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Card issue prompts The United National Party opposition in Parliament handed over a motion of no-confidence to the Speaker K. B. Ratnayake and the Secretary-General of Parliament Bertram Tittawela on Monday against the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Media Mangala Samaraweera over the reported use of a credit card by the minister obtained through Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd. The signatories to the motion are Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Tyronne Fernando, Kabir Hashim, Mervyn Silva, Joseph Michael Perera and W. J. M. Lokubandara. The motion states: "Whereas the Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications & the Media, has under the pretext of needing a credit card to defray his official expenses while abroad, obtained a credit card through Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd. an institution under the purview of his ministry in contravention of the Government's Financial Regulations and Finance Ministry Directives. "And whereas the Hon. Minister has utilized the said credit card for the purchase of personal items of clothing and to pay for the purchase of Duty Free liquor and tobacco and hotel & restaurant bills, all incurred locally, and not for official expenses while abroad, as apparent from the monthly statement of the said credit card. "And whereas the said credit card has also been used to pay for the viewing of obscene material on the Internet. "And whereas the Hon. Minister has deceived the public by first stating that the said monthly statement was incorrect and then stating that his credit card has been utilized by some person without his knowledge. "And whereas a sum of over Rs. 270,000 incurred on account of the said credit card has been paid for through the personal funds of the Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd. "And whereas the aforesaid conduct of the Hon. Minister is an abuse of power and results in gross subordination by the Hon. Minister of his official status and functions and duties to an institution under the purview of his ministry. "And whereas the Hon. Minister has acted contrary to all norms of decency and propriety, especially for one holding the high office of a Cabinet Minister of the Government. "And whereas the Hon. Minister is thereby guilty of immoral and improper conduct and behaviour in his official capacity. "It is resolved that this House has lost confidence in the ability of Hon. Mangala Samaraweera to continue as a Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka." People have to protect themselves and their property — police too busy now with security work A leading private security firm has warned its clients to take precautions to protect themselves and their properties, pointing out that the law enforcement of the country is unsatisfactory leaving the law-abiding citizens at the mercy of the underworld. The firm had taken this step after studying the increasing crime wave in the city, suburbs and rural areas. Their study had revealed that the security situation in the country is unsatisfactory and had developed into a scenario which, it says, is causing ‘great concern’ to everyone. The police which earlier carried out the law-enforcing part is now too busy protecting the country apart from the armed forces and the paramilitary units. "The police have a handful today, attending to the security that we cannot expect much from them at this moment. Therefore, we have to give serious thought to taking precautionary measures in our homes, work places and also while travelling about during both night and day to avoid facing unpleasant and dangerous experiences as far as possible," the Managing Director of the firm says in a circular. Every daily paper has news items of some crime in the country. Instances of vehicles travelling in the night being waylaid at isolated spots and the passengers being robbed, and there are even instances of such robberies being carried out daringly during the daytime. Reports of armed robbers pretending to be members of various institutions entering houses threatening the inmates and escaping with all the valuables and cash. Instances of robberies of pay roll vehicles, sales vans and when the victims resist the robbers do not even hesitate to assault them or even kill them. The underworld has become powerful enough to stage kidnapping, hostage dramas and demand ransoms for the release of their captives, and hijacking of vehicles. There is also a new spate of violence where robbers dress up in clothes similar to service personnel or police. For these crimes military deserters are suspected. There are instances where groups armed with sophisticated weapons rob hotels even during day time, the MD has noted. Most of the time the criminals get away because the other civilians do not come forward to assist the victims through fear of repercussions. "We therefore advice our clients to enforce very rigidly all security measures that are implemented in their establishments, themselves and their employees," he said. "At the same time we also advice the clients to create awareness among the staff and employees of the precautions they should take in avoiding any crimes occurring in their property. If necessary we will arrange our qualified officers to educate the client's staff on how to plan to avoid any misfortunes," the MD says in the circular. The firm had arranged several survey teams to visit the establishments, study the locations, the work pattern, etc. and to find out if there are additional precautionary steps to be taken, he stated. — (SB) Pakistan
