News

> CWC, SLMC to back Rani

> CBK to release SLFP manifesto next week 

> Jeyaraj hanging on to buses donated to tsunami hit areas
> 'Helping Hambantota' Magistrate transferred

> Polls Chief not happy with 17th Amendment 

> PM vows to proceed with P-TOMS, ISGA

Justice Minister says JVP, JHU agreements to bring in the votes

PM committed to federalism

Justice Minister John Seneviratne revealed that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was committed to the SLFP policies and federalism notwithstanding his agreements with the JVP and the JHU.

Seneviratne said the SLFP has always been committed to the devolution of power and that a proper devolution of power was possible only through a federal constitution.

The Minister also told The Sunday Leader the agreements the Prime Minister entered into with the JVP and JHU will not result in him rejecting the SLFP policies on federalism.

He pointed out the agreements with the JVP and JHU should be viewed from the standpoint of trying to get their votes, but that in arriving at a solution after the elections, a practical approach would have to be taken.

"I strongly believe Mahinda would honour the SLFP conventions and policies. Just because he has signed these documents with the JVP and the JHU, it does not mean that the Mahinda that this country has known for several decades would sacrifice his party for the sake of honouring the already signed agreements," Seneviratne said.

He also said President Chandrika Kumaratunga was undoubtedly concerned about the present situation but would sort out the issues without causing an upheaval in the party.

The Minister was also confident that the Prime Minister would win the presidential elections.

CWC, SLMC to back Rani

The  CWC and SLMC  will endorse the candidature of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe next week for the upcoming presidential elections.

CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman is expected to announce his decision on Wednesday, September 29 while SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem will make his announcement in the days leading up to the nominations.

The Sunday Leader learns both the CWC and SLMC have had intense discussions with both Wickremesinghe and Premier Rajapaske and decided to support the UNP candidate.

Informed sources said what tilted the balance in favour of Wickremesinghe were the hard-line conditions the Premier  had agreed to with the JVP and JHU.

Both the SLMC and the CWC supported President Chandrika Kumaratunga at the 1999 presidential elections.

CBK to release SLFP manifesto next week

President Chandrika Kumara-tunga will finalise the SLFP's manifesto for the presidential election next week, informed sources said.

The UNP is to launch its manifesto on Tuesday, September 27.

The President, who is expected in the country Tuesday night, is to place the manifesto before the SLFP central committee for approval, party sources said.

The manifesto will spell out the SLFP's commitment to the concept of federalism and the P-TOMS agreement.

President Kumaratunga is expected to leave for Paris shortly after the central committee meeting, it is learnt.

Informed sources said the strategy of the Prime Minister's campaign team is to ignore the contradictions between the SLFP manifesto and the agreements with the JHU and JVP and run a nationalist campaign.

"It is too late now for the SLFP, JVP and the JHU to pull out and go their separate ways so let all agreements remain on the table," a source close to the Prime Minister said.

Jeyaraj hanging on to buses donated to tsunami hit areas

By Arthur Wamanan

Buses donated to Sri Lanka to be used in tsunami hit areas are in the custody of Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.

The Sunday Leader learns a private company from the United Kingdom donated 34 buses including 17 double-decker buses to Sri Lanka with specific instructions that they were to be used in tsunami affected areas.

The buses in the custody of the Minister have still not been handed over to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

SLTB Chairman, Tudor Dayaratne confirmed the buses have arrived in Sri Lanka but not yet reached him for operation.

He further said repeated appeals to the Minister to hand over the buses to the SLTB have fallen on deaf ears and added the SLTB has not given up making further appeals.

Meanwhile Minister Fernandopulle when contacted admitted the buses were in his custody.

"The buses were donated by Airbus Response, a private British company, on my personal request and they are with me at present," he said.

The Minister said the buses would be used especially in the coastal areas. "The buses will be given to places like Colombo, Negombo and Matara," he said.

He also said he would be able to hand over the buses to the SLTB only after discussions with the company. "Representatives will be in Sri Lanka soon and the buses will be given to the board after discussions," he said.

At meetings with CWC and SLMC

PM vows to proceed with P-TOMS, ISGA

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has agreed to proceed with the P-TOMS, negotiate the ISGA and a federal state in discussions with the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC).

The Prime Minister has also in a separate discussion with the SLMC agreed to introduce a federal system for the northeast with special provision for a Muslim administration.

The Premier made these pledges during  separate discussions he had with Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and CWC to solicit their support and told the two parties that his agreements with the JVP and JHU were not binding and were entered into with the intention of obtaining the Sinhala Buddisht vote.

