Sri Lanka is predominantly an agricultural country where a large population still depends on agricultural activities at large.  In some districts especially Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Ampara and Nuwara Eliya have a farmer community who make their living solely on agro produces.  This will be explained vividly with this anecdote. When Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket stadium, Suriyawewa was being constructed, one top Sri Lanka Cricket official on his way back from an inspection tour, stopped by to quench his thirst from a King Coconut at a roadside vendor. Noticing a couple of young men on a tractor sipping King Coconut, he approached them and quipped in native language ‘Hi chaps, we are constructing a new stadium for you all in Hambantota district’, expecting a positive response from them.  In contrary, two young men wasted no time in retorting back by saying ‘No sir, we fertilizerdon’t want a stadium. If water is provided on time, we will be more than happy’.  That is the mindset of people who live in rural Sri Lanka.  Instead, Sri Lanka Cricket constructed a state –of-the-art stadium.  Sri Lankan politicians used to give a plethora of promises and one such pledge is free availability of fertilizer which is prominently featured in the election manifestos of all parties before an election.  Once in power, the politicians go back on their promises.  It is similar to ‘a back to square one’ situation or ‘who is fooling who?’ scenario.  Now, the situation has become very serious. 

Agitated Farmers and their bone of contention 

These days, it is a common sight that farmers stage protests all over the country demanding fertilizer for their crop.  The agitated farmers even went to the extent of burning effigies of Minster of Agriculture, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and President Gotabaya Rajapakse in those serial protests.  What made them turn violent in such a manner? The reason is anyone’s guess. The present government in a surprise move decided to ban import of chemical fertilizers with no prior notice at the beginning of this year.  The government championed this cause on the premise that it wanted to transform Sri Lanka into a country which uses only organic fertilizer. Chemical fertilizer is used mainly on Tea and Rice crops to ensure bumper harvests which is the life line of the nation.  The people are still confused as to this sudden decision by the government so are the companies which import chemical fertilizer varieties as their main line of business.  Some independent analysts are of the opinion that creating an organic culture in Sri Lanka is a welcome initiative but the time factor provokes concerns.  Many agro-based entrepreneurs feel that the ban should have been implemented in stages with prior notice.  And this ban came into effect when alternative organic fertilizer was not available in the market in such quantities.  But, the government stuck to their guns.  In spite of the growing unrest, the government refused to reverse this policy decision that banned import of chemical fertilizers.  As a result, the innocent farmers are given to face untold miseries with an imminent threat of a forthcoming food shortage. 

Truth behind the ban of chemical fertilizer imports 

Today, Sri Lanka is in bad shape economically due to the dearth of US dollars.  The sudden prohibition came at a time of this US dollar crisis with a view to saving US$ 400 Million which is the cost on fertilizer imports for a harvesting season. This cannot be presumed as false information.  Sri Lankan government has sanctioned import embargoes on a range of goods such as vehicles, luxury electronic/electrical items, and some food commodities in recent time. The government was often accused of excessive currency printing too.  But, fertilizer is essential for farming.  So, Estate managements and small Tea holders are crying foul at the government over this issue. The government has now agreed to relax the ban only for Tea which is also subject to confirmation. Therefore, the critics articulate that the government has not done it with the noble objective of making Sri Lanka a country of an organic culture but to salvage the government from dilution for want of US dollars.  The government is obviously cash trapped and in a serious crisis as never before in the contemporary history. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka intended to import organic fertilizer from China, may be on a credit line.  The samples failed the clinical tests three times, raising concerns among agro scientists.  But, China is hell bent on dumping so-called organic fertilizer in Sri Lanka by hook or crook. According to the results of clinical tests, the fertilizer samples contain some bacterial organisms which are harmful to the Sri Lankan soil.  The ship carrying the shipment of Chinese organic fertilizer was denied entry into the port for unloading until the tests on this fertilizer stock are found positive for use in Sri Lanka.  Coming weeks will be very crucial for Sri Lanka. It is a million dollar question to see whether this ship would dock at the port eventually. 

Positive side of the story

Some quarters of Sri Lankans see this as a positive trend.  In fact, Sri Lanka was listed on the top for consuming poisonous food in the world. One reason is for this is widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  Some concerned professionals had been exerting pressure on successive governments to completely ban chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  However, the farmers look at the problem with mixed feelings, apparently being concerned about less harvest.   Every Sri Lankan agrees on the fact that chemical fertilizer should be proscribed.  Meantime, they argue that this is not the right time for such a ban as Sri Lanka has suffered a great deal at the hands of Covid-19 pandemic to the point of imminent economic collapse. Some critics point out that the government is under severe pressure from China to tow this line of policy which would help China to cash in on Sri Lanka’s misery.  The positive side of the story is that many companies start venturing out to mass scale producing of organic fertilizers.  Even a couple of agro companies contemplate using Nano technology to manufacture organic fertilizers, boosters and eco-pesticides locally.  This will help the farmers to reap high volume harvests with the use of Nano organic fertilizer in small quantities. The time will decide whether this ban is a good one or bad one in the future.  The fervent hope of the average Sri Lankans is to go into the future with no hardships and shortages.  It is a wait and see game for everyone in Sri Lanka now. 

Like other countries of the developing world, Sri Lanka too is witnessing a shift in gears when it comes to dietary choices. Previously it had been a land that boasted its rich food heritage. But as the world has shrunk to a global village, no one can deny the effects it has had on dietary choices as well.

