JKRSOTHY

Sri Lankan President hands over 43 houses to war veterans in Polonnaruwa district

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:23:00 PDT

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday handed over to the families of war veterans 43 houses built in the Polonnaruwa District under 'Api Wenuven Api' housing project that is being implemented throughout the country.

The President symbolically presented one of the houses built in Elehera Karandagolla of Polonnaruwa district to the family of Airman J. E. M. G. Ekanayake.

Other families received the keys at a ceremony organized at Bakamuna Mahesen Madya Maha Vidyalaya today.

The 'Api Wenuven Api' programme has constructed 220 houses for war veterans in the Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Badulla and Moneragala districts so far.

A gem businessman in Elehera area U G Muthubanda donated a sum of 1 million rupees to the President to be deposited in the Api Wenuven Api fund.

Polonnaruwa district parliamentarian and Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena, Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Deputy Minister of Social Services Chandrasiri Suriyarachchi, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, North Central province Governor Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, commanders of the tri forces and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga also participated.

India in UNHCR Troika appointed for Sri Lanka UPR review

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:20:00 PDT

India is one of the countries in the troika appointed for the United Nations Human Rights Council's 14th session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process on Sri Lanka. Benin and Spain are the other two countries in the troika appointed for the review of Sri Lanka scheduled for 1st of November, 2012. Adoption of the report on Sri Lanka is scheduled for 5th of November. All three countries in the troika have voted in support of the UN resolution on Sri Lanka, sponsored by the United States and adapted by the UN Human Rights Council at the 19th sessions of UNHRC in Geneva on March 22.
The resolution requests the Sri Lankan government to present, as expeditiously as possible, a comprehensive action plan detailing the steps that the Government has taken and will take to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. The last UPR for Sri Lanka was held in 2008. The UPR provides an opportunity for each state to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations. The Sri Lankan government has prepared a comprehensive report that includes the work carried out by the country with regard to human rights between the period of 2008 and March 2012. The government has assigned Plantation Industries Minister and the Special Envoy of the President on Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe to undertake initial work for Sri Lanka's participation in the UPR process.

Sri Lanka Tamil party meets Indian High Commissioner

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:15:00 PDT

The leader of the major Tamil party of Sri Lanka, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has held a meeting with the High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha on Friday (25) in Batticaloa. Several TNA representatives have also participated in the meeting between the party leader, parliamentarian R. Sampanthan and Mr. Kantha. According to a TNA spokesperson, the meeting focused on the grievances of the Tamil community in the North and the elections for the Northern Provincial Council that is to be held in future.
The Tamil party has also discussed its stance on the parliamentary select committee proposed by the President to formulate a solution to the ethnic problem. An Indian parliamentary delegation visited Sri Lanka last month has said that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa needed to persuade the TNA to join the Parliamentary Select Committee to find a political solution to address the grievances of Tamils. However, the TNA has set conditions that it would resume talks with the government only on the agreement that the consensus reached in the discussions with the government earlier is used as the basis of discussion for the proposed PSC.

