Two UN Special Rapporteurs to Visit Sri Lanka in April

( Juan Méndez & Mónica Pinto)

28/02/2016

Two UN Special Rapporteurs are to visit Sri Lanka in April after the new Government agreed on the proposed dates.

The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Mónica Pinto and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Juan Méndez will visit Sri Lanka from 29 April 2016 to 7 May 2016.

The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers acts on information submitted to her attention concerning alleged violations relating to the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the independence of the legal profession by sending allegation letters and urgent appeals to concerned Governments to clarify and/or bring these cases to their attention.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment covers all countries, irrespective of whether a State has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (Colombo Gazette)

Country and visits of Special Procedures

Mandate-holders carry out country visits to assess the situation of human rights at the national level : at the request of a mandate-holder, the Government will send an invitation for a fact-finding mission. Some countries have issued standing invitations, which means that they are, in principle, prepared to receive a visit from any thematic mandate-holder.

During such missions, the experts assess the general human rights situation in a given country, as well as the specific institutional, legal, judicial, administrative and de facto situation under their respective mandates. They will meet with national and local authorities, including members of the judiciary and parliamentarians; members of the national human rights institution, if applicable; non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and victims of human rights violations; the UN and other inter-governmental agencies; and the press when giving a press-conference at the end of the mission.

Country visits’ findings, conclusions and recommendations by special procedures are published  in mission reports to the Human Rights Council (All special procedures country-related information can also be found in the Universal Human Rights Index.
Terms of Reference for Fact-finding missions by Special Procedures

The terms of reference for country visits were adopted at the fourth Annual Meeting of Special Procedures ( E/CN.4/1998/45) and are intended to guide Governments in the conduct of the visit. During missions, Special Procedures mandate-holders and United Nations staff accompanying them, should be given the following guarantees and facilities by the Government that invited them to visit its country:

(a) Freedom of movement in the whole country, including facilitation of transport, in particular to restricted areas;
(b) Freedom of inquiry, in particular as regards:

(i) Access to all prisons, detention centres and places of interrogation;
(ii) Contacts with central and local authorities of all branches of government;
(iii) Contacts with representatives of non-governmental organizations, other private institutions and the media;
(iv) Confidential and unsupervised contact with witnesses and other private persons, including persons deprived of their liberty, considered necessary to fulfil the mandate of the special rapporteur; and
(v) Full access to all documentary material relevant to the mandate;

(c) Assurance by the Government that persons, whether officials or private individuals, who have been in contact with the special rapporteur/representative in relation to the mandate, will not, as a result, suffer threats, harassment or punishment or be subjected to judicial proceedings;
(d) Appropriate security arrangements without, however, restricting the freedom of movement and inquiry referred to above.

OHCHR

Bahu gets compensation for expulsion

- Feb 28, 2016

NSSP leader Vickramabahu Karunaratne has received a Rs. six million compensation. That is on account of his explusion from employment as a lecturer of Peradeniya University in 1982 for getting involved in politics.

Vickramabahu has informed president Maithripala Sirisena about the injustice done to him, and the president has mediated in getting the compensation paid to him. 

Accordingly, the Rs. six million has been paid, considering that he had served in the lecturer capacity until he reached the age of retirement.

Management of Economic Policy 3: Sri Lanka should tap global unbundling opportunities of services under ETCA

Monday, 29 February 2016

The need for wide public consultation when trade agreements are signed

The first article in this series warned against the secrecy surrounding the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, now known as ETCA, which the Government says that it would enter into with India shortly (available at: http://www.ft.lk/article/525181/Sri-Lanka-faces-crucial-tests-ahead-with-growing-opposition-to-ETCA).

The article noted that all those who are concerned about ETCA – both supporters and opponents – have been kept in the dark as to what it constitutes and what benefits it would bring to the country. Darkness breeds fear and fear leads to suspicion. That suspicion has caused the country’s professionals, now loosely formed into a United Professionals’ Movement or UPM, to launch a massive protest campaign against ETCA.

The fear harboured by these protesting professionals has been, the article noted, that if ETCA is implemented, there would be a massive inflow of Indian professionals to Sri Lanka displacing the country’s professionals from their jobs. Such fears need be allayed through full disclosure of facts about ETCA.

