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banners, else we’ll shoot you down like dogs" Armed thugs go berserk in NWP
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"Remove banners, else we’ll shoot
you down like dogs" "Remove those banners, else you will be shot down like dogs," said the gang of armed thugs who had arrived in four vehicles. Thereafter, they opened fire, said U. Ariyapala, opposition leader of Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha speaking to ‘The Island’ on Saturday evening regarding the previous day’s attack on the residence of Gamini Dissanayake, UNP contestant in the North Western Provincial Council, situated at Kaduragassane along Kuliyapitiya-Madampe highway. In this attack P. Sivakumar, a supporter of Dissanayake died on the spot while Padmakumari, wife of Dissanayake and K. M. S. Tudor from Biyagama, another supporter of Dissanayake were critically injured and had been admitted to Kurunegala base hospital. Though it had been the intention of the marauders to kill contestant Dissanayake, he was able to save his life by the skin of his teeth. Ariyapala speaking further on the attack said, "We came here to support Gamini Dissanayake contesting the North Western Provincial Council on the UNP ticket. "On the noon of the day this incident took place a gang had arrived in a bus and had forcibly torn down all flags put up in the premises of the residence of Dissanayake. They had threatened us not to put up flags again. "That night between 11.30 p.m. and 11.45 p.m. a Pajero jeep and three cabs pulled along and stopped in front of Dissanayake’s house. At that time we were in conversation after dinner. The thugs in the vehicles shouted "cut those banners down else you will be shot down like dogs". We took to our heels. Then they started to shower bullets all around us. I believe they were using T-56 guns. Wife of Dissanayake who ran towards the telephone to contact the police received shot injuries on her hand and the chest and she fell on the floor. Tudor, too, lay closeby with critical gun shot injuries. Sivakumar who was behind the house was found shot dead. "We know who this gang of marauders are. The police officers manning the police checkpoint near — by were unable to stop those speeding vehicles. "The moment we received information regarding this attack last Saturday we made a beeline to the residence of Gamini Dissanayake. Among those present at the residence were former Western Provincial Chief Minister", Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, MP, Reginald Perera and Kurunegala district MP Piyasoma Upali. Certain persons were trying to create terror in Kuliyapitiya area under the guise of the North Western Provincial Council elections, stated MP Reginald Perera. Though we tried to extract the views of a few traders in Kuliyapitiya town they evaded us. When inquiries were made from Kuliyapitiya police officials they stated that investigations are being carried on. Superintendent of Police, CID, J. R. Jayawardene was seen at the residence of Gamini Dissanayake carrying out investigations. Meanwhile, a Sub Inspector of Police who had been manning the police security checkpoint close to the scene of the incident had been interdicted for not stopping the speeding vehicles after the shooting incident. UNPer’s body taken to Hettipola The body of a UNP’er who died in last Friday’s polls -related violence at Kadurugashena was taken to his home town Hettipola yesterday afternoon, UNP MP P. Dayaratne told ‘The Island’ yesterday. The body of T. Sivam, treasurer of the Kuliyapitiya youth league was moved after the party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other party seniors talked with the victim’s parents, Mr. Dayaratne in charge of the campaign in the Kuliyapitiya area said. "Sivam’s parents wanted to conduct last rites for their son at Hettipola," Dayaratne said. Former cabinet minister Dayaratne has been placed in charge of Katugampola, Kuliyapitiya, Dambadeniya, Panduwasnuwara and Bingiriya electorates. A section of the party wanted to conduct Sivam’s last rites at Kuliyapitiya, Dayaratne revealed. However, after discussions, the party has agreed to move the body to Hettipola. Dayaratne said that soon after the body was moved from UNP candidate Gamini Dissanayake’s, Kadurugashena residence, a group of armed persons had extered in, cut all white banners, removed flags and threatened people with death. "They had come in by at least six vehicles," he said. The police had turned a blind eye to all those happenings, he claimed. Dayaratne said that Sivam was killed at Gamini Dissanayake’s Kadurugashena residence around 11.45 p.m. last Friday. A group of armed persons who arrived in three double cabs and a jeep had fired at Dissanayake’s residence. Dissanayake’s wife, a mother of two children was seriously wounded. She had been admitted to the National Hospital in a critical condition. "We believe at least one politician representing the NWP was with the gang which attacked Dissanayake’s residence," Dayaratne claimed. He said that people have identified some of the people who carried out the attack. "No action has been taken so far against this particular gang," he said claiming that level of violence faced by the UNP in some parts of the Kurunegala district is much worse than at Anamaduwa. Those operating at Anamaduwa do not have the resources at their