>  Sajith, Navin on the mat

>  Toll system to curb fuel consumption

>  Clash over gold coins

>  Curfew declared Hartal in Mannar District

>  Met. Dept. dismisses cyclone rumours

>  Trouble brewing at Science and Technology Ministry

>  'UPFA introducing meaningless methods' - G.L.

>  Plans to expand oil refinery

>  Warnings of deadly epidemics due to rains

>  Rabies treatment costing Rs. 3 million per day

>  Galle Road and Duplication Road to become one way

>  Conductor, NYO

>  Residents livid at sale of canal way

The four step disappearing act of a commemorative plaque. The commemorative stone of the proposed new SLFP headquarters was ceremonially unveiled by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse though his own name was not on it. Within days it was removed, official reason being to give it a new polish. After the polish it was reinstalled, but was covered in black cloth. In the final step it was smashed to smithereens last week and no trace of the plaque

Photo by Berty Mendis

  Another blow to President Chandrika Kumaratunga

CWC opts out of NAC

The inaugural meeting of the National Advisory Council convened by President Chandrika Kumaratunga received a devastating blow last Friday when the newest partner in the UPFA government, the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) decided not to attend the October 4 meeting.

CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman had informed his party from overseas not to send any representative to the meeting.

President Kumaratunga had invited all parties represented in parliament to attend the council which was formed to formulate a strategy to recommence peace talks with the LTTE.

The UNP and the TNA had earlier refused to attend the meeting alleging that the UPFA was indulging in delaying tactics instead of moving ahead with the negotiations. The LTTE too had rejected the council on the same basis.

The SLMC too is unlikely to attend tomorrow's meeting. Apart from political parties, the President has also invited representatives from NGOs and religious leaders for the meeting.

The only parties who are likely to attend the meeting are the SLFP, JVP and NUA, all constituent parties of the UPFA.

The CWC leadership earlier nominated three members namely Faizer Mustapha, S.Jegetheeswaran and M.Sachidanandan to attend Monday's meeting, but subsequently they were directed by the CWC leader not to attend the meeting.

CWC MP Jegetheeswaran confirmed to The Sunday Leader that there would not be any representation from the CWC as Leader Thondaman has clearly informed them that they should not participate at tomorrow's meeting.

The Jathika Hela Irumaya monks too have decided to boycot the NAC meeting.

With the decision of the UNP, CWC, JHU and SLMC not to participate, the parties present at the NAC will represent less than half the 225 MPs in parliament.

Sajith, Navin on the mat

United National Party (UNP) Members of Parliament, Sajith Premadasa and Navin Dissanayake apologised to the party leadership for their absence when the vote on the tax amnesty amendment bill was taken up in parliament on September 22.

The UNP's Political Affairs Committee summoned four MPs, namely Sajith Premadasa, Navin Dissanayake, Dilip Vedaarachchi and Laryn Perera and called for their explanations for their absence in parliament.

Puttalam District MP Laryn Perera The Sunday Leader learns explained to the party leadership that her husband was sick and that she had to rush to the hospital and hence could not attend the vote. She had further told the committee that she informed Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Samarasinghe before leaving parliament.

Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa also told the political affairs committee that he could not attend parliament, as he was indisposed.

However, he was later confronted with documentary proof that he in fact had been attending a school opening ceremony in Hambantota, upon which he has admitted his mistake.

He said he did in fact attend the ceremony and tendered an apology to the party leadership and further assured he will not in the future make similar mistakes.

Dissanayake too had told the committee he was sorry for not being present at voting time in parliament.

Toll system to curb fuel consumption

President Chandrika Kumaratunga is to introduce a toll system for all vehicles entering Colombo city in a bid to curb fuel consumption.

President Kumaratunga announced her decision to introduce this system to the cabinet of ministers last week when ministers complained that the rising fuel prices were a burden on the public and that the government must adopt meaningful measures to curb the rising cost of living.

The President had told the cabinet ministers that the way to ensure price stability is by ensuring less consumption of fuel and also ensure a toll system is introduced.

She has further said that when the people feel the pinch on their wallets they will stop using private vehicles.

The Sunday Leader learns that Transport Minister Felix Perera has appealed to the President to give a second thought about her proposal adding it would lead to a backlash by the people.

Clash over gold coins

A shipping company and Sri Lanka Customs have clashed over a consignment of gold coins imported into the country for Gold Quest International Ltd.