Age row: SC judge asked me to 'blow with wind', Gen V K Singh says

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:09:00 PDT

Five days before his controversial 26-month tenure as Army chief comes to an end, Gen V K Singh on Saturday voiced criticism of the defence ministry for "selectively leaking" information to "fix" him. In a series of interviews to TV channels,
the General also made no secret of his unhappiness with the Supreme Court where he lost a legal battle over his age in February. In an apparent reference to a remark by Justice R M Lodha, one of the two judges on the bench that heard his case, the chief said that a very senior apex court judge had told him to "blow with the wind". "If all of us are going to blow with the wind then we will all become muggers, we will all become corrupt," he said, according to a transcript of his interview released by the Times Now channel. Justice Lodha had actually remarked, "wise men are those who move with the wind. We take pride in having (an) officer like you. Credit must go to you." In a separate interview to another TV channel, the Army chief said that he had withdrawn his petition on the age issue because the Supreme Court gave no no decision. "They tried to arbitrate. Then I realised that you are fighting a system." During the interviews, Singh said it was not not "just lobbies" working against him, but "some people are trying to protect people who are basically doing wrong things." Turning on the ministry of defence, he said that papers related to his age were "illegitimately" released. Some papers that should never have been released under RTI rules were released and this included a couple of pages which the ministry itself had labelled "top secret". Asked if he was saying that he had been set up, the General replied, "obviously". When pressed to state as to who was releasing the information, Singh replied that it was the ministry. "Absolutely," the General answered when asked whether he was saying that information was being selectively leaked to "fix you". Barely concealing his anger over the leakage of his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh complaining of deficiencies and shortages in the Army, the General said this was a "treasonable act". He then referred to a story, denied by the government, that a joint secretary-level officer in the Cabinet secretariat had been held responsible for the leak. The General said that PTI does not not "manufacture" stories on its own. "So somebody must have told them, somebody authoritative enough". The leakage was done "with a purpose to create an impression that Gen V K Singh is leaking it", he said, adding, somebody within the government "had some agenda". Asked if he would get into politics after he demits office on May 31, the chief replied, "I haven't decided anything." Told about the speculation that he may join yoga guru Ramdev, Singh replied " I don't think so. All this is speculative kite flying, to say the least. And I will not go with this kite flying." Referring to his allegation that retired Lt General Tejinder Singh had offered him bribe to clear a deal for Tatra trucks, the Army chief said he had informed defence minister A K Antony as per the services regulations. Apparently questioning inaction by Antony then, the General said, "He (Antony) has ordered a CBI inquiry. It could have been done earlier." On inaction on his own part, he said, "If he (Antony) had asked me to take action, action would have been taken. Be rest assured about it." He, however, went on to add that because of Antony's "blessings" the file regarding the procurement of Tatra trucks was not cleared. With regard to the controversy over his showcause notice to 3 Corps Commander Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, the Army chief criticised its leakage and suggested his involvement in it. "Who else will go (to the media)? The notice was signed by me and it is in the name of the officer (Suhag). Who else will handle it?... It was his responsibility to answer that showcause notice.... But without giving an answer, somebody goes to the press and shows the showcause notice," Gen Singh said when asked whether he suspected Suhag of having leaked the notice. He said it was "morally unacceptable that a notice from a senior officer to a junior officer has found its way into media and started getting discussed". Gen Singh has since put Suhag, who could head the force in 2014 by the current succession line, on disciplinary and vigilance (DV) ban, by which his promotion would be stalled. Asked what if the government overturns his decision to put Suhag on DV ban, he said, "it will be government's decision, not mine. People will hold the government responsible for it."

Video of Saudi woman confronting religious police goes viral

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Sat, 26 May 2012 11:59:00 PDT

A video of a brave Saudi woman confronting members of the country's religious police after they accused her of breaking strict modesty rules with her freshly painted nails, has gone viral on the internet.
The unidentified woman refuses their demands that she leave the mall where she was present and tells them that her nails are 'none of (their) business'. After she filmed the incident on her mobile phone and it was posted on YouTube, her row with the members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ( CPVPV) has gone viral. It has ignited a debate in Saudi Arabia over the way that members of the commission should deal with people in public places, the Daily Mail reported. The video shows several men in traditional Saudi dress, who have apparently stopped the woman to chastise her for the immodesty of her freshly manicured nails. One of the men orders the woman to leave the mall, but she refuses and the pair become embroiled in a heated argument in the middle of the mall's concourse. 'The government didn't send you to follow me,' she yells at the men. 'The government said there would be no persecution [of women], she is heard saying. In two days, the video has got 106,512 views on YouTube.

