News

> Kanthalai next flashpoint over king's statue

> PM stays cool

> JVP doles out jobs before quitting ministries

> SLFP plans to counter JVP

> Economy takes a tumble

CBK to personally present her case to the House

JM to Parliament only after signing

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has decided to send the joint mechanism proposal to Parliament only after signing it, informed sources said.

The President is expected to sign the joint mechanism proposal this week and personally present her case to parliament on Wednesday, June 22 and meet the JVP and JHU challenge head on from the floor of the House.

Norwegian deputy foreign minister Vidar Helgessen is also expected in the island this week to be at hand for the signing ceremony.

The President's decision to send the joint mechanism proposal to Parliament after signing it follows objections by the UNP and TNA they would oppose any move to subject the proposal for ratification by Parliament before the government signs the agreement.

The TNA, diplomatic sources said, had informed the international community they would oppose any attempt to subject the joint mechanism proposal for ratification by Parliament. The LTTE had also expressed the same view.

The UNP on Wednesday, June 15, went public with their opposition to a government proposal to present the joint mechanism proposal as a draft bill to Parliament stating the party will boycott the sessions in such eventuality.

The government move was aimed at providing the JVP a way out of opposing the proposal in Parliament and still staying in government by agreeing to abide by the peoples' verdict as reflected in Parliament.

However, JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa informed chief government whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle last week his party could accept the verdict of the people as reflected in Parliament only if it is approved by 113 MPs voting for it.

Kanthalai next flashpoint over king's statue

By Sonali Samarasinghe

Kanthalai is set to become the next flashpoint in a protracted debate over unauthorised structures when a statue said to be of Agrabodhi, King of Anuradhapura believed to have built the Kanthalai tank is due to be unveiled with pomp and ceremony on Poson Day next week. JVP MP for Trincomalee Jayantha Wijesekera who commissioned the erection of the statue on the Kanthalai tank bund, The Sunday Leader learns has done so without the prior approval of the Irrigation Department under whose purview the historic Kanthalai tank said to be the second largest in the country falls.

Three months earlier at a discussion held at the Trincomalee Kachcheri, which included Government Agent Gamini Rodrigo, TNA MPs R. Sampanthan and K. Thurairatnasingham, and UPFA MP Majeed Najeeb, the JVP parliamentarian was requested to halt the project. He refused. Approval for the erection of a structure on land coming under the control of the Irrigation Department must be obtained in writing following procedures in place.

The irrigation engineer will inspect the site and make his recommendations to the range director for irrigation who in turn must send a report together with his recommendations to the department for final approval.

Sources at the department say the report did not contain any recommendations. However, The Sunday Leader reliably learns that covering approval for the statue was being rushed through last Thursday to beat the deadlines of both the unveiling ceremony on Poson Day and the resignation of the JVP ministers.

A director at the Irrigation Department in Colombo confirmed to The Sunday Leader that the statue was erected without prior approval. The director also said that approval, if given, would be given on a technical nature on the basis that the structure will not have any adverse effect on the dam. The department which comes under the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Ministry was until last Thursday under JVP control. Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake resigned on Thursday. Kanthalai has been a sore point for both communities.

A 'University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) 2001' report states that while the building of the tank is attributed to the King of Anuradhapura, in recent times Kanthalai was a Tamil speaking village until colonisation began around 1952 when Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese were given land.

JVP MP Wijesekera was not available for comment.

PM stays cool

The Prime Minister's office has incurred a bill of over Rs. 175,000 to repair the air conditioner in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's BMW.

The bill for Rs. 175,421 was forwarded to the Prime Minister's office on May 26, by Prestige Automobile (Private) Ltd.

The bill states the customer's complaint was that the air conditioner was not cooling.

The vehicle, a 5 Series BMW was sent for service on May 17 and returned on May 26.

The invoice submitted by the company gives the model number of the vehicle as 750 IL A RL S. The number of kilometers clocked at the time of service was 36,367.

