During Sinhala and Hindu New Year season:
Ranil opts for overseas holiday while President meets villagers
Politicians normally take a break from national politics during the
Sinhala and Hindu New Year period and opt to spend the season in their
villages. Yet, certain politicians prefer to spend the New Year season
with their families or loved ones.
Contrasting characteristics of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has always been evident,
especially during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. While Ranil opts for
an overseas holiday, the President has always preferred to be in his
ancestral home in Tangalle, following rich traditions that have been
associated with our culture and meeting villagers.
One wonders whether Ranil has ever followed any New Year traditions
or auspicious times as he always prefer to spend his New Year overseas
in true Western style.
Ranil chose a holiday in Laos during the New Year season. Prior to
his departure, he gave all necessary instructions to UNP seniors John
Amaratunga and Gamini Jayawickrema Perera. General Secretary Tissa
Attanayake spent the New Year season in Japan.
However, Ranil made sure not to officially appoint anyone to act on
his behalf. He instructed UNP seniors on next month's UNP Working
Committee meeting and other party activities. Unlike on previous
occasions, he deployed his confidant at Sirikotha to have a close tab on
activities of party seniors, including Tissa's tour to Japan.
In contrast, Sajith Premadasa was busy with his own campaigns while
youth wing head, parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene was engaged in the
preparations for the UNP's Youth May Day celebrations in Badulla. Unlike
in previous years, UNP is not holding a main May Day rally.
Instead, the main Opposition has decided to conduct several May Day
rallies on a regional basis. Political observers say that it was a ploy
to cover the deteriorating membership of the UNP. During non-election
periods, popularity and strengths of political parties are often
assessed through the number of supporters each party could attract for
their May Day rallies.
But Ranil had a strategy not to show the UNP's poor form. Hence, he
instructed that the party should have equal level May Day rallies on a
regional basis. That could cover up the UNP's real strength at a main
May Day rally. At the same time, it is an indication that the UNP
seniors are not united to sit on a same platform. It could be another
reason that prompted Ranil to take this decision so that he could have
his own May Day rally while Sajith and his Reformists have another in
the South.
The internal power struggle of the UNP could take a new turn if
Sajith boycotts the next UNP Working Committee meeting, the first since
he was reinstated to the Working Committee after losing the Deputy
Leader's post. Though Sajith has not been reinstated as the Deputy
Leader, Ranil included the Hambantota District UNP MP to the Working
Committee from the UNP leader's quota.
Hence, it will be interesting to see whether Sajith would accept the
opportunity given by the party leader and attend the next UNP Working
Committee meeting to be head at the party headquarters Sirikotha at 4
p.m. on May 13.
But there is a strong possibility of Sajith and his few loyalists in
the Working Committee keeping away as the UNP disciplinary committee
report on the attack at Sirikotha during the 2011 December party
election, at which Ranil was re-elected as the party leader amidst
chaos, is to be tabled at the Working Committee meeting. The culprits
have already been identified and their names are to be announced at the
Working Committee meeting, much to the disliking of some Reformist
parliamentarians who are alleged to have directed their supporters to do
so.
President follows Avurudu rituals
President Rajapaksa made sure he celebrates the New Year with his
fellow villagers in Tangalle and Hambantota. As usual, he followed
Aurudu rituals with his immediate family members at his native Carlton
residence in Tangalle. First lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and her three sons
- Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha joined the President in celebrating the
New Year, along with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife
Ioma.
Villagers came in their numbers to greet the President on the New
Year and follow Ganu Denu traditions. A new currency note was given to
all those who greeted the President.
As the number of visitors was well beyond the expected, the currency
notes that were there became insufficient. Hence, another 5,000
Development Lottery tickets were bought to be distributed among the
visitors.
Despite being a hectic day, it seemed that the President was
overjoyed with his meetings with fellow villagers and well-wishers.
Among the others who joined the New Year celebrations at the Carton
were Ministers, parliamentarians, secretaries and officials. Namal was
joined by his young fellow parliamentarians who enjoyed the New Year in
true village style.
After the morning activities, the President went to the residence of
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa at Madamulana to greet his elder brother at the
New Year.
On hearing the news that the President had arrived at Madamulana,
villages in the area too flocked to the Speaker's residence to meet the
First Citizen.
Similarities in bomb attacks at Boston and Weliweriya marathons
Monday's bomb attack at the end of the Boston Marathon shocked the
world and reiterated need for a worldwide attempt to crush global
terrorism, Parliamentarian Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, whose husband
Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who was killed at the Weliweriya marathon
five years ago, saw seminaries between the two terrorists attacks at
marathon races.
