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Saddam triumphal, Clinton battles at home BAGHDAD, Dec 20 (Reuters) - President Saddam Hussein told Iraqis on Sunday they had achieved victory in the wake of four days of punitive U.S. and British air strikes. "You were up to the level that your leadership and brother and comrade Saddam Hussein had hoped you would be at...so God rewarded you and delighted your hearts with the crown of victory," Saddam said in a taped address broadcast of the Qatari satellite television station al-Jazeera. As the United States and Britain called a halt to their bombing campaign, President Bill Clinton was battling for his political survival in Washington, seeking a compromise after an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives. In Baghdad, the 70-hour-long bombing campaign appeared to increase public hatred of Clinton, with Iraqis well aware of his difficulties at home. Many said the suffering of the past few days had strengthened confidence in President Saddam Hussein. "Long live Saddam! Death, death to Clinton!," several hundred demonstrators shouted in central Baghdad. "I want to kill him (Clinton)," shouted an Iraqi when asked what he thought about his impeachment. "Impeachement! This is much less than what he deserves...He should be executed for his crimes in Iraq," said Saad Hameed, a shopkeeper. Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan said a few hours before the suspension of raids that he was grateful to the "Americans and British for launching their aggression as growing anti-American demonstrations were seen in Arab capitals". The last strike on Baghdad took place at 9:35 p.m. (1835 GMT) on Saturday, when at least one missile slammed just metres (yards) from the entrance of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, wounding three guards according to an army officer. There have been no official casualty figures, but an Iraqi parliamentarian said on Saturday that 68 Iraqis died in the first three nights of strikes. "This is a victory for the people of Iraq, the leadership of Iraq and the nation of Iraq," a woman said as she prepared to leave a shelter in central Baghdad. "Thank God it’s all over," another woman said. It may not be all over. In Washington, Clinton vowed to strike Iraq again if Baghdad refused to allow U.N. arm inspectors to resume their work and he declared the air campaign a success. "We have inflicted significant damage on (Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s) weapons of mass destruction programs, on the command structures that direct and protect that capability, and on his military and security infrastructure," he said. Saturday’s impeachment, the first in 130 years and only the second of a president in U.S. history, alleged Clinton committed perjury and obstructed justice in the Monica Lewinsky affair. The Pentagon reported 97 sites had been hit and produced aerial photographs of what it said were damaged missile production facilities, collapsed Republican Guard barracks and a government building in Baghdad struck by three cruise missiles. British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday announced new moves to contain Saddam, saying the British aicraft carrier Invincible would move to the Gulf next month. In contrast to London’s self-congratulatory mood and the bravado on Baghdad streets, the Vatican expressed profound sorrow over the violence. Pope John Paul said hopes that international law could be upheld had been dashed. "Not only do I feel profound sorrow for the Iraqi people, but I am also bitter to see how often the hopes invested in the power and validity of international law and in the organisations meant to guarantee its application are disappointed," he said in his weekly Angelus speech to pilgrims in St Peter’s Square. "The Christmas atmosphere makes the suffering of the Iraqi people in recent days even more acute. No one can remain indifferent to their tragedy," said the 78-year-old pontiff. Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov said in New Delhi on Sunday that Moscow was satisfied the air raids had ended, but he expressed concern that the halt may be only temporary. "We are put very much on our guard by statements that this may be a temporary pause and that strikes might be resumed," Primakov said. With China, Russia has been the most outspoken critic of the five nuclear states who are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. China called on Sunday for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute between U.N. weapons inspectors and Iraq. "China hopes for an early resumption of diplomatic efforts to solve the issue concerning the weapons inspection in Iraq by political means," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao. In Libya, mass demonstrations were staged against the air attacks and protesters criticised Arab governments for failing to take a stand, Libyan television reported. Scores of Palestinians demonstrators were wounded by Israeli troops in the West Bank while thousands of people stoned the U.S. embassy and a British cultural centre in Syria. Some Gulf Arab allies have been embarrassed by the attacks, Gulf officials said on Sunday, adding that these states might hesitate to provide the same level of support in any future Western action against Iraq. "Next time I won’t be surprised if some of us refuse to give them access...," said one Gulf official. In Sydney, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said chief U.N. arms inspector and former Australian diplomat Richard Butler had received death threats over the bombing offensive and was given extra personal protection. Proposed
