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Proper basis needed for discussion with LTTE
— GL The government has absolutely no difficulty with regard to implementation of the Liam Fox initiative, Justice Constitutional Affairs, National Integration and Ethnic Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris told ‘The Island ’ yesterday. Responding to Monday’s call by the UNP to implement the April 1997 agreement worked out by the former Minister of State in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Dr. Liam Fox, Minister Peiris said "we would be delighted to make progress in this regard." However, in order to carry out discussions with the LTTE one would need to formulate a proper basis for the discussions, he said. "The basic elements of the offer to be made to the LTTE should be agreed upon between both parties. There would otherwise clearly be a problem with regard to implementation," the Minister said. This is the reason why the government has repeatedly indicated that the constitutional process cannot be excluded from the scope of the Liam Fox initiative. Dr. Liam Fox’s successor, Derek Fatchett is scheduled to be in Colombo next month. British High Commission spokesman yesterday said that Mr. Fatchett will be here on November 9 and 10th. The UNP on Monday told the joint committee of business leaders that it wants the government to implement the agreement worked out by Dr. Liam Fox. The agreement, under fire by Sinhala hardliners aims to develop a genuine bipartisan approach to the resolution of the North-East crisis. Both the ruling party and the UNP have repeatedly accused each other of breaking the controversial agreement. Under the agreement the incumbent president will brief and seek the opinion of the UNP on significant developments, both in the strictest confidence , if in government, the UNP leader will reciprocate; the party in the opposition will not undermine any discussions between the party in government and the LTTE or any other organisation, if these discussions take place with the concurrence of the party in opposition; against the background of such concurrence , on election to government, either party will honour all. Just six week’s after reaching the agreement, the government launched the biggest ever ongoing combined security forces campaign, Jayasikuru to crush LTTE power in the Wanni. "President Kumaratunga and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe have decided to adopt a bipartisan approach towards the resolution of the conflict" Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told the press at the ministry auditorium on April 3 last year. The announcement was made after President Kumaratunga and Mr. Wickremesinghe exchanged letters in this direction. Mr. Fatchett, during his visit is expected to indicate Labour party government support for the implementation of the Fox agreement, informed sources said. During his stay, he is scheduled to meet Messrs. Kadirgamar, G. L. Peiris, Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other politicians and officials. Mr. Fatchett was earlier scheduled to visit Colombo in April this year. Political sources said that both the PA and the UNP have no opposition to having a facilitator to help in efforts to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table. Both sides have said that there was no need to halt ongoing military campaign against the LTTE even if fresh negotiations resume with or without the involvement of a facilitator. However the government and the UNP have different views on several vital other issues including surrender of arms. Meanwhile Lalith Kotelawala who led the joint committee of business leaders in Monday’s talks said that they [committee] had fruitful discussions with the UNP delegation led by the Opposition Leader. "The private sector initiative was wholeheartedly welcomed and an understanding reached that the private sector would act as a corridor between the government and the opposition to take this process forward," Kotelawala stated in a special communique issued yesterday. However he was not available for further comment. An aide to Mr. Kotelawala said that he will not be available during the day. Three suspects identified
by Rita John’s husband Three suspects in the Rita John abduction, rape and murder case were identified by Jude Mohan Manoharan, the victims husband at an identification parade held at the Colombo Magistrates Court yesterday. Rita John, a young, Indian bride, honeymooning in Sri Lanka was abducted on the evening of October 11, while she and her husband were strolling on the Modera beach close to her husband’s home. Her body was found two days later embedded in the marshy land, at Crows Island in Mattakkuliya. At the identification parade the victims husband identified the third suspect, Chaminda Kumara Fernando as the man who had pulled his wife by the hand when they had attempted to go back home and the fourth suspect, Ajith Fernando as the one who had carried her away while he struggled with the others. Later in the day the suspects were produced in open court. Colombo Additional Chief Magistrate Premadasa Punchihewa ordered the suspects to be produced for a medical examination to obtain the foot prints of the suspects. This was following an application made by state counsel Yasantha Bandara together with the Modera police. The first accused, who wasn’t identified at the parade, was