Electoral Reforms We propose that the existing system be altogether removed and a new procedure adopted., This is in keeping with the thinking that the manape system has caused severe disruption in society Although it is acknowledged that the proportional system is the best that reflects the mandate of the people it is admitted that such a systemsometimesprevents  voters electing a representative to represent their electorate.  So a blend of past the post and proportional system is suggested It is also found that the appointment of nationals list members have been badly abused. It was meant to pave the way for the appointment of persons of eminence who would not face the hustle of contesting  to adorn parliament  We are totally opposed to any increase in the number of MP’s to be appointed Sri Lanka is a small country and 225 member parliament is quite adequate and  satisfactory  As a ...

by Josephian Health writer Sweet potatoes are a particular type of potatoes from the same order as regular ones with the difference that they are part of different species and a different family. You can find sweet potatoes in a variety of colors. The most frequently found are the ones with white-cream and yellow-orange color. There are also sweet potatoes with purple flesh and they are extremely abundant in antioxidants. The most important thing about them is that they have excellent nutritional values. 15 Nutritious Facts 1. Sweet potatoes contain carotenoids which help in producing Vitamin A. This vitamin regenerates the respiratory system. So, people with respiratory problems, especially smokers should consume sweet potatoes more often. 2. Sweet potatoes are an excellent choice for diabetics since they contain natural sugars that decrease and stabilize the insulin resistance in diabetics. They are also good for the regulation of the sugar levels. ...

A lthough things are not perfect B ecause of trial or pain C ontinue in thanksgiving D o not begin to blame E ven when the times are hard F ierce winds are bound to blow G od is forever able H old on to what you know I magine life without His love J oy would cease to be K eep thanking Him for all the things L ove imparts to thee M ove out of “Camp Complaining” N o weapon that is known O n earth can yield the power P raise can do alone Q uit looking at the future R edeem the time at hand S tart every day with worship T o “thank” is a command U ntil we see Him coming V ictorious in the sky W e’ll run the race with gratitude X alting God most high Y es, therell be good times ...

Prof. Channa Ratnatunga recounting his remarkable recovery from a potentially deadly stroke, calls for life-saving stroke units to be set up in hospitals around the country I was a perfectly healthy individual who had only a mild elevation of blood pressure, kept under control with medication. I did not smoke and always had normal cholesterol levels and blood sugar. A very active seventy two to boot. In March of 2015, I had a stroke. It was a ‘Basilar stroke’, the worst kind. When afflicted by this kind of stroke, one usually died 80-90% of the time if no active treatment was done. ...

The Secretary of the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Michael Tawley has awarded his department’s annual excellence award for ‘Supporting and Promoting Diversity in the Workplace’ to Takshan Abeyagoonawardena. Takshan Abeyagoonawardena is an advisor in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the Australian Government, and is based in Canberra. As an advisor in the Prime Minister’s office, Takshan has worked with Australian Prime Ministers – Tony Abbott, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gullard. This award comprises a golden fountain pen and citation recog-nizing”outstanding team support for workplace diversity”. Takshan who was earlier employed in the British Civil Service in London before migrating to Australia, has a MSc and MBA from Macquarie and University of Technology, Sydney. He is also a Chartered Mathematician from the Institute of Mathematics and Application, UK. His wife Manisha Hettiarachchi is a Consultant Surgeon in Canberra. He is the son of ...

Sugar Consumption Can Fuel Cancer By Dr Harold Gunatillake FRCS, FICS,FIACS,AM (Sing), MBBS-Health writer Sugar is sweet and the body needs it to generate instant energy unlike the other macronutrients like fats and proteins. We need it like oxygen.However, a little is essential for life, but too much is toxic. Researchers find that sugar is not as sweet when it comes to growth of cancer, and it boils down to fructose which is the culprit to feed cancer cells. It was reported in the journal Cancer Research publication that people who eat lots of foods containing sugar have a higher risk of cancer, mostly, breast cancer in women. This could be one of the reasons why the incidence of breast cancer among Sri Lankan and Indian women seem to be very significant. ...

In George Washington’s days, there were no cameras. One’s image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with   one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms.  Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are “limbs,” therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, “Okay, but it’ll cost you an arm and a leg.” ...

One Year After the January 8th Victory: Winners And Losers Photo via Bloomberg by Dayapala Thiranagama “That was both the opportunity and the problem. Suddenly, subjects were told they had become Citizens; an aggregate of subjects held in place by injustice and intimidation had become a Nation. From this new thing, approved this Nation of Citizens, justice, freedom and plenty could not only be expected but required”(Simon Schama, Citizens, A Chronicles of the French Revolution, 1989). A year ago, a great electoral victory was set in motion with the coming together of the joint opposition and the common candidate, President Maithripala Sirisena. This was not the first time a common candidacy had been attempted in order to challenge the Rajapaksa regime. In the previous Presidential election in 2010, the common candidate Sarath Fonseka was defeated electorally and jailed. This was the indelible image that served as a warning to any ...

Exercise And Diet Alone Can Control Type 2 Diabetes By Dr Harold GunatillakeFRCS, FICS, FIACS, AM (Sing), MBBS Health writer to magazines, newspapers, web-sites and other organs When your doctor revealsthat you suffer from ‘adult type of diabetes’ in your middle ages or earlier, he may suggest anti-diabetic medication to take orally to stimulate your pancreas (insulinogogues) to produce more resisting insulin, or to suppress flow of stored glucose from the liver (gluconeogenesis), he may prescribe drugs like metformin, or if you are an early diabetic (pre-diabetic), he may suggest you to go on a strict low glycaemic diet (GI) initially. It would be difficult at this stage to discipline your lifestyle, and invariably not take the doctor’s advice seriously, knowing the carefree life of most Sri Lankans. When you decide on an exercise plan to control diabetes, a disciplined diet plan also goes with it simultaneously. It is better ...