Inclusive actions needed to reunify the polity at multiple levels

By Jehan Perera-February 16, 2015,

The government appears to be making a greater effort than previous ones to be inclusive in its approach to governance. This inclusive orientation is a heritage of the election campaign that saw the ouster of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  It was the rallying round of virtually the entire opposition, and a section of the ruling party itself, around a common candidate that could successfully withstand the power and resources of the Rajapaksa government.  Although these political parties had different political ideologies and ethnic affiliations, they were able to pool their combined strength to defeat the common enemy by a narrow margin.  One of the promises of their election platform was to hold general elections after implementing their 100 day plan; although a general election is not due so soon.

Inclusive Actions Needed to Reunify the Polity at Multiple Levels by Thavam Ratna

Comments On The Draft Constitutional Proposals

By R.M.B Senanayake -February 16, 2015

R.M.B Senanayake

This is another hybrid Constitution mixing up the provisions of an Executive Presidency with the Westminster System These are two clear and separate systems of government and they require different provisions. The difference arises with regard to the Executive arm of the State. In the Executive Presidency the Chief Executive is the President who is directly elected by the people for a definite term. He cannot be changed during his term of office unless he is impeached by the Legislature for misconduct. Our present Constitution lays down the functions and duties of the President in Article 133.

Should the Executive which supervises the Administration be entrusted to one person or to a group of persons? Is the unitary executive preferable to the plural executive? The Westminster system has a plural Executive while the Presidential form has a single executive. It is discussed in The Federalist by Alexander Hamilton who argued strongly that unity in the executive can only be achieved by granting the executive power to one person. In the Westminster system the executive power is with a Cabinet of Ministers but each Minister has control over a defined sphere of activity through a Ministry which is a grouping of allied departments or function and each one is responsible to Parliament and to the electorates or the people for the proper conduct of the affairs of his department or Ministry. Their individual responsibility is supplemented by collective responsibility.

In one line the draft new proposals say that the President is the Head of the Executive and the Commander in Chief of the Armed forces. It is not clear whether he also enjoys all the powers presently conferred on him in Art 133. A new responsibility is cast on him is to “promote national reconciliation and integration, ensure and facilitate the preservation of religious and ethnic harmony and ensure and facilitate the proper functioning of the Constitutional Council and the independent Commissions.” But in the next line it says that the President will always act on the advice of the Prime Minister- a provision common only in the non-Executive Presidency. Who then exercises effective power? What if the President doesn’t agree with the recommendations of the Prime Minister? He can ask the Prime Minister to reconsider and if the Prime Minister doesn’t vary the recommendation then he must accept it. This may be the legal position. But where the President who is the Head of the Executive, feels strongly that he is right he may refuse to compromise and then seek other avenues to vindicate himself. Wont’ this lead to a conflict? We don’t think this division of power is desirable for good administrative leadership upon which the quality of the government and the administration depends. Does he have power to supervise the other Ministers?Read More

வட மாகாண சபையுடன் இணைந்து செயற்பட தயார்: கரு ஜயசூரிய

வட மாகாண சபையுடன் இணைந்து செயற்பட தயார்: கரு ஜயசூரிய

[ திங்கட்கிழமை, 16 பெப்ரவரி 2015, 12:10.27 PM GMT ]

வடக்கு மாகாண சபையுடன் இணைந்து செயற்பட தயாராக இருக்கின்றோம் என உள்நாட்டலுவல்கள் அமைச்சர் கரு ஜயசூரிய தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

வடமாகாண அபிவிருத்தி விசேட ஒருங்கிணைப்பு குழு கூட்டம் யாழ். பொது நூலக கேட்போர் கூடத்தில் இன்று நடைபெற்றது.

இங்கு உரையாற்றியபோதே அமைச்சர் இவ்வாறு தெரிவித்தார். அவர் மேலும் கூறுகையில்,

நாட்டு மக்கள் சுதந்திரத்துடனும் அமைதியுடனும் வாழ்வதற்கான சூழல் உருவாகியுள்ளது.

வட மாகாணத்தின் கடன்களை வடமாகாணத்திற்கு கொடுப்பதற்கு, ஜனவரி 08 ஆம் திகதி மக்கள் ஒரு ஆணையை வழங்கியிருக்கின்றார்கள்.

