.

India will be kept privy to peace moves

Inclusion of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi Mangala Moonesinghe in last week’s deliberations with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek on the proposed negotiations with the LTTE has indicated Sri Lanka’s desire to keep India in the picture, officials and analysts said yesterday.

Moonesinghe, a former MP and an expert on constitutional reforms was summoned from New Delhi early last week to take part in the Wednesday’s [16] deliberations with Vollebaek and returned two days later, after further consultations with the government leadership, the sources said. The government delegation led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga included Ministers Lakshman Kadirgamar and Mangala Samaraweera, Foreign Secretary Lionel Fernando and the High Commissioner.

Indian sources based in Colombo said that Moonesinghe, a non-career diplomat has played a crucial role in improving Indo Sri Lanka ties since Mrs. Kumaratunga selected him over a number of other candidates to be Sri Lanka’s top envoy there.

The sources said that the government handled the abortive British’s Liam Fox initiative differently. The Fox initiative, very much similar to the current Norwegian effort to get the PA and the UNP to adopt a common approach with regard to fresh negotiations with the LTTE, was kept secret until the British Minister arrived in Colombo in April, 1997.

Moonesinghe had been also present at the ministerial level meeting that took place before the meeting with Mrs. Kumaratunga. The sources said that Sri Lanka appeared to have kept India of the government’s initiative in seeking Norway’s help in resuming negotiations with the LTTE.

Minister Kadirgamar on his way back to Colombo from Geneva, flew to New Delhi in the last week of January to meet with India’s External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh. The sources said that during the brief visit, the two sides had discussed the ongoing efforts to solve the North East crisis.

The sources said that the two governments would be in touch with regard to the ongoing peace initiative. The sources said that in the past few years, India has helped Sri Lanka in numerous ways and at the moment the two countries enjoy excellent relations, perhaps the best since 1977.

The LTTE remains banned both by India and the United States.

Diplomatic sources said that the LTTE would definitely use the current peace initiative to campaign to end the US imposed ban on its operations.

The Norwegian government has informed the LTTE of the Wednesday’s discussions.

Many believe that talks would take place in Oslo or London. Defence sources said that in the event of talks outside Sri Lanka, arrangements would have to be made to fly LTTE negotiators out of Colombo to whatever the place selected for talks.

The PA sent delegations that included the present Foreign Secretary to Jaffna in the first attempt to find a peaceful solution soon after coming into power. The sources said that it was interesting to see whether the government includes a senior armed forces officer in the delegation as it did in the previous attempt.

The sources said that the proposed discussions would be more political than military. The government has quite clearly indicated that the armed forces would not leave existing positions and abandon any strategic bases.

However, the government has dropped previously made demand that the LTTE should lay down arms. The sources said that the Norwegians would continue consultations both with the government and the LTTE to agree on conditions necessary for the proposed talks. The armed forces top brass believe that the forces should be on alert to prevent repetition of previous unilateral declaration of hostilities both in June, 1990 and April, 1995 which caused huge losses both in men and material .(SF)

n
"PA, UNP betraying Sinhalese"

by Shamindra Ferdinando
National Movement Against Terrorism’s [NMAT] Champika Ranawaka and Sinhala Veera Vidhana’s [SVV] retired Major General Ananda Weerasekera on Friday [18] accused the PA and the UNP of sacrificing the interests of the Sinhalese to satisfy a group of blood thirsty killers receiving international support to carve out a separate homeland for Sri Lanka’s Tamil community.

They said that the ruling party and the UNP at loggerhead over every other issue but appeared to be united in allowing a separate state in the North East region.

Ranawaka, a leading opponent of constitutional amendments proposed by the PA, pointed out that the two major parties by accepting a Norwegian role in discussions with the LTTE, have paved the way for the international community to meddle in Sri Lankan affairs and ultimately force a "solution" leading to the division of this country.

He criticised both PA and UNP leaders for their apparent failure to take a common stand against Norwegian participation and resist pressure to accept outside intervention.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek met President Chandrika Kumaratunga and UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe last Wednesday [16] less than 48 hours after he held discussions with LTTE’s Anton Balasingham in London.

Weerasekara said that SVV last week sought a meeting with Vollebaek but the Norwegian embassy denied an opportunity claiming that the minister was unable to meet them in view of his tight schedule here. The secertary to the Norwegian ambassador had explained the minister’s difficulty in meeting a SVV delegation to Weerasekera who in turn has registered their strong opposition to the Norwegian role here.

