The government has for the past few weeks obstructed access to the LNW website in Sri Lanka and the website has been completely blocked since midnight Sunday (27).
Lakshman Hulugalle admitted to National Hospital for urgent heart surgery
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
Sources from the National Hospital said Director General of the Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle had to undergo urgent heart surgery at the hospital after he was admitted following a sudden heart attack.
The heart attack had occurred while Lakshman Hulugalle was participating in a discussion with a producer named Metha at his radio channel, Sath FM. Lakshman Hulugalle’s wife had arrived at the scene and taken him to hospital.
The President decided to appoint Lakshman Hulugalle as the Nikaweratiya electoral organizer, a position that fell vacant following the sudden death of Soma Kumari Tennekoon due to a heart attack.
Five luxury bullet proof jeeps to be purchased for the President’s security
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
Five super luxury bullet proof Toyota jeeps are to be imported by the government at a cost of Rs. 10 million each for the President’s safety, reliable sources said.
Following the campaign that there still existed an internal conspiracy to assassinate the President even after the end of the war, these vehicles are expected even withstand an RPG attack.
The number of bullet proof vehicles currently in the country is reportedly far higher than the number of such vehicles in neighboring India. Most the bullet proof vehicles in the country have been allocated to relatives of the President.
The President asks Thilanga and Dhammika not to act against PB
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
The President has asked Western Provincial Councilor Thilanga Sumathipala not to publish any stories in the Lakbima newspaper against P.B. Jayasundera who has been re-appointed as the Finance Ministry Secretary and has also requested Board of Investment Chairman, Dhammika Perera not to conspire against Jayasundera, sources from the Presidential Secretariat told Lanka News Web.
The President has received reports that Nihal Sri Ameresekere who filed the cases against P.B. Jayasundera in the Supreme Court is one of Thilanga Sumathipala’s friends and that former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva who delivered the orders against Jayasundera is one of Dhammika Perera’s friends.
Sources said the high taxes imposed by P.B. Jayasudnera on casinos and race bookies through respective budgets were the main reasons for the anger harbored by Thilanga and Dhammika against him.
President re-appoints PB as Treasury Secretary even after Cabinet approves an extension to Sumtih Abeysinghe
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
The president re-appointed P.B. Jayasundera as Treasury Secretary with immediate effect even after the Cabinet approved a one year service extension to Finance Ministry Secretary Sumith Abeysinghe to serve in the post till September 2010.
The Supreme Court permitted P.B. Jayasundera to hold public office once again.
However, the President re-appointed P.B. Jayasundera as the Treasury Secretary when Chartered Accountant Nihal Sri Ameresekere has filed a motion before Supreme Court calling for Jayasundera to not be appointed to the post held by him earlier.
SB, Harry, Elmo, Sumal and John Keells to file motions in Supreme Court against former Chief Justice’s decisions
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
Justice Ministry sources say that S.B. Dissanayake, Harry Jayawardena, Sumal Perera, Elmo Perera and Directors of John Keells, Susantha Ratnayake and Ajith Gunawradena have decided to file motions in the Supreme Court requesting a seven member bench to re-evaluate directives issued by former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva against them.
Sources say Attorney General Mohan Peiris has agreed to such moves.
Justice Ministry sources said the President who is acting with great interest to get the Supreme Court to tow his line has offered political perks to several Supreme Court judges.
Chief Justice Asoka Silva’s son in law, Isuru Balapatabendi has been appointed as the second secretary to the Sri Lankan embassy in the Netherlands on a Presidential directive.
Isuru Balapatabendi is the son of former Presidential Secretary Kusumsiri Balapatabendi and he is married to the Chief Justice’s daughter.
Campaign to make Gotabhaya Prime Minister launched with a song
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
The campaign to promote Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse as the Prime Minister after the next general election is to be launched with a song titled, “Yuva Raja Oba” (You are the second king) and orders have been issued to all electronic media to give wide publicity to the song once released.
The song is sung by Amila Perera and Nishantha Thalapage to music composed by Shantha Jayalath. The song is written by Deshamanya Subash Abeywickrema and produced by Director General of the Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle.
Lakshman Hulugalle is to also contest at the next general election with Gotabhaya Rajapakse from the Kurunegala District.
Rajapakse Company stealing public property under the guise of patriotism – Opposition Leader
2009-09-28 | 6.50 PM
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the Jana Bala Sena meeting on Sunday (27) said, “The government has taken a loan of Rs. 130,000 million through Sri Lanka Development Bonds saying it is to be used for development. The money could have been used to launch projects similar to Mahaweli and the Katunayake free trade zone. Yet, we do not see any massive development programme that has been launched with that money.”
The Jana Bala Sena convention was held at the Viharamahadevi open air theatre and was attended by thousands of Jana Bala secretaries representing all parts of the island.
Leaders of the UNP and leaders of other political parties, SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera, DPF Leader Mano Ganeshan, SLMC secretary and many others also attended the event.
The Opposition Leader went on to say, “The government has taken a loan of Rs. 130,000 million through Sri Lanka Development Bonds saying it is to be used for development. The money could have been used to launch projects similar to Mahaweli and the Katunayake free trade zone. Yet, we do not see any massive development programme that has been launched with that money.
“The government did not do any development programmes with that money and in order to pay this massive amount of money, they took a loan from the International Monetary Fund. Who stole this loan money? Did the money vanish during a bana sermon at Temple Trees?
“I asked the President and his henchman Ranjith Siyambalapitiya to reveal to parliament as to what happened to this money. But no one has responded so far.
