The left parties in the ruling coalition of Sri Lankan government are still undecided regarding the proposed 18th amendment to the constitution.
The Socialist People's Front, a common front in the ruling coalition formed by the Sri Lanka Communist Party, Lanka Samasamaja Party, and the Democratic Left Front, has held several rounds of talks but with no agreement. The dialogue held yesterday also has ended without a conclusion.
The left parties are to meet again on September 06 to reach a final decision, says the government MP representing the Democratic Left Front and President's Adviser Vasudeva Nanayakkara.
The debate on the Draft Bill will be held on September 08th, the same day it is tabled in the parliament. The vote on the bill will be held following the debate.
Left parties earlier vowed not to support moves that strengthen the executive Presidency. However, no Left Front Minister registered protest to the constitutional amendments at the cabinet meeting when the draft proposals were unanimously approved.
The amendments propose deletion of clause 2 of article 31 which specifies term limits on Executive Presidency, changes to the Constitutional Council, changes to appointment of Commissions, delegation of powers to Secretaries of Ministries to institute public service transfers, and making mandatory for the holder of the office of the President to attend Parliament every three months.
The ruling alliance is confident of passing the Bill with a two-third majority in the 225-member parliament with at least 160 votes in favor.
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Saturday, September 4, 2010
UNP moves no-faith motion against G.L. Peiris
The UNP today (Sept. 03) moved a no-confidence motion against external affairs minister Prof. G.L. Peiris over his "failure to handle international affairs."
The party handed over the proposal to speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, reports said.
It has been signed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga and Wijedasa Rajapaksa.
The motion alleges Prof. Peiris had made false statements to the country and to the world and failed to secure continuation of the GSP Plus export concession and did not act in the case of the Sri Lankan housemaid who had been tortured by her Saudi employers. (Colombo Today)
The party handed over the proposal to speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, reports said.
It has been signed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga and Wijedasa Rajapaksa.
The motion alleges Prof. Peiris had made false statements to the country and to the world and failed to secure continuation of the GSP Plus export concession and did not act in the case of the Sri Lankan housemaid who had been tortured by her Saudi employers. (Colombo Today)
China and Japan Our True Friends
In the international arena of foreign relations, it was Sri Lanka that championed the cause of both our friends China and Japan. Immediately after the Second World War at the conference in San Francisco USA, the world was taking stock of how and what it should do, to deal with the both Japan and Germany who were defeated by the allied forces. Ceylon’s representative at this meeting, J. R. Jayewardene, appealed to the world community, that we do not believe in the doctrine of an eye for an eye but that we must pardon our enemies in order that all future enmity would gradually disappear and peace restored in the world. This wise counsel was accepted by the world. Hence when the JR government came to power in 1977, it was Japan and the ADB that came forward to help our development efforts.
Similarly, when the colonial powers were driven out of China by their great leader Mao Tse-tung; about 1949, the world community led by the US and its colonial cohorts ostracized China and made it taboo for any country to have anything to do with China. The old colonials denied China’s entry into the UN until 1971, when it was forced to admit that China was a force to reckon with. As China’s very old friend, Sri Lanka all the while supported China’s entry to the UN. In fact the very mention of China in the US, or UK was a dirty word, up to Henry Kissinger’s visit to China, in the latter part of Nixon’s presidency in 1973. Notwithstanding this embargo on China, Sri Lanka, (then Ceylon) boldly ventured to sign a Rubber for Rice Agreement with its true friend China, as early as 1953, under Sir John Kotelawela. This was subsequent to the US refusing to give Sri Lanka its due price for its rubber. Hence it was Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, which was in fact the first country to boldly engage and trade with China in defiance of a world community boycott. Quite rightly China is beholden to our uprightness in breaking the unofficial trade embargo placed on it. During this period, no country, even in Asia dared to have anything to do with China for fear of reprisals from the old Colonials. This trade pact between China and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) gave China the needed fillip to begin trading with other countries.
Subsequently it was after 1956 that our ties with China were further strengthened and its goodwill towards Sri Lanka is unmatched in aid without any strings. China’s gift of the Bandaranaike Memorial Internationally Conference Hall is well known. There are hundreds of Chinese aided projects in Sri Lanka. In recent times, China’s close co-operation during the final years of the terrorist war is incomparable. Apart from the Noracholai Power plant and Hambantota Harbour and Airport projects, Sri Lankans have no qualms about hooking up with their sincere Chinese friends. Quite unlike others, they have no ulterior motives.
It is a pity that some countries don’t understand our very special relationship with China, which is a good example of the type of relationship that countries must maintain in international affairs. (The Island)
Similarly, when the colonial powers were driven out of China by their great leader Mao Tse-tung; about 1949, the world community led by the US and its colonial cohorts ostracized China and made it taboo for any country to have anything to do with China. The old colonials denied China’s entry into the UN until 1971, when it was forced to admit that China was a force to reckon with. As China’s very old friend, Sri Lanka all the while supported China’s entry to the UN. In fact the very mention of China in the US, or UK was a dirty word, up to Henry Kissinger’s visit to China, in the latter part of Nixon’s presidency in 1973. Notwithstanding this embargo on China, Sri Lanka, (then Ceylon) boldly ventured to sign a Rubber for Rice Agreement with its true friend China, as early as 1953, under Sir John Kotelawela. This was subsequent to the US refusing to give Sri Lanka its due price for its rubber. Hence it was Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, which was in fact the first country to boldly engage and trade with China in defiance of a world community boycott. Quite rightly China is beholden to our uprightness in breaking the unofficial trade embargo placed on it. During this period, no country, even in Asia dared to have anything to do with China for fear of reprisals from the old Colonials. This trade pact between China and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) gave China the needed fillip to begin trading with other countries.
Subsequently it was after 1956 that our ties with China were further strengthened and its goodwill towards Sri Lanka is unmatched in aid without any strings. China’s gift of the Bandaranaike Memorial Internationally Conference Hall is well known. There are hundreds of Chinese aided projects in Sri Lanka. In recent times, China’s close co-operation during the final years of the terrorist war is incomparable. Apart from the Noracholai Power plant and Hambantota Harbour and Airport projects, Sri Lankans have no qualms about hooking up with their sincere Chinese friends. Quite unlike others, they have no ulterior motives.
It is a pity that some countries don’t understand our very special relationship with China, which is a good example of the type of relationship that countries must maintain in international affairs. (The Island)
Indian army chief in Colombo on Sunday
NEW DELHI, September 3: Indian Army Chief Gen Vijay Kumar Singh is arriving in Colombo on Sunday on a five-day official visit to Sri Lanka, The Island learns from informed sources here.
The visit is a part of defence cooperation enhancement between the two countries as envisaged during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India in June this year. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was here last fortnight for discussions with Indian officials.
The focus of his deliberations will be on a post-LTTE security/defence paradigm, in which many aspects can be shared, exchanged and extended for mutual benefit.
"This is a very significant visit as far as defence cooperation between the two close neighbours," an analyst here said.
On Monday (September 6), Gen Singh is scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister DM Jayaratne, and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He will meet Army Commander Lt-Gen Jagat Jayasuriya, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke.
He will also lay a wreath at the IPKF Memorial, built next to Parliament Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura in memory of personnel of the Indian Keeping Force who died while fighting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to protect the island-nation’s sovereignty.
During the IPKF’s 32-month-long (July 1987-March 1990) operations in the island’s Northern and Eastern provinces, a total of 1,165 Indian soldiers and officers of other ranks were killed and 3,011 others injured—-many of them maimed for life by mines planted by the LTTE.