SAR Shipping (Pvt) Ltd. has filed action in the Court of Appeal seeking redress after Customs detained eight consignments of gold products.

Customs maintain the items have been undervalued, but SAR Shipping argues that the items are valued at market prices. SAR is the local delivery agent for Gold Quest International in Hong Kong.

SAR points out that in this case the sale or the price of the gold coin is subject to conditions and consideration for which value cannot be determined with respect to the Gold Quest products, which are being valued.

Chief Legal Officer, Gold Quest International has explained that the sales prices contained on the web site for Gold Quest products consists of not only the product cost, but also administration and membership maintenance fees. Therefore, the receipt for the product is higher than the invoice, which accompanies the product.

SAR is also charging a senior Customs officer with conflict of interest alleging he is also a tracking centre operator for Gold Quest International and has purchased products under this scheme as well as having introduced family members and other Customs officers to the money making venture.

The shipping company maintains that as a result of legally importing the gold coins instead of having them hand carried through the airport, 'there is a loss of revenue' for certain government officials.

Customs, however, maintain that the shipping company has not only undervalued the product, but classified same under an HS code which is misleading.

SAR is arguing that there is no warrant or justification for the further detention of eight consignments of these goods in view of the fact the company has furnished all relevant transaction details.

Customs maintain that the price list submitted by the company to them did not reflect the transaction value.

Director, SAR, Ivan de Almeida denies this adding that even the Controller of Imports and Exports had stated to SAR Shipping that he has no objection to grant clearance of such consignments, provided a list of recipients with their addresses in Sri Lanka is supplied to him at the time of arrival of each and every consignment. Almeida asserts the company duly obliged.

The matter is to come before the Court of Appeal this week.

 Curfew declared Hartal in Mannar District

A curfew was declared in the Mannar District last Friday following the killing of a Muslim person in the area, said sources at the Mannar police station. This incident happened on Thursday when a person suspected of being a drug dealer was travelling near Pesalai, 15 kilometers west of Mannar.

The victim was shot at, while he was riding a motorbike near Pasalai on Thursday night and was rushed to the Mannar base hospital.

Following this incident, it is also learnt that a group of Muslims attacked the administrative office of the LTTE in the district. The curfew in Mannar came into effect for the whole of Friday.

According to the Mannar police, an investigation into this matter is still continuing, and no one has been arrested yet. 

According to reports, the signboard of the LTTE's political office in Mannar was also damaged by a group of Muslims following this killing.

According to news reports, Wanni Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, Vino Noharathalingam said, "I brought the matter to the notice of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Wanni, Mahinda Baddawela and an emergency meeting was convened last Friday morning by the truce monitoring mission office in Mannar to restore peace in the town.

The persons who took part in this meeting were the Mannar Bishop, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Wanni Range Mahinda Baddawela, MP Noharathalingam, Head of LTTE's Political Wing, Mannar, S. Iniyavan and two Muslim community leaders from Karisal and Uppukkulam.

Trouble brewing at Science and Technology Ministry

By Jamila Najmuddin 

Persons working at the Science and Technology Ministry have voiced their disappointment over the daily functions performed at the Ministry.

With officials expressing their disappointment over the duties performed by Science and Technology Minister, Professor Tissa Vitharana, they added that persons working under the Ministry also faced official harassment, cut throatism and were purposely denied personal payments such as overtime salaries and subsistence.

"Professor Vitharana is an arrogant man who does not allow the appointment of a deputy minister. He is never present when important matters have to be discussed and when persons from the Ministry contact him, he claims he is always 'too busy'," an official from the Ministry charged.

He added that the Ministry was also in desperate need of a deputy minister.

According to officials, the Council for Information Technology (CINTEC) is gazetted under the Science and Technology Ministry and at present CINTEC functions on the directive of a Supreme Court stay order. Therefore, employees and the general office have to be maintained. In this context, from mid August, CINTEC has not been able to operate their bank accounts as one of the two signatories who was responsible for the operating of the bank accounts has expired. Therefore, officials claim that at present, all bank accounts cannot be operated due to which their salaries cannot be paid and when this matter was put to Minister Vitharana and Ministry Secretary, S.W. Rajapakshe, they did not attempt to introduce new signatories.

Meanwhile, the Minister dismissed all allegations levelled against him.

