a try made the difference. It goes without saying that Kandy s dazzling back division Richard Dharmapala, Roshan Weeraratne, Danushka Ranjan and Anuruddha Wilwara, Fazil Marija set up the victories. But that is to take away credit from their hard-working pack. The Havies were set back a bit by that early loss to the Navy. Then came the final frontier which proved to be uncrossable. The Park Club was without that terrific number eight Sudarshana Muthuthanthri for all their games. His return, as well as that of Kevin Dixon, will make them a more formidable outfit. The calm, guiding hand of Coach NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER Kandy still at the helm at the halfway stage Sanath Martis was evident, but they will need more than that to pass the ultimate test. Players such as Dulaj Perera, Hirantha Perera, Rahul de Silva, Lasindu Ishan and Sharo Fernando were prominent in their matches. However, one suspects that it will be a case of being the bridesmaid and not the bride, once again. The Navy, who suffered an exodus pre-season, overcame all that to stay in touch with the leaders. They overcame the Havies, but suffered a shattering loss to CR who came from behind to stun them by a 15- point margin. They also lost to the CH in a game that was agonizingly close. Skipper Danushka Perera seemed to thrive on responsibility. Hooker Wijesinghe, Mohamed Absal, Mushin Faleel and Adeesha Weeratunga served their teams cause well. This is not to forget the excellent place-kicking of Thilina Weerasinghe and the spirited play of that young speedster, Buddima Piyaratne. The Army surprised many by a third place finish. That probably was on the cards when they signed up Nilfer Ibrahim as coach. His success with back division players in particular is a given. Hitherto, the Army had been a rugged gung-ho unit whose play was characterised by players such as Asoka Jayalal, Gayan Salinda and Manoj Silva. All that changed. The back division has run the ball Chanaka scores unbeaten ton (dailynews.lk) Chanaka Ruwansiri of Lankan CC scored an unbeaten ton (120 runs) against Air Force SC in the 1st week of the SLC Premier League Inter Club Tier B Cricket tournament match at Maggona yesterday. Matches were called off earlier due to rain. n At Maggona. Lankan CC: 349 in 70 overs (Chanaka Ruwansiri 120 n.o., Madhuranga Soyza 74, Lakshan Rodrigo 53, Geeth Kumara 43, Shasheen Fernando 31, Buddhika Sandaruwan 3/81, Lakshan Fernando 3/69, Gayan de Silva 2/54, Shohan Rangika 2/63) Air Force SC: 8/0 in 1.1 overs n At Bandaragama. Panadura Sports Club: 161/4 (65.2) Vishva Chathuranga 30, Kashif Naveed 54*, Shashrika Pussegolla 20, Chamika Sansaka 18, Eranga Rathnayake 1/12) vs Kalutara Town Club n At Galle. Negombo CC: 97/1 in 30.1 overs (Srihan Anuruddhika 38 n.o., Praveen Fernando 30, Akeel Inham 27 n.o.) vs Galle Cricket Club n At Moratuwa. Navy SC: 77/4 in 33 overs (Dinusha Fernando 2/07) vs Police SC. YK more and, with fly half Ashan Bandara being quite outstanding, the Army has totted up the points. Even a loss to the Havies was no disgrace. In one of the closest games all season, the Soldiers held their nerve to beat the Airmen Along with the halves combination of Bandara and Rizvi, players such as skipper Thusitha Senanayake, Dikkumbura, Maduranga and Hapugaskumbura have all relished their roles. Prop Asoka Jayalal continues to be a thorn in the flesh of opposing defences. Prop Sugath Nanayakkara has been a revelation. Not short of talent, yet the great underachievers. That about sums up the first half of the season for CR. They lost more than they won, with the four defeats coming in succession. Playmaker Tarinda Ratwatte s fall from grace on some occasions was one possible reason, while skipper Kavindu Perera s unavailability for some games was another. Strangely, at times number eight Omalka Gunaratne did not start. Ratwatte had one glorious hour against the Navy when he turned impending defeat into glorious victory. Winger Reeza Refaideen, a cross-over from the Police, had a good season, going over many times. With Kushan Indunil, Chamod Fernando and Harith Bandara (all of the green shirted variety) in their ranks, the CR, one of Sri Lanka s oldest and proudest clubs, will be hoping for a It's mine or not your's -- Kandy SC has had some bad patches but ended on top unbeaten - Pic by Amila Gamage ISSUE 1360 turnaround in fortune in the second round. Having suffered 30 odd defeats on the trot, there was a sea-change in CH s fortunes. There were some shrewd signings Sathya Ranatunga, Sajith Saranga, Lee Keegel and Yositha Rajapaksa were all ferried across to Maitland Crescent. Sasanka Ariyaratne came across the border, as it were. Along with Samuel Maduwantha, all these players contributed in a combined show of strength. They beat the Navy by three points, but lost to the Havies and the Army by five. You could say that they were never totally outclassed. Seventh placed Air Force belied their position in the table with some good performances. They lost to the Navy 0-10 at Welisara, while their game against the Army was oh so close. Scoring 31 points in a loss to the CH must have been a satisfying experience. Bereft of the best talent, the Air Force (like the Police) made do with what they had. Charith Seneviratne provided the inspiration. Gayantha Iddamalgoda, together with Jehan Seelagama, Ishara Madushan, Pabasara Hewage and full back Rumesh Ramdas did much to improve their performance. The Police did not win a single game in the first round. Yet, they are one team that seems to improve from match to match. The 21-all draw against the CH must surely have been gut-wrenching. Navy, too, beat them by only 7 points.the Police s decision not to get players from other clubs must be lauded. They bucked the trend, but surely Police s rugby will benefit in the long run. Fly half and ex Peterite Sandesh Jayawickrema played an influential role. Others such as the speedy Sujan Kodituwakku, Utpala Edirisinghe, skipper Rasith Silva and Saumya Wagith gave hundred per cent in a losing cause. It will be no surprise if Police put together a win or two in the next round. The Royal Rugby Rally 2017 (sundaytimes.lk) The Royal Rugby Rally a concept of the Rugby Advisory and Management Committee of the school was held last Sunday. The event was flagged off in front of the main gate of the school and around forty vehicles took part in the 70 km fun run. At the end of the rally the participants were received by Minister Sagala Ratnayake who is an old boy of the institution. At the end of the successful event, the organisors had raised around a million rupees towards the education development of the school. The main sponsor of the event was the Auto Mobile Association with Jaguar as the co-sponsor. The organisers are hoping to make this an annual event. Pix by Ranjith Perera Chandi back in the ODI squad (sundaytimes.lk) Sri Lanka s new cricket coach Chandika Hathurusingha wants to spend some quality time with the players ahead of team s tour to Bangladesh early next month and has asked a selected group of cricketers to attend a special training program. Sri Lanka set to play a tri-series involving hosts Bangladesh and Zimbabwe starting on January 15. The tri-series will be followed by a two Tests and two T20 matches against Bangladesh. Series will be Hathurusingha s maiden tour as head coach of the Sri Lanka national side. Accordingly the national selectors have picked a pool of 23 cricketers and have asked all of them to refrain from featuring in the ongoing domestic cricket tournament on the request of the new coach. The players were asked not to play domestic cricket following a request made by the Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha and we complied with that, said SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala. Board says the training session will start on December 28 but the venue and time is yet to be finalised. Out of the 23, eight will be discarded before leaving to Bangladesh. The 23-member squad does see some changes. The selectors have finally run out of patience with Lahiru Thirimanna. After a miserable series in India, he has been excluded from the squad. However Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal is back in the squad, having being omitted from the current series against India. Angelo Mathews finds his place secured in the side, even though it s not clear whether the former skipper will recover in time from the hamstring injury. During Friday s second T20, Mathews suffered grade one hamstring tear and has been ruled out for at least two weeks. Also back in the side is Lahiru Kumara, seamer who did not