Incidentally, Gen Singh had served in the IPKF for two years. He was a major when he arrived by ship in Trincomalee. He had worked in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaithivu. By the time he left the island, he was promoted as a lieutenant colonel. Even two decades later, he remembers many Sinhala words he had picked up at that time.
On Tuesday, Gen Singh and his entourage will visit Anuradhapura and Vavuniya to see de-mining operations, as well as Trincomalee.
On Wednesday, the chief of the world’s second largest army (that boasts of 1.13 million personnel) will visit the Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa, and Kandy.
On Thursday, he will deliver an address at the Defence Services Command & Staff College in Colombo, and return to India the same evening.
He will be accompanied by his wife Bharati and a couple of senior members of his personal staff. (The Island)
The visit is a part of defence cooperation enhancement between the two countries as envisaged during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India in June this year. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was here last fortnight for discussions with Indian officials.
The focus of his deliberations will be on a post-LTTE security/defence paradigm, in which many aspects can be shared, exchanged and extended for mutual benefit.
"This is a very significant visit as far as defence cooperation between the two close neighbours," an analyst here said.
On Monday (September 6), Gen Singh is scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister DM Jayaratne, and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He will meet Army Commander Lt-Gen Jagat Jayasuriya, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke.
He will also lay a wreath at the IPKF Memorial, built next to Parliament Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura in memory of personnel of the Indian Keeping Force who died while fighting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to protect the island-nation’s sovereignty.
During the IPKF’s 32-month-long (July 1987-March 1990) operations in the island’s Northern and Eastern provinces, a total of 1,165 Indian soldiers and officers of other ranks were killed and 3,011 others injured—-many of them maimed for life by mines planted by the LTTE.
Incidentally, Gen Singh had served in the IPKF for two years. He was a major when he arrived by ship in Trincomalee. He had worked in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaithivu. By the time he left the island, he was promoted as a lieutenant colonel. Even two decades later, he remembers many Sinhala words he had picked up at that time.
On Tuesday, Gen Singh and his entourage will visit Anuradhapura and Vavuniya to see de-mining operations, as well as Trincomalee.
On Wednesday, the chief of the world’s second largest army (that boasts of 1.13 million personnel) will visit the Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa, and Kandy.
On Thursday, he will deliver an address at the Defence Services Command & Staff College in Colombo, and return to India the same evening.
He will be accompanied by his wife Bharati and a couple of senior members of his personal staff. (The Island)
135th Birth Anniversary Heroes of Lanka: Piyadasa Sirisena
August 31st 2010 marked the 135th birth anniversary of Mr. Piyadasa Sirisena, the pioneer novelist, patriot, Buddhist leader and newspaper publisher. The following article was published in a tabloid named, The Ahinsa, in August 1950 which effectively summarizes Mr. Sirisena’s contribution to this country:
A novelist, a newspaper editor, a fearless critic, a lover of Sinhalese Literature, a staunch Buddhist, a prominent temperance worker – all these rolled into one went to make the hero that Piyadasa Sirisena was. Though sprung from humble beginnings, this courageous fighter, latterly took his place among the greats who shaped modern Sri Lanka.
Piyadasa Sirisena believed in the power of the spoken and the written word. His voice was the delight of millions who heard him; his writings in the powerful Sinhalese newspaper, Sinhala Jatiya, and his numerous novels were eagerly devoured by patriotic readers. Verily in his case, a blow with a word struck deeper than a blow with a sword! From platform and press he cried against the loss of national consciousness and the fast westernisation of our culture through practices such as gambling, animal slaughter and drinking. As a lasting monument to his activism, we have his paper, the Sinhala Jatiya and his novels.
He was dubbed the father of the Sinhalese novel. Not only did he introduce the Sinhalese novel to the Ceylon public but he also "made it a potent medium to lash out at the foibles of our people. He did not tolerate the vices that were daily sapping the vitality of our youngsters. His novel was not a mere romance, not a mere thriller, but a purifier of the spirit. While other novelists lost their hold on the public, Piyadasa Sirisena’s novels seem to revive with each new reprint. He drew inspiration from the ancient classics the Panchatantra, Hithopadesa and the Buddhist books. The advice in his pages was directed at the younger generation. To those aspiring to marriage he gives sound advice.
Our hero was a doughty fighter in the cause of the things which this paper stands for. In the temperance movement he was in the forefront; he spoke against the consumption of animal flesh; he saw no pleasure in gambling; he foreswore spirituous liquors. Till the last breath of life left his body, he steadfastly adhered to his principles and the cause for which he earnestly fought. The setbacks of 1915 did not deter him. He remained aloof from the hustings, and never dabbled in politics. But he shaped our society so that we may rise as a people with a proud past, a living present, and a glorious future. (The Island)
A novelist, a newspaper editor, a fearless critic, a lover of Sinhalese Literature, a staunch Buddhist, a prominent temperance worker – all these rolled into one went to make the hero that Piyadasa Sirisena was. Though sprung from humble beginnings, this courageous fighter, latterly took his place among the greats who shaped modern Sri Lanka.
Piyadasa Sirisena believed in the power of the spoken and the written word. His voice was the delight of millions who heard him; his writings in the powerful Sinhalese newspaper, Sinhala Jatiya, and his numerous novels were eagerly devoured by patriotic readers. Verily in his case, a blow with a word struck deeper than a blow with a sword! From platform and press he cried against the loss of national consciousness and the fast westernisation of our culture through practices such as gambling, animal slaughter and drinking. As a lasting monument to his activism, we have his paper, the Sinhala Jatiya and his novels.
He was dubbed the father of the Sinhalese novel. Not only did he introduce the Sinhalese novel to the Ceylon public but he also "made it a potent medium to lash out at the foibles of our people. He did not tolerate the vices that were daily sapping the vitality of our youngsters. His novel was not a mere romance, not a mere thriller, but a purifier of the spirit. While other novelists lost their hold on the public, Piyadasa Sirisena’s novels seem to revive with each new reprint. He drew inspiration from the ancient classics the Panchatantra, Hithopadesa and the Buddhist books. The advice in his pages was directed at the younger generation. To those aspiring to marriage he gives sound advice.
Our hero was a doughty fighter in the cause of the things which this paper stands for. In the temperance movement he was in the forefront; he spoke against the consumption of animal flesh; he saw no pleasure in gambling; he foreswore spirituous liquors. Till the last breath of life left his body, he steadfastly adhered to his principles and the cause for which he earnestly fought. The setbacks of 1915 did not deter him. He remained aloof from the hustings, and never dabbled in politics. But he shaped our society so that we may rise as a people with a proud past, a living present, and a glorious future. (The Island)
ICC: fixing case is most serious since Cronje
LONDON (AP) - The head of the International Cricket Council has called the fixing allegations against three suspended Pakistan players the most serious case of corruption to hit the sport since South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was banned for life 10 years ago.
Speaking on Friday, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said allegations that Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt conspired with bookmakers to deliver deliberate no-balls in last week’s fourth Test against England were hugely detrimental to the image of cricket.
"In terms of corruption in the sport, this must rank as the next worst after the Hansie Cronje case," Lorgat said.
Cronje admitted to forecasting results in exchange for money from a London bookmaker, prompting the ICC to create its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
There is no suggestion that the Pakistan players conspired to affect the result of the match at Lord’s - which Pakistan lost by an innings and 225 runs for its worst ever Test defeat - but the trio could still be banned for life if found guilty.
