‘No.No. I did not tell that ..You have not heard my speech in full’ – President at special meeting after his ‘cyanide’ speech !

(Lanka-e-News- 16.Oct.2016, 11.55PM) Following the inflammatory    speech made by president Maithripala Sirisena in a fit of rage at the Foundation Institute which created a storm of controversy , a group of UNP ministers , MPs and the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe  met with the president at his Paget Road residence on the 13 th night.

The group included the prime minister ,  ministers Kabeer Hashim , the UNP General secretary , Mangala Samaraweera , Malik Samarawickrema , Akila Kariyawasam and Raveendra Samaraweera. Minister Sagala Ratnayake was present at the president’s residence   even before the arrival of others. 

The president  welcomed  them most warmly , and it was Kabeer Hasim who fired the first salvo. ‘The President , following your speech made at the Foundation Institute a storm of controversy had erupted across the country .When you said , the Bribery Commission ,the CID and FCID are pursuing political agendas , the people are no doubt harboring the view that if those Institutions are not functioning according to your agenda ,  then those are serving  the P.M.‘s agenda. This situation is unwelcome to us and the party ’ Kabeer Hashim said. Even before Kabeer Hashim could finish his speech, the president began talking …

‘No , no , all of you are talking without having not heard my speech properly. What I said was as part of the government and not separated from it. My issue is ,what these people are doing are not being intimated to me. If a case is filed against ‘our Fowzie’ because he took a car to another ministry when he left the previous one , then cases must be filed against everyone. 

Fowzi is under the impression these are all happening with my knowledge. He thinks I am doing this to take revenge on him over something .That is bad for me. Today too , an order has been taken from court to take into custody an elephant of  the Gangarama . Until the Buddhist monks asked me , I was totally in the dark. Owing to these it is I who am subjected to embarrassment .’ 

The biggest blunder you committed …

Mangala Samaraweera who spoke next drew the attention of the president to another  issue ..

‘Of course there is some truth in what you say ,but when we met with you some days ago , you did not tell this to us (On a day prior  to the inflammatory   speech of the president ,  the president invited the P.M. along with about 20 ministers and handed over a questionnaire ) . Speaking publicly  as though  you are  addressing the nation is where the wrong lies. They could have been summoned separately and the issues could have been resolved via  clarification. The speech of yours about working according to political agendas is being played up by the Mahinda Rajapakse clan. What has irked and irritated  the people and the groups that supported us stems from  the displeasure expressed by you over Gotabaya being summoned to court.’ Mangala pinpointed.
 
The president who was rather annoyed over Mangala’s exposure  , reacted by saying ‘ onna , onna , Mangala you too have not properly heard my speech. I am not that foolish  to talk like that. What I told was , after summoning the three commanders of the forces to the courts and taking their photographs , they are taking advantage via media reports. It is alright if those  were done  because of a wrong. Those who were arrested and released on bail are alleging  that revenge is being taken on our war heroes who had been granted  bail , with the aim to  capitalize on it .That  was  what I was explaining. 

I did not even mention the name of Gotabaya. Besides , nobody had properly heard the final  part of my speech. I told  this government cannot be toppled. I also asserted this government is most strong.’

One minister then remarked ‘ in that case your media division has committed  a grave lapse   by not releasing the full text of your speech to the media.’

“I  will not protect the Rajapakses” President swears

‘I will not shield the Rajapakses. Never will I tell to halt the investigations against the Rajapakses’ the president affirmed and swore. 

The P.M. who was listening to the entire discussion finally said , the harm that has resulted shall be minimized. Hence , what everyone should do is , ensure that the ongoing investigations are expedited and concluded, the P.M. added. The president too endorsed that statement.  

The president then speaking in a lighter vein quipped  with a smile , if the media briefing scheduled to be held by the civil organizations cannot be cancelled , he had informed the civil organization leaders to scold him and after its conclusion  , to come and meet him. 

Following a discussion between the president and the P.M. aimed at taking measures to avert the possibility of the extremists exploiting this incident to achieve their foul and destructive designs  , the meeting ended on a very happy note .

In a way it was to the good ….

Later , both parties agreed  , in a way whatever happened was to the good . It was the view of both parties , this incident  provided the opportunity to clear the misgivings and doubts , if any that existed between the parties . Besides, it also brought to the open ,with  what great enthusiasm and interest the masses are clamoring for  good governance .

However , based on information reaching us , it will not be possible to repair in a hurry the dent and damage the president’s out of place and out of point speech inflicted on his image. Moreover the  extent to which the feelings, susceptibilities  and sensibilities of the People’s forces that committed themselves to make Maithripala  the president were bruised is also difficult to assess. 

The Civil Organization leaders rejecting the invitation of the president to meet him clearly bore  testimony ,to what extent they were  hurt and disappointed.