make the Indian tour. The only uncapped player in the squad is Shehan Madushanka a 22-year old right-arm quick. Squad: Thisara Perera, Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dasun Shanaka, Lahiru Gamage, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Amila Aponso, Lakshan Sandakan, Chaturanga De Silva High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Job Vacancy Applications are called from candidates to fill a vacancy for a Confidential Secretary / Clerk Assistant on a locally recruited basis at the High Commission. Recruitment will initially be for a period of one year subject yo terms and conditions of the said post. Qualifications: * General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advance Level (A/L) and or equivalent. * Qualifications / experience in Secretarial work. * Proficiency in English and Sinhala or Tamil languages. * Computer literacy. * Typing of at least 40 words per minuet. Citizenship / Visa: Should be a British Citizen or should hold a valid visa for employment in the UK. Age limit: Should not be less than 18 years and not more than 50 years of age on the closing date for the application. Experience: Minimum of 06 months experience. Those interested can forward self-prepared application along with a brief resume, copies of passport / valid visa, evidence of education / work experience to the High Commissioner, Sri Lanka High Commission, 13 Hyde park Gardens, London. W2 2LU to be received on or before 10 January Only short listed applicants will be called for an interview. Canvassing in any form will be disqualification. High Commissioner Sri Lanka High Commission - London

29 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE 29 Sadeera and Danushka ignored POSTPONED Sa adi Thawfeeq (dailynews.lk) Is there a paucity of batsmen in this country or is it that the present national team has not grasped the fact what T20 cricket is all about? That was the impression given by the composition of the Sri Lanka side for the first T20 International against India at Cuttack on Wednesday and the pathetic batting display they put up. The cold stats was that India invited to bat first scored in their 20 overs and Sri Lanka in reply were shot out for a dismal 87 in 16 overs to hand to the hosts their biggest T20 win by 93 runs. What was dreadful than the loss was the balance of the side - whereas India went with six batsmen, an allrounder and four specialist bowlers, Sri Lanka with their suspect batting line up went with only four frontline batters, three all-rounders and four specialist bowlers. When the run chase began it soon became evident that Sri Lanka was clearly a batsman or two short. They had overloaded the side with too many bowlers and lengthened the tail to such an extent that anyone watching the match was left wondering whether Sri Lanka were aware that T20 cricket is strictly a batsman s game and not one for the bowlers. What role was all-rounder Dasun Shanaka playing batting at number six? He in fact did not even get a bowl. That position could have easily gone to a specialist batsman. The same could be said of Asela Gunaratne who batted at number five and was not utilised for his bowling being an all-rounder. There were two hard hitting young batsmen Sadeera Samarawickrama and Danushka Gunathilaka in that Sri Lanka T20 squad who were not selected for the match. Of the four specialist bowlers picked only two completed their quota of four overs, Vishwa Fernando who was given his maiden T20I cap bowled only two and Dushmantha Chameera three. If you are not going to maximise and use your specialist bowlers why pick them? With Angelo Mathews available to bowl and also Asela Gunaratne, Sri Lanka could have easily played six batsmen at the expense of a fast bowler and yet they would still had Nuwan Pradeep, Akila Dananjaya and either Chameera or Fernando which would make up 12 overs and, Mathews, Thisara Perera and Gunaratne to bowl the remaining eight. It is a well known fact in ODIs and T20Is it has been our batting that has contributed largely to our defeats and here we see that area being further weakened instead of being strengthened. Sri Lanka cricket may be going through a lean phase of team rebuilding but there is no excuse for such sloppy compositions for which the team management is clearly answerable.

