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Banks join force to stop credit card frauds A Fraud and Risk Management Task Force has been formed by 12 commercial banks in Sri Lanka in a bid to stem the growing fraudulent use of credit cards,banking sources said. It's a move aimed at minimising fraudulent use of credit cards by unauthorised persons,these sources said. This Task Force has been formed by 12 commercial banks that issue credit cards after they observed several fraudulent activities by unauthorized persons. Credit cards remain a popular option for payment by many bank customers in the country due to the convenience in paying for goods and services in instalments.However with the increased popularity of credit cards,banks have also noted a figurative rise in credit card-related fraud. The banks thought it necessary to set up the Task Force to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of the frauds,banking sources said. One of the cases this Task Force had managed to uncover, was the fraudulent use of two credit cards by a woman working in a reputed private organisation.The credit cards were reportedly issued by two commercial banks. The woman was recently arrested by the Crime Detective Bureau of the Kollupitiya Police following investigations. These cards,investigations revealed, had been stolen from a woman living in Nugegoda who works in a travel office in Kollupitiya, sources said. According reports, the card holder and the suspect travelled in the same private van to and from office. The wallet containing the two cards were allegedly stolen by the suspect,police investigations revealed. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Task Force revealed that the suspect had used the stolen credit cards by forging the cardholder's signature. Having established the identity, a complaint was duly made at the Kollupitiya police by the victim. The officer- in -Charge of the Crime Detective Bureau and a team of officers promptly acted and arrested the suspect at her work place. Police recovered the cards and the goods purchased by the suspect using the stolen credit cards. The suspect was later remanded by the Fort Magistrate and she was subsequently released on Rs. 10,000 bail. The suspect was ordered to appear in court again on August 20. Kollupitiya police is conducting further investigations. The banks in the Task Force are: Hatton National Bank, ANZ Grindlays Bank, Seylan Bank, Commercial Bank, Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, City Bank, Sampath Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, ABN Amro Bank, Hongkong Bank and Golden Key. Govt. duty bound to hold provincial polls The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will oppose any attempt by the government to call for a presidential election instead of holding provincial council polls on the due dates. In any case if a presidential election is held, we, along with other political parties which are against the executive presidential system, would field an independent candidate to contest presidential election with the pledge to abolish the executive presidency, JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva told a press conference at their JVP Headquarters at Attidiya, Ratmalana yesterday. He further said: "It is possible, according to the statement made by Deputy Defence Minister, that the government may postpone elections under cover of the war. But this is not the first time elections were postponed in our country. But it is highly unconventional on the part of the government to take cover behind the war and postpone elections. Wasn't there general elections, presidential elections held while the war was raging? Even local government elections were held in the Jaffna peninsula at the time of war". The other point is provincial council elections are not held islandwide. But in the case of a presidential election it will involve the entire country inclusive of Jaffna. Under such circumstances providing security measures for a presidential election would be more than that of provincial council elections. It is the bounden duty of the government to hold elections democratically. Therefore the government or any other political party cannot be allowed to subvert the democratic rights of the people. The government and the United National Party are bent on postponing elections to cover up the differences that has arisen within their parties, Mr. Silva claimed. The Lalith Front along with its leader Srimani Athulathmudali has left the government. Thondaman has been side stepped. Even after nominations have been received the government can postpone elections under the pretext of the war. In 1994 presidential elections, Chandrika Kumaratunga promised to abolish the executive presidential system. Now she is keen on contesting the presidential elections. So, is the president standing by her promise? he queried. We are completely against holding one election in place of another. We have therefore decided to register our protest through poster campaigns and meetings. Such meetings will be held on July 12 