.

Police victim of Thonda power

by Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst charges and counter-charges over incidents involving the CWC, police and a hardline organization styling itself as Sinhala Veera Vidhana at Nuwara Eliya on May Day, a departmental inquiry has found that police was not responsible for any ‘serious’ lapses on its part during the disturbances, headquarters sources said.

The inquiry was initiated after CWC leader and Minister S. Thondaman urged President Chandrika Kumaratunga to take action against police responsible for failing to control May Day disturbances caused by activists of Sinhala Veera Vidhana. Minister Thondaman, according to political sources had ‘threatened’ to withdraw support for the PA in the delicately balanced Central Provincial Council if action is not taken against police.

Matale Division SSP, Austin Gunatillake had conducted the inquiry, these sources said adding that approximately 20 officers based at Nuwara Eliya were questioned and their statements recorded. Nuwara Eliya Division SSP Pujitha Jayasundara was among the officers whose statements were recorded.

The inquiry report had been submitted to police headquarters through the DIG, Central Province, Sirisena Herath.

Although the report does not recommend disciplinary action against any one, the police headquarters has transferred SSP Jayasundara out of the district. The order to move him out of Nuwara Eliya was given Thursday night, just a day after Minister Thondaman decided to back the PA’s CPC administration. Headquarters sources said that Jayasundara had been directed to report to IGP Lucky Kodituwakku on June 1.

The "victim" had not been given a post but transferred to headquarters. He had been sent to the pool, police sources said.

The inquiry, ‘The Sunday Island’ learns has revealed that Nuwara Eliya police was not responsible for any serious lapses. Asked to comment on the inquiry report, a senior officer said "nothing serious" that demands action against officers stationed at Nuwara Eliya had surfaced.

The inquiry report has not recommended transfers, the source said last Thursday morning admitting that political pressure could be mounted on police headquarters, seeking action against policemen.

Police officers said that "punishment" transfers should not be made on demands made by politicians. However, scores of transfers take place every year on requests made by politicians.

Department sources said that police did not take sides during Nuwara Eliya disturbances.

"We have no trouble with Minister Thondaman’s people," a senior police officer said claiming that unnecessary disputes in the central province will only help the LTTE. Police said that the LTTE has further stepped up activity in the province and particularly undercover operatives were seeking to recruit youth.

Both police and ruling party sources said that there was no truth in accusations that they were backing the Sinhala Veera Vidahana. The organisation accuses Minister Thondaman of promoting the LTTE and also a separate state for Sri Lanka’s Tamil community.

Hatton Division SSP Wasantha Meegoda had been directed to supervise the Nuwara Eliya Division until a permanent arrangement is made.

Jayasundara’s colleagues said that he was transferred from Kegalle to Nuwara Eliya five months ago after police launched a series of raids against kassippu dealers and bars opened after closing time. "They happened to be friends of a certain ruling party MP in the Kegalle district," a police source said adding that the top brass has never opposed or resisted politically motivated decisions on officers.

The source reminded the swift transfer of the then Colombo DIG H. H. G. B. Kotakadeniya in 1996 after Minister Thondaman, angered by police operations in the city against terrorist suspects wrote to President Kumaratunga demanding the officer’s transfer.

Army recruits to rebuild battalions as Ranagosa - III ends

by Shamindra Ferdinando
As troops continued to consolidate their positions in the 102 square km area in the Wanni regained in the third phase of operation Ranagosa concluded late last week, the latest recruitment drive aimed at re-building depleted battalions ahead of coming battles came to an end on Saturday[22].

Fresh recruits will be used to fill vacancies in the existing battalions instead of raising new formations, the military said.

The recruitment was aimed at re-building depleted battalions in the regular army, military officials said. However, the latest drive has not been successful in bringing the required number of youth to recruiting centers, they said. "We wanted to recruit 10,000 youth," a headquarters based major general told The Sunday Island. He said that response to three week long recruitment drive was better than in previous years’ recruitment campaigns. But the required number of youth were not found, he admitted.

Armed forces spokesman brigadier Sunil Tennakoon Friday confirmed that response to latest recruitment drive has been average. Asked whether youth of Jaffna had responded to the call to join the army, Tennakoon said "no".

The major general said that recruits had been already moved to training facilities. The military intends to fill existing vacancies in battalions with the new recruits. The majority, a senior officer said will join the infantry.

Earlier, the government approved an army headquarters request to recruit 10,000 men to strengthen depleted fighting battalions other than special forces and commandos who do their recruitment drives separately. Special forces and commando regiments conduct on and off recruitment drives to undergo training as members of Sri Lanka’s elite fighting formations.

An officer said that millions are spent on advertisements, posters and for television time to promote recruitment to armed forces and police.

Military officials said that there is a need to strengthen battalions as part of the ongoing efforts to prepare for major combined armed forces operations in the Wanni. Troops of 53 and 55 divisions had secured over 1000 square kms both in the eastern and western parts of the Wanni in operations conducted since December last year. The two divisions did not face heavy resistance during these operations. During the third phase of Ranagosa, troops regained 102 square kms area east of Periyamadu. The operation launched on May 8 saw troops of 53 division comprised special forces, commandos and air mobile troops and 55 division troops advancing towards Olumadukulam. The 53 division had moved from Mundimuruppu while 55 division had pushed from Palampiddi.

