A Jumbo Cabinet was formed to exalt some and hurt many -UNP media spokesman

(Lanka-e-News, Nov.29, 2010, 10.15PM) UNP media spokesman Gayantha Karunatileke said, the Govt. appointed a gigantic Cabinet of Ministers solely with the motive of exalting some and hurting many.

In UK. where the population is 61 million the cabinet had been pruned down to 23. In America where the population is 310 million,there are only 15 Ministers. In Canada which has a population of 33 million the number of Ministers is only 38. In Japan where the population is 127 million there are only 15 Ministers. India with a population of 191 million the Cabinet comprises only 34. Pakistan where the population is 171 million the Cabinet of Ministers is only 41. Even China where the population is 341 million the Cabinet is made up of only 50 Ministers. But in SL where the population is only 20 million, the cabinet comprises 61 Ministers which is the highest among all the countries, Karunatileke pointed out.
Karunatileke revealed these details when addressing a media briefing at the UNP media unit today (29). He also stated that to maintain this Jumbo Cabinet a sum of Rs. 220 million ! is needed per month, which monies the Govt. invariably collects by burdening the people by various levies, taxes and price hikes. Earlier Governments did everything possible to look after the welfare of the people, but with this Govt., people have to maintain it. Parasitic by nature the Govt. cannot change its inherent trait, he lamented.
The Govt. has appointed a further 96 Deputy Ministers on top of this.The Govt. has shut the mouths of the Ministers and Deputy Ministers by thrusting the appropriate soothers into their mouths according to the sizes of their feeding bottles regardless of the starvation of the people, he observed.

Record breaking ‘success’ of Rajapakse administration: Rs 21.52 billion loss from Govt. Depts.! -Karu Jayasooriya reveals

(Lanka-e-News 26.Nov.2010 11.55PM) Believe it or not ! 54 state Institutions including the State Corporations, Govt. Departments and semi Govt. Departments have incurred a total loss of Rs.21.52 billion 81 lakhs as at end of last year.

These shocking details were revealed in Parliament by UNP M P Karu Jayasooriya yesterday (25) when he forwarded a register on it.

According to this register , the Town development Authority alone which comes under Gotabaya Rajapakse the brother of the President and who is also the Secretary for Defense which is under the President has incurred a clean (or unclean ?) loss of Rs. 1670 million 30 lakhs .

The Ports Authority which until recently was under Chamal Rajapakse the elder brother of the President had incurred a loss of Rs. 101.96 billion 30 lakhs . Chamal Rajapakse was the Minister of Ports Authority until he was appointed as the Speaker . Incidentally, this is the biggest loss incurred by a single Govt. Institution.

Ceylon petroleum Corporation –Rs. 4800 million; Mihin Lanka – Rs. 1670 million 50 lakhs;

The water supply and drainage Board has lost Rs. 21390 million ; The Sri Lanka aviation Board –Rs. 16430 million 90 lakhs; Livestock development Board –Rs. 21250 million 80 lakhs;
Manure Corporation – Rs. 17150 million 20 lakhs; Ceylon electricity Board – Rs.16800 million ; Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation – Rs. Rs. 350 million; Ceylon pharmaceutical Corporation – Rs. 950 million 20 lakhs; Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital Rs. 860 million 80 lakhs; Agriculture Insurance Board Rs. 890 million10 lakhs; SL Cashew Corporation Rs. Rs. 800 million 40 lakhs; State stocks market Co. Rs. 930 million 60 lakhs; Information technology Communication technology Agency Co. Rs. 1720 million 10 lakhs; Security and exchange Commission – Rs. 180 million 28 lakhs; Lanka Hospital Corporation Rs. 250 million 90 lakhs

Tennekoon told this at a media conference summoned on the 1st to apprise the media on the corruption and malpractices at elections.
Owing to election laws being totally disregarded with posters, cutouts and banners displayed unlawfully among other violation s, holding a free and fair election has become a day dream in SL, he lamented. The Elect. Commissioner is not taking action to exercise his full authority to control violations. Instead of taking action against violations, what he does is issuing notices and delaying corrective action. FM channels of two UPFA candidates are in operation in the Eastern province. But, when the UNP candidate in Puttalam tried to follow suit, he took immediate action to confiscate the equipment.

Throughout the Island there are Assist. Elect. Commisiooners, election officers, Govt. officials and police officers. They have allowed the ruling party candidates to violate the laws at their will and pleasure. On top of this, in Ampara and Jaffna, two Two District Secretaries and two Police officers have become a hindrance to implementing the laws. At Trincomalee, police are employed to protect the illegal cutouts and posters displayed around. At these Districts, Govt. officials are acting more in breach than in obedience of the law, the CAFFE deeply regretted.

The CPC has imported grade 1500 black oil weighing 20,000 metric tons recently. The price of a barrel of this oil is US $ 72/- Every metric ton contains 9 barrels of oil. Accordingly, this imported quantity is made up of 180,000 barrels. The worth of this quantity is therefore US $ 12,960,000.00 The SL rupee equivalent of this is Rs. 1,481,440,000.00 ! It is four days since this black oil was unloaded.

This black oil is specially imported for the use in the Puttalam cement factory and private power plants.

The 20,000 metric tons oil is now stored in the Kolonnawa station .This oil which was transported to the private power stations by bowzers had been rejected on the ground that they are inferior in quality. Consequently, the CPC is in a quandary owing to its inability to supply them to the power stations of the customers.
It is the practice and duty of the CPC analysts to test the quality of every fuel and oil imported and ensured that they conform to the standard specifications. The oil is pumped out from the vessels only after the Report of the analysts gives the clearance. But, because of the undue pressures and compulsions by the present Chairman of the CPC, the retired Army officer, upon the analysts, the internal accounts division, legal division and human resource division, the staff of these divisions are unable to make their decisions with propriety and are facing numerous obstacles in the discharge of their duties duly.
Even 7 months ago, the CPC has imported inferior quality fuel oil.

The black oil imported this time is too thick in consistency, according to reports.
Because this inferior quality oil had been rejected by the private power plant owners, there is a risk that the supply of power in the country can break down in the next few days. There are 8 private power supply stations in operation at the moment.

When the disciplinary Committee had taken a decision to expel workers who were found guilty of bribery, corruption and frauds at its investigations, these workers, on the other hand had been given higher positions and reinstated. Instead of they being punished for their malpractices and frauds, they have been rewarded due to the intervention of the present Chairman. As a result of this, continued corruption and frauds is raging in the Corporation facilitated and encouraged by the Chairman, the Corporation workers point out.

An individual who was found guilty of 26 charges over fraudulent fuel deals by the disciplinary Committee and decided by the workers’ panel of judges that he shall not be allowed to continue in service has been reinstated by the present Chairman.

Meanwhile, when a disciplinary inquiry was in progress against a security division officer who had been charged on 12 counts, and when there was an investigating division and a Manager, the present Chairman appointed a special disciplinary unit and entrusted this culprit to that Committee.

Another individual who is to be meted out punishment by the disciplinary Committee following a foreign exchange fraud committed by him has been given appointment as an operations Manager by the same Chairman.

Country’s valuable lands are all now under the Rajapakse family -Anura Kumara

(Lanka-e-News 09.May.2010 11.30pm) Anura Kumara Dissanayake M P addressing a media briefing on the 9th at the JVP Headquarters at Pelawatte , Bataramulla said, at the recent distribution of Ministries when the new Cabinet was appointed , the important Institutions like the lands reforms Commission, Telecommunication regulatory Commission, Attorney General and legal Draftsman’s Dept , Urban development Ministry, Land rehabilitation and development Corporation, Coast conservation Dept., Petroleum resources development Secretariat, Oil resources development Institution, Finance Ministry, Security Division ,Highways , Ports and Aviation services are all distributed among the President’s family members . It is crystal clear from this that the Cabinet appointments have been made not with the objective of developing the country.

The President before the elections promised to prune down the Cabinet to 35 to 37 Ministers , but now , already it has gone up to 42. Though the assurance given was that only those who were capable will be appointed as Ministers and Deputy Ministers , what has truly taken place is only just changing the names of the Ministries.