and 13 in Badulla and Moneragala and on July 16 at Nugegoda" he added. Propaganda Secretary of the party, Wimal Weerawansa and members of the politburo, Gunatilake and Kularatne were also present at this press conference. Police Sunday night arrested two Tamil youths for their alleged involvement in monitoring movements of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's daughter. They were arrested in Kollupitiya police area by officers of the Presidential Security Division. (NP) TULF legal secretary Ponnuthurai Siva-palan was sworn yesterday as Jaffna’s new Mayor filling the void created by the assassination of Mrs. Sarojini Yogeswaran last month. Press walks out of CMC in protest Journalists covering the monthly meeting of the Colombo Municipal Council at the Town Hall yesterday walked out in protest because the proceedings were inaudible as one of the buffels which had been there for years had been removed. The buffel placed at the section allocated to the press was removed to another location as a part of a new arrangement. But the reporters were given the same place to cover the meeting. The members of the Fourth Estate protested and walked out. United Lalith Front Leader Mrs. Srimani Athulathmudali in a Press release says that there have been many speculations on the stand taken by the ULF with regard to the forthcoming elections. The news item in the 'Sunday Island" of 28th June on ULF contesting under the UNP banner, is misleading as the ULF has as yet not taken any decision with regard to whom support should be given at the forthcoming elections. Lankans use 10.5m condoms per year In a bid to prevent sub standard condoms being marketed, the government has directed that all contraceptive importers to register with the Health Ministry. Earlier there was intense speculation that sub-standard condoms were being marketed by certain importers. Under the new system all importers including the Family Planning Association [FPA] of Sri Lanka which has the lion’s share in the contraceptive market have been compelled to register with the ministry. FPA’s executive director Daya Abeywickrema yesterday said that the government decision will ensure the import of quality contraceptives. He said that FPA marketed condoms are checked and approved by the International Planned Parenthood Federation. "We can vouch for the condoms we sell," he insisted adding that despite competition, people continue to depend mainly on brands imported by the FPA. An official with the FPA’s Marketing Division said that 7.48 million condoms, 632,000 pills and over 31,000 depoprovera injections were sold last year. Compared to previous year [1996], FPA has registered a slight drop in their sales. According to figures available with FPA, over 2.8 million condoms had been sold in the first half of this year. In the first half of this year approximately 324,680 pills had been sold. Mr. Abeywickrema said that Sri Lankans use approximately 10.5 million condoms and 1.8 million pills every year. Apart from the FPA and the private sector firms engaged in the contraceptive trade, government’s Family Health Bureau also plays a crucial role in distributing both condoms and pills. The Bureau distributes contraceptives through midwifes. Mr. Abeywickrema insisted that slight drop in sales was a result of others entering the market. However the FPA he said was confident of securing the lion’s share of the contraceptive market. All condoms sold here all were manufactured by foreign firms. South Korea remains Sri Lanka’s main supplier although stocks are also acquired from India, US, Belgium and Germany. Funds provided by US Aid has been used to import US manufactured condoms. Amidst competition among importers to bring in new types of condoms, one pharmaceutical company has imported Belgium manufactured flavoured condoms to be distributed through FPA. The distribution will be done as part of the FPA Social Marketing Programme [SMP] sources said adding that this was the first time FPA has come forward to sell a flavoured condom. Mr. Abeywickrema said that they had established a clinic at Seeduwa to educate the employees of the Katunayake Free Trade Zone. "We are promoting contraceptive sales," he said adding that the new emergency contraceptive pill is also being marketed at Seeduwa. This particular pill is used to prevent unwanted pregnancies even if one has sex without any protection he said, explaining that it [the pill] has to be taken within 72 hours. He said approximately 5,000 FTZ employees have been lectured. Except for a small percentage, the majority were females. FPA has approximately 8,500 sales outlets. However no outlets exist in the Jaffna peninsula. Private traders secure stocks from Colombo for use in the peninsula. FPA plays a crucial role in providing sex education to schools among other places. FPA also conducts reproductive health programmes for Public Health Inspectors [trainees] and para medics. Reproductive health education seminars are conducted for both those who attend and do not attend schools. Teacher training workshops, orientation seminars for parents and educational department officers, are also conducted on a regular basis, sources said. Recently FPA joined with an advertising agency to mount a bold condom promotion and fund raising project at one of Colombo’s top night spots. Every male entering the club was given a free packet of condoms for each entry ticket purchased. This was the first time condom promotion was done this way, sources said. People engaged in the contraceptive trade say that the government was keen to further improve birth control methods. 