However both CWC and SLMC have informed the Prime Minister that they want his assurances included in his manifesto before they could make a commitment of support.

Prime Minister had earlier declined to accept the conditions put forward by the CWC but had later informed the party he was agreeable to them after it was brought to his notice that the CWC was pledging its support to the UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

'Helping Hambantota' Magistrate transferred

By Sonali Samarasinghe

Controversy surrounds the transfer of Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge, Sarath Karunaratne who last week issued order to inspect the bank accounts related to the 'Helping Hambantota' case.

The transfer order comes four days before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was to report to Magistrate Karunaratne their findings on the investigation into the bank accounts including the private bank account maintained by Premier Mahinda Rajapakse at the Standard Chartered Bank Rajagiriya Branch.

The case is to be called in the Fort Magistrate's Court on September 28.

The Magistrate's order to the CID to inspect the bank accounts last week itself was shrouded in controversy after the CID, on the instructions of the Attorney General, moved to have the order vacated.

However the CID, on the instructions of the Attorney General, had the order restored the following day before an acting magistrate.

Secretary, Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Chandra Jayatilleka told The Sunday Leader the transfer was not coloured. He said Magistrate Karunaratne was transferred as additional district judge, Colombo after a preliminary inquiry on a complaint against the Magistrate received by the Commission last month. The JSC had taken the decision Thursday evening.

Asked why he was not interdicted or suspended pending inquiry if that was the case, Jayatilleka said a judge of the Court of Appeal has been appointed to go into the complaint made against him and if the JSC decided to charge sheet him then suspension or interdiction may follow.

Secretary Jayatilleka also told The Sunday Leader Karunaratne was promoted as a special class district judge a year ago and transferred routinely to the Homagama District Court. However, since controversy was generated regarding the transfer in connection with the hearing of the Ravi Karunanayake anticipatory bail application, the transfer was deferred.

Jayatilleka also explained that Magistrate Karunaratne was later transferred to the Matugama District Court, but the transfer was cancelled due to personal grounds on an application made by the Magistrate.

Secretary, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Anoma Goonetilleke told The Sunday Leader the BASL has no right to interfere in a decision made by the JSC. Asked why the BASL then took up the matter of the suspension and subsequent interdiction of Wellawaya Magistrate Bandara, Goonetilleke drew a distinction stating the Wellawaya issue involved the JSC interfering in a magisterial order.

The proper legal forum to review a magisterial order would be in an appeal to a higher court.

The BASL held its monthly Bar Council meeting yesterday. Senior Bar Council members told The Sunday Leader they would have to first look into the circumstances of the transfer and decide on a course of action thereafter, if necessary.

However, civil rights groups are concerned the transfer, which comes in the wake of Magistrate Karunaratne ordering the investigation into the bank accounts, may be perceived as colourable. The head of the JSC is Chief Justice Sarath Silva.

It is reliably learnt a lawyer made the complaint against the Magistrate to the JSC on an order made by the Magistrate in a case involving the lawyer's client.

Meanwhile, senior lawyers told The Sunday Leader that if the complaint against Magistrate Karunaratne was one of misconduct then he should have been suspended or interdicted pending inquiry.

However, if it were a complaint on an order made in a case then the proper legal procedure would have been to appeal to a higher court. The JSC in such an event will not be the proper forum, they added.

It is widely thought that Magistrate Champa Janaki Rajaratne will replace Magistrate Karunaratne as the Fort Magistrate.

Polls Chief not happy with 17th Amendment

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake on Friday said that he could appoint a competent authority only to govern the state media.

Dissanayake said that although he has been asked to appoint a competent authority by various people, he couldn't do so until the laws clearly stipulate the duties of such an authority.

"People ask me to appoint a competent authority, but I can't do such a thing. I can only do what the law enables me to do," he said.

According to Dissa-nayake, the 17th amendment has resulted in creating a lot of controversy with regard to the functions of the Elections Commissioner.

Coming down hard on the amendment, Dissanayake charged that those who passed the piece of legislation in haste have obviously not properly studied it before passing it.

He also highlighted the delay insetting up  the Independent Elections Commission.

"I'm not personally satisfied with the 17th amendment," he said.

Dissanayake explained that the Constitutional Council, which is represented by politicians, would appoint the five members of the proposed Elections Commission.

"The five members who have been so far named for the commission all represent one discipline and none who have excelled in the field of elections," he said. He pointed out that in the case of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Services Commission, members include those who have excelled in the relevant discipline.

According to Dissa-nayake, the best model to follow is the Indian model of the Elections Commission.

Re-poll in case of disruption

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake on Friday said that the counting and announcing of election results would depend on the peaceful conclusion of the polls on November 17.