There is also another important lesson to be learnt through this experience. The intense support of the people towards  the independent commissions and the Police Commission, and the faith reposed in those by them who strived hard to establish the Institutions..  The people stood by and came forward on behalf of those Institutions when those were being challenged  , even by the president . Naturally , in the end the president as was expected had to bow  to the wishes of the people .

The independent investigators and the commissions should also bear in mind that  if they resort to hole and corner tactics or play sordid games , they too will have to face the repercussions and fiery reactions of the masses. 

If the president is to refurbish his tarnished image …

It is doubtless if the president is to refurbish his tarnished image he must demonstrate his worth through  deeds in the best interests of the pro good governance masses and not by self destructive words which antagonize them. After riding to the winning post on the backs of the good governance masses , the president cannot treat them disrespectfully and uncaringly, in which case he is courting disaster not only  to himself but  to the entire country.

The president in compliance with the request of the Cvil Organozations must at least show that the pro Rajapakse evil  spirits   that are clustered around him are being chased away . Otherwise the president who is already  in a deep predicament would be headed for  a worse catastrophe .It was clearly manifest following the media briefing held  yesterday , the intelligent people are aligned with the Civil Organizations , and not with the politicos and their views. 

It is significant to note that this was the first time in recent Sri Lanka there were so many   media participants -the highest attending  a media conference  held yesterday by the leaders of Civil Organizations. This is a  confirmation of yet another  triumph of the people closely on the heels of  the Rainbow revolution.

By Chandrapradeep 

Translated by Jeff

CIABOC Head’s resignation seen as rattling stock market

By Hiran H.Senewiratne-October 17, 2016, 7:29 pm 

The performance of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) turned lack lustre once again as current national political tensions aggravated with the Head of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Dilrukshi Dias Wickremesinghe tendering her resignation yesterday to the authorities, against the backdrop of controversial remarks by President Maithripala Sirisena on CIABOC, the FCID and the CID.

"She sent her letter of resignation to the President today, CIABOC Commissioner Neville Guruge had told the media and this has resulted in the CSE performing poorly as most investors are standing on the sidelines and observing the situation, stock market analysts said.

Colombo Stock Brokers Association president Ravi Abyesuriya told The Island Financial Review that these political tensions are "pretty bad for the market."

"When such political situations prevails it is very bad for the market because investors look for political and economic stability prior to investing, Abysesuriya said.

Yesterday, CSE turnover reached a mere Rs 292.4 million. The number of shares traded during the day were 23,703,368.

According to CSE sources, the All Share Price Index was down by 28.79 points and S and P SL-20 down by 15.18. There was one crossing in the form of Expolanka of Rs 71.5 million.

Candor Equities Marketing Manger Buddhike Payoe told The Island Financial Review that other than the single crossing, the main contributors to the day's turnover were JKH Rs 36.3 million and Grain Elevators Rs 12.3 million.

Payoe said that the ASPI reached 6,453.75 points but added that when stock prices come down it is an opportunity for interested investors to buy stocks with a future market potential.

"Today the market was brought down by lower participation of institutional and retail investors. Most of them seem to be waiting for government policy updates, specially the upcoming budget, Asha Phillip Stock Brokers Research Analyst A. Visahan said.

"We can expect this trend to continue for a few more days. Currently we don’t see any political uncertainty in the country, he said.

"The impulse of the forthcoming US presidential election and speculations on US interest rates are also influencing investor behavior in emerging markets. These conditions compel foreign investors to limit their activities, he said.

"The economic slowdown in the region also affects market activities, Visahan added.

Meanwhile, JKSB said of yesterday's CSE trading:

ASPI: 6,452.69 (-29.85 pts; -0.46%); Val T/O: Rs. 292mn (US$1.99mn); Vol T/O: 23.7mn; Trades: 3,629

Advance/decline ratio: 44/120 ; Top gainer: KAHA.N (+11.69%); Top loser: ATL.N (-11.11%)

Highlights:

• The ASPI saw declines amid turnover levels that touched a six week low. Activity in the diversified and manufacturing sectors led market turnover including a crossing seen in EXPO. Trading in EXPO amounted to 28% of total turnover.

• Diversified Holdings was the most actively traded sector (-0.56%)

• Plantations was the best performing sector (+0.43%), supported by gains on MAL (+7.41%)

• Footwear & Textiles was the worst performing sector (-2.53%), supported by gains on ODEL (-2.78%)

Crisis continues: Bribery Commission Director General quits

• DG quits hours before President Sirisena returns from BRICS Summit
• ‘Happy day for corrupt individuals’: Weliamuna
• Only way to maintain system’s integrity is to reject resignation: Transparency Int’l SL
• TISL says President’s remarks present opportunity for commissions to assert independence
• President’s warnings to anti-corruption agencies in private meetings not heeded: aides

By Dharisha Bastians-Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Director General of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe tendered her resignation yesterday, as the fallout continues from President Maithripala Sirisena’s furious outburst against Government agencies investigating corruption last week.