26 suspected cholera cases in NCP Twenty six suspected cholera cases have been identified by medical authorities in the North Central Province according to Dr. W. M. T. B. Wijekoon, Provincial Director of Health Services, NCP. Out of them 13 cases have been found in Anuradhapura district and 11 from Polonnaruwa district. Two other patients from Matale district had been receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura government hospital, Dr. Wijekoon said. Three of the suspected cholera patients have died. Meanwhile six patients from Anuradhapura district and another from Polonnaruwa district who are among the suspected cases have been identified as positive cholera cases. Seven Tigers killed, "ammo" haul
seized Troops yesterday stormed LTTE positions at Kokkadicholai, Thikodai and Santhimalai killing at least seven terrorists. Their bodies had been recovered along with seven T-56 rifles, one T-81 rifle, one M-16 weapon, one 40mm grenade launcher, one pistol, eight hand grenades, one FNC magazine, six motor cycles, one tractor and a large stock of medicine and (CENSORED) uniforms. Three Tiger political offices, two police stations and several other facilities had been destroyed by the troops. Groups of terrorists had managed to escape carrying their dead and the wounded. One police commando had been wounded in the operation, the latest in a ongoing campaign in the Batticaloa-Trincomalee region to weaken enemy power. The military said that troops stormed terrorist positions after trekking through jungles for several hours. Three Fibre Glass Dinghies [FGD] used by Sea Tigers had also been destroyed. The military reiterated that not a single civilian was wounded during the operation. Asked whether air strikes were mounted in the Kokkadicholai and neighbouring areas a senior officer replied in the negative. "No air strikes were launched," he said. After the successful completion of the operation, troops returned to their bases. On June 21 in a joint air-sea-land operation troops secured Vakarai, north of Batticaloa. That particular operation involved the sea-borne landing of troops and a push from Valachchenai towards Vakarai. At least 33 terrorists died during the operation. Troops have now established camps in the area. In May troops secured the 15 kms long Kuchchuveli-Pulmoddai coastline. Securing of Valachchenai-Vakarai and Kuchchuveli-Pulmoddai sectors had considerably affected Sea Tiger movements between the Wanni and the East. Troops remain in control at both sectors. However yesterday’s operation was conducted only to search and destroy enemy facilities at Kokkadicholai and surrounding areas. (Censored) In separate incidents Jayasikuru troops on Sunday killed six terrorists east of Mankulam. Two more terrorists were shot dead northwest of Kunchukkulam. Caution will be exercised in future for foreign filming The temporary suspension on approval for films on Sri Lanka has been imposed by the Ceylon Tourist Board Foreign Ministry spokesman Ravinatha Ariyasinha reiterated yesterday. However, Tourist Board Chairman H. M. S. Samaranayake said that there was no "ban" as such, but the board is little more careful about giving approval for the films on Sri Lanka. He claimed that the Foreign Ministry had imposed the suspension. When ‘The Island’ got back to Ravinatha Ariyasinha, who is Director (Publicity) maintained that the Tourist Board was responsible for this temporary suspension. The Ministry is in no way involved in this, he stressed. To support his claim, Mr. Ariyasinha faxed to ‘The Island’ a copy of a letter sent by Mr. A. B. Ranjit de Silva, Director of the Tourist Board to Ms. Susan Grimshaw, ‘BBC Summer Holiday Programme’ referring to the "temporary suspension in force on account of an incident involving another filming company from another country". A letter sent in this regard by Susannah Price, BBC Correspondent in Colombo in response to Mr. de Silva's letter was also faxed by Mr. Ariyasinha. Asked about the withdrawal of permission to a British television crew to film a holiday programme, Mr. Ariyasinha said that in this case clearance has now been given as the television crew was already on their way to Sri Lanka when the Tourist Board decision was taken. However all future applications for film projects on Sri Lanka will be carefully examined. Suspension
