Clowns at politics cause Hiccups

2018-04-18

It is the long arms of the law and Gota himself who can destroy his candidature

better send all parliamentarians of all parties down the drain and elect new teams of parliamentarians with the JVP becoming the old timers enclosure

sajith failed to dislodge RW from leadership, lacking the guts of his famed father

Disgruntled in the UNP – their vocal majority – largest number of votes UNP obtained were from Sinhala Buddhist homes. It is not true, not their signature party in the lifetime of Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW). Worked relentlessly with the SLFP to eliminate terrorism; as persons of good faith did not fall into the traps weaved by purportedly UNP friendly NGOs - gained respect for their objectivity; toiled hard with like minded forces to effect a regime change in 2015 ousting Mahinda Rajapakse (MR) with a wistful thought that good governance finds a permanent niche in the body of the UNP. It was not to be: as the Bond scam revealed.  

SLFP and UNP hold the bulwark of the patriotic and nationalist votes on the electoral registers. This segment to this day blames estranged Ranil Wickremesinghe - unfairly being singularly - for neglecting the majority interest within the party and for not winning the confidence of the people for sufficiently long – many left the UNP after 2007: some stayed with the UNP but voted against Sarath Fonseka (UNP’s short-time favourite son mooted by RW) gave vent to their anger. Yet holds a large segment of patriotic elements (Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya left to join the SLFP to overcome terrorism) - once the task was accomplished many came back happily home, carrying no unaccompanied luggage with loot. These voters cast their votes against the UNP government in power in 2005 or declined to walk to the polling booth in 2018.  

Gota may be accused of being an Uncle Sam’s disciple if he does not obtain clearance on dual citizenship well ahead the date of his election from the US administration

That raises a more fundamental issue –does the MP’s of the UNP the public that voted for them in 2015? Has RW regained/lost ground between the last general election and the recent local government election? Intention of the UNP rebels in defeating the No Confidence motion against the Prime Minister was an effort to rally around Green Flag to enable a comeback for the UNP (with the rebels) sans RW. It is the people that votes in 2020 that matter; not the majority secured in Parliament by well-nourished, well-dressed, well-travelled parliamentarians. In 2020, the people will make a decision on those parliamentarians that cast their votes at the no confidence motion of 2018. Provincial Council elections due between 2018 and 2020 will be too late for a wake up call for the prime political parties to make the necessary changes and establish confidence in the emerging leadership. SLFP is more split than the UNP after no confidence motion and is on brink of disappearing giving way to the ‘bud-party’ carrying much of the decadent and dishonest bunch. With 14 more of the wavering parliamentarians joining the bud-party it will be packed to capacity with undesirables that many will have to resort entry to parliament via the national list. UNP too will be over loaded with the unwanted of the SLFP. RW will use the razor blade more effectively than the better natured MR.   

Sources close to Premadasa whisper it is unlikely that Sajith will agree to contest a formidable opposition candidate like Gotabhaya Rajapakse to become a fall guy. Magic of MR seems to work as RW, will offer cakewalk in the PM stakes

Better to send all parliamentarians of all parties down the drain and elect new teams of parliamentarians with the JVP becoming the old timers enclosure. Cheers!  

Gota may be accused of being an Uncle Sam’s disciple if he does not obtain clearance on dual citizenship well ahead the date of his election from the US administration. Reading a Daily Mirror interview with Gota, he lives in awe under the spell of his elder brother and seems to be a dedicated kid brother. Expected him to have grown up and be mature to be his own man. It is frightening to witness a blindfolded brotherhood. Gota must be himself, if he desires to go places. He appears to be a shadow of MR.  

The No Confidence motion was converted by the Joint Opposition [JO] into a battle to dislodge the government (UNP) in office – not merely a machine to dismantle an administration led by RW whose interest lay in catering to the forces beyond the seas. Stupid JO switched the campaign from an effort to rid the nation of a corrupt leader (via Bond Scam) panders to anti- national forces. One set of crooks is to be replaced by another. 

