Focus on landslide victims

Almost all political parties and most politicians devoted their time to help landslide victims in Miriyabedda, Haldummulla in the Badulla district.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in Trincomalee when Presidential chief of staff Gamini Senerath broke the news of the unfortunate incident on Wednesday morning.

He immediately contacted Minister Amaraweera, Minister Arumugam Thondaman, Chief Minister of the Uva Province Sashendra Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and instructed them to take immediate action to search and rescue the people and provide all facilities needed by the victims.

The President then told his security personnel to organise a helicopter for him to fly to Koslanda immediately. However, the Presidential Security Division (PSD) officials informed the President that is not advisable to fly to Koslanda as Trincomalee and Nuwara Eliya were experiencing a heavy downpour at the time.

Though the President was compelled to put off his visit to Koslanda until next day, he regularly called the relevant authorities and monitored the situation of the landslide victims.

However, the President was able to visit the landslide affected Miriyabedda area in Haldummulla on Thursday morning.

He visited the landslide affected area with Minister of Disaster Management, Mahinda Amaraweera and discussed rescue and relief operations.

President Rajapaksa expressed his sympathies to the landslide victims and bereaved families.

Offering his deep condolences for the victims of the massive landslide, the President said he had instructed officials to provide immediate relief to those affected by the landslide.

President focuses on children

President Rajapaksa instructed officials to pay special attention to the children who had lost their parents as unscrupulous elements would come forward claiming to be their parents with ulterior motives as witnessed during the tsunami.

“The children who had lost their parents must be given safe shelter at a public place which could be inspected easily or placed in the care of State institutions to take responsibility for their well-being until they are later given to relatives who could take care of them,” he said.

He also observed the landslide affected Haldumulla area from a helicopter and met the displaced taking refuge at the Koslanda Tamil School and Punagala School.

The President ordered the removal of the huge earth mound that had buried nearly 200 people and 63 houses following the earth slip on Wednesday at only after the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) inspected the site and gave the green light to go ahead.

Responding to a call from the people to remove the earth and rocks brought down by the earthslip, the President said if they were removed in a haphazard manner, there was a possibility of causing further slides.

During a discussion with officials, President Rajapaksa instructed them to provide safe alternative lands immediately to displaced persons and prepare a special program to ensure the protection of children who had lost their parents due to the tragedy.

Ranil visits Koslanda

Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Meeriyabedda in Koslanda on Friday morning and met the landslide victims. He was accompanied by a group of senior UNPers.

They distributed essential items to the displaced people being sheltered in the camps. Ranil said a mechanism should be initiated through Parliament and the Provincial Council to set up a housing scheme for the poor estate workers instead of line-rooms.

He called for a day of mourning be declared in memory of those who had died in one of the biggest tragedies to hit Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. He urged the people to hoist a white flag on the day of mourning. The Opposition Leader called on all Sri Lankans to come forward and help the victims of the Haldummulla landslide tragedy in which several people were killed.

Expressing his sorrow over the Haldummulla tragedy in a media statement he said, "All should come together without any ethnic, religious or political bias to do the best for our brothers and sisters in need. It is a responsibility of everyone to provide assistance to our people who are in a helpless situation,” he said in a special statement.

Namal meets victims with Harin

Hambantota District parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa beat wet weather and unfavourable ground conditions to reach the landslide victims and supervised the welfare measures that were being implemented. Opposition leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando too joined Namal on tour.

Meanwhile, the United States in a Twitter message sent its condolences to the victims of the landslide that occurred in Haldummulla, Koslanda.

“Our condolences and prayers go out to the victims in the Sri Lanka landslide,” the tweet said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the agency's humanitarian wings were on standby to help Sri Lanka, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday.

“OCHA is in close contact with this centre and stands ready to support as requested,” the spokesman added.

“The Sri Lankan Red Cross Society has mobilised first aid teams, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health's efforts to assist the affected communities,” he noted.

India too offered assistance to hundreds of people affected by the landslide at Meeriyabedda in Haldummulla. Indian High Commissioner Y. K. Sinha spoke to the External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris and offered the assistance to deal with the landslide disaster.

