News

SLPA denies inviting Indian journalists

Govt. rejects CEB appeals

US, UK missions deny possible Al Qaeda threat

Anuradhapura farmers in trouble

Misuse of government media accreditation

Dengue on the rise despite high coil sales

2052 complaints before Bribery Comm.

Jumbo issue over bathing route

If you're going to America, take me with you

Tinted vehicles contributing to crime - police

Compromise formula for Upper Kotmale?

Top cop wants law changed

Mangala says get ready, SB says bring 'em on

SLPA denies inviting Indian journalists

The Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) yesterday denied any involvement with a group of Indian journalists who are currently on tour in the island, reportedly claiming to be guests of the SLPA.

The SLPA, celebrating its 49th anniversary on October 9, has also invited a delegation of 30 journalists from the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) to participate in the celebrations.

"We understand that a group of Indian journalists are already in Sri Lanka pretending to be our guests. We have nothing to do with their visit," said President, SLPA,  Merril Perera.

Govt. rejects CEB appeals

By Shehan Moses 

The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government  has reportedly rejected several appeals made by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for a price revision.

A senior official from CEB told The Sunday Leader the CEB is facing a severe financial crisis due to the high use of thermal power for power generation.

"Due to the increase in operating costs, we had to appeal for approvals for price revisions from both the UPFA and United National Front (UNF). However, none of these government's have approved a price revision during recent times," the official said. He also warned that the present financial crisis in the CEB could worsen to a hazardous situation if the world oil prices continue to rise and the drought continues. "Within the next few months if there is a decline in rainfall, the CEB would need to increase the use of thermal power. However, this is not appropriate due to the high cost involved," the official pointed out. According to him the only solution for this crisis would be the construction of the Norochcholai power and Upper Kotmale power plants. "The government should immediately construct these two power plants which is the only foreseeable solution for the financial crisis,"he said. Power and Energy Minister, Susil Premajayanth told The Sunday Leader that the government has no plans to revise the prices of electricity.

"Presently we are not planning to increase the prices of electricity because we have sufficient water," he said. However, he stated that a decision would be taken in the future regarding price revisions if the CEB is compelled to increase the usage of thermal power under increasing world oil prices. Further he stated that the CEB and the Power and Energy Ministry are currently working together to solve the present financial crisis at the CEB. 

US, UK missions deny possible Al Qaeda threat

By Jamila Najmuddin 

The US and UK missions in Colombo remained tight-lipped about a possible Al Qaeda threat against them last week despite Pakistan intelligence agents warning that Al Qaeda were planning terrorist attacks on targets in the US, UK and several other countries.

The US Embassy in Colombo was closed indefinitely last Tuesday (10) following an anthrax scare, with Embassy Spokesman, Chris Long maintaining that the embassy had been closed due to administrative reasons.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Long also denied a possible Al Qaeda threat saying that he had not received any information, which had linked this incident to the Al Qaeda. "We are not aware of Al Qaeda's moves," Long said.

When The Sunday Leader contacted the British High Commission, officials from the embassy refused to give comments on whether security had been tightened at the embassy. "We cannot discuss about our security measures right now," officials said.

Meanwhile, when The Sunday Leader contacted residents living down Palm Grove, Colombo 3, they confirmed that security had indeed been tightened at the newly opened UK visa building, which was situated down Palm Grove after the anthrax scare at the US Embassy on Tuesday. However, when they had queried about this situation from the British High Commissioner, he had replied saying, "Everything is under control. The British Embassy is under no threat and it never will be. We will not have any bombs thrown at us," he said.

According to recent reports, the Pakistan Intelligence Agency arrested several Al Qaeda members over the last two weeks and according to intelligence reports, one of the members was suspected to be heading Al Qaeda in London.

"Al Qaeda can strike anywhere," International Terrorism Expert, International Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore, Rohan Guneratne told The Sunday Leader.

The fear amongst many terrorism experts is that Al Qaeda may try to influence the US Presidential elections, which is to be held in November with an attack similar to the March Madrid bombings.

