I only play the role of a butler, claims PB

The two-day annual workshop for the Government parliamentarians was held at the Cinnamon Bay Hotel in Beruwala early last week under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Ministers Dallas Alahapperuma, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Rohitha Abeygunawardena played a key role in organising the event.

After a brief introduction on the objectives of the workshop, Sports Minister Mahindananda, handed over the microphone to the moderator, saying “I will now invite Charitha Ratwatte to conduct this workshop,” much to the surprise of ministers and parliamentarians.

It was then that Mahindananda realised that he had made a blunder, announcing the name of a former UNP stalwart instead of the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information who had the identical first name - Dr. Charitha Herath. The first guest lecture was delivered by the Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara.

PB, in a 90-minute lecture, gave a complete overview on the country’s economy and its achievements. He also outlined the country’s economic goals and how they intend to achieve those with statistical data. All ministers and parliamentarians carefully listened to BP’s lecture before Kurunegala District MP Shantha Bandara fired the first question after the Treasury Secretary concluded his speech.

“We have a strong and emerging economy as outlined by you. Then why can’t we counter the baseless allegations leveled against the Government by the Opposition,” Shantha Bandara asked. It was then that the President arrived to chair the sessions.

PB began his reply to Shantha Bandara with an example from the White House in the United States.

“I am playing a role of a butler and nothing else. The role of butler is to clean and maintain the White House. Though the butler has the right to look in to each and everything, he is a mere servant of the US President,” BP said.

In other words, he indirectly said he is a mere servant of the President though he takes overall care of the country’s economy.

Leaders of the constituent parties of the ruling UPFA coalition were given separate timeslots to air their views freely.

President cares for Muslim MPs

President Rajapaksa has shown a keen interest to facilitate breaking fast of the Muslim parliamentarians during the Ramadan season. Even during the two-day workshop at Beruwala, he had instructed the hotel staff to prepare special meals and soup that is normally used by the Muslims when breaking fast.

Accordingly, the hotel staff took prompt action to prepare kanji, samosa and dates for Monday evening’s fast break.

Following a request by the President, the hotel staff made arrangements to prepare early morning meals before sunset. Muslim parliamentarians made the best use of the President’s directive and followed their religious observances smoothly.

The President showed the same interest when he was in Seychelles. Parliamentarian A.H.M. Azwer was in the presidential delegation in the recent state visit to the Maldives and Seychelles.

As the Ramadan fast began during the tour, the President had instructed hotel staff there to prepare special meals for Azwer who was also facilitated to breakfast on board the special Sri Lankan airlines flight to Colombo, on the return of the President after his four-day state visit.

Master blaster undergoes surgery

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain and Deputy Minister of Postal Services Sanath Jayasuriya had to undergo an unexpected surgery for a heart element last week. He was at his native Matara residence when he developed a chest pain and rushed to Colombo after initial treatment.

He was later rushed to Nawaloka Hospital to receive treatment for a heart ailment. He was to be discharged by weekend after a successful minor surgery to install a stent into one of the coronary arteries to clear a blockade.

The former star player turned chairman of national cricket selectors celebrated his 45th birthday on Monday but it was marred with the shock of his life.

He is expected to complete his recovery process by resting at home.

He has been strongly advised to rest and avoid strenuous work.

President Rajapaksa visited Jayasuriya at Nawaloka Hospital in Colombo 2 on Thursday. He spent a long time at the hospital, talking to the doctors treating Jayasuriya. Consultant Dr. Mohan Rajakaruna briefed the President on Jayasuriya’s condition and said that it would not affect the cricketer turned politician's future.

Meanwhile, Minister Dallas Alahapperuma too came to the hospital to find out the condition of his fellow Matara District UPFA colleague.

Sanath told Dallas that he developed the problem while he was in Matara and rushed to Colombo. “You should be grateful to the President. If not for his concept of highways, you wouldn’t have been able to reach Colombo within a couple of hours for emergency treatment,” the Minister said.

Listening to Hindi songs heal Dayasiri

North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera seems to have discovered a new therapy for healing, especially the politicians after a strenuous day’s work. He has pointed out that listening to music would reduce stress.

