Airforce Commander Jayalath Weerakkody leaves the Coroner’s Court after the inquest in to the death of Rathnasena Silva, the cleaner of the lorry that collided with the vehicle driven by the commander, in the early hours of June 15. The Maligakanda magistrate on Friday, July 5, refused to grant permission to arrest Weerakkody. However, he was asked to appear before the court on Tuesday, July 9 Photo by Nishantha Weerasinghe 

President, CJ to be impeached

By Suranimala

The government last week decided to impeach President Chandrika Kumar- atunga on a wide range of issues from corruption to the abuse of power whilst also deciding to impeach Chief Justice Sarath Silva.

The decision was taken by the government's political affairs committee at a Temple Trees meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday, July 4. Among those present at the meeting were Power Minister Karu Jayasuriya, Defence Minister Tilak Marapone, Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, Port Development Minister Rauf Hakeem and UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema.

It was decided at this meeting that the main focus of the impeachment motion would be the Rs. 2.3 billion luxury vehicle scandal and the multi million dollar fraud involving the Sri Lanka Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corporation Limited.

In both cases monies had been released by the Treasury on President Kumaratunga's instructions.

Following the decision to impeach the president being taken by the political affairs committee, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe instructed his ministers to start drafting the impeachment resolution with immediate effect.

However, Defence Minister Marapone had pointed out that if the government was to proceed with the impeachment meaningfully and obtain a fair hearing in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Sarath Silva would have to be impeached first.

Minister Karu Jayasuriya too called for the immediate impeachment of the chief justice stating representations were made to him by several judicial officers calling for the ouster of the chief justice.

It was thereafter agreed to impeach Chief Justice Sarath Silva first since the motion was already prepared, while proceeding to draft the impeachment resolution against the president.

Meanwhile the political affairs committee also decided to introduce the 18th Amendment to the constitution by end July.

The decision of the committee was to include only the conscience vote in the amendment whereby a member will not lose his parliamentary seat for voting against the party whip.

With the presentation of an impeachment resolution against the president by half the MPs in parliament, Kumaratunga will be precluded from dissolving parliament in December.

The government though having the numbers is also expected to ask the JVP to be a party to the impeachment resolution given the allegations of corruption that are to be levelled.

Rajitha calls for CID probe on Bribery Comm.

Lands Minister Rajitha Senaratne has called upon Interior Minister John Amara- tunga to initiate a CID investigation into the workings of the Permanent Commission Investigating Allegations of Bribery and Corruption.

Senaratne's appeal followed reports that there was an attempted cover up of former Minister Mangala Samaraweera's credit card case by the commission.

Former Director General Rienzie Arseculratne had forwarded a report to the commission stating there was a prima facie case of corruption against the minister, but attempts are now underway in the commission to discredit that report in a bid to dismiss the complaint against Samraweera which was made by Minister Senaratne while an opposition MP.

All three commissioners and the Director General of the Commission, P. Ranas- inghe were hand-picked by President Chandrika Kumara- tunga during the PA regime.

Minister Senaratne also wrote to the commission last week drawing attention to reports of an attempted cover-up following moves by the legal department in the commission and Commissioner Kingsley Wickramasuriya to force affidavits from staffers at the commission discrediting the Arsecularatne report.

The Sunday Leader learns that at least one investigating officer had made notes of the attempt to get an affidavit from him with regard to this issue.

Senaratne as the complainant is also expected to write to the CID this week calling for a probe on the workings of the commission.

Misappropriation scandal rocks CBK

A special management audit has revealed misappropriation of funds running into millions of rupees at the Sri Lanka Rubber Manufacturing and Export Corporation Ltd.

The details in the audit carried out by Ernst & Young reveal that cheques were drawn contravening official procedure and were drawn by employees of the corporation. In some instances payments have been made by cheque while additional payments came through petty cash. The audit was handed over to the present chairman on June 13.

Commenting on a crash programme initiated by the PA government to establish rubber finished products factories, the audit says that then Chairman Sarath Wickrem- asinghe sought and received permission from the directors to appoint contractors without going through proper tender procedure. He sought the green light with the objective of expediting the setting up of the factories.

The audit has also revealed manipulation of tender procedure and withholding of information. Wickremasinghe functioned directly under President Chandrika Kumara- tunga and did not even report to the then minister of plantations. It was President Kumaratunga who had authorised the release of funds to the corporation through a cabinet paper.

'However, it is beyond doubt that this was done with the intention of misappropriation,' states Ernst &Young. Rs 1,058, 291,969 was drawn from two banks for the project.

The Sunday Leader learns that in fact even board approval as stated by the auditors had not been obtained by the former chairman.

The audit also found out that vouchers had been drawn without the knowledge of officers in charge and worse, some vouchers have been drawn falsely. Some officers whose initials were on vouchers denied that they were theirs when questioned by officers from Ernst & Young.

The audit has also revealed that cheques drawn on behalf of contractors have been en-cashed by employees of the corporation. 'When cheque realisation details were checked with banks it was found that some cheques have been en-cashed by employees of the corporation,' the audit says in a section titled mode of manipulation.