Wickramasinghe, a former Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel, tendered her resignation to President Sirisena yesterday, after she returned from overseas. She told a television news program that she had tendered her resignation, but declined to provide reasons for her decision. The Director General, who functions as the chief executive of the independent anti-graft Commission, is the first top official to quit since President Sirisena’s speech last Wednesday, in which he claimed the Commission

Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe

and other police units investigating corruption were acting on a political agenda.

Several attempts were made to contact Wickramasinghe for comment yesterday, but she remained unreachable.

President Sirisena, who was in Goa, India attending the BRICS summit, returned to the island last evening. However, it was not yet clear if he would accept Wickramasinghe’s resignation, aides said.

Speculation was rife that Wickramasinghe would resign following the President’s outburst. Rumours continue to swirl around the impending resignation of Bribery Commission Chairman, former Supreme Court Justice T.B. Weerasuriya in light of the President’s disparaging remarks.

Authoritative sources told Daily FT that Justice Weerasuriya’s resignation also appeared to be “imminent” but added that Government Ministers were still frantically working to prevent a spate of resignations.

Speaking to Daily FT, attorney-at-law J.C. Weliamuna, who is a member of several Government anti-corruption committees, said Wickramasinghe’s resignation was the “happiest day” since 8 January 2015 for “corrupt individuals” in Sri Lanka.

“These developments place a high burden on the Government now to demonstrate that it remains committed to the struggle to combat corruption,” Weliamuna noted.

Wickramasinghe is widely credited with the execution of a major sting operation by the Bribery Commission in 2015, which nabbed three customs officers for soliciting a bribe worth Rs. 125 million – the largest bribe ever detected in Sri Lanka. During her tenure, Wickramasinghe launched several investigations against members of the former Government. More recently, the Bribery Commission also filed charges against current State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie for alleged abuse of a Ministry vehicle during his tenure as a Minister in the previous Government. The case is reported to have irked President Sirisena and contributed to his outburst against the Commission.

It was President Sirisena’s Government that restored independence to the Bribery Commission and others, by enacting the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Commissioners appointed following the passage of 19A were independent, experienced officials who would find it difficult to remain in these positions following the President’s sweeping allegations against the Bribery Commission, a Government Minister who did not wish to be named given the prevailing tension within the ruling coalition, told Daily FT.

“When the President who is the appointing authority casts aspersions on the integrity of these institutions, officials of Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe’s calibre will feel accountable and take ownership,” the Minister explained. “She was an official of enormous courage and intelligence,” the Minister said, adding that her resignation would now put the work of the Bribery Commission in peril.

Director General Wickramasinghe was in Malaysia last week when the President made his speech, reportedly for meetings regarding the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and incorporating those provisions into Sri Lanka’s domestic laws to strengthen the legal framework against corruption in the country.

The President faulted senior officials in the Bribery Commission for “failing to keep him informed” before charges were filed against high profile members of the former regime, like Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former military commanders.

Corruption watchdog Transparency International Sri Lanka said the President’s remarks against anti-corruption agencies and particularly an independent commission were “deeply flawed”, but said the Director General’s resignation had escalated the crisis. “It’s a zero-sum game now. There can’t be a winner without a loser,” said Executive Director of TISL Asoka Obeysekere, in an interview with Daily FT yesterday.

Obeysekere said that the only way to maintain the integrity of the system after the beating it had taken this past week was for President Sirisena to reject Wickramasinghe’s resignation. “The Commission must then come out with a strong statement, discouraging interventions of this sort again,” he added.

However, Presidential aides believed the Director General’s resignation was likely to be accepted by the President.

To reject the resignation, Obeysekere says, was to tacitly imply that the allegations made against the Commission could be substantiated. “In other words the President would have to eat a bit of humble pie,” he explained.

According to the TISL Executive Director, the crisis precipitated by President Sirisena’s onslaught last week had also presented an opportunity for independent commissions to grow more robust since this kind of friction between the Commissions and Government authorities strengthens its independent credentials.

“The legitimacy of independent commissions does not spring from the perception held by the executive,” says Obeysekere, “the core of independent commissions should be that they do not bow to political pressure in any way.”

The Director General’s resignation weakens the chance for the Commission to assert its independence, however, the TISL Chief said. “But this is a challenge the commissions must now take on,” Obeysekere asserted.

President Sirisena’s remarks drew serious flak from his own constituencies, including civil society organisations that heavily backed his candidature.

“We stand with the Government officials investigating corruption,” Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya, who convenes the late Sobitha Thero’s National Movement for Social Justice, told a news conference last week. Purawesi Balaya, a civil society umbrella group that mobilised support for President Sirisena’s candidature in January 2015, boycotted a meeting the President had scheduled with artists last Friday in protest of his remarks.

A top Presidential aide, speaking confidentially, told Daily FT that the President’s speech last week was intended to issue a strong message to agencies investigating corruption. President Sirisena was deeply concerned that the Bribery Commission, FCID and the CID were pursuing trivial cases in which charges were difficult to prove, while the larger cases were languishing, the aide explained.

