Cancer in a Can: The Shocking True Story of how ‘Pringles’ are Made 

November 25, 2014
If you want to understand the nature of Pringles and other stackable chips, you can forget idea that they are made from actual potatoes in any recognizable way.

The Pringles Company (in an effort to avoid taxes levied against “luxury foods” like chips in the UK) once even stated that the content of potatoes in their chips was so small that they are technically not even a potato chips.

So what are they exactly made of?
Cancer in a Can the Shocking True Story of How ‘Pringles’ Are Made by Thavam Ratna

Abberrant actions cannot cure the Sri Lankan judiciary of its ills

• Sunday, April 05, 2015

Even close to one and a half decades later, it is heartening to see the virulent politicisation of the Sri Lankan Supreme Court from the year 2000 amidst the bypassing of honourable judges of the Court under the Presidencies of Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa being publicly recognised by the Bar.

Contrasts between then and now
One may indeed be forgiven for a somewhat acerbic reminder that such recognition comes better late than never, even as we chuckle from a merciful distance at the hypocrisy that predominates.

No matter that some of these very worthies now lustily singing the praises of an independent judiciary did not dare to speak out openly at that time, being either too scared or too reluctant to court the negative impact on their legal practice and pockets. Indeed, as I recall, a fair number of these individuals had to be virtually dragged to discussions on the need to stand tall against internal and external subversion of the judiciary.

Others kept quiet when the Kumaratunga Presidency ceaselessly interfered with an independent judiciary but became suddenly strident in their ‘intellectual’ disquiet after Kumaratunga left office. Yet others declined to publicly venture out affirming their support for besieged judges, one instance being their refusal to sign a public appeal requesting the late Justice Mark Fernando not to retire prematurely from the Court in 2003. Notably, signatories to this appeal went far beyond the legal profession to include prominent academics, professionals and ecclesiastical heads of the Buddhist, Catholic, Anglican and Methodist denominations.

Rendering a ruthlessly honest account
Despite this appeal, Justice Fernando insisted on stepping down. On his own acknowledgement written in a letter to some members of the Bar, it had become impossible for him to serve honourably in judicial office. Indeed, in that atmosphere of extreme intimidation coupled with extreme cowardice on the part of the Bar, the singular isolation of judges whose only crime had been to serve honourably in office was marked.

As the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association, (IBAHRI) summed up after conducting two fact-finding missions to Sri Lanka in 2005 and 2009, “the judiciary is currently vulnerable to two forms of political influence: from the Government and from the Chief Justice himself. The nature and degree of influence oscillates between the two and depends on the relationship between them at the time…” (2009 Report of the IBA)

This predicament was not limited to judges of distinction in Sri Lanka’s highest Court but ranked, among their number, conscientious judicial officers of the High Court and subordinate courts. In due time, a ruthlessly honest account has to be rendered of these unfortunate happenings which resulted in the country’s entire judicial system being compromised and degraded to the extent that a sitting Chief Justice was thrown out of office under the Rajapaksa Presidency. Indeed, the steps taken to correct this injustice were themselves not free from controversy. And while there are some who believe that the subversion of the system was corrected through President Sirisena’s executive order declaring a Chief Justice of Sri Lanka ‘as if he had never been’ after the January 8 electoral win, one must beg to differ .

19th Amendment’s clauses far from satisfactory
In this context, the proposed 19th Amendment’s revisions to redress concerns relating to the independence of the judiciary fall far short of their objectives. Merely providing for the Constitutional Council to obtain the views of the Chief Justice, the Justice Minister, the Attorney General and the President of the Bar in making recommendations in regard to the appointment of judges of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court does not suffice.

There was an era not so long ago where all these individuals holding these positions would have happily concurred with the decision of the executive in this regard. It is an unforgivable fallacy to believe that such an era is now behind us with the dawning of the ‘Maithri’ yugaya.

Similarly, the safeguards proposed by the 19th Amendment in regard to the accountability and transparency of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) are far from satisfactory. All that it purports to do is to provide a place in the JSC for a member who has experience as a judge of a Court of First Instance. The superficiality of these amendments is astounding. Our disastrous past experiences appear not to teach us to be more careful in these constitutional drafting exercises even now.