command to that of the polls campaigners in the Kurunegala district, Dayaratne pointed out. Dayaratne insisted that there was no point in directing the Criminal Investigations Department [CID] to inquire into the Kadurugashena killing. He said that four policemen who manned a check point approximately half a km away from Friday’s scene of killing had been interdicted. The vehicles used in the Kadurugashena killing had passed this particular check point. However, the police had not stopped the vehicle. Dayaratne said that police never stop double cabs, pajeros or any vehicle especially with tinted glass fearing ruling party politicians. "I have passed and this particular check point more than a dozen times," he said. "I have not been stopped so far," he said. North Western Province has been divided into six zones. Ampara district MP Dayaratne has been placed in charge of Katugampola, Kuliyapitiya, Dambadeniya, Panduwasnuwara and Bingiriya. Matara district MP Ronnie de Mel has been placed in charge of Dodangaslanda, Kurunegala, Wariyapola, Polgahawela, Mawathagama and Hiriyala. Monaragala district MP Dharmadasa Banda has been given the top slot at Nikaweratiya, Galgamuwa and Yapahuwa. Nuwara Eliya district MP Renuka Herath has been placed in charge of the Wennappuwa and Nattandiya electorates. Gampaha district MPs John Amaratunga has been given Chilaw and Puttalam while Joseph Michael Perera placed in charge of campaigning at Anamaduwa. Dayaratne further said that over 50 MPs have also been involved in the campaign. The ruling party has placed PA General Secretary D. M. Jayaratne incharge of the Puttalam district. Kurunegala district has been divided into two sectors. Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and SLFP General Secretary Dharmasiri Senanayake have been placed in charge in the Kurunegala district. The three ministers were being supported by more than a dozen ministers and deputy ministers. Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna [JVP] said that the UNP which was responsible for hundreds if not thousands of serious poll violations has been forced to complain now. "They did the same," JVP spokesman said reminding that the level of violence political parties had to face during UNP time was worse than this. The JVP believes that the people must not expect peaceful elections under the UNP or the PA. ‘Police, underworld collusion only the tip of the
iceberg’ Senior DIG H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya yesterday said that the police, judiciary and the prisons will have to join hands to fight rising crime wave. "One of our main concerns is the swiftness criminals get bailed out," Kotakadeniya told ‘The Island’ yesterday. He said that members of the underworld and other suspects with connections continued to get bailed out despite bail Act No 30 of 1997 which permits extended detention. On an application made by the Attorney General, a High Court or a High Court established under Article 154P of the Constitution may, for good and sufficient reasons that shall be recorded , order that a person who has not been convicted and sentenced by a court, be detained in custody for a period in excess of twelve months, according to the Bail Act. "The police," Kotakadeniya insisted will have to press for the remanding of the suspects. But that does not happen. Police will have to take the blame he said adding that law enforcement authorities will not be able to do much without the cooperation of the others involved in the fight against the crime. Kotakadeniya in an interview with ‘The Island’ published on September 24 last year, revealed the involvement of some police personnel in underworld activity. "The underworld thrived not so much on the patronage of politicians as that of the police. There is collusion at all levels within the police force. The police will also be cleaning as part of its campaign to contain the rise in criminal activity," he was quoted as saying. He said that some underworld activists described as god fathers of crime continued to beat the law in view of collusion at all levels within the crime fighting system. Kotakadeniya insisted that there was a need to keep these elements in prisons until police probe their involvement in various incidents. They have to be given the maximum punishment, he further said. He pointed out that it was easy to put the blame on police. However, people have to admit that the connection between the police and the underworld was only a part of the entire problem now threatening the society. Exam or vote, which to choose? KANDY: The undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya who come from homes in the North Western Province are expected to decide between the examination and the vote. An examination paper is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on January 25 the date of the election for the North Western Provincial Council. The time-table for the examinations cannot be adjusted to suit the date of elections as university examinations Time-tables are set well in advance according to university calendar, Peradeniya University sources claim. The undergraduates who are registered voters of the NWP have sufficient time to rush to the respective polling stations after answering the question paper set for the date in the morning, university sources added in response to representations made by the undergraduates. However, the