Asked if the President’s speech could cause serious instability within Government agencies probing corruption, especially if it precipitates a spate of resignations, the aide replied: “The President had given several warnings to these agencies in private meetings. But they were not heeded.”

CBK flies in early to manage crisis?

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who was in London on a visit and scheduled to return to Sri Lanka only later this week, has decided to return early in view of the deepening political crisis within the ruling coalition,Daily FT learns.

Former President Kumaratunga, who played a major role in effecting the defection of Maithripala Sirisena from the Rajapaksa Government, will return to the island today, authoritative sources told Daily FT.

Kumaratunga is expected to hold talks with President Sirisena and senior SLFP members in a bid to resolve the prevailing crisis within the ruling coalition. She is also expected to speak with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe when he returns to Colombo from Brussels.

The former President, who is also the former Leader of the SLFP, was reportedly furious over the President’s remarks which had put the coalition of rivals in serious jeopardy. 

Mr. President please explain - EDITORIAL

 2016-10-18

resident Maithripala Sirisena’s remark at a function held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on October 12 that the CID, FCID and the Independent Commissions are politicised, has also been politicised within hours.
Many people seem to attempt to take political mileage of it. However, one has to acknowledge that the matter that the President had raised was very serious and hence the remark might have its own repercussions. This is in brief what the President said: “The CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission cannot function according to a political agenda. The law should be the same for everyone. If these institutions were acting according to some political agenda, I would have to take action. There are objectives and a policy in establishing Independent Commissions. Those who are in these commissions should know their subject areas. Those who are not aware of national security, military administration and management are taking various wrong decisions without thinking.
“The top officials of the respective institutions have a right and a responsibility to inform me and the Defence Minister of these matters. Some people may say that it should not be so as these are Independent Commissions. Even though Commissioners were appointed by the Constitutional Council, it is I, the President, who appoint the Chairman and the Director General of these Commissions.”
If the Head of the State himself says that the Independent Commissions are not independent but politicised, one has to imagine the gravity of the situation in the much publicised anti-corruption drive of the Yahapalanaya Government. 
The situation is serious because it is true that the entire body politic is riddled with corruption. In other words the President says that his Government’s anti-corruption drive itself was corrupt.
However, he or the Government would not be able to rectify the situation unless the President explains what he really meant. On what grounds does he say that the Independent Commissions are politicised? 
He had specifically mentioned the Bribery Commission in his speech and singled out only two cases – the one involving the former Defence Secretary and three former Navy Commanders and the one on the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. 
Even then he did not point out where the authorities faulted, except for the failure on the part of the officials to inform the President about the details of one case and the delay of the other. However, these points do not specify any politicisation of legal matters or the President did not place it clearly before the country owing to the brevity of the part of his speech on the matter.
Nobody is of the view that the President had intended to discourage the anti-corruption drive by the Government as it was a major election pledge made by him as well. 
It was he who initiated the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that reintroduced the Independent Commissions under his promise to abolish the Executive Presidency. But one has to acknowledge that the repercussions of the President’s statement seem to be serious. 
Shock waves seem to have been sent already across the entire anti- corruption mechanism which are indicated by reports of moves by certain high ranking officials in the relevant sector to step down. The full impact is yet to be known.
On the other hand, people’s confidence on the anti-corruption mechanism is vital as it cannot function without the support of the people. 
Hence, taking immediate measures to resurrect and strengthen the confidence of the relevant officials as well as the people of the country on these mechanisms by the highest echelon is vital. 

Independent Inquiry At SriLankan Airlines Goes Awry

By Rajeewa Jayaweera –October 16, 2016

Rajeewa Jayaweera

Shortly after the recent fiasco of a captain at SriLankan Airlines being found under the influence of alcohol at the time of reporting to operate a flight out of Frankfurt, the airline introduced random ‘breathalyzer tests’ for flight crew. Shortly after its introduction, a senior captain was requested to undergo such a test when he reported for duty at the Colombo Airport. The request was supposedly made by three security staff without the presence of a qualified medical staff. In the ensuing discussion, the captain had questioned the basis for being singled out for a random breathalyzer test and the competence of the three security staff to carry out such an exercise. However, the captain contends, at no point in time did he decline to be subjected to a test. He was eventually permitted to operate the flight without undergoing the test. During the overnight stay overseas, the captain had been instructed not to operate the return fight and a substitute captain had taken his place. Upon his return, he had been suspended from work without pay. According to international regulations, refusal to undergo a breathalyzer test is an offence similar to that of being found under the influence of alcohol prior to operating a flight.

The show cause letter dated September 11, 2016 received by the captain involved, hereafter referred to as ‘accused’, contains eleven charges. The dates set for the inquiry, to be held at the Financial Control Room in Katunayake was October 4, 10 and 12 October 2016. The proceedings were to be presided by an ‘Independent Inquiry Officer’, appointed by the airline.