Who is fooling whom?

Perhaps, it may be difficult for some UNP supporters to understand the internal power struggle of the party.

Though Hambantota district MP Sajith Premadasa reunited to sit on the same platform with his leader Ranil during the recent Uva Provincial Council election campaign, after the UNP’s defeat in Uva, there has not been any sensible dialogue between the two with supporters of the rebel MP alleging that Ranil has not granted the promised powers to the new deputy leader.

But UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and UNP Parliamentarians are seen at a meeting held at the Hyde Park grounds in Colombo on Tuesday evening for campaign agents, who were appointed for 12, 000 polling divisions to carry out UNP election campaign.

The UNP made every attempt to show it strength and got down busloads of hired men from outstations. But Ranil knew little or nothing about a master plan by the UNP reformists to boost the image of his deputy leader.

Though only one-fourth of the gathering had a lazy clapping when Ranil arrived, it was a different scenario when Sajith reached the venue a minute later.

There was a standing ovation for Sajith as the entire gathering cheered and clapped for almost five minutes, much to the disappointment of Ranil loyalists – mangala Samaraweera, Daya Gamage and Ravi Karunanayake.

Ravi, who addressed the gathering as the first speaker, showed his discomfort and shock and appeared lost for words at time.

When he began the speech, he first referred Ranil’s name and then the Leadership Council chairman Karu Jayasuriya, thereby pushing Sajith’s name to the third place.

In doing so, Ravi intended to show that Sajith takes only the third place in the party seniority.

Ravi appeared to be very nervous and said “we must defeat our party at the next election”, though he intended to say that they must lead their party to victory at the next election.

Meanwhile, six persons including four UNP parliamentarians, who were noticed for allegedly trespassing, were released on one million rupees personal bond each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage last week.

The six accused - including UNP MPs Ravi Karunanayake, R. Yogarajan, Ajith P. Perera and Nalin Bandara Jayamaha were noticed to appear in the Court for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya premises in Colombo 2 on October 21.

Sajith’s microphone goes dead

Hambantota District MP and UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa faced an unexpected moment when he began to speak during the Budget 2015 debate in Parliament on Tuesday. Apparently, his microphone at the seat appeared to be out of order.

He then complained to Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody who was at the Chair at the time.

“Hon. Deputy Speaker, although the microphones of the Government MPs start instantly, it takes some time for our microphones to get activated. This happens to me each time I start to talk. Is this an order given by anyone?” Sajith quarried.

But the Deputy Speaker said none has given such order. “We have not instructed anyone not to give the microphone to you but I don’t know whether the Opposition leader has given such instructions or order,” Chandima said.

“The Opposition leader does not have such power. Only you have such power,” Sajith replied. Sajith then engaged in a baseless argument with Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi. But Pavithra Devi said Sajith has messed up the problems.

BBS on the best common candidate

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera said last week that President Rajapaksa is the most suitable common candidate to contest the next presidential election.

The BBS General Secretary said that out of all prospective political leaders who could contest the next presidential elections, President Rajapaksa has the best credentials to become the common candidate.

However, the BBS charged that some parliamentarians were behaving as a bunch of adolescents without considering the seriousness of their responsibilities.

“Some of our parliamentarians know nothing. They don’t even attend Parliament sessions as needed. They are only wasting the funds of tax payers and these Parliamentarians should be thrown out in a General Election,” Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera said.

Peratugami adds salt to JVP wounds

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is in two minds whether to contest the forthcoming presidential election or not.

Having discovered the declining vote base of the party at all Provincial Council elections during the last couple of years, the JVP seem to be planning to skip the next presidential election, citing wild allegations.

They will now have added problems with their breakaway group – the Peratugami or Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) planning to field its own candidate with the support of a few lesser known parties.

The JVP breakaway faction – the FLSP said last week that it was having discussions with other leftist parties to field a candidate at the forthcoming presidential election.FLSP Politburo member Duminda Nagamuwa had said that his party held several rounds of discussions with United Socialist Party, Maoist communist party and Praxis Collective about fielding a candidate from leftist parties.

