Dullas’ personal election campaign hampers work at the Matara election office
2009-10-04 | 3.25 PM
A senior official from the SLFP headquarters told Lanka News Web that the governing party campaign for the Southern Provincial Council election is in a mess due to clash between Minister Kumara Welgama, who has been appointed as the Chief Coordinator of the Matara election office by the President and Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, who has opened a separate election office in Matara. The official said Minister Welgama has already complained about the issue to the President.
Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has told several close confidantes at a meeting held at Mayura Hotel in Matara recently that he has been asked to take over the leadership of the Matara District as Minister Mahinda Wijesekera would not be contesting the next general election.
Foreign Minister betrayed by Basil and PB in Brussels
2009-10-04 | 3.25 PM
Diplomatic sources say that Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse and Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera who traveled to Brussels on a Presidential directive to secure the GSP+ facility have openly betrayed Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at their meetings with EU parliamentarians.
Basil Rajapakse has said the Foreign Minister had not informed the President or the government of the steps that needed to be taken in relation to the GSP+ facility and the threat of losing it and therefore the situation has now become difficult. Basil has further said the President has now understood that it was the
NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa is reportedly using caste system to garner votes at the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election.
Wimal Weerawansa belongs to the Nakathi caste and their main livelihood is drumming. His brother is contesting the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election from the UPFA and Wimal is busy asking others from his caste to vote for a victory of the Nakathi caste at the elections.
Wimal has also held group meetings in villages where most of the Nakathi caste people live and asked them to vote for their caste.
Divaina journalists lodge complaint with CID against Lanka News Web
2009-10-04 | 3.25 PM
The Divaina newspaper has reported that the CID has launched an investigation under the supervision of the IGP on false reports carried in the Mirisa and Lanka News Web sites against two Divaina journalists.
The report states that the two journalists have been faced with a difficult situation following a story carried in this website claiming the respective Divaina journalists were closely associated with SSP Lakshman Cooray who has been arrested for allegedly helping the Tiger terrorists carry out several attacks including the assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
Tamil speaking communities including Muslims uniting in Sri Lanka for minority rights
2009-10-03 | 4.30 PM
In an unprecedented move in the recent past of Sri Lanka, the Tamil and Muslim minority communities have initiated a new effort to unite as a Tamil speaking polity. Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils and Muslims use Tamil as their common language. However, in recent times, the dominant forces of the Tamil liberation struggle ignored the cultural subtleties in relations with Muslims compelling them to suffer and to alienate from their lingual umbilicus. Although Tamil liberation struggle united the diverse Tamil speaking regional communities like Jaffna, Mannar, Vanni and Batticaloa, it failed to integrate the Indian origin Upcountry and Colombo Tamils.
Tamils make history at the UK Labour Party Conference
2009-10-03 | 3.45 PM
Tamils made history in the UK with a momentous passing of an emergency resolution on Sri Lanka at the Labour
Party Conference on Thursday, 1 October 2009.
The sitting government party passed a resolution condemning the treatment of Tamils in Sri Lanka by that
government. Resolution was passed unanimously by thousands of delegates at the conference and in front of
millions of live TV viewers.
The notable resolution was delivered by Mr Paul Kenny, General Secretary of GMB, Britain's general trade union,
representing over 5 million members through its affiliate bodies. Delivering a bold, yet passionate speech, Mr
Kenny was able to clearly articulate the desperate
Extraordinary similarities between Presidents MR and Premadasa
2009-10-03 | 3.25 PM
As President Mahinda Rajapaksa is rewriting the history books in Sri Lanka by trying to recreate a constitutional monarchy, there seem to be many extraordinary parallels between him and a previous UNP president, who also wished to be the constitutional monarch in Sri Lanka.
President Ranasinghe Premadasa suffered from inferiority complex and regularly felt threatened by senior leaders of his own party. President MR for his part has offered all senior posts and spokesmen posts to UNP defectors (Bogols, Amunugama, Keheliya & Yapa for eg.) and other party leaders (Dinesh Gunawardene for eg.) leaving senior SLFP leaders aide.
