Features
The message is important

‘Don’t kill the messenger.’ So said Sophocles (496-406 BC) and the advice is thus doubly weighted. The message itself is weighty and it was pronounced by one of the greatest playwrights of all time, a philosopher of distinction too. It has been extended by others but here is a definition Cass came across: “‘Don’t kill … ‘is a metaphoric phrase used to describe the act of lashing out at the (blameless) bearer of news and information that no one wants to hear.”
With the second of the two relevant cases in Cass’ tale, she changes that last bit in the explanation to read – “that certain persons don’t want to hear.” In the other case she is inclined to blame the messenger of unknowingly conveying a damaging message without verification.
Instance of deforestation
Listening to MTV Channel One news on Monday night, Cass sat up straight when she read on screen a notice issued from the presidential secretariat informing that a private TV station had highlighted an area where trees had been wantonly felled in the name of development and since the news item was untrue and damaging to the government, the station that screened a large area laid bare with massive fallen trees strewn all over, once identified, would be dealt with. Cass does not sit watching TV with pen and paper at hand, hence her inability to name the place and what the development project was. But she’s seen recently on TV, forest acreage laid bare to cultivate vegetables! Deforestation and illegal culling of trees to get bare land or to sell timber goes on apace, gathering speed, one would say, as greed increases. A large number of huge trees were felled to renovate a wewa. The peasants said it was wanton destruction. Sand mining has become a rapacious menace, with imbalance to ecosystems and creation of dangerous water holes.
We had the case of a woman facing a barrage of verbal abuse but remaining defiant in the face of a couple of important officials including a politician. She was defending an area of mangrove that was marked for removal in the name of development which was the building of a hotel by an individual with political clout. Though the woman officer of Wildlife was a messenger carrying the message of wanton destruction of an ecosystem, she was not killed nor punished; rather was she praised and held up as an example for emulation by other public officials.
In this very recent case too, it should not be a direct ‘off with its head!’ – killing the TV Station messenger but a slow and thorough investigation and if that particular news item was fake or exaggerated, to exonerate the TV Station since its message is wider: the rape of forests goes on unchecked and often instigated or encouraged by persons with political clout. This investigation should lead to further investigations. A forest cut down is almost its final end, after a hundred or more years of its growing to be a forest. And this with the world facing a disaster more serious than Covid-19 in the way of global warming and its sure destruction of Earth itself, if not stalled. The messenger may have (Cass emphasizes the doubt) got its news incorrect, but instead of punishing the film clip producers, the presidential secretariat should make a wider circle of its investigation on the ground, island-wide. Cass repeats: blatant deforestation occurs more than ever.
Another message and messenger
Would Cassandra be guilty of disrespect when she says Prof A H Sheriffdeen seems to have inadvertently turned messenger by speaking on behalf of an absent father who has protested about the treatment his 10-year-old son received from the surgical staff of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital? The surgeons of the hospital collectively wrote back to the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka to which body Prof Sheriffdeen as messenger had directed his relayed message for due investigation. Here in this case, however learned or respected Prof Sheriffdeen may be, he seems to be a messenger who can be faulted as he pitted an absent father’s complaint against the specialist surgeons of the premier children’s hospital in Sri Lanka. The surgeons explained matters clearly. Cass and thousand others know of the dedicated, professional medical and surgical care given patients of the LRH.
Ban on cattle slaughter
Cassandra sat up bolt upright again when she read in Wednesday’s The Island this heading on page 1 “Cattle slaughter banned.” “The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal for banning cattle slaughter immediately.” One reason was “that traditional farming had suffered due to an increase in the slaughter of cattle.” That to Cass was ludicrous even though she knows nothing about animal farming. Cattle are now known to cause atmospheric warming through emission of poisonous gasses. If milk is the question there must be means less drastic that will increase output.
Banning hardly ever works. What about Muslims and Christians and others who eat cattle flesh? Is it fair to deprive them of an important component of their diet? Buddhists, particularly politicos and Cabinet members, should stop eating flesh. Then automatically killing of cattle would reduce drastically. Banning is too drastic and partisan an act.
And so we seem to be lurching from one ban to another, from one controversial issue to another. Good luck to poor ole Lanka!
Features
BRICS’ pushback against dollar domination sparks global economic standoff

