Old habits die hard. The three service commanders and the police chief stood to attention to say hello to former Deputy Defence Minister, Anuruddha Ratwatte at the S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike death anniversary commemoration at Horagolla on September 26. The President was not present at the commemoration 

Net closes in on Thilanga

By Frederica Jansz

Damning evidence further incriminating Chairman, Sri Lanka Telecom and President, Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala surfaced this week proving that Sumathipala used the finances of the cricket board in 1999 to send underworld leader Dhammika Amarasinghe to the UK.

Sumathipala not only used the cricket board funds but also connived with Dhammika to use a forged passport to travel to England to witness the ICC World Cup cricket matches in 1999 as a delegate of the BCCSL (Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka).

Following the indisputable evidence, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is to now approach the British High Commission to ascertain on whose recommendation Dhammika was granted a visa enter the UK.

The Sunday Leader learns that on a directive by Sumathipala, the BCCSL had recommended to the British High Commission a visa to be granted for Dhammika who was travelling on a forged passport.

Last Wednesday, sleuths met with Solicitor General C.R. de Silva to brief him on the available evidence and were instructed to proceed in gathering further proof that will corroborate the confession made by underworld figure Bada Mahinda.

As the investigation tightened, Sumathipala last week was threatening to take down a minister or two if he continues to be further implicated in the stunning revelations.

According to Bada Mahinda’s recent confession Thilanga Sumathipala may have contracted underworld figures to carry out various deeds including  assassination attempts.

Sumathipala’s denials to the contrary has this week been proved to be falsehoods as it has now been proved beyond all doubt that Sumathipala has indeed maintained a close relationship with the underworld thug Dhammika Amarasinghe alias Perera.

Meanwhile, Constitutional Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris informed The Sunday Leader he was not involved in any discussion at Minister S.B. Dissanayake’s house or any place else with regard to this investigation as reported in last week’s issue.

“I have neither discussed this issue nor will I interfere with an ongoing investigation,” he said.

(See Spotlight Page for details)

Tension in the north after army truck knocks down two civilians 

A tensed situation prevailed in Jaffna yesterday after an Army truck collided with a motorbike, killing the rider and the pillion rider instantly at the Gurunagar water tank junction.

The incident took place Friday evening at around 5.00 pm. Following the accident people in the area had reportedly pelted stones at the army and the army had fired into the air leading to a tension in the north.

All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) President A. Vinayagamoorthy who rushed to Jaffna told The Sunday Leader last evening that the situation was under control.

However he said tension prevailed and the Palaly road was blocked as some University students had tried to pelt stones at the armed soldiers. He said that some representatives from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) were also present.

Independent sources from the north said immediately after the incident took place the members of the public had gathered at the site and had prevented the army from removing the bodies of the youth.

The army soldier who was driving the truck was taken in for questioning by police.

Defence secretary Austin Fernando also said the situation was under control.

Richard to go with UNP

Former Education Minister Richard Pathirana rejecting President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s offer to withdraw all charges framed against him had told her he would contest the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election under the UNP ticket.

The Galle District parliamentarian who was summoned by President Kumaratunga for a one to one meeting recently told the President he was not “bothered” about charges being framed against him but would “certainly” leave the People’s Alliance (PA) and join the United National Party (UNP).

Pathirana is reported to have confided in two of his PA colleagues his position with the party and his desire to leave the party. The two senior parliamentarians on the condition of anonymity confirmed to The Sunday Leader that Pathirana had thrown a challenge at President Kumaratunga vowing to leave the party.

The Sunday Leader learns that Pathirana is expected to be nominated as the chief ministerial candidate to contest the Southern Provincial Council.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members who are not in agreement with the party’s proposed plan to re-negotiate with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to form an alliance said eight provincial council members of the PA too are likely to join the UNP with Pathirana.

Railway’s strike continues

By Risidra Mendis

The continuing strike initiated by the railway trade unions has entirely crippled the train services in the country.

On Friday thousands of railway commuters attacked the Fort and Maradana railway stations after the suspended strike was resumed by some railway unions.

A Spokesman for the railway said yesterday that the entire service was paralysed  following the strike action initiated by the unions.

The 48 hour railway strike that crippled hundreds of commuters a few days ago was brought under control by the quick response of the members of the Railway Authority (RA). But commuters were in for shock when the unions relaunched the action Friday.