This urbanization of food has opened the Pandora box of various health-related issues, which are no less than a predicament. If not curbed properly, they can seriously wreck the health of youngsters and adults alike. Let us offer you a brief insight into the adverse effects of this new trend. Only then will we be able to think of counter-strategies.

Inclination Towards Fast Food Culture.

In most developing countries, one of the most important factors that point towards a shift in di- etary patterns is urbanization. The access to more white collared jobs in urban environments leads to the perception that food is more than just a necessity. As income rises, people opt for more food variety and better quality making non-staples more important.

Food trends have diversified and shifted gears in the last decade. An average resident of Colombo now has a much wider range of cuisine to choose from with a new restaurant popping on every street. One of the segments experiencing rapid growth is fast food. Fast food novelty outlets are becoming instantly popular with middle-income families as well. The first fast-food chain to open in Sri Lanka was Pizza Hut in 1993. Since then many franchises have opened restaurants and have been accepted with widespread success.

A point of concern for many is the credibility of these franchises in their country of origin. For example, Taco Bell is notorious for its cheap potentially dangerous food. Rather the history of the franchise is full of controversies like false advertisements, overworked customer service agents, and unhealthy fabricated food. Many even attribute Taco Bell to obesity rise in the USA. But in Sri Lanka, Taco Bell is marketing itself as an amicable fast-food chain with hip wall mu- rals and modern interiors. What is seen as a cheap food source in the USA is targeting the higher and middle class in Sri Lanka.

Adverse Effects Of Fast Food On Human Health.

What people choose to put in their tummies is one of the key factors that determine their health. Poor dietary choices are the leading contributors to chronic diseases along with many other fac-

tors that need no mentioning here. Across Sri Lanka, young men and women belonging to differ- ent ethnicities have been found to have unhealthy dietary habits. Good dietary habits contribute to the overall balanced health and well-being of individuals. Likewise, poor dietary habits ham- per growth and cognitive development.

Rise in Diabetes.

Diabetes is fast becoming a global threat to good health, and Sri Lanka is no different. According to statistics released by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), the presence of diabetes in Sri Lankan adults is 8.5%. Presently there is one in 12 adults suffering from diabetes which totals around 2 million.

The rapid pace in globalization and urbanization has changed people’s dietary patterns, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The harmful effects of this transition have further been aggravat- ed by sedentary lifestyles. In this new transition, people are now more inclined towards high en- ergy-dense food ( food with minimal water content, rich in trans fats, saturated fats, sugar, and salt). Rather they should have stuck to their previous healthy version i.e. low energy-dense food ( food rich in water and fibers with little fat content).

Sugar content is the driving force behind diabetes though its adequate quantity is vital to keep us moving but its excess has negative impacts. Unluckily when people consume food from outside, this sugar content doubles more than required.

Child Malnourishment In Sri Lanka.

Though Sri Lanka has witnessed a dip in poverty, poor nutrition rates prevail. The problem of malnutrition remains a chronic challenge that calls for urgent action. Under nutrition is not an economic problem, and we should see it more as a behavioural and cultural problem. It is due to the absence of key nutrition programs. New mothers are mostly ignorant or unsure about the im- portance of complementary foods (eggs, fish, and meat). They are also influenced by traditional beliefs which are mostly wrong. For example, generation of phlegm due to eggs intake, or asso- ciating milk with skin rashes and other allergy symptoms.

To curb malnutrition in children, it is vital to improve the effectiveness of programs for children and women during their pregnancies. Not just the launching of more programs, but also strict vigilance for implementation of such initiatives. The relevant stakeholders need to encourage new methods of nutrition to achieve their targets.

Takeaway.

To lead a healthy life, it is important to shift to low energy-dense foods; prime examples of them are vegetables, fruits, pulses, grains, skinless meat ( lean meat ), low-fat dairy products, and whole-grain foods. Also, try keeping the sugar intake low. But there should be at least five serv-

ings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day. You might well see, how natural this diet is going to be – with zero preservatives.

In addition to a healthy diet, adults and children alike should be tempted to spend healthy time outdoor. This is to counter the effects of screen time. Prolong hours in front of a screen leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which is equally dangerous for children and adults. More so for the latter category, as it paves way for other chronic diseases besides diabetes. Stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, eye disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, and oral issues are just some of the devastating conditions that can happen due to an unbalanced high-energy calorie-rich diet.

One day Charles Kemmons Wilson (1913-2003), born in Osceola, Arkansas, United States, was making a family trip to Washington D. C. and the quality of the roadside hotels of the time was not to his liking. Wilson, therefore, was determined to start his own chain of hotels. The profits he had amassed from his investments in the property sector helped him realise his dream. The name Holiday Inn was proposed jokingly by his architect Eddie Bluestein, referring to the 1942 American musical film by the same name. 

It is said that Wilson, while choosing the ideal spot for his hotels, could “smell” the site and then decide. On certain occasions he would reject his sites because they gave out a foul smell. Whenever a particular site gave out a pleasant odour, he would not hesitate to choose it. This strong “Intuition” or voice within him guided Wilson, Chairman of Holiday Inns, Inc., to make the best choice of a site. By 1972 there were more than 1,400 Holiday Inn hotels worldwide.

