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Continuing drought makes North and East cry for waterSundayTimes.lk) - Inland water sourceshave dried up, drinking water is scarceand crops have been destroyed in nineprovinces where nearly 900,000 SriLankans are suffering due to thecontinuing drought.But disaster management officials say thedrought in the nine provinces is not tooserious.At least 844,669 people from 242,982families in the North, East, North Centraland North Western provinces have beenbadly affected by the lack of seasonalmonsoon rains. The North and Easternprovinces are the worst affected, theDisaster Management Centre said.Northerners do not have enough drinkingwater. Wells have dried up. The JaffnaDistrict Secretariat is providing drinkingwater through water tankers.Officials said islands in the North facesevere shortage of drinking water

because groundwater is depleted.According to Jaffna District Secretary, NVedanayahan, some 123,433 peoplefrom 34,049 families have beenaffected.“We have been providing water tocoastal areas and islands for some time,but the drought made things worse.There was a significant impact onfarmers and livestock owners. We haveinformed the government and we hopeto provide relief once procedures arecleared,” he said.The drought is continuing inAnuradhapura, Puttalam andKurunegala districts.Mullaitivu is severely affected.Thousands of acres of Yala cultivationhave been laid to waste. Fishermen whoengaged in lagoon fishing are alsosuffering.In Mullaitivu, too, drinking water is aserious concern. Arrangements havebeen made by the Mullaitivu DistrictSecretariat to provide drinking water.

“The secretariat has collected details ofthose who have been affected by the

drought and sent it to the DisasterManagement Centre. We are yet to bedirected by the government on issuing

grants or rations to those affected,” Mrs RKetheeswaran, the district secretary toldthe Sunday Times.Details of farmers whose crop has beendestroyed are now being gathered.At the moment, drought relief for thosewho were affected in the Maha seasonlast year are being paid compensation bythe government.Fish have died from oxygen depletion inthe lagoons of Nandikadal andVadduvaakal. Experts from the NationalAquatic Resources Research andDevelopment Agency have pointed to thelack of oxygen in the lagoon waters forthe mass deaths.The drying up of lagoons have hit thelivelihoods of fisherfolk in Mullaithivu whouse the ‘theppam’ or ‘kulla’, the tinywooden fishing boats, to make a living.The Mullaitivu Fishermen’s Federation,head, Anthonypullai Mariyarasa, said atleast 4,600 fisher families have beenaffected.SEE P5

By Nisthar Cassim(FT.LK) - Senior business leader HarryJayawardena has teamed up with Japan’s leadingcarriers ANA and JAL in a consortium to acquire a49% stake along with management of SriLankanAirlines.The Daily FT learns that the consortium hasconveyed its expression of interest to theGovernment, which is keen to revive the nationalcarrier via a Public Private Partnership (PPP)initiative.All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA), is the largestairline in Japan whilst Japan Airlines (JAL) is thesecond largest.Jayawardena is no stranger to the national carrierhaving previously served as its Chairman duringwhich period the airline saw considerableprogress.The tycoon’s business empire includes AitkenSpence, which has extensive interests in tourism,aviation and logistics, as well as Melstacorp, whichholds a majority of key investments including inDistilleries. He also controls tea and food businessgiant Stassen Group.Incidentally, Aitken Spence Deputy Chairman and

Managing Director Rajan Brito currently serves onthe SriLankan Airlines Board whilst he was aDirector previously as well.The bid by Jayawardena-led Japanese consortiumcomes amidst willingness indicated by world’sbiggest airline Emirates to enter into a commercialagreement with SriLankan Airlines. Havingpreviously owned a minority stake along withmanagement contract and unceremoniously kickedout by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksaregime, Emirates isn’t keen on a similarengagement with SriLankan Airlines.Strong expression of interests by these twoparties, according to aviation industry analysts, is abig boost for the Government’s plans to revitalisethe debt-saddled and loss-making SriLankan.Previous exercise calling for expression ofinterests saw around 14 parties responding andeventually the giant private equity group TPGbeing shortlisted. Following a due diligenceexercise, TPG decided to withdraw, citingcommercial and other reasons.Sources said that the Government under a PPPinitiative will own a 51% stake as well as take overthe debt of the National Carrier to make the airline

viable for a new equity andmanagement partner.In a statement last week themanagement of SriLankanAirlines pointed out thatsince the Unity Governmentwas formed, the airline’slosses have beendramatically reduced from ahigh of Rs. 31.3 billion in2013/14 to Rs. 27.7 in2016/17. The airline lost Rs.92 billion between 2011 and2015.It also said the airlinecontinues to pay a heavyprice for the extremely highlease rental agreementsentered into by the previousBoard. The cost of terminating the leases on fourA350-900 aircraft that were grossly overpriced andcompletely unsuitable for the National Carrierimposed a further burden on the airline. This figurewas Rs. 14.3 billion in FY17.ANA last year bought a minority stake in Vietnam

Airlines. ANA, which serves 227 destinationsglobally, is part of Star Alliance. JAL, which isJapan’s flag carrier, is part of oneworld, in whichtoo SriLankan Airlines is a member.ANA also controls several subsidiary passengercarriers, including its regional airline, ANA Wingsand charter carrier, Air Japan. SEE P15

Harry Jayawardena shows interest in management of SriLankan AirlinesConsortium with Japan’s leading carriers ANA and JAL

At least 844,669 people from 242,982families in the North, East, North Centraland North Western provinces have been

badly affected by the lack of seasonalmonsoon rains. Pic by Jayaratne

Wickremaarachchi

Harry Jayawardena

SL captain Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga with SLC officials. Pic by Ranjith Asanka

Thisara’s missed catch not the reason for our defeat - MalingaSEE SPORTS

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 02

(ft.lk) The latest islandwide poll conducted forbusiness magazine LMD, by research firm KantarTNS, reveals that more than half the people (55%)believe that factors such as ‘inappropriateactivities by politicians’ and the ‘increasing crimerate’ are tarnishing Sri Lanka’s image.

According to LMD, only 35% dispute this view,stating that the island has an impeccablereputation due to ‘religious reconciliation’ as wellas its ‘cultural background’.Nearly six in 10 of survey respondents feel that thecountry’s image has not improved despite the

change of government in January 2015 – theyassert that Sri Lanka’s image ‘is beingtarnished day by day’ and that while it hasn’tbeen long since the new Government waselected, ‘some people hold the same positionswithout changing their policies’.However, a majority (80%) believe that ourimage has improved since 2009 when theprolonged civil war ended. They attribute thisto the ‘peaceful environment in the country’ –11% oppose this view and the rest (9%) areundecided.Tea and cricket continue to be the nation’s‘image leaders,’ going by what 75% of thoseconsulted by the pollsters say.IN-3Citizens point to bribery and corruption,lawlessness and disorder, the calibre ofpoliticians, the political landscape, lack ofdiscipline and poor infrastructure as factorsthat undermine our country’s image.LMD’s publisher, Media Services, says theJune edition of the pioneering businessmagazine has been released to leadingsupermarkets and bookstores in Colombo andthe outstations.Its Cover Story features a comprehensiveanalysis of the exclusive Great Place to Workin Sri Lanka study, which recognises the ‘25Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka’ (for the full story,log onto www.LMD.lk).

(ft.lk) The annual Ifthar was celebrated at the HighCommission of Sri Lanka in London on 2 June withthe participation of a large gathering of Sri LankanMuslim community living in London. MoulawiMohamed Rafeek Mohamed Mousoon led theIfthar prayers and blessed the country and thepeople of Sri Lanka while recalling the significanceof Ramazan.Welcoming the guests, High Commissioner AmariWijewardene said, “Ramazan reminds us toappreciate the many blessings we often take forgranted, give back to the community and put theneeds of others before our own.” She also statedthat Ramazan is a time of intense devotion andreflection. The High Commissioner also called onthe Sri Lankan community living in the UK to cometogether in supporting those affected by the recentfloods and landslides in Sri Lanka during this holymonth.The breaking of the fast and prayers were followedby an Ifthar dinner.The community members who participatedthanked the Sri Lanka High Commission fororganising the Ifthar event.

Amali Mallawaarchchi(dailynews.lk) A Police Constable and a BuddhistMonk are among the 14 persons arrested inconnection with the recent incidents of violencetargeting places of religious worship, businessenterprises and houses, Police media spokesmanDIG Priyantha Jayakody said.“There are 11 Sinhalese, a Tamil and a Muslimamong the arrested. There is a Buddhist monkand a police officer among the arrestedSinhalese.” DIG Jayakody also said.He was speaking at a media brief held at theDepartment of Government Information inNarahenpita.It is revealed that almost all the arrestedSinhalese have close connection withBodu Bala Sena organization, DIGJayakody confirmed.“The CEO of Bodu Bala Sena DilanthaWitanage challenged the police askinghow we are to prove that BBS is behindmany religious violent acts. Now wehave proved it,” DIG Jayakody alsosaid.The arrested police constable is anofficer attached to Keselwatta police,Colombo, DIG Jayakody further said. The saidofficer has been arrested along with three more,including a Buddhist monk and two civilians, whohave been the architects behind the petrol bombattack aimed at the mosque in Panadura last 17May 2017.“A Cab, two swords, a hockey stick andequipments used to make petrol bombs weretaken into custody along with the suspects.” DIGJayakody also said. “The arrested police officerhad withdrawn himself from police service for aperiod of time due to his medical conditions andwas absorbed back to the service only recently.”The Police media spokesman said. “The arrestedBuddhist monk has close connections to the BoduBala Sena organization.” DIG Jayakody said.Asked to comment of statements made by variouspoliticians regarding the anti-religious violences,DIG Jayakody said investigations are already inorder. DIG Jayakody also said that certainstatements which say that Bodu Bala Sena leader

Gnanasara thera is under the protection of certainministers is merely ‘political talk’.When asked about the developments to arrestingGnanasara thera, DIG Jayakody saidinvestigations are underway.He also said, if any complaints are lodged againstposts circulating in social media that instigateethnic-religious disharmony, a special police unitwill investigate on them.“We don’t monitor or do surveillance on socialmedia. If and when we receive a complaintregarding anti-social material spread using socialmedia, we will look into those. Recently wereceived a complaint on a Facebook post writtenby a Muslim young man insulting Lord Buddha.

The young man was arrested recently.There was another case regardingdistribution of lunch packets containingdrugs leading to impotence, in theNarammala area. The police arecurrently investigating on the matter aswell.” DIG Jayakody explained.Asked if the military will be deployed toprevent the instigators of religious andethinc violence, DIG Jayakody said, ifthe need arises, the relevent authorities

will take a decision on it.******Incidents of violence targeting places of religiousworship and business enterprises during themonths of May and June* May - Arson committed on four businessestablishments at Nugegoda,Maharagama (mainsuspect arrested)* May - Place: Mosque attacked at PanaduraEluwila* Petrol Bomb thrown into Mosque in Panaduratown* Two business establishments burnt down* Four arrested in connection with the aboveincidents* May - Kurunegala Mallawapitiya Mosqueattacked (Two arrested)* Weeraketiya - pasting posters bearing slogansthat trigger communal disharmony (Threearrested)

Cop, monk among 14 arrestedfor anti- religious violence

Sri Lanka High Commission in Londoncelebrates Ifthar

Sri Lanka’s country image is beingtarnished: Survey

A.T.M. Gunananda(dailynews.lk) Some of the relatives of missingpersons engaged in a Satyagraha campaign fornearly 100 days opposite the Governor’s office inTrincomalee protesting over the failure by theauthorities to provide information about their lovedones jumped into the sea saying it was pointlessfor them to live any longer but they were rescuedby another group engaged in the Satyagrahayesterday morning.The group ofrelatives wadedinto the water andbegan to hurlabuse against thegovernment for itsfailure to heedtheir request.But the othergroup insisted thatthey shouldcontinue living forthe sake of theirremaining children.SandyaEkneligoda, wife of

missing journalist Prageeth Eknelgoda wereamong the group which jumped into the sea withthe objective of ending their lives. SomeIntelligence officers who were taking videophotographs of the relatives’ association secretaryMrs. Nagendran Jeyalakshmi alias ‘Asha’ left thescene when she abused them. She said theyobjected to outsiders covering the event other thanmedia personnel.

SATYAGRAHA FOR NEARLY 100 DAYS

PRESIDENT JOINS YOGA DAY CELEBRATIONS

(sundayobserver.lk) President Maithripala Sirisena, Indian High Commissioner Taranjit SinghSandhu and Minister of National Co-existence Dialogue and Official Languages, Mano Ganeshan

joined thousands of yoga enthusiasts at the Independence Square in Colombo yesterday tocelebrate the International Day of Yoga 2017.

High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the efforts led by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi in the United Nations declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, and the

world now recognizes yoga, as a human treasure - a key to good health.

Protests stepped up after Elephantattacks vehicle

Anoma Sriyakanthi Wickremesinghe, a teacherattached to Galnewa Central College, would haveperhaps never imagined that last Monday (June12) would have been an ill-fated day for her andher little daughter since she had been drivingsafely along the Talawa-Moragoda road as usualduring the past five years. The area is howevernotorious for rampaging wild jumbos which sheherself had witnessed very often.“Normally I take care when I am driving thevehicle. That day I was taking my three-year olddaughter Umeli too to drop her at our MahaGedera as she could not be left alone at homewhich made me take extra care. It was at 5.45 inthe morning and my daughter was in the rear seat

of the vehicle.“As we passedMoragoda andmoved ahead arampagingelephant cameforward;though Iapplied brakesbut in vain. Thevehicleknocked against the jumbo instantly which fell onmy car causing extensive damage to it,” a nervousAnoma said, heaving a sigh of relief when she wassurrounded by villagers. (Contd: on P4)

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 03

Foreign countries show interest, but Dr.Herath puts patients before patent

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi(sundaytimes.lk) It is not an easy task —and as he assisted many an anaesthetistto ‘intubate’ numerous people, lying on theoperating table before an operation or inemergencies, he wondered why it couldnot be made less challenging.As they wielded the laryngoscope, ametallic gadget with a handle and a blade,to carry out endotracheal intubation, thePeradeniya Teaching Hospital’s SeniorRegistrar in Anaesthesia, Dr. AnupaHerath, allowed his inventive mind to dwellon it.Going beyond the call of duty which is to assist inintubation and keep the vitals of the patient undergeneral anaesthesia at the required levels, Dr.Herath has now come up with a ‘Video-Laryngoscope with Extended Functions’ which canbe handled easily, to international and localcommendation.Inserting the laryngoscopedown the throat of a patientis the “trickiest” skill inanaesthesia, for intubationis an invasive procedure,says Dr. Herath,acknowledging withhumility, that his version ofthe laryngoscope won goldrecently.Not only did Dr. Herath winthe gold medal for hisversion of the laryngoscopeon March 28 at theInternational Exhibition ofInventions in Geneva, healso received Special Congratulations from thejury.So impressed was the jury that it requested this35-year-old doctor-cum-inventor from Sri Lanka toseek a European patent for this medical marvel,with investment interest forthcoming fromcountries such as Israel, Romania andSwitzerland.“My idea is not to commercialise my product butlet the Sri Lankan Government take it forward,”says Dr. Herath simply, for not for him the pursuitof wealth and glory but the wellbeing of people hehas sworn to help when he took the HippocraticOath. Earlier he had also won the silver medal atthe National Inventions Exhibition (SahasakNimavum) 2016 for medicine in Sri Lanka, for this

invention.This is not a first for him — back in 2014 he wasawarded the gold medal for the Best Inventionunder the ‘Health and Nutrition Category’ alsosecuring a Special Award for Electronics at theNational Inventions Exhibition in Sri Lanka held bythe Inventors’ Commission for his ‘Low-cost

peripheral nerve-stimulatorneedle with extendedfunctions’.Then too when herepresented the country atthe International Exhibitionof Inventions in Geneva, hewas awarded a gold medal,while being the recipient ofa special congratulatorymessage from the jury. (Dr.Herath’s achievement wasfeatured in a May 24, 2015Sunday Times Plus sectionarticle headlined ‘A little jabthat goes a long way to

ease the pain’.)The Video-Laryngoscope with Extended Functionshe has produced this time has made intubationeasier.

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 04

(dailynews.lk) A Guard of Honour was accorded tooutgoing CDS Air Chief Marshal KolithaGunatilleke, at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF)Headquarters recently, to mark his officialretirement. The Guard of Honour was conferred bythe Colour Squadron of the SLAF. After theinspection of the parade, the CDS was receivedby the Commander of the Air Force, Air MarshalKapila Jayampathy, Commanding Officer of SLAFColombo, Air Commodore Waruna Gunawardaneand Officers of the SLAF Headquarters.Official plaques were exchanged between theCDS and AF Commander at the Commander’sOffice. Thereafter, the outgoing CDS Air ChiefMarshal Kolitha Gunatilleke met with the Chief ofStaff and the SLAF Board of Management.

Outgoing CDS visits AFHQ(colombogazette.com) A Sri Lankan immigrantwho has been working in Kalgoorlie in Australia fornearly six years has won the right to live and workpermanently in Western Australia (WA), after aFederal Minister intervened and prevented himbeing deported, the West Australian reported.Electrician Edwin Asariyas, 60, was facingdeportation after his application to staypermanently in Australia was rejected last month.At the end of his final bridging visa, he was set tobe deported on Monday, and had to provide proofof his airline tickets to immigration authorities by4pm Friday.That was before he received word about 1pm that

AssistantMinister forImmigrationand BorderProtectionAlex Hawkehadintervenedand wouldgrant hispermanentresidency,three years after the specialist electrical motorrewinder first applied.

(colombogazette.com) The lowest prevalence ofteen smoking in the world was seen in Sri Lanka,according to a study, the Reuters news agencyreported.Roughly 11 percent of youth aged 13 to 15 aroundthe world use tobacco products like cigarettes andcigars, a global survey of students suggests.

Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause ofpreventable death and serious illness, killing anestimated 6 million people each year, researchersnote in the youth tobacco report from the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Most smokers take up the habit in theirteens.