The ICC could widen the investigation into the allegations against Asif, Amir and Butt - whom it suspended late Thursday - to cover last year’s contentious Test match against Australia in Sydney.
ACSU chairman Ronnie Flanagan said the current charges pertain only to last week’s fourth Test against England but that the ICC could still look into what he called a "dysfunctional" tour of Australia by Pakistan.
"We will go where the evidential trail takes us," Flanagan said. "At this stage, we do not have such evidence to hand for that tour or that match."
Flanagan added that there were separate ongoing investigations into other international sides but that he did not think that the current case was "the tip of an iceberg."
However, Flanagan did acknowledge that cricket was especially suited to spot betting - when gamblers wager on individual events within a match rather than the result - and said that it may be time for a single body to regulate betting across all sports.
The body could monitor betting in the way WADA looks at doping. "There is perhaps a much wider problem in terms of betting and the regulation of betting worldwide," Lorgat said. "I have already been in touch with colleagues in a similar position in horse racing. Perhaps together, we can look at the whole problem with betting and the regulation thereof."
In the meantime, Flanagan said the ICC will examine its own code and strengthen it if necessary.
He said he would congratulate the News of the World if the allegations stemming from its sting operation, in which an undercover reporter met with an associate of the players, resulted in convictions.
"We are not a police force," Flanagan said. "We cannot arrest and we cannot engage in undercover operations. "They brought it to light in ways the ICC would not want us to engage in. You can never be 100 per cent foolproof. There will always be cases of wrongdoing."
Flanagan and Lorgat would not comment on reports in Friday’s edition of Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper that marked notes used in the sting operation that led to the allegations had been found in Butt’s locker. (The Island)
Speaking on Friday, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said allegations that Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt conspired with bookmakers to deliver deliberate no-balls in last week’s fourth Test against England were hugely detrimental to the image of cricket.
"In terms of corruption in the sport, this must rank as the next worst after the Hansie Cronje case," Lorgat said.
Cronje admitted to forecasting results in exchange for money from a London bookmaker, prompting the ICC to create its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
There is no suggestion that the Pakistan players conspired to affect the result of the match at Lord’s - which Pakistan lost by an innings and 225 runs for its worst ever Test defeat - but the trio could still be banned for life if found guilty.
The ICC could widen the investigation into the allegations against Asif, Amir and Butt - whom it suspended late Thursday - to cover last year’s contentious Test match against Australia in Sydney.
ACSU chairman Ronnie Flanagan said the current charges pertain only to last week’s fourth Test against England but that the ICC could still look into what he called a "dysfunctional" tour of Australia by Pakistan.
"We will go where the evidential trail takes us," Flanagan said. "At this stage, we do not have such evidence to hand for that tour or that match."
Flanagan added that there were separate ongoing investigations into other international sides but that he did not think that the current case was "the tip of an iceberg."
However, Flanagan did acknowledge that cricket was especially suited to spot betting - when gamblers wager on individual events within a match rather than the result - and said that it may be time for a single body to regulate betting across all sports.
The body could monitor betting in the way WADA looks at doping. "There is perhaps a much wider problem in terms of betting and the regulation of betting worldwide," Lorgat said. "I have already been in touch with colleagues in a similar position in horse racing. Perhaps together, we can look at the whole problem with betting and the regulation thereof."
In the meantime, Flanagan said the ICC will examine its own code and strengthen it if necessary.
He said he would congratulate the News of the World if the allegations stemming from its sting operation, in which an undercover reporter met with an associate of the players, resulted in convictions.
"We are not a police force," Flanagan said. "We cannot arrest and we cannot engage in undercover operations. "They brought it to light in ways the ICC would not want us to engage in. You can never be 100 per cent foolproof. There will always be cases of wrongdoing."
Flanagan and Lorgat would not comment on reports in Friday’s edition of Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper that marked notes used in the sting operation that led to the allegations had been found in Butt’s locker. (The Island)
UNP not doing enough to defeat proposed Con reforms - JVP
The JVP yesterday challenged the main opposition UNP to, if possible, get all its members elected to Parliament under the elephant symbol to vote against the Constitutional reforms. They promised to do the rest to defeat it.
The JVP found fault with the UNP, which it said was not doing enough to defeat the proposed constitutional reforms. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva condemned the UNP for not doing anything sensible for that purpose. The UNP had confined its struggle to holding press conferences, Silva said.
"If the main opposition could ensure that all those elected under their symbol would vote against the reforms next week, the defeating of the bill is no big deal," he told a press conference at the party head office in Pelawatte, Battaramulla.
Under such a situation, the JVP had no intention to join a com mon front against the Constitutional reforms with the UNP, he said adding that such attachments would be detrimental to the JVP’s campaign against the reforms.
He said: "The UNP has not taken the issue seriously enough and is not doing its best to defeat it. We cannot form alliances with such a party. It would jeopardise our campaign too."
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said that the proposed reforms were to be introduced to Parliament as an urgent bill and only a single day had been allocated for the debate. He said: "This is the basic law of the nation. The time allocated is not enough. This should be debated, discussed and argued by the scholars, constitutional experts and lawmakers to avoid any future problem."
Amarasinghe said the government had done everything under its powers to spend the least possible time to get it through Parliament. "So, their intentions are clear. The government has no majority in the House but mustered some numbers through bribery. It plans to abolish the 17th amendment to the Constitution and to do away with the limit on the terms of the president. The question the public should ask themselves is whether the most urgent need of the nation at this hour is the perpetuation of President Rajapaksa’s power."
(The Island)
The JVP found fault with the UNP, which it said was not doing enough to defeat the proposed constitutional reforms. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva condemned the UNP for not doing anything sensible for that purpose. The UNP had confined its struggle to holding press conferences, Silva said.
"If the main opposition could ensure that all those elected under their symbol would vote against the reforms next week, the defeating of the bill is no big deal," he told a press conference at the party head office in Pelawatte, Battaramulla.
Under such a situation, the JVP had no intention to join a com mon front against the Constitutional reforms with the UNP, he said adding that such attachments would be detrimental to the JVP’s campaign against the reforms.
He said: "The UNP has not taken the issue seriously enough and is not doing its best to defeat it. We cannot form alliances with such a party. It would jeopardise our campaign too."
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said that the proposed reforms were to be introduced to Parliament as an urgent bill and only a single day had been allocated for the debate. He said: "This is the basic law of the nation. The time allocated is not enough. This should be debated, discussed and argued by the scholars, constitutional experts and lawmakers to avoid any future problem."
Amarasinghe said the government had done everything under its powers to spend the least possible time to get it through Parliament. "So, their intentions are clear. The government has no majority in the House but mustered some numbers through bribery. It plans to abolish the 17th amendment to the Constitution and to do away with the limit on the terms of the president. The question the public should ask themselves is whether the most urgent need of the nation at this hour is the perpetuation of President Rajapaksa’s power."
(The Island)
Eight UNP MPs likely to support proposed 18th amendment
*Defectors include Lakshman Seneviratne, Earl, Cader, Manusha Nanayakkara
*Sri Ranga wants to act independently
Informed sources told The Island last night that among those who had committed themselves to supporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s proposed constitutional amendments, which inter alia would give a sitting President the opportunity to contest any number of times, were UNP MPs Lakshman Seneviratne, Earl Gunasekera, Abdul Cader and Manusha Nanayakkara.
