The Bankers’ Banker – Deshamanya A.S. Jayawardhana

He joined the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 1958 and held many positions including Director of EconomicResearch Unit. He served as the 10 th Governor of the Central Bank from 1995 to 2004. He was theAlternate Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1981 to 1986.

He served in many public institutions. He served as the CEO of Bank of Ceylon from 1976 to 1977 andwas appointed as Chairperson of Merchant Bank and Bank of Ceylon in 1989. From 1989 to 1993, heserved as the Secretary of Ministry of Industries, Science and Technology and Ministry of Finance andPlanning, Ethnic Affairs & National Integration. During 1965 – 1976, he served as a visiting lecturer ineconomics at several universities.

He studied at Royal College Colombo and St.Thomas College Matale and obtained his undergraduatedegree in economics from University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1957. Furthermore, he studied at theLondon School of Economics and Harvard University and obtained MSc in Economics and MSc in PublicAdministration. In 2005, he was awarded the title ‘Deshamanya’ to admire his service.

He passed away on 29 th May, 2018 at the age of 82.

A controversial news deception: Arkady Babchenko ‘back from the dead’

This dramatic turn of events has very much sparked controversy; with Ukrainian authorities being fiercely criticised for establishing the plan to fake Mr Babchenko’s death. According to sources, the plan to fake the journalist’s death had been in motion for two months. 

In defending the nation of Ukraine, the country’s head of security Vasyl Hrytsak said that Mr Babchenko’s death had to be faked in order to expose any Russian agents that are planning to murder the journalist. 

Mr Babchenko is seen as a prominent hate figure in the Russian capital of Moscow. Writing as a Kremlin critic, the journalist asserts no hesitation in informing the world about Russian’s corrupt ideologies, describing the nation as an “aggressor”. 

Mr Babchenko himself has been receiving an alarming number of death threats recently. Therefore, for necessary security reasons, the journalist had no choice but to “die” in the public eye. 

Police have disclosed that they have made one successful arrest in relation to Mr Babchenko’s faked death. 

As for Mr Babchenko himself, the journalist issued a formal apology to a room full of stunned press at the conference. He stated: 

“I have been forced to bury my friends and colleagues many times and I know the sickening feeling.” 

The Russian journalist also issued an apology to his wife, who was initially too grief-striken to speak about her husband’s death. 

“Special apologies to my wife, Olechka, there was no other option,”



Mr Babchenko comes clean about the plan to fake his death. Source – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 

What has been the global reaction in the aftermath of Mr Babchenko’s ‘resurrection’? 

Nevertheless, the country of Ukraine is still being criticised for constructing such a deception. 

Maria Zakharova, Russian’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, coined the plan to stage Mr Babchenko’s death as “a masquerade” done for “propagandistic effect”.

Furthermore, OSCE’s representative on the freedom of media Harlem Desir said: "I deplore the decision to spread false information on the life of a journalist. It is the duty of the state to provide correct information to the public."
 
Christophe Deloire, Director general of Reporters Without Borders, stated that: "It is always very dangerous for states to play with facts and especially on the backs of journalists."
 
All of these criticisms seem to be predominately directed at the fact that Ukraine seems to undermine the integrity of journalists themselves. 
 
What is the wider story? 
 
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile murders in Kiev, as outlined below: 
 
-       June 2017: Col Maxim Shapoval, a Ukrainian military intelligence officer, was killed in a car bomb. 
 
-       March 2017: Denis Voronenkov, a former Russian MP, was shot dead outside a hotel. 
 
-       July 2016: Pavel Sheremet, Belarusian journalist and Kremlin critic, was pronounced dead as a result of another car bomb. 
 
-       Aoril 2015: Oles Buzyna, Ukrainian journalist known for his pro-Russian views, was also shot dead outside his home. 
 
It is therefore clear that the murdering of these professionals is getting out of hand in Ukraine. Therefore, one can guess why action needed to have been taken in the case of Mr Babchenko.

Development Lotteries Board turns a new page in the history of lotteries!