Ensuring the accountability of the JSC

Where the JSC is concerned, it was precisely during the greatest breakdown in judicial integrity we had witnessed that jurists of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Committee were deluged, to their consternation, by appeals filed by Sri Lankan judges urging that they be treated fairly in judicial service.

In one such instance concerning the unfair dismissal of a District Court judge where the Committee found there to be a breach of the duty of fairness, it was specifically observed that Rule 18 of the JSC rules was unjustifiable. This Rule provided that “copies of reports or reasons for findings relating to the inquiry or of confidential office orders or minutes, will not, however, be issued.”

The Committee noted that there is no justification in the JSC rules themselves or any explanations offered by the JSC for the failure to provide judicial officers with the reasoning in findings made against them. In this particular instance, the only reasoning provided to the judge who had been summarily dismissed was a dismissal letter merely stating that he had been found guilty of the charges against him, without any explanation (Soratha Bandaranayake vs Sri Lanka, 2008).

Recognising the enormity of the challenge
It is good that the wild jubilation prevalent for a split second after the January electoral win has yielded to soberer thoughts. More tempered reflections on the measures necessary to restore the independence of Sri Lanka’s judiciary are needed. Systemic failures in regard to the independence of Sri Lanka’s judiciary cannot be corrected by aberrant actions, engaged in even with the best of intentions.

Dialogue on promoting reconciliation and strengthening of democracy in SL

 Sunday, 05 April 2015 

As part of an on-going dialogue process towards promoting reconciliation and strengthening of democracy in Sri Lanka, the Government of Switzerland and the In Transformation Initiative (ITI) from South Africa,

invited a group of political, civil society, academic, diaspora and other international stakeholders including an observer from the Government of Australia to a meeting in Singapore from 3 to 5 April 2015.

This is a continuation of dialogues on strengthening democracy and promoting sustainable peace in Sri Lanka, and is consistent with several other initiatives of the Government of Switzerland and ITI that included various meetings and visits by Sri Lankan government ministers and senior officials, opposition and ruling party members, as well as other stakeholders including diaspora representative groups.

Various issues including the on-going democratisation activities in Sri Lanka, potential initiatives for achieving long lasting peace and reconciliation were discussed. It was agreed to continue this engagement
and dialogue to accelerate the process of achieving meaningful reconciliation among all Sri Lankans.

Court of Appeal vacates eviction against Northern Power Plant employees returning to work

Court of Appeal vacates eviction against Northern Power Plant employees returning to work

April 4th, 2015

The order of eviction issued by the Mallakam Magistrate against the Northern Power Plant in Chunnakam preventing its employees from reporting to work has been vacated by the Court of Appeal. The order will be in effect from Monday 06 April.

The Jaffna High Court on 20 February allowed the Northern Power Co (Pvt) Ltd’s parent company MTD Walkers PLC’s Revision Application to restore the status quo on the illegal eviction of employees from the Chunnakkam Power Plant.

The Company was hopeful that its generation operation too would be allowed following the request made to the High Court of Jaffna when the case is recalled early April.

Meanwhile, the Expert Committee appointed by the Northern Provincial Council to study the water contamination issue in Jaffna reported that regional groundwater in and around Chunnakam, Jaffna, does not consist of any dangerous pollutants.

“The announcement by the Expert Committee appointed by the Northern Provincial Council to study the water contamination issue in Jaffna; that there are no dangerous septic pollutants in the groundwater, is a major relief to the people of the Northern Province,” said MTD Walkers PLC Director/CEO Lal Perera.

The announcement was made public by the four-member Expert Committee comprising Dr. K. Velayathamoorthy (Department of Chemistry of the University of Jaffna), Dr. Nalina Gnanavelraja (Faculty of Agriculture), Dr. A. Athputharajah (Head of the Faculty of Engineering) and Dr. T. Jeyasingham (University of East) on 20 March in Jaffna.