On October 04, at the outset, the accused had been informed, proceedings would be conducted in Sinhala. The accused had informed, the airline’s working language being English and past internal inquiries involving flight crew having been held in English, the proposed deviation was unacceptable. The Inquiring Officer had relented, after stating the statements of the three security personnel involved in the breathalyzer test incident was in Sinhala.

Once the Inquiring Officer commenced proceedings, the accused, who conducted his own defence had raised an objection. During such internal inquiries, it is customary for Inquiring Officers to ascertain from both the prosecution and defence, of the presence of any objectionable person or persons at the venue. The Inquiring Officer had professed not to be aware of any such practice.

The accused had then reminded him of a previous domestic inquiry when the same person had been Inquiring Officer and the accused had been the Defending Officer when proceedings had commenced after ascertaining of the presence of any person/s objectionable to the prosecution and defence.

The accused had then registered his objections to the presence of the Inquiring Officer who, during a previous inquiry had supposedly attempted to tamper with a defence witness to which the accused, in his role as Defending Officer, had vehemently objected.

The inquiry had then been suspended and objections raised by the accused referred to the management.
As this saga unfolds, two aspects would appear obvious. Firstly, it would appear to be an attempt to victimize a staff member who is a senior captain and a known critic of the management. Secondly, the airline seems to be totally at sea and unprepared to handle such a disciplinary inquiry.

The company’s working language is English. All manuals related to flight operations are in English. All employees involved in the investigation from Security, Flight Operations and HR departments require proficiency in English language to hold their respective positions. The statement obtained by the airline from the accused upon his return to Colombo as well as the suspension and show cause letters issued by the airline are in English. Therefore, the attempt to hold the inquiry in Sinhala language may be construed as an attempt at intimidating the accused. Further, both in public and private sectors, an employee is generally placed under interdiction or suspended from duties without pay in instances the purported misdemeanor involves a financial irregularity or has resulted in a financial loss to the organization. However, in this instance, the accused has been placed on ‘no pay’ for a purported misdemeanor not involving financial misappropriation or loss to the company.

Read More

FCID arrests Thirukumar Nadesan

October 17, 2016

Businessman Thirukumar Nadesan has been arrested by the police Financial Crimes investigations Division (FCID) today.

Nadesan was arrested as he arrived at the FCID to give a statement in connection with a land and house in Malwana which former minister Basil Rajapaksa and its registered owner had denied ownership of the property.

Nadesan will be produced before the Pugoda Magistrate this afternoon.

Last Friday (7), the former Minister of Economic Development, through his attorney, informed the court that he has no connection to the property located on Gangabada Road in Malwana, Pugoda. 

The person under whose name the property has been registered had also denied ownership of the house and land. 

Pugoda Magistrate postponed the case till January 10, 2017.

Sri Lankan Airlines – No friend to wheelchair users

SHADRACH F on 10/16/2016

Groundviews is sharing this story as it highlights the national carrier’s inability to accommodate the needs of wheelchair users. Sri Lankan Airlines has been  languished in debt for years, most recently reporting a net loss of Rs. 16.33 billion rupees (USD 112 million) for the year to March 31. However, this does not excuse the fact that Sri Lankan Airlines failed to deliver on a service, even after the person concerned had paid and booked for using it. This points to wider problems pervading the national airline, as it looks for outside investors. 

Following an injury, J was given medical advice to minimise the time he spent on his feet, as he was due to travel abroad. His doctor recommended he use airport wheelchair services, and so J called the airline and made the necessary arrangements. For his travel through both Malaysia and South Korea, he was offered a complimentary wheelchair service. However, for his departure from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), he was required to make a pre-payment and booking to access the wheelchair service. Appalling as it is that those who are wheelchair bound are asked to pay for assistance in our aspiring tourist-hotspot in the world, J booked and paid for the use of a wheelchair several days in advance of his flight.

As requested, my friend arrived at BIA and reported to the SriLankan Airlines office at the entrance of the airport. J found at least three other people also waiting to avail of wheelchair assistance. They appeared to be a visiting delegation of Buddhist clergy from East Asia. Naturally, they did not speak Sinhala, nor did they converse in English. As J awaited the arrival of his wheelchair, he heard the SriLankan Airlines officer on the phone to her colleagues, complaining about the foreigners in the room. Her precise words were ‘meygollonta mala illawuakwath therenney na.’ This roughly translates into ‘these people don’t understand a thing’. It is amusing that Sri Lankan Airlines staff at the international airport are blaming tourists for not being able to speak to them in Sinhala or English.

After about 20 minutes of waiting, it became clear to J that the difficulties in sourcing wheelchairs for the passengers were not being resolved. J had to keep reminding them to take some action as he did not want to miss the limited window for check-in. The staff made calls and informed the travellers that they were having trouble sourcing the stewards with the wheelchairs. Now, let me remind you that this wheelchair assistance had been pre-booked for this particular flight, ,and pre-paid as well. How could they be so woefully underprepared?

