Gammanpila's fund-raising for election campaign:

CB Governor warns of scarcity in 100-rupee notes

Former Western Provincial Council (WPC) Minister Udaya Gammanpila has always conducted his election campaigns in an exemplary manner. There is no exception this time around as he seeks re-election to the WPC at next month's election.

Deviating from traditional campaigns with huge hoardings, polythene decorations and illuminations, Gammanpila has once again embarked on a clean campaign. At the very outset of his campaign, the JHU stalwart declared that he does not have billions of rupees to throw for his campaign.

Instead, he pleaded with citizens who value good governance to contribute Rs. 100 each for his campaign. Since then, there have been showers of Rs. 100 notes wherever he goes. The newspaper cartoonists too had extra work after he began collecting Rs. 100 from each person for this campaign for which even UNP parliamentarian Rosy Senanayake too had made a contribution.

When Gammanpila toured Koswatte last week for a campaign rally, his supporters greeted him with a garland made of Rs. 100 notes. While appreciating their thoughtfulness, Gammanpila warned his supporters that damaging currency notes even with a needle is an offence.

Gammanpila, during his election campaign, is often greeted with Rs. 100 notes placed in betel sheafs. Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabral too contributed to Gammanpila's campaign with a Rs. 100 note. But he did not forget to advice Gammanpila. "I understand that you get loads of Rs. 100 contributions these days. If you are not spending them immediately, kindly deposit them in a bank. If not, there could be a scarcity of Rs. 100 notes and I would be in trouble," the Governor told Gammanpila politely.

"Don't worry Governor, you will never face such a situation as I spend all these funds on my election campaign.

"This is the hard earned money of the public who have contributed for a worthy cause. I would never misuse them," Gammanpila replied.

President hugs Kalhari's son

President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week hosted artists in connection with the introduction of digital technology to local media. He looked extremely confident as he walked from table to table at a ceremony at Temple Trees which attracted a galaxy of stars.

When he came to the table where songstress Champa Kalhari was seated, she had a special request to make. "Sir, my son is fond of you. He has been dreaming to get a hug from you, alleging that you kiss all the children and not him.

"On two previous occasions, he had come close to you but had only been able to kiss your stomach as he is short," she said. The President then bent down and gave Kalhari's son the presidential hug that he has been dreaming of.

As the President moved to the next table, he saw a familiar face in a wheelchair. He immediately recognised who it was.

"How are you Suminda?" the President inquired from veteran actor Suminda Sirisena. "I fell ill sir," the actor said. "Don't worry, we are there to look after," the President said. Most of the actors, actresses, singers and song stars were shocked when President came up to them and addressed them in person, identifying each and every of them.

Comedy stars Bandu Samarasinghe and Tenson Cooray were in one table, recalling interesting moments in the past when the President walked in. "We all feel proud to meet you. Sir, please give us an opportunity to meet you like this at least once in six months," Bandu said. "We have a comfortable living and enjoy life," Tennison said.

Parliamentarian and actress Upeksha Swarnamali, better known as Paba due to her role in a tele-drama, was among the actors and actresses.

Karu scratches his own back

Once again, another tense situation was witnessed at the recent UNP Working Committee meeting.

At the outset of the meeting, UNP Leadership Council chairman and the head of the UNP nomination board Karu Jayasuriya made a self assessment. "We have fielded strong set of candidates for the Western and Southern Provincial Councils. We have processed nominations successfully," he said.

But Karu was compelled to admit that there were "small problems" in the selection process. "But those are not big issues that would affect the party campaign. But we have given solutions to those problems as well. I am happy that we were able to complete the selection of candidates in a successful manner," Karu said.

But a member questioned what type of success Karu is talking about as Colombo District parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake had walked out of the decisive nomination board meeting in disgust.

"How can you call it a success when the party seniors themselves have loads of complaints? We have lost the trust of Colombo Mayor and his wife who have resigned from their posts in the party," a senior Working Committee member queried.

Mangala predicts UNP defeat

Matara District parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera, either knowingly or unknowingly, has admitted that the UNP will lose the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at the recent UNP Working Committee meeting, Mangala outlined the success of his new concept.