Dissanayake said that he would not hesitate to annul the votes of a polling station that reports  any sort of violence or mischief.

Since the election results have to be announced one month before the term of the existing president comes to an end, Dissanayake said that re-polling would be held on November 19.

Deliver on your post tsunami pledges - President in Washington

President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Thursday told the international community the government received minimum opposition from some extremist parties to implement the P-TOMS agreements and expressed regrets this process had however been stalled due to a court order.

She said she feared that ‘Sri Lanka may lose the momentum, when the country had the best opportunity of moving forward towards reconciliation.’

She said that the LTTE had shown a willingness to work with the government with regard to tsunami reconstruction within the framework of the ceasefire agreement.

President also urged the international community and the UN to continue to keep the focus on the reconstruction and recovery effort in the tsunami affected countries and to ensure that pledges made are fulfilled.

The President noted that NGOs that came in large numbers to the tsunami affected countries received vast amounts of funds for reconstruction from concerned citizens throughout the world.

However, she regretted that the procurement procedures in place among some of the donor agencies and NGOs were delaying the reconstruction process, while others are yet to channel funds to Sri Lanka.

She appealed to these organizations to complete the projects they have undertaken without further delay as the people of Sri Lanka were questioning what had happened to the contributions made by the caring people of the world, who channeled large quantities of money to help the tsunami victims.
President Kumaratunga made these observations when she addressed a meeting of the Global Consortium on Tsunami Recovery, chaired by the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery former President Bill Clinton, and held at the World Bank in Washington D.C.

Among the participants at this meeting were World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, heads of UN agencies, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), members of the NGO community, and delegations from the affected countries and donor countries.

Earlier in her statement the President expressed appreciation for the generosity of Governments, international agencies, NGOs and citizens of all countries, who came to Sri Lanka’s assistance following the December 26 tsunami, and described it as a “magnificent demonstration of human solidarity.” She particularly thanked President Clinton for the interest taken in Sri Lanka’s recovery process and said “Sri Lanka will do our maximum to utilize your support (President Clinton’s) effectively and productively.”

The President noted that Sri Lanka’s reconstruction work required over US$2 billion and involved the entire spectrum of infrastructure development- education, health service, roads, railways, bridges, sewage systems, water and sanitation projects etc. A bulk of the resources for this effort is derived from foreign aid and most of it is grant money.

Government was only playing a supervisory role and it was the donor agencies that coordinate the entire process of project management until completion. She noted that all tsunami destroyed houses will be built on State owned land or on land bought by the Government for the tsunami affected households.

The Government plans to gift land and houses to the beneficiaries after they settle in. With regard to housing, nearly 70% of house construction had begun. Half of this was built by the owners themselves, with the help of grants provided by the Government. A large number of owner built houses are under construction. She added that most issues concerning the buffer zone have been resolved. 60% of the houses that were within the buffer zone are being built elsewhere, with full agreement from the beneficiaries.

Discussing the opportunity for working together in the post-tsunami recovery had on nation building, President Kumaratunga said “the mighty forces of nature have humbled us all” and “caused a new realization of the realities facing us and has persuaded us to try to participate in a united manner towards rethinking our problems and seeking to resolve them”.

She said she is happy that the long standing problem in Banda Aceh is resolved and that agreements have been signed. 

In comments at the commencement of the meeting, President Clinton said the Tsunami had provided affected governments with the chance to “build back better”, and through the Global Consortium, many donors have agreed to define broadly the category of eligible beneficiaries, so that assistance to the affected populations does not exacerbate inequalities.

President Clinton emphasized that such a broader vision of recovery in Sri Lanka and Aceh must take account of the needs of persons displaced by the conflict. Referring to the P-TOMS Agreement President Clinton said he “appreciated” President Kumaratunga’s “courageous attempt to work through this process.” He noted that while much of the attention of the world is focused elsewhere, the affected Asian governments are really only beginning a long and complex reconstruction process and said, “We will continue to stand by them. We must tackle the tough issues with the same determination and drive that characterized the immediate aftermath to the crisis”. President Clinton said the Global Consortium endorsed a range of measures to sustain momentum in the longer term recovery effort including an international effort to assist national governments in promoting livelihoods through entrepreneurship, skills training and promoting local government capacity, as well as in encouraging a broader vision of recovery.