Anuradhapura farmers in trouble

By Shezna Shums 

A severe drought in the Anuradhapura District has led to a massive drop in paddy cultivation in the area - paddy being the district's main cultivated crop.

Farmers in the Anuradhapura District can usually cultivate approximately 69,000 acres of land whereas this year, owing to the severe drought, only 2,900 acres of paddy land were cultivated.

This was during the Yala season, one of the main harvesting seasons that takes place from May to August. During this season more than 60% of the 69,000 acres of paddy land is cultivated.

The Assistant District Secretariat, Anuradhapura, R. A. Chulananda speaking to The Sunday Leader explained that a total of 158,000 families have been affected by this drought and of this total, a sum of 90,000 families are in dire need of clean drinking water. The rest of the families face hardships in their paddy cultivation and survival.

In Anuradhapura District, there is a total of 13 irrigation schemes and 10,000 minor irrigation schemes but owing to the scarcity of water these have been of little use for cultivation this year.

According to Chulananda, this entire year has hardly seen any rain and this extended drought has left many families in need of dry rations and water. "The government is sending some water bowzers, some money and putting up some tube wells. However, we have not yet received any dry rations and this is what is most needed for the affected families," she pointed out.

Also speaking to The Sunday Leader, Forecaster, Meteorology Department, S. H. Kariyawasam said that the inter monsoons during last year in October and December as well as the north east monsoons at the beginning of the year brought only very little rain. "This resulted in the severe drought," noted Kariyawasam.

Asked when Anuradhapura experienced heavy showers for the last time, he could not pin point exactly when but said that there have been sporadic showers in the area. "But even the few showers received in the place have not been adequate for the subsequent months."

He also stressed that the Meteorology Department does not expect any significant rains in the area but that there are possibilities of isolated thundershowers. "These thundershowers will be confined to small areas and will not be widespread," he added.

According to the Women Empowerment and Social Services Ministry, the cabinet has been requested to release a sum of Rs. 658 million to help out the affected families. Out of the 14 districts, seven districts are affected due to agriculture harvesting and seven districts face a shortage of drinking water.

However, the short term remedies put forward are to provide donations, drinking water and repair tube wells while the long term plans are to establish rainwater tanks and build rivers.

Drinking water will also be supplied to the refugee camps in Puttalam. Out of the Rs. 658 million requested, Rs. 25 million will be allocated to provide drinking water and Rs. 25 million will be used to repair tube wells.

Misuse of government media accreditation

Vehicles of news correspondents working in the east prominently display a sign: "Government Press Officer's Official Vehicle" despite the fact that no such vehicles or bikes have been issued by the Information Department.

The Information Department is the official issuer of accreditation for media personnel.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director, Government Information Department, Nevil Padmasiri told The Sunday Leader that no motorbikes have been given to any of the press officers working outstation. "Only the messenger at the department is given a bike."

He was not aware of any person with the designation of 'Government Media Officer' or any cameraman attached to the department.

He said "We only have a press officer at the Batticaloa Kachcheri adding that the vehicle bearing that number plate does not belong to the department.

Dengue on the rise despite high coil sales

By Shezna Shums 

Despite more than three million packets of mosquito coils being sold in the country every month, and most of this in the Western Province, the number of dengue cases are still on the rise although the coils are supposed to keep the deadly insects at bay.

An average of more than 3.5 million packets of mosquito coils are sold every month around the island, a figure that increases during the rainy seasons. Despite the most number of coils being sold in the Western Province, it is the worst affected of the provinces, with the highest number of suspected dengue cases being reported from the region.

According to an official from a company manufacturing mosquito coils, a figure ranging from 30, 000 to 55,000 coils are sold every month. He added however that previously this figure was much higher.

And he also said at the peak of the monsoons, as many as 50,000 to 60,000 mosquito coil packets are puchased. "The Western Province records the highest sales of mosquito coils, closely followed by the Southern Province and then the other coastal areas," he explained. But he also added that during the dry season sales are very low.