சமாதானமான சூழலில் ஒற்றுமையாக வாழ்வதற்கு வடமாகாண மக்களின் பிரச்சினைகளை பற்றி கதைப்பதற்கு வரவில்லை. கொள்கைகள் பற்றி கதைப்பதற்கே வருகை தந்துள்ளேன்.

பதவி ஏற்ற பின்னர் எவ்வாறு செயற்பட வேண்டும். நாட்டில் உள்ள பிரச்சினைகளை எவ்வாறு தீர்க்க வேண்டும் என்று கலந்து ஆலோசிக்கின்றோம். எந்த வகையான பிரச்சினைகளாக இருந்தாலும் கலந்துரையாடல்கள் மூலம் தீர்த்துக் கொள்ள முடியுமென்ற நம்பிக்கை இருக்கின்றது.

மத்திய மற்றும் மாகாண அமைச்சுக்கள் முன்நின்று செயற்பட்டால் மக்களுக்கு தேவையானவற்றினை செய்ய முடியும் என்ற நம்பிக்கை உள்ளது.

வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் கூறிய விடயங்களை படிப்படியாக செய்ய முடியும். எமது அரசாங்கத்தின் நோக்கம் எமது மக்களின் பிரச்சினைகளை தீர்த்து வைத்து ஐக்கியத்தினை கட்டி எழுப்புவதாகும்.

கடந்த காலத்தினை பற்றி கதைப்பதை விட்டு நிகழ்காலத்தினையும், எதிர்காலத்தினைப் பற்றி கதைப்பதே சிறந்ததென நினைக்கின்றேன்.

உங்களுக்கு கிடைக்க வேண்டியவைகள் கடந்த காலத்தில் கிடைக்கவில்லை. ஆனால் அவற்றினை நாங்கள் உடனே பெற்றுத் தருவோம். நிதியினை மிகவும் சிக்கனமாக செலவிடுவதற்கு முன்வந்துள்ளோம். மக்களின் நிதியினை எவ்வாறு பயன்படுத்துகின்றோம் என்று கேட்பதற்கு உரிமை இருக்கின்றது.தகவல் அறியும் சட்டத்தினை உருவாக்குவதற்கு ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. எதிர்வரும் 24 ஆம் தகதி சட்டமாக்குவதற்கான ஏற்பாடுகள் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

நேர்மையான முறையில் செயற்பாடுகளை முன்வைத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றோம். வட மாகாணத்தில் மட்டுமன்றி ஏனைய மாகாணங்களிலும் வேலையில்லா பிரச்சினை இருக்கின்றது.

இலங்கையில்தான் அதிகமான வேலையாட்கள் இருக்கின்றார்கள். 16 பொது மக்களுக்கு ஒரு அரச ஊழியர் இருக்கின்றார். எமக்கு தேவையான அதிகாரங்களை உருவாக்க வேண்டும்.

மரத்தடிகளில் பட்டதாரிகள் தமது வாழ்க்கையை போக்குவதை காணக்கூடியதாக இருக்கின்றது. வேலையில்லாதவர்களின் வெற்றிடங்கள் வருடத்திற்கு வருடம் நிரப்பப்பட்டு வருகின்றது.

வெற்றிடங்களை நிரப்புவதற்கு பல திட்டங்களை வகுக்க வேண்டும். அரச ஊழியர்களுக்கான பயிற்சிகளை வழங்குவதற்கு வேலைத்திட்டம் ஒன்றினை செய்ய இருக்கின்றோம். முகாமைத்துவ உதவியாளர்களுக்கான பயிற்சிகளை வழங்க திட்டம் ஒன்று வகுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

மாகாண சபையில் கண்ட பலவீனம் என்னவெனில், அரசினால் கொடுக்கப்படும் பணத்தினை உரிய முறையில் செலவு செய்ய வேண்டும். அந்த முறை மாற வேண்டும்.

வடமாகாண சபை மற்றும் உள்ளூராட்சி சபைகளுக்கான செயற்திட்டங்களை உரிய முறையில் வழங்குவதற்கு சந்தர்ப்பம் கிடைக்குமென நினைக்கின்றேன்.

மக்கள் ஜனநாயகமாகவும், சுதந்திரமாகவும் வாழ்வதற்கான ஒரு சூழல் உருவாகும் என நினைக்கின்றேன். யாழ்ப்பாணத்திற்கு வருகை தந்த போது பல விடயங்கள் ஞாபகத்திற்கு வந்தன.

