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Proposals to legalise abortions? The government is studying proposals to legalise abortions, Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday. Minister de Silva admitted the government has not rejected the proposals. "We are studying the issue, but haven’t taken a final decision yet," he said. "Various people have given different opinions," the Minister said indicating that the government has no intention of taking a decision without studying the whole issue. He indicated that the possibility of the government changing its position on abortions is very slim, perhaps almost nil. Under Sri Lanka’s law it was illegal to do abortions. Despite that abortions are done in almost all the districts including the war-torn region. Although religious leaders have opposed efforts to legalise abortions, many people support the idea. The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka strongly believes that abortions should be legalised without further delays. Association’s Executive Director, Daya Abeywickrema said that there was no point in refusing to make abortions legal when a couple of hundred abortions were taking place on a daily basis. He placed the number of daily abortions done in Sri Lanka at around 400. However others have said that as many as 700 abortions are done daily. Abeywickrema said that the government should legalise abortions at least selectively. Abeywickrema was among others who pointed out that the majority of those who wanted to have abortions were married women. "They want to have abortions when the family planning method adopted by them fail," he said adding that they must be permitted to have abortions legally. Victims of rape, incest and those with medical problems too should be permitted to have abortions, sources said. He said that some people believe that only unmarried women seek abortions. "They are wrong," he insisted explaining that the government must either implement existing laws against abortions or legalise abortions. Doctors said that there was a need to reconsider government position on abortions. India has legalised abortions on April 1, 1972, sources said adding that approximately six million abortions are done there every year. Bangladesh too has legalised abortions while Nepal was in the process of doing so, sources said. According to estimates available approximately 200,000 abortions are done in Sri Lanka every year. Sources said that an agency which has been active in Sri Lanka for several years, do abortions on a very selective basis. In some cases no charges are made. "We don’t charge women from refugee camps," sources said adding that for them it was better to abort than having unwanted children. Sources said in some cases women affected by sexually transmitted diseases seek abortions. "The majority of them have contacted diseases from their unfaithful husbands," sources said adding that in most cases babies born to mothers suffering from veneral diseases could be affected. Doctors said that abortions must be legalised. The government, sources said has a duty to establish proper abortion clinics and permit the women to have the operation at low cost. Bronze medallist Tilakeratne threatened at
check point Sri Lankan athlete Sugath Tilakeratne who bagged the bronze medal in the 400 meter race at the Commonwealth Games at Kuala Lumpur Malysia has lodged a complaint at the Norwood police he and his brother were threatened and subjected to humiliation by three army personnel manning the check point near the Norton Bridge where their vehicle was stopped. Thilakeratne had told the police he had returned from Kuala Lumpur the previous day and was returning home with one of his brothers and two friends when their car was stopped at the check point. When he had introduced himself, the army men had said, he alleged they did not care who he was and ordered him to get out of the car and made a thorough search of his bag and baggage. Later one of the army men had held him by his collar and attempted to assault him and threatened to kill his brother, Tilakaratna further alleges in his complaint. US $ 70m. ADB loan for urban development, housing finance A US$ 70 million equivalent (SDR 52.8 million) loan was approved yesterday by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve urban infrastructure and to finance housing improvements for low-income households. The Urban Development and Low-Income Housing (Sector) Project will also support government efforts to give local authorities more responsibility for providing and financing infrastructure and municipal services and will improve the capability of local governments to do this. Deficiencies in basic infrastructure are restraining urban areas from playing a more active role in the economy’s growth. Most secondary towns have piped water supply but up to 40 percent of water is lost through poor construction and a lack of maintenance. Inadequate drainage systems lead to flooding during the monsoon. There are enough roads but they are of poor quality and ill-maintained, the ADB states in a news release. The project will improve roads, water supply and drainage systems, bus terminals and public markets in up to 27 secondary towns — each with a population of between 5,000 and 150,000 — in seven provinces. Improving people’s health and their environment will help sustain social development and economic growth. One part of the project is to support efforts