"They linked up on May 10," army headquarters based officer said.

Troops faced stiff resistance on May 14 when they pushed towards Chiraddikulam. Air and artillery strikes were launched in support of ground troops and after a series of fierce confrontations, a heavily fortified defence line southeast of Periyamadu was captured. At least 42 terrorists and 12 soldiers were killed in the entire operation. Periyamadu had not been regained, the military said.

Ranagosa operations had considerably increased army’s position in the western part of the Wanni. Senior officers said that because of gains made since December last year, troops could operate on a wider front, conducting small scale operations ahead of their defences.

CWC uses Central Province leverage to grab key ministry

A half hearted attempt by the UNP to bring down the PA administration in the Central Provincial Council failed last week after the Ceylon Workers Congress [CWC] accepted a crucial portfolio in the Board of Ministers in return for backing the administration, political sources said on Friday.

Some UNP’ers, particularly Keheliya Rambukwella, the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the CPC at the last PC poll made a determined effort to bring down the PA administration by persuading the six member National Union of Workers [NUW], an affiliate of the CWC, to vote with the UNP. However, the UNP leadership in Colombo was not interested, sources said adding that despite recent differences over controversial police action at Nuwara Eliya on May Day, the CWC on Wednesday decided to remain with the government.

The 26 member PA group in the CPC depends on the support of the NUW group to run the Council. The UNP has 23 members and the JVP 1.

Earlier, there were reports, speculation and claims that the CWC will withdraw support for the PA in the CPC over government’s handling of the May Day disturbances involving supporters of CWC and Sinhala Veera Vidahana.

V. Radhakrishnan, the former chairman of the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha and CWC’s chief political organiser at Nuwara Eliya will take oaths before the PA appointed Governor Stanley Tillekeratne tomorrow. After intense negotiations with the PA, the CWC during Wednesday’s meeting decided to accept the portfolio of Industries, Estate Infrastructure, Livestock Development, Tamil Education, Hindu Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Social Services. The CWC has welcomed the addition of subjects, Estate Infrastructure and Social Services to the portfolio.

However, the post of the Deputy Chairman held by a representative of plantations during the two previous CPC administrations, has not been given to a councillor from the "plantation community." PA’s Mahinda Abeykoon and Thilina Tennakoon were elected the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman on May 5. The six member NUW group sat with the PA but did not vote to elect the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman.

Highly placed CWC sources in the Central region said that their decision to abstain from voting on that day was not prompted by the PA not giving the post of the Deputy Chairman to a plantation representative but differences over the May Day disturbances.

These sources said that Rambukwella who polled the highest number of preferential votes in the entire Central province and third in the country at the April sixth poll, held several rounds of talks with the CWC to explore the possibility of bringing down the administration. However, the CWC sensing anti-minority sentiments within the UNP knew that Rambukkwella and a few other MP’s who sought an alliance with the CWC had little influence, these sources said. Talks between the UNP’ers and the CWC failed paving the way for the PA to consolidate its position, further in the PC system, the sources said.

"We will be extending fullest co-operation to the PA in the Central province and in every other Council," a Kandy-based CWC source said.

Political sources said that PA’s ability to iron out differences with the CWC well ahead of the June 10 elections in the South, will permit the ruling party to fully concentrate on the southern campaign. (SF)

Maligawatte incident
Two ‘released suspects’ wanted for murder, says police

Police said that some of the suspects arrested but released last Sunday after clashes between police and a section of Maligawatte residents, were believed to be involved in a case of murder and an attempted murder. "We have information to suggest that two of the released men were involved in at least one killing," a senior police officer told "The Sunday Island" yesterday adding that police are looking for them.

They had gone underground, he added.

The Crime Detective Bureau [CDB] on May 15 arrested seven persons in connection with the killing of M. Wijetunga, a police driver attached to Dematagoda police station on May Day. However, six of the suspects were later released as there was no evidence to suggest that they were involved in the Wijetunga killing.

"There was a lot of political pressure to set them free," a police officer said.

However, after their release police had unearthed information to link two of the released persons to a killing and one attempted killing.

The arrest of Maligawatte suspects led to clashes between police and unruly mobs May 15 night and on the next day. Later troops moved in, in support of policemen.

Police said that a special squad had been set up under SSP Bandula Wickremesinghe, director, CDB. A group of CID personnel had been temporarily placed under Wickremesinghe to mount a series of operations against the Colombo underworld.

Colombo DIG T. N. de Silva ordered the setting up of the squad following a directive of the IGP Lucky Kodituwakku.

Police said that the squad will concentrate on about 50 to 60 underworld figures involved in the narcotics trade, hired killings and play key roles in controlling prostitution, kasippu trade and other vices. [SF]

Business leaders tabulate UNP - PA differences

By Franklin R. Satyapalan
A high powered committee including two cabinet ministers and two provincial governors are now studying a tabulated document prepared by business leaders indicating areas of agreement and disagreement between the UNP and the PA on the peace effort, Minister G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

The committee comprises Prof. Peiris, Minister Ashraff and Governors Neville Kanakaratne and K. Vignarajah.