Siobhain McDonagh MP, Mictham & Morden, UK, during the Labor Party conference held Thursday appealed to the delegates, and to the millions of live TV viewers, to shoulder their own commitment on the Sri Lanka issue, urging that a boycott of goods and avoiding holidays in the unsavory state would ensure their money would not “prop up that government.” During the event, the sitting government party passed a resolution condemning the treatment of Tamils in the island by that government.
“Next time you want to buy underwear from Marks & Spencer, you want to buy a t-shirt from Next, you want to go on a holiday of a lifetime in a beautiful island off the coast off India - Do you really want to spend your money on a government that chooses to lock 300,000 people up behind barbed-wire.
Keerthi from Divaina receives special incentives from Kumar Rajapakse for promoting Czech weapons
2009-10-03 | 2.10 PM
It has been revealed that Divaina defence correspondent Keerthi Warnakulasuriya has revived a monthly salary and other incentives from Kumar Rajapakse from Cosmic Technologies Private Limited for carrying articles in the Divaina and The Island newspapers promoting weapons, multi barrels and tanks purchased from the Czech Republic.
Cosmic Technologies is the local agent for MPI, which is a leading weapons manufacturer in the Czech Republic. The company had imported tanks, multi barrels and other weapons for the armed forces amounting to billions during the period of the war.
The government has fraudulently used millions of rupees that were to be allocated for the war heroes’ welfare from the Jayaviru lottery. The monies that have been fraudulently used have been received through public donations and other public funds.
These details have been revealed in the 2008 audit report of the Ranaviru Seva Authority released under the signature of Deputy Auditor General Nimal Perera on July 22. Although the Treasury was supposed to give a sum of Rs. 715,318,478 to the Ranaviru Seva Authority from the National Lotteries Board between the period of 2000 and 2008, the Authority had been allocated only Rs. 526,906,408. Hence, the Treasury has held back a sum of Rs. 188,412,020 from the Authority.
The Treasury has therefore held on to the monies due to the Authority from the Jayaviru lottery.
It has now been revealed that Dr. Umakanthan was abducted from the Vavuniya Hospital on Wednesday (30) by a special police team of the State Intelligence Service (SIS).
SIS sources said he was arrested on charges of providing protection to a leader of the LTTE’s operation in Colombo who is also a leader in the LTTE intelligence unit and for aiding and assisting the LTTE to attack VIPs, economic centers, and police and army personnel in the south.
According to details from the SIS under the supervision of DIG Keerthi Gajanayake, the doctor is a resident of Mulliyaveli and had graduated from the Jaffna University.
Story on President’s unannounced arrival at the unveiling of Gamini Fonseka’s statue a lie
2009-10-03 | 1.50 PM
The story carried in the media of the President’s unannounced visit to the unveiling of the late film legend Gamini Fonseka’s statue at Elphinstone to mark his fifth death anniversary on September 30 had been part of a well though out publicity stunt, it is learnt.
The media reported the following day that the President arrived at the venue unexpectedly and was praised by everyone present for the thoughtful gesture.
Lake House Chairman refuses to provide coverage for Gamini Fonseka’s memorial
2009-10-03 | 1.50 PM
Lake House Chairman Bandula Padmakumara had allegedly refused the publication of a special supplement on Gamini Fonseka and the newspapers published by the institution had not given much coverage to the event held to unveil a statue of the late film legend at Elphinstone by President Mahinda Rajapakse.
Damith Fonseka had requested Lake House Chairman Bandula Padmakumara to publish a special supplement on Gamini Fonseka to mark his death anniversary in either the Dinamina or Sarasaviya newspapers.
Padmakumara has however said that such a supplement could be printed if a sum of Rs. 150,000 was paid to the institution.
Reporters Without Borders is worried for the safety of Dileesha Abeysundera, a journalist working for the Sinhalese-language weekly Irudina, who may have been the target of a kidnapping attempt when unidentified men tried to force their way into her home in the Colombo suburb of Borella on the night of 28 September. She reported the incident to the police.