In his response to the non appointment of a deputy minister, he said there was nothing that he could do as the responsibility of appointing a deputy minister was in the hands of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Professor Vitharana told The Sunday Leader that under the previous regime, an act was to be passed in parliament which made provisions for ICT agencies to absorb all the assets of CINTEC. However, since this act was dissolved and the previous regime could not sort out the matter, matters concerning CINTEC came under Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakshe once the UPFA government came into power.

"When I took over this Ministry, there were three groups of people that were in CINTEC. Those who agreed to accept the voluntary retirement scheme, those who did not accept this scheme and those who wanted to be made permanent," the Minister said.

He added that those who did not accept the scheme since they claimed that the money offered was too little, took the matter to court and the case is currently continuing.

"Althogh some people claim that I am always too busy, I have already held three discussions since I took over the Ministry. What more do they want?" the Minister queried.

Met. Dept. dismisses cyclone rumours

A disturbance in the Bay of Bengal has resulted in a sudden weather change in the country.

While slight showers were experienced in certain parts of the country the windy weather pattern has caused concern among the public who thought they were about to experience a cyclone.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Director General, Meteorology Department, G.H.P Dharmaratne said the gale force winds experienced in many parts of the country will last for the next two days.

"This is the end of the South West Monsoon and this is the reason for us to experience unexpected weather patterns,"  Dharmaratne said.

According to Dharmaratne, the country is not likely to experience any floods. "This is not a serious weather condition so the public need not worry," explained Dharmaratne.

'UPFA introducing meaningless methods' - G.L.

By Shezna Shums

UNF Spokesman, Prof. G.L.Peiris last week scoffed at the government's decision to increase fuel prices in two tiers, adding 'it was meaningless'.

Referring to the latest increase in fuel prices by the UPFA government, Prof. Peiris said the move was 'arbitrary' and was not pragmatic.

He said this was a clear manifestation that the UPFA had no proper plan or policy for the future. "It is laughable when the price of fuel is Rs.44 in the city and Rs.42 out of the city. The government is trying to introduce methods that never existed before in the whole world," he said.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs.2  only within Colombo city limits while suburbs and outstations will sell the fuel for a lesser price.

At the moment a litre of auto diesel in Colombo will cost Rs. 44 and if this auto diesel is bought in Dehiwela or Kotte it will cost Rs.42 and the cost of petrol in Colombo will be Rs.70 while it costs Rs.68 elsewhere.

Chairman, CPC, Jaliya Madegama said that the rationale behind this move is because the government feels that the people who live in Colombo are affluent and can absorb this price increase and that the price increase will not have a great impact on them.

He explained that given the international price increase of oil, the price of diesel should have been Rs.50, however the CPC had only increased the price from Rs.36 to Rs.42, thereby still making a loss of Rs.8 per litre.

When asked how practical this exercise of implementing different prices for different locations would be, he said the governemnt will have to 'wait and see' how this would work. "We must see whether this system has any loopholes," he added.

Plans to expand oil refinery

By Risidra Mendis

The Sapugaskanda oil refinery is to be expanded in order to hold at least 3.5 million tonnes of oil as against the present storage capacity of 1.5 million.

Power and Energy Minister, Susil Premajayanth told The Sunday Leader that the government's plan was to facilitate the process of refining more oil so that the government does not have to spend additional money in order to import refined oil.

The country imports 50% of crude oil and another 50% of refined oil. In a bid to curb the rising cost of diesel in the country,  Minister Premajayanth is looking at the option of expanding the present refinery capacity to 3.5 million.

The increase in diesel prices has resulted in an increase in bus fares thereby inconveniencing commuters and the public who rely on public transport. 

Meanwhile, President, Private Bus Owner's Association (PBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne said that if the government brings down the price of diesel the PBOA will bring down bus fares.

"We are paying a large sum of money on diesel taxes. Government officials say this tax money is used for school education and for development activities in the country," explained Wijeratne.

According to Wijeratne, the PBOA has made a request to the government to remove this tax and import diesel at a lower cost. "Our country does not have enough refineries. This has resulted in refined diesel being exported directly from abroad. Most countries import diesel in the form of crude oil and clean it in their refineries,"  Wijeratne said.

Wijeratne also criticised all governments saying that nobody was interested in developing capacity in the refineries. "The PBOA believes the government will get the required foreign aid if they request for it. But they are not interested," Wijeratne said.