“At a time when the people are suffering without a roof above their heads, the King is building another palace called Beverly in the Deniyaya electorate in the Matara District. Like the Buckingham Palace of the Queen of England, our King is building the Beverly Palace in Deniyaya, Matara.
“Our king has seven palaces. He has three palaces in Colombo. They are the two palaces built by the foreigners and one built by the King.
The King also has palaces in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura and Mahiyangana. Oh my God, that means the one being built in Deniyaya is the eighth palace. Even the Queen of England does not have eight palaces.
“The King has also made plans to build palaces in Kurunegala, Gampaha and Ratnapura Districts.
The King does not seem to be having a problem in building palaces while the people suffered.
“The people who are present here are the ones who are going to work to ensure a UNP victory at village level during the next general election.
Wish you all the best. Your victory is a victory for our party. Your victory will be the victory for the people and our country.”
Hudson loses his cool over damage in Bandaranaike recording
2009-09-27 | 9.10 PM
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Chairman, Hudson Samarasinghe had lost his cool and shouted at the technician who assisted his programme when a recording of the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike played during the programme to commemorate the 50th Bandaranaike death anniversary skipped due to a damage in the tape. Hudson had shouted out loud in filth at the technician, who had also shouted back at the Chairman.
Hudson, who is known to be a master at shouting in filth, had been taken back by the technician’s response and had asked, “Why, do you want to try and hit me?” The technician had retorted, “Do you think I can’t do that?”
The technician had then taken a few steps forward and announcer Wasantha Sujeewa who was present in the studio had pushed the Chairman into another studio to prevent Hudson from being assaulted by an employee.
40% of revenue earned from tea used to maintain company heads
2009-09-27 | 9.10 PM
Trade unions say estate workers could be given a two fold increase in their daily wage if the 40% currently charged by plantation companies from its estates for the maintenance of the head office is reduced to 25%.
Sources from plantation companies also said that an additional Rs. 18-20 is charged from a kilo of rubber or tea by the plantation companies as management fees.
The money for the maintenance of the head office include the salaries, allowances and other incentives paid to the upper level to lower level management and the luxury houses, vehicles, fuel allowances and foreign tours of the upper level management.
No control over food in parliament kitchen – Auditor General
2009-09-27 | 9.10 PM
The Auditor General has shown that in 2007, the parliament kitchen had thrown away 2,000 meal portions and 1,5000 desert portions for a month.
Such a situation has arisen due to the lack of a proper estimate of the number of people who would need to be catered by parliament each day and the inability of the administration to decide on the money to be spent on each meal.
The Auditor General in the 2007 parliament audit report has said there was no control over the finances related to the parliament kitchen.
Attempt to hand over development of Kankasanthurai harbor to India
2009-09-27 | 9.10 PM
The government it is learnt is attempting to hand over the development of the Kankasanthurai harbor to India. The Sri Lankan government has proposed through a letter handed over to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka that the Indians renovate and develop the Kankasanthurai harbor.
The government is hopeful of receiving Indian support to restore the breakwater, renovate the jetty, etc. However, intellectuals believe that getting Indians involved in an economically important venue would not be a wise move considering the security threat it would pose.
Unauthorized propaganda material put up outside election offices
2009-09-27 | 9.10 PM
People’s Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) has informed the Elections Commissioner that illegal propaganda boards of UPFA candidates are being put up outside the offices of the assistant elections commissioners in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts in the Southern Province.
Executive Director of the Movement, S.G. Punchihewa said that illegal propaganda boards and advertisements are commonly seen in every city in the Hambantota District.
SLA shoots 6 including women, children in Cheddiku'lam camp
2009-09-27 | 9.10 PM
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) on Saturday around 6:00 p.m. opened fire and injured six civilians including two women and three children in Cheddiku'lam internment camp, according to initial reports reaching from Vavuniyaa. One 8-year-old child, seriously wounded in the episode, was transferred to Anuradhapura hospital from Vavuniyaa hospital, medical sources in Vavuniyaa said.
The unfortunate group of six is said to have gone for collecting firewood in the surroundings of the camp.
General Sarath Fonseka had tried to resign from the Chief of Defence Staff post
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka had tired to hand over his letter of resignation on the 25th, but had later changed his mind following advice received by several leading monks, reliable sources said.
General Fonseka had decided to resign following the continuous intervention in his limited affairs by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.
Soldiers’ salaries slashed to collect funds to felicitate them
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Army soldiers have expressed displeasure over the deduction of Rs. 1,000 from their salary for the month of September without any prior notice claiming it to be the amount for a coin that is be issued to celebrate Army Day.
Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says the money was collected to issue a coin to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Army and that the coin would be distributed among the soldiers in the next few days. He also said the coin could be used for financial transactions in the country.
Spokesperson of the US embassy in Colombo, Jeff Anderson said the US Congress had made a request from US Secretary of State in June to present details of parties responsible for violating international human rights laws during the war in Sri Lanka and committing crimes against humanity.
Jeff Anderson further said that although the report was scheduled to be presented to the US Congress on September 21, it had to be delayed as the Sri Lankan embassy in the US was still preparing the report.
Basil Rajapakse to be appointed as Foreign Minister
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Government sources say there is a plan to appoint Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse as Foreign Minister at the next cabinet reshuffle.
Rohitha Bogollagama, who defected to the government from the UNP, was appointed as the Foreign Minister after Mahinda Rajapakse assumed office.