Out of fear of missing his flight, J was willing to cut his losses and offered to use his walking stick to make his way to check-in. The little bit of pressure helped, as some frantic calls were made, and the wheelchairs finally arrived. Yet, the farce that is Sri Lankan Airlines’ customer service was not quite over. Having finally mounted his wheelchair, it seemed to come as a surprise to the staff officer that he should have check-in baggage – even though it had been with him all the time. The officer then proceeded to ask him who would be taking the check-in baggage for him. When, confused, J responded that he did not have anyone to accompany him on to the plane, he received in retort ‘why didn’t you bring someone with you? Have you not done this before?’. At this juncture the author would like to point out that clearly it is important to never require wheelchair assistance at BIA, unless you can supply your own wheelchair escort!

Having established that there was no one J could turn to, the officer proceeded to tell him that he must then find a porter from inside to carry his luggage, as none were present at the entrance. J then inquired if he should step out of his wheelchair, walk into the airport, find a porter, and return outside to his wheelchair to be taken inside again? The ludicrousness of her suggestion seemed to have been driven home. But ten minutes later they had still not found a porter. At this point, J decided he would have to make his way through the airport on his own two feet. He did however have the presence of mind to ask for a note conceding that Sri Lankan Airlines were not in a position to provide him the service he had paid for. The staff refused to do this as well.

The situation now seemed quite desperate. At this point, my friend asked for the name of the officer who was enacting this fiasco, giving clear indication that he meant to take it up to higher authorities as a complaint. This is what changed the tide and brought results. With the threat of accountability lurking, the staff agreed to transport his bags themselves and take him in the wheelchair up to the plane. To his relief, J made his flight. But is this the state of service we must expect from our public enterprises?

Is this an isolated incident? Or do those foreign travellers requiring wheelchair assistance depart Sri Lanka with the sourest of aftertastes? Why is it that we must threaten repercussions to public officials in order to receive the services we have paid for? Hearing this story made me laugh at first. However, it is hoped that this tragicomedy that played out at the SriLankan Airlines office is taken seriously by the management, and that sufficient initiative is used to ensure that no other physically incapacitated person is subjected to such shoddy treatment.

If you enjoyed this post, you might find our previous post on Sri Lankan Airlines “Paying the price for last extravagance” and “The re-nationalisation of Sri Lankan Airlines and the follies of state enterprise” interesting. 

DG causes losses to SLBC on personal grounds!

Oct 17, 2016

Director general of the SLBC Erananda Hettiarachchi is causing losses to the institution on personal grounds, reports say.

The DLB result commercial advertisements broadcast over the SLBC had been voiced by a lady, who is a top official there. She gave voice for around eight ads a week, earning a Rs. 1,000 per ad.
 
Recently, she was removed from the task, but the DG managed to get some ads back for her, and is attempting to get the rest for her too, say SLBC sources.
 
Although these are commercial advertisements, Erananda has provided transport facilities for her from SLBC.
 
Meanwhile, Erananda has rejected, due to personal enmities, several commercial advertisements due to be received by SLBC.
 
Among them were two ads offered by two leading telephone service providers.
 
SLBC employees are surprised as to why the relevant officials are not taking action against Erananda for denying income due to the institution.

Leaked Video: Sajith Unveils Yahapālana Plan To Curb Unemployment

October 17, 2016

Minister of Housing and Construction and Deputy Leader of United National Party, Sajith Premadasa recently organised a ‘job dansala’ to show his appreciation to his party supporters who worked for his victory at last year’s Parliamentary Elections, doling out tens if not hundreds of jobs to his party supporters and their families.

The job dansala, goes against all pledges by the President Maithripala Sirisena led administration which came to power assuring that people that jobs will be granted based on individual skills and education and not for being political henchmen.

A leaked video shows Premadasa, dressed in casual t-shirt and shorts, ordering his staff to write letters of recommendations to other ministers in the government, while also instructing his staff to give labour and security jobs for people in his own ministry even though they did not possess necessary educational qualifications.

“Don’t worry, we will give jobs to everyone. But, only people who worked for my victory at the election should be here, don’t bring anyone else here,” he told the people and his organisers present at the job dansala.

“I will draft a letter and give you, take it and go and give it to Thalatha Athukorala,” he said to one job seeker. Athukorala is the Minister of Foreign Employment

Premadasa announced that physically short people who had studied up to Ordinary Level examination will get labour jobs, while some others if they had the necessary height can even be security personnel.

When one job seeker wanted to join another ministry, Premadasa said, “I will give you a job at my ministry, because you won’t be able to get any other job. That minister is filling his ministry with his supporters, and I am filling my ministry with my supporters,” Premadasa said.

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National effort to prevent avoidable blindness on World Sight Day

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Sri Lanka’s Vision 2020 Goal of eliminating avoidable blindness in Sri Lanka was supported through multiple initiatives on World Sight Day 2016.  The drive is an initiative by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with So Others May See (SOMS), the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka and Etisalat Lanka.