Prof. Peiris said that at two meetings with the business leaders led by Mr. Lalith Kotelawala last week, the government had indicated that President Kumaratunga agreed that the PA would be as flexible as possible to accommodate the UNP proposals which the Tamil political parties consider in accord with Tamil aspirations.

Prof. Peiris said that Mr. A.C.S. Hameed had indicated that the UNP will join the PA and the business leaders at a joint meeting after the Southern Provincial Council elections are over.

"We are only differing on the three matters of the unitary state, land and the unit of devolution. The problem of police powers can be easily resolved with national and regional police commissions’’, Prof. Peiris said.

"The business leaders are working very hard at achieving consensus between the UNP and the PA and I think we can narrow our differences.’’

Meeting with Laos PM
Kadirgamar voices concern over LTTE activity

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirga-mar last week expres-sed concern over possible LTTE activity in the region when he called on the Laos Prime Minister Sis-avath Keobounphanh, Foreign Mi-nistry said in a statement issued yesterday.

Kadirgamar last Thursday began a ten day tour of Indo-China which will take him to Laos. Viet-nam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Kadirgamar called on Prime Minister Sisavath Koeboun-phanh on Thursday evening and briefed him also on developments in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s concerns regards possible LTTE activity in the region. Prime Minis-ter Keoboun-phanh re assured the Minister that such activities would never be permitted or tolerated. He further said if any such activity was detected Sri Lanka would be informed immediately. The Prime Minister who described Sri Lanka as ’a good friend’, recalled the historical ties between Sri Lanka and Laos and conveyed the warm greetings of his people to President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Siri-mavo Banda-ranaike. He recalled with gratitude the support given to Laos by the Bandaranaike administration.

Minister Kadirgamar accompanied by Mrs. Kadirgamar who arrived in the Laotian capital of Vientiane on the morning of May 20th on a two-day visit, were warmly welcomed by the Lao Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsvad and Mrs. Lengsavad at Vientiane airport.

On Thursday afternoon the two Foreign Ministers held bilateral talks accompanied by their respective delegations. Welcoming the Sri Lankan Minister to Laos, Foreign Minister Lengsavad noted that Laos was deeply honoured to be receiving the Sri Lankan delegation. Describing Minister Kadirgamar’s visit as a landmark event he noted that this was the first such high level visit to Laos from Sri Lanka. The Minister pointed out that the traditional bonds of friendship between Laos and Sri Lanka had been further strengthened by collaboration between the two countries in international fora, particularly the Non-Aligned Movement and the G77. It was noted that the former President of Laos had attended the 5th NAM Summit Conference held in Colombo in 1976.

Responding Foreign Minister Kadirgamar said that the Lao-Sri Lanka relationship was very old and the great bond that united the peoples of the two countries was Buddhism. He said although over the years these bonds have become slack and the two countries had not kept sufficiently in contact, the people of Sri Lanka knew Laos well as a result of the Buddhist affinity. The Minister said his present visit which he described as a ‘new chapter’ in the relationship was aimed at re-invigorating the traditional friendship in a manner that meets the challenges and demands of the modern age.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister said that in this spirit of cooperation the Sri Lanka government wished to extend to Laos, several opportunities for training and institution in any manner that would be inimical to Sri Lanka’s interests. He said Sri Lanka had already made similar requests to other countries in the region and was gratified by the action taken by them.

The Foreign Minister of Laos noted that with the expansion of tourism and increased incidents of border crossings; it was necessary to keep a watchful eye on illegal activities. The Minister said having gone through considerable devastation in the past the Laos people highly valued peace and will never support any terrorist activity or militancy on their soil against a friendly government. The Minister briefed the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on efforts being made by the Laos government to curb narcotics related activity and noted that a two day conference aimed at developing greater sub-regional cooperation on this issue was currently taking place in Laos in which China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand were also taking part.

During their stay in Vientiane the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister and his delegation called on the President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, Venerable Phra Achane Vichith. The Venerable Vichith thanked Sri Lanka for the support extended to the propagation of Buddhism in Laos and appreciated the offer of scholarships to Buddhist researchers. Minister Kadirgamar briefed him on the recently concluded International Buddhist Conference held in Sri Lanka at which Laos was represented.

Lakshman Netticumara dies in road accident

By Kalinga Weerakkody
Lakshman Netticumara, President of Otters Club and a member of the family owning Salaka Group of Companies was killed in a road accident around 1 am yesterday close to the Sri Jayewardenepura Parliamentary complex, police said.

He had been returning after a party when his vehicle ran off the road and toppled, seriously injuring him, according to police.

49-year-old Netticumara succumbed to his injuries on admission to the Colombo National hospital.

Police investigations are in progress.

Christian Affairs Dept. set up

A Christian Affairs Department has been set up within the Cultural Ministry for the first time and the new department has a director responsible for Roman Catholic affairs, the Catholic Messenger reported.

This report said that "the department would also protect and safeguard the rights and privileges of the Christian community as envisaged in the constitution.

"It will also promote the use of local languages and cultural riches in the worship of the Christian faith.’’

Christians make up 7.5% of the country’s population now estimated at 18.8 million.

Elections soon in Eastern Province on staggered basis, says Moulana

Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Alavi Moulana yesterday said that he is confident that elections to local government bodies in the Eastern province comprising Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts could be held on a staggered basis. The term of the local authorities expired on April 4 this year and currently administered by the Divisional Secretaries could be held in areas controlled by the armed forces, he said. He insisted that the government is determined to hold elections as soon as possible.