JVP doles out jobs before quitting ministries

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP, Vijitha Herath minutes before he resigned as cultural affairs minister provided employments to 36 party supporters.

All the appointments were made to the Cultural Center.

According to highly placed sources, the interviews to recruit all 36 employees were done in haste on Thursday, June 16, barely 12 hours after they pledged to the country they would quit the government.

Sources said though they pledged to quit the government and the UPFA on June 15 midnight, they left their ministries only the following day.

Sources said Herath left his Ministry only after 2 p.m., after making all 36 appointments.

According to Ministry sources, assistant managers, watchers and peons have been recruited minutes prior to Herath's resignation.

Meanwhile, Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary, A. P. A. Gunesekara told The Sunday Leader that the appointment of persons were in the pipeline and recruiting these persons was a coincidence with the former minister's resignation.

He denied allegations that the appointments were made to fulfill the political aspirations of the minister.

"This was entirely the decision of the Ministry. The minister had nothing to do with this. In fact we had to give the appointments the day the minister resigned because the Director General Management Services gave us the approval only a few days ago," he said.

He also said the Cultural Center had properties and there were complaints from the divisional secretaries that there must be watchers recruited to look after these properties.

He also said that the appointments were temporary and once permanent members were recruited, these persons who were recruited would be removed.

SLFP plans to counter JVP 

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has unleashed a vicious propaganda blitzkrieg against the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) with a view to defeating it at the provincial, district, pradeshiya sabha and local council levels.

The aggressive campaign spearheaded by the President herself is also aimed at attacking the JVP's record in the four ministries and informing the SLFP supporters there is no truth to what the JVP claims about the joint mechanism.

SLFP members have been strictly told by President Kumaratunga to throw a challenge at the Marxists at every layer of the administration in a bid to win the confidence of their supporters.

Senior party members told The Sunday Leader that they have been warned to ensure that the SLFP vote bank was well intact. "We are also making sure that there is no erosion of the SLFP vote bank at all levels," a senior cabinet minister said.

While the SLFP members of parliament are expected to get themselves engaged in educating the masses on the joint mechanism, they are also expected to carry out a campaign against the Marxists at the grassroot level.

The President has also told the members that they must deny all statements and reports made in public by the JVP about the joint mechanism and the President.

They have also been told to inform the SLFP supporters that the joint mechanism is not intended to bring about a separation of the country and that it would not in any event affect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka as widely speculated by the Marxists and other radical elements.

Meanwhile, the JVP too has vowed to defeat the SLFP in all seven provincial councils at the next provincial council elections.

Economy takes a tumble 

The economy tottered on the brink of a free fall following the pull out of the JVP from the UPFA alliance last week.

The rupee slid past the Rs. 100 mark against the dollar last week and the fall would have been steeper if not for state intervention on Thursday and Friday. A state bank sold dollars in the market on behalf of the Central Bank and halted the fall. By Friday, the rupee was trading at Rs. 100.10 due to the state bank's intervention. The rupee closed at Rs. 99.99 against the dollar on Monday.

Traders said that the rupee was around 4 to 5% overvalued and the fall might help exports. The rupee had been boosted by the inflow of donor funds following the tsunami.

The Colombo stock market too reacted negatively to the JVP pull out. The all share price lost about 0.2% on Thursday. However, it regained on Friday to be up 14%.

On Thursday, the stock market recorded the lowest turn over for the year at Rs. 71 million.

The Dialog IPO is expected to infuse Rs. 8.45 billion to the market during the first week of July.

There was no clear signal on how the overall economy would react in the long term following last week's political upheavals. The Central Bank had predicted a GDP growth of 5.3% to 6% while private analysts had downgraded it to 4.9%.

Most were however waiting to see if the joint mechanism would be signed, as it would be a boost to the market.

However, speculation of snap elections is not helping the situation.

According to Research Manager, HNB Stock Brokers, Hasitha Premaratne, the country being ruled by a minority government would not have an adverse impact on the economy as long as the President holds executive powers and the government could garner the support of the main opposition, the UNP, to sign the joint mechanism and to pass its restructuring programmes for the public sector.