National effort to prevent avoidable blindness on World Sight Day 

This year’s World Sight Day celebration efforts began with a walkathon from Viharamahadevi Park to Independence Square.

Dr. P. G. Mahipala, Director General of Health and the National Focal Point of the Vision 2020 Programme, Dr. M. L. S. N. Fernando, Director of the National Eye Hospital, representatives from the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka, SOMS, Vision 2020 steering committee members, Etisalat Lanka and members of the general public took part in the walkathon.

A series of eye care clinics were conducted at the Pinwatte Maha Viharaya in Kalubowila. Eye tests were conducted to examine the public for visual disabilities with the objective of distributing free spectacles to those in need. Further screening and registrations took place for free cataract surgeries.

The day also showcased creative work by both amateur and professional photographers in Sri Lanka at the Independence Square, highlighting the impact of eye health in people’s lives, under the theme ‘Stronger Together’.

World Sight Day is held on the second Thursday of every October to raise awareness on blindness and visual impairment, under Vision 2020, the National Programme for Prevention of Avoidable Blindness in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has a population of 20 million, of which more than one million suffer from low vision. Of these, around 150,000 people are believed to be blind. Cataract Refractive errors, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and blindness in children are the main causes of blindness and vision impairment.

Palestine solidarity campaigners target HP

Hewlett-Packard’s Israel subsidiary developed, installed and services a biometric identification system first deployed at Erez Checkpoint on Gaza’s northern boundary.Ryan Rodrick BeilerActiveStills

Stephanie Westbrook-17 October 2016

The boycott of US information technology giant Hewlett-Packard has recently gained renewed interest, becoming the “hot new” target for Palestine solidarity campaigners in several countries.

An international week of action targeting HP will take place from 25 November to 3 December, a culmination of recent efforts around the world.

HP has long been criticized by the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign due to its role in Israeli violations of Palestinian rights. The company boasts of a “massive presence” in Israel, with more than 5,700 employees there, and is one of the Israeli military’s main information technology suppliers.

The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation — now renamed the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights — and the Palestinian BDS National Committee recently hosted two webinars on the HP boycott.

The first, with approximately 120 participants from 18 countries, covered the reasons behind the campaign and included a talk with Caroline Hunter, who led the boycott of Polaroid due to its involvement in apartheid South Africa.

In 1970, Hunter, at the time a chemist with Polaroid, discovered use of the company’s instant photograph technology for the notorious passbooks used to control and limit movement of black South Africans. She was fired from her job over her activism to hold Polaroid to account.

The seven-year campaign, which was ultimately successful, initiated the anti-apartheid boycott and divestment movement in the United States and also served to educate the general public about South Africa.

The second webinar focused on how to implement HP boycott and divestment campaigns.

“Just as Polaroid was a critical boycott target in the apartheid era for providing imaging to South Africa’s notorious pass system, it’s time for the international community to come together to boycott HP companies for providing imaging to Israel’s notorious checkpoints today,” Anna Baltzer, an organizing director with the US Campaign, told The Electronic Intifada.

Key military player

HP is deeply invested in Israel’s military and security infrastructure, supplying the IT systems for Israel’s defense ministry, supplying and managing the computer servers for the army and administering the IT infrastructure for the navy.

EDS Israel, now known as HP Enterprise Services Israel, developed, installed and services the Basel System, a biometric identification system.

First installed in 2004 at the Erez checkpoint in Gaza, the system now is operational at more than 20 Israeli checkpoints throughout the West Bank and around Gaza.

In addition to limiting Palestinian movement and enforcing a regime of segregation, the system collects biometric data as well as personal information on Palestinians.

The company provides printers and administers IT systems for the Israel Prison Service.

HP also maintains a development center in the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit. It has provided data storage systems to the settlement of Ariel, and described it in an HP case study as the “capital of Samaria” — Israel’s term for the northern portion of the occupied West Bank — “in the heart of Israel.” The map in this case study depicts an Israel from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, with no reference to the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A recent report by Public Knowledge Workshop, an Israeli transparency nonprofit, found that exclusive of Israel’s defense ministry, “HP has the largest number of contracts with the government exempt from tenders of any private sector entity.”

Underpinning Israeli oppression

It is the technological underpinning of Israeli oppression that prompted an HP boycott campaign across all of historic Palestine.

The campaign Mutharkeen, or “movers,” was initiated by the Palestinian Youth Together for Change project, and has been raising awareness through presentations to community groups, students and universities in Gaza, the West Bank and present-day Israel.

The group is collecting signatures for a pledge that, according to its literature, defines the HP boycott as a “rejection of the geographical and moral fragmentation imposed on us by Zionist colonization, and the suppression of our collective Palestinian identity.”

The HP boycott is also a national focus for the campaign group BDS Italy, which is encouraging organizations to pledge to free their offices of the company’s products.

