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Military news censorship reimposed The government yesterday reimposed censorship on military news. Defence Secretary Chandrananda de Silva in a statement issued through the Information Department stated that Emergency Regulations have been made by the President prohibiting the publication and transmission of sensitive military information. The Army Deputy Chief of Staff and the Operations Commander, Colombo [OCC] Major General Jaliya Nammuni has been appointed the Competent Authority for the purposes of the said regulation. The government on October 10, 1996 lifted censorship that was imposed on 19 April the same year. April censorship was imposed just a few hours after troops mounted the second phase of operation, Riviresa to bring Thennamaratchchi and Vadamaratchchy under government control. Director of Information Department Ariya Rubasinghe said that the department was not involved in the censorship. 'All copies must be submitted directly to the Competent Authority,' he said around 4 p.m. yesterday. The previous censorship was monitored by the Information Department. The statement issued yesterday evening by the Defence Ministry through the Information Department does not give any indication whether articles and news reports on the security situation have to be submitted to the Competent Authority or that his approval was necessary for publication of military news. However a military source said that copies can be faxed to military spokesman Brigadier Sarath Munasinghe. Censorship came into operation just a day after fighting broke out at Kilinochchi. Regulations made by the President under Section 5 of the Public Security Ordinance are as follows: Regulations 2. No editor or publisher of a newspaper or any person authorised by or under law, to establish and operate a Broadcasting Station or a Television Station shall whether in or outside Sri Lanka print publish distribute or transmit, whether by means of electronic devices or otherwise or causes to be printed published distributed or transmitted whether by electronic means or otherwise, any material containing any matter which pertains to any operations carried out or proposed to be carried out, by the Armed Forces or the Police Force (including the Special Task Force), the deployment of troops or personnel, or the deployment or use of equipment, including aircraft or naval vessels, by any forces, or any statement pertaining to the official conduct or the performance of the Head or any member of any of the Armed Forces or the Police Force. 3. Where any person prints, publishes, distributes or transmits, or causes to be printed, published distributed or transmitted whether by electronic means or otherwise, any matter in contravention of the provisions of Regulation 2 the Competent Authority may, after issuing such directions as he considers necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of such regulation make order that the press or equipment used for such printing publication distribution or transmission shall for such period as is specified in that order not be used for the purpose of printing publication, distribution or transmission of any matter referred to in Regulation 2 and the Competent Authority may by the same order authorise any person specified therein to take such steps as appears to the person so authorised to be necessary, for preventing the printing publication distribution or transmission of any such material. 4. The President may for the purpose of these regulations, appoint, by name or by office, any person or body of persons to the Competent Authority. 5. Any person who prints, publishes, distributes or transmits, any material in contravention of the provisions of Regulation 2 shall be guilty of an offence. Saturday Commentary At a time when the once powerful Mulberry Group in the People's Alliance government appears to be fading away, another Mulberry Group has emerged from the PA oriented Independent Group opposition in the Colombo Municipal Council. This group which was formed a fortnight ago had thirteen members. The number reduced to twelve this week with one member crossing over to the other PA camp led by CMC opposition leader, former UNP Mayor K. Ganeshalingam. A spokesman for the CMC Mulberry Group told this columnist that the member who crossed over had been promised a director's post in a government institution and also had been given a cellular phone. The last session of the Council was boycotted by this Mulberry Group. The emergence of this group is alleged to be cousequent to the conduct of Mr. Ganeshalingam as Opposition Leader. The group alleges that Mr. Ganeshalingam, who is reported to be close to a powerful cabinet minister in the Colombo District, was much interested in promoting another Independent Councillor who happens to be the son of this minister, to run for the forthcoming election to the Western Provincial Council. They also claim that much to their dislike Mr. Ganeshalingam continued to summon the opposition group meetings at his private residence when the majority members had requested that such meetings to be held in the Town Hall or at the office of the Western Province Chief Minister Susil Premjayanth. According to this group, this son of the cabinet minister is being promoted politically to run for the Chief Ministership in the Western Province though the government favoured the incumbent Chief Minister Premajayanth to run for that post. They say that the group of five led by Mr. Ganeshalingam was only interested in the welfare of this cabinet minister's son and to launch personal attacks on the UNP's incumbent Mayor Karu Jayasuriya who has been nominated by the UNP to run for the Chief Minister post. Authoritative sources from the PA oriented opposition group in the Municipal Council disclosed that Mr. Ganeshalingam had made up with his rival within the group Ananda Wasantha Nanayakkara, who once tried his best to get the post of Opposition Leader in the Council. Sources said that the two had met recently at a private venue and had made friends in 'good spirits' never to break up again. The Mulberry Group of twelve told this columnist that they would continue to boycott sessions in the Council until the PA leadership intervened to resolve the dispute they have with the Ganeshalingam Group. They allege that a member in the Ganeshalingam group was now constructing a massive house in Kollupitiya which would cost millions of rupees and question as to how this member earned millions within months being a member of the Council for the first time. 