1962 ஆம் ஆண்டு முதல் இராணுவ அதிகாரியாக கடமையாற்றினேன். அப்போது, பயங்கரவாதம் இல்லை. அதனால், தமிழ் - சிங்கள - முஸ்லீம் மக்களுடன் ஒற்றுமையுடன் படித்து விளையாடி வந்தோம். ஒற்றுமையுடன் வாழ வேண்டும் என்ற கொள்கையுடன் வாழக்கூடிய சூழ்நிலை உருவாக்கின்றது. மத்திய அமைச்சு என்ற வகையில் வடமாகாண சபையுடன் இணைந்து செயற்பட தயாராக இருக்கின்றோம்´ என்றார்.

இந்நிகழ்வில் வடமாகாண முதலமைச்சர் சீ.வி.விக்னேஸ்வரன், வடமாகாண ஆளுநர் பள்ளிஹார, மகளீர் விவகார பிரதி அமைச்சர் விஜயகலா மகேஸ்வரன், யாழ்.மாவட்ட பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் முருகேசு சந்திரகுமார், வன்னி மாவட்ட பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் செல்வம் அடைக்கலநாதன், வடமாகாண அவைத்தலைவர் சீ.வி.கே.சிவஞானம், வடமாகாண எதிர்கட்சி தலைவர் சின்னத்துரை தவராசா உட்பட வடமாகாண அமைச்சர்கள் மற்றும் 5 மாவட்ட அரசாங்க அதிபர்கள், பிரதேச செயலாளர்கள் எனப்பலர் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

இதேவேளை வடமாகாண உள்ளூராட்சி சபைகளுக்கான வாகனங்களும் இதன்போது வழங்கி வைக்கப்பட்டன.

Islamic Terrorism Threat & The 13th Amendment

By Ayathuray Rajasingam -February 16, 2015 

Ayathuray Rajasingam

The current wave of Islamic terrorism sends the message that a few numbers of conspirators have hijacked Islam into their hands on false pretext. Jordan had realized the dangers of Islamic terrorism and signaled that the burden is on the moderate Islamists to step up and rescue their faith from these fanatics who are all out to destroy humanity. This is not hate propaganda. What is required is that moderate Islamists have to step up their campaign against the extremists and compel them to realize how other communities value their freedom, instead of continuing with a long history of intolerance and violence. Religion as a personal and secondary matter. It will not be a convincing argument to arm the moderate Islamists. That will only lead to re-group the Islamic Terrorist Organizations.

The versions ‘whosoever join the crusade against Islam, will be protected from hellfire and enjoy eternal bliss’ in the Quran appears to be utilized by the Islamic terrorists to hijack Islam, and are instrumental to give Islam the status of ‘cult’. It is these versions which have attracted by the Islamist youths in response to their religious culture for purpose of advancing their welfare. The Islamist extremists for a moment ignored ‘humility and tolerance’ and give priority to the concept of violence when a literal interpretation of that specific version is given. At this juncture the Islamist extremists should also not forget that Jesus Christ, who is considered as the Messenger of God and also from the Middle-East, insisted on co-existence with other faiths and preached humility and tolerance to the entire world. According to Search for International Terrorists Entities (SITE) the leader of Arabian Peninsula Nasser bin Ali al Ansari had recommended lone-wolf sympathizers to launch severe attacks on countries like US, Canada, UK and France. He continues to state that the Ummah was clarified to state that the “one who chose the target, laid the plan, financed the operation and appointed its amir, is the leadership of the Organization. We did it in compliance with the command of Allah and supporting the Messenger of Peace ….” This can be viewed in the YouTube. The driving force of such recommendations only signals the thrill of violence that arise from inflicting pain on others. These Islamist extremists failed to behave as humans. The issue whether moderate Islamists are ignorant of the consequences of this barbaric actions becomes complex, when such recommendations are an obstacle for any moderate Islamists to raise the issue of ‘humility & tolerance’. There is nothing wrong if any Islamic immigrant is prosecuted for treason if he or she joins the Terrorist Organization after listening to such sermon. Such a savage ideology will only provide solace to persons of low spirit.

Read More

Red light for Fort magistrate Thilina Gamage!

 

Monday, 16 February 2015 

It is a result of a personal discussion MP, lawyer Namal Rajapaka had with his close friend Thilina Gamage, Colombo Fort magistrate, that former UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake, remanded on a charge of preparing fake documents, had been able to secure bail despite objections by the CID, reports say.

