UNP wants govt to withdraw currency issued contrary to monetary law
Sumadhu WeerawarnaThe United National Party yesterday called for the withdrawal of currency which they contend had been issued in violation of procedures prescribed by the monetary law.
They alleged that the currency dated August 19, 1994 and issued under the hand of the Minister of Finance Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had been backdated to coincide with the swearing in of Mrs. Kumaratunga as the Premier in violation of procedures set out in the monetary law.
Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku presenting several ten rupee notes issued in such manner on August 19, 1994, yesterday at a press conference at the official residence of the opposition leader said that they had first taken a political step and would even consider resorting to legal action. He pointed out that the issuance of currency in what would be through extra-procedural means had undermined the confidence in the country’s currency which he said, was the symbol of financial stability in a country. He called for an apology from the President as the Finance Minister under whose hand such currency had been issued, more over the withdrawal of all such currency issued.
In terms of the Monetary Law currency is issued on the decision of the three-member Monetary Board consisting the Governor of the Central Bank who acts as its chairperson and the Secretary to the Treasury who are ex-officio members and an appointed member.
Parliamentarian Sarath Kongahage who explained the legal background to the alleged violation said that in terms of the provisions it was the Monetary Board that had first to decide the issuance of currency, following which the Minister of Finance had to approve it in writing. This, he said followed the calling for a quotation from the printer after which the money would be printed.
Mr. Kongahage noted that the date on which the currency had been issued, August 19, 1998, there had been the gazette notification of the dissolution of the cabinet of ministers and the appointment of a new one. This, he said necessarily meant that the secretaries to the various ministries including that of Finance ceased to hold such posts in terms of article 52 (3) of the constitution, leading to the impossibility of a properly constituted Monetary Board taking a decision to print currency.
This he said necessarily had to be followed with the approval of the Minister of Finance in writing, and she herself took office on the 22, three days after the issuance of the currency. In such light, he said that the only possibility was that the decision to print the currency had been taken subsequently and had been implemented with retrospective effect in violation of monetary provisions.
He was categorical that there was no provision to effect such a decision in retrospect and also that to do so would be to invalidate the currency. This in a sense raises suspicion as to the validity of the currency and even raises the question whether it is counterfeit. This is an offence punishable under the Penal Code for which those reponsible including the printer can be taken to court, he added.
Asked if it was not possible that Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga as the Finance Minister had effected a decision taken by the Monetary Board prior to the dissolution of the cabinet on August 19, Mr. Kongahage responded that in such a case the currency would have to be issued under the hand of the Finance Minister holding office at the time, who was in fact the President D. B. Wijetunge.
Dr. Kodituwakku pointed out that such bungling amounted to the mismanagement of the finances of the country. He added that he was unaware whether other such notes had been issued, and also about the total value of the currency issued in such manner.
Tigers delay Lanka war solution
COLOMBO, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka’s ethnic war has continued mainly because of the refusal by Tamil Tiger rebels to negotiate a political solution, a report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Wednesday.
"As long as the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) remains implacable in its refusal to accept any political solution short of a separate state and engages in armed violence to support its position, it is difficult to end the conflict situation," the National Human Development Report on Sri Lanka said.
The LTTE have been fighting government troops for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in Sri Lanka’s north and east since 1983.
The document has been compiled by a group of independent experts and the UNDP said in a preface that while it and the government have supported the report they do not necessarily agree with its analysis and conclusions, which remain the responsibility of the authors.
The report said it was important for a broad consensus on a political solution to the conflict among the people of the country, including the government and other political parties.
"The devolution proposals of the government, which envisage extensive devolution of power to regions, may form a basis for a political solution to the secessionist conflict," the report said.
"However, the LTTE has not shown itself willing to accept a political solution. Instead, it has insisted on obtaining a separate ‘Eelam State’."
The devolution proposals of the ruling People’s Alliance are currently stuck in parliament for want of a two-thirds majority vote.
The main opposition United National Party has declined to help the government push through the constitutional reforms, saying it was necessary to strengthen the centre, rather than give more powers to the regions.
The UNDP report said the LTTE had deliberately targeted institutions in areas outside the north-eastern provinces.