The term of local bodies which were extended for 1 year from April 4, 1998 to April 4 this year were placed under Divisional Secretaries. They are not political appointees, he said pointing out that efforts are being made, in consultation with North-East based officials to make arrangements.

The LTTE remains in control large parts of the Eastern province particularly the Batticaloa district. Since mid 1995, whole battalions of troops were pulled out of the east to regain lost territory in the northern theatre.

Moulana said that all parties are keen to face elections in the North East.

The return of former North- East Chief Minister Varatharaja Perumal and ongoing talks between him and the PA administration had fueled speculation that the government is keen to revive political activity at least in the eastern province.

Minister Moulana pointed out that some people keep on blaming the government for not restoring civil administration in Jaffna and other North-East areas but ignore the LTTE’s role.

Commenting on the existing situation in the Jaffna peninsula, Moulana admitted that efforts to restore civil administration had been seriously hampered by prevailing LTTE threats. Almost 20 local government members including two Mayors and MPs had been slained by LTTE since April 95. The majority of them died in the Jaffna peninsula, Moulana said.

He said that the assassination of Mayor Sarojini Yogeswaran derailed government work in the peninsula. Funds and equipment were provided and more funds were pledged, but the LTTE did not want to see the restoration of civil rule in the peninsula.

Moulana insisted that the North East Governor, retired Major General Asoka Jayawardana and the armed forces were doing everything possible to improve the situation in the region. The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority for North [RRAN] had been doing tremendous amount work in the peninsula he said adding that the international community had financially backed RRAN work in the peninsula.

The international community, Moulana said had admitted that the government is working to restore normalcy in the peninsula. [SF]

Two foreigners accused of sex offence

by Shamindra Ferdinando
Negombo Magistrate Saman Wickramarachchi last Friday remanded two foreigners accused of sexually abusing two boys for two weeks, a police spokesman said yesterday.

Sixty five year old Erik Ostland from Sweden and 50-year old Jahn Nielsen from Norway were produced before Wickramarachchi by prison authorities for sexually abusing a 14 year old boy and a 16 year old boy living in the Negombo police division.

The spokesman said that Ostland was arrested on April 22. However, the then Negombo Magistrate released him on bail five days later. The suspect had obtained a new passport and was on the verge of leaving the country on April 28 when Negombo police arrested him at the Bandaranaike International Airport, police said.

The arrest was made after Negombo High Court judge Gamini Abeyratne revoked the Magistrate’s order to bail the Swede.

Nielsen had been arrested on April 24.

Both are expected to be tried in the High Court.

Embassies of both countries had been informed of the arrests, police said adding that sexual abuse of both boys and girls had become a serious problem. However, the government has tightened laws to protect minors after an alarming increase in paedophilia.

Inquiries are conducted by IP Muditha Nishantha and SI Ariyaratne under Chief Inspector Gamini Mathurata supervised by SSP Negombo Lawrence Amarasena.

Positive move towards dialogue between Govt. and LTTE

By Franklin R. Satyapalan
Recent developments indicate a positive movement towards a dialogue being started between the government and the LTTE, political analysis indicated.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has in her recent speeches in the South reiterated that the government would find a solution to the war before the end of this year. She has also given the green light for the religious dignitaries to pursue their efforts to facilitate a dialogue between the LTTE and government.

Political analysis said that with both parties at the war front, LTTE and government, unable to meet the short fall in manpower, realise the need for a negotiated settlement but there is still no consensus whether it would be with a mediator or a facilitator.

Meanwhile the peace initiative of the business community led by Deshabandu Lalith Kotelawala and Ken Balendra is also gathering momentum.

The recent survey conducted by the Department of Sociology of Colombo University led by Prof. J. D. Hettige revealed that a decisive 66% majority of people in the country wanted to see an end to the war.

At the last meeting between the business community and the UNP delegation, one important decision had been reached. The leader of the delegation, A. C. S. Hameed MP had suggested that the business community take the package to the LTTE and ascertain their response.

Mr. Hameed also maintained that any effort to pursue a discussion to narrow the differences between the Government and LTTE was not pragmatic without knowing exactly what the LTTE thought of these proposals.

K. N. Choksy PC, and D. M. Swaminathan also suggested that they could also present to the LTTE the alternative proposals submitted by the UNP.

In the detailed discussion that took place Mr. Kotelawela, leader of private sector delegation inquired whether the UNP would have any objections to their presenting the proposals to the LTTE indicating also the areas of agreement and disagreement between the Government and the UNP on the package, Mr. Hameed responded that the UNP had no reservations about such an approach.

The private sector has already circulated a document to the UNP delegation led by MP A. C. S. Hameed comprising Ronnie de Mel, K. N. Choksy PC and D. M. Swaminathan and PA delegation led by Minister Prof. G. L. Pieris, Minister M. H. M. Ashraff, Governor Southern Province Deshamanya Neville Kanekeratne and Governor Western Province K. Vignarajah the areas of agreement and disagreement between both the UNP and PA and requested them to peruse it.