In 1969 Herbert Raiffe became the president of a company producing toys. In 1971 he had an Intuition that there would be a great demand for toy pandas in the not too distant future. He listened to this hidden voice and spent no time in heeding the advice. His factory employees were ordered to produce toy pandas in large numbers. In 1972 the U. S. President Richard Nixon visited China and the government of that country gave him two giant panda bears by the names of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing as part of its panda diplomacy: practice of sending giant pandas from China to other countries as a tool of diplomacy. When Nixon returned with the gift of two toy pandas, the demand for these stuffed animals rose overnight as Raiffe had anticipated without any reason for justifying it. But, meeting the demand, posed no problem for Raiffe, for he was already well-prepared for that. His factory earned very large profits.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965), a British Prime Minister, had invited three ministers to a dinner during the Second World War. While the dinner was being served, he had an Intuition. Going to the kitchen immediately, he instructed the butler and the maid, who were cooking the food, to vacate the kitchen. Within less than five minutes, a bomb fell at the back of the house, destroying the kitchen totally. As they had managed to go to a shelter in time, all were saved. This is just one case of this great statesman obeying his inner voice without thinking twice which had helped him much during his political career.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), a U. S. President, was also a statesman who was guided by his Intuitive powers that motivated him to take the historic decision of abolishing slavery in his country.

Others who followed the commands of their Intuition include William Crapo Durant (1861-1947), the founder of General Motors; Conrad Nicholson Hilton (1887-1979), the international hotel magnate who founded the chain of Hilton Hotels; and Chester Floyd Carlson (1906-1968), the American physicist and inventor of photocopying technique. [Carlson believed in psychic phenomena and left a posthumous sum of $ 1,000,000 to the University of Virginia for research into reincarnation carried out by Ian Pretyman Stevenson (1918-2007), the Canadian-born American psychiatrist.]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), another U. S. President and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975), the second President of India, are also said to have relied on their Intuition.  Benjamin Franklin Fairless (1890-1962), a president of American steel companies, once said that while we obeyed our Intuition, we did not know how we did it; we just did it. 

Not only the prominent politicians and business tycoons, but the ordinary people too in their day-to-day life, have been guided by this hidden voice. Thomas, though educated, was jobless. He had a loving and understanding wife who felt in a flash that their financial problems could be solved if her husband met one of his intimate friends. Thomas obeyed her wife’s advice and when he boarded the train to meet his friend, a voice spoke to him, saying that his problems would be solved soon. On meeting the friend, Thomas found that another gentleman too had come to see his friend, looking for an office assistant. Thomas’ educational qualifications ideally met the requirements of the gentleman. Thomas was offered the job. Such personal experiences are galore in our lives too!

Perhaps Intuition is a dormant ability that emerges automatically, pointing out to a certain direction to be adopted, without recourse to conscious reasoning. So far it has eluded a rational explanation and hence, it is beyond the realm of scientific experimentation. Intuition is available to almost all human beings at all times though the extent to which this power is present in us may vary. When you are assailed with anxiety or under stress with no solution in sight to your problems, a certain idea flashes through your mind, advising you to take a particular stand. What is comforting to know is that Intuition never misleads or deceives you and it always works in your favour, aiming at your total well-being. If you ignore this inner voice, it will grow weaker and cease to guide you in the proper direction. Businessmen use it continuously and pile up enormous profits yearly. The doctors and lawyers too are supposed to be governed by the advice given by Intuition. 

Intuition belongs to the realm of extrasensory perception or ESP, also called the sixth sense and it is the perception of external events without the use of the five senses. The term was adopted by Joseph Banks Rhine (1895-1980), the Duke University psychologist to define alleged paranormal phenomena and faculties such as intuition, telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, psychometry, apparitions, mediumship, synchronicity, telekinesis, near-death experiences, precognition or retrocognition. Rhine, also an American botanist, founded parapsychology (considered to be pseudoscience and rejected by most mainstream scientists) as a branch of psychology.

However, the Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the founder of psychoanalysis, asserted that one can acquire knowledge only through the intellectual manipulation of carefully made observations and rejected any other means of attaining knowledge such as Intuition. But Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology, claimed that Intuition is an “irrational function”, opposed most directly by sensation. He defined Intuition as “perception via the unconscious”.

Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950), an Indian philosopher, sage and yogi, said that Intuition falls under the realms of knowledge by identity that can be extended further to outside of ourselves resulting in Intuitive knowledge. According to Sri Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), the self-realised Indian yogi and guru, the Intuitive power, that remains uncultured within us, can be developed by learning step-by-step methods of yoga and deep meditation that lead to self-realisation. 

Buddhism finds Intuition to be a faculty in the mind of immediate knowledge and puts the term Intuition beyond the mental process of conscious thinking, as the conscious thought cannot necessarily access subconscious information. In Zen Buddhism, a school of Mahayana Buddhism from China, various techniques have been developed to boost Intuitive capabilities. This form of Buddhism considers Intuition a mental state between the Universal mind and one’s individual mind.

Islam has various schools of thought with varied interpretations of Intuition. This religion relates Intuitive knowledge to prophethood. The Persian philosopher Sihab al Din-al Suhrawadi (1154-1191) thinks that Intuition is knowledge gained through illumination and it is mystical in nature. Ibn Sina, a Persian polymath and writer, finds the ability of having Intuition as a “prophetic capacity” and describes it as knowledge acquired without intentionally obtaining it. He opines that regular knowledge is based on imitation while Intuitive knowledge is based on intellectual certitude. 

