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Sittings
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Sittings
suspended twice Sittings of Parliament came to an abrupt halt for the second time yesterday, when a group of government back-benchers stormed into the opposition side in the House and pulled out some posters hanging from opposition tables. This 'raid' occurred when Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was on his feet. Deputy Speaker Anil Moonesinghe who was in the Chair announced the suspension of the sittings and made an exit as the govt back benchers rushed back with great hurry. Pressmen were watching the drama unaware of what was in store. The group of back-benchers crossed the floor and reached the opposition side and pulled out the posters hanging from some tables of the opposition UNP unchallenged. They then tore them and dumped them on the isle of the House. In a flash more opposition UNP MPs returned to their seats and hung up more posters and challenged the government to remove them if possible. But the government side did not take up the challenge. The posters, hung on the tables of the UNP Parliamentarians criticised the government's 5th Budget and the celebrations to mark the 4th anniversary of President Chandrika Kumaratunga taking her oaths as the head of state and government. When the House resumed business about 15 minutes later Tyronne Fernando MP, raising a point of order told the Deputy Speaker who was presiding that the crossing of the floor while the House is in session was a violation of Standing Order 85(2) and demanded that government MPs who did so be dealt with. John Amaratunga MP backed Tyronne Fernando's call. Deputy Speaker Anil Moonesinghe appealed for calm. Decorum of the House asked both sides of the House to forget the incident and help continue the business of the day. He observed that the incident as well as the reasons that led to it were both regrettable and an insult to parliament. Education and Higher Education Minister Richard Pathirana said that government MPs assaulted an opposition MP during the UNP rule and warned the UNP against resorting to such actions. After throwing invectives at each other, calm returned and House resumed business. In the morning Speaker K. B. Ratnayake suspended the sitting of Parliament for 15 minutes amid shouting from both sides when the UNP parliamentary group stood showing up posters with slogans criticising the fifth budget of the government and the celebrations to mark the 4th anniversary of the President taking her oaths as head of state and the government. Fourth suspect in Rita John rape, murder
case turns crown witness The fourth suspect in the abduction, rape and murder of Rita John yesterday became crown witness in the case following the handing over of documents signed by him to the Colombo Additional Chief Magistrate Premadasa Punchihewa. Lakshman Perera is the fourth suspect (earlier first suspect) remanded in connection with the abduction of the young Indian bride Rita John while she was strolling on the beach with her husband at Crow Island in Mattakkuliya. Yesterday he handed over a signed document which indicated his agreement to appear as witness for the prosecution and also his agreement to the conditions put forward by the Attorney General. The documents were also signed by two other witnesses. The Attorney General ordered the three suspects to be indicted before a trial-at-bar considering the brutal nature of the murder. A report on the medical examination by dental surgeon Reggie Gunatilleke which was ordered to be produced by the Magistrate at the last hearing was not produced yesterday. No reason for this was given . The Magistrate ordered that the report be produced soon. On the request of the State Counsel the Magistrate further ordered the teeth marks of the suspects following the examination be compared with those found on the right upper body of Jude Mohan Manoharan, the husband of Rita. Inspector of police W. M. Chandratilleke said that the beach at Crow Island was cleared. Further hearing of the case was fixed for November 26. Wasantha Navaratne Bandara senior state counsel appeared for the prosecution. Counsel Yaliya Samarasinghe appeared for the first three suspects Ajith Fernando, K. B. W. Basil Mendis and P. Chaminda Fernando. Anton Senanayake appeared for Lakshman Perera. South development given top priority "I know that Hambantota district received step motherly treatment during the 17-year U.N.P. regime. To help the masses of Hambantota district I created the Southern Development Authority. No such institution was given to the North. From its inception I got down the chairman of the S.D.A. to review its progress. But later I came to realise that those appointed to it had ruined it and lot of money had been wasted for doing nothing. They failed to account for the colossal amount of money spent by them. So I had to senD 90% of the S.D.A. staff home and now I have appointed another batch, comprising those who are not from Colombo. I have instructed them not to invite me for laying any foundation till the projects are completed", said President Chandrika Kumaratunga when addressing S.L.F.P. delegates at Tangalle on Wednesday. Mrs. Kumaratunga said that the U.N.P. in