Mano Tittawella, Chairman TAFREN, who presented an overview of the activities undertaken in Sri Lanka said, the reconstruction effort was being carried out with wide consultation at all levels with donors as well as all tsunami affected communities. The government was acutely aware of the macro economic imbalances that can occur in the areas of inflation and unemployment, and was sensitive to gender and equity issues that could result in the present phase of reconstruction. TAFREN had also launched a web based DAD system with the assistance of the UNDP, where over 1.3 billion US $ worth of donor funded tsunami projects listed. This was not only intended to ensure transparency, but is also a means of ensuring benefactors the world over that the assistance they gave Sri Lanka was being spent effectively. Mr. Tittawella said Sri Lanka remained frustrated that the proposed Regional Early Warning System that was mooted many months ago, is still not a reality.

Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Ambassador Bernard A.B. Goonetilleke, TAFREN Chairman Mano Tittawella and CEO Rohini Nanayakkara were associated with the President at the meeting. The World Bank’s Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Peter Harold also attended the session.

NIC  not compulsory

The law to make compulsory the presentation of the national ID when exercising one's franchise would not be enforced during the forthcoming presidential polls.

The bill presented to parliament last year, was passed on November 18, 2004 and the date of implementation was announced as one year from the passing of the bill.

However, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake observed that although the presidential election is held one year after the passing of the bill, the law couldn't be implemented due to one governing clause.

According to the governing clause, the law shall come into effect in one year, if and when the commissioner in-charge of the registration of persons informs the elections commissioner that every citizen in the country has been provided with a national ID card.

"I am not satisfied with the number of people who have been issued with  NICs. Statistics show that 70% of the citizens have ID cards, but I believe that about 80% of the citizens have ID cards. If the law is implemented now,  some citizens would be denied  their right to exercise their franchise," he said.

- MIA

Special committee to study dredging of Palk Strait

The government has set up a special committee to assess India's plan to deepen the Palk Strait separating the two countries, as it was felt the project could harm marine life.

India has begun dredging the waterway, where a reef known as Adam's Bridge makes the waterway too shallow for ships traveling between east and west India, forcing them to take a longer and costlier route around Sri Lanka.

But critics in Sri Lanka, say that dredging the seabed may affect water currents and temperatures, as well as marine life and the livelihood of fishermen.

"Sri Lanka is indeed concerned," Cabinet spokesman  Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told reporters after the Cabinet set up a panel of experts to study the project's impact on marine life near Sri Lanka's coast.

India recently began work on the US$550 million (euro 450 million) project to deepen the 167 kilometer (104 mile) long channel. It is expected to open to ships in 2008, reducing transit time between India's east and west coasts while cutting shipping and fuel costs.

Sri Lanka hasn't formally objected to the project and De Silva did not say what prompted the government to set up the experts' group after India had already begun work on the project originally planned more than 140 years ago.

The idea for a canal at India's southern tip originated during British colonial rule in 1860. Over the past 145 years, 14 committees, nine of which were set up by the British, examined and shelved the plan.

Tamileelam Bank pays higher rates of interest

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers have no security cameras or guards protecting their bank. Yet they say it is the safest place for customers to deposit cash and gold both in times of war and peace.

  The Bank of Tamileelam (BOT) is not recognised by Sri Lanka's Central Bank, but the rebel financial institution in Kilinochchi, 330 kilometres (203 miles) north of Colombo, has full management of monetary policy in Tiger territory.

  The Tamil Tigers set up the bank in May 1994, after first establishing their own police force three years earlier. Since then, they have adopted their own administration and legal system to strengthen claims for a separate state called Eelam.

  The rebel bank uses Sri Lankan currency but offers rates higher than any commercial bank in the island - paying8.5 percent on fixed deposits compared to the national average interest rate of 5.7 percent.

  Lending rates, too, are marginally lower than commercial bank rates elsewhere in the country - between 9.0 percent and 18 percent compared to 11.42 and 33.6 percent.

  Managing director Mahalingam Veerathevan said war had been good for securing deposits, but a truce since February 2002 was proving even better for business.

  "During war people want to deposit money and gold," Veerathevan told AFP in an interview here. "But during peace people are borrowing more and we have just launched a campaign to mobilise savings from among children."

  The 36-year-old Veerathevan, a business administration graduate from the university of Jaffna, the former stronghold of the Tigers, says he is now managing a deposit base of 15 million dollars.

  The Tiger bank does not publish profit and loss accounts and instead reports only to a board of seven members who are direct appointees of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Supremo Velupillai Pirapaharan.(AFP)

Int'l  bodies  to monitor   election

The United Nations, European Commission,  Commonwealth and the Asian Elections Agency (AEA) have been invited by Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake to send monitoring teams for the forthcoming presidential election.

So far the European Union and the AEA have informed that they would send  monitoring teams, while the UN has declined the invitation.

The Commonwealth however is yet to respond to the invitation.