of 105 students The final day for appeals regarding the suspension of the 105 students of the Faculty of Arts University of Colombo is today. The Vice Chancellor will review all appeals received after he returns to the country on July 3 and take a decision regarding lifting the suspensions, acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Thilak Hettiarachchi said. These students of the Arts Faculty were suspended after the Dean of the Faculty along with several other staff members were taken hostage earlier this month. The Vice Chancellor in turn suspended 105 students in this regard. The letters which were sent to the parents had provisions for students to appeal against their suspension and several students have handed in their appeals, Prof. Hettiarachchi said. The students who handed in the appeals were allowed to sit for the recent first year examinations, he added. However, even last Saturday three students were added to the 'list of suspensions' as they attempted to disrupt examinations. The three, despite repeated attempts to stop them, had gone to the female hostel and asked the students not to participate in the exams, Prof. Hettiarachchi said. They even continued their activities at the Thunmulla junction, turning away students who attempted to sit for the first year finals, he said. Of the three, two were from the first batch of suspended students, he said. They had no business to be in the University as the University is considered out of bounds after suspensions, he said. The three were taken into police custody and later released on bail, he said. Earlier two more were suspended on Thursday. Apart from this incident, University activities are gradually returning to normal and students are attending lectures and examinations, the acting Vice Chancellor said. The attempts to disrupt examinations are however a minority cause, he said. Less than 2% actually want to disrupt University work. The turn out for one of the final examinations was 100%, so the majority is not behind them, he said. The police had to be called in last Wednesday to ensure that University activities continued without any interruption. The tensions escalated after a certain students union lost the election. This led a group of students to take the Dean hostage demanding the election results to be considered null and void. Following a report by a committee headed by Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, which was formed to look into the election malpractices, the election results were accepted. The acting VC said that he was not aware if the recent anti-ragging laws will be used against the students involved in the hostage taking, but the incident is going to be placed before a mediation board. He also said that, in his view the act to place the matter under the mediation board is an act of leniency. Friday's
proceedings During cross examination, recalled witness W. K. B. Weragama, General Manager Railways (GMR) said although Treasury approval was granted to recruit the staff necessary for training, the GMR did not take any action to ensure that the posts were filled. This was said before the Special Presidential Commission probing alleged malpractices in public bodies. The Commission comprises Justice P. R. P. Perera (Chairman), Justice H. S. Yapa and Justice F. N. D. Jayasuriya. Former GMR P. W. A. K. Silva is the party noticed in the inquiry. Mr. Silva who served as GMR from 1991-1994 was accused of misuse of power during his term of office. He has been required to show cause as to why he should not be found guilty of misuse of power for certain acts in respect to transactions related to the establishment and functioning of a concrete sleeper manufacturing plant by John Holland International Ltd. of Australia. Ranjit Abeysuriya P. C. instructed by N. Sambandan appeared for the party noticed. Additional Solicitor General Saleem Marsoof P. C. with Ajith Wickramaratne assisted the Commission. S. K. P. Bambarande is the secretary to the Commission. Commission resumed proceedings at the Superior Courts last Friday (26). During the proceedings witness was shown document marked P193 dated December 21, 1994. The document authored by the GMR at the time, Mr. T. Gunesekera states at that particular time the railway staff were properly trained to take over the factory when the extended contract with John Holland expired in August '95. The document marked Ôpersonal' and Ôurgent' is addressed to the Chief Engineer Way and Works (CEW) at the time, Mr. Vithanage. Witness said he wasn't aware of any action taken by Vithanage in reply to the document P193. At the time, witness was working in the capacity of Chief Engineer Headquarters and was reinstated in his post as CEW on February 24, 1995. Once reinstated the witness had authored P195 dated March 25, '95, a document in reference to P194. Through P195, the witness sought a report on the mechanical condition of the factory. In P195 witness states that a committee which includes a person specialised in mechanical engineering should be appointed and that all matters involving the provision of staff should also to be reported on. The requested report dated May 26, '95 refers to the subject of taking over of concrete sleeper production by Railway Department. Staff requirements, details of the condition of the machinery, required materials, financial commitments and total costs to be incurred were stated in the document. The document outlines the steps that should be taken for the Railway Department to take over the running of the sleeper factory. Ranjit Abeysuriya: Of the 58 personnel required, 14 were trained earlier ? -Yes Q: The report recommended for a refresher course to be provided for the 14 trained staff and that the remaining personnel be trained?