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Wave of attacks on transformers and
exchanges Police investigating the continuing wave of attacks on CEB's electricity transformers and SLT's telephone exchanges have been able to find certain clues that may help to reveal the identity of the persons responsible for multi-million rupee damages. "We have some clues," a senior police investigator claimed, admitting that there was not enough evidence to move against the suspects. Investigations were conducted by the newly created Terrorists Investigations Department (TID) which functions under the direct control of IG Police W. B. Rajaguru. The TID is headed by DIG S. C. Pathirana. A senior CID officer said that it has nothing to do with the ongoing investigation. The investigator indicated that he did not want to blame the LTTE for the current wave of attacks. However there was no evidence so far to suggest that any organisation or a group other than the LTTE have both the explosives and the expertise to mount attacks. Investigators said that RDX has ben used in the manufacture of improvised explosives devices used in the attacks. The LTTE, both the police and the military admit widely use RDX. RDX is a powerful explosive also known as cyclonite and hexogen. Widely used in the second world war two, it is made by the action of nitric acid on hexamethylenetetramine, a product of formaldehyde and ammonia. RDX can be also used by mixing with TNT. Investigators strongly believe that attacks on CEB, SLT and tea factories in the central province had been carried out by the same organisation. Most of the attacks had been mounted against transformers. However the SLT had suffered more damages as their equipment was more expensive. SLT sites (buildings) too have been damaged. CEB Chairman P. A. M. Deraniyagala yesterday said that approximately 12 transformers had been destroyed so far. "It was not an easy task to provide CEB security to all transformers situated in Colombo and the provinces," he said. There were over 10,000 transformers and bigger sub-stations. Deraniyagala said that so far only transformers had been targeted. The people, he said must cooperate with the authorities to protect transformers in their areas. He said that power stations, sub stations and almost all other important facilities have been given 24 hour security. However there was no possibility of deploying personnel at each transformer. He declined to comment on the people responsible for attacks on CEB facilities. He said that approximately Rs. 15 million damages had been suffered by the CEB, so far. SLT's Customer Services Manager Christie de Alwis said that security has been increased to telephone exchanges. There were over 400 exchanges. Four exchanges had been attacked so far. Attackers made abortive attempts to blast both Ratnapura and Negombo SLT facilities. The site attacked at Kadawatha was jointly used by SLT and Mobitel. The Japanese Telecommunications Giant, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NIT) which owns 35 percent of the equity of the SLT has expressed grave concern over the attacks. However, there had been no attacks during the past few days. NIT last year paid 225 million US dollars, the highest ever amount paid for a stake in a government venture. Apart from attacks on CEB and SLT targets, attackers had also damaged two Tea factories, Bearwell estate and Shannon in the central province. A senior official with the Government Analyst Department involved in the investigation declined to comment on the findings. According to records available with the CEB, the LTTE had damaged and destroyed at least 80 transformers and other facilities in the Eastern province and Vavuniya in the past three years. "They have made a determined effort to knock off the power supply in the Eastern province," a senior CEB official said. In a recent attack, terrorists fired a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) at a transformer, instead it hit a mosque, wounding some people. Tigers attack PLOTE Wanni MP's
house Tigers mounted a fierce attack on the Vavuniya residence of Vanni district PLOTE MP, Vythilingam Balachandran on Monday night killing a police sentry on duty, security sources said. The MP had been at home at the time of the raid, but was unhurt as he, along with his wife, five children and mother had escaped through the back door. His house is situated at Anna Street, Pandarikulam. The Tigers who had infiltrated Vavuniya town launched the attack using automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades. They had also hurled hand grenades before withdrawing. The attackers, according to security sources, had arrived in a hijacked van around 7 p.m. to launch the attack. Extensive damage was caused to the MP's house. The LTTE had also removed the Parliamentarian's van which was later found abandoned at Rambaikulam. RPG fire had also been directed at the cubicles used by the police sentries opposite the MP's house, these sources added. The attackers had also destroyed all the documents in Mr. Balachandran's office room. The PC killed in the raid was identified as A. S. Udawala (28), a resident of Kundasale in Kandy. A joint police-army operation was launched to track down the attackers. Over hundred students of Colombo varsity