The Gazette notification of the Ministries and their functions was delayed this time. According to that gazette notification the President has taken into his fold , Finance, Defense, Ports and aviation services, planning and Highways . There are 78 Institutions under the President now!
The lands reform Commission Committee was traditionally under the Lands Ministry . A large amount of the lands of this country under the State are under the purview of the lands reform Commission Committee. All those are now under the President.

The Telecommunication regulatory Commission which ought to be under the Posts and telecommunication Ministry are also now under the President. This is a place where there is colossal monetary flow.

The Attorney General’s Dept. and the legal draftsman’s Dept. which were under the Ministry of Justice have been brought under the control of the President.
Likewise , the important Urban development Authority as well as the lands rehabilitation and development Corporation under the Urban development Ministry have been brought within the ambit of the Defense Ministry. These types of things have never occurred anywhere in the world. These Ministries and Institutions have been distributed not based on any method .. They have been done to suit and please the President’s Family and relatives. The most valuable lands of this country belong to the Urban development Authority. By gazette notification these have been transferred to the Urban development Authority .This is a ploy to appropriate the most valuable common lands to himself , Anura Kumara asserted.

Traditionally , coast conservation Dept. came under the Fisheries Ministry. But , now this has been brought under the purview of the Ministry of Ports and aviation services. All the coastal lands belong to the Coast conservation Dept.. Hence, a large strip of coastal land in the North and the East too is now under the President. These lands are the most valuable lands .

Another important Institution is the Crude oil resources development Secretariat and Oil resources development Institution which was under the Petroleum Ministry . The President has divested it of the Ministry of petroleum and vested it under the President. It is evident from all these actions of the President , all important Ministries and Institutions of this country had been by careful calculation and manipulation brought under him , his family and relatives, not for the country’s development , but for the development of his family, Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out

A Minister and 22 Army chiefs ask for residence visas in Singapore –already Rs. 150 million remitted

(Lanka-e-News, May 6, 2010, 9.40AM) 22 Officers of the Army above the rank of Brigadier and a new prominent Minister of the Govt. noted for his loquacity have forwarded their applications to the Home affairs Ministry asking for residence visas in Singapore, according to information reaching Lanka e news from reliable sources.

To obtain a residence visa in Singapore the total cost for a single individual is Dollars 80,000/- which in Sri Lanka rupees is around Rs. 66 lakhs. This amount has to be deposited with their Home affairs Ministry. Already the 23 of them have deposited these monies, according to reports reaching Lanka e news. The total amount deposited in SL Rupees is over Rs. 150 million.
This group had asked for residence visas from several European countries, but, they have all refused to give them. Hence, they have sought Singapore residence visas.

Among the Army officers who have asked for residence visas, there are also officers of the superior ranks who have carried out war operations against the LTTE, it is learnt.

The Army officers and the Minister seeking residence visas at a time when the war is over has sparked widespread speculations in the political circles.

President and his brother enjoy the lion’s shares –President grabs 78 Institutions; Former PM gets just one!

(Lanka-e-News 05.May.2010 8.30AM) According to the SL Democratic Socialist republic gazette notification dated April 30th, the President Mahinda Rajapakse under the powers vested in him by the constitution S 44 -1, has in the distribution of Ministries grabbed for himself four Cabinet portfolios. In other words, as many as 78 Institutions coming under those Ministries will be controlled by him.

The Urban development authority which was earlier under the urban development Ministry has also been brought under the defense Ministry which is under the President .

A section of the legal division which formulates laws in regard to the monetary matters under the Ministry of Finance has also been included under his control. It is not clear whether this division is what belongs to the Ministry of justice or the Attorney General’s Dept . itself.

The former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake who has been given the portfolio of public administration and reforms , has been allotted only one Institution , that is the National administrative reforms Commission.

The younger brother of the President Basil Rajapakse, who is the Minister of economic development had got under his Ministry , 14 Statutory Institutions and Govt. Corporations. The National parks and wild life sanctuaries which came under the Tourist Ministry earlier have also now been given control to him.
The SL foreign employment Bureau which had formerly always been first under the Labor Ministry and later under the foreign employment promotion and welfare Ministry, being brought this time under the Foreign Ministry is something most contrasting.

Institutions which were earlier under other Ministries like, Samurdhi Commissioner’s Dept; Udarata Govi rehabilitation Dept.; SL investment Commission; SL tourism development division; SL tourism Organization Authority; Hotels and tourism management Institution; Samurdhi Authority; Southern development Authority, Wild life Dept; Udarata Development Authority as well as District development and zonal development programs have all been brought under the Ministry of economic development of Basil Rajapakse.
Those subjects or affairs which have not been entrusted to Ministries so far will also be controlled by the President until they are given over.

"The people’s representatives spend their time debating .various constitutional issues and the numerous elections to which will they blithely claim will strengthen the democratic rights of the people, while the people are hard pressed to find a parliamentarian who will take the responsibility for the lack of facilities in his electorate, the closure of primary schools and the sorry state of the base hospitals."
by Manel Abhayatna
(October 12, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankans often tend to delude themselves that the promises made of airy visions of utopian bliss by politicians will be soon realized at least if not now then in the near future. This naïve acceptance enables politicians to make the most profound statements and promises with never a concern about their veracity. Today we hear many politicians claim that though there is poverty yet that poverty does not diminish the quality of life of the people. Poor you may be , the poverty line is stated to begin at around and below Rs 3000 and obviously according to the politicians this amount certainly allows a person to live comfortably no matter the escalating cost of living.

If one were to take a low income poor family or for that matter a middle class family that is fast losing its status and becoming a lower middle class family having a family of four. Breakfast alone without those now luxurious eggs and powdered milk will cost at least two hundred rupees .In a marginalized urban dwelling very few can cook their food using firewood and so kerosene or gas is needed and the price of a coconut is easily in the range of Rs. 35- 40 . It is sad that those who talk so easily about how comfortable the lives of the poor are in this land where the GDP and per capita income is enviable, fail to understand that these two economic indicators do not really show the actual; living conditions of the vast majority of people who are the marginalized urban slum dwellers and the rural agricultural poor.

The people’s representatives spend their time debating .various constitutional issues and the numerous elections to which will they blithely claim will strengthen the democratic rights of the people, while the people are hard pressed to find a parliamentarian who will take the responsibility for the lack of facilities in his electorate, the closure of primary schools and the sorry state of the base hospitals. Instead he will talk of the roads that have been built and the bridges displaying a plaque giving credit to his greatness , while most people start complaining a couple of months later that the bridge is on the verge of collapse and roads have not been well constructed. The Parliamentarian invariably complains to his colleagues’ that people in his electorate are extremely ungrateful!

In fact while the escalating cost of living constitutes spiralling the various authorities with supreme indifference to the needs of the poor continue to increase prices. A few weeks ago the price of wheat flour was increased, according to some wag it was done in order the control the growing incidence of diabetes among the people! The increased price meant that the price of bread rose by three rupees and so too did allied products. Now the private transport services are urging for a revision of prices and the moment the bus rates are increased the cost of living further rises. This affects not the elite but the poor who have to use the public transport system to go for work send their children to school etc. Invariably lack of ready cash increase the school drop out rate and workers too tend to absent themselves more often.

While all these price increases are taking place government claims that economic development is talking place and cities are being spruced up to welcome tourists .In order to make the city safe security lights are being installed even as traffic police are seen at all strategic points. Unfortunately the people friendly police that are being so much touted by the law enforcing authorities are yet to see light of day. A couple of days ago a traffic police office was supervising a road repair near the traffic light close to the Bribery commissions’ office . The signal light was red and a couple of vehicles were waiting for the light to change the police office of course had other ideas and from an adjacent point of the road he was signaling the vehicle to proceed which none of them did , and the poor man was in a rage , perhaps he felt that his office was slighted and he raving and rating at the bemused drivers who were wondering whether they should follow him beckoning them to proceed standing at the pavement or wait till the lights change. Fortunately before the police officer could get really nasty the lights changed and off whizzed the cars yet hearing comment on the parentage of the drivers who had ignored his hand signal! So much for a people friendly police!