Ranawaka said that the LTTE with the help of the Norwegian and the British governments had forced both the PA and the UNP to accept outside intervention. Norway, he said should not have any interest in Sri Lanka’s problems. If they really want to play the role of an international mediator, let them help the British to persuade the IRA to lay down their arms and the end the bloodshed there.

He said that they plan to mount a series of protests and unite the people against the ‘treacherous moves‘ of the PA and the UNP. Asked whether they (the NMAT) planned demonstrations against Vollebaek’s visit, Ranawaka said that they called off scheduled protests for certain reasons he did not disclose. "We’ll oppose, in strongest possible means possible," he said insisting that the majority community would teach these traitors a lesson if the government goes for a referendum on this issue.

Ranawaka said that Norway’s interest in Sri Lanka appears to be a part of their [Europeans and their allies] strategy to meddle in affairs of sovereign states. These people, Ranakawa alleged, wanted to do here what they did in Yugoslavia’s Kosovo, Indonesia’s East Timor and a number of other places. "They always support those who seek separate homelands," Ranawaka said adding that PA and UNP leaders appear to have no understanding of Norway’s intentions.

Ranawaka said that those who caused chaos in Yugoslavia and Indonesia and then send their armies there want to send their forces here and explore the possibility of forcing India to accept an outside role in her conflict with Pakistan.

He said that those who talk against the LTTE and its allies were under threat. There was evidence to suggest that the LTTE was planning to mount attacks on those [civilian organisations] which oppose foreign intervention and fresh negotiations with the LTTE. Ranawaka said that a group styling itself as the "Cholan Armed Force" undoubtedly a front organisation of the LTTE, recently threatened to take care of Sinhala chauvinists anti- national groups.

Ranawaka said that some 16,000 armed forces and police personnel were killed fighting the LTTE and other separatist organisations. Successive governments police were tricked by these terrorists, some times with foreign help. India which supported Tamil terrorism learnt a bitter lesson when terrorists declared war on so called Indian peacekeepers sent here to implement the controversial Indo-Lanka accord and killed over 1,500 men and then assassinated Rajiv Gandhi who forced the accord on the then President J.R. Jayewardene.

Ananda Weerasekera of Sinhala Veera Vidhana said that the establishment appeared to have been divided over the way to tackle the LTTE. The army commander Lieutenant General Srilal Weerasuriya had repeatedly said that the LTTE must be defeated, militarily and this position has been even accepted by some in the government.

Some silver amidst the gloom of 1999 economic indicators

Sri Lanka’s 1999 economic indicators signalled a downturn in the national economy according to just published Central Bank figures. However, there were several plus points including a record tea harvest for the sixth consecutive year and all time high tourist arrivals.

The Economic Research Department of the Central Bank has said in its February 18 report on selected weekly economic indicators that GDP for the first 9 months of this year had grown only 3.4%, down from the 4.8% growth demonstrated in the comparative period a year earlier.

These figures also indicate that the trade deficit had widened 31.1% in 1999 to Rs. 91.4 billion from Rs. 69.7 billion a year earlier. Exports were down in dollar terms by 4.1% while imports grew by 0.1%, also in dollar terms.

The bank attributed the decline in export earnings to decreases in industrial and agricultural exports and said that the drop in imports was reflected in consumer, intermediate and other categories of imports.

Sri Lanka’s external assets too were down last year by 11.2% to USD 2.58 billion from USD 2.9 billion a year earlier. Gross official reserves too were down 17.4% to USD 1.6 billion.

Despite the bad news, there was also some good news in the economic indicators for last year. Tea production was up 1.3% to an all time high of 283.7 million kg for the sixth consecutive year. Coconut production too was up 10% to 2.8 billion nuts while rubber production was up 3.9% to 99.3 million kg.

Tourism too had grown with visitor arrivals at a record 436,400 last year up 14.5% from the previous year. Tourism earnings too were up 14.5% to USD 263.3 million.

There has also been a softening of prices of essentials like rice, sugar and wheat in international markets last December. But this was offset by rocketing crude oil prices. December’s international rice price was down 14.2% from a year earlier, white sugar price down 21.5% and the wheat price down 12.9%. But the crude oil price had rocketed 132.9% from a year earlier.

Pakistan air chief visits Lankan bases

The Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan AF, Air Chief Marshal Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi returned to Pakistan yesterday [19] after a five day official visit to Sri Lanka where he met the Deputy Defence Minister, the Defence Secretary, the service commanders and other top officers of the armed forces.

Qureshi, the first senior Pakistan armed forces officer to visit Sri Lanka after the Chief of the Army Staff General Parvez Musharaff toppled the then premier Navaz Shariff’s government in a bloodless coup, had visited Anuradhapura, Katunayake and Diyatalawa air bases, defence sources said yesterday.