wants SAARC to address nuclear tensions NEW DELHI, July 7 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Tuesday that New Delhi wanted broad discussions on the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir in talks with his Pakistani counterpart later this month. "Pakistan wants to give prominence to Kashmir during the talks in Colombo," Vajpayee told the lower house of parliament during question hour. "But we think the question of militants, insurgents and infiltrators who are destabilising the region is equally important and should be given due consideration." Vajpayee is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the July 29-31 summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. On Monday, Sharif urged the seven-nation group to address the tensions raised by the two bitterly divided nations' recent nuclear tests. Sharif conveyed his message in a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who also held talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ayub Khan. An official Pakistani statement said the foreign minister had stressed the need for "meaningful and result-oriented" dialogue which would address the "core issue" of Jammu and Kashmir in a substantive and specific manner. India lists Kashmir, rocked by insurgency since 1990, as one of a range of bilateral issues and should include consideration of -- among other subjects -- terrorism, drug-trafficking and economic cooperation. But Pakistan considers Kashmir the central issue. Its insistence last year on the creation of a separate working group on Kashmir led to the breakdown of bilateral dialogue. Vajpayee said he hoped his meeting with Sharif would resolve the question of how to restart the talks process. India controls two-thirds of the disputed Himalayan region, which it claims as part of northern Jammu and Kashmir state. Pakistan controls the rest - which it calls Azad (Free) Kashmir and India calls Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). Pakistan wants India to allow the people of Kashmir to decide through a United Nations-mandated plebiscite whether they want to join Islamabad or New Delhi. Vajpayee told parliament that New Delhi maintained its claim that the region was an integral part of India and there could be no compromise on that stand. He said Sharif had spoken at the United Nations General Assembly of a non-aggression pact but had "not made any concrete proposals to us in that regard." "India does not want war with Pakistan. The Pokhran (Indian nuclear) tests were conducted only to create a deterrent to prevent a war," he said, recalling that India had offered to sign a pact on no-first-use of nuclear weapons. The LTTE in a statement issued on Monday admitted that 145 ‘Black Tigers’ had been killed in action against the government forces since July 1987. The first Black Tiger was identified as self styled captain Miller who died in the suicide attack on the Nelliady Army detachment in the Jaffna peninsula. Bribery Commission can't prosecute any case in any Court of Law, argues Counsel Mr. Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Senior Counsel appearing for S. R. G. Dias, suspect charged by the Bribery and Corruption Commission for having accepted an illegal gratification of Rs. 12,000 to procure a Government employment to the complainant, stated that the Commission to Investigate Bribery & Corruption is now functus officio and cannot conduct the prosecution in any case before any Court of Law in the island. Continuing his submissions, Mr. Warnakulasuriya stated that Section 2(2)(a) has it that the Commission shall consist of three members who shall be appointed by the President of this country. It is a well known fact that one of the Commissioners, Mr. Siva Selliah, died in office and the President did not appoint a Commissioner to fill the vacancy. There is no provision in the Act to permit one or two members to act in the absence of the third member. In the Criminal Procedure Code under Section 455(d) and (e) there is provision to stage that a trial-at-bar shall be held by three judges but in the event of death or other circumstances the Chief Justice may appoint a new member or if a new member is not appointed the remaining two members can function as the High Court at bar. There is similar provision in Article 119(1) and (2) concerning the Supreme Court and Articles 137 and 146(2) concerning the Court of Appeal of our Constitution. Similar provisions are there in the Rent Act Section 38(3)(a) and Section 39(2) and in Section 31, 32 and proviso to The Special Commissions of Inquiry Act there is provision for even one Commissioner to carry on with the Inquiry if the other Commissioners are not appointed. Unfortunately in the haphazardly drawn Act No: 19 of 1994 which establishes the Commission to investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption there are no such provisions which permit two Commissioners to function in the absence of the third Commissioner being appointed. Therefore there cannot be a prosecution in a bribery case by the said Commission when the Commission became