“We have had several rounds of discussions with these parties to find the possibility of fielding a candidate. We need to change the notion that only the two main political parties can rule this country and show that there is a leftist force in the country,” he said, adding that they had not taken a decision on the common leftist candidate.

Mahindananda makes Hadunnetti proud

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that the best commendation to the Government’s 2015 Budget has come from none other than the wife of JVP parliamentarian Sunil Hadunnetti.

“Though our JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti comes out with various theories and criticises the budget, his wife has given the best commendation.

We feel proud of her and we will get her vote as well at the next presidential election,” Mahindananda told during the second reading debate of Budget 2015 in Parliament last Monday.

“What else you need when JVP MP Hadunnetti’s wife too gives a bouquet to the budget proposals? She is a teacher by profession and understands the reality and the truth.

She would realise more when the benefits are passed to the masses,” Mahindananda said.

“You said the public servants have got a Rs. 10,000 salary hike. Not only my wife but all other wives are looking forward to this,” Hadunnetti said.

“When these relief measures are implemented, Mrs. Hadunnetti’s electricity bill would be reduced. Her LP gas bill too would be reduced. She will come home by the new motorcycle she gets. Who would feel proud about it,” Mahindananda questioned.

“Yes, yes, very proud of it,” the JVP MP said.

MR to secure 78% of rural vote

The first survey in relation to the forthcoming Presidential election has revealed that 78 percent of people in rural areas will vote for President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a third term in office.

Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the survey has revealed that the country does not have an alternative to President Rajapaksa.

He said that the people have placed enormous faith in the President the UPFA Government under his leadership. The President has committed to the development of the villages and cities alike,” the minister said.

He said that the people in villages will never forget President Rajapaksa as he has provided facilities for rural areas.

Minister Abeywardena said the President has taken steps to improve infrastructure facilities in all parts of the country and this has also led to an increase in foreign investment.

“The foreign investment flow to the country is relatively high. The people are prepared to ensure the victory of President Rajapaksa at the forthcoming Presidential elections,” he said.

Keheliya downplays India’s concerns

Sri Lanka on Friday downplayed India's concerns over the death sentences given to five Indian fishermen for alleged drug trafficking, saying India is ‘clearly aware’ of legal systems in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, responding to a question at the weekly media briefing, said India understands Sri Lanka's prevalent laws.

He said India's concerns raised the verdict should not present Sri Lanka with any problems. The five fishermen, all hailing from Tamil Nadu, were apprehended in 2011 by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of smuggling of drugs in the seas off northern Jaffna's Delft islet.

“India is clearly aware of another country’s legal systems, treaties signed, convicts exchange agreements,” Rambukwella said adding that Sri Lanka need not make any interpretation of Indian concerns.

Dr. Rambukwella was asked about Sri Lanka’s reaction to India's reported bid to appeal against the Sri Lankan High Court death sentence against the Indian fishermen.India, through its High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate General of India in Jaffna has been extending all possible consular assistance to them, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Syed Akbaruddin said.

Election entirely a matter for Govt, says Church

The Catholic Church said that the decision to hold an election and the dates to be fixed for such an election is entirely in the hands of the government and the Elections Commissioner and that the Church has no interest in trying to interfere in that matter.

The National Catholic Centre for Social Communications stated that they have been made aware of certain reports circulated among some social media to stop the Papal visit in January.

While categorically denying controversial social media reports, the Church said that at no time did the President or anyone in the Government applied any pressure on the Church to stop or postpone the visit of the Pope to Sri Lanka.

“In fact they have given us a lot of cooperation and support to make all the necessary arrangements for the visit.They have also officially sent an invitation from State to State to the Holy Father and it had been accepted,” a news release said.

“The government also has informed us that the President, when he visited the Holy Father reiterated that the government was very keen to welcome him in Sri Lanka.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka had first invited the Pope and since it involves a State visit, the government followed up with their own invitation.

Making use of this same opportunity we would like to appeal to all parties concerned not to instrumentalise the Pope’s planned visit to Sri Lanka for any political gain and this should apply to all parties in contention in the election in the future,” the release said.