The Athenian philosopher Plato (428-348 BC) defined Intuition as a fundamental capacity of human reason to grasp the true nature of reality. He described Intuition as a pre-existing knowledge that dwells in the “soul of eternity” and a phenomenon by which one becomes conscious of pre-existing knowledge. As an example, Plato cited mathematical truths and posited that they are not arrived at by reason. The Greek savant argued that these truths are accessed via knowledge already present in a dormant form and accessible to our Intuitive capacity.

Finally, the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) held the view that our mind casts all of our external Intuitions in the form of space while all of our internal Intuitions (memory, thought) in the form of time. ***

Emergence of evidence

On a video clip released on social media, the players namely Vice Captain Kusal Mendis, Wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwelle and stylish bat Danushka Gunatilake were seen merry making on a street outside the official hotel at midnight just a day prior to the commencement of ODI series.  This is in spite of the fact that Sri Lanka, having been miserably routed in the preceding Twenty/ 20 series, is already anguishing a troubled tour so far.   This shameful white wash was hard to stomach for Cricket loving fans who have been starving in vain for a solitary win to rejoice over.  As a matter of fact, the local fans are highly disappointed and perturbed over the dismal performance of the team and Kusal Mendis in particular for his perpetual appalling display on field.  It is also worthy of note that he was appointed Vice Captain during Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh and much was expected of him with the new responsibility on his shoulder. Unfortunately, he is yet to deliver goods. 

Past track record of players

Our national players were embroiled in many breaches of discipline in the recent past too.  One promising player was implicated in an alleged sexual behavior, inviting a lady to creep into his room at night once again during an overseas tour.  However, he was acquitted at the inquiry and spared of an imminent punishment.  Most recently, a leading player was said to have a sexual encounter with the lady Medical Doctor on tour.   This case too was dismissed by the authorities for lack of sufficient evidence.  Another player who was one of the players under scrutiny for the latest case of off -the field misdemeanor, was involved in a brawl after intoxication at a party.  He is rather a lucky guy to escape punitive action but not everyone.  About a few years back, an up and coming player was allegedly involved in a similar party brawl at a plush hotel in Colombo after liquor and it had ended his promising career abruptly and in entirety.  In another incident, a national player was arrested for peddling drugs and his case is before the courts now.  A long term imprisonment is imminent in his case. 

Solitary attempt to remedy

However, some previous administrations were genuinely concerned about discipline among national level players. In 2015, the interim committee headed by former national Cricketer Sidath Wettimuny took an initiative to educate players through a comprehensive training program, in a bid to produce well-rounded players in Sri Lanka.  The subjects include social etiquette, personal grooming, and development of leadership qualities and even the spirit of the game.  This training program encompassed all age group teams, development squads and national teams, including women’s teams.  A panel of best resource personnel was enlisted for the task with a view to imparting best of knowledge in each aspect. The underlying element of the entire program was to instill a degree of self-discipline among local players to match their international counterparts on and off the field.  This program came to an abrupt end with the change of administrations in ensued years. Now, it is high time that the current administration thought of it, to implement an ongoing training program of this caliber to escalate the standards of the players to a desirable level. 

Mockery disciplinary procedure

It is reported that three players who were implicated in the incident, were dismissed from the current tour, pending an inquiry.  No doubt that it will add salt to the wounds which Sri Lanka Cricket is nursing at the moment.  According to the unconfirmed inside sources of Sri Lanka Cricket, the primary of objective of the inquiry board is to determine whether the players were intoxicated at the time of the unsavory incident.  Usual practice of such inquiries is to impose 2 or 3 match ban on players or fine if they are found guilty.  This is seen as only a temporary measure that will not address the issue completely nor will it give a guarantee to the effect that incidents of this nature will not occur.  Many past players and administrators opined that a far reaching and more viable solution should be found instead.  

Mooting a way forward

Sri Lankan Cricket team is a national treasure which should be preserved at all costs.  Therefore the need of the hour is to establish a professional administration which has a vision for this lovely game of Cricket in Sri Lanka.  It is alleged that Sri Lanka Cricket is highly politicized with the administrators being corrupt.  Some sports critics are of the view that Sri Lanka Cricket is plagued by a mafia at present. In a strange move, some past Cricketers of repute even resorted to legal action recently, seeking an injunction on Sri Lanka Cricket elections, pending amendments to the Sports Law enacted in 1973.  For some reasons best known to them, the case was withdrawn at the eleventh hour before the election.  All stake holders agree that a concrete solution should be found for woes of Sri Lanka Cricket which would address the recurrent discipline issue of the players as well.  But they are somewhat clueless as to how it should be done.  The government intervention is seen as the best solution.  Will the government step into settle this burning issue for the best interests of the game?  It is a now or never situation that the Cricket enthusiasts will have to wait and see. 

Efforts from these organizations alone will not bring positive results on people’s wellness. It’s the duty and responsibility of every leader of a country to recognize, support, and encourage best practices of well-being for all citizens in every possible way.  

In Sanskrit, Yoga means “Yuje” and Hinduism believed to have influenced the development of Yoga. From the earliest times to date, the most prominent and popular destination to experience yoga is believed to be the Indian continent. Building on such foundations – ancient and present scholars have come up with a number of terms and definitions to describe yoga which can be seen in many forms in a more contemporary context. For some it’s a science, a mystery, embracing nature, and for others, a gateway for one’s well-being and lifestyle. However, despite the categorization, it’s widely accepted and documented that practicing Yoga has produced positive results for millions of people.