between urban local authorities and private landowners to develop currently unplanned and unserviced urban land. The project will also support private partnerships to develop and operate community sub projects, especially for water supply and solid waste disposal. A major project component is to provide loans to low-income households for housing repairs and extensions through credit institutions at market rates of interest, currently around 16 percent per annum. At present, such households have limited access to land, which is becoming scarcer and more expensive and to finance because of their low incomes and lack of collateral. "The project is expected to have a significant impact on the capacities and performance of local authorities in managing urban infrastructure and in increasing the availability of affordable market-rate financing to low-income households," says William Costin, an ADB senior urban development specialist on the project. Strict safety rules for army personnel Army Commander Lt. Gen. Rohan Daluwatte has laid down new rules to be followed by military personnel engaged in civil administration in the consolidated areas of north and east for their own safety. This follows the death of several army personnel including the Jaffna Commander in the recent bomb blast at Jaffna municipality complex, security sources said. The Army Commander told ‘The Island’ that the LTTE was able to explode a bomb at the Jaffna municipality not because of any special capability or strategy of the Tigers but because the army had failed to not adhere to the rules set out for their own safety. He noted an instance where Brig. Susantha Mendis had visited the Nallur Kovil a few days before the bomb blast at Jaffna municipality, contravening regulations to be followed by senior army officials. The army chief said that Jaffna commander, Major Gen. Lionel Balagalla in fact had asked for explanation from Brig. Mandis for visiting Nallur Kovil contravening regulations at that time. The army should participate in civil administration and social work in the consolidated areas but first adhere to regulations for their own safety, Lt. Gen. Daluwatte said. The new rules set out now must be followed to the letter by the army in consolidated areas in north and east, he said. Emergency general meeting of Judges The High Court Judges Association of Sri Lanka and the Judical Services Association have decided to convene an Emergency General Meeting for September 27th (Sunday) at 10 a.m. in High Court No. 1 at Hultsdorp to review the situation arising from the illegal arrest of Mahanama Tilakeratne, High Court Judge and discuss what further steps should be taken. This is the first ever joint meeting after the two associations were formed. The members of these two associations consist of High Court Judges, District Judges, Magistrates and Primary Court Judges in the entire country. The President of the High Court Judges Association is Nissanka Udalagama, High Court Judge, Kandy and the Secretary is Raja Fernando, High Court Judge. Colombo. The President of the Judicial Services Association is Eric Basnayake, District Judge, Mount Lavania and the Secretary is Tilak Thabrew, District Judge. Moratuwa. Spread of Cholera in Polonnaruwa district The medical authorities in Polonnaruwa have sealed off all the eating houses in Welikanda after an outbreak of cholera in the area. Polonnaruwa District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. L. P. S. Jayaweera said that the shops will be re-opened within this week after clearance is given by the Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Jayaweera said that 25 cases of cholera were detected in Welikanda last week. Inquiries had revealed that all these patients had been eating from hotels and wayside kiosks. This led to the closure of the eating houses. He said that the required medicine used in treating cholera patients have been sent to Welikanda Govern-ment Hospital. Only an acute case will be transferred due to the risk of the patient dying on the way from a hospital to another, he added. "There was an outbreak of cholera during the past weeks in Polonnaruwa but it has been brought under control. Only the cases in Welikanda were reported this week" he said. Dr. Jayaweera told ‘The Island’ that they were able to contain cholera because the weather remained dry during the past weeks. But with the beginning of the rainy season in the future there could a fresh outlook of the epidemic, he warn-ed. (SB) Ten
suspects arrested Ten suspects have been arrested by Ampara police in connection with the ‘leaking’ of the G.C.E. (Advance Level Applied) Mathematics question papers 1 and 2 (1998). Among the suspects are three employees attached to the Department of Examinations, police said. Police suspect that about 80 copies of this question paper had been smuggled out. ‘Certain individuals in Colombo are believed to be connected to this leakage’, according to police. A T-56 assault rifle was found by the Police at Kandaladikku in China Bay police area in Trincomalee on Sunday, police sources said. Police said that they have also found 87 rounds of rifle ammunition and an ammunition drum with the rifle. Police said the weapon may have been buried by an LTTE operative in their area with the intention of using it later. Tiger operatives do not risk keeping weapons with them as the security personnel have increased checks, they added. (SB) Stay order on Army Commander restrains