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:29:00 PDT

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pointed out the need for proper management in lifestyles in line with the economic limits.
Participating in an event to release the 2011Annual Report of Ministry of Finance and Planning at the Ministry Thursday, the President has said that attention should be focused on the aspiration of youths and modern technology when drawing economic plans. Commenting on the frequent trade union actions in the country, the President has said that as a former trade union leader he is happy to meet demands of the trade unions but the workers also should realize that there are some limitations in granting concessions to the working class. He has said that foreign investors are keen on investing in Sri Lanka due to prevailing peace and the government is pursuing avenues to bring in foreign direct investment to the country. President Rajapaksa also has emphasized developing the country agriculturally. Due to the government's proper agricultural policies the country has become self-sufficient in rice and other food crops, he has pointed out. Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning Geethanjana Gunawardena presented the annual report to the President, who is also the Minister Finance & Planning. Senior Minister of International Monetary Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Secretary to the Finance Ministry, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara also addressed the occasion.

Sri Lanka Treasury Secretary warns of adverse weather conditions affecting economic growth

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:09:00 PDT

Treasury Secretary of Sri Lanka Dr. P.B. Jayasundera says the country's economy is on track, but warned of adverse weather conditions undermining growth levels. Dr. Jayasundera told the media during the release of the 2011 Annual Report of Ministry of Finance and Planning that the country's economy will expand around 7 percent while the trade deficit would be met around 6.2 percent.
He observed that while the 2011 performance of the economy is satisfactory, there was a need to put in place structural changes to bring down the trade deficit. He observed that there were challenges ahead that would require strong policies and the trade deficit was a key issue. He explained that there was a need for more credit to filter into the real economy. Dr. Jayasundera called on banks to reduce consumer loans and provide more long-term credit to agriculture, dairy and fisheries sectors. Pointing out to statistics, the Treasury Secretary observed that despite an increase in credit, the bulk of the loans were on vehicle imports and other goods that did not result in overall economic benefits. Dr. Jayasundera also called on the government to increase focus on increasing domestic savings, taxes and reduction of losses in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Taking a tough stance on the loss making SOEs, he said, "Directors of loss-making SoEs should be replaced. They are the responsible trustees of public wealth and SoEs can be profitable companies. But for this, they need competent chairmen and boards of directors that can work as a team."

Sri Lanka President does not have power to challenge court martial verdict - Minister

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:56:00 PDT

Acting Cabinet Spokesperson of Sri Lanka, Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena says the President cannot challenge the ruling of a court martial. Referring to the pardon given to former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, Abeywardena has told the media that
Fonseka's pardon was granted according to powers vested with the President in the Constitution. He has observed that if Fonseka was granted a pardon from court martial, then 7,500 personnel who were found guilty through courts martial during Fonseka's tenure as Army Chief would also have to be granted pardons. Abeywardena has explained that Fonseka could engage in politics according to his pardon, but could not contest elections. According to him, Minister S.B. Dissanayake, who was imprisoned for two years and lost his civic rights, was granted freedom in two stages - freedom at first stage and right to contest in the second stage. The President had granted a pardon to Fonseka although he had been found guilty as a mark of gratitude for his service to the country as a military officer.

US cuts aid to Pakistan for jailing doctor who helped nab Osama

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:50:00 PDT

Outraged over the conviction of a Pakistani doctor who helped CIA find Osama bin Laden, a US Senate panel has voted unanimously to cut aid to Islamabad by USD 33 million, which in effect means USD 1 million for every year of the physician's 33-year sentence for high treason.
The unanimous vote on Thursday by the Senate Appropriations committee on the amendment, moved by Senator Lindsey Graham, is reflective of the changing mode in the US especially the growing anger among US lawmakers towards Pakistan. The US has insisted that there is no basis to imprison Dr Shakil Afridi on treason charges, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denouncing it as "unjust and unwarranted". "We regret both the fact that he was convicted and the severity of his sentence," Clinton told a joint press conference with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully. "We are raising it (his case) and we will continue to do so because we think that his treatment is unjust and unwarranted," she said today. The latest decision by the key Senate panel represents about four per cent of the USD 800 million set aside for Pakistan for the year 2013. This includes USD 250 million in foreign military aid and another USD 50 million for Pakistan's counterinsurgency efforts. In fact, this amount of USD 800 million is far below the USD 2.3 billion the Obama administration is requesting for Pakistan. Another House committee had made similar recommendations early this week. During the markup, Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Graham called Pakistan a "schizophrenic" ally, which has suffered the worst losses at the hands of militants while at the same time harboring the Haqqani network and other groups. "If this is cooperation, I would hate like heck to see opposition," Leahy said. The Appropriations Committee approved Graham's amendment to cut the assistance by USD 33 million on a 30-0 vote. Influential Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein pointed out that Pakistan has suffered at the hands of terrorists yet misconstrued what is treason in convicting Afridi. She also insisted that Afridi was not a spy. "This conviction says to me that al-Qaida is viewed by the court to be Pakistan. I don't know which side of the war Pakistan is on. This makes me seriously question our financial support to Pakistan," Feinstein said. The substantial reduction in House and Senate committees comes despite warning from the White House that such a move could be counter-productive in getting Pakistan?s cooperation in war against terrorism. Dr Afridi was accused of running a CIA-sponsored fake vaccine programme in Abbottabad, where bin Laden was killed last year on May 2 in a covert US operation. His programme was aimed at obtaining DNA samples from any of bin Laden's family members residing in the compound. Afridi was awarded jail term under the tribal laws, known as Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR). The British-era FCR is still effective in Pakistan's tribal regions.