Music teachers strike

More than 60 teachers of music and dance in the Jaffna District struck work for the second day, Friday, forcing the closure of regional education centers.

The teachers have demanded an explanation from the North East Education Ministry for not providing permanent positions to them even after passing the selection examinations and attending interviews a, spokesperson for the striking teachers said.

UNP to address women's issues

By Chrishanthy Christopher

UNP Working Committee member and former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia,  Rosy Senanayake says the manifesto of the UNP presidential candidate would address issues regarding women in Sri Lanka.

She said the UNP will include in its manifesto burning issues like the tsunami affected families and the economy which is weighing hard on women's shoulders.  "25 per cent of the households in Sri Lanka are headed by women and the UNP will address their issues," she said.

"The UNP has strategies to stabilise the rupee and bring down the price of fuel and the cost of living," she said.

She scoffed at the statements made by Prime Minister and SLFP presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse concerning women's issues and dismissed his promises as a political gimmick. 

"He was in government for 11 years and has been the Prime Minister for the last 17 months. Why did he take so long to realise that women have issues?" she  questioned.

She said the UNP in its election manifesto of 2001 had already included all the issues now mentioned by Prime Minister Rajapakse. She said Wickremesinghe had even promised greater female representation in parliament. 

"It is President Chandrika Kumaratunga who was blocking all his efforts.  If Ranil Wickremesinghe was allowed to run his full term he would have addressed these issues," she said.

She said even within the two years in governance the UNP under the Vanitha Diri Maga opened nine centres to address issues of women.  "These centres have  a police  station, doctors, counsellors and lawyers to address the problems concerning women," she added.

She says that this government's negligence has cost the women gravely.  "Domestic violence against women,   malnutrition during pregnancies, abortion and low birth rates are issues that have been neglected. In fact, 20 per cent of our women are mentally ill today unable to cope with the existing problems," she added.

Main parties agree to shun polythene

By Risidra Mendis

THE major political parties have vowed to refrain from using polythene in their political campaigns for the forthcoming presidential election.

The UNP and SLFP general secretaries have taken the decision to refrain from using polythene in their political campaigns on a request made by Environment and Natural Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie a few months ago.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said he welcomed the request made by Fowzie to refrain from using polythene in their political campaign. "We have taken a decision to stop using polythene in our political campaigns as we all know that polythene causes great harm to the environment. However it is Fowzie's party that uses a large amount of polythene in their political campaigns," Attanayake said.

According to Attanayake Prime Minister and Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse should make a public appeal to all political parties to refrain from using polythene in their political campaigns. "Rajapakse should set an example to other political parties contesting elections by not using polythene in his political campaigns. If the Prime Minister makes a special request to the public to avoid using polythene in their political campaigns I think all political parties will follow his request" Attanayake said.   

Meanwhile SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena said he has instructed his party members to refrain from using polythene in their campaigns prior to the presidential election. 

"I received cabinet approval on September 22 for the manufacturing of bio degradable polythene in the country. The AG's Department is currently considering this issue, and once it is  finalised,  I hope to bring in  regulations to facilitate the manufacturing of bio degradable polythene," Fowzie said.

According to Fowzie any manufacturer who does not comply with these rules and regulations will be charged or his licence will be cancelled.

Visit of former SLMM Chief - government cautious

The government has urged the Norwegian Embassy to release details on the visit of  former SLMM Chief, Trond Furhovde who is expected to arrive in the island shortly.

Speaking at the  cabinet media briefing on Friday, General Secretary of the UPFA, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said that although the government had been informed of the former SLMM Chief's visit, details regarding his visit were yet to be revealed.

"Representatives from the Peace Secretariat met with the Norwegian Embassy last week and asked them to provide  the details and they have agreed," Minister De Silva added.

Opposition parties fume at PM's partying

By Jamila Najmuddin

The United National Party (UNP) will lodge a complaint with Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse using state money to enhance his vote bank.

UNP MP, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told The Sunday Leader that the Premier was entertaining people from all walks of life, including the rich by throwing parties at Temple Trees using tax payers' money, for his pesonal benefit.

He alleged that out of the Rs.22 million allocated by the Treasury to distribute to the poor, Rs. 2.5 million has been spent to purchase liquor to serve the invitees. "Many millions more are spent on food," Dr. Senaratne alleged.

He added the Premier's organisers had also been issued instructions to gather minority groups and the working class, such as bus drivers and three wheel drivers in order to entertain them at Temple Trees to gain their support at the presidential election. "If he was so concerned about the plight of these people, why did he wait till the elections? He could have entertained them before," Dr. Senaratne charged.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has also condemned Premier Rajapakse's party spree  at Temple Trees, stating that this was a clear violation of election laws.