On the day previous to the day Attanayake was bailed out, MP Rajapaksa met magistrate Gamage at his official chamber and discussed the matter, say reliable sources.

It is a known secret that MP Rajapaksa had got Inland Revenue Department superintendent Lalith Ambanwela, once seriously wounded in an acid attack, transferred out after he had determined that the file pertaining to a baby elephant kept by magistrate Gamage at his Neelammahara Road, Maharagama home was a fake and that the licence for the jumbo was illegal, and ordered an inquiry.

Magistrate Gamage cited inadequate evidence against Attanayake when ordering him bail. However, the government analyst’s report says the document given by him to the media has had forged signatures.

The magistrate had disregarded submissions by the CID that forging the signatures of the incumbent president and the prime minister and preparing fake documents with the intention of causing communal clashes could have had serious public unrest.

Also, our exclusive sources say Caraoke Wasantha, a notorious racketeer in the Colombo underworld, had played a key role in getting bail for Attanayake. Both are closely related and the former was a notable invitee when the latter assumed duties as the health minister in the previous regime.

Caraoke Wasantha gave liquor party for magistrate Gamage on the previous night of the hearing at a special place at Colombo Fort. Johnny Walker Gold Label and tasty foods were freely available there, and pictures taken from a mobile phone without Gamage’s knowledge are circulating among Colombo businessmen these days.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has given a red light warning, but to no avail, to Gamage for his having acted in a blatant violation of the ethics of the Sri Lanka Judges Association and cohabiting with underworld racketeers at their haunting places. Therefore, several senior lawyers are planning to lodge complaint, complete with the pictures, to the Judicial Services Commission against magistrate Gamage, according to reports reaching us.

Pseudo Socialists Defend Crime, Corruption and Lawlessness?

By Latheef Farook-February 16, 2015,
In the 8 January 2015 presidential elections, people voted for the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena who promised good governance, restoration of law and order and end crime and corruption to create a good society. Though ambitious, it is an uphill task in view of the mess created by the Rajapaksa regime which virtually ruined every government institution, the society and the country.

Pseudo Socialists Defend Crime, Corruption and Lawlessness by Thavam Ratna

India seals nuclear energy pact with Sri Lanka, hopes to push back Chinese influence

BY KRISTA MAHR AND SANJEEV MIGLANI-Mon Feb 16, 2015

(Reuters) - India sealed a nuclear energy agreement with Sri Lanka on Monday, its first breakthrough with the new government of the tiny Indian Ocean island where China has been building ports and highways in a diplomatic push in recent years.

Under the deal, India will help Sri Lanka build its nuclear energy infrastructure, including training of personnel, the Indian foreign ministry said.

Later, India could also sell light small-scale nuclear reactors to Sri Lanka which wants to establish 600 MW of nuclear capacity by 2030, a Sri Lankan official and an Indian analyst said.

The deal came as Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena began a visit to India, his first trip abroad since he swept to power in January, which has provided New Delhi with an opening to repair ties that had become tense under his predecessor.

"The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is yet another demonstration of our mutual trust," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement.

India had grown increasingly wary of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's pursuit of closer ties with China, which became a key supporter of the island's economy after its 26-year-civil war ended in 2009.

China has built a seaport in the south of the country and signed a deal to develop a $1.5 billion port next to the commercial port in Colombo, raising fears Beijing is seeking influence in the island state with which New Delhi has had historical ties.

Ties worsened further after the Rajapaksa government allowed Chinese submarines to dock last year.

Modi said the two countries also agreed to expand defence cooperation, but gave no details. "This is my first visit and it has given very fruitful results," Sirisena said.

Since coming to power last year, Modi has reached out to neighbours, offering to build power stations and ports, in a bid to push back against China.

Next month he plans to travel to Sri Lanka and the Maldives where too Beijing is seen to be expanding its diplomacy as part of a strategy to build a network of ports in the Indian Ocean through which much of its trade and energy supplies transit.

Sirisena has pledged to pursue a more global foreign policy.

“It does introduce a kind of balance in Sri Lanka’s external relationships,” said Neelam Deo, director of Gateway House, an India-based think tank. “Nobody thinks that the relationship with China will diminish, but this is a better balance.”

China said last month it hoped for continued "cooperation" with Sri Lanka despite a pledge by the new government to review Chinese infrastructure projects awarded under the Rajapaksa administration.