The spokesman said the scheduled night mail trains were cancelled and even the few trains that were to be operated could not be operated.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader RA Managing Director N. Fernando said, a restricted train service for commuters traveling from Rambukkana, Chilaw,

Avissawella and Aluthgama was operated during the time of crisis. However according to Fernando some locomotives experienced suspected sabotage during the time of crisis. Fernando went on to say that despite the strike that commenced on September 30, 15 trains operated. “On October 1, 18 trains were running in the morning and by evening a larger number of trains were operating.

Meanwhile the Sunday Leader learns that the Railway Station’s Master’s Union, Guard’s Union, Locomotive Driver’s Union, Train Controllers Union, Technologists Union and a few workers Union were involved in the strike. Commenting on the demands of the Trade Unions Fernando said the strikers agreed to join the RA only if their demands were met. The demands by the strikers included the payment of their salary and pension on the same day they join the RA, a salary increment of 75% and the compensation of loss of service in the government department. The strikers also wanted employees with eight years service to continue until they completed ten years, as government servants, in order to qualify for the pension scheme. According to Fernando the RA had given the strikers the choice of working under the authority or for the railway department until retirement. The strikers were also told that if they join the RA they would be offered better facilities.

However Trade Union activists were persistent about their demands and decided to stage a strike. “The RA had a meeting with Ministers Tilak Marapana, Gamini Lokuge and Rajitha Senaratne. The ministers agreed to look into the problems of the workers, but requested that they be given a little time,” Fernando said.

Plans to set up cricket associations in NE

With a view to improving cricket in the north east Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has planned to organise cricket associations in the war ravaged areas.

SLC President, Thilanga Sumathipala and Vice President, Aravinda de Silva toured the Wanni last week in order to identify suitable individuals who could be entrusted with the responsibility to form and run district cricket associations.

Silva told The Sunday Leader he is awaiting a response from some of the cricket clubs based in the north east to finalise SLC's  plan to organise cricket district associations.

According to him the cricket association in Dambulla overlooks the north and east and added SLC plans to create two more additional cricket associations each in the north and east.

Silva said at present there are five district cricket associations and SLC's plan is to increase it to seven.

“Our idea is to pick talented cricketers from the north east and encourage them. Our aim is also to improve cricket in these areas. Cricket associations could not be established in these areas due to the protracted war. But now that there is no war, we thought cricket in these areas should be further promoted,” Silva said.

Rains to continue

By Shezna Shums

 With the present heavy rains expected to continue till the end of November, people living in Ratnapura, Matara, Galle, Hambantota and other landslide prone areas have been warned to take extra care by the government.

People who have built their houses on the mountainside have been requested to be vigilant of landslides.

Director, National Disaster Management Unit,social Welfare  Ministry, N. D.Hettiarachchi said an estimated 1,334 families have been affected while 89 houses have been totally damaged by last week’s flash floods in Galle, Matara and Hambantota. He also said 211 houses have been partially damaged with eight people losing their lives.

However Hettiarachchi stated that the divisional secretariats of these areas have been given funds to carry out relief and rehabilitation work in the areas coming under their purview.

Hettiarachchi also explained that with the new parliamentary sub committee on disaster management headed by Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya, relief is provided for the families in hardship.

Meteorology Department Director, N.A. Amaradasa explained to The Sunday Leader that the present inter monsoon will continue till November.  “The rains will be widespread all over the island,” he said.

‘Thilanga did not contact me’ — Marzook

Commissioner General, Prisons Department, Rumy Marzook has denied that Thilanga Sumathipala contacted him in relation to revoking an order to shift underworld leader Dhammika Amerasinghe from the Colombo Magazine Prison to Mahara.

The Sunday Leader: It is unfortunate that Rumy Marzook did not think it fit to check his facts well before issuing a denial to our front page story last week.  We stand by every word in the article, which is validated by the fact that Gamini Jayasinghe, chief jailor of the Magazine prison where the underworld leader Dhammika Amerasinghe is being held, has told police that an order from Marzook to shift Dhammika to the Mahara prison was abruptly withdrawn with no explanation.

Arbitration board panacea for health department ills

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has called upon the government to establish an arbitration board forthwith to settle disputes between the trade unions and the state.

SLMC Deputy President, Dr.Ananda Samarasekara says a series of trade union action taking place in the health sector is unhealthy not only to the patients but also to the country in general.

He says wittingly or unwittingly such strike actions have put tens of thousands of lives in a perilous situation. “If strikes are allowed to go on the country is going to face massive human losses,” the senior medical expert warned.