suspended One hundred and five students of the Colombo University have been suspended following allegations against them of holding hostage the Deam and several other members of the staff of the Arts Faculty of Colombo University. Letters to this effect had already been sent to the parents of respective students after a decision was reached on Monday, by Vice Chancellor of Colombo University, Prof. W. D. Lakshman. The letters also has stated that the period of suspension would be intimated later and that any appeals on the suspensions should be made on or before June 30 through an affidavit, addressed to Vice Chancellor, Colombo University. On June 4, the Dean and the members of the staff had volunteered to conduct the annual elections of the students union of the Arts Faculty. After the results of the election were announced, the students were held the Dean and the members of the staff hostages till 3.00 a.m. the following day. Maho Co-op Society polls death MAHO: "Several of us were at the residence of Bhoomiratne, a candidate for Co-operative Society elections on Saturday when a white coloured lorry came towards us. There were about four or five persons in the lorry. As the lorry approached us a gun shot was fired from the lorry. "The persons in the lorry threatened us not to contest the co-op election. When the lorry was about to leave another gun shot was fired from the lorry. Later we saw, Yasapala, another candidate contesting the elections lying in a pool of blood" said Samarakoon Banda a witness giving evidence at the magisterial inquiry conducted by Maho Acting Magistrate, Jinadasa Lekamge, on the death of Yasapala a UNP candidate at the Maho Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society elections. Maho district medical officer, Dr. George Dodakumbura conducted the post mortem examination. Considering the evidence led at the inquiry and the medical report the Acting Magistrate ordered the suspects, H. Piyasena, a People's Alliance member of Maho Pradesheeya Sabha and his driver to be remanded till June 10. The motion to extend the state of emergency by a further month will be debated today when Parliament meets at 9.30 a.m. The debate will continue for nine hours without a break and the vote will be taken at 6.30 p.m. Minister of Parliament Affairs Jeyaraj Fernandopulle is expected to make a personal explanation at the commencement of the sittings with regard to the statement made in Parliament made by Lalith Front MP Ravi Karunanayake during the last sessions over the allegations made against the latter by the Minister, during the Air Lanka-Emirates debate. (PG) Vajpayee to attend Colombo SAARC
summit NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today confirmed his participation in the upcoming heads of government summit of the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Sri Lankan capital Colombo next month. He conveyed this to visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar here this evening. The minister met Vajpayee at his residence and presented to him President Chandrika Kumaratunga's invitation to attend the 10th SAARC summit Sri Lanka is hosting to coincide with the 50th anniversary of its independence. Informed sources said India has agreed to the new dates (July 9-11) for the summit suggested by Sri Lanka. However, Colombo will announce the dates formally only after they are accepted by all member countries. A statement issued by the Sri Lankan High Commission here tonight said the prime minister accepted the invitation with pleasure, and told Kadirgamar that he is looking forward to attending the summit. This will be his first overseas visit since assuming office on March 19 this year. SAARC consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This year's summit assumes international importance because it will provide the venue for a crucial summit meeting between Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Shariff. The two leaders will be meeting for the first time after their countries conducted underground nuclear tests last month. Prime Minister Vajpayee told the Sri Lankan foreign minister: "We must all work enthusiastically for the summit's success". Kadirgamar informed the Indian leader that, this time, the summit will focus on issues stemming from the rapid developments in the global economy. Vajpayee responded by pointing out that the economic cooperation within the SAARC family should certainly be further strengthened. He went on to say that the private sector in the region has an important role to play in this regard through the establishment of joint ventures. This assumes significance because, even though the global trade of the seven member countries exceeds US$100 billion annually, intra-regional trade amounts to barely three percent of this. Earlier, Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhara Raje hosted a lunch in Kadirgamar's honour. In their discussions, the two sides agreed that the regional body should concentrate more on economic issues rather than on political ones. Kadirgamar arrived here from Bangladesh capital Dhaka after handing over President Kumaratunga's invitation to Prime Minister Hasina Wajed. He leaves for Nepalese capital Kathmandu on a similar mission. The minister's delegation included Romesh Jayasinghe, acting director general incharge of SAARC in the Sri Lankan foreign ministry. Mr. Sanath Gunathilake, Media Consultant to the President says: "My attention has been drawn to the 'story' included in the column Midweek Politics in "The Island" of 03.06.98 and the reference to me, not by my name but designation, of having "two luxury flats". "The 'story' is totally incorrect in that I do not in the first instance own any flat, leave alone a luxury flat. "The flat at Manning Town has been allocated to me for my use in my capacity as Media Consultant. It would thus imply that I should return the flat to the authorities concerned when I cease to hold office. "I obtained a middle class flat, not luxury flat, at Elvitigala Mw., in 1993 as I do not possess a house in Colombo. I still pay the rent of Rs. 950 per month. It is kept closed for the present. It would not have been that impossible for me to rent it out and charge an exorbitant amount, as I consider this improper. "I now serve in the post of Media Consultant to the President in an honorary capacity and the only facilities I make use of, besides the official flat, are the official vehicle and the telephone, which are essential requisites to carry out my official functions." Our Columnist Prasad Gunewardene notes: In the paragraph which referred to a Media Consultant close to the 'Palace' I have not made any reference to the effect that this Media Consultant happens to own two 'luxury' flats. The information regarding the two flats was based on UNP sources as mentioned in the paragraph. Furthermore, no mention has been made in that paragraph with regard to the locations of the two flats of which Mr. Sanath Gunetileke is the tenant as claimed by him. Political thugs