30 PAGE 30 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360 Murali no-balling disrespectful says Waugh (dailymirror.lk) Former Australian captain Steven Waugh has said that the no-balling Sri Lanka s Muttiah Muralitharan during the famous Boxing Day Test match in MCG back in 1995 was disrespectful and should have been sorted out beforehand. HOTEL ROOMS AVAILABLE FROM 50 per day APARTMENTS FROM 75 per day HOTEL ROOMS IN JAFFNA FROM 20 per day Lanka Travel & Tours Seat sales specialist to Sri Lanka KUWAIT AIRWAYS SPECIAL COLOMBO LONDON COLOMBO Seat Sale To Colombo 225 From Plus taxes Inc. *Low season + Taxes 450 taxes Business class 750 Travel Insurance, Hotels, Car Rentals, Airport Transfers, Tailor-made Tours We also offer fares to: India - Maldives - Middle/Far East - Australia Economy I just felt it was a bit unfair the way it unfolded. We all knew that Darrell Hair was going to make that call and he made that call on the fact that he believed Murali was bowling illegally. I think it should have been sorted out beforehand in a different way. I just thought he was crucified on the biggest stage of Test cricket. To me it was quite disrespectful to a player, Waugh told cricket.com.au. Muralitharan later went on to become the highest wicket-taker of Test cricket with 800 scalps. All-Island Draughts Championship (sundaytimes.lk) Krishantha Kumarage clinched the All- Island Draughts Championship conducted by the Young Men s Christian Association (YMCA) at its premises in Colombo Fort. Kumarage, who last won the national title in 1996, beating V. Krishnamurthi, overcame top contenders to claim the title after 21 years. He had to overcome 53 other contenders, who were equally masters as Kumarage on his way to the title this year. Along with Kumarage, top contenders Sri Kantha, Vijiyanth Meltus, Ramya Gunasekara and Shelton Fernando moved to the final stages of the competition. In a three-way battle in the final, Kumarage overcame Meltus and Fernando in style to clinch the All-Island Draughts Championship India sweep T20 series against Sri Lanka (dailynews.lk) Paceman Jaydev Unadkat led a disciplined attack to set up India s five-wicket win in the third Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka as the hosts completed a 3-0 whitewash on Sunday. Unadkat returned impressive figures of 2-15 to help restrict the visitors to India then achieved their target with four balls to spare in a tense chase at the Wankhede Stadium. Manish Pandey top-scored with 32 but it was Dinesh Karthik (18) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (16) who put on an unbeaten 31-run stand to take the team home. The win ensured that India end the year on a high after outplaying the islanders in the Test (1-0), one-day (2-1) and T20 series. Sri Lanka however put the hosts under pressure with regular strikes as paceman Dushmantha Chameera and medium-pace bowler Dasun Shanaka claimed two wickets each. Shanaka got skipper Rohit Sharma for 27, early in the chase. The in-form Sharma hit 4 fours and a six during his 20-ball stay but his wicket silenced the crowd. Shreyas Iyer, who scored 30 before being run out while backing up at the non-strikers end, and Pandey then put on a gritty 42-run stand for the third wicket but their departure spelt trouble. But veterans Karthik and Dhoni stayed calm in the final few overs when India needed 20 off 18 balls. Earlier Asela Gunaratne, who top-scored 36, and Shanaka, who hit an unbeaten 29 off 24 balls, gave some respectability to the total after the visitors lost their top three batsmen for 18 runs. Unadkat, who removed the openers early, was ably supported by fellow fast bowler Hardik Pandya as they Emergency: annis@lankatravel.co.uk For Details and Instant Ticketing Please Contact Nissther Annis Return claimed two wickets each. Apart from the paceman, debutant off-spinner Washington Sundar, who opened the attack for India, dismissed Kusal Perera for four and ended with figures of After a dominant home season across all three formats, India now head for their high-profile tour of South Africa starting January 5 with the first Test in Cape Town. AFP Sa adi Thawfeeq (dailynews.lk) Former Sri Lanka cricketer and one time coach Chandika Hathurusingha officially took over as head coach of the national cricket team and announced that the role he has been asked to perform was a challenging one but one he was glad to accept. There is a lot of expectations but there is no pressure for me it s all opportunities, said Hathurusingha at his inaugural press conference arranged by Sri Lanka Cricket at their headquarters at Maitland Place yesterday. Looking at our team from the outside I thought it s a great opportunity for me to come here and maximise the potential that is there. I am looking forward to that challenge and I take the challenge as an opportunity to take the team forward. It s a very proud moment for me and a great opportunity to come back and serve my country as head coach. I think the time is right for me to take on that role, he said. Six years ago Hathurusingha was being groomed for this position when he was serving as