"To put the party on the winning track, we have introduced the Janajaya program. We must take this program to the masses and do a house-to-house campaign. But we can't win this election. Still, we could work hard to increase the percentage of votes polled for the UNP. However, the party will take have to take strong action against organisers of electorates in which we don't get our votes increased," Mangala said.

Mangala did not realise that he had let the cat out of the bag that the UNP was expecting an imminent defeat. But many UNP Working Committee members were stunned by the statement.

Hence, the Working Committee members took the Leadership Council to task with former UNP chairman Gamini Jayawickrema Perera launching the initial attack. "I can't understand what is happening. All I could gather is that the Leadership Council is powerless. Hence, people consider the members of the council as a set of jokers," he said.

Former UNP chairman and a confidant of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Malik Samarawickrema too expressed his views. "The UNP leadership council and the nomination board have failed to take a unanimous decision. There are disagreements. Members of the nomination board have expressed different views at various places. Some have withdrawn from the nomination board. This trend is bad for our party," Malik said.

Muzammil lashes out at Ravi

Mayor of Colombo A.J.M. Muzammil last week lashed out at his party's Colombo District parliamentarian and leadership council member Ravi Karunanayake, alleging that Ravi's conduct has been detrimental to the party.

Speaking to a local website, Muzammil had said that Ravi held the UNP to ransom, and was instrumental in ejecting his wife Feroza Muzammil from the party's Colombo District nominations list. "He has held the party to ransom. I'm calling for an open debate to expose how his actions have been detrimental to the UNP. I could prove it and expose him" Muzammil said.

Earlier the wife of Colombo Mayor, Feroza Muzammil failed to secure a place in the UNP's list of candidates who will be contesting under Colombo District to the Western Provincial Council. Hours later, she resigned from the posts she held in the UNP.

Ravi, who was a member of the nominations committee, also resigned from his membership following a dispute over the granting of nominations.

Wijeyadasa replaces Thalatha

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe last week made a strategic move to capture two birds in one stone. Parliamentarians Sajith Premadasa and Thalatha Athukorale have been rejecting to accept their posts since the they were appointed to the UNP's leadership council.

But Ranil made the first move towards isolating Thalatha by replacing her seat in the leadership council with the party's National list MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe while keeping Sajith's seat vacant.

Rajapakshe was appointed to the UNP Leadership Council last week, to fill the vacancy created by the withdrawal of fellow MP Thalatha. Members of the Leadership Council of the party, unanimously endorsed Rajapakshe's appointment while keeping options open for Sajith. The appointment of a former SLFPer has confused many senior UNPers but have decided not to express their views openly as they could be targets of the UNP leadership. Rajapakshe, a prominent lawyer, started his political career with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and later crossed over to the UNP. He once headed the COPE Committee which revealed corruption and financial misappropriations of many government institutions.

Hirunika asks not to vote for beauty

United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Colombo District candidate Hirunika Premachandra, who is contesting the Western Provincial Council election has asked people not to vote for beauty.

"Some people are saying they will vote taking into account my good looks. Please don't do that. Do not forget what happened in the recent past after voting for beauty and well-built bodies," she told a gathering at an election propaganda meeting at Kotikawatta.

Hirunaki said she still prefers to be called a "small child". "Some people call me madam, some call me miss. I don't like being called in any of such manner. I am still a small child. Call me duwa (daughter). That is more than enough for me. Until my father was killed people called him Lucky Aiya. Speak to me also like that," she said.

"I am not giving loads of political promises to people to grab their votes. I can't deceive people by saying I will give this and that. My father also did not do that. The greatest thing he had was kind heart. He only left that with us.

I am going to the people who will continue to support me with their hearts out," Hirunika said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena said that best way to take revenge from the killing of the former Presidential adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra is to place Hirunika Premachandra among the top in the upcoming Provincial Council Elections.

"As the Buddha Sasana Deputy Minister I cannot approve or say that someone should be killed in order to take revenge. But the revenge of the killing of Late Premachandra could be achieved by voting for his daughter Hirunika Premachandra at the upcoming elections.

