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Kandamurthi Kalaregi, a Norwey based Sri Lankan is seen presenting the Indian made Yaal to Jaffna Municipal Commissioner P. Vakeesan on Wednesday. Pix by N.Lohathayalan

The near three-decade-long separatist war not only left thousands dead and a larger number maimed but also destroyed many historic items of cultural interest.In the North, one such example was a musical instrument that gave the capital the Tamil name “Yaal” (Yazh) – a harp. A museum that held the remnants of this instrument was destroyed by war.

The Tamil name Yaalpanam, historians claim, was derived from a story of a blind musician named Yalpadi. King Narasingha Raja gifted the sandy Jaffna peninsula to Yalpadi in appreciation of how he played the Yaal. A Tamil now living in Norway this week presented the Public Library there and the Jaffna University with two different Yaal musical instruments. They were made in India.

According to Kandamoorthy Kalaregi, who fled to Norway during the northern separatist insurgency, he was carrying out research on the unique musical instrument. Thus, he was able to obtain sufficient material to reconstruct the Yaal.
In older buildings in Jaffna area, now destroyed, there were montages of the Yaal on top of the wall of the front porch.

JO steps up campaign against bid to sell assets
The ‘Joint Opposition’ will step up its campaign against the Government’s move to sell or lease state assets, its leader Dinesh Gunawardena said yesterday.

He said that at its May Day rally at the Galle Face Green, the JO would also move a resolution. On Friday, the ‘JO’ was given permission to hold the rally there, he said. The main procession will begin from the Kollupitiya Junction and end at Galle Face.
One of those in favour of the venue being given to the ‘JO’ was Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Mr. Gunawardena, who also leads the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP), said the ‘JO’ leaders were meeting yesterday at the Jayasinghe Hall in Dehiwala to map out the stepped up efforts to protest against the sale or lease of state assets.

He said the ‘JO’ had also sought a parliamentary debate on the Hambantota Port being given to a Chinese company on 99-year lease. On Wednesday, Premier Wickremesinghe is set to answer a question from the ‘JO’ on the same matter.

One year’s no-pay leave to have a baby
The Public Administration and Management Ministry has decided to grant up to one year No- Pay Leave for Female Public Officers to obtain fertility treatments.

In a circular issued recently, Ministry Secretary J.J. Rathnasiri informed Secretaries to Ministries, Chief Secretaries of Provinces and Heads of Departments that the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to revise the Establishments Code to include this benefit to women employees.

“No-pay leave to be spent in or out of the Island shall be approved for a maximum period of one year (01) for female Public Officers to obtain treatments for sub fertility on the recommendations of a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist,” the circular said.

What’s your beef? Veggie for Sirisena
It was a multi-course lunch lasting ninety minutes at the Kremlin’s ornate hall for President Maithripala Sirisena and his entourage when he visited Moscow a week ago.

The main entrée was either beef or fish. Of course, President Sirisena was served a vegetarian meal. Accompanying Russian President Vladimir Putin were five Cabinet Ministers. Prominent among them was Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who at one time served at the Russian Embassy in Colombo.

A member of the Sri Lanka delegation said Mr. Lavrov was still familiar with some Sinhala phrases.
When the lunch ended, and President Sirisena rose to leave, Mr Putin said he had something for him. Then he presented a sword of the Kandyan era, which we wrote about last week.

Apex body for energy
The Government wants to set up an apex body to control the energy sector including petroleum and electricity.
The proposal has come from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. As Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, he wants to ensure there is an Energy Supply Committee.

A similar system existed in 2002 when there was a UNP Government. Legislation for this purpose is to be introduced in Parliament.

Port deal: Windfall for politico’s brother
A port deal now taking shape, insiders say, will be a windfall for the brother of a leading politico, known for his deal making.
His brother, who heads a local company, is to tie up with a foreign concern in the new deal.

PC polls: CMs oppose President’s proposals
At a meeting of Chief Ministers this week, President Maithripala Sirisena proposed that elections be conducted for all Provincial Councils.

The move, which would mean the dissolution of some PCs was strongly objected to by the Chief Ministers.
Hence, elections are now to be held for the Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provinces. Their term ends in September this year.

The Uva and Southern PCs will end their term in September 2019. The Western PC is due to end its term in April 2019 and the Central PC in September 2018.

Search for pen on President’s plane
It was an unusual experience for Arundhika Fernando, Deputy Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs.On his way to Moscow with the Presidential entourage, he lost his pen. President Maithripala Sirisena asked him whether it was a valuable one. He nodded yes.

Mr Fernando appealed to the cabin crew to look for it. But the search drew a blank.
If he had to sign something important, there were no worries. His Minister was also part of the entourage and could have lent his.