The audit reveals evidence on three instances when cheques drawn on behalf of contractors were en-cashed by employees. Three cheques numbering 715751, 715752 (both drawn on cheques for Bank of Ceylon Dematagoda and on behalf of S Premasiri for wiring of a factory at Kuruwita) and another bearing number 054123 (drawn on a cheque issued by Hatton National Bank, T B Jayah Mawatha and on behalf of M H N Perera) were en-cashed by employees.

The first two by Mahendra Perera who admitted that the money was withdrawn and handed over to Mrs W G N Delduwa, the chief accountant at the corporation. However, no documentary evidence was available, leaving the auditors to state, 'we have a serious doubt about the genuinty of the payments,' which amounted to Rs 1 million.

The third cheque was en-cashed by Gamini Perera, who at that time was the head of the project division and is now the manger of the corporation's factory at Munagama. The cheque was for the amount of Rs 659,630.78. The recipient in the voucher Perera has not acknowledged the receipt of the amount. The audit has raised serious doubt about the genuineness of the payment.

Fuel, electricity rates to be slashed this week

Finance Minister K. N. Choksy will today announce over national television a package of economic relief to ease the cost of living burden on the people.

Minister Choksy's announcement is a sequel to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's address to the nation on Thursday (4) where he spelt out the economic crisis facing the country and steps proposed to be taken by the government to overcome it.

The Sunday Leader learns Minister Choksy will announce cuts in petrol, diesel and electricity rates as immediate relief for the public.

The prices of petrol, diesel and electricity rocketed after the government was committed through agreements entered with donor agencies by the previous regime to recover the debts of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Ceylon Electricity Board from the people by increasing prices over and above world market rates.

The government, it is learnt, will remove this additional burden imposed on the public by the CPC and CEB for debt recovery and move towards privatisation.

The Sunday Leader learns the price reductions will be substantial to the extent that it will have a trickle down effect on transport fares and on essential food items.

AB likely to step down as MP

Presidential Advisor on National Integration, Anura Bandaranaike is expected to resign from parliament shortly to take up office in the presidential secretariat.

Bandaranaike who was elected to parliament on the PA ticket from the Gampaha district was last week appointed as a presidential advisor, which post has to now be approved by cabinet after which he ceases to be a member of parliament.

Article 41(1) of the constitution states, 'the president shall have the power to appoint such secretaries, and, in consultation with the cabinet of ministers, such other officers and staff as are in his opinion necessary to assist him in the exercise, performance and discharge of the powers, duties and functions of his office, and to determine their terms and conditions of service.' The reference to 'terms and conditions,' legal sources said would apply to a person performing even in an honorary capacity.

The president, it is learnt will accordingly have to now submit Bandaranaike's appointment for cabinet approval prior to which any action Bandaranaike performs as a presidential advisor would tantamount to cheating by personation in terms of Section 399 of the penal code.

Further in terms of Article 41(3) of the constitution, presidential advisors fall into the category of 'public officers - and Article 170 of the constitution dealing with 'interpretation' states a public officer does not include a member of parliament.

PA sources said subsequent to the president obtaining cabinet approval for Bandaranaike's appointment, he will abide by the constitution and quit parliament unless he opts to continue as a MP and decline the advisor post.

Remote control by CBK

Having lost control of the media, President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Friday appealed to Defence Minister Tilak Marapone to use his influence with the electronic media to keep Air Force Commander Jayalath Weerakkody's appearance in court out of national television.

Air Vice Marshal Weerakkody was one of President Kumaratunga's favourite commanders and hence the request to keep the story off the electronic media.

It is learnt, the President had subsequently called back Minister Marapone to ascertain whether he had succeeded in speaking to the media but the Defence Minister has said he was not in a position to do so.

• LTTE clout falls over Madhu

  Bishop cries foul over LTTE taxes

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Rayappu Joseph has objected to the LTTE levying taxes on businesses and certain items during the recently concluded Madhu feast. However, the Bishop's concern has been met with silence by the LTTE.

 Rev. Joseph is now planning to meet with the LTTE hierarchy including its leader Velupillai Prabakharan and political wing chief Thamilchelvam to resolve the matter.

When contacted by The Sunday Leader, Rev. Joseph stated that the LTTE taxed the devotees for certain items at the checkpoint and also the businessmen running the stalls in the area. OI objected when they imposed a tax on the stalls. We (the church) built them and we don't charge anything from them. They can give any amount they wish if they want to,' Rev. Joseph said. The LTTE had collected money from some of the stall operators and the bishop has objected to it stating that the LTTE's rule does not apply to Madhu. 'I asked them to return the money, but, I still don't know whether the money has been returned to the people,' the bishop said.

The bishop explained that the LTTE has a rule to tax business organisations and certain items in the areas controlled by the group. These funds are for the LTTE. 'I explained to the LTTE officials present in the area that this rule cannot apply here. When the stall owners are charged a tax, the food items available in the stalls go up in price and the poor man cannot afford it,' he said.

The bishop further stated that he has already asked for an appointment with the LTTE leaders to discuss the matter and he felt that they would oblige his request. 'This kind of taxing will not happen again as it is a place of worship and people should be free,' the bishop said.