Where are all the funds collected for ‘Uthuru mithuru’ (Northern friends) railway? -Dulles’ underhand actions questioned by the Railway workers

(Lanka-e-News, May 4, 2010, 9.15AM) Railway workers rights and Organization for protection of state property have questioned former Minister of transport Dulles Alahaperuma as to what happened to all the funds which were collected in the name of ‘uthuru mithuru’ (northern friends) to restore the Northern railway lines and for establishing a ‘Colombo gedera’ to enable night railway travelers from Jaffna to stay.

The railway workers rights and the Organization for protection of State property in their notification declare that huge publicity was given regarding the large number of people who hope to travel to Jaffna, and monies were collected from the railway workers and the Govt. servants: a day’s pay was collected from each of them. The money spent on the day meal of nearly 40 lakhs students was also collected, as well as tickets at the rate of 1000/-; Rs 500/- and Rs. 50/- were sold on the campaign, ‘a ticket for conscience’, and massive sums of monies had been accumulated. In their notification it is alleged that all these large sums of monies so collected have been fraudulently siphoned off by the Minister to another account, and he has cheated on the people.

Similarly, when importing S 9 electrical accessories, a 50 million rupee commission was received. Using these monies, a scheme in the name ‘Colombo gedera’ - a lodge for the travelers who come from Jaffna to Colombo in the night was to be launched. But, for the last two years that scheme has stopped with the laying of the foundation stone and the scheme is now defunct. The Organization has questioned the Minister Dulles Alahaperuma as to what he did with all those monies.

President controlling the finances coming under the Parliament is a gross violation of the constitution –Handunetti

(Lanka-e-News, May 3, 2010, 9.10 AM) Handunetti, DNA M.P. said, under the SL Constitution Section 150 -3, the only period the President can transfer the control of the State and finances is when the Parliament is dissolved.

When there is an opportunity to pass a budget in the Parliament, abusing the constitutional provisions and taking charge of the full control of the country’s monetary administration by the President is to conceal the Country’s irretrievable financial debacle the Govt. has plunged itself into. This is also a pointer that the President has taken upon himself an unlawful dictatorial role.

Handunetti addressing a JVP media briefing on the 2nd at Pelawatte JVP Headquarters, further noted…
The President arrogating to himself the full monetary administrative powers is an infringement not only of the constitution, but even the ethical code. S148 of the constitution clearly stipulates that the monetary powers are vested with the Parliament. Only when the Parliament is dissolved, can the President control the financial administration for the three months. When a new Parliament has been installed by the people, the budget can be passed via the Parliament. Instead, the President controlling the financial affairs under his sole authority is an index that the President is exploiting his Executive powers to conduct himself as a monetary administrative terrorist. He is taking the law into his hands. We therefore urge the intelligentsia of the country also to protest against this lawless despotic attitude of the President.
Secretaries have been appointed to all other Ministries. Yet, so far there is no information of a Secretary being appointed to his Finance Ministry. It is these dire financial circumstances which have impelled the Govt. not to present a budget. The people did not elect a new Parliament, for the Govt. to hold back from presenting a budget in Parliament.

When the war was on, the Govt. excused itself blaming on the war when steeply increasing the prices of goods, taxing the people, blocking salary increases to workers and its incapacity to develop the country. But, the war is over nearly a year ago, yet the Govt. is hard put even to present its budget in the first year itself, he lamented.

The Govt. is avoiding presenting a budget, solely because it had not been able to honor its promise to the IMF when taking the loan, that it will curtail the budget deficit to 7%. Already the deficit has reached 10 %.

The country is indebted to the tune of Rs. 68000 million already per month. Moreover, the Govt. has no income or plans to generate income.

The pavement hawkers have been evicted from their places of earning. They are thrown to the streets. Trying to eliminate poverty, it has made everyone beggars.

When allocating Ministries, the President has scrupulously seen to it that the best Ministries where there is a lot of cash potential and perks, to his kith and kin. On top of all this, the President also ensuring that the monetary control of the country is kept to himself is clear evidence that he is heading towards a cruel lawless bankrupt despotic regime, he pinpointed.

Former Health Minister's frauds, corruption , commissions surface on new Minister’s probes

(Lanka-e-News 09.April.2010 11.45PM) The huge frauds, corruption and commission collections in the imports and purchases of drugs and equipments to Govt. Hospitals during the tenure of Office of the former Minister of health , Nimal Siripala De Silva have been unearthed in a probe conducted by the new Minister Maithripala Sirisena .

It was the State pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) which was importing drugs for the Govt. Hospitals. In the past it was revealed time and again that , though drugs were ordered , the relevant letters of credits were not opened for their import.; and because the necessary funds were not passed by the Treasury , there was an acute shortage of drugs in the Hospitals .

A Treasury Secretary who inquired into this situation recently , found that the Treasury has made the necessary arrangements with the Bank of Ceylon for the release of Rs. 6000 million for the import of the drugs.. On the contrary ,what the officials of the Health Ministry and the SPC have done is they have delayed placing the order for the import by claiming there is no money in the Govt. and purchased the drugs at uncontrolled prices locally paying high prices. It is a well known fact that when such purchases are made locally , huge Commissions are in store for them.
Under the instructions of the present Minister Maithripala Sirisena , already an internal audit investigation has been initiated. Meanwhile , those who negotiated these deals who are in an embarrassing situation due to these exposures now , are moving heaven and earth to influence the President to bring back Nimal Siripala to the Health Ministry, reports say.

The drugs which were ordered last January are now on the way and is very near to arrival. However , the receipt of these drugs were delayed because , priority was given to purchases of drugs in the local market without allocating the funds for the import , sources say.

It is reported that high ranking officials of the Health Dept. from the Director General down are to be given transfers on the conclusion that these frauds and corruption have possibly indeed occurred.

Susil against Harry coming in to CPC

(Lanka-e-News 09.May.2010 9.15AM) It is reported that Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha is opposed to the decision of the President to appoint Harry Jayawardena, a prominent businessman as the chairman of the Ceylon petroleum Corporation (CPC).

It is also learnt that the President had stated that Harry Jayawardena shall be appointed to that position irrespective of anybody’s likes and dislikes.

The Minister Premjayantha has informed the Chairmen and the Directors of the CPC and Oil Companies to tender their resignations. Yet , the Chairman and Director General of the Petroleum oil Companies, retired Army officer Rohan Soysa has still not handed in his resignation.

Under his administration the Petroleum oil Companies became a total failure. The workers of all trade unions unanimously point out that the administration and discipline fell steeply step by step. They had even informed the President in writing along with statistics on this. Hence , despite it , this Company Chairman being allowed to be in that position is for whose necessity ? , they ask.
The present Chairman when he took over the office in August , the overtime payments were Rs. 20 million monthly . This, increased to 85 million after his appointment . The worker s state that this increase was the result of the unnecessary unlimited overtime payments made to maintain the Chairman’s special task groups . The driver of the Chairman, apart from the salary drew Rs. 120,000/- as overtime monthly , the workers exposed. During the last few months , these payments were made from the loans taken from Banks. This extravagant and wasteful Chairman ‘s official monthly fuel expenditure alone is a colossal Rs. 150,000/- ,the workers expressed.

Under this Chairman , the financial , administration aspects and discipline in the Corporation have totally collapsed . The workers and Trade unions have in unison written to the President giving details and statistics . Therefore , for whose need is this Chairman with such a putrid record still being retained in the Chairman post ? , the workers and trade unions ask.

Greg Young (CEO) is known to be a bad manager, who was kicked off from an Indian Telco, and famous for poor leadership qualities backed-up by wrong judgments and poor decision making. He is highly unpopular inside SLT due to "foolish" management at top. Industry knows him as a “Data Analyzer” and his this approach blocks the progression of SLT.what ever the development proposal put forward by any Chief Officer he start analyzing it with a pessimistic mind dragging for a long period and make it push to the garbage bin as in the way he is been advised by Kapurbandara the maxis representative.
More over it is important to emphasize that 90% of the proposals put ford by the Chief Officers to develop CDMA & Copper pair cable network in North an East under Governments “Uthuru Wasanthaya” Program is suspended leaving opportunity for rest of the operators to spread their wings in N & E making the Market Share for SLT in Landlines null and void. It’s a vital factor to understand the geographical structure of a country and the population density along with the expectation of the people in preparing development plans. How can a foreign CEO come to know these factors when he is not competent in Telecommunication Basics.
To prove further how foolish he is, as he has totally disconnected Internet facilities for all SLT employees when SLT is recognized as a leading Internet service provider. This has isolated the customers from the employees as business proposals communicated via emails to customers are banned. This is one of the strategies of maxis representative Kapurubandara in view of pulling down business.

