Sinister move to oust UNP General Secretary:

Tissa's position in the balance

The UNP's internal battles have aggravated with the latest being the conflict for the post of General Secretary. When Sajith Premadasa challenged the UNP leadership with the support of the then Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya and other Reformists group parliamentarians, Ranil came out with the successful strategy to silence most of them.

The first step was to oust Karu from the deputy leadership. Though Sajith became the deputy leader, there wasn't a suitable atmosphere for him to work as all other top posts were being occupied by Ranil loyalists.

After amending the UNP constitution, Ranil took his own sweet time, to appointment a Deputy Leader to demoralise Sajith. Earlier, there was a proposal to create four deputy leader posts and the names of Sajith, Ravi Karunanayake, Kabir Hashim and Lakshman Kiriella were mentioned. That was a subtle attempt to devalue the post of deputy leader. Yet, there was no formal response from Ranil who has now put off the appointment of a deputy leader.

In the meantime, there is a cold war for the control of the UNP-affiliated trade union (JSS) wing of the Railway Department between Joseph Michael Perera and Ranjith Maddumabandara. It is in this backdrop that General Secretary Tissa Atttanayake's position too has become unstable. Though Tissa has been with Ranil, the UNP leader has got a secret report on the conduct of his General Secretary. Ranil must now be thinking of appointing a 100 percent confidante for the post.

Reports from Sirikotha said a former police officer turned Ranil-confidante is the aspiring person for the post of General Secretary, replacing Tissa. He was a 'good-looking' and handsome youth when he joined the Police Department in the early 1980s as a constable. He had initially served at Galle Police station before joining the VIP security unit of the then Trade Minister M.S. Amarasiri.

Ranil had first sighted this handsome youth during a UNP political rally in Galle. He had immediately called the then IGP and instructed him to transfer the 'blue-eyed' boy to his security escort.

Since then, this police officer has been extremely close to Ranil and later found a place in the private staff of the Opposition Leader's office. Since then, this youth has become a powerful character at Sirikotha and had even been responsible for the sacking of Ranil's main PSO during the height of LTTE threats.

Internal Sirikotha sources said this person is now eyeing the UNP General Secretary's post and has the blessings of the party leader.

However, Ranil, a mature politician who is following the political strategies of his uncle J. R. Jayewardene, would not rush into anything right now.

As an initial step in elevating the former police constable, he has planned to send the youth to Parliament through the UNP national list.

National List MP D.M. Swaminandan has already agreed to step down to pave the way for Ranil's favourite bodyguard. Swaminandan has been promised a deputy leader's post.

It has now come to light that Ranil vested the power of appointing the General Secretary under the UNP leader with the hope of replacing Tissa with his close buddy.

However, Tissa has kept his cool without discussing the matter with the UNP leader. The Reformists group which is now operating under closed doors, is closely monitoring the situation and has promised to openly protest if the UNP leader sacks Tissa.

Champika's daughter among the island's best

Minister Champika Ranawaka whohad been a brilliant student at school became an energy engineer. At the Year 5 Navodaya Scholarship examination he had finished as the first in Kalutara district before bagging honours as the district first at the G.C.E. O/L and A/L examinations.

His daughter R. A. Ama Madasmitha Ranawaka of Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo has given early indications of emulating her father in studies. She finished among the all-island top four at the recent G.C.E. (O/L) examination. Ama Madasmitha came on her father's mobile on Thursday afternoon to break the good news and the Minister was delighted.

Students who excelled at the GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination 2012 called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Friday. They received laptops and cash prizes from the President. People's Bank and National Savings Bank sponsored the cash prizes.

J. A. Dasun Osada Jayasinghe of Royal College, Colombo and P. A. Madushani Chathurika Kulatunga of Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya Galle secured the first and second places at the examination, followed by Ayodya Gayathiri de Alwis of Sangamitta College, Galle and Ama Madasmitha Ranawaka of Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo.

The President was happy to spare time with the country's top performers, giving every encouragement to do even better in the future. His inspiring advice as warmly welcomed by the students who appreciated the President's gesture in hosting and rewarding them.

Upul makes BASL a political organ

Attempts by the new Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya to politicise the respected professional body of lawyers, saw Attorney General Palitha Fernando PC walking out of last weekend's BASL annual convention at the Nawarangahala.