President Rajapaksa, in a message to US President condemned the
Boston bomb attack while conveying condolences over loss of lives.
Two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday
killed three people and injured more than 140.
Two bombs exploded about 10 seconds and 100 yards apart in Boston's
Copley Square, near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Three people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy, and more than
140 were injured.
The explosions occurred four hours into the race and two hours after
the winners had crossed the finish line, but thousands of runners were
still on the course.
President Rajapaksa who is the only leader in the world who
eradicated the scourge of terrorism from Sri Lanka completely, has also
called on all the countries to get together to eliminate the scourge of
terrorism.
No chance for communal violence
Government will not tolerate anyone perpetrating acts to create
communal or religious disharmony.
President Rajapaksa gave this assurance when a delegation of resident
heads of 15 Islamic countries in Sri Lanka, met with him at the Temple
Trees last week to discuss various matters of mutual interest pertaining
to both domestic and international arenas.
If anyone has proof and evidence of such incidents, the President
said, they should hand over that information, and action would be taken
promptly, "We are happy to see the eradication of terrorism and a
peaceful situation in the country," said the Palestinian Ambassador in
Sri Lanka Dr. Anwar Al-Agha, speaking on behalf of the entire
delegation. "We are keen to see even more development," he said.
President Rajapaksa thanked the delegation for the support of Islamic
countries for Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva
last month. The delegation collectively expressed that they do not
condone any country interfering with the domestic issues of another
country.
Diplomatic heads from the following countries were present at the
meeting: Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia,
Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Turkey, the United Arab
Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Justice
Rauff Hakeem, Minister of Petroleum Industries Anura Priyadarshana Yapa,
Parliamentarian A.H.M Azwer, Secretary to the President Lalith
Weeratunga and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs
Karunatilake Amunugama were also present during the discussion.
Meanwhile, the President sent a congratulatory letter to the
new Venezuelan President Nicolas MaduroMoros. "Your victory is a
manifestation of the trust and confidence you enjoy among the people of
Venezuela," President Rajapaksa said in his letter.
"I have no doubt that the wealth of experience gained from your long
and distinguished political career will help you steer Venezuela towards
continued prosperity." President Rajapaksa also noted that bilateral
ties between Sri Lanka and Venezuela were "greatly enhanced" during the
tenure of the late President Hugo Chavez and that he looks forward to
working closely with President Moros to further strengthen relations
between the two countries.
Indian Naval ships in Colombo
During the past few months, Tamil Nadu politicians have been exerting
pressure on the Indian central government on foreign policy relating to
Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu politicians even went to the extent of not
permitting Sri Lankan cricketers in Indian Premier League matches in
Chennai.
Though Tamil Nadu politicians have taken an anti-Sri Lankan stance,
the Indian central government has maintained its unchanged foreign
policy and made every effort to strengthen friendly ties between the two
countries.
In is under this political climate that two ships of the Indian Navy,
INS Sujata and INS Tarangini and ICGS Varuna of the Indian Coast Guard
arrived to Colombo last Wednesday.
The vessels which arrived in the Island on a training visit were
accorded a traditional welcome at the Colombo Port by the Sri Lanka
Navy. 'INS Sujata' is an offshore petrol vessel with a Chetak helicopter
onboard. The 101.1 meters long vessel has a displacement of 1,890 tons
and a crew of 192 onboard.
The sail training ship 'INS Tarangini' is 54 meters in length with a
displacement of 420 tons and carries a crew of 80. The 74 meter long
Coast Guard craft 'ICGS Varuna' is an advanced offshore petrol vessel
with a Chetak helicopter onboard. It has a displacement of 1,247 tons
and crew of 187.
The ships will be in the Island till today. Sri Lanka Navy organised
a special program in order to enhance mutual understanding and
cooperation for their visiting Indian counterparts.
Title deeds to Mahaweli farmers
A batch of 3,000 farmer families in the Weli Oya Mahaweli 'L' Zone
received title deeds to their lands from President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
a ceremony held yesterday. Irrigation and Water Management Minister
Nimal Siripala de Silva and North Central Province Chief Minister S. M.
Ranjith Samarakoon also attended the ceremony.
Farmers belonging to all three communities in Morawewa, Helembawewa,
Janakapura, Gajabapura, Nayaru and Kokilai areas suffered untold
hardship for several years due to LTTE terrorism, received title deed
from the President. With the defeat of terrorism, farmers in this region
bounced back to life with a revival of agricultural activities once
again inducing many who left their land to return.
Tamil doctor write to Indian PM
A reputed physician, Dr P. Sivapaalan in an open letter to Indian
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh states that Tamils in post-terrorism
Sri Lanka 'could live anywhere in the country without any fear unlike in
the past and enjoy equal rights in terms of Sri Lanka's constitution.'
