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How much longer are we going to fool ourselves by ignoring scientific evidence?

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/27

Science is based on finding the truth and acting accordingly, though the situation may keep changing, as seen with the Covid-19 pandemic. One has to adjust flexibly to recognize and accept the real position and overcome the emerging problems making best use of the available resources.

I hope I will be forgiven for mentioning some personal experiences in the last few years to make clear the attitudinal changes that need to be made to help our country and people overcome the massive problems confronting us.

I was requested to resign from the post of Governor of the North Central Province and to come to Basil Rajapaksa’s office to sign the National List to enter Parliament. I was informed by several persons that I would be a Cabinet Minister once again as the leader of the LSSP, a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Podujana Alliance, and a former minister. In all probability, as the Minister of Science and Technology, as I had promoted the development of local value added industries, the policy of our new government. In this capacity, I had set up 263 Vidatha Development Centres, one in each administrative division, and in four years helped develop over 12,300 micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Over 20,000 youth received free training in ICT. Through SLAB (which I set up through a new Act) and the SLSI, quality products resulted (17 exported, 64 sent to local food chains and 53 to hotels).

By setting up the SLINTEC, Sri Lanka became the 18th country to develop a Nanotechnology Centre, and the first to do so in South Asia, so that large industries based on our natural resources like ilmenite and graphite could become competitive abroad.(Refer Report of Research Study done by the Institute of Policy Studies, IPS). As an MP, I am unable to build on this scientific foundation and contribution.

But the bigger mystery is why I am left out of the campaign to control the Covid-19 pandemic. My first opportunity was to attend the one and only meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Health held over six months ago (though these meetings are to be held monthly). There had been good control when the virus was brought into the country by individuals who were isolated, usually in hospital, and the contacts traced and quarantined. All credit to the military, police and health personnel for an excellent job.

But as cases were arising from local sources without a clear contact history, I said at the meeting that it had spread into the community. Among my proposals was that a Committee of Party Leaders be set up to interact with the Minister to make the campaign a national effort. Then Covid Committees, including health personnel, could be established down to village level without petty divisions. Problems like the Muslim burial issue could have been avoided. Each committee would spot suspect cases, get them PCR tested and cluster controlled. By intensive health education people would understand that it was necessary to wear the mask, practice social distancing and wash their hands well with soap and water after touching any object handled by anyone else. (I produced and distributed more than a million copies of a handbill in all three languages, with cartoons, in simple language that even a child could learn about the virus).

Current scientific evidence suggests that the virus only grows and multiplies in live cells of the human respiratory tract. It cannot multiply on its own, like all viruses, and outside our body die within a day, usually in a few hours. The Covid Committee members would help enforce the health rules. Unfortunately, the Minister refused to accept my assessment and persisted with the cluster control strategy.

An effort is being made to stop transmission of the virus by the vaccine. A minimum of 70 to 80% coverage is essential, and this will take more than a year even if we find the funds and donors. There are many problems associated with this policy and how it has been done.

Even in the UK which is targeting 100% coverage and there was good progress, the appearance of the Delta variant has led to a change in the projections to one of a large increase of cases and deaths (over 10 fold by some researches) because the protection against this variant will drop by 8% or more. With the more severe Delta plus variant the outcome will be worse. A reliable expert source has informed me that the expensive monoclonal antibody course that saved US ex-President Trump seemed to have fared poorly when tested against the Delta variant.

Now that Delta variant virus has appeared in Sri Lanka, a vigorous effort needs to be carried out to identify each and every such case, and institute effective cluster control. More funds should be provided for adequate random sampling (and testing all fever cases) by PCR in all districts, down to village and slum level, specially for lockdowns. There are still people in the Vulnerable Group (elders over 60 years, lung and heart disease, diabetes patients and others with lowered immune responses) to receive the vaccine.