Currency notes(dailymirror.lk) The Central Bank (CBSL)would not accept mutilated, altered anddefaced currency notes from December 31,the CBSL said in a statement on Friday. “Theholders of these currency notes will have tosuffer the loss of face value of such notes,” itsaid. Under the Monetary Law Act (MLA) No.58 of 1949 it warned that the mutilation,alteration or defacement of currency noteswas an offence punishable by imprisonmentor a fine or both. The statement added thatunder the Regulation E of MLA, no claim inrespect of the willfully mutilated or alterednotes shall be entertained and such notesshould be retained by the CBSL. The CBSLadvised the public to refrain from suchpractices and requested the public toexchange such currency notes with branchesof licensed commercial banks before thedeadline. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

SL immigrant in Aus wins deportation battle

Lowest prevalence of teen smokingin the world in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka globalpeace index

(colombogazette.com) Sri Lanka has seen a bigimprovement in the global peace index for 2017going up 17 places to number 80.Sri Lanka saw its score improve by 0.116 pointswhich propelled it 17 places to 80ththe largestjump in the rankings this year. Sri Lanka benefitedprimarily from improvements in the Societal Safetyand Security as well as Militarisation domains.

Elephantfrom P2The villagers, after much effort, rescued Anomaand her fear-stricken little daughter who weretrapped inside the fully damaged vehicle. Luckilythe child escaped unhurt while her mother wasadmitted to Talawa Hospital and later transferredto Anuradhapura General Hospital for further

treatment.Her husband is a teacher attached to St. Joseph’sCollege, Anuradhapura.Meanwhile, the residents who have renewed theirprotest against the authorities complaining thattheir lives are in jeopardy appeal to the wildlifeauthorities and others concerned to take urgentaction to ward off this peril which has devastatedtheir lives and property.

(sundaytimes.lk) The University of Moratuwa(UoM) will have a Medical Faculty soon, saidChairman- University Grants Commission (UGC),Prof Mohan de Silva.He said the proposal by the UoM Council hasbeen approved by the UGC. “We have alreadystarted on the preliminary work to prepare therequired standards for the Medical Faculty.”

He said, initially, the plan is to enrol some 100students to the Faculty, and use the Panadura andKalutara Hospitals for the clinicals, while forspecialised training, they intend to use theKalubowila Hospital. He said they hope to finaliseby next year, plans regarding the standards, inkeeping with UGC guidelines. – DW

Dr. Anupa Herath performing intubation with his invention –theVideo-Laryngoscope with Extended Functions.

Pix by Anurada Bandara

Medical Faculty soon for Moratuwa University- UGC

Lankan doctor’s life-saving intubationinvention wins gold

Dr. Anupa Herath with his invention in Geneva,Switzerland where he won gold

(sundaytimes.lk) The iconic, oldest tusker in theYala National Park, Thilak, was killed in a tussle

with another elephant named Kabila (ThaniDalaya) in Sithulpawwa last Wednesday.As the largest tusker among some 120 tuskers inSri Lanka, the 60-year-old Thilak was the centre ofattraction for tourists who visited Yala. His massivetusks curved inwards in a cross making him wellknown.Veterinary physician Dr. Ananda Dharmakeerthisaid that heavy injuries to the abdomen during theattack by the other elephant may have led toThilak’s death.Local environmentalists say it is rare for a 20-year-old elephant to take on a tusker as big and senioras Thilak. Former Deputy Director of the WildlifeDepartment, Dr. Nandana Attapattu, explained thataltercations among elephants emerged when theytried to dominate a particular territory.Dr. Attapattu said as many as 10 tuskers werekilled by poachers and hunters in the past.Pic by Samantha Hettiarachchi

(sundaytimes.lk) The former chancellor providedfunds for the 600-bed maternity hospital being builtin Karapitiya, GalleAs a mark of respect for his services to Sri Lanka,the Government will name a maternity hospitalunder construction in Karapitiya in memory offormer German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, whopassed away on Friday.Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne told the Sundaytimes that the the hospital will be named theHelmut Kohl Maternity Hospital.Mr. Kohl was a long time friend of the Sri Lankangovernment as chancellor and as a private

citizen.The minister said he had helped Sri Lankamany times, both officially and unofficially. “Hevisited the country unannounced many times onvacation. During one such visit in 2004, heexperienced the tsunami. The Government onlyknew he was affected when the German Embassyannounced his presence,” the minister recalled.

Matara - Kataragamarailway

(sundayobserver.lk) Almost 85% of phase one ofthe Matara – Kataragama Railway extensionproject, the 27 km Matara – Beliatta stretch isnow completed. It was accomplished by ChinaRailway Group 5 with China NationalMachinery Import & Export Corporation. Thetwo companies together are engaged to designand build the Matara – Kataragama railwayextension line.

Hospital named after Helmut Kohl

Majestic tusker killed in turf war

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ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 05

By Ranjith Padmasiri(sundaytimes.lk) A senior National ChildProtection Authority (NCPA) official has beenremoved on a directive of President MaithriapalaSirisena over allegations that the officer providedan affidavit to a foreign court with an adversereport about protection of children in Sri Lanka.NCPA Deputy Chairman Sajeeva Samaranayakehad allegedly submitted a sworn affidavit to anAustralian Court stating that Sri Lanka was anunsafe environment for children and that thejustice system as a whole did not respondeffectively to cases of child abuse.

Acting on a complaint, President Sirisena hasalso ordered an investigation on how and whythe affidavit was issued, whether such actionshad been done before and whether NCPAofficials had received any ‘benefits’ from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) forengaging in such activities.Mr. Samaranayake had submitted the affidavit,dated April 7, 2017 in Colombo, regarding a casebeing heard at a family court in Melbourne. Inthe affidavit, among other things, he had notedthat there were shortcomings in deliveringeffective protective services for children and theircaregivers in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Director sacked

By Sandun Jayawardana(sundaytimes.lk) The Government has begunpreparing emergency travel documents forthousands of Sri Lankan workers in Qatar tofacilitate their evacuation if the latest Gulf crisisworsens. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador A.S.P.Liyanage told the Sunday Times that whilechances of the diplomatic spat escalating into aconflict was highly unlikely, the Government had

a responsibility to take all measures necessaryto ensure the safety of Sri Lankan in Qatar.An estimated 150,000 Sri Lankans live and workin Qatar. Accordingly, the embassy, inconsultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inColombo, has started preparing emergencytravel documents for Sri Lankan citizens inQatar.

Lankans in Qatar

CentralExpressway

By Damith Wickremasekara(sundaytimes.lk) The Governmenthas decided to alter its plans on theproposed Central Expresswayproject by changing the route due tothe difficult terrain and issues overthe tender, Highways MinisterLakshman Kiriella told the SundayTimes.The proposed expressway that wasto be diverted from Pothuhera toGalagedara via Rambukkana willnow pass through Kurunegala toGalagedara avoiding theRambukkana area.

Flood victims risk lives on overturned bridge(sundaytimes.lk) In the

Southern area ofMorawaka, badly

affected by the floods,this Porupitiya bridgewas overturned by theraging currents of theriver. But the area’speople, left with no

option, are seen riskingtheir lives by using theoverturned bridge to

cross the river. Pic byPradeep Pathirana

High Courts, District and Magistrate’s Courtsto be shifted from Hulftsdorp; Chinesecompany may get contract

By Anthony David(sundaytimes.lk) All Hulftsdorp courts, barring theSuperior Courts complex, are to be shifted to a“House of Justice” to be constructed on six acresof land.It will be located at Meeraniya Street, a kilometreaway from the existing courts, and was once the

property of British Ceylon Corporation (BCC). Thesite is between the Panchikawatte Junction(Maradana) and Armour Street.For this purpose, Justice Minister WijeyadasaRajapakshe has asked the Cabinet to accept anunsolicited proposal from a Chinese firm, theYangian Group. “The District Courts, High Courtsand Magistrate’s Courts will be moved there,” hetold the Sunday Times.

(sundaytimes.lk) The number of dengue deathshas risen to 200 within six months, with thenumber of cases rising to 63,987 by yesterday,Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. He told anews conference yesterday that the dengueepidemic had become a national disaster and withthe recent floods in the island the number waslikely to increase.“With the monsoonal rains setting in, July is

usually the month in which dengue casesincrease,” he said. The minister said he hadobtained Cabinet approval to employ 1,500 peopleto conduct fogging in the worst affected districts.“The dengue prevention teams will be empoweredto enter any premises and where mosquitobreeding grounds are found, those responsiblecould be fined up to Rs. 25,000,” he warned.

Dengue is a national disaster

House of Justice at new site

Maniumpathy celebrates Ceylon Tea(ft.lk) At the newly-openedboutique hotelManiumpathy, on KynseyRoad Colombo, the mostfamous brew, Ceylon Tea,was celebrated in stylewith a tea tasting anddelicious cakes andsandwiches; a perfectafternoon.Why is 2017 a milestoneyear for Ceylon Tea?Exactly 150 years ago, inresponse to the greatcoffee blight decimatingCeylon’s once-abundantcoffee plantations, ayoung, pioneering JamesTaylor took the decision toplant tea bush seedlingsin the picturesque hillssurrounding Kandy at Field No. 07 ofLoolecondera Estate, which happens to be rightnext door to another Manor House Concepts hotel,Taylors Hill.Untitled-1The tasting was moderated by Teaeli, a retailer ofartisan, single-estate, blendedloose leaf teas. With each sip thetones and hints were explainedalong with the process of makingthis world renowned brew whichrenewed the respect of all whoparticipated. Fresh scones withjam and cucumber sandwicheswere devoured in the serenegarden at Maniumapthy andguests mingled: a perfectafternoon to celebrate the legacy of Ceylon Tea.Maniumpathy is the latest addition to the ManorHouse Concepts collection of six unique andindividual properties that are strategically locatedacross Sri Lanka’s most picturesque destinations

offering experiences in style and serenity. Withhotels in Tangalle, Tea Country, Kandy, near theAirport and now Colombo, Manor House Conceptsrepresents Sri Lanka’s boutique offerings at itsbest with luxury, personalised service, and

exceptional quality all with thesense of staying in a home. Builtin 1906, Maniumpathy is aprestigious house, which hasbeen home to five generations ofa family originating in Jaffna. Thisfamily home has been renovatedand transformed into a hotel, withthe intention of immersing itsguests in an atmospherereminiscent of the moods andpursuits of the people who have

lived within its walls in times past. With directaccess to art, shopping, entertainment, and dining,the hotel offers an oasis of serenity and luxury inthe busy capital, making it one of the best hotels inColombo.

Mahinda P. Liyanage(dailynews.lk) Three hundred and twoplaces have been identified aspotential landslide prone spots inGalle district and 227 locations wereidentified as risky locations, GalleDistrict Planning Director PushpaMalalasekara said.She was submitting a report on post-flood relief initiatives of the district atthe District Coordinating CommitteeMeeting held recently at the districtsecretariat auditorium.The meeting was presided over byco-chairs minister Chandima

Weerakkodi and Galle District MPWijayapala Hettiarachchi.Malalasekara further said that initiallyonly 302 landslide prone spots wereidentified.“However National Building ResearchOrganization (NBRO) carried outexplorations on the sites andidentified 227 spots as risky placesand recommended to remove 80families from such sites,” she said.A special scheme has also beenlaunched to provide substitute landsfor people who live at unsafelocalities, Malalasekara further said.

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WaterCONT FROM P1... “Those who can operate deep sea vessels areswitching from traditional fishing because theyhad no choice. But most don’t have suchresources. They are poor. We have informed thefisheries department but there is no relief, so

far,” he said.The deputy director of the Disaster ManagementCentre, Pradeep Kodippili expects the drought inthe North and Eastern provinces to ease with thearrival of seasonal monsoon rain in the comingweeks. “The drought situation in the North is notthat serious,” he claimed.

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 06

Crimes Accidents&Ex-LTTEer

Phone call on trainclaims 17-year-old's life

Woman killedin Kuwait?

Glyphostate

No death sentencefor minors

Thennakoon Bandara

M.P.Kumara

(dailynews.lk) A man who was found guilty of killingthree police officials attached to the ThanamalwilaPolice Station was sentenced to life imprisonmentby Moneragala Provincial High Court JudgeWasantha Jinadasa on Thursday.The accused, Sundaralingam Kediswaran, 26, is aresident of Wellaweli, Madiappan, Kovil StreetBatticaloa. He was an ex-LTTE cadre.He was accused of killing SI H.G. Lionel,Constables S.K.Kodituwakku and H.M.Gunasekara by shooting them on January 21,2008 at Sirinandapura, Thanamalwila in theThannamalwila Police area.

(dailynews.lk) A youth travelling on the foot boardof the Colombo – Talaimannar express trainengaged in an animated conversation on hismobile phone on June 17 died on the spot afterfalling off his perch as the train neared theGanegoda railway station in Mirigama.He was identified as H. M. Kasun Lakmal Herath(17) of Konewegama Yahapauwa, a labourer at aconstruction site at Yakkala. He had boarded thetrain from the Ragama station enroute to Mahawafrom where he had planned to go home on leave.Although he was seated in the train with two othercolleagues he had got up from his seat and goneto the foot board to answer a call on his mobilephone when he met with this tragedy.

(colombogazette.com) A complaint was filed withthe Chilaw Police today claiming awoman from the area has beenkilled in Kuwait.They claimed that they lost contactwith Siriyawathi Fernando whileshe was employed in Kuwait. The29 year old had gone to Kuwait in2014 on a two year contract.

By Shanika Sriyananda(ft.lk) Researcher and the Head of the Departmentof Pharmacology of the University of Rajarata Dr.Channa Jayasumana has said he will go to courtsagainst the recommendation of the Cabinet-appointed committee to relax the import ban onglyphostate, the herbicide which is widely used intea cultivation. He said that the Government couldnot relax the import ban on glyphostate for thebenefit of the tea industry as it would pollutedownstream water causing more health andenvironmental hazards. “We firmly believe thatPresident Maithripala Sirisena, whose electoraterecords the highest number of patients with ChronicKidney Disease (CKD), will allow the lifting of theban,” he said. -

(dailynews.lk) The Court of Appeal set aside a deathsentence imposed by the Jaffna High Court on theground that a person under the age of eighteenyears cannot be sentenced to death.Accused Ponnambalam Koneshwaran wasconvicted in the Jaffna High Court under section 296of the Penal Code for the murder of YoganPriyatharshani and was sentenced to death byJaffna High Court on August 19, 2010.On perusal of the evidence and the judgment, theCourt of Appeal found that the accused was 16years of age at the time of committing theoffence.The Court observed that according tosection 53 of the Penal Code a person below theage of 18 during the commission of the crime cannotbe sentenced to death.

Over 2,000 dog headsfound in garbage dump

Duminda Senarath

Amali Mallawaarachchi

(dailynews.lk) Over 2,000 severed heads ofdogs were found in a garbage dump in theDambahawatta, Aralaganwila area in Dibulagala.Residents in the area said an unknown groupcame in vehicles at night had dumped the dogskulls. They are suspicious that a gang involvedin meat selling are dumping the skulls after theyget the flesh killing dogs. There were someskulls of goats among the lot.Recently, the residents had staged a protestblocking the main road leading to Maduruoyafrom Polonnaruwa to make the authorities awareof the incident.

(dailynews.lk) Six suspects were remandedyesterday until June 19 after being producedbefore the Gamapaha magistrate on a complaintlodged by the Sinhale organisation the Yakkalapolice station.According to the Police sources, Sinhale grouphas complained that the suspects have brokeninto their office and threatened the wife of theSinhale organisation Chairman, WithanalageThushara Saliya Ranawaka and his children.The suspects included three Buddhist monkswho resided in Saddharmarajika Viharaya inRajagiriya and three other individuals includingD.A.A. Bandara, S. Suraweera and P.Udayanga. The three monks includeJamburawela Chandraratana, KandegamaSumedha Wansalankara and PallebeddePremaloka theras.

(dailymirror.lk) A 25-year-old woman has beenhacked to death at Sooriyamal Mawatha inNugegoda last night, Police said.The victim was identified as a resident ofMathugama.Kohuwala police arrested a suspect believed bethe fiancee of the victim, in connection with themurder.

(colombogazette.com) Formermedia activist PoddalaJayantha appeared before thePolice Criminal InvestigationsDepartment (CID) today to filea complaint over the ongoinginvestigations into an assault

on him. The former secretary of the Sri LankaWorking Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) toldreporters that he was not satisfied with theinvestigations into the assault in 2009.Poddala Jayantha fled the country in 2010 buthe said he returned to file a complaint with theCID today as he wanted justice.

(adaderana.lk) The Sri Lankan Police onWednesday said they had arrested 15 peopleover attacks against minority communities in theisland country. A police spokesperson toldjournalists at the weekly media briefing here thatso far, the police had received 21 complaintsagainst hate speech on minorities while 14complaints on criminal activities such as attacks,fires on businesses owned by minorities hadbeen recorded. Complaints were also lodgedagainst some politicians.

Three monks amongsix remanded in

Sinhale office break

Woman hacked todeath in Nugegoda

Poddala appearsbefore CID

15 arrested

By S. S. Selvanayagam(ft.lk) The Supreme Court has fixed for hearingon 2 October, the Contempt proceedings againstthe Central Bank and the then Minister ofFinance initiated by aggrieved Golden Key CreditCard depositors for failing to repay depositsabove Rs. 10 million as pledged by theGovernment.The Petitioners add that the Monetary Board, theGovernor of the Central Bank, Minister ofFinance and the Secretary to the Treasuryundertook to: (1) pay deposit holders with adeposit value of less that Rs. 2 Million 41% of

their deposit value within a month; (2) paydeposit holders with a deposit value of more thanRs. 2 Million and less than Rs. 10 Million 41% oftheir deposit value within two months; (3) paydeposit holders with a deposit value of more thanRs. 10 Million 41% of their deposit value within ayear.Approximately within a month and two months ofthe termination of proceedings depositors withdeposits valued respectively less than 2 Millionand 10 Million were paid, the Petitioners said,adding that depositors with deposit values ofmore Rs 10. Million have to not been paid todate.

Golden Key

By Yusuf Ariff(adaderana.lk) Bodu Bala Sena(BBS) General Secretary, Ven.Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero,who surrendered to courts thismorning, has been released on theprevious bail, Ada Derana reportersaid.Colombo Fort Magistrate LankaJayaratne ordered the Theroreleased and postponed the casetill August 09.Ven. Gnanasara Thero hadsurrendered to the Colombo FortMagistrate’s Court today (21) afteran arrest warrant was issuedagainst him on June 15.The arrest warrant was issued after he failed toappear before the court with regard to the casefiled against him and seven others on 8 chargesincluding forcefully entering and sabotaging apress conference held at a hotel in Slave Island(on April 09, 2014), criminal force and minorassault.Meanwhile Ven. Gnanasara Thero has also been

charged with a case for insulting a religion.A manhunt was launched for the hard-lineBuddhist leader after a series of attacks onmosques and Muslim-owned businesses thatauthorities accuse him of encouraging.A warrant was also issued for the Thero’s arrestin May on allegations of obstructing the policefrom exercising their duties in addition to makinghate speeches in several places.