Since no economic policy could be implemented with protesting professionals all around, the article concluded that the Government should break its information-silence in the name of good economic policy governance and generate wide consultation among all parties.

ETCA is not CEPA, but fears should be allayed

The second article in the series dealt with the long-drawn process involved in finalising bilateral trade agreements between countries (available at: http://www.ft.lk/article/526676/ETCA-is-not-CEPA-in-all-respects--but-it-should-be-made-public-to-allay-fears).

The article noted that ETCA was not CEPA since it has been proposed, as the latest draft reveals, to exclude the provisions relating to the ‘migration of natural persons’. Thus, there is no free entry of Indian professionals to Sri Lanka’s job market through ETCA, though they still could provide services to Sri Lanka without crossing the borders under normal conditions.

- See more

Former Sri Lankan cop wanted over assassination linked to Aussie eco-consultancy business

EXCLUSIVE

Malini Ventura, who is now known as Malini Saba, from a promotional pic used by the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce to promote her appointment to the role. Photo: Supplied

Sri Lankans protesting the 2006 shooting death of Tamil politician and human rights lawyer Nadarajah Raviraj in Sri Lanka. Photo: Supplied

Rory Callinan-December 27, 2015

A Sri Lankan policeman wanted in connection with the assassination of a prominent Sri Lankan politician and human rights lawyer is suspected of hiding out in Australia and running an eco-consultancy business.

The eco-consultancy is owned by a businesswoman who says she is a friend of former United States President Bill Clinton.

Sri Lankan police have confirmed asking Australian police for assistance in tracking down Fabian Royston Toussaint​ who is wanted in Sri Lanka in connection with the 2006 shooting death of Tamil politician and human rights lawyer Nadarajah Raviraj​.

​Australian Securities and Investment Commission records this month listed Mr Toussaint as being a director of Eco Support Consulting, a private company owned by a Malaysian-born businesswoman Malini Ventura which was established in May 2014, and registered in Victoria. 

Ms Ventura, who has since changed her last name to Saba, has been involved in promoting charity dinners with Mr Clinton in Sydney and Brisbane that were mysteriously cancelled in 2010 leaving ticket buyers out of pocket.

Fairfax does not suggest Ms Saba is in any way connected to the political assassination or any of the allegations involving Toussaint.

Ms Saba last week confirmed that she had employed Mr Toussaint in the eco-consulting business but had fired him in January after becoming aware of the allegations levelled against him.

She also confirmed that Mr Toussaint had come to Australia "as a tourist" but said she did not know his whereabouts.

"That guy has been fired since January and I don't keep in touch with that person. I wouldn't know where to look for him. I had my team fire him. "

Read more: 

Today is the first birth anniversary of FCID that unflinchingly arrested Basil , Johnny and Lalith Weeratunge !

-A nation salutes it -245 invetsigations , 35 concluded , six cases filed and Rs. 160 million black money detected..!!

(Lanka-e-News -27.Feb.2016, 11.30PM) The only request of the people’s movements and the people’s forces via the successful rainbow revolution of 8 th January 2015 was not to fill their  stomachs selfishly but to expose and duly punish the corrupt family rulers ,their henchmen and abettors who for nearly a decade committed daylight robbery of country’s funds and resources on a scale unprecedented in Sri Lanka ‘s history. It was the earnest plea of the masses whatever national wealth robbed with impunity by these crooked corupt rulers , their families and stooges shall be restored to the nation . Hence the nation’s slogan was ‘punish the culprits’ , and not ‘fill our stomachs’ 

Accordingly , no sooner the presidential election was won on 8 th January than an Institution was established to flush out the crooks and cronies of the ruling family from the nooks and crannies they were hiding, in order to bring them before the law. That Institution breaking new ground is the FCID (Financial Crimes Investigation Division) . Today , marks the first anniversary of its birth , that is the completion of 365 days since its coming into existence. 