As for the tight security by the LTTEers in and around the Madhu shrine, the bishop said that there were officers from the LTTE run police department to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

The bishop explained that during the feast anyone could have entered the area and the lives of the LTTE leaders would have been in danger and as a precaution the LTTErs adhered to strict security rules.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader some of the devotees who attended the Madhu feast sounded disappointed of what they received at the much hyped-up Madhu feast.

One devotee stated that the army did not check much and stayed aside and when they reached the LTTE checkpoint, they were thoroughly checked and bottles of arrack were confiscated by the LTTE and extra money was also taken by them.

 These people were then told that if they wanted to, they could buy arrack in the LTTE controlled area with the LTTE symbol. Finally, when the devotees reached Madhu all the shops were closed till 1 p.m. (after the service). As a result, most of the devotees had to stay hungry while some had no option but to travel all the way back about 12 km to the main road to find something to eat. The devotees added that the LTTE too had kept a till next to the till kept by the church next to the statue when it paraded the roads.

When the devotees reached the LTTE checkpoint on their way back to their respective hometowns from Madhu, the Tigers had then handed back everything they earlier confiscated. The army was helpless and when the devotees asked them what to do, the army had said that they could do nothing.

Another devotee from Chilaw said that the LTTE officers were in uniforms similar to those of scouts and it was by the LTTE badge that one could differentiate the two. 'They were everywhere. Even where we light candles,' she said. 'Unlike earlier all the stalls were run by Tamils and we could not undersatnd what they were telling and vice versa and even the hymn books were in Tamil,' she said. When buying fish and meat one had to stand in a queue for hours and 1 kg of beef was sold at Rs. 70. 'We felt so uneasy. Unlike earlier there was no freedom at all. At night they even came with torches to inspect the tents,' she said.

 Water for bathing was only provided from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. and water for drinking too was given at particular times and people had to store water to use when they wanted, the devotee added with much dismay.

She then said that there was a rumour that the LTTE had stated so that people can only stay for four days as they were planning on closing the road to Madhu afterwards. 'It was funny to hear the LTTE asking us to come for the next feast. I guess it is a profitable venture for them,' the devotee said.

A catholic priest who attended the feast from Chilaw stated that priests together with scouts confiscated bottles of arrack which was never done earlier. LTTE police was everywhere, he said. The stall area was controlled by the LTTE and a stall owner had to pay Rs. 100 per squarefoot, he said. This he added was ironic as the church only asks the stall owners to give what they can if they wanted to.

Security was tight and the reason was that the LTTE feared an attack by an anti-peace force, the priest said. An attack by fanatics would have put the lives of LTTE leaders in danger, was the thinking behind the tight security dragnet.

Ironically, crowds of devotees converged on Madhu last week making use of the MoU - more than 100,000 pilgrims and over 100 priests - representing Colombo, Chilaw, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Mannar and Kandy attended the feast. The more significant Madhu feast will be held on August 15.

Elephants turn garbage junkies

By Risidra Mendis

For want of finding a place to dump garbage, several pradeshiya sabhas continue to pile tons of waste in a land bordering the Flood Plains National Park in Manampitiya in the Polonnaruwa District.

For many years the excuse given by the pradeshiya sabhas is that there is no suitable place to dump garbage within the area. As a result of the stench of the garbage that attracts cattle and other animals, wild elephants in the National Park have been frequenting the spot for easy meals.

Garbage that includes dahaiya and drainage waste is brought from as far as Hingurakgoda and dumped at Manampitiya where wild animals have easy access to the dump and have got hooked on to the waste.

The fast dwindling elephant population in Sri Lanka has been a growing concern for some time among wildlife experts, environmentalists and even tourists who visit the country. However, despite at least one elephant dying every other day, due to negligence and encroaching on their natural habitats by farmers, poachers and the general public, necessary action is yet to be taken by the Department of Wildlife and Conservation (DWC).

The Flood Plains National Park, well known for its elephant population, has been an attraction for locals and tourists who can at least spot one elephant at any given time. However, due to the dumping of garbage, the threat of elephants dying from the consumption of polythene has raised serious concerns among wildlife experts and environmentalists in the country.

With the threat of the elephant population being wiped out hanging in the air, careless traps are still being laid by humans who get away with the easy excuse of not having sufficient land to dump garbage when ample bare land can be seen all over the country.

However, no one seems to have noticed the issue which has been highlighted in the media continuously.

According to wildlife officials the Flood Plains National Park belongs to the DWC. However, despite numerous discussions for many years between the DWC and the pradeshiya sabhas a solution to the garbage problem is yet to be solved.

Even though the DWC has the right to prosecute the pradeshiya sabhas for dumping garbage in a national park, they feel this would not solve the problem for the future. 'If we took the pradeshiya sabha members to courts, they would be prosecuted and the case finished. But if the pradeshiya sabha genuinely has a problem of finding a suitable place to dump garbage, the court case will not solve the pending problems for both parties,' DWC officials said.

But despite the fact, environmentalists feel the threat to the elephant population will increase by the dumping of garbage in the Flood Plains National Park some wildlife experts however think otherwise.

According to wildlife experts from the DWC there hasn't been an incident reported so far of an elephant dying of polythene consumption.