shadow coach to the team s then head coach Trevor Bayliss, but unfortunately the interim committee that was in place at the time under former Sri Lanka cricketer DS de Silva chucked him out on some flimsy evidence of disobeying orders. This atrocious decision proved to be a blessing in disguise for Hathurusingha who took off with his family to Australia where he went onto make a name for himself as a top class cricket coach being appointed assistant coach of the New South Wales side and also the Australian A team. His credentials soared to such a level that when he applied for the head coach s post, Bangladesh accepted him with open arms. Hathurusingha became the most successful coach in Bangladesh s cricket history during his three-year stint with them taking them to heights the national team had never attained before. Under his guidance Bangladesh recorded 20 ODI wins in 37 matches, 5 wins in 17 Tests (8 losses) and 9 wins in 25 T20Is (11 losses). At the same time he came to be regarded as one of the top notch coaches going around in world cricket today. WORLD CLASS COACH To obtain the services of such a qualified person to serve the Sri Lanka team, Sri Lanka Cricket should be greatly privileged. We have deployed the best possible head coach in the world now its upto the team to show results, said Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala. We looked at who should be the ideal coach. We looked at the current game and found it was highly technical as well as the coaches are working based on scientific evidence and they are all using soft logic more on technology than technical assistance, explained Sumathipala. At the end of the day they come down to scientific evidence. In that context we found that Hathuru is among the top world class coaches. He is always one person who believes in deployment of technology and using technology for the best interest of the national team. We are happy to Chandika Hathurusingha have contracted with a world class coach for the national team. Hathuru is a matured coach and highly qualified to tackle the kind of players we have. More than anything he is a Sri Lankan and you can t get anyone better than that. He can speak the language of the players which is another big advantage. He is also a world class player as well, a coach and manager. It s all these attributes that is strength for us to make the maximum use of him, he said. Speaking further Sumathipala said that when SLC informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board that they would like to engage Hathurusingha as their head coach and although the BCB was not happy with the decision they however agreed to release him in good faith and wished us luck. According to the SLC president Hathurusingha will be responsible to the SLC and as head coach he will have his own technical team and support staff that will be under his purview. The head coach will be responsible for their entire work. He will also play a big role in the development programs of Sri Lanka cricket and also work with the high performance centre etc, said Sumathipala. As our current constitution does not provide as per the Sports Law a coach being engaged as a Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera congratulates Chandikaselector we have Hathurusingha at the press conference. SLC president discussed it with the Thilanga Sumathipala is also present. Pic by Rukm Sports Minister. He has given us a solution to incorporate him on tours together with our cricket manager and captain, he said. The SLC president also took the opportunity to thank Nick Pothas who had been looking after the team over the last few months as interim coach. He had a tough task especially as India is the world s number one Test team. So in such a difficult situation, I thank Mr. Pothas who did a tough job as the interim coach. CRICKET IS SECOND RELIGION Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera who was also present at the media conference said that the entire Sri Lankan community has been waiting for this moment. The reason for that is cricket is like a second religion. No matter what other sport we play if we lose at cricket it becomes a major talking point in the country, said the Minister. As Sports Minister I have also faced a lot of questions from the public about the poor performances of the team. Losing matches is not a downfall as some make it out to be. I am very happy to note that Sri Lanka Cricket and its president has taken a good decision in appointing Hathurusingha as head coach. I wish Hathurusingha well and hope that he can restore the expectations of the country s numerous cricket fans by putting the team on a winning trend. Hathurusingha s first assignment with the national team will be against the team he last coached Bangladesh when Sri Lanka tours there next month for a tri-nation series that also involves Zimbabwe, a series of two Tests and two T20 internationals. It s a challenge. I know their strengths and weaknesses and likewise they know how I think of the game. It s a good opportunity as coach to have such a challenge ahead of you, said Hathurusingha.