its 17-year regime had denied the basic rights to the masses in the Hambantota district. She said that before the last Presidential elections she promised to do away with terrorism and corruption in this country. She said that the masses will appreciate the change after P.A. took over. There are no more tyre pyres and the corruption that prevailed then too has decreased to a great extent. As I promised, a number of Special Presidential CommissionS, were appointed to look into the excesses said to have been done by the Police Army and the U.N.Pers during U.N.P. rule. She said that the reports are with her and appropriate action would be taken against the wrong-doers in the near future. The President said that the U.N.P. started terrorism. Former President R. Premadasa gave L.T.T.E. weapons and money. Former U.N.P. Minister Sirisena Cooray was also behind that "deal" she alleged. She said that when she took over the government for eight months she tried to solve the ethnic problem through negotiation with the L.T.T.E., but they did not agree. Presently 80% of the north is under government control and the balance area will also be brought under government control soon, she said. Due to the lack of development of the country during the U.N.P. rule it is difficult to solve the unemployment problem. When the P.A. came to power 8 1/2 lakhs of youth were unemployed and every year 125,000 joined their ranks and finally it reached upto 13 lakhs after four years. Out of that number the PA has given jobs to 7 lakhs and out of the remaining number through self-employment schemes a considerable number of them have secured a source of livelihood. By giving 30,000 Samurdhi appointments, the number of unemployed was further reduced, President Kumarathunga noted. On the question of unemployed graduates, P.A. government had taken three steps. When the P.A. took over the rein there were 8,000 graduates who were given jobs by the U.N.P. for a salary of Rs. 2,500 per month on a temporary basis. Those graduates were made permanent with an increased salary in keeping with their qualifications. Through "Tharuna Aruna" also government tried to solve the unemployment problem to a certain extent. For this the private sector is involved. Under this scheme they are to get a higher salary than a government servant would get. But only 25 graduates had opted to accept that offer. Thirdly, by providing loans at a low interest through "Sura Thura" scheme government tried to give opportunities for them to engage in self-employment projects but there was no satisfactory response for that too and now they are fasting on the road, the President said. Writ application of Dilan Perera The Court of Appeal, yesterday, issued notice on UNP, National List Member of Parliament, Rajitha Senaratne, the General Secretary of the UNP, Gamini Athukorale, the Secretary General of Parliament Bertram S. B. Tittawella, the Commissioner of Elections, Dayananda Dissanayake and the Attorney General. The notice was issued in respect of a writ application filed by P.A. Member of Parliament for Badulla District, Dilan Perera. The petition said that Rajitha Senaratne, being a Member of Parliament had entered into contracts with state institutions to supply dental equipment, and that, thereby, the public office held by Senaratne, should be voided, abiding by Articles 91 (1) (e) and Article 66 (d) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Wijedasa Rajapakse, senior counsel for the petitioner (Dilan Perera) in supporting the application said that, being a Member of Parliament, the first respondent should safeguard the interests of the public. He should not attempt to benefit by entering into business contracts with the state institutions. The office in parliament of Senaratne should be voided, since he had acted in breach of Article 91 (1) (e). Mr. Rajapakse appeared with Mrs. Suneetha Guneratne, Nihal Bamunuarachchi, Dhammika Abeygunewardene, Kapila Liyanagamage and Tilak Attanayake, instructed by Sripathi Sooriarachchi, for the petitioner, Dilan Perera. K. N. Choksy, P.C., was senior counsel for the first respondent, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and the second respondent Gamini Athukorale. Mr. Choksy submitted to court that the petition has no merit either in law or in fact. The petitioner has failed to submit to court, the basic business registration certificate, which will identify, the company mentioned in the petition. The registration of a partnership by Rajitha Senaratne is not established by a lawful registration certificate. The state institution has recognised that the said company, was not disqualified from supplying dental material, on tender award. When the contract is between a company and the state, the petitioner could not hold Rajitha Senaratne is personally responsible, in respect of any contract, Mr. Choksy said. K. N. Choksy PC, appeared with Daya Pelpola, Henry Jayamaha, Ronald Perera, Laxman Perera, and Mrs. K. Wijetunga, instructed by Samararatne Associates, for the first two respondents, Senaratne and Athukorale. Notice on behalf of them was accepted by counsel. Notice in respect of the other three respondents will be returnable on December 2. The bench comprised, Justice H. S. Yapa and Justice Upali de Z. Gunewardene. The petitioner reserved the right to move for interim relief, later on. Cholera patient prefers to relax at home A patient suffering from cholera had run away from the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Angoda last Monday. A frantic search was made for the man, a resident of Mattakkuliya, but by then he has gone, CMC health authorities said. Alarmed health officers who then made a beeline to his house at Kelani Ganga Moya road, found him relaxing. He was brought back to hospital immediately in an ambulance with the help of the local police, the sources said. Hospital ward employees have been asked to keep an eye on the man in case he decides to go back to the comfort of his home to relax and watch the world go by. Treasure
