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Five national groups call on govt, opposition
Form anti-Tiger coalition now!A clarion call was made last week by five national organisations calling upon the PA Government, the Opposition, other parties and organisations ``not to play political games with the lives of our soldiers and innocent citizen with the use of misleading and deceptive media.''
They call on all parties to discard political differences and form a common front with the single purpose of wiping out Tiger terrorism.
``The government, the opposition and all political parties and politicians should realize there would be no political winner if terrorism should overrun the country. It is imperative that an anti-Tiger terrorist coalition be formed now in the country,'' a statement issued on behalf of the five organisations said.
They are the Jathika Sangha Sabhawa (National Sangha Council), National Joint Committee, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Sinhala Veera Vidahana and the National Movement Against Terrorism.
The statement demanded from all politicians that the whole country be placed on red alert to wipe out terrorism. It called on people of all communities and religions to discard all differences, eschew tamashas and functions and unite and co-operate to wipe out terrorism from our midst.
The appeal was issued at the end of a well attended religious ceremony at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya to offer the nation's salutations to the heroic soldiers and express solidarity with the soldiers wounded at Kilinochchi.
Thousands of white-clad people offered flowers and a solemn oath was made by all present to protect the country every minute, all then time and in all possible ways.
The following is the text of the news release incorporating the appeal ``Let us unite to fight terrorism'' issued at the end of the ceremony.
Middle East employment for Sri Lankans drying up?
The door to the "pot of gold" in the Middle East may soon be closed to Sri Lankans looking for lucrative employment there The reason: many Sri Lankans who get to the Middle East countries are found to be below the required standards, are illiterate and find difficulty under-standing what is required of them, or are simply unwilling to perform the duties expected of them.
More than 70 percent of recruiting offices in the Middle East have now suspended recruitment of housemaids from Sri Lanka as they have faced huge financial losses as a result of having to send these employees back home, hard on the heels of their arrival.
According to a report in Al Riyadh, a newspaper in that country, many emplo-yers have refused to accept housemaids brought to them from Sri Lanka, claiming that their performance is poor, and in some cases women have refused, for one reason or another, to work. Many Sri Lankan women going to the Middle East are illiterate and have a very poor knowledge of housekeeping compared to women from countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.
In order to overcome their prob-lems, some recruiting offices in the Kingdom have decided to double the recruitment fees for Sri Lankan house-maids.
The Arab News of September 4 in a news story titled "Recruit-ment firms hike charges for Sri Lankan maids" says the noncompliance of the regulations for rec-ruitment by concerned offices in Sri Lanka is another major factor. The credibility of the Sri Lankan offices in fulfilling the standard of maids as required by Saudi employers has been eroded consi-derably, the paper said. It adds that some Sri Lankan offices also submit forged training certificates.
The Ceylon Tourist Board is planning a ‘holy city’ at Sita Eliya, a pilgrim site for Hindus, which is expected to draw 200,000 Indian tourists annually as well as domestic visitors, says ‘Sri Lanka Travel News", the publication of the Ceylon Tourist Board.
Sita Eliya has strong traditional associations with Rama, Sita, Ravana and Hanuman, as it is believed that Sita Eliya is the place where Ravana had hidden Sita after abducting her.
In India, Rama is venerated as a reincarnation of God Vishnu and Sita is the symbol of purity.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, H. B. Semasinghe has discussed these proposals with the Indian Tourism Minister Madan Lal Khurna, who has agreed to canvass financial support from Indian industrialists.
The Sita Eliya ‘holy city’ project will be on a 30 acre expanse, with temples dedicated to Rama and Sita and one to Hanuman, and will contain all the essential requirements for pilgrims to the ‘holy city’. The project is expected to cost Rs.30 million.
An Indian architect, Rajendra Kiri, who has wide experience in designing Hindu temples, recently visited Sri Lanka in connection with the preparation of architectural plans and cost estimates, Sri Lanka Travel News reported.