Although mosquito coil sales are fairly high, they have not shown signs of significant increase in spite of the dengue epidemic because of many alternative methods of repelling mosquitoes available in the market. Consumers have the option of insect repellent lotions, electric mats and other electronic devices to keep mosquitos away from their homes.

Given the the 3.5 million mosquito coils sold at a rate of Rs.33 each, the public spends about Rs. 3.85 million on coils everyday.

Nevertheless, until last week a total of 11,757 suspected cases of dengue have been reported to the Epidemiology Department. Of this number, 2662 suspected cases have been reported from Colombo with 23 deaths, Gampaha reported 2206 suspected cases with a total of 14 deaths and Kandy reported 1991 suspected cases and eight deaths. Other areas in the island that reported high numbers of suspected dengue cases were Kalutara with 955 cases, Kurunegala with 740 cases and Moneragala with 398 cases.

2052 complaints before Bribery Comm.

By Shehan Moses 

The Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption had carried out 18 raids against police officers during its  final year of operation before it temporarily closed down due to the death of a commissioner.

During the year 2002, the commission had arrested 26 police officers on bribery charges, which included a SSP, an inspector, three sergeants and nine police constables, while an open investigation was carried out against a senior DIG.

Bribery Commissioner, Kingsley Wickramasooriya told The Sunday Leader that the commission was presently conducting inquiries into 2052 complaints against officials from both public and private institutions. However, Wickramasooriya expressed his dissatisfaction about the response received from the public when investigations were being carried out. "Normally it would take us about two years to complete a full scale investigation. However, since there is a poor response from the informants and because of their requests for a longer time frame to lodge their complaints, our investigations are held back for years," he said.  However, Wickramasooriya further stated that the commission would take all necessary measures to carry out investigations based on material received rather than merely on personal evidence.

Wickramasooriya also expressed his dissatisfaction at the present manpower available at the commission. "At present we only have about 90 investigators and this is not adequate. We have already conducted interviews to recruit 15 additional investigators to the commission," he said. He said the present investigators are police officers of constable and sergeant rank. As a measure to improve the quality of investigations the commission has requested Police Chief Indra De Silva to provide 15 additional police officers above the rank of sub-inspector to carry out investigations.

Meanwhile, National Police Commission (NPC) Chairman, Ranjit Abeysuriya told The Sunday Leader that the commission would take action against any corrupt officials if they were found guilty.

"If any police officer is proven guilty by the Bribery Commission, the NPC will take measures to interdict them," emphasised Abeysuriya.

Jumbo issue over bathing route

By Risidra Mendis 

A decision by Environment and Natural Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie to shift the route elephants of the Pinnawela orphanage take for their daily bath in the river has come under severe criticism by shop owners in the area who feel they will lose business as a result of the move.

Since the inception of the Pinnawela Orphanage in 1975, elephants have used this route to the river. However in 2002, an incident in which a seven year old boy was injured by an elephant, prompted zoo authorities to seek an alternative route to prevent such accidents in the future.

According to Pinnawela authorities, the boy had run across the road to his parents forgetting that the elephants were in front of him. "Komali, known for her aggressiveness at the orphanage, caught the boy in her trunk and put him on the ground to trample him. But thanks to the quick action of the mahouts and visitors close by, the boy was saved with only an injury below his knee," explained Pinnawela officials. 

Having listened to the grievances of the two shop owners who had explained their problems to him, a decision was taken by Minister Fowzie to shift the route used by the elephants to the other side of the orphanage. However the Minister assured shop owners that visitors to the orphanage would continue to use the original road to see the elephants bathing in the river. "Visitors come to see the elephants bathing and not to see them walking to the river. We have no intention of letting people put up shops on the new road to be used by the elephants," said the Minister while assuring the shop owners that business would continue as usual for them.

Proprieter, Sri Lanka Wood Carving and Dress Selection - Handicrafts and Textile Shop, Nandani Rathnayake said she started her business at the inception of the Pinnawela Orphanage. "My shop was very small and I had to pawn my jewellery to start the business," she said.