31 ISSUE 1360 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER PAGE 31 (dailynews.lk) With Chandika Hathurusingha being appointed as head coach of the Sri Lanka cricket team it would be imperative to reflect back seven years ago when things were not so rosy for him and circumstances led him to migrate with his family to Australia. On that occasion Tamil Union of which Hathurusingha was a member bade farewell to him at a function held at the club premises at the P Sara Oval on December 6, 2010 where S Skandakumar, a former president of Tamil Union paid a glowing tribute to him. We reproduce the farewell in full for the benefit of our readers who may not be aware of the travails that Hathurusingha underwent to reach the position he holds today: The Tamil Union bade farewell to yet another of its outstanding members at a well attended function at the club's premises recently. Chandika Hathurusingha who was widely acclaimed as one of the more successful coaches of national cricket had his services terminated by the Interim Committee on the 10th of August following an independent inquiry, the findings of which were not made public. He consequently decided to migrate to Australia with his family. The club's former President and one time Hony Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, S. Skandakumar, who was also Vice Chairman/Secretary of the first ever Cricket Interim Committee appointed in 1999, paid a glowing tribute to Hathurusingha, recalling his early humble days with the club that began at the tender age of 14 years when he was a student of a relatively unknown school called Veluwana in Dematagoda. "His school coach, Tom Dep a remarkably fine gentleman once told me that Chandika did 15 minutes of bat drill regularly after dinner, standing in front of a mirror, and would then tuck his bat under his pillow and go to sleep. You can therefore imagine his passion for the game at that very early age, and the kind of dreams he must have had in his adolescent years." 'To improve his chances at cricket, Chandika moved to Ananda College in 1984, but failed to find a place in the first eleven team and yet in 1986, Sri Lanka first to witness trophy for 2018 Soccer World Cup (dailynews.lk) Sri Lanka is fortunate to be the first country to witness the trophy to be awarded to the winners of the 2018 Soccer World Cup in Russia before many nations when it began its 54- country tour prior to the 2018 tournament. The trophy will be officially handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena soon after it arrives in Sri Lanka on January 23. The trophy will be displayed at the BMICH, Colombo to the public on January 24 and will tour to its second destination Maldives the same evening. Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) officials met the President yesterday at his residence to discuss the official arrangements. Sports Director General Saman Bandara, National When Tamil Union bid farewell to Hathu was picked to tour England with the Sri Lanka schoolboys team, creating an unprecedented record where a school boy cricketer represented his country before he did his alma mater. He made such an impact on that tour that in 1988 he was appointed Vice Captain of the first ever Youth World Cup team that participated in a tournament in Australia.' Skandakumar recalled. 'In 1991, 'Skandakumar added,' Chandika got the opportunity of his dreams when he was flown out to replace an injured Dammika Ranatunge on Sri Lanka's international tour of New Zealand and made a half century on his Test debut as opening S. Skandakumar-Chandika Hathurusingha batsman in trying conditions. He repeated the feat in the following Test as well and went on to register an enviable hat trick of half-centuries in international cricket when he followed this up with 66 on his first appearance at Lord's, when Sri Lanka toured England immediately thereafter. In 1995, Chandika went on tour to Pakistan and made 4 half-centuries in the three Test Match series and yet lost his place in the national team although he was a member of the World Cup squad that toured England in 1999." Continuing, Skandakumar said, 'Realising that the doors of international cricket were closing on him, Chandika then turned his excellent cricketing brain to coaching and in 2000 qualified as a Level Two coach in Australia. On his return he found that the Moors Sports Club had been relegated from the Premier Division and took up the challenge as Captain cum Coach to get that club back into the major division. His extraordinary skills both as a Captain and Coach became apparent when Moors FFSL officials discussing the official arrangements for the arrival of 