Free Trade Agreement The Agreed Minutes of the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Commission signed by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh at the conclusion of the sessions, welcomed the progress made in the negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement between India and Sri Lanka and looked forward to an early conclusion of this agreement. The two sides further noted that the proposed agreement had potential for both countries. The Joint Commission which concluded its fourth session in New Delhi last Friday has noted a steady development of bilateral relations in all fields considered under its purview and decided to take further steps to broaden and deepen the cordial, bilateral cooperation in several fields. It has instructed the three sub-commissions to intensify implementation of the proposals identified in their reports and in the agreed minutes, the Foreign Ministry said in a news release. Reviewing the work of the Trade, Finance and Investment Sub-Commission, they expressed satisfaction at the growth in bilateral trade since the last meeting of the Joint Commission and felt that a bilateral Free Trade Agreement would effectively improve market access for both countries. It was agreed to extend the validity of the existing line of credit up to 31st January 2000 and to consider the Sri Lankan suggestion for a fresh line of credit amounting to US$ 50 million from India. The Indian Oil Corporation offer of extending cooperation to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was reiterated. It was also agreed that the Civil Aviation authorities of the two countries would meet in February, 1999 to discuss outstanding issues. In order to promote tourism between India and Sri Lanka, it was agreed to request the Central Banks of both countries to consider the proposal that Credit Cards of each country be valid in the other country and to further liberalise the visa regime to further facilitate travel between the two countries. Reviewing the work relating to the Sub-Commission on Social Cultural and Educational matters it was noted that specific programmes had been identified in the fields of education, art and culture, youth affairs and sports, tourism and films and media, specific programmes of action for these areas were to be included in the Cultural Exchange Programme being finalised. Both sides noted with satisfaction the establishment of the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo in July, 1998 and looked forward to the establishment of the Sri Lanka Cultural Centre in India. It was felt that the forthcoming establishment of the Indo-Sri Lanka Foundation could contribute meaningfully to the expansion of cultural, educational, scientific and technical cooperation, the release added. With respect to the Sub Commission on Science and Technology, it was noted that fresh areas of cooperation had been identified and a fresh Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology concluded, which would be valid for the period 1999-2000. It was also noted that ten projects have been identified for implementation on a priority basis. The projects are in the areas of Patents and Intellectual Property, Rights issues, Entrepreneurship development for small and micro level industry, accreditation of training in computers, setting up of facilities for standardisation, testing and quality control in electronic and computers in Sri Lanka; medicinal plants and traditional systems of medicine; plant tissue culture and micro-propagation; non conventional energy based decentralised power generation and access to INSAT claud imagery data etc. The Joint Commission was particularly pleased that the work for the setting up of a Meteorological Data Receiving System in Sri Lanka was well underway and was close to the handover stage. Both sides agreed that collaboration in the area of Science and technology should not face any constant on account of funding and noted that both sides were in the process of notifying their requirements for the programmes identified. It was agreed that these requirements be addressed through means to be mutually agreed upon including under the proposed India-Sri Lanka Foundation. India expressed an interest in benefiting from Sri Lanka’s expertise and experience in the establishment of rural health networks. It was also agreed that the next session of the Joint Commission would be held in Sri Lanka on dates to be mutually agreed and would be preceded by meetings of the three Sub-Commissions, the release stated. We were in hiding to avoid
"people" hunting for Upali Slain underworld figure, Soththi Upali’s second wife had told police investigators that they had been in hiding to escape "people" hunting for her husband. An investigator said that Upali’s family had moved to a house close to Bokundara junction less than two months ago. "Neighbours have not been able to identify Upali" she said admitting that even police had not been aware of the arrival of an accused in the Lalith Athulathmudali ass-assination case to this particular house. However Upali had been living in the Piliyandala police area for some time. Police said Upali had lived in a number of places in the past five years. His troubles started soon after President Ranasinghe Premadasa was killed on 1993 May Day and Premier D. B. Wijetunga took over the presidency, police said. Upali’s wife had been questioned on Friday [18], the day after unidentified gunmen shot him, then dragged him into a van and taken the bleeding victim to Mawiththara and shot him again at least five times before leaving the bullet riddled body. She had said that Upali did not carry a weapon on the day of the killing. She had claimed that Upali started using public transport fearing that his opponents have managed to identify his own vehicle. Police said that she will be questioned again. The woman had claimed that they were keeping a low profile. She had indicated that Upali no longer had links with any gang. Police said that the majority of his people appeared to have abandoned him after the February 24 [this year] shooting incident at Borella where one of his close associates, believed