"These attacks appear to be aimed at weakening the economy of the country by destroying assets and infrastructure, deterring foreign investment and harming tourism," the report said.
It said it was important for expatriate Tamils, international governments and diplomatic circles to exert pressure on the rebels to cease violence and negotiate a political settlement rather than "insist on a separate state".
The leader of the LTTE said last week he was willing to hold initial talks with the government to create a climate of goodwill before entering into formal peace negotiations.
"We want political negotiations to be held in an atmosphere of peace and normalcy, free from the conditions of war, military aggression and economic blockade," Vellupillai Prabhakaran said in a speech to mark the end of Heroes’ Week commemorating rebels killed in the war against government troops.
"We are prepared to engage in initial talks to discuss the removal of such pressures and to work out a basic framework for political negotiations," he added.
The government is yet to formally respond to Prabhakaran’s speech, but the state-owned Sunday Observer quoted officials as saying that "given the fluid situation of the conflict the government needed to be flexible in its stance".
Sri Lankan troops are in the 17th month of trying to wrest control of a key northern highway from the rebels, a campaign which has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.
No low quality drugs imported but shortfalls in cold storage, says minister
by Danielle BoekelMinister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Nimal Siripala De Silva yesterday denied allegations of the import of low quality drugs to Sri Lanka.
He told a press conference at the Health Ministry that these allegations were false and baseless. He said that a meeting had been held with the Government Pharmacists Association on Tuesday to clarify these reports and the said allegations were vehemently denied at this meeting. It was revealed nevertheless that there were some shortfalls arising in the cold storage of pharmaceuticals and these problems would be looked into, the minister assured.
He said that more than 800 different types of pharmaceuticals are imported into the country by the state and private sectors. Each item has to conform to a series of tests and be registered with the Drugs Regulatory Authority. For testing purposes, random samples are taken from the pharmaceuticals that are brought in.
" There is no procedure available anywhere in the world to test each and every item" Minister de Silva said. Drugs tested have to conform to the criteria adopted internationally and locally and 98% of drugs in the country meet this requirement, the minister added. He did however admit that the storage of pharmaceuticals was not entirely fool-proof.
Seven hundred and forty drugs were imported by the State Pharmaceutical Corporation last year of which 2% were rejected as not being of required standards. In 1998, around 780 drugs were brought into the country and 3% of these failed to be of quality.
Veytex closes shop
by Harini Dias BandaranayakeThe Veyangoda Textile Industry, Veytex, has halted production on Tuesday due to financial constraints, Mill Manager K. P. G. Wickremaratne, said yesterday.
Veytex had been under financial strain for the past five months. As a result of lack of sufficient finances, Veytex Textiles found it difficult to buy the necessary cotton used for spinning. This affected the other areas of textile weaving and processing as well, he told ‘The Island’
An added disadvantage, Mr. Wickremaratne said, the Veytex Textile industry faced was competing with the imported textile market which is being brought down tax free. He said that the industry had been running at a loss, as a result, during the previous few months.
This loss was also due to the duty free policy which the government brought into effect last year with regard to imported textiles. The company union as well as other officials were at present appealing to the government to reach a solution with regard to the continuation of production, Mr. Wickremaratne said.
A Director of the Veyangoda Textile Industry, when contacted, said that the news propagated that the factory had closed down was completely incorrect. She confirmed that production was at a temporary standstill.
Mr. Wickremaratne further said, that the management had not come to a decision so far as to what action they intend to take in the future regarding the stoppage of production.
Oil tanks destroyed by LTTE in 1995
Restoration work to be completed by October next year
by Shakuntala PereraThe restoration of storage facilities of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation at Orugodawatte and Kolonnawa will be completed and ready for commissioning by October next year, Chairman of the CPC, Anil Obeysekera said.
Thirteen storage tanks of diesel, aviation fuel, gas and kerosene were destroyed by the LTTE in a devastating attack in October 1995.
The total cost of Rs. 2100 million for the restoration project is partly funded by a loan by the Asian Development Bank and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, to the Chairman told ‘The Island’.
