Seven JO MPs to embrace Maithri?

 

Attempts by groups in both sides at uniting the SLFP and the JO have not been successful, mainly due to the JO’s demand that the SLFP should leave the government. Basil Rajapaksa is behind that demand. However, the Maithri faction has rejected the idea. They are most likely to contest the upcoming polls on its own.

A considerable number in the JO want to join with the president, but Basil and some others have opposed it. He is being accused of trying to destroy the party. They are of the view that Basil and others are trying to create trouble by making unnecessary demands. Therefore, they have come to understand the futility of their attempts at uniting the two sides, and have agreed to ally with the president. Some of them are to receive ministerial portfolios.

Most of them have been accused over fraud and corruption committed during the Rajapaksa regime. Their real reason for the crossover is to escape those charges. They will strengthen the hands of the president after being impressed by the democratic and populist programme of the Yahapaalana government, following the footsteps of a group of UNP MPs that did the same thing during the previous regime.

Mahindananda opts for the best way to evade the law !

 

To evade the law, he has now opted for the best way, which he will enforce tomorrow (01), according to reports reaching us. That is to leave the Mahinda Rajapaksa-led joint opposition and join president Maithripala Sirisena by meeting him after he returns from South Korea. He will be the latest addition of crossovers to support the government, in order to escape from the law.

His friends in the JO have told him that the only way out was to ally with president Sirisena. The former defence secretary too, will benefit likewise.

Mahindananda has been making attempts to get Mahinda Rajapaksa cleared of the accusations of fraud, corruption, murder, irregularities etc. against him, but it will not be surprising if he finds him guilty of those charges once he crosses over.

SPMC ready to produce annual requirement

 

Introducing the new drugs policy, health minister Rajitha Senaratne saw that there had been a 800-fold increase in the prices of imported drugs than the normal prices. The SPMC at Ratmalana is ready to manufacture the local requirement and help control the prices of imported drugs. It will release drugs under the generic name, not the brand name.

The opening of the SPMC in 1987 as a gift of Japan’s JICA realized one dream of the late Prof. Senaka Bibile to produce high quality drugs by a state entity, which will be marketed at affordable prices. By now, it is the leader in the manufacture of common drugs and antibiotics. Japan continues to support the SPMC, signing agreements in January to establish another manufacturing facility at a Rs. 1.5 billion cost.

Earning Rs. 1.7 b in 2014, the SPMC recorded a Rs. 392 million net profit that year. It now intends supplying the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation which only imports and sells the drugs needed by the Health Services Department.

Senaratne has said the entire requirement of drugs would be produced locally by 2019. The SPMC’s annual output is 1,900 million tablets and pills, which is 43 pc of that requirement. Its chairman Dr. Sayura Samarasundara said they hoped to open three or four new manufacturing facilities within the next four years, and to raise the production capacity to 4,000 m.

Amali Jayaweera

UN experts on arbitrary detention launch official visit

 

José Antonio Guevara Bermúdez, Leigh Toomey and Elina Steinerte will visit a variety of places where people are held, including prisons, police stations and institutions for juveniles, migrants and people with psychosocial disabilities, to gather first-hand information which will form part of their overall assessment.

The delegation will visit Colombo as well as western, north-central, northern, eastern, southern and central provinces, where they will meet Government officials, civil society groups and other relevant stakeholders.

The experts will share their preliminary observations at a press conference on 15 December 2017 at 14:00 local time at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

The Working Group will present its final report on the visit to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018.

http://www.ohchr.org

American Airlines risks 15,000 flight cancellations after a rostering mishap

 

A one-time goof? Not quite. On November 29th, a similar embarrassment struck American Airlines, by some measures the world’s biggest carrier. A glitch in its computer system for scheduling pilots’ time off allowed too many pilots to take time off around the Christmas holidays. As a result, the pilots’ union estimates that 15,000 of the airline’s flights between December 17th and the end of the year have not yet been allocated a pilot.
“The system went from responsibly scheduling everybody to becoming Santa Claus to everyone,” one pilot told CNBC, a news channel. “The computer said, hey ya’ll. You want the days off? You got it.” The airline is scrambling to fix the problem and says it does not expect any cancellations. It is offering to pay pilots 50% extra to fly during the holiday period and hoping that the incentive will encourage them to cover the shortfall. But the pilots’ union claims that it is not that simple. It says that the additional pay is not covered in its employee contracts and cannot therefore be guaranteed by the airline. Whether or not the flights are covered, American stands to lose millions of dollars paying the pilot incentives or in the reputational damage flight cancellations would cause.

American is not the only airline that has suffered expensive IT glitches. In recent years computer-system crashes have caused thousands of flight cancellations, including on British Airways and Delta. But the potential for chaos is even greater around Christmas and New Year’s, when passenger volumes balloon and there is little space on other flights to rebook. This Gulliver, scheduled to fly American on December 28th, is closely monitoring the situation out of more than professional interest. According to the pilots’ union, there are currently flights without pilots scheduled to fly out of cities including Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, and, yes, Gulliver’s hometown of Washington, D.C.

http://ift.tt/1oaaHe1

Investigations into killings of tuskers to be handled by CID

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka has directed Acting IGP C.D. Wickremaratne to place the investigations into the killings of Dala Puttuwa and other tuskers under the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), with immediate effect. 

The move comes in the wake of the killing of Dala Puttuwa, the famous tusker in Galgamuwa. Its tusks were recovered from the Polpithigama area. 

Another tusker was also killed in the Thabbowa forest recently. 

In a separate incident, a baby elephant tethered to a tree was also found by the Police in the Katagamuwa area, Kataragama. 

Minister Ratnayaka ordered the Acting IGP to launch a comprehensive investigation into all these incidents and ascertain whether an organised criminal network was behind the chain of events. 

"We condemn these heinous acts as the Law and Order Minister I must state that we will take stern action against everyone responsible for this crime. We want to conduct these investigations efficiently and impartially - which is why we entrusted the CID with this task," the Minister explained.

29 acres land released to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Ottapulam RCTM School

This is another initiation taken by Sri Lanka Army to expedite the process of releasing lands in accordance with the policy on Resettlement of IDPs, as a matter of priority towards reconciliation whilst addressing the issues of civilians in Jaffna. The ceremony was organized by troops of 515 Brigade and further, the Ottapulam – Vasavilan road was declared open for the public at the event. Religious dignitaries, senior military Officers, Government officials, soldiers and civilians were present at the event.

AshWaru Colombo

Kill the myth, not the tuskers

In Sri Lanka, around four per cent of the elephant population consists of tuskers. They are being killed, sometimes with the knowledge of government politicians, for their tusks. History shows the involvement of wildlife ministers and officials.