Major’s court martial The Court of Appeal on Wednesday (23) issued a stay order operative till October 13, in respect of the Writ Application filed by Major Nambukaragamage Chandrasena of Nugegoda. The stay order will restrain the commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt. General R. D. S. Daluwatte and seven other connected officials, from taking any further action with regard to a Court Martial Order, made against the petitioner until the hearing and the final determination of a Writ Application, filed by the petitioner, in the Court of Appeal. The Court Martial Order was made on 26.6.98. A Writ Application filed by Major Chandrasena said that, a Court Martial was held against the petitioner in respect of an incident that had taken place over three years ago, and in respect of which the petitioner had been exonerated by an Inquiry Board. The Writ Application said that it was a breach of the Rules of Natural Justice to hold this Court Martial Inquiry. The petition requested the Court of Appeal to issue a Writ of Certiorari to quash the order of the aforesaid Court Martial made on 26.6.98. The petition was supported by, Mr. Kalinga Indatissa with Mr. Viraj Premasinghe, and Mr. Sandun Gamage, instructed by Gaya Jayalath. The case will be called again on 13.10.98. State Counsel, Mr. Uditha Igalahewa appeared for the respondent Army officials, and the Attorney General. The bench comprised, Justice H. S. Yapa and Justice Upali de Z. Gunewardene. "World Tourism Day" in Kandy — Sept. 27 The Lions Club of Katugastota, District 306C in collaboration with the Kandy Hoteliers Association and Ceylon Hotel School, Kandy branch has planned to clean up the Kandy Lake and its surroundings to mark "World Tourism Day." The event will be held on September 27 commencing from Ceylon Hotel School, Kandy premises at 8.00 a.m. "The idea of cleaning up the lake area is to signify the environmental friendliness of modern day tourism industry. A lot has been said about ecological friendliness and all hotels are working towards it. This is our contribution in creating more public awareness to eco-friendliness, " says Mr. Anil Perera, President, Kandy Hoteliers Association. "The shramadana campaign will also include the cleaning up of the island in the lake and light it up as well. I will also contribute towards making the city of Kandy the capital of the Hill Country, clean and beautiful and attractive to tourists. We want to make Kandy the best tourist attraction in our country" said the President of Lions Club of Katugastota, District 306C, Lion Dr. R. L. Wijeweera. The Mayor of Kandy Mr. Harendra Dunuwile and staff of the Kandy Municipal Council have rendered their fullest support to make this event success. Publication of COPE proceedings: Minister of Plan Implementation and parliamentary Affairs Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday raised a question of privilege, in parliament over the publication of reports in the "Sunday Times" and the "Mid Week Mirror," on the proceeding before the Select Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). Minister Fernandopulle said publication of proceedings before parliamentary Select Committees, before they are presented to the Parliament was prohibited by law and the violation of these provisions constituted the offence of breach of the parliamentary previlege. He requested the Speaker to take action against the editor of the newspapers for publishing the reports in violation of the law. Speaker K. B. Ratnayake said he would go through the material carefully and would decide on the course of action to be followed. M. H. Mohamed MP, former Speaker agreed with the Minister and urged that the parliamentary practices should be preserved. Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that there should be protection of officials. Speaker urged journalists to help maintain the health of the parliament by exercising a little care in reporting matters relating to parliament. He also asked them to report nothing spoken in the House that is prejudicial to cases before courts. (WN). ‘Thomian Society Nite’ on Saturday 26 The Thomian Society of Colombo which consists of old boys of St. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia, Gurutalawa, Bandarawela and St. Thomas’ Preparatory School, Kollupitiya in its membership will be holding the "Thomian Society Nite" on Saturday, (26) at Taj Samudra Hotel. A sit down dinner followed by music for dancing by Super Pink ‘N’ Purple, grand entertainment including cabarets and prizes consisting of a return air ticket to Singapore and many more will be packed into the "Nite". According to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. A. T. Munasinghe, there is room for just a few more to join in the fellowship, fun and entertainment and those interested could get in touch with him on 575788 - Pager No. 2304.The President of the Thomian Society is Dr. Vijaya Corea. The Office Bearers are: M/s Rohan Perera, 1st Vice President: Aruna Jayawickrema, 2nd Vice President; Jayampathi Bandaranayake, 3rd Vice President: Shiran Wijesinghe, Secretary; Arjuna Dissanayake, Treasurer Lalantha Mendis, Asst. Secretary/Asst. Treasurer. The Committee Members are; M/s Chitru Peiris, Chandra Shaffter, Wg. Cdr. Noel Fernando, Lakshman Watawala, Mano Ponniah, Christopher Dias, Amal Yapa, Dr. A. T. Munasinghe, Shiran Wickremasinghe and Lioshan Rajapakse. |
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