Kandy District UNP MP M. Haleem, a confidante of Abdul Cader was also being mentioned as a possible defector.Nuwara Eliya District UNP MP Sri Ranga, it is learnt, has said that he would take an independent decision on the proposed amendments.
Sources said that President Rajapaksa had also invited a UNP National List MP to join the government but he had refused.
Dayasiri Jayasekera,who has been in the forefront of reforms in the UNP, said that those who would for Rajapaksa’s proposed amendments were not only betraying the UNP but also the public who had elected them to office. "Meke Lajjanathi Wadak – this is what you call a shameless act."
The UNP Working Committee on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution mooted by Dayasiri Jayasekara that anyone violating the party decision to oppose the 18th amendment should be given the maximum punishment possible.
The government, which has 144 seats in parliament, had prior to yesterday obtained the support of the SLMC with eight MPs and two Opposition MPs, Prabha Ganeshan and P. Digambaram. (The Island)
*Sri Ranga wants to act independently
Informed sources told The Island last night that among those who had committed themselves to supporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s proposed constitutional amendments, which inter alia would give a sitting President the opportunity to contest any number of times, were UNP MPs Lakshman Seneviratne, Earl Gunasekera, Abdul Cader and Manusha Nanayakkara.
Kandy District UNP MP M. Haleem, a confidante of Abdul Cader was also being mentioned as a possible defector.Nuwara Eliya District UNP MP Sri Ranga, it is learnt, has said that he would take an independent decision on the proposed amendments.
Sources said that President Rajapaksa had also invited a UNP National List MP to join the government but he had refused.
Dayasiri Jayasekera,who has been in the forefront of reforms in the UNP, said that those who would for Rajapaksa’s proposed amendments were not only betraying the UNP but also the public who had elected them to office. "Meke Lajjanathi Wadak – this is what you call a shameless act."
The UNP Working Committee on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution mooted by Dayasiri Jayasekara that anyone violating the party decision to oppose the 18th amendment should be given the maximum punishment possible.
The government, which has 144 seats in parliament, had prior to yesterday obtained the support of the SLMC with eight MPs and two Opposition MPs, Prabha Ganeshan and P. Digambaram. (The Island)
People's Bank grants Rs 1.5 B to PMB
People's Bank has approved a loan of Rs 1.5 billion to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase the Yala paddy harvest. This would help to provide the farmers with a more equitable and satisfactory and stable price for their produce, People's Bank CEO and General Manager G V Pathirana said.
Relief measures provided to the farmers by the Government include the provision of Rs 50,000 loan at eight percent interest to store paddy, provision of Rs 150,000 loan facilities to collectors of paddy and other additional crops under the vee bissa loan scheme and loan schemes to buy agro equipment and rehabilitation of paddy mills destroyed during the war. (Daily News)
Relief measures provided to the farmers by the Government include the provision of Rs 50,000 loan at eight percent interest to store paddy, provision of Rs 150,000 loan facilities to collectors of paddy and other additional crops under the vee bissa loan scheme and loan schemes to buy agro equipment and rehabilitation of paddy mills destroyed during the war. (Daily News)
Govt will continue free education
Though other countries have given up the free education system, Sri Lanka will continue with it with improvements in the future, said Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake addressing the "POH" scholarship awards ceremony held at the University Grants Commission on September 2.
Countries in the Asian region has also quit giving free education. In India there are already moves to privatize education. Thailand also charge money from school students above year nine. Our Government gives education 100 percent free but our students don't understand the value of it.
In some universities student unions force other students to keep off libraries, skip lectures, and not to speak in English etc. I will change this situation soon," he said. This year Singaporean donors Mr and Mrs Poh have selected five top students of each stream of the Advance Level examination in 2009 for scholarships. The Deans of the relevant faculties and Principals of the relevant schools, POH scholars and their parents were present at the occasion. (Daily News)
Countries in the Asian region has also quit giving free education. In India there are already moves to privatize education. Thailand also charge money from school students above year nine. Our Government gives education 100 percent free but our students don't understand the value of it.
In some universities student unions force other students to keep off libraries, skip lectures, and not to speak in English etc. I will change this situation soon," he said. This year Singaporean donors Mr and Mrs Poh have selected five top students of each stream of the Advance Level examination in 2009 for scholarships. The Deans of the relevant faculties and Principals of the relevant schools, POH scholars and their parents were present at the occasion. (Daily News)
Tamils will never suffer - Minister Devananda
EPDP Leader and Minister Douglas Devananda said yesterday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa deserve full credit for ending the suffering and hardships faced by Tamil people in the North and the East.
He said that the Tamil community experienced loss of lives and destruction of their properties throughout their history . "They will never face such a situation again due to the excessive efforts taken by the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa," he added.
"I had been one of the leaders who at one stage carried a weapon for independence struggle. Due to unavoidable situation in the past, we were compelled to carry the weapons," the Minister said.
The Minister added that he did not want to offend the past to justify present. He was of the view that the armed struggle should have been stopped. Tamil political parties and the people criticized the LTTE when they expelled other communities from the Northern province in the late 1990s.
He was of the opinion that language policy has not been implemented in the country properly. The Minister stressed that a legislation should be brought to parliament to make Sinhala and Tamil compulsory subjects in schools.
There should be a mechanism by which the Sinhala youth can learn Tamil language and vice versa soon.
Answering a question raised by member of the Commission H M G S Palihakkara whether people are extorted by LTTE sympathizers in the Vavuniya district, the Minister said there were few extortion cases reported from the area initially. (Daily News)
He said that the Tamil community experienced loss of lives and destruction of their properties throughout their history . "They will never face such a situation again due to the excessive efforts taken by the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa," he added.
"I had been one of the leaders who at one stage carried a weapon for independence struggle. Due to unavoidable situation in the past, we were compelled to carry the weapons," the Minister said.
The Minister added that he did not want to offend the past to justify present. He was of the view that the armed struggle should have been stopped. Tamil political parties and the people criticized the LTTE when they expelled other communities from the Northern province in the late 1990s.
He was of the opinion that language policy has not been implemented in the country properly. The Minister stressed that a legislation should be brought to parliament to make Sinhala and Tamil compulsory subjects in schools.
There should be a mechanism by which the Sinhala youth can learn Tamil language and vice versa soon.
Answering a question raised by member of the Commission H M G S Palihakkara whether people are extorted by LTTE sympathizers in the Vavuniya district, the Minister said there were few extortion cases reported from the area initially. (Daily News)
Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira under construction
Fifty percent of the construction of the 2600 Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira has been completed. To complete the other part of the structure about Rs 200 million is needed, said Buddhist Cultural Centre Director Ven Kirama Wimalajothi Thera.
The Thera was addressing a press conference at the building premises in Tunmulla, Colombo Wednesday.
"We expect to complete the other half of the building by Vesak Full Moon Poya day 2011," the Thera said.
Numerous individuals and organizations have funded Rs 102 million for this memorial. The organizers expect that all people will help in the constructing of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira.
The organizers had launched a flag week among 2,000 schools to collect donations for the construction of this building. Apart from Buddhist schools, Muslim and Catholic schools also have donated money.
Fund raising program for this purpose will be implemented among Government servants under the aegis of the Public Administration Ministry and the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, beginning next week. It is expected that Government servants will support this program.
"The Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira will be a Buddhist information Center accessible to people the world over.
This program will help build harmony among all people of the country. This center will act as a major point for the delivering of the Dhamma worldwide," the Thera said.
