Dons abandon trade union action against Colombo VC

June 13, 2013, 10:10 pm 

by Dasun Edirisinghe

The Colombo University Teachers’ Association (CUTA), which at the end of May threatened an all-out strike within two weeks, if newly appointed Vice Chancellor did not step down from the post, have given up their demand as they lack support.

University sources told The Island yesterday that the scheduled strike would not be staged due to the faculty teachers’ unions not supporting the trade union action.

A section of Colombo University teachers opposed the appointment of new VC, Dr. Wijaya Kumara Hirimburegama, who assumed duties on May 27, claiming that it was politically motivated and unethical as his wife was serving as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

On condition of anonymity, a senior academic, attached to the Colombo University, said that the CUTA’s decision to stop all correspondence with the Vice Chancellor, too, had failed.

"Earlier, we planned not to accept memos or letters from the newly appointed VC, but we cannot do it because the majority of teachers do not like to do so," he said, adding that they could not boycott the meetings with the VC either, as planned earlier.

However, that did not mean that the CTUA accepted Dr. Hirimburegama’s appointment as VC, he said.

The academic said that some teachers believed that it was an appointment made by President Mahinda Rajakapska and it could

not be reversed even if they protested. Another faction of teachers was afraid of being victimised by the university administration for openly fighting against the VC.

The reversed decision would be announced at a future media conference scheduled for the last week of the month, the sources said.

Video: ‘Vipakshaye Virodaya’ meets EC

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2013 

‘Vipakshaye Virodaya’ today met the Elections Commissioner and requested him to obtain the services of elections monitors from Commonwealth countries for the NPC elections and to appoint a civilian as governor of the province so as to facilitate the holding of a free and fair election there. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Gotabaya Rajapaksa and National Security: The Kotelawala Defence University lecture

Gotabaya Rajapaksa and National Security: The Kotelawala Defence University lecture

Thrishantha Nanayakkara-14 Jun, 2013

Photo courtesy Business Today

Groundviews

As a citizen of Sri Lanka, naturally I was keen to know what the country’s secretary of defense thinks about the current security situation and the military history of Sri Lanka. Therefore, I went through his “lecture”  under the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defense University. Usually, any “lecture” is followed by a question and answer session unlike “speeches”. I am sure the secretary of defense allowed this tradition to happen in the free country. However, I couldn’t see such details of a Q&A session in the above link on defence.lk. Therefore, I thought of posing some of my thoughts as a citizen, not as an academic or any kind of defense expert, for the contemplation of the distinguished academics involved in the above MPhil/PhD programme and the secretary defense himself.

Heavy handed state reaction to public descent and National security: 

Gotabaya Rajapaksa and National Security the Kotelawala Defence University Lecture by nelvely

Growing US interests in asia could affect SL: Gota

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2013 
The United State’s establishment of a base in the Maldives could change the  complexion of the sub-continent region as there is likelihood of its growing interest in the region by aligning more with India; thus causing a factor which may affect Sri Lanka, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He said this while delivering a lecture for students following the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defence University.

The Defence Secretary pointed out that it was essential to further strengthen the existing cordial relationships with powerful nations such as China and Russia, which have permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council and could influence any international action on Sri Lanka more significantly than other nations.

“Issues between India and Pakistan, and the issues between India and China are particularly sensitive in this regard. With the rise of China as a world economic leader,  there is a widespread belief that India feels insecure and is seeking to align itself with the other powers that seem similarly threatened by China’s ascendancy,” he added.

The Defence Secretary said this while delivering a lecture for students following the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defence University. The speech was on the topic, ‘Sri Lanka’s National Security Concerns’.

Mr.Rajapaksa said although the likelihood of events such as the Arab Spring transpiring in Sri Lanka is minimal as a result of it being a democratic nation with an extremely popular political leadership that enjoys a very large electoral majority, the possible trend needs to be monitored.  

“With the emergence of technology driven new media including social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and other websites on the Internet, we have seen the potential of this new media to destabilize nations and affect serious change in the case of countries like Tunisia, Libya and Egypt,” he said.

“Many of our youth are familiar with social media and use it as a tool to gather information as well as propagate ideas. Those with vested interests can exploit social media to cause problems in Sri Lanka by propagating certain ideologies online and mobilising and organising people,” he said.

