Akila lights candles for Ranil as Shashikala takes on Ravi

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's double standards were evident once again during his visit to the North and the UNP's protest in Parliament against the proposed electricity tariff revision.

Deploying one of his closest buddies, young Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to distribute candles to UNP parliamentarians during the UNP's protest in Parliament, Ranil made sure he spent time in the Opposition Leader's office.

Similarly, during his recent visit to Udayan newspaper office to shed crocodile tears, he made use of the opportunity to take revenge from the Editors Guild. Ranil said that the Editors' Guild had not uttered a word on the attack at Udayan officer. It is obvious that Ranil had said so not because he is sincerely worried about the newspaper, but to renew his old grudge with the Editors' Guild and its ally the Free Media Movement.

Ranil was trying to create a rift between the Security Forces and civilians by pointing fingers at the troops over the recent attack on the Udayan newspaper. Jaffna residents said Ranil was trying to fan the flames of racism by making allegations against Security Forces' personnel over the attack on the Udayan newspaper. The Udayan Newspaper carried Wickremesinghe's statement prominently in its Friday edition.

Many moderate Jaffna residents have said that the Opposition Leader's statement over the newspaper attack was irresponsible as an investigation is being conducted by the authorities. They said the Udayan newspaper was trying to drag the people in Jaffna into another conflict by inciting racism and hatred among communities. They added the paper published a number of articles inciting hatred and racism among the Tamil community. The paper is owned by a TNA parliamentarian.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that anyone could give evidence with regard to the attack on the Uthayan

press in Jaffna. Responding to questions by media representatives regarding the recent attacks on the Jaffna-based newspaper, he said the government would continue investigations and legal action would be taken against the culprits.

Shashikala kept in the dark

Ranil played another political gimmick when visiting Jaffna on the advice of his confidants. He kept UNP's only parliamentarian in the North, Shashikala Meshwaran MP for Jaffna District, in darkness.

Ranil's visit was planned by parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena and Swaminathan. They deliberately kept Shashikala away and made sure that she doesn't get an invitation.

Shashikala was shocked to hear about the UNP leader's planned visit at a discussion with Ranil and Swaminathan in the Parliament complex on Wednesday. She did not give up and asked directly. "I am the only UNP parliamentarian in Jaffna. But I have not been informed of the UNP leader's tour of Jaffna. When a UNP politician visits another electorate, it is mandatory to inform the organiser concerned. How come this happens without informing me?"

Ravi jumped the gun and gave a readymade answer. He accused Shashikala of conspiring to join the Government. "We know that you are getting ready to join the Government," Ravi said.

But the baseless accusation was hard hitting and Shashikala was in tears. She wiped the tears to counter Ravi's malicious allegations. "You better keep this in mind. I am the only UNP MP in Jaffna. If I leave, you won't have a single MP to represent the party. You go to Jaffna and conduct useless media gimmicks. On the other hand, who are you to accuse me like that? If I want, I could organise protests against your visits to Jaffna," she told Ravi and was about to leave the meeting.

It was then that UNP parliamentarians Eran Wickremaratne and Ranjan Ramanayake attempted to console Shashikala. "Don't take serious note of what Ravi said. People who accuse you are the same people who want to have a deal with the Government," the duo told Shashikala.

President meets media heads

The President's monthly breakfast meeting with media heads was head at Temple Trees last Monday. Chief Editors of the main national newspapers along with television and radio channel heads attended the meeting presided over by the President. Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Keheliya Rambukwella, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Bandula Gunawardena and Nimal Siripala de Silva too were present.

But the cynosure of all eyes was Minister of Power and Energy Pavithara Wanniarachchi who was present along with her ministry secretary and a team of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) officials headed by its Chairman, W.B. Ganegala. As expected, the hot topic was the increase of electricity tariff on which the media heads questioned for almost one-and-a-half hours."Since you have carried many stories on her whereabouts, I have got down the subject minister and her officials," the President said. Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy gave a detailed description on the power generation and the reason which compelled them to increase the electricity tariff.Minister Wanniarachchi said that the current fuel surcharge added to the electricity bill will be waved off once the hydropower generation is increased by the end of this year.

"The present increase would have less impact on 2.5 million households which consume less than 60 units per month. Out of that, monthly power consumption of more than 1.3 million households is less than 30 units. Their bills will increase by only Rs. 75," she said.

"In 1993, the then UNP Government took a policy decision that they would not invest on any new power generation projects.