General Secretary, SLMC, T. Hasan Ali told The Sunday Leader that in addition to misusing state money, the Prime Minister was also misusing state transport in the process. "When a section of the Muslim community was invited to Temple Trees  a few days ago, some of them were transported in state vehicles. This is a flagrant violation of the election law," Hasan Ali said.

He added that while a large section of the public was unaware of such events being conducted at Temple Trees, it was the responsibility of the UNP to oppose and expose such events. "This has to be exposed and it is time the opposition raised its voice," Hasan Ali said.

Muslims not interested in CC nominee

By Chrishanthy Christopher

The selection of  a Muslim member for the Constitutional Council was again postponed on Friday (23) due to lack of  a quorum .

Only eight of the 24 Muslim members in parliament were present at the meeting.  It is learnt that repeated efforts by Environment Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to bring the Muslim members together in order to choose a Muslim nominee to the Constitutional Council have failed.

The Muslim parties cannot agree on a  nominee and are dragging their feet on the appointment. Many organisations have expressed concern regarding the absence of an Elections Commission in the forthcoming presidential election. The tenures of the  National Police  Commission and the Public Service Commission will expire this year, and a functioning Constitutional Council  is important to make appointments and extend the terms of of office of commissions.

Minister Fowzie has again scheduled a meeting for October  4.  "If there is no quorum again we will make representations to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition" he said.

Wildlife officials in trains running through jumbo terrain

By Risidra Mendis

Instructions have been issued by Environment and Natural Resources Minister, A. H. M. Fowzie, that two officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) will accompany night train drivers in order to prevent the deaths of elephants crossing the rail tracks.

Around six to eight elephants have so far died due to rail track accidents in the Habarana area this year.    

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Fowzie said the safety of elephants was of great importance as their numbers were fast dwindling. " It is a big problem," he  conceded.

The DWLC has six to eight officials working on a roster basis to travel on the night trains. 

Meanwhile, Director, DWLC, Dayananda Kariyawasam said at present they have managed to prevent elephants being knocked down by trains. "The department officials are doing their best to prevent the killing of jumbos. This is why they undertake night travel on trains which run through jumbo terrain. Two officials travel on the train route of Habarana, Kantale and Gal Oya while another two officials accompany the driver on the Habarana to Minneriya route.

"Train drivers have been instructed to reduce speed when passing areas where elephants are likely to cross the track," Kariyawasam explained.   

Kariyawasam further added that in Habarana due to jeep drivers taking tourists to see elephants resulted in elephants crossing the rail track unexpectedly. "When new grass grows in the Habarana and Kantale forest areas elephants come to eat the grass. Jeep drivers make use of this opportunity to take tourists to see elephants at such times, even though they are not supposed to take tourists to these areas," explained Kariyawasam.

 Risks in transporting prisoners to courts

Prison authorities want more Black Marias

By Jamila Najmuddin

there  is a shortage of 'Black Marias,'  the nickname used for prison buses to transport prisoners to courthouses. Prison authorities have urged the government to increase the number of buses to avoid mishaps and killings amongst prisoners.

While more than 200 prisoners are transported to courthouses islandwide each day, 'The Black Maria' has now become the center of much controversy with the latest killing of underworld member 'Rizwan' on September 2 which police claim was due to two rival gangs being forced into one vehicle. "The Black Maria could transport only 60 prisoners but today due to the lack of buses, more than 80 prisoners are forced into one bus.

This leads to rival prisoners travelling in one bus which leads to fights or killings inside the Black Maria," Director, Training, Prisons, M. P. Sarath Chandra said.

He further added that due to an increase in such crimes, separate vans are now being used to transport the prisoners.

Prison authorities claim that while 'Black Maria' has attracted much fame worldwide, in Sri Lanka however, the name was fast fading due to a 'correctional' pattern being introduced. "We avoid terming the buses 'The Black Maria' as it was a term used for buses which had separate cells built within. It was a large bus, black in colour, said Sarath Chandra .

"In the earlier days when The Black Maria travelled on the roads, a fearful image was created in the minds of the public as it was a black bus with chains and cells transporting criminals. However, we want to change that image as prisoners are humans too," he added.

 The 'Black Maria' was the nickname for secure police vans with separate locked cubicles used for the transportation of prisoners. The name is said to have come from a large and powerful black lodging house keeper named Maria Lee, who helped constables of Boston, Massachusettes in the 1830s when they needed to escort criminals to the cells.