The BASL, for the first time in its 39-year-old distinguished history, changed traditions purely on the whims and fancies of its newly elected president. Instead of sending customary invitations to the Chief Justice and the Minister of Justice, Jayasuriya opted to invite three 'former' heads, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and former UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya.

Upul Jayasuriya, who is well-known for his UNP affiliations with the Reformist group, had invited former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake who had been found guilty of three charges by a Parliamentary Select Committee and is facing bribery and corruption charges, without sending the customary invitation to Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.

Since the invitation had not been sent to the Chief Justice, the Attorney General had walked out of the event when Shirani made an unceremonial entry, much to the embarrassment of the majority of lawyers present.

Later, Shirani graced the induction of Upul Jayasuriya as the President of the BASL, breaking a four-decade-old tradition of the BASL. Several lawyers too walked out of the event, following the action of the Attorney General. It was reported that judges and senior lawyers too had kept away from Saturday night's reception, following Jayasuriya's high-handed act, attempting to make the BASL a political organ of the UNP.

At the same time, Upul Jayasuriya deliberately kept UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe out of the convention. Instead, he invited former deputy leader Karu to strengthen his relations with others.

Though many expected Shirani to make a speech, it was not to be. She even refrained from making comments on questions raised at discussions and opted to answer in a word or two. Her action surprised many. However, it was later discovered that Shirani is living in her own fantasy world, assuming that she still holds the old post!

Prior to the commencement of the BASL Convention, Chandrika and Karu had held a discussion for over 15 minutes. Chandrika, in her usual form, had criticised the President and the Government, and advised Karu on regaining power. But an onlooker said that the UNP would remain in the Opposition for another 20 years if they take Chandrika's advise.

Shirani before Bribery Commission

Meanwhile, Attorney-at-law V. K. Choksy said the hallowed tradition of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka of according respect to the Judiciary had been breached at the induction ceremony of the newly elected BASL President Upul Jayasuriya, by not inviting the incumbent Chief Justice as the chief guest.

The tradition is that the incumbent Chief Justice is invited as the chief guest for the induction ceremony of the BASL President. This was the first time in 39 years that the incumbent Chief Justice was not invited as the chief guest for the induction ceremony of the BASL President.

Choksy said it was the tradition that the judiciary and the BASL to respect each other. But conduct such as this is a blow to this tradition. However, it appears that the BASL is working together with the former Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake who was impeached and removed from the post constitutionally, rather than working with the constitutionally appointed Chief Justice," he said.

Shirani Bandaranayake who appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption on Monday, failed to file her objections as promised earlier. She failed to make any oral submissions either, and instead walked out after obtaining further time to do so.

The Commission which gave her time till May 17 to either file her objections or make oral submissions, warned her that no more extensions would be given if she failed to respond on that date.

Bandaranayake was initially requested to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption on March 18 to obtain a statement relating to assets privately owned by her following a complaint received by the Commission alleging that she owned assets beyond the means of an ordinary public servant of her status. But Bandaranayake asked for one week's time to submit her objections and the Commission agreed. The Commission which has commenced investigations into the complaint, noticed the former Chief Justice to appear before it and make her submissions if any, as it was a mandatory procedure in the investigation process against bribery and corruption allegations.

Budget pack for New Year

The Government has offered a bonanza to the people on essential items for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. On the instructions of the President, a special budget pack of essential items has been introduced to provide relief to consumers, while keeping prices of essential items under control during the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando handed over the first budget pack to President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday. The pack includes two kilograms of Samba rice, two kilograms of red raw rice, a kilogram of dhal, a kilogram of sugar, a kilogram of rice flour, a tin of canned fish (425g), a packet of milk powder (400g), a packet of soya meat, a packet of papadam and 100 grams of tea. A pack is sold at Rs.1,000.

Minister Fernando said this budget pack containing a host of essential items for the Avurudu season will be available at Laksathosa outlets islandwide. The minister said the 50 Lanka Sathosa outlets in the Colombo district have begun selling vegetables at prices lower than in the market, to provide relief to consumers during the festive season.

"The number of Lanka Sathosa outlets would be further expanded with immediate effect, allowing consumers to purchase vegetables at concessionary rates," he said. The Minister said this move had been taken to curtail the escalating prices of vegetables. He said that initially 12 varieties of vegetables will be sold at concessionary rates through the Lanka Sathosa outlets.

