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Major parties to boycott UNP conference The UNP yesterday blamed the government for ‘sabotaging consultations on free and fair elections and depoliticisation of key institutions’ after almost all political parties including the PA, the SLMC, the TULF, the JVP and the MEP declined to take part in the deliberations. The UNP spokesman, Dr.Karunasena Kodituwakku yesterday accused the ruling party of ‘sabotaging’ today’s scheduled preparatory meeting at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute[SLFI] to convene consultations on free and fair elections and depoliticisation of key institutions by the establishment of independent Elections, Police Service and Public Service Commissions. The PA [the SLFP and alliance members],the CWC, the SLMC, the TULF, the JVP and several Tamil political groups will not be attending the consultations, party officials said. The UNP spokesman charged that the government was exerting pressure on other political parties to keep away from the UNP-initiated consultations. Dr. Kodituwakku said that deliberations will commence as planned at 10am and continue for three hours. "Many NGOs and community leaders will attend," he said claiming that NGOs will have a crucial role to play. UNP Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said that political parties accept the need to have free and fair elections. "They also admit the depoliticisation of key institutions," he said. However he declined to comment on boycott of the UNP convened all party conference. "I’ll be able to say something tomorrow," he told The Island yesterday afternoon. The UNP has been made aware that those who boycotted today’s consultations have no desire to join the process later. Earlier senior UNP officials said that the consultations will be an ongoing process. The UNP was earlier scheduled to appoint a non-partisan committee to facilitate the process and report to the plenary which will be convened as the end of November this year. The President, after consultations with key party officials has decided to boycott the UNP convened consultations. Asked to comment, the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris yesterday said that the "PA will not attend," Government officials will not take part in these deliberations, the Minister said adding that the PA has nothing to do with the UNP’s all party conference. Among the officials invited were the Attorney General, the Elections Commissioner and the head of the Public Service Commission[PSC].Minister Peiris said that government officials will not attend, either. PA partners had informed Minister Peiris that they will not take part in today's deliberations. Informed sources said that some UNP’ers have indicated to the top leadership that there was no point in continuing with this as almost all the political parties have declined to take part. "We expected the PA to keep away but not all parties," a political source admitted. Professor Peiris said that the UNP must come up with its own proposals to solve problems facing the country. Both Ministers Peiris and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said that nothing will come out of the all party conference. "There was no point in attending ‘consultations’ of this nature, Minister Fernandopulle said. How can they solve problems confronting the people while being in the opposition when they had failed to do so during the 17-year tenure it was in power. The CWC leader S. Thondaman, SLMC National List MP Rauff Hakeem, JVP Central Committee member Wimal Weerawansa, the leader of the TULF Parliamentary group Joseph Pararajasingham and spokesmen for several other parties said that they were not attending the consultations. Political sources said that they have been surprised by the decision of the CWC and SLMC to boycott the consultations. The SLMC leader had left for Malaysia Mr. Hakeem said. "We have sought a separate meeting with the UNP to discuss crucial matters," he said indicating that they [SLMC] do not see any point in having consultations on free and fair elections at this stage. "It must be part of the package aimed at solving the ethnic crisis and solving other problems confronting the people of this country," he said. Govt. will not make the war an excuse to
curtail welfare The government will not make the nasty war, in the North of Sri Lanka, an excuse to withdraw or curtail the welfare facilities granted to the people and the funds allocated for the country’s development programmes, pledged President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga addressing the Kandy District Convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at Bogambara Stadium on Saturday (12). Saturday’s rally was one in the series of such meetings of SLFP branches held at district level. The countries which are involved in war normally prune down or totally do away with the votes on their national Budgets for welfare items. Even food is rationed. It is only in Sri Lanka that the people are at liberty to enjoy all facilities despite a heavy battle which is in progress against a terrorist group eating up several billions of rupees annually, President Kumaratunga told the rally. The President said, allocation of funds for the war is a priority. But still funds are allocated for development projects, health, education and every other item. Sometimes prices of food and essential commodities go up occasionally, despite the attempts by the government to check the price hike. The People’s Alliance administration faces the worst of situations that no previous government has had to face. At the time the PA took over the administration, four years ago, a part of the country wars not liberated. A vast area of the country’s land wars under rule of the terrorists. The people did not enjoy freedom. The people were subjected to terrorism of several types and social freedom