UNP rebels were not prepared to sacrifice the party to the JO on a platter when their exercise was limited to rid itself of its leader. The JO committed hara kiri in granting MR  ascendency to keep the prime candidate from government benches in office whom MR can defeat from the comfort zone at the general elections? A different UNP candidate deemed a squeaky clean technocrat is another proposition for MR and the JO. 
The disgruntled in the UNP were smartly out-witted and out-manoeuvred by a crafty gang of crudities of Colombo origins - carrying the Diners Club Card of RW that mislead the UNP hierarchy. However did outclass a buoyant section UNP in an exercise to buy time to make cosmetic changes in the party and throw into the ring a weak candidate to take over the party such as Sajith Premadasa (SP). He failed to dislodge RW from leadership from 2010 lacking the guts of his famed father and fell in line with RW. There would be many unencumbered UNPs’ preferring RW with his many frailties to the candidature of Sajith Premadasa. Sources close to Premadasa whisper it is unlikely that Sajith will agree to contest a formidable opposition candidate like Gotabhaya Rajapakse to become a fall guy. Magic of MR seems to work as RW, will offer cakewalk in the PM stakes. Power attracts first time candidates and in addition Gota is a candidates who has succeeded in showing his skills in eliminating terrorism and in developing the cities. It is the long arms of the law and Gota himself who can destroy his candidature.  

Maithripala Sirisena carries a reputation of an unpredictable and inconsistent mole, having crossed the aisle, to defeat his boy’s own hero of once upon a time

President Sirisena is rollicking in a two way street. Symptomatic of a good loser President Sirisena’s takes on the ceremonial character for his balance term of office as President, enjoying foreign travel, forgoing his executive functions. Spends time girdling the globe, signing worthless pieces of paper, before television cameras available to the country, with or without his presence abroad, attending celebrations other heads of state deem a waste of time. Instead he would be remembered as a one term President if he takes meaningful steps to try end corruption irrespective of party affiliations. His on/off nature does not bode well for him.  

MS carries a reputation of an unpredictable and inconsistent mole, having crossed the aisle, to defeat his boy’s own hero of once upon a time. He has right to act sissy for having incurred of the wrath of SLFP supporters who will never forgive him for his treachery in breaking up the SLFP. Presently it is wise for him to stay out of domestic politics after losing his home district and take a stand of a President above petty politics. He has the least of option available but can emerge the king maker in deciding which election is to come first - General or Presidential? That decision can decide the fate of the next election where no room must be left for another giddy coalition.  

RW overcame a no confidence motion destined for doom by his rival MR who needs RW in the frame in the future, for MR to triumph. Not a flattering cameo to play for any leader of a political party; but since the people tolerated this nonsensical staged show- they should suffer gladly. Political Parties of the right minded will not elect either to run as its candidate to high office unless operations are managed by their hurrah boys? 
Is the country moving into another tragi-comic situation in having brothers Rajapakses’ as President and Prime Minister after throwing them out of office just a few moons ago?   

Irresistible to hark back to the theory of Two Ronnie’s but the notion fails to take off as Brothers Rajapakse’ as Defence Minister and Defence Secretary co-ordinated brilliantly that helped immensely for the success of the Security Forces in winning the terrorist war; as no officer - public or military - dared to ‘carry tales’ between two ever - loving brothers - a stranglehold public officers hold over their political pets, an art, stylized locally reaching export quality.  

The JO committed hara kiri in granting MR  ascendency to keep the prime candidate from government benches in office whom MR can defeat from the comfort zone at the general elections?

There lies a difference. MRs two terms in 2005 and 2010 – first, executed brilliantly; where he increased his majority at re-election. MR converted the system from a two-term presidency with a right to extend to the infinite, if the people desired it, [People said ‘No’] when the silly sycophants began treating MR fawningly with devotion and dedication as if the king can do no wrong - was taken amiss by a poor mind - decided to play a coronation role that made his rule the most corrupt in contemporary history. Yet he is more loved than any other politician.  

Ex- envoy, held in US, seeks SC intervention

Unable to appear before Fort Magistrate 

By Shamindra Ferdinando-April 17, 2018, 11:23 pm

The Department of Homeland Security has prevented Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to the US, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, 57, from leaving the US to face court proceedings in Colombo in respect of alleged embezzlement of funds to the tune of USD 322,027.35 during his tenure as the Ambassador.

Wickramasuriya served as Sri Lanka’s top envoy in Washington from July 2008 to May 2014.

Wickramasuriya, in a brief interview with The Island over the phone yesterday morning spoke of efforts to leave the US to appear before Fort Magistrate’s court in respect of alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to USD 322,027.35 out of USD 6.6 mn, allocated for the purchase of a building to house Sri Lankan mission in Washington.

Wickramasuriya said he had first realized restrictions placed on him when he tried to leave Atlanta for Chile late last year. "I got my boarding pass and was about to get in when Homeland Security personnel stopped me. They wanted to question me at the airport. I was taken to a room where they explained the reasons for to my detention."

Wickramasuriya said that he hadn’t been able to leave the US though he was ordered to appear in court over the alleged embezzlement of funds. The former diplomat quoted Homeland Security officers as having told him that the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) had wanted the embassy transaction probed.