Instead, they got the private sector to construct mini projects and purchased electricity from them.

But President Rajapaksa changed that policy and constructed mega projects such as Kerawalapitiya, Upper Kotmale and Norochcholai to strengthen the national grid. The average production cost of a unit is Rs. 23.60," she said.

When a TV channel head questioned about the impact of new power tariff to low income groups, the President intervened. "First tell me whether it is reasonable for us to spent Rs. 23.60 to generate a unit and sell at Rs. 5 under the new structure for low-income groups," he asked.

It was disclosed that the current fuel adjustment charge added to the monthly electricity bill would be waved off in near future, probably by the year's end, when the gradual transition to coal power is accomplished and power generation is not oil dependent, CEB officials said.

"Now tell us how much the actual increase would be for low income households," the President asked. "Sir, it will be only Rs. 75 for 1.12 million families whose monthly usage is less than 30 units," the CEB General Manager said. "What's the price of three cigarettes?" the President questioned.

Officials of the Power and Energy Ministry and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) outlined the circumstance that led to the electricity tariff and the continued subsidy given to consumers even after the proposed increase. As the media heads and ministers had an extensive round of discussion mainly on electricity tariff, Minister Bandula Gunawardena intervened to express his opinion. "It seems that Bandula has a fresh theory, lets listen to him," the President said.

"Sir, I have made a careful study on this. Using electricity is much cheaper than lighting up households with kerosene. An average household needs kerosene worth of Rs. 950 to light up during night," Minister Gunawardena pointed out.

"Then what about using candles? What will be the cost to illuminate a household with candles?" a smiling Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa questioned in lighter mode. He stressed that the industrialists will have to pay less if they make use of off peak hours. "Consume during non-peak hours for your main needs and the benefit will automatically accrue in the bill," he said. The Sampur power station will be operational in the near future and therefore a full transition from oil dependency to coal-power will be able to significantly reduce power costs, he added. Asked whether the US government has requested a meeting with the Power and Energy authorities on the domestic issue of power tariffs, the President said that he had not got such a request, but the CEB Chairman W.B. Ganegala replied that he had.

Ganegala said that he has not yet replied to this letter, and the President said that he should immediately dispatch a reply. The President said he has not been requested for such a meeting by US government officials and 'will not comply' even if he gets such a request. A couple of days later, Ganegala sent a reply to the US Embassy in Colombo.

Talk on UNP General Secretary

On the day Parliament was heated up with the Opposition's protests, Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Gamini Lokuge and UNP MP Gayantha Karunatillake were having lunch at the parliament cafeteria. Their talks were centered on former UNP General Secretary the late Gamini Athukorale.

They hailed the role played by Gamini Athukorale and his role in forming a UNP Government in 2001.

They also discussed recent developments in the UNP and attempts to offer the high profile seat, held by stalwarts such as Athukorale, to a bodyguard turned confidant, Ralahamy of Sirikotha.

It is then that UNP parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorale entered the parliament cafeteria. "You won't die, we have been talking about your brother," Lakshman Yapa told Thalatha in inviting the UNP MP to join their table for lunch. "What did you talk about my elder brother?" asked Thalatha.

It was Keheliya who replied "See the pathetic situation of the UNP now. If the UNP had a General Secretary like your brother, it would have been a strong party. What an effort Gamini took to form a UNP Government then. Though Ranil was the leader then, he only respected Gamini," Keheliya said.

But Gamini Lokuge was more interested in finding out the truth on plans to bring Sirikotha's Ralahamy as the new UNP General Secretary, replacing Tissa Attanayake. "I also saw that in media but I don't know the truth or any such move," Thalatha said.

Keheliya recalled an old incident with Gamini Athukorale. "I still could recall how Gamini acted firm those days. He was a great leader. When Gamini was telling something to Ranil, Ralahamy intervened and attempted to advocate Gamini. But the UNP General Secretary was furious. He held Ralahamy and pushed him against the wall and threatened - you look after security and I will handle politics. Even Ranil looked helpless at the time," Keheliya recalled.

"Even we are disgusted. We don't have a strong personality like that now. I am not happy with the developments," she said. Keheliya replied immediately; "That is why we invited you to join us". All smiled at Keheliya's open invitation.While all these discussions were going on, there was one person at the table who was extremely silent. That was none other than the UNP media spokesman Gayantha.

