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Govt. decides restrict trishows next
year The government has decided to restrict the importation of three-wheeler taxis from early next year and introduce regulations to instal meters on the existing fleet, Transport and Highways Minister A. H. M. Fowzie disclosed yesterday. The meters will ensure a reasonable fare system which will be beneficial to the people, Minister Fowzie told 'The Island'. He said that there are 69,000 three-wheeler taxis in operation at present and any further imports will only contribute towards aggravating congestion on the roads and creating more traffic snarls. The traffic conditions on the roads today are exasperating and more three-wheelers will mean more and more traffic blocks, the Minister explained. The minister said under the proposed regulations drivers of the three-wheeler taxi will be registered and their names, addresses, NIC numbers and other relevant details will be prominently displayed. This will not only help the people who use them but also go a long way in curbing criminal activities taking place, he added. "This is being done in the interests of everybody and to safeguard lives", Mr. Fowzie pointed out. It will help the government to establish a proper and effective three-wheeler taxi system in the country, he added. It is not easy to eliminate me, says
Thondaman 'Some people are asking for my resignation over the defeat of a vote last Friday, but it is not that easy to eliminate me from my public life', said Minister of Livestock Development and Plantation Infrastructure S. Thondaman in a special statement in Parliament yesterday morning. He further said: 'The question has arisen about the defeat of one of the Heads in the Votes of my ministry. This should not be made capital of and made out to be a very serious matter. Parliament, sitting as a committee, functions as an Advisory Committee, whose advise may or may not be accepted by the House when it sits in session. Here was an occasion on which an Amendment moved without notice was put to the House and was carried through a vote of 34 in favour and 17 against. It was a surprise vote called on an unnotified Amendment. It has been taken so seriously that some people are trying to read into it much more than there is. Some people were asking for my resignation. It is not that easy to eliminate me from my public life on such flimsy grounds as this. I have fought for the rights of workers especially and come a long way since I began. I shall continue to fight so. We have passed the stage, in which there was an element of slavery in this country. Slavery had begun in the West and it was abolished in the last century. Today there is an element of 'slavery' in which workers are taken to the Middle East. These are examples that make human rights prominent nowadays. Survival is for those who work and appear fit to survive, and nobody of whatever race, religion, caste or creed who does not give of his honest labour, will be able to survive. Governments have had adverse votes in this country as long ago as 1864, when in the then legislative council in which there were no elected members, but a majority of officials and a minority of three nominated members, one each to represent the Europeans, Sinhalese and Tamils. Those nominated members headed by Mr. James de Alwis, great-great grandfather of the President, successfuly defeated the government. Then again in 1964 the President's mother's government was defeated by just one vote, on an address of thanks to a speech by the Head of State. But this is not that kind of case. This is what we call a Committee proceeding of allocated time for certain Ministries which are carried on to a time schedule. Amendments without notice, Amendments on the spur of the moment do not result in great damage to any party". Continuing the Minister said: 'To launch this programme the budget allocated a sum of rupees two hundred and five million. That comprehensive programme diligently prepared by my ministry formed the basis for this allocation. It was the expectation of the people that for once a programme was being initiated which in due course would launch the people into the next century. I make bold to say that Independence, which was granted for noble purposes, has been converted into a mockery. The much praised democracy has been perverted to deprive some people of their legitimate entitlements. Poor governance by successive administrations have brought the country to a sorry pass. Two insurgencies in the South and an insurrection in the North have bled the country without limit. The leadership that the CWC has provided to the people of recent Indian origin and the confidence they place in their elected representatives have obviated revolutionary situations in the hill country. Wisdom demands that this uneasy peace be not taken for granted. The seeming calm should lull nobody into a state of complacency. The programme of work I have planned will go on according to schedule. I would, Mr. Speaker, appeal to the House, the House on both sides not to make political and certainly not communal capital out of this question, because, I know anyone who tries to do it inside this chamber, is not reflecting the general feeling in the country. The CWC has ceased to be a mere trade union. It is a political party, which is vocal in parliament and derives additional strength as a partner of the government. It endeavours to seek redress through parliament to remedy past imbalances. In this context the President, being sensitive to the needs of a community deprived of its political rights and therefore denied its due share of the national income came forward boldly to create a new portfolio and to vote funds. The deprivation of one hundred and fifty years need at least ten years for effective