LTTE frustrated over delay in JM

By Easwaran Rutnam

The LTTE has expressed frustration at the delay in implementing the joint mechanism and has urged the government not to delay the process any further.

LTTE Peace Secretariat Head, S. Puleethevan says its leadership together with the Norwegian facilitators are frustrated at the continuous amendments made to the proposed joint mechanism and hope more changes will not be done.

Puleethevan told The Sunday Leader, the mechanism needs to be signed and implemented soon without further delay.

He was responding to reports emanating from Colombo quoting President Chandrika Kumaratunga as saying she will not sign the mechanism without the consent of the maha sanga and parliament.

LTTE Political Wing Head, S. P Tamilselvan says it was disappointing to note although Tamil areas in the north and east were among the worst hit in the December tragedy, the government was still dragging its feet in implementing the joint mechanism.

The mechanism, which will not be signed at leadership level by either the government or the LTTE, is to be presented to parliament for approval after which it is to be placed before the maha sanga for their consent before it is signed.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgessen is due in the country today and is expected to facilitate the implementation of the joint mechanism.

Ministers' to go against P-TOMS

A group of SLFP ministers are conspiring to defeat the draft of the P-TOMS agreement if it is presented to parliament in order to make things difficult for the President, The Sunday Leader learns.

According to reports, the ministers' plan is to defeat the agreement in the House and thereby applying pressure on President Chandrika Kumaratunga to step down from the presidency and the SLFP leadership. As part of the plan, two thirds of the cabinet of ministers will play no part in the propaganda campaign to promote the P-TOMS among the people.

A Gampaha District Parliamentarian who has of late been on bad terms with President Kumaratunga is said to be spearheading the conspiracy. Having encouraged the President to bring the draft to parliament, he is also said to have discussed ways and means of defeating the P-TOMS draft with the JVP which quit the ruling alliance last week. The draft is to be presented to the House either by the President herself or through the Relief, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Ministry of which she is the minister, according to the plan hatched by the group of SLFP ministers. The TNA and the UNP have already clearly stated that if the P-TOMS comes to parliament before it is signed, they would work to defeat the agreement.

The Sunday Leader reliably learns the JVP has already signalled its agreement to sit silently in the opposition and work with the conspirators to oust the President from power.

Milinda invited to commission 

The Norwegian government has invited United National Party (UNP) MP, Milinda Moragoda to be part of an international high level commission to develop an agenda that secures the legal empowerment of the poor.

Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevic in a letter to Moragoda states that the legal rights of the poor need to be secured to promote economic and social development and requires strong political commitment to be executed in a systematic and transparent manner.

The first task of the new commission will be to develop an action oriented agenda which includes key principles and a tool kit of policy and strategy options.

The duration of the independent commission will be for a period of two and a half years.

New scheme to generate income for Transport Board

By Prasad Gunewardene

As the re-establishment of the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) looks an impossible task for the UPFA government, Transport Minister Felix Perera has introduced a new scheme to generate income with drivers and conductors invited to make payments on a kilometre basis and operate bus services.

This measure follows the unsatisfactory response to the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) introduced to the 42,000 strong work force in the decentralised passenger transport service.

Transport Minister Felix Perera told The Sunday Leader only 8,000 employees have responded to the VRS so far and that too mostly comprised of drivers and conductors.

Elaborating further on the new scheme already launched in the Colombo District where drivers and conductors purchase operations on payment, Minister Perera said the depot charged the bus crew Rs. 40 per kilometre and they should cover 200 kilometres a day.

"The crew gets funds from trade unions and other  lending institutions to buy the day's operation. It is profitable for them and the depot too, as indicated in the operations of the first three days," the Minister said.

He further said that Japan has agreed to provide 178 new buses with another 21 coming from Austria to supplement the current strength.

Another 2000 buses from Japan  are now being negotiated on a long term repayment scheme, Minister Perera noted.