 

There are fools, in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in the world, who believe that keeping baby elephants after killing their mothers, tusks and their other body parts will bring them prosperity. To satisfy their wishes, Asian and African elephants are being killed. According to US wildlife statistics, 100,000 African and 40,000 Asian tuskers had been killed between 2011 and 2014. Many more killings must have gone unreported.

 

China has the main market for tusks, to be used as an energizer and to keep them to bring them fortune. That is similar to killing mothers and taking their little ones to temples and processions in Sri Lanka. Racketeers in China, US, India and European countries are involved in the sale of elephant tusks as well as bone parts of tigers, gorillas and rhinos. The Guardian of the UK says Boko Haram, Lord’s Resistance Army and al-Shabaab terror groups earn more than 19 million dollars a year from such rackets. 

 

The convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora was adopted as early as 1960 to protect more than 5,600 animal and 30,000 plant species.  Sri Lanka ratified it on 04 April 1979, and will have to act according to the convention. But, what happens is to the contrary.

 

Killing elephants can be prevented only if the wildlife ministry acts firmly. If its ministers and top officials see animals as commercial goods, no animal will be safe. Unity among those who love nature will help prevent the loss of tuskers like Dala Poottuwa.

 

Ravindra Kariyawasam – Environment and Nature Studies Centre

Tusker gunned down at Thabbowa sanctuary

Wildlife officers say no arrests have been made yet regarding the killing. The postmortem examination found the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the tusker’s chest area.

 

K. Priyakara – Puttalam

 

 

Praljak: Bosnian Croat war criminal dies after taking poison in court

Slobodan Praljak, 72, died in hospital, with the UN court announcing that the courtroom was now "a crime scene".

On hearing that his 20-year jail term had been upheld, the ex-commander of Bosnian Croat forces said he was not a criminal and then drank from a bottle.

In 2013, he was sentenced for crimes in the city of Mostar during the Bosnian war from 1992-95.

Praljak was one of six former Bosnian Croat political and military leaders up before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

They were attending the final appeals judgment to be handed down by the court.

Though allies against the Bosnian Serbs in the war, Bosnian Croats and Muslims also fought each other for a period of 11 months, with Mostar seeing some of the fiercest fighting.Balkans war: a brief guide.

'Don't take away the glass''Don't take away the glass'After hearing the verdict, General Praljak stood and raised his hand to his mouth, tipped his head back and appeared to swallow a glass of liquid."I have taken poison," he said.

Presiding judge Carmel Agius immediately suspended the proceedings and an ambulance was called.

"Okay," the judge said. "We suspend the... We suspend... Please, the curtains. Don't take away the glass that

he used when he drank something."

- BBC

MILCO to be restructured soon

Sri Lanka state owned diary firm, MILCO. Milk Industries of Lanka Co. Limited is to be restructured to make it a viable entity. A ministerial committee headed by Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama has been appointed to find way forward to restructuring of MILCO.

A pricing mechanism will also be formulated by considering handling and packing charges,distribution cost etc with breakdown from Fonterra Brands Lanka Limited, Lanka Milk Foods and Nestle Lanka.


The Ministerial Committee has also decided to obtain financial statements from MILCO for a period of three years. 

Dairy farmers’ said that the company is delaying payments for milk supplied by them to MILCO and they are facing difficulties due to the low buying price of milk and the high costs involved in milk production. 

MILCO has made profits of 274 million rupees in 2016, after it barely made a profit of 4 million rupees in 2015, following an increase in farm gate milk prices.

It has increased revenues to 8,964 million rupees in 2016 from 8,403 million rupees in 2015, helped by a price increase, a finance ministry report said.

Euro 19.35 million Interest Free Soft Loan from Austria

The Austrian Government promotes its assistance to Sri Lanka, by providing (Euro 19.35 million) Rs.3, 546 million interest free soft loans to upgrade the Katunayaka Engineering Technology Institute and to obtain 100 Ambulances for Government hospitals in the country.

This loan facility provided through Raiffeisen Bank of Austria will set aside EUR 9.85 million to procure 100 Ambulance Cars for Government Hospitals and another 9.5 million Euro for Enhancing and Upgrading of Institute of Engineering Technology, Katunayake.

The Ambulance Car Project provides 100 ambulances to selected hospitals with some of the necessary lifesaving equipment. Supplying of ambulances to required hospitals is vital to provide emergency healthcare to patients within golden hour to prevent from deaths, reduce injuries/disabilities and transfer the patient efficiency and safely to the nearest hospital with required healthcare facilities. The people in the entire country will benefit through this project by enhancing access to the quality health care facilities.

The project on Enhancing and Upgrading of Institute of Engineering Technology, Katunayake will upgrade existing workshops and provide latest equipment facilitating to increase the student intake up to 500 by 2020 of the Institute. Facilities of the Institute of Engineering Technology, Katunayake has not been improved with the increased intake of the students in past several years and this has resulted in a huge problem of insufficient facilities such as class room space, equipment and required academic staff. This project will contribute to meet the huge unmet demand for middle level technicians.

Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media, Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunge signed the Credit Agreement of the Ambulance Car Project on 28th November 2017 on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka in the presence of the Deputy Commercial Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy Mr. Siegfried Weidlich. The Credit Agreement of the Enhancing and Upgrading of Institute of Engineering Technology (IET), Katunayake was signed on 2nd November 2017.

Schools closed today

All the Schools in Western, Central, Southern and Uva provinces will be closed today (30) due to the prevailing weather conditions, the Education Ministry informed.

Accordingly term tests scheduled to be held today have also been postponed.

Legal action against Mahaviru organisers

State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijayawardana said legal action will be taken against groups who organised and celebrated the commemoration ceremony of LTTE Leader Prabhakaran.

The Minister said the CID had been instructed to conduct investigations to determine who was behind the organising of the commemoration ceremony and if evidence confirms their participation, legal action would be initiated against them.

He noted that several criminal incidents had been reported from the North recently and opinions of some suggest that these incidents are of grave nature.

Wijayawardana said the LTTE is a banned organisation and that no one has the authority to organise LTTE commemoration ceremonies.

He made this comment yesterday (28) in response to questions posed by the media regarding the Mahaviru ceremonies in the North.

Donald Trump retweets anti-Muslim videos posted by far-right British politician

President Donald Trump is retweeting a series of anti-Muslim videos posted by a far-right British politician.

Mr. Trump sent the Twitter messages on November 29 morning. The videos were first posted by Jayda Fransen, the deputy leader of the far-right group Britain First.

The descriptions read: “VIDEO- Islamist mob pushes teenage boy off roof and beats him to death!” and “VIDEO- Muslim Destroys a Statue of Virgin Mary!” and “VIDEO- Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!”