Musharaff grabbed power within 24 hours after returning from Colombo where he attended SL Army’s 50-year anniversary celebrations.

The Pakistani Airforce chief had been accompanied by two other senior officers, the sources said adding that he had been involved in air operations during the 1965 and the 1971 wars against India. (SF)

Thilanga ‘amazed’ over cricket election postponement

Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala who is seeking another term as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka yesterday expressed amazement to learn from the media that the elections scheduled for March 11 are to be postponed.

He alleged that in auditors’ report that is being circulated "is an attempt by forces opposed to me to wilify and defame me’’ and his opponents were attempting to scuttle the election "which I am certain to win.’’

Sumathipala and Mr. Jayantha Dharmadasa have already submitted nominations for the post of president.

In a news release yesterday, Sumathipala said that he had learnt from media reports that the postponement of the election was at the request of Mr. Rienzie Wijetilleke, Chairman of the Interim Committee of the Board.

But Wijetillake denied that he had anything to do with the postponement although it had been so stated in the media. ``I have nothing to do with the postponement. I have not spoken to the minister. We are trying to reconcile discrepancies in the audit figures as far as possible and going on with our work,’’ he said.

Sumathipala said that the alleged reason for the postponement is supposed to be certain queries raised by the auditors of the board. He understood that the auditors had merely requested further information on some matters relating to the balance sheet and the income and expenditure statement as at June 30, 1999.

"The purported anomalies have as yet not been forwarded to me for my comments, which is mandatory, in that I should have been furnished with the said report before it being circulated to the media,’’ he said.

He further said that these queries as reported in the press covered a period in which there were two presidents, two chairmen (including Wijetilleke) and four treasurers.

Sumathhipala also said in his news release that Wijetilleke’s brother, Mr. Maxie Wijetilleke who is an executive director of the Building Materials Corporation supporting Jayantha Dharmadasa for the board presidency, had intended to run for the treasurer at next month’s election.

Wijetillake denied any knowledge of his brother’s intentions. ‘I have nothing to do with his work, so don’t ask me," he said.

"It is also most curious that an audit report should be issued on the eve of an election for a restricted period of six months, when the established procedure is for an audit to be carried out for a whole accounting year which is twelve months,’’ he said.

Sumathipala however said that he would vindicate himself of the baseless allegation and win the election. He added that "it will be interesting to see the auditors queries for the period 10.6.99 to 31.1.2000.’’

Chandrika invites Ranil for constitutional talks on Tuesday

The government yesterday released the text of a letter dated Feb. 18 sent to UNP and Opposition Leader by President Chandrika Kumaratunga inviting the UNP for a discussion on the constitutional proposals.

The president has invited the UNP leader and two other representatives for these talks scheduled for 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday at Temple Trees.

Official sources said that Kumaratunga had on Friday forwarded Wickremesinghe a copy of the draft PA proposals.

In her 3-page letter which included some barbs, the president has thanked Wickremesinghe for his letter of Jan. 19 expressing willingness to support the draft constitution presented to the country on Aug. 3, 1995, ``even though this assurance comes five years later.’’

The president has said in her letter that what they expected to discuss next week ``none other than the draft which was prepared by the government in Aug. 1995’’ discussed with the UNP on more than ten occassions by herself and her ministers and at the parliamentary select committee for two and a half years.

``Unfortunately because the UNP did not express its clear views on some important items in the draft, and because it was not possible to reach agreement on some other items, it was not possible to prepare a completed draft (Bill) and arrive at a final decision,’’ she has said.

``The draft has now been finalized incorp orating the views of the PA and the Tamil parties. I shall let you have it without any delay.’’

The president had also said that if the UNP makes its own solutions to resolve the ethnic problem available to government prior to next week’s meeting it would help a more fruitful discussion. She has requested these proposals before Monday.

The UNP reacted cautiously to the invitation with Secretary Gamini Atukorale saying ``let’s wait and see’’ while party spokesman Karunasena Kodituwakku expressed a willingness to co-operate and go for the meeting with an open mind. However, he remarked that the president was ``trying to wear two hats’’ (as president and prime minister) which is unhear of anywhere.

The following is the full text of the letter:

"Dear Leader of the Opposition,

This refers to your letter to me of January 19, 2000.

I would first wish to express my thanks to you for the message conveyed in that letter that your party is willing to support, the Draft Constitution presented by us to the country on August 03, 1995. When it is presented in Parliament even though this assurance comes five years later.

At the time I received your letter. I had already summoned the parties of the People’s Alliance to meet on January 20, 2000, to discuss matters relating to the Draft Constitution and the future course of action with regard to it.

