Features

Spendthrifts of yesteryear still living it up; snippets from overseas

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/9

Cassandra’s ole head is spinning like a carousel after reading Don Manu’s column in the Sunday Times of December 4, titled Mahinda gorged on foreign cake while people struggled for bread. He lists the

millions spent on foreign trips of two brothers – then Prez and PM – and in a separate box deals with the arrival of the third brother and very costly breakfast had by around 100 sycophants who crashed into the BIA VIP lounge.

But here’s the crunch; the salient point. Gotabaya spent only about Rs. 7 million in total on three vital trips he undertook in September, October and later in 2021. He attended, as other heads of state are bound to do, the UN General Assembly in New York in September and a month later the UN Climate Change meeting in Glasgow. Third trip was to the Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi, paying his wife’ airfare and taking only necessary officials. His elder brother on the other hand had a ball of a junket with family and friends and hangers-on at a trivial meeting in Italy and later a birthday bash in Bangladesh costing the Sri Lankan Treasury a cool 37 million – to Cass horrendous.

2021 was no rosy year for this country. We were feeling the pinch of poverty and that too due to rampant corruption and incurred debts for Mahinda R’s colossal vanity constructions. We in Colombo have a constant reminder of such in the useless (so far) Lotus Tower blazing away in technicolour at night. Garish!

The Treasury going empty was a-coming and the printing press of the CB churning out rupees last year. These new millions were spent extravagantly like feathered seeds blowing in the wind. And hence our plight now; the country’s position in the world: a begging state after some lived extravagant, and deplorable mismanagement which should never have been. And its one lot of people, swarming around one family that beggared wonderful Sri Lanka.

Hopes of every Sri Lankan rose in 2009 when the civil war ended; thanks to two Rajapaksas and Field Marshal Fonseka. But the war was won but peace lost. All that money saved with no northern war eating into the exchequer did not trickle down to the people. We became poorer.The million-dollar question of the day is who spent for the breakfast tamasha in the $200 per single visit costing VIP lounge at the Katunayake airport when Brother Basil was welcomed back to his second home, second hand to him now. An answer should be got for this. But then the adopted brother is head of state; so how get to the bottom of state secrets?

Extravagance in official staff numbers

A friend who was a VIP during Mrs B’s time and earlier, chatted about then and now. He cited that Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prez in the period 2010 to 2014 employed personal staff numbering approx 2,500 which cost the country 630 million. Maitripala Sirisena exceeded him in expense. His personal staff in 2014 to 2019 numbered around 1,500 but cost the Treasury 850 m. In contrast, this friend who is a wizard at remembering persons and figures, said that Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike had around 6 personal staff members; yes, 5 or 6. Dudley and D S had even less very close personal aides. With much fewer personal advisors and henchmen, their governments rendered peace, stability and enough food and spending money to all Sri Lankans, except of course the abject poor. In the times of the later presidencies, people progressively found life harder to bear, and are now reduced to almost impossible existence. The earlier PMs cared for the people, saw to their welfare, more especially DS. Mrs B caused people to scrabble in garbage bins when she clamped down on imports to improve the country’s foreign reserves, but all in all she was better than those who followed her, barring W Dahanayake and D B Wijetunge.

The person who was a close official to Mrs B mentioned that she travelled Economy Class, unless the inviting country paid her airfare and of course, First Class. She was often upgraded by the national carrier to Business or First Class if those had empty seats, but only her, not her assistants, around five in number. Never forget that Sri Lankan which was profit making when with Emirates, started its downhill plunge of loss-making trajectory only because of Prez Mahinda R’s pique. Returning from London, he wanted 34 seats for his retinue – mostly hangers-on taken on a joy ride to the UK – on the very next flight to Sri Lanka; which meant off-loading full payment made travellers. Five seats were offered to him and immediate family. Refused. The Minister of Airways/Transport then sacked the Head of Emirates/Sri Lankan in Colombo.

When you consider the numbers mentioned you feel that every issue, trivial and major, that confronted the Prezes of our country (barring perhaps the first – JRJ) would have had 50 to 100 persons to help sort them. Of course, we know that under the regimes of MR and MS, the large number of cooks definitely spoilt the soup for the country, though it gained loyalty, sycophancy and debt paying to the lordly presidents. They were far from lordly families. In fact, the Ordinaries like Cass approved of Sirisena and lauded him as a son of a peasant paddy cultivator from Rajarata progressing to live in President’s house/Temple Trees. We overlooked the fact of the final step he took: treacherous behaviour in breaking hoppers with his boss and then undercutting him. But we lauded Maitripala Sirisena until he showed his true colours: demanding a mansion as the Prez residence of two huge houses converted to one; forgiving a murderer and unable to stomach his elite PM, substituted MR as PM though previously he said this man would have buried him alive.

All this is typical Sri Lankan. These and others who made money through vile corruption live well, and others who lived decent suffer; the poor unbearably.