allowed to make a confession to the Magistrate in his chambers, following a request made by his lawyer on his behalf. The Magistrate further ordered the first accused to be kept away from the other suspects while in remand. The special investigations unit of the Modera police took in to custody the first, second and third suspects in the early hours of October 13. Statements were taken from them consecutively. Following this jewellery and clothes worn by the victim at the time of the incident were recovered. In a further report presented to the Magistrate by the police yesterday the fourth suspect, Ajith Fernando has alleged that a gold chain belonging to the victim is in the possession of the second suspect, Basil Mendis. Following this a request was made by OIC Modera police W. M. Chandratilleke. Thus the Magistrate allowed another statement to be recorded from the second accused while in remand. Counsel Anton Senanayake appeared for the first accused Lakshman Perera.Yaliya Samarasinghe appeared for the other three suspects, Basil Mendis, Chaminda Kumara Fernando and Ajith Fernando. Yasantha Navaratne Bandara senior state counsel together with Modera police appeared for the prosecution. Further hearing was scheduled for November 10. No survivors in Lionair crash, says
Bishop Contrary to reports and speculation, Bishop of Mannar, Raiyappa Joseph yesterday said that he quite firmly believes that there were no survivors in the Lionair flight 602 which crashed off the coast of Mannar on September 28. At the time of the tragedy, the aircraft; an Antonov 24 was carrying over fifty passengers which included four foreign crew members. It crashed a few minutes after taking off from the Palaly Air Base. Bishop Joseph said that he visited the area where the plane crashed and saw the wreckage and witnessed the burial of 30 bodies. However no fresh information had been obtained about the rest of the victims, the Bishop said. He added that he was conducting his own inquiries merely on the basis of his concern for the people and had no connection whatsoever with the official investigations being carried out. Rail
drivers strike More than 5,000 commuters were stranded for about three hours at the Fort Railway station due to a sudden strike called by the train engine drivers yesterday afternoon, sources in the Railway Department told ‘The Island’. The three hour long strike was launched by the Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union (LOEU) around 3.30 p.m. It was called off last evening around 6.30 after discussions between the union leaders and the General Manager Railways (GMR), W. K. B. Weragama. Operations Superintendent, G. R. P. Chadratilake also participated in the talks. The trade union action was taken by engine drivers who were going out of the Fort Station. Speaking to ‘The Island’ Mr. Weragama said that the strike which was launched without any prior intimation was due to the fact that the LOEU was not happy with some of the privileges given to the Shunting Drivers Union. The shunting drivers won their privileges on Monday after a trade union action. The demands of the LOEU were, (1) to stop any training programme for the shunting drivers on the main track; (2) the cancellation of the examination given to the shunting drivers and (3) not to make amendments to the scheme of recruiting engine drivers, Mr. Weragama said. "We have also agreed to appoint a committee to look into the grievances of the locomotive operators at the discussions. It will be chaired by Consultant to the Railway Department, D. L. Mudalige. Mr. Mudalige is a former Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME). Other committee members are the present CME, Mr. S. D. M. Mahindaratna and Operations Superintendent, Mr. G. R. P. Chandratilake. The union can also make their representations to the committee," he said. He said around 40 trains of the suburban service going out from Fort were at the train yard during the strike period. Due to the strike large number of commuters had to wait in stations in the Greater Colombo area as well as in many other stations. More than 5,000 persons were at the Fort station and the Railway Department had to operate special bus service for the stranded commuters. "Most of them were reluctant to go by bus because some of them were living in areas where buses are rare and the railway season ticket holders did not have money to pay for the bus," officials at the station said. They added that the crowds were getting uneasy and some chanted slogans and hooted. The Railway Security Unit was compelled to close all entrances to the station at one time but they had to open them again to let the massive gathering out. It took nearly two hours to clear the station after the strike was called off. Police baffled by roadside death Police found a seriously injured man lying on the roadside last Monday He had been mercilessly assaulted, but before he could be admitted to hospital he died. On an anonymous telephone call to Mirihana police in connection with this death a teledrama actor and his son had been taken in for questioning. Police are trying to ascertain whether they were in any way involved with the death of this man. Tamil journalist freed after three months COLOMBO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - A Tamil journalist detained by Sri Lankan police for more than three months for alleged involvement with Tamil Tiger