When the ministers questioned about his extreme quietness, Gayantha said he did it with a purpose.

"The waiter who served us was a confidant of our leader. He does all the spy work.

He could have added more spice and reported this discussion to Ranil. That's why I kept mum," Gayantha said.

Lightning strikes JVP

The JVP has been going all out to take an undue advantage and petty political mileage out of the proposed electricity tariff hike.

One wonders how they managed to disrupt the main power supply at Maharagama main bus stand and surrounding streets when they conducted a protest in Maharagama town last week. Onlookers said it recalled those horrifying days of 1988/89 JVP terror, ordering people to switch off lights at their homes and burning of transformers.

Unlike during the 1988/89 period where which the JVPers were armed with T56 assault rifles, the handful of JVP activists who protested at Maharagama were armed with flaming torches (pandams), the symbol of Sarath Fonseka's newly-formed political party.

Some onlookers asked whether it's an indication that the JVP will have an alliance with Fonseka. "Now way, we had enough trouble by supporting him at the last presidential and general elections. Hence, we will go solo at all future elections," a senior JVP activist explained.

The agitators carrying torches came in a procession on the Maharagama-Piliyandala road to enter Maharagama town where they held the agitation. JVP Leaders including its Parliamentarian Sunil Handunneththi took part in the event.

Four night clubs raided

Though the Opposition blames the Government for night clubs in the city and their activities, the Excise Department has been firm on such operations.

On Thursday night, the Excise Department raided four night clubs in Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Thimbirigasyaya for allegedly selling liquor on Poya Day.

Official sources said that these night clubs were found to have violated the Excise Law.

Excise Inspector Lalith Dissanayake was quoted as saying that the night club owners were liable to be fined by the Excise Department.

Meanwhile, a foreign guest house operator was arrested on Friday after two French tourists complained they had been sexually molested at his guest house. The 44-year-old, who manages a French-style guest house at Unawatuna, was produced before a magistrate later in the day.

The two French tourists complained that the guest house owner used criminal force on them two days ago. The police said they had sufficient grounds to make the arrest and the guest house website described the owner as a Swiss-French. The man carried a French passport at the time of his arrest and had first arrived in Sri Lanka nearly three years ago and later started managing the guest house.

Puttalam PS Chairman killed in road accident

Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman R.P.Diluk Pathirage died in a motor accident near the Deduru Oya bridge on the Colombo - Puttalam road in the wee hours of Thursday. According to Police, the vehicle carrying the PS Chairman crashed into a tipper near the bridge severely injuring both the Chairman and his driver.

The PS Chairman died on admission to the Chilaw Base Hospital. The driver of the vehicle Sujith Kumara is receiving treatment at the Chilaw Base Hospital. The driver of the tipper was arrested by Police.

Police said the number of road accidents is increasing at an alarming rate. Pathirage who contested the last local government election on the UPFA ticket obtained the highest number of preferential votes.

Meanwhile, a mother and her daughter were injured when they were knocked down by a double cab driven by a member of Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabha at Atiyawala last week.

The victims were admitted to the Dankotuwa hospital. One of them was transferred to the Negombo district hospital for further treatment. The accident occurred while the victims were on their way home after visiting a temple, police said.

According to police statistics, an average of six persons die daily in road accidents. Police said bus drivers are responsible for the majority of accidents followed by motorcyclists and three wheeler drivers.

The Colombo national hospital sources also said that the number of accidents victims during the last Sinhala and Hindu new year has increased drastically as against the figures in 2012. It is an increase of 4 per cent, a senior official of the hospital said.

Duminda Silva leaves hospital

Colombo District UPFA parliamentarian Duminda Silva left Nawaloka Hospital yesterday. On his way back home, Duminda went to the President's House to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the private radio channel owned by his brother disclosed.

Duminda was seen smiling with his supporters when he left Nawaloka Hospital last morning.

A massive crowd that had gathered outside the Hospital to welcome him was seen shouting slogans.

Duminda has been receiving treatment at the Nawaloka Hospital since returning to Sri Lanka from Singapore, following a shooting incident at Mulleriyawa on the day of Local Government elections. The parliamentarian signed the bail application on Friday after being granted bail by the Colombo High Court on Tuesday. Parliament approved another three months leave for Duminda Silva last month and it will be effective from March 22. However, he now stands a chance of attending the Parliament before that. Parliament has approved leave for Duminda continuously since he was seeking treatment for his injuries at a hospital in Singapore.