It is now very likely that there would be a joint meeting after the Southern Provincial Council Elections to be held on June 10 between the PA Government, UNP opposition along with the private sector delegation.

If this meeting does not run into serious problems then the business community delegation would have to shoulder the responsibility of meeting the LTTE and presenting the proposals, political analysis said.

The question that is being asked in political quarters is whether the business community can rise up to this challenge and would the LTTE be prepared to meet the private sector business delegation led by Kotelawela?

Three foreign call girls arrested
Police to charge youth for raping 13 year old sex worker

by Shamindra Ferdinando
A 26 year old youth arrested along with a 13-year-old sex worker during a raid on a five star hotel last Wednesday [19] will be charged for rape, police officials told The Sunday Island yesterday.

Fort police Thursday obtained a magisterial order to detain the youth for three days to help the investigations. The suspect was taken into custody in the morning after a guest staying in the same hotel informed Fort HQI Chief Inspector A.M.Ekanayake of a child crying in pain Tuesday night. A squad of policemen raided the room and took into custody two sex workers and two customers. "The girls were aged 13 and 19," a police officer said adding that the 19 year old girl and the 36 year old customer found sleeping with her were released after being produced before a magistrate.

The alleged rape victim had been handed over to the Salvation Army.

Fort police had arrested three members of the prostitution ring that specialises in supplying young girls to rich customers. The arrested included the man who tricked the child victim’s mother to hand over the girl to him. He had promised to find her employment in the city. Investigations have revealed that this man had taken the girl to a hotel in the Wattala police area and allgedly raped her before "selling" her to the woman running the sex trade. "We are looking for her," CI Ekanayake said adding that police will press for maximum punishment for all those involved in the incident.

Colombo DIG T. N. de Silva has ordered a crackdown on vices resulting in stepped up operations.

Police conducts regular raids on brothels and massage parlours which as fronts for prostitution rings, but don’t arrest customers. However, the youth was arrested from the hotel for allegedly having sex with an under - aged girl , Earlier police identified the customer as a middle aged man.

"We never expected to find a 13 year old girl ," the police officer said revealing that the girl had been forced to work as a sex slave since last month. "She did not look even 11 years," the officer said admitting that the girl, was perhaps the youngest sex worker arrested by Colombo police in the past couple of years.

This girl had worked as a sex worker since April 28. She had been kept at Mattakkuliya and then taken to various hotels when requested by customers.

The "madam" had charged several thousands of rupees claiming that she was new, young and good in everything she does," police said.

Further investigations are conducted by Fort police under the directions of senior SP, Colombo Central.

Meanwhile Kollupitiya police has launched investigations into the recent arrival of ten prostitutes from the former Soviet Union, a police officer said yesterday. Their arrival came to light after decoys deployed by police led to the arrest of two prostitutes from the former Soviet Union last Thursday during a raid in the Kollupitiya police area.

In another raid in the Bambalapitiya police area Friday night police arrested another foreign prostitute holding a Chinese passport. Police said that several dozen foreign women operate here. "We are investigating reports that eight Indian prostitutes are also in the area," an officer said.

Court orders ransom money to be returned

By Kalinga K. A. Weerakkody
Last Wednesday, Colombo Magistrate Sujatha Alwis ordered that Rs. 18 million, recovered by the Police from the Rs. 20 million ransom money in the G. C. Wickremasinghe abduction case, be returned, through the Central Bank to Gihan Wickramasinghe, son of the abducted company director.

Director of the Crime Detective Bureau, SSP Bandula Wickramasinghe told the "Sunday Island" that 19 lakhs of rupees is still to be recovered. He said that anyone found in possession of these Rs. 1,000 currency notes would be liable to arrest and prosecution, and advised anyone with such notes to hand them over to the nearest police station.

On the order of court, a thousand rupee note from every bundle of money recovered, has been retained by the police to help them in their investigation.

575 Lankans in Britain to watch World Cup

From Sujeeva Nivunhella in London
Five hundred and seventy five Lankans have come to Britain to watch the World Cup matches according to figures available here. A total of 600 persons had sought visas to visit Britain for the cricket festival.

Well informed sources here said that some visa seekers had been turned down because they were suspected of trying to enter Britain not to watch the cricket but for other reasons.

Visa seekers were quizzed on cricket and the World Cup contest at the British High Commission in Colombo in an effort to determine whether they were really fans or those attempting to obtain visas under cover of the World Cup.

Many fans from the Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) have also applied for visas to enter Britain for the matches and they too had been tested on their cricketing knowledge according to press reports here.

Stamp to mark British Council’s 50th year in SL

by Harini Dias Bandaranayake
The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 3.50 last Thursday to mark the British Council’s 50th year in Sri Lanka.

Chief Guest Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Media, requested the co-operation of the British Council for the upliftment of journalists and media personnel by way of training and provision of equipment and facilities during the next few years.

"The biggest contribution to Sri Lanka by Great Britain has been the English Language", Mr. Samaraweera said. He elaborated that it has been the English Language that has enabled Sri Lanka too to participate in the concept of globalization and to reach heights in the legal, educational, business, medical and political professions. This language, he said, has also made itself prominent as the official language of SAARC.

The Minister commended the assistance given to Sri Lanka through its branches in both Colombo and Kandy since 1949 in the form of its three fold path of education. This path includes research and reference facilities for both students and scholars, the educational advice offered to students who wish to study in the United Kingdom and the reference and lending library facilities afforded to all.