“Listening Hindi songs we can remove the stress. I am listen Hindi songs after a busy day’s work,” the Chief Minister said last week when he opened the first Hindi library in North Western provincial capital Kurunegala.

“Since our childhood we had a passion for Hindi films and songs. There is a complicated meaning in every Hindi song. Everyone should learn Hindi language, it would be advantageous for the future. Watch films with a better language knowledge,” Dayasiri told the gathering.

Deputy High Commissioner of India was requested by Chief Minister to assist talented students in North Western Province and the Chief Minister said that he is always there for any help for students here as the Minister of Education as well in North-Western.

Governor of North Western Province Thissa Balalla, Deputy High Commissioner A. Natarajan, Secretary of Indian High Commission Isha Sriwasthawa, Mayor of Kurunegala Gamini Peramunage and Director of Hindi Sansthan Sri Lanka, Athila Kothalawala were present.

Chandrika back in action

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has begun to renew her old friendships with a purpose. She is collecting visiting cards and going through old card books with an agenda best known to her. She was seen conspiring with UNP parliamentarians Ravi Karunanayake and Mangala Samaraweera at Friday’s US Independence Day celebrations at the Hilton Ballroom.

On Thursday, Chandrika participated at a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of Ven Walpola Rahula Thera at the BMICH. In fact, Chandrika and former UNP Minister Inthiaz Bakeer Marker were the only politicians invited for the event.

Chandrika had been invited on the basis of her association with Dr. Walpola Rahula Thera when she was studying in Paris, where she offered him alms. Inthiaz had been invited to appreciate his role in strengthening solidarity among different ethnic groups. Chandrika and Imthiaz were seated in adjoining seats.

“How are you Imthiaz, I am meeting after a long time,” Chandrika began the conversation. “I want to meet you later,” she said. “Of course, you could see me at any time,” Imthiaz replied.

Chandrika had then asked for a visiting card from the former UNP Minister. In obtaining Imthiaz’ visiting card, Chandrika had said it was not for a political purpose.

But there was a hidden agenda between her lines. “I want to meet you but not just to talk on politics. This system is not good. I am engaged in some work. We all must get rid of these problems. Let’s meet quietly and discuss,” she said.

But Imthiaz was careful not to make any reply, perhaps knowing the true nature of the lady.

Chinese President on a historic visit

China’s President Xi Jinping will become the first Chinese head of state to visit Sri Lanka in three decades when he tours Colombo later this year. Reports said that the tour would underline Beijing’s renewed push to deepen its strategic and economic presence in the neighbourhood and in the Indian Ocean.

Reports from Beijing said that President Xi’s visit was discussed last week with Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, as the President’s Special Envoy, met with the Chinese leadership. The Chinese leader will become the first President to visit Sri Lanka since former leader Li Xiannian in 1986. His visit assumes significance in the context of strengthening ties between the two countries, with China investing heavily in Sri Lanka.

China is said to have surpassed Japan and India as the biggest contributor to investments in the island nation. For Chinese President Xi, Sri Lanka has become a particularly important country as a crucial point on his government’s signature 'maritime silk road' economic initiative, which the President unveiled in October in a bid to boost maritime connectivity and economic ties in the neighbourhood. Xi is likely to stop in Colombo as he visits India later this year.

On Wednesday, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang discussed on-going talks over a free trade agreement with Minister Rajapaksa.

He called upon both sides “to begin negotiation on their proposed free trade agreement as soon as possible, encourage Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Sri Lanka and strengthen the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries”, the official Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying.

Wang also said that the upcoming visit by Mr. Xi would be “a diplomatic landmark” for both countries, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing quoted him as saying in a statement.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa hailed China’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s development, telling Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng that Colombo was willing to fast track free trade negotiations with China emerging as “the largest single development partner”. He also noted that there was a 140 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from China in the past year.

GL to tour India

Foreign Minister G L Peiris will be visiting India this week to hold talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj during which key issues, including the welfare of Tamils in Lanka and fishermen, are expected to be discussed. External Affairs Ministry sources said that India and Sri Lanka were working on the proposed visit. More than 175 fisherman have been released since the new government took over and “there is a small number of fishermen who are still in the custody of Sri Lanka and our Mission is working” to secure their release, according to Indian officials.