"Part of the cost of restoration is met by way of a US$ 24 million loan from the Asian Development Bank and the balance a Rs. 1600 million from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. The storage facilities will be ready for service by October next year, Mr. Obeysekera said.
The Project Officer of the Restoration project, A. D. S. Herath said that 40% of the construction work has already been completed.
"We started work in 1996 and the design team appointed by the CPC completed the task by end of that year. During 1996 and 1997 we were able to complete the tender procedures of evaluation and award of contract to the Chinese firm, China Huanqui Chemical Engineering Corporation," he added.
Two restored tanks at Orugodawatte will be ready for use in early March next year, while two other tanks at Kolonnawa will be completed by February, he said.
"The rest of the tanks will be completed by the end of October next year, if the weather permits", Mr. Herath explained.
According to him the three newly restored tanks at Orugodawatte will have a total storage capacity of 40,000 mcu, and the six tanks at Kolonnawa of diesel, gas, aviation fuel and kerosene a total storage capacity of 80,000 .
The chairman said a further six tanks to be built at Sapugaskanda will also be completed by end next year.
"The proposed mini terminal at Sapugaskanda will be completed by October 1999. It will be equipped with an administration block, a truck loading facility, a power intake and a fire fighting facility. The storage facility will have a capacity to hold 30,000 mcu of kerosene and diesel. This is a completely new installation as part of a decentralization plan of the CPC," he noted.
It is reported that the demand for petroleum products is expected to grow at 7.9% with one tenth of the import bill of the country going for petroleum products.
Meanwhile the demand for liquid petroleum gas is reported to have grown by a 18% while kerosene oil has seen a growth of 7%.
The CPC is also reported to estimate a sale of 3.15 million tons of petroleum products for the current year, with an estimated revenue of Rs. 49 billion.
Petroleum products have also contributed to approximately 30% of the energy consumption annually.
Export earnings and sales are expected to be over Rs. 40 billion .
Lanka Muditha sails again from Trinco
(From K. Thambirajah in Trincomalee)Lanka Muditha sailed from Trincomalee to Kankesanthurai on Tuesday evening carrying 500 passengers for Jaffna. This included 250 Jaffna residents who had earlier booked the passage, and 250 Jaffna refugees who were accommodated at the 3rd mile post Upuveli Refugee Camp. Preference was given to university students, government servants and sick persons, official sources said.
There are 263 Jaffna refugees still to be accommodated at the refugee camp at 3rd Mile Post, Uppuveli awaiting ship services. They were brought from Vavuniya and Mannar one month ago and kept at this camp.
In addition to this there are more than 3,000 Jaffna residents who have booked the passage. Meanwhile ‘Lanka Muditha’ is expected to return to Trincomalee to carry some more passengers.
Ranil speaks on Chandrika and ‘my uncle’s papers’
(By Piyasena Dissanayake)"The administration in whole of Sri Lanka today has broken down due to inefficient leadership. In order to revive the country from this situation a village level government with more decentralised power should be set up" said Ranil Wickremesinghe leader of the United National Party addressing meetings last week when he visited Bundala, Palle Malagama, Bandagiriya and Udamalagama the backward villages in Hambantota district.
Addressing these meetings the UNP leader further stated: "People voted this government into power with high expectations.
Alas The government was unable to fulfil any of said expectations. The tangible change the leaders of the People’s Alliance promised has not yet been fulfilled. Though four years had elapsed since this government came over they only speak of corruptions committed during the UNP regime.
It was one of the national newspapers of this country that initiated vital action to promote the present leadership to come to power. If not for that national newspaper Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga would be nowhere in the political field.
A news item appeared in that particular national newspaper last week to the effect that the Inland Revenue Department was calling for particulars of bank accounts having more than rupees 100,000 in the accounts. But the President in a speech at Galle declared that this was a false report. She also alleged that it was the work of Ranil using his uncle’s newspapers.
But when we inquired from Deputy Minister of Finance, Prof. G. L. Peiris, in the Parliament regarding this issue he admitted that the Finance Ministry had ordered the Inland Revenue Department to elicit particulars of bank accounts having rupees 100,000 and over in the accounts.
