News
Zuhair: Lanka should learn from New Zealand PM’s ‘empathetic but emphatic speech’

There is a lesson for Sri Lanka to learn from New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s ‘empathetic but emphatic speech’ following the grievous knife attacks by a Muslim of Sri Lankan origin, says President’s Counsel M. M. Zuhair.
The text of the former MP’s statement issued in this regard is as follows:
Following the widely condemned despicable knife attack on innocent shoppers at the New Lynn mall in the suburb of Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd September, Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic but emphatic speech, “It was carried out by an individual; not a faith, not a culture, not an ethnicity. But an individual gripped by an ideology not supported here by anyone or any community” went viral particularly amongst Muslims worldwide!
What is significant in the Prime Minister’s timely and precise response was that she did identify the attacker of Sri Lankan origin as a single stand-alone individual, thereby instantly separating the alleged IS inspired attacker from the rest of his faith, culture and ethnicity and in effect from his countrymen. She paved the way for persons of the attacker’s faith as well to unite and fight the common enemy, real “terrorism”.
New Zealand’s strategy is bound to succeed in preventing greater radicalisation or widening resistance amongst those who feel victimised by the globalised unceasing wars, converting millions of otherwise normal people into refugees and then to modern day ‘slavery’ for the refugees’ survival.
In the absence of an objective strategic vision to isolate the terrorist from the rest of his kith, kin and compatriots in faith; ‘resistance, violent resistance and terrorism’ are bound to multiply in an unmanageable vicious cycle. That is a lesson Sri Lanka needs to learn from Arden’s handling of two major blows to peace and harmony that New Zealand went through on 15th March 2019 at Christ Church and on 3rd September 2021 at Auckland. Kiwi PM Jacinda Arden’s handling of the Auckland attack needs to be commended even while we condemn the attack! However the commendation does not extend to the New Zealand police but that is another subject!
The family has said, in a statement issued, that the Auckland attacker was wrong in what he did, expressed sorrow for the victims but that he has had a long spell of mental health problems. The family is sad that he could not be saved. It is noteworthy that a witness to the attack in the mall had said the attacker was “running around like a lunatic”. It is for the authorities in New Zealand to examine whether the attacker was indeed a ‘terrorist’ or a ‘lunatic’. Lunatics are excusable but not terrorists.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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