Champika Seems To Be Confused

By R.M.B Senanayake -April 5, 2015

R.M.B Senanayake

I was listening to the views expressed by the Minister Champika Ranawakaover the Sirasa TV program on Saturday. I am afraid the Minister seems to be confused about the two different forms of government. There is the Executive Presidential form of government and the Westminster system. The latter form of government which prevails in Britain is governed more by Conventions rather than by law. The alternative to the Executive Presidential form of government is the Cabinet form of government where there is no Chief Executive. It is a collective form of decision-making called the Cabinet with each Minister being responsible for the supervision of the departments under his control. The Prime Minister was never considered the Chief Executive in the Westminster form of government. In fact there is no formal Head of the Executive in the Westminster form of government. The Government is the Cabinet. The post of Prime Minister is considered as the first among equals not a Chief Executive.

Champika

But a collective body cannot be an effective Executive as pointed out by theorists of political science and management. So over time the Prime Minister evolved as the first among equals. Some British Prime Ministers were strong like Margaret Thatcher but their power depended on their control of the political party. She eventually lost control over the Cabinet. This situation was possible because there was no legal or constitutional provision that the Head of the Government was the Prime Minister. So those who drafted the 19th Amendment seem to have erred. They are constitutional lawyers’ not political scientists who have studied the evolution of the Cabinet form of government. Similarly Minister Champika is confused about the Westminster form of government. But nowhere in the British Constitution is the Prime Minister legally recognized as the Head of the Executive branch of the Government. As far as I remember he is not even recognized as the Head of the Government.

President J.R.J adopted a hybrid form of government and the present constitutional experts also seem to be confused into adopting a hybrid form of Constitution. Minister Champika opposes the abolition of the Executive Presidency. I thought the SLFP wants it abolished. So the political leaders must first decide between the two forms of government.

To meet the criticism of the Minister Champika I suggest that the clause about a Head of Government be deleted. The President is the Head of State and in the Westminster system it is the Cabinet which is the form of government. There is no legal provision for a Head of the Executive or a Head of Government in the British form of Government.

The test of Yahapalanaya

Sunday, April 05, 2015

The recent fiasco concerning the bond scandal has given the anti-Maithri clique a welcome full toss to smash over the pavilion so early in the new innings. Rightly they have accused the Government of making a pig’s breakfast of the Central Bank Governor’s appointment and even taken their protest to the streets. But however great and grave the error, howsoever sour the taste allegations of insider dealings have left in the nation’s mouth, was it justified to have put the concept of ‘yahapalanaya’ in the stockade and run Maithripala up the gum tree for it?

The Test of Yahapalanaya by Thavam Ratna

Ding Dong Bell! Pussy’s In The Well!

By Rashantha N. de Alwis-Seneviratne – April 5, 2015

Rashantha N. de Alwis-Seneviratne

Ding dong bell
Who put her in?
Little Johnny Flynn
Who pulled her out?
Little Tommy Stout
What a naughty boy was that
Try to drown poor Pussycat,
Who ne’er did any harm
But killed all the mice
In the Farmer’s barn!

Nursery Rhymes were a British Colonial trademark that influenced the early lives of Sri Lankans, especially during the Colonial era. Actually, many of them were hardly happy and spoke of some misfortune, like getting thrown down the stairs and someone breaking his crown. We sang these songs with the joie de vivre of youth, with nary a thought about their real meaning. I cannot help but draw a parallel to what is going on in our country in so far as us being the participants, unwillingly or not, just as we were when we were singing these songs on our mothers’ knees. “Ding Dong Bell, Pussy’s in the Well!” I cannot really explain why but the thought crossed my mind that it is indeed Mr. Maithripala Sirisena who has taken Pussy’s place.