So the versions of the "President and the Deputy Minister of Finance differ. The Deputy Minister is revealing the true fact but the President is hiding it. This shows that the President is ignorant of happenings in her ministry. But she informs the world that she works 24 hours a day and that she was one person who knows everything.
It was the "Lankadeepa" newspapers that showed the people of Sri Lanka that Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga was a very capable person. That newspaper belongs to my uncle, Ranjith Wijewardena. There is a saying in the world that "you inherit relatives, but friends are selected."
Ranjith Wijewardena is a relative of mine. But he associated with Chandrika Kumaratunga and Wijeya Kumaratunga as friends. He was very close to them. Chandrika Kumaratunga and Wijeya Kumaratunga even spent their honeymoon in a residence belonging to my uncle. They had such a close friendship. But today she finds fault with me for what is appearing in that newspaper.
When Wijeya Kumaratunga was sent to jail, on my uncle’s request I pursued action to get him released. When Wijeya and Chandrika Kumaratunga left Sri Lanka Freedom Party it was my uncle through his newspapers helped Wijeya Kumaratunga to obtain posters. It was done because of friendship. When Wijeya died Chandrika Kumaratunga gave up politics and went abroad. At that time it was Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Anura Bandaranaike who were looking after the interest of the SLFP.
At that time it was not the Sri Lanka Freedom Party that initiated action to carry our propaganda work for Chandrika Kumaratunga in Sri Lanka but it was this particular newspaper. A column had been kept reserved in this newspaper for Chandrika Kumaratunga. It was at this time that this newspaper revealed certain facts about threats on the life of Chandrika Kumaratunga while she was in London. But it was found to be false. It had been done to boost the image of Chandrika Kumaratunga, it was later found out.
So it was these peoples who wanted to uplift Chandrika Kumaratunga at the expense of Anura Bandaranaike.
It was again my uncle’s paper that promoted the Chandrika Kumaratunga as the Chief Minister, Prime Minister and the Presidential candidate long before the People’s Alliance took a decision.
After this government came into power several persons were given high positions in the Lake House.
Those days certain newspapers announced that the government would sweep the board at Pradesheeya Sabha elections. But, ‘Lankadeepa’ newspaper said that Chandrika Kumaratunga would sweep the board. So it is very clear how far this newspapers had supported Chandrika Kumaratunga.
It is ‘Lankadeepa’ newspaper that promoted a person who can speak today only of corruption and insurgency. But sad to say, this very person running down the newspaper which brought him to this position today. But I am against the use of my name for what is printed in that newspaper.
I have to say certain facts about "Divaina" newspapers also. This paper was started by Upali Wijewardena, who too is an uncle of mine.
After his demise, Seevali Ratwatte an uncle of Chandrika Kumaratunga succeeded Upali Wijewardena. What ‘Divaina’ newspaper did was to attack the UNP government. The President is holding her post today because of the support given to her by newspapers belonging to my relatives. Today she is finding fault with me because of these newspapers.
Today the country has deteriorated due to the incapability of the leadership of the government.
It is the UNP under my leadership has to restore the country and its people. I will accept this challenge to chase away the incapable leadership and restore the country.
Member of Parliament, Vajira Abeywardena, speaking said the government has given wrong information to the people regarding the north - east war. The government says one thing about the North-East war while the world media say a different thing. The people therefore are unable to know the true situation of the war.
Sajith Premadasa, President, UNP Bala Mandalaya, Suriyawewa, Hambantota said:
After independence different political parties formed government and carried out the administration of the country. Of them it was the UNP that governed the country for a longer period.
Today the people of this country are faced with many problems. Poverty is on the increase. No reasonable income for a proper living. No jobs. When considering these factors our country is going down while other countries in the world are prospering.
Member of Parliament, Mervyn Silva, said the development projects promised by the government to uplift the living conditions of people in Hambantota have not yet been launched. Today the people are living amidst several difficulties. No solutions are forthcoming to those problems.
Members of Parliament, D. M. Bandaranaike, Lucky Jayawardena, Dr. Jeyalath Jayawardena and Ananda Priyanath of the National Youth Front also participated on this occasion.