He noted that this can be done with a minimal physical presence and therefore forms a threat that is difficult to contain through the traditional tools of national defence. (Supun Dias)

The Final Threat To Sri Lanka’s National Security Is New Media

By Gotabaya Rajapaksa -June 14, 2013

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

I welcome you to this lecture under the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defence University. The topic of this lecture is “Sri Lanka’s National Security Concerns”. As we all know, Sri Lanka is one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world today. Our citizens are enjoying the benefits of peace and have complete freedom and countless opportunities to build better futures for themselves. At the same time, it must be understood that as with any other sovereign nation, Sri Lanka faces potential threats from various sources. Guarding against these threats and ensuring the safety of the nation is the first duty of the Government, because National Security is the foundation of our freedom and our prosperity. As such, the Government needs to be fully aware of all the issues that impact the country in areas such as Defence, Foreign Policy, Economic Affairs and internal Law & Order. It must formulate a comprehensive National Security strategy to deal with them.

The Final Threat To Sri Lanka’s National Security Is New Media by nelvely

SRI LANKA: The arrest of Vaas Gunawardena and the descent into rulelessness

June 14, 2013

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Vass Gunawardena is now in remand custody while an inquiry into the conspiracy to murder a businessman for pay is ongoing. Even as he is being interrogated he was reported in the television network, Suwarnawa Hini, in its programme on Mulpituwe (Front Page, which is a commentary on leading newspaper stories), as telling the investigating police officers that he is a murderer and that he "will take his revenge when he returns".

For over several years there have been many allegations regarding Vass Gunawardena. The attack on a student, Nipuna Ramanayake, by wife and son with the aid of two police officers working for the DIG (who was a Senior Superintendent of Police at the time), received wide coverage in the media. However, no criminal action has been taken on that issue as of today. The Fundamental Rights Application filed by the student was postponed for hearing until January 2014.

The execution-style killing of five persons following the killing of the brother of a local politician also received wide publicity. Vass Gunawardena was the Officer-in-Charge of the area within which these murders took place. It was also revealed that the actual murderers of the politician's brother were not the five persons who had been murdered but some others who surrendered themselves to court later. There have been no arrests relating to these five execution-style killings.

After Vass Gunawardena was transferred as the superior officer to the Kahawatte area in which there had been around 16 mysterious murders two of the accused, who were in custody for one of the murders and who were released on bail, disappeared and later according to reports, their bodies were found after being dumped. Again no one was arrested regarding these murders.

It was just a few weeks ago that Vass Gunawardena made his famous statement in which he told the police officers in the area under his control that if anybody assaults a police officer he had given permission to shoot them. He also said that he had issued guns and 20 bullets to each of these officers. He also said that he would take to task any officer who has not used those bullets in case any incident happened in the future. This statement was obviously made with the approval of the political authorities.

The media has widely reported the close connection between Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Vass Gunarwardena. At present the police operate under the Ministry of Defence. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in its final report recommended that the police should function as a separate institution and not under the Ministry of Defence. However, the government has rejected this recommendation and is quite keen to keep the police under this Ministry which is virtually under the control of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The allegations of the murder of a leading millionaire businessman, Mohamed Shiyam, by way of a contract killing, executed by a DIG using police officers who work under him reflects the extent to which Sri Lanka's policing system has descended to rulelessness and lawlessness. The case of DIG Vass Gunawardena is not an isolated one and if proper inquiries are made there is no doubt that many police officers, including many senior officers, will be implicated for crimes they have committed themselves as well as for covering up the crimes of others.

The incident in which DIG Vass Gunarwardena is suspected of involvement does not come as any surprise. One of the most talked about issues in Sri Lanka in recent years has been the collapse of the public institutions through what is commonly known as politicisation. The police service is at the top of such politicised institutions. This debate is popularly known as the debate on the 17^th Amendment to the Constitution or the debate against the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution.

The descent of the police to a ruleless and lawless institution is part of the overall direction of a political system which is also ruleless and lawless. The 18^th Amendment to the Constitution completed the descent into lawlessness which started with the 1978 Constitution. The limited reforms which attempted to undo some of the defects of the 1978 Constitution by way of the 17^th Amendment to the Constitution was undone by the Rajapaksa regime in their adoption of the 18^th Amendment.