The beginning of a long journey

Human behavior despite time and place has been closely in connection with nature, and early humans were capable of understanding the need of protecting its ample and invaluable resources. They quietly listened, watched, and felt the activities around them, being vigilant was important for survival. One particular area they focused was the movement of animal species. Knowledge gathered through such activities across a long span of time, made the early man notice certain postures and positions that made animals relax while sleeping or resting on different surfaces of their preferences.  

These motionless and concentrated postures and subsequent calm behavior of animals created excitement and stimulated the early humans to ‘watch and learn’ further. They went on to make changes and adopted these postures to fit into their lifestyles. It will be interesting to explore further as to ‘how’ the earlier humans, with the support of animals and the environment, contributed to laying the foundation to modern-day Yoga.

‘Thus came the opportunity for the early humans to embrace a feeling of inner relaxation, a moment of happiness and calm, totally a different experience’.

Further they used their skills to illustrate and carve their findings and thoughts in caves, wood and stones for future generations. Least they knew some of these postures one day would assist mankind to embark on a physical and a spiritual journey of experiencing a calmer and tranquil state of mind. 

Civilizations flourished under the reign of Kings. All societies in the area came under one rule and habits of different cultures and their practices must have inevitably been interesting topics of exploration. At some stage, information on these previously observed preliminary relaxation styles adopted by certain groups reached the walls of palaces.

Later with the help of the Brahmans, Rishi, and other noble’s, the development and documentation of the yoga practices – was looked into. Once it was adopted by the Royals it was prohibited to the commoner. 

Though it’s hard to discover an exact timeline of its origin, Historians reveals Yoga practices started over 5,000 years ago, during the Indus – Sarasvati civilization in Northern India. “Yoga was mentioned in the form of rituals, mantras, and songs in the “Rigveda” the oldest known Sanskrit text. Evidence surfaces of a rishi in India known as “Pathanjali” documenting a book based on ancient traditional practices on Yoga between the period of BC 300 – BC 200. This book has highlighted the importance of balancing one’s body, soul, and mind to enhance mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. 

‘Yoga is practiced and taught to achieve one’s physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing to support a better lifestyle’

Sri Lanka – Experience a ‘yoga awakening’

In Sri Lanka Yoga is practiced in many religious and non – religious institutions and attracts many learners, professionals, and amateurs. In keeping with ancient traditions and wisdom of Ayurveda, Indigenous medicine (‘Hela Wedakama’), meditation and yoga, Sri Lanka offers a wide range of wellness opportunities for the upliftment of one’s mental and physical relaxation. Many overseas visitors would make a ‘great escape’ from their busy schedules and prefer seeking relief from traditional methods. 

With a ‘feel at home’ atmosphere, Sri Lanka offers a splendid opportunity to experience wellness in various environments within a short span of travel within the country. With the cool climate of the central region, sunny and breezy west coast, warmer beaches and shallow waters of the east coast and north-central parts with dense jungles, rivers and ancient ruins, it’s a kind of an ‘embracing yoga with nature’ type of experience. Blessings from nature continue as NASA and German scientist made a unique discovery of Sri Lanka as the lowest gravity point when comparison to the rest of the world. Yoga experts believe this geographic positioning may help people to achieve better mental relaxation and flexibility during yoga sessions.  

‘During Yoga retreats Yoga and Yogini instructors will compassionately steer you beyond all boundaries to reach the heights of your physical and spiritual healing. You will be amazed to discover your own story at the end of each session.

Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority offers figures of tourist arrivals for each year along with the purpose of visit. To obtain the latest information on the Tourism Industry/statistics in Sri Lanka please visit: https://www.sltda.gov.lk/en

Benefits of practicing yoga:

• Achieving happiness 

• Helps relieve stress and anxiety

• Balances your hormones

• Smooth function of lungs

• Increase blood circulation and feeling energetic

• Help get rid of bad toxins and purifies the blood

• Managing better sleep 

• Experiences a smooth digesting

• Better complexion

• Delays the aging process 

To achieve maximum benefits of Yoga, 

• People with serious ailments should refrain from practicing yoga

• Recommended to seek guidance from a professional yoga teacher

Few interesting facts on Yoga

• The yoga industry is worth more than $84 billion worldwide.

• Lack of flexibility is what holds 32% of non-yogis from trying yoga out.

• Aside from in-person classes, 24% of people also use yoga apps or yoga guided by videos to    practice.

• A research conducted on 52 women with anxiety and depression has shown a decrease in symptoms after 12 Sessions of hatha yoga.

• 54% of yoga practitioners said that yoga helps them release tension.

• 94% of yoga practitioners say they do yoga for wellness-related reasons.

• 15 minutes of yoga practice every day changes the brain’s chemistry and boosts mood.

• Japan has had a 413% yoga growth rate in just five years.

• In Germany, only 10% of respondents claim they practice yoga regularly.

• Around 30% of the Dutch prefer meditation yoga or mindfulness.

• 59% of yoga practitioners in the US believe that yoga helps improve their sleep.

• More than 43% of yoga practitioners are between 30 and 49 years old.

• 72% of yoga practitioners are female.