Short takes from across the oceans

Georgia, in the midterm US Senate runoffs has elected Democrat Raphael Warnock defeating Republican Herschel Walker, also African American, 51.4% to 48.6%, bringing the numbers in the Senate to 51% Democrat and 49% Republican. The capital of the State of Georgia, Atlanta, was embroiled in fierce fighting in the US civil war. Georgia was cotton growing and infamous for its black slave labour. The State was recently famous for returning one of its own – Billy Carter – to the White House.Cass remembers meeting two white women in Atlanta, one a State Legislator, who were so pro-Black that they even married African Americans.

Trump in trouble

Good news to many. Cass knows a woman in the States who said she woke up each morning with dread churning her stomach when Trump was Prez fearing evil he would bring upon the country that day.

He seems to be losing ground though his ‘armies’ of whites, some militant thugs, are still loud in their rallies. The Trump Organization has been accused of tax crimes; yes crimes. News reports also that the Republicans seem to be losing ground as evidenced in the mid-term elections.

VP of Argentina

The crime of corruption and bribe taking seems to not take long to be proven and punished in foreign countries. In this once Resplendent Island major crimes by those who were in power never seem to be judged and convictions given. Actually, names have been mentioned since fear of revealing truths has been mitigated somewhat by and after the Aragalaya. However, the guardian angels hover over them.

Christina Fernandez, attractive Vice Prez of Argentina has been found guilty of corruption – helping friends – and sentenced to six years in prison.

BBC’s 100 Women of 2022

The list of 100 women selected by BBC News for the year just ending has been announced. They are from all walks of life including authors, culture promoters, actresses, scientists and others. The list included three Indians: Priyanka Chopra Jonas; domestic violence victim turned social worker Sneha Jawali; astronaut Sirisha Bandla and author Geetanjali Shree.

Cass listened to a BBC news interview with Priyanka by Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC South Asian correspondent who seems to flit around all over – one day In Afghanistan, another in Pakistan and here in Sri Lanka to cover the Aragalaya. She is appealing and most often casual in pants and blouse. In her interview with Chopra she was dressed up and perfectly groomed.Women definitely are in the forefront, even in wonderful, driven rotten by men, Sri Lanka. More loveliness to them in appearance and personality and more power to what they do!

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Features

Maduro abduction marks dangerous aggravation of ‘world disorder’

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Venezuelan President Maduro being taken to a court in New York

The abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces on January 3rd and his coercive conveying to the US to stand trial over a number of allegations leveled against him by the Trump administration marks a dangerous degeneration of prevailing ‘world disorder’. While some cardinal principles in International Law have been blatantly violated by the US in the course of the operation the fallout for the world from the exceptionally sensational VVIP abduction could be grave.

Although controversial US military interventions the world over are not ‘news’ any longer, the abduction and hustling away of a head of government, seen as an enemy of the US, to stand trial on the latter soil amounts to a heavy-handed and arrogant rejection of the foundational principles of international law and order. It would seem, for instance, that the concept of national sovereignty is no longer applicable to the way in which the world’s foremost powers relate to the rest of the international community. Might is indeed right for the likes of the US and the Trump administration in particular is adamant in driving this point home to the world.

Chief spokesmen for the Trump administration have been at pains to point out that the abduction is not at variance with national security related provisions of the US Constitution. These provisions apparently bestow on the US President wide powers to protect US security and stability through courses of action that are seen as essential to further these ends but the fact is that International Law has been brazenly violated in the process in the Venezuelan case.

To be sure, this is not the first occasion on which a head of government has been abducted by US special forces in post-World War Two times and made to stand trial in the US, since such a development occurred in Panama in 1989, but the consequences for the world could be doubly grave as a result of such actions, considering the mounting ‘disorder’ confronting the world community.

Those sections opposed to the Maduro abduction in the US would do well to from now on seek ways of reconciling national security-related provisions in the US Constitution with the country’s wider international commitment to uphold international peace and law and order. No ambiguities could be permitted on this score.

While the arbitrary military action undertaken by the US to further its narrow interests at whatever cost calls for criticism, it would be only fair to point out that the US is not the only big power which has thus dangerously eroded the authority of International Law in recent times. Russia, for example, did just that when it violated the sovereignty of Ukraine by invading it two or more years ago on some nebulous, unconvincing grounds. Consequently, the Ukraine crisis too poses a grave threat to international peace.

It is relevant to mention in this connection that authoritarian rulers who hope to rule their countries in perpetuity as it were, usually end up, sooner rather than later, being a blight on their people. This is on account of the fact that they prove a major obstacle to the implementation of the democratic process which alone holds out the promise of the prgressive empowerment of the people, whereas authoritarian rulers prefer to rule with an iron fist with a fixation about self-empowerment.

Nevertheless, regime-change, wherever it may occur, is a matter for the public concerned. In a functional democracy, it is the people, and the people only, who ‘make or break’ governments. From this viewpoint, Russia and Venezuela are most lacking. But externally induced, militarily mediated change is a gross abnormality in the world or democracy, which deserves decrying.

