{"id":233914,"date":"2023-09-14T01:06:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T19:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=233914"},"modified":"2023-09-22T16:29:16","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T10:59:16","slug":"the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/","title":{"rendered":"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Upatissa Pethiyagoda<\/a> –<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda<\/p><\/div>\n

Of all the crises that affect us, the most damaging is that of the medical sector. It is the poor, the old and the sick, who are not able to meet the prohibitive costs of private health services, who are the most affected. Pictures of elders turned away from empty clinics by sudden Trade Union actions by nurses, attendants and (quite deplorably) doctors, are heart-breaking.<\/p>\n

Now we are being told that consultants, experienced specialist doctors are leaving the country in droves, supposedly seeking more lucrative employment in richer countries. It is unfair, and possibly erroneous, to suggest that money is the only or main motivating force. It takes much more than that to force these of our more educated sons to leave their country of birth, the warmth of the society and the richness of its culture and traditions, to virtually build a more secure and comfortable life in foreign climes, for themselves and their children. Money is not all.<\/p>\n

It is clear that many of our countrymen working abroad have reached stellar heights in their chosen fields. It seems that our young men and women are no less talented than the best there is. Thus, it is not likely that the lure of creature comforts and money alone are the main driving forces, or that they are betraying the investment of State money and time, to equip them educationally, The suggestion that they should acknowledge their debt to the nation in some way, is reasonable, However, rather than regarding them as being criminally negligent by \u201cAbandoning ship\u201d at a crucial time. Most, I believe would be willing to do so in such manner, as suggestive of a \u201cgracious act of gratitude\u201d, rather than as an imposed \u201cfine\u201d<\/p>\n

There are much more compelling reasons to justify their risking their own future and that of their children, in virtually unfamiliar conditions. I believe that the deeper running discontent has to be recognized and rectified, so that our growing society will measure up to their expectations of a contented (and thereby loyal) citizenry.<\/p>\n

It is true that health and education are nominally provided free by the State (that is you and I ), but equally true that their quality is far below acceptable standards.<\/p>\n

Undeserved enthronement of divisive politics<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly, in our society, politics is all. That it emits an overpowering stench on all that it touches is clear. It is a largely parasitic creature, whose roots have sunk into a totally subservient heart. That it has done so successfully is tribute to a virile and evergreen menace. Thus our stupidly malleable society has been deceived to loudly demand a timely holding of elections and a New Constitution as a kind of \u201cnational paracetamol.\u201d Surely, no one should buy that. Our electoral processes are as far from democracy as chalk is from cheese.<\/p>\n

This false delusion of \u201cPower to the people\u201d deflects attention from much more compelling and real issues like for example, escalation of crime, drug addiction and widespread malnutrition of children.<\/p>\n

Rather than asserting that emigrating citizens are disloyal ingrates, it would be far more productive to identify and where possible to eliminate, or at least to reduce the underlying causes that encourage emigration,.<\/p>\n

Firstly, the discontent that is dramatized by the alarming departure of medical talent, is much more widespread among all professionals, be they teachers, researchers, academics or engineers, as well as others with specialized training and experience. They are invaluable assets, which our country cannot afford to lose.<\/p>\n

Given the all- pervasive nature of politics in our country, ii is but fair that comparison focus on this sector as setting standards for others. Parliament becomes the \u201cGold Standard\u201d or a factor of reference as the base. By any measure, the stark difference between the rewards for politics far surpasses those of any other. This huge aberration, if allowed unchecked, will lead to irreversible decline and eventual collapse.<\/p>\n

The enormous disparity between rewards for Parliamentary representation are so blatant that they could never have escaped the notice by the beneficiaries of this ridiculous reality. A few need emphasis..<\/p>\n

Costs and (no) returns<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Each member of Parliament is estimated to cost the Exchequer about one million Rupees per month. In reply to a Member\u2019s query, it was revealed that the total cost of maintaining a previous incumbent of the Presidency, was around twenty million per day.. Little wonder that in the quest for this bonanza, the aspirants would resort to even the most despicable crime, to lay their grasping hands on this unconscionable reward. Talk of \u201cvalue for money\u201d.<\/p>\n

Dereliction of Duty<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Parliament assembles for 100 to 120 days per year. This works out at less than a two-day week. Even with this low demand, the empty seats are scandalous. Often, even the quorum is not met. The front row of seats (ruling party seniors and Cabinet) are bare. It was once explained (without a semblance of shame) that no less than 18 Ministers were abroad. One wonders how the rest of the World survives in their absence. One may also question why our taxpayers should pay for the upkeep of other Countries, while neglecting their own. Generally the proceedings, of Parliament are rich in ritual and poor in substance. It is astonishing to be told that the cost of a single days sitting is about 8,000\/=. This is a cynical insult to taxpayers to support a rowdy marketplace.<\/p>\n