By the time your letter was received it had been decided that subsequent to discussion by the P.A. the matter should be referred to the political parties representing the Tamil people, and then to invite the United National Party too for discussions. Therefore, a detailed reply to your letter was delayed until the United National Party was invited to this purpose.

As we have concluded the two earlier stages of action according to our plans, the Government has now decided to have discussions with the United National Party. It is expected to have these discussions at "Temple Trees" at 9.30 a.m. on February 22, 2000. I hereby invite you and two other representatives (of your party) to these discussions.

I wish to emphasize that what we expect to discuss is the none other than the Draft that was prepared by the government in August 1995, about which Ministers of my Government and myself had discussions with you and your party on more than 10 occasions, and was discussed for a period of about 2 years in the Parliamentary Select Committee that included representatives of your party and all other parties represented in Parliament. From the outset we maintained the status of our proposals as a Draft to enable it to be discussed and considered in detail at the Parliamentary Select Committee and finality reached on the matter. Unfortunately, because the United National Party did not express its clear views on some important items in the Draft and because it was not possible to reach agreement on some other items, it was not possible to prepare a completed Draft (Bill) and arrive at a final decision. The Draft has now been finalized incorporating the views of the People’s Alliance and the Tamil parties. I shall let you have it without any delay.

Further, during the recent Presidential Election campaign we learnt from your statements that according to the programme of action (policy) prepared by you there are solutions to the ethnic crisis and the war. We are indeed happy about this new development, I believe that if your own solutions are made available to us prior to our meeting it would help in having a more fruitful discussion. I would therefore, thank you to let us have these proposals before February 21, 2000.

I intend here to respond in short specifically to the statements made by you on issues with regard to the new Draft Constitution and the Ethnic issue, among other matters raised in your letters to me of January 19 and February 10, 2000.

1. Your letter of January 19 refers to the your cordial response to the invitation extended to the United National Party on the occasion of my swearing in on December 22, 1999 and to an "unexpected signal" by us with regard your cordial response and "the fate that befell this cordial response". Although you state that you made a verbal response to the invitation extended directly to you and your party. I am unaware of any such response. I wish to state that the first occasion on which I came to know of your views about my invitation was through your letter to me of January 19, 2000.

2. With regarde to the Liam Fox Agreement you state that for the misfortune of the country it was not possible to strengthen its proposed foundation and proceed to a conclusion. However, we have taken every step to prevent any such unfortunate situation taking place. If indead any unfortunate situation did take place I wish to state very honestly and emphatically that such a development is your sole responsibility. I have explained this in detail in my letter to you of October 12, 1999.

Further, as it is my position that the various other views expressed by you about the new Constitutional Draft could be addressed fully and comprehensively at the discussions expected to begin on February 22, I would not take your time by referring to those here.

I completely reject all the false allegations, with no relevance to this subject that have been levelled against me both directly and indirectly, in your letters under reference.

I wish to remind you that these allegations have no basis in truth and have been deliberately made up by sections of the media having the lowest standards that are linked to you, your party and your family. Further, I wish to state in brief that these are all part of the work of some of the committees appointed by your party during the recent election campaign, which included the sending of threatening letters to officers in the public service by some retired public officers and police personnel paid by your party and its secretary, as well, the totally false stories spread by those who made anonymous death threats to public officers at the dead of night.

The inclusion of a variety of irrelevant baseless allegations directed at me, in the letters sent to me with regard finding a solution to the war and the ethnic crisis in this country, gives me cause for suspicion whether this is yet another attempt, through this means to again evade assisting in the attempts being made by our government to solve this burning national issue. However, with regard to other allegations made by you about some officers in the Public Service and the Police I shall take steps to obtain the relevant Police reports and other related material and respond to you at the earliest.

While I fully endorse and refer back to you the sentiment stated in the final sentence of your first letter, that the new millennium would see the beginnings of a new political culture. I wish to remind you that from the time it took office on August 19, 1994 my government has acted in a manner as to make this wish come true. It is a fact well known to the people of this country that both my Government and I keeping our lives at stake, fully accepted the responsibility of restoring a good and examplary political culture similar to that which existed for a long time in our country prior to 1994. The earlier political culture of dignity was completely destroyed through 17 years and had been replaced through long years by a political culture of fear based upon and thriving on violence and terror. We have acted to bring back the good values in our political culture. There is no necessity for me to remind you about this because I trust that on every occasion of honest reflection you must be reminded of this fact.

Once again I extend my cordial invitation to you and two representatives of your party, to come for the discussions on February 22, 2000, and await your acceptance of this invitation".

