Tensions between Mullaitivu locals and army after two Tamils injured in accident with military vehicle

30 Jun  2017

Mullaitivu locals were angered after an accident involving a military vehicle left two Tamil youths injured, last Saturday.

An army truck and motorcycle carrying two Tamils collided near a military camp in Theravil, Mullaitivu. Both young men were injured, one seriously.

Witnesses were angered when military personnel moved the vehicles before police had assessed the situation, and questioned why an excessive number of armed troops had gathered at the scene.

"Why are all these soldiers here with their guns? Are they here to scare us?" one witness demanded to know.

The Tamil Guardian journalist at the site was questioned and told to cease taking photographs by a military officer. Upon identifying as media, the journalist was photographed by plain clothes individuals, at the instruction of the military officer.

Asgiriya mahanayake was appointed on vote rigging ! statements of such corrupt monks unacceptable – true nayakes rip off his robes (video)

(Lanka-e-News - 30.June.2017, 11.45PM)  Three  nayake monks who are  true sons of pristine Buddhism issued a red signal to Asgiriya mahanayake who was elected to the mahanayake position via dubious and deceitful voting and illicit methods . 

it is well to recall during the period when the presently deflated and defeated  Gnanassara the notorious robed debauched monk who is having three clandestine families while wearing the sacred saffron robe was  ‘setting fire’  to the country , it was Asgiriya mahanayake who never opened his mouth even to say ‘ don’t do that’  against  rowdy monk Gnanassara engaging in hooliganism and insulting the Buddhist clergy and true Buddhist values.    Shamelessly , it is Asgiriya mahanayake who is even today  issuing statements endorsing the villainy and  hate mongering of Gnanassara  whose  putrid antecedence and debauched life  are well known despite being a so called Buddhist  monk who is wantonly disgracing his own religion .

The three most lofty  and most Ven . Devahuwe Chandananda mahanayake , Ven. Heenatiye Samitha nayake and Ven. Magalkadawala Punyassara nayake who attended a media discussion pertaining to religious freedom ,directly said , the abominable statement issued  by Asgiriya mahanayake recently shall be withdrawn ,  thereby ripping off Asgiriya mahanayake’s robes in the best interests of true Buddhism and its tenets.
 
The three most Ven. Monks said some bhikkhus are claiming they have attained Buddhahood . Though according to history there were only four tooth relics , but now those are supposedly everywhere . Did the Mahanayakes probe into this ? these  three true concerned saffron  robed sons of Buddhism questioned .

The three most Ven . Nayakes of a rare loft caliber , representing  pristine and unadulterated Buddhism who exposed in writing the corrupt practices of Asgiriya mahanayake  when he contested the mahanayake elections , charged that the latter after the deaths of monks in the Viharas ,  forcibly ‘captured’ those temples  .  Eth Kanda viharaya is one example they pointed out.  When the appointment  of the Asgiriya  executive committee must be made based on  votes of 19 temples , how come it was appointed on the votes of 5 temples ? the three true Buddhist nayakes questioned while pinpointing that is illegal .Hence the  statement of such a mahanayake cannot be accepted they declared.

The three true Buddhist nayakes who are adhering to  pristine pure Buddhism went on to highlight how the Buddha sasana is being destroyed by those  who are  living in cubicles with air conditioned comfort and double beds, when they should instead be in  a meditating chamber with a place to sleep ,  a water goblet , a broken  coconut shell and  a short  stool which are all that are necessary .

The video footage of part of the soul searching media discussion of these three great and true   Buddhist priests– the truly robed sons of pristine Buddhism which should open the eyes of  genuine Buddhists is hereunder 

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by     (2017-07-01 00:30:30)

CEB’s Least Cost Long Term Generation Plan 2018-2037 Faces Public Scrutiny

By Avanthi Jayasuriya –JUNE 30, 2017

Avanthi Jayasuriya

In line with the duty of developing and maintaining an “efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity supply for the whole of Sri Lanka”(CEB Mission), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted its Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan 2018-2037 (LTGEP) for the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). The LTGEP draft report is the key document which defines Sri Lanka’s plans for generation expansion while providing information on the demand forecast, economic, environmental and other parameters used to guide future investment and implementation plans as well as the energy mix used to meet expansion needs including the component of renewable energy sources.