Mr. Sirisena was undoubtedly the winner in the Presidential election. However, it was a bit of an ‘All are Indians and no Chiefs’ kind of situation that preceded his election, with Madam Kumaratunga and Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe shouldering him on and Athureliye Rathana Thero, Sobitha Thero, Champika Ranawaka, General Sarath Fonseka, Mr. Arjuna Ranatunga et al, all would-be heroes of the New Empire, shadow-boxing at his rear. Mr. Sirisena was, naturally, very happy to stand on the podium and acknowledge to the people that he was indeed there to make everything that was wrong, right in a hundred days. The people had given him the mandate to do so. In fact, in a speech made later, the new President did ask that he be left alone to carry out his duties – which was a diplomatic way of saying that he wanted no interference either by his party members or by those who were his satellites. This is well and good but by agreeing to be the Common Candidate, he had, inadvertently, agreed to being in a spot of trouble, right from the beginning.

“Ding Dong Bell, Pussy’s in the Well; Who put her in? Little Johnny Flynn”. I would wager that thatLittle Johnny Flynn did not have malice before thought, which would be a requirement in such a crime as murder or grievous bodily harm, when he threw Pussy into the well. However, in the dark world of politics, dominated by greed, ruthlessness, hypocrisy, lies, intrigue and deception, Little Johnny had no qualms at all it, I would equally wager, when he pushed Mr. Sirisena in. The next scenario that unfolds will depend on the following: Mr. Sirisena – a) is a good swimmer or is able to stay float for hours on end, until someone rescues him – b) has a loud voice so that would be rescuers can hear him – c) has good negotiating skills in case the would be rescuers are bargain hunting – d) is not able to swim or float and he drowns.

Mr. Sirisena is still in the well. The water is deep and is churning because of the activity of the underground water bed and he has to use his skills to keep afloat. For the moment he has two floating aids – the UPFA and the SLFP but the air is slowly leaking from the SLFP one. There are no would-be rescuers. While he floats, he has to ward off many threats from the outside and some end up hitting him. India wants more than what he can give. The TNA and the Northern PC are flexing their muscles and fine-tuning their vocal chords. CBK has already got a ‘thanathura’ and is nudging him about some other things. He will soon have to use his brains and legs harder. The Central Bank Governor has done some ‘jugglery’. His party MPs are behaving like frogs in heat and jumping from one pond to another at the least provocation. The former President is drawing huge crowds and the thought is making him swallow more water than is good for him. The PM is doing a side show called “The 19^th Amendment” of which he is the Director and Producer and has started a new game called “Getting Two Thirds”.

Okay. Let me say that Mr. Sirisena has been rescued or it will break our hearts. Even Richard III reigned for longer than a 100 days but he was the Sovereign in every sense of the word. Unlike him, Mr. Sirisena now faces downsizing because it is thought that it is the best way forward. It would be, if it were not a Presidential system of government but the People have no say in this nor did they have one when a Prime Minister was elected. The Constitution says that the Prime Minister is the person “most likely to command the confidence of Parliament” which means he should be capable of getting the majority in Parliament. If these rules were followed, Mr. Wickremesinghe would not be occupying his present seat. What happened to the previous Prime Minister? Who got him to vacate his position and send him home? Who had the right but the people? Obviously someone else did for not only did we have a new Prime Minister, we had a new Leader of the Opposition from a party that is part of the Government! Constitutional Law is being re-written. Further, the changes proposed by Articles 33A(2) and (3) means that the President shall ALWAYS act on the advice of the Prime Minister except in the appointment of the Prime Minister. If the Amendment goes through, the Parliament will be like an aerobic class for Mr. Sirisena as he will be bending sideways all the time. Pruning the power of the President cannot at the same time, increase the power of the Legislature. The people did not vote to create a Prime Minister and Cabinet with absolute power but that seems to be on the cards.

The origins of this nursery rhyme date back to the 16th century and the era of Shakespeare who used the phrase “Ding Dong Bell” in several plays. The original lyrics of “Ding Dong Bell” actually ended with the cat being left to drown! These words were modified and the cat was saved by ‘Little Tommy Stout’ to encourage children to understand that it was unacceptable and cruel to harm any animal ‘who ne’er did any harm’.

I leave Mr. Sirisena in a difficult spot. His landscape has a blott but it is nothing that is going to disappear soon nor will he be able to do much about it. I don’t believe that Tommy Stout is anywhere close by to help him. “The Prince” by Machiavelli might be good bedtime reading for him. It describes how powerful “princes” in Italy and elsewhere, those contemporary to him and in the past, had gained power and created stability in their kingdoms. “It is necessary, [however,] to be a great hypocrite and liar: and men are so simple-minded . . . that someone who deceives will always find another who will allow himself to be deceived.” It is also about shaping the politician of today.