The design for the stamp was initiated through an art competition conducted amongst the Young Learners’ English class students from the British Council’s Language Centres in Colombo and Kandy. The stamp portrays the winning painting of 12-year-old Udayakumari Kulasekera of Kandy and was designed by Albert Dharmasiri. One million stamps are being printed and will be in circulation during the next few months, British Council officials said.

The British Council is a registered charity which is sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and also receives funds from the Departments of International Development, Education and Employment. In the year 1998 the British Council worked in 230 towns and cities in 109 countries.

While the ceremonial cancellation of the stamp was done by the Minister, the presentation of first day covers took place between the Minister, K.C. Logeswaran, Secretary, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Media, Mrs. H.M.S. Kotakadeniya, Post Master General and H. Kumarasinghe, Director, Philatelic Bureau.

The presentations of awards to the winners of the stamp design competition was held soon after.

Linda Duffield, British High Commissioner Designate and Susan Maingay, Director, British Council, Sri Lanka as well as the British Council staff were present at the ceremony.

Seven arrested over theft of priceless Buddha statue

by Kalinga K. A. Weerakkody
The Special Investigation Team of Gampola police arrested seven people in Colombo on Wednesday in connection with the theft of a priceless Buddha statue.

A.S.P. of Gampaha Premasiri Withana said the suspects were being questioned and it was not clear yet from where the statue had been stolen. The statue is in reclining posture, is 3 1/2 feet in length and 1 1/2 feet in width and weighing around 300kg.

The A. S. P. said they have informed the Archaeological Department for further investigations.

In petition to Supreme Court
German national married to Sri Lankan woman complains of ‘discrimination’

By Chitra Weerarathne
A German national married to a Sri Lankan woman has complained to the Supreme Court that discriminating and unfair guidelines are laid to grant residence visas to foreign spouses of Sri Lankan women, but not to foreign spouses of Sri Lankan men.

The petition said that this was discriminatory, as foreign women married to Sri Lankan men are granted residence visas in Sri Lanka, without having to follow any rigid guidelines.

The Fundamental Rights Violation plea filed in the Supreme Court by, Bernard Maximillian Fischer, (aged 38) and his Sri Lankan wife Ranik Fischer nee Joseph, (aged 23), had said that, the first petitioner Bernard Fischer had come to Sri Lanka, on a tourist visa, and had met Ranik, fallen in love with her and married her on December 12, 1997.

Thereafter they had left for Germany to settle down. But however, Ranik had not got adapted to the culture and the climate in Germany. In October last year they had returned to Sri Lanka, for Ranik’s benefit.

In March this year Bernard and Ranik had gone to meet Mervyn Wijesekera, Deputy Controller of Immigration and Emigration, to obtain a residence visa for Bernard Fischer.

The Deputy Controller of Immigration and Emigration had informed Fischer that there is a requirement that he should deposit US $25,000 for a consideration of the application.

The Deputy Controller had handed over a copy of a document titled, "Guidelines for the grant of Residence Visas to male spouses of Sri Lankans". The respondent Deputy Controller has also informed Fischer that he should show proof of an inward remittance of US $9,000, as a condition precedent to entertain an application by a male spouse of a Sri Lankan female.

The petitioners had said in the petition that Bernard Fischer could not afford to deposit US $25,000 as a deposit. Mr. Fischer is on a two month tourist visa and as a result they will be forced to leave Sri Lanka, unless a Residence Visa is granted to Mr. Fischer.

The petition said that this administrative practice was discriminatory and a way of subjecting Fischer, a male spouse of a Sri Lankan woman to unequal treatment.

The petition alleged breach of Articles 12 (1) and 12 (2) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

The petition requested the Court to declare the Violation of Fundamental Rights and further to declare that Mr. Fischer was entitled to a Residence Visa.

The petitioners also requested the Supreme Court to declare null and void the set of guideline forwarded by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

The respondents are, the Controller of Immigration and Emigration, The Deputy Controller of the same Department and the Attorney General.

Police arrest four-member gang of women shop-lifters

Acting on a tip off, Athurugiriya police last week arrested a four member gang of women shop lifters and recovered video decks, clothes and other stolen goods worth approximately Rs 500,000, police said yesterday. A squad of policemen from the Athurugiriya swung into action after workers of a shop in the area informed of the activities of the gang.

Athurugiriya police OIC Inspector Anura Gunasekara told The Sunday Island that the shop workers had followed the four women who left the shop in a hurry and got into a three wheeler. They later informed the police of the gang and also gave the addresses.

Police arrested all four members within an hour.

Initial investigations had revealed that they were active for several years. Inspector Gunasekara said that a member of the gang had started stealing clothes from shops in the area. Later she had been joined by another woman. They had met when they were taking their children to a school in the area, Gunasekara said adding that two more women had joined them later.

Police said that they had sold stolen electrical items and various other goods through some shops and friends.

Gunasekara said that police had received a large number of complaints from shop owners in the area regarding the activities of an unidentified gang. However, they had managed to continue their activities.

They are all between 27 - 35 and married. They were produced before a Magistrate and remanded till June 4.