to be an underworld figure, Nandasiri Karunathilake alias Nandana died. Upali giving evidence at the inquest before Colombo Magistrate [Additional] Sujatha Alwis said that he was able to identify at least one person involved in the attack on him which led to the death of Nandana. Upali had said that this particular person was attached to a security unit of a politician. Nandana too had been an accused in the Lalith Athulathmudali assassination case. The attempt on Upali’s life was earlier made in February when he was returning home from courts. At that time he had been living in the Piliyandala police area but in a different house. Police said that so far they have failed to identify the persons involved in the Thursday’s killing of Upali. Upali was shot at least four times soon after he alighted at Bokundara junction from a Horana bound bus. Upali had been first attacked by a gunman who tricked a three- wheeler driver to follow the bus carrying Upali. Police said that the gunman had got off the three-wheeler soon after Upali alighted and fired a couple of shots soon. The three wheeler driver fled the scene. Thinking the gunman may to use his three wheeler to flee the scene. "He had inquired from people to get to the Piliyandala police station," police said. Police said that the driver had admitted that he was in a position to identify the person who hired the three wheeler. Quoting the three wheeler driver, police said that the gunman had been in his early 30s. Police had shown a large number of photographs of known criminals including members of various underworld gangs in a bid to identify the gunman. However he had failed to do so, police said. Piliyandala police had recorded the statements of Upali’s wife, three wheel driver and about three other eyewitnesses. "People do not want to come forward and identify those responsible even if they know them," police said. Police said that they were aware of the possible involvement of the gang which made the February attempt to kill Upali. At the same time, they could not rule out the possible involvement of Dammika’s gang in the killing. Dammika’s gang had killed several associates of Upali in continuing violence linked to the hostilities between slain Nalin Chintaka Amarasinghe and Upali. Upali’s lawyer Hemantha Warnakulasuriya yesterday told The Island that Upali died a poor man, without any power or connections. "Except for a few, others deserted him," Mr. Warnakulasuriya said revealing that he and many other lawyers including a PC, one of the most highly paid lawyers here appearing for Upali without a fee. Warnakulasuriya said that on the day of the killing he appeared for Upali. The Criminal Investigation Department [CID] wanted to remand Upali in connection with the illegal detention of Ragunathan whose body was found in close proximity to the Athulathmudali assassination scene. "I objected to this," Mr. Warnakulasuriya said. Upali before leaving home earlier in the day had told wife that he was scared of the possibility of having to go back to remand prison, according to police. Mr. Warnakulasuriya said that the first accused in the Athulathmudali assassination case, Janaka Priyankara Jayamanne [Sudu Mahattaya] did not attend Magistrate Court on Thursday fearing an attempt on his life. Asked whether Sudu Mahattaya too was defended free of charge, he replied in the positive. On Thursday the non-summary inquiry into the assassination was fixed for 7th of next month by Chief Magistrate M. A. Silva. In this case all accused are charged with conspiracy to assassinate Athulathmudali during the period between April 18 1993 and April 23 of the same year. The first accused is charged with the murder. Upali had been an active UNP supporter, party sources told The Island. During UNP administration, Upali was given contracts to turf half of the Sugathadasa Stadium and half of the R.Premadasa [Khettarama] International Stadium. He had been also given some contracts in the Gam Udawa programmes. However, Upali who was described as Soththi Upali after his left hand was cut in a political fracas in the 70s, became really involved in UNP politics in 1988. Soththi Upali later revealed that late President R.Premadasa gave him the chance to organise party activity in all parts of the country for the presidential poll. Upali, according to sources had led almost 1000 people in polls related work and also providing unofficial security. Upali had also claimed that he came to know then UNP General Secretary B. Sirisena Cooray at that time. Upali was later appointed to the UNP executive committee by Mr. Premadasa. Accidental blast kills six Tigers Clandestine Voice of Tigers (VOT) radio on Sunday (20) announced deaths of six LTTE cadres including an "officer" in an accidental explosion in the Mannar district. Quoting the VOT broadcast, civilians sources in Vavuniya said that a cadre holding the rank of major was killed. All dead persons had been identified as bomb experts. Suit against Thondaman dismissed The suit against Ceylon Workers Congress leader S. Thondaman filed by its former secretary S. Sellasamy was dismissed by Colombo District Judge W. Salam last week. The suit sought a declaration that C.W.C. leader S. Thondaman and the secretary A. R. M. Thondaman are not entitled to convene, conduct and participate in any meeting of the National Council otherwise than through the plaintiff in terms of the constitution. Kandiah Jeyakrishnan appeared for the plaintiff. Romesh de Silva (PC) with Palitha Kumarasinghe and CWC lawyer K. Senathiraja appeared for the defendants. DIG