and social justice was denied to them. This situation has been changed during the last four years. People have freedom to live without fear of any type of terrorism be it in the north or in the south, excepting for some isolated incidents by the terror groups of Prabhakaran. Once the political solution, through the government’s proposals, was put into action all citizens of this country, irrespective of communal differences, will enjoy complete social freedom and social justice as was enjoyed earlier. At least 75 percent of the land area controlled by the LTTE in the north has been now liberated. Thanks to the forces and others involved in the task, the entire northern area will be released from the terror rule in the near future, President Kumaratunga said. She also said that her government was taking steps to wipe out violence of all types and corruption which were the order of the day during past several years. The President said that the previous government did not launch a single development project for the first five years since it took over the administration in 1977. After five years that government began the Kotte development project and gave the contract to J. R. Jayewardene’s daughter-in-law. The second development project which was initiated by the Bandaranaike administration a long time ago was designed for further development. In the contrary, a large number of development projects have been launched since the PA government took over the administration amidst numerous challenges and violence of all types four years ago. A booklet giving information of these development projects will be released shortly, the President told the rally. Unemployment became so acute during the 17 year rule of the UNP, that in 1994 the figure stood at 850,000. During the PA administration unemployment has been reduced from 13 percent to 10 percent. Once the war in the north comes to an end many more new development projects will be started and the country’s unemployment problem will be solved simultaneously with a sound economic and social development. She said: "We are not opposed to any reasonable criticism of our administration. However we find that certain elements that wish to gain popularity criticise the government. Such persons criticise the government through their ignorance." The President paid a tribute to the SLFP supporters who joined the rest of the groups to bring the People’s Alliance (PA) into office four years ago and still continued to remain with the government despite the many difficulties and inconveniences owing to unavoidable circumstances. Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister and Secretary General of the SLFP Dharmasiri Senanayake said that district conventions of this nature were organised with a view to re-organising party activities and refreshing the feelings of the membership. The rally of the Kandy District is of historical importance because the SLFP was founded in the month of September, 47 years ago. The founder came across his demise in the month of September. The founder’s birth centenary is nearing which is January 08, Minister Dharmasiri Senanayake said adding that he was grateful to the SLFP supporters who remained with the party throughout. Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris reminded the rally of the different important acts and legislation that were passed during the PA administration for social justice in the country. Four watchers at archaeological sites
found sleeping Four watchers were found sleeping during working hours at the archaeology museum in Polonnaruwa early yesterday by a special team sent from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, to probe continuing plundering of priceless treasures, archaeology sources said. The special team led by a private secretary of the Minister Lakshman Jayakody toured all the sites destroyed by vandals on Saturday. At night they visited all the sites including Medirigiriya Watadage where five priceless guardstones were removed three weeks back. On their return to Polonnaruwa they stepped in to the Polonnaruwa museum and found all four night watchers asleep, at 3.20 a.m. yesterday. Special Inquiry into the incident was being held yesterday. No arrests yet in Jaffna incident Police investigators probing Friday's devastating blast at the Jaffna Municipal Council building have still not been able to take in for questioning the contractor who undertook the renovation of the building. Two claymore-type bombs had been concealed inside the ceiling of the municipal building which had been renovated by a private contractor about three months back,according to security officials. Of the two bombs,only one had exploded. A special police team from Colombo has been flown to Jaffna to probe the blast which killed Mayor Pon Sivapalan,Brigadier Susantha Mendis,SSP Chandra Perera among others. The contractor involved has been identified but police have still not been able to take the man in for interrogation.'We are still trying to reach him',police said. Jaffna police have already detained three workmen who were among those who renovated the municipal building.The roof of the building had also been repaired during that time,police said. They are now under interrogation. Meanwhile,the army has decided to carry out security checks on all newly built government buildings in Jaffna. A senior army spokesman said there was the possibility of the Tigers planting bombs in other newly constructed or renovated buildings using the same tactics. Asgiriya, Malwatte prelates won't attend