Maxis’ being an international player is very much known for this kind of business approach. Anywhere they go, first they buy some stake and then forcefully appoint a CEO to make sure the company is poorly performed so as to buy the whole company at a lesser price. For this endeavor Maxis has already bought two Sri Lankan directors (appointed by GOSL) for money to support Maxis Directors as in the way the parliamentarians cross over for money the Director Board Composition which was 5:4 is made 3:6 through cross over in disguise.

Poor employees and the customers are now in the middle of the tug-o-war between the CEO (GOSL/Maxis) and the Chief Officers to keep SLT up and running while GOSL Directors making a deceitful scoff as they act on complete ignorance in their short stay as Directors. The incompetence of the GOSL Directors (except two) is also another factor to give in full administrative powers to CEO with a 10 Million salary who is blindfolded.

The Directors and a Govt. political big gun are trapped by the maxis representative Kapurubandar which GOSL directors are left with one and only solution to pass a no confidence motion at the director board meeting to remove the CEO without any cost, in the same way Governments been defeated at Parliament.

The employees request, his Excellency the President to pay immediate attention as every second you delay you are killing one of your topmost leading profitable institutes under GOVT control.

America faced it ever biggest financial crisis because of CEO’s salaries, none alarmed the crisis erupt which was the only signal in Walls Street America when shoe polishing people lost their day to day business.

The alarm is given for the GOVT; by the employees and also employees request the Govt Vocal Mr Wimal Weerawansa (Govt; Panchaudaya) to alarm the president of this crisis situation to salvage SLT.

Singapore House of an Expensive Minister

(Lanka-e-News 30.March.2010 12.10PM) This is a building in a very expensive area of Singapore. One of the most expensive Sri Lankan minister in the cabinet has bought a house in this building. This particular is famous for spending public money for himself and his family members when they are abroad. We also know another Minister from a town close to Sigiriya has also bought a palace in Malaysia."

The offer is Rs. 100 million! to an Opposition MP who pole vaults to the Govt. It is also learnt these new MPs are to enjoy the benefit of a free import permit for a vehicle worth 200 Lakhs without tax.
Already these disdainful deals have begun with the UNP MPs in the event of their winning at elections. It is also reported that the preliminary election campaign of these MPs are also being given support and aid by the Govt. through a powerful Govt. politico. This support has already begun.

A UNP MP contesting Gampaha District has been advanced Rs. 50 lakhs by the mediation of the Govt. powerful politico. This candidate since of late has started a massive poster and election campaign .This candidate at the last General election was elected as a UNP M P. Later somersaulted to the Govt. camp and back pole vaulted to the UNP.
There are also reports that Kegalle District UNP candidate, before the election campaign is concluded, is also to cross over to the Govt. and discussions are already in progress in this direction.

Incidentally, the UNP MPs have given an undated signed letter to the leadership confirming that they wont change the party. However, a Court action has been filed challenging the validity of this letter.

Legacy greater than currency

The state media headlines scream - Rs. 1 million for the whereabouts of Danuna Tillakaratne.
For comparison, the reward for Prabhakaran was Rs. 5 million and that was for 30 years of violent conflict, not for helping his father-in-law's election campaign for two months.
Danuna Tillakaratne did NOT involve in any arms deals as falsely publicized by the government. The government's actual charge is that he forged a signature - a charge they are not able to prove.
These allegations are simply lies to force Danuna to give a verdict against the General.
It is time Sri Lankans heard the truth from their officials. It is also time that government officials stopped spending our tax money on false allegations. All weapons transactions in Sri Lanka are governed by Lanka Logistics and Technologies. Established by the government, and run by the Defense Secretary, this is the sole procurement agency for all military equipment.
Millions for posters, millions for TV ads, and millions spent on getting the police and CID to cater to every whim of a government blinded by revenge.
The economy, resettlement of population, an alarmingly widening budget crisis, a pitiful human rights record, government corruption.
With a million burning issues - we are still trying to spend millions on harassing the innocent.
Also, is anyone that foolish to think the government will allow them to live freely, if they do collect this reward?
Think about it.
Sarath Fonseka Media Unit
3/1 Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 7
sarathfonsekamedia@gmail.com

It is none other than Minister Champika Ranawake who made these denunciations.

The Minister added that individuals who are practicing hooliganism, involved in frauds and corruption should be prevented from entering Parliament. In the future, he urged, Sri Lankans should think and act carefully to elect Parliamentarians who are educated, well character-ed, well bred and from respectable professions .

Sri Lankans in Australia urge UN to intervene in protecting Human & Civil rights of Sri Lankans citizens

(Lanka-e-News, March 17, 2010, 7.55PM) We publish hereunder a letter addressed to the United Nations quoting Article 25 and Article 9 of the covenant urging its intervention as the guardian of civil and human rights in connection with the arrest and detention of General Sarath Fonseka allegedly violating the laws of the country and in breach of the covenant.

The Honourable Ban Ki Moon,
Secretary-General
United Nations
March 14 2010

Dear Sir,

Although a signatory to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the government of Sri Lanka is in breach of Article 25 and Article 9. Therefore we respectfully ask that you remind the President of the said government of its civil rights obligations under international law.

Article 25 of the ICCPR gives every citizen the right to vote in "genuine periodic elections" which shall guarantee "the free expression of the will of the electors." Sri Lanka has recently been subjected to a series of elections which were neither "genuine" nor "free".

The ruling party and the incumbent president used full power of the state to guarantee electoral success. Armed gangs were used to intimidate supporters of the opposition candidate who challenged the incumbent president, General (Rtd.) Sarath Fonseka. The resources of state authorities were widely employed to help the sitting President's campaign; the state media which is run by the tax payers' money of Sri Lanka carried constant advertisements which were like programmes for him. Live coverage was given to meetings at which the President participated while the General's meetings were not given any publicity at all or virtually none. Likewise the state media was used to make false statements defaming Fonseka's personal character. It was repeatedly alleged that he was not eligible to be elected president and that therefore a vote cast for him would be wasted. Such statements were broadcast without a break until the close of polling at 4 pm. The counting agents of candidates other than the President were threatened and chased away from many counting centres. Transport facilities were not provided to residents of IDP camps in the North with the result that only 5,000 out of 100,000 eligible and registered voters cast their votes. Planned bomb explosions in the war a_ected the northern peninsula on the day before the presidential election, preventing people casting their votes (the number who turned up was as low as below 15%}. The Elections' Commissioner admitted that he could not ensure the safety of even one ballot box and that "the situation has reached a dangerous level that is beyond me."
This manner in which the election was held denied the human rights of the Sri Lankan people. Soon afterwards, the main opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka was arrested under the Army Act even though he had already ceased to be a serving o_cer, Military law has denied him the normal rights of an accused citizen; he has not yet been charged although one month of detention has passed.

Article 9 of the ICCPR states:

1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.

2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.

By its illegal detention of Sarath Fonseka without charge, the government of Sri Lanka has breached this article of the Covenant in every respect. That is the considered opinion of Retired Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, who said, after thoroughly examining the evidence, " In conclusion I wish to state that from whatever perspective one may look at the matter – the Constitution; the Universal Declaration; the ICCPR; the Code of Criminal Procedure Act; the Army Act or the CDS Act; the purported arrest and continued detention of General Sarath Fonseka who is now a candidate nominated for the Parliamentary Elections is entirely contrary to law and justice. "

The people of Sri Lanka hope that the UN is the guardian of Article 25 and Article 9 of the Covenant. They are precious civil rights which we are unwilling to lose.