Education has suffered, and while digital teaching is an answer, it is affordable by the well off but not the mass of poorer children who will suffer. I propose that selected TV channels provide the education for all. The government should postpone development projects, though they are desirable, to meet the needs of the war against Covid 19, and the fight against hunger. Fifty per cent live below the poverty line and many have only one meal a day. The malnutrition level has gone up to 18%. Priority must be given to ensure that no one starves, and they get adequate food.

The Cooperative Movement must be revived. Direct dealings between the Farmer Cooperatives and the Consumer Coops will eliminate middleman profiteering, and ensure a fair price for the farmer and the consumer. The revival of the Paddy Marketing Board and the Marketing Department to buy and sell rice and the vegetables and fruits at a reasonable price will solve the hunger problem.

But the core problem is the major economic crisis which is both global and local. It is a systemic crisis arising mainly from the capitalist system. The Government has taken the correct path of developing the national economy, reduce imports by increasing local production. Increase our foreign exchange reserve and minimize borrowing. The stress must be on promoting ecological farming, which is organic and environmentally friendly and sustainable. But the transition from chemical fertilizer must be gradual, so that yields do not suffer. For industrial development the revival of Vidatha and SLINTEC as well as other Hi-tech institutes like SLIBTEC are essential. We must reduce borrowing and increase productivity and exports. Under no circumstances should we fall into the IMF trap.

I appeal to the government to get the rich to also bear the burden. Raise personal tax from 14% to at least 70%, to enable government to get the necessary funds, avoiding debt.

– Prof. Tissa Vitarana

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New prison regulations for monks serving jail terms soon: President’s Office

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/12

Thilina Walpola

President

The Presidential Secretariat (PS) yesterday said that prison regulations concerning Buddhist monks serving prison sentences were expected to be adopted within the next two weeks.

The PS said: “Once they come into effect, arrangements will be made for Buddhist monks to be taken outside prison in their robes, based on the recommendation of the relevant Nikaya or chapter.”

The process to amend prison regulations was initiated on 08 October following discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Maha Sangha. The President called the meeting amidst controversy over producing General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara in civilian attire in court.

A special five-member Committee was in the process of studying the current regulations and standing orders under the Prisons Ordinance, the PS said.

The Committee is chaired by Prince Senadheera, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Its other members are Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Wasantha Ariyaratne, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, R. M. G. Senaratne, Commissioner-General of Buddhist Affairs, and A.C. Gajanayake, Commissioner-General of Prisons.

The first meeting of the special Committee was held at the Presidential Secretariat on the 9th, chaired by Prince Senadheera. Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration, provided the necessary policy guidance for the Committee’s work.

The proposals concerning Buddhist monks would be presented to the Maha Sangha by the middle of next week to obtain their views and recommendations before their implementation, PS stated.

News

CP alleges NPP has taken the blame for illegal US sanctions on Iranian vessels

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/12

Thilina Walpola

Dr. G. Weerasinghe

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) has alleged that the ruling UNP, in a ridiculous bid to whitewash illegal US sanctions on Iranian oil carriers stranded off Sri Lanka, has taken on itself the blame for refusing to supply humanitarian aid to the trapped crews of the oil tankers.

The text of the statement issued by Dr. G. Weerasinghe,

General Secretary, CPSL: “The Communist Party of Sri Lanka condemns the attempts by the USA to prevent essential supplies of food and water to the 19-20 Iranian oil tankers stranded off the coast, which are running short of food, fuel, and fresh water. It urges the Government of Sri Lanka to face up to the criminal actions of the US Government and do its duty under international humanitarian law.

On 30 September 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported that US officials had threatened Sri Lanka with sanctions if it continued supplying the tankers. These tankers (stranded about 24 km off Sri Lanka, within the Exclusive Economic Zone) which already discharged their cargoes, are empty and unable to return to Iran owing to the illegal war being waged against that country by the USA and Israel.

In response to this report, on 4 October, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath denied that Washington put pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka which, he claimed, always abides by international maritime law. However, he clarified that the Government would enforce US sanctions.

A US Embassy spokesman had earlier stated that Washington is working with allies to cut off “illicit Iranian revenue,” warning that supplying fuel, food, or provisions to sanctioned vessels could expose companies and individuals to US sanctions, including civil or criminal penalties.