Organizing Committee Member Yadamini Gunawardhana said President Mahinda Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for this building. With the blessing of President Rajapaksa we hope to inaugurate the building next Vesak. (Daily News)
The Thera was addressing a press conference at the building premises in Tunmulla, Colombo Wednesday.
"We expect to complete the other half of the building by Vesak Full Moon Poya day 2011," the Thera said.
Numerous individuals and organizations have funded Rs 102 million for this memorial. The organizers expect that all people will help in the constructing of the 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira.
The organizers had launched a flag week among 2,000 schools to collect donations for the construction of this building. Apart from Buddhist schools, Muslim and Catholic schools also have donated money.
Fund raising program for this purpose will be implemented among Government servants under the aegis of the Public Administration Ministry and the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, beginning next week. It is expected that Government servants will support this program.
"The Sambuddha Jayanthi Mandira will be a Buddhist information Center accessible to people the world over.
This program will help build harmony among all people of the country. This center will act as a major point for the delivering of the Dhamma worldwide," the Thera said.
Organizing Committee Member Yadamini Gunawardhana said President Mahinda Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone for this building. With the blessing of President Rajapaksa we hope to inaugurate the building next Vesak. (Daily News)
Pension scheme for fishermen
The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry will launch a new pension scheme of Rs 7,000 a month for fishermen, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne said after an inspection tour in the Galle District recently.
There are 4,688 fishing families and 6,171 fishing technicians in the Galle district. Accordingly the fishing population in the Galle district is 21,193. There are nine fisheries harbours and anchoring stations in Galle. They are Benthara, Balapitiya, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa North, Hikkaduwa South, Dodanduwa, Galle, Unawatuna and Kathaluwa.
There are also six inland fishing reservoirs in Galle while 1,778 fishing boats and 58 fishing nets (Ma-del) are used by fishermen in Galle district. "With all these facilities, the Galle fishermen engage in the fisheries industry successfully. Fish harvest is increasing daily. (Daily News)
There are 4,688 fishing families and 6,171 fishing technicians in the Galle district. Accordingly the fishing population in the Galle district is 21,193. There are nine fisheries harbours and anchoring stations in Galle. They are Benthara, Balapitiya, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa North, Hikkaduwa South, Dodanduwa, Galle, Unawatuna and Kathaluwa.
There are also six inland fishing reservoirs in Galle while 1,778 fishing boats and 58 fishing nets (Ma-del) are used by fishermen in Galle district. "With all these facilities, the Galle fishermen engage in the fisheries industry successfully. Fish harvest is increasing daily. (Daily News)
Christianity made major contribution to education - President
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Christianity has made a major contribution to education, and spiritual and moral enhancement of Sri Lankan society during the last 500 years, when the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments in the Vatican His Eminence Antonio Cardinal Canizares called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, Thursday.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa conveyed his gratitude to Vatican for the support extended and understanding expressed during the difficult times faced by Sri Lanka in the recent past.
“I had the fortune of meeting His Holiness the Pope twice and I wish to do so at the next available opportunity once again,” said President Rajapaksa and expressed hope that His Holiness would be able to visit Sri Lanka.
Cardinal Canizares said he was impressed by the developments seen in Sri Lanka after a troubled period, and observed the good relations that existed between the Christian people, Clergy and the Government.
“Sri Lanka is a very beautiful country and I wish to visit again,” Most Rev Canizares said and informed the President that he would convey the President’s sentiments to His Holiness.
Vatican’s Apostolio Nuncio in Sri Lanka, Most Rev Dr Joseph Spiteri, Archbishop of Colombo, Most Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith, Ministers Milroy Fernando and Johnston Fernando, Deputy Ministers Dayashritha Tissera and Neomal Perera were also present on this occasion. (Daily News)
President Mahinda Rajapaksa conveyed his gratitude to Vatican for the support extended and understanding expressed during the difficult times faced by Sri Lanka in the recent past.
“I had the fortune of meeting His Holiness the Pope twice and I wish to do so at the next available opportunity once again,” said President Rajapaksa and expressed hope that His Holiness would be able to visit Sri Lanka.
Cardinal Canizares said he was impressed by the developments seen in Sri Lanka after a troubled period, and observed the good relations that existed between the Christian people, Clergy and the Government.
“Sri Lanka is a very beautiful country and I wish to visit again,” Most Rev Canizares said and informed the President that he would convey the President’s sentiments to His Holiness.
Vatican’s Apostolio Nuncio in Sri Lanka, Most Rev Dr Joseph Spiteri, Archbishop of Colombo, Most Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith, Ministers Milroy Fernando and Johnston Fernando, Deputy Ministers Dayashritha Tissera and Neomal Perera were also present on this occasion. (Daily News)
Constitutional reforms: Three UNP MPs support Govt
* Reforms people-friendly, development oriented
* Many wrong turns in recent UNP history
Senior UNP MPs Earl Gunasekera and Lakshman Seneviratne yesterday said that they were in support of the envisaged proposals to amend the existing constitution as they were beneficial to the country and its people.
The duo during a media briefing at Earl Gunasekera MP’s house said that they had come before the press to inform their stance to the public on the matter after controversy erupted at a recent UNP Working Committee meeting after both suggested that the UNP should vote for the amendments.
They said that they would have a constant dialogue with other UNP MPs on the matter until September 8 and would try to persuade the party to vote in favour as the amendments were people – centric and pro-development oriented.
When questioned whether they would join the Government the duo did not give a definite answer but said that a final decision would be arrived at after September 8.
Earl Gunasekera MP said that he, Lakshman Seneviratne MP and former MP Vajira Abeywardena had suggested to the party at the recent working committee that the UNP should support the amendments. Later UNP spokesman Gayantha Karunatilake MP said that the party would oppose the move.
He said that the proposed changes to the 17th Amendment was a progressive move as they were intended at removing certain obstacles which are in the way of accelerated development.
The MPs pointed out that when the UNP was in power the then Government had faced many snags in running the state administration due to powers vested with the CC.
As an example he pointed at the UNP’s inability to re-enlist 19 policemen who were interdicted by the previous regime for giving evidence in the Batalanda incident.
While launching a scathing attack on the UNP leadership Gunasekera charged that the UNP had taken many wrong turns in the course of its recent history.
As examples he pointed out the UNP’s opposition to abolish the Executive Presidency when former President Chandrika Kumaratunge sought their support during her tenure. He noted that the UNP’s inability to side with the Government during the humanitarian operation too was a grave mistake which cannot be rectified.
He said that the UNP could benefit by the 18th Amendment as according to political science the tendency was for the decline in popularity of the ruling party over a period of time. He added that the UNP had nothing to worry over the matter as the ultimate decision in this regard invested with the public.
He noted that the UNP should not resort to say No for the sake of opposing but should take decisions with the greater good of the country in mind.
He added that the party should not follow the JVP. Lakshman Seneviratne said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had no moral right to object to the proposed amendments as he had no proper stance in the matter and added that his contradictory method in this regard was embedded in the history for everybody to see.(Daily News)
* Many wrong turns in recent UNP history
Senior UNP MPs Earl Gunasekera and Lakshman Seneviratne yesterday said that they were in support of the envisaged proposals to amend the existing constitution as they were beneficial to the country and its people.
The duo during a media briefing at Earl Gunasekera MP’s house said that they had come before the press to inform their stance to the public on the matter after controversy erupted at a recent UNP Working Committee meeting after both suggested that the UNP should vote for the amendments.