NWP transferred North Western Province Deputy Inspector General of Police, Camillus Abeygunawardena has been transferred with immediate effect to Colombo police headquarters. He has been succeeded by present Central Province DIG, Sirisena Herath. When asked about the sudden transfer of several senior police officers, DIG Abeygunawardena said he was moved out due to the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the North Western Province. This had been done because DIG Abeygunaw-ardena had served in the personal security division of the then President J. R. Jayewardene. When asked about the transfer, Central Province DIG, Sirisena Herath said that a special security network would be set up in the North Western Province to ensure law and order. Eheliyagoda Police raided an illicit moonshine den run by an army deserter at Thalumpitiya and seized hooch worth over Rs. 50,000 recently. Two persons busy brewing the kasippu were captured by the policemen, but the military deserter had managed to give the slip, police said.(KKAW) As CPC cannot meet demand, private
sector participation expected The Ceylon Petro-leum Corporation (CPC) was not in a position to meet the demand entirely by refining crude oil locally, the Refinery Manager, CPC, S. Chandrasekera, stated last week. Addressing the World Bank seminar on "Energy and Environment Review" in Colombo, he added that there was a necessity for the private sector initiative for processing of crude oil locally to meet the short fall. "Today we have less than one month’s inland storage for critical products like auto diesel," he cautioned. He further added that annually an increasing proportion was being imported to meet the demand. "We are in this position now as the CPC’s 50,000 barrels per day refinery is no longer able to supply all the requirements of petroleum products. Shortfalls in production in all products except for motor gasoline is being imported at present," he said. According to Mr. Chandrasekera the country was importing auto diesel Jet Al/kero, fuel oil and asphalt. "Of these the import of auto diesel/heavy diesel is being the highest due to the big demand from the transport sector and the power generation sector. "Even if we continue with this option that too needs storage facilities, port facilities to discharge tankers and pipe line facilities connecting storage complex to the port or tanker discharging facility. "Even if Sapugaskanda refinery is expanded it will not be possible to meet the entire demand. The total storage facilities available at marketing installations of CPC is 313,000 metric tonnes. Part of these facilities were destroyed by terrorist activities in 1995, and action is being taken to restore these facilities by end 1999. In the meantime there will be no additions to the storage facilities to keep in line with increasing demand," he added. He also stated that a refinery expansion programme could cost anything from US$ 50 to US$ 300 million depending on the configuration and the viability of the different options. He further observed the private sector export oriented refinery project from the mid nineties have failed to materialize. "Our plans to carry out feasibility studies to expand the Sapugaskanda refinery was also stalled due to the proposed export oriented refineries. As these export oriented refineries failed to get off the ground CPC has once again initiated action to carry out a feasibility study and at present this work is in progress and the report is expected at the end of the year. "Even with the envisaged expansion of the refinery a short fall in diesel production cannot be avoided. Hence we would have to continue to import auto diesel to meet the increasing demand from the transport and the power sector," he added. Mr. Chandra-sekera further noted that if Sapugaskanda refinery is expanded additional exportable surpluses of naphtha and fuel oil could be made use of for power generation in combined cycle power plants or diesel power plants. "If action now being initiated for power generation is put in place, plants that can handle either naphtha or diesel or a mix of both may be advantageous. "For the expansion of the Sapugaskanda refinery the investment cost per barrel increase of capacity will be less than for a grass root refinery as most of the infrastructure is already available at Sapugaskanda," he further noted. Appeal Court extends stay order on
People’s Bank The court of appeal on December 10, extended till January 18, 1999, the stay order imposed on the People’s Bank, restraining the said Bank from auctioning land belonging to Yasodha Holdings (Pvt) Limited, situated in Kollupitiya, Nuwara Eliya and Hendala Municipal limits. The Yasodha Holdings (Pvt.) Limited gave the undertaking to the court that they will deposit a further Rs. five million, with the bank by 10.1.99. The company had earlier deposited another Rs. seven million with the People’s Bank, thereby fulfilling an undertaking given to the court, at an earlier date. The bank is seeking to recover Rs. 165 million from the said company, by auctioning property belonging to the company. K. N. Choksy PC, with Romesh de Silva PC, Harsha Amerasekera, R. Y. D. Jayasekera and Vista Choksy, appeared for the petitioner Yasodha Holdings (Pvt) Limited. E. D. Wickramanayake with Gomin Dayasiri appeared for the People’s Bank. The bench comprised Justice H. S. Yapa. The petitioner Yasodha Holdings (Pvt) Limited is seeking a writ of certiorari to quash the decision of the bank to auction property belonging to the company. Enjoining