functus officio. Until the third Commissioner is appointed or the Commissioners are removed by Parliament and three other members are appointed there is no Bribery Commission known to the law for any one to prosecute alleged offences of bribery. Miss C. Jayasekera, Attorney-at-Law appearing for the Commission stated that when the plaint was filed there was a properly constituted Commission and a Director General to institute prosecutions. The present plaint has been signed by the former Director-General of the Commission. Section 26 of the said Act permits one or two Commissioners to Act independently and such action shall constitute directions of the Commission. Mr. Dudley Karunaratne, the Judge of the High Court observed that the contention of the learned Counsel for the defence was that even if the plaint is filed when there was a properly constituted Commission and a Director-General who was functioning as no appointment had been made to fill the vacancy that there is no properly constituted Commission for you to appear and prosecute. Mr. Karunaratne inquired from the Counsel for the Commission whether there are similar provisions like the provisions in the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Act to cover a situation where a member dies or resigns or becomes incapacitated, for the other two members to continue even though a new member is not appointed. Miss Jayasekera appearing for the Commission stated that there are no similar provisions other than transitional provisions as found in Section 25 of the Act. Mr. Hemantha Warnakulasuriya stated that Section 26 must be read with Section 22(a) and for Section 26 to be operative and for the present Commissioners to have power to prosecute, advice and give directions to anyone there must be a properly constituted Commission. To add insult to injury the Government has removed the Director-General whose powers to prosecute cannot be delegated to any other person as clearly spelt out in Section 16 Sub Section 3. Mr. Dudley Karunaratne stated "I do not know whether I can even record the appearance of the learned Counsel for the Commission as this is a very important question of law I would like to hear further submissions from both parties to give a ruling whether the Commission is functus officio." The matter was fixed for argument and order on 31st of July, 1998. Mr. Hemantha Warnakulasuriya with Mr. Wijaya Weerasinghe and Shamal Collure appeared for the accused. Miss. C. Jayasekera appeared for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery & Corruption. Thirteen police personnel including five police commandos were killed yesterday morning in an ambush at Piyangala in Ampara district security sources said. Sources said that one Sub Inspector was among the killed. He was attached to Ampara police. The casualties suffered by the LTTE were not immediately known, the sources said. The incident had taken place around 8.30 a.m. A team of police personnel consisting of reserve policemen from Ampara home guards and elite police commandos of the STF from Pulkunawa detachment had been on a routine road clearing operation along the Ampara Kandy road when they were attacked by the LTTE at Piyangala the sources said. EPDP leader Douglas Devananda was expected to be taken out of the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital late yesterday or this morning, according to hospital sources. Mr. Devananda who was admitted to the hospital on June 30 with serious head injuries following an attack by a group of LTTE suspects in the Kalutara prison. He was on a ventilator till last Sunday. According to medical sources, he has been recovering fast and started talking having regained consciousness. A team of six specialist doctors led by Dr. Sunil Perera, who battled to save his life is still monitoring his condition. Oil slick report handed over to
Anuruddha The report on last week’s oil leak from an Iranian tanker transporting oil for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), was handed over to Minister of Power and Energy and Deputy Minister of Defence, Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte by the Secretary to the Ministry Jaliya Madagama on Monday (6). A report was called from CPC Chairman Anil Obeysekera, following the incident where over 72 tonnes of oil leaked into the waters about 5 miles off the Colombo Port during the early hours of last Wednesday. The oil also washed ashore and spread further south from the port to the coastal areas of Bambalapitiya, Kollupitiya and Wellawatte. Allegations have been levelled against the CPC for over its failure to attend to the situation immediately and the lack of maintenance of its equipment leading to this major oil spill. The Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (MPPA) last Thursday (2) threatened legal action against the CPC over the incident. Meanwhile according to the Chairman of the CPC, Anil Obeysekera approximately Rs. 30 million has been spent by the CPC so far for the ‘cleaning up exercise’. "We are using 40 men for the cleaning up operations. The CPC is not a rich institution to provide services as to match those in the Middle Eastern countries. Our services are below standard, infact our cleaning up operation is a manual one, but despite that we have done an excellent work. "Of course if we had helicopters as many other rich countries possess we could