After his appointment as Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama made many foreign tours accompanied by his family, and a large number of friends and relatives.
Opposition Leader says he went to watch cabaret with Nimal Siripala
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament yesterday (25) that he went to watch cabaret with Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva when they were once in Uruguay.
The Opposition Leader made the statement in response to a question posed by Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena asking if he had made any complaint or discussion with the EU to stop the country from receiving the GSP+ facility. Ranil also said neither he nor any member from the UNP had made any request from the EU to stop the country from receiving the GSP+ and that it was the government that did not permit him to hold
Dullas says President violating Mathata Thitha policy
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Transport Minister Dullas Alahpperuma had on Wednesday (23) requested several of the President’s friends to intervene to advice him against consuming alcohol every night and shouting at government officials and ministers for no apparent reason as it was unhealthy for his political career as well as physical health. Dullas had said President Mahinda Rajapakse after quitting alcohol consumption when he became the Opposition Leader has now started to consume liquor on a daily basis.
Milinda and AG forcing senior officials at AG’s Department to be bias towards the government
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Sources from the Attorney General’s (AG’s) Department said the streamlined administrative structure that existed at the Department for years has been destroyed by Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda due to the pressure imposed by him and Attorney General Mohan Peiris on senior officials at the AG’s Department to act bias towards the government.
Rs. 270 lakhs to decorate the interior of the cricket headquarters
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Rs. 270 lakhs has been spent on interior decorations of the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket, Lanka News Web reliably learns.
It is learnt that Interim Committee Chairman, D.S. de Silva had given the respective contract to a company which has Basil Rajapakse as one of its shareholders and the respective company has given Rs. 50 lakhs from the contract money to de Silva.
Interim Committee sources say that de Silva and Secretary Nishntha Ranatunge are at constant loggerheads over the issue as the latter did not gain any benefits from the transaction.
Water and electricity disconnected at Cinnamon Gardens Police housing complex
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
Water and electricity supply to the housing complex for unmarried individuals in the Cinnamon Gardens Police has been disconnected due to the non payment of bills, it has been reported.
An official from the Cinnamon Gardens Police told us that police personnel living in the complex are faced with great difficulty due to the inability to even do their basic daily chores.
Pooja held at Lake House to invoke divine blessings on Bandula Padmakumara
2009-09-26 | 7.00 PM
A “Sani Murthanjali Homa Shanthi Karma Pooja” had been held at Lake House on Friday (25) morning to invoke divine blessings on the Lake House Chairman.
The pooja had been held on advice given by Lake House Financial Director Shanmuganathan.
Sources from Lake House said the pooja was held to nullify the possible ill effects that are expected to have been caused by several employees who dashed coconuts after cursing the Chairman.
Soma Kumari Tennekoon dies from a heart attack in Hambantota
2009-09-25 | 11.30 AM
North Western Provincial Councilor Soma Kumari Tennekoon, who was removed as the SLFP Nikaweratiya organizer, died from a heart attack on Thursday (24). She had experienced the heart attack while taking part in election activities in the Hambantota District for the Southern Provincial Council election.
She was taken to the Hambantota Base Hospital where she had died.
Daughter of former Minister Mudiyanse Tennekoon, Soma Kumarai Tennekoon, served as a parliamentarian representing the Kurunegala District for several years. She was the SLFP Nikaweratiya organizer and received the second highest preferential votes next to the chief ministerial candidate at the last North Western Provincial Council election.
A seven member Supreme Court (SC) bench on Thursday (24) withdrew a previous order delivered by courts that prevented former Finance Ministry and Treasury Secretary, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera from holding any public office.
A seven member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Asoka Silva after considering the motion submitted by P.B. Jayasundera seeking permission to withdraw an affidavit submitted by him to court saying he would not hold any public office in future permitted him to withdraw the affidavit.
Dullas advices MR Peramuna journalists to freely create a fear psychosis
2009-09-25 | 11.30 AM
Media Coordinator of the MR Peramuna, Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has requested his media henchmen to create a fear psychosis among the people by continuing with the recently launched media campaign about a conspiracy to assassinate the President and topple the government, sources from the Information Department said.
Dullas’ meeting was attended by Dinamina Editor, Mahinda Abeysundera, Sudarman Radaliyagoda from the ITN, Manoj Abeydheera from Divaina, Prasanna Sanjeew Tennekoon from the Lankadeepa newspaper and several other media personnel.
National convention of Jana Bala Sena at Viharamahadevi Park on the 27th
2009-09-25 | 11.30 AM
The national convention of the UNP’s Jana Bala Sena is to be held at the Viharamahadevi open air theatre at 9.30 a.m. on the 27 under the patronage of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The election campaigns targeting the next general and Presidential elections are also to be launched simultaneously to the Jana Bala Sena convention that is against corruption, terror and suppression.
The Jana Bala secretaries who would act as secretaries of the elections steering committees that cover the 10,000 election centers in the country will also attend the convention.
MP Kishore says IDP injured during clash at Poonthottam not dead
2009-09-25 | 11.30 AM
The person, who was reported dead following a clash between the security forces and the detainees at the Poonthottam camp in Vavuniya on Wednesday (23)where LTTE suspects are being held, is not dead and is receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit, TNA parliamentarian S. Kishore said.
Sri Chandramogan who was a detainee at the Poontottatm camp was captured by the security forces on Tuesday (22) night when he attempted to escape and had been severely assaulted afterwards.