Under this program, the excess produce have been purchased directly from the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre (DEC)and sold at concessionary prices at about 50 selected Lanka Sathosa outlets in Colombo and suburbs.

'Lanka's banks on par with world's best'

Sri Lanka's standards in the area of banking are on par with the world's best in terms of services and expertise and professionals in the field, Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama said. The Minister was addressing the staff of National Savings Bank at its headquarters in Kollupitiya last week.

Minister Amunugama said that Sri Lanka's banks, especially State banks, were on a firm footing. The resilience of the country's banking sector had been amply proved even during the recent global recession.

He said success of the banks also mirror the country's progress and its economic strength specially since the end of terrorism.

Dr. Amunugama said Sri Lanka's State banks were highly regarded by their global counterparts and cited several instances in this regard.

He said the country's State banks were progressing well with efficient management at the helm and were supplementing both the country's development efforts and public needs. Speaking about the NSB, he said the institution had emerged as the county's premier bank for public savings and added that the government has decided to make NSB a 'lead Bank' giving it wider responsibilities.

A lead bank is a senior bank involved in negotiations for project financing and one that represents several banks in the management of loans that they have joined together in making. He told the bank staff to come out with new and innovative mechanisms to make further progress. The minister advised the bank to identify the right balance between risk factors when lending cum investing and ensuring security of public deposits. Minister Amunugama said as a bank which has received the prestigious AAA Fitch Ratings, the NSB should strive to greater heights when fulfilling its national duty.

Maithripala cracks whip

The government will take action against persons or groups trying to create conflict among the Sinhalese and the Muslims, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said last week.

"Sri Lanka suffered due to three decades of terrorism. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has created a peaceful country by ending the war. We should not forget the difficulties we faced due to the tense situation in the past among communities in Sri Lanka," the minister said.

Minister Sirisena said bankrupt political parties were trying to gain political mileage by attempting to make the government unpopular among the masses.

The minister on behalf of the government and the SLFP, urged all Sri Lankans to be vigilant of the activities of certain groups which are out to create unrest among the public.

"These groups are attempting to create ethnic disharmony and disturb the peace. It is the responsibility of the public to protect the hard earned peace achieved by the Security Forces under the guidance of President Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa," he said.

President Rajapaksa, the Defence Secretary, Tri-Forces Commanders and the IGP have instructed the Security Forces and the Police to take action to prevent incidents among communities, the minister said. He said, "Several parties are trying to point out that the recent incidents were carried out on the guidance of the government. I emphasise that the government had never and will never get involved in such things to remain in power like some bankrupt political parties."

Sirisena urged the public not be provoked by rumours spread by baseless groups and organisations. "We will take strong legal action against persons who spread rumours and try to create conflict among communities in Sri Lanka," the minister said.

WDJ responds to Opposition allegations

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne denied allegations by political opponents that the leadership training program for newly recruited graduates to government service was a military training program.

At press briefing at the Information Department on Wednesday, he said the government took the decision to provide leadership training to the newly recruited graduates to make the public service more effective and efficient. "There is no hidden motive for this as made out by several political parties," he said. "There are both internal and external graduates among the newly recruited 51,000 graduates to the State service. They may have no experience in dealing with the public," he said.

"All these graduates will come into contact with society. When they work with the public they should develop certain qualities. They should have the ability to co-operate with others without any problem," the minister said.

"They also should cultivate patience, discipline and good behaviour. Respecting others' point of view too is important. The leadership training program is to develop these qualities among the new recruits," the minister said.

SC dismiss Thilanga's application

Court of Appeal Judge Sri Skandaraja last week dismissed the application filed by Parliamentarian Thilanga Sumathipala against the refusal by the Sports Minister to accepting his nomination for the post of Sri Lanka Cricket Pesident, but accept the nomination of Jayantha Dharmadasa. The petition cited 39 members including the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Jayantha Dharmadasa. Faiz Musthafa PC appeared for the petitioner. Romesh de Silva appeared for the respondents.

Meanwhile, an enjoining order restraining Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranathunga from being re-appointed to the post was issued by the Mount Lavinia District Court on Thursday.