have tackled the situation better, but the CPC can’t afford to invest in such operations," he explained. He also admitted that the Emergency Response Vessel used was "not the most modern that one could have" but added that under the existing financial capabilities of the CPC it was the "best it could do". "I admit that this was not the best option open to us, but it is still the only tug available in Sri Lanka for hire," he said. The chairman denied MPPA claims that damage to the marine life had been estimated at US$ 100,000, saying that no such estimate could be reached till the National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA) report was released. He claimed that the MPPA had no provision to sue the CPC , when the procedure of claiming damages was completely different. "It is the Public and Indemnity Club (PIC) and the International Pollution Fund (IPF) that pays damages in such instances provided marine life etc. had suffered as a result. These bodies will come here, assess the situation and damages, if any and then decide on damages, the portion of which will be paid by the P&IC with the excess met by the IPF. "We will be compensated for the damages as we are signatories to both these bodies and have in 1997 paid 575,000 sterling pounds to the bodies. "It is absurd for anyone to seek compensation from us when funds are available to us from these international bodies. I can’t understand why the chairman of the MPPA does not know whom to sue in a situation like this!" he added. He added that the CPC was given little choice in arriving at a decision on unloading the crude oil last Wednesday (1) following a delay of over three days due to rough weather but risked the consequences in view of the greater national interest. "If the country was in full stock of crude oil we could have waited for the weather to improve but the tanker that arrived on the June 27 had been waiting without unloading till the 30th. We had no choice but to take the risk of maybe even the hose bursting due to rough weather, Mr Obeysekera said. "We have always been taking such risks but this time it went wrong. It is wrong for anyone to say that the incident was caused due to lack of maintenance. This was caused only due to fatigue and stress caused to the hose due to rough weather. During rough weather and waves, the hose goes up causing such stress. But we had to risk it. "It is also wrong to say that no action was taken by anyone immediately to remedy the situation when the officers in the tanker within 4 minutes closed the supply when they detected a decrease in pressure indicating such a situation. The Ports Authority also acted immediately in sending a Mega Boat and started spraying, and the CPC too upon notification started spreading the dispersants," he said. Meanwhile the residents in Wellawatte said that many people had bathed in sections of the sea that was covered with oil on Wednesday and the smell of kerosene which they complained was troubling them on Wednesday night and Thursday noon was no longer there. Some residents commented the sea had cleared because of the strong waves that were stretching up to the railway line and the monsoon rains had washed the oil further away. Trade promotions between Sri
Lanka and Europe now feasible An European Business Information Centre (EBIC) highlighting investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and Europe to promote mutually beneficial exchanges is expected to be fully operational within three weeks. The EBIC, which took some time getting off the ground due to bureaucratic procedure, has been set up at Trans Asia Hotel. The European Commission funded project is presently building up on infrastructure and recruiting personnel, said newly-appointed director Roshan Lyman. Once operational, the centre will aim at promoting business ventures and investment for the mutual benefit of Europe and Sri Lanka. It will also contribute towards facilitating partnerships between private enterprises of the European Union and Sri Lanka. It will function under the aegis of the European Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka. The EBIC will commence collecting information for a comprehensive data base listing investment opportunities in both Europe and Sri Lanka within a week, said Mr. Lyman. Businessmen in Sri Lanka and Europe would, through accessing the base, be able to gauge what opportunities are available and in what fields. This would, in effect, promote better understanding of the business environment in the EU and Sri Lanka. In addition to its own infrastructure, the EBIC will count on the network of similar EBICs in Asia. It will also refer to the Asian Invest Centre in Brussels, the Euro Infor Centre, business cooperation and information networks such as BC-NET BRE and TIPS, specialised consultancy firms chambers of commerce and other trade promotion organisations in Europe and Asia. According to a European Commission newsletter, the facilities that will be made available to local businessmen are access to a wide range of on-line CD-Rom and printed information about the single European market and the Sri Lankan market; access to business contacts opportunities and technologies using commercial databases, information networks and a documentation centre consisting of book directories and publications and value added services such as the analysis of the Sri Lanka and European Union market structure, performance and prospects. Other value added services would consist of assessment and monitoring of economic, financial and business trends and monitoring of the regulatory environment including policies, legislation and standards. There will also be information and access to European Commission supported Economic Cooperation programmes that provide technical and financial support to the EU and Sri Lankan enterprises. Bus