'We have decided to report this matter to the Permanent Commission on Bribery and Corruption,' said a senior member of the CMC Mulberry Group asked whether the Mulberry Group would extend their co-operation to Mayor Karu Jayasuriya, this senior Mulberry member said, 'We have the highest regard for the Mayor who does a honest job but first we want our government to intervene in this crisis.' The UNP has already decided on Karu Jayasuriya for the Western Province and the incumbent Uva Chief Minister Percy Samaraweera to run a second time. The PA is yet to officially announce their chief ministers. Unofficial reports tip Mr. Susil Premjayanth who may run for the Western region. However, according to PA sources Mr. Premjayanth faces stiff resistance from a son of a cabinet minister who is also vying for that post with the full backing of his father. The PA and the UNP are at cross-roads in selecting their chief minister men for the much important Central Province. PA hierarchy is of the opinion that the most suitable man to run for the chief ministership in the Central region is the PA General Secretary and Minister D. M. Jayaratne. Sources close to Mr. Jayaratne indicated that the minister was not keen on this offer but preferred to remain in national politics. The UNP is keen to bring in Parliamentarian Dr. Sarath Amunugama. Though there is a big demand for Dr. Amunugama in the UNP circles, the former civil servant turned politician is much interested in national politics. Dr. Amunugama was introduced into national politics by none other than the late President J. R. Jayewardene. In the North Central Province, Social Services Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake on his own is prepared to step down and contest for the Chief Minister post. PA sources said that Mr. Dissanayake was the likely PA candidate. At a recent meeting in Anuradhapura Mr. Dissanayake stated that he was PA Chief Minister candidate and he would win in fair or foul weather . The UNP which earlier thought to field its former Parliamentarian and State Minister Themiya Hurulle for the NCP as Chief Minister, is now reconsidering the issue. Mr. Hurulle is known as a gentleman in politics who does not believe in thuggery. Senior party men say that a 'tough' candidate should be fielded to match the PA candidate. Meanwhile, UNP's Wijeyapala Mendis who challenged the authority of the three man committee probing his conduct, finally appeared before the committee to make his explanation last Wednesday. The committee will now submit its final report to the Working Committee next week which in turn will request the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe already empowered by the Parliamentary group to take a final decision on Mr. Mendis before the live debate on Mendis's expulsion motion recommences in Parliament on June 23. Editors' Guild President on censorship President of the Editors Guild Sinha Ratnatunga yesterday expressed the hope that the prohibition on publication and transmission of sensitive information under Emergency Regulations would not be the first step towards martial law. Mr. Ratnatunga speaking in his private capacity said 'We are very concerned that for the first time a military censor has been appointed'. He said that the Editors Guild will probably issue a statement on the matter soon. Director Information Ariya Rubasinghe said that the regulation does not prohibit journalists from writing about procurements. - (ZJ) Of a twelve-para story on the security situation we sent to the Military Censor yesterday, only the following few lines were spared. The Operational Headquarters said that Jayasikuru troops on Thursday killed one terrorist in the general area of Ampakamam and later troops deployed east of Ampakamam exchanged fire with terrorists. The ongoing Wanni offensive was aimed at restoring the Vavuniya-Jaffna Main Supply Route (MSR). Over 100 undergrads of Colombo Varsity taken
into custody Over 100 students of the University of Colombo were taken into custody by police yesterday after rescuing the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the university, a number of lecturers and members of non-academic staff who were locked up in a room of the university for over seven hours. They had been locked up from Thursday night till 3 a.m. yesterday when police secured their release. They were locked up following the announcement of the student council election results on Thursday evening. The elections were contested by the Common Students' Movement which is a pro JVP union and the United Students' Movement. The United Students' Movement had emerged winners, according to the results announced but their rival disputed the position alleging rigging and others acts of malpractice. The losers demanded the Dean of the Faculty of Arts to declare the election mill and void. But when this did not happen, the irate students locked up them all inside