Yours sincerely
Jagath Bandara
National Convener,
Campaign for Democracy in Sri Lanka - Australia

The institute said it is naming Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was editor of Sri Lankan newspaper The Sunday Leader, as an IPI World Press Freedom Hero.

Wickrematunge, a fierce critic of the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger militants, was shot dead near Colombo on January 8, 2009. More than a year later, the killing has not been solved, IPI said.

"The murder of Wickrematunge was a shocking reminder of the dangers facing Sri Lanka's courageous journalists, for whom death is all too often the ultimate form of censorship," IPI Director David Dadge said in a written statement.

"By naming him an IPI World Press Freedom Hero, IPI honors his memory and his sacrifice, and sends the strongest message possible to the Sri Lankan government that the international community will not forget his murder and that the perpetrators must be found and punished."
Three days after his death, The Sunday Leader published a column in which Wickrematunge had predicted his own death.

The column anticipated his killing by government forces and defended the craft of journalism in his country, which is enduring a bitter civil war.

Wickrematunge wrote that he was twice assaulted and his house was fired upon.

"Despite the government's sanctimonious assurances, there was never a serious police inquiry into the perpetrators of these attacks, and the attackers were never apprehended," he wrote in the column.
"In all of these cases, I have reason to believe the attacks were inspired by the government. When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me."

Asked last year about threats to journalists, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa voiced assurance that no journalist or media institution had cause to fear any threats or attacks by the government, according to a statement on the government's official Web site.

"The government had no interest whatever in seeking disgrace through any attacks on the media," he said, and he assured media leaders that the culprits would be captured and brought to justice, the statement said.

Wickrematunge's brother, Lal Wickrematunge -- chairman of Leader Publications Ltd., which includes The Sunday Leader -- told IPI that the slain editor had known he was in danger.

"But he continued in his journey unbowed and unafraid. He felt total commitment to his work," Lal Wickrematunge said.

Lasantha Wickrematunge's killing spurred a demonstration in Colombo by 4,000 people, which Reporters Without Borders said was the largest since Rajapaksa took power in 2005.

He was re-elected to a second term last month.

Sinhalese-dominated government forces have been working to eradicate the last vestiges of Tamil Tiger separatists in Jaffna peninsula, a rebel-held northern region. The 25-year-old civil war has left more than 65,000 people dead.

According to IPI figures, 17 journalists have been killed in Sri Lanka over the past decade. Two of them were killed in 2009.

Wickrematunge will be among 60 World Press Freedom Heroes honored in a ceremony in September, IPI said.

(CNN)

This leaflet distribution was organized by the Media Organization campaign against media suppression . Several representatives of media organizations participated in this leaflet distribution. The media personnel agreed to distribute at least a ten thousand leaflets against media persecution in SL.

Independent media campaign Secretary Sunil Jayasekera said.

Our security divisions succeeded in defeating the world’s most dangerous terrorist Organization. Therefore the authorities saying it is unable to trace Ekneliyagoda or garner information about his whereabouts is a stupid joke. Ekneliyagoda consistently criticized the Govt. Hence, the failure to make a breakthrough in the investigations clearly compels anyone to direct an accusing finger at the Govt. It is therefore a duty incumbent on the Govt. to conduct a serious and honest investigation with a view to making a breakthrough.

“This wave of post-election violence could cast a lasting stain on the start of President Rajapaksa’s second term and bodes ill for the political climate during the coming years,” said Reporters Without Borders, which highlighted an increase in election violence and censorship in countries such as Iran and Tunisia in its latest press freedom roundup.

Reporters Without Borders also reminds the president of the statements in support of press freedom that he has made on many occasions, including a meeting with a Reporters Without Borders representative in October 2008.

“It is quite normal for journalists and privately-owned media to side with a candidate before and during a democratic election but it is unacceptable for them to the victims of reprisals once the elections are over,” the press freedom organisation added.

Police and unidentified groups have been targeting the media, especially media that supported the leading opposition candidate, Gen. Sarath Fonseka, every since the announcement of the result, which some opposition sectors including Fonseka are disputing. Sri Lanka’s five main journalists’ organisations have issued a joint statement condemning the “post-election media suppression.”

The following serious press freedom violations have been reported:

1. Police today arrested Chandana Sirimalwatta, the editor of Lanka, a newspaper that supports the JVP opposition party, after he responded to a summons for questioning about an article published on 26 January. The president’s brother, defence minister Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, threatened to burn the newspaper down a few days ago.

2. Plain-clothes men using a car with the license plate 32/ 84 32 placed seals yesterday evening over the entrance to the office of the Lankaenews website. Men searched the office earlier in the day. The website itself has been rendered inaccessible for the past few days by the state telecommunications company Sri Lanka Telecom.

3. In an interview for the Colombo-based Daily Mirror newspaper yesterday, Tamil government minister Douglas Devananda threatened the Jaffna-based newspaper Uthayan with unspecified reprisals.

4. Reporter Karin Wenger of the Swiss public radio station DRS is facing possible deportation on 1 February following the withdrawal of her press accreditation. “I had a visa and accreditation that were valid for the election,” she told Reporters Without Borders. “I think this decision is linked to the questions I asked an official during a news conference after the results were announced.” A presidential adviser referred to her insultingly as a “white face.”

5. Ravi Abewikrama, a reporter with state radio broadcaster SLBC was attacked yesterday by one of the station’s officials for criticising the biased election coverage imposed by the head of the station.

6. Soldiers took up position on 26 January around and inside the buildings that house two privately-owned TV stations, Sirasa and Swarnavahini, in Colombo.

7. Soldiers roughed up photographers working for foreign news agencies when they tried to attend a news conference given by Gen. Fonseka yesterday. One was forced to delete the photos on his camera’s memory card. Soldiers also prevented journalists from working freely near a hotel being used by Fonseka the previous day.

Reporters Without Borders finally also urges President Rajapaksa to assign more police officers to the search for political reporter and cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda, who has been missing since 24 January. His family has had no news of him since that date.

Lanka e news the most popular website of SL blocked by State’s Lanka Telecom

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.26, 2010, 10.40PM) The Sri Lanka Telecom today (26) through its internet facilities blocked the Lanka e news, the most popular website from being accessed by viewers in SL.

From 10.00 this morning this stoppage had been made on orders from the top. When we made a complaint to the Elections Commissioner on this. The latter made a request by letter to the SL telecom Chairman to withdraw this prohibition. Incidentally, the SL Telecom Chairman is also the President’s Secretary, Lalith Weeratunge.

As 85 % of our website viewers are Sri Lankans, this action is a great disservice and injustice done to them.
During the period of this stoppage, the Lanka e news website can be accessed by the Sri Lankan viewers through the proxy server, Ninja ‘proxy dot com’

This website blocked by the Govt. won the award last year as the best website. Besides, presently it is the most popular website in SL with most number of viewers.

The Lanka e news website publishes news in all three languages Sinhala, English and Tamil
We regret any inconvenience caused to our viewers due to circumstances beyond our control.

Private television networks also suddenly brought under the control of the Security forces covering the State televisions

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.27, 2010, 9.10AM) The State Rupavahini main administration control room and at the main gates have been brought under the control of the Sri Lanka Army Engineering Force at the moment.

Meanwhile, the Army has also been installed around the Swarnavahini and the Sirasa Television stations yesterday (26).

Although this security is purportedly for providing protection to these Television stations, it is learnt that they have not made any such requests.

Presidential Polls: 14 million voters, 22 Candidates, 11,000 polling centres
Posted on26 January 2010.

Final result expected tomorrow afternoon

Nearly 250,000 government servants will be on duty for today's 6th Presidential Election to be conducted for the first time islandwide, including the Northern and Eastern Provinces, after the conclusion of war on terrorism ended in May last year.

There are 22 candidates in the fray, including incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Army Chief, General (Retd.) Sarath Fonseka, the two main contenders. Two candidates withdrew earlier.

A spokesman for the Election Commissioner's Department told The Island that 14,088,500 persons were eligible to vote at the presidential election today. Ballot boxes were sent to Kachcheries islandwide yesterday under heavy security escorts.