"As a Tamil who had seen the sufferings of Tamils for nearly 60
years, I swear that we have a better dignified life under the present
government.
The Tamils who suffered due to the war are not blaming the Army, but
in fact appreciate and praise the Army for having rescued them from the
clutches of the LTTE and helped them in many ways," he said.
"There is no genocide. Tamils could live anywhere in Sri Lanka
without any fear unlike in the past before the end of the war in May
2009. We Tamils have equal rights in Sri Lanka according to the
constitution of the country". The letter said.
"There are some administrative shortcomings like Tamils getting
letters in the Sinhala language from the government offices due to the
irresponsibility of officials and entries that had to make in Sinhala in
most of the Police stations causing grievance to Tamils. I am sure the
present good government will solve it soon.
As a Tamil who had seen the sufferings of Tamils in my life for
nearly 60 years, I can swear that we have better dignified life under
the present government," Dr. Sivapalan said in his open letter to the
Indian leader.
"The claim by the TNA, that polled less than 11 percent of the
registered votes at the last general election, that it was the
representative of the Tamils is misleading the international community
and hoodwinking their own community. They have become traitors to their
country, Sri Lanka," he added.
Sarath exposes Shirani's true colours
Former Chief Justice Sarath N. de Silva has said that the first
appointment of his successor Shirani Bandaranayake, was a political
appointment. "Mine was not a political appointment, but that of Shirani
Bandaranayake" former Chief Justice Sarath. N. Silva said.
"In 1996, I was not appointed as Chief Justice and I held the office
of Attorney General.
The appointment made in 1996 which was vehemently opposed as having
been made on political considerations was that of Shirani Bandaranayake,
to the Supreme Court. She was appointed at the age of 39 to the Supreme
Court directly from the academic staff of the University.
It was alleged that she was appointed at the behest of Professor G.L.
Peiris, the then Minister of Justice who was her superior at the
university. Several applications were filed in the Supreme Court
challenging the validity of the appointment on this ground," he said.
Former Chief Justice Sarath. N. Silva referring to a local newspaper
editorial has pointed out that his appointment was not the beginning of
politicisation of the Supreme Court and the Judiciary as stated.
He observes that the appointment in 1996 and which was vehemently
opposed was that of the former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake to
the Supreme Court directly from the academic staff of the university and
whose appointment he strongly defended before a seven Judge Bench.
Meanwhile, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and
Corruption impounded the passport of former Chief Justice Shirani
Bandaranayake to prevent her from escaping to a foreign country until
the probe into the allegations of bribery and corruption against her is
concluded. The Commission has taken this decision in keeping with the
legal powers vested in it and had communicated it to Controller General
of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera, on April 11.
The Commission is conducting investigations into an allegation of
bribery and corruption made against the former Chief Justice pointing
that she had amassed wealth beyond the means of an ordinary public
servant while she was employed as a public servant.
The Commission had twice noticed Bandaranayake to appear before it
and make her submissions but she had failed to do so on both occasions
and asked for time to make submissions raising various objections. The
Commission had received information that the ex-Chief Justice was
planning to leave the country to dodge the probe into the allegations of
bribery and corruption made against her. The decision to impound her
passport was taken to thwart any such attempt.
UPFA ready to face any challenge
The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government led by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa with majority support is ready to face local
and international rival forces which were together during an earlier
era, against crushing LTTE terrorism, UPFA General Secretary Susil
Premajayantha said.
These forces have been evidently active in various forms in the
recent past. It seemed that they have reunited again to reverse the hard
earned peace by paralysing the country's economic growth. In fact, what
they really want is to reverse the country's growth and launch bankrupt
agendas mooted by local and international conspirators, the message
said.
There is a dire need to identify these rival forces and prevent their
conspiracies. The majority Sri Lankans have been blessed with the
capability of recognising these conspirators correctly.
This was a proved in history as well. Sri Lankans are always ready to
accord due respect and dignity to all ethnic communities and reject all
forms of activities that disrupt the ethnic coexistence with equal
rights and reconciliation. The government and the public who underwent
tremendous hardships due to terrorism would never let any force revive
such a situation again in the country. Sri Lanka has been committed to
protect human rights more than the countries that have attempted to
teach human rights to Sri Lanka.
We have a proud history spanning over 2,500 years enriched with a
great culture. Some countries that make individual statements about Sri
Lanka have failed in comprehending that Sri Lankan public are mutually
connected and respected despite their differences for many centuries.
All these futile efforts are being implemented out of hatred and
jealousy with the support of certain opposition political parties, it
further said.
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