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Govt. should reduce expenditure on infrastructure development temporarily to feed people faced with hunger

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/4

We live in a highly commercialized world where making maximum profit is the measure of success, and not the outcomes and their real benefit to humanity with minimal harm to life and the environment. In addition in Sri Lanka there is a high degree of exploitation of both the farmer and the consumer by excessive profiteering by middlemen, such as mill owners and traders. The result is that the farmers are suffering and are facing hunger. The vast mass of consumers are also faced with hunger.

Society led by the scientific community has to be on constant vigilance to ensure the safety of all living things. It was with great satisfaction that a majority of people in Sri Lanka welcomed the President’s demand for the immediate cessation of the use of agrochemicals (an accepted cause of various serious diseases such as cancer and kidney disease) and the switch over to the use of organic fertilizer. An open and valuable discussion has resulted, especially with regard to the outcomes and implementation.

The powerful chemicals lobby says that yields will drop due to the fact that the hybrid seeds used and the chemical fertilizers complement each other, and the pesticide/weedicide lobby joins in, as they too will lose much income.

I am happy that the local scientific community is by and large for the switch over to organic farming. The best proposal appears to be that of Dr. C. M. Wijeyaratne, Dr. Lionel Weerakoon, Buddhi Jayasuriya and some others. It envisages “a planned shift to Ecological Farming” within the farm itself, without just “adding organic fertilizer” from outside. Setting this up in the country results in a wide network of farmer organizations to coordinate this shift, and to ensure that the farmer and the consumer get a good deal. (The LSSP has all along promoted the setting up and linking of farmer and consumer cooperatives to eliminate exploitation by the middleman). These three have proposed a gradual step-wise process based on the FAO recommendations while stressing the use of appropriate technology and the importance of good water management.

An excellent strategy is included for the plantation sector, “Employee By Out of plantations for improving productivity, production and conservation”. The LSSP has always promoted the idea of worker participation in management, but this takes it a step further giving the workers a share in the ownership of the enterprise,(which has also been a part of the LSSP program). The importance of further developing animal husbandry is also stressed. As part of the implementation mechanism they propose establishing a Sustainable Agriculture Development Authority (SADA) which I appreciate. This would ensure maximum benefits to the farmer and the consumer and ensure that the replacement of harmful chemicals by organic inputs will be ensured. I am hoping to go along with them to present this valuable set of proposal to the President to obtain his support for its implementation.

As a further step in controlling the major problems of hunger among our people I would also appeal to the President and the Prime Minister to reduce the expenditure on infrastructure development temporarily in order to provide food for all those who are faced with hunger.

Besides the acute problem of hunger the major problem facing our people is that of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is now once again becoming a major problem with a marked increase in the number of cases and deaths. The introduction of the Delta variant of the virus has increased the threat to humanity. This causes more severe illness with a higher proportion of deaths, and also spreads much quicker. I urged the Minister of Health and her officials to accept the fact that there is community spread of the Covid infection and that it is not confined to identified clusters. This needs a community based strategy for its control. I suggest that there should be a committee of party leaders set up in Parliament to interact with the Minister to get maximum support countrywide to get the message across that this is a National problem.

This would enable the Covid Committees to be established down to village and slum levels and procure the cooperation of everybody. This should emphasize the understanding and implementation of the health guidelines (like the regular wearing of masks, social distancing and the constant washing of hands with soap and water). These committees should ensure that everybody fully implements these health practices. This will be vital if there is an upsurge of the Delta variant of the virus. These committees can also identify possible cases as soon as they appear and get them hospitalized after PCR testing and help in the tracing and quarantining of contacts.

The committee would also conduct intensive health education so that everyone is fully aware of the need for the above mentioned action. The Government would then be able to carry out an intensive and effective control program across the country. If the situation gets worse the government will have to act sternly to ensure that people do not form crowds anywhere and that even at home visitors are kept out. All workplaces should use minimal staff, observing the health rules and confine the group meetings to five persons.