Pussy may have drowned in the original version but I prefer the version I was taught. Saving himself is a priority. It is about staying afloat. I prefer Mr. Sirisena to be the cat’s whiskers rather than someone else.

Ding dong bell! Pussy’s in the well!

Shocking Refusal of Visa to The Dalai Lama by Sri Lankan Government

by N.S.Venkataraman

( April 5, 2015, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankan Buddhist monks are reported to have invited exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to make his first visit to the island. However, the foreign ministry of Sri Lanka is reported to have told Reuters that the government “may not grant a visa” even if the monks would invite the Dalai Lama.China is reported to have appreciated Sri Lanka’s stance on the Dalai Lama.

Sri Lanka is home to some of the Buddhist religion’s most sacred sites. Sri Lankans are justifiably proud of this fact and Buddhism is practiced in Sri Lanka for centuries.Dalai Lama is the most respected leader of Buddhists all over the world. It is shocking that inspite of such ground realities, Sri Lankan government is hesitant to provide visa to Dalai Lama, merely to please Chinese authorities and keep them in good humour. This stance of the Sri Lankan government speaks very low about the foreign policy approach of the present Sri Lankan government, which is not based on principles and the wishes of its citizens but only on expediency. Any one who condemns Sri Lankan government for this unprincipled stand would be justified for their reaction.

Tibet was once a quiet and peace loving country deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. It’s a historical fact that China invaded Tibet, destroyed many Buddhist religious centres in Tibet and virtually drove Dalai Lama out of Tibet. The world opinion is against China with regard to China’s Tibetan policy and many think that China is an aggressor by taking over Tibet.

Tibet is a case study in the recent world history , when a peaceful and defence less country have been terrorised by a powerful neighbour with least consideration for principles of ethics and in total defiance of the world opinion. The bitter truth is that the aggressor has succeeded and the world conscience has been beaten down.

India has done a noble job by giving asylum to the Dalai Lama and he has been honoured with the noble peace prize for his patience and perseverance and the dignity with which he has faced the difficult situation. U S President Obama received Dalai Lama and suitably honoured him during his recent visit. Several countries in the world have no problem in issuing visa to the Dalai Lama , recognising his role and position as leader of a peace loving religion. Under such conditions, it is shocking that Sri Lankan government is hesitant to allow the Dalai Lama to enter Sri Lankan soil inspite of the historical link of Sri Lanka with Buddhist religion.

Sri Lanka has faced accusations of human rights violations in United Nations and a few other world forums in recent times. However, number of countries have stood by Sri Lanka in facing such criticisms, since Sri Lanka has to defeat militant rebels in a civil war and Sri Lankan government had to act to defend it’s territorial integrity. Many countries who support Sri Lanka in facing human rights violation criticism share the view that some human rights violation could have been inevitable in the particular conditions faced by Sri Lanka.

Now, Sri Lankan government is likely to lose the sympathy of an even these nations well disposed towards it,as the Sri Lankan government refuse visa to Dalai Lama.

This is a historical blunder being committed by Sri Lankan government due to some doubtful short term gains. One only hopes that better sense will prevail in the Sri Lankan government and it would treat the Dalai Lama with the respect that he deserves and go ahead to provide him visa as several other countries have done. Sri Lankan government should not make itself look small in the eyes of the world , by not treating the Dalai Lama in appropriate manner.