After Mr. Trump retweeted the videos, Ms. Fransen quickly responded on Twitter, saying: “DONALD TRUMP HIMSELF HAS RETWEETED THESE VIDEOS AND HAS AROUND 44 MILLION FOLLOWERS! GOD BLESS YOU TRUMP! GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Mr. Trump has sought to ban immigrants from certain Muslim-majority nations.

The Joint Press Statement between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

2. The two Heads of State, celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an important milestone, expressed satisfaction with the continued development of friendly relations between the two countries. As partners with common values of democracy, and commitment to regional peace, security and stability, the two Heads of State agreed to increase exchanges of high-level government officials and parliaments of the two countries. They also reconfirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in defense, including exchanges between the armed forces, strategic communication, increased training opportunities, and cooperation in regional dialogues.

 

3. To strengthen cooperation in the economic sphere for mutual benefit, the two Heads of State welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation, which provides for the establishment of a joint commission to promote bilateral investment, trade and tourism. They also noted the importance of signing of an MOU between the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and agreed to further expand investment opportunities for Korean and Sri Lankan companies. They also welcomed the Business Summit in which President Sirisena and related companies’ representatives took part.

 

4. The two Heads of State welcomed the ongoing cooperation between the two countries under Sri Lanka’s Western Region Megapolis project, and were pleased to note the engagement of Korean companies in projects under the Megapolis plan. The two Heads of State agreed to actively seek ways to further enhance opportunities for Korean companies to engage in major infrastructure and development projects in Sri Lanka.

 

5. In the field of development cooperation, the two Heads of State welcomed the increase in Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for Sri Lanka from $300 million to $500 million for 2017-2019, and the signing of the EDCF Framework Arrangement. They agreed to continue development cooperation, including through the EDCF and KOICA, for Sri Lanka’s sustainable economic development.

 

6. President Sirisena expressed his deep appreciation for the employment opportunities granted to Sri Lankan youth in Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Acknowledging the contribution of Sri Lankan workers to the economies of the two countries, the two Heads of State agreed to further enhance cooperation under the EPS.

 

7. The two Heads of State, welcoming the recent increase in cooperation in ICT and medical sectors, agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of science, technology, innovation and ICT. They also agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of agriculture, noting the progress made under the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) and the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI). With respect to the fisheries sector, they agreed to make progress in Sri Lanka’s Multipurpose Harbor project, based on the MOU signed by the two countries in 2016.

 

8. Acknowledging the bilateral cultural ties throughout history and in recent times, the two Heads of State welcomed the continued increase in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. They agreed to further promote such connectivity through cultural and tourism exchanges and the revision of the bilateral Air Services Agreement. Both leaders also welcomed the signing of the new Agreement on Culture, Arts, Education, Youth and Sports. They expressed satisfaction with the many cultural events held in the two countries in 2017 to mark the 40th anniversary, including the issuance of commemorative stamps by both countries.

 

9. The two Heads of State noted the contribution to Sri Lanka’s nursing education through the Korean government’s Leading University Project for International Cooperation. They also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation under the Global Korea Scholarship program and promote Korean language education in Sri Lanka.

 

10. The two Heads of State strongly condemned the DPRK’s test of a long-range ballistic missile, violating relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. President Moon expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka’s strong condemnation of the DPRK’s continued nuclear and missile tests and its faithful implementation of sanctions under relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The two Heads of State reaffirmed their support for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under relevant United Nations Security Council resolution. The two Heads of State agreed on active cooperation for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and underscored the importance of resuming a meaningful dialogue for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. President Sirisena expressed his firm support for the efforts of the Republic of Korea to improve inter-Korean relations and establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, including the initiative of the Republic of Korea proposed in Berlin on 6 July 2017.

 

11. The two Heads of State shared the view that the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games could serve as a useful occasion to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Expressing his wholehearted support to the Korean government’s efforts towards a peaceful Olympics, President Sirisena reiterated the Sri Lankan government’s willingness to offer active cooperation and congratulated President Moon on the excellent preparations for a successful Olympics.

 

12. The two Heads of State exchanged views on regional affairs including Southwest Asia. President Moon outlined the New Southern Policy for building pillars of prosperity and ‘People First’ relations with South Asia and ASEAN countries. The two Heads of State agreed to deepen multilateral cooperation on global issues such as elections in international organizations, climate change and sustainable development.

 

13. President Moon lauded the progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Sirisena in national reconstruction and reconciliation and promotion of human rights. He further expressed the hope that Sri Lanka will achieve reconciliation and prosperity, and will continue to engage the international community in this endeavor.

 

14. The two Heads of State acknowledged the importance of continued follow-up implementation of the results of their summit through regular policy consultations between the two countries.

 

15. President Sirisena extended an invitation to President Moon to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time, which President Moon gladly accepted.

 

Death of Kandy nurse seated on chair while on duty at hospital ... a mystery!

Death of Kandy nurse seated on chair while on duty at hospital ... a mystery!

An incident where a nurse on night duty in Ward 65 in Kandy General Hospital had mysteriously died was reported recently.

The 37 year old nurse Asanthi Kumari Bandara resident at Ruwandanigama, Hemmathagama in Kegalle had passed away in this manner. She was found dead towards early morning hours

seated silently on her chair and 2 nurses who had been on duty at that time had noticed this. One male nurse had gone into a shock on seeing the strange manner in which she had died and had become sick himself and news sources say that he is taking medical treatment.

The post mortem of the dead nurse was conducted by Judicial Medical Officer Mr. Ranjith Dassanayaka last Friday and had returned an open verdict saying that the cause of death would be notified later. Parts of the body of the deceased nurse an a blood sample were secured to be forwarded for further examination to the Government Analyst.

Deceased Asanthi Kumari of Ruwandanigama, Hemmathagama, Kegalle is the mother of one child. This nurse has been serving at Kandy General Hospital for a period of about 10 years at the kidney transplant unit. She had passed away at the very same ward. The police hope to interrogate those who had been on night duty at Ward 65 that day and to conduct further inquiries. 

Doctor Nawariyan Film - Media preview

Doctor Nawariyan Film - Media preview

The premier show for the media of the latest film 'Doctor Nawariyan' produced by Ranjan Ramanayaka was held yesterday (28) at Tharangani Cinema Hall.

Attempt to sexually molest young mother misfires! ... so grabs baby on lap and drowns in water barrel!

Attempt to sexually molest young mother misfires! ... so grabs baby on lap and drowns in water barrel!