Naturally , with the establishment of the FCID , the crooks and the corrupt became  jittery and panic stricken . So at the outset , they alleged the FCID is illegally constituted, and from the DIG down to the constable of the FCID shall be stoned to death , they also screamed. When the chieftain of the rogues’ den was summoned for questioning ,his cronies , crooks and the corrupt staged protests in parliament and slept within it. When the chieftain’s younger brother was summoned for questioning , these scoundrels slept on the roads.However after they were defeated again on the 17 th of August by the masses , their protests and hooliganism waned somewhat. The FCID of course carried out  its duties duly and unrelentingly ,come what may .

Within these  last 365 days , the FCID has commenced 245 investigations, which means  an investigation every one and half days ! Of them 35 investigations have been concluded , and  handed over to the Attorney General (AG) . In other words every month .3 investigations had been concluded, and already cases have been filed in the high court in respect of six of them . 

Among those arrested are a  number of crooked and corrupt bigwigs and heavyweights  of the Rajapakse regime , which included , ministers Basil Rajapakse and Johnston Fernando ; officers   Lalith Weeratunge and  Anusha Pelpita ;and Dr. Nalaka Godahewa .(Very soon another heavyweight and stalwart of the former regime is to be arrested ). The black monies recovered so far is Rs. 160 million !

Meanwhile action was filed by the crooked and corrupt groups that the FCID is illegal. There are 17 such cases in the Supreme court  and one case in the appeal court. The media coolies and the media pariah dogs that went hunting on behalf of the crooked and corrupt too conducted a vicious hate campaign via the face book against the FCID.

The FCID officers however could not be deterred or daunted by all these subterfuges .  The FCID that began with 40 officers has grown now with 90 officers now manning it. 50%  of them are investigating officers. No matter what the crooked and the corrupt say , the masses that brought about the victory on 8 th Jnauary had expressed their fullest confidence in the FCID . Consequently there is a daily uninterrupted flow of information and tip offs to the FCID. The public have become a source of strength and support to the FCID officers led by DIG Ravi Waidyalankara in charge of the FCID , so much so they are providing encouragement to  discharge their duties with greater enthusiasm , and arrest the crooks and the corrupt who drove the country to the brink of total economic devastation.

In addition , Sagala Ratnayake in charge of the police force has seen to it that  IGP Ilangakoon extends the fullest co operation without interruption to the FCID.

It is significant to note that the FCID has worked with commitment to refurbish  the image of the police force which is generally tainted as corrupt. So far no media of the crooked and corrupt enemies  or the face book has reported that any officer of the FCID took bribes or is corrupt , which alone bears testimony with what dedication the FCID is discharging its duties.

The writer of this report has a personal experience in this regard. It is based on an account revealed by a legal luminary. One day , DIG Waidyalankara while on duty has had a telephone discussion with this legal luminary . When discussing a certain document , the legal luminary had requsted Waidyalankara to send him a copy of that document via the mobile phone of Waidyalankara. The latter had replied , he is using an ordinary mobile phone , and he cannot therefore accede to his request.

A top dog  of the police who is probing into the financial crimes can easily get a sophisticated phone as a gift from a corrupt crook and supply him with the information the latter needs, but based on Waidyalankara’s reply it is very evident Waidyalankara is not one who would stoop to such lowliest  level ,the  lawyer who related this account pointed out to me. 

The appointment of this  DIG   Waidyalankara who is responsible for the success of the FCID cannot be challenged by any one even on his eligibility requisites even from the side of education. He has an LL.B. degree as the base . Besides he has a post graduate degree in management , and also another post graduate qualification , LL.M.  

If one reviews the year gone by of the FCID , it is a success. However when considering the number of cases filed , it is not that that successful. Yet , among all the special divisions that were commenced by the police force, FCID stands out as the divison that had scored a tremendous success in instilling a rare confidence in the minds of the people , and among society.

It is an incontrovertible fact that no Institution  inspires greater awe and alarm  among the crooks and the corrupt in SL than the FCID.If even a single officer of the FCID has stooped to the level of helping a crook or the corrupt , the FCID cannot be this awe inspiring among society or command this respect .

The people of good governance showing  deference to laws must salute Ravi Waidyalankara and his team of officers on this account .

By a special reporter 
Translated by Jeff

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by     (2016-02-28 00:31:43)

President steps in to fix fertilizer subsidy crisis

Monday, 29 February 2016

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday stepped in to avert a crisis in agriculture with an assurance that the fertiliser subsidy would be continued for the farming community without any hindrance.