strike ends Semi luxury private bus services from Colombo to the Southern towns of Matara, Galle, Kataragama, Ambalangoda and Hakmana resumed at 5 am yesterday ending a three-day strike. The Private Bus Operators Federation agreed to attend a meeting with the General Manager of the National Transport Commission, Mrs. S. Sahabandu today to discuss their demands. Over 600 buses discontinued operations calling for three demands to be met. They demanded that the fares be increased by a Rs. 10 , the release of 5 of their employees taken into police custody and to stop fining buses stationed in the stands to pick up passengers for less than 15 minutes. A spokesman for the Federation told "The Island" that a representative from the Federation of Private Bus Operators in Colombo will meet the General Manager of the NTC, at 10 am today for discussions. Court proceedings must be in
official language as per Article 24 The nuances of the English language could best be expressed only in the English language and no other. The article relevant to the case was published in English. Therefore the accused Sunday Leader Editor should be permitted to testify in English and to have his testimony recorded in English stated the objections filed by "The Sunday Leader" through Samararatna Associates before Colombo High Court Judge Titus Cooray on Monday. Earlier, an application was made on behalf of the first accused to lead and record his evidence in English. State Counsel Vasantha Navaratne Bandara objected to the application. Mr. Bandara argued that on the ground that article 24(1) of the constitution provided that the official language shall be the language of the courts throughout Sri Lanka and accordingly their records and proceedings shall be in the official language and that English not being an official language evidence could not be recorded in English. The objections stated that the charges against the first accused Editor are charges of having committed the offence of criminal defamation. The charges are based upon the publication by the first accused of an article in the English language which is alleged to be defamatory of the virtual complainant. One of the essential ingredients of the said offence is the intention to harm the reputation of the virtual complainant. In the circumstances it is essential for the accused to give evidence and to explain to court his own understanding of the imputation conveyed by the words in question. The words in question were published in the English language. Clearly the first accused Editor could best explain in the English language. It is indisputable that the nuances of the English language could best be expressed in the English language and no other. There could clearly be no prejudice whatsoever caused to the prosecution by the accused being permitted to give evidence in English and to have his evidence recorded in that language. Justice could not be properly dispensed by compelling an accused person to explain his understanding of the English words published by him in the Sinhala language or by causing his evidence translated from English to Sinhala and by such translation being recorded the objections of the defendants concluded. Article 24(4) of the constitution provided that the Minister in charge of Justice may with the concurrence of the Cabinet of Ministers, issue directions permitting the use of a language other than a national language in relation to the records and proceedings in any court. Every judge shall be bound to implement such directions. On September 7, 1978, the then Justice Minister made a direction permitting the use of the English language for all purposes in relation to the records and proceedings in all courts throughout Sri Lanka. The then Minister of Justice directed that in any court other than the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, a language other than a national language may be used for any purpose in any case in which the conduct of the proceedings in a national language might be prejudicial to a proper adjudication of any matter in such proceedings provided however, that all pleadings, applications and motions in all such cases shall also be in such national language as is used in such court. In the aforesaid circumstances, the minister has by the said directions, permitted the use of English for any purpose if the conduct of the proceedings in a national language (Sinhalese or Tamil) might be prejudicial to a proper adjudication of any matter in such proceedings. The term "any purpose" clearly includes the purpose of recording evidence. It follows that the first accused Editor would be entitled in law to give evidence in English and to have his evidence recorded in English if the recording of his evidence in Sinhala might be prejudicial to a proper adjudication. State Counsel Vasantha Navaratne Bandara prosecuted. S. L. Gunasekera with Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Upul Jayasuriya, Ronald Perera, Manohara de Silva, Maithri Gunaratne and Indra Laduwahetty instructed by Samararatne Associates appeared for the accused. President’s Counsel P. Obeysekera with A. W. Yusoof and Champani Padmasekera watched the interests of the aggrieved party. MIDWEEK