According to Rathnayake, when she first began her business, nobody protested about the danger to humans or elephants. "I decided to have a shop on this road especially because the elephants used this road to go to the river. These animals have never harmed anybody on this road. They are better than humans and mind their own business when going to the river and back to the orphanage," Rathnayake said. Commenting on the incident that took place a few years ago, Rathnayake said the boy was at fault and not the elephant. It is only now that the Minister and zoo authorities have taken a decision to change the route of the elephants," explained Rathnayake.

Rathnayake claims the zoo authorities are interested in a new route for the elephants because they are supporting certain other parties to put up shops on the new road. "There are 10,000 to 15,000 families depending on the income from these shops. What will happen to us if we start losing business?" Rathnayake lamented.

Meanwhile a question has arisen as to who this road belongs to, and who was instrumental in naming the road "Elephant Bath Road".

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Director, National Zoological Gardens, Brigadier H. A. N. T. Perera said the Land Reclamation Board had presented this road to the zoo many years ago. "Due to the previous zoo authorities not demarcating the boundaries of this road, shop owners have taken advantage of the situation to extend their shops closer to the road. In order to prevent accidents from taking place a barricade should have been erected by the side of the road and a separate place for visitors to watch the elephants constructed near the barricades. The shops should ideally have being behind the visitors," explained Brigadier Perera.

According to Brigadier Perera, it is the shop owners who have named this road without informing the authorities.

Meanwhile, visitors watching the elephants going to the river claim to have seen some shop owners holding sticks with pins to prick the elephants if they put their trunks into the shops. However some shop owners denied this accusation saying they had no intention of harming the elephants. "We were part of the group that staged a protest outside the orphanage gates when two elephants were to be taken away and we were successful in keeping the elephants at the orphanage. Why would we want to harm the elephants?" Rathnayake questioned.

Shop owners have questioned the Minister and the Director of the Zoo as to why they need to shift the ticket counter to the side of the new road. Replying to this, Brigadier Perera said there were reports people were taken to nearby restaurants and hotels without purchasing a ticket and allowed to see the elephants bathing free of charge. "We want to have two ticket counters where additional space will be provided for visitors to purchase their tickets in comfort" explained Brigadier Perera.

The Pinnawela Orphanage which commenced with only five elephants, Kadira,Vijaya, Mathali, Kumari and Komali, is currently home to 39 females and 25 males, which includes a three-legged female and a completely blind tusker. Even though Vijaya is no longer at the orphanage, the other four 'original orphans' remain at Pinnawela. 

If you're going to America, take me with you

By Jonathan Jones on the Uganda-Kenyan border 

"Mzungu!" The Matatu driver yelled. "Pull up your zipper!!"

He said, as if accusing me of doing it on purpose. I zipped up my trousers and waved in thanks,glad it was my last day in Uganda. 

On the bus ride back to Kenya, Ipaid some extra money to watchThe Hulk on DVD. Who knew the Hulk was a Berkeley student gone wrong? Like the Hulk, I longed to return to Berkeley and escape the racial profiling for being the wrong colour.

If I needed any more signs of the difference between Kenya and Uganda, I found it at the border crossing: 

"Mr. Jones, welcome, did you enjoy your stay in Uganda?" the Ugandan immigration officer asked.

"It was wonderful."

"Good to hear. So you'll be back?"

"Absolutely."

I headed for the Kenyan border. Almost immediately I was swarmed by Kenyans. I exchanged my money (at a bad rate),and thenapproached the Kenyan immigration officer sitting in front of the Kenyananti-corruption calendar, who refused to accept my Kenyan shillings.

"You don't accept your own country's money?" I said.

He shook his head: "you must exchange," he answered pointing to the locals.

So Iexchanged my money again in to US dollars, this time at an even worse rate. But it is all coming to an end.

I leave this evening knowing less about Africa than when I started. I leave never having gone on a safari, never seeing an elephant or a gorilla. I guess I'll have to go to a zoo.

If there was a zoo of Africa in the US, it should have aid workers in white SUVs, driving incircles around barefoot children waiting for feeding time. In seven weeks, I foundthe poorer and more obscure villagesfriendlier and safer than the cities.