British HC welcomes peace process

Miss Linda Duffield, British High Commissioner, welcomed the government’s proposals for a negotiated peace settlement involving all parties and stressed the importance of consensual politics.

In a speech on 18 February to the Sri Lanka United Kingdom Society to celebrate Indepen-dence Day, the British High Commissioner spoke of devolution and constitutional reforms taking place both in the UK and in Sri Lanka. She said devolution could be a force to strengthen, not weaken nationhood and that the many cultures, faiths, languages and traditions of the people of Sri Lanka should be a source of strength and pride.

The British High Commissioner said:

"Today we celebrate not only the 52nd Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence but also the very close ties between Britain and Sri Lanka which go back much longer than 52 years and which continue to flourish and prosper in the 21st century. Today the relationship is one based on equality, partnership and co-operation between independent members of a unique Common-wealth of Nations.

There is much that unites us — we are both multi-faith and multi-cultural societies; we are both island nations with a strong and open trading relationship; we share a long history; we are firm believers in democracy, free speech and equality of opportunity; our parliamentary, lega1 and administrative systems share a common foundation and the English language, education and common examination systems make it easy for our young people to study and work together.

Today, both Britain and Sri Lanka are wrestling, as never before, with constitutional change and devolution as we enter the 21st century.

A new Scottish Parliament and new Assemblies in Wales and Northern Ireland came into being last summer and with them, a substantial and real shift of power from Westminster to regional level. Sadly, devolved government in Northern Ireland has had to be suspended for the time being because of the impasse over disarmament, but I hope that over the coming weeks we will find a way to move forward again.

Why should devolution and constitutional change feature so high on the political agenda both in Britain and Sri Lanka today? First it is about making democracy a reality. Bringing power and decision making closer to the people is democracy in action. But secondly, devolving power enables governments to reflect the different traditions, cultures and aspirations of the people who make up our nations - whether that is the United Kingdom or Sri Lanka. In that way devolution can be a force to strengthen not to weaken nationhood.

"It is my earnest hope that the people of Sri Lanka will together find a way of resolving this conflict and of realising the dreams and potential of all your people. The many cultures, faiths, languages and traditions are part of the rich fabric of Sri Lankan society. They should be a source of strength and pride rather than a cause of division."

One from each family allowed to visit captive soldiers
ICRC declines to take journalists to Wanni

The International Committee of the Red Cross [ICRC] yesterday said that arrangements are being made to take a person each from the families of the 15 fasting security forces personnel in the custody of the LTTE.

ICRC Information Officer Harsha Gunawardene said that they are in touch with the majority of the 15 families and are confident of taking them across the government held line to visit the fasting personnel at Puthukudirippu where the LTTE has its main political office.

"We want to do this soon," he said adding that ICRC delegates in the region have informed the fasting men of the medical consequences of fasting. The ICRC, he said is aware of their right to fast but intends to keep them informed of the medical aspect of it.

Fifteen personnel including the commanding officer of SLN Sagarawardene sunk off Mannar in September 1994, Captain Ajith Boyagoda launched a fast-unto-death on February 10. Gunawardene said that they moved into action after the LTTE announced its willingness to permit relatives of the fasting men to visit them.

Asked whether any journalists would be taken, he said that there was no need for that as the ICRC consider the forthcoming visit purely humanitarian.

The clandestine Voice of Tigers last Thursday announced that the LTTE would allow journalists and politicians too to visit the captives.

This is the second such visit organised by the ICRC. In 1993, it took 78 family members of 38 captives policemen to the LTTE held area.

Meanwhile, defence sources said that the LTTE was most likely to release at least one or two fasting men as a goodwill gesture. They will probably release some captives in the next few months if not weeks in view of the proposed peace talks.

The LTTE released a few soldiers taken prisoner during battles in the Mankulam and Elephant Pass areas in the past few months.

The sources said that amidst the ongoing peace initiative, the two sides are likely to explore the possibility of exchanging captives.-(SF)

Missing servicemen’s families appeal to LTTE

The Association for Families of Servicemen Missing in Action (AFSMA) has appealed to the LTTE and to international organisations who have contacts with the Tigers to release the names of servicemen in LTTE custody.

A news release from the organisation said that they conceived the idea of starting the association on February 21 last year and commenced their activities with an Iti Pahan Pooja.

Thanking thousands of people who helped make this occasion a success, AFSMA said that many people have requested them to hold such a pooja again this year. But having organised a Pahan Pooja on January 1, they felt that it would be too soon to have another in February.

"However, the trauma of the many families (of missing soldiers) has not diminished in any way. Therefore we appeal to all of you to show your concern for us this day by lighting a lamp and saying a prayer on February 21 and by wearing white," the association said.