Substantive changes soon to electronic commerce - Dy. Solicitor General
by Sumadhu Weerawarne
The government is expected to bring about substantive changes to the existing law to accommodate the development of electronic commerce and the electronic interchange of data.Deputy Solicitor General Kolitha Dharmawardene, head of the Law Centre of CINTEC said that he would be submitting a report within the course of the week highlighting areas of law which need changes. Asked if there was a time-frame in which to bring about changes, he said that it would be by year 2001 or before.
Mr. Dharmawar-dene emphasised the urgency of the exercise. He said that within a short span we would have to introduce about minimum legislation dealing with electronic commerce. "We need to introduce some legislation to accommodate the complete migration from traditional written documents to electronic media," he said.
By way of example he said that there was a need to recognise electronic signatures as being valid in law. An electronic signature at the very basic level would be to write one's signature on a piece of paper and then to scan it digitising it and feeding it into the computer. However, the method of encryption and decryption of data in its transfer from one location to another for security reasons is what is termed as an electronic signature. "The law needs to recognise this and make provisions to provide for the authenticity of electronic signatures," he asserted.
The DSG identified the area of electronic banking as one which required urgent change. "Legislation on Electronic banking would be an area in itself," he said. He added that laws on data protection was also a requirement which had necessarily to be met with. "The development electronic commerce and electronic data interchange can leave people naked. That is there can be an intrusion into their privacy. Legislation is needed to draw the boundaries," he added. He identified the last area requiring legislative changes as being that of intellectual property rights 60 per cent of which is in the area of software and information technology related products.
He highlighted the need for supplementary laws to deal with such aspects as computer crime. Incidentally CINTEC is expected to submit its report on Computer Fraud by the end of the year.
Mr. Dharmawar-dene said that he had drawn up a work plan to deal parallelly deal with research and reform initiatives. He added that in his view unless swift changes were introduced the country would be caught in the third wave of underdevelopment. He said that the introduction of such laws would gradually lead to the overhauling of the entire legal system. He added that the lack of awareness among various sectors would be the main obstacle in bringing about these changes.
He added that he had drawn up a plan which would accommodate both research into Sri Lankan needs and reform initiatives. Conceding that in Sri Lanka it was a very small segment of the population that engaged in electronic commerce, he argued that in world trade two thirds was conducted via the electronic medium.
The very first step in the direction of legislation pertaining to the electronic media was the amendment made to the Evidence Law. The amendment accommodates the admissibility of computer generated evidence. This change corresponds with the one made in Britain several decades ago.
Mr. Dharma-wardene said that Sri Lanka had contemplated change as early as 1980, but had failed to do anything substantive. He said that he wished to provide a catalyst to the needed change.
Cooray and Hema share Sucharitha platform
The Sucharitha Hall was packed to capacity with a spillover outside when former Minister Sirisena Cooray and Mrs. Hema Premadasa shared a platform on Friday at a meeting convened to call for the continuance of the Premadasa programme.
Political observers saw the presence of both personalities, who were previously perceived as distanced from each other, as an indication of fence mending that had occurred in recent weeks.
The organisers said that the old Premadasa Colombo Central organisation had been fully mobilised for this occasion and representatives from all wards of the Colombo Municipal Council were present.
``It is almost as though President Premadasa is here,'' Mrs. Premadasa said reacting to the crowd that had gathered.
With a presidential election believed to be in the offing and names of possible candidates being bruited around, it was inevitable that the speeches should reflect the anticipation. Mr. Cooray did not disappoint. Nor did he show his hand clearly.
``Some say that Mrs. Premadasa will run and some say that I will run,'' he said. ``No decisions have been taken. But all I can say is if we run, we will run to win. We will not run to lose or defeat anybody,'' he said.
Mrs. Premadasa indicated that she will stand by Mr. Cooray. Sajith Premadasa was not present at the meeting.
Insiders said that it was no coincidence that October 9 was picked for last week's meeting, It was on October 9, 1988, that Ranasinghe Premadasa was named to be the UNP candidate for the presidency.
Minister accuses Central Cultural Fund of resorting to 'illegal actions'
by Shakuntala Perera
The Central Cultural Fund has taken the law into their hands and resorted to various "illegal actions" in dealing with sites and monuments of archaeological importance, the Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs and Buddha Sasana, Lakshman Jayakody charged.The Minister was addressing the National Symposium on the "Better protection of the archaeology of Sri Lanka" at the BMICH.