“The abduction and agression of journalist and press freedom activist Poddala Jayantha in June showed that this kind of threat is to be taken seriously,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Political gangs continue to intimidate journalists and human rights activists with complete impunity. We urge the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation in response to Dileesha Abeysundera’s complaint.”
Several men arrived outside Abeysundera’s home in a white van shortly before midnight, called out her name repeatedly and tried to force the gate before eventually leaving.
NINE failed asylum seekers are about to be sent home to Sri Lanka - the Rudd Government's first forcible removals of people who have come to Australia by boat.
The removals come as a boat with 69 people on board - the fourth in less than a week - was intercepted early yesterday and the issue of the rising number of unauthorised arrivals heats up politically.
Tamils for Obama: EU Should Stop Subsidizing Lankan Abuses
2009-10-03 | 12.05 PM
The EU's GSP Plus program, that gives Sri Lankan goods tax-free entry into Europe, amounts to 8.1 billion U.S. dollars in charity, which Colombo can use to support its already over-sized armed forces. Tamils for Obama asserts that the hyper-militarized country only needs the extra forces because they expect more rebellion from the island nation's Tamils, a rebellion which they are doing everything to provoke.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 2, 2009 -- Tamils for Obama wrote a letter to the European Union urging the EU to take away Sri Lanka's tax-free entry into Europe.
Pro-LTTE group sponsors Divaina journalist Keerthi Warnakulasuriya in Germany
2009-10-02 | 12.05 PM
Reliable sources have revealed that Divaina defence correspondent Keerthi Warnakulasuriya was taken to Germany and provided protection in the city of Munich by a Tamil LTTE sympathizer called Ravi.
Ravi has sponsored Keerthi Warnakulasuriya, who writes patriotic articles in Sri Lanka, to visit Germany. He had also stayed with Ravi in Munich.
Basil who said government cannot be intimidated through foreign aid has traveled to Brussels with PB – Opposition Leader
2009-10-02 | 12.05 PM
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says that parliamentarian Basil Rajapakse who said the government cannot be intimidated by foreign aid and the country could be developed without foreign assistance has traveled to Brussels with Finance Ministry Secretary P.B. Jayasundera.
The Opposition Leader made this statement at a meeting held in Weligama. He also challenged the President to present next year’s budget to parliament on November 5.
Several UNP defectors currently holding portfolios in the government have requested the President to immediately remove Rohitha Bogollagama as the Foreign Minister during a discussion after last week’s Cabinet meeting, Lanka News Web learns.
The Ministers have told the President that although Rohitha Bogollagama is a member of their group, he did not have any strategy or plan in handling foreign affairs. A minister from the Kalutara District had severely criticized Rohitha Bogollgama during the discussion.
Presidential Media Unit removes statements critical of Tissainayagam and the Opposition Leader made by President
2009-10-02 | 12.05 PM
A senior official from the Presidential Media Unit has requested the media institutions that covered a meeting of the President at Temple Trees on Thursday evening not to publicize statements made by the President critical of the Opposition Leader and journalist J.S. Tissainayagam.
At the event held at Temple Trees to distribute Ranbima deeds to people from the Matara District aiming the Southern Provincial Council election, the President had criticized the Opposition Leader and journalist Tissainayagam who was jailed for 20 years and had made statements about them that are unsuitable to be made by a head of state.
Lal Wijenayake to be ousted from LSSP for criticizing the government
2009-10-02 | 12.05 PM
The politburo of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) it is learnt has decided to oust Advocate Lal Wijenayake from the politburo on the charges of criticizing the government at the Platform for Freedom meetings and placing the government in difficulty.
A special politburo meeting of the LSSP has been called for Friday (2) to discuss the allegations leveled against Lal Wijenayake and he has also been requested to be present at the meeting.
Lal Wijenayake has been severely critical of the government’s anti democratic actions in his speeches made during the Platform for Freedom meetings held so far.
Services of IGP and Civil Defence Department Chief to be terminated
2009-10-02 | 12.05 PM
Sources from the Presidential Secretariat say the appointment of the next IGP has run into a controversy with the President deciding appoint Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka as the IGP after sending current IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne on retirement and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse proposing the name of DIG Mahinda Balasuriya to the top post.
