|
 |
 |
| |
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Tax burden replaces the war burden |
|
|
|
2009-09-20 | 8.25 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Debt of each Sri Lankan increases to Rs. 163,425 |
|
|
|
2009-09-20 | 8.25 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Water from Parakrama Samudra released to protect Maithirpala’s brother’s Araliya Hotel |
|
|
|
2009-09-20 | 8.25 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Parliamentary expenditure not given for auditing |
|
|
|
2009-09-19 | 6.00 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Opposition alliance will not sign MoU on 27th |
|
|
|
2009-09-19 | 6.00 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Plan to increase powers vested in PTA |
|
|
|
2009-09-19 | 6.00 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
SLT loses Rs. 324 million due to tender muddle |
|
|
|
2009-09-19 | 12.05 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Twenty three ministers against MRP identified |
|
|
|
2009-09-19 | 12.05 PM |
|
 |
|
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.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Free advertisements in Lakbima for Susantha |
|
|
|
2009-09-18 | 12.05 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Meeting with bank employees to gain votes |
|
|
|
2009-09-17 | 2.15 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Will defeat campaign to tarnish the country’s image – Mahinda Samarasinghe |
|
|
|
2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM | Hon. Minister addresses the Human Rights Council |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
JVP trade union leaders distribute leaflets on the struggle to win eight demands |
|
|
|
2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Dullas’ thugs attack SLTB protestors |
|
|
|
2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM |
|
 |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