The Minister said that, as regards certain actions the persons responsible at the top "should have been taken to courts."
"The formation of the Central Cultural Fund was not wrong, but I don't believe that they were stricking to the law. And they were not being monitored. They just took the law into their own hands.
"The problem has been going on and on. We may have to bring additional laws to handle the problem of the utilizaton of funds. The Secretary to the Ministry is the chief adminstrator of the Fund but he too needs more powers to handle the situation better," said the Minister.
Citing certain actions resorted to by the Central Cultural Fund the Minister stated that under the Fund a number of "hideous" monuments have been constructed beside sites and monuments of important archaeological and historical value. There were a number of unnecessary, boards etc.
"A number of constructions have also taken place without any supervision management or even permission from the Department of Archaeology. There should be someone responsible for such actions. Whatever the duties of the Central Cultural Fund, the responsibility of monitoring its functions should have been with the Director Archaeology".
"The time has now come for some serious management plans to be enforced. We have come to a point where we need to look towards ensuring better co-ordination between the different institutions." said the minister.
The Director General of Archaeology, Dr.Siran Deraniyagala stated that the idea behind the formation of the Central Cultural Fund was to utilize the funds of the Department of Archaeology, which were going to the Consolidated Fund, and not obtained by the department for utilisation.
"These funds coming from such areas as revenue collection etc. were going to the Consolidated Fund but not coming back to the department. So the idea was to have a separate institution which could utilise these funds for meaningful purposes.
"However there seems to be a certain grey area in the jurisdiction where monitoring of their activities are concerned. It was only since 1994 that the Central Fund has even been given official permits to carry out its duties, but these permits are useless unless there is a means by which we can monitor their progress," he added.
The Director further said that the Department of Archaeology itself was "still trying to enhance its own laws to overlook those of the Central Cultural Fund."
Tea exporters to Russia watching and waiting
With at least US $ 30 million owing on account of teas already shipped to the huge Russian market because of the economic turmoil there, the likelihood of shipments of Ceylon tea in sizable volumes resuming to that country seems remote at present, tea traders said.
Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Tea Board has written to exporters to Russia seeking information on volumes of tea planned for shipment to that country. This is in connection with the Tea Board/SLECIC backed assistance package to cover exporters against the risk of their not receiving payment for teas shipped.
It has been agreed that the Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation (SLECIC) will offer exporters insurance cover up to 75% of the value of their shipment, with the Tea Board and the exporter equally sharing the premium. Although the scheme was intended for an initial period of four months, only planned export figures for the next two months have been sought in the first instance.
``Nobody would want to lose their share of the Russian market and would like to keep it supplied. Exporters are trying their best to get what is due to them from buyers there. They are not likely to make fresh shipments unless they get at least part of their dues,'' one leading exporter said.
``The problem is that with the rouble devalued and tea costing thrice what it used to, the consumer also is forced to think of cheaper tea and less tea. With shipments not moving to Russia the inevitable impact is being felt not only at the Colombo tea sale but at auctions elsewhere.''
The Minister of Plantation Industries has directed that the Tea Board/SLECIC package be effective from October 15.
The Forbes and Walker tea market report said that the Colombo auction tea sale price average for September was down Rs 10.09 per kg. from August. Low growns took the biggest beating with prices down Rs. 14.58, followed by mid-growns which fell Rs. 9.27 and high growns by Rs. 1.27.
The only silver lining in an otherwise gloomy picture were the western high growns which gained Rs. 1.58 from its previous month's average despite the declining trend, Forbes and Walker said.
National Movement Against Terrorism calls upon all people to unite to fight Tigers
A large religious ceremony, organised by the National Sangha Council, National Joint Committee, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Sinhala Veera Vidahana and National Movement against Terrorism was held Tuesday at the Bellanwila Raja Mahaviharaya to offer the nation's salutation to the heroic soldiers, and express solidarity to the soldiers who were wounded at Kilinochchi.
The ceremony began with the offering of white flowers by thousands of people dressed in white. A moving feature of the ceremony was a solemn oath made by all those present to protect the country, every minute, every time in all possible ways.