Ven. Gnanasara Thero released on bail

By Binoy Suriyaarachchi(adaderana.lk) At least 15 university studentswere injured and hospitalised after police usedwater canons to disperse protesting studentswho had gathered opposite the Health Ministrytoday.The police also baton charged to disperse thecrowd as they forcefully entered into the HealthMinistry premises on Wednesday afternoon.A group of about 1000 students had engaged in

the protest which was organized against theSouth Asian Institute of Technology andMedicine.The Fort Magistrate earlier today too issued anorder stating that scheduled anti-SAITAM protestshould be held without creating unnecessarypublic nuisance and without obstructing thetraffic. The university students were also bannedfrom forcefully entering into the premises of thePresidential Secretariat Office.

At least 15 university students injuredafter anti-SAITAM protest

(asianmirror.lk) The first of Sri Lanka’s mine-affected districts has been declared safe fromlandmines thanks to the work of demining teamsfrom the Mines Advisory Group (MAG). MAG hasbeen working along side the HumanitarianDemining Unit of the Sri Lankan Army andcoordinated by the Sri Lankan Government. In the

wake of the country’s devastating civil war, whichended in 2009, Batticaloa District is the first to beclassified as “residual risk”.

The occasion was marked by a ceremony

overlooking Batticaloa Fort attended by

representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka

including D.M.

Swaminathan,

Minister of Prison

Reforms,

Rehabilitation,

Resettlement and

Hindu Religious

Affairs, the US

Embassy, the British

High Commission,

the Canadian High

Commission, the

Australian High

Commission and

the Japanese

Embassy is an

Sri Lanka Declares Batticaloa As First DistrictSafe From Landmines

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 07

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 08

St. Joseph's College gets new tennis, basketball courts

( ) The renovated basketball and tennis courts of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo were ceremoniously opened by Digital Infrastructure Development Minister Harin Fernando yesterday.The minister is an alumnus of the school. (Pics by Pradeep Pathirana)

dailymirror.lk

(colombogazette.com) If you live in Kandy or ifyou are just visiting, there really is no betterplace to unwind and relax than Bommu at OZOKandy whilst indulging in breathtaking views ofthe historic city.Bommu has a wide selection of local andinternational cuisines that will definitely titillateyour taste buds and awaken your senses.The bar sits on the 5th floor of the hotel andoverlooks the magnificent Kandy Lake. You can

either sit in the covered terrace area or the open-air terrace by the pool, which is undeniablycharming.The pick of the menu recommended by mosttravellers is the ‘Fire Cracker Prawn’, which is afried prawn tempura dish tossed in a chilli mayosauce and served with scrumptious cherrytomatoes and a coriander salad. You can alsotry the fried rice or egg noodles, which are madeto order with a choice of vegetarian, chicken,

shrimp or beef, accompanied by freshvegetables and a perfect blend of spices.OZO Kandy has a calming and charmingmodern location in the hills with a panoramicview of the lake, the city and the hill country.Bommu is truly a pleasant place for sitting andchilling out in the company of good friends whilstsoaking in the sight and sounds of themagnificent and historic city of Kandy. The bar

has a signature blend of cocktails and mocktailsto please your palate.Bommu has two daily happy hours from18:00–19:00 hrs. and 22:00–23:00 hrs. Duringboth happy hours, you can enjoy 30% off onselected beverages. For more information,please contact OZO Kandy at 081 20 30 700 orvisit OZO Kandy’s Facebook page.

Start your evening right @ Bommu OZO Kandy

(adaderana.lk) The governmentplans to open the Thabbowa tourismZone in Puttlam next year said StateMinister for Irrigation and WaterResources Management PalithaRange Bandara.The tourism zone will be createdcentering the Thabbowa reservoirand the Thabbowa Sanctuary whilethe Neelabamma environmental zonewill also be included.At a meeting held in Anamaduwarecently, it was revealed thatThabbowa cultivation colonies andthe surroundings will also bedeveloped in parallel to the tourismzone. It will also provide facilities forstudying of whales and also toconduct environmentalinvestigations.

Thabbowa tourism zone to be opened next year

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ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 10

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( ) Caste based reservations ingoverning bodies and educational institutions havebeen sought by some political parties,organizations and individuals in Jaffna in theirsubmissions to the Pubic RepresentationCommittee on Constitutional Reforms, officialssaid yesterday.Committee Chairman Lal Wijenayake told theDaily Mirror that the north was the sole area wherethis problem was openly discussed whendeliberating the general public on constitutional

dailymirror.lk

reforms.Mr.Wijenayake said the EPRLF led by formerNorth-East Provincial Council Chief MinisterVaratharajah Perumal was one political party thatsough such reservation citing that caste baseddiscrimination was so acute.

“This is the only area where they came openlyabout the caste problem. They said there wasdiscrimination. They even said the depressedcastes accounted for 40 per cent. I do not know. Iam not sure about the number. I asked why theydid not fight back if the number were so high.They were concerned that there was norepresentation for them in the elected bodies andthe education sector. They said they did notreceive any representation after 1960 for thecaste group considered to be lowest,” he said.In making submission, he said it was referred tohow an MP was appointed during the time offormer Prime Minister the late SirimawoBandaranaike.“They said the political parties were dominated bythe higher caste groups today. It is difficult to get

nominations fromthese parties. Theywanted allocation ofseats,” he said.He said even medicalspecialists camebefore the Committeeand complained aboutdiscrimination over thecaste factor.“Even some membersof our committee werevery angry when suchcomplaints weremade. Some of ourcommittee membersnoted it asexaggeration,” hesaid. (KelumBandara)#

( ) A dedicated TV Channel would belaunched to telecast Parliamentary proceedings,Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday.He said steps would be taken to telecastproceedings of all Parliamentary Committees suchas COPE and COPA in the future.Mr. Jayasuriya said journalists would be allowed tocover committee meetings to ensure democracy inthe country.He said even though the COPE and COPA hadrevealed fraud, corruption and misuse of Stateresources by Government institutions through their

reports, they were not given proper publicity sothat people could know about it."I regret that we have not used the reports of suchcommittees revealing the fraud and corruption forany good. We hope to debate on such reports inthe future. Today we have given the chairmanshipof the COPE to the opposition to ensure itsimpartiality," he said.He said they had introduced a mobile app so thatpeople could access Parliament proceedings in allthree languages from anywhere in the world. (AjithSiriwardana)

dailymirror.lk

Zahrah Imtiaz(dailynews.lk) Northern Provincial Council (NPC)Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran today concededto the wishes of TNA Leader, R. Sampanthan andstated that the two Ministers; BalasubramaniamDeniswaran and Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingamwho were to be subjected to a fresh probe, neednot go on leave until the inquiry is complete.“There was no punitive action taken against thetwo Ministers concerned. They are entitled to drawtheir salary and use their vehicles etc. It is in orderto give protection to the Witnesses that it was saidthat they should take leave while the InquiringCommittee sat”, wrote Wigneswaran toSampanthan.“There are new charges too against them. Iunderstand your inability to give guarantees withregard to the conduct of the two Ministers. But Iam glad you have undertaken to advise them thatthey should not impede an independent legalinquiry. It is to ensure the independent legal inquiryand to commit the two Ministers that I designedthe formula of taking leave for one month”, hefurther added.The CM who then agreed to take Sampanthan’sword that he advised the two ministers not tointerfere in any inquiry added that, “The twoReligious Dignitaries have insisted that the twoMinisters must co-operate by not interfering with

the course of justice”.Today, prominent religious leaders such as SrilaSri Somasundra Thesika Gnana SambandaParamachchariyar Swamy Peedathipathy of theHindu Nallai Aatheenam and Catholic Bishop ofJaffna, Rev. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasamvisited Wigneswaran to sort out the issue in anamicable manner.Furthermore, Selvam Adaikalanathan,Dharmalingam Sidharthan and SureshPremachandran, wrote the CM, had “undertakenlast night in the best interests of the Tamils tospeak to the Hon' Ministers, to make sure they willnot interfere with the course of justice nor interferewith nor threaten witnesses nor tamper withevidence etc. In the light of these undertakings, Iwill not insist on the conditions relating to leave”,concluded Wigneswaran.A corruption probe on all four ministers of the NPCinitiated last year had cleared the two ministersDeniswaran and Sathiyalingam while finding theother two; Thambyrajah Gurukularajah andPonnuthurai Ayngaranesan guilty of corruption.Wigenswaran thereafter had insisted that theformer two ministers that a new committee wouldbe appointed to investigate the exoneratedministers further. Until such time, he had asked thetwo ministers to go on compulsory leave.

SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR WIGNESWARAN

Thousands of people gather opposite C.V. Wigneswaran's home in Jaffna in a show of supportand solidarity for the embattled Chief Minister of northern province.(Left) The Chief Minister

addressing the gathering. Pictures by Jaffna Group Correspondent.

Under new Constitution: 'Caste basedreservations sought in Jaffna'

Parliament TV channel

Wigneswaran concedes: Reneges onone-month suspension of ministers

by Priyadharshana Liyanage(island.lk) The SLFP disciplinary committee hadsummoned 15 party members including formerPresident and Kurunegala District MP MahindaRajapaksa to show cause as to why they shouldnot be expelled from the party for breach ofdiscipline, General Secretary of the SLFPDuminda Dissanayake said.The charges against them are criticising the partyand its leadership repeatedly, engaging in political

work of the new political party ‘PoduJana Peramuna’ while beingmembers of the SLFP, challengingthe decisions of the CentralCommittee, boycotting the partyconvention and the party’s May Dayrally, issuing statements criticising theparty, conspiring to create a split inthe party etc.

SLFP issues show cause letters to 15 rebels,including Mahinda Rajapaksa

ArumugamThondaman resigns

(newsradio.lk) ParliamentarianArumugam Thondaman handedover his Letter of Resignation toPresident Maithripala Sirisena asthe Chairman of the Nuwara EliyaDistrict Coordinating Committee.NewsRadio Correspondent said itwas confirmed by Vice Chairmanof the Ceylon Workers’ Congressand Central Provincial Councillor GanapathiKanagaraj.The Parliamentarian had cited issued such asstate officials not taking steps to provide a land todispose waste in Hatton and their general failureto address waste disposal issues as reasons forhis decision to resign.

(sundaytimes.lk) Bodubala Sena GeneralSecretary Galabodatte Ganasara thero will onlyCorporate with on going the legal case only if heis provided with security, General SecretarySinhala Rawaya Magal Knade Suddatha therosaid .The Rev Told at a Press conference thatgovernment has not given any assurance aboutsecurity for Ven Gnanasara thero. Sudatthaexplained that if the government providessecurity Bodubala Sena General secretary isready ready to cooperate.The President of Sihale Api NationalOrganisation Jamburewala Chndraratana thero

said that if any trust worthy assurance givenGanasara thero will support the legalproceedings.“ Gnanasara thero is a leader for the radicalyouth and loved by many people therefore if anyharm comes upon him there will be riots andconfusion among ethnic groups, that’s what theextremist religious groups are trying to create”he said.He said that the government and the secretservices can provide security as they wish.An arrest warrant has been issued on venGnanasara thera.

Investigate, Prosecute Attacks on Muslims,Christians(hrw.org) (New York) – The Sri Lankangovernment should immediately repudiatestatements by the country’s justice ministerthreatening to disbar a prominent lawyer forspeaking out against attacks on religiousminorities, Human Rights Watch said today. Theincident highlights the government’s failure tofully investigate and prosecute recent attacks onMuslims and Christians in the Buddhist-majoritycountry.On June 17, 2017, Justice Minister WijeyadasaRajapakshe threatened to “take necessary stepsto remove Mr. Lakshan Dias from the legalprofession” unless Dias apologized for remarkson a television program three days earlier about

attacks on the Christian community. Dias hadcited a report by church groups that there werenearly 200 attacks and other harassment againstChristians and their places of worship since2015. The government of President MaithripalaSirisena, which took office in January 2015, hasfailed to meet its pledge to protect the rights ofreligious minorities, Human Rights Watch said.“The government needs to put a quick end toJustice Minister Rajapakshe’s attempts to bullyLakshan Dias, a leading human rights lawyerwho stands up for Sri Lankans at greatest risk,”said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human RightsWatch. “By threatening Dias’s license, thegovernment is threatening all marginalizedgroups that depend on him and other rightsdefenders for protection.”

High level probeBy Bandula Sirimanna(sundaytimes.lk) In a dramatic turn of events, ahigh level investigation will get underway into theCentral Expressway Phase III tender on thedirections of the Prime Minister following concernsexpressed by the Japanese government.Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe intervenedand instructed the Road Development Authority(RDA) to investigate as to how the “highest” bidderof the recently concluded Central ExpresswayPhase III tender was accepted as technicallycompetent whilst there were accusations of thefacts being otherwise, official sources said.Japanese authorities have informed the PrimeMinster that Fujita Corporation, the lowest bidder isa prominent civil works contractor which istechnically and financially capable of constructingthe expressway.

Sri Lanka: Minister Threatens Defenderof Minority Rights

Ven Gnanasara wants security : Sinhala rawaya

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 11

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 12

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(LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Tuesdayreferred the controversial annual report of theFinance Ministry to the Committee on PublicFinance amid chaos in Parliament.The Auditor General, expressing his view on thefinance ministry accounts of 2016, said that heis not been able to obtain sufficient andappropriate audit evidence to provide a basis foran audit opinion, and did not express an opinionon these financial statements.Chief Opposition Whip and JVP leader AnuraKumara Dissanayake proposed that theParliament does not accept the report of thefinance ministry as it had not been presented asa complete report.Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella

however said that it’s the Auditor General’sresponsibility to report to the Parliament if hehas been unable to obtain sufficient auditevidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion.“The Auditor General should have informedParliament. He is famous for making reportswithout informing Parliament,” Kiriella stressed.Dissanayake however stated that the AuditorGeneral in the same report has mentioned thathe will submit the relevant report to theParliament in due course under the provision of154 (6) of the constitution.Speaker Karu Jayasooriya, ending theargument, referred the annual report whichincludes Auditor General’s opinion to thecommittee on public finance for further action.

AG's opinion creates chaos

(dailynews.lk) The National Christian Council of SriLanka (NCCSL), which represents the majority ofnon-Roman Catholic churches in Sri Lanka, isdisturbed by some of the views expressed overthe past few days in relation to the violence,intimidation and the threat posed against Christianchurches in the country.The National Christian Council in a release states“We reiterate the fact that Christian churches havebeen subject to violence, intimidation and threatsover the past few years. This is in addition to themany ongoing issues that the Christian communityfaces with regard to the construction of places ofworship, the registration of churches, housechurches, Christian education in state schools andthe forced closure of churches etc. whichsuccessive governments have failed to addressdespite us having made clear representations tothe relevant authorities.“We are of the opinion that the current crisis, whichhas been precipitated through TV debates andpronouncements of politicians, is only trying todeal with the visible wounds and symptoms of aproblem without trying to address the root causes.“We recognise that many of the problems we faceare precipitated by the actions of a small numberof extremist elements within each religion. TheCouncil has been involved, over very many yearsin, formal and informal, consultations and

conversations with Religious leaders from all faithsand with a variety forums within the Christiancommunity. We are confident that honest andfrank dialogue sustained by a sincere commitmentfrom the Religious Leaders of all faiths can reducethe tension without further damaging the Interfaithcordiality and harmony that has existed in thiscountry.“We once again stress, to all those in positions ofauthority, that it is of paramount importance thatlaw and order should be enforced by the policewithout bias and fear.No individuals or groups should be allowed to takethe law into their own hands and must beprevented from inappropriately using religioussentiments for personal or political ends. Only lastweek we issued a statement that was clear in bothof these principles.“We appeal to the government to take immediatesteps to seek to resolve the underlying problemsfaced by religious minorities on this island andappeal to the Religious Leaders to come togetherto collectively address the crucial underlyingissues, so that religious freedom for all religiouscommunities is upheld in law and that the right ofevery individual to proclaim his or her own religion,and to contribute to public life,without beingsubjected to attack or ridicule, is respected andprotected,” the release adds.

The NCCSL alsorepresents thefollowing EcumenicalOrganizations: YoungMen’s ChristianAssociation(YMCA),YoungWomen’s ChristianAssociation(YWCA),StudentChristian Movement(SCM),The CeylonBible Society,ChristianLiterature Society,?Theological College ofLanka, Back to theBibleBroadcast,ColomboTheological Seminaryand Youth for Christ.

( ) The dark side of Rajapaksa politicswill be revealed in front of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya(PHU) General Secretary MP Udaya Gammanpila,the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said.Denying allegations made by the parliamentarianthat Minister of Megapolis and WesternDevelopment Champika Ranawaka had hiddenBodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven.Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, the partystated that Gamampila was engaged in amudslinging campaign.JHU Media Coordinator Anuruddha Karnasooriyaexplained that the MP who now threatened toexpose party secrets played a crucial role in

pushing the party to withdraw from the Rajapaksegovernment.“It is hilarious that the individual who wanted theJHU to withdraw from the Rajapaksa governmentbecame the Rajapaksa’s defender. Gammanpila’schallenge is a great opportunity for us to prove thedark side of the PHU’s political agenda,” he said.Meanwhile, Karnasooriya also said that formerpresident Mahinda Rajapaksa was carrying out anorganized mudslinging campaign using leftists andseveral print and electronic media in a bid to provethe allegations they have made. (ThilankaKanakarathna)

dailymirror.lk

( ) The first of several protests totopple the unity government will be launched onThursday, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)said today.JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said theywould defeat the present regime just as theyoverthrew that of former president MahindaRajapaksa.He said the government’s recent actioncontradicts its election pledges and thesuppression of people’s rights has resulted in thedecision to cut short the tenure of thisgovernment.Mr.Silva said the first public protest would begin

with a rally at theViharamahadeviPark.“The unitygovernment’smanifesto statedthat the nation willbe developed andthe culprits who misused the country’s nationalresources will be penalized but instead of doingso they have ruined the economy and areprotecting the robbers and doing little or nothingto stop hate mongering by extremist groups,” hesaid. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

dailymirror.lk

(dailymirror.lk) Following a meeting of the KarakaSangha Sabha, the Mahanayake of the AsgiriyaChapter, the Most Venerable WarakagodaGnanaratana Thera in a strongly wordedstatement today highlighted concerns about thechallenges posed by internal and externalconspiracies against Sinhala Buddhists andemphasized the need for the Mahanayake Therasof the Three Nikayas and the patriotic people ofthe country to act in unison to face such injustices.“All other religious groups in the country should

keep it in mind that Buddhists in Sri Lanka hadalways respected and allowed unhindered theexistence of other religions. We condemn acts byother religious groups that insult this tolerantBuddhist ethic,” the statement said. “Although wedo not approve the aggressive behaviour andspeech of Bhikku Galabodaatte Gnanasara theviewpoint expressed by him cannot be discarded.Insulting Bhikkus by various groups withoutinquiring into the veracity of the issues raised byhim cannot be condoned."