POLITICS Hot air is likely to surface at this morning's group meeting of the United National Party Parliamentarians, which would be chaired by the party leader Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Party sources say that the confusion created has left many UNPers stranded on vital political issues. The rumpus began with the decision of Mr. Wickremesinghe to suspend the most senior man in the party, Mr. Wijeyapala Mendis. A group of ten senior members in the party, reportedly led by Mr. A. C. S. Hameed has ganged up against the decision of Mr. Wickremesinghe. Nearly a fortnight ago, Mr. Hameed had a one-to-one meeting with Mr. Wickremesinghe's classmate and Mr. Mendis, a good political friend Mr. Anura Bandaranaike. UNP sources disclosed that ever since that meeting none of them had met Mr. Wickremesinghe. Mr. Bandaranaike was reported to have holidayed in Nuwara-Eliya with some of his close friends. Mr. Bandaranaike returned to Colombo on Monday night, party sources said. Mr. Mendis and Mr. Bandaranaike became close political associates when Mr. Mendis stepped down as the Chief Organiser for the Gampaha District to pave the way for Anura. Though Mr. Mendis made this gesture, party sources claim that it was Anura's longtime friend Mr. Wickremesinghe who appointed Anura to that post. Both Mr. Bandaranaike and Mr. A. C. S. Hameed were on the UNP Nomination Board to select candidates for the forthcoming Provincial Elections. Following the dispute with the party leader over the Wijeyapala Mendis issue, it was reported that the two had been dropped from that Board. Mr. Hameed who learnt about it was a very annoyed man. Prior to the Bandaranaike-Hameed meeting rumours floated in political circles that Anura was to have a meeting with his sister, President Chandrika Kumaratunga. There was also widespread speculation that Anura would cross over to the government. Those close to Anura dismissed these speculative reports. President Kumaratunga who met the Foreign correspondents last Friday when asked about these reports made no comment on it. UNP sources claim that Mrs. Kumaratunga had been shrewd with her 'no comment', because it would have UNPers guessing. They say that Mr. Bandaranaike himself should now make an open statement about his political future. 'Anura accused the government of being corrupt in parliament and the time is ripe for him to comment when his sister has no comment on him', claimed a party veteran. A few days ago while addressing a meeting at Mirigama, Mr. Bandaranaike noted that there were only three honest persons in the present government and named them as President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Minister Lakshman Jayakody. Sometime back when Mr. Bandaranaike tabled a letter he had received from Messrs; Evans International over a tender issue, noted that according to the contents of the letter Mrs. Kumaratunga and her government was corrupt from top to bottom. This statement made in parliament by Anura was later expunged from the Hansard with the intervention of the President. Mr. Bandaranaike who learnt about the reported intervention of the President to influence the Speaker to expunge these references took offence and issued a statement to the media condemning the high handed act. UNPers recalling the entry days of Anura to the party during the regime of former President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga said that Anura's entry at that time was vehemently opposed by Mr. Hameed who was a then prominent minister. They said that the then minister had feared that Anura would be given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs for which Anura was a capable man. Mr. Hameed, they claimed had met President Wijetunga for three long hours to prevent the entry of Anura into the party. But Anura successfully gained entry and was made the Higher Education Minister by President Wijetunga. 'When Anura took his oaths as Higher Education Minister, Mr. Hameed appeared releaved, said to a former minister in that Wijetunga cabinet. Wickremesinghe loyalists say that Mr. Bandaranaike today appears to be more close to the very man who opposed his entry to the party. While Wickremesinghe loyalists have prepared themselves to raise questions about the conduct of the so called rebel group in the party, the rebel group of eight men, according to reports would also be present this morning to fight back. The UNP leader will announce the name of Mr. Mendis's successor to the post of Chief Opposition Whip in Parliament at today's meeting. There were earlier reports that Mr. Tyronne Fernando would succeed Mr. Mendis but latest reports indicate that another senior member would be named. Mr. Mendis occupied the office of the Chief Opposition Whip till the last sessions of Parliament despite his suspension from the party. Meanwhile, the United National Party handed over a no-confidence motion against Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera to the Speaker on Monday, over the credit card issue of the Minister. |
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