The report was made available for public comments via the PUCSL website and a public consultation was held in order to facilitate public participation in the decision-making process of a national document which would have a decisive role in defining the country’s future pathway for energy security, and sustainable economic growth.

Parameters Specified in LTGEP

The data in the LTGEP records that the average growth of generation demand for the period from 2018-2022 is expected to be at 5.9 percent per annum, while peak demand is expected to increase at 5.1 percent per annum. Further, from the year 2030 onwards, the day peak is expected to surpass the night peak.

With the installed capacity at the end of 2016 at 4054 MW, the LTGEP identifies plans to have an installed grid capacity of 4269 MW at 2018 and a capacity of 10783 MW at the end of 2037. For this base case projection, the energy mix proposed consist of already committed plants and new additions of coal, major hydro, pumped storage hydro, combined cycle, oil and gas turbine plants and other renewable energy plants.

Given the least cost economic valuation, the LTGEP identifies coal as the least cost generating energy source, and the major source of power during the 20 year period with its share reaching 40% by 2025 and 50% by 2034. Contrary to the increasing capacity of coal in long term energy plans, the contribution from renewable energy power plants is said to be more than 40% by 2025 and 33% by 2034, manifesting a declining trend.

Overall, the Base Case plan in the LTGEP has delineated the development of 1500MW LNG, 2700MW Coal, 105MW Gas Turbine and 320MW Furnace Oil Power by 2037 as well as renewable energy development of 1205MW Wind, 1392MW Solar, 215MW Mini Hydro and 85MW Biomass. More specifically, the total addition of renewable energy within the 20 year period is mentioned as 1205 MW of wind power, 1232 MW of Solar power 200 MW of Mini Hydro power and 80 MW of Bio mass Power.

Public Comments for the LTGEP.

The assumptions and scenarios included for generation planning in the LTGEP was subject to public scrutiny at the public consultation held at the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies. The consultation saw a wide participation of key stakeholders representing various state entities, private sector organizations and institutions, CSO organizations, private citizens and other interested parties.

One of the main areas of contention was that the Base Case scenario found in the LTGEP did not align with the national policies on power and energy. “The Long Term Generation Expansion Plan developed by the CEB contradicts the government’s policy of moving towards a zero emissions pathway through renewable energy development as mentioned in several key documents including the presidential manifesto and the National Energy Policy developed by the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy”, said Mr. Asoka Abeygunawardana, Chairman of Strategic Enterprise Management Agency (SEMA). The national policy clearly defines the energy sector target as to move towards meeting the total demand for electricity from renewable energy and other indigenous energy sources by 2030.

Moreover, the proposed Base Case Scenario, with the inclusion of coal plants violates several national commitments made. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)  in 2016, recognizes the country’s commitment of reducing GhG emission through cuts in the coal and liquid petroleum fluids in the energy sector, with a simultaneous focus on developing renewable energy sources. As a member to the Climate Vulnerability Forum, Sri Lanka has committed to become zero emission by 2050.

In addition, several environmental organizations and concerned citizens pointed out to the LTGEP sole focus on the economic valuations based on least cost scenarios, thereby ignoring or discounting the cost of externalities and environmental cost embedded. The implementation of future coal power plants, particularly the proposed Foul point in Trincomalee was raised as a case in point due to the detrimental impact posed on the unique eco-systems and public wellbeing of the area.

Inconsistent Methodology for Economic Costs

Several speakers including representative from the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat and other independent consultants raised the issue of the inconsistency of the methodology being used to calculate the economic costs. The report’s heavy dependence on capital cost and fuel cost which have also been based on outdated data was reiterated. According to some of the speakers the price of fuel was based on the  market prices and not on economic prices, and failed to capture the declining value of the Sri Lankan Rupee. This was highlighted as leading to miscalculations in the estimation of the least cost scenarios pertaining to coal. Adjustments made would point to a lower generation cost for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) than for coal.

Mr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya referred to the current trend of drifting towards increasing use of diesel and other liquid petroleum fluid in order to fulfill the country’s energy needs.  “The share of electricity generation from all forms of oil up to end April 2017 was a staggering 42% “ he said.

The viability of the integration of supercritical coal power plants and the pump storage power plant in the LTGEP is questionable.