Asgiriya chapter issues tough statement

JHU hits back at Gammanpila

Protect religious freedom, religious harmony:National Christian Council

JVP to launch protest campaignto topple the Govt.

US says attacks on religious placesof worship reprehensible

(colombogazette.com) The US Ambassador toSri Lanka Atul Keshap says attacks againstreligious places of worship are reprehensible,whether in Sri Lanka, or in the United States ofAmerica, or anywhere around the world.Speaking at an Iftar ceremony in Batticaloa theUS Ambassador said that the Muslim communityin Sri Lanka forms an integral part of Sri Lanka’srich cultural heritage.“Muslims have been here for many centuries

and have been contributing to the prosperity andhappiness of this country. Despite the recentspate of attacks on mosques and Muslim-ownedbusinesses, I applaud that the Sri LankanMuslim community has remained peaceful,constructive, and resilient. In particular, I and somany others saw how the Muslim community ofSri Lanka joined together to help the people ofthis country after the recent floods that affectedso many of your fellow citizens,” he said.

(ft.lk) * Members summonedbefore Cabinet and told toimplement Weliamuna Report* Instructed to provide salarydetails of board members andlist of recruitmentsBy Chathuri DissanayakeThe board members of SriLankanAirlines, who were summonedbefore Cabinet yesterday, wereinstructed on a host of issues,including implementation of theWeliamuna Report, and told toprovide salary details of theboard and information onrecruitments made since their appointment.The board, which was summoned before theCabinet following concerns raised by someCabinet members over the alleged high-handedconduct of SriLankan Chairman Ajith Dias, was“strongly counselled by the Cabinet andinstructed to work with more transparency,” asenior SLFP Cabinet Minister told Daily FT oncondition of anonymity.“It was fiery,” said another high-ranking UNPMinister while describing the meeting, whichprovided a platform for the Cabinet to “clarifydistortions” regarding the debt-ridden airline.The board was severely criticised during lastweek’s Cabinet meeting for disregarding PublicEnterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim’sinstructions and working on their own accord.The board was asked to implement the reportcompiled by veteran lawyer J.C. Weliamuna andthe committee which investigated financial andethical malpractices alleged to have taken placeat the airline during the tenure of the lastGovernment.Further, the members were also asked to

provide salary particulars of all the boardmembers and details of alleged recruitments,which have been reported to be as high as1,250 over the last two years. SriLankan hasdenied the numbers and clarified therecruitments were far less.Upon being told that that the board was able toreduce the losses incurred by the airlinecompared to pre-2015 figures, the Cabinetinstructed the members to furnish all financialdetails for their perusal, the SLFP CabinetMinister said.It was learnt that the board was also advised toprovide details of the restructuring plan for thetroubled airline.Last week SriLankan Airlines announced it haddoubled its losses after being hit by high costs ofcancelling leases on Airbus aircraft and thepartial closure of the country’s main airport. Thestate-owned national carrier, which is looking foran international partner to help revive itsbusiness, incurred an annual loss of Rs. 27.79billion ($182.50 million), against a loss of Rs.12.08 billion a year ago.

SriLankan board’s wings clipped

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 13

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 14

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A report prepared by the former UN SpecialRapporteur on the independence of judges andlawyers, Mónica Pinto, on her mission to SriLanka from April 29 to May 7 last year, tabled bythe current Rapporteur, Diego García-Sayán atthe 35th session of the UN Human RightsCouncil, was highly critical of the Sri Lankanjustice system. Such scathing assessmentvindicates the repeated calls by the Global TamilForum (GTF) on the need for the inclusion ofinternational judges in Sri Lanka's transitionaljustice processes.Mr. García-Sayán said although the armedconflict was concluded in 2009, very deepwounds could still be seen in the judicial system.Quoting the report, he said there was a lack ofequal representation of minority groups in theprosecution services and police force. “Problemsrelated to language are very serious and have avery serious effect on justice and on the likelihood

of obtaining a fair process if you belong to theTamil community,” he said.On the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the reportpoints out 'The Act, adopted in 1979, imposessevere restrictions on courts' jurisdiction andauthority to prevent abusive detention and tortureand seriously underminesthe fundamental right ofdefendants to a fair trial.The continuation of anormative framework thatcontributes to violationsof fundamental human rights cannot be justified.'Referring to Persisting Impunity, the report states:'The failure to hold perpetrators accountable forgross human rights violations, serious violationsof humanitarian law and international crimes in SriLanka has long been documented. Furthermore,while the conflict lasted, there was virtual impunityfor any abuse committed by the police or the

security forces. Impunity is so widespread that ithas become a normal occurrence, therebycontributing to shattering the public's confidencein its judiciary.'Outlining the need for Victim and WitnessProtection the report stressed: 'Victim and witness

protection will continue tobe a determining issue inthe context of commoncrimes, abuses andviolations committed bymembers of the security

forces, as well as in the context of transitionaljustice mechanisms that have been created, suchas the Office of Missing Persons, or that will beestablished, such as a truth-seeking mechanismor specialized court.'Calling for the creation of meaningful andparticipatory transitional justice mechanisms, thereport concluded 'Building a justice system that all

sectors of society will trust and be able to rely onto defend and enforce their rights will take time.Bold steps need to be taken, as a sign of theauthorities' commitment to address the atrocitiesof the past and, above all, the structures thatallowed such atrocities to happen.'While it is commendable on the part of theGovernment of Sri Lanka to have facilitated thecountry visit by the Special Rapporteur, it isimportant for Sri Lanka to reflect on the findings ofthe UN body. GTF calls upon the InternationalCommunity and the Government of Sri Lanka totake serious note of this important report and tobe fully focussed on the need to establishimpartial, credible and effective transitional justiceprocesses with the participation of internationaljudges to address the past comprehensively, withthe aim to achieving long-lasting peace,reconciliation and prosperity for all the peoples ofSri Lanka.

Press Release

Global Tamil Forum reiterates its call for the participation of international judges

(colombogazette.com) Sri Lanka today accusedthe former UN Special Rapporteur on theindependence of judges and lawyers MónicaPinto of falling prey to Non-GovernmentalOrganisations (NGO) when compiling a report

on Sri Lanka.In a hard hittingstatement, JusticeMinisterWijeyadasa

Rajapakshetold Parliamenttoday MónicaPinto could nothave compiled a full report on Sri Lankaafter spending just a few days in the country.He said it was clear she was misled byNGOs and that the report was based oninformation provided by NGOs and notbased on Pinto’s Sri Lanka visit.Pinto’s report was submitted to the UNHuman Rights Council when it convened forits June session in Geneva recently.He said the report by the SpecialRapporteur on the Independence of Judgesand Lawyers Monica Pinto was a harm toSri Lanka’s sovereignty.He also accused Pinto of double standards,saying she did not submit similar reports orstatements on some other countries.The Minister said the government has sentits response to the report through the foreignministry to the UN.The Minister’s statement was a sharpcontrast to the statement made by Sri Lankaas soon as Pinto’s report was submitted inGeneva.Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to GenevaRavinatha P. Aryasinha thanked Pinto on herreport.The was the first visit to the country by aSpecial Rapporteur on the subject of theindependence of judges and lawyers, andRavinatha said the Government of Sri Lankawas pleased to have received the SpecialRapporteur, especially at a time when, withthe mandate of the people, received at twoimportant elections in the country in 2015,Sri Lanka has set out to undertake reformpertaining to the rule of law and governance.(Colombo Gazette)

Sri Lanka accuses UN’s Pintoof falling prey to NGOs

(ft.lk) In a fitting acknowledgment of a 37-yearlegacy in the field of Sri Lankan architecture,Kahawita De Silva & Associates Ltd. (KDS) wasconferred the prestigious Award for the BestOffice Interior – Sri Lanka 2017-2018 at the AsiaPacific Property Awards held recently.KDS won the award for one of its flagshipprojects, The London Stock Exchange House inColombo.KDS also won the coveted Five Star Award forOffice Interiors – Sri Lanka and was granted theprivilege of being nominated as the entrant fromthe Asia Pacific for the Global Awards which willinclude entries from all over the world.“It is a tremendous honour not just for us at KDSand the entire Sri Lankan industry ofarchitecture,” said Kahawita De Silva &

Associates Ltd.Director CharteredArchitect Nilesh deSilva. “To us, theawards affirm thevision that hasbeen ourphilosophythroughout theyears,commencing fromthe time myparents, ArchitectYvette Kahawitaand Elmo De Silvastarted thecompany back in 1979.”

Kahawita De Silva & Associatesbags top honours

(colombogazette.com)United Nations Secretary-General António Guterreshas appointed JayathmaWickramanayake of SriLanka as his next Envoyon Youth.Having represented andmotivated global youth

development on an international level since theage of 21, notably during high-level United

Nations initiatives including the declaration ofWorld Youth Skills Day, Ms. Wickramanayakehas also played a key role in transforming theyouth development sector at the national level,notably through the creation of a largemovement for civic and political engagement ofyoung people named “Hashtag Generation.”Born in 1990, Ms. Wickramanayake is readingfor Master of Development Studies, at theUniversity of Colombo and holds a Bachelordegree in Science, from the same university.

Jayathma Wickramanayake

Amali Mallawaarachchi(dailynews.lk) The Auditor General’s method ofcalculation will not be taken ‘as the gospel’ when

deciding on a method tocalculate a possible lossincurred at the Treasury bondauction of February 27 2015,Commissioner, JusticePrasanna Jayawardena saidyesterday.

“Just because the Auditor General has proposeda method to calculate the possible loss incurredby this questioned transaction, we will not take itas the gospel,” Commissioner JusticeJayawardena pointed out. “Nor shall we takewhat the Monetary Board has to say about it ‘asthe gospel’ either,” Justice Jayawardena said.“We will have to figure out a way to decide on amethod and a formula to calculate the possiblelosses,” Justice Jayawardena pointed out.

Commission won’t take Auditor General’s Treasurybond loss calculations as ‘gospel truth’

by Zacki Jabbar(island.lk) President Maithripla Sirisenasaid yesterday that recent mob attackson mosques and Muslim businessestablishments were part of a broadpolitical conspiracy aimed at topplingthe government.Addressing an Ifthar ceremony at thePresidents House in Colombo,attended by Muslims from differentwalks of life and the diplomaticcommunity, Sirisena recalled withgratitude the contribution Muslims andTamils had made to electing him asPresident.The government, he said, wascommitted to maintaining law and orderand would not permit a small group ofmisguided elements to create ethnic

disharmony and chaos in the country."Mob attacks on Muslim places ofreligious worship and Businessestablishments are not just against onecommunity; they are part of a wellplanned political conspiracy aimed atcapturing power."The President appealed to the Muslimsto remain calm and unprovoked and thetrouble makers would be dealt withlegally.Minster of Provincial Councils andLocal Government Faizer Musthaphasaid that the Muslims had never tried todivide the country and they had workedtirelessly to safeguard its territorialintegrity. "We want to live in peace andharmony with other communities," heemphasised.

Attacks against Muslims aimed at toppling govt. - President

President Maithripala Sirisena being honoured during Iftharceremony at Precedent's House(Pic by Chanada Perera)

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(dailynews.lk) The St. John’sCollege Japanese languageteam won the ‘8th JapanExperience Programme forOverseas Children’ (HakuhoScheme for a Global Children’sJapanese Language Network)which was held in Japan.They were the only school teamfrom Sri Lanka who participatedin this programme this year. Thisprogramme motivates andenables Japanese language-learning techniques for overseascountries. Fourteen countriesparticipated for this eventincluding India, Australia andRussia.St. John’s College team consisted of studentsSenan Sewmin, Isuru Lakshitha, ChaminduSathsara, Vimukthi Muthunayeka, led by theirJapanese Language Teacher-in-Charge

Heshandrika Perera.Old Boy’s Association Of St. John’s College,Nugegoda, donated their special contribution withwell wishes to the St. John’s College team.

St. John’s College wins ‘8th Japan ExperienceProgram for Overseas Children’

The St. John’s College Japanese Language team with their JapaneseLanguage Teacher-in-Charge Heshandrika Perera.

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

(Contd: on P18)

(dailynews.lk) The Office ofthe National Unity andReconciliation (ONUR) withthe assistance of theEuropean Union delegation toSri Lanka and Maldives willjointly hold a photographiccompetition under the themenational reconciliation. BothAmateur and professionalphotographers are invited tosubmit any number of theirinterpretations of the themeof reconciliation to theexhibition. “The initiative ofthe competition is a meansfor Sri Lankans to captureand share their ideas on what reconciliationmeans to them, in the context of reaching 70 years

since independence and the way forward towardsa just and equitable society,”

ONUR Director General M.S. Jayasinghe said and other memberslook on when Councillor at the EU delegation Paul Godfrey

was addressing media in Colombo

Photographic competition on Reconciliation

(island.lk) The Society of Teachers of Speech andDrama - UK, awarded a Fellowship to Mrs. VaruniJayasekara, recently. The Fellowship was presentedby STSD Council member, Mrs. Penny Charteris onbehalf of the Society in the UK.Mrs. Jayasekara has over 38 years of experience as ateacher of speech and drama and allied subjects,having trained and guided 14 candidates to obtainFellowship Diplomas, 52 to obtain Licentiates and 185to obtain Associate Diplomas in subjects ranging fromSpeech and Drama, Public Speaking, InterviewTechnique and Presentation Skills, Acting and MusicalTheatre from prestigious London Colleges.She is the founder principal of the Varuni JayasekaraAcademy of Speech, Drama and Communication aswell as of the Academy of English for SpecificPurposes and is also the Executive Director of theColombo Academy of Language Skills and DramaticArt.

Mrs. Varuni Jayasekara receivesSTSD-UK Fellowship

AWARD FOR ANDONAWA

(sundayobserver.lk) W. A. Waruna Priyankara, theauthor of popular investigative novel Andonawa

(Wailing) was felicitated with ‘the Colombo PublicLibrary Readers’ Award’ at the Public Library

Colombo, by a group of readers in admiration of hisnovel, last week.

HarryCONT P1... Additional smaller carriers include AirDo, Vanilla Air, Allex Cargo (ANA Cargo),and Peach, a low-cost carrier.JAL group companies include JapanAirlines, J-Air, JAL Express, Japan AirCommuter, Japan Transocean Air andRyukyu Air Commuter for domesticfeeder services; and JAL Cargo for cargoand mail services.JAL group operations include scheduledand non-scheduled international anddomestic passenger and cargo servicesto 220 destinations in 35 countriesworldwide, including codeshares. Thegroup has a fleet of 279 aircraft.

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ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 16

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(dailynews.lk) The Chokolaate Pond’s Mother Daughter FashionDesigner Contest organized by Sri Lanka’s premier teen magazineChokolaate, in partnership with Pond’s Sri Lanka was held for theeighth consecutive year on May 27.The event this year showcased designs created by 16 talenteddesigners for a mother and a daughter. On the night of the finale theSri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Center was their runway to

stardom amidst an acclaimed panel of judges and a loyalfollowing.

26-year old Nisansala Deegala from the University ofMoratuwa swept the boards with her collection, winning

all three segments and the overall competition. Hercollection based on a dockyard romance won the

sportswear, casual wear and evening wearsegmentsThe first runner-up of the night wasMahoshadi De Silva studying at the

Swinburne University of Technology. Theinspiration for her collection came from

features of traditional Sri Lankan artifactssuch as the devil’s mask.

21 year old Ranchana Abeyratne currentlypursuing his higher studies at the Sri Lanka

Institute of Textile and Apparel walked away withthe second runner-up prize. The theme his

collection was ancient Egypt using black and goldas his main colours.

The winners were judged by an elite panel of judgesincluding the fashion icon Yolande Aluwihare, style

maestro Michael Wijesuriya, renowned young fashiondesigner SammaniPathiranagama andYasisurie Kiribandara,reigning Miss Grand SriLanka OrnellaGunesekere andpopular mediapersonality Danu.Pictures by SulochanaGamage

(dailynews.lk) Sri Lanka has moved upone place to 90th among 130 nations onthe Global Innovation Index (GII) 2017,slowly emerging as one of the top-ranked economies in Central and SouthAsia in the lower-middle income group.The island nation has a score of 29.9out of 100, according to the latest reportwhile the country was ranked 91st in

the 2016 report.Sri Lanka has a very low score of 18.6for Human Capital and Research whileas well as a score of 47.3 forInfrastructure and 42.2 for Marketsophistication.Switzerland, Sweden, theNetherlands, the US and UK retainedtheir top spots as the most-innovativecountries. The index, co-authoured by

Cornell University, INSEAD and WorldIntellectual Property Organisationshows Sri Lanka’s rise as an emerginginnovation centre in Asia, although thecountry ranks far behind India whichoccupied the 60th spot. Among SriLanka’s other neighbours, Nepal tookthe 109th spot while Pakistan came inat 113 followed by Bangladesh at 114.

Global Innovation Index

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 17

As much as all the festivities andfrivolities of the FOC are enjoyable, on aserious note, the Charity Raffle (CancerResearch/ Relief in UK/ SL, AnthonyNolan Trust) conducted on the day givesan opportunity for us to reflect on lessfortunate persons and their families whoare ill from cancer related illnesses.

There are some excellent prizes ofmany Return Air Tickets to SL andconsolation prizes...So people please come to the FOC onJuly 9th 2017. Enjoy the event and visitthe Charity Marquee and purchase asmany Raffle tickets as possible for theseworthy causes.