remedy. The year 1998 saw the programme being initiated. A comprehensive plan was drawn up for the year 1999'. Act unitedly to defeat, the enemy Lieutenant General Srilal Weerasooriya took over as Army Commander from his predecessor Lt. General Rohan Daluwatte at a ceremony held at the Army Headquarters yesterday. The event which commenced with a parade and a guard of honour was followed by a multi religious function. The new army chief speaking in the presence of the headquarters staff officers said, " we must act unitedly to defeat the enemy to enable an era of peace to dawn for this country. Defeating the enemy is not a task that cannot be achieved. It could be done by careful planning and operations performed tactically with dedication, courage and determination". Later addressing a media conference Army Commander Lt. Gen. Srilal Weerasooriya said, "There is no change in the policy as far as the military objective is concerned. We will defeat those forces who are fighting against the legally instituted government. Every effort will be made to bring a proper environment for political action and peace." Speaking on the changes he hoped to make, the Army Commander said top priority will be given to the training of soldiers. He said, "we have been in battle for the last four years and many trained soldiers have been either injured or killed and they have been replaced by recruits. We have not been able to have a properly conducted training". A soldier will not only be trained but well equipped in terms of equipment, communication and defence tools. Priority will continue to be given for the welfare of the soldiers in battle as well as families of soldiers wounded or killed in action. "This is an area which will otherwise affect the morale of the soldier", Lt. Gen. Weerasooriya said. He further said as the army is large they have to streamline the procedures within the army in terms of administration. "We require a large manpower to exist in the North and East; at least a minimum of 20,000 soldiers - that's two divisions." He said although he was for conscription he did not think it is possible in Sri Lanka as many do not want to join the army for the fear of being killed or being wounded. Thus the only way to improve the military is to improve the training so that it could be compensated with the short fall of manpower. The Army Commander said "my assessment on the ability of the LTTE as a fighting force for the last four years is that it has diminished. " He said the quality of their regiments is low and there are more Tigers surrendering and less younger people joining the LTTE. "The number of hard-core cadres has dwindled as compared to what they had earlier" he said. He said he was fully confident that the army is winning the war in terms of campaign. Taking in to consideration the proportionate losses he said the army will take less time to recuperate. He said "Our task is to defeat the LTTE as a force". As for Prabakaran's recent request for peace talks, Lt. Gen. Weerasooriya said the existing position will have to remain and that the area belonging to the government cannot be handed over to them. They will have to recognize that the legally instituted government as well as the army, police, navy and air force will assist the government to control of the country. The fifth budget of the People's Alliance government was passed with amendments by a majority of 38 votes at the 3rd reading in Parliament yesterday evening. The budget excludes a proposal to increase railway fares which was dropped by the government when the budget proposals were first presented on November 5th and the Votes of the Ministry of Livestock Development and Estate Infra-structure under Head 510 rejected at the Committee Stage on December 11. The amended budget received 124 votes in favour and 86 against. The UNP and the TULF voted against the budget. The CWC and the Northern Tamil parties and the NDNLF voted with the government. Police tear gas and fire at unruly mob A group of persons in Keselwatta, Panadura had gone berserk last Tuesday and thrown stones at the police following an accident in which two small girls were injured in a road accident. The two children were knocked down by a van while crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing. Police opened fire and also used tear gas to disperse the unruly mob and to bring the situation under control. A 26-year-old youth identified as Mohamed Navas was injured in this shooting and admitted to Panadura base hospital, police said. The driver had not stopped the vehicle after the accident but had driven the vehicle to the Keselwatte police station. Some residents who were furious over this incident surrounded Keselwatte police station and demanded that the driver and the van to be handed over to them to "settle matters". As repeated attempts to disperse the crowd peacefully failed, and the mob had started to throw stones at the police station, policemen opened fire and also used tear gas, police officials said. The crowd had then run amok, burning tyres and erecting road blocks, police said. Additional police platoons from Panadura, Kalutara and Mt. Lavinia were moved into the area to restore law and order. Court issues warrant against accused
wanted in UK Colombo High Court Judge Nimal Dissanayake hearing the case of extradition of a lawyer to the United Kingdom issued warrant against the accused, Arulampalam Gangatharan whose whereabouts in Sri Lanka are unknown to the prosecution. A UK court had already issued a warrant on the accused who is indicted with committing the offence of a theft of 99,000 sterling pounds belonging to his client Ashley Smith. The offence had been committed on March 7, 1994 during a transaction made to him by his client for the redemption of a mortgage. Earlier the British High Commission in Sri Lanka had made a request for the extradition of the accused who is said to be in Sri Lanka. This request was made under Law No. 8 of 1977. Thereafter the Attorney General informed the authorities that there was adequate evidence against the accused to warrant his committal by the UK court. Consequently Secretary, Foreign Affairs gave authority to proceed against the accused lawyer, who is a dual national of Sri Lanka and UK. July strikers to continue 'Fast unto