An attempt by 2 persons who tried to abuse a 19 year old young mother in Menikpuragama has failed and being enraged they had grabbed the baby daughter from her lap and the tragic incident is reported of having dumped the baby into a water barrel in the house.

It is reported that of the 2 assailants who barged into the house one of them had grabbed the baby whom the 19 year old mother was carrying while the other had tried to

sexually molest her. At that moment she has freed herself from his grips and after grappling with him had spilled the story to the neighbours and after returning home in their company had searched around when to their surprise the body of the baby was found dead inside a water barrel in the garden, police say.

At the moment the incident has taken place the woman's husband had gone to the vihara in the village for some matter. The 2 assailants responsible for this crime had fled in a three-wheeler, information was received. Jayani Sandarekha, the baby's mother is a resident of Panadura and had come to Katharagama about 15 months ago.

Wijesooriya Aarachchige Don Jayani Sandarekha (19) who became a prey to this crime had this to say in the presence of police officers: "My husband earns his living by labour-work. It's our only child who has been killed. Husband has made it a daily habit of visiting the village temple in the evenings. Even at the time of this incident he had gone to the village temple. 2 people came home around 6.50 in the evening. Our uncle sells fish. They asked where uncle was. He wasn't at home at that moment. I asked why they were looking for him. They then said that they bought some fish from him that morning on credit and that they came to pay that money. As uncle was not there they then went away. When I was carrying the small one these same 2 persons returned at about 7 in the night and entered the house.

One person grabbed the child in my arms when I shouted and the other fellow got hold of me and tried to abuse me. I struggled with him and somehow managed to break away from him and rush out from the back door. Just then I heard the sound of a three-wheeler going away speedily. When I shouted out about this incident those in the vicinity came running. The small one was not to be seen. When everyone got together and started searching, my small one was found inside a water barrel in the garden. When the baby was taken out ... even by that time the girl had died. If I see these two did this crime, I'd be able to identify them".

The baby's body has been sent to Debarawewa Base Hospital for the post mortem. Police say that the police dog Pabilo of Tangalla Police Headquarters too was brought yesterday to the location of the crime and investigations were conducted to retrieve some clue regarding the criminals. Further investigations are underway regarding the crime. 

Woman murdered with paramour in Deraniyagala has had men everywhere! ... 5 children from 2 marriages! ... Husband's younger brother involved in the killings ... also another paramour!

Woman murdered with paramour in Deraniyagala has had men everywhere! ...5 children from 2 marriages! ... Husband's younger brother involved in the killings ... also another paramour!

A host of information now keeps streaming in about the Deraniyagala woman who faced death because of a clash that took place between two paramours who were associating her. She had been inviting various men to her home on days that her husband had not been at home.

As a result of this incident the woman was killed together with her illicit lover while the two children

of the deceased woman aged 4 and 7 years were injured during the process. Kanthi Hemalatha (32) this deceased woman had 3 children from a previous marriage and she has left her husband and the children 10 years before this and having come to Deraniyagala with the person with whom she had now been living and had subsequently borne these two children, it is understood.

This woman who is supposed to be endowed with strong sexual potency has been in the habit of maintaining intimate relationships with other men with the children too being aware of it and her earlier marriage has gone on the rocks due to this very reason. The then husband has under these circumstances taken custody of the three children and subsequently chased her out of the house. However she has continued this 'game' right along, it is learned. She has only one registered marriage in her name as such. She has incidentally not been legally married to her present spouse. She has from time to time been involved with men whom she used to come across on various occasions and has had such intimate relationships with a number of men during the past.

It is of special importance to note that her paramour was murdered by none other than the present illicit husband's younger brother. When the husband used to go to work to a distant area he would return home only once a week on weekends and during that period this 32 year old woman had induced this aforementioned younger brother aged 27 years to engage in illicit relationships. In this respect the two of them had taken precautions to prevent any suspicion emerging in the minds of the two children of the movements of their father's younger brother who used to frequent the home.

During this time the said paramour too has found a job and he had found it difficult to take leave to come and visit her while in certain instances he had managed to secure leave from his job and come during afternoons to meet her. During the time-period when the husband's younger brother's companionship began to dwindle, a certain 50 year old 'uncle' whom the woman had met at a co-operative store about 3 months ago has got the opportunity of replacing the young man's gap. She at the initial stages has invited him home to engage in a tete-a-tete and had introduced him to the children as 'co-operative uncle'. The children of course has had nothing surprising about new friends whom their mother used to associate with.

The root cause for these murders in fact was that the young man had smelled something fishy about an outsider who has grabbed the asset which only he and his elder brother were supposed to claim. When the woman was questioned about it, she has rejected that accusation. Having checked the time when 'co-operative uncle' was suspected to be in, the young man has has made a surprise visit to the woman's home with the motive of trapping the couple.

On this particular day when he approached the house the two children had been playing in the garden and instantly he had made a dart towards the bedroom. Since the door had been locked from inside he had tried to open the door when this 'uncle' and the woman had emerged from the room. As the illicit relationship was thus exposed the young man has blamed the woman with anger when at that moment the woman had responded saying "what does it matter to you about whom I bring to my house?" The young man who became enraged with this unexpected question by the woman had then made a dash towards the kitchen of the house and having picked up a knife had finally chopped her up in a brutal manner.

During this process the 'co-operative uncle' had beat a retreat and the assailant has run behind him. When running like this the children playing in the garden who became frightened over this conflict had shouted at their relative father and had tried to prevent him from creating further harm when he had pushed them aside with the hand which held the knife and the children themselves were injured. Later, after pursuing the prey for some distance he too was thus attacked by the knife and killed. The 'uncle's dead body was found about 60 metres beyond the house of the woman.

The murderer of this dual murder who fled the area was nabbed yesterday (27) early morning and taken into police custody while in hiding in a private garden in Malibada area, Deraniyagala Police say. 5 teams of policemen were launched as search operations to arrest this suspect. The suspect so arrested was expected to be produced before Avissawella Magistrate Court.

Previous report about incident, from here     

Weekends with husband ... week days with paramour -- Mother of 2 children dies with paramour, during clash!

Weekends with husband ... week days with paramour -- 

Mother of 2 children dies with paramour, during clash!

As the husband used to come home only on weekends, a woman who got addicted to associating various other persons by bringing them home was ultimately murdered as a result of an involvement between two such illicit lovers together with one of those paramours who himself was murdered. This incident was reported from Deraniyagala, Maliboda, Ranwala area.

At a time when this married woman was in the company of

one of her illicit lovers at home, another illicit lover who happened to come there had cut and chopped both of them, killing the two at a time when two of her children were in the house.