Investigations are continuing. PS 11894 Illangathilaka, PS 8640 Dhahanayaka, PC Nihal Shantha 20982 and PC 21982 Heenbanda are handling the investigation.(SF)

Beware of mod youths

Police headquarters has warned the public to be wary of a group of nattily dressed youths who rob cash and valuables after befriending people, particularly those using public transport to travel long distances.

The modus operandi of this gang, working individually or in pairs is to target a person at random while travelling in a long distance bus or train, offer food, drinks or cigarettes laced with a drug which cause drowsiness and get away with his belongings, a senior police official said.

No sooner these unsuspecting people consume what’s offered by the new found friend or friends, as the case may be, they feel giddy and fall asleep. By the time they wake up, their chums who said they were from respectable homes, had disappeared, the official said.

Several cases have already been reported from Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee areas, he said.

Police have still not been able to arrest members of this ring as there was no proper identification. The victims have given statements to the police and investigations are continuing to track them down, the official said. - (Suresh)

Anonymous caller helped detect stolen bicycle

An anonymous caller last week led Mannar division SSP Lalith Lekamge to detect a policeman involved in several robberies, police sources said yesterday. A caller, believed to be a policeman had given a call informing the SSP office that a stolen bicycle was to be smuggled out of Mannar in a heavy truck scheduled to leave Mannar for Dambulla.

Police had immediately stopped the truck which was leaving the Mannar police station and found the bicycle. However, the police driver had claimed that another reserve constable had asked him to transport it to Dambulla.

The reserve policeman had claimed that he had purchased the bicycle from a Muslim in the town. But inquiries had revealed that the bicycle had been recovered from the scene of a terrorist attack on police early this year. The owner of the bicycle had been arrested by Mannar police for his alleged involvement in terrorist activity, police said. The suspect had been handed over to the Terrorist Investigation Department [TID].

Mannar police believes that the reserve constable had smuggled several bicycles and other items recovered from terrorist suspects and in incidents related to LTTE activity-[SF]

Publisher’s answer in Arjuna defamation case

by V. Varathasuntharam
The article under the caption "Cricket team at half strength disappoint games organisers" was published in the Weekend Express acting bona fide and in the public interest and in compliance with their obligations as a newspaper, states the answers filed by the defendant newspaper through their counsel G. G. Arulpragasam in the Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunge defamation suit claiming damages in a sum of Rs 100,000,000 before Colombo District Court.

In this case plaintiff Arjuna Ranatunge has sued the newspaper for publishing a Press interview held at Kuala Lumpur in September 1998 by Hemasiri Fernando, Chairman, Sri Lanka Olympic Committee in respect of selection and composition of the Sri Lanka Cricket team to the 16th commonwealth games at Kuala Lumpur.

In the answers the plaintiff stated that in any event and without prejudice the Defendants plead that the plaint does not disclose that a demand had been made prior to filing of the action and thus on that ground alone the Plaintiff cannot have and maintain the action as presently constituted.

There was qualified privilege and the defendants are entitled to qualified privilege in respect of the said publication in that inter alia the defendants honestly believed that the defendants have a duty to bring to the notice of the public the statement made by Mr. Hemasiri Fernando, the answers concluded.

Senior Indian advocate here as observer in case against MP

A former Additional Solicitor General of India, Mr. A. N. Jeyaram, Advocate, was in Sri Lanka as an International Observer of the Inter Parliamentary Union, Geneva, Switzerland, to watch a case against Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana MP which was scheduled to be taken up for trial on May 18, 19 and 20 before the High Court in Colombo, dates which had been fixed with the consent of prosecuting counsel.

The case was postponed at the request of the prosecution.

Mr. Jayaram states that he had visited Sri Lanka four times as an International Observer to watch this trial during the last two years, "but unfortunately all these four times the trial was postponed at the request of the prosecution."

On an earlier occasion a senior British Judge, Lord McCluskey was accredited by the International Bar Association as an observer for this case, but he did not come as the case was postponed at the last minute. Lord McCluskey had been accredited by the International Commission of Jurists, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, the Law Society of Scotland and the Scotland Faculty of Advocates.

Mr. Jayaram too was accredited as an observer to this trial by the International Commission of Jurists.

Mr. Jayaram says that "it is not an easy task for an International Observer with a legal background and experience to come to Sri Lanka all the way to watch this trial. This undue postponements may frustrate the possibility of the attendance of a suitably qualified International Observer to watch this important case."

He adds that this is the first instance in the recent past that an International Observer has been accredited to watch a trial against the Sri Lankan parliamentarian by so many International Organisations.

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Unethical conversions spotlighted at discussion on ‘challenges faced by Buddhism’

By Mallika Wanigasundara
The only method of conversion acceptable to Buddhists is by rational persuasion. Buddhists are not against conversion per se, for it is a fundamental right. But what we object to are the unethical conversions which are going on at an alarming rate in this country, said Prof. Y. Karunadasa, former Director of the Post Graduate Institute for Pali and Buddhist Studies.

He was speaking at a panel discussion on the theme of `Challenges faced by Buddhism in Sri Lanka’ sponsored by the Dharmacarinis and the Dharma Vijaya Foundation (DVF) and held at the DVF auditorium.