The Ministry plans to extend the purchase operational scheme by bus crews on a district basis.

The passenger transport depots are burdened with a staff of 42,000 dependent on the income of 3500 buses of which 30% are regular breakdowns.

Military geared to face any eventuality

The military last week announced they were prepared to face any eventuality following the signing of the Joint Mechanism (JM).

Military Spokesman, Brig. Daya Ratnayake told The Sunday Leader that in the event such a thing were to happen the military was geared.

There was apprehension in the east last week that the Karuna faction would up the ante by escalating its attacks on the LTTE if the JM comes into effect.

On the night of June 13, the Batticaloa office of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) was attacked by suspected Karuna loyalists.

TRO is the main relief organisation working in LTTE-held areas and has been accused of being a Tiger front. One person was injured and the office, located just outside Batticaloa town, was damaged in the attack.

Meanwhile, the pro - JVP newspaper, Lanka, said that the Karuna faction had expressed its support to the JVP opposition to the JM and the party's pullout from the government.

It said the group had said that the JVP move was an incentive to its operations against the Tigers in the east, quoting anonymous Karuna sources.

Military sources in the east said though the possibility of an escalation was there, the forces were in a position to thwart moves by the Karuna faction.

Timber shortage likely

By Risidra Mendis

With a heavy demand for timber due to reconstruction efforts in the tsunami affected areas, government officials believe the country could face a temporary shortage.

The State Timber Corporation (STC) claims that although it has sufficient supplies for the moment, the country could face a shortage in the coming months due to many Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) purchasing timber from private companies.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Chairman, STC, F. Ghany said the NGOs are offering higher prices to private timber companies in order to get their supplies.

"We don't want to give the wrong message to the public. However, there are many NGOs offering higher payments for wood obtained from private plantations. If the present situation continues a temporary shortage cannot be ruled out," Ghany said.

Kodituwakku for Kolonnawa

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesighe has appointed UNP Member, Karunasena Kodituwakku as the new chief organiser for the Kolonnawa electorate.

Kodituwakku joined the UNP as a university student and continued as a UNP member, playing an active role in the party over the years.

The former education minister under the UNP regime participated in a number of professional workshops and conferences in the USA, UK, Germany and Japan and represented Sri Lanka in the general assembly as well as UN organisations.

Security beefed up in Colombo 

Security has been beefed up in the city following the tense political situation that has arisen with the defection of the JVP from the government.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chandra Fernando told The Sunday Leader the police were geared to face any eventuality that may arise from agitational campaigns and warned hooliganism will not be tolerated.

Military Spokesman, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake told The Sunday Leader the army is assisting the police in maintaining tight security to ensure possible street protests do not get out of hand.

Meanwhile, the IGP said that a new system has been adopted to warn the public of possible traffic congestion in the city resulting from mass protests.

"The police will erect warning boards at all the entry points to the city to inform the public the roads to avoid and alternate routes that could be taken," the IGP said.

He called on the public to support the police by providing information of possible protests and crime via the 119 emergency number.

action against illegal gem mining

By Shezna Shums

Advanced Technology and Enterprise Development Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama has directed the Gem and Jewellery Authority to take stern action against illegal gem mining in the country.

Following the directive, special attention is to be given to key cities including Ratnapura and Matale where gem mining is rampant.

"In Ratnapura alone the authorities have detected 57 instances of illegal gem mining in five major rivers. An estimated Rs. 548,000 has been charged as fines," Senior Operations Manager, National Enforcement and Planning, D.K.P.S.Daham Sandage said.

Sandage emphasised that gem mining was illegal as it causes extensive damage to the environment and added the Gem and Jewellery Authority leases selected rivers for mining provided it is done in accordance with the regulations set by the authority.

Sathosa iron sold for scrap

By Priyangika Wickremasinghe

Two days after the tsunami tragedy, the Sathosa Galle branch had sold items belonging to the institution valued at Rs. 5 million for a mere Rs. 265,000, violating company regulations.