'There have been incidents of deer dying from the consumption of polythene but not elephants. The reason is the elephant is a big animal and if it swallows polythene while consuming food the polythene will pass out eventually from its body,' DWC officials said.

However, the chance of an elephant dying of polythene consumption hasn't being ruled out entirely. Also the fact remains that the dump not only pollutes the environment but the elephants are virtual garbage junkies.

The attraction to the elephants is so much, that as much as four large adults were seen at the spot last week. One of the animals never leaves the dump at all, according to people in the area. Meaning it has become the first garbage junkie elephant in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, if any one wants to locate a wild elephant without much sweat, Manampitiya is the place. It is easy, all you need is a good nose, just take the straight road and follow the stench.

Army falls short in recruitment drive

By Marianne David

The army has been able to recruit less than 10% of the required number of cadres in its recently concluded recruitment drive.

The recruitment drive which was extended due to the poor response, was concluded on June 30. The army hoped to recruit 500 cadres from this drive.

The army is now short of 4528 cadres. Having recruited over 500 people, the actual enlistment was only 472 cadres after basic requirements were checked and medical tests were carried out.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Military Spokesman, Brigadier Sarath Karunaratne stated this lack of motivation to join the army and not having the required numbers in the army is a national crisis.

'The actual number of enlistment is 472 and the army should not have to handle this crisis alone. There is no national level motivation.'

He added that the country should have a sizeable armed force and the government should also get involved and take steps to solve this problem.

Ironically, the recent recruitment drive did not get the same level of publicity in the state media as was the case when similar drives were launched during the PA regime.

According to Karunaratne, the general public should also be aware of this situation because it is becoming a serious problem.

Said a military official, 'People look at the army and think that it is full of womanisers, drunkards and commission takers, so they don't want their children to join.'

'The facilities and pay a soldier gets is very low and given the hardships people are going through, people would not want to join the army when they could get a better salary elsewhere,' he added.

Kudu Noor shot dead near police station

By Frederica Jansz

As the crime wave in Sri Lanka hits an all time high, another underworld gangster was shot dead last Tuesday, July 2, at Aluthkade, in the Keselwatte police division. This time it was Mohammed Haniffa Mohammed Noor, alias 'Kudu Noor.' 

Noor operated at Maligawatte and was wanted in connection for at least two murders and a number of attempted murders. Noor, though arrested by police some time ago was soon released on bail. The police say they have no idea who his killers could be.

'I have no clues yet,' SSP, Keselwatte Police, D. P. L. Dissanayake said. Dissanayake said that Kudu Noor earned his name after being caught with a load of heroin some years back.

'I do not know what has happened to that case,' he claimed, adding that investigations into the matter had been handled by the former Terrorist Investigations Department (TID) but said that Kudu Noor soon walked free after receiving bail.

 Kudu Noor was shot dead at point blank range while seated in a children's park at Aluthkade. The killing took place in broad daylight at around 2 p.m. about 100 yards away from the police post at Aluthkade. The cops however had not seen anything.

 At a high powered meeting the same day, July 2, a decision was taken to amend the existing Bail Act which will hence enable police and the judiciary to hold criminal suspects in remand for a period longer than two years.

The present Bail Act allows the judiciary to keep in custody suspected criminal elements for a period not exceeding two years while the case is pending before courts.

At Tuesday's meeting, the justice minister, chief justice, attorney general, the solicitor general and the Judicial Services Commission secretary together with senior police officers discussed issues relating to the inadequacy of substantive laws and the effectiveness of the role played by the members of the institutions comprising of justice and law enforcement.

Why the police have failed in law enforcement and the standard of investigations displayed by police officers was also a subject of discussion at this meeting.

Senior DIG Crimes, H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya had pointed out that there is a public perception that the police are allowing criminals to run riot in society without apprehending them.

The top cop had argued that the reality of the matter is most criminals have been arrested by police but walk free soon after receiving bail.

A case in point was that of Kaduwela Wasantha, recently murdered together with five others at Kaduwela on Vesak Poya Day in May this year. Kaduwela Wasantha, Kotakadeniya said was a wanted man, had been arrested by the cops but had been walking around a free man after being allowed bail by the judiciary.

Another high profile case that has remained in limbo since the initial hype is the murder of former PSD officer cum underworld figure Baddegana Sanjeewa. According to associates of Sanjeewa the murder was committed by one 'Galaya' while his accomplice was Dammika.

Galaya is reportedly in custody now. But no breakthrough has been made on the Sanjeewa murder as yet. While Sanjeewa was alive, he was 'the boss.' Everything from ransom demands to the election of chief incumbent of temples was settled through the intervention of Sanjeewa.

One of the very last deals he was involved in was the election of the chief incumbent at a temple near his house. His payment for the deal was rupees three lakhs.

Kottakadeniya said that a unanimous decision was reached at this meeting to amend the Bail Act making it possible to hold criminal suspects in remand until the conclusion of a court case.

However, Kotakadeniya himself came under attack by his fellow officers led by none other than IGP Luky Kodithuwakku. The IGP on Thursday called a press conference specifically to inform the media that the entire Police Department had complained to him regarding comments made by Kotakadeniya to the press. The IGP claimed that the comments had brought disrepute to the force.