Wickramasuriya claimed that basically he was told in addition to the controversial embassy transaction, the US wanted him to cooperate on ongoing US investigations into alleged war crimes perpetrated during the final phase of the offensive against the LTTE as well misappropriation of funds by the Rajapaksas, former officials and some officials in the present administration.

US officials have reminded Wickramasuriya they were fully aware of his communications with Colombo during the last six weeks of the war.

Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion on May 19, 2009 regardless of heavy US pressure to call off the offensive.

Asked whether he had negotiated with the US in a bid to ease pressure on him, Wickramasuriya said that a suggestion was made the probe into embassy transaction could be handled differently if he was willing to fully cooperate on war crimes probe and financial fraud involving Sri Lankan officials and the Rajapaksas.

Responding to another query, Wickramasuriya claimed that US officials, having acknowledged that he still enjoyed diplomatic immunity subsequently revealed GoSL promising to revoke the privilege status.

"I had no option but to obtain the services of a US lawyer. On my behalf, the lawyer met Homeland Security authorities and they basically reiterated their stand that the US had received an assurance from GoSL in respect of his diplomatic immunity relevant to the period under investigation."

Wickramasuriya’s counsel, Shavendra Fernando, PC, had immediately sought a clarification from the Foreign Ministry regarding the former ambassador’s status and was told immunity remained. "My Counsel received a prompt response from the ministry though clarification was sought close on the heels upheaval over Tilak Marapana succeeding Ravi Karuanayake.

Karunanayake lost foreign ministry portfolio in early August 2017 in the wake of revelation before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjuna Aloysius leased super luxury penthouse at Monarch Residencies for the UNPer.

The assurance was received from Foreign Secretary veteran career diplomat Prasad Kariyawasam, Wickramasuriya’s successor in Washington.

When The Island pointed out to Wickramasuriya that the GoSL would probably had no option but to seek an Interpol ‘Red Notice’ unless he returned to face judicial probe, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s nephew said that once he had received assurance from Foreign Ministry as regards his privileged status, there was no question of coming back.

"Soon after receiving an assurance from Foreign Ministry, I booked air ticket to Colombo and was contacted by Homeland Security within 5 minutes. I was warned in no uncertain terms that they would arrest me if an attempt was made to leave the US. I was flabbergasted. This happened in August/Sept last year."

Asked whether he had been held in the US illegally, Wickramasuriya asserted that was certainly not the case as the US acted on the basis of diplomatic note issued by Foreign Secretary Kariyawasam to US Ambassador in Colombo Atul Keshap. Wickramasuriya said that his lawyer had consulted Homeland Security and other relevant authorities and informed him of the diplomatic note issued by the Foreign Ministry rescinding his immunity status.

Wickramasuriya said that he had already moved the Court of Appeal seeking an immediate revision of the Foreign Ministry decision to revoke his immunity. The Court of Appeal has been told as the decision to waive Wickramasuriya’s diplomatic immunity was taken by President Maithripala Sirisena, only the Supreme Court could rule on that.

Wickramasuriya’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, PC, has inquired whether a written directive issued by President Sirisena in this respect could be produced in court.

Wickramasuriya said that he was ready to move Supreme Court to obtain relief.

The former Ambassador said that there hadn’t been an instance in Sri Lanka’s legal history a person who had held high post was prevented by his government from returning home to face legal proceedings. "As I have failed to appear in Fort Magistrate’s court, summons were issued on me as well as my wife, Priyanga as well as sister-in-law (brother Prasanna’s wife) as they signed as guarantors when he was released on bail in July last year. All three are currently in Atlanta."

Wickramasuriya said that he couldn’t understand why no one had checked with the Foreign Ministry whether diplomatic note was issued rescinding former Sri Lanka’s ambassador’s immunity.

Wickramasuriya said that he was ready to return home immediately prior to the next hearing at the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Asked whether he had appealed to Homeland Security to confirm his situation, Wickramasuriya said that he has been able to obtain a document from the US outfit explaining circumstances leading to him being prevented from leaving the country, with all relevant affidavits and papers. Wickramasuriya said that the document would be submitted to the Fort Magistrate’s court.

Wickramasuriya said that he has recently visited the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington to request its assistance to return to Colombo. Since Kariyawasam’s return to Colombo, the Ambassador’s post hadn’t been filled, he said. "Sadly, Colombo was yet to appoint a Deputy Chief of Mission leaving Charge de Affairs Priyanga Wickramasinghe, a career officer, in charge of the mission. In spite of repeated efforts, Wickramasinghe declined to meet him and he left the mission after having obtained the signature of another staffer, who confirmed his visit to the embassy.