Now rulelessness is threatening every area of life in the nation. The murder of a leading businessman, allegedly through arrangements made by a DIG of the police, reveals the extent to which even the business community itself is threatened. One businessman having a dispute with another or a landlord who has difficulties in evicting tenants and for that matter anyone else who has enough money to spend to get rid of an opponent can now have the assistance of the police themselves to have their nefarious designs carried out.

The arrest of the DIG, Vass Gunawardena should be taken as an occasion to fathom the danger that the entire country is now faced with due to a political system that prefers rulelessness as against the rule of law. This is a theme that the Asian Human Rights Commission has tried to highlight by repeated warnings over the last 15 years. Even at this late stage if conscientious persons within the Sri Lankan society, including the business community does not take this warning seriously they do so at risk of further peril to themselves.

On the other hand there is a general cynicism on the possibility of the investigating officers in this case having a free hand to conduct their inquiries with the thoroughness required of any criminal investigation. Skeptics believe that higher political authorities may interfere with this investigation due to the fear that many more crimes may be revealed in the process of a proper investigation. If that were to happen then the repercussions on the security of the business community and others would be enormously negative.

Gota the criminal offence secretary orders to halt investigations into DIG Vaas’ crimes- so Vaas is remanded
(Lanka-e-News-13.June.2013,11.45PM) The defense Secretary of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapakse who has earned an ignominious reputation for his notoriety locally and internationally as a criminal offence Secretary , had exhibiting his demonic traits as always ,ordered the police this morning to discontinue the detention of DIG Vaas Gunawardena who is being interrogated by the CID in connection with the murder of millionaire businessman Mohomed Shyam and the series of abductions and extortions Vaas allegedly committed with his criminal associates. 

Gotabaya had instructed to forward only the report pertaining to Shyam’s murder within three days to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department and to halt the on going investigations .

The police department which had sound grounds and valid reasons to detain Vaas Gunawardena and continue with its investigations could not but yield to Gotabaya’s illegal order . Vaas was therefore produced before the court and remanded until the 25th of this month. ASP Shani Abeysekera , of the CID produced a report on the progress of the investigations and a summary of the evidence before the Colombo additional magistrate who remanded him.

Like some prisoners who enjoy all the special privileges when they are remanded , Vaas too suddenly or rather mysteriously fell sick and took advantage of the special privilege of getting admitted to ward 42 of the Colombo national hospital .Apart from the confessions made by the suspects , other corroborative evidence have also confirmed the confessions. 

When the investigations were progressing , step by step all the crimes , those involved directly and indirectly and other details were beginning to surface. Hence this order of Gotabaya halting investigations was to forestall the possible exposure of his own involvements. Even a kindergarten child will understand this. 

Apart from Shyam’s murder , there are 13 other crimes of extortions , abductions and murders committed by Vaas Gunawardena and his criminal team. Vaas’ wife, son and SP Wedisinghe were to be arrested today , but following Gota’s orders to halt investigations , the investigation report has to be forwarded to the AG. The latter himself being another Rajapakse lackey , it will not be surprising if Vaas is released on the ground that evidence is lacking to indict him ..

An AG department that acquitted a murderer , Kesbewa former MP Chandana Kathriarachchi on the ground of absence of evidence when there was an eye witness who saw the murder being committed , similarly freeing Vaas citing the reason there is no evidence will be unsurprising. 

‘I Am A Murderer, See What I Will Do To You All’ – DIG Vass Threatened CID

June 14, 2013

“I am a murderer, you all are not able to keep me inside forever Shani, when I am out, see what I will do to you all” DIG Western Province (North) Vass Gunawardena had threatened the Criminal Investigation Department team led by ASP Shani Abeysekara.

DIG Vass Gunawardena

DIG  Vass Gunawardena was arrested on June 10 and who is now under detention orders.

The Colombo Additional Magistrate Mohammed Sahabdeen was informed yesterday by the CID regarding the threat when producing a report on the progress of the investigation into the killing of businessman Mohamed Shyam Huzamdeen. ASP Shani Abeysekara  informed Court that the statement of the suspect DIG has posed a threat to the lives of the officials who are investigating the DIG‘s criminal activities and his involvement in the murder of the millionaire businessman, as well as their families.

Following investigations conducted into the incident, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on June 06 arrested Sub-Inspector Lakmini Bamunusinghe, attached to the office of the DIG Western Province (North), along with three Police Constables (PCs) serving in the DIG’s special unit.