Also, since the President has already stated that Head of the Civil Defence Force, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera would be contesting at the next general election from the Digamadulla District, Additional Secretary of the Department,
US Deputy Secretary of State for Asia Robert Blake has turned down several attempts by Defence Secretary who is in the US and has even refused to speak to him over the telephone. Robert Blake is a former ambassador for the US in Sri Lanka.
During his tenure as US ambassador in Sri Lanka, the Defence Secretary treated him similar to a terrorist.
Robert Blake has refused to meet with the Defence Secretary even after Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse has made a request for him to meet with his brother. Diplomatic sources said the Defence Secretary has made four attempts to meet with Blake.
Lanka News Web learns that the Elle tournament organized by the SLFP branch in Paris to promote national peace had ended in a fracas.
Officials from the Sri Lankan embassy in France have also attended the tournament and as soon as an argument between a team that participated at the event and the organizers turned into a brawl, the embassy officials have immediately moved away from the venue in their vehicles.
Interestingly, none of the officials from the Sri Lankan embassy in France attended the religious event held to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Buddhist Center in Paris. The religious events had been organized under the guidance of Ven. Paravahera Chandraratne Thero.
Dialog subscribers received a message on Wednesday (30) through the “Ada Derana” short message service (sms) asking them to watch any local TV channel at 8.05 p.m. to witness how Sri Lanka will make history.
Upon receiving the sms, many people have called local TV channels to inquire about the message. We were told by a private TV station that an advertisement prepared by Triad Advertising under instructions from Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma was to be shown at the specific time.
Air Force Chief Roshan Gunathileka to be appointed Chief of Defence Staff after general elections
2009-10-02 | 12.05 PM
A senior official at the Presidential Secretariat told Lanka News Web that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse had requested the President to remove General Sarath Fonseka as the Chief of Defence Staff and appoint Air Force Chief, Air Marshal Roshan Gunathileka to the post after the general election.
The extension of service granted to General Sarath Fonseka ends on December 18, 2009.
The Defence Secretary has proposed to the President to grant a further one year extension of service to General Sarath Fonseka only if he requested for one and has emphasized the need to replace General Fonseka as the Chief of Defence Staff with Air Marshal Roshan Gunathileka with effect from May 1, 2010.
Senior administrative officer S. Rannuge decides to retire
2009-09-30 | 8.20 PM
Senior administrative officer S. Rannuge, who was removed from the post of Export Development and International Trade Ministry Secretary by the President for publicly stating that Sri Lanka might lose the GSP+ facility, has decided to retire from the administrative service.
Rannuge has decided to retire from the service a year earlier following the anguish of being removed from his office and assigned as a reserve administrative officer. Rannuge had told several friends that after performing his duties with dignity throughout his career, it was far better for him to retire rather than work as a reserve officer.
All expenses paid trip for CJ to visit daughter and son in law in the Netherlands
2009-09-30 | 8.20 PM
The President has cancelled an official tour to the Netherlands by several senior members of the Attorney General’s Department to study the international laws related to terrorism in order to establish a separate court to hear cases against LTTE suspects and has asked Chief Justice (CJ) Asoka Silva to travel to the Netherlands instead, Justice Ministry sources said.
CJ Asoka Silva has hence accompanied Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda on an official tour to the Netherlands on the 27th.
Intelligence units looking into journalists who have been supported by Lakshman Cooray
2009-09-30 | 8.20 PM
Head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General Hendavitharana is looking into several journalists who have been supported by SSP Lakshman Cooray, who was arrested for allegedly planning to assassinate the President, reliable sources said.
Special attention has been paid to Gayantha Kumara Weerasinghe from the Lakbima newspaper, Keerthi Warnakulasuriya from Divaina and Hemantha Randunu.
Lakshman Cooray it is learnt had helped Hemantha Randunu plan his wedding and provided soil worth Rs. 8 lakhs to fill the land belonging to Gayantha Kumara Weerasinghe in Ganemulla.