Also mentioned as issues was the lack of attention given to the Demand Side Management activities which is said to be the cheapest option. In addition, several other presenters pointed to the untapped potential of renewable energy in the case highway solarisation.

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Women warned: When in Sri Lanka don't use tuk-tuks

Thursday, 29 June 2017

COLOMBO: The US embassy in Colombo warned Thursday its citizens visiting Sri Lanka to avoid travelling alone in tuk-tuks after a spate of sexual harassment complaints.

The embassy, in a message posted on its website, advised women against hailing the brightly-coloured autorickshaws used widely to get around in Sri Lanka.

”The US embassy Colombo has been made aware of an increase in incidents involving tuk-tuk drivers in the Colombo area inappropriately touching female passengers,” said the statement.

”Females should avoid travelling in tuk-tuks alone in Colombo.”

Many of the reported incidents occurred at the end of a ride, the embassy said. Those opting to use tuk-tuks were requested to take photos of the driver and registration plate before boarding.

There are some 1.2 million auto-rickshaws in Sri Lanka, most used as taxis in a country where public transport is often unreliable and overcrowded. - AFP

Electoral reforms: Lessons from Indonesia and South Africa


Friday, 30 June 2017

The Constitutional Assembly in the Parliament of Sri Lanka hosted Dikgang Moseneke, the former Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa and an architect of the South African Constitution, to deliver a lecture on ‘Reaching a consensus on the Constitution: The South African Experience’.

Electoral reforms Lessons from Indonesia and South Africa.docx by Thavam Ratna on Scribd

New anti-terror measures in West worse than PTA – Wijeyadasa

June 29, 2017, 10:17 pm 

Wijeyadasa Rajapakse and Esala Weerakoon share a light moment at the conclusion of the media briefing (Pic Sujatha Jayaratne)

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, yesterday said those demanding a new lenient Counter Terrorism Law (CTL) to replace the Prevention of the Terrorist Act (PTA), however in the wake of attacks in the West had adopted stringent measures which were even tougher than the PTA.

Minister Rajapakse was responding to The Island at a media conference at his ministry. He was flanked by Foreign Secretary Esala Weerakoon, Law and Order Ministry Secretary Jagath Jayaweera and DIG (Legal) Ajith Rohana.

Rajapakse said they hadn’t reached agreement on CTL so far in spite of broad consensus on the matter.

The Justice Minister said latest developments should be taken into consideration before deciding on the final draft.

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake headed a committee that drafted the policy and legal frame in respect of the proposed CTL.

The Prime Minister in late Sept last year in a confidential Cabinet memorandum proposed that the proposed law comply with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations. The premier also sought adequate provisions to deal with terrorism. Minister Rajapakse said the world opinion in respect of terrorism threat had changed since the conclusion of the conflict here in May 2009 with some of those pursuing liberal policies experiencing the horrors of terrorism.

Minister Rajapakse explained the circumstances leading to him issuing a statement in parliament contrary to that of Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative

Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha in Geneva on June 12.

Aryasinha and Rajapakse dealt with former Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyer Monica Pinto’s adverse report taken up at the 35th session of the human rights council. Pinto called for foreign judges and other international experts in proposed war crimes courts in accordance with 2015 and 2017 Geneva resolutions.

Having received access to former conflict affected areas and meetings with those desired, Pinto had issued a report inimical to Sri Lanka over ten months after her visit here, Minister Rajapakse said. The Justice Minister said he had an opportunity to discuss and explain the situation to Pinto and was really shocked by her report.

Accusing Pinto of deliberating deceiving Geneva, an irate Minister Rajapakse compared the falsified reports issued by the UN, NGO community and other interested parties. Minister Rajapakse said that infringement of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty couldn’t be allowed.

Minister Rajapakse flayed Pinto for criticism of transfer of judges after completion of three year terms at a particular court. The PC alleged that Pinto’s claim that court heard cases in the Northern Province in Sinhala and also gave rulings in Sinhala was nothing but a blatant lie. Minister Rajapakse insisted that all cases were heard in Tamil in the northern and eastern districts except for Ampara.

The Justice Minister said that Sri Lanka’s mission in Geneva had been made aware of Sri Lanka’s stand in respect of Pinto’s report. The Justice Minister said that the statement made in parliament was meant to correct Sri Lanka’s stand.