A stock of iron goods that was remaining at the Sathosa branch in Galle, which was damaged in the tsunami, was allegedly sold to an individual without following proper tender procedures or obtaining the approval of the Galle Municipal Council.

According to Sathosa staff, the items sold amount to well over Rs. 5 million. The money received for the sale has been credited by cheque to a Sathosa account.

Sources say an inquiry is to be held shortly into the sale of goods and action will be taken against the officer responsible for the irregular deal.

Piyagama to be reconstructed

The Premadasa Center has undertaken the reconstruction of Piyagama, a tsunami affected model village in Balapitiya. The reconstruction is part of the projects undertaken by the Premadasa Center to commemorate the 81st  birth anniversary of late President Ranasingha Premadasa.

The funds required for the reconstruction are to be distributed to the affected families in two installments and work is to be undertaken by the beneficiaries themselves.

The first phase of the reconstruction programme commenced on June 12 and 50% of the funds were handed over to the families for reconstruction purposes.

The Sunday Leader tops Excellence in  Journalism Awards

The Excellence in Journalism Awards ceremony was held last Tuesday (14) at the Mount Lavinia Hotel where The Sunday Leader was the top winner. Photos show Dilrukshi Handunnetti of The Sunday Leader receiving the merit award for Best English Journalist, Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema receiving the merit award for Best Business Journalist, Chatura Vidyaratne of The Sunday Leader's sister paper Irudina receiving the award for Best Sinhala Columnist and Ajith Ravindra for the best designed newspaper, Irudina.

Deputy Editor of The Sunday Leader, T.M.K. Samat who won the merit award for Best Sports Journalist did not attend the awards ceremony. The Sunday LeaderFeatures Editor, Ranee Mohamed was also given a special award by the panel of judges for her human interest reporting. However, some members of the organising committee, including Editor, Lankadeepa, Siri Ranasinghe, Editor, The Sunday Times, Sinha Ratnatunga and Managing Director, Veerakesari, Kumar Nadesan decided to withhold that award for reasons best known to themselves

Photos by Padmasiri Gamage

Fowzie under fire for releasing land

By Risidra Mendis

Environmentalists are up in arms against a decision by Environment Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to approve cultivation within the Buddhangala sanctuary, in contravention of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO).

Minister Fowzie it is learnt  has released over 200 acres of land within the Buddhangala sanctuary.

A letter issued by Wildlife director Dayananda Kariyawasam on June 11, 2004 on the instructions of Fowzie has given permission to 57 farmers to start cultivating within the  sanctuary premises.

But according to Section 7 of the FFPO, it is an offence to clear vegetation, break the soil and plant crops in any extent of state land inside a sanctuary.  

The violation of the FFPO due to political influence has come under severe criticism by environmentalists who say not only the animals but also the Buddhangala hermitage (Buddhangala Aranaya Senasanaya) within the sanctuary will be affected.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader environment lawyer Jagath Gunewardene said according to the FFPO, neither the minister nor the wildlife director could alienate land within sanctuaries in this manner. "This is an illegal act by the director on an illegal order from the minister" Gunewardene said.

Commenting on the violation of the FFPO, Fowzie denied giving permission to farmers to cultivate in the sanctuary. "I have to find alternate land for villagers who have been cultivating within or on the borders of sanctuaries for 10 to 15 years before asking them to go. The government has no land to give these people. I have not approved any land for cultivation for newcomers," Fowzie said. 

The Buddhangala sanctuary was declared under the FFPO by gazette extraordinary No. 136 of November 1, 1974 and covers an extent of 1841.4 hectares. The area includes wetlands, grasslands and provides a habitat for over 100 species of birds and other animals including elephants.

 "These farmers are not residents from the area. Our investigations have revealed them to be from Sammanturai. If farmers start cultivating this will result in a human- elephant conflict within the sanctuary and in adjoining areas in Ampara and Malwatta. The serene surroundings vital for meditating monks will also be destroyed," says Gunewardene.