The deceased in this case are Ranwala Gamaralalage Kanthi Hemalatha (45) living at Ranwala, Maliboda and Devpahala Cooraylage Rupasingha (55). The deceased woman's husband was employed in a different area and had been coming home only on weekends. On the instance when the murder took place, when the wife and the two children had been inside the house the illicit lover had visited this house and in a short while the other illicit lover too had turned up at the house and an argument had flared up, thus ending up in a clash.

On this occasion the assailant had aimed a knife at both the children too and they are presently undergoing treatment at Avissawella and Colombo National Hospitals. The suspect who was connected to these murders has by now fled the area. The two injured children are 4 years and 7 years old and have by now been admitted to Avissawella Hospital and are under treatment. The murdered paramour's corpse was recovered about 60 metres away from the spot where the woman was killed. Bodies of the two victims are deposited at Avissawella Base Hospital and the post mortem and autopsy are expected to be carried out at Avissawella Base Hospital. 

Boy friend forces girl to go to room ...Girl who thus jumps from his bike ... in serious condition!

Boy friend forces girl to go to room ...Girl who thus jumps from his bike ... in serious condition!

In the instance when the lover of a girl suggested an awkward move calling her to accompany him to a room she had refused the request and on that occasion he had forcibly taken her towards that destination during which journey she had in the process jumped from the motor bike which he had been driving ... caring less for her own life. This incident was reported from Aranayaka,

Galbokka area about a young girl who sustained serious injuries in the process.

This girl aged 21 years thus received severe injuries and this lover of hers is an army soldier resident in Wellawaya. In fact she had maintained a long-term romance with him. Last afternoon (26) he had come to Kegalle town to meet her. Initially at that instance what he had suggested to her was to go to a quiet spot and have a chat. What he had hinted at was a park in the town. The girl who consented to this had got on to his motor bike when a moment later she had felt as if by instinct that he was riding the bike towards an unfamiliar route and had questioned him about it when he had responded saying "the park is of no use; let's go to a room ... I know a good place".

The girl of course had disliked it. She had kept on telling her lover not to go there. However, he had then harshly replied saying "it's useless what you say ... it's to that place that I am going!" The girl who then at that moment sensed what he was forcibly trying to do had yelled out; but those around had not focused their attention on the bike. As a final resort in order to stop the bike he had tried to push him; but that was to no avail. She had then finally jumped off the moving bike.

The girl who fell down from the moving bike had sustained serious injuries. Her lover had under these conditions, later with the assistance of those in the vicinity had admitted her to Kegalle General Hospital. On a complaint received by Kegalle Police the suspect and the motor bicycle was taken into police custody. The suspect is expected to be produced before Kegalle Magistrate Court today (27).     

I separated from Saranga's father because of his drunkenness and incompatibility -- Thilaka Ranasingha

I separated from Saranga's father because of his drunkenness and incompatibility -- Thilaka Ranasingha

Popular announcer Thilaka Ranasingha, mother of distinguished actor Saranga Disasekera has for the first time made a revelation regarding the break up of marriage relationships with Saranga's father the Late famed singer Narada Disasekera.

What she had said was that although her marriage was problematic that she had faced its challenges

successfully.

* If you were asked as to reminisce the moment which brought you the greatest happiness and greatest sorrow ... how are you going to respond to it?

  The day my son (Saranga Disasekera) was born was the day on which I became the happiest. The occasion I became most sad was when my elder sisters had an untimely death.

* How do you share happiness and sorrow?

   I can share both those sentiments. When something brings me happiness I talk about it to somebody and share that happiness. In the same manner ... when there is a moment of sadness, I would talk about it with somebody and thereby share the sadness in my heart.

* Some people say that when you go to tell about your sorrow and problems to other people you create an opening for other problems and that sorrow even worsens. Do you accept that?

   Personally of course that hasn't happened in my case because where I am concerned it's not a problem that I can't tell others. When a problem like that happens I don't go to tell everyone. It's to someone who's close to my family that I tell. It's to someone who goes to tell everyone that sort of situation arises. In the same way when those who have problems they tell others  which can't be told to somebody else, such a situation could arise. In such instances what has to be done is to keep silent and hide them.

* Don't you Thilaka has an ability to bear sorrow and happiness in silence?

   I have a very good ability. In most instances when I felt sorrow I bore up that sorrow all alone.

* Didn't you have such instances of sorrow in your marriage?

   More than saying sorrowful, it would not be incorrect to say problematic situations. The cause for my marriage with my husband (Narada Disasekera) was his drunkenness and our incompatibility. But even after our separation when the occasion demanded we talked to each other. Even bringing up the son alone was not a sorrow for me. My elder brother (Douglas Ranasingha) was a big strength to me.

* According to what you think ... does happiness exist in solitary life or in married life?

   Happiness in single life rests on enjoying freedom devoid of responsibilities. But in married life responsibilities creep in ... children come in. Happiness in married life comes with that complexity. What I think is that responsibilities are necessary for life ... children are necessary. As such, there's more happiness in married life.

* If marriage is a happiness, why didn't you think of a second marriage and thus replace the lost happiness in life?

   There's a saying that the person who faces assault from a firebrand is scared of even light from a firefly. When elder brothers told me to think of a marriage ... that's how I thought. The other thing is, only when the love and security of a husband is necessary, thoughts about a second marriage comes to mind. I had the protection of my elder brothers. At the same time I became busy in my vocational activities. My child became my life. As such I didn't feel the necessity of love as such. Even if I had entered into a second marriage, the issue whether he would be a father to my child truly worried me. Because of those things I thought that a second marriage was not necessary for me.

* Happiness and sorrow of your son's life -- you may have experienced that very same way ...

   It's something common to every mother. The joy of one's children is felt by a mother than her own joy. When a child feels sad ... that also the mother feels strongly.

* There were instances of crisis and moments of sadness in Saranga's life too.

   Yes. My biggest happiness now is to settle all those problems and to see joy dawning on my son's life.

Ariyavansha Kulatilleka (Lakbima)

Thisara Perera named captain for ODI series against India

Thisara has played 125 ODIs since his debut in December 2009, with a formidable strike-rate of 109 but an average of only 17. As a bowler, he has taken 133 wickets at 32.62 apiece.

 

cricinfo

Speaker participates the commemoration of UN Day for Solidarity with Palestine.

He stated the long term relation between Sri Lanka with Palestine
' Friendly relations between Palestine and Sri Lanka commenced in early seventies and the solidarity with Palestine was strengthened although there were numerous threats and barriers. The Opening of the PLO embassy in Colombo in July 1975 was a significant milestone in this respect and Palestine was supported by Sri Lanka and continues to be a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause'
The full text of his speech as follows


I am extremely happy to be here with you as Chief Guest on the occasion of commemorating the UN Day for Solidarity with Palestine, organized by the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity. The Palestinian Liberation Organization was established five decades ago in 1964 and was the embodiment of the Palestinian National Movement. The Arab Summit in 1974 recognized the PLO as the "sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" and since then the PLO has represented Palestine at the United Nations, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and many others.