He also said that the health Ministry must take appropriate action to curb such actions.

According to Dr.Samarasekara the SLMC had made two major proposals to the government. One he said is the amendment to the medical ordinance and the other to establish an arbitration board with individuals selected from the Ministry, the government, trade unions and the doctors. He said the composition of such a group with powers vested to discuss and arrive at solutions and also to take necessary decisions to the problems faced by the health staff, could prevent lightning strikes that are ‘dangerous’ to the lives of the patients.

He says an arbitration board acceptable to all could be activated when a labour action is likely to take place due to various issues. He also says that during the period of the arbitration there cannot be any strike action initiated by any union. “This should be made law in this sector. This type of system has worked well with the private sector. So why not the government try to implement it in the health sector in view of the number of strikes that occur each year,” Dr.Samarasekara questioned.

Dr.Samarasekara, one time GMOA president, says this could create a ‘strike free environment’ in the health sector and patients’ lives would not be put to danger even in the event disputes between the state and the unions arose.

He said the SLMC made this proposal to the government about one and a half years ago but to no avail. “Successive governments have failed to implement an arbitration board for the health sector. It is vital to avoid trade union action in this important sector,” he said.

He also said the government has given many promises to streamline the health sector but so far no proper action in this direction has ever taken place.

Schools to move out for airbase expansion

By Shezna Shums

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has requested two schools situated in close proximity to the Batticaloa airport to vacate their premises in view of an expansion programme of the airport to be carried out shortly.

According to air force sources the schools are situated in the SLAF premises and in view of future plans to develop the airport the request has been made to the respective schools.

Air force sources said as there was no major plan to expand the airport in Batticaloa earlier there was no necessity to request the schools to move out. “But now certainly there are new plans and we are compelled to request the schools not to build any more classrooms and further increase the structure of the schools. We are also forced to request them to move from this area.

The two schools are Puthur Vigneswara Vidyalayam and Methodist Vidyalayam.  One is a big school while the other is fairly small. Of late the big school had made plans to put up another building. However, SLAF sources stated that in view of the airport expansion it would be disadvantageous for the school to put up a building and later be told that they have to move out.

The sources also said they are confident that the schools would be moved out of the SLAF premises by end this month.

“The SLAF air base in Batticaloa and the one in Trincomalee are the only two air force bases in the entire east,” the sources said.

Leap in tourist arrivals anticipated

An unprecedented influx of tourists is expected by the end of this year and Tourism Ministry officials say they are fully geared to cater to the targeted number of 500,000 tourists this year.

According to Tourism Ministry Secretary, Dr.R.Ramunujam, a 28 per cent increase in arrivals is expected this year as against the previous year.

He attributed the anticipated increase in tourist arrivals to the forthcoming test series with the English cricket team and the peace process that has been in existence for the past 19 months.

He said within two years the country was able to become the safest destination in Asia.

Meanwhile sources from the Tourist Board said the country witnessed the last highest number of tourists in 1999 with 436,440 foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka.

They said in 2002 there was a 16.7 per cent increase as against year 2001 and added this year the trend is to go up to 28 per cent. They described this as a ‘giant leap’.

According to the Tourist Board officials 50 to 60 per cent of the tourist markets are from Western Europe with United Kingdom contributing to 26 per cent while Germany accounts for 11 per cent.

The other popular tourist markets are India (27 per cent), which they say is the primary market and Japan, France, Italy and the Netherlands, considered to be the secondary market.

According to the Tourist Board the revenue the country earned during the 2002 tourist season was an estimated US dollars 253 million and with the present target of 500,000 tourists, they say the country could earn an estimated US dollars 340 million.

The officials also said tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka have shown a steady increase in the recent past despite the country having to wage a war for nearly 20 years.

According to them there has been an increase of tourists from South Asia by 28 per cent, East Asia by 11.5 per cent and Western Europe by 24.2 per cent. The tourist arrivals to date since January this year stand at 301,998.

Spanish Red Cross to the rescue 

The Spanish Red Cross (SRC) with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) and funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), Wednesday began distributing agricultural inputs and implements to the returnees and war affected communities in the Trincomalee District, sources said.

Forty farmers were issued with seed paddy, vegetable seeds, axe mammoties, water cans, sickles, GI buckets, knives, sprayers and fertiliser. About 1325 agricultural families have been selected in the Trincomalee District under this scheme.