Upon interrogating the arrested police officers, the CID uncovered information regarding the DIG’s alleged involvement in the businessman’s murder .

According to the state run Daily News the CID filing a B report before Additional Magistrate  Shaheed yesterday said suspect Chutta had told them that DIG Vaas Gunawardena was allegedly given Rs. one million out of Rs. 30 million agreed in the contract to kill business tycoon Mohomed Siyam.

Chutta was arrested and Rs. 400,000 was recovered from his possession.

DIG Vaas Gunawardena when arrested admitted that he was a killer (Mama mini maruwek).

“Will reveal all if Vass is harassed” – Vass’ wife says

Friday, 14 June 2013 

DIG Vass Gunawradena’s wife, Shyamali Priyadharshani Perera says she would reveal details of several well known murders that have been committed so far, if her husband is remanded further and attempts are made to arrest her and the son.

She has made this comment when a journalist of a national newspaper had questioned her about the rumor of an attempt to arrest her and the son following the arrest of DIG Vass Gunawardena for his alleged involvement in the murder of businessman Mohomad Shyam. Vass Gunawardena has been remanded by court till June 25th.

Mrs. Gunawardena has said that he husband as worked against his conscience in the past few months in order to safeguard heads of the government and heads of the country’s defence establishment. She has observed that she would reveal details of some high profile murders and a well known gold racket if her husband is continuously harassed in this manner.

It is learnt that Vass Gunawardena’s arrest had been linked to a gold racket that involved the First Lady. The President has asked the intelligence units to inquire as to how the Janarala newspaper, which first exposed the story, had received the information.

Although the Janarala press was raided and the editor of the newspaper, Chandana Sirimalwatte was interrogated, the source of the story could not be uncovered. Two websites that published the story was also blocked in Sri Lanka. The investigators have informed the editor of one of the websites that the block could be removed if details of the story’s source were given to them. The website editor had revealed the name of DIG Vass Gunawardena.

When the investigators informed this development to the President, an order was issued to the CID to crack down on Vass Gunawardena. Since Vass Gunawardena was arrested on a direct Presidential order, the Defence Secretary has been unable to intervene. However, the Defence Secretary has ordered the CID to inquire only into Mohomad Shyam’s murder. Nevertheless, the CID has managed to uncover details of many murders carried out by Vass Gunawradena with the Defence Secretary’s knowledge.

Meanwhile, Vass Gunawardena’s wife is now publicly saying that she would reveal names of all the persons involved in the murders and the gold racket if she is arrested. Sources from the CID say that given the turn of events, there’s a great likelihood of or5ders being issued to stop the investigation.

Vaas' case;The CID report on killing of businessman

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2013

Producing a further report in court yesterday on the investigations into the killing of a businessman named Shyam and the subsequent arrest of DIG Vaas Gunawardena, four policemen and two civilians in connection with the incident, the CID said initial investigations were conducted by the Bambalapitiya police.

The investigations were later handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) after which, on a directive by the IGP the investigations were taken over by the CID.
 
The CID, while stating that statements were recorded from 6 persons regarding the incident, said there was information that Shyam had been abducted in a van bearing registration number WP CP 2855 and a double cab bearing number WP PD 4876.

Krishantha Vishwaraj Korale who is presently in custody, had been engaged in a business importing garments from China. During interrogations he had revealed that a friend of his named Fowzudeen from Wellawatte had been carrying out a shoe manufacturing business with the late Shyam. Korale had said Rs. 40 million had been invested in the business by Fowzudeen and Shyam had not returned it. Therefore, to find a solution to this Korale had taken Fowzudeen to DIG Vaas Gunawardena, the CID reported to court.

The CID had stated that according to the statement made by Krishantha Korale he had owed Rs. 18.5 million to Fowzudeen.  Korale in his statement had further said Fowzudeen had said if he was able to get back the Rs. 40 million from Shyam, Krishantha could keep Rs. 8.5 million and give Rs. 10 million to Vaas Gunawardena, from the money Korale owed Fouwzudeen.

The CID reported that according to the statement by Korale, since Vaas Gunawardena had agreed to carry out the task, he had taken Fowzudeen to meet Vaas Gunawardena at his Nedimala residence on several occasions. The CID informed court that Korale had stated, although Vaas Gunawardena had tried to abduct Shyam several times using policemen under him, it had been unsuccessful.