rebels was released on bail on Tuesday, his colleagues said. S. Srigajan, who works for the Colombo-based Tamil language Virakesari newspaper, was produced before a Colombo magistrate court and released on 2,000 rupees ($30) bail, they said. No charges had been filed against the journalist, but he was ordered to appear before the court on November 2. Srigajan and another journalist working for the same newspaper and based in northern Vavuniya town, P. Manickkavasagam, were detained by police in late July. Manickkavasagam, who contributes to Reuters and the British Broadcasting Corporation, was released on August 10. No charges were brought against him either. Srigajan had filed a fundamental rights case against his detention which is scheduled to be heard on November 4, his colleagues said. Enjoining Order restraining bank union from
taking trade union action extended The Enjoining Order that had restrained the members of the Ceylon Bank Employees Union from going on strike or engaging in any form of trade union action such as go slow, boycott, demonstrations or picketing was extended by Colombo District Judge A. N. Salam on Monday. The Ceylon Bank Employees Union was ordered to file objections and answers on the next date of hearing, November 6. Hatton National Bank Ltd, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and State Bank of India are the plaintiffs in the case. The plaint of the plaintiff Banks filed by their counsel G. G. Arulpragasam stated as follows:- The plaintiff Banks and the defendant Ceylon Bank Employees Union entered into a Collective Agreement dated July 31, 1995. The pith and substance of the agreement was that industrial peace should ensue. The plaintiffs and the defendants agreed inter alia that they are covered and bound by the Collective Agreement jointly and severally. The plaintiff Banks stated that the defendant Bank employees in breach of the agreement resorted to picketing and other forms of collective action against the plaintiff Banks. On September 30 they organised and walked out of their places of work at about 3 p.m. and staged a demonstration. In breach of the agreement they picketed on September 28 and 29 during their lunch interval. These actions of the defendant Bank employees have resulted in the disruption of the Bank activities, loss of confidence of the investors, slash of overseas credit lines, loss of customers, loss of business and in endangering proper banking atmosphere. The Collective Agreement clearly stipulates that ‘’any dispute over the interpretation of the agreement shall be settled by voluntary arbitration under Section 3 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1950," the plaint concluded. Romesh de Silva (PC) with Palitha Kumarasinghe instructed by G. G. Arulpragasam appeared for the plaintiff Banks. Gomin Dayasiri with Nigel Hatch instructed by D. C. F. de Seram appeared for the defendant Ceylon Bank Employees Union. Youth Forum on "Prevention of Violence Against Women" ‘Prevention of Violence Against Women’ will be the theme of the Youth Forum scheduled to be held at the Visakha Vidyalaya Auditorium for student participants between the ages of 15-18, on 31st October, 1998 from 9.00 a.m. — 4.00 p.m. This Forum, organised by the Interact Clubs of St. Peter’s College and Visakha Vidyalaya in association with Rotary Colombo East is sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency. The main thrust of the Forum will be to create awareness among school children about violence against women, which is reflected in the incidence of ragging at schools and universities, the high rate of suicide, sexual harassment ranging from obscene jokes to rape and murder. The day’s activities will equip the participants with: A greater understanding of their own rights as well as the rights of the others, the ability to recognise situations of violence against women and to act in such situations, to build a network amongst themselves to work for the prevention of violence against women and to develop strategies to address the issue. The day’s programme will be conducted by eminent panelists and would include a talk show, a panel discussion and a presentation by YA TV. It is expected that this Youth Forum will pave the way for a mass awareness programme on the prevention of violence against women and the creation of a society in which women walk without fear. (Press Release) DIG
Herath off to Malaysia Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Central Range Sirisena Herath left for Malaysia on Sunday to attend the Asia Pacific Continental Drug Conference in Kuala Lumpur. DIG Herath plays a vital role in drug prevention in Sri Lanka. He has served the police service for 24 years. He joined the Police Department in 1974 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Reserve