Under this scheme 400 farmers involved in paddy cultivation and 200 farmers in cash crop cultivation would be supplied with agricultural inputs and implements, Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) sources said. The programme concludes on October 11.

Opportunity to opposition was given affirms Rebahititation Minister 

Rehabilitation Minister Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena has said that the People’s Alliance (PA) was not denied time to reply his remarks made during his speech at the Ja-Ela  Pradeshiya Sabha last week.

Referring to last week’s article titled “Dr. J J sparks sabha rumpus,” the Minister has said on the contrary the chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha invited the opposition to speak, a right which was denied by the PA when the UNP was in the opposition.

“I wish to point out that Felix Perera, MP addressed the Ja-ela Pradeshiya Sabha when the UNP was in the opposition,” he has stated in his letter to The Sunday Leader.

Muslim MPs want debate on participation

The Muslim parliamentarians have asked for a separate debate in parliament to discuss their participation in future talks with the LTTE.

Ports Minister and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader, Rauf Hakeem made the proposal to the Speaker.

Muslim members of parliament said they have asked the government to allow a separate delegation of Muslim representatives at future talks.

UDA slams CMC Commissioner

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has accused Commissioner,  Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dr. Jayantha Liyanage of not complying with the UDA directives over demolition of unauthorised structures in Colombo.

In a hard hitting letter addressed to the Commissioner, Director General, UDA, K.V.Dharmasiri has said, he regrets very much to inform him that he has failed to respond to his letter dated  September 15,  where he requested some information regarding premises No. 22, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha Colombo 7.

He has pointed out that when the Commissioner was instructed to withdraw the permit issued for a certain construction, the Commissioner had not followed the order.

Earlier The Sunday Leader highlighted the decision taken by the Commissioner to grant permission to put up a building in Jampettah Street, Colombo 13, on a request made to him by Public Utilities Minister, Mohamed Mahroof. The Commis-
sioner’s decision according to CMC officials had been in violation of the council regulations.

The UDA Director General while reprimanding the Commissioner for not providing him with information regarding the premises at Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha Colombo 7, has also in his letter questioned the Commissioner over the unauthorised building in Colombo 13.

“This authority has also observed that many unautorised constructions are coming up on the street and road reservations violating the development plan of Colombo which the CMC is expected to follow. For instance at Jampettah Street an unauthorised structure has come up next to Methodist Church on the road reservation, where CMC has failed to take any action.

“However we are concerned about the failure of the Council to take meaningful action against numerous violations and unauthorised developments within the city. The Municipal Council has also not co-operated with the UDA in taking action against such unauthorised constructions.”

“Even the  Council continues to violate the planning and building regulations and I am afraid that the UDA will be forced to take necessary steps to resolve this issue to safeguard the public interest,” Dharmasiri has stated in his letter to the CMC Commissioner.

Pugoda child abuse case to be taken up for hearing 

The Pugoda child abuse case that has dragged on for nearly three years would be taken up for hearing again on October 14, informed sources said.

The Sunday Leader learns that the two victims, a girl and a boy from the same family and the children’s mother have all been cross examined. It is learnt that evidence has also been given in this connection.

Initially the case was filed at the Pugoda Magistrate’s court but following objections raised by the organisation Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere (PEACE) the case was transferred to the Gampaha High Court.

The Buddhist monk who had allegedly abused the children is at present serving a sentence at Mahara prison.

PEACE has been looking after the interests of the victims from the inception of the case. During one of the hearings on August 30,  the defence lawyer had objected to the presence of PEACE representatives. But presiding Judge Ranjith Silva observed that PEACE is looking after the interests of the victims and overruled the objection and said the presence of the representatives was justifiable.

The Sunday Leader learns that a Sub Inspector from the Pugoda police station is to be cross examined.

Diners to enjoy Lankan delights in Bahrain

Diners can enjoy delicious Sri Lankan treats including refreshing cups of ginger tea as welcome drinks during a 10-day food festival opened at Bahrain’s four-star Al Safir Hotel.

A wide range of Lankan delicacies and cuisine have been lined up for    ‘Sri Lankan Feast’.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Kuwait and Bahrain, Abdul Razak Mansoor was chief guest at last Wednesday’s inauguration.

Bahrain’s Assistant Under-Secretary, Tourism Affairs, Mubarak Al Atwi was guest of honour.

“The event focuses on Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage with a purely traditional atmosphere,” said the Hotel’s Sales and Rooms Division Manager, Stephen J. Daniel.