This service will be available from 24 th May onwards and winning numbers of each lottery will be sent tomobile phones. This new service has been introduced by Development Lotteries Board in collaborationwith Dialog. Lottery results can be obtained by typing DLB and sending an SMS to 7272 using a Dialogmobile connection.

Development Lotteries Board has introduced this instant lottery results service considering the fact thatmany winners miss the opportunity to verify their victory easily although they have won. The servicewas introduced at an event to which many guests including Development Lotteries Board chairman SenaSuriyapperuma and its members and officials of Dialog attended.

Also, Development Fortune (Sanwardhana Wasana) lottery has been renewed with a new appearance.The inaugural draw of the renewed lottery will be held on 14 th June and will continue every following Thursday and Friday.

Pic by: Ajith Senevirathne

 

MediaCorp - A Platform for Young Storytellers to Foster Reconciliation

MediaCorp Fellowship Program is an innovative and unique program designed by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) for young reporters to work together in pairs with different faith and ethnic community in Sri Lanka and produce effective multimedia stories about the burning issues of fellow communities. The purpose of this new initiative to break traditional storytelling methods and produce highly fascinating stories about different faith and ethnic communities and serve media as a platform to create dialogue for sustainable peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

This program is designed for 3 years span in a way to cater young storytellers, journalists, film makers, digital media activists, short film makers, freelancers and online reporters needs and interests. SDJF is expecting to offer fellowship for 24 young, energetic candidates across the country for this year. The successful candidates for the above program will receive interactive training on “Positive Multimedia Storytelling” techniques. In addition the members will get a unique experience in being with different faith and ethnic communities for story hunting and then narrating story for their fellow members. Interestingly, the expenses related to this program will be covered by SDJF.

The candidates will be selected through competitive application process and followed by an interview. The application can be downloaded from www.Ldjf.org or can be collected from SDJF office.

For further information and clarifications please call 0771 913 004 or 0773290650 or write to us training.sdjf@gmail.com.

The project is implemented by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) as part of “Media Empowerment for Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND)” The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), with support from USAID. The goal of MEND is to improve citizen access to balanced and reliable news and information and to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen media freedom and democratic governance.

Arjun has given money to Joint opposition

He further said that Arjun Aloysius has takenmore than 800 telephone calls to Namal Rajapaksa.

He said this at ‘Hawul Palanaye EPF Dawala Pathrikawa’ conference held in Colombo yesterday (30)afternoon.

He mentioned that the way Arjun has worked with Joint Opposition can be seen from the formerpresident Mahinda Rajapaksa’s silence about the 118 persons  who allegedly took money from ArjunAloysius, when he eagerly speaks about Hambanthota harbor.

Nishantha Priyadarshana 

Russian journalist reported to be dead is pronounced alive

Vasyl Hrytsak, head of Ukraine’s security services, told sources that the journalist’s death had been faked in order to expose Russian agents that were trying to kill Mr Babchenko. 

Mr Babchenko himself has been receiving a number of death threats and so action had to be made. According to sources, the plan to fake the journalist’s death had been in motion for over a month. 

Police have disclosed that they have made one successful arrest in relation to the staged death. 

Addressing a room full of shocked journalists at the press conference, Mr Babchenko made a formal apology, stating: 

“I have been forced to bury my friends and colleagues many times and I know the sickening feeling.” 

The Russian journalist also issued an apology to his wife, who was initially too grief-striken to speak about her husband’s death. 

“Special apologies to my wife, Olechka, there was no other option,”

Russian journalist killed at residence in Kiev

According to sources, Mr Babchenko had left his apartment to buy provisions and was killed upon his return. 

The incident is being treated as an assassination, with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman having already accused Russia of plotting Mr Babchenko’s murder. 

Working as a Kremlin critic, Mr Babchenko was indeed a popular hate figure for the Russian capital of Moscow. 

"I am confident that the Russian totalitarian machine did not forgive him his honesty and principled stance," says Mr Grosyman. 