The PLO was considered by the United States and Israel to be a terrorist organization until the Madrid conference in 1991. In 1993 the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist in harmony, accepted UN Security Council resolutions and rejected violence and terrorism, in response, Israel officially recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people. Until 1993, the only promoted option of PLO was armed struggle. From the signing of the Oslo Accords, negotiation and diplomacy became the only official policy.

The core of the PLO's ideology was the belief that Zionists had unjustly expelled the Palestinians from Palestine and established a Jewish state in place under the pretext of having historic and Jewish ties with Palestine. They demanded that Palestinian refugees should be allowed to return to their homes. This is expressed in the National Covenant. Article 3 of the Covenant reads; ″The Palestinian Arab people possess the legal right to their homeland and have the right to determine their destiny after achieving the liberation of their country in accordance with their wishes and entirely of their own accord and will″.

The international Day of Solidarity with the Palestine People is observed by the United Nations on or around 29 November each year. In accordance with mandates given by the General Assembly in December 1977, December 1979 and subsequent resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on the Question of Palestine. The date of 29 November was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian People. In response to the call of the United Nations, various activities are undertaken annually by Governments and civil society in observance of the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. These activities include, among other things, the issuance of special messages of solidarity with the Palestinian people, the organising of meetings, the dissemination of publications and other information material, and the screening of films.

The aspiration of the Palestinians are well known to the world. What they aspire is the liberation and establishment of a unity government. We can’t see any rationale in marking time and delaying this matter of vital importance.

As we know well the State of Palestine appreciates the consistent goodwill and support it has received from Sri Lanka throughout its struggle for international recognition, and should always be counted on as a steadfast friend of Sri Lanka. For many years Sri Lanka had worked very closely with the aspiration of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian Foreign Relations Commission also expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka during its war against terrorism and continues to support Sri Lanka in all its initiatives after the achievement of peace as well.

Several fields appropriate for close collaboration between Sri Lanka and Palestine have been identified. This include mutual support in international fora, especially in the context of Sri Lanka’s focus on strengthening bilateral relations with the Arab world. Stronger links between two countries, in the areas of economic collaboration, political consultations, technical co-operation and the training of primary education teachers. There are projects launched such as Organic Farming in Sri Lanka with Palestinian expertise. Palestine is providing scholarships annually to Sri Lankan students while Sri Lanka is accommodating Palestinian graduates for post graduate studies in Sri Lankan universities.

Friendly relations between Palestine and Sri Lanka commenced in early seventies and the solidarity with Palestine was strengthened although there were numerous threats and barriers. The Opening of the PLO embassy in Colombo in July 1975 was a significant milestone in this respect and Palestine was supported by Sri Lanka and continues to be a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause.

At the same time Sri Lanka chaired the U.N. Committee on Human Rights of Palestinians for 38 years continuously. It is a unique record, especially since Sri Lanka is a non-Muslim country. Sri Lanka supported the State of Palestine to join as a full-fledged member of UNESCO. And, Sri Lanka’s support was extended for the early realization of a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine existing within secure and recognized borders side-by-side and at peace with Israel.

It is with much appreciation we note that state of Palestine reciprocates all support to Sri Lanka, voting in all international bodies to support Sri Lanka’s candidacy and continues to have a close and warm friendship between the two countries, further the lobbying for Sri Lanka to have its membership in the Executive Committee of UNESCO.

I sincerely hope that the People of Palestine will achieve what they are struggling for without further delay. On behalf of the government of Sri Lanka and its people on this very special day I wish Palestinians every success in their endeavours.

Let me also thank the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine for inviting me to this pleasant evening. Thank you.

North Korea says new missile puts all of US in striking range

 

It landed in Japanese waters but flew higher than any other missile the North has previously tested. State news agency KCNA said that the missile reached an altitude of 4,475km (2,780 miles) and flew 950km for 53 minutes.

 

It added that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally signed off on the launch, "declared with pride that now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power".

 

- BBC- 

India : Supreme Court agrees Hadiya has the right to choice, not her parents

 

Hadiya deposed before the Supreme Court that she wants her freedom.

Amidst high security, intense drama and a media spectacle, the Supreme Court on Monday removed Hadiya from the custody of her parents and ordered that she be sent to her college in Salem, Tamil Nadu, to complete her studies. The College Dean has been appointed her guardian and reportedly, she is to be treated like any other hostel student. Hadiya deposed before the SC that she wants her freedom, that she has been in unlawful custody for the last 11 months and going forward, wants her husband to be her guardian so she can complete her education and be a good citizen.

The NIA submitted its 100-page report on forced conversions to the Supreme Court. It also questioned the role of the organisation ‘Sathya Sarani’ where Hadiya took temporary refuge from her parents, stating that Hadiya was forcibly converted to Islam by the Popular Front of India (PFI) and brainwashed by ‘hypnotic counselling’. The Court reportedly commented on this aspect, wondering whether the aspect of conversion in Kerala must be delinked from the Hadiya case. The matter has been adjourned till the third week of January.

Hadiya, who went by the name Akhila before she converted to Islam has been caught in a legal maelstrom since 2016, the subject of two habeas corpus petitions filed by her father Ashokan. The first petition was dismissed, after which in August 2016, Ashokan filed the second habeas corpus petition, alleging that Hadiya was going to be forcibly married off so she could be taken out of the country and that she was in the clutches of radicalised Muslims. On December 21 Akhila had claimed to have married a Shafin Jahan two days before. This move angered the High Court, which on May 24 annulled the marriage and called it a ‘sham’. Shafin Jahan then filed a Special Leave Petition against the HC order in the Supreme Court, which then ordered an NIA probe into the incident.

Exercising its ‘parens patriae (father of the country)’ jurisdiction, the Kerala High Court proved to be every bit the paternalistic, parochial Indian father, desperate to protect the child-adult-girl. Laying great emphasis on the contentions of Hadiya’s father which included the “right to give his daughter away in marriage” it was anxious and concerned about Hadiya’s “continued obstinance” to return to her parents and stated,

“Though the learned Senior Counsel has vociferously contended that the detenue is a person who has attained majority, it is necessary to bear in mind the fact that the detenue who is a female in her twenties is at a vulnerable age. As per Indian tradition, the custody of an unmarried daughter is with the parents, until she is properly married. We consider it the duty of this Court to ensure that a person under such a vulnerable state is not exposed to further danger, especially in the circumstances noticed above…” (emphasis supplied)

The order of May 2017 continues to rely on this obfuscated reasoning, completely devoid of any legal merit. The High Court was unable to accept that Hadiya delved into the study of Islam as this is not “normal human conduct of a girl aged 21 years”. It went on to blame unidentified persons for her indoctrination, unable to believe that she acted out of her own free will. It opined that Hadiya was married off so as to take her out of the reach of the High Court.