I was on Uganda radio on purpose and Uganda television by accident.  I got caught up in a constitutional crisis between opposition leaders and the president who doesn't want to give up power.

I met Asians who had returned after Idi Amin's expulsion and were now running the country and textile factories.

I went clubbing in a war zone and met children abducted in rebel attacks.

I laid in a hammock in the Sese Islands, gotnice and toasty around the campfire, and rode a small wooden boat across Lake Victoria sitting on a live chicken.

Now, like everyone else here, I want to go to America and live a prosperous life in a country where all the people are rich.

That's it for now, sorry for the length, but if the plane goes down, at least you'll know it was well worth it.

You know you're in Africa when:

The live chicken make seats on the bus.

The organic farmers throw their trash out the window.

Thedrivers drive with their lights off and people walking down the road at night are all black.

The boda-boda motorcycle drivers know who the governor of California is but don't know how to get to the shopping mall.

The vomiting from food poisoning gets you closer to God than all the missionaries you meet along the way.

(Jonathan Jones is a graduate student at the Graduate School of Journalism at University of California, Berkeley. He spent seven weeks in Uganda and Kenya.)

Tinted vehicles contributing to crime - police

By Shehan Moses 

The scorching sun and its blinding glare have prompted vehicle owners in this tropical island to tint their car windows. Though this has been happening for years, it was brought to a halt when the government introduced legislation was introduced to prevent motorists using tinted glasses due to security reasons, several years ago.The then People's Alliance government took action to amend sentence 20 of clause 245 of 1983 Usage of Motor Vehicles Act and introduce new laws relating to the use of tinted-glass, completely banning motorists from tinting car windows.

Amendment

However, the post ceasefire era in 2003 saw the clause amended once more, relaxing the law preventing the use of tinted glass. According to the most recent legislation, motorists are eligible to use tinted glass as per certain specifications. According to officials at Police Headquarters, Colombo, motorists are presently permitted to use tinted-glasses not exceeding 20% dark colour tint for the driver and front passenger seat shutters. However, according to the police, there are no restrictions on the tint levels allowed for the back windows of vehicles.

The new amendment empowers the police to file action against motorists who do not comply with the law. The police are vested with powers to use a special metre to check the light transformation from the environment into the vehicle using tinted glasses.

However, despite the laws being relaxed, allowing motorists to use tinted glasses on a conditional basis, it seems the motorists are misusing this facility by using glass that clearly exceeds the stipulated 20% tint. According to police sources, there has been an increase in such vehicles. However, the concern  is that these tinted vehicles are a contributing factor to the rise in crime within Colombo city.

As such the increasing number of tinted vehicles cannot be considered a minor issue by law enforcement authorities.

Contributing to crime rate

"There is a considerable increase of criminals using tinted vehicles to commit crime. They use this strategy to avoid being identified," Director, Colombo Crime Division (CCD), SSP Sarath Lugoda told The Sunday Leader. Lugoda added that criminals tend to show preference for  tinted glass vehicles when they hire vehicles for criminal activities. Lugoda laments that vehicles with tinted glass should be completely prohibited in order to control the escalating crime rate. "If vehicles are prohibited from using tinted glass in any sense, except for people who require security, it would be difficult for criminals to getaway without being identified. Therefore, it would contribute to a reduction of the crime rate within the city," Lugoda asserted.

According to traffic police, under the prevailing law anybody could use tinted glasses given they comply with specifications stipulated by law. However, a person may be eligible to use a higher tint than is allowed, provided he or she can prove that there is a security threat. In such cases, the motorist would be granted a permit from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under guidelines from the police.

Meanwhile, Secretary, Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order, Thilak Ranaviraja told The Sunday Leader that he had advised the police to take action against motorists violating these regulations pertaining to tinted glass vehicles. "I advised the police last week to take maximum action against vehicles using tinted glass as they are empowered to do so according to the law," he said.

Compromise formula for Upper Kotmale?