Is capitalism immoral? Not at all, says Atlas Network’s Tom Palmer

Apr 5, 2015 3:35:14 PM

Tom Palmer – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

 April 6, 2015

Bastiat Society in Colombo
“Is capitalism immoral?” This was the question which Tom G. Palmer of Atlas Network – a US-based non-profit organisation that networks liberty and free enterprise promoting think-tanks world-wide (www.atlasnetwork.org ) – posed to a select audience of the newly-formed Sri Lanka Chapter of Bastiat Society (www.bastiatsociety.org/sri-lanka ) in Colombo last week.
He answered his question with a resounding negative, “Not at all”, and went onto justify his stand. Formed in 2004, the Bastiat Society takes its name from French Economist, Philosopher and Lawmaker Frédéric Bastiat who lived between 1801 and 1850. Bastiat, like his British counterpart Adam Smith who prelived him by a few decades, was famous for his scathing attack on the popular economic wisdom of the day.

Is Capitalism Immoral Not at All, Says Atlas Network’s Tom Palmer by Thavam Ratna

Did China profit from corrupt Sri Lanka deals?

How Sri Lanka plans to stamp out corruption

By Andrew Stevens   @CNNMoney

 April 2, 2015: 9:38 PM ET

It's the kind of project that can make a legacy: A massive port complex, complete with luxury hotels and fancy shops, constructed on an artificial island.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former president of Sri Lanka, was the driving force behind such a project, a $1.4 billion crown jewel to be built near Colombo by a state-backed Chinese construction firm.

But in the three months since Rajapaksa was unseated in an election stunner, the project has been put on hold, and allegations of possible corruption in the bidding process have tarnished the former president’s reputation.

Sri Lanka’s new president, Maithripala Sirisena, has directed his administration to investigate all deals signed by the previous government, looking for irregularities in contract negotiations.

Sirisena’s government claims that many deals signed during the former president’s rule, like the Port City project, did not go through the proper approval process. The number of deals under review is likely in the hundreds, worth billions of dollars.

Chinese companies are at the center of the storm. Rajapaksa had worked to develop close ties with Beijing, often at the expense of relations with New Delhi and the West. During his administration, Chinese firms won lucrative contracts to build roads, bridges and other large projects.

Related: Chinese investors trade way more often than Americans

Sri Lanka’s new finance minister, Ravi Karunanayake, didn’t pull any punches on the matter, telling CNN that many infrastructure deals involving Chinese firms are suspect.

"The Chinese companies used the opportunity of a corrupt regime to crowd out other companies coming in," he said. "There was no even playing field."

Bridges were built where there were no rivers, he said. Airports were constructed in the middle of nowhere. “That was the type of corruption that was going on,” he said.

Asked which deals were tainted by corruption, Karunanayake replied with a question of his own: “Which deals weren’t?”

Rajapaksa, the former president, was not able to be reached for comment. But in an interview with the South China Morning Post, he defended his actions and said China was being used as a political scapegoat.

"I wanted development for Sri Lanka and China was the only one which had the resources and the inclination to help me," he said. "They should be thankful to China for the help they extended; instead these people are treating China like a criminal."

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment.

Related: The strong dollar is hurting emerging markets

Sri Lanka, traditionally seen as being in India’s sphere of influence, is strategically important to both New Delhi and Beijing.

While it has put the Port City project on hold, the new administration is keen to stress that its close ties to China remain intact. Sirisena traveled to China within two months of being sworn in, and Beijing has pledged around $1 billion in new grants.

Karunanayake described the current relationship with Beijing as “very warm.”

"It wasn’t just Chinese companies," Karunanayake said. "It was basically anybody who achieved their objective, to get money in their pockets."

Still, the new leadership is keen to re-balance Sri Lanka’s international partnerships.

"We now have an open invitation to the world. We would like to see anybody good bringing the best of investments to Sri Lanka," the new finance minister said.

"It could be India, China, the U.S., Europe, Myanmar, Maldives," he said. "We want a clean, transparent and accountable approach, which helps people to see ‘yes the rule of law works in Sri Lanka.’ "

The new government itself has pledged to stamp out corruption at government level within its first 100 days.

"We too have to walk the talk," said Karunanayake.

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves lowest in three years, gold reserves too fall

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves lowest in three years, gold reserves too fall

April 4th, 2015

It has been revealed that since February 2012 Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have recorded its lowest during last March.

According to latest data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Sri Lanka’s foreign reserve has fallen to USD 6.8 billion in March 2015 while it was USD 7.4 billion in February.