order suspended Colombo District Judge A. W. Salam last week made order suspending the enjoining order that had restrained Suntel Ltd, Electroteks Ltd. and Lanka Discount Telecom from operating any service which provides international telephone services. Sri Lanka Telecom is the plaintiff in the case. During the operational period of the enjoining order, Suntel being perturbed by the order, moved by way of an exparte application through its counsel G. G. Arulpragasam for the dissolution of the enjoining order. The order stated that it is the plaintiff’s case that all three institutions, namely the Department of Telecommunications, Sri Lanka Telecom and finally "SRI LANKA TELECOM LIMITED". The plaintiff, in this case enjoyed the exclusive right to operate the international telephone service. Suntel invited the court to re-scrutinise the documents of the Plaintiff, to ascertain as to whether in actual truth the plaintiff enjoys also — called exclusive right to operate the international telephone services. The court having scrutinised the relevant documents clearly finds that no exclusive right to operate such an international telephone service has been conferred on the plaintiff, Sri Lanka Telecom. The documents therefore quite surprisingly contradict the version relating to the "exclusiveness". The third defendant Suntel has been granted licence in terms of section 17 (2) of Act. No. 25 of 1991, a licence to operate a telecommunications system from 22.02.1996 to 21.01.2006. This licence provides international connection services. However, unlike the plaintiff the third defendant is entitled to provide international connection services through licensed international operators only. This would invariably mean that the third defendant will have to provide international connection only through the plaintiff. This however in my opinion does not confer a right on the plaintiff to identify themselves as the holders of the exclusive right to provide international telephone services, the order concluded. Romesh de Silva (PC) with Chanaka de Silva, A. Samarajeeva instructed by G. G. Arulpragasam appeared for Suntel. Kanag-Iswaran (PC) with S. Batholomouzy and Mrs. Dilshani Wijewardena instructed by V. W. Kularatne Associates appeared for the first and second defendants. Arson suspects further remanded The twenty six suspects, who were earlier remanded on a charge of arson in Passara Tea estate, belonging to Hapugastenna Plantation Company, were ordered to be further remanded till January 5 by Badulla Acting District Judge, Prabath Illangatilleka last Friday. An application by defence counsel to grant bail for one of the suspects, Mohamed Samsudeen Naushad was rejected by the Acting District judge. In this case, the suspects were charged with setting fire to the bunglow of estate superintendent, his jeep and another jeep belonging to the police on October 25 at Passara tea estate. Task Force on computers recommends
immediate preventive measures The National Task Force appointed by the President has recommended that necessary steps be taken immediately to prevent the complications that will arise in the year 2000 with regard to computers. Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, Chairman of the Task Force made this disclosure when he presented its interim report to President Chandrika Kumaratunga at Temple Trees on Wednesday. Prof. Samaranayake told a media briefing that the dawning of new millennium would have ill effects on the computer systems in operation at present, in the fields of electricity, port, air lines, financial sector, communication and security service. He said that the Task Force appointed to make recommendations to meet the complications that the computer systems would have in the year 2000, has proposed that preventive measures should be taken to avoid such a situation by even deviating from the accepted governmental procedures to purchase new computers if necessary. The report stated that the present-day computers which could only accommodate two digits, would have a problem of reading the year 2000 and the information given by the computers could be inaccurate and the entire computer system could lead to a breakdown. By using the present type of chips in computers which could accommodate only two digits, many national services could be crippled causing a severe problem, the Task Force warned. When dealing with this problem, computers in all the government departments, service institutions and even the private sector must be corrected, Prof. Samaranayake said. All the sectors are inter connected, therefore part correction would not give the desired results, he added. He said that an adverse chain reaction could be avoided by replacing the entire computer system with new computers containing chips of four digits. "This problem should be addressed without any delay and to facilitate this, the government should give priority to this and relax the tender procedures which is time consuming. There should be a national policy to face this problem", he observed. He said that assistance could be obtained from the World Bank to purchase new computers. The 17 member representatives of the Task Force covering major fields in the government and private sector and also the Minister for Science and Technology, Batty Weerakoon attended the ceremony. President urges professionals to take
active part in decision-making President Chandrika Kumaratunga urged all professionals in the country to take an active part in the process of governing and decision making. In her address at the Annual General Meeting of the Organisation of Professional Associations, the President said, the government has started the system of Presidential Task Force, inviting many professionals to make policy recommendations to the government. It will amend, if necessary and accept these recommendations, she noted. The Task Forces set up are in the process of addressing the issues of importance such as suicide, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, child abuse and many more. The president invited the professionals to get together with politicians and actively participate and contribute towards the economy. The contributions made by the professionals towards the process of governance, which some areas are at crisis level, is important. The government has opened up slowly but surely, the path to professionals to enter into politics. The process has begun and the government intends to extend this system further, she said. One of the major problems the government had to face when it was elected to power was the economic crisis the country was under going. The situation was