Cancer Research UK 2014-2015 Presentationby Mr Methsiri Wijeratna (Event Organiser)

Anthony Nolan Trust Presentation 2015-2016By Mr Flavian Aponso (FOC Cricket Chairman)

Sri Lanka Contributions 2013 – 2014(By Mr Wickrama de Waidyaratne)

Sri Lanka Contributions 2013 – 2014(By Mr Wickrama de Waidyaratne)

Sri Lanka Contributions 2013 – 2014(By Mr Wickrama de Waidyaratne)

Charity Aspects of the Festival of Cricket

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 18

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Text and pics: Mahil Wijesinghe(sundayobserver.lk) One of the best preservedBodhi-gharas (Bo-tree house) in the country issituated in Nillakgama, Hettigama. Our journeyseeking the Bodhi-ghara, however, was met bymuch more than what one would expect - rockycrevices and tanks blossoming with water lilies. Wetook a secondary road rather than a trunk road. Toreach Nillakgama Bodhi-ghara, we took theIbbagamuwa-Moragollagamasecondary road turning left fromSaliyagama and driving downanother 18 kilometres on theGalgamuwa road via Ehutuwewa.Upon reaching Gallewa on theEhutuwewa-Galgamuwa road, aDepartment of Archaeology signboard directs to a turn off toBodhigara. Turning right to thenarrow gravel road flanked byshrub bushes we go throughchena cultivations and a woodedarea for about six kilometres toarrive at the Nillakgama Bodhi-ghara in Hettigama.

We parked the vehicle in theshade of a huge tree just a fewyards away from the Bodhi-ghara and walkedtowards the site surrounded by clumps of greenishgrass and elephant infested shrub jungle.The site gets no pilgrims today. It is silent, but in itsheyday, this was a main spiritual hub of a sacredBo-tree worshipping site.We glimpsed the pink

colour stone structure through the branches as thelate morning sun rays filtered through the hugeKone tree at the site.Nestling in a wooded area beneath the bund of thevillage tank of Hettigama, the Bodhi-ghara seemsto be made of granite. It belongs to 8th century BCof the Anuradhapura period. Once this place wasknown as ‘Dalada Maligawa’ and ‘Pattirippuwa’ bythe village folk in the abandoned village of

Nillakgama.Buried deep under the forest, theremains were examined by H.C.P.Bell, the Commissioner of Archaeologyin 1895 with the help of villagers, andhis report carried a brief descriptivenote supplemented by some finedrawings.The place was then deserted in thejungle for more than 60 years andtreasure hunters had ravaged itdigging deep pits in the centre anddestroying the upper terrace throwingcarved stones confusedly about insearch of valuable treasures.Again, after more than 60 years,shedding light on Nillakgama in 1954,Prof. Senarath Paranavithana,commenced the conservation of this

archaeological site.He has said, it was not an easy task to conservethe remaining artifacts and structure which hadbeen ransacked by treasure hunters. Furthermore,the jungle also contributed to the ruin of themonument when huge branches of a Kone tree

crashed down damaging thebeautiful door-frame of thewestern side and scatteringpieces of the structure.The shrine was reclaimed andconserved in less than a year bythe Department of Archaeologyunder the supervision of Prof.Paranavithana himself asCommissioner of Archaeology.He was surprised by thecreative craftsmanship of thisBodhi-ghara.Paying homage inside theshrine on the upper terrace, weobserved all the magnificentstone carvings, walking to everynook and corner of the stonestructure considered as one ofthe best carvings chiselled bySinhala sculptors.A major feature whichfascinated us was the structureof the monument which may bedivided into two componentparts. The outer shell, as itwere, in reality the lowerplatform, has a parapet wall withtwo entrances on the east andwest, giving the appearance of afair-sized building.The platform, which it encasesis the actual terrace on whichthe Bo-tree had stood. In itsoriginal state, a devotee wouldhave viewed the sacred treerising from within one building.The present height of the wallsof the outer platform is 9 ft. 6inup to the coping of the parapet.The platform itself is 34 ft.

square. Its chiefornamentation iscentred on theentrances, and thedisplay and

arrangement of designs are unique in many ways.

The most striking feature is that the door framesare elaborately carved while some of the principaldesigns normally found on the moonstonesthemselves are absolutely plain. For the most part,one is struck by the simplicity of the building: thewall surface of the parapet is in fact, wholly devoidof ornamentation.A structure on which so much of artistic effort waslavished must have been dedicated to an object ofgreat religious veneration. Prof. Paranavithna hasmentioned that there are no door frames soelaborately ornamented asthose found at Nillakgama.Entering through the easterndoorway, we came across theinner platform that is 13 ft.square and 6 and 1/2 ft. high.It is sculptured with lionreliefs, placed right round theupper potion. At the bottom isa row of hansas, (swan) andin between are lotus petalmouldings.Four stone altars 4 ft.by 2 and1/2 had been placed on eachside for the purpose ofoffering, but one of which isnow missing. The floor belowthe actual terrace is pavedwith irregular stone slabs.Here, too, there are stonepillars which had supportedthe roof of the structure andbroken roof tiles were found inthis spot.While we were photographingthe carvings, a person namedMuthubanda Wanasinghecame and introduced himselfas caretaker of themonument.He showed us a single-lineSinhala inscription of the 8th or 9th century carvedon the foundation stone to the left of the westernentrance, recording the grant of ten elephants(sculptured) to the Great Bodhi Tree on the spot.The obvious reference was to a special numberfrom among the frieze of beautifully sculptured lineof elephants on the lower portion of the outerplatform. Thus, archaeologists had clearlyidentified that the structural remains are that of aBodhi-ghara.

Regarding Nillakgama, it may be noted that Bodhi-gharas are known only in India, as at Sanchi andAmarawathi. In Sri Lanka, the Sri Maha BodhiMaluwa at Anuradhapura has long been a shrine.It is not impossible that the Bodhi-tree which stoodat the centre of the upper platform could havesprung from the seeds of the Anuradhapura Bodhi-tree immediately after it was planted in the reign ofKing Devanampiyatissa.The ancient chronicle Mahabodhi Vamsa gives alist of the places where these Phala-ruha Bodhisexist but it does not mention Hettigama inNillakgama or any other village in its vicinity. It is

also not clear why thiselaborately carvedmagnificent Bodhi-gharawas built on the edge ofthe enchanting villagetank. Archaeologistsconstantly struggle to findout the ancient name ofthe site, the inscriptionsor any other evidence,which so far have notcome to thearchaeologists’ aid in theirquest.

Looking at thesurrounding vicinity of theBodhi-ghara, one cannotfind any sign of a buildingexcept a tank bund, but atthe site, we met a villagerwho came to collectfirewood. He told us thatthere is an ancient stupawhich had been buriedand dug out by treasurehunters, nestled a fewyards away from theBodhi-ghara.Shading our eyes againstthe scorching sun, we

gazed at the narrow foot path into the forest in thedirection given by the villager. However, venturingin, we were surrounded by stone ruins andmounds of earth where ancient bricks and parts ofcarved stone altar slabs belied the grandeur thatmust have pervaded the Stupa adjoining theBodhi-ghara at one time.Archaeologists now have the task of excavatingaround the Bodhi-ghara to find more clues on thehistory of the Nillakgama Bodhi-ghara.

Made of granite

Artistic effort

Treasure hunters

THE STONE BEAUTIES OF NILLAKGAMA BODHI-GHARA

Exterior view of the Bodhi-ghara at Nillakgama, the frieze of elephant at bottom

Photographicfrom P15ONUR Director General M.S. Jayasinghesaid.Out of the submitted, 70 best entries willbe evaluated and selected by an expertpanel of judges. The evaluated photoswill be featured in a public exhibitionwhich is going to be held in Septemberthis year under the title “Hope”.Besides, selected photos will also bepublished in the EU Delegation calendarfor 2018 and a booklet produced byONUR. The organizers encouragesubmissions from amateur photographers

including photos taken with smartphones,ONUR Assistant Director MohomadHisham said.It has been planned to give valuableprizes to the winners of both the amateurand professional categories, he added.“Supporting reconciliation in Sri Lanka isa key priority for the European Union,”Councillor at the EU delegation PaulGodfrey said.The EU has partnered with the ONURaiming to encourage Sri Lankans toreflect on their hopes for the future of thecountry. "We want this exhibition togenerate discussion about empathizingwith fellow Sri Lankans on the need fornational reconciliation. The exhibition will

pave the way for such a discussion onreconciliation after reaching sevendecades since independence. Throughreconciliation we believe there is hope formore inclusive identities that value thediversity of people and culture in theisland," Godfrey added.The ONUR is working on various frontsaiming to take the message of thenational unity and reconciliation forward,Jayasinghe said.Contestants of the photo contest arerequested to email their entries tohope.exhibition2017@gmail.com alongwith the name of the photograph, locationof it and preffered title. An entry shouldnot exceed 25MB.

There was a special street event for the 2nd timeon Saturday 10th of June 2017 at Athula DassanaMulti Cultural Buddhist Community Centre(Reg.Charity No. 1155139) under the guidance ofMost Ven Wanduramba Kassapa Thero who is theHead Monk of the Heathrow Athula DassanaInternational Buddhist Vihara & also the ChiefBuddhist Monk for Great Britain.The main purpose of this event was to pay ourrespect and give a Buddhist Blessing to HerMajesty the Queen, on her 91st birthday.

Our street event hadSri Lankan Culturaldance which wasperformed under theleadership of Mr.Aththanayake . Therewas a free food stallof Sri-Lankan homecooked food for all toenjoy. Western andSri-Lankan songssung by Mr. KasunSenanayake, Mr.Botheju and Miss.Samadhi kept ourvisiting neighbours

singing along whilst eating. More than 250 peopleof the local community thoroughly enjoyed theevent and praised our community spirit.Later in the day, Buddhist Monks from other UKBuddhist Centres, with the leadership ofVen Dodamgoda Sumedha Thero chanted specialdiscourses for 3 hours. These discourses provide ahealing blessing to all creatures and ourenvironment.The Buddhist Monks at our event are as follows:Most Ven Homagama Kondanna Thero ( Headof the Kavidhajha Meditation Centre , Sri Lanka) Most Ven Keppitiyagoda Gunawansa NayakeMaha Thero ( Head of the Jethavana BuddhistViharaya , Birmingham & Sri SambuddhaViharaya , Liverpool and also the Chief monk forthe Great Britain ) Most Ven MapalagamaSoratha Thero (Jethavana Buddhist Viharaya ,Birmingham ) Most Ven Kannimahara PiyasiriThero (Germany) Most Ven KanthaleWijithawansa Thero ( Acting Head of theThemes Buddhist Viharaya , Croydon ) MostVen Nepalaye Sumana Thero ( Sri SaddathissaInternationl Buddhist Viharaya , Kingsbury )Most Ven Wanduramba Kassapa Nayake Thero( Head of the Heathrow Athula DassanaInternational Buddhist Vihara & Chief Buddhist

Priest for Great Britain ) Most Ven DodamgodaSumedha Thero (Heathrow Athula DassanaInternational Buddhist Viharaya )Most VenKohukumbure Siridhamma Thero (ThamesBuddhist Viharaya , Croydon ) Most Ven GalayayeDhammadassi Thero ( Sri Saddathissa InternationlBuddhist Viharaya , Kingsbury )The street event was a great success, and wethank all who tirelessly, voluntarily helped to make

it all happen. This event organized by HeathrowAthula Dassana Multi Cultural Buddhist CommunityCentre (Reg.Charity No. 1155139) & Ipswich SriLankika Ekamuthuwa. (Reg.Charity No. 1151973)and also Security service provided by Mr. PrashanWimalarathnam who is the owner ofBlackcoatsprotection Security Service.

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 19

Buddhist Blessing to Her Majesty the Queen, on her 91st birthday.

Photography By Asanka Wanniarachige

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 20

The inauguration ceremony of the Leeds BuddhistVihara took place on Saturday 10th June 2017 atMoor Allerton Sports and Social Centre, StonegateRoad, Leeds in the presence of nearly 200devotees and 4 members of Maha Sangha fromKetumati Buddhist Vihara in Manchester.The ceremony started with a colorful procession ofthe devotees carrying flowers and Buddhist flagsfollowed by the observance of the five precepts.Venerable Pidiwille Piyatissa Maha Thero unveileda Buddha statue flown in from Sri Lanka andVenerable Galpottayaye Pemananda Therounveiled the statues of the two chief disciples ofthe Lord Buddha.Members of Leeds Buddhist Vihara Trust and anumber of other devotees who provided invaluablesupport to establish the Vihara were invited to lightthe traditional oil lamp while the children of theLeeds Dhamma School recited JayamangalaGatha.Addressing the gathering, Most Ven. PidiwillePiyatissa Nayaka Thero talked about how the ideaof setting up a temple in Leeds became a realityand thanked everyone for supporting this

meritorious project. The Nayaka Thero also talkedabout the hard work that went in to finding asuitable property for the new Vihara and thenconverting the living room in to a beautiful ShrineRoom.The Treasurer of the Leeds Buddhist Vihara Trust,Mr. Chanaka Mudalige gave an introduction toLeeds Buddhist Vihara project including the needfor having a Buddhist temple in Leeds. He thankedthe devotees for their generosity.Poson Bathi Geewere sung by anumber ofdevotees. Withthe vote of thanksby VenerableGalpottayayePemanandaThero, the chiefcoordinator ofLeeds BuddhistVihara Trust andblessings by theMaha Sangha, the

ceremony was concluded.Traditional milk rice with lunu miris, seeni sambol,maalu paan and kevili were served at the end ofthe ceremony.The Leeds Buddhist Vihara is the very first SriLankan temple to be established in Yorkshire.The administration and management of LeedsBuddhist Vihara is carried out by the LeedsBuddhist Vihara Trust under the guidance of MostVen. Pidiwille Piyatissa Maha Thero who is the

Chair of the Trustees and Ven. GalpottayayePemananda Thero who is the Chief Co-ordinator.The other Trustees are Mr. ShalindraPanditharatne (Secretary), Mr. Chanaka Mudalige(Treasurer) and Dr. Chaminda Weerasekara.Leeds Buddhist Vihara can be contacted on01134433488.It is hoped that Leeds Buddhist Vihara will act as aplace of worship for devotees in the North ofEngland for generations to come.

Inauguration Ceremony of the Leeds Buddhist Vihara

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 21

By D.C. Ranatunga(ft.lk) Gamini Jayasinghe has been traversingthrough the length and breadth of Sri Lanka for fivedecades, taking photographs of paintings intemples dating back to several centuries. Thesevisits have taken him to some of the remotestplaces in the country.Photo-documenting some of the ancient muralswas no easy task. Some places were difficult toreach. In some othersthe paintings were fastdeteriorating. Thenthere was the problem ofhaving adequate lighting.He was not discouragedby any of these. Hecarried on. The result isa most valuablecollection of ‘TheGrandeur of SinhalaBuddhist Art,’ to quotefrom the title of one ofhis publications.Untitled-1A glimpse of his workcan be seen at anexhibition to be held forfour days from 3 June atthe Lionel Wendt ArtGallery with SampathBank lending a helpinghand.The exhibition willunravel the progress oftemple paintings in thecountry dating back tothe time Buddhism wasintroduced to Sri Lanka.There is mention of howEmperor Asoka sent 18guilds of artists,craftsmen and paintersat the time Thera Mahinda came here.It is reported that by the time Thera Mahindapassed away there was a ‘chiitasala’ – an artgallery in Anuradhapura, the capital city. The powerof art to attract people to Buddhism by “showingthem representations of various types of divineforms” had been accepted by the missionarieswhom Asoka sent to various countries.D.B. Dhanapala in ‘Buddhist Paintings from

Shrines and Temples in Ceylon’ (1964) traces theearly days of temple paintings: “The Asokanconcept of promoting piety through painting, onceplanted in the Sinhalese mind, has lingeredthroughout the centuries of growth of the race, therealm and the religion. In painting, the rock surfaceor the temple wall was the canvas; religion thetheme; and narrative, the objective. With his paintbrush the ‘sittara’ (the Sinhalese artist) turned the

walls into chronicles in colour in whichdevotees could scan thesacred stories. Art was amedium through whichan exemplary life couldbe taught to the sinnerand the sacredknowledge revived in thememory of the saint. Itwas primarily an attemptto present the spiritrather than the form ofreligion – a story ratherthan an idea. But the story was told in asattractive a way as possible.”The photographs at the exhibition will give anidea to the viewer the technique used by the‘sittara’, how stories and events have beenconceptualised,how differentobjects havebeen treated,and how colourshave beenselected andused.As Dhanapalapoints out, whenthe ‘sittara’ cameto depict theideal man, theBuddha, heovercame the limitations of realism by very

largely ignoring them. Parts of the anatomy wereexaggerated. The figure was made more thantwice its normal size. The neck and shouldersbecame massive; the waist narrow. Bones andveins were glossed over, making the limbs round.It was a technique that created a spiritual symbolby which a man’s form could be translated into agod’s.He writes about the choice of colours: “The

preferred colours were different shades ofyellow and red. Blue and green were usedonly occasionally to bring out the details in adesign. This preponderance of yellow andred was due to the circumstances underwhich the ‘sittara’ worked. His canvas was adimly lit cave surface, and his object was tofix an image in the mind of the beholder at aglance. Thus the colours had to be brilliant inorder to catch the eye in the subdued light.