By way of damage control, the US could take the initiative to ensure that the democratic process, read as the full empowerment of ordinary people, takes hold in Venezuela. In this manner the US could help in stemming some of the destructive fallout from its abduction operation. Any attempts by the US to take possession of the national wealth of Venezuela at this juncture are bound to earn for it the condemnation of democratic opinion the world over.

Likewise, the US needs to exert all its influence to ensure that the rights of ordinary Ukrainians are protected. It will need to ensure this while exploring ways of stopping further incursions into Ukrainian territory by Russia’s invading forces. It will need to do this in collaboration with the EU which is putting its best foot forward to end the Ukraine blood-letting.

Meanwhile, the repercussions that the Maduro abduction could have on the global South would need to be watched with some concern by the international community. Here too the EU could prove a positive influence since it is doubtful whether the UN would be enabled by the big powers to carry out the responsibilities that devolve on it with the required effectiveness.

What needs to be specifically watched is the ‘copycat effect’ that could manifest among those less democratically inclined Southern rulers who would be inspired by the Trump administration to take the law into their hands, so to speak, and act with callous disregard for the sovereign rights of their smaller and more vulnerable neighbours.

Democratic opinion the world over would need to think of systems of checks and balances that could contain such power abuse by Southern autocratic rulers in particular. The UN and democracy-supportive organizations, such as the EU, could prove suitable partners in these efforts.

All in all it is international lawlessness that needs managing effectively from now on. If President Trump carries out his threat to over-run other countries as well in the manner in which he ran rough-shod over Venezuela, there is unlikely to remain even a semblance of international order, considering that anarchy would be receiving a strong fillip from the US, ‘The World’s Mightiest Democracy’.

What is also of note is that identity politics in particularly the South would be unprecedentedly energized. The narrative that ‘the Great Satan’ is running amok would win considerable validity among the theocracies of the Middle East and set the stage for a resurgence of religious fanaticism and invigorated armed resistance to the US. The Trump administration needs to stop in its tracks and weigh the pros and cons of its current foreign policy initiatives.

Features

Pure Christmas magic and joy at British School

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Students of The British High School in Colombo in action at the fashion show

The British School in Colombo (BSC) hosted its Annual Christmas Carnival 2025, ‘Gingerbread Wonderland’, which was a huge success, with the students themseles in the spotlight, managing stalls and volunteering.

The event, organised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), featured a variety of activities, including: Games and rides for all ages, Food stalls offering delicious treats, Drinks and refreshments, Trade booths showcasing local products, and Live music and entertainment.

The carnival was held at the school premises, providing a fun and festive atmosphere for students, parents, and the community to enjoy.

The halls of the BSC were filled with pure Christmas magic and joy with the students and the staff putting on a tremendous display.

Among the highlights was the dazzling fashion show with the students doing the needful, and they were very impressive.

The students themselves were eagerly looking forward to displaying their modelling technique and, I’m told, they enjoyed the moment they had to step on the ramp.

The event supported communities affected by the recent floods, with surplus proceeds going to flood-relief efforts.

Features

Glowing younger looking skin

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hi! This week I’m giving you some beauty tips so that you could look forward to enjoying 2026 with a glowing younger looking skin.

Face wash for natural beauty

* Avocado:

Take the pulp, make a paste of it and apply on your face. Leave it on for five minutes and then wash it with normal water.

* Cucumber:

Just rub some cucumber slices on your face for 02-03 minutes to cleanse the oil naturally. Wash off with plain water.

* Buttermilk:

Apply all over your face and leave it to dry, then wash it with normal water (works for mixed to oily skin).

Face scrub for natural beauty

Take 01-02 strawberries, 02 pieces of kiwis or 02 cubes of watermelons. Mash any single fruit and apply on your face. Then massage or scrub it slowly for at least 3-5 minutes in circular motions. Then wash it thoroughly with normal or cold water. You can make use of different fruits during different seasons, and see what suits you best! Follow with a natural face mask.

Face Masks

* Papaya and Honey:

Take two pieces of papaya (peeled) and mash them to make a paste. Apply evenly on your face and leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it with cold water.

Papaya is just not a fruit but one of the best natural remedies for good health and glowing younger looking skin. It also helps in reducing pimples and scars. You can also add honey (optional) to the mixture which helps massage and makes your skin glow.

* Banana:

Put a few slices of banana, 01 teaspoon of honey (optional), in a bowl, and mash them nicely. Apply on your face, and massage it gently all over the face for at least 05 minutes. Then wash it off with normal water. For an instant glow on your face, this facemask is a great idea to try!

* Carrot:

Make a paste using 01 carrot (steamed) by mixing it with milk or honey and apply on your face and neck evenly. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Carrots work really well for your skin as they have many vitamins and minerals, which give instant shine and younger-looking skin.