Statistics Source – https://comparecamp.com/yoga-statistics/

For more information please visit – https://www.un.org/en/observances/yoga-day

Autism and its early detection

On the second of April every year the world lights in blue to spread awareness on Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the rights of individuals’ worldwide living with ASDs. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 270 individuals worldwide experience ASDs (1) and Sri Lanka reports a prevalence of 1 in 93 children as having ASDs (2). ASD is a neurodevelopment disorder which begins during early childhood and may persist into adolescence and adulthood. ASDs in children can often be identified and diagnosed during the ages of 2-3 years or even as early as 6 months. Several factors including the interaction of genetic and physiological factors especially when combined with a non-stimulating environment is seen as prominent in influencing the development of this group of diverse disorders. 

ASDs are characteristic of deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. These characteristics often affect the social development of those who experience ASD as they may lead to;

• reduced ability in effectively communicating with others

• reduced sharing of emotions

• reduced interest in actively listening to another party during conversations

• reduced maintenance of eye contact when interacting with others
• difficulty in initiating and maintaining friendships

Due to the aforementioned factors, the relationships between children with ASD and their parents/primary caregivers and peers may seem distant. However, though social development may be affected, it is noteworthy that hindered intellectual development is not characteristic of ASDs, even though it can act as a co-occurring condition. 

Children with ASD may prefer spending time on their own and in doing so they may prefer playing with a certain part of a chosen toy (e.g. the wheels of a toy car) or an object with a lot of attention directly focused on it. They may also prefer arranging certain items or their toys in a 

preferred order. These can be a result of the need for a strict and familiar schedule that is characteristic of ASDs which makes it uncomfortable for them to experience novelty where the need for routine makes it challenging to adapt to new activities. Below are some red flags that will help in identifying symptoms of ASD from an early stage and may signal the possibility of ASD.

Signs in toddlers and infants

•  At 6 months – the child does not reciprocate smiles given by others and is not able to understand when others are trying to interact with him/her. 

• At 6 – 12 months – the child does not give or maintain eye contact with those who try to connect/communicate with him/her, the child does not communicate through smiles, cries, or any other form of communication other than speech, as commonly noticed by caregivers the child does not respond to their name being called despite of having normal hearing 

• At 12 months – the child does not point at things and express his/her needs

• At 12 months – the child does not say single words

• At 24 months – the child finds it difficult to form meaningful sentences which may at least consist of two words
• At any stage of childhood – observed loss of developmental skills (social skills, speech skills) acquired during early childhood.

Signs that may indicate ASD at any stage

• An inability to maintain eye contact may be visible – however, it is noteworthy that this alone should never be considered symptomatic of ASD and those who experience shyness, social phobia as well as hearing difficulties too can show a lack of maintaining eye contact during interpersonal interactions. 

• Complete lack of speech skills or late development of speech skills. 
• Preferring to spend time alone or stay isolated.
• Difficulty interacting with others, esp. on an emotional level.
• Repeating the same word or phrase continuously 
• Inability to adapt to changes in the daily routine or changes that may happen in their surroundings.
• Exclusive interest in a limited number of things or one chosen thing 
• Repetition of activities (e.g. showing behaviours such as rotating in the same place)
• Hypersensitivity or hypersensitivity to noises, tastes, smells, light, and colours 

However, it is noteworthy that individuals without ASD may show similar behavior and most importantly everyone who experience ASD may not collectively show all these symptoms. Therefore it is advisable to consult your physician in case you see such characteristics in your child. It is also important to attend routine checkups with your paediatrician to understand the developmental milestones your child is reaching and to see if any deviations have happened so that developmental delays/disorders can be detected and addressed early.

While medicine will not cure ASD, professional interventional methods ensure successful management of it. These include speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skill-building, evidence based psychosocial interventions such as behavioural therapies and engaging parents in the management process. Moreover, to ensure the right of education for every child, engaging the school systems in such interventions can also be immensely helpful as it will collectively help the child to adjust to situations better and improve their social skills. If you have concerns about this

condition it is always best to visit a psychiatrist, a psychologist or your child’s paediatrician for further professional advice. 

Omella Outschoorn BSc (Hon) Psy (UK), MPhil in Clin Psy. (Col, SL)

Clinical Psychologist | Assistant Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, 

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 

 World Health Organization. Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2021. Available from: Autism spectrum disorders (who.int)

 Perera H, Wijewardena K, Aluthwelage R. Screening of 18–24-month-old children for autism in a semi-urban community in Sri Lanka.

Annals of Tropical Pediatrics. 2009;55(6):402–405. doi: 10.1093/tropej/fmp031.

Endometriosis is a sickness that affects females. The sickness occurs when tissues similar to the inner lining layers of the uterus are found outside of its normal location. This is not a normal condition. Endometriosis causes mild to severe pain, especially during menstrual periods. As a result, many ailments may occur including fertility disorders. Women of ages 13 to 45 and some reaching age 50 and very rarely on age 55 are victims of Endometriosis.

ENDOMETRIUM – the inner layers and its role

The innermost lining layer of the uterus is known as the endometrium. These layers are good blood cells and during pregnancy it plays a vital role in, birth, growth and nourishment of the baby (fetus).

Dr Siriwardane is a Senior Lecturer, Senior Consultant (Gyn & Obs. Ayu) at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.”

    What causes it?

Genetic factors (mother to daughter), use of medicines which contain hormones, birth control pills, consuming food with artificial and chemical substances, stress disorders, improper lifestyle, and less exercises.

    How do you know if you have it?

Experiencing a change in the menstrual pattern along with pain. You may experience lower back pain with abdominal pain, a heavy menstrual period, or bleeding between periods. Additionally, the affected person may suffer from fatigue, nausea, bloating, and constipation.