Wickramasuriya was engaged in lucrative tea trade as the owner of Ceylon Royal Teas when he received an invitation in 2005 from newly elected President Rajapaksa to take over as Sri Lanka’s Consul General in LA.

Having worked under Dilmah Chief Merrill J. Fernando for two decades, Wickramasuriya was somewhat reluctant to move to a new field. "However, I accepted the appointment in 2006 and in 2008 moved to Washington."

Wickramasuriya admitted that he had never been a US citizen though as a Green Card holder he enjoyed the status of a Permanent Resident. "I had to give up the Green Card to accept the post of Consul General.

Green Card holders didn’t receive US passport, he said.

Wickramasuriya succeeded top career diplomat Bernard Gunatilleke in Washington. Whatever the allegations, Wickramasuriya emphasized that he was really satisfied with his role during the war. When The Island pointed out that he received Washington only because of his relationship with the Rajapaksas, Wickramasuriya shot back: "If you make inquiries, you’ll realize well over 50 per cent of top envoys there were either relatives, campaign managers or close associates of heads of governments. Washington encourages the practice as it facilitates communications."

Wickramasuriya said that having returned to Colombo in early part of 2014, months ahead of declaration of early presidential polls, he was engaged in tea trade.

Although Wickramasuriya had travelled overseas about ten times since his return from the US in May 2014, the police stopped him as he was leaving for the US in the early hours of Nov 17, 2016.

The following day a section of the local media reported that the police had prevented Wickramasuriya from fleeing the country, the former Ambassador said. "I was in Sri Lanka for two years. They never wanted to record my statement," Wickramasuriya said, adding that once he was taken in FCID (Financial Crimes Investigation Division) told him a statement was required in respect of fraudulent embassy transaction.

The FCID investigation was based on a report posted on Lankae-news, Wickramasuriya said.

Asked whether he could explain why he had deviated from specific procedures in place to guarantee transparency in such transactions, Wickramasuriya admitted that he had been able to procure the embassy building at much lower rate and the remaining funds were intact.

Wickramasuriya said that matters could be explained. "Don’t forget a case hasn’t been filed against me yet for want of sufficient evidence."

When The Island pointed out that the former Ambassador had been treated well by those in authority as he didn’t have to sleep on the floor and instead allowed to enter prison hospital immediately after he was remanded, Wickramasinghe said that assertion was unfair. "I had many health issues and was subsequently allowed to receive treatment at the Durdens hospital and the National Hospital. Later, doctors found out that I had serious problem with my left eye."

Wickramasuriya said that the Fort Magistrate’s Court had allowed him to go overseas only after the Director of the Eye Hospital, Colombo issued a certified letter that he had to go overseas as that particular problem couldn’t be dealt with here. That report had been issued on the basis of recommendations made by two other doctors, Wickramasuriya said, adding that he had been allowed to stay abroad for two months period to go abroad and the time was subsequently extended by two more weeks.

Asked why he had tried to leave for Chile as he was to obtain treatment in the US, Wickramasuriya said that he consulted US specialists and started receiving treatment there but felt the need to seek a second opinion. "A friend referred me to an excellent British run hospital in Chile, where a relative of his had received treatment to a similar eye problem."

Wickramasuriya said that US position was unlikely to be changed as long Sri Lanka didn’t rescind the directive at issue.

Reforms needed and populist actions

People throughout the world, educated or uneducated, tend to vote for short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability which they feel is beyond their reach. Here, voters queue up at a polling station during the Local Government election – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

 Wednesday, 18 April 2018 

Ranil Wickremesinghe was criticised heavily directly and indirectly of his actions in the political and economic fronts by the supporters of the No-Confidence Motion as well as by those who opposed the same.

Wickremesinghe is having his own weaknesses as a politician of the way he operates and the way he deals with the people. His policies may be modified in the coming 18 months with the view of securing victory at the next election. In this light we should examine the policies adopted by Wickremesinghe vis-à-vis the status quo of the country and the reforms needed.

The country is in debt due to the continuous deficit budgets presented by the successive governments, aggravated by the costly loans granted by China for the construction of uneconomical entities. The previous regime was pushed to China by the West and India as a result of the foreign policy it adopted.

Government revenue has suffered due to various tax concessions granted. As a result the portion of indirect taxes increased drastically vis-à-vis direct taxes. Those who enjoyed the tax concessions in the private sector did not contribute adequately to the development of the country although they praised the successive budgets thinking of their personal gains. Eventually poor people paid more taxes than the rich.