The minister didn’t comment on the yahapalana government co-sponsoring Oct 2015 Geneva Resolution soon after Ambassador Aryasinha strongly opposed the draft at an informal discussion attended by top representatives of those moving the document.

Racism is a colonial hangover

 

Friday, June 30, 2017

We are committed to all citizens being equal:

I am going by the data given to me by the Police:

I was misquoted:

PTA will not be Repealed in full:

Minister of Justice and Buddha Sasana Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe in an interview with the Daily News spoke on the recent controversy involving him and issues pertaining to minorities among others.

Q: In a recent interview with the BBC, you said that there were "four minor incidents" (sulu siduweem) regarding attacks on Churches.

Racism is a colonial hangover.docx by Thavam Ratna on Scribd

New houses for families in landslide high risk areas

Jun 30, 2017

Cabinet approval has been granted to provide financial assistance to buy land and houses or grant houses from government housing projects for families who live in areas that are highly at risk of landslides.

Reports say 14,680 such families have so far been identified in nine districts. They are to be given houses in safe areas as their present ones are exposed to danger during heavy rains.

SriLankan Airlines: Compromising Flight Safety Chairman Dias Adamant In Passing Out CEO Ratwatte Despite Hushed Safety Blunder

JULY 1, 2017

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias despite compromising flight safety training is hell bent on having his CEO Capt. Suren Ratwatte passed out as a qualified Airbus 320 pilot, even if it means he has to tender his resignation.

Ajith Dias

This is after his deputy CEO Ratwatte was involved in a serious ‘tail strike’ blunder during his Simulator Training which was not documented by his handpicked and appointed Instructor Capt. Mohan Pragasam.

The saga in granting of a virtual scholarship to the CEO costing the tax payer around US $ 50,000, has now snowballed to such an effect that Chairman Ajith Dias has in an unprecedented move ordered Capt. Rajind Ranantunga the Head of Flight Operations to hand over the entire Crew Rostering Department to Pradeepa Kekualawela the airline’s Head of Human Resources.

According to an email sent by the Chairman to Capt. Rajind Ranatunga his instructions was that this transfer process be completed and made effective from 1st of July 2017.

This is after Capt. Ranatunga had only a few days ago written to CEO Ratwatte and asked him to ‘back off’, after the CEO had muscled his way and got his assigned Line Flying Instructor changed to an Instructor of his choice for his first flight scheduled for the 12th of July 2017.

Earlier Capt. Ratwatte had also used his authority and had selected Instructors of his preference to visit his office at the World Trade Center and conduct personal Ground School Training Classes, besides seeking the help of two Simulator Instructor Captains to conduct his Simulator Training and Final Check.

This is where it came to light that Capt. Mohan Pragasam a retired Captain compromising flight safety had refrained from documenting the incident involving CEO Ratwatte, when he had hit the tail of the aircraft on the ground, during his training phase.

Meanwhile the Board of Directors shot down Chairman Dias’ idea of transferring the Crew Scheduling Department to Human Resources, when it was brought up for discussion at the Board Meeting last Thursday. The Board of Directors also declined to approve of a further promotion to HHR Pradeepa Kekulawela which was proposed by Chairman Dias, when it was brought up too for discussion and approval.

Chairman Dias despite not having his Board of Directors approval is still going ahead with his decision. He now claims that he does not require approval of the Board of Directors when making an internal restructure and reallocation of processes as and when deemed necessary by the airline. Incidentally even the approval of the Director General Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka has not been sought regarding this issue.

As a global aviation practice majority of the world’s successful airlines bring the Crew Scheduling Department under the responsibility of a Post Holder of the airline or the Flight Operational Department Head, as many functions conducted by Crew Rostering require the blessings of the Civil Aviation Authority of each respective country.

Meanwhile Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that this sinister move being currently implemented by Chairman Dias, is to help facilitate the smooth training and passing out of the CEO Suren Ratwatte’s Airbus 320 conversion training and rating to fly the much smaller aircraft as opposed to the double decker Airbus 380 he once flew when employed with Emirates Airline.

Capt. Ranatunga is due to officially inform the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka of this move this coming Tuesday only after the process is fully implemented.