How can you prevent it?

Maintaining a better lifestyle will help. Regular exercises, avoiding artificial food, stress-free life will help prevent except cases with genetic factors.

Is there a cure?

Ayurveda has a systematic approach to deal with the ailment. Ayurveda medicine offers its healings through natural treatments and treats the cause of the sickness. Internal medicine will be prescribed through the mouth (to stop the pathogenesis of the disease and remove the causatives). External treatments are done to the reproductive system, hormones controlling organs through the surface of the body by the way of, pastes, anointing, steam, pouring, and wrapping, etc, with medicines. Vaginal – medicinal preparations sent through the vagina to reach uterus – fallopian tubes – ovaries by way of vasti (uttara vasti), etc. Psychological treatments too are prescribed in Ayurveda treatments depending on the cause and type of ailment.

However a cure for patients with a genetic background would be challenging.

It’s best to meet a Doctor who is specialized in this field to assess the condition and seek guidance for treatments. Ayurveda treatments and medicine are free of side effects and chemical substances.

Readers could contact Dr. Dayani Siriwardane for further information.

Dr. Dayani Siriwardane
D.A.M.S. (Hon), MD. (BHU) India PHD (GAU) India

Phone: 0094 11 2792394 / 4906962 
E-mail: osuki@gmail.com
FB – Osuki Ayurveda

In 2010, FIFA officially announced that Qatar would be the host for the 2022 soccer world cup. Five countries made their bid to host the competition, the global game which was understood by all ages. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter told the press “We go to new lands. The Middle East and Arabic world has been waiting for a long time. So I’m a happy president when we talk about the development of football.”

For the Good of the Game

No doubt this was a glorious moment for the country, a soccer-loving nation, and the fans will have their memorable moments of the tournament. This was their first qualification in the world cup history and will do everything possible to be competitive.  

 Despite all the excitement world attention was drawn to one significant matter. Concerns on Human Rights for migrant workers who were involved in building the much-needed stadiums. Meanwhile, UK daily newspaper The Guardian claimed that more than 6500 workers have died on stadium construction sites since the World Cup was awarded to the Gulf State in 2010.

 Human Rights record was never a favored subject within the Gulf States, despite thousands of labour force being attracted each year from different countries for employment opportunities. History and present-day incidents reveal many tragedies. It was a proven fact that Qatar was not following work ethics, health, and safety policies, and other labour welfare matters. Asian nationals from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka migrant workers had to undergo devastating hardship when work started on the eight stadiums.

This particular news became headlines. Soccer playing nations, other Human Rights protection institutes, and media showed concerns. Going one step further International football teams from Europe started showing their support towards “safety of all workers” by wearing jerseys with slogans before the commencement of their qualification round matches. The Dutch team message was “Football support change” and the German team “Human Rights” and Norwegians “Human Rights on and off the field”. It was a very strong signal to the host and a sign of hope to all migrant workers.

The world’s attention was building. The Gulf State came under pressure and agreed to implement new work guidelines on safety for its workers. The involvement of the International Labour Organization (ILO) made matters more pressing for the Gulf nation. At the same time, new implementations of the labour law were highly acknowledged by institutions worldwide including Amnesty International.

Going further there are other areas officials need to work on. Have the authorities compensated all workers who lost their lives up to now? Why wasn’t more attention not shown earlier by the concerned parties to provide better working conditions for the migrant workers? Had it been done, could many lives have been saved?

For the finals, 24 teams will qualify. The tournament itself will not be second to other previous tournaments. The Gulf nation will throw all its resources to bring the event to a success. Nothing wrong with that. Qatar’s team will perform at the highest level, speedy and dribbling South Americans will come storming. Determined African nations will make their presence felt, Europe will bring adventure and style. Asia will bring their own glamour. All teams will play with great sportsmanship and finally, only one nation will be crowned as world champions.

Germany and Netherlands join Norway in Qatar World Cup human rights message

Keeping to traditions team players will stand in front of their national flags singing their national anthems before each game.

At that very moment, from their hearts they will not forget to pay respect and gratitude to all people who made this possible especially to those migrant workers who lost their precious lives trying to make this beautiful game possible.  

The decision was announced Saturday after an online meeting of the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese government, the Tokyo government, the International Paralympic Committee, and local organizers.

Officials said the risk was too great to admit ticket holders from overseas during a pandemic. The Japanese public has also opposed fans from abroad. Several surveys have shown that up to 80% oppose holding the Olympics, and a similar percentage opposed fans from overseas attending.

Japan has attributed about 8,800 deaths to COVID-19 and has controlled the virus better than most countries.

“In order to give clarity to ticket holders living overseas and to enable them to adjust their travel plans at this stage, the parties on the Japanese side have come to the conclusion that they will not be able to enter into Japan at the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the Tokyo organizing committee said in a statement.

Organizers said 600,000 tickets were sold to fans from outside Japan. They have promised refunds, but this will be determined by so-called Authorized Ticket Resellers that handle sales outside Japan. These dealers charge fees of up to 20% above the ticket price. It is not clear if the fees will be refunded.

Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee, said organizers were not responsible for money lost on flights or hotel reservations. He said these did not involve any “contract arrangement with Tokyo.”

Organizing committee President Seiko Hashimoto, who appeared in seven Olympics as an athlete — she won bronze in speedskating in 1992 — said there was pressure to wait longer to make a decision. But she said fans could now plan. She also lamented the move.