2018 Soccer World Cup trophy to Sri Lanka at the President s residence. Selection Committee chairman Gen. Daya Ratnayake and Sports Ministry adviser Susanthika Jayasinghe joined in the discussion with the President. BRC s Deshan Dias scores century (dailynews.lk) BRC no. 3 batter left-hander Deshan Dias scored a century against NCC on the first day of the SLC Premier League Inter Club Cricket match yesterday. Dias scored 105 off 179 deliveries with 7 fours and a six. Lasith Embuldeniya (NCC), Sachithra Senanayake (SSC) and Mohammed Dilshad (Saracens SC) came up with good bowling performances. CCC have already taken a first innings lead against Colts. [DAY ONE SCORES] lat Bloomfield: Bloomfield: 231/7 at close in 70 overs (Lahiru Jayakody 86, Lahiru Samarakoon 32 n.o., Nipun Haggalla 25, Adeesha Nanayakkara 23, Sachithra Senanayake 5/69, Kasun Madushanka 2/43) vs SSC lat CCC: Colts: 89 in 31.5 overs (Priyamal Perera 26, Kaveeshka Anjula 24, Manelker de Silva 3/13, Lahiru Gamage 3/29, Ashan Priyanjan 2/1, Lakshan Sandakan 2/5) CCC: 192/5 at close in 49 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 70 n.o., Madhawa Warnapura 37 n.o., Ron Chandraguptha 29, Kusal Mendis 25, Kavishka Anjula 5/37) lat NCC: BRC: 222 in 77.4 overs (Deshan Dias 105, Rumesh Buddika 38, Suraj Randiv 24, Lasith Embuldeniya 6/59, Lahiru Kumara 2/34, Tharindu Kaushal 2/64) NCC: 34/1 at close in 10 overs lat Thurstan: Ragama CC: 218/7 at close in 58.3 overs (Janith Liyanage 98 n.o., Lahiru Thirimanne 80, Mohommed Dilshad 5/60, Saliya Saman 2/4) vs Saracens SC lat Panagoda: Army SC: 286/8 at close in 93.1 oers (Kasun de Silva 72, Navod Ilukwatte 21, Jeevan Mendis 3/42) vs Tamil Union - (YK) under his leadership and guidance not only reentered the Premier Division, but went on to win the Premier Championship just two years after being relegated.this was I understand the first time that the Moors had achieved it in their 99 year history. Chandika won the Player of the Tournament award in the Premier League for three consecutive years starting from 2001/2002, and yet failed to find a place in even the national 'A' team. While playing league cricket in England in the summer of 2003, he pursued his interest in coaching further and qualified as a Level Three coach, the highest standard in coaching in the UK at that time. Upon his return he re-associated himself with the Tamil Union as player cum coach and helped the club to emerge joint champions in the Premier Limited Tournament that very season. The damage inflicted by Tsunami in 2004, prevented the final from being played. His first major international challenge as a coach came in October 2005, when he was appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates team and was mandated to help that country secure a place in the 2008 Asia Cup tournament. To do so, the Emirates had to win the Asian Cricket Council tournament held in Malaysia in 2006." "Chandika was able to guide the UAE team to that championship, adding yet another notable achievement to his string of coaching successes. Sri Lanka Cricket then woke up to the extent of Chandika's coaching talents and offered him a contract to coach the national A team, the feeder to the national team which he accepted with relish. He was instrumental in rehabilitating the cricket careers of many players including the likes of Thilan Samaraweera and Thilina Kandamby while he also unearthed fresh talent in Tharanga Paranavitarna, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedara,Chanaka Welagedera and Dammika Prasad. Additionally he got the best out of players like Malintha Warnapura Suranga Lakmal and Isuru Udana. He was soon elevated to work with Ban on badminton By S.R. Pathiravithana (sundaytimes.lk) sundaytimes.lksports Minister Jayasekera leads team to Malaysia for talks with BWF offiicals There is a glimmer hope for the Lankan shuttlers to be a part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in April next year. Earlier Commonwealth Games authorities were discussing whether to allow Sri Lanka s badminton team to participate at the 2018 event in view of an international ban on the local governing body. The ban was imposed after the local sports authorities appointed an interim committee in violation of the world body s rules. On October 24, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) s Secretary General Thomas Lund in a letter to the Lankan Badminton Interim Committee Chairman Nishantha Jayasinghe informed the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) that under clause 13.5 of the BWF constitution, they had been suspended. The World Badminton body at that point had determined that the SLBA was not in