rule the roost in Negombo An alleged incident where police officers who had taken two drunken thugs into custody being ordered to undergo medical tests for being under influence of liquor on the orders of a prominent People's Alliance politician of the area has been reported from Negombo. Officers of the special criminal investigations squad formed in Western Province (North) on instructions of the President had, on a tip off received raided a house at Horahena, Dagonna, Kimbulapitiya for illegal firearms. But investigations had revealed that the owner of the house was a supporter of a rival political party and that false information had been given to harass the man. No fire arms had been found. But while the police officers were carrying out investigations two persons in an intoxicated state had come in a threewheeler and had informed the police officers that they were supporters of a particular politician and had wanted to check the process of police investigations carried out, according to reports. Requests by the police officers to the drunken duo not to interfere with their duties were not heeded and as such they had been taken into custody and sent for medical examination, which proved that they were under the influence of liquor. It had also been revealed that they were not in possession of national identity cards, nor any documents pertaining to the ownership of the threewheeler they had arrived in. The moment the prominent politician of the area heard about this incident of his two supporters being taken into custody he ordered that the police officers concerned be subjected to a medical examination to check whether they were under the influence of liquor. The medical examination however had proved negative, it is further alleged. Later the two thugs had removed the threewheeler from police custody without producing any documents. Police sources said that when political thugs rule the roost it was no wonder bombs explode in Negombo area. Rights application against SPC
filed in Supreme Court A Fundamental Rights application filed by Singapore based Fualding Pharmaceuticals Ltd., against the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka for cancelling an order for medical drugs after having issued an indent to it comes up for argument before the Supreme Court on June 29. The Bench comprising Chief Justice G. P. S. de Silva, Justice Wijetunga and Justice Bandaranayaka issued notice on the respondents. State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka, Professor Colvin Gooneratne, R. U. Kamalgoda, Dr. S. Velumylum, Dr. K. C. S. Dalapadu, Dr. S. Jaganathan, Tozai Boeki Kaisa of Japan and the Attorney General are cited as respondents. The petitioner stated that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka called for a global tender and invited quotations from manufacturers and suppliers for the supply of Bleomycin Hydrochloride. The petitioner tendered for Bleomycin Sulphate, which was accepted by State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, as there was no difference between Bleomycin Hydrochloride and Bleomycin Sulphate. The SPC further issued to the petitioner an indent with delibery schedules. Thereafter, the SPC cancelled the said order, on the basis that Bleomycin Sulphate is materially different from Bleomycin Hydrochloride. The petitioner further stated that such an action by the SPC is mala-fide and is based on extraneous considerations having regard to all the circumstances including the views expressed to the petitioner that doctors were more comfortable with the Japanese products and therefore in violation of Financial Regulations relating to government tenders. Shibly Aziz PC with Nigel Hatch and S. D. Yogendra, appeared for the petitioner. Senior State Counsel K. Sriparan with State Counsel P. Fernando, appeared for the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Romesh de Silva (PC) with Harsha Amarasekera and G. G. Arupragasam, appeared for the Tozai Boeki Kaisa of Japan. Defamation suit against
Archbishop of Colombo A former public servant and an ex-director of an international organisation, Francis Pietersz has filed a Rs. 1,000,000 defamation suit against the newspaper "Messenger" in the District Court of Colombo for publishing an article defamatory of him. Rev. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Rev. Fr. Bertram Dabrera and Mrs. Manel Abeyaratne are cited as defendants being the Proprietor of the Catholic Press and newspaper, publisher and editor of "Messenger" respectively. The plaint stated that the plaintiff is a former public servant, an ex-director of an international organisation, a writer and a Catholic. The first defendant, the Archbishop of Colombo is the proprietor of the Catholic Press and the newspaper "Messenger", a publication of the Catholic church. The second defendant is the printer and publisher of the newspaper while the third defendant is its Editor. The defendants published in English an article in the newspaper "Messenger" of June 23, 1996 under the caption "Father Balasuriya at the stake". The author’s name was not disclosed. The said article purported to be a reply to an article written by the plaintiff and published in "The Island" of June 7, 1996. The words in the said article convey the meaning that the plaintiff was an unscrupulous person who, for the sake of money would do anything and has sold his religious principles and has become disloyal and disobedient to the Pope and to the Church. Therefore the article is per se and innuendo, defamatory of the plaintiff. The plaintiff claimed damages in a sum of Rs. 1,000,000, the plaint concluded. Midweek