Killing of cultivator triggers villagers to vandalism

By Risidra Mendis

The killing of a chena cultivator in the Yodakande area close to the Yala National Park has caused angry villagers to take the law into their own hands and attack Wildlife Department officers.

Protesting villagers, angered by the killing took on the unsuspecting wildlife officers at the park's main office. Over 200 villagers surrounded the park office on Wednesday morning (15) causing injuries to three wildlife officers.

Armed with poles, sticks, clubs, stones and knives, the villagers had first attacked the Dabawa wildlife office which was two kilometres away from the Yala Park main office. The three wildlife officers at Dabawa escaped.

However, villagers set fire to a motorcycle and damaged the office premises. Subsequently, the villagers had surrounded the park's main office and smashed windows and set a vehicle on fire.

Eyewitnesses said that the commotion made wildlife officials to open fire in self-defence.

Environment Minister, A.H.M. Fowzie told The Sunday Leader that the government was looking into the human-elephant conflict that has intensified over the years. "These villagers have engaged in chena cultivation for over 10 to 15 years. We cannot evict them without giving alternate land. At present, the government has no land to offer these people," Fowzie said.

The man killed on Tuesday (14) was an unauthorised cultivator.

Meanwhile, angry environmentalists and nature lovers reacting to Fowzie's comment claim that if the Minister cannot find alternate land for villagers engaged in illegal chena cultivation, he should kill the animals in the national parks and provide cultivators with land.

 "It is the Minister's responsibility to take necessary action to solve these problems. If the Minister cannot resolve the man-beast conflict, he should resign," the environmentalists said.

A knife with a deer horn-made handle has been left by the villagers following their protest, a clue taken up by authorities as clear evidence of protestors being also poachers.

The Assistant Government Agent, Tissamaharama, D. S. Padmakulasuriya said numerous appeals made by the Department of Wildlife and Conservation urging villagers to refrain from cultivating in the buffer zone area have fallen on deaf ears.

According to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) cultivation in  DWC land or  Forest Department land without approval is an illegal act.

"The villagers know that elephants come to cultivated areas looking for fodder. There is a farming community of about 1,200 in the Tissamaharama area. They are traditional farmers.

"It is their only livelihood and unless alternate land is offered, the incidents would continue," Padmakulasuriya said.

Sex in the city

While the crowds sway on the dance floor to the funky tunes played by the DJ, the nightclub is alive with teenagers and adults alike.

While some are lost in a world of booze, some others mingle around leisurely to make the most of the weekend.

The time is 2 a.m. and the crowds pour in - some with friends while others with partners. While the tables are soon occupied with the newcomers, it is a perfect Saturday night in the heart of Colombo city.

As the nightclub is now packed to the maximum, in a far, dark corner eight couples gather. After the usual greetings are exchanged, a waiter delivers an array of drinks.

While the couples are engaged in deep conversation, a newcomer delivers a set of keys to the group. While the keys are laid out on a nearby table, the females from the group, each select a key.

"They are playing a game. It takes place almost every Friday and Saturday and it is the biggest attraction of the evening," an onlooker tells us.

By now, the keys have been chosen and the couples prepare to leave - only this time with different partners.

Swapping partners is the latest game at Sri Lanka's popular nightclubs with local revellers calling it a 'new form of entertainment' and the 'height' of enjoyment.

Some couples complain against such games, while  some feel that swapping is fun and 'played' all over the world, especially in France,  US and Germany.

The game generally starts after 2 a.m. with a friendly 'chat' amongst partners which then takes a different turn with male partners being 'advised' to pull out their house and car keys while the female partners are asked to select a key.

According to onlookers, females are swapped with the males whose keys have been selected. "Some nightclubs have reservations at hotels. Once the swapping is over, the 'new'  couples spend the night in these rooms," an onlooker tells us. The onlooker is right because as soon as the swapping is over, the couples leave the nightclub - some head for rooms within the hotels while some head towards their vehicles.