Man ditches live-in partner of 8 years, faces rape charge, SC dismisses bail plea

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:41:00 PDT

A Delhi-based computer professional had no qualms in maintaining a live-in relationship for 8 years with a girl but when it came to marrying her, he quickly fell into the customary caste-based obligation to tie the knot with another girl chosen by his parents. Married just three months ago, now he faces rape charges brought against him by the erstwhile live-in partner.
His last hope for protection against arrest went up in smoke on Friday as a vacation bench of the Supreme Court dismissed his bail plea. Petitioner's counsel argued that the erstwhile live-in partner had never complained of rape during the 8 year relationship and has filed a complaint with police accusing him of raping her only after learning that he was getting married. A bench of Justices Deepak Verma and S J Mukhopadhaya said "for 8 years you remained together and now you have ditched her to marry another. That could be a reason for the complaint. But you face the charge." The two met in 2004 and stayed together as live-in partners towards the end of 2011. But, the man chickened out when his family and society opposed the match on the ground that the girl did not belong to the caste in which he could get married. As soon as the girl came to know that he was going to marry another chosen by his parents, she filed a complaint with the police on February 4, just eight days before the date of his marriage. The counsel said the family elders intervened and settled the matter. The girl withdrew her complaint on February 8. The boy got married on February 12 and the former live-in partner went to Mandawali police station on March 1 insisting on registration of her complaint accusing him of repeatedly raping her on the promise of marriage. With the trial court and the Delhi High Court refusing to grant him bail, he had moved the Supreme Court seeking relief on the ground, among others, that he had been married just three months ago.

Sri Lanka to issue license to mine gold in major river

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:44:00 PDT

Sri Lanka Geological Survey and Mines Bureau says that steps will be taken to issue a license for gold mining in the Kelani River. A small quantity of gold has been found in the river in Pugoda area and hundreds of people are shifting the sand off the river bottom to find small pieces of gold. However, the Bureau has banned removing gold from the river bottom until the license is issued. Pugoda police today took action to remove around 200 people who were washing sand in search of gold.
They held a protest in Pugoda town for around half an hour. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau is conducting tests on the gold found in River Kelani to ascertain its authenticity. However, the Jewelers in the area who are purchasing the fragments found by the people have confirmed that those fragments are indeed gold, the Sunday Times reported.

Sri Lanka Media Minister returns to country after accident in Melbourne

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:39:00 PDT

Sri Lanka government sources say that the cabinet spokesman and the Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella will return home from Australia where he was receiving medical treatments for more than three months.
The Minister is to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (25), sources say. Minister Rambukwella sustained serious injuries after falling from a third floor balcony of a hotel in Melbourne on February 07 this year. He was in Melbourne to attend his cricket playing son Ramith Rambukwella's knee surgeries. The Minister has sued the hotel for damage stating that he met with the accident due to the unsafe nature of the hotel. According to Media Ministry officials, the Minister has completely recovered and is in good health now. He is to resume his duties soon after his return. During his absence, Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena acted as the Media Minister.