death' The 1980 July Strikers was yesterday on the sixth consecutive day of their fast-unto-death. They are on a death fast on behalf of 7,000 workers who are still on the streets after they lost their jobs eighteen years ago as a result of the then UNP government's actions, W. A. A. P. Amaradivakara, President of the July Strikers' Association said. The fast is continuing in front of the Fort Railway Station. There were two categories of workers appealing for compensation for being forced out of unemployment in 1980. Among them are the 2,000 private sector workers belonging to 22 companies who have yet to receive any form of compensation at all unlike the workers who had recently received some degree of compensation, he said. These workers had appealed for compensation on two previous terms of government, but had been unsuccessful in receiving any. The situation for these unemployed workers has worsened. They are demanding that they be compensated immediately, he said. He said that although many of the July strikers had received compensation earlier there were still 7,000 strikers awaiting an answer for their appeals. On their behalf, 52 workers had volunteered to launch a death fast to appeal for compensation. The strike had initially begun on December 10, World Human Rights Day, he said. Mr. Amaradivakara said that members of the July Strikers' Association had met Labour Minister, John Seneviratne on December 8, and had discussed their grievances with him. Although the Minister had promised to take action to grant compensation for the strikers it had not materialied, he claimed. The fast will continue until they receive just compensation, he added. Six elderly strikers had participated in the fast-unto-death protest, from December 10-12 period but due to bad weather and as a result of the failing health of three of the strikers, they were exempted, he explained. Since then it was decided that the 52 strikers who had volunteered for the protest should continue in turn of 10 strikers per day, he said. The Labour Minister had promised to present the claims of compensation by the strikers to the President. He had said that they should expect their demands to be met, Mr. Amaradivakara added. Appeal to LTTE not to use child soldiers The Parliamentary Lobby for Child Rights has appealed to the LTTE and other armed groups, not to use children as soldiers or to get them involved with the conflict. They also requested the parties in the war to adhere to all the International conventions, treaties and agreements, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child which refer to the children in armed conflict. The Lobby, represented by all the political parties in the country says that the war is a phenomenon created by adults and continue to maintain it to further the interests of adults. Therefore getting children involved in the war by any means is not in accordance with any moral standards. The Lobby emphasise the fact that child soldiers who are in custody should be given proper attention, care and also help them to recover from their present physical and psychological conditions to have their lost childhood back. Children are the ones mostly affected by the war. Future of the country also lies with them. 'Therefore in the name of children in this country the Lobby appeals to all the parties to the conflict to stop this war as soon as possible," it said in a news communique. Two
police officers killed Two policemen serving in Vavuniya died and another two were critically injured when the van they were travelling in, collided with a lorry at Weththiyaya Junction on Galewela- Dambulla road early yesterday. The two police personnel killed in the mishap were Sub Inspector K. M. Athula Bandara and Police Constable Priyantha Kumara. The injured, police constables M. A. A. P. Hewawasam and Shantha Siriwardena, were admitted to Matale base hospital. The police party from Vavuniya had been returning after attending a wedding ceremony of a friend when the mishap occurred. Police investigations are in progress. PLCR's appeal to parties involved in war The Parliamentary Lobby for Child Rights (PLCR) yesterday appealed to all parties involved in the North-East war to adhere to all the International conventions, and especially the convention on the rights of the child. Chairperson of the PLCR Jayalath Jayawardena said that their appeal emphasises on the protection of children since children are the most affected by the war. "The war phenomenon which is created by adults also maintains the interest of adults. Therefore to get children involved with the war by any means is not in accordance with any moral standards. Since we who represent all the political parties appeal to all parties involved in the conflict including the LTTE and other armed groups not to get children involved in the conflict". Jayawardena emphasised that children in custody should be given proper care and attention and also helped to recover from their present physical and psychological condition. "The future of our country lies with the children. Therefore in the name of the children of our country we appeal to all the parties to the conflict to stop the war as soon as possible", he added. Raise standards of debate in the new