“I will be personally dedicated to fulfill the highest responsibility in providing the fertiliser subsidy for the farming community,” the President said whilst addressing a special meeting held with relevant Ministers and the Members of Parliament as well as the representatives of the unions of the farmers, at the District Secretariat in Polonnaruwa.

The assurance from the President came amidst protests by farmers and an alleged fertiliser shortage triggered by stockpiling by traders ahead of a 2016 Budget decision coming in to force from 1 March.

Under the 2016 Budget, the Government decided to convert the subsidy to a cash allowance of Rs. 25,000 a year to encourage farmers to move away from using chemical fertilisers and to ensure that they are given good quality fertiliser, instead of the cheap kind that is often given on the subsidy.

The matter came under widespread debate at the last Cabinet’s Economic Management Committee at which a decision to temporarily revert to the old method for fertiliser was agreed upon until a proper formula is found. At yesterday’s meeting representatives of unions drew the President’s attention to the issues they face with buying the paddy seeds and obtaining the fertiliser subsidy. They also presented their proposals and ideas in this regard.

President Sirisena pointed out the need to work together with all parties and seek solutions for such issues.

“The officials should take proper decisions at the proper time. Nobody can get rid of the responsibility of the people’s issues by pushing it to one institution,” he said.

“A special meeting on the issues of buying of paddy seeds and getting the fertiliser subsidy will be held in the future. The ideas and proposals of the representatives of the unions of the farmers will be taken into consideration at this meeting” the President further stated.

Minister P. Harrison, Chief Minister of North-Central Province Peshala Jayarathna, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Director of the National Fertiliser Secretariat, Director General of Agrarian Services and the Director General of the Paddy Marketing Board also participated in this discussion.

On Friday Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake denied reports of a shortage and said farmers protests were uncalled for and politically motivated. 

A farmer attends to his paddy harvest  - Reuters

Court directs CID to seek valuation on Sicille Kotelawala’s gold jewellery

February 27, 2016, 8:46 pm 

Seated on a wheelchair, Mrs. Sicille Kotelawala clasps a cross after she was re-remanded till April 27 by the Colombo High Court last week.(Pic by Saman Abesiriwardana)

by Suresh Perera

The CID was directed by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya to seek a valuation certificate from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) on the gold jewellery belonging to Mrs. Sicille Priya Kamini Kotelawala, the wife of former Ceylinco Group Chairman, Lalith Kotelawala.

The judicial order was given by the Chief Magistrate to determine the exact financial value of the stock of gold items, when Mrs. Kotelawala was produced in Courts on Thursday on a charge of defrauding Rs. 4.3 billion in depositors’ funds in F&G Property Developers.

Amongst the jewellery recovered by the CID from a safety deposit locker of a government-owned bank at Union Place were 22 gold bangles, seven gold necklaces, 21 diamond studded gold rings, 51 gold earrings, 15 gold pendants, one gold biscuit, five gloves made in gold, two gold wristwatches, one gold lady’s heels, two gem studded gold earrings, one bangle with gold carvings, four gem studded gold saree clips and four gold hairpins.

The Chief Magistrate made the order after considering the submissions by the Counsel representing the aggrieved parties that the jewellery be auctioned and depositors repaid with the funds realized.

The CID had opened the safety deposit locker at the Union Place branch of the bank in Colombo 2 on September 27, 2010 and submitted a report to Court.

Sicille Kotelawala, who was produced in Court by prisons officials, was re-remanded till March 9.

The CID told Court that it was not possible to record a statement due to her poor health condition and sought more time to do so.

Meanwhile, Colombo High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilleke on Tuesday rejected an application for bail and re-remanded Mrs. Kotelawala till April 27 in connection with the Golden Key Credit Card case, after taking into consideration the fact that the accused had evaded Courts for four years.

The accused was brought to Court in an ambulance from the Colombo National Hospital, where she is undergoing treatment. Thereafter, she was transferred to a wheelchair and escorted to Court by prison officers.

Appearing on behalf of Mrs. Kotelawala, Senior Counsel Saliya Peiris told Court that his client had acted as the non-executive director of Golden Key Credit Card Company and tendered her resignation on October 2008.