Among the voters eligible to vote are 45,732 internally displaced persons (IDP's) in the North and East. The Menik Farm Welfare Village in Vavuniya has 16,000 persons who have registered to cast their votes today.

State as well as private buses had been deployed for those persons to travel to their polling booths in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, a spokesman for the Ministry of Resettlement said.

There are 11,098 polling centres and 888 counting centres. The counting in Colombo will be at D. S. Senanayake College and Isipathana College, where 2500 officials will be on duty. The final result could be expected tomorrow (Wednesday) early afternoon.

The Police Elections Secretariat sources told The Island that there would be 68,000 policemen on duty, assisted by personnel of the three armed forces.

It said: “The military will be called in to assist Police if violence erupts, even after the election results are announced. We will be very strict and severe on culprits who engage in acts of violence or even instigate violence. Just cast your vote and leave. Don't hang around polling booths, start arguments which could end in fights.”

Elections Commissioner, Dayananda Dissanayake, told The Island that today's Presidential Election would be free and fair. He appealed to everyone concerned not to make unwanted allegations and for the losing candidate to take defeat in proper spirit.

“I only hope this will be my last election as the Commissioner,” the Commissioner of Elections, Dayananda Dissanayake told the media recently.

There are 55 election monitors in the country from the Asian Association of Election Authorities (AAEA) and the Commonwealth representing 21 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, South Korea, Kazakhastan, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea. The UN and EU declined to send monitors for today's Presidential Election.

There are also over 40 foreign media personnel in the country, mainly in vulnerable areas, including the North and East.

Reported election violence incidents were 985 upto last evening including four killings.

TRANCEPARENCY INTERNATIONAL SRI-LANKA

More than 70 percent vote
Posted on26 January 2010.
DailyMirror

Island wide voter turnout was more than 70% while the voter turnout for the North and East Provinces was less, People’s Action Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Spokesperson Rohana Hettiarachchi said.
“The overall voter turnout was more than 70% island wide while the North and East witnessed a very low voter turnout of less than 20%,” Hettiarachchi said. There were isolated incidents of violence that took place in Jaffna, Hambantota and Nawalapitiya with regard to grenade attacks and firing although these incidents were comparatively low considering the elections, Hettiarachchi said.

39 incidents of violence were reported at the time when the polls were closing, Hettiarachchi said. Although only 27 cases of violence were confirmed by the PAFFREL while 12 cases went unconfirmed, he added.

“There have been five cases of assaults, seven cases of intimidation and seven cases of illegal propaganda,” Hettiarachchi said. Seven of the most violent incidents were reported from the central province while the western and southern province had four incidents of election violence each, he said.

However when compared to the incidents of pre election violence that amounted to 757 the Election Day violence was comparatively low, Hettiarcachi said.

DailyMirror

Media personnel Prageeth Ekneliyagoda missing from yesterday night

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.25, 2010, 1.35PM) Prageeth Ekneliyagoda and independent media personnel and a political analyst has disappeared from yesterday night (24)

Ekneliyagoda is an independent media personnel and a political analyst. He lives at Homagama. People of the area have seen a white Van sans number plate stationed around his house yesterday. It is reported that he has disappeared after leaving the office at Lanka e news for home at about 9.00 p.m. From yesterday night around 9.30 p.m. his phone is not functioning. It is learnt that when he received a call on his phone at about 9.30 .p.m. from a friend of his, he had answered ‘I am not going towards Koswatte’

During the last several days, he had been engaged in the election campaign of Gen. Fonseka. Ekneliyagoda was a provider of news based on political affairs to Lanka e news.

On an earlier occasion too there was an attempted abduction on Ekneliyagoda.

His wife has made a complaint to the Police this morning, (25) about his disappearance.

There is absolutely no free and fair election: Ven. Prelates intervene –Sarasavi lecturers meet Prelates and plead

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.24, 2010, 8.45PM) Independent University lecturers and intellectuals today (24) met the Ven. Malwatte Mahanayake Thero and requested the Prelate to make an announcement denouncing election violence.

A group of Professors of the Universities met the Prelate this morning and begged him to make a request to all political parties to conduct their election campaigns without violence, murder and mayhem.

The Ven..Mahanayake said, the three Nikayas have made a clear request earlier against violence, but there had been no positive response.
Porfessors, Doctors and Senior lecturers of the Universities of Peradeniya, Colombo, Sri Jayawardenapura, Ruhuna, wayambe and Sabaragamuwa were in the delegation which met the Prelate Professor Amerasiri Soysa of the Dept. of political Science of the Peradeniya University headed the delegation.

SLFP Bhikku Society former Secretary who supported the General arrested allegedly on bomb charges

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.24, 2010, 8.45PM) SLFP Bhikku Society former Gen. Secretary, Prelate Ven. Sumana Thero who extended support to Gen. Fonseka at the Presidential elections was arrested allegedly for discovery of a haul of arms in the Maligawatte Bodhiraja temple where the Thero is the incumbent. Meanwhile some Tamils were also taken into custody on orders from the Defense Secretary. According to the Police there had been 50 hand grenades, two T56 rifles and a cyanide capsule in the Temple premises.

A news release by the Gen. Fonseka’s media unit says, this is a perplexing discovery as, if this amount of arms is to be found, this Temple must be located in Pudhukuduirippu.
The President who is up against a blank wall and with defeat writ large on it, is resorting to all kinds of plots to intimidate and arrest supporters of Gen. Fonseka. Even a few weeks ago, Ven. Dr. Amila Thero, the President of the Patriotic National Center who appeared on stage of Gen’ Fonseka in support of his candidature was arrested on flimsy charges, the media stated.

In Killinochchi 80% of the Polling Cards are still at the Post Offices

(Lanka-e-News 24.Jan.2010 12.40PM) CaFFE states that only less than 10,000 poling cards were distributed out of 90,901 cards to the voters in Killinochchi Administrative District so far.

Out of the four Divisional Secretary Divisions (DSD)in Killinochchi District, the resettlement programs even in a limited scale, have taken place only in two DSDs, namely Puninn and Karachchi . There is still no Civil Administration established in the other DSDs.

As a result only less than 10,000 poling cards were been distributed among the voters out of 90,901 poling cards.

There will be “Cluster Polling Centers” established in the Public Play Ground in Killinochchi for the voters to come and exercise their ballot. The Tamil speaking officers will be deployed for the election duties in these Polling Centers.

Most number of voters out of 68, 729 registered in the Mullaittivu Administrative District, will be exercised their ballot in ‘Cluster Polling Centers’ establish in the Tamil Maha Vidyalaya in Vavuniya. The opportunity for exercising the ballots of these voters live in Oddusuttan, Pudukudiirruppu and Weralabadapattu, DSDs, mainly is depended on the transport facilities provided by the government on the Election Day, as these people have to travel quite a distance to the polling center.

Some of the registered voters are supposed to exercise their ballot in the polling center establish in the Manik Farm camp.

Though there are 721,359 voters registered in the Jaffna Electoral District, only less than 400,000 voters are now residing in the . Hence the percentage of the voter turns over in will be lesser in Jaffna and Vanni Districts.

Security at Rupavahini and Broadcasting Corporation beefed up from 25th : 26th and 27th declared holidays at Rupavahini

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.23, 2010, 6.10PM) It has been decided that from 25th Monday Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation shall be declared as High security zones.

Along with this decision , Additional Director General Devapriya Abeysinghe is being vested with all the powers and responsibilities to control the two Institutions.

It has also been decided to declare two days holidays on the 26th and 27th for all the workers. The Deputy Director General (administration) has sent out a circular today to this effect.

According to this circular , after 25th evening 5.00 p.m., only selected staff from the various divisions named in the list have been called to work.

Tiran Alles who summoned a special media meeting after the bomb explosion at his house disclosed details of the deal at the meeting.

