President not coming for C’wealth Games

 Sunday, 20 July 2014 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will not attend the inauguration of the Commonwealth Games that will open on July 23 at Glasgow in Scotland, a top official of the president’s office told Lanka News Web.

He responded to a question by LNW as to whether the president was frightened by the massive protest to be organized in Glasgow by the Tamil Diaspora against his visit, even though he is the head of the Commonwealth.

Organizers were told about his inability to attend about two months ago, said the official, adding the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office too, has known that from that time.

This Games is not one attended by heads of state, said the official. No head of state or foreign minister of the South Asian region will be attending the Games, and only the sports ministers of the Commonwealth member nations have been invited. Therefore, the Sri Lankan sports minister will be the only person attending. The president has no intention of at least making an appearance during the Games or at the closing ceremony, the official added.

Basil rebuked by BBS?

 Monday, 21 July 2014 

Minister Basil Rajapaksa says that he is being strongly rebuked by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

Speaking to the media, he has stated, "It is the government which mostly comes under the tongue lashing of the BBS. Even I, myself was severely rebuked. Saying that the BBS is the work of the government is wrong."

However, opposition parliamentarians as well as government ministers allege that the BBS is continued under the blessings of the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Making a public statement recently, United National Party parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said that the coordinating activities between BBS and the Defence Secretary are being carried out by Minister Milinda Moragoda.