He said that his client traveled to Singapore on December 22, 2008 for medical treatment and subsequently traveled to the United Kingdom for further treatment. She was suffering from critical cardiac problems and a psychiatric issue.

However, Senior State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake appearing on behalf of the Attorney General objected to the accused being released on bail. The accused was absconding for more than four years.

Jaliya Samarasinghe, Counsel for Golden Key Depositors’ Association said that it was not the accused, but Golden Key depositors who are suffering from ‘psychiatric issues’. He also raised objections to the accused being granted bail.

Taking into consideration the submissions made, the High Court Judge denied bail to the accused, the wife of the chief shareholder of the Golden Key Credit Card Company.

Lalith Kotelawala and Golden Key Credit Card Company (GKCCC) Board of Directors have been indicted in the Colombo High Court on charges of criminal misappropriation and criminal breach of trust.

The Attorney General had framed charges against Kotelawala and others under the Penal Code and Finance Companies Act for the offences they had allegedly committed from March 1999 to December 2008.

Kotelawala and the GKCCC Board of Directors were charged with conspiring to misappropriate in connivance with Nallanthuwan, one of the suspects in the magisterial inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of depositors funds worth Rs. 26 billion belonging to the GKCC. Nallanthuwan died when the magisterial inquiry was ongoing.

Ranil’s Tough Line Deserves Watchful Support

By Kumar David –February 28, 2016

Prof. Kumar David

The public has been haranguing the government for not prosecuting corrupt and criminal politicos (of whatever regime), not acting firmly against racist provocateurs and not pulling up slack government servants to enhance the quality of state services. If this is the grouse then strong action is justified and nobody should complain if the Prime Minister breaks a few eggs to make an omelette – there are good reasons to be cautious in supporting tough governments because Lee Kwan Yue like experiences have been mixed blessings, but more on that some other time.

Demonstrations of public outrage at malfeasance is abundant in print, electronic media, TV and is a prime topic of every social conversation. The antidote was well stated in a letter to the Island (19 February) by reader DEMOS: “If the law of the land is enforced equitably, and where breaches of the law occur, justice is meted out strictly without fear or favour, the majority of people will be happy in the knowledge that they can live with dignity and with an assured sense of security ”. Very good, but enforcing the law with equity, putting an end to racial incitement and that ensuring public servants work in proportion to their remuneration, provokes vengeance from law breakers, racists and slackers. These eggs need to be broken if Mr Demos is to enjoy his nourishing omelette.

Allow me to muse on these themes from the perspective of a leftist and dwell on what the left should be doing but falling short. I expended time seeking leftist reactions to the question “What should our relationship to the Ranil Wickremesinghe government be?” The reply fell not into a wide spectrum, but into two sharply dichotomous positions. The Better-Left, for want of a name, consisting of the LSSP Majority Faction (Lal Wijenayake, Jayampathi, Vijaya Kumar), left-liberal intellectuals and Tamils said: ‘Responsible Cooperation’. ‘Responsible’ is an issue based approach – there will at times be disagreements. ‘Cooperation’ means now is a not-to-be-wasted opportunity to collaborate with the government for both positive purposes, and no less important, to defeat racism that has not been entirely eradicated, 8 January and 17 August notwithstanding. Others, such as Siritunga’s United Socialists, ex-Maoists and some civil society organisations e.g. those led by Jehan, Nimalka and Pakiasorthy, also belong to the responsible but not unconditional collaborator block. The JVP is tied up in knots of its own making and has managed to get both feet into its mouth.

Read More

‘What has befallen me today is an example for all policemen’ – Anura Senanayake

- Feb 28, 2016

“Retired policemen are like an skinned banana. Everyone has a poke at it. No one is now with me, after pestering me with good morning sir, good afternoon sir, good evening sir, good night sir and even standing guard at the door when I went to the toilet. They are now afraid even to talk to me,” said retired senior DIG Anura Senanayake.

He made the remark when he met a leading lawyer to discuss what action he could take to prevent his arrest.

 

“Everyone waited until I became the IG. If the Yahapaalana government did not come, I would definitely have become the IG. I did a lot for the former bigwigs with that position in mind. What has befallen me today is an example for all policemen. When we are ruined, we have us only to defend ourselves. Had the correct thing being done, there is no cause for fear,” he said further. The lawyer advised him to make a special statement before the magistrate, as per clause 127 of the criminal procedure code, and turn state witness.