All the figures wereclearly outlined in black;the black outlines gavepoint and precision, anddefined thefigures.”Untitled-2Gamini Jayasinghe’sinterest in documentingrare and precious templepaintings started in themid-1960s. In 1980, anexperienced

photographer by then, he undertook anassignment to photo-document templemurals dating from the 5th to the 19thcentury for the Lever Brothers (now Unilever)Cultural Conservation Trust. With the

guidance of theDepartment ofArchaeology, 75temples wereselected island-wide that had afull complementof wall paintingsin fairly goodstate ofpreservation forphotographicdocumentation.Advice was also

obtained from the Smithsonian Institute andother organisations with similar interests, inconducting the rather elaborate task.Done in a scientific manner, each exposurecovered a defined and equal area of the totalpainting and incorporated a reference colourguide so that any change in the shade andintensity of the transparency could be restored toits original colour. The photographic record enablesthe paintings to be reproduced to perfect scale and

colour and their exact location recalled using acomprehensive indexing system.The effort took nearly five years, generating about3,500 colour slides. They were stored at the

(Contd: on P23)

Enjoy the grandeur of Buddhist art

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 22

Sebs v Bens Big Match

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St. Benedict's won the Inaugural Battle of theGreens, by 34 runs. St. Benedict's won the toss andelected to bat on a breezy summers day at the Postoffice grounds, and managed to pile up 275 for theloss of 6 wickets in 35 overs. Eranga ThiilnaRathnayake was the star for St Benedict's with adazzling 174 with good support from Jason James &Dilshan Boteju.In reply, St. Sebastian's needing almost 8 runs perover were on a spirited chase but fell short of shortof 34 runs, with Sri Lanka International playerDInusha Fernando top scoring with 64 runs. AngeloRodrigo was the main bowler for Bens picking up 3wickets.Both teams played the gentlemen's game withmutual respect to each other and Lasallian valueswere highly display on the day. Big thank you goesout to all the captains and players for playing thegame in the right spirit, to Mr. Flavian Aponso (exHolland International ) for sponsoring the challenge

trophy, and Mr. Michael Fernandopulle (president OldBens Uk) for sponsoring the medallions and playertrophies. FoC President Mr. Ravi Raveendranhanded out the Trophies to the winners andindividual awardsBest Batsman - Dinusha Fernando (SSC)Best Bowler - Diyon Weerapura (SSC)Man of the Match - Eranga Rathnayake (SBC)A special thanks also goes out the organisingcommittee that comprised Balraj Rajarathnam,Navantha de Silva, Lalindra Fernando & FlavianAponso. Hoping for the same next year and manyyears to come.OLDBENS ContactPresident Michel Fernandopulle 07771 604093Secretary Jerome Adam 07985 738113ST Sebastian CollegePresident Flavian Alponso 07587 185310Nalindra 07903 958387

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 23

CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE LIVING SAVIOUR: A CHURCH FOR ALL(sundayobserver.lk) If you drive or walk along theBauddhaloka Mawatha, you cannot miss theBMICH. But there is another landmark buildingright next to the BMICH that you cannot miss - theCathedral of Christ the Living Saviour.The famous Church, inaugurated in November1973, belongs to the Church of Ceylon which isPart of the Anglican Communion with Archbishopof Canterbury, Rev. Justin Welby as itsMetropolitan and Rt. Rev. Dhiiloraj RanjithCanagasabey as the present Bishop of Colombo.It is a church that welcomes everyone and peoplefrom all faiths and walks of life enter through itsportals to participate in its regular events.The architecture of the Cathedral is modern but itincludes traditional Kandyan features such asoctagonal walls. The Vicar says, “The Cathedral isabout 43 years old. The Old Cathedral was atMutwal. There is a lot of significance in its wholecharacter and appearance. It has the appearanceof being unfinished and there is a theologicalsignificance or message behind that unfinishedappearance. Our work as the Church carried outby human beings will only be completed with thereturn of Christ. So that’s why it has thatincomplete appearance. It also looks like anauditorium with a table in the middle and the altararea at an elevated position. It also gives a veryimportant message that we are all equal.”“When clergy take our place during the act ofworship that we participate in, the people whoparticipate and the clergy who lead, are all at anequal level. There is nobody higher or lower thanthe other. Those are some of the features in thearchitecture and the theological message behindits construction. It’s very simple yet striking. It hassomething in it that somebody may want to look atit a second time. It is very open.”Home churchThe history of the Cathedral goes back to theearly 1970s. The Vicar says, “It’s only of late, inthe last ten years that it has got more of a fixedcommunity of worshippers, because it was formany years a place where people who were intransit came. People who did not belong to anyChurch came here for worship. That has been apart of the growing and evolving process for us.Today however there are people who call theCathedral “their Church”. Having worked in otherChurches around the country, I know the conceptof a home church is quite new here because it’sonly about 40 years, whereas St. Michael’s is over150 years and St. Paul’s is more than 200 years.

Those have been Churches operating for sometime. This is a relatively new idea in that context.”The Vicar explains that a Cathedral and a Churchare both places where people come to worship.He says, “It’s a house of prayer and a gatheringpoint for people in worship. The Cathedral is theplace where the Bishop is, it is the Bishop’sChurch where the Bishop is in charge. That couldbe one distinct difference.”The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour inColombo has an interesting history because manypeople have played an influential role inconstructing this building. The Vicar furtherexplains, “We have a very interesting conceptwhich is something that stems from the teachingsin the Bible where one person comes andprepares the soil, another person comes andplants and waters, another person nurtures thetree, and another person comes perhaps andreaps the fruit. It’s a very similar story here. We’vehad bishops who have had a hand in laying thefoundation, the building and the architecture. It’s acontinuous flow of people who have had a hand inits construction.”The area in which the Cathedral is built wasoriginally called Kumbi Kele (ant jungle) becausethe land was infested with different types of ants

and termites. The Vicar says: “I remember as achild this was a garage, a repair yard and allGovernment vehicles were repaired in thiscompound. This section of road was very narrow.”The current congregation consists of people from

Colombo and itssuburbs. TheVicar adds, “Wehave a verymixedcongregationand we haveservices in allthree languages.We have aSinhala serviceat 7.00 a.m., anEnglish serviceat 8.15 a.m., anda Tamil serviceat 11 a.m. Everytime we have afifth Sunday inany given month

there is a trilingual act ofworship. That is a bit of abalancing act to keep thelanguage balance in place.But we do it because weare also a Church in whichall three languages arerepresented. We have adiverse congregation ofSinhalese, Tamils,Burghers and a fewexpatriates from the West,Asia and Africa.”The Cathedral has alwaysbeen a place of refuge forpeople of diverseethnicities. The Vicar adds,“This worshippingcommunity here engageswith people outside. Weare very actively involved ina project that supportswomen who were widowed during the war. Wehave a very active project going on where weprovide livelihood support for them.”Every Church is known for its characteristicfeatures, and the Vicar explains, “Of late, in the

last five to six years we have gained a reputationas a place connected with music. We’ve had theopportunity to minister to people and to reach outto people through music. We’ve been havingsacred music a lot, and our choir takes a leadingrole in conducting musical programs for charitablecauses. We also have an outreach program wherewe teach English to underprivileged children.”An exhaustive list of famous people includingheads of state, presidents, prime ministers,ambassadors and dignitaries have visited theCathedral. The former Archbishop of CanterburyRowan Williams visited the Cathedral in 2007, andbishops from different parts of the world have alsovisited. The Cathedral is a place that many people

have passed through.Central locationThe Vicar says that there are no plans forrefurbishing the Cathedral at the moment, but theold fittings have to be replaced. The Churchcompound has very old trees such as Banyan,Neem, Sandalwood, Red Sandalwood, Aralu andmany more which enhance the picturesquesetting. There are many weddings in theCathedral. The Vicar says, “People choose thisCathedral because of its central location, it canseat quite a lot of people, there is ample parkingand a nice setting.Brides love to use the front lawn for photographs,and brides also love to use the setting of theBanyan tree for photographs. People havesimple wedding receptions like a garden party inthe premises. Lots of people from the Christiancommunity use the Church and the compound.”The Vicar emphasizes the importance ofcommunal harmony: “I am happy that some kindof recognition and acknowledgement of placeswhere communities come together for worship isbeing done. We are living in a day and agewhere very important values and principles thathave held our society and community together

are seriously under threat.It’s time to preserve those values. I’m not sayingthat we should get stuck in time, and neither am Isaying that we should become morose people, farfrom that. We have to live our lives, but we haveto be respectful of people and their differences,and I think in a country, in a land of manydifferences, my plea to the people of our countryis that it is time we start celebrating what makesus different than making it a reason to fight about.We have to celebrate what makes us different.That’s my plea and my prayer for the people ofthis nation.”Pictures by Kelum Liyanage

Buddhist artfrom P21National Archives and made available tostudents, historians, artists and restorers whomay beinterested in studying the paintings.Gamini J’s capabilities were known to the publicwhen his photographs appeared in ‘The Rock andWall Paintings of Sri Lanka’ (1986) authored byProfessor Senake Bandaranayake. This wasfollowed by ‘The Buddha and His Teachings’ byNarada Maha Thera re-published attractively byLever Conservation Trust a year later. He thenplanned to publish three volumes covering threedistinctive periods of temple paintings in SriLanka. The first, on the Classical period, iscovered in ‘The Grandeur of Sinhala Buddhist Art’released in 2004. ‘Post-Classical Revival’ (2006)is the title of the publication covering the Kandyanperiod, with the third to cover the Modern period.He picked knowledgeable persons to write the

text. They did extensive research to get the factsright. The text was written in simple language sothat average reader could appreciate the greattradition and aesthetic value of the paintings.Commenting on Gamini J’s effort of photo-documenting the paintings of the Classical era,one time Director-General of Archaeology, Dr.S.U. Deraniyagala says that his photographsbring to life in a manner that only a trueprofessional with a feel for the subject canachieve and that his adherence to the original isexceptional.With royal patronage during the Kandyan period,Buddhist art flourished as witnessed in a numberof temples in Lankatilaka, Degaldoruwa,Medawala, Suriyagoda, Gangarama,Bamabaragala – in close proximity to the royalcapital, Kandy, and Dambulla, Ridi Vihara andKelaniya away from Kandy.Gamini J mentions one painter – Jeevan Naidewho inspired in him “a lifelong fascination with theartistic heritage of our temples”.

As a result of heavy rainprevailing in Sri Lanka over thelast few days resulting in floods,a large number of people in SriLanka have been displaced andmany lives lost.The relief and rescue operationsare being conducted by theMinistry of Disaster Managementwith the support of the tri-forcesand other agencies.

The Sri Lanka High Commission kindly seeks yoursupport in the form of cash donations to provide forurgent relief items and assist in the medium andlong term recovery process.The monies collected by the Sri Lanka HighCommission will be deposited with the Ministry ofDisaster Management of Sri Lanka.Your donations could be sent to the HighCommission by the following methods:(1) Through electronic transfer:To: BANK OF CEYLON (UK) LTDAC Name: BOC (UK) LtdAC Number: 80.113859Sort Code: 20-32-53Reference:```Flood Relief & (Name of the Donor)Cash deposits should be made through Barclays

Bank only but online transfers can be done throughany UK bank. Upon receipt of funds, an officialreceipt with the title Contributions to Flood Reliefwill be issued to the contributors.(2) In person at the Sri Lanka High Commission onall working days from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.Please collect your receipt upon deposit.If monies are deposited via online transfer or inperson at a UK bank, please e-mail your name andaddress to:

reliefassistance@ashc-london.co.ukso that a Confirmation Receipt can be forwarded tothe Donor:

For inquiries, please contact:- Mr Priyanka Fernando(MB: 07466 779 693)- Mr Withurson Vincendra

Please note that the Sri Lanka HighCommission does not accept donation ofgoods.

(sundaytimes.lk) Ananda prevailed overThurstan in another thrilling encounter of theMilo U20 Premier Trophy inter-schools rugbyknockout tournament when they recorded aclose 30-27 in the semi-final played in theafternoon session at the Sugathadasa Stadium.This close match saw Ananda sealing the gamein the dying stages having taken a three pointlead through an unconverted try scored by D.Ratnaweera. Ananda having led 13-10 at thebreather accumulated their points through agoal, four tries and a penalty to the two goals,two tries and a penalty scored by Thurstan.

ALOYSIUS LORNABASTIANS - NOEL AMBROSEDAVID - A.T.S. ANTHONY (ANTO) - # 157/1D,Araliya Lane, Rasapana Road, Ihala Bomiriya,Kaduwela.DAVID ROSITA (nee FERNANDEZ).DE MEL - PEARL CHRISTOBELDE SILVA - 25, Police Lane, Ragama.DE SILVA - P.L. NOEL - No.153, Church Road,Welivita, KaduwelaDE SILVA - Y.S - No. 356, Galle Road,PanaduraDIAS - LLEWELYN MALCOLMDR. GUNAPALA - ABEY KUMARADASA.EDMUND RODRIGO - No. 25, Buddhist CenterRoad, Waragoda, KelaniyaFERNANDO - C.E. (EARLE) (Retd. A.S.P.).GAUDER - GWENDOLENE MERCIA (neeBROHIER)HARISCHANDRA KARIYAWASAM - 135/2,Kalapaluwawa, Ambagaha Junction,Rajagiriya.KANAGASOORIER - EVANGELINE.KRISHNARAJAH - SHUNMUGARAJAHMATHEW - CHANDRAMENDIS - RAVINDRA CHIRASRI (RC/Ravi) -34A, Wickramaratna Avenue, KohuwalaMERVYN - RATHNAJOTHY SIGAMONIE -

24/A, 3rd Lane, Maradana Road, Hendala,WattalaMOUREEN FERNANDO - No. 03, MahanamaMawatha, PanaduraMURIAL FERNANDO - “Loreto”, No. 310/3B,Gangarama Vihara Mawatha, Dampe,PiliyandalaNAGALINGAM - IRENE (nee PAIVA).NICHOLAS - Rev. Bro. EMMANUEL - De LaSalle Chapel, 130, De La Salle Street, Mutwal,Colombo 15.PARAMANATHAN - ALOMA - 69, NelumpuraRoad, Nelumpura, RatmalanaPERERA - JOHN CLIMACUS (BONNY),-429/2, “Basildon”, Old Kandy Road,Nungamugoda, Kelaniya.PONNAMBALAM - SIVANANDAVALLI(UNGI). - No. 9, Boswell Place, Colombo6.PRIYANGA PERERA - WIJESINGHE -168/5, Stanley Thillekeratne Mawatha,NugegodaRev. Br. EMMANUEL NICHOLAS FSC -130, De La Salle Street, Colombo 15VIDANARACHCHI - M.D. AUSTIN - No. 46,Mayfield Road, Kotahena, Colombo 13.WANIGARATNE - WINSTON.WICKRAMASINGHE - MALLIKA (nee

SAMARAKOON) - 562/1, Peradeniya Road,Kandy.WICKRAMASINGHE - MR G.D. MARSHAL -No. 44/45, Under Bank Nuwara EliyaWIJANTHA EWART RATNAYAKE - 3/9, Station1st Lane, Udahamulla, Nugegoda.WIJEYANATHAN - MARY REBECCAJEYAMANI - 40/55, Kalyani Road (offHampden Lane - Daya Road), Wellawatta.WIMALA JAYASURIYA

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A trip to visit relatives should be rewarding. Organizeyour day well if you wish to accomplish all you set out todo. Lovers may no be truthful. You can get a great dealaccomplished if you bring work home.Your lucky day Wednesday.

Enjoy a quiet dinner for two and discuss some of the plansyou have for the future. Don't push your luck with authority.Be careful when dealing with investments. Trips shouldbe your choice.Your lucky day Friday.

You need to get out and have some fun to reduce tension.Someone you live with will be quite unreason able thisweek. Start sending out those resumes. In-laws maycause difficulties. Travel should be considered.Your lucky day Thursday.

Your self confidence will attract members of the oppositesex Try to concentrate on research and acquiringinformation that will be of value in your chosen field. Youmay be able to get some good advice about your personalproblems. Your lucky day Wednesday.

Don't vacillate about asking for assistance if you need it.You need to make changes that will raise your selfesteem, such as a new hairstyle or a new image. Followyour gut feeling regarding your business ventures.Your lucky day Wednesday.

You are best to sign your partner up for activities that will betiring. Your involvement in interest groups may bring youpopularity. Don't make those you live with feel unloved orunworthy. You are best to do your research before takingon such a venture. Your lucky day Monday.

Uncertainties regarding your love life will surface if youhave neglected your mate. Your emotional partner willpush the right buttons this week. You can meet potentialnew mates, but make sure that they aren't alreadycommitted to someone else. Your lucky day Tuesday.

You can make new friends and get involved in new hobbiessuccessfully. You can make a huge difference to children ifyou are able to put yourself in their shoes. Your charm willbe captivating. You may become rundown if you take ontoo much. Your lucky day Thursday.

Money problems will get worse if your partner hasn't beenplaying by the rules. Changes in your domestic situation willprove to be favorable in the long run. Don't delay; go to yourphysician or dentist and get to the bottom of the discomfort.Your lucky day Wednesday.

Your ability to stand out in a crowd will bring you therecognition you desire. You may not be happy if membersof your family are not pulling their weight. It's time to getyourself back on track. Try to be honest when dealing withyour mate. Your lucky day Sunday.

Heed the advice given by family or old reliable friends.Use your better judgment before you sign up for a costlyventure. Get involved in fitness programs that will bringyou in contact with new friends. Family outings will makeyou feel secure and happy. Your lucky day Thursday.

You can bet that someone in a higher position is watchingto see how busy you are. Check into art objects orprecious stones. You can do well in group endeavors.You can make a difference if you take a position ofleadership. Your lucky day Friday.

Obituary Notice

Ratna Pushpa RajapakseWith deep regret, we wish toannounce the peaceful passing on ofMrs Ratna Pushpa Rajapakse on17th June 2017, beloved andwonderful mother of Aasha, Purnimaand Revantha and devotedgrandmother of Ajay.The cremation will be held onTuesday 27th June at 2.40pm atMortlake Crematorium, TownmeadRd, Richmond TW9 4EN.

No flowers please. Any donations to be made to theAlzheimer’s Society on behalf of Ratna Rajapakse.

URGENT APPEAL - Sri Lanka Flood Relief

Close call, but Ananda prevail

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 25

With the solid team performances Sri Lanka teammanaged to enter semi-finals and achieved the05th place at “US ACLI Football World Cup” held inMilan from 10th - 11th June 2017. ACLI (US ACLI)operates as a non-profit Sports Association in Italypromoting sports, social and recreational activitiesamong communities.

The event was organized by the Comune di Milanoand US ACLI as a joint venture and the respectivecountry participation was made through Milanbased foreign Consulates. Eighteen teamsrepresenting countries across the globeparticipated at the tournament. Sri Lanka teamconsisted of seasoned players of football residing

in Milan, Verona, Rome, Florence and Modena. Mr.M. Nicholas Anthony Mahinda Fernando ex-national player and Mr. M. Maxie Perera lend theirexpertise as coacher and Asst. Coacher for thewining team. Consul General Pradeepa Saram andConsulate staff were present on both days.On the first day Sri Lanka won against Ukraine (2-

1) Italy (1-0) and Egypt (1-0). The second day SLteam won against Eritrea (2-1) and El- Salvador (4-3) and lost to Morocco (1-2). Despite the finaldefeat, Sri Lanka won the series overall.The Consulate General of Sri Lanka co-ordinatedcountry participation at the event.