undergraduates who are voters in the NWP are in a dilemma. My residence attacked, says UNP MP UNP Kurunegala district MP D. M. Bandaranayake last night said that his Dalalagama residence was allegedly attacked by PA supporters. "One of my supporters, Gamini was wounded," he told ‘The Island’. He had been shot, at the MP said. Soon after the attack on the MP’s residence, police had detained the two reserve police constables along with their weapons posted at the attacked house. "I have no security," Bandaranayake said over the phone. He said that as soon as armed persons moved into the area he had contacted a senior police officer based in the district. However, police had failed to take steps to control unruly mobs led by politicians, both from and outside the Kurunegala district. He said armed persons had cut flags, banners and removed other decorations in the area. "They entered my house and did a lot of damage," he claimed accusing the police of sleeping. [SF] Ronnie answers Chandrika’s charges Ronnie de Mel UNP MP for Southern Province yesterday issued the following statement, President Chandrika Kumaratunga in several speeches in Kurunegala had stated that I had robbed all the fruit canneries in the country and that the Lanka Canneries at Watupitiwela and Narahenpita were taken by me for my son-in-law and daughter. The shares in Lanka canneries were purchased by Heath and Co. on 12 October 1993, in an open sale through the Colombo Stock Exchange. These shares were valued by the government at Rs. 591 per share, but due to open bidding in the Stock Exchange by Lever Brothers and several other Multi Nationals, Heath & Co. eventually purchased these shares at Rs. 1,555 per share. The total purchase price was Rs. 102,663,100 and the entire purchase price was paid to the Treasury within a few days by Heath and company. It was completely on open transaction through the Colombo Stock Exchange. At this time I was not even in Sri Lanka. I was not a minister or even a Member of Parliament. I was not even a member of the United National party. I had nothing whatsoever to do in this transaction. Therefore the entire statement made by the President at several meetings in Kurunegala and reported extensively in the daily News, the Dinamina the state radio, the state television is false and without any foundation whatsoever. Even if ghosts of JR or Premadasa appear
masses will never bring back UNP to power I don’t think the people will ever bring the UNP into power again even if the ghosts of JR or Premadasa appear again, said President Chandrika Kumaratunga Friday (15) evening addressing an election rally in Kuliyapitiya, in support of the People’s Alliance candidates contesting the North-Western Provincial Council elections from the Kuliyapitiya electorate in the Kurunegala district. The rally was held in the Kuliyapitiya Technical College grounds. The President said: "I would not tell you who was responsible for the merciless killings and torture in the Batalanda estate. The Presidential Commission on the Batalanda torture chambers would release its report shortly and every man and woman will be able to read it. Then you will know who were responsible for the crimes. The torture chamber, that was existing in the Batalanda estate in Sapugaskanda, was just two doors away from the house of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe. After assuming duties as President I sent a group of people, who included Jeyaraj Fernandopulle to examine this torture chamber. They have seen blood stains on the walls, she said. "Ranil, who is doing his rounds in the North-Western Province is reported to have questioned about the performance of my government during the four years of its rule. He had also told the people, that it was his turn now to take the reins of power to lead the country on the right path, and to re-establish the culture of free and fair elections. The UNP leaders are speaking with tongue in cheek. They have forgotten why they were kicked out by the people in 1994. They have forgotten how they tampered with the right of the people to cast their vote freely. They have also forgotten how they used armed thugs to disrupt opposition election work and how they got the police to arrest polling agents and stuffed ballot boxes with faked ballot paper. "What mockery is this, are these people just re-born to have forgotten their notorious past" she queried. She said that more people have lost their lives during the J.R. and Premadasa periods than in the on-going war of Prabhakaran. The UNPers robbed in millions, and squandered also in millions on image building exercises as the Gam Udawa, celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Premadasa, which had no discernible impact in the life of the people. President said that there were about one hundred businessmen who prospered during the UNP era. They were the darlings of the ruling clique and they reaped all the benefits from their closeness to the ruling clique, she said. She promised new legislation to acquire land which she said UNP leaders plundered. "But this will not be an easy task. On one hand Prabhakaran is gunning for me. There is also a band of disgruntled businessmen who cheated the state banks of millions of rupees. In the North Western Province itself there are the UNP leaders, who plundered state land from the poor occupants. They are all a threat to my life