Price hike generates more fines

By Shezna Shums

Last week's upward price revision has resulted in authorities coming down harder on private bus operators. Instances of traffic police prosecuting bus drivers violating regulations have gone up with the revisions that took effect on July 1.

On a daily average, the Police Department said that they had taken over more than 300 licences from errant drivers from the beginning of last week. This figure is more than what it was two weeks ago.

'During last week there has been an increase in the number of private bus drivers being stopped by the police than before,' said President, Private Bus Operators' Association, Gemunu Wijeratne. Wijeratne played a pivotal role to negotiate the rate increase.

Wijeratne pointed out that there has been a lot of complaints from bus drivers and bus owners since last week, about the stern action taken by the police which creates a lot of inconvenience to the drivers. Wijeratne speaking to The Sunday Leader warned that the buses would have to stop running if the police go on being this strict.

Inspector of Police, City Traffic K. L. S. Thilakaratne noted that there is an increase in the number of detections by the city traffic police especially in the main roads. For offences such as overloading, not stopping at a pedestrian crossing and dangerous driving, the driver's licence is taken by police and some put to courts.

The city traffic police started a 'civil bus operation,' where police will get into a bus in civil clothes from main junctions. They will thereafter travel in the bus till they reach Colombo. If during this journey the bus driver breaks any laws or drive dangerously, the policeman in the bus will inform the traffic police on the road that this particular bus should be stopped and given a warning or his license should be taken. So far, only less than 10 drivers have been charged this way and this operation is carried out only on a few major routes.

Secretary, Private Bus Operators' Association, Rohan de Silva admitted, that now the police is more vigilant and do take stern action for offences committed by drivers. However, he observed that if the police look into every error the drivers make, it would be impossible for the service to continue. OEvery thing should be perfect on the road, including the people, other vehicles and the roads if these drivers are to be as good as every one wants them to be.'

There has been an increase in the number of complaints made by the drivers and owners of buses, where at times, they say that they will not be able to run any more because of the harassment they face. OPeople are not forced to enter an overcrowded bus and it is not always the fault of the bus drivers when they have so many people,' de Silva said. 'Some things are not in the driver's control, like when they have too many passengers. At times it is difficult to control the number, especially at rush hour times. The passengers are at fault as well, when they get into an over crowded bus anyway.'

There are 17,000 buses with around 14,000 owners, mainly individuals, and for them to make a profit there cannot be any more additions.

De Silva emphasised that the police should not be too strict; as too many arrests will be very problematic to the owners as well as the people.

Meanwhile, in a move to bring about a better service, the private bus operators have organised their own programme to teach bus drivers to drive carefully. Last week around 800 drivers were given instructions on safe driving at Town Hall.

The latest twist in the private bus operators' lives has been mainly attributed to 'the attitude' bus drivers and conductors have towards passengers and other road users.

NPC heading towards closure

By Wilson Gnanadass

The National Paper Corporation (NPC), with its production of less than 25 percent of the country's requirements, also considered non-viable, is heading towards  virtual closure, The Sunday Leader learns.

The corporation that owns two factories, one in Valaichenai and the other in Embilipitiya, according to well-informed sources run at huge losses and the government is now intervening to find out ways and means to revive the industry, fearing that the factories might have to be closed down.

According to NPC sources there are nearly 2000 workers in both factories and the corporation is not even in a position to pay salaries.

The Sunday Leader learns that the corporation had sought financial assistance of Rs. 250 million from the Treasury to retrench most of the employees, but the government, it is learnt, is planning to introduce some changes in order to revive the corporation.

Meanwhile the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) chaired by People's Alliance (PA) Member of Parliament Jeyaraj Fernandopulle has summoned Mass Media Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar and Industries Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to inquire about the continuous losses these two factories had made during the past four years.

While the factories come under the industries minister, the NPC comes under the mass media minister and therefore The Sunday Leader learns both ministers would be questioned. They will meet the COPE in parliament on July 19.

The COPE chairman told The Sunday Leader that they would ask the ministers as to what they could do to resolve the crisis faced by the NPC.

Fernandopulle said he was surprised to observe that the NPC had not been summoned by COPE in the past and added, he was equally shocked to find out that the two factories at Valaichenai and Embilipitiya could produce only 9,500 tons of paper a year as against the national requirement of 30,000 tons of paper a year.

He said the fact that these two factories could not produce at least half of the national requirement was something that should be seriously looked into.

He further said that these two factories have the capacity to manufacture 35,000 tons of paper annually and added if 100% work is applied in a proper manner, the country would have in excess 5,000 tons of paper out of the total production.

The NPC is a hundred percent government owned private company. Therefore, the Auditor General's Department was prevented from undertaking proper auditing.

"But now, the AG's Department is doing its job through COPE. Though the department cannot directly audit the NPC, it could do so, through COPE. And that is what is happening now," Fernandopulle said.

Fernandopulle said until 1995 the government sector has been purchasing paper from the NPC, but after 1995, on a Treasury directive issued to all government sectors, such purchases were stopped.