We are left wondering how a young woman’s act of marrying a man, whether arranged or not, whether forced or not, can take her out of the Court’s clutches. An adult woman who has not been proved to be mentally incapable of taking her own decisions does not have a ‘natural guardian’ and is well within her rights to marry whoever she pleases, with or without her parent’s consent. Whether her wedding was invalid under Islamic law is a different issue that was not even touched upon by the Court.

While the order points out various serious discrepancies in Hadiya’s conduct, such as using a variety of spellings for her new name, and even a different name from Hadiya on affidavit, it is unable to offer any solid proof of indoctrination or mental incapacity, which could serve as grounds for exercising its parens patriae jurisdiction to order Hadiya to stay with her parents. The NIA investigation and its report in the SC will be crucial to establish whether this was a case of indoctrination or a conversion out of free will.

While Hadiya’s counsel relied on a variety of cases in the HC to show that a major has an absolute right to choose a religion of their choice, the Court refused to accept this, stating that all the cases cited were cases of romantic liaisons and this case was nothing like that. An absolute inability to accept the autonomy and agency of a young woman to explore a different religion, an artificial distinction was created in order to accept and normalize one instance of free choice (falling in love) but not another (conversion).

Earlier in the order, the High Court also stated that “is not normal for a young girl in her early 20s, pursuing a professional course, to abandon her studies and to set out in pursuit of learning an alien faith and religion.” The HC believes that the “normal youth (are) indifferent towards religion and religious studies”, a mere opinion that cannot form the basis of deciding whether a woman converted out of her free will or not.

While ‘Sathya Sarani’ and its head Sainaba are referred to multiple times as having influenced Hadiya, it was not proved in the HC that the organization has links to extremist organizations or been involved in radicalization or forced conversions. The Kerala HC made up for the lack of evidence by relying on its morality and biases, its prejudiced notions of how a young woman must behave and its obvious sympathies with Hadiya’s parents who were unable to exercise any control over their adult daughter. While the judge the person is certainly free to his opinions, he is the custodian of law and is not free to apply his faulty reasoning and cultural biases while passing an order. The icing on the cake in this order comes at the very end.

“A girl aged 24 years is weak and vulnerable, capable of being exploited in many ways. This Court exercising parens patriae jurisdiction is concerned with the welfare of a girl of her age. The duty cast on this Court to ensure the safety of at least the girls who are brought before it can be discharged only by ensuring that Ms.Akhila is in safe hands.”

The Kerala High Court has a history of passing judgments such as these where the decisional autonomy and general agency of an adult woman is questioned, and parental authority is held supreme. The reasoning in all these cases is reflective of a deeply institutionalized patriarchy that exists in society, where a young adult woman is referred to as a ‘girl’, infantilizing her and decrying her capacity to take her own decisions. The parental authority over women, the act of ‘giving’ away a woman in marriage, the need to ‘protect’ her are all deeply sexist Indian notions that prevent women from living freely. All of these notions have found its way into the High Court order in 2017 and it is indeed deeply disturbing that a woman’s constitutional rights are taken away by relying on these fallacies.

Judges must remember that they are not custodians of our ‘girls’ morality and the HC focusing narrowly on Hadiya’s ‘vulnerability’ as a young girl, has taken the attention away from what might be a serious issue of radicalization. It is hoped that the Supreme Court, prevents the continued politicization of this case and takes a decision based on the law and the evidence on record, and not on mere sentimentality.

- Indian Express

50% annual export earnings come from apparel industry - FM

 

The following is the full text of Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s speech

It gives me great pleasure to address you at the AGM of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association.  

This association has played a key role in the apparel industry, contributing immensely towards making apparel the top export of the country.

To the credit of this industry, it has achieved almost US$ 5 billion in export earnings in 2016 – just under 50% of the country’s annual export earnings.

The industry has provided 400,000 direct employment opportunities and 400,000 indirect employment opportunities. Over the years, the creation of such livelihoods has helped lift many households out of poverty whilst also contributing to the empowerment of women.

A key theme of the recently presented budget was the need to shift to empowerment of people rather than providing hand-outs and untargeted welfare. The apparel industry is a case in point that the most sustainable form of poverty reduction is through the creation of such jobs.   

Challenges, Competition and Success
Competing in the international market is often challenging. However, Sri Lanka’s apparel exporters have thus far faced those challenges. You have constantly evolved and improved, and proved that Sri Lankan enterprise can take on the world and win.  

This ability to evolve and adapt is one of the main reasons for the development and success of the industry. As I noted in my Budget speech, “Competition breeds success, it tests our limits and forces innovation”.

When Sri Lanka lost the advantage of low wages to countries like Bangladesh and Viet Nam, our apparel industry remained competitive by upgrading quality and competing in higher end niche segments.

When Sri Lanka lost GSP + the industry came together with innovative branding strategies such as Garments Without Guilt, which helped the industry to retain market share and attract new markets.

The apparel industry is a classic example of embracing competition without being frightened by it. I assure you that the government will provide support to the industry to face global competition and the challenges of international markets.

Rekindling Sri Lanka’s Roots as a Trading Nation
I am told that the apparel industry aims to achieve an export earnings target of USD 8 Billion. This is indeed a commendable ambition and the government will take the necessary steps to create an enabling environment to facilitate this objective.

A key theme of Budget 2018 is the necessity to shift Sri Lanka’s economic structure from one of narrow inward orientation, to one of greater outward orientation. Over the years, a wall of tariffs and para-tariffs has created a protectionist economy, incentivising the diversion of resources away from the export sector.

In this Budget we embarked on a clear strategy of trade liberalisation with a view to re-kindling Sri Lanka’s roots as a trading nation. Para-tariffs will be removed over a 3 year period, which will enhance the spirit of competition and contestation in the economy.

The government will in parallel bring in strong anti-dumping laws, trade remedies, and safeguards, along with a Trade Adjustment Package. This will ensure fair competition and support to vulnerable industries in the wake of a more competitive environment.