Meanwhile in a startling revelation Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that during his Simulator Training, Capt. Suren Ratwatte had been involved in a ‘tail strike’. A tail strike is when the tail of the aircraft hits the runway during the phases of either a takeoff or landing maneuver.

The sensitivity involving the training of a CEO and the reporting of such safety flaws and moreover the covering up of such incidents causes serious violations and compromises flight safety.

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Uma Oya project: USD 248Mn misappropriated – activist-‘Who shared commissions?’

Tennakoon

by Shamindra Ferdinando-June 30, 2017, 10:39 pm 

Following a massive public protest in the Bandarawela town early this week against unprecedented environmental problems caused by Uma Oya project, a leading civil society organisation yesterday alleged that as much as USD 248 mn had been misappropriated by the politicians and officials who launched it during the previous SLFP-led UPFA administration.

The protest, backed by all political parties, drew large crowds from various parts of the Badulla District. Having joined the protect, Badulla District UNP MP Chaminda Wijesiri assured the crowd that he would sit as an independent member in Parliament unless the government took immediate measures to provide relief to the affected.

Executive Director of CAFFE (Campaign for Free and Fair Election) and Anti-Corruption Front (ACF) advisor Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday told The Island that the government should immediately launch an inquiry into the Uma Oya project.

Tennakoon participated in the Bandawela protest.

Tennakoon insisted that there was absolutely no basis for the Uma Oya water being diverted to Hambantota.

The CAFFE Executive Director claimed that the Uma Oya development had been approved in spite of a cost overrun of USD 248 mn during the same administration.

Tennakoon said President Maithripala Sirisena’s pledge to bring in foreign experts to address the issue did not make sense. He called for an examination of the role played by Iran which provided funds for the project.

According to him, a Canadian consultancy firm had estimated the cost of the project at USD 155 mn in 2005-2006 though it was significantly increased by Iran resulting in disagreement with Sri Lanka, Tennakoon said. Emphasising that those who had represented Sri Lanka at negotiations with the Iranians had strongly objected the move to push the cost beyond USD 300 mn, Tennakoon said that within six months later the then government finalised the project at a staggering cost of USD 548 mn. Iran has assured 85 per cent of the funding whereas Sri Lanka provided the rest.

Claiming that he had been able to collect a lot of information about the Uma Oya project, Tennakoon said that it would be pertinent to question Sri Lankan officials who in consultation with Iranian experts in Dec 2008 recommended the implementation of the project at a cost of USD 548 mn. Although the then Irrigation Secretary A.D. S. Gunawardena objected to the joint proposal, the government gave the go ahead.

Tennakoon said Gunawardena could be requested to provide a statement to police investigators and on the basis of his statement further action could be taken.

Iran stepped in three years after the Canadian estimate.

Tennakoon alleged that corrupt politicians had put pressure on officials to go ahead with the project without being bothered about cost. "Political pressure led to Irrigation Secretary A. D. S. Gunawardena quitting his post on January 9, 2009," Tennakoon said, adding that in his letter of resignation, Gunawardena had declared that he had decided to resign as he couldn’t sign an agreement which caused the country to incur an additional expenditure of USD 248 mn.

Tennakoon said Gunawardena had received appreciation as the senior irrigation engineer responsible for rehabilitation of Parakrama Samudraya following the breaching of its bund some years back.

Tennakoon said the project received environmental impact assessment reports on April 12, 2011 after the government had given the go ahead. He questioned the validity of securing environmental impact assessment reports after launching such a project.

Tennakoon said all documents pertaining to Uma Oya project could be easily found and most importantly as those supported and opposed were still in the land of the living they could be questioned. Responding to another query, Tennakoon said that he was ready to face the consequences if he could be proved wrong.

GMOA (Govt. Medical Oppressors Association) contracts AIDS ! Seemingly there is no cure for that !

.(Lanka-e-News - 30.June.2017, 11.45PM) The GMOA (Government Medical Officers association)  now dubbed  Government Medical Oppressors Association has  once again contracted AIDS,   ‘Acquired Intelligence Deficiency Strike’  syndrome . The GMOA which is supposedly comprising doctors who are being paid by the government to  spend their time on treating and curing patients , rather than waste their time on strikes like idlers and street loafers have once again threatened to stage an indefinite strike to put lives of patients in dire jeopardy , and to the detriment of the entire country.