hunters nabbed KANDY: A five-member gang was taken into custody by the Udadumbara police in a dawn raid last Wednesday while they were waiting for the auspicious time to blast a rock under a waterfall in search of a treasure, including 'Kahawanu' hidden during the time of Sri Wickremarajasinghe, the last king of Kandy. On a tip-off police party led by IP Athula Amarasinghe, OIC Udadumbara police, captured the gang near the Rambukpitiya waterfall around 2.00 a.m. A large haul of implements including mammoties, crow-bars, buckets and sledge hammers were also taken into custody police said. The suspects were later produced before the Teldeniya Magistrate D. M. Siriwardena who remanded them till November 25. Rights plea before SC over refusal to
give leave to ASP The fundamental rights application filed by Assistant Superintendent of Police M. Thuraisingham challenging the decision of the Defence Secretary refusing him overseas leave to participate at the World Conference of International Police Association held at Athens during the first week of November this year was granted leave to proceed by the Supreme Court last week. The bench comprised Chief Justice G. P. S. de Silva, Justice Priyantha Perera and Justice Dr. Shiranie Bandaranayaka. The application was supported by petitioner's senior counsel C. V. Vivekanandan. Mr. Vivekanandan submitted that the International Police Association, a major police organisation in the world was founded in 1950. Ever since its inauguration it has held World Conferences. Its 28th conference was held at Athens from October 31 to November 5, 1998. The Committee of the International Police Association selected DIG N. de S. Gunatillake, DIG S. G. Randeni, DIG B. M. Liyanage, Retired DIG M. D. Perera, Retired DIG T. T. Canagaratnam, ASP M. Thuraisingham, ASP R. E. Chitrajan, SSP K. Wickrematunga, SP P. Samarakoon, and IP M. A. Majeed to represent the Sri Lankan section of the Association. The petitioner made an application for overseas leave to the Defence Secretary through the IGP. The Defence Secretary failed to apply the rules of consistency when he was refused the overseas leave to the petitioner, Mr. Vivekanandan concluded. C. V. Vivekanandan with V. Puvitharan, Mrs. P. N. Joseph and R. Ragurajah, instructed by Miss Thilaka Subramaniam, appeared for the petitioner. Attempt to resuscitate dead child fails A strange story of an attempt by relatives to revive a 7-year-old girl pronounced dead by doctors has caused a sensation in the area. Chilaw DMO, Dr. Ratnayake said that a seven-year-old girl, Champika Harshini from Miriswatte, Kumarakattuwa had been admitted to Chilaw hospital at 4.20 a.m. on November 10, after being bitten by a snake. But the child had died on admission. The hospital authorities had removed the body to the mortuary and had informed the relatives who had then come and taken over the body. While the body was laid in the coffin a person under the influence of liquor, who was a relative of the victim had accidentally knocked against the coffin causing the head of the body to turn to a side. Another person who had seen the head turning assured that the child was still alive had taken the child to a local ayurvedic snake bite specialist. He had attempted to revive the child without results. It only delayed the burial of the child, he said. Chopper
escapes narrowly A low flying helicopter had a narrow shave when it suddenly emerged over a river bund while 140 policemen were on target practice at the Saliyapura army gro-unds in Anuradhapura on Sunday afternoon, police said. At that time soldiers were firing at "targets" on the bund from a distance of about 100 yards. On seeing the Chopper Sergeant Major Tudor Perera who was assisting the training immediately signalled police personnel to stop firing.Sgt. Major Perera told "The Island" that they used live ammunition for practices and the helicopter which suddenly appeared over the river bund had a narrow escape. JVP challenges PC Elections Amendment