They said that they would have a constant dialogue with other UNP MPs on the matter until September 8 and would try to persuade the party to vote in favour as the amendments were people – centric and pro-development oriented.
When questioned whether they would join the Government the duo did not give a definite answer but said that a final decision would be arrived at after September 8.
Earl Gunasekera MP said that he, Lakshman Seneviratne MP and former MP Vajira Abeywardena had suggested to the party at the recent working committee that the UNP should support the amendments. Later UNP spokesman Gayantha Karunatilake MP said that the party would oppose the move.
He said that the proposed changes to the 17th Amendment was a progressive move as they were intended at removing certain obstacles which are in the way of accelerated development.
The MPs pointed out that when the UNP was in power the then Government had faced many snags in running the state administration due to powers vested with the CC.
As an example he pointed at the UNP’s inability to re-enlist 19 policemen who were interdicted by the previous regime for giving evidence in the Batalanda incident.
While launching a scathing attack on the UNP leadership Gunasekera charged that the UNP had taken many wrong turns in the course of its recent history.
As examples he pointed out the UNP’s opposition to abolish the Executive Presidency when former President Chandrika Kumaratunge sought their support during her tenure. He noted that the UNP’s inability to side with the Government during the humanitarian operation too was a grave mistake which cannot be rectified.
He said that the UNP could benefit by the 18th Amendment as according to political science the tendency was for the decline in popularity of the ruling party over a period of time. He added that the UNP had nothing to worry over the matter as the ultimate decision in this regard invested with the public.
He noted that the UNP should not resort to say No for the sake of opposing but should take decisions with the greater good of the country in mind.
He added that the party should not follow the JVP. Lakshman Seneviratne said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had no moral right to object to the proposed amendments as he had no proper stance in the matter and added that his contradictory method in this regard was embedded in the history for everybody to see.(Daily News)
Sri Lanka's most war-affected community
S Thavaratnam, chairman of the Jaffna District Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Unions Federation, played a significant role in unionising fishermen in northern Sri Lanka, starting in the mid-1970s. At that time, small unions were established in every fishing village across the Northern Province. As the civil war took hold, however, communication across villages became difficult and the federation was disrupted, and the unions in the Jaffna District functioned as a smaller federation. Thavaratnam became the president of that federation in 1995. He recently spoke with Himal contributing editor Ahilan Kadirgamar, and explained the impact of the civil war on the fishing industry, the problem of South Indian trawlers encroaching on Sri Lankan waters, and the need for more advanced boats. Translated from the Tamil.
Tell us a bit about the tradition of fishing in northern Sri Lanka.
I grew up in a village called Mylitty, in northern Jaffna, which was famous for its fishing industry. Prior to the war, five to six large vehicles of fish were sent daily to the south from my village. A fishing harbour, the only one in northern Jaffna, was built in Mylitty in the late 1970s. Even now, if the High Security Zone [in the northern part of Jaffna] is lifted, I am confident that we can resume the great fishing tradition of my village.
How were your fishing unions established?
Our unionising efforts in 1970s were preceded by a fishermen’s cooperative started in the mid-1950s for northern fisherfolk to export sea products. The leaders of this cooperative gave us a good foundation for organisational work. By the 1980s, our organisation, the Jaffna Federation, had won two international awards for its work. We have 117 sangams [small unions] at the village level, which are divided into nine unions, one in each of the nine divisions of Jaffna District. One representative from each of the nine unions is part of the Jaffna Federation, and we take decisions collectively. Following the 2004 tsunami, through our village-level unions we provided data to NGOs about the losses incurred; we have since remained a source of information about these villages for both the government and donors. Although we were able to address losses relating to employment after the tsunami and other natural disasters, we have not been able to address issues of resettlement and shelter.
In 2003 and 2004, we engaged the government on the need to lift restrictions on fishing due to the curfew and High Security Zones. When there was no response, we mobilised our village unions to block the Jaffna district secretariat for 13 days. This was a non-violent protest and the people of Jaffna supported us – even government employees at the secretariat were sympathetic. To express solidarity with our struggle, fisherfolk in the south of the country, particularly in Negombo, staged a protest. Government officials finally called us for negotiations, and some of our demands were met. Due to our mobilisation efforts, I believe the government now takes our demands seriously.
What has been the impact of the war on fishing communities?
The worst affected by the war has been our fishing community. Our economic life has been undermined. This is not just for those directly involved in fishing – people whose trade is related to fishing, be it marketing fish or producing dry fish, also continue to face economic deprivation. For example, the area currently under the North Valikamam High Security Zone [HSZ] was a major fishery. After 1985, our situation deteriorated due to restrictions, which included bans on deep-sea fishing and limited availability of fuel for boats. The situation became so grave that instead of exporting sea products the government had to resort to imports from other countries.
We have been caught in the crossfire of naval battles as well as air and ground attacks. But in order to earn livelihood, our fishermen continued to go out to sea. Some lost limbs, some were injured, others were brought back dead, some disappeared at sea, and many of our people were displaced. Even today, thousands of people have not returned to their villages, which come under the HSZ in North Valikamam. Many people continue to live in transit camps, and even those who are resettled continue without much support. It is not just about bare shelter; people should be able to resume their economic lives, they should have the freedom to speak, but that has not happened. The war has been over for 15 months, but normalcy has not returned.
What is needed in the post-war period?
Some restrictions on fishing have been lifted after the war. Now we are able to go to sea at night, but some facilities are still unavailable, such as fishing harbours and adequate transportation and marketing of fish. Some of the confiscated boats have not been returned by the navy. Also, due to decades of war, when we were not able to go fishing others exploited our seas and our environment has been destroyed, particularly by South Indian fishermen who have used large trawlers that have made the sea barren. Even if we can immediately put a stop to such destructive fishing, it will take time for the sea to return to normal. Earlier, we could predict where the fish was likely to be in which season; but now, because of the environmental damage, we are unable to fish this way. We have to ensure that such destruction does not happen in the future, and that fishing becomes sustainable once again. For that, we need to educate the younger generation of fisherfolk on sustainable fishing and environmental issues.
Now that the war is over, have you engaged with the fishing communities in southern Sri Lanka or those in India?
Having returned to the sea in recent times, we have now seen with our own eyes the encroachment of our seas by both southern [Sri Lankan] and Indian fishermen. With respect to the southern fishermen, the fishing minister has said his ministry will address the issue by engaging and convincing the southern fishermen not to exploit the seas in the north. This is a very positive message. As for the Indian fishermen, they do not have rights to fish in our seas, but they fish here nevertheless. In order to address this issue, in 2003 we had some discussions with the Indian fishing community. After that, because of the war, we were unable to continue those discussions. Recently, the fishing federations of all the northern districts met and made a decision to jointly engage the Indian fishing community. We are hoping to visit Chennai soon to discuss these important issues. We hope to, in a comradely manner, explain our concerns and resolve these issues.
What are the main needs of the fishermen in Jaffna?
For now, more than 80 percent of the need for small fibreglass boats with outboard motors has been met. However, due to the destruction of the seas closer to the coast, we need large multi-day boats that can go into the ocean for eight to ten days. We need financial aid to purchase perhaps 25 such boats in Jaffna district. We also need four or five fishing harbours and anchoring points for larger boats in the north. Large boats require considerable fuel and lots of ice for storage, and of course food and water for the crew. Therefore, diesel-pumping stations, water-supply stations, ice factories and refrigeration chambers have to be constructed at such fishing harbours. With these multi-day boats we can fish for tuna, which has a very good export market.(Himal South Asian)
Tell us a bit about the tradition of fishing in northern Sri Lanka.