Performance of exports dropped drastically and the governments were focusing more on import substitutions. Successive governments contributed to enlarge the public sector just to give employment opportunities to their supporters and to the unemployed youth. Underperforming public sector institutions were maintained for political popularity.

The Unity Government was formed in order to achieve national reconciliation; to adopt a new constitution; and to have long-lasting stable policies of the Government. Although the Government has moved towards that direction, none of these objectives were achieved. However the pledge to re-establish democratic traditions was fulfilled.

This objective was achieved while the people who were used to autocratic rule felt that there was disorder in governance. The public sector of the country which violated the norms blatantly in connivance with the politicians has become inactive in protest or in fear against the investigations mooted. Much-expected Foreign Direct Investments did not turn up due to policy uncertainties of the Government.

Therefore the country needs to take urgent corrective action in order to overcome this situation.
Social issues

Firstly the country needs to address the issues faced by the minorities and certain sections of society. We should address the causes of the three armed struggles launched against the democratically-elected governments of Sri Lanka. The present Government could have done much more for the northern and eastern Tamils in terms of releasing lands occupied by the military and pardoning the arrested persons who were kept in the prisons for a long time with trials.

It appears to be that the Government and its leaders are afraid of the so-called extremist Sinhala Buddhist forces backed by the Buddhist Bhikkhus who do not follow Buddhism. Leaders should realise that although their voices are louder their strength is much lesser. People in this country by large would understand justice once explained to them. Also we need to have balanced military leaders like Denzil Kobbekaduwa who openly said militants could be defeated but the country needed a political solution for the ethnic issue.

An interesting phenomenon of the constitution making process was that the Chief Ministers of the south of SLFP demanded more powers for the Provincial Councils. If the leaders of the governments had taken the lead in the appropriate time we would have made it. When the President said that he did not want to contest for the second time, it would have been ideal if he could have taken the process forward which act would have placed him at a permanent respected position of the history of the country.

The economy

Secondly, we should decide how to handle the economy. Wickremesinghe is identified as a leader with the ideology of neoliberalism which emerged in early 20th century. Neoliberalist ideas include economic liberalisation policies of privatisation, austerity and deregulation. The meaning of neoliberalism changed over a period and at present the term gives a negative connotation which was created by the critics of market reforms.

Revenue of the Government should be increased and the newly-passed Inland Revenue act would support this endeavour. It would enhance the proportion of direct taxes against indirect taxes. Loss-making Government institutions should be placed under an authority in order to eliminate political interferences and place them in the profit making path if privatisation is condemned neoliberalism. The country cannot stay without doing any of the above. The two biggest banks in the country, Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank, need reforms although they make profits since the banks in the private sector take cover of these giants and make a killing in the market.

If the existing private sector cannot improve the exports of the country we should get the foreign investors. Government policies should be stable and in order to support this process we should enter into Free Trade Agreements with strategic partners. At the time the open economy was launched certain industries were wiped out but there was an overall benefit to the country. It is true that it could have been done more cautiously. Now we can have a more cautious approach in entering into FTAs but there should not be undue protectionism and fear. We are a small country with a small market and hence our businessmen should be offensive rather than adapting a defensive strategy and target the world market.

Budget deficits should be minimised if not eliminated and we should cut our coat according to our cloth. If these are neoliberalist solutions what else we can do?
Foreign policy

Thirdly we should redefine the foreign policy of the country. During the past regime the country was aligned towards China. Export markets of Sri Lanka are in the European Union and USA not in China or India. This factor should be considered in designing the foreign policy of the country. Present regime has taken the foreign policy to a neutral stand. Non-alignment is the way out. The proposal of Sirima Bandaranaike to make the Indian Ocean a peace zone should be reactivated. That may be an effective way to balance the emerging super powers China and India.
Democratic traditions

Fourthly we should revisit the newly-established democratic traditions. In 1970 the Sirima Bandaranaike Government established political authority in order to rejuvenate the public sector. We had drastic results. The country has turned 360 degrees and now the authority of the administrative service is re-established. There should be an accountability mechanism for the independent commissions. In order to check the affairs of the Government establishments, people should use the Right to Information Act effectively.

We did not fight for the democracy and it was thrust upon us. Therefore, when democratic forces are in operation people feel that there is no authority. When the Government is criticised heavily and if it is not countered people may feel that the country is moving towards anarchy. If people are asking for a dictatorship they should be able to face the consequences. The country had a narrow escape at the last presidential election.
Public sector

Fifthly, the quantity of the public sector should be reduced, and the quality should be improved. To do that a decent salary should be paid to them. Over the years real income of the public-sector employees has gone down. Government encourages them to have additional incomes. Medical officers are not paid a decent salary and to compensate that they are allowed to do private practice.