Dead co-pilot posthumously promoted Flying Officer

The 23 year old co-pilot of the helicopter that crashed south east of Kodikamam last Thursday night Pilot Officer Seevali Munasinghe, posthumously promoted to the rank of flying officer had passed out less than two months ago, military sources said yesterday.

Terrorists fired at the American built Bell 212 helicopter flying over Chavakachcheri area carrying four wounded soldiers forcing the pilot to force land resulting in the deaths of Seevali, Major General Sarath Munasinghe’s brother’s son and an Air Force gunner, Bandara.

The Bell was engaged in casualty evacuation from Muhamalai to Palaly when it came under fire. The wounded were evacuated to Palaly and the damaged machine recovered, the sources said.

At the time it came under fire, it had been flying very low.

Military sources said that helicopters fly low to avoid missile attacks.

Air Force lost another helicopter, a Russian built Mi-24 gunship engaged in providing close air support to troops engaged in heavy confrontations with the LTTE in the Elephant Pass area several weeks ago. (SF)

Forces accede to Mannar Bishop’s request

The Army on Friday [18] allowed a Catholic nun and eight devotees to cross the line of control and move into Madhu, military sources said yesterday.

The sources said that this was done following a request from the Bishop of Mannar although civilian crossings were not allowed during the day on a request made by the ICRC.

The ICRC supervises movements across the line of control to and from the LTTE held area in the Wanni.

The sources said that during the day nine NGO relief workers including seven foreigners crossed to the LTTE held area while 13 including six foreigners entered. Seven patients under Sri Lanka Red Cross and the ICRC escort had entered the government held area during the day, the sources said.

Meanwhile, sporadic clashes continued in the north, the sources said adding that three terrorists were killed in three separate incidents at Vathirayan and north of Omanthai.

Pettah traders poison fruit by chemical ripening

Scientists from the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) (successor to the CISIR) visited the Manning Market in Pettah last week to educate fruit and vegetable traders of the dangers of using calcium carbide to ripen fruits for the local market.

Dr. Nirmala Pieris, head of the Corporate Services Division of the institute said that their post harvest technology group had targeted mainly fruit and vegetable traders at this wholesale market.

"They sprinkle calcium carbide directly on to the fruit or dip them in solutions of the chemical in water (to ripen them),’’ a news release from ITI said.

As calcium carbide is contaminated with traces of arsenic and phosphorous dangerous to human health, using this compound for ripening fruit is a health hazard.

Consumers ignorant of ripening procedures used by traders often eat toxic compounds present on the surface of edibles so ripened. Sometimes these poisons penetrate the upper layers of fruit and vegetable peel to lodge in their flesh, ITI said.

It said that its program is aimed at creating awareness among traders at the wholesale market of the dangers of using calcium carbide for ripening fruit.

ITI also said that its post harvests technology group will introduce cost effective alternatives for ripening fruits like mango, banana and papaya.

The ITI program will additionally provide information on methods for reducing post harvest losses and ensuring the safety of fruits and vegetables made available to consumers.

X-rated movie on TV

A private television channel Monday [14] showed Blue Lagoon, an Xrated movie first shown in Colombo in the 80s, to mark Valentine’s day.

Public Performances Board [PPB] sources said that the movie had been classified as strictly for adults. The sources said that it was wrong to show such a movie even with deletions over a television station.

The channel and Sunday newspapers gave wide publicity to the showing of the movie starring Brooke Shields. A number of "scenes" were blurred during Monday’s telecast but the sound track was on and the dialogue during cuts was clearly audible.

A spokesman yesterday said that they showed Blue Lagoon only after censoring some scenes. He pointed out that other channels too telecast movies classified as strictly for adults, adults only or more suitable for adults after censoring sex scenes.

The movie was especially for the young particularly teenagers although it was classified as a movie for adult audiences. Both private television stations and Rupavahini have been showing movies approved for adult audiences. Rupavahini’s channel 2 on Sunday [13] showed a movie, "Indecent Seduction" which deals with a 14 year old girl sexually abused by a male class teacher. A number of "scenes" were cut but sounds were allowed.

"Blue Lagoon" and "Indecent Seduction" were both shown at 9.30 p.m. The sources said that these channels should at least show movies with adult themes at least after 11 p.m. (SF)

President tells Tamil parties
Try Exco system in the regions first

By Franklin R. Satyapalan
President Chandrika Kumaratunga Friday told Tamil party representatives that the executive committee system proposed for the administration of the regions in the new constitutional proposals will enable both the majority and the minorities to get together and work as a committee.