Among the religious dignitaries who participated were: Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake Thero of Amarapura Nikaya, Ven. Madoluwawe Sobitha Thero, President of Jathika Sangha Sabha, Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thero and Ven. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thero, Secretaries of Jathika Sangha Sabha, Ven. Dodangoda Assaji Thero, Honorary Head of Amarapura Nikaya, Ven. Muruttetuve Ananda Thero, Financial Secretary, Ven. Keeniyawala Palitha Thero, Organizer, Ven. Akuretiye Nanda Thero, Ven. Dedigalle Wimalasara and Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thero. At the end the ceremony, the following appeal was issued:
Let us all unite to fight terrorism
"At the religious ceremony held to offer the nation's salutation to the heroic soldiers who laid down their lives and to express solidarity to the soldiers who were wounded at Kilinochchi, we make this appeal to the entire nation.
"Firstly, we offer our most profound and grateful salutation on behalf of the nation to those heroic soldiers who laid down their lives at Kilinochchi to preserve the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of this country.
"Secondly, we call upon the people of this country to reflect upon the military debacle that occurred in Kilinochchi.
"While organisations and individuals are engaged in a huge battle debating the philosophical and political aspects of Tiger terrorism, the Tigers are carrying on their war tactics, massacring Buddhist monks, and clergy of other religions, destroying places of worship of Buddhists and of other religions, and killing citizens of all communities — the young and the old.
"If we in the South continue to indulge in tamashas and political debates attacking each other, we will soon face the danger of Tiger terrorists over-running the whole country.
"We declare that "terrorism" has no philosophical theory. We boldly declare this to all those apologists of Tamil racism of Tiger terrorism — to all those who call for so-called peace talks, with or without conditions — to all those who senselessly declare that the 'problem' would be solved by a so-called political solution of changing the Constitution from unitary status to a federal one, and — to all those who stay silent and do nothing about this great national tragedy.
"We should discard false theories and arguments that are blinding us, in order to prevent the country from being over-run by barbaric terrorists. We have to take a very serious decision as to whether we allow ourselves to be subjected to Tiger terrorism or not.
"Thirdly, we declare to the PA government, the Opposition, other parties and organisations, not to play political games with the lives of our soldiers and innocent citizens with the use of misleading and deceptive media.
"Therefore, we call upon you to discard your political differences and form a common front with the single purpose of wiping out Tiger terrorism.
"The government, the opposition and all political parties and politicians should realize that there will be no political winner, if terrorism should over-run the country.
"It is imperative that an anti-Tiger terrorist coalition be formed now in this country.
Fourthly, we call upon the people of all communities and religions of this country to discard all differences, eschew all tamashas and functions, and unite and cooperate to wipe out terrorism from our midst. We should immediately extend our solidarity and support in the form of manpower and materials to the security forces, and give encouragement with our appreciation.
"We should strongly demand from all our politicians that the whole country should be put on red alert to wipe out terrorism. If they do not comply, the people must take the responsibility to perform that national duty.
"Fifthly, we appeal to all persons who value human and democratic rights and freedoms, to unite and cooperate in the name of humanity, because terrorism has no race, religion or party differences. If we do not do so, the country will face anarchy in the near future.
Therefore, we appeal to all who value humanity, as well as to India and other countries.
DG Customs, PSC summoned before SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Director General of Customs, Chairman and members of the Public Services Commission to appear in Court on October 16 in connection with a complaint of Court contempt made against them by a petitioner in a fundamental rights case.
The petitioner in the case is Anura Weera-wansa, Superintendent of Customs. He has challenged in the petition his interdiction.
When the matter came up for hearing on June 6, this year, petitioner Weerawansa moved to withdraw the case upon the Court making order directing the respondents to serve a charge sheet and hold an inquiry. Later the petitioner complained to Court of non-compliance of that order by the respondents.
The Supreme Court thereafter noticed the respondents, the Director General, Customs and the Public Services Commission and its Chairman to appear in Court, on Thursday (October 8) and show cause as to why they should not be dealt with for contempt.