By providing the Government employees with a low salary the Government encourages them to accept bribes. When some wants to cut a jak tree, palms of the lower level of government officers should be greased. Therefore people are not growing the trees where they have to get approval to cut. Police officers have to depend on the businessmen of the area to maintain their social status. In the schools, teachers do not teach and they expect students to go for private tuition.

These are far-reaching reforms and most of them would not be popular. One who engages in reforms runs the risk of getting not elected at the next election. People throughout the world, educated or uneducated, tend to vote for short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability which they feel is beyond their reach.

That is the dilemma faced by the democracies, carrying out populist actions rather than enforcing reforms much needed. There is no point of blaming the politicians for this. The general public should take the blame themselves if they behave like that.

Alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur charged in eighth death

 08:55 AM APR 17

Canadian police have identified the remains of a Sri Lankan man they believe is a possible victim of suspected serial killer Bruce McArthur.

Mr McArthur, 66, was charged on Monday with an eighth count of first degree murder in the death of Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam, 37.

Police believe Kanagaratnam was killed sometime between 3 September and 14 December 2015.
He arrived in Canada in 2010 and lived in the Toronto area.

In March, police released the photograph of an unidentified deceased man as part of the investigation into the accused killer in the hopes a member of the public could help in his identification.

Police said they received hundreds of tips, and announced late last week they had made a successful identification.

Toronto police detective Hank Idsinga said on Monday that Kanagaratnam’s direct family, who live in Sri Lanka, were informed over the weekend of his death.

The detective did not reveal Kanagaratnam’s immigration status and said he had never been reported missing in Canada.

His remains were identified as one of at least seven dismembered bodies found in plant pots on a midtown Toronto property linked to Mr McArthur.

Who are the alleged victims?

So far, all of the eight suspected victims except Kanagaratnam had ties to the city’s Gay Village.
All went missing between 2010-17.

Many were immigrants from South Asia or the Middle East.

Members of Toronto’s LGBT community have criticised police, saying they did not take their concerns about the missing men seriously.

The first two alleged victims were identified in January as Andrew Kinsman, 49, and Selim Esen, 44, who both went missing in 2017.

Since then, police have named Skandaraj Navaratnam, 40, who disappeared on Labour Day weekend in 2010; Soroush Mahmudi, 50, reported missing in 2015; Dean Lisowick, 47, who is believed to have been killed in April 2016; Abdulbasir Faizi, 42, who disappeared in 2010; and Majeed Kayhan, 58, who disappeared in 2012.

The remains of all but Kayhan have been identified.

Police arrested Mr McArthur on 18 January. He had been under surveillance, but police have yet to reveal the exact evidence and circumstances that lead to his arrest.

The news came weeks after police tried to calm community concerns - following a handful of disappearances in the village over a number of years - that there was a serial killer stalking the neighbourhood.

A massive investigation that spans Canada’s largest city has since been launched, and police are looking at missing persons cases dating back decades.

Investigators are also reviewing 15 homicide cold cases from 1975 to 1997 as part of the inquiry into the suspected killer.

In May, investigators will begin searching up to 75 Toronto properties linked to the self-employed landscaper.

Police are also working with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions, and are in contact with international agencies as part of the investigation.

Lanka taking stern measures to deal with financial crime - Mangala

Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera speaking at a roundtable discussion on ‘Financial Regulation: Working Together to Address De-Risking,’ at CHOGM 2018 in London, yesterday.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday speaking at a roundtable discussion on financial regulation on the sidelines of CHOGM 2018 said Sri Lanka was taking stern steps to deal with financial crime.

The discussion on ‘Financial Regulation: Working Together to Address De-Risking,’ held in London had the minister stress that as the dynamics of the finance industry and technology constantly evolve, it was essential that financial regulations remain one step ahead.

“Financial crimes had various negative fall-outs in international finance and one such was “de-risking”, the scenario of global banks selectively withdrawing from the business of correspondent banking,Minister Samaraweera said.

“This can have highly detrimental implications for banks in developing countries in particular as it can shut them out of the global financial architecture,” he said.

“Sri Lanka has long identified the risk of financial crime as a priority area, given the country’s history in battling a sophisticated terror organization. A number of measures were taken over the years such as the introduction of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2006, Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing Act in 2005, introduction of Financial Transaction Reporting Act in 2006 and setting up the Financial Intelligence Unit at the Central Bank,” the Minister added.