The Italian trade union Unione Sindacale di Base recently voted unanimously to endorse the BDS campaign and called all its offices and 250,000 members not to purchase HP products.

The Italian Forum of Water Movements, the nongovernmental organization Un ponte per… and the COBAS trade union have made similar pledges.

The UK-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign has also chosen HP as a key boycott target. More than 18,000 people have signed a pledge not to buy HP products and this past June activists in over 20 locations participated in a national day of action to protest the company’s involvement in Israel’s rights abuses.

Palestine via South Africa and Burma

HP has previously yielded to external pressure. In 1989, due to mounting anti-apartheid campaigns, HPdistanced itself from South Africa, saying it would sell off its local unit, though it would continue to sell computers in the country.

In 1996, HP pulled out of Burma following a Massachusetts law on “selective purchasing” under which the commonwealth government avoided contracts with companies doing business there.

In 2014, the Presbyterian Church USA voted to divest from the company over its role in the Israeli occupation. Prior to the vote, HP attempted damage control with a letter to the church claiming the Basel System reduces “friction” at Israeli checkpoints.

Hewlett-Packard did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

Stephanie Westbrook is a US citizen based in Rome, Italy. Her articles have been published by Common Dreams, The Electronic Intifada, Mondoweiss, In These Times and Z Magazine. Follow her on Twitter@stephinrome.

South Sudan: at least 56 rebels and four SPLA soldiers killed in clashes

SPLA forces loyal to President Salva Kiir say attack by rebels aligned to Riek Machar near Malakal oilfields beaten back

 SPLA soldiers celebrate victory at their defensive positions in Lelo, near Malakal, northern South Sudan. Photograph: Albert González Farran/AFP/Getty

Agence France-Presse in Malakal-Monday 17 October 2016

At least 56 rebels and four government soldiers have been killed in heavy clashes in South Sudan, in a worrying new surge of violence.

A Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesman, Brig Gen Lul Ruai Koang, said that rebels aligned with the former vice-president, Riek Machar, attacked government troops near the country’s second-largest city of Malakal.

Violence between Machar’s supporters and troops loyal to his political foe, President Salva Kiir, has blighted the nation for much of its hard-won independence from Sudan in 2011.

“The rebels of Riek Machar attacked us in two places of our defence, that is Wajwok and Lelo, and we heavily impacted on them. The dead bodies of the rebels confirmed after [the] count was 56,” the spokesman said, adding that the clashes began on Friday evening and ended the next day.

“On our side we lost four SPLA fighters and 20 were wounded.”

 SPLA soldiers cross the Nile at Malakal, northern South Sudan, on 16 October. Photograph: Albert González Farran/AFP/Getty

Malakal is the closest town to the oilfields in the Upper Nile region that bring in the government’s greatest revenue, and has changed hands several times since fighting broke out in 2013.

Forces loyal to Kiir invited journalists to the region on Sunday to show they were in control of the area and a photographer reported seeing up to 40 bodies.

However, Maj Dickson Gatluak, with the rebel SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO), insisted his forces were in control of two towns as well as the northern part of Upper Nile state. “What we are trying to do now is, our forces are trying our level best to try to march to Malakal town. So our forces are not yet displaced from those areas and this is not true,” he said.

Gatluak said fighting was continuing, although an AFP photographer reported it was calm on Sunday.

“It is just a matter of time [before] our forces will take Malakal ... we have realised that there is no political settlement in Juba, there is not any political space in Juba, so we have to organise ourselves because the government has failed,” he said.

South Sudan descended into war just two and a half years after it gained independence, when Kiir accused Machar – whom he had sacked as his deputy – of plotting a coup in December 2013.

Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer and fighting has split the country along ethnic lines.

 South Sudan’s government troops on a lorry preparing for a journey to the frontline in Malakal. Photograph: Xinhua/Barcroft

Numerous attempts to shore up a fragile 2015 truce have failed and, in a major setback to peace efforts, fierce clashes erupted in Juba on 8 July this year between Kiir’s forces and those loyal to Machar.

The international community has expressed deep concern over a spread in violence since the July clashes, which pushed the number of refugees past a million, according to the UN.

In a further blow to peace hopes, Machar urged “a popular armed resistance” against his rival’s government last month.

Machar, who fled to Khartoum after the July fighting, left for South Africa last week for medical tests.

Last week an influential group of South Sudanese politicians known as the “former detainees” – after their arrest when war broke out in 2013 – warned that “the country is on the edge of a precipice”.

In a sign of growing frustration in the region with the warring leaders of South Sudan, Kenyan politicians threatened sanctions last week. The defence and foreign relations committee chairman, Ndung’u Gethenji, said they were considering sanctions “against those who are perpetuating war-like activities, genocide and killing [so that they] may no longer enjoy having their assets in our country, their children studying in our schools in relative comfort – in peace and security – while they continue to destroy the lives of their people back in their own country.

“Kenya can no longer afford to have another failed state on its border,” he said.