Government and UNP agree to ignore parliament sessions
2009-09-25 | 11.30 AM
Reliable sources say the UNP has arrived at an agreement with the government not to raise issues over the quorum in the Chamber during the adjournment debates. The lack of 20 members required for the quorum in the parliamentary Chamber during the adjournment debate on Maga Neguma, resulted in Highways Minister W.B. Ekanayake being forced to stop his response speech midway as the parliamentary sessions had to be prematurely adjourned.
Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has taken Rs. 20 lakhs from Maga Neguam account – Dayasiri Jayasekera
2009-09-24 | 6.20 PM
UNP parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera told parliament, “Maga Neguma is not any one’s personal property. But money from this company has gone into personal accounts. President’s coordinating secretary Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has taken Rs. 20 lakhs from Maga Neguma’s People’s Bank account. These are robberies.
Each director of the company is paid Rs. 10,000 just to attend a board meeting. Some directors have been used to inspect roads. There are no records of about 400 vehicles that belonged to Maga Neguma. When there are security officers there have been new people brought in according to personal friendships.”
Petition handed over to US courts calling for the arrest of Gotabhaya Rajapakse currently in America
2009-09-24 | 6.20 PM
A pro-LTTE organization is making arrangements to hand over a petition to the US courts calling for the arrest of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who is currently in the US, on charges of war crimes, reliable sources revealed.
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse is currently on a short visit to Washington.
Interestingly, former President Chandrika Kumaratunge had also flown in the same flight as Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama from Dubai to New York.
Investigation launched to identify the source who had handed recordings of the President’s speech lambasting Barak Obama to embassies
2009-09-24 | 6.20 PM
Sources from Temple Tress said a special investigation has been launched to identify the source that had provided diplomatic missions in the country with recordings of the speech made by President Mahinda Rajapakse at Temple Trees last Monday where had lambasted former US President George W. Bush and current President Barak Obama.
First Lady pressurizes President to appoint Dilshan Wickremasinghe as private secretary
2009-09-24 | 6.20 PM
Sources from Temple Trees said First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse is forcing the President to appoint Dilshan Wickremasinghe as his private secretary to fill the vacancy created by Shasheendra Rajapakse who assumed duties as the Uva Province Chief Minister.
Dilshan Wickremasinghe is the son of the First Lady’s eldest brother. It is Dilshan Wickremasinghe who also supervises the work at the Highways Ministry on behalf of the President.
Out of 789 garment factories, 589 have closed down – Lakshman Kiriella
2009-09-24 | 6.20 PM
UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kirierlla told parliament that 589 out of 789 garment factories have closed down and only 200 factories were currently in operation.
Kiriella made this statement during a debate the ensued during an oral question that asked if the three zones for the apparel sector promised under the Mahinda Chinthana had been established.
Export Development and International Trade Minister G.L. Peiris said there were several garment factories that have closed down.
Seven media organizations have decided to call for a people’s convention on September 29 against media suppression and its organizers told a media conference that a people’s petition against the Press Commission would also be signed at the event.
The people’s convention is to be held against the move to activate the Press Commission that would prevent journalists from expressing views and the arrest of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam for 20 after calling him a terrorist for writing his views with the participation of members of the media, civil society, political parties, artists, clergy and citizens supportive of an orderly society.
Mr. Rogers, if you invest in Sri Lanka, you will share the anger for Sri Lankan behavior
2009-09-24 | 2.00 PM
Tamils for Obama wrote a letter to Jim Rogers, investor and co-founder (with George Soros) of the Quantum Fund, warning him that his apparent plans to invest in Sri Lanka will involve him with an increasingly disreputable business partner as news of Sri Lankan government's mistreatment of its Tamil minority during and since the civil war inevitably filter out. This story names some of the damaging allegations the will probably make investing in Sri Lanka embarrassing.
New York (PRWEB) September 21, 2009 -- Jim Rogers, a world-known investor and co-founder (with George Soros) of the Quantum Fund, recently visited Sri Lanka and saw "great, cheap opportunities in Sri Lanka
Major General Jagath Dias assigned to investigate into JDS organization
2009-09-24 | 11.30 AM
Diplomatic sources said the Defence Ministry has assigned Major General Jagath Dias to investigate into the organization called Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) that is said to have given the controversial video footage showing Army soldiers killing several Tamil civilians to Channel 4.
Major General Jagath Dias assumed duties as the deputy ambassador of the Sri Lankan embassy in Germany last week. The first duty assigned to him by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapkase is to investigate into the people connected to the JDS organization and report back.
The government in response to the damning and controversial interview given to the London Guardian by Damilvani Gnanakumar after returning to London following her release from the “illegal detention camp” in Vavuniya, has arrested members of the family that provided lodging to her while she was in Vavuniya, Lanka News Web reliably learns.
Damilvani has stopped revealing details to the media following this incident. Although Damilvani has told the media that she was unable to speak due to mental stress, the real reason for her silence is the arrests made in Sri Lanka. She has decided to revert from her initial decision of informing the international community about the real situation in the displaced camps through
Plan to arrest Ranil and Mangala for international conspiracy
2009-09-24 | 11.30 AM
Reliable sources have revealed of a government plan to arrest Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera on allegations of attempting to grab power by assassinating the President through an international conspiracy.
A senior SLFP Minister on the condition of anonymity told us that the plan to arrest Ranil and Mangala has already been formulated and that Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has been tasked to build the background for the move while Gotabhaya Rajapakse is to form the charges to be leveled against the two political leaders.