I grew up in a village called Mylitty, in northern Jaffna, which was famous for its fishing industry. Prior to the war, five to six large vehicles of fish were sent daily to the south from my village. A fishing harbour, the only one in northern Jaffna, was built in Mylitty in the late 1970s. Even now, if the High Security Zone [in the northern part of Jaffna] is lifted, I am confident that we can resume the great fishing tradition of my village.
How were your fishing unions established?
Our unionising efforts in 1970s were preceded by a fishermen’s cooperative started in the mid-1950s for northern fisherfolk to export sea products. The leaders of this cooperative gave us a good foundation for organisational work. By the 1980s, our organisation, the Jaffna Federation, had won two international awards for its work. We have 117 sangams [small unions] at the village level, which are divided into nine unions, one in each of the nine divisions of Jaffna District. One representative from each of the nine unions is part of the Jaffna Federation, and we take decisions collectively. Following the 2004 tsunami, through our village-level unions we provided data to NGOs about the losses incurred; we have since remained a source of information about these villages for both the government and donors. Although we were able to address losses relating to employment after the tsunami and other natural disasters, we have not been able to address issues of resettlement and shelter.
In 2003 and 2004, we engaged the government on the need to lift restrictions on fishing due to the curfew and High Security Zones. When there was no response, we mobilised our village unions to block the Jaffna district secretariat for 13 days. This was a non-violent protest and the people of Jaffna supported us – even government employees at the secretariat were sympathetic. To express solidarity with our struggle, fisherfolk in the south of the country, particularly in Negombo, staged a protest. Government officials finally called us for negotiations, and some of our demands were met. Due to our mobilisation efforts, I believe the government now takes our demands seriously.
What has been the impact of the war on fishing communities?
The worst affected by the war has been our fishing community. Our economic life has been undermined. This is not just for those directly involved in fishing – people whose trade is related to fishing, be it marketing fish or producing dry fish, also continue to face economic deprivation. For example, the area currently under the North Valikamam High Security Zone [HSZ] was a major fishery. After 1985, our situation deteriorated due to restrictions, which included bans on deep-sea fishing and limited availability of fuel for boats. The situation became so grave that instead of exporting sea products the government had to resort to imports from other countries.
We have been caught in the crossfire of naval battles as well as air and ground attacks. But in order to earn livelihood, our fishermen continued to go out to sea. Some lost limbs, some were injured, others were brought back dead, some disappeared at sea, and many of our people were displaced. Even today, thousands of people have not returned to their villages, which come under the HSZ in North Valikamam. Many people continue to live in transit camps, and even those who are resettled continue without much support. It is not just about bare shelter; people should be able to resume their economic lives, they should have the freedom to speak, but that has not happened. The war has been over for 15 months, but normalcy has not returned.
What is needed in the post-war period?
Some restrictions on fishing have been lifted after the war. Now we are able to go to sea at night, but some facilities are still unavailable, such as fishing harbours and adequate transportation and marketing of fish. Some of the confiscated boats have not been returned by the navy. Also, due to decades of war, when we were not able to go fishing others exploited our seas and our environment has been destroyed, particularly by South Indian fishermen who have used large trawlers that have made the sea barren. Even if we can immediately put a stop to such destructive fishing, it will take time for the sea to return to normal. Earlier, we could predict where the fish was likely to be in which season; but now, because of the environmental damage, we are unable to fish this way. We have to ensure that such destruction does not happen in the future, and that fishing becomes sustainable once again. For that, we need to educate the younger generation of fisherfolk on sustainable fishing and environmental issues.
Now that the war is over, have you engaged with the fishing communities in southern Sri Lanka or those in India?
Having returned to the sea in recent times, we have now seen with our own eyes the encroachment of our seas by both southern [Sri Lankan] and Indian fishermen. With respect to the southern fishermen, the fishing minister has said his ministry will address the issue by engaging and convincing the southern fishermen not to exploit the seas in the north. This is a very positive message. As for the Indian fishermen, they do not have rights to fish in our seas, but they fish here nevertheless. In order to address this issue, in 2003 we had some discussions with the Indian fishing community. After that, because of the war, we were unable to continue those discussions. Recently, the fishing federations of all the northern districts met and made a decision to jointly engage the Indian fishing community. We are hoping to visit Chennai soon to discuss these important issues. We hope to, in a comradely manner, explain our concerns and resolve these issues.
What are the main needs of the fishermen in Jaffna?
For now, more than 80 percent of the need for small fibreglass boats with outboard motors has been met. However, due to the destruction of the seas closer to the coast, we need large multi-day boats that can go into the ocean for eight to ten days. We need financial aid to purchase perhaps 25 such boats in Jaffna district. We also need four or five fishing harbours and anchoring points for larger boats in the north. Large boats require considerable fuel and lots of ice for storage, and of course food and water for the crew. Therefore, diesel-pumping stations, water-supply stations, ice factories and refrigeration chambers have to be constructed at such fishing harbours. With these multi-day boats we can fish for tuna, which has a very good export market.(Himal South Asian)
Sri Lanka A v Pakistan A, A team tri-series , Karunaratne stars in Sri Lanka A win
Sri Lanka A 238 for 9 (FDM Karunaratne 106, M Irfan 3-30) beat Pakistan A 241 for 6 (A Shafiq 109, S Ghani 35) by 7 runs (D/L method)
Scorecard
Dimuth Karunaratne's maiden one-day hundred and a little help from Duckworth-Lewis saw Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by seven runs at the P Sara Oval on Thursday. With two overs remaining, Sri Lanka still needed four runs to win with its number ten and eleven at the wicket, but bad light forced play to be called off. The resulting D/L calculations gave the hosts their first win in the triangular series, which also features South Africa A. Sri Lanka and South Africa will meet in the final on September 6.
When Karunaratne fell lbw to Mohammad Irfan in the 41st over, Pakistan looked to be in the driving seat. But Seekkuge Prasanna threw his bat around to make 30 off 17 balls, with four fours, to tilt the game in Sri Lanka's favour. The last two batsmen then hung around long enough for the light to intervene.
Pakistan's total was built around a solid hundred from Asad Shafiq, who scored at a run-a-ball, with seven fours. He got little support from the rest of teammates, however, with only Sheharyar Ghani making more than 30. (ESPN Cric Info)
Scorecard
Dimuth Karunaratne's maiden one-day hundred and a little help from Duckworth-Lewis saw Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by seven runs at the P Sara Oval on Thursday. With two overs remaining, Sri Lanka still needed four runs to win with its number ten and eleven at the wicket, but bad light forced play to be called off. The resulting D/L calculations gave the hosts their first win in the triangular series, which also features South Africa A. Sri Lanka and South Africa will meet in the final on September 6.
When Karunaratne fell lbw to Mohammad Irfan in the 41st over, Pakistan looked to be in the driving seat. But Seekkuge Prasanna threw his bat around to make 30 off 17 balls, with four fours, to tilt the game in Sri Lanka's favour. The last two batsmen then hung around long enough for the light to intervene.