a position to govern the sport in an independent and autonomous manner under clauses 5.2 and 5.3 of the BWF constitution. According to clause of the WBF constitution, a suspended member of the BWF shall be deprived of all rights of membership. Following this ban, a delegation led by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera travelled to Malaysia and explained matters to the WBF authorities and requested them to temporarily lift the ban so that the Lankan players would be a part of the Gold Coast Games. The minister told the Sunday Times yesterday, The SLBA had held an election but it did so without going through the proper audited accounts. So we had to cancel the election and at present there is also a legal plaint filed in courts. We explained to the BWF authorities that unlike in the national team as Shadow Coach and the extent of his effectiveness was common knowledge." 'Given this exceptional background,' Skandakumar said, the sudden and totally unexpected termination of his services sent shock waves not only through cricketing circles and the media, but the national team itself. In that respect I wish to quote to you lines from a letter of appeal that the national captain Kumar Sangakkara addressed to the Interim committee which received wide publicity. The lines speak for themselves. MY INTEREST IN REGAINING HIS SERVICES IS PURELY SELFISH. I WANT TO BE PART OF A TEAM THAT IS COACHED BY THE BEST. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT AFTER THE 2011 WORLD CUP, CHANDIKA HAS THE CAPABILITY TO ABLY HEAD THE COACHING OF THE NATIONAL TEAM. THE WHOLE SQUAD OF NATIONAL PLAYERS RESPECT HIM AND ADMIRE HIM FOR THE WORK DONE". "Ladies and Gentlemen, you will now be fully aware of the obstacles and frustrations Chandika has had to endure and overcome in his career. Given this fervent appeal from a very successful and highly educated national captain, tendered on behalf of the entire national squad, the refusal of the Authorities to review that decision defies logic or reason. That is further compounded by the fact that there were I believe mitigating circumstances attached to Chandika's actions that precipitated the inquiry. While wishing you, Shivika and the children all that is best down under, I am sure that those genuinely interested in the welfare of the game will hope that your invaluable services will not be Australia's gain and that in the not too distant future, you will be reinstated in your rightful position with the national team. Meanwhile your termination Chandika could well go down in the annals of history as a cricketing tragedy as it is inconceivable that a responsible controlling body of national cricket could turn its back on such expertise particularly when it comes from one of our very own Sri Lankans." God bless you and your family. other countries, in Sri Lanka most sports have to be propped up by government funds so that activities of such sports have to be audited by the Auditor General s Department and the ministry cannot permit any association that does not have these credentials to hold office. Once these facts were presented, the BWF authorities accepted our position while, on our part, we gave them a pledge to hold the SLBA elections which would be properly conducted with the help of eminent persons of the given sport and ministry officials. At that point the BWF authorities said that they could not lift the ban in a hurry, but, requested us to present the facts in writing so that they could arrive at a decision. We had the meeting with the BWF authorities on December 16 and we forwarded the requisite letter on the same night. When inquired from the National Olympic Committee about the status quo of badminton, National Olympic Committee Secretary General Maxwell de Silva told the Sunday Times, As far the NOCSL is concerned, the badminton conundrum is an internal matter and the badminton authorities can attend the Special General Meeting, which is an IOC prerequisite. However as per the Commonwealth Games issue, NOCSL President Hemasiri Fernando himself has made a request to the Commonwealth Games about the December 31 deadline to resolve the issue. We learn that there is a move to engage the BWF to lift the sanctions before December 31. The Gold Coast Games will be held from April 5 to 21, Sri Lanka will take part in athletics, badminton (pending), swimming, diving, boxing, cycling, beach volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, table tennis, rugby, shooting squash and para-sports. Will it be an outcome to get confused or a reason to rejoice as Sri Lanka Badminton awaits BWF's final ruling - File pic

32 PAGE 32 NEWSLANKA 28 DECEMBER ISSUE 1360