SI complains to S C A Reserve Sub Inspector of Police, Chandana Vishwanath Weerasena, has complained to the Supreme Court in a fundamental rights violation plea, that, a former IGP, Frank Silva had denied the petitioner his due promotion, merely because the petitioner’s father, a retired ASP had complained against Frank Silva, to official authorities. The petition explained that by virtue of the special qualifications of the petitioner and his sound service record, an earlier IGP Ernest Perera, had recommende a special promotion to the petitioner to reach the rank of Inspector of Police. However, Ernest Perera, retired in December 1993 and Frank Silva had assumed office as the next IGP. Thereafter the promotion recommended for the petitioner had not been put into effect. Subsequent to the retirement of Frank Silva, W. B. Rajaguru, had assumed office as IGP. Rajaguru, in September, 1998, had granted special promotions to forty one police officers. But however, going by past records, the petitioner had been left out. The petition alleged unequal treatment in violation of Article 12 (1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. The petition added that during the tenure of office of Frank Silva, the petitioner was deployed to serve in Eravur without a uniform and armed with a machinegun, so that the petitioner will be mistaken for a terrorist and will be shot at by service personnel on duty. The petition requested the Supreme Court to grant leave to proceed, declare the violation Fundamental Rights and to direct the IGP to grant the petitioner his due promotions and increments. On October 12, the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed and fixed the hearing for 12.2.99. G. J. T. Alagaratnam appeared for the petitioner. The Bench comprised Justice A. S. Wijetunga, Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake and Justice L. H. G. Weerasekera. Tea industry gears to meet international quality standards Sri Lankan tea producers are gearing themselves to meet stringent international quality standards applicable to the food processing industry, which are expected to become mandatory for tea factories by the turn of the century. The Planters’ Association of Ceylon, which represents the collective of the plantation companies and private estate and tea factory owners, recently organised a workshop to brief producers on the required hygienic and quality standards in all stages of the manufacturing process and the packaging of the finished product. Addressing the workshop, Planters’ Association Chairman Mahendra Amarasuriya said its theme of "From a tea factory to a 21st century food factory", was extremely timely in the context of the growing demand, especially in the west, for strict quality control in food production. Pointing out that the marketing process for a product like tea starts from the buyer, Amarasuriya stressed that "we must produce only what is required by the buyers." He said the future of the industry lay in value added tea, rather than in exporting bulk tea and hence, packaging would become a critical factor in the quality control process. "The private sector management companies have had six years to work in this industry. We have had three years of good prices. There can be no more excuses for any factory to be in a poor condition," Amarasuriya observed. He said Sri Lankan tea producers would have to fundamentally change how they run their factories and how they supervise them, bringing about a complete change in mind-set at all levels, from workers to management. He cited the example of Great Western Estate Talawakele, which had created a revolution in how tea is manufactured through rearrangement of the siting of machinery, worker participation in quality circles and the strict adherence to the Japanese 5 S system. The Sri Lanka Standards Institute’s Standards Officer Anula Perera told the workshop that producers have to understand that in developed nations in particular, safety has become a mandatory factor for food products. "Safety is the foundation without which you cannot sell your product at all," Ms. Perera emphasised. She said tea producers would be required to identify all possible sources of contamination, whether biological, chemical or physical, from the field in which the tea grows to the point of consumption, in order to eliminate hazards, if they are to meet the food quality standards that will become applicable to tea. Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) Chairman Michael de Zoysa disclosed that his association, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board, was initiating several legal measures to ensure compliance by tea producers with quality requirements. Midweek
Politics Has the investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) into the missing priceless gem and the valuable painting of the Mulkirigala Temple from the President’s House and the antique furniture from the ‘Temple Trees’ been swept under the carpet? This is the question that is being asked in political circles. The CID inquiry into the missing priceless gem was initiated by former President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga during the previous regime. President Wijetunga on being informed that the gem was missing from the President’s House took an inventory of all items before he occupied the colonial built mansion. The People"s Alliance government last year detected that the painting of the Mulkirigala Temple done by a Britisher way back in 1840 was missing from the President’s House and the CID was directed to inquire. The CID questioned many in the mansion and also the son-in-law of a former President. Both this former President and the incumbent President Chandrika Kumaratunga have not occupied the President’s House as President but have only visited the place for official engagements. Early this year it was reported that valuable furniture at Temple Trees were missing prior to President Kumaratunga having occupied the premises as Prime Minister and now