Ranil turns to social media for survival

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe seems to be playing all his option to avoid an inevitable 30th defeat for the UNP under his tottering leadership at next month's Uva Provincial Council (UPC) elections.

Two weeks ago, he made a surprise appearance at a mass Sinhala tuition class for Advanced Level students, facilitated by a popular tutor who has been a close supporter of Ranil. Deviating from his usual lifestyle, he moved freely with the students, signing autographs and even holding hands of the students.

As we have predicted last week, Ranil seems to have hired a professional public relations firm to boost up his image ahead of a much publicised Presidential election next year. Feeling the heat of the Uva PC polls which could ruin his political future, Ranil has now sought the help of social media.

Ranil has hardly appeared on social media or moved freely with the masses via social media such as facebook or twitter. But Ranil has now come out of his shell and is playing different strokes in a desperate bid to match his would be rival at the next Presidential election - President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is well ahead of the Opposition leader when it comes to feeling the pulse of the people.

Following President Rajapaksa's successive appearances on Twitter online, answering the questions of the public, Ranil is now trying to follow suit.

The Opposition Leader and UNP national leader said last week that Sri Lanka should move from its current policy of constriction-based economic development to technology-based development to fall in line with global trends.

“We should move from a concrete economy towards a technology based economy,” he Tweeted. Launching his new Twitter account and UNP's social media campaign, Ranil said that 6 per cent of the country’s GDP should be allocated for technology development.

He said Sri Lanka had failed to plan its economic development strategies by looking at the new global trends.

"Every country in the world is focusing on technology development except for Sri Lanka and a future UNP government will rectify this shortcoming,” Ranil tweeted.

He claimed that it was he who first introduced computer education into Sri Lanka ‘s school curriculum as the minister of education in the UNP government of 1997 and an agreement with US Vice President Al Gore that allowed Sri Lanka to join the Internet in 1993.

Vidura's vehicle meets with accident in Kiriella

Kalutara District parliamentarian Vidura Wickramanayake escaped unhurt when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a small lorry at Epitawela in Kiriella on the Horana- Rathnapura main road last week.

The son of former Prime Minister and present Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake was returning to Horana from Moneragala after attending an election program.

The jeep Wickramanayake was travelling in and the ‘Dimo Batta’ he collided with were damaged and no one was injured.

Police said three persons were travelling with Vidura Wickramanayake while there were two in the lorry. But none of them were injured in the incident.

Election fever in Uva

The election heat is gradually increasing in Uva as the Provincial Council elections are to be held mid next month. Preferential numbers to candidate contesting UPC have now been assigned and the main political parties are expected to commence their official campaigns this week.

The Elections Department announced last week that postal voting for Uva Provincial Council election will be held on September 4 and 5. The Uva PC elections will be held on September 20.

Following Badulla District MP Harin Fernando's resignation from Parliament to contest the Uva PC polls as UNP's chief ministerial campaign, there has been less support from the party as promised with no indication on the whereabouts of Hambantota District MP and former UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa. Harin has earlier requested that party leader Ranil and Sajith should sit beside him when he launches his campaign. Though Harin has put up posters with photographs of Ranil and Sajith, the reformist group leader is yet to give a guarantee on his presence for Harin's campaign.

Harin himself admitted it would be difficult decision to resign from Parliament and contest under the UNP ticket, rather than contesting from the UPFA. Making his last speech in Parliament, Harin make an indirect reference to Dayasiri Jayasekera's stunning election campaign at North Western Province with a record number of preferential votes to become the Chief Minister.

In contrast, former Chief Minister Shashendra Rajapaksa's election campaign is going great guns with various social and professional organisations expressing their support to the UPFA's chief ministerial candidate.

President on West's double standards

Mahinda Rajapaksa said las week that leaders of some powerful Western countries who talk about human rights violations today have forgotten their own violent past and human rights abuses.