a university room until police secured their release. The arrests were made by Cinnamon Gardens, Wellawatta and Kollupitiya police stations following a complaint by the university authorities. Already a large number of students and members of the academics and non-academic staff have been questioned by police. Investigations said that those taken into police custody were being extensively grilled and they would be fingerprinted too. Due to this situation lectures and group classes were cancelled on Friday and students were turned back. Ethiopian jets bomb Eritrean capital - witnesses ASMARA, June 5 — Ethiopian warplanes on Friday launched two bombing raids on the Eritrean capital of Asmara and hit targets at the city’s airport, witnesses said. One Ethiopian MiG 23 was downed by Eritrean gunfire during the raid which started at 2 p.m. (1100 GMT), a Reuters correspondent at the scene said. — (Reuters) President to inaugurate SAARC Trade Fair President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will inaugurate the second SAARC Trade Fair '98 at the BMICH on September 8. The fair organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in association with the Ministry of Internal and International Commerce and Food, will continue till September 15. The main purpose of this fair is to project the image of SAARC member countries through their respective economic activities, promote intra regional trade investment and tourism among the SAARC member countries. The event is based on the theme of "Opportunity for regional growth". The Trade Fair '98 is considered as a window of products & services of the SAARC member countries and a major event in the region. University of Colombo yesterday announced that it has been decided to withheld the results of the students union elections pending a full-scale inquiry into allegations of malpractice made by the students union purported to have suffered defeat. Legislation to rid political interference
from cooperative societies The Government has proposed new legislation with a view to devolving more power and authority to co-operative societies. The main thrust of the proposed law will be to liberate the movement from political interference in administrative matters and devolution of extra powers and responsibilities to the co-operative societies, Mr. Anton Alfred the Secretary of the Co-operative Development Ministry told The Island. The co-operative movement mainly a member-driven organization which employs around 40,000 in 300 Multi Purpose Co-operative Societies (MPCS) and 12,000 Primary and Secondary societies with the introduction of the legislation will enjoy greater autonomy and will be free of interference from the government. Greater autonomy to the management would ensure more competitiveness in the market economy and the co-operatives will be run as financially viable business enterprises, he said. Provincial Council Commissioners will ensure the co-operative principles will be adhered to but they will not interfere with the administration. The draft of the proposed legislation is currently being studied by the AG. The co-operatives have diversified their consumer oriented services with the introduction of a co-operative transport service, SANASA banks and co-operative hospitals, he said. The co-operative rural banks apart from lending to farmers loans at low interests for purchase of their seed requirements and fertilizer, will also buy their harvest. A training programme for 100 graduates by Sri Lanka Institute of Co-operative Management (SLICM) has been initiated to cause a change in the management approach to ensure success in its business enterprises, Mr. Alfred said. The co-operative societies purchased 2,700,054 metric tonnes of paddy during the recent harvest at 10 rupees per kilo. The total amount has been tabled as 251.38 million rupees. Pakistan satisfied with Big Five nuclear stance ISLAMABAD, June 5 — Pakistan on Friday promised to exercise restraint in relations with arch-rival India but side-stepped demands from the world’s big powers to sign nuclear non-proliferation pacts. "We are not interested in a nuclear or conventional arms race. We have always exercised utmost restraint," said a Pakistani government statement, issued one day after foreign ministers from the five established nuclear powers urged Pakistan and India to avoid such a race. "In the future, too, we will continue to conduct ourselves with restraint and responsibility. However, Pakistan will not allow itself to be placed on a position of strategic vulnerability or inequality," the statement said. "While we will not provoke escalation, our responses will be carefully calibrated to respond to any provocation or escalation by India. We will establish and maintain balance and stability in the nuclear, missile and conventional fields with India." Foreign ministers of the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France meeting in Geneva on Thursday called on India and Pakistan to "stop all further such (nuclear) tests" and refrain from deploying nuclear weapons The talks were the first joint effort by the major powers to coordinate their stance after India set off five underground nuclear tests last month and Pakistan retaliated with six. The ministers said their countries would actively encourage Delhi and Islamabad to discuss issues at the root of tension between them, "including Kashmir". The two countries have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, two-thirds of which ruled by India and the rest by Pakistan. Pakistan appeared particularly pleased that the five powers had mentioned the region. The government statement said the Geneva meeting "reflects a recognition of the urgency of the world community to address the security crisis in South Asia". NWPC minor employees file