If one were to look for a ‘rationale’ for the Trump administration’s current decision to significantly raise its tariffs on goods and services entering its shores from virtually the rest of the world, then, it is a recent statement by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that one needs to scrutinize. He is quoted as saying that tariffs could return ‘to April levels, if countries fail to strike a deal with the US.’
In other words, countries are urged to negotiate better tariff rates with the US without further delay if they are not to be at the receiving end of the threatened new tariff regime and its disquieting conditions. An unemotional approach to the questions at hand is best.
It would be foolish on the part of the rest of the world to dismiss the Trump administration’s pronouncements on the tariff question as empty rhetoric. In this crisis there is what may be called a not so veiled invitation to the world to enter into discussions with the US urgently to iron out what the US sees as unfair trade terms. In the process perhaps mutually acceptable terms could be arrived at between the US and those countries with which it is presumably having costly trade deficits. The tariff crisis, therefore, should be approached as a situation that necessitates earnest, rational negotiations between the US and its trading partners for the resolving of outstanding issues.
Meanwhile, the crisis has brought more into the open simmering antagonisms between the US and predominantly Southern groupings, such as the BRICS. While the tariff matter figured with some urgency in the recent BRICS Summit in Brazil, it was all too clear that the biggest powers in the grouping were in an effort ‘to take the fight back to the US’ on trade, investment and connected issues that go to the heart of the struggle for global predominance between the East and the US. In this connection the term ‘West’ would need to be avoided currently because the US is no longer in complete agreement with its Western partners on issues of the first magnitude, such as the Middle East, trade tariffs and Ukraine.
Russian President Putin is in the forefront of the BRICS pushback against US dominance in the world economy. For instance, he is on record that intra-BRICS economic interactions should take place in national currencies increasingly. This applies in particular to trade and investment. Speaking up also for an ‘independent settlement and depository system’ within BRICS, Putin said that the creation of such a system would make ‘currency transactions faster, more efficient and safer’ among BRICS countries.
If the above and other intra-BRICS arrangements come to be implemented, the world’s dependence on the dollar would steadily shrink with a corresponding decrease in the power and influence of the US in world affairs.
The US’ current hurry to bring the world to the negotiating table on economic issues, such as the tariff question, is evidence that the US has been fully cognizant of emergent threats to its predominance. While it is in an effort to impress that it is ‘talking’ from a position of strength, it could very well be that it is fearful for its seemingly number one position on the world stage. Its present moves on the economic front suggest that it is in an all-out effort to keep its global dominance intact.
At this juncture it may be apt to observe that since ‘economics drives politics’, a less dollar dependent world could very well mark the beginning of the decline of the US as the world’s sole super power. One would not be exaggerating by stating that the tariff issue is a ‘pre-emptive’, strategic move of sorts by the US to remain in contention.
However, the ‘writing on the wall’ had been very manifest for the US and the West for quite a while. It is no longer revelatory that the global economic centre of gravity has been shifting from the West to the East.
Asian scholarship, in particular, has been profoundly cognizant of the trends. Just a few statistics on the Asian economic resurgence would prove the point. Parag Khanna in his notable work, ‘The Future is Asian’, for example, discloses the following: ‘Asia represents 50 percent of global GDP…It accounts for half of global economic growth. Asia produces and exports as well as imports and consumes more goods than any region.’
However, the US continues to be number one in the international power system currently and non-Western powers in particular would be erring badly if they presume that the economic health of the world and connected matters could be determined by them alone. Talks with the US would not only have to continue but would need to be conducted with the insight that neither the East nor the West would stand to gain by ignoring or glossing over the US presence.
To be sure, any US efforts to have only its way in the affairs of the world would need to be checked but as matters stand, the East and the South would need to enter into judicious negotiations with the US to meet their legitimate ends.
From the above viewpoint, it could be said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the most perceptive of Southern leaders at the BRICS Summit. On assuming chairmanship of the BRICS grouping, Modi said, among other things: ‘…During our chairmanship of BRICS, we will take this forum forward in the spirit of people-centricity and humanity first.’
People-centricity should indeed be the focus of BRICS and other such formations of predominantly the South, that have taken upon themselves to usher the wellbeing of people, as opposed to that of power elites and ruling classes.
East and West need to balance each other’s power but it all should be geared towards the wellbeing of ordinary people everywhere. The Cold War years continue to be instructive for the sole reason that the so-called ordinary people in the Western and Soviet camps gained nothing almost from the power jousts of the big powers involved. It is hoped that BRICS would grow steadily but not at the cost of democratic development.
Features
Familian Night of Elegance …