Politics President Chandrika Kumaratunga who replied Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday on the subject of the now defunct Bribery Commission expressed her desire to reconstitute the Commission immediately and sought the cooperation of Mr. Wickremesinghe in that regard. Mrs. Kumaratunga made her intention known almost on the eve of her live appearance over the state electronic media scheduled for next Sunday where she would answer questions from the public. It was obvious that the public would have raised this question about the Bribery Commission which is non-functioning at a time when the Opposition has charged the present government of being corrupt within a short period of nearly four years. President Kumaratunga, in her reply to Mr. Wickremesinghe noted that when the Commissioners opted to resign at her request, the Commissioners had been given legal advice by Mr. Tilak Marapona, former Attorney-General whom she claimed to be an Ex-Co member of the United National Party. She further noted that Mr. Marapona had advised the Commissioners not to resign. Mrs. Kumaratunga claimed that Mr. Marapona was also the Chief Legal Advisor to Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President while noting that her government was keen to investigate all allegations of bribery and corruption has sought Mr. Wickremesinghe's support to reconstitute the Commission without delay. Political analysts say that even if the allegation of the President that Mr. Marapona advised the Commissioners not to resign was true, there was no reason for the government to transfer the entire cadre of investigating officers out of the Commission. They say that until the dispute between the government and the Commissioners were resolved the investigating officers should have been retained to carry out investigations into the complaints received. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was out of Colombo yesterday and he is expected to reply the President on his return to Colombo early this morning. The investigating officers in the Bribery Commission were transferred stating that more men from the Police were needed for security at a time when the Government and the people faced threats from the LTTE. The UNP opposition challenges this reason given saying that the officers were transferred out to stall investigations that were proceeding against some Cabinet Ministers where allegations of bribery and corruption had been levelled. "These men in the Commission were transferred out only after they started to investigate a complaint against a Cabinet Minister who had purchased a house in the hill country which was worth Rs. Nine million", claimed a senior UNPer. There was speculation in the government circles last week that the government would seek the co-operation of the Opposition in Parliament to appoint a Select Committee to go into the present situation of the Bribery Commission. A government source told this columnist that the intention of setting up this committee was to subsequently introduce a motion in Parliament to remove the Commissioners to reconstitute the Commission. According to the Permanent Commission on Bribery and Corruption Act, the Commissioners could be removed by a simple majority in Parliament. The government is capable of getting such a resolution through in Parliament as it has the support from the Tamil political parties even if the UNP opposition opposes it. The UNP is of the opinion that the government has only to appoint the Director-General and bring back the investigating officers to ensure the smooth functioning of the Commission without going through a delayed process of a Select Committee into the matter. While the PA government is battling out the Bribery Commission issue with the UNP, the public today lay much emphasis on television debates between Cabinet Ministers and UNP Parliamentarians over state electronic media. Last week there was a debate with Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Western Province Chief Minister on one side with UNP MPs Karunasena Kodituwakku and Gamini Lokuge on the other side arguing on misdeeds and corruption of the past and present regimes. A survey conducted by political analysts indicate that the performance of the UNP representatives was very poor in countering the fiery Cabinet Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Minister Samaraweera who interrupted the UNP MPs for one minute continued for many minutes placing his points while the two UNP men quietly listened without fighting back. Authoritative sources said that when the government had made this offer for a debate, the UNP has forwarded the name of its' fiery speaker and rival of Mr. Samaraweera, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. It is learnt that the government had rejected the name of Dr. Senaratne stating that if Dr. Senaratne was to come, Minister Samaraweera would cancel the offer. Dr. Kodituwakku is the Head of the UNP media unit. He has experience to argue on facts and figures but lacks the fiery potential of the calibre of Dr. Senaratne, Sarath Kongahage and Sarath Ranawake. Mr. Lokuge who possessed the fiery experience during his days as a State Minister performed in a poor manner, states the survey of the political analysts. This poor performance by the two UNP Parliamentarians is expected to be discussed at this morning's UNP Parliamentary Group. Several senior UNPers were of the opinion that for TV debates MPs should be selected by a committee and must be approved by the party leader. They say that no party MP should be allowed to go for such debates at their own will as poor performances would hamper the rapid progress of the UNP with the people. Party sources said that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is too not happy with the performance of his two MPs' Messrs Lokuge and Kodituwakku during last week's debate with Mangala Samaraweera. Mr. Wickremesinghe is expected to tell his MPs this morning that he would be authorising the names for TV debates in the future and no MP would be allowed to go on their own before the mini screen. Meanwhile, the newly formed Mulberry Group in the Colombo Municipal Council is awaiting the intervention of the PA leadership to resolve the crisis between them and the "Ganeshalingam group". It is reported that Mr. Ganeshalingam is accusing Mayor Karu Jayasuriya for being responsible for the division in the PA-oriented opposition group. The Mulberry Group dismissed this accusation of Mr. Ganeshalingam and stated that the division was due to the "irresponsible conduct of Ganeshalingam as the CMC opposition leader". |
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