Trade Facilitation and Connecting to Value Chains   
The government is also supportive of the industry’s efforts to link with global value chains. Steps have been taken to enhance market access with the revival of GSP + and the soon to be concluded FTAs with China,

Singapore, and India.
A world class logistics network is also essential to help connect with global value chains. Significant steps are being taken to enhance trade facilitation measures. Budget 2018 included allocations for the establishment of a single window, a trade information portal, and numerous other proposals to improve the trade and investment climate.
The liberalisation of the shipping and freight forwarding agency sectors will also contribute to more competitive freight rates for Sri Lanka’s exporters and will help attract global investment to position Sri Lanka as a logistic hub.

It is also encouraging to note that the apparel industry has made important progress in backward integration. The government is particularly keen to see the development of local design, innovative product development, and R&D. Sri Lanka should one day be seen as the hub for design, development, and logistics for all major global apparel players. This will enable true value creation in the industry.
Sustainable Development and the Green Economy

The apparel industry has made great strides in two of the other key themes emphasized in Budget 2018. In reconciliation, the apparel industry has created numerous job opportunities for youth in conflict affected areas by setting up factories in the north and east. The industry has also taken the lead in environmental sustainability, particularly with regard to waste management, renewable energy usage, and carbon footprint mitigation.

Conclusion
As Sri Lanka needs to build its foreign earnings, the role of the apparel industry is more important than ever. The government has taken steps to create the enabling environment for further export growth – and it is my wish to see numerous other industries breaking into export markets with the same success as the apparel sector.

Whilst commending the good work thus far of the Apparel Exporters Association, I urge you to strive even harder in the coming years to go beyond your targets.
I wish the Association all the very best in your future work.

Courts told details of Mahindananda’s swindling

The properties he has bought with the money are:

 

1. No. 15/1, Chandra Wettasinghe Mawatha, Koswatte, Nawala – house and 33-perch land (Rs. 38 million)

2. Three plots of land of 12 perches each at George E. de Silva Mawatha, Kandy (Rs. 50 m)

3. Apartment no. 70/3/1 at Kinsey Tower at Kinsey Road, Colombo (Rs. 30 m)

4. 20-perch land at Kuruppu Road, Borella

5. Apartment from Trillium Residencies, Colombo 08. He also has a 500,000 USD deposit at HSBC Bank in Singapore

6. Flat 04, Blyton House, 19-23, Sydenham Hill, London SE26 6SH. He also has a 500,000 USD deposit at HSBC Bank in Singapore

 

The CID presented all the details to courts on 22 September 2016. As Aluthgamage evaded courts on 20 and 21 of November 2017 citing the budget debate, his guarantors were issued notice.

 

By 1987, Aluthgamage was a recovery officer at The Finance Company Kegalle branch. From that position, his earnings in the next 30 years shows the miracles of his corrupt politics. The other thing is that if cronies like him swindled that much, how much more their masters, the Rajapaksas, would have swindled.

 

They swindled by making even the still unborn generations fall into debt to the world, who also will have to pay for their wrongdoing. From the joint opposition, Aluthgamage is speaking about the country and nation not because he loves either, but due to the pain of losing the opportunity to swindle more.

No terrorists in a democratic country, a reply to Champika

A terrorist is not born. Society makes a terrorist. If a country safeguards the true democratic values, there is no room for terrorists to be created.

 

Terrorists for some are liberators for the others. That is because courageous youths who rise up against social pressure are labeled terrorists. If Champika speaks about the LTTE, the root cause for the LTTE was the Sinhala extremist politics he represents today.  So, when he points a finger with a name calling as a terrorist, the four other fingers are pointed at himself, he should remember.

 

Had Champika’s Janatha Mithuro not changed its direction by chance, it would by today have been a patriotic group of terrorists. It is said that a fool looks a pundit so long as he keeps his mouth shut. Finally, we have to tell him that a racist too, is an internationalist. 

Oxford strips Aung San Suu Kyi of Freedom of the City

Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the honour granting her the Freedom of the City of Oxford because of her weak response to the Rohingya crisis.

Oxford city councillors agreed they did not want to honour "those who turn a blind eye to violence."

The de facto leader of Burma, an Oxford graduate, was granted freedom of the city in 1997 for her "long struggle for democracy" after spending years under house arrest in Rangoon while she fought for democracy in her homeland of Burma - also known as Myanmar.

A cross-party motion was unanimously supported at a special county council meeting in Oxford Town Hall.

Crll Mary Clarkson, who proposed the motion, said: “When Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of the City in 1997 it was because she reflected Oxford’s tolerance and internationalism.

“We celebrated her for her opposition to oppression and military rule in Burma.

“Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of the city’s highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population.”

She added that the reputation of the city was being “tarnished” by “honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence.”

Ms Suu Kyi studied PPE (politics, philosophy and economics) at St Hugh's college in Oxford, graduating with a third class degree in 1967. There have been calls for her to be stripped of the Noble Peace Prize she was awarded in 1990 following her response to the Rohingya crisis.

The UN has called the current violence against the Muslim Rohingya minority in the Buddhist country “a textbook example of genocide”.

An estimated 600,000 Rohingya have been forced to flee horrific violence and the burning of their villages to neighbouring Bangladesh – but Ms Suu Kyi has dismissed claims of ethnic cleansing and called the multiple accounts of sexual violence used against Rohingya women “fake rape.”

Pope Francis has tonight arrived in Burma under mounting pressure to address the crisis directly by calling the Rohingya by that name. Inside the country, the use of the word is contentious, and the Rohingya are referred to by the majority population as "Bengalis".

- Independent.co.uk

Tangalla police officer arrested for raping schoolgirl!

Tangalla police officer arrested for raping schoolgirl!

A newly recruited sub inspector affiliated to Tangalla Police Station was day before (22) night taken into custody by Tangalla Police on suspicion on an accusation of an incident of rape.

According to a complaint lodged with Mr. Laksiri Geethal, Police Superintendent of Tangalla Division by a schoolgirl aged 16 years and 8 months, the said officer was taken into custody. Her

complaint says that she was abused by this police officer against her wishes. The Police Superintendent who took action over the complaint on instructions given to Police Inspector Mr. Lalith Hettiarachchi of Tangalla Police, with the aid of Child and Women's Bureau of Tangalla Division had taken the sub inspector into custody and the Police Superintendent had proceeded to suspend his services with immediate effect.

The arrested amateur sub inspector was expected to be produced before Tangalla Magistrate Court yesterday (23). The complainant schoolgirl was admitted to Tangalla Basic Hospital for a medical examination. On instructions of Police Superintendent in charge of Tangalla Division Mr. Laksiri Geethal and under supervision of Assistant Police Inspector Mr. Athula de Silva, Tangalla Headquarters Police Inspector Mr. Lalith Hettiarachchi together with officers of Tangalla Division Child and Women's Bureau are conducting further investigations in this respect.