Al Safir chefs will present the rich and traditional aroma of different Sri Lankan delicacies and cuisine to pamper diners.

He said the hotel had flown in popular Sri Lankan singer Jagath Wickramasinghe to entertain the diners daily during the promotion.

Six Sri Lankan chefs led by Jude Jayasekara are lining up 15 dishes of meat, fish and other traditional curries for the buffet, said Food and Beverage Manager, Richard Paul John.

Paul John, who also hails from Sri Lanka, said 10 -15 varieties of salads and Lankan sweet specialties such as Kevun and Kokies are also part of the treats.

Diners will have a wide choice of Lankan delights such as string hoppers, hoppers, kothuroti and Pittu. The buffet costs 3.5 dinars. (875 rupees) and the promotion runs until October 10.

Wake up call for educators

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

With student clashes becoming a common occurrence, the country’s tertiary education system is now in the process of being restructured. The main issues that will be addressed in this restructuring process are minimising violence and the depoliticisation of student unions in local universities.

The recent clashes that took place at the Sri Jayewardenapura University and the Colombo University has left many students, parents and lecturers wondering when the present trend of  violence will come to an end.

The death of Ovitigalavithanage Samantha of the Sri Jayewardenapura University last year was a wake up call  for authorities, who realised that student clashes in universities have to be addressed immediately. Unfortunately, even the death of a student it seems has not stopped some rebellious undergraduates from resorting to violence at the drop of a hat and the authorities too seem to be taking things easy.

This time round, two students from the Colombo University were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital after a clash between rival student groups in the university’s Law Faculty. According to some undergraduates, the issue that worries most of them is the involvement of outside elements in these fisticuffs. It was stated that during the clashes in the Sri Jayewardenapura and Colombo Universities, unidentified persons had entered the universities with poles and mannas to assault students, but had left the premises before the police arrived. The clash at Sri Jayewardenapura University resulted in the students assaulting the vice chancellor and the media.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Registrar, Colombo University, S. Sivalingam asserted that everything was back to normal at the university, adding that the clash was a “minor matter.” “Classes are going on as usual and everything is under control,” he said. As for the two injured students, Sivalingam presumed that they would have now been discharged by the National Hospital. Sivalingam went on to say that they were unaware of any details surrounding the inquiry conducted by the police.

As for the involvement of outsiders in the fracas, Sivalingam stated that he was not aware of such involvement.

An official from the Sri Jayewardenapura University stated that the science faculty commenced work last week, while, the management faculty would commence work tomorrow, the 6th. According to him, the environment at the university is peaceful, so far.

Explaining the recent clashes at the universities, Tertiary Education Minister, Kabir Hashim stated that one reason for the clashes are the upcoming student union elections.

He went on to say that the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF), although not a statutory body, controls most of the students in universities and since they do not wish to lose the power they have over undergraduates, they do not allow any opposition group to raise its head in the university. Another reason for these clashes according to Hashim is the involvement of certain political elements. These elements, who come in the form of student unions get students to agitate over minor issues. Hashim asserted that no ministers have been perceived to have any involvement in the recent university clashes.

Explaining the clash at Sri Jayewardenapura University, Hashim stated that the vice chancellor had evicted unauthourised residents within the university premises after Samantha’s death. Rooms occupied by unions involved in agitation campaigns have also been taken over for the use of student welfare societies. According to the Minister, this too has been a contributory factor to the recent clash at Sri Jayewardenapura.

The clash initially was based on the delay in Mahapola disbursement by three months. The students are now demanding for the removal of the university’s vice chancellor.

 Minister Hashim stated that he has requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to immediately inquire into the matter, while the police is also conducting an independent inquiry. The Minister asserted that there was pressure from certain political elements to remove the vice chancellor. This, according to Hashim cannot be done as requested by the students as there is a procedure to be followed.

As for the involvement of outsiders in clashes at both Sri Jayewardenapura and Colombo Universities, Hashim stated that while the security personnel at the universities are not adequately geared to handle the situation, the police too are reluctant to move in at such instances. The reason is that in case a police constable manhandles a student to quell the situation, the students will then protest against the police department. So far, police have taken six students into custody in connection with the clashes at Sri Jayewardenapura. The proceedings of the parliamentary select committee, appointed to look into the violence in universities and restructuring the whole system, is expected to conclude in two and a half months.