At subsequent discussions, Emil has asked 180 million to buy boats for the LTTE if the contract of Rajapakse is to be carried out. Basil has without any demur agreed to pay this amount. Alles went on to explain further as follows…

Last Friday (22), I told you that this bomb explosion at my house was to avenge my releasing the photograph depicting Emil kanthan and Naamal Rajapakse together. The President, according to information we received was furious over this episode on Thursday (21)as the media had got access to the photograph. Mangala Samaraweera the SLFP (M) leader related.
Alles further elaborating said ,this Emilkanthan has a history. Hitherto I have not spoken openly on this subject. I came to know Emilkanthan in 2002. At that time he was working in the rehabilitation Ministry. In 2004 when Mnagala Samarweera became the Minster of Ports and aviation, I was appointed as Chairman of the Airports. In 2005, the Presidential elections was held. I was appointed to a Committee. Mahinda who was the Prime Minister at that time invited me to the Temple Trees one day, and asked whether I know people from that area.? I want to start discussions with the LTTE, he added. Introduce somebody to start discussions, he said. I told, I know Emilkanthan who has contact with the LTTE and he is doing business in Colombo. I told him if he wishes I can introduce him. Mahinda asked me whether Basil.Rajapkse knows him. At that time I have not seen Basil. Mahinda then introduced me to Basil and wanted me to link Basil to Emilkanthan. I did so.
From that point of time, discussions were started between Basil and Emil. They discussed how to enlist the support of LTTE for Mahinda’s election purpose. When November 2005 Presidential elections was drawing near, Basil Rajapakse asked Emilkanthan to help him to open a route to meet the LTTE, and he is prepared to pay any amount of money for this, adding that if the voting in the North and East can be blocked Mahinda can win and become the President.

Soon afterwards, Emilkanthan told Basil ‘you asked me what we want. Well we want to buy some boats for the LTTE. We need Rs. 180 million for that. Basil straight away said, no problem, we will give that amount.

Basil and Emil met again. That day what I never expected even in my dreams happened. Basil came with several huge traveling bags.

Indeed, I have told all these to the Terrorism investigation unit (TIU) in 2007. Yet, I am divulging this now, because they tried to kill me, Tiran pointed out.

Basil gave this full Rs. 180 million to create a camaraderie with the LTTE. When I was giving this statement to the TIU, they were shocked, and did not want to record what I was disclosing. I threatened that I will not sign the statement if they don’t record my declarations.

The CID then withdrew all the charges against me and released me from custody.

If Govt. tries to use the Army for unlawful ends after defeat on 26th, it will boomerang on the Govt. –Gen. Fonseka

(Lanka-e-News 2010.Jan.23 8.30PM) Addressing a special Press briefing today (23) at the JAIC Hilton Hotel today (23) , Presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka said , even if the Govt. tries to utilize the Army for its wrongful and unlawful ends when it is defeated at the 26th elections , he is certain the Army will never stoop to the Govt. ‘s orders . If the Govt. tries, it will boomerang on the Govt.

All the political party leaders who are supporting Gen. Fonseka participated at the meeting , including Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP laeder , Mano Ganeshan , and S. Sathasivam.

At the postal voting , 90% votes have been cast for me. The Army which is a disciplined group will never join the Govt. in its illegal designs. A great many of the Army Officers are having close ties with me. So, if the Govt. tries those dastardly tricks , it will only boomerang on the govt.

When the CID was instructed to question my son in law , the CID officer has told Defense Secretary . it si better to remove the uniform than to stoop to this type of base activities. The Army too will react this way. I have full confidence in the Army.. Whenever the Defense Secretary gives unlawful instructions , they inform me. Hence, the Govt. is only day dreaming of using the disciplined Army in the wrong direction .The Army is not like the Govt. without discipline.

An unusually large crowd of media representatives were present at the meeting . The following questions raised by the media were answered by the general as follows:

Q
If we wish to know about your position when you started your campaign compared with yours now ?

Although I started without any political experience , now I a m well ahead of him. You can judge for yourself by the vast crowds rallying round me. I am ably supported by the UNP , JVP and other parties of the UNF.

Q.
You told 15 Army Tanks have been brought to Colombo.
A.
Not Army tanks , they are APC ( army personal carriers) . Its is not necessary to bring them and soldiers to Colombo when an election is being held.

Q
What are the complaints you have received regarding election malpractices ?
A
There are countless complaints , from forged polling cards, ID cards ,bogus ballot boxes. Even iD card machines have been taken to Jaffna . The Police informed me one container load of stuffed ballot boxes was taken to Jaffna..

The Govt. has imported 3 lakhs black SF Tee shirts my supporters are wearing form China . On elections day they are getting ready to create violence and blame on our supporters.

The Govt . has already lost the elections . We are ahead of them .We are having 54% support , whereas , the Govt . has only 46 %.

The Govt. is therefore resorting to all kinds of unlawful activities to avert its defeat .

Q
How are you going to face the elections violence ?
A.
We cant face violence at this election by violence.. If it is a war , we can. We can only make complaints to the El. Commissioner and those bodies protecting peace.. We have full faith in the Police and the Army .
Q.
Do you allege that Army and the Police are being politicized ?
A
There are some officers of the Army and the Police in the higher echelons of the service , in order to please the President, Defense Secretary and the superior officers are mudslinging at me even with their uniforms via the media . But , I know officers in the lower ranks below the Brigadiers , some Generals, and the officers below the high ranking senior DIGs do not commit any wrongs.

The Govt. has transferred some Army officers even just prior to elections .The govt. has arrange dto send the Army commanding officer in Jaffna and of Poonaryn ot be dispatched during elections for a conference at Bangla Desh.

Vadamarachi Army chief has been transferred to Kotalawela cademy without any reason.. Now there is no Army Chief at Vadaaamarachi.
The Army Chief at Kilinochi is a close friend of the Defense Secretary . There were serious charges against him of having business dealings with the LTTE . Yet , he is now given control of Jaffna too.

You can yourself witness , how generals are mudslinging at me via the Television channels.. they are talking about Defense secretary’s abilities. This Defense Secretary who was a computer operator for 15 years . At that time What did we do ?. Over four times I was injured . Now this computer operator is giving orders to Army Commanders.

Q.
What have you to say in regard to the war crime charges.?
A.
Itake responsibility ofr all charges during my period in The Army. . No wrongs occurred at the hands of my Army.. What the President wanted to show was that he was the one who gave orders for the war . It is the Army Commander who is responsible. . If there were charges , the Prseident should have directed them to the Army Commander .. If that had happened , those charges could have been faced immediately.

Q.
If the power is taken back by an army conspiracy ?
A
Such a thing cant be done through the SL Army. If he tries those pranks , he will be atught a good lesson..

Bomb attack on Tiran’s house is most disgraceful and deplorable –The Head of State should hold himself responsible – Chandrika he should resign not be reinstated

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.23, 2010, 10.00AM) Following the bomb attack early morning on the 22nd on the house and vehicle of SLFP (M) National Organizer , the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike visited the site of the tragedy and made an inspection of the devastation.

The former President expressed her sentiments as follows after witnessing the scene…

This is a most disgraceful , deplorable and disdainful act. Tiran Alles is a leading politician from the Opposition side . Earlier too this Govt. took revenge on him. Now he has been the target of a bomb attack . Under this Govt . there are murders , assaults , arson and abductions , but no culprit is arrested . The Police too is unable to track down the criminals . As a former President of the country I can tell one thing that the Head of State and his Govt. must take the entire responsibility and blame for these crimes. When crimes are raging, Isn’t the leader and his Govt. who should stop them? she asked.
During my period in office I gave strict instructions personally to the Police and CID to somehow stop the crime wave , and I succeeded. During my time . a Tamil youth was murdered and his body was found in the Diyawanna Oya. I personally took the initiative to conduct a probe . We solved those problems within two months. Now , for the last four years crimes are being committed with impunity . The Govt. shall be held responsible for every unsolved crime . This crime wave must end.

It is the primary and paramount duty of a Leader and his Govt. to take stern action and put a full stop to them. If they cant ,they must resign forthwith , not seek another term, she emphasized.

Kurunegala IP refuses to stoop to illegal orders and threatens to remove his uniform

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.24, 2010, 8.45PM) On the orders of a senior Presidential advisor , a Navy Truck carrying mudslinging posters against Gen. Fonseka was taken into custody by the Kurunegala Police was released while a large crowd was watching despite the OIC of the station strongly protesting against this unlawful action.