The President recalled that the colonial rulers had violated those rights at times engaging in the massacre of locals who fought for their rights. The President made these remarks at the Saddhananda Maha Vidyalaya in Rupaha, Walapone where he declared open a new Mahindodaya Technological laboratory. Before visiting the school, the President vested with the people several other development programs in Walapone.

Addressing a large gathering in Rupha, the President recalled how colonial rulers had imprisoned some local freedom fighters in a cave at the nearby Madulla village and finally sealed off the cave resulting in their deaths.

He said that terrorist leader Prabhakaran too had engaged in such mayhem to destabilise the country but had ultimately failed. While noting that his government has brought about unprecedented development in the country since eradicating the scourge of terrorism, the President stressed that the government's aim at achieving prosperity and a morally rich society, cannot be halted by placing obstacles.

Speaking on the progress of education, the President said the government had brought about a revolution by introducing the technological study stream. He said Saddhanada School will also become one among the 1,000 Mahindodaya Colleges in the country with the opening of a new Technological laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, such as a science laboratory, mathematics laboratory, language laboratory, distance education unit and an information and communication laboratory.

“The government initiated the Mahindodaya technical laboratories program to develop 1,000 secondary schools with modern amenities to provide equal educational opportunities and facilities for children in all areas,” the President added. The President said that Sri Lanka had a proud history where the countries ancestors had developed many technological innovations which received world acclaim.

Indian HC appreciates President's gesture

High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha expressed his appreciation for the President’s gesture to release Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody on the occasion of India's Independence Day that is celebrated tomorrow when he called president Rajapaksa at Temple Trees last week.

President Rajapaksa, expressing concern about the impact this situation is having on both the lives of fishermen and the environment, expressed the need for a permanent solution.

The Indian High Commissioner also briefed the President on the Indian CEO’s Forum that is set to take place this week in line with Indian Independence Day celebrations in Sri Lanka.

When the President pointed out that there are quite a number of companies CEOs in Sri Lanka that are of Indian origin, Sinha said, “They are very happy here.”

“Government policies are very investor-friendly,” High Commissioner Sinha further said. “A lot of cooperation is happening.” The High Commissioner also presented President Rajapaksa with a publication titled “India & Sri Lanka: A Partnership That Transcends Time,” which was published by the Indian High Commission and launched yesterday by Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa.

The publication outlines the numerous development initiatives that the two countries have collaborated on in Sri Lanka.

Condolences to Iran, donation to Palestine

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday conveyed his condolences to those who have been affected by the crash of the passenger plane in the capital Tehran.

In a letter to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, president Rajapaksa said “The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Iran, particularly the bereaved families, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured in this tragedy.

President Rajapaksa also announced that Sri Lanka will provide one million US dollars in financial assistance to Palestine.

President Rajapaksa has been a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause and is the Founder President of the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine. “It is my hope that the violence in Gaza is halted and peace prevails in the region,” President Rajapaksa said. In January, President Rajapaksa made his first visit to Palestine.

Sri Lanka recognised Palestine as a state in 1988.

During that visit, the Government of Palestine conferred President Rajapaksa with the “Star of Palestine” – the highest award of the State of Palestine – for the President’s continued support and commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Mangala turns to UNHRC for survival

UNP Matara District parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera has been in the political wilderness since he left the UPFA and sought shelter in the main Opposition under his Royal schoolmate Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He is better known for playing any role to capture power at any cost. It seems that Mangala has now turned to the UNHRC to play a role of a traitor for his political survival.

Mangala said last week that he would likely testify before the panel appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) to look into the happenings in the final stages of the battle against terrorism and also the Missing Persons Commission appointed by the Government.

Mangala said on Wednesday that he would possibly tell the two panels on the activities of LTTE and inform the two panels on the assets that were held by the LTTE and what became of them.

