Prime Minister Naoto Kan has said Japan is experiencing its greatest hardships since World War II as it tackles the aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami and a growing nuclear crisis.

He said the situation at the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant remained grave, a day after an explosion at a reactor.

Japanese broadcaster NHK says the total number of confirmed deaths caused by the disaster now stands at 1,596.

Now that the US has strongly defended international funds received by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Transparency International (TI) and National Peace Council (NPC) in the post-war era, it would be pertinent for major recipients to explain how the funds had been spent, government sources told The Island.

On March 5, 2011, the Island carried an article entitled "Foreign funds galore for three NGOs." The author argued that despite the end of the war, several Sri Lankan NGOs still receive foreign funding. The articles lists a number of public institutions and private foundations that support the three NGOs named in the article.

Since my arrival in Sri Lanka in September 2009, I have read numerous articles critical of NGOs. Some contend that NGOs are working to undermine the government; others claim that NGOs are misallocating resources; and still other articles argue that the government should closely monitor and regulate the work of NGOs.

A government investigation has found that in spite of the conclusion of the war in May, 2009, a section of the international community is still pouring money into Sri Lankan NGOs like the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and National Peace Council (NPC). Transparency International Sri Lanka is another major recipient of foreign grants during the 2008 to 2010 period. According to banking sources, the CPA has received Rs. 272.31 million during the three-year period. The NPC and TI have received Rs. 171.23 million and 174.79 million, respectively.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) yesterday morning lost two of its precious Israeli-built Kfir (Hebrew term for lion cub) fighter jets and a pilot in a mid-air collision over Weeragula, Gampaha. The crash occurred during a rehearsal for an aerobatics display at the Ratmalana airbase today (2) to mark the force’s 60th anniversary. Although first reports said both pilots had ejected safely, SLAF headquarters later reported that Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera had died of injuries sustained in the crash while Squadron Leader Vajira Jayakody survived. Both Perera and Jayakody had been experienced flyers involved in scores of operations against the LTTE over the years.

Chairman of Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Senior Minister D. E. W. Gunasekera blames parliament for its failure to tackle public sector corruption, waste and irregularities.

Parliament should be held responsible for the pathetic state in many public enterprises, Minister Gunasekera said in a brief interview with The Island on Friday adding that the country would have been better off had governments followed basic principles in good governance and accountability.

Minister Gunasekera that the Auditor General as well as the two watchdog bodies, COPE and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), too, had failed in their responsibilities. "All of us should be ashamed. There is an urgent need to take remedial action to restore confidence in the public sector."