The Court directed, Tilak Marapana, PC, Senior Counsel for the petitioner, to draft charges of contempt, if any, on the respondents. The Court pointed out that charges are meant for its consideration.
Deputy Solicitor General, Kolitha Dharmawardene, with Senior State Counsel, Mr. S. Rajaratnam appeared for the respondents.
Mr. Dharmawar-dene did not object to Mr. Marapana drafting the charges of contempt, for the consideration of the Court. He submitted that, it will not appear proper for the Attorney General to draft the charges, since the AG appeared for the respondents.
Mr. Tilak Marapana PC, appeared with Mr. Hemachandra Mana-tunga, Mr. Nalin Ladduwahetty and Mr. Jayantha Fernando. The bench comprised, Justices S. W. B. Wadu-godapitiya, Dr. Asoka de Z. Gunewardene and Lakshman Weera-sekera.
Kadirgarmar leads US-Lankans in prayers for peace
A special Holy Mass for Peace in Sri Lanka was held in Washington last Sunday evening at the shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, Maryland, with Rev. Calixtus Fernando leading the Mass. The tri-lingual Mass attended by Sri Lankans in the United States and other friends of Sri Lanka here, prayed for peace and understanding in the island. The Mass held for the tenth year in succession asked for blessings upon Sri Lanka and for justice and peace in the land. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who is on a three day bilateral visit to the United States also participated at the Mass and offered a special prayer for the land. The prayer read:
"In this great Cathedral in Maryland today I offer my own humble prayer for the return of peace to our country, Sri Lanka. War has taken a most grievous toll in young lives lost on both sides of the conflict, in young lives maimed and damaged beyond repair, in trauma to families throughout our land who have lost their providers, their loved ones. Countless innocent civilians have died or been injured. They have lost their properties, they have lost their livelihood. Give solace to all those who grieve, heal the wounds that our peoples have inflicted on our society.
"Give to our legislators, our politicians, our opinion makers, the strength of mind, the largeness of heart, the nobility of spirit, the courage and the clarity of vision that will enable them to see and grasp the historic opportunity they now have of forging a lasting solution to our national problem.
"To those who fight against the State give them the gift of reason, the perception that reasoned dialogue, not the pursuit of armed conflict, is the path that leads to peace. Intransigence is the enemy of peace. Douse the flames of passion, of hatred, that consume our land. Dispel the distrust, the misunderstanding, the suspicion that has clouded our land for so long.
"Sri Lanka is heir to a rich tradition of spirituality. Our land is the home of Buddhism. Hinduism has co-existed with Buddhism for thousands of years; Islam and the adherents of Islam have an honoured place in our society, Christianity flourishes in many parts of our land. All our great religions and faiths teach the message in whatever language they are uttered, that understanding, tolerance, compassion and goodwill are the ingredients of peace. Give us the wisdom to draw on this source of inspiration which should unite us and keep us together.
"I ask for your prayers for the President of the Republic and all those who are vested with authority, and for those who carry responsibilities, in government or opposition, for the governance of the country at this time. Give them strength. Give them wisdom. Give them courage. All these humble requests and entreaties I make in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ."
Mrs. Suganthie Kadirgamar, Dr. Warnasena Rasa-putram, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States and Deputy Chief of Mission Mrs. Geetha de Silva were among those who participated at this special Mass.
Every year for the last ten years, Sri Lankans in Washington and Maryland gather here in a spirit of brotherhood and pray for their motherland. At the Mass, the choir consisting of Sri Lankans in the United States and directed by Melita Ethelbert led the choral worship with hymns and praises in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The familiar Tiru Paadham Nambi Vanthane, Jesu Ra-janeni, and Let there be Peace on Earth were among the repertoire of hymns which filled the walls of the Cathedral — the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, Maryland.
Ronald Mc Donald — won’t blow his cover
By Cecil V. Wikramanayake
Ronald McDonald, a Sri Lankan specially recruited by the giant fast-food company of that name, positively refused to blow his cover and insisted on saying that he was Ronald McDonald from McDonald-land.The Sunday Island learned that this Sri Lankan youth had been recruited and sent to Singapore for special training for his role. This he would not confirm nor did he deny it, preferring instead to turn on the clownish smile on his already painted face and look towards Awad P. Safri, Marketing Director of McDonalds, who had accompanied him to Sri Lanka.