Executive power would then be distributed among all elected groups and would be a worthwhile experiment that would help gauge national and regional consensus.

"Let us try this in the regions first and thereafter we can work it out for the centre as well," she has said according to Tamil party sources.

President Kumaratunga has made these observations at the fourth meeting of the PA committee on the draft proposals with the Tamil parties.

TELO leader N. Sri Kanthan queried why the proposed executive committee system for the regions was not being introduced to the centre too. EPDP leader Douglas Devananda has requested a review of the executive committee system as proposed for the regions.

Both SLMC leader M. H. M. Ashraff and P. P. Devaraj of the CWC had stressed the need for consensual government at least in the regions for the present. This was the only basis for amity and unity among the different communities, they said.

The executive committees for the regions was proposed in the draft constitutional proposals of October 1977. The President told the Tamil parties on Friday that this would avoid the present confrontational politics where the government and opposition are at loggerheads affecting the development of the country.

Minister Indika Gunawardene of the Communist Party had said that during the post independence years the problems of the country had been compounded by the majoritarian hegemony on state power excluding others. This had resulted in the breakdown of trust and understanding necessary for the development of the country and also left the opposition without any role in government.

He attributed today’s problems to be partly due to the Westminster system of government in which the government attempted to run the country by itself with the opposition relentlessly opposing.

Minister Ashraff said that the executive committees will enable the minorities in the regions to participate directly in the development process without being forced into opposition from where they can only shout and create problems.

He said that the Westminster system had created all the problems that had resulted in the Tamils of the North East moving away from the mainstream in national politics. "We must find a way out of this and the executive committee system may be the answer," he said.

Among those who were present on Friday were Ministers G. L. Pieris, Batty Weerakoon, Sarath Amunugama, Nanda Mathew, Secretary General TULF R. Sampanthan MP, Joseph Pararajasingham MP, EPDP leader Douglas Devananda MP, S. Thavarajah MP, K. Vigneswaran, Communist Party General Secretary Raja Collure, DJVP General Secretary P. M. Podiappuhamy, CWC’s P. P. Devaraj MP and R. Yogarajan MP, PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Siddharthan MP and Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne and Kanchana Ratwatte.

Management’s recognition of human resources vital in achieving business success - IPM Chief

by Chittaranjan de Silva
Identifying Human Resources (HR) issues is of utmost importance when striving for the competitive edge and the top management’s recognition of its importance is vital in achieving business success, observed U. A. Chrishantha Obeysekere, President of the Institute of Personnel Management of Sri Lanka (IPM).

The vision of the management must be made known throughout the organisation and the employees must in turn understand the business of the organisation, Obeysekera said in his address at the National Conference on Human Resource Development at the BMICH yesterday.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga sending a message to the conference which was conducted on the theme ‘People, Performance and Productivity’, stated that the expertise of many national and international resource persons participating in this event will be of great benefit in developing strategies and managing human resources for organisational success.

In a rapidly changing environment, the way organisations are managed is being changed because they want to be competitive, she noted.

The conference was forcussed on key areas such as knowledge management, competencies for innovative human resource management, the President added in her message.

Improving HR management through performance related pay, business strategy and on how to move towards more entrepreneurial labour law, were among the important subjects discussed at this conference.

Obeysekere, who is also Assistant General Manager (AGM), Human Resources at the Hatton National Bank said that HR strategies are implemented by managers and human resource personnel through an ongoing process of activities such as organisation design, defining staffing needs, staffing, developing capabilities and through evaluating, rewarding and recognising performance.

" It is through this process that the managers define and address human resource issues continuously," he said.

The defining of HR strategies could be done by assessing the opportunities and threats which occur in the business environment, Obeysekere said. These strategies reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the business itself, he said.

The HR strategies thus formed are subject to change when mergers and acquisitions occur or new technology is introduced into businesses, he explained.

"HR strategies must be developed in such instances to meet the challenge, after analysis to suit the business. In most businesses where rapid growth is experienced staffing and the way staff is managed are changed," Obeysekere said.

He noted that recruitment of fresh talent both in numbers and in changing skills are required, in replacing or re-training those who cannot match deeds.

The designing of new compensation programs to attract and retain key talent has to be addressed to ensure the competitive entrepreneurial spirit, he said.

Producing at low costs and the improvement of quality are both important to the producers. To achieve these goals several issues connected to HR have to be addressed, such as adopting pay and performance programmes, improving productivity and efficiency are connected to costs, while streamlining work, improving team effectiveness are connected with improving quality, he explained.

Sri Lankans in parade of nations

Zanita Careem, reporting from the USA
Sri Lankan artistes will participate in the ‘Parade of Nations and Festival’ to be held on February 20 (today) at the Hancock Park area in Miracle Mile, Los Angeles.