Furthermore, from 9-11 September, the US Embassy in Colombo carried out a three-day maritime sanctions compliance workshop. Officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and Coastguard, as well as officials of the Ministry of Defence, Central Bank, Ports Authority and Merchant Shipping Secretariat, participated in this workshop. The officials were warned that any services (including fuel, food, or water) rendered to US-sanctioned vessels, such as the Iranian-linked tankers stranded off Sri Lanka’s coast, could expose companies and individuals to secondary sanctions, civil penalties, or criminal liability.

In fact, it is actions of the USA which are illicit. The US-imposed unilateral and secondary sanctions violate international law, sovereign equality, and the principle of non-intervention. Furthermore, the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against Iran itself, which had shown no belligerent intent, is illegal in international law. Participation of government officers in the workshop itself is controversial.

According to unofficial reports, Sri Lanka’s national security establishment objected to the demands made by US officials and urged the government to lodge a protest with Washington, pointing out that under UNCLOS Article 98, SOLAS 1974, and the SAR Convention 1979, Sri Lanka is obligated to assist the crews.

However, the response of the National People’s Power (NPP) regime has been to attempt to whitewash the illegal actions of the USA and to take on itself the blame for refusing to supply humanitarian aid to the trapped crews of the oil tankers.

The pusillanimous behaviour of the NPP regime rips aside any pretence that it is in any way progressive or patriotic. Together with its major constituent, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), it stands exposed as the handmaiden of US President Donald Trump’s reckless, warlike and imperialist foreign policy establishment. It begs the question whether the Government has signed secret war-related deals with the USA and thereby ditched Sri Lanka’s 70-year history of non-alignment.

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka, therefore, condemns these illegal attempts by the USA to prevent Sri Lanka from carrying out its humanitarian duty. It calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to abide by international humanitarian law, work-out suitable strategies and to supply the stranded crews with essential supplies, including food and water. It also calls upon the Government to reveal any secret deals it has entered with the USA.”

News

Ex-Tiger witness claims Ekneligoda proposed to fire missile at MR’s plane

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/12

Thilina Walpola

An ex-LTTE cadre Sumathipala Suresh Kumar, alias Thavendran ‘Murali’, has told a three-member bench of the Colombo High Court, hearing the disappearance of media personality Prageeth Ekneligoda, that during the war they discussed plans to assassinate President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a group of government people. The alleged meeting took place in Habarana.

The bench consisted of A.G.U.S. N. K. Seneviratne (Chairperson), Dr. Nalin Hewawasam and Lakmali Hewawasam.Kumar said so giving evidence as the fourth witness on behalf of first, second and sixth accused in this case.

Ekneligoda disappeared on the eve of 2010 January 26 presidential election.

Kumar told court that Ekneligoda proposed to fire a missile at an aircraft carrying President Rajapaksa and other top people. There had been another person, identified as Nadan, there.

Asked by the prosecution whether he served as a leader of LTTE intelligence at the time he met Ekneligoda, Kumar said that he was a prisoner at that time. The witness claimed that he had gone with the Army and it was his first visit to that place where the meeting took place.

When the prosecution proposed that what he said was not true, Kumar denied that.

The nine accused are Army officers and men, including Lieutenant Colonel Shammi Arjun Kumararatne. The others are R.M.P.K. Rajapaksa alias Nathan, W.V. Priyantha Dilanjan Upasena alias Suresh, Seneviratne Mudiyanselage Ravindra Rupasena alias Ranji, Yapa Mudiyanselage Chaminda Kumara Abeyratne, Seneviratne Mudiyanselage Kanishka Gunaratne, Aiyasami Balasubramaniyam, Dangaha Gamaralage Tharanga Prasad Gamage and T.E.R. Peiris.

The fourth witness surrendered to the Army in May 2009 and during investigations it transpired that he was used by Military Intelligence to contact Ekneligoda in a bid to ascertain his intention during the presidential polls campaign.