LankaNewsWeb reliably learns that Sri Lanka’s BBC correspondent Charles Haviland is not allowed by the government to visit Jaffna to cover a cultural festival.
The Ada Derana website maintained by Derana TV, which is affiliated to government minister Sarath Amunugama, has once again shown its double standard actions. While violent comments have been published on a news story on New Left Front Leader Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne on March 23, comments on a story on UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapakse have been completely removed.
President displeased with the manner in which the UNP crisis was resolved
2011-03-24
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was hoping to see the UNP dividing following the leadership crisis, is displeased with the manner in which the crisis was resolved at yesterday’s Working Committee meeting, a senior minister told Lanka News Web.
Tissa, Gamini, Kabir and Malik
Worked to bring a consensus between Sajith and Ranil
2011-03-24
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had intervened with the support of party chairman Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, Kabir Hashim and Malik Samarawickrema in order to reach a common consensus on the party leadership without creating a split in the party, sources from Sirikotha said.
INSD requests Swiss gov. to reconsider its decision to deport SL asylum seekers
2011-03-24
Your Excellency,
Members of the International Network of the Sri Lankan Diaspora (INSD) from several European countries met in Geneva on March 12 and 13, 2011, to discuss the current situation regarding Sri Lanka and frame appropriate responses.
Central Bank Governor intervenes and gives Nation Lanka Finance to Asanga
Jayantha appointed as chairman of the company
2011-03-24
A head of the Nawaloka Group, Jayantha Dharmadasa has been appointed as the chairman of Nation Lanka Finance PLC, which was taken over by a group of businessmen affiliated to millionaire businessman Asanga Seneviratne. The company was taken over by Seneviratne following the intervention of Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabral.
Narcotics worth Rs. 30 lakhs found in the possession of Minister Pavithra’s security officer
2011-03-24
The police have taken into custody drugs worth Rs. 30 lakhs while in the possession of one of the officers providing security to Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and her husband. The security officer is an underworld member from the Wanathamulla area in Borella called Prabath.
Rajitha and a secretary get new rooms at a cost of Rs. 30 million
2011-03-24
Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne has taken steps to make renovations to his office rooms as well as that of the ministry secretary at a cost of Rs. 30 million at a time when the Fisheries Ministry was facing financial difficulties, ministry sources said.
Engage in dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka - Minister Solheim
2011-03-24
Norwegian Minister of International Development and Special peace envoy Erik Solheim met with representatives of the Tamil diaspora on Friday 18 March. Several organisations were represented at the meeting. The Tamil organisations had asked for the meeting to be briefed about Norwegian Sri Lanka policy and to present their views on the current situation.
Minister Solheim's main focus during the meeting was to listen to the input from the Tamil groups. His advice to them is that the only way to promote development and a political solution in Sri Lanka is to engage in dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka.
UNP Kotte organizer and Western Provincial Councilor, Atotrney Shiral Lakthileka has been banned from the party headquarters, Sirikotha, a senior official from the Cambridge Terrace Opposition Leader’s office said.
Ranil gets a birthday gift
No contest for the leadership
2011-03-24
Ranil Wickremesinghe retained the position of party leader uncontested after Sajith Premadasa agreed to take over the position of co-Deputy Leader of the party at the Working Committee meeting held on the 23rd to decide on the new office bearers in the UNP according to the new party constitution.
Sri Ranga disgruntled with Rajapaksas' double games
2011-03-23
Parliamentarian Sri Ranga who has joined the government is disgruntled that the President after asking him to contest the local government elections in Manthai East in the Mullaitivu District under the Citizen's Front had on the last minute got Minister Rishard Bathiudeen to hand over nominations for the local government body from the UPFA and that the President had secretly supporters supported Bathiudeen.
Although it has been estimated that about 40,000 Sri Lankans have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on the 11th, the Sri Lankan government has managed to bring down only 1,000 persons from Japan. The government claims to have sent aircraft to bring these Sri Lankans back to the country.
Carrying out repair work in ship has been assigned to two private companies, Dockyard and Thakshila by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and a group of engineers affiliated to him. Port trade unions say that the contract has been given for a commission and the move has resulted in the downfall of the engineering division of the SLPA.
STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL
IN REGARD TO THE INVESTIGATION BEING CARRIED OUT ON IT
2011-03-23
Last week, the Executive Director of the National Peace Council was called to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Sri Lanka Police. He was informed that the CID wished to carry out an investigation regarding the organization's sources of funding, its partners and the activities it was carrying out. CID officers asked questions about the work of the National Peace Council and asked for further information. This investigation was preceded by adverse media commentary in both the state media and sections of the private media that NPC together with other non -governmental organizations continue to be funded by foreign
Petition against police inaction in Katunayake attack
2011-03-23
Several organisations and leading activists in Sri Lanka have launched a public petition calling the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide reasons for not taking any legal action against those who attacked the Nava Sama Samaja Party general secretary at Colombo's Katunayake international airport.
The suspects who were involved in an illegal timber racket in the Madhu national park and their equipment that were taken into custody by Wild Life Department officials have been released following the intervention ofDefence SSecretaryGotabhaya Rajapaksa, reliable sources said.
UN human rights experts study more than 200 cases of forced disappearances
2011-03-22
Jeremy Sarkin, chairman of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
The United Nations human rights experts tasked with assisting families determine the fate or whereabouts of disappeared relatives examined over 200 cases during its recent session held in Mexico City, and is now conducting a mission to learn about Mexico’s efforts in dealing with the issue.
Proposal to appoint Sarath Fonseka as the Vice Leader of the UNP
2011-03-21
Ranil Wickremesinghe's group is exploring the possibility of proposing Sarath Fonseka's name as Vice Leader in Wickremesinghe's list of office bearers at the elections to choose the office bearers for the party and discussionss would be held within the next few days to get Fonseka to join the UNP, a senior parliamentarian from Wickramasinghe's group said.
Former Chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, Prasanna Ranaweera, who was in conflict with Minister Mervyn Silva, has managed to record the highest preferential votes at the elections after defeating Mervyn's candidate for the post of Chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha, Hasitha Madawala. Ranaweera has defeated Madawala, who has been placed fourth in the UPFA list.
Minister Susil Premajayantha's comment on LG poll victory being a President’s victory ridiculed
2011-03-21
The comment made by UPFA General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha at Temple Trees yesterday (20) that the UPFA's resounding victory at the local government elections was a victory achieved by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been ridiculed by ministers and other public representatives from the Gampaha District.
Britain's normally hard-to-please Tamil activists were, on Saturday, effusive in their praise for United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi after she reportedly told them that she shared their concern over the situation in Sri Lanka and said that the displaced Tamils should be rehabilitated and have their rights restored.
The Central Bank has announced on March 10 that Treasury bonds will be issued to raise Rs. 20,000 million for the day to day expenses of the government. Publishing an advertisement in the newspapers on March 14, the Central Bank has stated that Treasury Bills will be issued to raise a loan of Rs. 9000 million.