Pakistan's total was built around a solid hundred from Asad Shafiq, who scored at a run-a-ball, with seven fours. He got little support from the rest of teammates, however, with only Sheharyar Ghani making more than 30. (ESPN Cric Info)
President tells 59th SLFP Anniversary:Changes strengthen democracy
*People’s expectations fulfilled
*Emphasis on development
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the 59th anniversary meeting of the SLFP yesterday that accelerated development, a stable Government, strengthening democracy, peace and prosperity in line with people’s expectations were the aims of the envisaged constitutional amendments and not the extension of his term in office.
Addressing over 15,000, including party cadres from top to the grass-roots level at Temple Trees, the President said that if he chose to go for a third term first the party had to sanction his candidacy and next the people had to decide whether or not to retain him.
Emphasizing that there were mis-information in this regard the President said that deleting the clause which restricts the number of contesting opportunities would pave way for greater sovereignty and widen peoples scope of choice.
Addressing cheering party cadres President Rajapaksa noted that the SLFP with the help of other stakeholders had created the strongest Government in Asia today.
The two thirds majority which pundits claimed as a near impossibility under the present constitution is within the reach of the Government, he added.
The Government is of the view that certain clauses in the Constitution should be amended to pave way for accelerated development and greater stability and efficiency to fulfill people’s expectations and we are committed to do so, he observed. Commenting on the envisaged changes to the 17th Amendment, the President noted that what had been done was to re-enlist certain regulatory powers which the parliament lost in 1978.
According to the President the proposed council which replaces the CC would consist a member each from the Tamil and Muslim communities in addition to the Premier, Speaker and the Opposition leader .
He urged the party cadre to go to the grass-roots level and educate the masses on these new changes.
He stressed that since the victory over terrorism the emphasis today was on development and also urged party members to take the reigns of development in their respective villages.
He said that as SLFP’s in power all had a responsibility to ensure a prosperous and peaceful nation for the present as well as future generation.
On the occasion three resolutions on Economic prosperity, Development, Conquering the future through harmony and need for Constitutional amendments in national interest presented by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne respectively were adopted by the membership unanimously.
An electronic automated SLFP membership card too was introduced with the inaugural card being given to Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne by the President. The President later handed over similar membership cards to other senior leaders.
Immediately after, the SLFP membership felicitated one of their senior most citizens, the veteran T.D.Pasquel of Matugama with the President presenting him a memento.
The cheerful atmosphere both within and outside the auditorium at the Temple Trees was further enhanced with the colourful cultural events presented by the ‘Youth’ dancing troupe of the National Youth Council. (Daily News)
*Emphasis on development
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the 59th anniversary meeting of the SLFP yesterday that accelerated development, a stable Government, strengthening democracy, peace and prosperity in line with people’s expectations were the aims of the envisaged constitutional amendments and not the extension of his term in office.
Addressing over 15,000, including party cadres from top to the grass-roots level at Temple Trees, the President said that if he chose to go for a third term first the party had to sanction his candidacy and next the people had to decide whether or not to retain him.
Emphasizing that there were mis-information in this regard the President said that deleting the clause which restricts the number of contesting opportunities would pave way for greater sovereignty and widen peoples scope of choice.
Addressing cheering party cadres President Rajapaksa noted that the SLFP with the help of other stakeholders had created the strongest Government in Asia today.
The two thirds majority which pundits claimed as a near impossibility under the present constitution is within the reach of the Government, he added.
The Government is of the view that certain clauses in the Constitution should be amended to pave way for accelerated development and greater stability and efficiency to fulfill people’s expectations and we are committed to do so, he observed. Commenting on the envisaged changes to the 17th Amendment, the President noted that what had been done was to re-enlist certain regulatory powers which the parliament lost in 1978.
According to the President the proposed council which replaces the CC would consist a member each from the Tamil and Muslim communities in addition to the Premier, Speaker and the Opposition leader .
He urged the party cadre to go to the grass-roots level and educate the masses on these new changes.
He stressed that since the victory over terrorism the emphasis today was on development and also urged party members to take the reigns of development in their respective villages.
He said that as SLFP’s in power all had a responsibility to ensure a prosperous and peaceful nation for the present as well as future generation.
On the occasion three resolutions on Economic prosperity, Development, Conquering the future through harmony and need for Constitutional amendments in national interest presented by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne respectively were adopted by the membership unanimously.
An electronic automated SLFP membership card too was introduced with the inaugural card being given to Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne by the President. The President later handed over similar membership cards to other senior leaders.
Immediately after, the SLFP membership felicitated one of their senior most citizens, the veteran T.D.Pasquel of Matugama with the President presenting him a memento.
The cheerful atmosphere both within and outside the auditorium at the Temple Trees was further enhanced with the colourful cultural events presented by the ‘Youth’ dancing troupe of the National Youth Council. (Daily News)
SECOND COURT MARTIAL AGAINST FORMER ARMY COMMANDER RECONVENES TODAY
The second court martial against former Army Commander parliamentarian Sarath Fonseka is to reconvene at 2 this afternoon.
“Charges against the former Army commander in relation to deviating from the accepted protocol when procuring weapons for the military will be examined when it reconvenes,” said Major General Ubhaya Madawela, military spokesperson. He noted that the witnesses of the respondent will be called up for the first time today.
Even though the court martial was to reconvene on Wednesday it was postponed as his doctors had communicated to the court that he was not feeling well.
The military said that four persons had been named as the respondent's witnesses. (News first)
“Charges against the former Army commander in relation to deviating from the accepted protocol when procuring weapons for the military will be examined when it reconvenes,” said Major General Ubhaya Madawela, military spokesperson. He noted that the witnesses of the respondent will be called up for the first time today.
Even though the court martial was to reconvene on Wednesday it was postponed as his doctors had communicated to the court that he was not feeling well.
The military said that four persons had been named as the respondent's witnesses. (News first)
No confidence
The UNP today handed over a no-confidence motion to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa against External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris for what the party termed as his failure in handling international affairs.
The motion was signed by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga and Wijeyadasa Rajapakse.
Mr. Karunanayake said this was solely an initiative by the UNP, and therefore the support from the other parties was not sought in bringing this motion. He said that there are a whole lot of allegations against Minister Peiris.
“We can find faults with regard to his way of handling matters related to the incident where nails were pierced into the body of a Sri Lankan housemaid in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
A no-confidence motion is considered a tool for the opposition to challenge to the legitimacy of Cabinet Ministers. It is an essential feature of parliamentary traditions that the government should have the confidence of Parliament. Upon defeat at a no-confidence motion, the Cabinet of Ministers stand dissolved. (Daily Mirror)
The motion was signed by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga and Wijeyadasa Rajapakse.
Mr. Karunanayake said this was solely an initiative by the UNP, and therefore the support from the other parties was not sought in bringing this motion. He said that there are a whole lot of allegations against Minister Peiris.
“We can find faults with regard to his way of handling matters related to the incident where nails were pierced into the body of a Sri Lankan housemaid in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
A no-confidence motion is considered a tool for the opposition to challenge to the legitimacy of Cabinet Ministers. It is an essential feature of parliamentary traditions that the government should have the confidence of Parliament. Upon defeat at a no-confidence motion, the Cabinet of Ministers stand dissolved. (Daily Mirror)
‘Left’ parties take final decision on 6th - Vasu
Sep 4 (LT) The left parties in the UPFA would take their final decision regarding the proposed constitutional amendment on the 6th says General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front Vasudeva Nanayakkara. He said the discussion held yesterday to come to a consensus among the left parties ended without any agreement. Hence, they have decided to meet again on the 6th and the decision taken then would be a collective one said Mr. Nanayakkara. (Info Lanka)
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