He said even Lake House and the State Printing Corporation (SPC) imported newsprint and papers for various publications while not attempting to purchase from the NPC. He said  Lake House imports 9,000 tons of newsprint a year. "But sadly the NPC is not considered," he said. He said the SPC calls for tenders from outside the country to buy paper even to print school books. "If at least Lake House and the SPC had purchased from the NPC, this problem would not have arisen," he added.

According to him last year alone the Treasury had passed Rs. 60 million to pay for the 2000 workers in both factories. He said the Treasury couldn't afford to continue to inject money to keep the factories alive.

Fernandopulle also said that COPE has already suggested to the government to bring Lake House, State Printing Corporation and National Paper Corporation under one ministry. He said the development of these three institutions would be seriously hampered if different ministers were going to handle these three institutions that are interconnected, differently.

The former minister also said that he has already requested for the quarterly report of the NPC from the relevant officials for further study.

• Prisoners living in appalling conditions

Severe overcrowding of prisons cause for unrest

By Shezna Shums

The Prisoners' Welfare Association (PWA) last week attributed the current unrest that prevails in the prisons to severe overcrowding.

The PWA said prisons in Sri Lanka are overcrowded by an estimated 400% or even more.

According to the PWA, there are an estimated 18,000 prisoners in the country, and more than half this number of prisoners are serving short term imprisonment for minor crimes.

Many of the prisons accommodate far and above the number of prisoners who should be housed in each prison. Where there is supposed to be only 1,000 prisoners per prison, at present, there are more than 3,000 prisoners occupying them, a senior member of the PWA, Sumith Abeywickrema told The Sunday Leader.

He said more than half of them are serving sentences because of non-payment of fines given to them, while the others for short term imprisonment offences such as drugs or minor theft.

Meanwhile, former president of the PWA and a former judge, Walter Ladduwahetty said that the prisons have been in the same condition since the time they were built by the British and that they are not in a suitable condition for the inmates to live in even temporarily.

Prison cells meant for two or three persons are now being used by more than seven to eight prisoners because of the growing number of prisoners in the country, he said.

"Here prisoners have to be locked up in a six by five foot cell from six in the evening till six the next morning. Many of them find it difficult even to sleep. There are times when a prisoner has to stand, till he gets his turn to sleep," he said.

Owing to this situation, there is a problem of a severe shortage of water for the prisoners since the facilities were made for only a certain number of them. Thus, at times there is just a trickle of water causing severe hardship for them, he added.

Both members of the PWA said that there is also a lack of toilet facilities due to this congestion and prisoners have to wait for a long time to use the toilets. "This has resulted in the deterioration of the sewage system," they said. 

They said the prisoners also lack fresh water for bathing and washing, because there is no proper pipe line for water supply to these prisoners.

Abeywickrema said overcrowding has also resulted in the prisons not receiving a breath of fresh air. He said only a small window is available in each cell for ventilation, adding that this is not sufficient for the large number of inmates.

All prisoners are also entitled to two sets of clothes but they are only provided with one set, he said. He said there are instances where a prisoner has to wash his clothes and wait till his clothes dry, to wear them again.

Another shortage Abeywickrema pointed out was the absence of counsellors for the prisoners to be rehabilitated. He asserted that there is also a lack of religious leaders to talk and help these prisoners, at a time when they are also depressed.

"More than half these prisoners are serving short sentences. This is one of the main reasons there is congestion in the prisons. There is no proper order. Most of the time the prisoners serving petty crimes are kept with the inmates serving criminal offences," he said.

Both Abeywickrema and Ladduwahetty said the welfare of these inmates has been on a decline since 1995 after the cabinet approved the termination of the welfare services on a recommendation of the Cyril Gamage Committee Report.

The PWA has been functioning since 1957.

The PWA members said their hands are tied and the association lacked cooperation from the prison management.

"Many of them can and should be rehabilitated. Otherwise, it would result in them returning to prison again for the same offence. However, if they were trained in vocational activities it is unlikely that they would come back," they said.

Rehabilitation is carried out in prisons, but not all inmates are given the opportunities to be trained, as their stay sometimes is considered too short to give adequate training in any field, they added.

Text books worth millions of rupees found rotting in warehouses in Colombo

The Education Ministry last week raided two warehouses in Colombo and snatched textbooks and other publications worth nearly Rs. 100 million and school furniture worth Rs. 30 million.

Text books and school furniture worth nearly Rs. 100 million, printed and ordered last year are now rotting in two different warehouses in Colombo.

Education Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku on a tip off paid a sudden visit to both warehouses, situated at Deans Road and Olcot Mawatha along with his media unit and found out that these text books were being destroyed.

Ministry officials said there were tens and thousands of books and furniture stocked there without being used.

According to ministry officials, the warehouses at Olcot Mawatha had four million worth of books and 30 million worth of furniture that were virtually going into ruin.

It is alleged that Dr. Sarath Amunugama who was in charge of this ministry under the previous government at the latter part of the PA regime, had printed four million hand bills with the photos of himself, President Kumaratunga and former Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa in full colour, utilising Education Ministry funds.

Education Ministry officials told The Sunday Leader that more than the required number of text books have been printed and added that this may have been done in order to give the printer a commission.