Fair Trading Commission: Lion without teeth says Chairman FTC
by Himangi JayasundereThe only consumer item which comes under the ambit of price control at present is pharmaceuticals. Unlike earlier traders need not get prior approval from the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) before jacking up prices of essential items. It was like having the lion’s teeth removed, FTC Chairman D. J. Pathirana said.
In an interview with "The Island" Mr. Pathirana said that following the Industrial Promotion Act No. 46 of 1990 being substituted by Sections 18 to 26 of the Fair Trading Commission Act, 47 essential items which came under price control were repealed.
He admitted that consumers suffered as the commission was unable to find out whether a price revision was reasonable. Our powers were curtailed and the paramount objectives of the Act which were envisaged by the drafters were not in a position to be achieved due to this revocation, Mr. Pathirana added.
He said that the FTC had a role to play in the importing of pharmaceutical items and locally manufactured pharmaceuticals.
When asked how pharmaceutical items sold at Osu Sala are less in price than those at other pharmacies, the General Secretary of FTC, R. Muhandiramge said that this was mainly based on the source and the fluctuation of the currency.
He said that Osu Sala imported pharmaceuticals based on its generic name, while private companies did so under brand names.It was explained that this was because private companies promoted the products of their principals and doctors played a role in this situation, because they were in the habit of prescribing drugs by their brand or commercial names.
This puts the consumer in a position where he cannot select on his own, he said.
Mr. Pathirana said that this area has been discussed at length by the Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Prof. Colvin Guneratne and Dr. Kanishka Weerasuriya of the Drugs Evaluating Committee. He said that this was especially relevant as 65% of the country’s population lived below the poverty line.
Apart from the formulation and implementation of a national price policy the other main areas coming under the purview of the FTC are monopolies, mergers and anti competitive practices. If such a situation is detrimental to society the FTC has provision to investigate and pronounce judgement. The FTC has the full powers of a district court in this context, Mr. Pathirana said
Before investigations are conducted, the two main units of the commission, the restrictive business practices unit and the pricing unit, collect data and submit a preliminary report to the governing board comprising of eight professionals who are from various fields. The board has the powers of a District Court to give a hearing to the case and pronounce a judgement, he said.
Mr. Pathirana further said that the FTC has the right to summon witnesses or documentation regarding any case they are handling. Anyone who fails to comply will be treated as contempt of court.
Mr. Muhandiramge said that the FTC had sorted out 8 cases this year.At present they are working on three more. It was pointed out that sometimes sufficient evidence is not found and thus cases meet a dead wall. He said that they receive 8-10 complaints a day. It is a mandatory requirement of any company that is planning to merge to inform the FTC 30 days prior to the merge or aquisition.
Giving an example of how a merger could be detrimental to the public, the Chairman said that through a merger, a company could gain dominant power by acquiring a majority of market share, crippling competitors and jacking up prices as and when they want and thus exploit and manupulate the market. The FTC ensures healthy competition and a level playing field, he said.
He stressed that awareness programmes to educate the public on their consumer rights were important." In India a multinational corporation which tried to exploit consumers was taken before the District Court by consumer resistance movements and the affected consumers received compensation.
According to a decision taken by the government steps are also being taken to amalgamate the Fair Trading Commission with the Department of Internal Trade. The two main reasons for this have been because the objectives of both institutions are to protect the consumer and because many matters are overlapping in the provisions of the Act and confuse consumers,he added.
Mr.Pathirana said that this amalgamation was in the manifest. A task force was appointed by the minister of trade. A bill was drafted and received approval by the cabinet and the legal draftsman.It has now been sent to the Attorney General to ascertain if it is consistent with the constitutional objectives he said. This consumer protection authority bill would thereafter be placed before parliament.
The new authority bill envisages to go in to the lost powers which the FTC had and also restore the right powers and proper expertise from which consumers can benefit.
President warns MPs’, ministers not to keep away from parliament sessions
By Shan WijetungaPresident Chandrika Kumaratunga is contemplating action against all government parliamentarians including ministers who keep away from parliamentary sessions. This was revealed by the President at the government parliamentary group meeting early this week at the parliamentary complex.