(Additional reporting by Shihar Aneez in Colombo; Editing by Nick Macfie)

UNHRC Chief Grants ‘One-Time Only’ Deferral Of Sri Lanka War Report

February 17, 2015 

UN HRC Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has recommended the Council to delay the tabling of the long-awaited OISL (OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka) report on the investigation into the final phases of the war in Sri Lanka,for six months until September.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

Explaining his decision, the High Commissioner has said that it is a ‘one-time only’ deferral and has added that it has been a difficult decision for him.

“There are good arguments for sticking to the original timetable and there are also strong arguments for deferring the report’s consideration a bit longer, given the changing context in Sri Lanka,” the Human Rights Chief has stated.

Speaking further he has added that since he has received a clear commitment from the new government on its willingness to cooperate with his office on a range of issues and that he wishes to engage with the GoSL to ensure those commitments translate into reality.

The OISL was due to be tabled at the upcoming UNHRC session in March. Earlier last week during his visit to Washington, External Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera made a request from the US government and the UNHRC to delay the tabling of the OISL report.

Following is the full release:

Zeid requests “one time only” deferral of key report on Sri Lanka conflict

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Monday explained his recommendation to the Human Rights Council to delay the consideration of a long-awaited report into alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Sri Lanka for six months until September 2015.*

The High Commissioner stressed that the deferral of the report was “for one time only,” and guaranteed that the report would be published by September. His request for deferral was granted by the Council on Monday afternoon.

“This has been a difficult decision,” Zeid said. “There are good arguments for sticking to the original timetable, and there are also strong arguments for deferring the report’s consideration a bit longer, given the changing context in Sri Lanka, and the possibility that important new information may emerge which will strengthen the report.”

“In addition, I have received clear commitments from the new Government of Sri Lanka indicating it is prepared to cooperate with my Office on a whole range of important human rights issues – which the previous Government had absolutely refused to do – and I need to engage with them to ensure those commitments translate into reality.”

The High Commissioner noted that the three distinguished experts,** who were appointed by his predecessor Navi Pillay to advise the investigation, had informed him that, in their unanimous view, a one-off temporary deferral would be the best option to allow space for the new Government to show its willingness to cooperate on human rights issues.

“Taking all this into account, I have therefore decided, on balance, to request more time to allow for a stronger and more comprehensive report,” Zeid.

“I am acutely aware that many victims of human rights violations in Sri Lanka, including those who have bravely come forward to provide information to the inquiry team, might see this is as the first step towards shelving, or diluting, a report they have long feared they would never see. I fully understand those fears and deep anxieties, given the history of failed or obstructed domestic human rights inquiries in Sri Lanka, and the importance of this international investigation being carried out by my team at the UN Human Rights Office.”

“There should be no misunderstanding,” the High Commissioner continued. “I give my personal, absolute and unshakable commitment that the report will be published by September. Like my predecessors, I believe that one of the most important duties of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is to act as a strong voice on behalf of victims. I want this report to have the maximum possible impact in ensuring a genuine and credible process of accountability and reconciliation in which the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparations are finally respected.”

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* In March 2014, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) – a 47-member State body – adopted resolution 25/1 entitled ‘Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ which requested the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights “to undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission” which examined the last years of the armed conflict. The HRC requested the UN Human Rights Office “to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations, and of the crimes perpetrated, with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability,” with assistance from relevant experts. The resolution requested the Office to present a comprehensive report at its 28th session in March 2015.

** The three experts, appointed in June 2014, are: Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, renowned for his international peace work; Silvia Cartwright, former Governor-General and High Court judge of New Zealand, and judge of the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts in Cambodia; Asma Jahangir, former President of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Bar Association and of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and previous holder of several Human Rights Council mandates.

Who rules?

by Groundviews 

- on 02/16/2015 

The media of the 13th Friday had two very different statements on the fate of the ‘Port City “ project. The Daily Mirror reports The Government of Sri Lanka through its acting cabinet spokesman; Minister Lakshman Kiriella stated, “The Port City Project has been automatically stopped as there were so many shortcomings in the EIA report. We must go through it and rectify those shortcomings before re-start the project,”

But an interview to the Hindustan Times 13th Friday, given by a Chinese official by name of Mr. Zhang seems to differ. He states, “There were some criticisms and doubts (about the project).  This project is aligned development goals of Sri Lanka. We have very good relations with President Maithripala Sirisena,” On concerns about damaging the environment, he said: “We focus a lot on environmental protection. For marine projects, we have very strict standards about purity of water body. We have 24 sentinel stations. If there is any influence on water quality, we will change implementation plans”.