according to reports. But what may come we will do our job she added. She said her government raised the salaries of government servants by about 50 percent and that of the teachers by twice as much. "Public servants do not have to go down on their knees anymore before politicians. They are adequately remunerated and safe", she said. She said that the UNP was 100 percent responsible for the Northern war but it was not co-operating with her government to end the war and bring peace to the country. She said that Prabhakaran unilaterally broke an understanding to talk peace, as soon as her government came into power. "We decided to reply war with war and we have recaptured 85 percent of the land in Jaffna from LTTE control and reduced the terrorist group to a weak three thousand member band of stragglers", she said. She asked the voters of Kuliyapitiya to join hands with their counter-parts in the other electorates of the NWPC and to help elect a People’s Alliance Provincial Council in the NWP and thus to remove the obstacles in the way of development. Richard Pathirana, Minister of Education and Higher Education said UNP government dropped plans to set up a university in Kuliyapitiya, for the North-Western Province. For a short time during President D. B. Wijetunga’s rule when Anura Bandaranaike held the post of Minister of Higher Education out of 58 acres of land acquired from Kuliyapitiya for the university 48 acres were given back to its owners. We have now taken back the land and arrangements are underway to construct the proposed university. If UNP comes into power there will be no university in Kuliyapitiya", he said. Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dharmasiri Senanayake, Chief Ministerial candidate of the PA, S. B. Navinna and several others spoke. Approximately 450 polls-related incidents have been reported so far from the North-Western Province, police and political sources said. The UNP has made about 220 complaints, while the PA has made approximately 150 complaints. Some of PA’s complaints were against their own party men. We will not allow Chandrika to commit
thuggery "The North Western Provincial Council elections will be a decisive one. It will decide whether there is free and fair elections in this country" said Leader of Opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a UNP election propaganda meeting last Thursday (14) at Nattandiya to support UNP candidates contesting North Western Provincial Council elections. Speaking further Ranil Wickremesinghe said. "We will not allow Chandrika to commit thuggery during this election. But we will give her a chance to worship the people and beg their pardon. Today People’s Alliance may be thinking of winning elections by damaging offices and assaulting people. Elections cannot be changed that way today. Chandrika and the People’s Alliance stated earlier that they would give a free and fair election. They criticised the UNP saying that supporters of the UNP do not practice democracy. Therefore in order to restore democracy and conduct free and fair elections to vote for the People’s Alliance. Today the election is conducted by the People’s Alliance. Though the election is under the People’s Alliance there does not seem a free and fair election. Today what we see is not the conventions of politics we practiced but political thuggery. So we know where the problem is. Last night Patrick Fernando, Chief Ministerial contestant from the Left and his supporter Wickramabahu Karunaratne had been assaulted at Padeniya, the seat of Chief Ministerial contestant from the People’s Alliance. Today Patrick Fernando is under treatment at Kurunegala Hospital. Likewise Wickramabahu Karunaratne is being treated at Kandy Hospital. Patrick Fernando is a person who had supported Chandrika and People’s Alliance to win the election. Wickramabahu Karunaratne is a person who had criticised the UNP severely. When they spoke on the political platforms yesterday, day before yesterday and earlier they had severely criticised the UNP. Though I do not accept their criticisms I agree that they have a right to criticise. They criticised People’s Alliance for the police not taking proper action. They carried out an election propaganda in this area. They have a right to carry out such propaganda. They have a right to inform the people their policies. But today it is the People’s Alliance that has obstructed them to speak. Their old friends when they had gone for a cup of tea at a hotel in Padeniya while attending the election propaganda campaign at Nikeweratiya, stooges of the People’s Alliance had assaulted them. The barrel of a pistol had been inserted into the mouth of Wickramabahu Karunaratne. The question now is whether this is free and fair elections. Not only the candidates from the left even JVP candidates have been thrashed. If the JVP is towing the line of democracy we will have to accept them. Not to assault and chase them away. This thuggery is not only towards UNP and the JVP even supporters of the People’s Alliance whom they cannot tolerate are also being assaulted. Is this democracy? It is not democracy now being practiced but dictatorship. The dictator wants to destroy all and everybody against the dictator. Who are those persons who supported Chandrika earlier now with her? Rajan Aseervathan supported her. But he is nowhere near her. Naveen Gunaratne supported her. But he is nowhere now. Patrick Fernando is nowhere now. The Governor who was with her is, nowhere now. ‘Lankadeepa’ reporter Chulawansa who was with her is nowhere now. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake has been chased out. Anuruddha Ratwatte is getting further away. So you cannot expect free and fair elections under this situation. So in order to safeguard this that we are going to vote on the next 25th. Now what is happening? Polling cards are stolen. Whose polling cards? Some may be those of the UNP, PA, JVP or the Liberal Party. But they are people’ s polling cards. Now anybody can take these stolen poll cards produce his identity card at the polling station and vote for whom he likes. Soya bean poses the least hazards to