According to the officials, the excess of around 600,000 books are worth over Rs. 100 million.

Officials also said that computers worth nearly Rs. 4 million have also been purchased but now they are not being used. They also said there are no documents or inventory regarding the purchase of these computers

Meanwhile, Education Minister Kodituwakku vowed to take action against the persons responsible for this scandal.

The minister said the ministry pays nearly a million as rent to three warehouses and added when money is wasted on printing as well, it becomes a national crime.

He said some of the books found in the warehouses could be used while others cannot be. He said most of the books have gone waste because of the leaking roofs in the warehouses. "The leaks in the roof has destroyed most of the books," he said.

The minister has called for an immediate investigation in to this.

125,000 Muslims in the north forcibly evicted - FNM

The Forum for Northern Muslims (FNM) has said that at least 125,000 Muslims have been forcibly evicted from their homes from the north since 1990.

The FNM in a letter addressed to Western Province Development Minister, M. H. Mohomed has said though the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has extended an invitation for the Muslims to return, only a small number of Muslim refugees have returned.

The FNM General Secretary M. Jamaludeen says that after the LTTE and the government signed the ceasefire agreement only a few Muslims have returned. These Muslims he said are from Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi.

He said the estimated value of their property and other valuables they had to leave behind amounts to more than Rs. 10 billion.

In his letter, he has stated that these refugees have been living in refugee camps situated in areas stretching from Panadura to Puttalam for the past 12 years, adding that they are now under sub-humane conditions in abject poverty and misery.

"They hope to return to their homes in the north with the help of the government and NGOs. However, they also want to be given the assurance that they will be compensated for the property, machinery and land they had to give up when they were forced to leave their homes," Jamaludeen has said in his letter.

In his statement he further states, "since the Muslim refugees are a very small minority, their aspirations are likely to be dismissed or denied in constitutional re-arrangements soon to be enacted to comply with the aspirations of the majority community in the Northern Province."

Some Muslim refugees he said have already returned to their homeland, adding that in Mannar more than 20% have returned, and in Vavuniya more than 30% have returned. He added that in other places, there had been no significant number returning.

"However it is estimated that more than 90% want to return to their homes in the north. Their main concern is getting compensation for all what they have lost during the war," Jamaludeen has stated in his letter to the minister.

COPE calls for more details of Japanese company 

The Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) which is not satisfied with the Auditor General's Department's report regarding a Japanese company contracted to do the Matara-Colombo highway, has requested the Japanese government for more details regarding this company.

Earlier, the Japanese company Kumagai Gumi was considered financially unfit to undertake the project. Subsequently, the Auditor General's Department was requested to send a report to COPE regarding this.

Last week, when COPE received the report from the Auditor General's Department, the committee decided that the report submitted by the department was not satisfactory and therefore it was decided that  direct information regarding the company be sought from the Japanese government, before giving the green light to the contract to go ahead with the highway project, highly placed sources said.

Intensive training programme for private bus drivers and conductors on behaviour

The Private Bus Operators' Association (PBOA) is conducting an extensive training programme to educate all drivers and conductors on their behaviour and conduct during their journey with passengers, President, PBOA, Gemunu Wijeratne said.

He said the training is a sequel to a series of bus accidents that have been reported in the media during the recent past.

He told The Sunday Leader that his association is seriously concerned about the pain caused to the civilians.

He also said that he had received numerous complaints about the conduct of both the bus drivers and the conductors from many travellers and added that proper training will be given to them in order to ensure that there would be no recurrence of this sort.

"We have plans to upgrade our drivers and conductors to the level of international standards. We admit that our drivers and conductors are not properly trained to handle the public. This is why we decided to do this," he said.

WB to fund project to rehabilitate schools in the north-east 

The Education Ministry is to utilise unused World Bank (WB) funds to rehabilitate schools in the north-east and schools in the south that need assistance, Education Minister, Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku said.

The minister who undertook a visit to the north with WB officials recently told The Sunday Leader that the WB officials were deeply concerned about the conditions in which the students of the north were carrying out their studies.

The minister said his ministry plans to utilise the left-over monies from the WB projects that could be used to uplift the standards of these schools. He said the left-over money from the WB projects that is available at present is around 15 million US dollars.

He said the WB officials who accompanied him were convinced that the students of Jaffna and especially Chavakachcheri were in dire need. He also said the officials were shocked to see how the students, though with less facilities were eager to continue their studies.

"The officials and even we were touched when we saw classes being conducted under trees. This was a pathetic scene. This is why I took the officials and went to Jaffna so that we could get first hand information rather than getting information from the second or third person," he said.

He also said during his visit he witnessed the suffering of the students. "These students had to walk miles to attend schools. Earlier, they could not find time to do even their homework due to the war. But we were delighted to see their desire to learn in order to come up in society. In fact the WB officials were surprised," he said.

He also said that he has identified four priority areas to develop schools in the island. First he said would be to accelerate English education. Increasing the knowledge of information technology, to create institutes to promote talented students and also to rehabilitate schools are also on the agenda, he said.

Confusion over building purchased by former VC

By Risidra Mendis

Mystery surrounds the purchase of a building by the former vice chancellor of Sri Jayewardenepura University, who claims that nearly 700 students from the university could be housed there.