Bill before SC The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has filed an application in the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the Bill titled, "Provincial Council Election (Special Provisions)", which was recently tabled in Parliament. This Bill is meant "to make provisions enabling the Commissioner of Elections to fix a new date for the elections, in respect of five Provincial Councils. The Bill does not bear endorsement, that it is urgent in the national interest, in terms of Article 122 of the Constitution, the application said. Clause 3 of the Bill revives the nomination papers already submitted and accepted for the respective elections, but permits the substitution for the names of candidates appearing in such nomination papers, the names of another candidate, the application said. This provision is an ad hoc change to the electoral process and is inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution and the constitution as a whole. The proposal for the substitution of a candidate is an unwarranted ad hoc amendment to section 23 of the Provincial Councils elections Act with the intention of favouring a political party, which may not have fielded candidates in all seriousness, for the August election and is therefore inconsistent with Article 12 of the Constitution. In view of the aforesaid irregularities, the petition had said that the Bill is not constitutional and could be made law, only by a two third majority in Parliament or through a referendum, before the people. The JVP has requested the Supreme Court to entertain the petition and to determine that the said Provisions of the Bill needs a two-third majority or an approval by the people at a referendum. The respondent is the Attorney General. Miss Lilanthi de Silva, Attorney-at-Law had filed the petition, on the instructions of the petitioner, the JVP. The five provinces which are to face a poll are, Uva, Central, North Central, Sabaragamuwa and the Western Province. ADIC wins IFNGO outstanding project award The Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) has won a prestigious award by the International Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations (IFNGO) for the prevention of Drug and Substance use, at their bi-annual sessions currently being held in Bangkok, Thailand. This award has been presented to the most outstanding project successfully completed by its member states during 1997. This project was initiated by ADIC at the request of the Plantation Housing and Social Welfare Trust (PHSWT), with the objective of reducing problems related to substance use among the plantation workforce in the Hapugastenne Estate in the Ratnapura District. The successful results were achieved with the co-operation of the Superintendent and staff of the Hapugastenne Estate during 1996/1997. A reduction in the use of tobacco and alcohol, decline of aggressive behaviour and number of injured persons admitted to the estate hospital, a low rate of absenteeism among the workforce, decrease of sale points of illicit liquor from 28 to 8, increase in school attendance, community acceptance that substance use is meaningless and increase in savings and purchasing power, were among the outstanding results of this project. The evaluation results were endorsed by the Management of the Estate. Thus the project succeeded in stopping the apathy in the problems arising out of alcohol use in the Hapugastenne Estate. Phase II of the project commenced in 1998 following the successful results of phase1 (Press release). Scheme to solve water problem in Habaraduwa electorate Galle: Indika Gunawardane, Minister of Housing and Urban Development said that a project will be implemented shortly to solve the water problem in the Habaraduwa electorate. He further said that the P.A. government has done a great deal in the spheres of electricity and water supply by contributing largely towards the development of the country in general during its four years in office. The Minister said so at a function held in connection with the ceremonial opening of the ''Jana Udana'' Gammanaya, in Sirimavopura, at Dikkumbura. The Minister also handed over the keys of the 150 houses to their recipients. He also said that though the previous UNP government said that it would launch three housing projects to solve the housing problem, but nothing was done. Their mentioning of expensive housing projects was only a boast but the PA govt. has a feasible housing plan to build 50,000 houses this year. The National Housing Authority is striving hard to grant 42,000 families the due loans within the stipulated time. The previous government did not give an inch of L.R.C. lands, to the poor, but gave large extents of land to business magnates. Statistics relating to these irregularities, would be disclosed. Piyasena Gamage Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Power said that every village in the Galle district would be provided electricity by the year 2,000. A national electricity system would be brought about to supply electricity to every village and every house. We have completed 1250 electrification projects within this period of four years. We had successfully completed at least the electrification project and in each electorate we had also supplied roofing sheets and tiles to the poor under our housing scheme. Galle District M.P. Nanda Gunasinghe said, that the main problems that confronted the housing scheme, was the lack of suitable lands. A large number of persons were landless and it was a serious set back. The previous govt. ejected the occupants from their own lands and gave them to their supporters. S.P.C. member A. G. D. Piyasiri and P.S. Chairman Habaraduwa J. W. D. Jayawickrama also spoke. |
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