HAkEEM BEFOR PRECIFAC SOON

BY NIRANJALA ARIYAWANSHA-2016-02-29

Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage, Rauff Hakeem would be summoned before the Commission for questioning by the......Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Serious Acts of Fraud and Corruption (PRECIFAC).

Lacille de Silva, Secretary to the PRECIFAC told Ceylon Today that the minister will be summoned for questioning in connection with an allegation of allocating of over Rs 150 million for fully refurbishing offices to be occupied by the International Arbitration Centre in the World Trade Centre in Colombo, Fort, without Cabinet approval.

Earlier reports have claimed Minister Hakeem had allegedly used up Rs 157 million in Treasury funds when he was the Minister of Justice in a former administration, to maintain the International Arbitration Centre. Minister Hakeem is also alleged to have paid out a further Rs 88.9 million without Cabinet approval to fully refurbish this office, de Silva said, adding that quotations for refurbishing materials are extremely high.

Police investigations have revealed that the materials supposedly purchased at a private shop had been officially shown to have been bought at the State-owned Laksala, he revealed.

Another PRECIFAC official said there was doubt as to whether the operations at the International Centre for Arbitration were in sync with its established arbitration mandate. He pointed out that this massive scale fraud was exposed when a complaint received by PRECIPAC was probed.

Rajapaksa paints himself into a corner; plans for new party put on hold

Yoshitha Rajapaksa being brought to the Kaduwala courts on Thursday: Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and wife were at the premises with a few supporters – much less than the number that turned up on an earlier occasion.

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, February 28, 2016

• Breakthrough in Thajudeen case, key persons likely to be arrested, Rajapaksa family members also face prison terms
• ‘Joint Opposition’ leaders now holding talks with SLFP ministers after Speaker agrees to grant some privileges
• PM orders full probe on Thursday’s worst-ever blackout; sabotage suspected; plans to ensure energy for mega development drive

The worst power disruption in the country in recent decades will cost the Government an estimated Rs. 600 million or Rs. 200 million an hour, according to reports reaching Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Thursday’s countrywide blackout also caused severe damage to the Norochcholai Lakvijaya power plant preventing it from supplementing power demand during peak hours to meet the shortfall from the national grid. As a result, since Friday, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been compelled to resort to unannounced power cuts in outer areas and it has appealed to consumers in metropolitan Colombo to cut down on the use of electrical appliances. Power is yet to be restored to some outer areas. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PCUSL), a statutory body, has asked the CEB for its power cut schedule to keep consumers informed. However, the PCUSL has been told that there were no such cuts. More details of how the country was without electricity for three hours appear elsewhere in this newspaper.

Premier Wickremesinghe, who is making a personal study of the adverse impact of the blackout, is to appoint a high powered Committee to probe the matter. It will also ascertain why existing mechanisms to cope with lightning after it occurs were not utilised and whether there was any attempted sabotage. The composition of the committee is now being worked out and will be announced in the coming week. The Government’s concerns have been heightened by fears that new development plans now approved or in the pipeline would be hampered by a repeat of such occurrences. Already the ‘power shedding’ for as much as six hours a day is causing serious concern.

“We found that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)’s future projections were completely off the mark. Even before the blackout, the Power Consultation Committee of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs was discussing this matter. This was after the CEB had placed its projections,” Premier Wickremesinghe told the Sunday Times. Hectic worldwide inquiries are being made to obtain help to prevent any further blackouts and ensure a stable supply until projects are evolved to increase supply.
A Government source said the present situation in the electricity sector could not go unchecked. He said that the hydro storage capacity was 1100 gigawatt hours. It was now 700 hours and power cuts would become inevitable if it fell to the 300 hour mark, he warned. It was imperative, the source argued, that the existing supply and distribution systems are not disrupted whilst the Government plans to expand power production.

Read More

Minister Kiriella: A butcher of the Good Governance

( February 28, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) As the Minister of University Education, does he have a right to issue letters like this to the Head of Department in the University? Is it only wrong when Rajapaksas do? Rajapaksas were probably wrong in handling issues through Vice Chancellors and UGC Chairperson.