According to history, Maria Lee kept a boarding house in the 1820s with such severity that she became more feared than the police who called on her to help them catch and restrain criminals.  The name 'Black Maria' almost certainly became attached to her  because she was well-known, black, and was named Maria.

The first reference to such a vehicle was in New York in 1835.

The New York Transcript of December 24, 1835 said "A man named Henry Stage ... contrived to make his escape on Saturday last while on his way from Bellevue prison to the city in the carriage generally known as 'Black Maria'.

Chitrasena's dream yet to come true

By Kumudu Amarasingham

with the death of yet another dance maestro, Panibharatha, Sri Lankans are reminded sharply that the rich legacy of dance in the country must be preserved, and that we are all responsible for it.

One of the key steps to this end is the finalising of the Chitrasena Dance School, one of maestro Chitrasena's lifelong dreams and something the master and his family have been striving to achieve since 1998.

The land for the project was donated by the government in '98 and is at Narahenpita. However beyond one fund-raiser at Barefoot that barely raised a million rupees, despite prominent artistes donating a painting each for sale, no other funds were received.

"We have currently built a temporary structure and plan to move our school there in January, but the floor is yet to be completed due to shortage of funds," Upekha, Chitrasena's daughter and a prominent dancer said.

According to Upekha the proposal was drawn in 2001 and needs to be changed because prices have sky rocketed since then.

Chitrasena's granddaughter, Heshma Wignarajah, a dancer herself, is currently handling most of the project matters including fund-raising. "We are looking at a project of between Rs. 70-100 million," Wignarajah said.

A fund-raiser would be held next January 26 to mark Chitrasena's birthday. Wignarajah said they were looking mainly at local corporates for help.

"If not for my grandfather there wouldn't be a stage component to dance in this country."  Everyone who has excelled afterwards has done so because of him," she said, adding that dance lovers and artistes could also join the effort.

"My grandfather wanted it to be a school for the people. He even didn't want to charge a fee, so we're also hoping for public participation," she said. However, paradoxically, Heshma said Chitrasena later discovered that people only attended classes if a fee was charged. "They don't seem to value things when given free, therefore a nominal fee was charged," she said.

The school which is currently at the Girl's Friendly Society would be shifted to the new - though a temporary, structure in Narahenpita -  early January next year.

CMC dumps garbage power plan

By Arthur Wamanan

Colombo Municipal Council's ambitious plans to generate power using solid waste are not materialising due to the court battle between the CMC and Burns Environmental Pvt. Ltd., says Deputy Mayor, Azath Sally.

He said while the local body had to institute action against the company for its failure to fulfil contractual obligations, it was equally necessary for the CMC to generate either power or money by using the mounds of garbage which gets piled up at the Bloemendhal dump. 

 "We have put our plans on hold until the court gives a ruling," he told The Sunday Leader.

Sally said that tonnes of solid waste were being daily dumped in an open place. "All the accumulated garbage is collected from the city and dumped at Bloemendhal Road. It is not the best picture for us to paint," he said.

The CMC is reconsidering the  location and would like to move, but before that they want to have the green light to award the contract to a company which could recycle garbage for the CMC.

"We are serious about generating power from the waste," he said, adding that the amount of waste produced in Colombo on a daily basis was sufficient to provide power to about 20% of the city population. "We haven't started on any proposals yet. All we know is it would be both technically and financially viable if we come up with a proper plan," he added.

Sally enthused that investors would support such a project, as it would be one of the most useful methods of benefiting from the city waste.

Forbidden to view Forsaken Land

The Forsaken Land, the movie that won the Camera d'Or Award at the 58th Cannes Film Festival was screened in Sri Lanka from September  9.

The film created a furore in the country due to some sex related scenes.

The National Film Corporation has now suspended the screening of  the film from September 22.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, producer of the movie, Upul Shantha Sannasgala said the Film Corporation has suspended the screening of the movie without giving any clear reasons for their decision. He explained that according to the corporation's circular OD/PEN 187, a film could be screened if the hall is filled to at least 25% of the seating capacity and The Forsaken Land number of viewers exceeded 65%.

Sannasgala observed that even if the corporation were to stop screening  the movie,  it has to be conveyed in writing at least a month earlier.

In this case, the corporation had faxed a letter to Sannasgala on September 21 stating that the film would not be screened from the following day, September 22.

According to Sannasagala, if the movie was unfit for public viewing, then such scenes should have been edited by the Censor Board.

"The Censor Board should not have approved the film, if it was bad for viewing,"  he said.

Sannasgala charged that the corporation's decision has violated his rights as well as that of the Director, Vimukthi Jayasundera.

"My investment is at stake and Vimukthi's future in the film industry is also at stake," he said.