conference Kandy - Ven. Palipane Sri Chandananda Maha Nayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter will not be attending consultations on free and fair elections. The Maha Nayake Thera has told Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris that he will not be attending the consultations. Prof. Peiris last Saturday called on the prelate. Ven. Sri Chandrananda Thera said that an invitation was extended to him by Badulla District MP and former Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara to attend this Conference organised by the United National Party (UNP). He said he would not be attending it because it was not clear what exactly the deliberations were all about. 'Although we disagree with certain proposals of the government's package at least the package could have been the base for the discussion,’ the Mahanayake Thera noted. Mr. Wijaya Wickremaratne PC, and Messrs, Devagiribandara and Kanchana Ratwatte MMC, Kandy Co-ordinating Secretary and the Private Secretary of Prof. Peiris respectively accompanied the Minister. Kotakadeniya DIG Crimes and Criminal Intelligence by Srian Bulathsinhala Senior Deputy Inspector General H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya has been placed in charge of Crimes and Criminal Intelligence as part of the changes in the police department. A former chief of Colombo police, Kotakadeniya was removed by the government two years ago after a senior cabinet minister accused him of resorting to strong-arm tactics against terrorist suspects. Kotakadeniya replaces Snr. DIG Gamini Gunawardena who resigned over the appointment of B. L. V. De. S. Kodituwakku as the IGP. Snr. DIG Kotakadeniya was last holding the post of Commandant of the Civil Defence Force (CDF), which is going to be disbanded with his transfer. Police sources said that the CDF consisted of only a handful of policemen including Kotakadeniya. It was not active according to police limits, they said. As Snr. DIG Kotakadeniya takes over, the Director of the Organised Crimes and Criminal Intelligence Senior SP Mahinda Hettiarachchi has been transferred as the Personal Assistant to the new Snr. DIG (Ranges I). The new Director of that unit is the former PA of Snr. DIG (Ranges I) SSP Lucky Jayawardena. When IGP Kodituwakku was appointed IGP the post he held as the Snr. DIG (Ranges I) fell vacant. That post will be filled by DIG S. Gamini Randeniya (currently the DIG, Sabaragamuwa Range). DIG Indra Silva (DIG Jaffna Range) will fill the vacancy which arose with announcement of retirement by Snr DIG Kingsley Wickremasuriya (Snr. DIG Administration and Ranges II). Snr. DIGs Wickremasuriya and Gunawardena handed their retirement papers in protest against the appointment of IGP Kodituwakku whom they claimed was junior to both of them. Jaffna Range will be handed to DIG Bodhi M. Liyanage and SSP Jaffna Gaya Pahathkorale. Police sources said that there have not been any moves yet to promote Senior SPs to the rank of DIG to fill the vacancies in the DIG cadre made by these retirements. However, they added that DIGs Indra Silva and Gamini Randeniya will be promoted to the rank of Snr. DIG during this week. The post of Senior DIG (Administration) was over the years given to the most senior police officer next to the IGP. However, police sources said that it is only a ceremonial position now as most of the duties have been cut off recently. Jaffna
Mayor's funeral today The funeral of Jaffna Mayor, Pon Sivapalan and some of the other army and police officials who were killed in Friday's bomb blast at Jaffna Municipal Council building will take place today. Full military and police honours will be accorded to these officers. The funeral of the Jaffna Mayor, will take place at his home village, Wannaparai in Jaffna according to Hindu religious rites. The remains of Sivapalan will lie in state at the TULF Jaffna office till 12 noon today. The funeral of Major Gen. Susantha Mendis will take place at Mahaiyawa, Kandy this evening. Funeral of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mohandas will also take place this evening at Borella Kanatte Cemetery. The funeral of Superintendent of Police, Chandra Mohan will take place this evening at Marawila. The funeral of Reserve Police Sergeant Jerad Perera took place yesterday evening at Polwatte, Kalutara North. The funeral of Superintendent of Police, Sarath Fernando took place yesterday evening, at Dunagaha, Divulapitiya while the funeral of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chandra Perera also took place yesterday evening at Borella Kanatte. The funeral of Major, W. Ramanayake took place yesterday evening at Kondeniya, Nittambuwa. Veteran journalist, Kenneth Hall died on Saturday night after a brief illness. He was 71 years old at the time of his demise. Kenneth joined the old Times of Ceylon as a journalist in 1960 and was news Editor at the time of its closure. He wrote a column called 'Ralahamy' for the 'Times'. Kenneth specialised as a crime reporter. He also worked for 'The Island' before serving a short stint at the German Embassy in Colombo. Later he took over as consultant of "Sunday Leader". Simple and unassuming, Kenneth was leading a quiet life in retirement at the time of his death. A family member said he suffered a stroke. He leaves behind his wife Ruth and sons Henry and Johann. His body will be placed at the A. F. Raymond funeral parlour on Tuesday. Burial takes place at 11 am on Wednesday, at the Anglican section, General Cemetery, Kanatte. Hartal