The parade will begin at 2 p.m. and will travel one mile on Wilshire Blvd, between La Brea and Ogden Drive.

At a gathering at the Consul General’s residence in Arcadia recently, Consul General Tissa Wijeratne, invited all Lankans to participate at the parade and the festival. The consulate invited marching bands, drum squads, musicians, dancers and marchers in traditional attire, specially and novelty performers — anything that would highlight Sri Lanka and its culture, he said.

Since there are 84 consulate offices in Los Angeles County, the County Board of Supervisors expects that this will be a birthday festival of multi-cultural events. Already Renuka Samath had agreed to present a dancing troupe in the parade and perform at the festival — while Neranjala Tilakaratne agreed to present a group, wearing variety of Sri Lankan dresses at the parade. Mr. Wijeratne requested all Sri Lankans to attend this event.

GMOA flexes muscles again over transfers

by Chittaranjan de Silva
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said yesterday that it has decided to launch trade union action if the Public Services Commission (PSC) is not willing to discuss the issue of the ‘annual transfers of doctors’ with it.

Assistant Secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that about 600 doctors have been inconvenienced due to the delay caused in their annual transfers, because the PSC which is the appointing authority, has declined to approve the transfer appointments made by the Health Ministry.

Doctors can apply for transfers after they complete four years in one station, and the transfers are recommended by the Health Ministry after considering factors such as qualifications and seniority, Dr. Wijewickrama explained.

He claimed that in the past, the PSC always approved the Ministry’s recommendations on transfers, but this time they have delayed the approval of transfers which normally take place at the beginning of every year.

The delay has caused inconvenience in many ways. For instance doctors find it difficult to admit their children to schools when the transfer occurs mid year, he added.

The GMOA charged that it’s a few individuals who had recently joined the PSC who are holding up the transfers, despite the Presidential order which has made the Health Service an allisland one.

Dr. Wijewickrama alleged that these few individuals are flouting the presidential order by not authorising the transfers.

"We have so far not decided on when to launch the trade union action. But if the PSC refuses to give us a hearing, then we will certainly go ahead with it," he warned.

Tragic fate of benevolent businessman: Good Samaritan to help him

J. M. Dayasena is a broken man. He was a prosperous businessman at one time before fate so cruelly intervened and disrupted his life.

His happiness was eclipsed by darkness which gradually descended on his peaceful abode at Rathmalgaha-Ella, Nelliyadda in Iginiyagala. Dayasena’s life lost its meaning after three of his beloved daughters were afflicted with partial paralysis. That was the worst that could ever happen to the man.

Poor villagers always turned to this affluent businessman for assistance in their infinite struggle to eke out a living. And he readily helped them. But despite all his meritorious deeds, what fate had in store for him defied belief. It was strange but unfortunately true. His three daughters, J. M. Samanlatha Kumari (24), Manel Kumari (18) and Ramyalatha (22) who were hale and hearty children suddenly fell ill and partial paralysis set in. They were lying paralysed from their waist downwards.

It was too much for the distraught Dayasena to bear. He spent all his money in a futile attempt to cure his dear daughters. He lost all his wealth and at the end of the ‘battle’, he was reduced to abject poverty. He moved into a small wattle and daub hut with his family and started to work as a casual labourer to keep the home fires burning.

It’s still not clear what caused this partial paralysis. Medical attention was sought in every possible way, but there is still no proper diagnosis, Dayasena has seven children, but only three of them were affected. In fact, in the case of Samanlatha Kumari, paralysis set in after she was married and became the mother of two children. After she was bed-ridden, her husband had deserted her and married another woman.

It was indeed a stroke of luck that Senaka Horadagoda, a Sri Lankan domiciled in the United Kingdom, learned about the pathetic plight of this destitute family. It was Shantha Vasalamudali, receptionist of the Uva Province Textile Industries Ministry who conveyed this sad news to his friend Horadagoda after Nimal Bandara, a security officer attached to the Uva Provincial Council told him about it.

Horadagoda who was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka for his father’s ninth death anniversary resolved to call on Dayasena and personally assess the situation. After his arrival, he visited Iginiyagala with his family and on seeing the tragic plight of the three physically handicapped women, he made arrangements to open a bank account and credit Rs. 5,000 monthly. He also gave the family clothes and gifts.

Dayasena is optimistic that he will be able to cure his daughters through the intervention of advanced medical science, if more and more people would spare a thought and come forward to help him in his hour of distress.

Amidst the dark depressing clouds, Dayasena sees light at the end of the tunnel.....

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