health The soya bean which has taken Sri Lanka by storm has not only the advantages of being less expensive in comparison to other protein foods, but also poses the least hazards to health, Professor A.P. Aponso, Faculty of Paediatrics, University of Peradeniya, said at a presentation held to publicize the new soya products launched under the brand name "Prosoya" at the Hotel Galadari on Wednesday. Prof. Aponso stressed that soya not only contains 40% protein which primarily supplies the fuel for energy purposes of the human body, but also contains other nutrients such as (Calcium, Iron, Zinc, many B Vitamins and fibre which are utilized by the body for sustenance and growth. Prof. Aponso who has researched the advantages of the soya bean as a health food and has authored a book on the advantages of soya consumption, said that soya processed foods are gaining ground in the local market because of its potential to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood cholesterol levels, control diabetes, ward off osteoporosis, help prevent kidney problems, control blood pressure and help prevent the formation of gall stones. He said that as the soya bean is rich in anticarcinogens, it is widely known to lower cancer risks. He said that the soya bean which has a history of over 5,000 years, has therefore been suggested as a potential anti-cancer drug. The development of colon tumors, too, are reduced by 50% as a result of the consumption of soya. Phytesterols, a type of Photochemical present in soya is known also to be effective against skin cancer. The reduction of lung cancer too has been possible through soya, which contains a fat known as Lecithin also known for its role in the prevention of heart disease. Soya protein can lower cholesterol levels by an average of 14% in two weeks and 21% at the end of three weeks, he said, according to research done on soya in 1977 at the University of Milan. The research has shown that the five specific components present in soya, namely Soy fibre, Lecithin, Saponins, Phytosterols and Isoflavones have helped greatly in lowering blood cholesterol levels in the human body. Researchers have also ascertained that diabetics who consumed Soy fibre had lower levels of glucose in their blood as opposed to those who did not. In regard to the warding off of osteoporosis, the lower levels of Sulphur Amino Acids in Soy foods are shown to prevent calcium loss. Prof. Aponso said that animal protein which causes the excretion of excess calcium can cause the formation of kidney stones. With Soya protein though, he said, the lower levels of sulphur content causes less calcium to be excreted thereby creating lesser risks for kidney problems. The lower levels of sulphur amino in acids in Soya facilitates the excretion of Sodium without interruption and this in turn, helps in the prevention of high blood pressure. Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd., the successor to Plenty Canada, a non-governmental organization funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), also a member of Link Holdings Ltd., launched their range of Soya Bean based food products marketed under the brand name ‘Prosoya’ recently. Ranjan Madanayake, Director, Plenty Foods, introduced the products Prosoya Kola Kenda, Protein Mix which can be used as an alternative for coconut milk, Protein Food which is pre-cooked and made of 100% Soya Bean with which 14 different recipes can be prepared and Promate, all of which were analyzed by the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISIR) Other products included under the ‘Prosoya’ brand are Samaposha, suited for children over one year, for pregnant and lactating mothers as well as for adults, Kurakkan Soy, Soy enriched Rice Flour and Soy enriched Wheat Flour which have all been tested by the Department of Agriculture. Soy Brew which is a 100% Soy Bean caffeine free drink, Soya Noodles and All Natural Soya Oil are among still other products available in the ‘Prosoya’ range of foods. Mr. Madanayake stated that the most attractive feature in the ‘Prosoya’ products available is the affordability of each product to all Sri Lankans, as all of their prices range from Rs. 12. "With the high content of protein in Soya beans which is twice that of fish, meat, dhal or poultry, as well as the presence of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins and fibre, soya bean food products are a must in anyone’s diet" said Mr. Madanayake adding that the ‘Prosoya’ range would soon be available at most outlets islandwide. Culinary experts, Shantha Mayadunne and Mallika Joseph, also participated in the presentation. Azwer complains of poll card plunder Puttalam District MP, A. A. M. Azwer has complained in writing to Police Headquarters that a group consisting of 25 unidentified persons had been going from house to house in Eluwankulam, Wanathavilluwa, Karaithivu areas and plundering poll cards from the residents. In his complaint MP, Azwer had further stated that this group of unidentified persons who were from unknown areas had been riding vehicles belonging to the Pradesiiya Sabha for their jaunts. Moves to conduct Pelwatte Sugar