in Trinco A hartal was staged at Trincomalee town yesterday to protest against the failure to open the New Market by the Urban Council. Almost all the shops and boutiques belonging to the Tamils were closed and most people remained indoors. The Urban Council, Trincomalee suspended all its services. Very few private vehicles including three wheelers were seen on the streets. The old market was functioning as usual. According to the Chairman, Trincomalee Urban Council, P. Sooriyamoorthy, the new market was constructed at a cost of Rs. 60 lakhs from the rate-payers money and it was planned to open it on September 13 last year. This was suddenly stopped by the security forces on that day. SLMC condemns Jaffna bomb attack Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 'vehemently condemned' the bomb attack at the meeting in Jaffna where the Mayor P. Sivapalan, Brig. Susantha Mendis, SSP Chandra Perera and many other civilian authorities and security forces personnel were killed. This is yet another instance of brutal terror tactics by those forces opposed to peace bent on preventing the restoration of civilian administration in Jaffna. ‘The elimination of political leaders and government officials assisting the process of normalisation in the Jaffna peninsula should not deter the will of the government and moderate political forces such as the TULF in their determination to continue undaunted by these cowardly acts of terror. "The SLMC whilst extending our condolences to the TULF, members of the families of the deceased service personnel, police and civilian authorities, wishes to state that these sacrifices will always be remembered by all peace-loving citizens in the country', Rauff Hakeem, MP and General Secretary, SLMC, said in a news release. No headway in talks between Minister and varsity students Representatives of the Sabaragamuwa University Students’ Council held discussions with Minister of Education and Higher Education, Richard Pathirana last Thursday at 'Isurupaya' over the controversy regarding the affiliation of three faculties of Sabaragamuwa University to set up the proposed Uva University. However, according to the Students' Council the discussions were unsuccessful. ‘In the first instance, Minister Richard Pathirana had disagreed with the view expressed by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Vishva Warnapala at an earlier discussion with the Students Council that the three faculties of Sabaragamuwa University had to be affiliated to the proposed Uva University as the government was short of funds. Minister Pathirana said the government had sufficient funds to establish the Uva University, but he (Mr. Pathirana), was unable to take responsibility to whatever stated by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education on the issue, the Students' Council claimed in a news release. Mr. Pathirana had told the meeting that a solution to this problem should be found after discussions with Deputy Minister Warnapala’ the Council said. "This attitude of Minister Pathirana, amounts to passing the buck to avoid discussions to arrive at a reasonable solution, "the Council charged in its news release. The Students Council has therefore decided to continue its agitation and also address a petition to the President with 10,000 signatures obtained from residents of Sabaragamuwa. Hegde calls for a SAARC currency The Commerce Minister of India Ramakrishna Hegde inaugurated the India Day celebrations at the 2nd SAARC Trade Fair in Colombo. Minister for Internal and International Commerce and Food Kingsley T. Wickremaratne joined Mr. Hegde in lighting the lamp on the occasion along with the Minister for Plan Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Indian High Commissioner Shivshankar Menon and President of SAARC Chambers of Commerce, Poddar. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Hegde said that the major participation of India in the Colombo Fair is reflective of the deep conviction India has in promoting the SAARC process and also the importance it attaches to the economic and commercial relations with Sri Lanka. It will be the endeavour of both the countries to further increase the two-way trade and also promote joint ventures. The Minister emphasised the necessity for discussion and coordination among the SAARC countries in the financial sector. He explained the importance for South Asian countries to reduce their dependence on a single currency (US Dollar) and to work towards a SAARC currency. He proposed to convene a meeting of the Governors of the Central Banks of all the SAARC countries to discuss this issue. Mr. Hegde also highlighted the importance of joint marketing strategy for commodities of common interest between the SAARC countries. India and Sri Lanka could jointly market tea to other countries. The Minister also emphasised the need to coordinate a common SAARC position at the WTO. High level delegations from FICCI and CII from India, also attended the inaugural ceremony. India’s participation in the SAARC Fair is the largest with more than 100 stalls. India Pavilion covers an area of 1000sq. mt, both open and covered. A wide range of services and products offered by India to the international markets, such as transport equipment including cars, mopeds and three-wheelers, electronics, telecommunications equipment, dairy equipment, packaging machinery, textiles, processed food, chemicals etc., were on display, which will give an opportunity to the importers in Sri Lanka to establish immediate and first-hand tie-ups with their Indian counterparts. India’s emphasis in this fair is to promote greater regional cooperation in the small scale sector, notably on technology transfer and joint ventures. British trade team to call on Minister The British trade mission organised by the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry now in Sri Lanka will call on the Minister for Internal, International Commerce and Food Kingsley T. Wickrama-ratne today at the ministry. "The sixth mission from Leicestershire to visit during a short period of time could be seen as a positive sign of confidence the British trading community has reposed on Sri Lanka as prospective trading partner. The volume of trade between Sri Lanka and UK has increased appreciably in the recent past and Britain is also emerging as a good investor in our country," Minister Wickramaratne said at a preparatory meeting to receive the delegation. Kieth Horton, chief executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry will lead the delegation, state a press release. |
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