The education of children maintained with the use of digital communication is desirable. The cost of this is heavy and the Government may not able to fund that program widely. It may be mainly richer children who will benefit from a such a scheme. For the other children the best option would be the use of television channels. If indicated, specially for senior students, there could be small classes held according to the health rules on important subjects with the presence of the teacher.

The vaccination program is being done fairly widely, but in a haphazard manner. The vaccines to be used in the country should be carefully chosen and it would be preferable if RNA based vaccines are avoided in view of the possibility of future genetic consequences. Considering their limited level and time of protection, I would use vaccines mainly to protect the vulnerable group (elderly and those with chronic illnesses). The scare about a post-Covid syndrome affecting children does not need immunization of children. This is a relatively rare occurrence in a few children and it fits into the pattern of the Kawasaky disease which is seen as an occasional event with many virus infections. Large scale vaccination is costly and not necessary. Further the vaccine against the Alpha variant is not very effective against the Delta variant.

In the present situation facing the country, the major emphasis must be placed on providing food to the hungry and also to reducing the spread of the Covid-19 virus (specially the Delta variant), and the proper treatment in hospital of those who are seriously affected. But if there is proper health education and strict enforcement of the health rules then the problem itself can be prevented.

Prof. Tissa Vitarana

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Sri Lanka ITEC Alumni Association formally launched

Published

19 hours ago

2026/10/10

Priyan

Sri Lankan professionals trained in India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme have formed a national alumni association. The Sri Lanka ITEC Alumni Association was formally launched at its inaugural meeting on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at the Grand Crystal Ballroom of Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo.

The Association is a unique initiative of the Education Wing of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka. The Wing oversees India’s education and scholarship programmes for Sri Lanka, including the ITEC programme. The initiative was led by Sandeep Chaudhary, First Secretary (Education), High Commission of India. His vision and support were key to bringing Sri Lanka’s ITEC alumni together under one platform for the first time.

The Government of India launched ITEC in 1964, and it has since become one of the cornerstones of India’s development partnership with countries of the Global South. The programme is fully funded by the Government of India and offers civilian training in a wide range of fields, including public administration, finance, information technology, engineering, management, agriculture, health and the environment. Courses are delivered at leading Indian institutions. Over six decades, ITEC has trained officials and professionals from more than 160 partner countries. Sri Lanka has been one of its most active participants, and thousands of Sri Lankan public servants and professionals have benefited from the programme.

The new Association brings these alumni together from government, semi-government and private sector institutions. Its aims are to foster professional networking, knowledge sharing, capacity development and community service. It will also encourage collaboration among alumni and guide and support future Sri Lankan participants in ITEC programmes. In doing so, the Association seeks to deepen the long-standing friendship and people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and India.

At the meeting, members elected an Executive Committee to lead the Association. Ms. Gayathri Suveendran was elected President. The other office-bearers are:

Vice Presidents: P.B. Hasith Sandaruwan and Leo Darshan
General Secretary: Anupa Weerarathne
Assistant Secretary: Vimukthi Dushantha
Treasurer: S. Rubadharshan
Assistant Treasurer: I. Ravikumar

Four sectoral committees will carry the Association’s work forward:

Establishment, Administration and Finance: Prof. M.I.M. Mujahid Hilal, M. Farwis, Milroy Aluthwatta, W.P. Suraweera, M.S. Thayaraj and Asinsala Senevirathne.

ICT, Digital Transformation and Innovation: Sujah Ameer, Danushka Diunugala, T.M.M. Perera, Tharanga, M.K.H.P. De Silva, Pubuditha Madushan and Arulkumaran Mahalingam.

Coordination, Organising and Legal Affairs: T. Srirajeevan, Theja Jayathilaka, Eng. A. Lingeswaran, Chaminda K. Uda, Kumuduni, S. Sinthujan and Ananda Arasu.

Media, Public Relations and Publications: Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi, Dr. Gayani Kaushalya, Anandi Premarathne, Vimukthi Dushantha, R. Suhanthan and Shyam Nuwan Ganewatta.

The founding of the Association marks a significant milestone for the ITEC community in Sri Lanka. It turns individual training experiences in India into a shared national resource, and it adds a new professional dimension to the enduring partnership between the two neighbours.