Sri Lanka Opposition Leader proposes agenda to set up Parliamentary Committee for political solution

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:31:00 PDT

Ranil Wickremasinghe, Leader of Sri Lanka's Opposition and main opposition United National Party (UNP), has proposed an agenda to help form the proposed parliamentary select committee (PSC) on finding a solution to the national question.
Wickremasinghe in a statement to parliament has offered to help form the PSC and called on the government to build an environment conducive for the opposition parties to participate in the PSC. Wickremasinghe has said that such an environment is possible on an agenda based on implementing the recommendations of the LLRC Report including a devolution package, implementing the 13th Amendment and further building on it to achieve meaningful devolution and considering the bilateral discussions between the 3-member committee of the Government Parliamentary Group and the Tamil National Alliance. The parliamentary deliberations will be within this framework and a report will be submitted to the parliament, he has noted. The Opposition Leader has said that he had informed the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of the proposed agenda. He has assured the TNA that his party will support all decisions arrived at during the bilateral talks between the representatives of the Government and the representatives of the TNA. "The Government has not objected to what we proposed above - in order to create a suitable environment for the PSC," he has added. Wickremasinghe has urged the Leader of the House to endorse his party's agenda.

Iran, world powers agree new round of talks: Diplomat

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:28:00 PDT

Iran and world powers agreed on Thursday to hold a new round of nuclear talks, a diplomat involved in discussions in Baghdad said, with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to give details shortly.
"There will be more talks," the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity following two days of tough discussions between Iran and the P5+1 -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

Pilots want to meet minister for dialogue

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:21:00 PDT

The agitating pilots of Air India Thursday sought a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh to end the 17-day-old strike that has crippled the airline's international operations. "We have sent a letter to the minister seeking a meeting with him, so that we can explain our situation to him personally.
The letter was delivered to his aide," Rohit Kapahi, committee member, Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), told IANS. "We want a chance to put across our views to him in a fair and transparent manner, so that we can find a way to end the impasse. But till now we have not received any reply." The letter, which was sent to Singh on behalf of IPG's general secretary E.A. Kapadia, said "an earnest dialogue will help resolve all issues in the interest of the country, the airline and its employees". The IPG also pointed out that despite the ongoing agitation, it requested one of its eight recently returned Boeing 787-trained pilots not to join the stir and instead go to Seattle May 25 to take delivery of the new aircraft joining the Air India fleet. On Wednesday, Singh had appealed to pilots to return to work unconditionally and assured them that no victimisation would follow. He said that the 101 sacked pilots will be reinstated on a case-by-case basis. "We have taken back one sacked pilot. But taking back sacked pilots will be decided on a case-by-case (basis). First they have to come back to work unconditionally," the minister had told IANS. The pilots have said they will end their strike if the sacked colleagues are taken back and the management starts negotiations on the issues raised by them. The strike has left the national carrier with a revenue loss of Rs.270 crore. "Losses are around Rs.270 crore on account of ticket cancellations, unused labour and bulk of Boeing-777 fleet being grounded," a senior Air India official told IANS. "Losses per day are being contained to downwards of Rs.10 crore in the current contingency plan," he added. Air India, however, says it has enough executive pilots who are not on strike to operate long-haul destinations in the US and Europe. "An interim schedule has been decided keeping into account the economics, load factor and importance of the destination," the official added. Air India is now operating a bare minimum number of flights by clubbing flights to Europe and the US. The beleaguered airline has come out with a truncated interim schedule for June. It will effectively drop seven international destinations from its regular routine like Hong Kong, Osaka, Seoul and Toronto. Accordingly, between June 2 and 30, only 38 services will operate instead of the regular 45. "We have deployed the Airbus family of aircraft including A320, A321 and A330 for nearby destinations," the official said. Trouble started May 8 when pilot-members of IPG took mass sick leave, protesting the move to provide Boeing-787 Dreamliner training to pilots from the erstwhile Indian Airlines. The pilots want exclusive flying rights on Boeing 787 aircraft, payment of arrears from 2007, travel on first class when not working, and the right to be promoted as commanders within six years.

