LLRC recommendations go to Weeratunga committee

UPFA constituent parties send in views; left parties call for widespread implementation Peiris visit seeks to strengthen ties with US, but relations with India on rocky road Different versions emerge on controversy over Eelam flag at UNP rally in Jaffna

By Our Political Editor

To most ministers in the UPFA government, the thick stack of cabinet papers for a postponed weekly meeting last Thursday night seemed routine or mundane. They ranged from accounts of the Human Rights Commission, awards of contracts to private firms to build highways, appointment of retired officials to various positions and other matters relating to infrastructure development. Yet, those seemed important since ministerial approval was required statutorily for the appointments to be made or funds to be apportioned. Tiger flag at UNP May Day rally in Jaffna - Whodunit? Instances of how other issues also play out came when President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is the Minister of Ports and Highways, briefed ministers in a note on how a Chinese-backed consortium will operate the South Container Terminal of the bustling Colombo Port. When the government invited proposals for "financing, construction and operation" of the terminal in 2009, only a single proposal came. It was from China Merchants Holdings (International) Company Limited based in Hong Kong and Aitken Spence PLC Consortium or better known as the CMHI-Aitken Spence Consortium. Following the evaluation of their bid, they were selected. More >> VIDEO: LTTE FLAG AT RALLY: MAN TRAVELLED IN GOVT. MEDIA VAN - HARIN VIDEO: LTTE flag at rally: Man travelled in Govt. media van - Harin From the reports we have received the man who waved the LTTE flag at the May Day rally came by the same vehicle that was used by the Government Television channel, UNP MP Harin Fernando alleged today. MORE...