The CID said Krishantha Korale had revealed that Shyam was abducted by him and put into a cab on May 22 at Kandewatte in Nugegoda after he was brought there by Fowzudeen on the pretext of discussing a business transaction. The CID informed that Korale’s statement had revealed that later, on a phone call received from Mr. Vaas Gunawardena, Shyam was taken to Mr. Vaas Gunawardena’s house and there, Vaas Gunawardena’s son Ravindu Gunawardena and a constable had got into the double-cab with firearms.

The CID stated that Korale in his statement revealed that Shyam was later taken in Korale’s van and after passing the Kaduwela Bridge a person had called him saying “We will finish off Shyam. Don’t tell anyone about it. Come tomorrow morning and take the van.”

The CID informed court that Mohammed Fowzudeen Muflih who was alleged to have given the contract to kill Shyam, giving a statement had revealed that after providing the opportunity to abduct Shyam, he had later informed Shyam’s family that he had disappeared and a false complaint was made to the  Bambalapitiya police about it.

The CID informed court that a Sub-Inspector and three constables who worked under Mr. Vaas Gunawardena were taken into custody after it was revealed during the lengthy investigations that they were connected with crime. The CID also informed court that Mr. Vaas Gunawardena was taken into custody on June 10 over aiding and abetting and conspiring to kill a person after abducting him and suppressing evidence.

The CID also informed court that when they prepared to arrest Mr. Vaas Gunawardena after questioning him and reading the charges against him, he had pushed aside the seat he had occupied and threatened: “I felt that you were going to do this to me… You can’t keep me inside always. Shani, I am a murderer. See what I will do on the day I come out.”

The CID informed court that this was a threat on the investigating officers and their families and all officers present at that moment had made entries about it.  

The CID informed that both Mohammed Fowzudeen Muflih and Krishantha Korale had given statements before the magistrate revealing details about this crime, but there was deep suspicion as to why Shyam was shot and killed and his naked body dumped in an isolated location. The CID also informed that the Colombo Crime Division had found two plastic ropes, a piece of chintz cloth and a few hairs. Further, the fingerprint officers had found suspicious finger and palm prints from the van that was used in the abduction. (By Manopriya Gunasekera and Ileshan Amarasinghe)

Mahinda’s Mattala airport becomes an aircraft repairing center

Friday, 14 June 2013 

The Mahinda Rajapaksa government’s most recent mega development project, the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is to be developed as an aircraft repairing center.

Minister of Civil Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne has said that the government has now decided to make MRIA an aircraft repairing center.

Jayaratne has mad this comment when he addressed a ceremony held to lay foundation stone to construct the office of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at the MRIA on Tuesday.

Since the opening, the MRIA failed to attract foreign airlines and serve as an international airport. Two budget airlines and SriLankan and Mihin Lanka operated flights to Mattala while Air Arabia suspended its flights due to the lack of business.

The MRIA was the center of controversy after it was constructed without an environment impact assessment resulting in the destruction of wild life.

Military personal threatened magistrate arrested

[ Friday, 14 June 2013, 01:09.47 PM GMT +05:30 ]

Police have arrested military personal on issuing death threats to magistrate of the Kurunegal district.

Military personal has issued threatening against Kurunegal distirct judge Nimal Ranaweera. Soldier serving at the Puttlam military camp has phoned the official residence of the magistrate and issued death threats against him. Suspect would be produce before the court today.

My helicopter not for rescue mission - Sajin

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2013 

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Sajin Vass Gunawardene said today his helicopter did not have the capability to carry out rescue operations.

He said this in response to a statement made by United National Party (UNP) MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa that Mr. Gunawardene had not provided a helicopter to be used in rescue operations last Saturday when the deadly cyclone hit the Balapitiya coastal belt.

He described Mr. Rajapaksa as a learned self-proclaimed legal luminary who was unaware that only twin-engine helicopters with the doors and other obstacle removed that could handle rescue operations.  

Mr. Gunawardene said any helicopter that operates under a civil operating licence was not permitted to fly unless specific approval was obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka while special equipment had to be also installed.