Former Deputy Leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition files petition in courts against party decision

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:43:00 PDT

Former Deputy Leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Karu Jayasuriya has filed a petition in courts against the party's decision to take disciplinary action against him. Jayasuriya has filed the petition in the Colombo District Court seeking an enjoining order against the UNP's disciplinary committee decision to call for explanation from him.
The party's disciplinary committee has last week in writing asked Jayasuriya for explanation for criticizing the report presented by President's Counsel Srinath Perera on the attack on the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha, last December during the election for office bearers. Additional District Judge C.J. Rajaratne is to take the petition for consideration today.

Sri Lanka exporting maize is a people's victory - Minister

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:38:00 PDT

Economic Development Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa says that the exporting of maize to Canada and Taiwan was a victory achieved by the people. Rajapaksa addressing an event in Peliyagoda has said
the country has commenced exporting maize since the government has managed to make the country self-sufficient in rice and maize through its fertilizer subsidy programme to farmers. He said Sri Lanka is now exporting 10,000 metric tons of maize, a commodity which was earlier imported to the country. According to Rajapaksa, the exporting of maize would help save foreign exchange in the country and it would be used to strengthen the agriculture sector. The Minister has noted that the government would take steps to import hybrid seeds in order to increase the local yield. He has pointed out that the production of maize in the country has exceeded production targets.

Main opposition party of Sri Lanka to announce its stance on the parliamentary select committee today

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:34:00 PDT

The United National Party (UNP), main opposition party of Sri Lanka will today express its stance on the parliamentary select committee (PSC) appointed to find a solution to the ethnic problem, party sources said.
The UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe will reveal the party's stance today when he makes a special statement in the parliament today. Following the response to the UNP regarding the parliamentary select committee, the major Tamil constituent, Tamil National Alliance is also expected to announce its stance. The UNP earlier said that it will extend its full support to the PSC proposed by the government to formulate a political solution to address the ethnic issue if the government showed its commitment to the process and creates a conducive environment. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake has said that a political solution based on safeguarding the country's identity is needed and the party is prepared to support the PSC process to achieve that. The opposition party has urged the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to include the Tamil National Alliance, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and other opposition parties in the PSC process if it were to have fruitful outcome. UNP has expressed its willingness to extend the necessary support to seek the participation of Tamil political parties in the parliamentary select committee and to support the process.

Anna Hazare hospitalised, condition stable

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:25:00 PDT

Anna Hazare, who reached here as part of his tour of Maharashtra on the Lokpal issue, today complained of fatigue and weakness and underwent a series of medical tests at two local hospitals. According to Hazare's aide, the condition of the 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader is now stable and he is resting at a government circuit house in the city.
The Gandhian was taken to hospital after he arrived here this morning from Dhule town. His state-wide tour on the Lokayukta Bill issue began on May 1. He was first taken to Saibaba Heart Institute and Research Centre located in the heart of the city and was examined by doctors. "Doctors at Saibaba Heart Institute checked Hazare's blood pressure and later conducted two other medical tests on him. An echocardiogram test was also carried out. He was later taken to Vinchurkar Hospital for a CT scan," a hospital source said. P B Karanjkar, president of the Nashik unit of Bhratachar Virodhi Andolan told PTI that Hazare was taking rest at a government circuit house here. In January, Hazare had been hospitalised for a week, which had forced him to call off his tour of five-poll-bound states. Hazare is scheduled to address a public meeting here tomorrow evening, Karanjkar said.