The  GMOA now says it has not agreed  with any of the proposals pertaining to  the acquisition of SAITM by the government . It is well to recall Dr. monster   Padeniya’s   GMOA which has all along proved going by their (mis)conduct ,as an association of medical oppressors and not medical officers  called off the indefinite strike it staged earlier on of its own accord  after their face saving secret discussions with the president came to light , and amidst  the mounting threats of their getting manhandled by the justifiably provoked public  .

Meanwhile minister Champika at the recent cabinet meeting revealed , since SAITM issue is now before court , holding discussions with the GMOA is of no relevance  or consequence.  Moreover , the standard of medical education should be discussed only with the Sri Lanka (SL) Medical Council , Deans of the faculties of medicine and the medical  specialists association.

The minister also informed the cabinet , it serves no point or purpose discussing the standard of medical education with trade unions pursuing  political agendas . Minister of health Rajitha Senaratne at the media discussion to reveal cabinet decisions pointed out , the cabinet has still not concurred in the proposals of Champika.

Meanwhile sports minister the policy less cabinet spokesman Dayasiri Jayasekera whose  mouth is as large as that of a spittoon and talks more nonsense  than sense if he opens his cavernous mouth , oblivious of  his cabinet ministerial responsibilities and the decisions of the cabinet made a diametrically opposing statement that the SAITM must be closed down.  This sports minister to whom his foolish behavior is also a sport and play  said, the students are eager to get baton charged by the police during demonstrations because of their desire to get their photos published in the newspapers the following day. 

At all events , at the crucial hour when the country is threatened with a dengue epidemic , the GMOA mafia playing with the lives of helpless and hapless patients is most abominable , despicable and deplorable . The  people must therefore teach these medical oppressors masquerading  as medical officers not one but many   lessons of their life time ,and put a full stop to the AIDS (acquired intelligence deficiency strike ) syndrome of the  GMOA mafia  . The public must meet  them face to face , and ask from these doctor monsters ‘how many more lives  do you wish to sacrifice  before you decide to cure your own AIDS  sickness ?’  Otherwise these ruthless monsters calling themselves doctors will send all the patients not back home cured  but to the grave .

The bottom line is , when monster doctors   become   mentally sick , they must be treated as patients before they are greeted as humans . Going by the misconduct  of the GMOA and its leaders , it is obvious the SAITM  issue has made these GMOA medical oppressors mental patients . Hence before they are greeted as medics by the president , prime minister and the people they must be treated as lunatics ,and cured. 

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by     (2017-07-01 00:30:48)

Udayanga’s passports impounded

Lakmal Sooriyagoda-Saturday, July 1, 2017

The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday, ordered to impound two passports belonging to former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga in the magisterial inquiry pertaining to the controversial MiG aircraft transaction.

Accordingly, a diplomatic passport bearing number D 3643585 and a general passport bearing number N 5400885 issued by the Sri Lankan government to Udayanga Weeratunga were ordered to be impounded by Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne in accordance with Section 124 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Section 51 C of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

The FCID conducting investigations into the controversial MiG aircraft transaction informed Court that they have sought the assistance of Interpol to trace former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga who is currently living in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The FCID informed Court that they were yet to ascertain Udayanga’s exact address in UAE and further said he has visited multiple countries including Japan using passports issued by Sri Lankan government.

FCID Chief Inspector Nihal Francis made request to impound two passports belonging to Udayanga Weeratunga as it may deem necessary to procure the attendance of the accused.

“We have recorded a statement from Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando about a meeting with Udayanga Weeratunga in Japan.

Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando had admitted to having met with Udayanga Weeratunga in Japan,” Chief Inspector added.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne had earlier issued a warrant through the Interpol for the arrest of former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, a first cousin of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa over alleged financial fraud that is alleged to have taken place in procuring seven MiG-27 ground attack craft for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLFA). The FCID conducting investigations into the MiG aircraft transaction had named Udayanga Weeratunga as a suspect in the case through a B report dated October 11, 2016. The FCID sought a warrant written in English through the Interpol from the Fort Magistrate’s Court to arrest former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga over alleged financial fraud that is alleged to have taken place in procuring seven MiG-27 ground attack craft for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLFA). The FCID told Court that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was unable to serve notices on Udayanga Weeratunga who has been residing in Ukraine for several years.