Speaking of action taken by authorities, Hashim stated that once the ongoing inquiries end, university authorities will be requested to take stern action against wrongdoers. In order to ensure that clashes such as this do not occur in the future, Hashim was of the view that while certain political elements have to be barred from universities, the laws of the land too need to be implemented. “University authorities have been asked to implement rules that govern universities, which are already laid out,” the Minister said.

When asked why these rules were not implemented earlier, especially after Samantha’s death, Hashim stated that it is not easy to implement these rules at once as certain university students wait for a chance to create an agitation among other undergraduates. As for whether the authorities are waiting for another death like that of Samantha to happen before seriously looking into the matter, Hashim stated that they are doing everything possible to address the present situation in universities.

According to the Minister, the UGC and university authorities have forwarded a set of proposals that could minimise the violence in universities. So far, the Ministry has requested lecturers to move into hostels with students in order to provide necessary counselling for them to avoid future clashes. Unfortunately, this too, according to the Minister is not an effective solution because once students resort to violence, lecturers are reluctant to get involved.

Hashim reiterated that the question now is whether to mobilise the police. This, he said is a sensitive issue because students might dislike being handled by the police. The issue therefore has to be addressed at the core. “This is all an attitude problem. Student unions have to be depoliticised,” he said. The Minister explained that solving the present problems faced by universities cannot be done overnight and stated that it requires the involvement of students, parents, lectures and the authorities apart from the government.

When asked whether he would resign since the clashes show no sign of abating, resulting in the closure of universities for indefinite periods, Hashim stated that when compared to the period between 1997 and 2001, where over 25 clashes were reported, with several of them serious, the number of clashes has reduced. He reiterated that the restructuring process would be a long and arduous path adding that he might not still be in office to see the final results.

Attack on churchgoers

ByShezna Shums 

Sporadic acts of violence aimed at certain Christian churches and churchgoers is continuing to take place. In a recent attack on churchgoers in the Nawagamuwa area, two boys aged 17 and 22 were attacked and had to be admitted to hospital with head injuries.

The lady pastor of this church, requesting anonymity, said that on September 21, this particular church, situated close to Nawagamuwa was preparing to begin Sunday service “when a Buddhist priest as well as people from the area came to the church and said that the service should be stopped.”

“There were about 35 people who came to the church that Sunday wanting us to stop our worship,” she said.

However, the church did not give in and members of the church had made  a complaint at the Piliyandala Police on the same day.

Two days later, on September 23, the police summoned the church members for  an inquiry. The lady pastor said that the police were not very cooperative, but she claims they told her the next time something happens, they would protect the church.

Despite this assurance, five days later, on September 28, when two boys from the church were on their way to a shop near the junction, it is alleged that members of the temple in the area assaulted them. The  boys have said they are in a position to identify their assailants. The Piliyandala police however are yet to make any arrests in regard to this incident.

After being attacked, the boys had according to the pastor, managed to limp back to the church and the pastor had immediately telephoned the police. She says however, that the police arrived at the church one hour later.

“There was no assistance to even take these boys to the hospital. We put them in a trishaw and took them to the police station, lodged a complaint and only then took them to the hospital,” she said.

Later, on Monday, September 29, church members were called to the Piliyandala police for an inquiry. Here too the temple priests, as well as members of the temple were present. “There were about 150 of them at  the police station and they insulted us, even in front of the officers and the OIC, but no action was taken,” said several pastors who spoke to The Sunday Leader.

After this inquiry at the Piliyandala police, a church member’s vehicle was damaged. A stone was thrown at the vehicle destroying the van’s rear glass.

According to one of the pastors, while at the Piliyandala police station, the person who allegedly assaulted the boys had tapped him on the shoulder and threatened him. “This was inside the police station, but no police officer took any notice, let alone action,” lamented the pastor.

The pastors said, “We are being accused of carrying out unethical conversions, but so far, nobody has been able to prove this.” The pastors say that no action has been taken to bring this problem under control. “Although the OIC at Mount Lavinia is very cooperative, the general response is not good,” added a pastor.

Letters have been sent to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Christian Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga, Defence Minister Thilak Marapona and a host of senior police officials, but with no positive response.

Meanwhile, Secretary, All Ceylon Women Buddhist Congress, Indrani Devendra maintained that in certain instances, there had been provocation from church members, which is what led to some of the incidents.

She said she strongly believes these churches are sustained as a result of foreign aid. However, the pastors deny they have foreign funding.