Industries under new concept Pelwatte Sugar Industries handed over the Nucleus Estate maintained and developed by the company among the people of the area for sugar cane plantation last Saturday Jan. 16. An area of about 6000 a acres (500 hectares) of cane plantation were distributed among a number of 319 people in the Uva Welassa area Chairman of Pelwatte, Mahinda P. B. Senanayake last week said that this would help to lessen the antagonism of the people of the area towards the company and also provide a long awaited necessity. While this is the first phase, the entire extent of land available for this scheme is 4335 hectares. Mr. Senanayake said that the lands for Pelwatte Sugar Industries were taken over in 1984 on lease from the government. The total extent was approximately 8000 hectares. The villagers vehemently protested to the take over. However the government at the time with the intention of developing the Moneragala district had taken over and initiated the project he said. Mr. Senanayake said that the company pays out approximately Rs. 500 million annually on the purchase of sugar cane by the company for the milling of sugar. He added that the company also engages in welfare activies in the area for the benefit of the farmers. He explained that the Nucleus Plantation was solely maintained and headed by the company due to the fact that at the initial stage the company thought that there will be less sugar cane growers and envisaged the shortage of cane for the factory. When the present chairman took over Pelwatte in October 1993 the antagonism of the people of the area had continued to prevail he said. However the management had gone into their grievances and problems and settled most of them. He said that one of the major problems faced by the farmers were fines meted out on the supply of burnt cane. However the company had refunded the effected farmers an amount of Rs. 40 million. Apart from this salaries of the casual labourer been increased from Rs. 84 per day to Rs. 125. Mr. Senanayake said that this was more than Rs.101 which is what the plantation workers got even after a strike. He further said that the second generation of the cane plantation growers will be given whatever land that is left over. They also hope to gradually absorb school leavers of the area into the cane plantation industry. The distribution of the Nucleus Estate which would be done on January 16 would be based on an Indian system. Mr. Senanayake said that of the 465 sugar cane industries in India 80% of them followed this system. All farmers who are allotted land will also become members of a society formed, based on the Agrarian Services Act. Members would manage the land handed over to them and supply cane to the company. A few members of the company would also be in this society to monitor the situation. "Pelwatte in the years to come would be somewhat like a small tea holders factory" Mr. Senanayake said. Explaining that it would be run with sugar coming from the out growers. If this concept becomes a success, Mr. Senanayake said that the company would consider issuing a fair number of shares of the company to this unit. "Transport
’99" "Vision for resolving transport problems in South Asia - the issues and strategies" is the theme for "Transport 99" trade exhibition, international conference and Transport awards conducted by the Chartered Institute of Transport in Sri Lanka from 19 to 21 February. The organisers of the event CDC Conventions (Pvt) Ltd says that 80% of the time will be for trade only. Over 30% of the visitors will come into the exhibition with pre-scheduled appointments arranged by the organisers who want to make it a buyer-seller-meetmart. Over thousand international participants mostly from South Asia are expected to take part and the organisers will arrange meetings with the exhibitors and BOI and other buyers in Sri Lanka. "Transport 99" is an event creating an opportunity for transport service organizations and manufacturers connected to the transport industry worldwide to display their latest products and technologies to the South Asian market and discuss issues connected with the region, said Parakrama Dissanayaka, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Transport in Sri Lanka. The event organisers have arranged a comprehensive package which includes rebated air travel, special hotel rates and discounted holiday packages to Sri Lanka", said Parakrama Dissanayaka. Liquor
sales up in Moneragala The revenue realised by the sale of liquor in Moneragala District During the year 1998 is Rupees 20,12,14,624 (Two hundred one million and two hundred fourteen thousand six hundred twenty four) according to statistic compiled by the Excise Department. The breakdown in the sale of liquor is as follows: 583,579 litres of beer, 611,100 litres of arrack, 14671 litres of foreign liquor and 4623 litres of toddy. The sales of these quantities of liquor had been handled by 39 liquor sales outlets in Moneragala district of which 26 are bars, 6 hotels, 1 cinema and 6 sports clubs. When compared with the last four years the sale of liquor in the year 1998 had increased by 300 per cent according to Excise Department sources. Welfare Officers in embassies abroad to