Two questions arise; the first is who decides on the fate of the project? The Government of Sri Lanka or the Chinese officials? Can China over rule Sri Lanka in matters of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty?

This then raises other questions as to weather Minister Kiriella was misinformed ? The Chinese official seems to suggest that there were no serious shortcomings in the EIA. But Minister Kiriella tells us that there was. Given this state of confusion it might be best if the EIA in question was held up for public scrutiny.

The need to examine the EIA is also made urgent in the light of the comments made by the Chinese official. He talks about environmental protection only in regard to the water quality around the project area. Should not the EIA also address potential impacts to the mainland? If it appears that the EIA was a sloppy, quick and easy job to satisfy a bureaucratic need to overcome national safeguards, it should e seen as treason against the nation.

Have the citizens of Colombo been warned that their air quality will plummet downwards as the pollution from the new city is blown in by the sea? Has the export of all hazardous waste from the new city been part of the conditions or is Sri Lanka seen as their dumping ground? Has the source of water to this new city been identified? Will be loose our water right to our watersheds? Where will the energy to power this city come from? Is Sri Lanka going to be burdened with dirty power plants to supply their needs? Has the local impact of the removal of rocks and sand to fill up this new land been evaluated?

We are supposed to be a free, independent country. Just because some greedy individuals signed a flawed document as a ‘contract’ are we not in a position to defend ourselves? Will our leaders stand in our defense and protect our rights or will they acknowledge a new set of rulers, compromise our rights and bow before them ?

‘User-friendly systems central to enhancing good governance’ 

February 16, 2015

Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake recently underscored the importance of bringing about reforms which will help enhance the country’s public financial management.

Addressing accounting professionals at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) Karunanayake said "Today, financial management is evolving into a complex and demanding process, it is crucial for growth and sustainability. Financial management in the public sector has been somewhat weak, maybe due to capacity limitations. Countries all over the world have been attempting to reform public financial management on their own and Sri Lanka cannot be an exception."

He made these remarks at the launch of the new Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CPFA) qualification exclusively for the public sector jointly offered by CA Sri Lanka and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in London.

Speaking further, the minister said that it was important to commence with the legislative framework and formulate user friendly rules, regulations, systems and procedure, if Sri Lanka is to enjoy enhanced transparency, accountability and good governance.

"I seek your support to work closely with the government to manage public resources economically, efficiently, and effectively for the benefit of the people. It is through effective financial management that we could discharge our public accountability," he told the audience comprising of Chartered Accountants and other financial professionals representing the public and private sectors.

"I congratulate the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka’s endeavor to improve the management of public finance. The enterprise shown by you will be recorded in glowing terms as a national service," he added.

Guest of Honour, Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. R. H. S. Samarathunga emphasized that the launch of the qualification was a very important initiative at the present juncture, and it will definitely be a new beginning to strengthen the public finance management in the country.

President of CA Sri Lanka Arjuna Herath in his speech termed the launch of the CPFA qualification for the public sector as an important milestone in the journey of the institute.

"We also believe that this is timely in consideration of the present political and public sector environment as an opportune moment for the introduction of a qualification of this nature, and we believe it is important to have an environment that is conducive to safeguard public interest without fear and favour," he said.

Herath added that the introduction of the new CPFA qualification as a specialized professional accounting qualification for the public sector was a significant step in CA Sri Lanka’s efforts to professionalize the public sector accounting and finance discipline.

CIPFA International Chair, Ian Ball addressing the audience said that Sri Lanka is one of the first countries to work and share the information and expertise that CIPFA has to improve public sector accounting and financial management in Sri Lanka.

V. Kanagasabapathy, Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL), the Public Sector Wing of CA Sri Lanka in his speech said that the launch of the qualification was a leap for the public finance management in the country.

"It has been a long felt need to raise the professional status of the public finance managers by introducing a qualification that will meet the challenges they face in the public sector," he said.

CIPFA Development Chair, Alan Edwards said that CA Sri Lanka is leading the world in focusing its attention on the public sector.

Vice President of CA Sri Lanka Lasantha Wickremasinghe said that given the important role that the public sector plays in the development of Sri Lanka, the agreement with CIPFA and the qualification will undoubtedly help strengthen the future of public sector accountants and finance professionals in the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed between President of CA Sri Lanka, Arjuna Herath and Ian Ball, Chair of CIPFA International offers a clear route for public sector accountants to obtain a locally and globally recognized specialist qualification.