The swapping game is also fast becoming popular with teenagers who look for new avenues of excitement. Just a few felt that it promoted unsafe sex. "This isn't our culture. A's husband sleeping with B's wife for the night is not what we believe in. In the morning, they return to their respective homes as if nothing had happened. This is promoting adulterous living," one club manager claimed, who added that he was sad about the policy of his own employers.

Club owners, when spoken to, refused to make comments but defended that there was no threat of spreading  sexually transmitted diseases as the game was played in 'good faith' with no risks involved. "It's just a game. There is nothing wrong in adults having some fun," a participant of the swapping game confirmed.

-JN 

CWE's inefficiency costs SLPA Rs. 9.6m

By Priyangika Wickremasinghe

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has incurred a loss of Rs. 9.6 million after the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) imported10,000 metric tonnes  of rice as an emergency measure from India.

The rice was imported by the CWE as part of the tsunami relief supplies but is now considered unfit for human consumption. Since Sathosa is incurring huge losses, the institution is finding it difficult to meet the cost to clear the rice stocks.

Already, Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle has requested the Ports Ministry to waive the Rs. 9.6 million charge by the harbour as demurrage or late charges.

The Trade Minister in a letter to the Secretary,  Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation cites four reasons for the CWE's delay in clearing the items from the harbour. "The CWE could not cope with the volume of work involved to clear the rice imports which consisted of more than 300 containers and a bulk cargo of 2895 MT of rice due to the customs entries. A lack of staff contributed to delays in clearing the cargoes of rice," Fernandopulle's letter states.

The Minister says that there is a shortage of transport facilities at CWE, and has added that CWE staff have also been engaged in tsunami relief work all over the country and the delay was due to this.

The balance of power in parliament 

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

While a prorogation of the House appears imminent with the JVP quitting the UPFA coalition, President Chandrika Kumaratunga is now set to head a minority government. With the JVP’s withdrawal of support on Thursday, June 16, the government lost 39  vital seats. At the time of winning the poll in April last year, the UPFA commanded a wafer thin majority with the total number of seats at their command being 106. The composition of the rainbow coalition is such that it would prove very difficult to continue, unless a political lifeline is  extended. The main constituent partner of the Alliance, the SLFP has only 59 seats.

The JVP has 39 seats, NUA 03, MEP 02, CP 01,and LSSP 01 each totalling to 105. With the JVP’s departure, the original coalition has merely 67 seats, even less than the main opposition UNF that has 68 seats excluding dissident Rohitha Bogollagama’s seat. However, the UPFA has during one year won the support of several parliamentarians representing different political parties, that has strengthened its parliamentary clout.

The single seat that provided the UPFA the governing position was that of the EPDP which increased the government numbers to a 106 at the very outset. The next were the four SLMC rebels that increased the numbers to a strong 110. Following the CWC’s decision to back the government, another eight seats were added.

The last addition was UNP rebel Rohitha Bogollagama who extended his support to the government shooting the numbers to a strong 119. With the departure of the JVP, the 119 has reduced to 80 seats, making the UPFA to desperately canvass support from other political parties. Meanwhile attempts are being made to win the support of the ITAK (TNA), which has 22 seats in hand and is the fourth largest political group in the present parliament. Group Leader, R. Sampanthan told The Sunday Leader that it was too early to make decisions about alliances but did not rule out new alliances in the present backdrop. “It is necessary that some courageous steps be taken. We will take the best possible political decision for the welfare of all communities” he said. Strangely, the desperation for numbers is making the UPFA reach out to the most radical opposition political groups such as the JHU. With the bulk of the group not willing to support Kumaratunga on the joint mechanism issue, the two dissident monks are likely to work with the ruling party. Given the difficulty in mustering sufficient numbers, government MPs are making desperate bids to win a couple of UNP members to the government.

However short of the JVP rejoining the government, the ruling coalition will be hard put to pass any significant legislation in parliament, making it a lame duck administration.