The Buddha made it quite clear about his attitude towards conversions, when his followers suggested that he should perform miracles to win over people. He said that he loathed miracles and that he was ashamed of performing them. Only rational persuasion should convince a person before he/she converts, he said.

The Ven. Mahinda told King Devanampiyatissa that he would consider the country truly converted when it developed an indigenous Sangha adapted to local conditions. What he meant was, Prof. Karunadasa explained, a Sangha which was not dependent on India and an appendage of India.

Referring to the double standards by which events are judged, he said that what was happening in Kosovo was a conflict between Catholics and Muslims, but is this ever mentioned or highlighted? Not a word is said about what is clearly Christian genocide, he commented.

Several speakers explored the challenges both internal and external - subtle under currents, open unabashed invasion of Buddhists rights, the decline of the Sangha, the erosion of our value system, unethical conversions, the lack of awareness amongst the Buddhist laity and most important of all, the lack of governments committed to the preservation of Buddhism, with the sole exception of Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike.

Dr. Nalin Suaris, a former Catholic priest classified the Teachings of the Buddha as the most comprehensive, most consistent ethic taught by a human being for human beings. He talked about his gradual questioning of the postulates of the Church, its powers and attitudes and what he called his devious path to an understanding of the Dhamma. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Utrecht and lived and taught in Holland. His dissertation ‘The Buddha’s way to human liberation’, is socio-historical in approach and bears witness to his discovery of the Dhamma.

Detailing some of the internal challenges, he deplored the distasteful excitation of the senses in Sri Lanka’s engulfing consumerist, commercialised society - the selfsame titivation of cravings, which the Buddha said leads to the endless cycle of samsara.

The Buddha does not devalue life, nor does he offer a ‘chartered’ flight to happiness after death, he said.

Dr. Suaris is perturbed by the evident growth of stubble on the cheeks of monks and hair on their heads and calls for a radical reform of the Sangha. Their education needs a complete and comprehensive modernisation to meet the demands of the modern world - This is a lesson which has to be learnt from the Catholic Church. Priests undergo extensive studies in theology, comparative religion, the humanities, philosophy, psychology, sociology and pastoral training.

This indeed is a challenge which Buddhists have to meet.

Dr. Piyasena Dissanayake, Secretary of the National Joint Committee, a former member of the foreign service, a former lecturer in political science at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura elicited applause when he said that a government fostering and nurturing the Buddha Sasana was the most essential factor for the preservation and survival of Buddhism in this country.

He referred to three prerequisites for the survival:

1. A virtuous Sangha which adheres strictly to the rules of the Vinaya.

2. A laity which lives the Buddhist way of life.

3. A government committed to fostering and promoting the Buddhist way of life.

In this third factor we differ, he said from other Theravada countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Burma and Laos. Since independence we have had no such governments, with the sole exception of the government of Mrs. Bandaranaike, he said.

The Buddhists have never challenged governments, but governments have done nothing for Buddhists, he added. What we need at this juncture is a government with commitment to foster and nurture Buddhism and this is not impossible, he commented.

Dr. Roger Smith, resident in Kandy works indefatigably for the preservation of Buddhism and has pioneered the Center for Buddhism in Kandy and Colombo. He monitors radio and TV for information on Buddhism under attack and keeps interested Buddhists informed.

He warned that if Buddhists did not look sharp what happened in South Korea would happen here. The US he said is ready to impose sanctions if a country does not treat missionaries in a particular way. The Christian Coalition of the US is a hardline body, he said, which writes to governments demanding `freedom of religion’ - read `Freedom to proselytise’, he said.

The banking system of the world is geared to the Christian holidays, and under globalisation, there could even be pressure to do away with the Poya holidays, he said.

Buddhism, he said, was 2000 years ahead of the West in freedom of thought, which the West espoused only 50 odd years ago, he said.

Rajah Kuruppu, President of the Servants of the Buddha, spoke of the need to reform ourselves. At a minimum Buddhists have to follow the five precepts. He made the interesting point that when a survey was done on prisoners, it was found that not one of them had attended a Daham Pasala. The Daham Pasal perform a signal service to the community he added.

There were two other interesting points made and worthy of notice: Prof. Karunadasa on movements like ‘Dialogue’ : What they are trying to do is make Buddhism look like any other religion. They use Buddhist nomenclature and say that all religions say the same things but in different languages. But this is furthest from actual fact. Buddhism is non-theistic and it is poles apart from other religions. In order to co-exist there is no need to have the same beliefs and ideologies, he said.

Dr. Suaris put it more strongly : Dialogue is proselytisation by peaceful means. The traditional, mainstream churches are nice, polite and non-aggressive, but the new evangelists are aggressive.

The Buddhists do not seem to realise what is happening. The Kandy Buddhist Publications Society even publishes books by Elizabeth Harris, he said. She calls herself a ‘Christian Buddhist’ (an unheard of hybrid) and in actuality she is the coordinator for inter-religious relations employed by the Methodist Church in the UK.

Dr. Asanga Tillakeratne drew attention to the unfortunate fact that less attention is paid to the study of humanities, such as Pali, Buddhist Philosophy etc. and a great deal more space is given to languages such as French and German, which are of commercial importance in the universities. History, arts, philosophy, religion, all these subjects we are trying to eliminate them from our curriculum, he said.

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