- Yes Q: Since there were trained staff already, training the remaining staff was not a big problem ?- Yes Q: In May '95, you were the CEW. Is that correct ? -Yes Q: Did you take any steps to provide the staff required for training?-Yes. After the report was sent to the GMR, we had regular meetings to discuss the question of absorbing the existing staff to the factory. This was given the highest priority. In any case at the rate of production of John Holland, it would be December '95 and not August '95 when they completed production. Q: If the necessary action was taken in May, wouldn't it have been possible to take over the factory in December when the production was completed ?- The Railway was ready to take over the factory in August, because by that time the staff requirements were satisfied. Q: Is there any document drafted in May which states the railway was ready to take over the factory in August '95? - The document P119 sent in April '96 to all departmental heads states that " the staff mentioned in the document must be released to report to CEW for instructions." Chairman: Prior to this was there a similar document sent by the former GMR ( party noticed) to the divisional heads instructing them to release the staff ? - There was one letter where he gave instructions to release one person out of the required personnel and a laboratory assistant was released. Chairman: This was in relation to only one appointment ?-Yes Chairman: Had you made a request to the then GMR regarding the total amount of personnel required for training? -Yes Chairman: Was there a response similar to that of Mr. Gunesekera ?- No Q: Was the staff expected to report to you and proceed to work ?- Yes Witness said with the exception of a few personnel, who reported later, the rest of the staff were trained and in place by November '95. Q: Is there a document that states that the staff were in place by November ?- Yes, the document sent in April states that all the staff were in place by November, but had to be sent back because of the cabinet decision. Chairman: When was the Cabinet Memorandum drafted ? - The Cabinet Memorandum recommending that the factory be handed over to the State Engineering Corporation was drafted in December 29, '95 by the Minister of Housing and Construction. Witness said that the end of the John Holland contract period, the State Engineering Corporation took over the factory, but did not start manufacture for a year. Justice Yapa: What prompted the railway to take over the factory so suddenly ? - We knew that we had to take over the factory. The arrangements should have been made earlier, but they made at the last minute. Justice Yapa: Why weren't the arrangements made earlier, within the original two year period ?- Because the staff was not there. P119 was the GMR's instruction for the staff to be made available. Chairman: There was no enthusiasm earlier ? - Yes Justice Yapa: Are the letters sent by the former GMR (P173) and Mr. Gunesekera (P119) similar in nature?- They were similar in the sense that they both told me to take steps to ensure that the production of sleepers is continued. It was the witness's position that although the letters were similar in nature, only one letter ensured the cooperation of departmental heads. He added that although several requests were made to the party noticed at the time he was the GMR, P173 indicated that it was the first time that such a request was made. Q: Is not the fact that the Treasury approval needed to create certain posts was obtained under the initiative of the former GMR ?- Yes, but the posts needed to be filled as well. Chairman: Is it your position that although Treasury approval had been obtained to recruit the people, it was the GMR's responsibility to do the needful ? Witness said that although a letter had been sent, there was no follow up action taken by the former GMR. Commission is proceeding. First ever Tea Museum in Kandy Sri Lanka's first Tea Museum is being set up at Hantane in Kandy, well over a century after the island embarked on the plantation odyssey that culminated with it becoming the world's largest tea exporter. An initiative involving the Planters Association of Ceylon and the Sri Lanka Tea Board, the Ceylon Tea Museum will be dedicated to recording the epic saga that began with James Taylor's 20 acre block of tea at Deltota 131 years ago. Planters' Association Secretary General S. K. Seneviratne said the promoters of the Museum have spent many months scouring the tea growing regions for now obsolete and abandoned machinery that form the "missing links" in the evolution of Sri Lanka's tea industry. "Sadly, much of the