Sri Lanka Football Team Secured 05th Place at “US ACLI World Cup” in Milan, Italy

(sundayobserver.lk) Zimbabwe will embark ontheir first tour of Sri Lanka in 15 years this month,playing five one-day internationals and a Testmatch, Sri Lanka’s cricket board said Saturday.The tour will start on June 30 with the first ODIat the Galle International Stadium, which willhost its first limited-overs match in 17 years.The last ODI at Galle was in June 2000, whenSri Lanka beat South Africa by 37 runs.The firsttwo ODIs with Zimbabwe will be at Galle andthe remaining three 50-over games will be atthe refurbished Hambantota Stadium. The onlyTest match will be at the Premadasa Stadiumin Colombo starting July 14.Schedule:June 30 -1st ODI at GalleJuly 2 - 2nd ODI at GalleJuly 6- 3rd ODI at HambantotaJuly 8 - 4th ODI at

HambantotaJuly 10 - 5th ODI at HambantotaJuly14 - 1st Test at Colombo - AFP

Zimbabwe to Tour Sri Lanka after 15 years

By L.D. Chandrasiri - Matale SportsMatale schools track & field meet 2017(sundaytimes.lk) Reigningchampions St. Thomas’ Matale andSri Sangamitta Girls NationalSchool Matale retained the boysand girls championshipsrespectively at the Mataleeducation zone schools track andfield meet 2017 concluded atAluvihare MV ground in Matale.St. Thomas’ Matale accumulated150 points on their way to clinchingboy’s title, while Sri Sangamittagirls earned 98 points during theiroutstanding effort. Zahira CollegeMatale with 75 points finishedrunners up in the boy’schampionship followed by Hinducollege Matale thirdwith 42 points.In the girlschampionship St.Thomas’ girl’sschool ran in tosecond place with58 points followedby Vijaya CollegeMatale close thirdwith 53 points.Matale Thomiansalso had the honourof winning two age

group categories of individual awards presentedto best athlete of each age group.

Girls overall champions Sri Sangamitta Girls NS Matale

Boys overall champions St. Thomas' College Matale

St. Thomas’ Boys, Sangamitta Girlsfinish on top in style

St. Anne’s enters final with thrilling winSt. Anne’s Kurunegala advanced tothe final of the Milo U20 ChampionsTrophy inter-schools rugbyknockout tournament final whenthey record a thrilling two points(20-18) win over Moratu MV in thesemi final encounter played in themorning session at theSugathadasa Stadium yesterday.The Annites came back withvengeance in the second half afterMoratu MV was sitting pretty with a18-5 lead at the breather as theymade the only scoring in the secondhalf whilst preventing theiropponents to make any headway. Action from the game - Pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi

Sachith Silva stars asJoes beat Rajans 34-12

by Indika Welagedara(sundayobserver.lk) St.Joseph College wingerSachith Silva scored 24 points inclusive of one try,five penalties and two conversions to take the Joesto a 34 points (3 tries, 2 conversions, 5 penalties) to12 (2 tries, 1 conversion) win over DharmarajaCollege Kandy to enter the final of the Milo ‘A’Division schools knock out rugby semi final matchplayed at Sugathadasa StadiumThe winners were leading 16 points to 5 at half time.

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/Warehouse For SaleModern warehouse close to harbor in Colombo 13(Bloemendahl Rd) Ground floor: 6400 sq ft:Mezzanine floor 1239 sq ft (with offices etc.) Longroad frontage, easy lorry access. 38 perches landtotal e-mail: maliandjane@yahoo.co.uk for furtherdetails Tel: 020 7703 0643 txt: 07514337316

Rare Opportunity. Spacious 3bed apartment. Third floor (Top). Sea view.Generous balcony. Lift, 24 hour security, allocatedparking. A/C and En suite to Master bedroom. Plusfamily bathroom and servants toilet. Minute walk tobeach/amenities. 5 mins to Marine Drive.£125,000. Call 07943 408618 / 0094779280097.Must view!

to rent near Sudbury Hillunderg

required Reliable person required foran elderly Burgher lady living in South WestLondon. Some cooking and light cleaning/otherduties. Tuesday to Friday 7.30 am to 1.30 pm.Must have references. The position is permanent.Call Christine on 07961661235.

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a well-mannered good daughterto introduce to my son 26 years old, presentlystudying in UK (Degree in business administration)Roman catholic, only son (Living with the mother inUK) and was educated at ST Joseph,s collegeMaradana. If need more details please call on07825550484

a large luxury three bed roomflat five minute to Thomas college many supermarket banks restaurants with own parking gooddemand tourist short lets well furnished. Price60,000 sterling pounds free hold clear deeds.Further details 07931 383774

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renting a bright furnisheddouble room with wifi non smoking no petsresidential area New Malden, parking in premisesnear Malden Manor station, London waterloo, 26min Kingston /New Malden buses opposite. House,bills weekly cleaning included, rent £600/ month.Female professional / student only tel07943782580

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also consider.

round station. Spacious lounge and largekitchen diner for £85 p.w, including bills. Femaleonly to share flat with an elderly lady. Pleasecontact by email giving your name telephonenumber and any other brief details.maharani@hotmail.co.uk'

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in North London looking for someoneto do cooking three times a week for a small family07905345180

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an upstairs with annex on12 perches. Including annex, four large bedrooms,two of kitchens, sitting rooms, one TV Lounge,garage and gardens. five minutes walk to GalleRoad, 15 minutes walk to Mount Lavinia Hotel.Contact 0044 20 8241 9784 / 0094 11273 0535

professionally qualified 36years old 5'5'' does not show her age, well-mannered sister working in a very prestigious bankbrought up with Sinhala Buddhist values and ownssubstantial assets in UK / SL. Kindly reply withhoroscope. Lal-1438@hotmail.co.uk

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CLASSIFIEDS

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 26

Newslanka - P. O. Box 27429 - London SW9 7WHinfo newslanka.net@

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ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 27

By Shaun Weerasuriya(dailynews.lk) Sri Lanka’s pace ace LasithMalinga commenting on the ‘drop catch’debate of Sri Lanka’s defeat to Pakistanin the Champions Trophy on Monday saidthat he is not frustrated or disappointedby two catches missed off his bowling.Speaking during a press conference atSLC headquarters after they arrived fromEngland yesterday, Malinga said: “I don’tblame anyone for I know these kinds of

things can happen when you play underso much pressure. I do not believeThisara’s drop catch is the reason for ourdefeat and honestly I don’t blame Thisarafor the mistake he made. That is all partof the game.”Sarfraz Ahmed the Pakistan captain wasmissed twice by Thisara Perera and bysubstitute fielder SeekkugePrasanna. Making capital ofthose missed opportunities

Sarfraz went ontosteer Pakistan to athree wickets winand a place in thesemi-finals. Malingaalso mentioned thatthe fielders are oftensubject to criticismwhen they makemistakes, but rarelyadmired their greatcontributions on thefield. They deserve aproper recognitiontoo,” Malinga added.Captain AngeloMathews acceptedthat the whole teamis responsible for theloss. “We had a fairlygood start but wereunable to maintainconsistency inbatting. On the brightside I think it was afantastic effort as ateam against strongIndia. It is good tosee our youngplayers getting goodscores and fightingbravely,” said

Mathews.“We missed a few chances but that’s howthe game goes. We must learn from ourmistakes and move forward.”Sri Lanka was eliminated from theChampions Trophy group stage whenthey lost their final match to Pakistan bythree wickets.

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 28

Tharaka : 07940 375 602 Bandara : 07960 523 071

Dinesh : 07541 136 752 Nawantha : 07585 709 235

Anura : 07710 187 121

@ Stains Rugby Football Club,

The Reeves Snakey Lane,

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Registration of School teams to participate in Tournament is

Registration fee is which includes jerseys for players.

The last date to register your team is

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Hurry !!!! 31st May 2017

Thisara’s missed catch not the reason for our defeat - Malinga

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 29

Sa’adi Thawfeeq(dailynews.lk) Almost two years ago in September2015, Jerome Jayaratne who was then interimhead coach branded the Sri Lanka team as theworst fielding side in Asia.At the time Jayaratane said, “We are now the worstfielding side in Asia, we were never behindPakistan but now we have gone behind them. Indiaproved that they were better than us and evenBangladesh are fielding better than us."A lot of water has passedunder the bridge since thatremark was made and yettoday the Sri Lanka teamfinds itself in almost the sameposition as we were two yearsago.Who is to blame for thismalady? Sri Lanka fieldinghas never lowered itself tosuch despairing depths, notsince they won the 1996Cricket World Cup.Prior to the ICC ChampionsTrophy, a lot of emphasis wasplaced on Sri Lanka’s fieldingand fitness with several training sessions andcamps held and foreign expertise got down at verygreat cost to Sri Lanka Cricket to iron out thedeficiencies displayed on the field, but yet theproblem continues to persist.There was a lot of hype prior to the departure ofthe team to England that they would performoutstandingly well and even bring back theChampions Trophy. That confidence came on theback of the preparations that the team underwentat home as well as in England where they wentweeks ahead to get the players acclimatized to theEnglish weather and pitches which they wouldencounter in early June.Despite all the training and fitness regimes theplayers were put under Sri Lanka still went intotheir tournament opener against South Africawithout their captain Angelo Mathews who suffereda calf injury. Mathews is the most experiencedbatsman in the Sri Lankan middle order and hisabsence was sorely felt when Sri Lanka failed tochase down a target of 300 folding up from 94-1 to203.

To add insult to injury stand-in captain UpulTharanga despite several warnings from the twoonfield umpires simply couldn’t ‘up’ the Sri Lankanover rate and paid the penalty when the ICCslapped him with a two-match ban that affectivelyended his participation in the tournament unlessthe team made it to the semi-finals.Tharanga’s absence was another loss to Sri Lankabecause he was one of the few batsmen whoshowed early form by scoring a half-century

against South Africa. Thankfully for Sri Lanka theirnext match against India was five days after andthat period allowed Mathews to recover from hisinjury and return to the team as captain. HoweverSri Lanka suffered another injury to a key playerwhen Chamara Kapugedera was ruled out of thetournament with an injured knee he suffered whiletraining.Mathews’ return and his experience as a leaderwas clearly on show when Sri Lanka stunned thedefending champions India by chasing down acompetitive target of 322 to win by six wickets witheight balls to spare in their second match of thetournament from Group B.India with their solid bowling attack looked homeand dry after they posted 321-6, but Sri Lankadefied all odds to reach that total thanks largely totwo young batters Kusal Mendis who once againrose to the big occasion to make a fluent 89 andDanushka Gunathilaka, the surprise packet asreplacement for Kapugedera who forged a 159-runstand for the second wicket with Mendis to lay thefoundation for Sri Lanka’s successful run chase.

Left-hander Gunathilaka played someextraordinary strokes some of them reminiscent ofthe great Kumar Sangakkara to score a fine 76 off72 balls. The irony of this pair was that they wereboth run out when they had the Indian bowling bythe scruff of their neck and a century within theirsights.Nevertheless their contributions didn’t go waste asKusal Perera, Mathews and Asela Gunaratnecarried Sri Lanka to a memorable win, much to the

chagrin of the Indian playersand their horde of supporterswho were stunned into silence.However the win came at acost for Sri Lanka. KusalPerera suffered a hamstringinjury while batting and had toretire hurt at 47 and later wasruled out of the tournament,thus forcing Sri Lanka to bringin a second replacementDhananjaya de Silva for thecrucial match against Pakistan.With all four teams in thegroup going into their finalqualifying match with one win

and one loss the contest virtually became aquarterfinal knockout with the winner going throughto the semi-finals.Having won and lost at the Oval in London, SriLanka travelled to Wales for their match againstPakistan at Cardiff. Put into bat first under overcastconditions Sri Lanka managed only 236, failing tolast their full quota of overs by four balls. The oddswere heavily on Pakistan to win chasing downsuch a moderate total and the result looked moreassured when openers Azhar Ali and FakharZaman posted 74 off 68 balls. At 92-1 Pakistanseemed well on course for a comfortable win and aplace in the semi-finals. But a couple of bowlingchanges brought about by Mathews saw Sri Lankacome back strongly to capture five wickets for 45and reduce Pakistan to 137-6. They were soon162-7 when debutant Fahim Ashraf was run out. Itwas from this point onwards that things started togo awry for Sri Lanka. Within the next half hourthey let the match slip out of their grasp as they putup a shoddy piece of fielding that anyone watchingwould have been ashamed to say that they were

Sri Lankans.Sarfraz Ahmed the Pakistan captain escaped twochances of being run out when the fielder failed tofind the target after which he was put down twice –one, a dolly catch to mid-on and the other a difficultchance at deep square leg which the diving fielderlost control of. But these are catches that had to betaken at this level of cricket if you are vying for asemi-final berth in a tournament of this magnitude.Seizing the opportunity with both hands and ridinghis luck Sarfraz with the help of Mohammad Amirwho stuck it out for 43 balls to score a valuable 28not out steered Pakistan to an unlikely victory fromthe jaws of defeat. Sarfraz who scored anunbeaten half century let out a roar as he madethe winning hit - the roar could easily have comefrom the Lankan lion, but it was not to be their day.Unable to hide the disappointment of Sri Lankafailing to make it to the semi-finals one irate fanwrote on Facebook, “Winning against India was asgood as winning the Champions Trophy”.One has to sympathise with Lasith Malinga whoprobably has played his last ICC tournament. Hebowled his heart out for his country but was letdown by poor fielding. Three catches were putdown during the Pakistan innings all of Malinga.The veteran fast bowler couldn’t hide hisdisappointment when Thisara Perera dropped asitter at mid-on off Sarfraz. Had that catch beentaken Malinga had only the Pakistan tail to dealwith and he is quite good at finishing off an innings.Apart from Malinga, the most improved Lankanbowler was Nuwan Pradeep who bowled withaccuracy and movement and was the pick of theLankan bowlers in the tournament. SurangaLakmal another bowler who has improved over theyears bowled exceptionally well but without luck.Dinesh Chandimal had a rather lousy series notliving upto his talent and failing once again todeliver. One hopes that he doesn’t end up asLahiru Thirimanne of whom there was a lot ofexpectations but one who has simply faded awayfor reasons best known to him. They were the twobatsmen who were touted as the successors toMahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara atone time, but have failed to live upto that belief.In Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka,

(Contd: on P31)

Lanka pays dearly for missed opportunities

(sundaytimes.lk) 50th Annual Sri Lanka Schoolsunder 19 Girls and Boys Hockey Championships2017Kandy Blues and Colombo Reds emergedchampions in the Girls and Boys segments at the50th Annual Sri Lanka Schools Under 19 Hockey

Championships 2017 concluded at the ColomboAstro Turf last Monday. In the Girls finals ColomboReds led by Lakmini Udayanganie met KandyBlues captained by Charuka Nishadi and bothsides playing a run and pass game which saw thescores leveled at the final whistle 1-1. The match

was decided on the penalty shootoutwhere Kandy Blues taking fulladvantage of the five penalty shootoutsto clinch the championship with a 4-3win.Colombo Reds led by Dilshan Lahirgrabbed the Boys championship with aclose 4-3 victory over Matale Goldcaptained by Shashika Abeykoon in thefinals of the Boys category. Having thescores deadlocked 2-2 at the finalwhistle and in the penalty shootoutsColombo Reds were on target on fouroccasions where as the Matale Goldsscored three goals.On their way to the finals of the Girlssegment, the first semi-final saw Kandy

Blues defeating Kalutara 3-0 and Colombo Redstrounced Matale Golds 5-0in the second semi-finalmatch. AnjalikaDissanayake, Shashini Diasand Lakmini Udayanganiwere the goal scorers forthe hill country team.In a home and home affairin the first semi-finals of theBoys between ColomboReds and Colombo Blues,Jeewantha Edirisinghe andRasikha Vishwajith guidedColombo Reds to a 2-0 win.The second semi-final sawMatale Golds score a massive 9-0 win overGampaha. Madusha Herath and Ashan Bandaragave a superb display of high quality stick work toscore 5 and 4 goals respectively for the winners.Charuka Nishadi of Kandy Blues was adjudged theBest Player and Tamasha Weerasinghe of

Colombo Reds carried away the Best GoalKeeper’s award in the Girls category. In the Boyssection Jeewantha Edirisinghe of Colombo Redsand Anurudha Ranaweera were awarded with BestPlayer and Best Goal Keeper awards respectively.- Lakshman Ranasinghe; Pix by M.D. Nissankaand Priyantha Wickramarachchi

Kandy Blues, Colombo Reds emerge hockey champs

By Naushad AmitWas the school principal responsible?(sundaytimes.lk) Poaching players is a tradition thathas come to stay in Sri Lanka Schools Sports but,in the latest development, this practice has reachedan extreme level, where a school had to withdrawfrom an important tournament because, almost theentire team was pinched by five top schools. St.John’s College Nugegoda, a school with a history of102 years, had to forfeit their presence from therecently concluded Singer Schools Under-20Division I Rugby Tournament, after they lost 14players, leaving just four in the first XV squad.The school has been engaged in Rugby since1989, and this incident makes St. John’s Nugegodathe first in the tournament’s history to withdraw froma major competition, due to loss of its key playerswho, eventually, went on to represent five top-tierschools.Behind the scenes, it is reported that the head of

the school played a silent role to release theplayers, which many supporters and admirers ofRugby at St. John’s Nugegoda, claim it was a wellplanned plot. Some even claim that the head of theschool has been ‘monetarily looked after’ by the fiveschools, for releasing the 14 players with ‘No-Objection’ Certificates (NOC).“If this is true, it’s a clear sabotage of all our effortsand the reputation the school has gained over theyears, as one of the top contenders in the centretier. How can a head of a school conduct himself insuch a manner, as to utterly leave the school withno option but to abandon the all important LeagueTournament, where St. John’s Nugegoda is one ofthe strongest sides in Division I of Segment II,”asked a member of the school’s Rugby Committee.It is revealed that three schools from Division I ofSegment I, namely Royal Colombo, St. Joseph’sand DS Senanayake, and own group rivals Anandaand Mahanama Colleges are the destinations of the

14 players from this year’s first XV squad of St.John’s Nugegoda. Mahanama has poached six ofthe players, DS Senanayake five and one eachheaded to Royal Colombo, St. Joseph’s andAnanda, leaving just three seniors and one juniorplayer. This has resulted in the Old BoysAssociation (OBA) and the Rugby SupportingCommittee (RSO) of St. John’s Nugegodadistancing themselves from nurturing the game atschool and its players, after its whole was leftdejected. Even the coach, former Science Collegeand CH&FC player, Tuan Shamrock is left ‘high anddry’, without a task or objective to look forward to.The school’s Rugby officials are currently makingan valiant effort to win back the interest of the OBAand the RSO, who collectively generate the annualexpenditure of Rs two million to sustain the first XVsquad. But, both parties have so far turned downthe continuous requests, stating they fear a similarcrossover could happen in the future too.