This will be Peiris’ second visit to India after the installation of the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier, he had accompanied President Mahinda Rajapaksa who attended Modi's swearing-in on May 26.

Lanka peaceful, says Aussie PM

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declared that peace prevails in Sri Lanka ans that there is no necessity entertain refugees. Abbott refused to answer questions over the fate of two boatloads of asylum seekers on Thursday but said: “I want to make this observation, Sri Lanka is not everyone’s idea of an ideal society, but it is at peace.”

Speaking to radio 3AW in Melbourne, the prime minister refused to confirm reports that asylum seekers on board two boats have in recent days had their claims for protection assessed in a rapid interview process while on Australian customs ships.

One of the boats is reported to have had 153 Tamils on board, including children.

He also refused to confirm if the boats had been turned back or if the asylum seekers on board were being handed over to Sri Lankan authorities at sea, as has been alleged in some reports. But he said that since the new Australian government was installed, “It’s no secret that some boats have been turned around.”

Abbott was not asked specifically about whether the two boatloads of asylum seekers were being returned to Sri Lanka, but his comments about the country are the strongest official indication yet that the government is returning Sri Lankan asylum seekers before allowing them to arrive in Australia.

He went on to argue that turning boats around, returning asylum seekers to Sri Lanka and the rapid on-board screening process were all “in accordance with the international law”.

But numerous human rights groups and the UN have warned that turn-backs and the policy of rapid screening of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka is at odds with Australia’s obligations under the refugee convention.

The Greens immigration spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, said Abbott’s comments were “shocking”. Returning Sri Lankan asylum seekers in this manner would be in “clear contravention of our international obligations and the law,” she said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Police Counter Terrorism Unit has arrested four men suspected to be top level members of the now- defunct LTTE, a Malaysian news agency reported. Malaysian Police Chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said all the arrests were made simultaneously at several locations around Kuala Lumpur and Maharashtra.He said the four detainees were suspected of involvement in terror attacks in Sri Lanka and of plans to make Malaysia as their base of operations.

“The first suspect is a card holder of High Commission of the United Nations for Refugees (UNHCR). He is said to be an expert in explosives,” Bakar said.

“The third suspect has been collaborating with a Sri Lankan citizen who was arrested by the same team on May 14 and the last suspect was the person responsible for the delivery of information to the LTTE for the attack,” he said.

Mangala thanks the US

UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said last week that they are thankful to the United States for cancelling the visa of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary the Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and banning him from entering the US.

Mangala seemed to be dissatisfied with the recording of a statement by Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera.

Britain said that any visa application from Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera of Bodu Bala Sena would be considered in accordance with the Immigration Rules. In response to a question whether they (UK government) have any plans to ban Ven. Gnanasara Thera, from entering the United Kingdom, Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction Lord Taylor of Holbeach said the Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases, because the Home Office has obligations in law to protect this information.

“I can confirm that any visa application from Ven. Gnanasara Thera would be considered in accordance with the Immigration Rules,” he told UK Parliament. He also said: “Under the Prevent strategy, the Unacceptable Behaviour policy has prevented a cross section of extremists from entering the UK.

This includes excluding people for public speaking or publishing material that foments, justifies or glorifies terrorist violence or fosters hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK or otherwise can be demonstrated as providing support for extremists.”

“Coming to the UK is a privilege we refuse to extend to those who would subvert our shared values,” he added.

EC undecided

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said last week that that there was no move to alter the number of members to be elected in Badulla and Moneragala Districts. “The number of members to be returned from Badulla and Moneragala will be officially announced after the completion of the term of office of the Uva Provincial Council,” he said.

The Uva PC which was to be dissolved tomorrow will remain for a few more days until the perahera of the Ruhunu Katharagama Devalaya is over.

Earlier the UNP charged that there was a move to reduce the number of members to be elected from Badulla District to 19 from 22 and to add the reduced number to the Moneragala district.