early machinery is now lost for all time, but we are hopeful that many items of historical value from field and factory will now surface, enabling us to preserve them for posterity". Seneviratne said. He said many Estates and Proprietary Planters have responded enthusiastically towards this venture. Daily Instruction Books of Estate Managers and Labour Muster Books over a century old have been discovered. Antique tea machinery over a hundred years old is being restored. A set of priceless antique photographs have been obtained from England for the museum, he said. Mr. Clifford Ratwatte, Chairman of the Tea Board has been appointed the Chairman of the Ceylon Tea Museum, supported by a Board of Directors representing organisations involved in the Tea Industry. "This historical national Tea Museum will not only be a source of national pride, but will also be of immense educational value," Mr. Ratwatte said. Much of the preliminary work for the opening, of the museum at the Hantane Tea Factory is now complete and the legal and constitutional requirements for the project have been finalised, Seneviratne said, adding that the establishment of the museum will cost approximately Rs. 4 million and maintenance would cost over Rs. 70,000 per month. He said the Planters' Association and the Tea Board were in the process of raising funds for the venture and were hopeful that there would be many contributions from private sector organisations. For example Messrs Tradesman International has donated the necessary roofing sheets to repair the factory. ASP killing - suspect released The suspect taken into custody in connection with the killing of ASP Sabaratnam Shanthikumar was ordered to be released by Colombo chief Magistrate M. A. Silva due to lack of evidence . The suspect, Neelagam Karimegam who was remanded for 14 days after he was taken into custody by the Pettah police was released on June 23. It was observed by the magistrate that this suspect had been taken into custody for the mere sake of producing a suspect in court. He was released after Pettah police admitted to court that there wasn’t sufficient valid evidence against the suspect. Attorney Anura Dhanaratne who appeared on behalf of the suspect said that police had taken his client into custody but had not found any evidence against him. Passenger sues airline for Rs.
10 m Plaintiff S. S. Wijewardena, a passenger on a flight to Vancouver from Japan has filed a ten million rupee suit in the Colombo District Court against Canadian Airline International Ltd., in the District Court of Colombo for wrongful acts of commission and omission. The plaint filed by passenger Shamilal de Silva Wijewardena through Attorney-at-law K. R. Jayalath instructed by Omar Associates stated that the plaintiff had been duly issued a visa by the Canadian Embassy in Colombo on October 16, 1996, permitting him to enter Canada lawfully. In the course of his journey he arrived at Narita Airport, Japan from Colombo at 11 a.m. on November 18, 1996, with the intention of taking the connecting flight on an aircraft belonging to the defendant to Vancouver. At the Narita airport, an agent of the defendant company after checking the plaintiff's passport and the airline ticket gave a boarding pass to him to board flight 644. About half an hour before the flight was due to take off, the said agent who gave the boarding pass, took back the passport from the plaintiff stating that it was necessary to check the genuineness of the visa. The plaintiff protested that the visa was a genuine one. Thereafter an officer overawed the plaintiff by his offensive behaviour and menacing gestures. The officer thereafter wrongfully handed over the plaintiff to the Immigration Department in the Narita airport. He was taken to an interrogation room, where he was treated like a criminal and subjected to hostile interrogation. Around 8 p.m. the plaintiff was put into a dark cell with twelve other persons without any food or drinks. At last in the afternoon of November 19, 1996 the plaintiff was interviewed by an official in the Canadian Embassy over the phone, and thereafter he was taken back to the airport and his passport and airline ticket were handed back to him. He was then allowed to board the plane to Vancouver. A cause of action has accrued to the plaintiff to sue the defendant for damages in a sum of rupees ten million for the loss of liberty and injuries caused to his personality, dignity and reputation, the plaint concluded. Sri Lanka Telecom painting competition for children For the fourth consecutive year Sri Lanka Telecom and Directories Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. have organised a painting competition for children to design the front cover of the Telephone Directory with a meaningful message. This year, recognising the importance of preserving the wildlife the organisers have themed the competition "Protect Our Wildlife". The contestants will compete in two categories. Category one: 7 to 12 years: Category two: 13 to 19 years. The winning entry from category one will be used on the Provincial Telephone