Writ applications to quash Governor's decision Writ applications have been filed by fifty five minor employees who claim they had been selected for employment by the Board of Ministers of the North Western Provincial Council, and complain that subsequent to the selection the Governor had referred their selection for approval by the President. Provincial Governor, Maithripala Senanayake has been cited as the first respondent to the action. The petitions say that the action of the Governor is unnceessary and irregular. they have invoked the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to issue a Writ of Certiorari, to quash the decision of the Governor. The applications will be supported in court on June 15. The applications have been filed by Samararatne Associates Minneriya wild life santurary a
major tourist attraction The recently opened national wild life sanctuary at Minneriya which expands over an area of 8889 hectares where visitors could see animals like leopards, elephants, reptiles of a wide variety at a closer range compared with other national sanctuaries, will prove to be a huge tourist attraction, according to Wide Life Department sources. Many animals and plants belonging to the dry zone can be seen here. About two hundred wild elephants and other animals like buffaloes, monkeys, mice deer, mongoose, leopards, bats other mammals, reptiles and a variety of birds are some of the prized attractions of the park. More than nine kinds of amphibians, 25 varieties of reptiles, 160 varieties of birds, 26 brands of fish and 78 varieties of butterflies can be seen in and around the area. The park was declared open recently by the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Plantation Industry Ratnasiri Wickrama-nayake and deputy Minister Monty Gopallawa. Tourism minister leaves for WTO
confab in Lisbon Ministers of Tourism from 60 countries including Sri Lanka are cur-rently meeting in Lisbon, Portugal at a ministerial confe-rence organised by the World Tourism Organisation from June 3 to 6. Sri Lankan delegation is led by Tourism and Aviation Minister Dharmasiri Senana-yake. The team left for Lisbon on June 1. The minister also attended the Tourism Minister‘s Meeting on ‘Ocean and new Tourism Dimen-sions’ to be held in Lisbon from June 3 to 4. The conference is being attended by 60 tourism ministers from the world over. At present the number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from Portugal is insignificant. There-fore tourist authori-ties expect this opportunity to be an ideal opening for a promotional cam-paign. Together with the chairman of Ceylon Tourist Board H. M. S. Samaranayake, a director, Dr. Nawaz and officials will also attend the exe-cutive council me-eting of the World Tourism Organisa-tion (WTO) in Lisbon which is held twice a year. Sri Lanka has been selected as a member of this council just a year ago. The minis-terial meeting will be followed by a conference on ‘The Ocean; Patrimony for the future’. The theme has specially been selected to mark the Inter-national Year of Oceans 1998, official sources said. High Court dismisses CWE's
Rs. 5 million big onion suit Commercial High Court Judge P. Wijeratne last week dismissed a five million rupee suit filed by CWE against Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. The suit alleged that the cargo of big onion shipped from Karachi was found to be unfit for human consumption on delivery in Colombo due to prolonged storage and insufficient ventilation on board the vessel. High Court held that the plaintiff CWE had not led evidence to prove their contention, while the expert evidence led by the defendant Corporation was acceptable to Court. The order stated that this was an action filed against the defendant corporation based in Pakistan who acted as the carrier of cargo assisting of Bombay onions shipped from Karachi to be unloaded in Colombo. The cargo was landed on September 20, 1989. The plaintiff's position was that the cargo was unloaded in Colombo on September 30, 1989 and that a sizeable quantity of the cargo was not fit for human consumption as the same was damaged, deteriorated and unmarketed due to the prolonged storage on board the vessel and due to insufficient ventilation. The defendant stated that it acknowledged the shipment of the cargo in twenty-six bags of Bombay onions consigned to the CWE for delivery at Colombo and delivered the entire consignment to the CWE. The defendant also stated that there was adequate ventilation for cargo on board the vessel. The judgement stated: Though the obvious position of the CWE was that the damaged condition of the cargo was due to prolonged storage and insufficient ventilation, none of the witnesses of the CWE in their evidence could establish whether ventilation was provided, if provided for what length of time and what the condition of the storage on Board, which are the alleged grounds for the perishing of the said cargo. The defendant Corporation called a scientist from the CISIR, Miss Ramala Shanthi Wilson Wijeratne who has a PhD. on Plant Pathology specialised in onions. It was her position that the onions respirate after the removal from the ground and this process continues on variable degree of moisture contents and change of the atmosphere. She categorically stated that if bulks of onions are in good quality they can last a voyage at sea extending several weeks and ten days on board a vessel in the sea is not a reason for a cargo of onions to perish if they had been in good condition. She was of the view that the ventilation provided, according to the log entries, was sufficient for this type of cargo and the question of deterioration and sprouting in about five