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Sixth issue of Moot Point release

The sixth issue of Moot Point, Legal review 2002 published by the Centre for Policy Alternatives containing reviews on important legal developments has been released recently.

It contains an interesting examination of a highlighted recent  case where the pass system enforced in the Vavuniya District was challenged for allegedly affecting the freedom of movement and includes the determination of the Supreme Court on the Universities Amendment Bill where university autonomy is discussed along with other writing on current legislative developments.

Face-lift for National Zoological Gardens

By Risidra Mendis

In promoting a natural environment in the dawning year for the inmates at the National Zoological Gardens, the worn out steel cages and enclosures would be replaced by more animal-friendly timber cages.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Director, Zoological Gardens, Brigadier H.A.N.T. Perera said, barring the bird enclosures and those in the primates section, others would soon be replaced by strong timber enclosures made out of teak and burutha. “This type of timber enclosures are strong and are in conformity with all safety standards,” says Brigadier Perera. 

The project to give a much needed facelift to the National Zoological Gardens commenced early this year and will be completed by December 2004. According to Brigadier Perera, the camel, giraffe and hippopotamus enclosures were the first to go. It is not just the cages that would change, the buildings and the gardens would also be given a face-lift under the new scheme next year.

Commenting on the cost involved, Brigadier Perera said that the wooden cages were definitely cheaper than their steel counterparts. “We will not discard the steel. Part of the discarded steel would be converted into steel fences at our Gonapola farm and the rest would be used for construction purposes. The remaining rusted steel will be auctioned,” Brigadier Perera explained.

The next phase of the Zoological Garden's face-lift will include the speedy replacement of steel enclosures of the birds and primates, he added.

Leaflet printers to be questioned

The printers of a leaflet distributed at the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thero’s funeral on Christmas Eve are to be questioned by the police shortly.

The leaflet contained some matters allegedly defaming a section of the Church and implicating a business tycoon as alleged conspirators of a drive to wipe out Buddhism from the country, which were distributed in their hundreds at the Thero’s funeral held at the Independence Square.

Meanwhile, the Police on Friday released the five suspects taken into custody in connection with the distribution of such leaflets on condition that they appear before the Crime Division this week.

 The Thero’s death came as a huge shock to the community and triggered off a wave of anti — Christian feeling. The leaflets reportedly sort to whip out communalism and tuelled conspiracy theories with regard to the Thero's death.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, SSP Sarath Lugoda said that the Police are carrying out further investigations.

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