help stranded workers Twelve Welfare Officers will be sent to Sri Lankan embassies in countries in the Middle East and Singapore recruiting Sri Lanka workers within the next few weeks, a Labour Ministry official said. These Welfare Officers will strengthen the cadre in our embassies to help the stranded workers and will generally look after the welfare of Sri Lankan workers in these countries, he said. These Welfare Officers were a recommendation of the Presidential Task Force appointed to strengthen the welfare of Sri Lankan migrant workers, an official from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said. These officers will be sent with the concurrence of the Foreign Ministry, and the Labour Ministry, and SLBFE, he said. These officers will be sent to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Quatar, Lebanon, Singapore and Kuwait, he said. These officers were given a training with funds from the ‘Workers Welfare Fund’ established under the new contract system for Sri Lankan workers going abroad for employment, a Labour Ministry official said. The Ministry official said the contract system for migrant workers established in 1997 November by the Ministry has brought in a lot of revenue. Last year 39 million rupees were credited to the fund from employers registering under the new contract system, he said. Cosmetics sold without approval Cosmetic Evaluation Sub Committee said that certain cosmetics are advertised without obtaining approval. Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine has requested both print and electronic media to refrain from advertising any product sans government approval. A Ministry statement is as follows. "The National Drug Regulatory Authority is aware that some of the cosmetics advertised in the media are not registered with the authority. In case you are not already aware we wish to remind you that the manufacturer/local agent should only advertise cosmetics registered with the authority as stated in the regulations quoted below. The Cosmetic Devices and Drugs regulation No. 38 of 1984 under section 38 of the CDD Act No 27 of 1980 quotes the following. Part VII: No person shall advertise any cosmetic which is not registered with the authority." Police raid video shop, seize
‘blue’ films KANDY: The Vice Branch of the Kandy police in a successful raid conducted at a video shop has taken into custody two men and thirty video cassettes of blue films, depicting extreme sexual scenes. Video cassettes are those imported from foreign markets and are distributed among members of the fake video clubs, police sources said. The two men were changed before the Kandy Chief Magistrate A. L. M. Sahib who found them guilty and were imposed fines and jail terms. The two men were fined a sum of Rs. 2000 and a jail term of six months suspended for five years each. The raid was conducted by Sub Inspector S. W. Uwindasiri, OIC Vice Branch of Kandy Police with Sergeants Upatissa and Paranagama, PCs Senarath, and Sunil, W. P. Cs. Inoka and Amitha. Coach driver complains of assault by
Army men KANDY: The Kandy police investigating into a complaint of assault and intimidation lodged by a private passenger coach driver has released three army personnel on Rs. 2500 bond each with warning to be present when noticed. The private passenger coach driver K. M. Podibanda has complained to police that the coach he was driving around the lake brushed against a jeep driven by an army officer. The three army officers assaulted him, took him away and pawned his gold chain to a jeweller in Kandy to recover Rs. 3500 as cost of a side mirror of the army jeep allegedly damaged in the accident. The gold chain was valued at Rs. 7000 the driver Podibanda has told police. The incident has occurred on January 13 following which the private passenger transport coach services on Teldeniya route was suspended temporarily by the crews. Inquiries into the alleged incident were conducted by the OIC of the Crime Investigation Branch of the Kandy Police CI., H. M. Seneviratne and PS. Gunapala on the directions of Kandy Senior SP. Nimal Mediwaka ASP Daya Samaraweera and HQI Saliya de Silva. GMOA trade union action postponed In response to the discussions the GMOA had with the Minister of Health and his officials yesterday in regard to the unresolved issues, the assurance given by the Minister to resolve the issue immediately by agreeing with our demands in principle, the General Committee of the GMOA decided to postpone the trade union action scheduled for today (18) till next Thursday. This was done to allow time for the Ministry to take necessary action to initiate the implementation of the decisions arrived at, GMOA said yesterday. In view of this the General Meeting scheduled for the 18th at 11.00 a.m. was also postponed for the 22nd January at 11.00 a.m. at Doctors’ Quarters, National Hospital, Colombo. All members of the GMOA are kindly requested to abide by the above decision and attend the meeting fixed for January 22 at 11.00 a.m. |
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