The Speaker is only a glorified timekeeper, who periodically wakes up to Interrupt a speaker, to say \u201c Hon. Member, you have only\u2026\u2026.minutes left\u201d. This is regardless of whether the speech is useful (rarely) or utter rubbish (frequently).<\/p>\n

Incidentally, members refer to each other as \u201cGaru\u201d or sometime even \u201cgaruthara\u201d. The louts are certainly \u201cThara\u201d judging by their ever expanding waistlines, but \u201cGaru\u201d?, I am not so sure.<\/p>\n

Quite often, the House adjourns, even after just about ten minutes for lack of a quorum or even inability to control a rowdy display. It is interesting to know whether members draw their \u201csitting allowance\u201d of some Rs 500\/=<\/p>\n

While this is bad enough, the house voted a monthly allowance of Rs 200,000\/= for \u201cElectoral Work\u201d Add to this, free electricity, telephone, postage, water, rent free housing, travel, drivers and staff allowances, subsidized restaurant meals, car permits ,(transferable) medical allowances and God knows what else.<\/p>\n

Pensions: While most public officers get entitled to a graded pension after more than twenty years of service, and this too a miserable percentage of their last salary, an MP after just five years (just a single term), qualifies for a lifetime pension possibly drawing 100% of his emoluments as pension for life, and for the wife too. A retiring (or dying or being chased out) President is entitled to a full salary, a house, staff and security as before. The same applies for the surviving spouse. Not bad is it?<\/p>\n

In my personal case, after serving The State for more than fifty years, I do not draw one cent as pension. Is it any wonder that I have a great respect and love for politicians living or dead?<\/p>\n

I have deliberately focused on the undue prominence and costs of duping ourselves on the relevance and importance of an essentially divisive activity. The media must take much of the blame for this societal scourge. Personalities of doubtful competence \u2013 even to the extent of crudity \u2013 are lionized by undue prominence. It seems as if nothing else matters. Events, achievements and personalities outside of politics do not seem to be worthy of attention.<\/p>\n

This situation has sub-liminally perhaps, defined much public behaviour \u2013 such as this of massive emigration. It is human nature to be exhilarated by peers as worthy of praise. It is painful to be ignored or condemned to anonymity.<\/p>\n

The low priority accorded to science and professionalism in general manifests in several ways and bodes ill for development, and adversely impacts on sustainability and future progress.<\/p>\n

The impact of science on a country\u2019s progress, is well illustrated by countries like Germany, UK and other European countries and Japan and more recently by China and South Korea. The South Korean example is perhaps the most relevant to us. The management of companies with significant technological content, like Samsung, is a striking example, where young and recently qualified scientists are at the helm of management.<\/p>\n

As an indication of the Government\u2019s serious interest, a massive multi-storied building was built to house their nascent Science Academy. The total cost was more than Five Million US Dollars and borne entirely by The Government. The floor area is vastly in excess of immediate needs. The Academy was empowered to rent out or lease the surplus premises and use the proceeds to meet their immediate needs. This is in a country which not so long ago was in severe economic distress.<\/p>\n

In contrast, The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) and The National Academy for Sciences in Sri Lanka (NASSL) are together allocated just about a million Sri Lanka Rupees as an Annual Grant, and this too not paid to the two Associations in several years. It is hoped that The State Institutes for Health (MRI), Industries (ITI) and The Government Analysts and Meteorology Departments are treated better. Contrast this with the expenditure borne for Parliament and other ancillary bodies (eg The Provincial and District<\/p>\n

Councils etc), figure, and it is easy to see where state priorities seem to lie. Actually, the medical sector has a march over others. This is the contentious issue of Private practice being allowed outside of official working hours. All are aware how this contentious facility is prone to abuse. The State service suffers deprivation and providers of private services thrive, The same applies to the education field as well, Private tutors easily siphon quality education to Private Tutories, fed easily by willful neglect of legitimate duties.<\/p>\n

Language of Education<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

In my opinion this is one of the most damaging political stunts since 1956.The perpetrators of this crime took pains to see that their own children were shipped abroad to be educated in English, thereby improving their employability, locally and also in most parts of the World.<\/p>\n