SLWJA committee for 2009/2011 unanimously appointed
2009-09-24 | 11.30 AM
The new committee of 33 journalists of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) for the next two year period of 2009/2011 was unanimously appointed yesterday.
The list of nominations of the new committee was submitted to the Acting Press Commissioner during the period granted submission for nomination from September 16 to 23.
The new committee was elected uncontested since no other nominations were submitted.
The new committee: President -Poddala Jayantha (Lake House)
Vice Presidents -Prasanna Fonseka (Siyatha),
Gnanasiri Koththigoda (Haraya)
General Secretary -Lasantha Ruhunage (Ravaya)
Assistant Secretaries -Kurulu Kariyakarawana (Daily Mirror),
Upali Saram (Divaina)
Treasurer - Gamini Susantha (Silumina)
Assistant Treasurers - S. Kaneshan (Freelance),
S. K. M. Ramzi (Thinakaran)
National Organizer - Kanchana Marasinghe (SLRC)
Executive Committee - Vinitha M. Gamage (Lankadeepa),
Sampath Deshapriya (Lakbima),
Sampath Wilegoda (SLBC),
Shanika Sriyananda (Sunday Observer),
Prageeth Perera (Swarnavahini),
Wasanthi Nanayakkara Derana),
President takes over Anura Yapa’s powers after re-appointing Ganegala as Media Secretary
2009-09-23 | 12.05 PM
Media Ministry sources say the President’s move to re-appoint W.B. Ganegala as the Media Ministry Secretary after removing him when Anura Priyadarshana Yapa took over as Media Minister under the Mahinda Rajapakse government, is to take over the remaining powers vested with Anura Yapa.
The decision to appoint Ganegala to the post after removing former secretary, A. Dissanayake, who is also a close friend of Anura Yapa, was taken without informing the Media Minister.
General Sarath Fonseka to meet with Mahanayakes next week
2009-09-23 | 12.05 PM
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Sarath Fonseka is to meet with the mahanayakes of the three nikayas next week and he would also explain to them the steps taken to resettle the displaced in the north, an official from the CDS’ office told Lanka News Web. Afterwards, General Fonseka is to meet with leaders of other religions to brief them as well.
Seven registered political parties agree to join opposition alliance
2009-09-23 | 12.05 PM
Seven recognised political parties have agreed to join the opposition alliance that is to be led by the UNP and include the SLMC, SLFP (M) Wing and DPF, sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office said.
The parties that have agreed to join the opposition alliance are New Sihala Urumaya, United National Alliance, National Council, Our National Front, National Development Front, United National Alternative Front and the Janavimukthi Sahayogitha Peramuna.
Kiriella asks the President why the chance to take Sri Lanka’s case before the UN was ignored
2009-09-23 | 12.05 PM
UNP parliamentarian and head of the media unit, Lakshman Kiriella told the media at the Opposition Leader’s residence on Tuesday that there was a question as to why the President overlooked the opportunity to brief the UN on the international conspiracy launched against Sri Lanka.
Kiriella questioned if there was any point in blaming Ranil, Mangala and the Western nations at meetings held at the president’s House with teachers, doctors, bank officials, agriculture officials and actors from the Southern Province and called on the President to take all these comments made by him within the country before the UN.
Rajapakse regime has ignored the estate workers – Opposition Leader
2009-09-23 | 12.05 PM
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a gathering at the Bambarakele Temple in Nuwara Eliya said, “I have even stated in parliament that the salary of an estate worker needed to be increased to Rs. 500. I said at the point that if the request is not granted and the employers disagree with the request, the government needed to intervene. Parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan and the JVP have also made statements in this regard.”
He also said, “The Minister in-charge at the time said that if the plan to increase the workers salary came to standstill, the government would intervene.”
Are we witnessing the local version of George Orwell's "1984"?
The speech made in Parliament on 22nd September 2009 by Mangala Samaraweera MP.
2009-09-22 | 9.30 PM
In 1949, the English author, George Orwell published “1984”, a novel destined to become the classic dystopian novel of the 20th centaury. The story set in a future England, was according to the author “intended as a show- up of the perversions which have already been partly realized in Communism and Fascism” as experienced in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia. Orwell also described his novel as a warning to the British that totalitarianism, if not fought against, could triumph anywhere.
President faces problems over appointing General Sarath Fonseka as Export Development and International Trade Ministry Secretary
2009-09-21 | 4.45 PM
The President is angry over the delay on the part of General Sarath Fonseka to accept the post of Export Development and International Trade Ministry Secretary even after several requests have been made to the effect, Temple Trees sources said.
A senior Army officer close to General Fonseka said there were doubts whether the President was acting on the instructions of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse to appoint him as the Ministry Secretary in order to blame and disgrace him if the country lost the GSP+ facility. The officer also said the former Army Commander was busy making preparations fro the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Army and therefore did not have time to look into other details.
Trade union action against the non increase of private sector salaries and contract basis
2009-09-21 | 4.45 PM
President of the Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU), Wasantha Samarasinghe said the ICEU central committee that met recently had unanimously decided to take trade union action against the non increase of salaries of private sector employees and the unjust manner in which they are treated through contracts.
“Government statistics have shown that the minimum expenditure of a family of four is Rs. 37,000 and the minimum wage of a private sector employee is Rs. 5,750 and Rs. 1,000 given as an allowance through the budget. An amount close to
Shortage of nurses is a great threat to the free health service – Gamini Kumarasinghe
2009-09-21 | 4.45 PM
President of the All Ceylon Health Services Union, Gamini Kumarasinghe says that the shortage of nurses experienced island wide has posed a great threat to the country’s free health service.