Our Kurunegala Correspondent reports that the OIC Mangala Wickremenayake who objected to this release of the truck today, had threatened to remove the uniform and relinquish his duties in disgust. However, the other Police officers have pleaded with him to withdraw his decision as, only if he is in service during the elections period he can stop also the election malpractices.
Prabath, the Kurunegala District co ordinator to Basil Rajapkse has arrived at the Police station along with SP Vaas Gunaawradena and ordered the release of the truck and contents before large crowds who were shocked by the open lawless conduct of the top notch Law enforcing officer and Govt. authorities.

Residents of Kurunegala said, Goatbaya Rajapkse was in Kurunegala throughout yesterday engaged in President’s election campaign. A large number of Trailers were seen around the Govt. circuit Bungalow and also traveling in Kurunegala, without number plates.

Fake ID cards printed at Temple Trees

(Lanka-e-News 2010.Jan.23 8.30PM) Voters' Registers at each of the 9900 + polling booths contain the following: 1) Full name of voter, 2) Residential address and 3) His/her national ID number(NIC). A few of the names that appear in Registers have either died or gone abbroad.

It is learnt that the Temple Trees Operations Unit is engaged in printing fake/bogus ID cards of those who have either gone abroad or died and whose names still appear in the electoral lists. Laminating machines taken from the ID card Office located at Jawatte Road are being used for this job.This operatiuon is being undertaken behind closed doors and all those who are working on this dubious and flagrantly fraudulant act have been sworn to absolute secrecy.
Polling agents of all opposition parties have been warned about this operation and they have been instructed to object vehimently to such impersonators so that the results of this massive fraud will come to nought. Polling agents at each and every polling booths have been carefully slected beacuse they have personal knowledge of all the voters in their neighborhood. Brand new ID cars arouse suspicion.

Govt. openly deploys section of Army for its election campaign

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.22, 2010, 8.50PM) Charges are being leveled that Govt. is openly deploying sections of the Army for its election campaign and malpractices.

Residents of Matara say that a Captain of the Matara Army camp is engaged in obstructional and harassment activities while threatening them with shooting in the air directed against the supporters of Gen. Fonseka in Matara. Those in the camp are themselves confused and question as to what authority this Commanding officer has to act so high handedly. It is learnt that this Officer’s father is involved in turning out President’ campaign banners and is linked to the Medamulana walauwe.

Sources say, it is under the instructions of this Army commander that a group of Gen. Fonseka who were engaged in election campaign activities were shot at. A T56 rifle and 19 bullets have been found at the place of incident. This gang have been brought from Beliatta and are staying in the camp, it is reported.
Meanwhile, the govt. is to deploy Naval officers from today at Avukana and Mihintale Police stations. The Avukana Police comes under the GalnewaPolice, but the Galnewa Police OIC has not even been informed of these changes. Grave suspicions are in the air over the deployment of these naval officers during the election days after transferring the police officers temporarily from these stations.

The Police officers themselves are entertaining grave suspicions that these changes are being done by the Govt. to commit large scale election malpractices and frauds.

State media not respecting Supreme Court order – Malwatte Chapter Nayake Thero

(Lanka-e-News, Jan.23, 2010, 10.00AM) Shyamapali Maha Nikaye Malwatte Chapter Maha Nayake Ven, Thimbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero in a letter addressed to the President Mahinda Rajapakse has drawn his urgent attention to the issue of the State media not abiding by the Supreme Court (SC) order. He has pointed out that disobedience of a sacrosanct Court order form the most Supreme Court in the land is tantamount to contempt of Court and paves the way for a lawless civil society which can eventually defy the laws openly.

The Ven. Mahanayake was prompted to write this letter after about 100 eminent Lawyers met him and handed over a copy of the SC judgment. They also referred to the relevant clause in the judgment .
The Ven. Maha Nayake Thero’s letter to the President in essence is as follows ..

Over 100 lawyers met me on the 20th and handed over a copy of the SC judgment delivered on the 15th of January.

I wish to draw your special attention to the Court order and the failure of the State media , which is a responsible public Institution not adhering so far to the directive s of the Court judgment.
Let me emphasize that every citizen in the country irrespective of his position is bound by the rule of law and the legal mechanisms under all circumstances . He further pointed out that the Supreme Court is the highest Court in the land and should be respected . The State media ‘s conduct is making a dent in the legal system and can eventuate in creating a lawless society and promote unruliness in the country.

An eye witness to the Lasantha murder found

(Lanka-e-News, Jan. 21, 2010, 7.15PM) The CID told the Galkissa Court where the case is being heard that there is a an eye witness to the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickremetunge, but his identity cannot be revealed right now.

The CID at the hearing today (21), before the Magistrate Harsha Setunge further said, the witness is being interrogated, and wanted permission of the Court to continue with the interrogation.
The Magistrate gave permission to the Police to question the witness while postponing the case until 3rd March. The investigation in this case was transferred to the CID recently.

The Army which should be independent and act impartially is now being roped into the election campaign of the President.

The Defense secretary is addressing rallies of the President infringing the election laws with complete impunity, and making statements on behalf of the President and the UPFA using media and the top Army officers. This type of action is unbecoming of a Defense Secretary who should set an example instead of engaging in illegal partisan politics. We ask him to remove his uniform and take to politics. When and where are these dastardly actions going to end ? Isn’t it possible to think that when an unfit leader is defeated, they would act to keep him in power? This portends grave danger to the security of the country and can provoke repercussions, Dissanayake warned.
Unless this is prevented what befell some other countries because of power greed of wicked rulers can befall us too, he pinpointed.

When the General entered politics, the Govt. said he is trying to establish an Army rule. If he has any desire to form an Army Govt, why should he come into politics?. He entered the political arena because he respects democratic politics.

Open mouthed Govt. lackey Weerawansa had said, Gen. Fonseka is acting in a manner to get a bomb exploded at his meetings. It is clear from this utterance that the Govt. is preparing to explode a bomb. The CID should immediately question this Govt. lackey Weerawansa, Dissanaayke emphasized.
If the CID has guts it should interrogate him. Even the Govt.’s collecting identity cards was exposed by the Opposition. The Govt. is accusing that Fonseka’s supporters are planning to plunder votes. In truth the Govt. is making such accusation s to smother the allegations truly leveled against it of vote plunder.

We totally oppose the removal of the Competent authority by the elections commissioner. This has turned to the advantage of the govt. as the State media are acting without control. We therefore demand that the Competent authority is immediately reinstated, he asserted.

We wish to draw your kind attention to the views expressed at the monthly working Committee of the Malwatte Maha vihara in regard to the arrest of Ven.Dr. Sri Amila Nayake Thero.

Dr. Dambara Sri Amila Nayake Thero is a respected erudite scholar and well known in the Buddhist circles. He is the member of the Sangha Sabha and is the maha Sangha Nayake of the Raigam, Kalpiti, Hewagama Districts.
Since of late he had been engaged in active religious and social work. We are informed that he has been arrested on mere suspicion without any charges and is held in remand custody. From our letter to you and the media reports, it should become clear to you that by this unfair arrest, the entire Maha Sangha and the public have been subject to a rude shock.

If any individual has committed a wrong, it is the responsibility of the Authorities to take action and the law shall follow its course. But, it is a fundamental duty of the law enforcing authorities to make sure that the law is properly followed without fear, favor or undue influence.

In any case we wish to express and emphasize that seeking to smother opposition voice and criticisms and resorting to murderous actions are a big blow to Democracy . Such actions we warn court disaster for the country and its future.

Of these 3166 top secret transactions between US State Dpt and US embassy in SL, documents relating to 1533 of them have not been sorted out, and 1680 are secretive. 112 of the transactions are considered as super secretive.

This exposure which was made by the media last Sunday night is reckoned as the biggest leak out involving US State Dpt negotiated with 274 Diplomatic missions around the world. 251,287 cable messages have been exposed in which are included the transactions negotiated with SL.
The US States secrets Dept. has come under heavy flak owing to this leakage. The Wikileak website had exposed these transactions which have occurred since 1966 as a leading Organization espousing the cause of the people’s right to information.

Anticipate more information on this shortly from Lanka e news.