“Since November 2017, the Sri Lankan government has taken a number of measures to enhance Anti Money Laundering compliance such as introducing amendments to the Trust Ordinance, Companies Act, enactment of the Proceeds of Crimes Act, enhancing Customer Due Diligence Rules, and regulations on targeted financial sanctions on proliferation,” the Minister said..

“The challenge for countries like Sri Lanka is how to ensure continued progress of financial inclusion in this context,” he said..

Minister Samaraweera further said one of the focuses of the government was to link grassroots entrepreneurs to finance and for that it was important for the Sri Lankan financial system to have robust access and engagement with the global financial architecture.

“As the financial system develops, the laws and regulations aimed at preventing financial crimes need to be updated. Sri Lanka very well understands this reality and is taking every necessary measure to keep abreast of the regulatory developments,” Minister Samaraweera said.

Sri Lanka police probes alleged inaction over 'mafia' tourist sex assault

Apr 17, 2018

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka police is inquiring into the actions of an officer overseeing the area where a group of tourists were brutally assaulted and sexually harassed, officials said, which may point to a 'mafia' with political connections.

Sri Lanka's tourism minister John Amaratunga said police had already arrested and remanded till April 19 for identification, and they were trying to bring back at least two tourists who had left the country.

"We want them to come back and identify them," Minister Amaratunga said. "We want to know whether they are the real culprits or scarecrows (pambayo) put forward by the real culprits."

Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority will bear all their expenses, he said.

Mafia

The incident had taken place on April 07 night (early morning 08th) at the Water Creatures Restaurant, Surf Bar but no action had been taken until the 11th when police in Colombo received an emailed complaint and acted.

There were allegations that local police in Weligama had turned a blind eye, raising suspicions of links with the beneficial owner of the restaurant, who may have political connections.

Reporters told the minister that according to witnesses they spoke to, the police in the area had refused to entertain complaints.

Minister Amaratunga said he did not have direct information about a political involvement but it was unusual that interventions had to be made from Colombo to get police to act.

"I would have thought the local politician would be the first to demand action since it is their voters who will lose when tourist declines in their area," Minister Amaratunga said.

Sri Lanka Tourist Hotels Association Chief Sanath Ukwatte said a 'mafia' had been operating in some areas of the South Coast with impunity in collusion with some 'beach boys' and this was the first time he had seen a tourism minister personally taking counteraction.

Superintended Gunesekera said police was inquiry into the conduct of local police, though no transfers had yet been made.

A witness in Colombo who had given a statement had been asked to go to Weligama to give another statement, to the same officers who are alleged not to have taken action earlier, reporters said.

Police refused to reveal the name of the owner of Water Creatures Restaurant, but said he was summoned by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority which had begun an inquiry on the 18th.

Illegal Bar

SLTDA director General U Ratnayake said the restaurant was not registered or approved by the tourist authorities.

While anyone could operate a restaurant with a business registration from a local authority, the Surf Bar had also been serving alcohol without a license or paying fees, which was illegal.

A complaint had been made to excise authorities that an illegal bar was operating, Minister Amaratunga said. It was not clear how the bar was operating up to now without a license.

In 2011, Khuram Shaikh, a British touristn was murdered and his Russian girlfriend rape in Tangalle, also a newly expanded tourist area, by group led by Sampath Vidanapathirana, the local council chief.

Reports quoting eyewitnesses as saying the management took no action creating a culture of impunity.

"The night started fun until more and more local guys began to inappropriately touch the girls in our group and also other tourist girls at the bar," Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror newspaper quoted Raffie Van Maren, a Dutch tourists, who said he had been assaulted, as saying.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/148512/Dutch-tourists-brutally-assaulted

"We complained about this to the guys working at the bar, but they laughed at us and continued to laugh every time a local guy harassed a girl."

About 10 men had then rushed to the place and assaulted the tourists.

Report quoted another hotel owner as saying that the harassment of tourists had taken place before but most tourists who only stayed a few days had left without complaining.

Minister Amaratunga said he hoped these were isolated incidents, but any tourist who faced harassment should to complain to the tourist police immediately.

"You have to complain before you leave the country. Then we can take action," he said. "We apologize to the tourists involved in the incident.

There was no tourist police in Weligama/Mirissa at the moment but 20 more tourist hotspots had been identified to set up tourist police posts in addition to the 11 existing ones.

Police said an Israeli tourist who had a dispute with a group who was renting surf equipment had also been assaulted. (Colombo/Mar18/2018)

Bureaucrat alias booruwa rat who raised salary by 160% to Rs. 850,000.00 trapped ! His salary exceeds even president’s!