desperate. A master plan had been drawn up and now the country has recovered from its down fall. The economy has been guided in to right path and to continue this good work, require honest and efficient governance, the President noted. Any government could continue on the path the present government has opened up. The participation and dedication of professionals is necessary for the process of nation building. This is the most daunting problem the country has to face in its history and it is a very sad situation, she said. For many long years the governments successive government had tried to sweep problems the country faced under the carpet, but not any more. The solving of the ethnic problem, requires statesmenship, dedication and most importantly a human dealing. So far the government has done a great deal to resolve this problem, the President observed. The people must begin to think differently and should join hands to complete this task. The government has to take the risk of perhaps losing votes and the next election. The formulation of a new constitution is one of the solutions, she said. The brain drain the country had experienced a couple of years back, is a result of lack of availability of suitable employment to the highly skilled and educated. This has to be corrected and to achieve this the government has introduced education reforms. The glorious days of the past could be regained and in this regard the professionals have a crucial role to play. At least for ten short years let us go beyond our personal goals and work towards achieving the lost paradise, the President appealed to the professionals. Mayor of Colombo Karu Jayasuriya and the President elected of the OPA Dr. Lakshman Ranasinghe also spoke. Special committee to probe Nov. 19
violence A Special Committee of Inquiry has been appointed by the Vice Chancellor to probe the November 19 violence which erupted at the University of Kelaniya. Clashes between two student factions led to the indefinite closure of the university. No date has been fixed so far for the re-opening of the campus, official sources indicated. The Committee of Inquiry consists of a retired judge, two professors and two University Council members, the sources said. The terms of reference of the Committee, inter alia are; *To gather evidence relevant to the disturbances and to identify any persons responsible for the violent incidents and recommend suitable action against them. *To recommend measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. Any employee, academic or non academic and students of the Kelaniya University who are able to give evidence relating to the incident are requested to forward their representations to the committee before December 22, 1998, university sources said. Follow up action will be initiated based on the report of the Committee which will be submitted to the VC. Police had to use tear gas to quell the fierce clashes between two student factions which left at least two under-graduates seriously injured last month. The University Senate then decided to close the campus until further notice and declared it out of bounds for students. Task Force recommends preventive
measures The National Task Force appointed by the President has recommended that necessary steps be taken immediately to prevent the complications that will arise in the year 2000 with regard to computers. Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, Chairman of the Task Force made this disclosure when he presented its interim report to President Chandrika Kumaratunga at Temple Trees last week. Prof. Samaranayake told a media briefing that the dawning of new millennium would have ill effects on the computer systems in operation at present, in the fields of electricity, port, air lines, financial sector, communication and security service. He said that the Task Force appointed to make recommendations to meet the complications that the computer systems would have in the year 2000, has proposed that preventive measures should be taken to avoid such a situation by even deviating from the accepted governmental procedures to purchase new computers if necessary. The report stated that the present-day computers which could only accommodate two digits, would have a problem of reading the year 2000 and the information given by the computers could be inaccurate and the entire computer system could lead to a breakdown. By using the present type of chips in computers which could accommodate only two digits, many national services could be crippled causing a severe problem, the Task Force warned. When dealing with this problem, computers in all the government departments, service institutions and even the private sector must be corrected, Prof. Samaranayake said. All the sectors are inter connected, therefore part correction would not give the desired results, he added. He said that an adverse chain reaction could be avoided by replacing the entire computer system with new computers containing chips of four digits. "This problem should be addressed without any delay and to facilitate this, the government should give priority to this and relax the tender procedures which is time consuming. There should be a national policy to face this problem", he observed. He said that assistance could be obtained from the World Bank to purchase new computers. The 17 member representatives of the Task Force covering major fields in the government and private sector and also the Minister for Science and Technology, Batty Weerakoon attended the ceremony. Czech commercial counsellor encourages