President. The items had gone missing even before Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe occupied Temple Trees. Former President Ranasinghe Premadasa prior to privatising the estates under the peoplisation programme was much concerned about the valuable furniture in estate bungalows and directed that those furniture be brought to Temple Trees as he feared that the people who would take over may neglect the antique furniture that belonged to the state. Mr. Premadasa saw that these antique furniture was brought down to Temple Trees under his personal supervision and after taking an inventory he placed them at Temple Trees. Former Prime Minister D. B. Wijetunga under President Premadasa was also not in occupation of Temple Trees though he was Prime Minister for nearly four years. Political circles question why the CID investigations into these cases have not been pursued by the incumbent government. When the present government was in the opposition it made a big hue and cry about the missing priceless gem from the President’s House and pledged to bring those who were responsible to book. The then opposition members of the SLFP in Parliament did not spare the former President and his family during debates in the House for alleged corruption and malpractices. Having become the government of the day with a coalition, the government members appear to be having a soft corner for the Premadasa family. Cabinet ministers are seen at birthday parties and functions organised by the Premadasa family. A cabinet minister from the South is now a close friend of the former President’s son Sajith Premadasa. They do meet regularly at a venue in Matara. This was disclosed to Parliament on many occasions by UNP’s Hambantota rival of Sajith, Mervyn Silva. The young Premadasa had not denied this fact. When another cabinet minister from the deep South wanted the government to pursue certain allegations against the members of the Premadasa family at the cabinet, it was Sajith’s cabinet friend in the South who defended the Premadasa family. This defence made President Kumaratunga tell the cabinet that the real enemies of the government was not the Premadasa family but Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP. It must be noted that Sajith Premadasa is a member of the UNP and as organiser for Hambantota he plays a dominant role in the district fighting the PA’s cabinet minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Meanwhile, the difference of opinion which on way to go between the two young MPs in Mrs. Srimani Athulathmudali’s camp now appeared to have heightened after her Thomian MP Kesaralal Gunesekere appeared last week on TV over the ‘Janamandali’ programme. His friend Ravi Karunanayake, a Thomian for a brief period crossed over to Royal to finish his secondary education. Mr. Gunesekere who is now reported to be in the good books of his leader was defending the government during that interview to the hilt. Asked why Sharmila Perera who was to be appointed to Parliament on the National List was overlooked, Mr. Gunesekere noted that the choice was only between Sharmila and the other National List MP now in the House. This statement appeared to assert that Mr. Gunesekere had no problem in getting into the national list unlike the other two. Ravi Karunanayake, a professional accountant claims that the party at that time wanted a professional too on the national list and that was why he was named and Sharmila who was not interested in parliamentary politics made way for Kesaralal. While Gunesekere indirectly told the interviewer that some in his party were trying to go to the UNP. It must be noted that it was the party leadership and the Working Committee that authorised its members to contest the postponed provincial elections on the UNP list. Those in the UNP PC election list ask whether Mr. Gunesekere could deny this fact. They claim that the party at that time decided to join forces with the UNP for the PC elections and question Mr. Gunesekere to disclose the role he played at that with regard to that decision of the party leadership. The Lalith Front now has to decide which way it is going with its own members having differences of opinion. It appears that the majority are now candidates in the UNP PC election list. The Lalith Front was firmly committed to the abolition of the executive presidency and later vehemently opposed the controversial devolution package. It was the first political party to forward alternative proposals to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reforms which went totally ignored by the very government of which they are a partner. The Front also proposed an Independent Police Commission, An Independent Public Service Commission and an Independent Judicial Service Commission. It also opposed the removal of the Commissioners of the Bribery Commission. Both Mrs. Athulathmudali and Ravi Karunanayake called for the reactivation of the bribery commission. It was only their MP, Kesaralal Gunesekere who favoured the government motion to remove the Commissioners and placed his signature to that motion now down in the Parliament Order Paper. Political analysts welcome new comments about the policies of the Lalith Front at a time there appears some conflict of opinion even on policy matters in public by its two national list MPs Messrs Karunanayake and Gunesekere. |
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