The China - Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre (CSLCSC) of the Pathfinder Foundation (PF) translated and published the Chinese book ‘Prevention and Control of COVID - 19’ in Sinhala as a service to the public of Sri Lanka. The soft copy of the book is available free of charge and can be downloaded and read easily on https://bit.ly/3hCJQIZ
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has taken the entire world by surprise. COVID - 19 has been touted as ‘the great equalizer,’ as the virus transcends wealth, fame, age, gender and nationality. Everyone is currently engrossed with the real-time pandemic situation.
The book features a range of prevention and control measures to be adopted at different places such as homes, outdoors, workplaces, etc., and also contains scenario - based strategies, frequently asked questions, and addresses myths and misconceptions prevalent among the public. Consequently, it will serve to educate students, teachers, and management of institutions where groups of people are concentrated such as rehabilitation centres and the general society.
‘Prevention and Control of COVID - 19’ is edited by Professor Wenhong Zhang, who is a leading Chinese expert in infectious diseases and was Head of the Shanghai COVID - 19 Treatment Expert Group. He is also the Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University.
The book is a valuable tool to all readers, and provides simple, practical, scientific and targeted information on prevention and control measures. It clearly states ‘Breaking the chain of infection is the only way to control the spread of infectious diseases. However, implementation of control principles requires each of us to properly protect ourselves and actively cooperate with anti-epidemic work, in addition to relying on national prevention and control measures, so that this battle may come to an end faster.’
The China - Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre of the Pathfinder Foundation carried out the translation with the support of the International Department Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka. The translation of the publication to Sinhala was undertaken by Mr. Lakshmana Saparamadu.
Category: View Point Published on Wednesday, 01 April 2015 10:20
Authored by Dr. Sirimal Abeyratne, Prof of Economics, University of Colombo for The pathfinder Foundation
When we look at the developments in the economic policy arena after the Presidential elections, we hardly see any way forward for Sri Lanka. Apart for revisiting governance issues, what we find is policy actions that were “defensive” and “corrective” in form but is “destructive” in substance.
When I bring this to the notice of others what I hear is that “The government is now focused on the 100-day programme; and therefore, we are to wait and see how things change after that”. Surprisingly, no one seems to understand that what the government does from day one will impact the country, beyond the 100 days. After 100 days it may be too late to correct the negative repercussions of our policy blunders as they may be irreversible at least in the short-run.
Category: Economic Alert Published on Wednesday, 25 March 2015 09:46
Introduction
Every election in Sri Lanka has been contested by all parties on populist policies. Every government formed after the elections implemented unviable promises during their first few months. They hoped that they could find revenue and cut expenditure by eliminating waste and corruption. Invariably, they later faced hard realities within the domestic as well as the global setting and were compelled to reverse actions taken to fulfill election promises. This democratic process has ended up with fiscal deficits annually and has resulted in high levels of both domestic and foreign debt. This, in turn, demands high debt servicing from the annual budget. The government deficit increases aggregate demand in the economy. This pushes up demand for both imports and domestic goods and services which, in turn, creates inflation as well as exchange rate depreciation. The government borrowings also reduce available credit to private individuals and businesses and hence push interest rates up. These domestic macroeconomic trends are becoming increasingly played out in a context where countries are integrated to global trade, tourism, and labour markets as well as capital movements and financial transactions. This means that national economic sovereignty is becoming increasingly diluted in the modern global economy. This increases the importance of disciplined economic management as countries become more exposed to international markets.
Category: Economic Flash Published on Thursday, 19 March 2015 13:40
The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) since its inception in 2006 has been in the forefront in advocating closer and much more liberal trade and investment relations with an expanding Indian market. In this connection, the Foundation has commissioned several studies on opportunities arising from deepening of the existing FTA with India leading to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
In order to realise the full benefits of the economic relations between any two countries the PF believes that barriers (tariff and non-tariff) must be removed in trade in goods and services. Since the beginning of the PF’s advocacy program the political landscapes of both India and Sri Lanka have changed considerably. Notwithstanding these changes it is heartening that the new Indian leader, Prime Minister Modi, has come forward emphasising the mutual benefits of signing of a CEPA between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi made some important observations at the event for the business community organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). These comments provide important insights into how Sri Lanka can increase the economic benefits of increasing its engagement with India.