The last time it had been the lowest was in February 2012 when it had been USD 6.7 billion.

Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that the gold reserve with the CBSL too has fallen to USD 848.8 million last March while it had been USD 866 million in February 2015.

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have been under pressure due to the payments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Sri Lankan Airlines: ‘Nanny’ Nishantha’s COO Baby Capt. Druvi Still To Resign

April 5, 2015 

“The all-important question on the lips of every employee of both the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines and the ‘Low Cost’ carrier Mihin Lanka where Capt. Druvi Perera is the controversially appointed Chief Operations Officer is ‘So Capt. Druvi When Are You Leaving?’”, a senior member of the Pilots’ Guild told Colombo Telegraph.

Capt. Druvi Perera

This question happened to pop up in the minds of the employees when the J.C.Weliamuna led investigation into the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines revealed also the misdeeds by the COO and his negligent behaviour as a Pilot besides a plethora of other details that will be tabled in parliament soon.

Part of the 136 page report as highlighted by ‘Colombo Telegraph’yesterday indicates his two infamous incidents when in command of the wide bodied Airbus A340 aircraft.

Firstly the firmly fitted runway lights in Chennai were taken off when under his command the aircraft skidded and ended up many meters away stuck in the sand.

This incident cost the airline much and inconvenienced many passengers was all hushed up.

His second incident was his famous ‘push back’ episode of his famous VVIP flight with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on board. Here the flight he commanded along with Capt. Upul Samarakoon ‘pushed back’ without ATC clearance to the absolute horror of the Air Traffic Controllers on duty.

The entire conversation of shocked ATC officials frantically halting the now moving aircraft was heard by Pilots of other airlines parked on the tarmac.

This safety related incident which should have ideally been documented by Capt. Druvi Perera himself and also by ATC officials on duty by completing ‘Air Ground Safety Report (AGSR)’ or ‘Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR)’ if filed appears to be disappeared into thin air.

The COO’s existence despite these blatant errors which have gone unpunished all this time, is suspected to have been protected by his official ‘Professional Pal’ H.M.C.Nimalasiri the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority himself.

The sheer ignorance of laid down and straight forward basic CCA Procedures was displayed by the CCO Capt. Druvi Perera which went on to question his credentials of holding such a prestigious post.

In this instance also highlighted by ‘Colombo Telegraph’ earlier, the COO went out of his jurisdiction to serve a letter to the Manager Flight / Ground Safety Capt. Charles Sirimanne informing him that he was been relieved of his duties he was holding.

Little did the COO realize that firstly the Manager Flight / Ground Safety reports to the CEO of the airline as indicated in the organization chart of the airline and also laterally to the Director General CAA.

The Director General Nimalasiri had endorsed Capt. Sirimanne’s title as the Manager Flight / Ground Safety after he had himself interviewed the candidate for the post.

The Director General’s letter addressed directly thereafter to the CEO of Mihin Lanka clearly states the information on the removal process of Capt. Sirimanne if the need arose.

The post of Chief Operations Officer is a position that was uniquely created by the former ChairmanNishantha Wickramasinghe who proudly went onto to reveal that he had carried the COO Capt. Druvi Perera when he was a baby. Airline employees jokingly went on to say “Probably the Chairman carried him when he was employed as a nanny in the ‘Perera Residence’ as it was widely known that Wickramasinghe went on to be the first Chairman of the national carrier who had not even passed his Ordinary Level examination.”

“It is best advised that this post of ‘Chief Operations Officer’ is removed with immediate effect as it is causing unnecessary costs to the tax payer. Furthermore Capt. Druvi Perera should not waste more time and resign following the footsteps of his former CEO Kapila Chandrasena, as it is a matter of time before he is eventually shown the exit.” the Pilots’ Guild member said.

“We hope that it would be the case, if not it would be much more detrimental to him if he is arrested, hand cuffed and sent to remand prison awaiting trial for his misdeeds and association regarding several cases of malpractices tantamounting to fraud, where he would then go on to emulate his brother Kavan Perera of Ceylinco ‘Golden Key’ fame.” he further said.