The MoU also outlined a framework for future co-operation between the two institutes to improve the governance of public finance within the country and help improve the training and development in the accountancy profession. The collaboration also opened doors for CA Sri Lanka members to obtain CIPFA membership and professional development opportunities. (ICASL)

Army loses Rs. 250 m in gold leaf project!

Monday, 16 February 2015 

The Sri Lanka Army had carried out a project, on the orders of the former defence secretary, to write the Tripitaka in gold leaves that were to be interred in the Ranaviru Seya, the ninth holy place, to be build in addition to the historic Atamasthana, by Mahinda and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The Army had spent Rs. 250 million to buy 4,000 kg of gold for this project.

It had been carried out under the supervision of Army commander Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake, by Brig. Perera of the Army’s directorate of pay and record.

Initially, the Army had planned to obtain a Rs. 7,500 per gold leaf sponsorship, to be contributed to by businessmen, the general public and the soldiers. But, it had been a failure as no one had come forward to make a contribution, making the Army to bear the entire cost of the project.

Sinhala Only: Our Nation’s Curse?

By Jagath Asoka -February 16, 2015

Dr. Jagath Asoka

If you are a Sri Lankan—in the deepest sense—what is your identity? I think most Sri Lankans, first, would use their ethnicity or religion to identify themselves, not their country. Will Sinhala ever be the language that unites us, not the language that belongs only to the ethnic Sinhalese? What would happen to the Sinhala language if it is also spoken by the majority of our minorities?

What is the significance of knowing the Sinhala language in our day-to-day living in Sri Lanka? Is Sinhala a vehicle for expressing our thoughts, perceptions, sentiments, and values characteristic of a particular ethnic group? Is it a representation of a fundamental expression of our social identity? Does Sinhala help us maintain the feelings of cultural and ethnic kinship? Can the Sinhala language unite various ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka?

I do not think that the Sri Lankan Sinhalese would make an attempt to learn Tamil because they can survive without it; they have nothing to gain by expressing their grievances, political or otherwise, in Tamil. On the other hand, the minorities in Sri Lanka have to survive among this majority. If you are a Tamil or a Muslim, what is the impetus to learn Sinhala?

For all practical purposes, we must have two, or even three, official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—in Sri Lanka, but can we form a single national identity without a common language? Can we blame the ravaging imperialist monsters for creating two bleeding halves of this edenic paradise? We know that English is not going to be our common language of the masses, because English is somewhat inaccessible and belong to the realm of the intellectual elite. English, spoken competently by about 10% of the population, is referred to as the link language in the constitution. I do not know the percentage of Tamils who are fluent in Sinhala, but I know one thing: When Tamil or Muslim politicians articulate their thoughts fluently in Sinhala, they get the attention of the majority Sinhalese. Try it if you do not believe me!Read More

A split in the SLFP before general elections?

                             Sinhala Only: Our Nation’s Curse?

                                               

MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2015 

The members representing the Central Committee, Executive Committee and All Island Committee of the SLFP have divided into two groups – one group supporting President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Chandrika Bandaranayaka Kumaratunga and the other supporting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and due to the ‘cold war’ between the two groups a controversial situation has developed which would lead to a split in the party before the general election say internal sources of the SLFP.

Normally, when the office bearers to the party are appointed the All Island Committee is made aware of the appointments. However, All Island Committee was not made aware of the office bearers appointed at ‘Ape Gama’ complex on the 14th.

All decisions taken by the Executive Committee represented by the office bearers are taken to the grassroots level by the ministers, parliamentarians, members of provincial councils and local government councils who form the All Island Committee.

At the event that was held at ‘Ape Gama’ on the 14th the members of the Executive Committee were accommodated in hall No.2 and members of All Island Committee were asked to assemble in hall no 1. No one without a permit was allowed to go into either of the halls say reports.

As the posts of president, secretary general and national organizer were appointed in hall no.2, those who were in hall no.1 were not aware of the happenings and a tense situation was created.

The members of All Island Committee expressed its opposition to the manner the office bearers were appointed and pointed out the move was intended to split the party. The officials that represent the Executive Committee accept Mr. Maithripala Sirisena as the leader while those in All Island Committee consider Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa as their leader.

In such an environment the split in the SLFP before the general election is inevitable say political analysts.