(Lanka-e-News - 17.April.2018, 6.30PM)   An investigation has been launched by the ministry of Development strategies and International trade against Duminda Ariyasinghe the Director General of the Investment Board who illegally raised his salary by 160 % whereby his present salary is more than that of even the president.

Development strategies and International trade ministry secretary Ms. Chandani Wijewardena had already commenced investigations into this racket of Ariyasinghe who raised his salary by 160 %  ,only with the approval of the Board of Directors  . That is  he raised his monthly salary to Rs. 850,000.00 illegally.

The secretary of the ministry Chandani has informed the secretaries of the president and the prime minister that the salary cannot be raised only with the approval of the Board of directors.

It is Public Corporation (Financial) Control Act 1971 No. 38 which governs the financial administration  of State Institutions and Corporations. However Duminda Ariyasinghe has been collecting  a monthly salary of Rs. 850,000.00 over a long period after deceiving the board of investments, and violating the financial regulations .Duminda was appointed to that post in January 2016.

This constitutes a high scale financial appropriation via disbursement.  No government officer in the country receives a salary this high. Even the president’s salary is lower than this. 

In any case the ministry has ordered the culprit  to immediately return whatever payments  he has illegally collected as salaries to the government. There is also a great likelihood  for him to be dismissed from the post while the investigations are under way, based on reports. 

What is rudely shocking is , even after collecting this colossal salary this bureaucrat alias booruwa rat had not been able to bring in even a single dollar investment into the country ! Many members of the board are of the view that this booruwa rat is suffering from a mental derangement because of his conduct which is hostile to investors , and antagonistic  to investments. 

Special correspondent

---------------------------
by     (2018-04-17 13:12:17)

Demonstrators gather in West Bank, Gaza to mark Palestinian Prisoners Day

Protesters call for release, end to ill-treatment of 6,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons

Palestinians hold portraits of relatives jailed in Israeli prisons as they protest to demand for their release during a demonstration to mark Prisoners' Day in the West Bank city of Nablus on 17 April (AFP)

 

Tuesday 17 April 2018 

Palestinians held vigils and protests in Gaza and across the West Bank on Tuesday to remember the thousands of prisoners held in Israeli jails. 

The demonstrations took place amid heightened tensions following weekly mobilisations for the Great March for Return, which is due to continue until 15 May, demanding the right of return for Palestinian refugees. 

Several thousand amassed in the Gaza Strip while sporadic gatherings took place across the West Bank. 

Palestinians who attended the demonstrations, as part of the annual Palestinian Prisoners Day marches, held up portraits of relatives currently held in Israeli prisons. 

Palestinian women hold photographs of imprisoned relatives and posters denouncing incarceration conditions, during a Palestinian Prisoner Day protest in Bethlehem (MEE/Chloé Benoist)

Around 6,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, 500 of whom detained under administrative detention, a practice used by Israel against Palestinians to imprison people without charge or trial for indefinite periods, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society(PPS), 

PPS estimates that around one million Palestinians have been detained by Israel since the country was founded in 1948, adding that Israel has held 48 Palestinians for more than 20 years.

The Palestinian Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs, meanwhile, stated that some 1,800 Palestinian prisoners were in dire need of medical care.

Palestinians have long denounced the ill-treatment of prisoners, accusing Israel of torture, medical neglect, and of flouting international law.

According to PPS, 215 Palestinians have died in Israeli prisons since 1967, including 72 who died from torture, and 61 who died due to medical negligence.

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Adalah@AdalahEnglish

#PalestinianPrisonersDay: #Israel transports 1,800 #Palestinian #prisoners in degrading and inhumane conditions every day. @AdalahEnglish is fighting to change this

8:57 AM - Apr 17, 2018

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“As we continue to pay tribute to and affirm our support of all former and current Palestinian prisoners within Israeli jails, we are reminded of their steadfastness and unbreakable commitment to independence and justice in the face of the belligerent military occupier’s willful breach and devaluation of their rights and lives,” Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

“There is no justification or legal basis for persisting with such crimes,” she added. “Denying Palestinian prisoners of their fundamental rights and dignity goes against all forms of international law and international humanitarian law.”

In 2017, Palestinian Prisoner’s Day marked the first day of a mass hunger strike bringing together some 1,000 Palestinian prisoners under the leadership of prominent Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti, calling for an end to torture, ill-treatment and administrative detention.

The “Freedom and Dignity” strike lasted 40 days until the strike leadership reached an agreement to restore ICRC-coordinated family visits to twice a month - a deal that was seen by many at the time as falling far short of the prisoners’ demands.