Directory Cover while four paintings will be selected from category two to adorn the main and supplementary Telephone Directory covers in the Greater Colombo area. The five winning entries and five runners-up from these two categories will each receive Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 10,000. The Schools of the winners and runners-up will receive Rs. 15,000 and 5,000 each respectively. In addition, 10 selected entries (5 from each group) will be awarded Rs. 2,000 each. The best 200 paintings will then be displayed at the Art Gallery, Colombo on the 24th and 25th of July, giving these young talented artists wide exposure and the opportunity to be recognised. The closing date for entries is the 16th of July. This annual competition is not only a symbol of SLT's and DLPL's commitment to help upcoming young talent but also is a display of their commitment to better the environment we live in. It shows that they go far beyond just helping the people in Sri Lanka communicate. (SLT media release) Rs. 500 more for garment workers The government is taking necessary steps to ensure that the monthly remuneration of garment workers in the country is increased by Rs. 500, Labour Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne announced. Minister Seneviratne said the government is now holding talks with the owners of garment factories on this issue. He said most of them have shown a willingness to cooperate in this matter. However, he stressed, it is important that any pay rise leads to or corresponds with an improvement in productivity. His Holiness Al Sheikh in the country His Holiness Al Sheikh Al Syed Afeef Uddin Al Syed Abdul Qadir Mansur Uddin Al Qadiri Al Gaylani Al Baghdadi who attended the feast of Al Seyed Abdul Rasheed Al Qadiri War Refai Kaddasallahu Sirahul Azize in Kannanoor India has now returned to Sri Lanka to see his Mureeds. He also visited the Appolo Hospital in Madras to see Minister Syed Alavi Moulana who is after surgery. His holiness is residing at 483/5, Havelock Road, Colombo 06. He will conduct Jumma Prayers at Dawatagaha Sheikh Usmaan Oliyulah Mosque Town Hall Colombo 07 on July 3. He will be leaving the island shortly. Deposit made by Independent Group chief One deposit has been received from Independent Group Leader Mr. R. G. Karunaratne, 95/2, Agalawatte Road, Matale for Matale Electoral District of Central Province Provincial Council. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections announced yesterday. PC members requested to return weapons The Defence Ministry has requested all members of Provincial Councils to return weapons issued to them by the government. A ministry statement issued by secretary R. K. Chandrananda de Silva says: With the expiry of the term of office of the Provincial Councils it has been decided that all state owned firearms issued to the members of the Provincial Councils be withdrawn with immediate effect. Members of all Provincial Councils are advised to hand over state owned firearms issued to them, to the nearest police station before July 10. Such police station will issue a receipt in respect of such firearms. This notice applies in respect of all members of Provincial Councils since the election held in 1988. 'Heart patient' found to be suffering from cholera PANADURA - A heart patient admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Panadura base hospital had been diagnosed to be a cholera patient and had been transferred to I.D.H. last Friday (26). The patient, 70 year-old Mohamed Hussain of Keselwatta, Panadura had been admitted as a heart patient but was found to be suffering from cholera symptoms. Wards at the Panadura base hospital had been disinfected after the cholera patient had been transferred to I.D.H. Army deserter arrested Galle: An army deserter from Karandeniya, Polgaswatte was taken into custody last Sunday by the police. A T56 weapon and two cartridges were found in his possession. He was produced before Balapitiya Magistrate K. P. Fernando who remanded him till July 6. This deserter was identified as Velikalage Sarath Kumara (24) was captured on a tip off recently by the police. Rights violation plea upheld by SC The Fundamental Rights violation plea filed in the Supreme Court, by three members of the Union of Posts and Telecommunication Officers, was supported in the Supreme Court by, L. C. Seneviratne, President's Counsel with Mr. Ronald Perera and Mr. H. V. Situge. The Supreme Court on June 26, delivered the judgement, declaring that the Fundamental Rights of the petitioners, guaranteed under Article 12 (1) had been violated. The seniority list of the Unified Postal Service, dated 1995 was quashed in that judgement. Currency smuggler nabbed at BIA A Japanese national attempting to smuggle out five million Yen equivalent to Rs. 2.2 million was taken into custody last Sunday night by customs officials on duty at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The undeclared foreign currency was confiscated while a fine of Rs. 100,000 was imposed on the suspect. |
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