While the former VC, Professor Jagath Wickremasinghe claims that there are 250 students living in this building that was purchased at a cost of Rs. 50 million, the present Vice Chancellor Professor Tissa Kariyawasam says the building is a ghost building without anyone.

The controversial building was allegedly purchased during the time of the former vice chancellor for Rs. 50 million but The Sunday Leader now learns that the present administration is planning to disown the building, saying a sum of Rs. 70 million is needed to renovate the building.

The building in question is situated at Kohuwela and was declared open by the former vice chancellor last March. The Sunday Leader learns that the former VC got cabinet approval to purchase the building.

Meanwhile the university registrar, D.P.Athulathmudali told The Sunday Leader that at present no student is living in this building but added the administration might house some students within three months after renovating the building.

Certificates to the doorstep of refugees

By Shezna Shums

Plans are afoot to deliver certificates of births, deaths and marriages to the door step of the Sri Lankan  refugees now languishing in camps in South India, Rehabilitation Minister Dr Jayalath Jayawardena said. 

The minister who returned from a recent visit to India last week, told The Sunday leader he plans to make a booklet with detailed instructions on how these people have to go about in getting their documents from the central government of India.   The minster had talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jeyaram, requesting her to look into the matter and make recommendations on how this process can be expedited.

The minister was accompanied by two officials from the Immigration and Emigration department and the Registrar General's Department, to see for themselves what the Sri Lankan refugees go through to get their documents.

The minister has also requested them to make periodic visits in order to make improvements.

Dr. Jayawardena visited two camps in the Vellur District which held more than 500 families.  He noted that almost all of them had the desire to return to Sri Lanka.

The minister told them they will be brought down as respectable people, adding that  they should wait till the time is right and not to take any illegal ways of coming down as it is too risky. 

There are 111 camps with more than 66,000 refugees living in these camps in India alone. The minister said he was satisfied to see the conditions in which the Sri Lankan refugees were living in the two camps and said the Indian officials were very helpful, offering free education to the children in these camps.

He also said many of them were studying in the English medium and some also received university education.

He said 10 Sri Lankans there received places in the medical faculty and in the engineering faculty while more than 100 of them have entered other faculties. The minister also noted that he had spoken to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister regarding the huge fine the Sri Lankans might have to pay if they had overstayed. He said he had personally requested the chief minister to reduce the amount that they had to pay.

"These refugees also have to go through a lot of red tape if they were to get travel documents from the central government. I made a request to the central government to look into this matter and as soon as possible make recommendations to help these people get their documents without delay," he said. This was the first time a minister had visited refugee camps in India after they were set up in 1983.

No privatisation - UGC chairman

By Shezna Shums

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor B.R.N Mendis Friday (5) scotched rumours that the government has plans to privatise national universities in Sri Lanka.

He also said there was no truth in what the university students were saying regarding privatisation, which he said, is not even in the agenda of the government.

He ruled out that no university in Sri Lanka would be subject to privatisation even in the future.

Referring to the vociferous protest the students of universities made last Thursday in Colombo, Prof. Mendis told The Sunday Leader that the protest was politically motivated and that the students had a different political agenda.

He said when the president of the Inter University Students Federation spoke to Higher Education Minister Kabir Hashim over the telephone on Thursday morning, the minister responded well with all relevant information. And therefore Prof. Mendis was of the view that the protest held by the students was unwarranted.

He told The Sunday Leader that though the students took to the streets protesting against the lack of funds, the university administration never found this a problem.

Prof. Mendis said he was satisfied in the manner in which the universities have been running despite various financial and other obstacles.

He said when the students, the academics and the non academics met on Thursday morning to discuss the doubts raised by the students, a memorandum of understanding was also signed. He added that having signed this memorandum, he could not find a reason as to why the students undertook the protest.

The Finance Ministry last week agreed to provide an additional allocation of Rs.217 million identified as the shortfall for urgent requirements for 13 universities in Sri Lanka.

Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte and Director General, Department of National Budget, S.A.Abeysinghe in a letter jointly addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training have said that action has been taken to release adequate funds this month to clear all outstanding liabilities as agreed.

The UGC chairman reiterated that even with the shortage, the universities could manage the day to day affairs without a problem.

Paul Harris Award to eminent persons

Rotary Club of Colombo South presented the Paul Harris Awards to the Norwegian Ambassador in Sri Lanka John Westborg, Economic Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda and Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte, at a ceremony that took place to install the 25th president of the club, P.Thayaparan.

At this event the club member Pathmanathan also took office as the District Governor for Sri Lanka. The senior-most past district governor in Sri Lanka Muni Kundanmal presented the awards.

Paul Harris Award is given by Rotary International through its foundation in the name of the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris.

The Norwegian Ambassador was awarded in recognition of the untiring efforts made by him and his country in initiating a process aimed at bringing a solution to the crisis in Sri Lanka.

Minister Milinda Moragoda was awarded for his efforts to bring about a change in the culture of politics in Sri Lanka through conducting an election campaign completely in accord with the laws of Sri Lanka, while Ratwatte was awarded for his services to the youth of Sri Lanka.