Everyone should come forward and vote for her to do that," the minister said, adding that Bharatha scarified his life for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and its supporters.

Prince of Wales' personal funds for cemetery

The Prince of Wales, who visited at the Garrison Cemetery in Kandy, during his last year's visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013), has made a personal donation towards the maintenance of the Cemetery.

"I am delighted that His Royal Highness has seen fit to make this personal donation towards the maintenance of this cemetery, which is of both historic importance and a tranquil resting place for British nationals who contributed much to Sri Lanka," Honorary Supervisor of the Commonwealth War Graves Chris Worthington MBE said.

The Prince of Wales called at the cemetery as part of his visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November, after paying his respects at the Temple of the Tooth.

The cemetery contains the graves of many British nationals who played a role in the development of Sri Lanka in the 19th Century, including Lady Elizabeth Gregory and Sir John D'Oyly.

The British High Commission said that Price Charles' donation will go towards the continuing upkeep of the cemetery, which is visited by many tourists to Kandy each year. Chris Worthington MBE, Honorary Supervisor of the Commonwealth War Graves said " I am delighted that His Royal Highness has seen fit to make this personal donation towards the maintenance of this cemetery, which is of both historic importance and a tranquil resting place for British nationals who contributed much to Sri Lanka." Worthington also thanked the Department of Archaeology and Ministry of Cultural Affairs for their continuing support for the cemetery's upkeep.

The donation was also warmly welcomed by British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, John Rankin. He recalled the Prince of Wales' keen interest in the cemetery and its preservation during his visit. His Royal Highness had heard the stories of the many interesting individuals buried there from Charles Carmichael, caretaker at the cemetery for the past sixteen years.

President greets Nepalese PM

President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week sent a message of congratulations to the newly elected Nepali Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. "Your election is a reflection of your wide acceptance by the Nepali people to lead the country at this critical juncture in its political and constitutional history," President Rajapaksa wrote in his message.

"You bring to this high office extensive experience from your long and illustrious career in politics."

President Rajapaksa also commented on the historically strong relations that Sri Lanka and Nepal have maintained throughout the years.

"Sri Lanka and Nepal share the warmest of relations based on cultural and religious ties dating back to time immemorial, with Buddhism playing a seminal role," the President said.

"The recent years have seen our engagement tremendously enriched with robust cooperation both bilaterally and within the framework of SAARC."

Prime Minister Koirala polled more than two-thirds of the vote in Nepal's Parliament with 405 lawmakers voting in favour of his appointment as the country's new Premier.

UNP candidate arrested over armed robbery

The UNP stalwarts in Gampaha District were stunned when UNP's Western Provincial Council candidate Royce Fernando was arrested yesterday in connection with an armed robbery which had taken place in Negombo earlier last week.

Two armed men stormed into a jewelery store, which also offers currency exchange, located on Mahaweediya in Negombo on Monday (17) and escaped with local and foreign currency worth around Rs 10 million.The two suspects, wearing helmets to conceal their identity, had arrived on a motorcycle and threatened the staff and customers at the shop with firearms before robbing the cash.

Following investigations into the armed robbery, police arrested a UNP candidate, contesting the upcoming provincial election, under suspicion.

Harin takes cover behind facebook

The UNP's media experts have found that the social website facebook is becoming extremely popular both among the urban and rural youth.

Hence, it has come out with a strategy to woo the support of the youth by spreading a rumour that the Government is planning to ban facebook.

UNP parliamentarian Harin Fernando charged that the Government was planning to ban facebook using as an excuse a few controversial incidents that happened among the youth recently.

"The Government is planning to ban the Facebook social media network saying it is detrimental to the country because it is disadvantageous to the Government. We are totally against this move.

It is only two or three countries in the world that have banned Facebook. If we do this, we will be cornered internationally as a country that has deprived its people of their right to information," Harin.

But a Colombo District UNP parliamentarian said that it was a cheap move t0 get public attention.

"The Government politicians as well our fellow Opposition as make use of this social website. At a time when nobody has ever dreamt of such move, one Opposition members are looking for something sensational out of nothing," he said.