“So the fact that spectators are not able to attend the games from abroad — that is very disappointing and it’s regrettable,” she said. “It was an unavoidable decision.”

IOC President Thomas Bach called it a “difficult decision.”

“We have to make decisions that may need sacrifice from everybody,” he said.

Muto seemed to rule out fans entering who may have received tickets from deep-pocketed sponsors.

“If they are part of the operation of the games, if they are somewhat involved in the operation then there is still a possibility they may be able to enter into Japan,” Muto said. “But solely as spectators for watching games — no, they will not be allowed to make an entry.”

The financial burden of lost ticket sales falls on Japan. The local organizing committee budget called for $800 million income from ticket sales, the third largest income source in the privately financed budget. Any shortfall in the budget will have to be made up by Japanese government entities.

A

“The ticketing revenue will be in the decline,” Muto said. “That is very clear at this point.”

Muto also hinted at more cuts for people on the periphery of the Olympics. He also said volunteers from overseas would “be dealt with in the same manner” but said details would be forthcoming later.

“But as far as other people related to the games or whether we should maintain the same number — perhaps we will have to reduce the number. That is the consensus. That is the premise,” he said.

Overall, Japan is officially spending $15.4 billion to organize the Olympics. Several government audits say the actual cost may be twice that much. All but $6.7 billion is public money, and a University of Oxford study says these are the most expensive Olympics on record.

About 4.45 million tickets were sold to Japan residents. Organizers are expected next month to announce the capacity at venues, which now will be populated by only local residents.

The ban on fans from abroad comes just days before the Olympic torch relay starts Thursday from Fukushima prefecture in northeastern Japan. It will last for 121 days, crisscross Japan with 10,000 runners, and is to end on July 23 at the opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The relay will be a test for the Olympics and Paralympics, which will involve 15,400 athletes entering Japan. They will be tested before leaving home, tested upon arrival in Japan, and tested frequently while they reside in a secure “bubble” in the Athletes Village alongside Tokyo Bay, or at venues or training facilities.

Athletes will not be required to be vaccinated to enter Japan, but many will be.

In the midst of Saturday’s meeting, Bach and others were given a reminder about earthquake-prone northeastern Japan — and Japan in general.

A strong earthquake shook Tokyo and triggered a tsunami warning as Bach and others made introductory remarks before the virtual meeting. The strength was put a 7.0 by the U.S. Geological Survey and the location was in northeastern Japan, an area hit by a huge earthquake and tsunami in 2011. About 18,000 were killed in that tragedy 10 years ago.

“I think the screen is shaking. Have you noticed the screen is shaking,” Tamayo Marukawa, Japan’s Olympic minister, said as she made her presentation from Tokyo talking remotely to Bach visible on a screen in Switzerland. “We’re actually in the midst of an earthquake right now.”

Officials there said there were no immediate reports of damage.

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/olympic-games and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Stephen Wade, The Associated Press

Mexico will receive 2.5 million doses of the vaccine and Canada is to receive 1.5 million doses, the official said.

“We’re lending a portion of our releasable doses of AstraZeneca vaccine,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “We only put the virus behind us if we’re helping our global partners.”

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki confirmed the plan, first reported by Reuters, to send doses to Mexico and Canada. “It is not fully finalized yet but it is our aim,” she told a daily briefing.

The Biden administration has come under pressure from allies worldwide to share vaccines, particularly from AstraZeneca, which is authorized for use in other countries but not yet in the United States.

AstraZeneca has millions of doses made in a U.S. facility, and has said that it would have 30 million shots ready at the beginning of April. The company’s shares rose slightly on the news.

The deal to share the vaccine, which is still being finalized, does not affect President Joe Biden’s plans to have vaccine available for all adults in the United States by the end of May, the official said. It does not reduce the supply of available vaccine in the United States.

The deal is likely to be announced publicly in the coming days.

Two officials said the vaccine would be delivered in “short order” once the deal was completed, but they declined to give a more specific timetable.

The “releasable” vaccines are ready to be used once they arrive. Under the deal, the United States will share doses with Mexico and Canada now with the understanding that they will pay the United States back with doses in return. The official said that would take place later this year.

The United States had no plans to share the vaccine with other countries at this time, he said.

“They are our neighbors, they are our partners,” the official said about Mexico and Canada. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had requested the vaccine previously. The official said the countries were in touch about the vaccine loan. “We’ve been working through the diplomatic channels,” he said.

Reports of blood disorders have prompted more than a dozen nations to suspend use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine but on Thursday the EU’s drug watchdog said that after an investigation it is still convinced the benefits of that vaccine outweigh the risks.

Biden has said if the United States has a surplus of vaccine, it will share it with the rest of the world. The White House has focused on vaccinating people in the United States, which has seen more than 530,000 people die from virus.

The country was getting prepared to roll out the AstraZeneca vaccine domestically if it gets authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the official said.

The official noted that the United States has pledged $4 billion to the COVAX vaccine facility that aims to deliver coronavirus vaccines to poor countries.

The United States does not need the AstraZeneca shots to meet its target of having enough doses for all U.S. adults by the end of May.

The three authorized vaccine makers – Pfizer Inc/BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc, and Johnson & Johnson – have promised to deliver nearly 500 million doses to the United States by then.

Reporting by Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Caroline Humer; Editing by Heather Timmons and Alistair Bell

Common questions