By Shezna Shums 

The government is planning to come up with a compromise plan for the controversial Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project to accommodate issues raised by the Ceylon Workers Congress, Power and Energy Minister, Susil Premajayanth told The Sunday Leader.

However, National Organiser, CWC , R. Yogarajan, rejected the compromise plan outright and said that instead of the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project the government should construct six mini hydropower projects.

It should also be noted that there have been no changes to the plans of this project, as one change would have a significant bearing on other components. "This is the same project without any changes," a reliable source stated.

Yogarajan also stated that the issues raised by his party have not been dealt with in the compromise plan, adding that it should be abandoned.

Environmentalists concerned

An environmentalist also explained to The Sunday Leader that at least 10,000 hectares of tea would go underwater if this project comes through.

"This will cause a lot of social problems, people will have to find jobs and new towns will have to be built in order to accommodate them," he said.

"If this power plant is to come up there will be a total change to the flora and fauna in the area," he claimed.

An environmental lawyer also speaking to The Sunday Leader explained "the Kotmale reservoir is the first to show a low level of water at times of drought, so the Upper Kotmale hydropower plant will receive much less water and the power plant will not be generating as much power as predicted."

It should also be noted that 67% of the area is comprised of tea plantations, homes comprise 4% and 18% is natural forestation.

"There are three ways in which water is released - one is when water is washed down, the other is when the surface absorbs water and releases it through a natural drainage system and  when water is released slowly from the earth after being absorbed.

But the problem arises when the natural forestation is destroyed for the Kotmale project which will then cause flash floods during the rains and a severe drought when it is dry.

Landslide threat

According to the project plan, water from the Kotmale Oya will be diverted to Talawakelle intake dam, and then to a powerhouse, which is located about one kilometre downstream of the confluence of Pundal Oya and Kotmale Oya (the upper end of Kotmale reservoir).

However the environmentalist lawyer stated that in 1970 the area of Niyangandora, where the power plant is expected to be located was evacuated due to the threat of landslides, "So  there is always the possibility of the project being overrun with soil," he said adding that "in Talawekelle there is at least 15 percent silt deposits."

"Silt will be deposited every year and within three years more than 50% of the dam will be full of silt and the dam will lose its effectiveness, while it is also important to note that to remove silt is extremely costly," he said.

A brief description of the Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project states that this project will be situated in the south central mountainous area, which administratively belongs to the Nuwara-Eliya District.

The project will cover the upstream catchment areas of the existing Kotmale reservoir on the Kotmale Oya, a tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga.

It is also stated that the country's electricity requirement has been growing at an average rate of 7-8 percent annually, which is why the project is essential.

Estimated costs

The report states further that the basic project cost stands at $ 280 million and the project cost with interest during construction, taxes and escalation costs is estimated at $384 million.

This project will also affect five waterfalls, namely Devon Oya Waterfall, St. Clair Waterfall, Puna Oya Waterfall, Ramboda Oya Waterfall and the St. Andrews Cascade.

At the Devon Oya Waterfall, water will be discharged for 10 hours during the day time, while for St. Clair Waterfall it is proposed that water be discharged intermittently 10 times during the day.

For Puna Oya Waterfall the falls are composed of two tributaries , and the one on the left side will not be affected while the catchment area of the fall on the right will be reduced to 21 percent. It is also stated that for Ramboda Oya, the waterfall will continue to exist so that mitigation measures will not be necessary.

Although the report states that there will be environmental and social benefits with the development of the project, environmentalists point put that there will be several social problems too.

According to the report, with the planned reservoir, up to an estimated 496 households will have to relocate.

In addition to this, there will be the relocation of a school, theatre, rest house and urban council offices and a number of workshops and other businesses. Several religious buildings including kovils and churches and community centres will also have to be relocated and the report states that the resettlement programme will provide for all these structures with improved buildings on sites selected by the affected parties.

Finally, based on the financing terms put forward by the project proposal, a unit cost of electricity will be Rs. 0.68 per kWh for the first two years and Rs. 2.50 per kWh thereafter for the next 30 years, confirming that it is important for the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project to be implemented for greater security of supply.