In her speech the President stressed the need for all ministers to ensure that they attend parliamentary sessions and thereby set an example to other members of the government parliamentary group, political sources said.
The President was armed with facts and figures relating to attendance of government members obtained from parliament.
When certain ministers pointed out that they had to attend various functions and meetings that had been arranged earlier the President warned them that they should not undertake such assignments on the days parliament is in session, according to these sources.
'Condom balloons' burst on World AIDS Day
From Cyril WimalasurendreKANDY: Bursting of inflated condoms by over 1000 young men and women was one of the striking features at Tuesday’s seminar to mark the World AIDS Day at the Kandyan Art Association Cultural Centre. The seminar was organised by a committee of Non. Governmental Organisations.
Condoms were distributed among the participants of the seminar and Dr. E. K. Rodrigo, Senior Lecturer, Psychiatrist of the Medical Faculty of the University of Peradeniya demonstrated how a condom can be used to prevent contacting AIDS.
Dr. Rodrigo also showed how a condom could easily be taken out of the paper cover and how it could be tested to find out whether it had a leak. He inflated one by putting it to this lips and blowing.
He asked the young men and women to blow the condoms issued to them and that a prize would be offered to the largest ‘condom balloon’.
Many young men and women began blowing the condoms amidst much noise accompanied by laughter, shrieking and giggling.
Many condoms burst in the process sounding like fire crackers while many other inflated condoms were seen flying over the heads of the youth.
This demonstration was a successful endeavour to dispel the fear and approach to the use of condoms, according to the organisers.
Charred body of hermit monk found in cave
From Sumanasiri, GunatillekaThe charred remains of a Buddhist monk was found by police last Tuesday in a hermitage at Komaligama, Thanamalwila.
The monk was identified as Ven. Horana Sudewa Wimalagnana Thera.
When a group of pilgrims visited the hermitage to offer ‘heel dane’ they had seen smoke emanating from the cave of the hermitage and had informed Thanamalwila police who found the charred remains.
Moneragala District Judge and Magistrate Sisira K. Ratnayake who conducted the magisterial inquiry into the death returned an open vendict. He also ordered that the remains of the monk be sent to Prof. Chandrasiri Niriella of Ruhunu University for a medical report.
Court directs People’s Bank to stay sale of Yasodha Holdings
By Chitra WeerarathneThe Yasodha Holdings (Pvt.) Limited, gave an undertaking to the Court of Appeal yesterday, that the company will pay in instalments, monies due to the People’s Bank. In view of this undertaking the Court of Appeal, directed the People’s Bank, to stay the sale of same land property belonging to the said company, the sale being fixed for 4.12.98, by the respondent Bank.
The Yasodha Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., the petitioner, undertook to pay, Rupees twenty two and a half lakhs, on 3.12.98, and another rupees five millions on or before 9.12.98.
The rest of the payment will be indicated to Court, when the application for a Writ of Certiorari filed by the Yasodha Group of Companies, is called before the Court of Appeal on 10.12.98.
The sales were arranged in respect of land at Kollupitiya, Nuwara Eliya and Hendala, belonging to the said group of companies to recover Rs. 165,000,129. 35 together with accrued interest from 1.1.97, to the date of the sale.
K. N. Choksy, President’s Counsel, yesterday gave the undertaking to the Court of Appeal, that his client, Yasodha Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, of Colombo 3, would deposit rupees twenty lakhs, in the Respondent People’s Bank, yesterday. In addition, the petitioner Yasodha Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd, will also deposit rupees two and a half lakhs, as expenses involved against the sales cost, to the Respondent Bank, on 3.12.98.
The said petitioner will deposit a further rupees five million on or before 9.12.98, with the respondent bank.
The Writ Application filed by Yasodha Holdings Private Limited will be called again on 10.12.98.
Counsel Choksy further said that, his client, the petitioner, will indicate to the Court of Appeal on 10.12.98, further sums and dates on which, he is in a position to pay to the respondent bank, in settlement of this case.
In respect of this undertaking given by the counsel for the petitioner, the Court of Appeal, directed the Respondent People’s Bank to stay the sale fixed for 4.12.98.