“I would probably testify before the commission to safeguard the country’s reputation and the dignity of security forces,” he said

The UNP MP said he would also make a disclosure on the LTTE Leader Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) and on the assets held by the LTTE in the coming days.

PB puts record straight

Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera while refuting the adverse media campaign that Sri Lanka has been falling into a debt trap, has stressed that the country's economic policy is formulated on a framework where foreign earnings are increased and foreign expenditure is slashed.

He said that the country's debt level in comparison to Sri Lanka's GDP has come down from 100 percent in 2005 to 70 percent by 2014.

“The debt level in comparison to Sri Lanka's GDP is currently at 70 percent.

It was at 100 percent when the government assumed office,” he added. Dr. Jayasundera added that there is no truth in the allegations made by some parties that Sri Lanka has been falling into a debt trap.

He said Sri Lanka's economy is moving forward while facing fewer risks.ÓThe management of the country's economy is on a proper financial footing and a farsighted vision has been attributed to this achievement,” he said.

The Treasury Secretary added that Sri Lanka has been able to reach the middle income economic level as a result of maintaining this policy during the last couple of years. “The country is now reaping the benefits of the projects carried out to develop infrastructure facilities. The earnings from the tourist industry have gone up to 2,000 million US dollars from 400 million US dollars this year,” he added.

He said that former Finance Minister Dr. N.M. Perera once said that obtaining loans is suitable for the provision of capital and to earn revenues. The Treasury Secretary said the Mahinda Chinthana program is closely following this method.

India had no hand in Avdhash's appointment

Indian legal rights activist Avdhash Kaushal claimed that India no role in his nomination to international advisory panel to Sri Lanka’s Presidential Commission probing allegations on disappearances and human rights violations, even as he felt that there was “too much criticism” of Colombo which did not give space to reconciliation.

Speaking to Indian Express, who runs an NGO, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Network, said that he had first met Mahinda Rajapaksa when the latter was Fisheries Minister in of Chandrika Kumaratunga government. In 1999, Rajapaksa had come to attend an international seminar organised with help of NHRC on tribal rights. “That was the first time I had met him,” said Kaushal.

Apparently, Kaushal had at first turned down the offer to be part of the panel. “I had first got a phone call from the (Sri Lankan) president’s office. I refused citing my busy schedule,” he said. But, then the Lankan president himself phoned Kaushal. “He said that I am the right expert for this panel”.

Kaushal said that the Indian government did not have any role in the matter, but were in the loop. “A few days after the call, I was visited by officers from the IB. They came twice,” he asserted. He felt that perhaps the India did not want to have a “visible role”, as it “could provoke political parties in the south”.

The Sri Lankan government had broadened the scope of the commission in response to the UNHRC probe, which it repudiated. Colombo has already notified three foreign experts to the commission. Kaushal, along with another Japanese expert, is likely to be announced through a gazette notification this week.

Kerry invited to see for himself

The Government has invited US Secretary of State John Kerry to visit Sri Lanka and see for himself what the country has achieved on the ground since the war ended in 2009, according to External Affairs Minister prof. G. L. Peiris.

He is reported to have extended the invitation during talks he had with Kerry on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN Regional Forum at Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar on August 11. Kerry headed the US delegation to the Forum.

“I invited him to visit Sri Lanka and see what we have accomplished on the ground during the past five years after the war was over,” Prof. Peiris was quoted as saying.

The US had led three successive Resolutions adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calling for an international investigation into the allegations of human rights violations and accountability issues during the last stages of the battle.

The Government rejected this resolution and even called it intrusive and an affront to the sovereignty of the country. In addition to the informal interaction with Kerry, the Minister held ‘bilateral talks’ with his counterparts from China, India, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines.

During his talks with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, the Minister said the focus was on the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, China’s new silk route concept and bilateral cooperation.

Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop has outlined new steps for cooperation with Sri Lanka in the fields such as trade and security while talks with the New Zealand Foreign Minister focused on developing Sri Lanka’s dairy industry.