The FCID had informed Court that Udayanga Weeratunga had directly intervened into the questionable transaction in procuring MiG-27 ground attack craft. The FCID said the deal amounted to US$14 million. On June 9, 2016, the Colombo Fort Magistrate had issued notices on Weeratunga to appear in Court July 15 but he did not turn up.The FCID had told Court that they were investigating whether the former Sri Lankan ambassador in Russia had invested money in a company called Sri Lankan Limited Liability Company in Moscow, which were allegedly earned through the Mig-27 transaction. The FCID launched this investigation following a complaint lodged by defence columnist and political writer Iqbal Athas.

In his complaint to the FCID, journalist Iqbal Athas stated that he had written several articles regarding the financial irregularities that had taken place in procuring four Mig-27 aircraft at a higher price. He told the police that these ground attack aircrafts had been manufactured between 1980 and 1983. He said financial irregularities had taken place during the transaction between Sri Lank and Ukraine. 

UK's largest Palestine group removed from global 'terrorism list'


Thousands attended marches organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in 2014 (AFP)

Areeb Ullah-Friday 30 June 2017


Palestine Solidarity Campaign had accounts frozen in 2015 after being added to 'World-Check' list due to claims on right-wing blogs

The UK's largest Palestinian rights group has been removed from a non-governmental "terrorism" watch list that led to its bank accounts being closed by leading financial institutions.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said its lawyers had successfully fought to have the group and its chairman, Hugh Lanning, taken off World-Check list, to which it had been added in 2015 based on what it said were "smears" and false claims of links to terrorism.

The World-Check database, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters, apologised to the group and said that it should never have been included on the database, according to lawyers representing the PSC. 

Global financial institutions use World-Check to risk assess individuals who use or intend to use their services. However, several British organisations and individuals have successfully fought inclusion, citing "unfounded allegations" and lack of evidence.

Lanning said he believed his inclusion was partly influenced by smears from "the Israeli government and its supporters".

"I hope the government and their supporters follow this good example and stop repeating unfounded smears about the PSC and its members," he said.

"We expect the media to take note of the vindication and rethink printing smears made without qualification, as was done following my deportation from Israel.

"I am pleased that World-Check agreed it was wrong to include my name in the database as there are no grounds for me being associated with terrorism."

Ravi Naik, who represented PSC, said the group "should not have been on the database" and that it was put on the list based on "unfounded allegations".

They added: "Our clients maintain that they do not present any financial risk and the agreement reached between them and World-Check regarding the profile has vindicated this position.”

In a statement to Middle East Eye, Thomson Reuters said that all its profiles on World-Check are reviewed on an ongoing basis and that it will take action to ensure "their complete accuracy".

"A clear privacy statement online sets out our commitment and our obligations to the regulatory authorities," the statement said. "It also explains how to contact us in order to review a profile or discuss its amendment. We investigate all such requests fully and would urge anyone with concerns to contact us." 

No immediate reason, however, was given as to why the PSC was put on the list. An investigation by VICE News suggested the organisation was accused of links with terrorists by right-wing blogs based in America. 

Each terrorism profile compiled by Thomson Reuters includes a list of the sources of information used by World-Check when compiling the profile.

World-Check's literature explains that as well as listing sanctioned and convicted individuals, it lists individuals "facing charges, but not yet convicted".

Those include including anyone "accused, investigated, arrested, charged, indicted, detained, questioned or on trial" for World-Check listed crimes. 

The listed crimes include terrorism, hostage-taking, slave labour and sexual exploitation of children.

Other organisations such as rights group CAGE and numerous Muslim organisations in Britain have had their bank accounts shut down after being arbitrarily placed on the World-Check database. 

Earlier this year, the Finsbury Park mosque in north London won damages from the organisation of £10,000, after it had been placed on the list for allegedly having links with terrorist activities. 

The mosque had its bank accounts frozen without any reason being given. 

In a statement to MEE after the Finsbury Park decision, Thomson Reuters said that World-Check was based on sanctions data from official bodies and "reliable and reputable public domain sources".

"We also provide secondary identifying information on individuals, such as dates and place of birth, and this will be similarly verified with reputable and official sources," it said.

"If blog content appears, it is only as a supporting source for that secondary information, and we make that clear."