St. John's Nugegoda made a gradual impact inthe Schools Rugby arena, but was a notable

absentee this season. The school Rugbyauthorities are making an effort, valiant and futile,

to regroup the team - File pic by Amila Gamage

The St. John’s Rugby conundrum

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 30

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Indika Welagedara(dailynews.lk) Chamod Fernando’sfive-metre penalty in the closingstages of the game capped offIsipathana College a 22 points (3tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) to20 (3 tries, 1 conversions, 1penalty) win over St. Peter’sCollege Bambalapitiya in their Milo‘A’ Division inter schools knock outrugby semi final match playedyesterday at SugathadasaStadium in Colombo.The Winners were leading 19-12at half time. Isipathana winger Ramith Silva (Ball in hand) is tackled by Peterite

number eight Angelo Mendis. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

Sri Lanka’s Nishangan Nadaraja earns rare feat of being picked forthe Southwestern Athletic Conference in US collegiate tennis.

by Revata S. Silva(island.lk) Former Davis Cupplayer and St. Peter’s College,Colombo old boy NishanganNadaraja, now playing in the high-octane NCAA Division 1 Tennis inAmerica representing AlabamaA&M University, has been pickedfor the SWA (SouthwesternAthletic) Conference Team as its

All Conference 2nd Team No. 1Singles player owing to hisperformances in NCAA this year.Amidst this Nadaraja, who is nowin Sri Lanka on a short holiday,emerged champion in Men’sSingles at the ColomboChampionships held at the SriLanka Tennis Association (SLTA)Playing Section last week.

Dilwin Mendis -Moratuwa Sports SpecialCorrespondent(dailynews.lk) Maris Stella College, Negombo beatPrince of Wales College by six wickets in theirinter school under 17 division one tournamentcricket match conducted by SLSCA and played atKatuneriya.Cambrians batting initially collapsed for 127 runswith Naveen Fernando claiming 4 for 20 and in

reply Maris Stella notched up the required scorefor the loss of four wickets with Kavindu Pereraunbeaten on 47 runs.Prince of Wales – 127 in 49.2 overs (SuwathMendis 21, Devaka Peiris 24, Naveen Fernando 4for 20).Maris Stella – 131 for 4 in 23.4 overs (KavinduPerera 47 not out, Dasas Samarasinghe 2 for 30).

Chamod Fernando’s penalty helpsIsipathana edge out Peterites 22-20

Maris Stella win by six wickets

Nishangan Nadaraja fares well in US,returns to SL in style

By Susil Premalal(sundaytimes.lk) The Sri Lanka team willproceed in two groups for the 22nd AsianChampionships to be held in Bhuvneshwar, Indiafrom July 6 to 9. The Athletics Association of SriLanka has selected a contingent of 22 athletes(men and women) and sent the team to beapproved by the Minister of Sports.To date Sri Lanka has won 18 Gold, 13 Silverand 19 Bronze at previous Asian AthleticsChampionships.Sri Lanka team (Men) -Himasha Ishan (100 m and 4X100 m), VinodSuranjaya Silva (100 m, 200 m 4X100), AjithPremakumara (400 m, 4X400m), H.M. DilipRuwan (400 m, 4X400), Indunil Herath(800m),Sanjaya Jayasinghe (Triple Jump),Dhanuka Liyanapathirana (Long Jump), Manjula

Kumara Wijesekera (High Jump),WarunaLakshan Dayaratne (Javelin), MohammedAshroff (4X100 m), Shehan Ambepitiya (4X100m), Mohammed Safraz (4X100 m), KalingaKumarage (4X400 m), A.D.Ruwan Kumara(4X400 m) and Tharusha Dhananjaya.Women Rumeshika Ratnayake (100 and 200m), Nirmali Madushika (400 m), NimaliLiyanarachchi (800 m), Gayanthika Abeyratne(800 m), Dilhani Lekamge (Javelin), H.D.Vidushani Lakshani (Triple Jump) and NilaniRatnayake (3000 m Steeple Chase).Official Coaches Sajith Jayalal, Phillip RanjithPerera, A.J. Rodrigo, Chaminda Perera, LouisMirando and K.G.Badra.Team Manager Lal Chandra Kumara. AssistantManager Yasa Rohana De Silva.

22 athletes for Asian ChampionshipsBy S.R. PathiravithanaGura likely selection committee chief if Sanathis ruled out(sundaytimes.lk) All points to a situation whereformer Sri Lanka Test batsman Asanka Gurusinha,who at present is Cricket Manager and a selectorof Sri Lanka Cricket, will be taking over as theChairman Selection Committee.A veteran of 41 Test matches with seven Testhundreds and eight Test fifties ended up scoring2452 runs and with two hundreds and 22 fifties in147 ODI outings is nevertheless remembered forhis stubborn stance at slot number three in theWorld Cup winning outfit.Especially, he became immortal with his knock of63 which enabled Sri Lanka to seal the fate of theICC World Cup final against Australia in 1996.He made his international debut in 1985 againstPakistan in Karachi as wicket-keeper. Yet, hemade his mark as a top order batsman. He hadalso opened bowling for Sri Lanka with his slowseamers time and time again.The present critical situation arose after incumbentChief selector SanathJayasuriya ran himselfout of contention due to amultitude of reasons.However it is also learnedthat Jayasuriya and SLCPresident ThilangaSumathipala wereinvolved in an lengthydiscussion on Fridayafternoon, the outcomeof it is yet to be known.In the same breathspeculation was rifeabout the future of theNational Cricket CoachGraham Ford. TheSunday Times learns thatwhen coach Ford left forSouth Africa for a breakhe packed his bags lockstock and barrel. He also had had several roundsof discussions with the SLC management.An insider said “Yes, we would begin our trainingunder Asanka Gurusinha as Ford is now out of theisland”.It is also said that generally Ford leaves for a

vacation only withthe necessaryminimum travelgear.Sri Lanka CricketChief ExecutiveOfficer Ashley deSilva told theSunday Times thatthe tenure of thepresent cricketselectors wouldexpire on June 30and they were onthe lookout for neweyes. However, outof the rest who arein office – RomeshKaluwitharana andEric Upashanthaare still in contention while Ranjith Madurasinghehas been moved to be in charge of juniorselections.A few days ago, Asanka Gurusinha who has beendomiciled in Australia for the past 20 years, and isan Australian citizen was recruited by SLCPresident Sumathipala to be put in charge asNational Cricket team’s cricket manager andselector. This means that the earlier practice ofsending a member of selection committee as tourselector has been made redundant.The post of manager cum selection committeechairman is not new to Sri Lanka. In the 1996World Cup winning combination, former nationalcaptain Duleep Mendis did both jobs as managercum selection committee chairman.However in the present context it may be difficultto continue as chief selector cum managerbecause, the chief selector is in overall in-chargeof selections and it encompasses junior crickettoo.If Gurusinha is made chief selector and RanjithMadurasinghe is moved to be in charge of juniorselections, at least two vacancies would crop up.There were a multitude of names put in to thepotpourri.Initially, a strong contender was HashanTillekeratne, one of the SLC staff batting coaches.However, as both Tillekeratne’s children are in thenational cricket periphery, that has become a

barrier in the presentcontext.It is learned thatnames like thepresent nationalcricket managerRanjith Fernando,former NationalCoach MarvanAtapattu, BrendonKuruppu who was amember of the KapilaWijegunawardenaselection committeeand even first nationalcaptain BandulaWarnapura werebandied about, but, itis said the finalpreferences have stillnot been finalised.

Has Coach Ford abandoned ship?

ISSUE 1333 NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017 PAGE 31

Anuradha Abeysekara(dailynews.lk) Not just the Sri Lankan basketballfraternity, but the sporting community as a wholemourn the untimely demise of Rienzy RanilGanewatte of Hayleys Group who died duringFriday’s Mercantile ServicesBasketball League tournament matchagainst Airport & Aviation at the HenryPedris courts, Colombo.The 39-year-old 6.5” centre playerwas overjoyed as he scored an earlybasket, but little he knew as hecollapsed near half court line on hisway back to back court, that he willnever wake up again. It was not just ashock to spectators, but for all whoknew Ranil, as it is hard to believe such agraceful giant will fall to a sudden eternal sleep.According to the postmortem sudden block ofblood supply to Ranil’s brain caused by twonarrowed veins of his heart is the reason for his

death.Born in 23/04/1978, Ranil was educated in D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo 7. He joined theschool basketball team as an under-13 lad andearned a prominent place in his team due to his

height. Since then Ranil played for theschool team at all levels from U-13 toU-19 winning many accolades to hisAlma Mater.He represented Sri Lanka Schoolsteam in 1996 and 1997 rendering agreat service as the centre. Ranil’syounger brother Oshan also playedbasketball at D.S.After leaving the school Ranil joinedthe Colombo Bulls basketball club and

continued his club basketball career. Ranildonned the National jersey representing SriLanka Basketball team in 2001. He has also beenan essential player in the Western Provincebasketball team for several years.

Ranil Ganewatte’s funeral

MIKE ATHERTON(dailynews.lk) In a beautiful piece in these pagesthree weeks ago, Michael Henderson wrote aboutwatching Kumar Sangakkara score a hundred atLord’s on the day the great Sri Lankan’s portraitwas unveiled there.The piece was as lyrical as Sangakkara’s batting,and Henderson nailed his colours firmly to themast: “Style, no less than statistical achievement,counts for something in any estimation ofgreatness.”He compared Sangakkara with Jacques Kallis, theSouth African all-rounder, one of only a handful ofmen to have scored more Test runs, and hisconsidered view was that anyone still in retentionof their marbles would not watch the robotic Kallisbefore the elegant Sangakkara. “Some folk mayexist,” he wrote, “but they are usually to be foundmuttering to themselves on buses.” Henderson isnot among their number.Has appreciation of sport become more utilitarianin recent times? Possibly, and possibly because ofthe professionalisation of sport, which glorifies theends over the means. Maybe, too, because of thegrowth of data as a method of validation. TomHarrison, chief executive of the ECB, was pickedup for his comments earlier in the season about hisdesire to see the England team prioritising styleover substance precisely because it is so unusualto hear that message in modern sport, where thebottom line counts for everything. The glory gamehas become just a game.For myself, a key element in assessing greatnessis the element of risk. I recall talking to JohnWoodcock, the former cricket correspondent of thisnewspaper, about great batsmen and agreeingwith his assessment that the greats took calculatedrisks to subjugate bowlers. It is not enough to wearthem down, Boycott-style. His was a plea to JoeRoot not to change his jaunty, optimistic way ofplaying, and he hoped that the captaincy would notburden him unduly. We shall see.By any and every estimation — pure numbers,ease on the eye, or the ability to take calculatedrisks to win matches — Sangakkara is a greatplayer, having made bundles of runs in all

conditions, all around the world. On Tuesday,playing for Surrey again after a stint in thecommentary box, he added another notch to abedpost scarred with statistical milestones whenhe scored the 100th hundred of his professionalcareer — 61 of them in first-class cricket and 39 inlist A (one-day) cricket. It is not the ultimatehundreds milestone to celebrate, like the oneachieved most recently, and possibly for the lasttime, by Mark Ramprakash, whereby all 100 weremade in first-class cricket.The changing nature of the calendar means thatthe modern player will haveless chance of emulating the 24other players who achievedwhat Ramprakash did, butnevertheless Sangakkara’sachievement is noteworthy,especially as it was in a winningcause.But enough of the numbers, it isthe style and elegance, therhythm and flow of his battingthat is under analysis here.Don’t for one minute thinkbecause he makes batting lookeasy, that it is easy. For anindication of the amount of toiland sweat that goes intomaking batting look that easy, let’s turn to PaulFarbrace, now England’s assistant coach, formerlycoach of Sri Lanka.Farbrace tells a story about his time working withSri Lanka. How, during a net session, Sangakkarahad asked the coach a question about themovements of his back foot before a ball wasbowled. In practice, Sangakkara was veryparticular about his back foot, wanting it to moveacross from middle and leg stump to middle and offstump. Not back and across, mind, nor forward —just across.Farbrace hadn’t been watching closely enough andfobbed Sangakkara off with a vague reply, basedon the way Sangakkara had been hitting ballsnicely in the middle of the bat, the kind of reply thathe hoped would pass unnoticed.

Sangakkara later gave him a ticking off: Farbrace,he knew, had not been honest with him aboutwhere his foot was moving and had not beenwatching carefully enough. It was time to sharpenup. It is a small anecdote that tells you a lot aboutwhat has made Sangakkara successful: a constantdrive, determination and desire to improve, minuteattention to detail and a willingness to workendlessly on technique in practice so that, comethe match, a more natural, flowing and rhythmicalplayer could emerge and flourish.Years before, Sangakkara had made that small

change to his back-footmovement, from back andacross to simply across. It hadtaken him six to eight months ofsolid practice before it hadbecome ingrained and natural,so that his foot would move intoposition, in other words, withoutconscious thought.For Sangakkara, rhythm andflow is everything but flow onlycomes as a result ofunconscious rather thanconscious thought.This insight was gleaned fromhim by another writer in thisparish, Simon Hughes, who,

remarkably for a useless batsman, wrote aninsightful book on batting. In it, he quotesSangakkara’s principles of batsmanship: “I don’twant to go in to bat worrying about techniquebecause technique is something that is a base, butwhen you are playing that has to disappear —you’ve got to be instinctive, reactive, unthinking.“The moment you see technique obviously insomeone who’s batting, I think that’s whensomeone’s not really flowing. When everything isflowing, you don’t see technique, you see style,you see grace, and you see timing. That’s what Iwork towards.“I don’t want to be fiddling or worrying about wheremy backlift is going, or whether my foot is going tothe ball, or how balanced I am. I just want that flow. . . everything has to be instinctive in the match.

The moment you think, it slows you down.”The flow and elegance is what so beguiledHenderson that day at Lord’s, and so beguiled thefolk at Headingley this week, as he added anotherhundred to his tally. Rhythm, flow, elegance, style.All earned, though, through hours of sweat and toil.When batting looks as easy as that, you can besure it is an illusion.Tongue in cheek it might have been, but DarrenLehmann’s parting quip about only learning fromEngland when they have won a World Cup carriedan important truth: when it comes to cricket,Australia think they have a monopoly onknowledge.So when, two years ago during the previous homeAshes series, I heard a number of Australianplayers praising a foreign coach who had workedin Sydney for some time, my ears pricked up.Since Australians tend to shower praise upon onlytheir own kind, this was unusual enough to make amental note and store it away.The name of the coach? Chandika Hathurusingha,who had begun to broaden his coaching horizonswith New South Wales as assistant coach toTrevor Bayliss after a stint in his homeland, SriLanka. He now coaches Bangladesh.Like many ofthe best coaches, Hathurusingha was a modestinternational player, a stodgy batsman andsometime medium-paced nagging bowler,someone who had to work hard to rise to thehighest level and knew what it took to get the bestout of his limited resources.That is exactly what he has been doing withBangladesh for the past three years, increasingtheir winning percentage from 29 to 56 in all one-day internationals, taking Test scalps from SriLanka and England, and increasing the respectwith which they are held.I’ve known him a long time, since we playedagainst each other for our respective under-19national teams in 1987. His softly spoken andgentle presence camouflages a keen cricket brainand determination to succeed. UnderestimateHathurusingha’s Bangladesh at your peril.– Daily Telegraph

Endless hours of toil paved way for Sangakkara’s style

Indika Welagedara(dailynews.lk) The ‘Milo Legends RugbyShow Down’ before the finals of thePresident’s Trophy rugby matchconducted in collaboration with theMinistry of Education will take place underfloodlights at the Racecourse grounds onSaturday 24 June.A total of 24 victorious past Milo knockouttrophy rugby winning captains from 1995to 2016 will be divided into two teams asMilo “Whites” and Milo “Greens”.The first Milo President’s Trophy winning1995 St. Peter’s College skipper andnumber eight SanjeewaAbeygunawardhana will be the skipper ofthe Milo “Whites” team while the 1996victorious Isipathana team captain cumwinger Bandula Mallikarachchi will leadthe Milo “Greens” side.The two teams will take the field to play afriendly game of tag rugby commencing ataround 6.00 pm under floodlights shortlybefore the all-important schools knockoutfinals.

Milo Greens Team (seated from left): Chamara Withanage; Zulki Hameed; DilroyFernando (Match Referee); Bandula Mallikarachchi (captain) and Vinoj

Kurupunawela. Standing (from left): Kushan Indunil; Senal Deelaka; Shenal Dias;Poornaka Delpachithra; Harendra Ariyawansa and Fazil Marija.

Pictures by Ranjith Asanka

Milo Whites Team (seated from left): Dinesh Siriwimala; Janaka deSilva; Dilroy Fernando (Match Referee) Sanjeewa Abegunawardhana(captain) and Vajira Hewage. Standing (from left): Duminda Attygala;Lasindu Karunathilaka; Janik Jayasuriya; Gavin Siegertsz; Eranda

Weerakkody; Murad Ramzeen and Ranga Perera

Milo Legends Rugby Show Down

Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya cruised to a tenwicket victory over Wadduwa Central in an Under-17 Division I tournament match played atWadduwa on Thursday as Malith Sandakelumcracked a stroke filled unbeaten 43 runs to reachthe victory target of 73 runs in just three overs.Dharmapala reduced the home team to 72 runswith Dulaj Ashen (3/02), Avishka Hasarinda (3/10)and Thavindu Danuja (3/26) sharing bowlinghonours.In reply openers Malith Sandakelum and AmilaDayanaka sent Wadduwa Central bowlers on a

leather hunt as they reached the target in just 18balls.Sandakelum hammered six sixes and a four in his14 ball knock and Dayanaka scored three sixesand a four in his four ball innings.Scores:Wadduwa Central 72 all out in 25 overs (DimuthuDananjaya 18, Dulaj Ashen 3/02, AvishkaHasarinda 3/10, Thavindu Danuja 3/26)Dharmapala 73 for no loss in 3 overs (MalithSandakelum 43n.o., Amila Dayanaka 22n.o.) (RF)

Lankafrom P29Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka has ayoung band of precocious batsmen to carry themthrough to the next decade or so with Mathews atthe helm and Tharanga and Chandimal providingthe experience to blend with the youth.Everything is not lost for Sri Lanka with their exit

from the Champions Trophy. The great thing is tolearn from the mistakes and prepare themselvesfor the biggest event – the 2019 World Cup whichwill also be held in England. But before all that themost crucial area Sri Lanka has to concentrate onis making vast improvements in their fielding.Catches win matches is a familiar idiom connectedto cricket. Sri Lanka found the true meaning of it atCardiff.

Dharmapala win in three overs

ISSUE 1333NEWSLANKA 22 JUNE - 2017PAGE 32