“The government has cut down the intake into nurses’ training schools at a time when many state hospitals faced a shortage. There are currently 23,000 nurses in government hospitals when the requirement is for 54,000. Reducing the intake into schools for nurses has resulted in some of them being forced to close down.
Intelligence units investigating for possible connection between the “laptop journalist” and the Channel 4 tape
2009-09-21 | 4.45 PM
Sources from the Information Department said that intelligence units have launched an investigation to determine whether the controversial video footage telecast on Channel 4 showing two soldiers killing Tamil youths was given by the journalist who was apprehended by the security forces for trying to smuggle several stolen laptops on his way back to Colombo after reporting from the battlefront.
Security units are now looking at the possibility of the video footage being sent to the foreign media institution after recording it from a mobile phone instead of a video camera in order to protect his identity.
Ex-Chief Justice of Sri Lanka to be grilled by bribery investigators
2009-09-21 | 4.45 PM
For the first time in history, a group of concerned citizens of Sri Lanka have lodged a complaint against an ex-chief justice. The complaint was recorded on September 17 before the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission against former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva.
Silva, under whose authority the country's judiciary took a new turn, was publicly blamed by 'Ravaya' Sinhala newspaper editor-in-chief Victor Ivan in his book titled 'Unfinished Struggle' regarding a number of malpractices and misconducts. However, the retired Chief Justice who was appointed in 1996 to the post by then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga bypassing other senior judges, remained silent without denying the charges or taking legal action against Ivan.
The government that said it was unable to provide relief to the people by reducing the prices of consumer goods due to the expenditure on war has now resorted to slap heavy taxes on essential items.
The new taxes imposed by the government have resulted in a rapid increase in the prices of many essential items.
The debt of each Sri Lankan has increased to Rs. 163,245 by August 31, 2008, which is reportedly the highest to be recorded in the country’s history.
Local and foreign loans taken by the Alliance government continuously has resulted in this increase. The increase in loans under the Chinathana policies have resulted in the country having to pay a sum of Rs. 3,301 billion to overcome the debt burden.
Of the loans taken by the government, Rs. 1,916 billion had been taken from local banks while Rs. 1,385 billion was borrowed from the foreign banks. The total amount of loans taken by the government during the last three years stands at US$ 1,504 million.
Rs. 300 million commission for Minister Rohitha for supplying granite stones for Hambantota Port project
2009-09-20 | 8.25 PM
A Nation Building Minister receives Rs. 25 for each ton of granite stones supplied for the Colombo Port Expansion project. A ton of granite stones are supplied at Rs. 525 for this project and while the supplier receives Rs. 500, the remaining Rs. 25 is pocketed by the Minister.
A total of 12 million tons of granite stones are required for the project. It is learnt that the total commission received by the Minister from this project would amount to Rs. 300 million. The granite stones are being supplied from Kalutara.
Island wide protests after formation of new alliance
2009-09-20 | 8.25 PM
UNP sources said that plans were underway to organize island wide protest campaigns from October 11 at village level every week and at national level on a monthly basis after the formation of the new opposition alliance.
A sathyagraha is also to be held under this campaign an a massive Jana Bala Meheyuma is to be organized in Colombo on the day President Mahinda Rajapakse is to celebrate four years in office.
Leaders of the new alliance have also decided to build an understanding with the JVP on protests carried out against the government even if the party does not join the alliance and to launch a protest campaign in line with the campaign launched by the JVP calling for the abolishing of the executive presidency.
Secret discussion between General Fonseka’s representatives and Opposition Leader
2009-09-20 | 8.25 PM
Several representatives of former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka had met with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe last Tuesday morning to explore the possibility of putting forward General Fonseka as a candidate at the next presidential election and sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office say that the Opposition leader had responded quite positively at the discussion.
The secret discussion had taken place at the Opposition Leader’s residence and no other member from the UNP had been present.
Traveling to the South prohibited if registered in the North
2009-09-19 | 6.00 PM
Persons who have faced difficulties in traveling to Anuradhapura from the north have said vehicles registered in the north, except for lorries transporting goods, are not permitted to enter into areas in the south through the Medawachchiya checkpoint.
They have said that people who travel in their vehicles registered in the north, have to leave them at the Medawachchiya checkpoint and travel to Anuradhapura by bus.
It has been revealed that records of funds allocated to parliament by the Treasury to make payments to foreign parliamentary associations and other expenditure between 1983 and 2006 have not been presented to the Auditor General’s Department.
The Auditor General has revealed this fact in parliamentary audit report for 2007.
It has also been stated that details related to payments made to parliamentary associations in 2007 have been made available to the Auditor General and the amount allocated by the Treasury for the purpose is Rs. 38,000,000 (Rs. 38 million).
No promises made to resettle the displaced – Anura Yapa
2009-09-19 | 6.00 PM
Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told the Cabinet press briefing last Thursday (17) that the government had not made any promises to the UN Secretary General about resettling 80% of the displaced within six months commencing from May.
The Minister made this statement in response to a question posed to him on a comment made by UN Secretary General Bank Ki-Moon with regard to the President’s pledge given to him during his visit to Sri Lanka in May to resettle the displaced within six months. Yapa also said the government had a programme to resettle the displaced and it was being done step by step.
Sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office said that the UNP led opposition alliance that was to be launched on the 27th has been postponed to the first week of October following a decision arrived by the organizing committee that met yesterday (18) under the patronage of the Opposition Leader.
The President has decided to increase the powers of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and a special discussion on the matter was held between the President and Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda at Temple Trees recently.
It was decided at the discussion to send Attorney General Mohan Peiris and Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath to America and Britain to study international laws related to the prevention of terrorism.
A disheartened SB to go overseas for a short period
2009-09-19 | 6.00 PM
UNP National Organizer, S.B. Dissanayake, who was keen on being the party’s next Presidential election candidate and even launched a pre-election campaign, has now decided to go overseas for a short period following the disheartening incidents that have taken place during the past few days, one of SB’s close friends told Lanka News Web.
SB has expressed these sentiments at a dinner held at his residence to his friends to celebrate his 58th birthday yesterday (18). He had said that it was now clear the party leadership would not support him although he was willing to contest the Presidential election. He had further said a decision has been arrived at to put forward a common candidate from the opposition if the UNP Leader was not going to contest at the Presidential election.
Caste used to win votes by the “Matara Rajapakse Foundation” and
“Matara Rajapakse Generation”
2009-09-19 | 12.05 PM
Chairmen, “Matara Rajapakse Foundation” and “Matara Rajapakse Generation” and UPFA’s Southern Provincial Council election candidate, Aruna Gunaratne is reportedly using caste affiliations as a tool to win votes.
A close relative of the President, Aruna Gunaratne had called a selected few from Dickwella, Hakmana, Weligama and Deniyaya electorates to his office in Walgama, Madihe and advised them to carry out the election campaign based on caste affiliations rather than party affiliations.
SLFP’s Soma Kumari Tennekoon to be replaced with MRP’s Lakshman Hulugalle in Nikaweratiya
2009-09-19 | 12.05 PM
The President it is learnt has decided to remove former parliamentarian and North Western Provincial Councilor, Soma Kumari Tennekoon as the SLFP Nikaweratiya organizer and appoint member of the Mahinda Rajapakse Peramuna (MRP), Lakshman Hulugalle as the new organizer of the electorate.
Soma Kumari, who received the second highest preferential votes next to the Chief Ministerial candidate, Athula Wijesinghe at the North Western Provincial Council was not appointed as a Minister as she was promised nominations for the general election by the President.
Milinda Moragoda begins international extortion racket
2009-09-19 | 12.05 PM
Lanka News Web learns that Milinda Moragoda has extorted a sum of US$ 1 million by telling Sri Lankan born American businessman, Raj Rajaratnam that the government had details to prove he had links with the LTTE.
The President has got Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda to deposit the money in the recently established fund to rehabilitate LTTE detainees.
New DGM at bankrupt Maga Neguma draws Rs. 125,000 monthly salary
2009-09-19 | 12.05 PM
The Maga Neguma organization which is facing a severe financial crisis and is even unable to pay the salaries of the staff has appointed a new Deputy General Manager drawing a monthly salary of Rs. 125,000.
The Chairman has made this appointment without Board approval and of Transport Ministry Secretary Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.
Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has incurred a loss of Rs. 324 million due to an illegal tender deal in securing the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology to the institution.
The tender had been handed over to a brokering company called GIT Limited that is not involved in the telecommunications. A fraudulent act by the company in preparing the receipts for the transaction has resulted in the Customs Department taking charge of all the equipment. SLT had to get the equipment released after paying the fines.
The President it is learnt has identified 23 government ministers who oppose him through a secret investigation carried out by several people representing NGOs affiliated to the government.
Interestingly, all these ministers are senior SLFP members and it is believed that they would join the opposition during the next Presidential or general election.
Basil and Nivard seek IMF approval to implement conditions after national elections
2009-09-18 | 12.05 PM
Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse and Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal has requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide time till next May for the government to implement the conditions agreed to when accepting the loan facility.
Six IMF representatives have already arrived in the country to monitor the manner in which the country has spent the first tranche of the loan given to Sri Lanka and how the government is planning on including the IMF conditions in the next budget. Basil and Nivard had made the request when they met with the officials recently.
SB agrees to have a separate symbol for the alliance
2009-09-18 | 12.05 PM
UNP National Organizer S.B. Dissanyake told a press conference that there was no problem in registering the new alliance as a party with a separate symbol if it was going to further expand on the lines of the common consensus arrived at by the opposition parties.
S.B. Dissanayake said, “The common consensus of the opposition will be launched on the 27th. The UNP Political Affairs Committee has proposed the elephant symbol. However, there is a need to expand this consensus into an alliance and there is no problem in getting another symbol at such a time.”
Director of Sumathi Publishers and Western Provincial Councilor Thilanga Sumathipala has taken steps to provide free advertisements for actress Susantha Chandramali who is contesting the Southern Provincial Council election.
The President has asked Thilanga to ensure that Susantha won the Mulkirigala electorate in the Hambantota District by receiving 90% of the votes. In order to please the President, Thilanga has now moved to Mulkirigala to help Susantha.
Anarkali abandoned by those who gave false promises
2009-09-18 | 12.05 PM
Actress and UPFA candidate at the Southern Provincial Council election, Anarkali Akarsha has said the promises made by the President, the First lady and Namal Rajapakse when she agreed to contest the election have not been honored and that she wa snow receiving death threats from President’s close aides.
