High Commissioner Skandakumar presents credentials in New Zealand February 15, 2016 High Commissioner Somasundaram Skandakumar presented credentials to His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM, QSO Governor General and Commander-in-Chief, in Auckland New Zealand on 10th February 2016. The Credential ceremony included a distinctive New Zealand traditional M?ori ceremonial challenge; the wero, (‘Wero’ is an ancient warrior tradition of the M?ori which is aimed at determining whether visitors come in peace) a military guard of honour, followed by the presentation of credentials to the Governor General. Traditional M?ori ceremonial challenge High Commissioner briefed the Governor General on the meaningful steps that are being taken by the present Government under the leadership of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena and Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to facilitate national reconciliation and to bring prosperity to all Sri Lankans. He added that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe in outlining his economic policy had ...

Health and Views March 2016 3rd Issue   Click here to read more Health & Views March 3rd issue ...

The oldest international contest of them all And no, it isn’t England v Australia It is one of cricket’s curiosities that the oldest international rivalry is not, as many assume, England against Australia. That started in 1877, some 33 years after a side representing USA met a team from Canada at Bloomingdale Park in Manhattan. It is believed that it is the world’s oldest international sporting rivalry, pre-dating the Americas Cup by seven years. ...

STUDIO TIMES BULLETIN MARCH 2016 ...

The ULTIMATE DVD by Desmond Kelly Hi everybody Announcing the impending release of the ULTIMATE DVD of one of Sri Lanka’s famous sons…. the one and only Desmond Kelly. Book your copies early before the limited edition runs out. “THE ULTIMATE” (DVD) BY DESMOND KELLY. THERE IS “NOTHING” LIKE THIS “DVD” THE FIRST, BY NEAR OR FAR TO “FEATURE” ENTERTAINMENT PLUS “PURE NOSTALGIA” IF YOU’RE SRI LANKAN, LIKE ME SING, OR PLAY AN OLD GUITAR AND ENJOY REAL GOOD MUSIC I’LL JUST SAY “HERE YOU ARE”!! GET “THE ULTIMATE” (DVD) SIMPLY PASS-ON THE “GOOD WORD” IF YOU’VE ENJOYED IT, JUST SAY SO IT’S THE “BEST AD.”, AS I’VE HEARD JUST PLAY IT AT A “PARTY OR AT ANY “GATHERING” CONGRATULATE YOURSELF, MY FRIEND, FOR NOSTALGIA, IT WILL BRING THINK OF ALL THE NEEDY CHILDREN IN THE LAND OF SRI LANKA TO THE ORPHANS IN “THEIR DARKNESS” DONATE A “SHINING STAR” ...

Is Sri Lanka sinking and Ranil Wickremasinghe’s conservative economic thinking a thing of the past? “I don’t have to pretend to be who I’m not. My Labor party doesn’t have to pretend who it is not. Isn’t that one of the great challenges of leadership? It is hard to lead a nation when you have to pretend to be something that you’re not.” – Australian Labour Party Leader Bill Shorten By Raj Gonsalkorale Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe should perhaps take a leaf from what the Australian Labour Party Leader Bill Shorten said at a recent National Press Club speech. Mr Wickremasinghe though has to be given credit for not pretending to be who he is not. He has always been a conservative when it comes to his economic thinking. He has been and still is embedded in what Australian experts are now saying according to what Lenore Taylor has written ...

A Continuing Tradition-MGS v SGS Cricket since 1876 This book celebrates the feats of players from Melbourne Grammar School and Sydney Grammar School in this historic and oldest continuing inter-colonial (interstate) cricket match in Australia which started in 1876. The author, James Cattlin, a ‘Grammar boy’ who captained SGS in 1960 and 1961, is truly inspired by his passion for cricket and his participation in the rivalry between the two schools which has garnered life-long friendships. The descriptions of matches are interspersed with a profile of several important early representative players, such as the enigmatic RC Allen, AP Jones, Tibby Cotter, WM Bruce, Ted a’Beckett and the Barbour family. It is interesting to compare the terms and language of yesteryear with those used today. Following the progress of each match gives the reader a feel of the rivalry and effort put in by the players in an annual match which ...

Pensions, Allowances etc Indexation changes, effective 20 March 2016 The 20 March 2016 indexation changes have been announced and a special thank you to Debbie McTaggart, Editor, YourLifeChoices for sharing the information so promptly. Increased, are Pensions, Allowances, Parenting Payments, Youth Allowance, Rent Assistance, Low Income Health Care Card cut offs etc. See attached for details. “Ready reckoner” charts will be organised shortly kind courtesy of James Joseph & will be forwarded when available. Short summary of the main areas are as follows: PENSIONS: Single Rate was $867 pf…. Now $873.90 pf….. Increase of $6.90 Couple EACH was $653.50 pf. ….Now $658.70….Increase of $5.20 ea Cut off points: Pension Income test Single was $1896 pf (49,296 pa) …. Now $1909.80 pf (49,654.80 pa) Couple comb was $2902 pf (75,452 pa). Now $2922.80 pf (75,992.80 pa) Cut off points: Pension Assets Test Single Homeowner, was $783,500; Now $788,250. Couple Homeowners, was ...

Health and views March 2016 2nd Issue Click here to read more Health & Views March 2nd issue ...