Wijeratne went on to say that although the prices of spare parts of buses and tyres had increased, the PBOA did not increase their bus fares at the time.  "We know the public is suffering. But it is up to the government to find a solution to the diesel problem as it is beyond our control," Wijeratne said.

Warnings of deadly epidemics due to rains

By Jamila Najmuddin 

THE Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry has warned of a fresh outbreak of water borne diseases and the deadly dengue which has claimed more than 70 lives to date due to the heavy rains experienced in some parts of the island.

Medical Officer, Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Jagath Amarasekara told The Sunday Leader that in order to prevent any further outbreaks, medical officers islandwide, especially in the flood hit districts such as Kalutara, Galle and Ratnapura, have been warned to adopt special health measures in the event of floods.

According to him, the public have been warned only to drink boiled and cooled water, avoid eating raw vegetables and green leaves, ensure that wells are cleaned and the water is chlorinated and seek medical advice from a qualified medical practioner if any symptoms such as diarrhoea, dysentery or leptospirosis is developed.

"The public can contact the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) or the area public health inspector for any advice or assistance," Dr. Amarasekara said.

Meanwhile, medical officers also warned that the public should ensure not to dump garbage on the roads and in their gardens due to the threat of the dengue epidemic. "Many people are under the impression that due to heavy rains, the breeding places are washed out. They have to be cautioned it is not so," the medical officers said.

They added that people should not be reassured that due to heavy rains the epidemic has been washed out. "If a fresh epidemic breaks out, it would be much worse than the previous epidemic," they warned.

Rabies treatment costing Rs. 3 million per day

By Jamila Najmuddin 

The treatment for rabies costs the government a staggering Rs.3 million per day. According to medical officers from the Epidemiology Unit, of the total funds allocated by the Treasury for drugs each year, 10% is spent on rabies vaccinations alone.

Acting Mayor, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Azath Sally told The Sunday Leader that currently there are 2000 incidents of dog bites that take place each day in the island. "Every person that is bitten by a dog has to take the rabies vaccination immediately," Sally said adding that each vaccination costs Rs.1500.

Sally added that in September alone there were two rabies deaths reported, which also included the death of a three and a half year old child.

Consultant Epidemiologist, Dr. Ananda Amarasinghe speaking to The Sunday Leader said that currently, of the 2.5 million dogs in the island, 50% are stray dogs. "Due to this large number of stray dogs, the demand for rabies vaccination is increasing each year," Dr. Amarasinghe said.

He added that in 2001, there were 83 confirmed cases reported and 105 suspected cases notified. In 2002 there were 64 confirmed cases and 78 suspected cases and in 2003 there were 76 confirmed cases and 86 suspected cases. He however added that this year, till September, there were 66 confirmed cases already reported and expected the numbers to increase by the end of the year.

"Rabies is a deadly disease and it is time we started vaccinating the stray dogs. However, vaccinating more than a million dogs will take a decade, even with the help of NGOs," Dr. Amarasinghe said.

He added that people should not look at the issue in an emotional way and have to consider the option of the removal of stray dogs. "We have to do this in a decent manner with minimum pain to the animal. People should not protest against this. If these dogs have owners, then the problem does not arise. What the public has to realise is that they should not just simply protest against the action to annihilate the stray animals and not do anything about to save them either," Dr. Amarasinghe said.

Galle Road and Duplication Road to become one way

By Shezna Shums 

Plans are afoot to make Galle Road and Duplication Road one way during peak hours in order to ease congestion and save travelling time.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader SSP, City Traffic, Y. G. M. Laffir explained that a distance of 3.8 kilometers on the Galle Road and a distance of four kilometers on Duplication Road will be made one way in the morning, from 7.30 to 9.30 a.m. and again in the evenings from 4.30 to 7 p.m.

"This will improve transport, which will then help people reach their destinations on time and will thus save on lost working hours," he said.

He further explained that this move will also make it easier for the police to apprehend traffic offenders because they will not be able to make a sudden U-turn or go in the other direction.

Thus he said, tough action would be taken against people failing to use the available pedestrian crossings. "Three officers will be deployed at each crossing on Galle Road and Duplication Road and will ensure that the people cross the road at the right place," said Laffir.

"The police will ensure that vehicles are parked on the landside on the road during the morning hours and on the seaside during the evenings," he said.

