Namal pressurizes for Tangalle killer’s freedom!
- Friday, 11 July 2014
MP Namal Rajapaksa is indirectly pressurizing Colombo high court judge Rohini Walgama to release Nil Balakaya member, Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana, who had murdered British tourist Kurram Shaikh and raped his Russian girlfriend at ‘The Nature’ resort in Tangalle on the 2011 Christmas Day, say reliable sources in the judiciary.
At MP Namal’s request, President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa is appearing free of charge for the main accused Vidanapathirana. Some days ago, Indatissa and additional solicitor general Shavindra Fernando both went to the official chamber of judge Walgama and discussed the case with her. Indatissa has claimed his client should be freed without calling for submissions from the defendants, as none of the charges contained in the indictment paper has been proven beyond reasonable doubt. Additional solicitor general Fernando too, has made the same claim and said the case is a very weak one.
Without showing much agreement to their request, judge Walgama has told Indatissa that it was better to call for submissions from the defendants. Accordingly, lawyers for the accused have taken steps to make their submissions.
Juge Walgama has discussed this with other judges in the high court, and all of them have advised her to give her ruling in consideration of all facts, as this is a case which is under international focus. A majority of these judges is of the opinion that the high court should find all accused guilty in such a manner that will enable any ruling at the court of appeal. Judge Walgama is now caught between the devil and the deep blue sea over this case, say the sources further. The verdict in this case is due before the end of this month.
Minister Ranawaka exposes Basil’s economic policies
- Friday, 11 July 2014
Presenting a new economic development policy for Sri Lanka to more than 500 intellectuals and professionals at Waters Edge at Battaramulla last Monday, minister Champika Ranawaka strongly criticized the economic policy of the government. A majority of the participants said that minister Ranawaka, while being a member of the government, has dealt a severe slap on minister Basil Rajapaksa who is in charge of economic development.
“When compared with the GNP and import expenditure, export revenue is declining. Exchange rates are on the downhill. The repayment of loans together with interest is exceeding state income. Foreign debt, interest and instalments are increasing at an alarming rate compared to export income. Although absolute poverty is under control, the gap between the have and the have-not is increasing. There is a serious problem of inadequate capital investments and as if the government’s capital expenditure is realistic and is being spent on a priority basis. A social tragedy is imminent due to the promoting of an entertainment economy, and corruption, fraud are rife and there are governance allegations too,” he said, exposing before a group of knowledgeable and eminent persons the economic development ministry’s blowing of its own trumpet.
After hearing about this, minister Basil has went into a rage and raved that he would not allow him to continue for very long. Speakers at SLFP Bala Mandala meetings being organized by minister Basil these days have been ordered to repeatedly say the country has achieved considerable economic development due to the mediation of minister Basil. At the conclusion of a meeting in Diyatalawa, another government minister has referred to minister Basil and questioned as to how he could revive the country’s economy.
