Bahu Opposes trade union action with JVP
Saturday, 11 May 2013 
The broad trade union front that declared May 21st as day of protest with the trade unions deciding to go on a Token Strike against electricity price increases, have run into unexpected opposition from Dr. Vikramabahu and his United Federation of Labour deciding they will not support strike action, if the JVP is there in the front.
Dr. Vikramabahu is in alliance with Health sector unionist Saman Ratnapriya and Education sector unionist Joseph Stalin, who have also decided to oppose the May 21 token strike, saying they have no time for decisions taken by JVP.
Meanwhile these same union leaders have discussed with UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe to join the political party led opposition protest “Vipakshaye Virodaya” on 15th May. This would be a march from Borella to Fort Railway station.
Speaking on anonymity, a trade union activist affiliated to Dr. Vikramabahu's UFL in Ratmalana industrial area, said they would join the May 21 token strike, as they do not want to become traitors to the working class and be seen as supporting the Rajapaksa government.
A spokesman for the University Teachers' Union said they are not affiliated to any political party, but do not oppose other trade unions with political party affiliations getting support for the May 21 token strike. He stressed that even the FUTA campaign for 6% allocation for education was supported by opposition political parties.
May 11, 2013
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption was in possesion of enough evidence pertaining to ex-CJ Shiranee Bandaranayake to prove bribery and corruption allegations against her, state run Daily News today (11th) reported.
“The charges include the amassing of wealth beyond the means of an ordinary public servant and the submission of falsified reports regarding her assets and liabilities. The Commission had subject these allegations received several months ago to an initial investigation since prima facie evidence revealed that there was truth in the charges proferred before the commission. The commission summoned the ex-CJ to obtain a statement. Ex-CJ Shiranee Bandaranayake who raised objections to the investigations obtained a further date to make submissions. The ex-CJ who dodged making submissions on two earlier occasions yesterday appeared before the commission and made a statement after making written submissions. The commission is now due to consider the statement and submissions made by the ex-CJ within the next four days and decide whether to proceed with the case. If the oral and written submissions made by her are found insufficient to exonerate her, the commission will conduct further investigations in keeping with its powers irrespective of whether she assisted the investigations or not and if she is found guilty, the commission will file a case against her on bribery and corruption charges. Meanwhile, the Immigration and Emigration Department has impounded the ex-CJs passport at the request of the Commission, to prevent her from going abroad.” the state run daily further said.
We publish below the letter sent by CJ Shirani Bandaranayake to the Director General of the Commission to investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption;
Director General
Commission to investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption
Colombo 07.
Dear Madam,
I have been noticed by the Director General of the Permanent Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption to be present before the Commission to make a statement on purported allegations against me. I attended the Commission on the 18th March 2013 on which date I informed that I would be raising a preliminary objection to the Commission. Thereafter on the 1st of April 2013 I informed the officers of the Commission that I will be making a statement on the next day both on the objections and on the question of bank accounts which I was informed was the scope of the inquiry. I have not been given a copy of the complaint, but was specifically informed that the scope of the inquiry was my bank accounts.
Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake
At the outset I state that I am surprised to have received your letter of 2.4.2013 in that it was clearly understood that the objections and statements would be made on the 17.5.2013; the date was specifically agreed upon for inter alia the reason that my lawyers were not available prior to the 6th of May. Knowing this, you have now asked for objections to be filed on the 10th.
Before dealing with the contents of the letter under reference, I draw your attention to the fact that I have received a letter dated 18.4.2013 from the Director General Immigration and Emigration to the effect that in terms of an order given by your commission I have been prevented from travelling abroad.
Please note that the last time I travelled abroad was on 25.12.2006; at no time thereafter have I ever attempted to travel abroad, I have never applied for a visa to any country and save and except to Singapore I cannot travel abroad without visa
I am surprised Justice Balapatabendi violated the law of Confidentiality by giving various statements to the Press regarding the matter. Justice Balapatabendi could not have been unaware of Section 17 which reads as follows