Anarkali, who is constantly facing death threats from fellow UPFA candidate and Presidential Coordinator, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, was also threatened by another UPFA candidate, Nishantha Muthuhettigama in Samudra Mawatha, Galle on the 14th. She had lodged a complaint with the Galle police on the same day and Nishamntha Muthuhettigama has been requested to appear before court on the 18th.
Not dealing with the IDPs legally will pave the way for foreign intervention
– Bimal Ratnayake
2009-09-18 | 12.05 PM
JVP parliamentarian Bimal Rathnayake in a letter to Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda has said, “There is a need to act legally with the prisoners who surrendered and were captured by the government forces during the war. There will be serious problems that would arise if they are detained without doing so. There is a chance for unwanted foreign intervention over the issue of detainees.”
The letter written to Milinda Moragoda on the 16th under the title, “Request for a list of names of those arrested and detained after the war in the north,” has said there was a need to take legal action against these suspects according to the law in order to establish law and order and discipline in the country.
“Sri Lanka could avoid accusations that could be leveled against it from foreign nations only if details of the detained people are made public and legal action is instituted against them,” he has said.
Arrangement shave been made to organize a meeting at Temple Trees on the 19th between employees of state banks in the South and the President in order to receive their support at the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election.
The letter sent to the bank employees inviting them to the meeting states the President plans to speak to them on developing the Southern Province and the financial crisis faced by the country.
'As the shells fell, we tried to save lives with no blood or medicine'
2009-09-16 | 8.35 PM | Guardian.co.uk
The young mother was standing by the side of the road, clutching her baby. The baby was dead.
Damilvany Gnanakumar watched as she tried to make a decision. Around them, thousands of people were picking their way between bodies strewn across the road, desperate to escape the fighting all around them.
Commodore Manel Mendis re-assigned to the Navy after being expelled
2009-09-16 | 3.15
T.N.G. Mendis (Manel Mendis), who was expelled from the Navy after a Navy tribunal found him guilty of not taking appropriate action when the Galle Naval Base came under LTTE attack and three other charges leveled against him. However, he has once again being re-assigned to the Navy as a voluntary officer.
Manel Mendis was a Naval Commodore when he was expelled from the force.
Mahinda Chinthana has created a record in taking loans – Kabir Hashim
2009-09-16 | 3.15
UNP parliamentarian Kabir Hashim has said the Mahinda Chinthana has created a world record in taking loans. “We gained independence in 1948. We have taken a certain amount of loans since then. However, loans taken under the Mahinda Chinthana during the last three years, far exceed the amount taken during the past few decades,” he said.
He made this statement at a press conference held today (16) at the Opposition Leader’s office.
He also said, “All these loans have been taken on high inertest rates. It is the people who will have to suffer as a result. Taxes will be charged continuously to pay the loans. Even now taxes have been placed to burden the people.
Brokers arrive in Colombo to participate in Central Bank’s gold sale
2009-09-16 | 2.30 PM
Several foreign brokers have arrived in Sri Lanka following news that the Central Bank was planning to sell gold from its reserves. One Ruwan Pathirana, who is the owner of SATCO Constructions, has brought down these brokers to the country.
Ruwan Pathirana is a close confidante of the President and it was SATCO Construction that built the secret bunker at the President’s House.
Two Maldivian nationals, Mohomad Yusuf and Barkas, who have been asked to play the role of brokers in the gold transaction by Ruwan Pathirana are currently staying at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Colombo.
Cultural Affairs Secretary removed following President’s fall
2009-09-16 | 2.30 PM
The President has ordered the immediate removal of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry Secretary Wimaladasa Samarasinghe after he was blamed for the President’s fall at the State Literary Day held at the Presidential Secretariat.
President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge after holding an inquiry into the incident that placed the President in great difficulty has said it was due to the negligence of the Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary.
Namal to get Visumpaya after ridding the place of evil spirits
2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM
The President has decided to give Visumpaya to his eldest son, Namal Rajapakse and an alms giving for 15 Buddhist monks were given on the 10th in memory of the late Anura Bandaranaike and to rid the place of evil spirits.
Ven. Galabada Cnanissara Thero and 15 monks have participated in the alms giving organized by Minister Mervyn Silva. Apart from Mervyn Silva and the President, Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena, Governor Alavi Moulana, Additional Presidential Secretary Gamini Senarath and People’s Bank Chairman, W. Karunajeewa had also attended the alms giving.
A peaceful protest held by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) employees on the 14th at 12 noon at the Kurunegala North depot against grievances faced by them had been attacked by thugs.
SLTB workers say that Sumith Herath from the Kurunegala South depot and Nissanka from the Mahawa depot, who have been directly involved in the attack, have also been chosen by Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma for an official tour to India.
Minister’s proposal to solve financial crisis at SLBC fails
2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM
The failure of the plan to implement a voluntary retirement scheme to the employees of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) similar to the one introduced to the staff of the Media Ministry has resulted in the Corporation’s administration facing a severe crisis.
Sources say the financial crisis at SLBC has now made it difficult for the administration to pay the employees’ salaries. A sum of Rs. 240 lakhs is spent annually to meet the salaries of 1,035 SLBC employees. Soon after the Treasury refused to allocate funds for SLBC salary payments, the Media Ministry decided to introduce a voluntary retirement scheme to the employees.
Although 192 employees have agreed to take the voluntary retirement scheme, the refusal of the Treasury to pass funds for the purpose for the past eight months has resulted in unrest among the employees who applied for the scheme. The workers who applied for the scheme therefore have had to work for the past eight months without receiving any salary increments and loan facilities.