Sannasgala on Thursday resorted to take legal action to find a settlement to the matter.

British HC refuses transit visas

By Chrishanthy Christopher

Sri Lankans who have found employment in Bermuda and granted visas are unable to travel as the British High Commission is refusing to issue an airside transit visa to Britain.

Around 20 carpenters and masons who have received letters of appointment from a company in Bermuda are still awaiting airside visas from the British High Commission to travel.

Bermuda is a British colony and one can travel to the country only via the London Gatwick Airport. The British High Commission has already served them with a three-month employment visa to Bermuda but is refusing to issue an airside visa through the United Kingdom.

Interestingly the transit time is around three hours and the persons are not allowed to leave the airport.

These persons have repeatedly applied for visas and have been turned down by VFS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., the agent appointed by the High Commission to issue British visas.

VFS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.  is  non-committal in its letter of refusal and only says that they are not satisfied that the applicants qualify for the visa.

The British High Commission when contacted said that the refusal is the decision of the High Commission and "cannot comment on individual cases."

One-day heart clinic in Colombo

By Shezna Shums

Living in an age when four persons out of 10 are prone to heart disease or high levels of stress causing heart disease, there is little wonder as to why the world considered it important to devote a day to discuss concerns of the heart.

Like any other country, Sri Lanka too would celebrate World Heart Day today (25).

To commemorate this day, the Sri Lanka Heart Association and the Sri Lanka Heart Federation are having a one-day heart clinic at Wanathamulla, Baseline Avenue, Dematagoda today. 

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Coordinator for this project, Dr. Ranjan Fernando explained that there would be five cardiologists from the Colombo National Hospital and doctors from the Municipal Medical Division (MMD) would be working together to create more awareness with regard to heart disease and on how to maintain good health to avoid heart problems.

In short, to keep one's heart devoid of heartaches that has a terrible impact on health.

The laboratory facilities for the programme would be provided by the Asha Central Hospital and Asiri Hospital.

Dr. Fernando said they would have the clinic open today from around 8 a.m. till afternoon and hope to take in about 200 persons. 

If more people arrive, they too would be assisted and told what further action should be take to rectify their heart problems, if diagnosed.

Displaced persons can vote, if registered

By Chrishanthi Christopher

The grama seva niladharis will have the ultimate say in the voting rights of the tsunami displaced people, according to election monitoring body People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).

PAFFREL Chief Kingsley Rodrigo says that following representations made to the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake it has been decided that all tsunami affected people who have been displaced will have to register themselves direct with the Elections Department.

In the case of missing or dead people the polling cards would be marked as dead. However if a person receives his polling card marked as dead and is still alive and wants to vote he could present his polling card to the grama seva niladhari of his area to certify his identity.  "These people do not have their identity cards or birth certificates and only a grama seva niladhari can attest their identity," Rodrigo said.

He said many Muslims displaced from the  Mannar and Jaffna districts due to the war and now living in the Puttalam District, have no voting rights and added that it has been  arranged for these people to vote in their respective district, if registered. 

However the new voters among the displaced Muslims will be registered in Puttalam.  Applications to register new voters will have to be made by October 25, he said.

He also said independent election monitors were concerned that there will be no Police Commission to control the violence that may erupt following the presidential election.

He said the issue was taken up with the Elections Commissioner and  IGP Chandra Fernando, last Wednesday.

According to the PAFFREL Chief the term of the National Police Commission expires on November 25, and if its term is not extended there will be no police authority to contain the violence.

Funds for mid-day meal to school children under utilised

TREASURY funds allocated to the Education Ministry for the distribution of free mid day meal to school children and not used for that purpose would be returned to the Treasury, highly placed sources said.

The Treasury has allocated a sum of Rs. 200 million for the year 2005, but sources say, as the government could not utilise this allocation  specially meant for the distribution of the free mid day meal, a portion of this amount would be taken back by the Treasury.

In 2003, the then UNF government launched a scheme to provide free a mid-day meal to school children and the Treasury allocated a sum of Rs. 50 million. However only Rs. 43 million was used.

The then government also invited the World Food Programme (WFP) to donate free meals to school children and the WFP in turn donated rice and curry to the children.

The Treasury allocated Rs. 200 million for this year but sources say the present government could not expand this programme  to utilise the allocated funds.

"Until 1994, the distribution of free meals took place and after the People's Alliance (PA) government came to power, this programme was abolished. Once again the UNF government re-launched it in 2003. But after the UPFA came to power, this programme could not be  enhanced by the government," sources from the Education Ministry said.

According to official figures, there are four million upper school children and two million primary school children in Sri Lanka.