Meanwhile Secretary, Public Security Ministry, Thilak Ranaviraja said there are a few logistical problems to implement this system with immediate effect but added, once these are cleared the plan would be implemented to make these roads one way. Ranaviraja also noted that if this is successful they will consider making other roads also one way during peak times.

Conductor, NYO

Dilan Angunawela, an active member of the National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka (NYO) since 1994, has been appointed a conductor of the NYO.

He is a product of Ananda College, Colombo 10. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. He was appointed as an Associate of Trinity College London in the year 1996 and is also a passed finalist of the Royal Schools of Music London.

Dilan is the first member of the NYO to be promoted to the rank of conductor. Master Amal Abeysekera has been promoted to concert master. He also plays the violin with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka.

The National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka (NYO) has been invited to perform at the Army Training Camp Rantambe on October 8 this year.

Residents livid at sale of canal way

By Frederica Jansz

The land called 'Parangiyakumbura' at Kirimandala Mawatha, Nawala in excess of five acres and 10 perches has been sold by the government to Indian developers inclusive of a 20 foot long canal reservation and a 30 foot long canal.

Angry residents in the area say that as a result of the government selling both the reservation and the canal, the entire area will go under water when housing developers to whom the land has been sold begin building.

As we have previously highlighted, this land was sold for a mere pittance at only Rs. 92,000 a perch despite the going rate for a perch in this area being between Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 750,000.

The sale received cabinet approval in August this year.  The final transfer was enacted on September 8, 2004.  The land has been sold to Eco Homes Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Eco Homes is owned and managed by two Indian nationals from Andra Pradesh, Hyderabad.

The deal was negotiated during the regime of the previous United National Front government when the Ministry of Housing and Construction was under the purview of CWC Leader, Arumugam Thondaman. The land was owned by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA).

Ferial Ashraff, the present minister of Housing and Construction, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development put the final touches to this sale, submitting a note to cabinet for approval after having concluded discussions with the purchaser.

The deal with Eco Homes was finalised no sooner negotiations between this government and Thondaman were finalised. The final agreement for the sale of the land was sealed on September 8, 2004 - six days after Thondaman publicly pledged support for the UPFA.

Crime - part and parcel of life?

By Jamila Najmuddin 

When a crime took place 10 years ago, the impact of it was so great that the incident was discussed for weeks. However over the years, with the rate of crime only increasing in the island people have become immune to killings, so much so that today when a person is shot dead in broad daylight, the matter is forgotten in a short period of time.  With the law enforcement authorities struggling to curb the rate of crime, crime now appears to have become more or less a trend, with the public accepting it as very much a part of life.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Sociologist, Dr. Swarnalatha Perera said that today due to the growing differences between nation states and terrorist organisations, crime rates were increasing all over the world. "We live in a modern world where humanity is taken for granted. Today, human values and cultures are forgotten and crime has become a part and parcel of life," Dr. Perera said. However, Dr. Perera was also of the view that although crimes were taken for granted, measures had to be taken to avoid such activities from taking place.

"Today crimes take place even in the richest countries. In this country violence takes place largely because of political differences," Dr. Perera said.

With the rate of 'well organised' crime increasing every year, Dr. Perera added that today a lot of money was circulating within these crime groups. According to her, a lot of people such as drug addicts and those desperate for financial assistance were forced to commit crimes by people who did not want to get involved directly. "Most of the underworld leaders do not commit the crimes themselves. Instead they offer 'contracts' to the poorer classes and make them commit offences such as murders, rape, theft and burglaries," Dr. Perera said.

She added that it was time that the police and the government took this into serious consideration as it was their duty to ensure that the public was safe. "If killings like these continue to take place, it is seriously going to affect the economic development of the country. Tourism will also be severely affected," Dr. Perera said adding that through a personal experience a few months ago, a group of Japanese tourists had avoided visiting the island due to the high crime rate.

Dr. Perera also added that crimes were also increasing in the village areas where personal rivalries were rampant. "In rural areas sophisticated weapons such as guns and mortars are not used as these are all personal disputes. These crimes do not have such a great impact on society as they are not given any publicity unlike the crimes that take place in urban areas," Dr. Perera said.

When comparing with the days gone by, Dr. Perera explained that nowadays people were more inquisitive to find out about the number of people that were involved in the incident. "The whole matter is forgotten in a short period of time unlike the earlier days when an incident had a greater impact and was discussed for months," Dr. Perera said.