He said the only institution in Sri Lanka that was currently permitted by the CAA to undertake such rescue missions was the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Mr. Gunawardene said in adverse weather conditions like strong winds, rain and lack of visibility, small single engine helicopters could not fly.

He asked Mr. Rajapaksa to help them by contributing funds to improve the livelihood of the affected families. “I have organized a ‘Livelihood sustenance programme effective immediately,” he said.“It is very easy for people such as Wijedasa Rajapaksa to keep criticising but let us see whether he will put his money where his mouth is.”

SAJIN GAVE HELICOPTER FOR MEDIA COVERAGE AND NOT TO SAVE FISHERMEN - WIJEDASA

Shower of stones at Opposition Leader’s convoy during Balapitiya visit

Sajin says will assault any opposition member in Balapitiya

Cyclone claims 41 lives ; 21 still missing : better close Observatory that gives wrong forecasts

‘Fisheries Minister,  please resign!’

June 13, 2013

Friday the 7th June turned out to be one of the worst nights for Sri Lanka, with howling winds, lashing rain, Tsunami-type ocean waves toppling fishing boats, fishermen fighting for their lives hanging onto upturned boats and clinging to floating debris – and none of us aware of the horrific hurricane which took so many lives. That night I watched live@8 as usual, but there was no hint of the impending disaster.

But, somehow I knew something was wrong due to the sudden heavy showers and trees swaying by 9 pm. Then at midnight the power went off (and restored by 2 pm the next day). The howling winds flung my massive trees with such extraordinary force I thought they would get uprooted.

I never even imagined there would be boats out at sea. What a tragedy for the fisherfolk who lost so many loved ones. It was heartbreaking to see on TV the families and neighbours gazing at the choppy sea hoping those missing would return.

What bothers me is the negligence of the authorities in not at least using the Tsunami-warning towers to warn fisherfolk. Weren’t these installed at various points around the island? Are they operational? If not, why? We all know, the impact of climate change is upon us – no doubt about that. We experienced a major hurricane only around two weeks ago (named after one of our great kings) and so we should have been prepared. I believe that international TV networks (including CNN) were hourly reporting on this particular hurricane with satellite photos etc, so why were serious warnings not given?

In fact, one of the English dailies (not The Island) which gives the weather forecast by area on its front page, misled the public in Colombo by forecasting "Fair Weather" on June 7 and 8,even though the hurricane ravaged Colombo and its suburbs, felling trees and so on.

The Fisheries Minister should be held responsible for the fishermen dead and missing because if he took his responsibilities seriously, he would have been in touch with the Dept of Meteorology on a daily basis and also ensured fishermen wore life jackets and carried rubber tyres to cling to if the boats overturned. I was surprised that the wearing of life jackets was not made a legal requirement. So, resign he must. Also, what was the Disaster Management Minister doing?

Linda Van Schagen

Mt. Lavinia

Twitter Q&A with Lalith Weeratunga

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2013 

Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa will answer questions on a Twitter Q&A on Wednesday (19) at 2.30 pm to 4 pm (SL time), the President's office said.

The chat will take place via the official Twitter account of President Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa). Public can submit their questions with #AskLW. www.twitter.com/PresRajapaksa

Rushdie wins Denmark's Andersen prize

Thursday, June 13, 2013 » 04:13pm

British author Salman Rushdie was named the recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award.

British author Salman Rushdie was named the recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award, officials in the Danish city of Odense said.

Rushdie was 'an incomparable author, who through a blend of global realism and fairytale fantasy depicts the significance of journeys and cultural meetings for our time, and thus enriches world literature,' the jury said on Wednesday.

Odense is the hometown of Andersen, who wrote memorable children's tales - The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes - between 1805 and 1875.

The jury said Rushdie shared 'Andersen's love of the narrative art of the fairytale.'

The award ceremony will be held on August 17, 2014.

The award, worth 500,000 kroner ($A94,175), is the biggest in Denmark and given to writers whose works most closely resemble Andersen's writing. The last recipient was Chilean writer Isabel Allende, author of The House of the Spirits.

Rushdie's 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, triggered controversy and he was forced into hiding for 10 years after Iran's then-leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a death edict the following year.

The events were depicted in Rushdie's memoir, Joseph Anton, that was published last year. His breakthrough was with Midnight's Children in 1981. Rushdie has also written children's books, his first was Haroun and the Sea of Stories.