development of trade Commercial counsellor, embassy of Czech Republic in New Delhi Bohuslav Zavadil addressed the Chambers of Commerce last Thursday on business opportunities in the Czech Republic for Sri Lankan businessmen and entrepreneurs. He encouraged the development of business between the two countries. He said that diplomatic relations between the former Czechoslovakia and Sri Lanka were established in 1957. Due to the division of the Czechoslovakia it had been decided to close their embassy in Sri Lanka and transfer all diplomatic activities to India. The Czech Republic is presently substituted in Sri Lanka by the office of Honorary Consulate represented by Jayantha Fernando. Mr. Zavadil explained the changes in landscape, population, industry, agriculture and economic reforms which took place in 1989 when the political and social climate in many Eastern and Middle European countries changed. The Czech Republic was founded on January 1, 1993 after the split of the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. Since then the share of the private sector in the gross national product of the Czech Republic has changed from almost zero to 75% this year, he said. While the majority of nationalised buildings, shops and factories have been returned to their original owners, a privatisation scheme has resulted in over 90% of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic becoming shareholders in privatised firms, he added. Transition of any economy is not an easy task as it has deep social impacts on society. Even in our country there are still some branches of industry which are not fully privatised and need our efforts. Among these are banking, telecommunications and heavy industry sectors, he pointed out. Despite difficulties the privatisation process may have posed, the Czech republic contributes a dominant position as a private sector based entirely on market principles he said, giving the example of Skoda, a company which manufactures mainly transport systems. He explained that these principles have helped the Czech Republic to gain membership in organisations of the most developed countries in the world which include Organisation of Economic Corporation and Development (OECD) The United Nations International Monetary Fund (UN IMF) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the European Union. The country had been invited to enter NATO in the first wave of its expansion in 1998 and has prospects of European Union membership by the year 2004. Mr. Zavadil observed that the basic agreement under which the exchange of goods is still carried out is the Bilateral Trade Agreement signed in 1975 in Prague. The second important document is the agreement on the Prevention of Double Taxation signed in Colombo in 1978. There is no doubt that a new bilateral trade agreement should be signed in the near future to reflect the new possibilities and dynamics in the mutual trade exchange, he said. He said that the former Czechoslovakia had quite extensive business relations with Sri Lanka mainly in the 60’s and 70’s. A number of industrial plants were delivered by Czechoslovakian companies to Sri Lanka. Among these were the Sugar Mill Factory in Kantale, Dam and Hydro Power Station in Uda Walawe, Tanner factory in Colombo, Textile factory in Veyangoda, apart from the delivery of various shoe making machines, diesel-generating sets, constructing and road machines and other equipment. He said that for many investment plants and machinery technical assistance had been provided. I also hope that some of the reputed businessmen of your country may be allied with the names of Czech Trading Houses as Kovo, Strojimport Stroj-export, Skodaexport, Motokov Centrotex and others, he said. That the present turnover (from January to September 1998) between Czech Republic and Sri Lanka amounts to 6.2 million US dollars, Czech exports were almost 2.4 million US dollars and imports from Sri Lanka amounted to 3.8 million US dollars. He said that from this it was evident that mutual trade is far below the potential of our countries and we have to look forward to increasing the exchange of merchandise. Main items of Czech exports to Sri Lanka are crude material, manufactured consumer goods classified by material, machinery and transport equipment, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber and scrub, paper and paper board, textile yarn, etc. Sri Lankan exports to the Czech republic include mainly food products, crude materials except fuels, various consumer products including handicrafts, fruits and nuts, tea and mate, spices, natural rubber, ready made garments, etc. He further said that a sector for prosperous business was tourism. "I am sure that the young and rich Czech entrepreneurs are ready to spend a lot of money in your beautiful sea resorts. So we should have a look at this matter as well in our business relations ". His final video presented investment opportunities in the Czech Republic. This mainly focused on the city of Plzen and the Business Innovation Center, which provides investment assistance to technical oriented companies. He encouraged further business between the two countries. The present shares in the Czech foreign trade turnover are: 68% - states with advanced free market economies, 5%-developing countries and the rest with the countries with transition or state economies (including Slovakia) export to EU countries have been on the rise since recent due to price competitive products. God saved the country by helping us oust