Top cop wants law changed

By Jamila Najmuddin 

Existing laws should be amended to remand suspects for more than 24 hours, said Director, Colombo Crimes Division, SSP Sarath Lugoda.

According to Lugoda, such a move would help to stem the escalating crime rate in the country.

He also said that in order to carry out a 'thorough' investigation, a time period of more than 24 hours was required.  "With only 24 hours in hand before the suspect is produced in courts, how can the police or any other authority carry out investigations?" queried the SSP.

According to him, even when a suspected LTTE cadre was arrested, evidence had to be produced before the magistrate within a period of 14 days. "A period of 14 days to provide the necessary evidence against a terrorist is definitely inadequate and we certainly cannot carry out our investigations without the suspect being in custody," the SSP said.  

"These are the biggest constraints that we face regarding security in the country," the SSP added.

Director, Crimes, SSP Alfred Wijewardena told The Sunday Leader that a short period of 24 hours to keep a suspect in police custody was indeed inadequate. "It would be better if the laws could be changed so that a proper investigation could be carried out," Wijewardena said.

Meanwhile, according to police officials, crimes in the city carried out using sophisticated weapons such as hand grenades and guns were on the rise.

According to the statistics revealed by the Police Crimes Division, in the first six months of this year, there were 35 homicides, 88 vehicle thefts, 19 incidents of vehicle damage, 27 armed robberies, 16 kidnappings and 23 underworld killings reported.

"Although the number of checkpoints will not be increased, security at the existing checkpoints will be intensified to ensure public safety. Apart from this, there is nothing special that the police can do to reduce crime," Lugoda said.

Mangala says get ready, SB says bring 'em on

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema 

Last week former bosom buddies, Media, Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Former Samurdhi Minister S. B. Dissanayake challenged each in their latest spat, this time concerning the misuse of Samurdhi money.

Fighting corruption

Samaraweera observed that in a bid to fight corruption and irregularities in the public sector, the government was now investigating in to the missing Rs. 656.2 million from the Samurdhi fund, in order to use the funds to commence social activities through the Samurdhi Ministry.

He went on to say that former minister Abdul Cader was taken into custody for the misuse of Rs. 1 million of the total amount "plundered" by his ministry, adding that the government is now planning to target the big fish behind the scene.

Samaraweera said that former Minister Dissanayake would have to be ready with the answers when taken to task in the near future, following investigations.

Samaraweera further alleged that money allocated from the Samurdhi fund to 10 Muslim mosques too have been plundered, as the moulawis in the respective mosques have denied receiving any relief from the government.

According to Samaraweera, it is high time the government takes action against those engaged in corruption.

Explaining the procedure involved in distributing money through the Samurdhi Ministry, Dissanayake explained that it cannot be done as one pleases as the money is passed through the accountant and the accounts department and is then handed over to the recipients through the government agents in the area.

"Bring them on"

Dissanayake went on to say that investigating the matter would be easy for the government as those who served him during his tenure as minister are still employed at the Ministry, adding that even those sacked by him on corruption charges and other irregularities, have been reinstated by the government.

"Tell them to take action and let them come to me if they can," said Dissanayake.

As for the charges against Cader for the misappropriation of Rs. 1 million of Samurdhi funds, Dissanayake explained that Cader provides porridge to the poor worth Rs. 5 or 6 million annually, and had requested a donation from the Ministry, adding that it was for this purpose that he had granted the release of Rs. 1 million from Samurdhi funds to Cader.

Responding to charges that money allocated for certain Muslim mosques had not been disbursed to them, Dissanayake said that he was not aware of that matter.

Rs. 30 saved from the Rs. 130 allocated to each Samurdhi recipient, funds the social welfare fund organised by the Samurdhi Ministry. For the year 2002, the amount collected by the fund was Rs. 458 million, out of which Rs. 121.2 million was spent for welfare activities of recipient families, leaving a balance of Rs. 337 million. In 2003, out of the Rs. 458 million collected, a sum of Rs. 138.9 million was spent, leaving a balance of 319.2 million.

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