to ten per cent of the cargo was due to diseases or the bad quality of onions themselves and that it cannot be attributed to conditions of ventilation M.A.M. Mowjood with Jack Jacob instructed by De Silva and Gunasinghe appeared for the plaintiff CWE. G. D. C. Weerasinghe with Manilal Adihetty instructed by Julius & Creasy appeared for the defendant. HiB vaccine can eradicate Haemophilus influenza - Dr. Slack Dr. Mary Slack, Consultant Micro-biologist both at the Oxford University and John Redelisle Hospital in Oxford, said that Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) disease could be eradicated with the HiB vaccine effectively. Dr. Slack made these observations at the first national seminar in HiB held recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. This seminar was organized by the College of Paediatricians of Sri Lanka and sponsored by Pasteur Merieux Connaught the largest manufacturers of vaccines in the world and it was attended by over 300 doctors and paediatricians from U.K. and Sri Lanka. The Pasteur Merieux Connaught on this occasion introduced the HiB vaccine to Sri Lanka for the first time. Haemophilus influenzae type b is a common cause of bacterial meningitis in infants and children, Dr. Slack, also said. Dr. Slack demonstrated extremely high efficacy results that have been achieved with HiB vaccines in several countries. Dr. Sarath Silva, President College of Paediatricians, Prof. Harendra Silva, Prof. of Paediatrics Galle. Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe Consultant Paediatrician and Prof. Jennifer Perera were also present on the panel. She said, 'Haemophilus influ-enzae type b (HiB) causes severe systemic disease world-wide. The infections it causes range from asymptomatic colonisation of the upper respiratory tract to serious invasive diseases such as meningitis. It has been known to be common in infants and young children, results in considerable morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. The most common clinical expression of HiB disease, meningitis, accounts for over 50% of all recognized cases of invasive HiB disease, and accounts for 60% of cases of purulent meningitis in children under 5 years. Other manifestation of HiB diseases include pneumonia, epiglotitis septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis etc. despite early diagnosis and the availability of effective antibiotics of invasive HiB disease, about 5% - 20% of children with HiB meningitis die. Neurological sequelae of varying seventy particularly deafness relatively common in HiB meningitis occurring in 15-30% of children who survive.' The development of Haemophilus influ-enzae type b (HiB) vaccines have been hailed as a major advance in childhood immunization. Ever since these vaccines have been introduced for use in early infancy, the incidence of invasive HiB disease has already shown a decline. Haemophilus influenzae type b disease can be eradicated with the HiB vaccine effectively (with efficacy approaching 100%). Countries that have included routine HiB vaccination in their programmes are already seeing an impressive reduction in incidence, or an outright eradication of the disease. HiB vaccines are immunogenic in children in developing as well as in developed countries. They are effective in controlling invasive HiB diseases. HiB vaccines are safe and reported reactions are clinically insignificant, Dr. Slack added. New programme for agriculture
lecturers Lecturers from the Faculty of Agri-culture of the Pera-deniya University will join research officers of the Ministry of Agri-culture and Lands in an effort to combine expertise and pro-mote rapid develop-ment in the field of agriculture. The team which includes 26 profes-sors and 12 associate professors will com-bine their knowledge with 238 research officers of the Ministry, under a new program ini-tiated by Minister of Agriculture and Lands, D. M. Jaya-ratne. Speaking at the Department of Agri-culture in Gannoruva where the program was introduced Minister Jayaratne said, the knowledge and services of the professors would prove to be a valuable asset when combined with the experience of the large number of directors and research officers all departments of the Ministry. Along with the available finan-cial and other resources of the Ministry rapid deve-lopment in the field of agriculture is ensured. The joint effort will provide assistance in the research and exten-sion activities of the Agriculture Depart-ment. The Minister added that under the program even under-graduates of the faculty will also benefit, since they would not have to wait three or four years to get job experience. Under the scheme under-graduates would be able to get valuable practical experience while continuing their education and thereby gain more confidence for future employment. The Minister said the program which combines the Depart-ment of Agriculture, Post Graduate Insti-tute of Agriculture and the Agriculture Faculty of the University of Perade-niya is the first step in promoting the growth of agricul-ture. He further added that similar programs will be initiated at provincial levels in future. Prof. D. Gunesena, Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture at the Peradeniya Univer-sity said, the program will benefit both the Ministry and the Faculty. He stressed that the undergraduates sho-uld use this opportunity to gain practical experience. Dean of the Faculty of Agri-culture at Peradeniya University, Prof. Kapila Gunesekara, Acting Director General of the Department of Agri-culture, Dr. Jinasiri Fernando, Director of the Institute of Horticultural Deve-lopment and Research, Prof. G. Jayawardene were among those present. |
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