E. D. Wikramanayake, vehemently objected to the staying of the sale, scheduled for 4.12.98. He was given time till 20.1.99, to file objections to the petition.
K. N. Choksy PC, with Romesh de Silva PC, Y. Jayasekera, Harsha Amerasekera and V. K. Choksy appeared for the petitioner.
E. D. Wickramanayake PC with Gomin Dayasiri, Kushlan de Alwis, appeared for the respondent Bank.
The Bench comprised Justice H. S. Yapa and Justice Upali de Z. Gunewardene.
UNP MP, Anura Bandaranaike deviated from the prepared text in his speech on the votes of the Foreign Ministry to deal with Prabakaran’s offer of negotiations and said that it has been his personal view for several years that if the majority of the Sinhalese and the LTTE cannot come to an amicable settlement, the services of a facilitator can be acceptable. The LTTE Leader’s offer would be welcomed by the UNP if both parties are agreeable to a facilitator.
This government however remains silent. I believe this is a rare and unique opportunity which should be seized by the government and the opposition.
‘But I sincerely hope Prabakaran is sincere in his offer’, he added.
Ranil says that country cannot be united —Anuruddha Ratwatte
Kalutara: ‘The armed forces captured Jaffna with the purpose of not giving it again to Prabhakaran. There are also resources and power to unite the country. But as Ranil says the country cannot be united. Said general Anuruddha Ratwatta, the Minister of Power and Irrigation and Deputy Minister of Defence after laying the foundations and opening several projects in the Beruwala electorate at a meeting held near the public play-ground in Beruwala. The Deputy Minister also said that there should be politicians who criticise and praise the policies of a government. When the people questioned why a person throws stones at houses, it was the late SWRD Bandaranaike who said that such politicians are needed for politics. But if they act against the law of the land there is a judiciary to punish them.
He also said that it was fortunate for the country, that the government which could have continued for one and half years was dissolved and the people voted for the People’s Alliance to come to power. When the P.A. tookover the government there was only 171 kilometres in the hands of the government in the north and east and there were government agents and divisional secretaries but they obtained instructions from Velupille Prabhakaran with the exception of the armed and police forces.
He further said that in the past a propaganda was spread in the country that the country was famous for killing people and there was propaganda to stop granting foreign aid to the country.
Had we closed camps in the north and east and came to the south Prabhakaran would represent even in the U.N.O. that he would be the Leader of the Eelam State. The President took the initiative to talk to Eelam leaders realizing the economic devastation to the country. But the Tiger leaders rejected and took weapons into their hands and as a result the President took a firm decision to declare war against the Tigers.
When the country was handed over to the P.A. the U.N.P. had spent a massive amount for the war in north and east and the President handed over to us to end the war soon.
‘’We gave self-confidence to the armed forces and continued the war with the same forces and restored normalcy in Jaffna where the people rejected war as they had to suffer. At present there are six lakhs of people in Jaffna and the armed forces are clearing the roads for the people to move freely.
He also said that the defeat of Kilinochchi is not considered as a defeat as still the Tigers possess weapons, vehicles and money given to them when Mr. R. Premadasa was the President. ‘’Prabhakaran tookover 4.5 kilometers in Kilinochchi but it was easier to re-capture it. Criticising the propaganda of the U.N.P. he said that Ranil has become the propaganda officer of the L.T.T.E. and the war is operated by the U.N.P. We have re-captured 90% of land which was under the administration of Prabhakaran but the U.N.P. remains silent for Prabhakaran to rule the country according to its will and pleasure for 13 years. We were victorious during a short period and when the war is ended the money will be used on development.
Mr. Ediriweera Premaratna District Member of Parliament Kalutara said that he invited the Deputy Minister of Defence to show the progress in the Beruwala electorate within a short period.
He also said that the Alutgama bus stand and the Beruwala harbour would be developed soon.’’
Mr. Rohana Abeygunawardhana Chairman Beruwala P.S. Mr. M. Aslam Vice-Chairman, Mr. Nimal Devapriya and Mr. Edmund Fernando also spoke.