However, in the following letter the Minister has ordered head of department in the University of Kelaniya to recruit a person as an assistant lecture. Shame on you Mr. Kiriella.

Here is the letter issued by the Minister Laksman Kiriella

Dr Ajantha Ranasingha: Mahathmaya Sign In journalism & Sinhala Song

By Ranga Kalansooriya –February 28, 2016 

Dr Ranga Kalansooriya

The demise of Dr Ajantha Ranasinghe is the end of a legend, not only in one field but of two – Sinhala songs and journalism in Sri Lanka. His contributions to both fields counted over five decades and he rendered his services until his death. Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation admired this unmatchable personality by appointing as a Consultant to the institution at the last stage of his life.

Creating his own brand mainly in composing lyrics, probably Dr Ajantha himself would not be able to count the number of songs he has created for the past half-a-century period.

“Mahathmaya” was his most favorite word that was at the tip of his tongue. He would call even the highest rankers of the country with this slang and even his second generation like us, too, got used to it.

We grew up with his songs and are still living with them – those are not limited to any age group. Even in his 70’s, Dr Ajantha’s romances would never fade away, mainly in his lyrics. When I once mentioned this fact to him, the response was spontaneous. “That is the way Mahathmaya, never should one get old – young at heart forever.”

My engagement with him was since my childhood. Being a close friend and colleague of my mother (Somadevi Paranayapa) at Dinamina Editorial we grew up with his kids –Saaranga and Deva. We always were looking forward to annual staff trips of the Dinamina Editorial and it would never be completed with ‘Ajantha Uncle.’ Added to his team were Thilakaratna Kuruwita Bandara, N G Dharmawardhana, Anura Bandara Rajaguru, Mohan Lal Piyadasa, Amara P Weerasinghe , present Dinamina Editor Pushpa Rowel and a few others. Saman Chandranath Weerasinghe joined this team later. When my mother suffered a serious cancer in late 80s, this team organized a welfare system to our family took keep the home fire alive and a vehicle load of food and rations would reach our home on monthly basis with some cash donations – Ajantha uncle would bring them along.

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SL education administrative service professional association strips Padeniya nude and dismantles his camouflage kit !

Unhinged Padeniya in forgery racket

(Lanka-e-News -28.Feb.2016, 7.00PM)  While Mafia Dr. Padeniya who is suffering from psychiatric defects and his pro Rajapakse barbaric team are staging protests against the proposed  ETCA which has not even reached the stage of a draft proposal , the president and secretary of the professional association of Sri Lanka (SL) education administrative service issuing a communiqué have stated that demented Padeniya after forging their signatures has issued a letter which claims that their association has expressed their support to Dr. Padeniya and his group .

The crazed Padeniyas similarly in a publication made by them in 2012, on purpose distorted section 67 of the medical ordinance to falsify the version  . Now  however they allege that was a’ printing error’

Hereunder is the full text of the media communiqué issued by the SL education administrative service professional association  which repudiates the bogus letter of ‘Padeniyas’ who are best noted for the worst rackets and forgeries.… 

Media communiqué

The SL education administrative service professional association  which comprises nearly 2300 members has been made to understand that via  a statement purportedly made by us , it is   revealed a number of trade union bodies are to stage protests against the government.

SL’ s prime minister (P.M.) Ranil Wickremesinghe with a view to boost the  capacity of the professional intellects of SL , is to seek the assistance of the foreign professional intellects if and when the need arises. As a professional association we salute  this program which will open the avenue for one million   job opportunities for Sri Lankan youths via investments.

Vis a vis  this true position  , our association roundly condemns the preparation of documents bearing the fake signatures of mine ( the  president)   and the secretary of our association ,which states they oppose  the CEPA and ETCA agreements even before they have  seen the light of day.  These fake documents which  publicize that a number of professional associations are against those agreements merit total rejection.

After a thorough research is made regarding  the ETCA agreement , a further communiqué will follow

Signed

I.M.K.B. Ilangasinghe – chairman.
Lal Dissanayake – secretary
Sri Lanka education administrative service professional association 
2016- 02-05

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by     (2016-02-28 13:37:55)