The UK branch of the Past Pupils Association of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya went into action last month with their third grand event … ‘Familian Night of Elegance.’ And, according to reports coming my way, it was nothing short of a spectacular success.
This dazzling evening brought together over 350 guests who came to celebrate sisterhood, tradition, and the deep-rooted bonds shared by Familians around the world.
Describing the event to us, Inoka De Sliva, who was very much a part of the scene, said:

Inoka De Silva: With one of the exciting prizes – air ticket to Canada and back to the UK
“The highlight of the night was the performance by the legendary Corrine Almeida, specially flown in from Sri Lanka. Her soulful voice lit up the room, creating unforgettable memories for all who attended. She was backed by the sensational UK-based band Frontline, whose energy and musical excellence kept the crowd on their feet throughout the evening.”

Corrine
Almeida:
Created
unforgettable
memories
Inoka, who now resides in the UK, went on to say that the hosting duties were flawlessly handled by the ever popular DJ and compere Vasi Sachi, who brought his trademark style and charisma to the stage, while his curated DJ sets, during the breaks, added fun and a modern vibe to the atmosphere.

Mrs. Rajika Jesuthasan: President of the UK
branch of the Past Pupils Association of
Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya
(Pix by Mishtré Photography’s Trevon Simon
The event also featured stunning dance performances that captivated the audience and elevated the celebration with vibrant cultural flair and energy.
One of the most appreciated gestures of the evening was the beautiful satin saree given to every lady upon arrival … a thoughtful and elegant gift that made all feel special.
Guests were also treated to an impressive raffle draw with 20 fantastic prizes, including air tickets.
The Past Pupils Association of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, UK branch, was founded by Mrs. Rajika Jesuthasan née Rajakarier four years ago, with a clear mission: to bring Familians in the UK together under one roof, and to give back to their beloved alma mater.
As the curtain closed on another successful Familian celebration, guests left with hearts full, and spirits high, and already counting down the days until the next gathering.
Features
The perfect tone …

We all want to have flawless skin, yet most people believe that the only way to achieve that aesthetic is by using costly skin care products.
Getting that perfect skin is not that difficult, even for the busiest of us, with the help of simple face beauty tips at home.
Well, here are some essential ways that will give you the perfect tone without having to go anywhere.
* Ice Cubes to Tighten Skin:
Applying ice cubes to your skin is a fast and easy effective method that helps to reduce eye bags and pores, and makes the skin look fresh and beautiful. Using an ice cube on your face, as a remedy in the morning, helps to “revive” and prepare the skin.
* Oil Cleansing for Skin:
Use natural oils, like coconut oil or olive oil, to cleanse your skin. Oils can clean the face thoroughly, yet moisturise its surface, for they remove dirt and excess oil without destroying the skin’s natural barriers. All one has to do is pick a specific oil, rub it softly over their face, and then wipe it off, using a warm soak (cloth soaked in warm water). It is a very simple method for cleaning the face.
* Sugar Scrub:
Mix a tablespoon of sugar with honey, or olive oil, to make a gentle scrub. Apply it in soft, circular motions, on your face and wash it off after a minute. This helps hydrate your skin by eliminating dead skin cells, which is the primary purpose of the scrub.
* Rose Water Toner:
One natural toner that will soothe and hydrate your skin is rose water. Tightening pores, this water improves the general texture of your skin. This water may be applied gently to the face post-cleansing to provide a soothing and hydrating effect to your face.
* Aloe Vera:
It is well known that aloe vera does wonders for the skin. It will provide alleviation for the skin, because of its calming and moisturising effects. The application of aloe vera gel, in its pure form, to one’s skin is beneficial as it aids in moisturising each layer, prevents slight skin deformity, and also imparts a fresh and healthy look to the face. Before going to bed is the best time to apply aloe vera.
* Water:
Staying hydrated, by drinking plenty of water (06 to 08 cups or glasses a day), helps to flush toxins and its functions in detoxification of the body, and maintenance the youthfulness of the skin in one’s appearance.
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