When people are devastated by rain, they scream ‘rain, rains go away’ – it somehow goes away, sooner or later – it shows mercy

When people are ravaged by floods, they scream ‘floods, floods go away ‘- it somehow goes away, sooner or later – it shows mercy

People have never heard of rains or floods causing suffering or hardships unremittingly forever.

Normally when a Govt. raises taxes, cost of living and prices of essential commodities, and increases burdens on the people, it is usually to benefit the masses in the end for their sacrifices.

But, with this Rajapakse Bros’ regime the light of distant dawn is ever becoming dimmer for the people, but brighter, only for themselves: the Rajapakse family and its largest Cabinet in the world.

The government has spent over Rs. 50 billon to procure arms and ammunition for the present military exercise during this year alone, Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament yesterday.

Mr. Siyambalapitiya was speaking during an adjournment motion

It is an accepted fact that one should know what the problem is if one is to solve that problem. But trying to find a solution for a problem that is not clearly explained and kept on the table for discussion that would be the most difficult problem solving act one can face.

The ceremony to launch the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies- Young Community Leader Awards 2008 (BCIS-YCL Awards) was held on the 13 March, 4:00pm at the BCIS auditorium in the presence of Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi Minister of Youth Affairs.

The Bandaranaike Center for International Studies is the academic wing of the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike Memorial Foundation. This institute has a glorious past of 32 years whose vision is to become a Center of Excellence in International Relations, Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution and Youth Empowerment.

At this ceremony Dr. Thusitha Tennakoon the Director of the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies stated strongly that the objective of this Awards ceremony is to recognize and reward the youth activists/young community leaders of the country who have rendered commendable services & vibrant leadership in the community development sphere. He also stated that this Awards Ceremony would also serve as a catalyst for further promoting & encouraging the volunteer involvement in finding viable solutions to the issues affecting the youth and their communities at grass-root, regional and national level. He further went to the extent of stating that this national event specifically focuses on rewarding the young community leaders, which will be a flagship event that promotes youth activism in Sri Lanka.

 At the mid point of the ceremony Nivarthana Premarathne a Member of the Steering Committee emphasized on the importance of the Steering Committee which is the heart of the whole project comprising of young volunteers. She also stated that through this awards scheme the most outstanding community leader will be selected, by a panel of judges nominated by the Steering Committee and endorsed by the Council of Management of the BCIS, from 15 specified categories according to a marking scheme of their performance within the categories of:

Peace Building

Human Rights

Women’s Rights

Child Rights

HIV/AIDS

Community Health

Employment/ Livelihood Development

Youth Empowerment

Culture and Arts

Sports

Agriculture and Irrigation

Environment Sustainability

Education

Disaster Management

Information Communication Technology

 For each of these categories Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded according to the performance and the service the applicant has rendered to promote the commendable work under prescribed categories. The most outstanding young community leader will be selected from the above medalists and will be awarded the “Young Community Leader of the Year” title and a project grant of Rs 01 Million.

The Chief Guest Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi most interestingly stated that youth involvement in community service is vital for all Sri Lankans. She expressed further that this initiative will be the wake up call for all youth activists to develop their skills in leadership and community development. She ended her speech by saying that the blessing of the government together with the Youth ministry will be bestowed upon the BCIS-YCL Awards.

The climax was when the YCL application pack was symbolically handed over to the Hon. minister and the official YCL trailer was shown.

The finale was as expected; many who were present at the launch were seen collecting the YCL application pack with great haste and enthusiasm which was evident that the YCL Awards has begun to reach the Zenith.

Applications now available at the BCIS YCL secretariat and our web site www.bcis.edu.lk 

Reportedly, police presence in a conflict situation is only when there is a breach of peace. Is then the UN's role similar in policing global squabbles? Why is it the UN refrains from playing a more functional role in nipping it in the bud as it were when signs of future conflict situations are evident?

Another medico - music product has emerged after many years. In the 1970’s it was the ‘Jay Brothers’, the doctor brothers who emerged as a twosome in music. The ‘Sirasa Super Star’ Season 2 has now created another medico - musician. He is Pradeep Rangana Abeysinghe, one of the two finalists in the grand finale tomorrow at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Ranil Wickremasinghe has been labelled as the United National Party's most unsuccessful leader to date. Whether you agree with this statement or not, it is a solid fact that this gentleman has lost a total of twelve elections during his tenure as UNP chief.

The United National Party has changed its policy on ethno-political question and stated that it would withdraw from a federal type solution to a unitary solution that would be based on the 13th Amendment to the Second Republic Constitution. Clarifying this change, its spokesperson, Ravi Karunanayake, even used words decentralization and devolution as synonym. At a meeting in Monaragala, Ranil Wickramasinghe talked about adopting a policy framework that is doable.