The Ukrainian Prime Minister furthermore added that the Russian journalist was a “true friend of Ukraine who was telling the world the truth about Russian investigation”. 

In responding to Ukraine, Moscow has wholeheartedly denied any allegation that the Russian Government has had anything to do with the journalist’s murder. 

In fact, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has coined the accusation from Ukraine as being part of the country’s anti-Russian campaign. Furthermore, in a statement, Mr Lavrov also brought to light the reality that journalists have been killed with impunity in Ukraine in the past. 

According to the Kremlin, Ukraine has become a “very dangerous place” for journalists and the capital of Kiev is not offering adequate protection for them. 

On this note, Russia has said that “bloody crimes” has become routine for the “Kiev regime”. Nonetheless, the country has opened up an investigation for Mr Babchenko’s murder. 

A drawing of Mr Babchenko’s assassin has recently been released, depicting a man aged being 40 and 45, with a beard and wearing a cap.

Source: Sky News

In addressing the ongoing investigation, head of Kiev police Andrei Krischenko has said that the police are approaching the case with two motives in mind: Mr Babchenko’s work and his civic postion. 

Furthermore, Dmitry Muratov, founder of the Novaya Gazeta paper to which Mr Babchenko had written for, has said that his publication are commencing with their own individual inquiry into the attack. 

“100 per cent this is connected to his journalism," Muratov said. "I can't tell you who did it, but I can tell you we're going to try to find out."

Urban councilors oppose Basil’s training

The course has been designed for provincial political leaders, based on a concept by Basil Rajapaksa. The councilors have expressed their disappointment saying that they, as politicians, did not need to follow any course so far. The course fee is Rs.72,000. The institute has further mentioned in a letter that the fee is payable in 12 installments and they are able to assist to obtain a loan from a state bank, if need.

The institute highlights that this course has been designed using educational assessment methods suitable for adults and will not include traditional examination methods. They further mention that after completing this course, it is possible to continue upto degree level.

After seeing the letter sent by the institute, UPF urban councilors have mentioned that they do not need a diploma or a degree to collect votes. They have further said that they do not have adequate time to follow courses.

They emphasized that courses cannot create national leaders and it requires a proper party policy and party leaders must give opportunities for suitable persons.

Urban councilors oppose Basil’s training

The course has been designed for provincial political leaders, based on a concept by Basil Rajapaksa. The councilors have expressed their disappointment saying that they, as politicians, did not need to follow any course so far. The course fee is Rs.72,000. The institute has further mentioned in a letter that the fee is payable in 12 installments and they are able to assist to obtain a loan from a state bank, if need.

The institute highlights that this course has been designed using educational assessment methods suitable for adults and will not include traditional examination methods. They further mention that after completing this course, it is possible to continue upto degree level.

After seeing the letter sent by the institute, UPF urban councilors have mentioned that they do not need a diploma or a degree to collect votes. They have further said that they do not have adequate time to follow courses.

They emphasized that courses cannot create national leaders and it requires a proper party policy and party leaders must give opportunities for suitable persons.

US releases a report on religious freedom in Sri Lanka!

The report presents statistics about the issues faced by religious minorities, although religious freedom is protected by the constitution.

The above report titled Sri Lanka 2017 International Religious Freedom Report was launched yesterday (29) at the US State Department with the presence of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and International Religious Freedom Ambassador Sam Brownbank.

According to the report, police reports have verified harassments faced by Muslim and Christian people. The report emphasizes that religious minorities in Sri Lanka face harassments although Buddhism is considered the main religion and the constitution has protected religious freedom.

The report further mentions that the National Evangelical Alliance has reported 97 cases of violence/ threatening and another 97 cases of interrupting religious practices.

Furthermore, the report says that the Sri Lankan Muslim Council has reported incidents of violence during Ramadan season. The report further highlights acts of violence carried out by Buddhist extremists against Muslim community in various parts of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka 2017 International Religious Freedom Report says that ‘Buddhist’ extremist groups such as Bodu Bala Sena continue to oppress religious minorities through social media as well.