At the time of this disastrous change, (during the watch of our greatest PM), the Minister of Education was Mr Badi-uddin Mohamed Former Principal of Zahira College, Gampola. Under the Act, Muslim children could choose their medium of instruction, while those of Tamil or Sinhala parentage were compelled to choose the language of their parents. Muslim children mostly chose English The consequences are plain to see and are bound to be aggravated with time,<\/p>\n

To me, the Language\/Swabasha\/Sinhala only Act, has been an unmitigated disaster. The abandonment of English as the medium of instruction, has blasted the career prospects for our children, isolating them from a vast treasure of information and thereby employability. Perhaps most parents would not wish this to happen to their children. Hence the incentive to relocate. This change has handicapped a whole generation and will affect others yet to come. It was political jugglery at its worst and will remain a monument to a nation\u2019s stupidity.<\/p>\n

Security and lawlessness<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Media coverage reveals a massive escalation of crime. Unsolved killings, robberies, drug-related crimes and smuggling. The numbers and quantities and cash seizures are mind boggling. Sociologists have a role in determining the extent to which proceeds and prevalence of law infringements results in a social and class upheaval. The Middle Class is facing extinction and take-over by a less educated and more vicious segment of society. The elders among us may recall \u201cThe Turf Club Robbery\u201d which made media headlines for months. The amount involved was some four lakhs and one murder. In today\u2019s context, this would barely qualify as petty crime.<\/p>\n

Corruption which has penetrated all sectors of society, is alarming and very justifiably concern parents and would constitute an important incentive for re-location.<\/p>\n

The problem of drug addiction among the young is truly alarming. If unchecked, it will escalate sufficiently to throttle our entire social fabric. Ho one can be blamed for choosing not to bequeath such a mess for their children. The lack of a work ethic, integrity and moral and ethical underpinnings of society is alarming.<\/p>\n

Consequently there is a cynicism that dominates \u2013no one can be believed. This has very far-reaching impacts. Choosing to ignore such trends is a recipe for disaster. A feeling of powerlessness is a sure recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n

These are, I believe, factors that motivate emigration, than the mere quest for monetary gain and creature comforts.<\/p>\n

More politics and legal reforms alone are unlikely to be effective and adequate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[…]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":339,"featured_media":233921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,46,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-233914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-constitutional-reforms","category-editorial"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0 - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0 - Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[…]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-13T19:36:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-09-22T10:59:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"379\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Upatissa Pethiyagoda\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Upatissa Pethiyagoda\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/\",\"name\":\"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0 - Colombo Telegraph\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-13T19:36:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-09-22T10:59:16+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/8b00cccdf169112357fc3c8ad0fd2d6e\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg\",\"width\":600,\"height\":379},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\",\"name\":\"Colombo Telegraph\",\"description\":\"In journalism truth is a process\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/8b00cccdf169112357fc3c8ad0fd2d6e\",\"name\":\"Upatissa Pethiyagoda\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/03afa5796b8f6bece910ef4d517a4384d486ce8dc9e7cfd00cceafa9d6e4dd04?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/03afa5796b8f6bece910ef4d517a4384d486ce8dc9e7cfd00cceafa9d6e4dd04?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Upatissa Pethiyagoda\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/upethiyagoda\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0 - Colombo Telegraph","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0 - Colombo Telegraph","og_description":"[…]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/","og_site_name":"Colombo Telegraph","article_published_time":"2023-09-13T19:36:18+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-09-22T10:59:16+00:00","og_image":[{"width":600,"height":379,"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Upatissa Pethiyagoda","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Upatissa Pethiyagoda","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/","name":"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0 - Colombo Telegraph","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg","datePublished":"2023-09-13T19:36:18+00:00","dateModified":"2023-09-22T10:59:16+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/8b00cccdf169112357fc3c8ad0fd2d6e"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg","width":600,"height":379},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/the-health-sector-in-crisis-causes-possible-curse\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Health Sector In Crisis; Causes & Possible Curse\u00a0"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/","name":"Colombo Telegraph","description":"In journalism truth is a process","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/8b00cccdf169112357fc3c8ad0fd2d6e","name":"Upatissa Pethiyagoda","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/03afa5796b8f6bece910ef4d517a4384d486ce8dc9e7cfd00cceafa9d6e4dd04?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/03afa5796b8f6bece910ef4d517a4384d486ce8dc9e7cfd00cceafa9d6e4dd04?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"Upatissa Pethiyagoda"},"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/upethiyagoda\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/keheliya-rambukwella-and-ranil-wickremesinghe-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/339"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=233914"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":233920,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233914\/revisions\/233920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/233921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=233914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=233914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=233914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}