News

Measures underway to protect Diyagama Forest as a Reserve — Deputy Minister of Environment

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/10

Priyan

The government is taking all necessary measures to protect the Diyagama forest area located in Homagama within the Colombo District, Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody,
stated on Friday (9) while delivering a special address in Parliament.

Originally an abandoned plot of land, it has regenerated naturally over the past two decades into a sensitive ecosystem bearing the characteristics of a rainforest. With rapid urbanization, numerous wildlife species displaced across
the Colombo District have now migrated to and found sanctuary in this ecological haven.

Citing field research conducted by a team of scholars from the University of Colombo—including Prof. S.W. Ranwala, Prof. Ileperuma, and Prof. Abeykoon—the Deputy Minister pointed out that nearly 120 species of flora and fauna have been identified in the area. Among them are species endemic to Sri Lanka, as well as rare wildlife such as the red slender loris and pregnant animals close to giving birth, clearly testifying to the rich biodiversity thriving within this habitat.

Located adjacent to the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium and the Japan–Sri Lanka Friendship Baseball Ground, this green zone serves as a vital ecosystem for absorbing carbon
dioxide emitted by athletes and residents in the vicinity.

In addition to directly contributing toward Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the forest also functions as a vital catchment area feeding into the Bolgoda water basin.

Accordingly, following the approval of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee (DCC) with the participation of the Divisional Secretary, government officials, and environmentalists, steps will be taken to submit a Cabinet paper to formally declare this valuable woodland a forest reserve, the Deputy Minister emphasized.

News

NPP govt. reminded of its responsibilities as US warship leaves Colombo

Published

21 hours ago

2026/10/10

Thilina Walpola

Alireza Delkhosh

Stranded Iranian ships off SL:

Iran has reminded Sri Lanka that as a member of the UN the government is obligated to fulfil its responsibilities.

Iranian Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh in Colombo said that in terms of the Convention on the Law of the Sea (Article 98) as well as SOLAS and SAR Conventions, Sri Lanka couldn’t refrain from providing the needs of the Iranian vessels stranded in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Ambassador Delkhosh was responding to a recent Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s declaration that neither the government nor private companies would provide food, water and medicine to these ships.

The Ambassador questioned how Sri Lanka accepted illegal and unilateral US sanctions against Iran, contrary to the JVP’s much touted historic anti-imperialistic manifesto.

The Iranian vessels are believed to be under constant US surveillance to prevent any supplies from getting through.

The Iranian Embassy made these comments as USS Tulsa (LCS 16), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship arrived in Colombo where it received supplies. The US Embassy declared that; ” this goodwill visit provides an opportunity to strengthen ties between US and Sri Lankan sailors while the ship refuels and resupplies before continuing its mission in the Indo-Pacific.”

Ambassador Delkhosh said that even if the above-mentioned Conventions weren’t adhered to, there existed, what he called, unwritten yet binding conventions that compelled Sri Lanka to assist. “It is the Convention of not forgetting past friendship and Convention of Humanitarian Actions.”

The Iranian envoy emphasised that these conventions that exempt no country from extending humanitarian aid, especially Sri Lanka, which, throughout its recent history, has been a recipient of Iranian assistance.

A section of the international media reported that Sri Lanka faced the risk of secondary sanctions from the United States if Sri Lanka allowed supplies to reach the stranded Iranian vessels. Twenty vessels are believed to be stranded in EEZ.

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador in Tehran, M.M. Zuhair, recalled how the Iranian government swiftly and decisively provided assistance, amidst western efforts to jeopardise the military campaign, by undermining the national economy.

As the war entered a crucial stage, the government found itself in an extremely difficult situation. Following talks at the highest level, Iran provided Sri Lanka with an interest-free and concessionary oil credit facility worth $1.05 billion to help obtain crude oil requirements, President’s Counsel Zuhair said.

If not for the rolling credit line, easing severe foreign exchange pressures, the Rajapakasa government could have faced an insurmountable challenge, the former diplomat said, adding that, unfortunately, those in decision-making positions now have forgotten the past. (SF)