mafia Gods saved the country in 1994, by helping us to oust the ruling mafia which brought the country to the brink of collapse economically and damaged the international image of the country through its terror politics, said President Chandrika Kumaratunga in Colombo yesterday. The President was addressing a function to mark the presentation of awards to persons for excellent service in the implementation of the Samurdhi Poverty Alleviation Programme in 21 districts. The function was held in the Reid Avenue Sports Ministry grounds. Twenty-one Divisional Secretaries chosen from among 200 received a Rs. 25,000 award, a certificate and a souvenir each in acknowledgement of their excellent services in the implementation of the Samurdhi Programme in their divisions. Certificates, souvenirs and cash awards were also received by the officials of Samurdhi Banking Societies,best Samurdhi Managers, officials of Samurdhi Maha Sangamayas and best Samurdhi Development Officers. President said that this was only a token of appreciation of the good work done by the officials and others involved in the implementation of the Samurdhi Programme. There are a large number of others who had contributed to make the programme a success, she added. President said the sheer massiveness of the Samurdhi Programme made it more vulnerable to sabotage and cautioned all those concerned to this fact in mind. She said that Samurdhi had no parallel in the history of poverty alleviation programmes the country has seen either before or after independence. She said that the Samurdhi Programme was the final outcome of long years of deliberations and studies of experiences of other parts of the world where poverty was a serious social problem. " I am pleased that the programme is moving according to schedule and it has proved its worth. It is spreading its wings to cover a vast area," she added. President repented her inability to go to the people personally and move with them and those who are implementing the programme due to security reasons. " I am told that I am the most priced Tiger target. They, it is said are preying on me with water pouring from their mouths. I am not affraid for my own sake. But there is a lot more to be done. One thing is the finishing of the conflict with the Tigers themselves and finding a lasting solution to the problem. In such circumstances it is everybody’s wish that I should not court risks unnecessarily", she added. She said: I know of a certain political party which is trying to sabotage the Samurdhi Programme because it is a threat to them. They are the people who wreaked violence for seventeen years. They are making use of some of our own disgruntled people to sabotage the programme. Though they are no longer in power they still seem to think they are ruling the country. They can clamour from tree tops when we are doing the wrong. But what we cannot bear is their attempts to give a wrong picture to everything we conceive with good intentions. " The Samurdhi Niyamakas should understand that they cannot solve problems by just campaigning on the road. I would ask them whether they have forgotten the past 17 years of murder and mayhem", she said. She said that Gods helped her party to oust the last UNP government which had brought the country’s economy to the brink of collapse. During the last two years of the UNP rule the international community had stopped all assistance to the country because of the bad human rights record of the government. We rescued the country from the path of disaster. We saved the country from the ruling mafia. She said her government would set up 1000 small Samurdhi Banks in the country and that there would be greater activity under the Samurdhi Programme once this Samurdhi Banking System was established. President urged the Samurdhi workers to be a bit patient as they are in for a better tomorrow in which they can hope for even better salaries. Workers Congress holds 2nd anniversary The second anniversary of the Workers Congress was held at Shalika Hall Narahenpita last Friday. Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratna, General secretary of the Nava Samasamaja Party who was scheduled to attend as chief guest was represented by Lenus Jayatilleka, Secretary of the N.S.S.P. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Jayatilleka charged that certain business tycoons were trying to "impose" limitations of leave and salary deductions of the workers. "We must save our workers, from this situation", he said. Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said there is an economic typhoon hitting our country right now and neither the PA nor UNP can save the nation from this. On July strikers, he said that among the many strikers there were pregnant women who were brutally assaulted by the police during the U.N.P. regime. The Workers Congress is like a canon that has power to destroy the places of the capitalists. "We have been fortunate to join hands with the Nava Samasamaja Party and it will certainly give us strength to make the twentieth century one of socialism, he declared. Dimuthu Attygalle, representative of the all island female members of the J.V.P said women were dragged into industry by the free economic policies. They have been treated like slaves by their employers, some of them having been sexually exploited. But these women are the very people who are reluctant to join the workers unions and fight against capitalism. The vote of thanks was proposed by Vimal Weerawansa, General Secretary of the J.V.P. 3,000 students participate in peace poster contest Three thousand students participated in the International Peace Poster Contest 1998/99 on the theme ‘Planting the Seeds of Peace’ held under the auspices of the International Association of Lions Clubs. Lions Clubs of Manipay Parish and Chunnakam had a contest for 25 schools and 5 schools, respectively while Anuradhapura, Sravasthipura, Kuliyapitiya, Dummaladeniya, Avissawella, Colombo Central and several other clubs also sent entries. In this connection an exhibition of posters was organised on November 4 and 5 at the Colombo Art Gallery. District Governor Lion Malik Zaveer and Lion Lady Mariam were the chief guests. More than 5,000 students viewed this exhibition in addition to principals and teachers and people from various walks of life. A professor from a University in Singapore congratulated District Chairman (Peace Poster Contest) Lion Amutha Gobalan for the efforts being made to bring about peace. The winner of the first prize was L/C Dummaladeniya while second and third places were won by entries submitted by L/C Kuliyapitiya. |
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