The official spokes-man for the international fast-food business of McDonald’s is claimed to be the world’s favourite clown. He looks a clown, dressed up in a weird costume with his face completely painted over, his hands encased in gloves and his feet in an absurdly long pair of shoes that would make normal walking difficult. He acts the clown, particularly in the presence of children who love that kind of behaviour. But when it comes to talking to adults, the clown becomes a robot, brainwashed to repeat parrot-like "My name is Ronald Mc Donald. I come from Mc-Donald-land."
He admitted to being a Sri Lankan, with just a nod of his head, as if he was afraid to speak the words lest someone, his employers perhaps, heard him.
"Did he come from Singapore "he was asked. "He has come from McDonald-land" interjected Awad P. Sifri, Marketing Director for McDonalds, who from that point on became the spokesman for the "spokesman for McDonald’s, venturing out into a monologue about McDonald.
Ronald McDonald, he said, made his first appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 1963. That would make the clown/robot by his side thirty five years old. He certainly preserves his years! Four years later, said Sifri, he was named official spokesman for McDonald’s.
I guess a clown is the only person in the world to be able to speak fluently, in whatever language, at the age of four !
The spokesman for the spokesman also claimed that Ronald McDonald has since then become a household name more famous than Lassie or the Easter Bunny and second only to Santa Claus. Strange, isn’t it that up to three days ago we Sri Lankans, or ninety nine percent of us, had never heard of Ronald McDonald. Lassie we have recently seen on television. Christians would perhaps have heard of the Easter Bunny. And Santa Claus is everyone’s favourite. But Ronald McDonald ?
"Is Sri Lanka Ronald’s home ?" Sifri answered again saying, "He is coming to Sri Lanka to visit his latest home. He now has 114 homes. When we open on the fifteenth at 9am, Ronald will parade on the streets to draw the children to McDonald’s."
I came away wondering whether it would be only children of the very affluent who would be able to meet Ronald McDonald, the "world’s favourite clown" at McDonald’s. The poorer ones would have to enter some hospital and hope that Ronald McDonald would visit that hospital and "distribute sweets and pass around the Ronald McDonald magic". No McDonald fast-food for them.
Regina Maersk — biggest vessel ever to call Colombo
The biggest vessel ever to call port of Colombo Regina Maersk, will arrive on Wednesday.
Regina Maersk is the first in a new generation of K-type container vessels, operated by the Global Danish shipping operator Maersk Line. The vessel was built at the A. P. Moller Group’s Odense Steel shipyard in 1996 and was at the time the largest container vessel ever, states a press release by the Line’s local agent Maersk Lanka.
The vessel is capable of handling 6,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent units) and with a length of 318 m she will be occupying JCT4 and a bit of JCT3 as well. Equipped with one of the most powerful engines in the world generating more than 74,640 hp the vessel can reach speeds upto 25 knots.
The Regina Maersk is one of 16 vessels currently deployed on Maersk Line’s Suez Express service. The service starts from the US West Coast goes through Asia, to Colombo, catering for imports to Sri Lanka. After Colombo the vessels go through the Suez Canal through the Mediterranean to Algeciras in southern Spain for connection to Maersk Line’s services to Northern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and West Africa. Thereafter it ventures across the Atlantic offering direct service for shippers to the US East Coast with calls at Halifax in Canada, Newark, Norfolk and Charleston. After Charleston the vessel goes back to Europe through Asia to the US West Coast.
The Regina Maersk has later been followed by several sister vessels, which are deployed in the Europe to Asia trade lane.
The Regina Maersk has recently on her maiden voyage been welcomed as the biggest container vessel to call USA and Canada, marking the beginning of a new era in shipping. In the USA this led to pictures being put on the internet for everybody to follow her journey. The address of the homepage is www.maerskline.com.
Maersk Line is represented in Sri Lanka by Maersk Lanka Pvt. Ltd. catering to customers’ global transport requirements, the press release added.
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