The report extensively describes many incidents of violence including attacks and harassments against religious minorities took place from 2011 to 2017.

https://ift.tt/2L7o7c2

Sorrowful story of police constable who jumped into the waters to rescue lives and then disappeared forever!

Sorrowful story of police constable who jumped into the waters to rescue lives and then disappeared forever!

A case was reported of a police officer who unfortunately died having got caught to a surge of water when he had tried to rescue those living in houses in Galmuruwa, Madampe during the torrential rains that came down during the past few days.

At the moment when two persons of the team of policemen who searched for houses in Galmuruwa area that had gone under water and were making and effort to close in on the crowd who were

cornered by jumping into the waters, one police constable had submerged in water at the very time when the persons to be so rescued were in sight.

This silent corpse of this particular police officer who took action to save the lives of those people was recovered by a team of navy personnel last morning (27) at a distance of about 200 metres away from the spot where he had disappeared. It was police constable Dilan Sampath, a resident of Malgamuwa in Giriulla who was attached to Madampe police station, thus not paying heed to his own life. Inspector General of Police yesterday (27) took steps to  posthumously promote the constable yesterday for who having given over his life in an effort to rescue a family who were cordoned by water.

The water level of Galmuruwa, Madampe had been rapidly rising at 11.30 in the morning of last twenty fifth and on a call received that a crowd including children were trapped in a number of houses in this area, the Puttalam district secretary who promptly went into action pledged that he would see that the rescue team of Sri Lanka Navy Force would be dispatched within half hour. By that time officers of Madampe Disaster Management Unit were on their way towards this location while Madampe police too had already arrived on the scene.

The police officer in charge, Mr. Wasantha Kumara who visited the place first of all made arrangements to notify relevant units concerned about the situation in Galwala area in Galmuruwa and thereby two police officers had travelled to the area where the victims were. CCTV cameras nearby has recorded both of them moving towards the said location.

Mrs. P. Shanthi Kumari of Galwala area in Galmuruwa who was an eye witness to this incident had this to say: "Within the space of a few minutes the waters suddenly kept increasing. There was no elderly male either in the house. I became helpless with my two girls and boy. I grasped the phone ... gave a call to the owner of the land and told her that the waters were on the increase and there was no way to go. It was she who dialled everyone around the place and informed them. We really saw these two police officers approaching us. One of them came swimming with no problem at all while the other one remained back. At once he disappeared and then came to the surface and disappeared again. There was nothing at all that we could do. I was actually absolutely left helpless with the three children. This happened because this police officer came to our rescue".

Police constable Dilan Sampath has joined Sri Lanka Police Service in the year 2009 and has been in service in the capacity of an Intelligence Service officer at Matara, Deniyaya, Wennappuwa, Chilaw and finally with  Madampe police station.

This police hero Dilan Sampath had been competent in sports even from his small age and the boost he got in water polo in Ma Oya which flows from Giriulla which is his village and swimming actually stood him in good stead which was a reason as far as for him to enlist with the police service. Dilan Sampath has even been a member of the police cricket team and is popular as someone who displayed a talent in developing public relationships as well. For this very reason instructions were given by higher ups to enlist him with the police intelligence force. Dilan though serving the police force had an innocent heart as that of a small child and is known as someone whose heart would melt in the case of a tragedy to anybody for that matter, it is learned. Dilan lost his life because of this very reason.

Prasad Poornamal of Chilaw

Miss England and beauties turns Sri Lanka trip into a hospitality trip!

Miss England and beauties turns Sri Lanka trip into a hospitality trip!

Miss England 2017 and a group of other dazzling bevies arrived here in Sri Lanka with the idea of enjoying a pleasurable trip. But these beauties having understood the disaster situation over here had kept aside their dreams of the tour and instead had joined hands with Sarvodaya Movement and having visited its headquarters had volunteered in

providing support to Sarvodaya Disaster Management Services. Below is a collection of photos in that connection