year Speaker K. B. Ratnayake discharging a traditional duty ending a tardy 26 day budget debate yesterday made a fresh appeal to Members of Parliament to assist him to raise the standards of debate in the coming year. He also thanked the Leader of the Opposition, Members of Parliament of both sides, Member of the Parliamentary Secretariat, the staff, police and security personnel and the media, who worked painstakingly during the 26 day debate. Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe said Sri Lanka with India continued to remain the longest functioning democracies in Asia, with the Parliament and the Supreme Court preserving their traditionally supreme positions. He also thanked all concerned in the debate in a year which also marked the 50th year of independence of the country. Leader of the House Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said Parliament met for 82 days in 1998. It also passed 42 Acts of Parliament, 39 supplementary estimates, 46 proposals and 21 sets of regulations during the 82 days of sittings. He also thanked, the Deputy Speaker, Chairman of Committees, Member of the Chairmen's panel, Leader of Opposition, Members of Parliament of both sides, the Secretary General and his deputies and staff and others. Parliament meets on January 7, 1999 again. South African parliamentary team leaves The seven member multi-party South African Parliamentary delegation who were in Sri Lanka on a week long visit left the island on Monday. The delegation was led by Ebrahim Ebrahim, MP and Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs (ANC) and comprised of Dr. E. Jassat MP (ANC), Y. Carrim MP (ANC), S. Migidi MP (ANC), D. Dalling MP (ANC), Dr. K. Rajoo MP (IFP) and Desmond Padiachey MP (NP). They were in Sri Lanka to further consolidate bilateral relations. The delegation visited Jaffna on Saturday. Security forces commander of the North Major General Lohan Gunawardena briefed the visiting delegation on the developments that had taken place in Jaffna since the security forces had regained control of the peninsula and other areas. A comprehensive briefing on measures to restore normalcy in the area, the action that had been taken by the security forces against services personnel who had been charged with rape and other human rights violations and the proposed action to investigate the alleged Chenmani grave site were provided. The Commanding Officer of Elephant Pass Major General Sarath Munasinghe, other senior officials and Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in South Africa Gamini Munasinhe were also associated in the briefing. The delegation also met the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Vice Chancellor and senior staff of the Jaffna University, Government Agent and members of the Chamber of Commerce of Jaffna, representatives of the Human Rights Commission of Jaffna and officials of the German Technical Training project. The South African delegation visited the refugee camp in Puttalam where they met members of the Muslim community who had been forced to leave Jaffna with only two hours notice in 1990. The visiting South African MPs had informal interaction with members of the displaced Muslim people and were briefed on the action taken by the Government to rehabilitate them in Puttalam, which is predominantly a Muslim area. They also visited Anuradhapura and Kandy. In Anuradhapura they toured the ruins of the historic city and in Kandy visited the Dalada Maligawa which was partially damaged earlier this year by an attack by LTTE terrorists. SC declares right to equality of 225
labour officers violated The Supreme Court, yesterday declared in a judgement that, the fundamental right to equality of 225 class (1) and Class (2) labour officers, were violated by the Commissioner of Labour, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration and the Director General of Establishments, of the Ministry of Public Administration. The judgment said that, the graduate trainees among the labour officers, and the petitioners belong to a single group, which makes the Graduate Trainees, and the Class (1) and Class (2) officers equal parties. It is a well established principle that the equals should be treated equally, without any discrimination. In these circumstances, there cannot be a salary anomaly between the petitioners and the graduate Trainees. The judgment explained that, it was admitted that for the purpose of the 1997 salary revision, the salary scales applicable to the respective officers were considered on the basis of their respective salaries as at 31.12.96. It is not disputed that prior to the 1997, salary revision, the Class (1) and Class (2), Labour Officers and the Graduate Trainees were all placed on the same, salary scale, and that this was the position as at 31.12.96. The petitioners and the Class (1) and Class (2) Labour Officers belong to a single and the two parties are thus equal. There could not be discrmination among equals. Hence there could not be a salary anomaly between two equal parties. Accordingly, it was held that the respondents, had violated, the petitioners' fundamental right guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The Commissioner of Labour and the Director General of Establishments, were directed to place the petitioners, on the salary scale of Rs. 86,700 - 15x2;700 - 127;200 (T-5-1), as set out in the Public Administration Circular No. 2/97 and to pay the petitioner arrears of salaries and increments due from 1.1.97. The first petitioner is, M. Jamaldeen of Labour Secretariat Colombo 5. Faiz Mustapha PC with Amarasiri Panditharatne, appeared for the petitioner. The Deputy Solicitor General, Mr. Kolitha Dharmawardena, appeared for the respondents. The judgment was by Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake with Justices R. N. M. Dheeraratne and P. R. P. Perera agreeing. |
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