Egyptians vote freely for leader

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:17:00 PDT

Egyptians relished their first free leadership vote on Wednesday, with Islamists pitted against secular figures in a contest unthinkable before a popular revolt swept President Hosni Mubarak from power 15 months ago. With no reliable opinion polls, no one knows who will win the presidency, but Egyptians enjoyed the uncertainty after the routinely rigged votes of Mubarak's 30 years in power.
"We must prove that the times when we stayed at home and someone would choose for us are over," said Islam Mohamed, a 27-year-old swimming coach, waiting at a Cairo polling station. There were no early reports of vote-related violence and independent election monitors said they saw no major abuses. The election is a momentous sequel to Mubarak's overthrow on February 11, 2011. The military council in charge of a messy and often bloody political transition since then has overseen a constitutional referendum, parliamentary polls and now a vote for a president to whom it has promised to hand power by July 1. The revolutionaries of Tahrir Square may be reluctant to trust Egypt's future to Islamists or Mubarak-era politicians, but those candidates may appeal to many of the 50 million eligible voters who yearn for Islamic-tinged reform or who want a firm and experienced hand to restore stability and security. Whoever wins faces a huge task to relieve a dire economic outlook and will also have to deal with a military establishment keen to preserve its privileges and political influence. The relative powers of the president, government, parliament, judiciary and military have yet to be defined as a tussle over who should write a new constitution rumbles on. Many Egyptians were still undecided even as they went to the polls on the first of two days of voting. Historic choice "I will vote today, no matter what, it is a historic thing to do, although I don't really know who I will vote for," said Mahmoud Morsy, 23. He then said he would probably plump for Mohamed Mursi, candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose voting machine has already ensured it the biggest bloc in parliament. The nation of 82 million was in festive and relaxed mood, with many voters joking and chatting on a day to remember, although queues thinned later in scorching midday heat. "Rise up Egypt," ran a giant headline in the popular daily Al Masry Al Youm, while state-run Al Gomhuria offered: "The president is in the ballot box, the key is with the people." Voters shuffled slowly towards the ballot booths in bright sunshine. Some had brought chairs and newspapers, anticipating long lines, but turnout did not seem as high as in a winter vote for parliament, Egypt's first free election in decades. Egyptians also enjoyed seeing presidential hopefuls queuing alongside them to vote, in scenes a world away from past elections when state TV filmed a cosseted Mubarak casting his ballot among doting officials with no ordinary voter in sight. In one Cairo district, 75-year-old Amr Moussa, a former foreign minister and Arab League secretary-general, stood in line with everyone else. "I hope they will elect a president who can really lead Egypt at this time of crisis," he said. Some voters clapped independent Islamist contender Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh, 60, when he too joined a queue in Cairo. "For the first time the Egyptian people went out to choose their president after the end of an era of 'pharaohs'," Abol Fotouh said, alluding to Mubarak and his autocratic predecessors who, like him, were drawn from the top ranks of the military. Unless one candidate gets more than half the votes needed to win outright, the top two will face a run-off on June 16 and 17. Official first-round results will be only be announced on Tuesday, but the outcome could be clear by Saturday. Many Egyptians felt empowered and excited by the occasion. "I've never voted for a president before in my life so the experience is quite new and makes me feel like a citizen of this country," said Ahmed Ali, a pharmacy student in Alexandria. Although official campaigning ended on Sunday, candidates pushed to get out the vote. In Cairo, half a dozen mini-buses plastered with "Yes to Amr Moussa" offered free rides to voters. One Alexandria mini-bus driver was not charging voters heading to the polls. "The rides today are on me," said Fathi Abdelaal. "Egyptians are finally in command of their destiny." Watching world The nature of that destiny is far from clear. The West, long wary of Islamists, and Israel, fearful about the fate of its 1979 peace treaty with Egypt and the boost the Muslim Brotherhood could give to its Palestinian offshoot Hamas in the Gaza Strip, are watching the post-Mubarak era closely. "Our vote will make Egypt's voice in the Arab world ring loud and clear," said Saad Abed Raboh, a civil servant voting in Alexandria. "For 30 years Egypt's vote was muted, but now it will be heard because Egyptians will choose their president." Saudi Arabia and other US-aligned Gulf states were alarmed at the fall of their longtime ally Mubarak and now worry who will replace him at the helm of the most populous Arab nation. To allay Gulf fears, the Brotherhood's Mursi pledged in a rally on Sunday: "We will not export our revolution to anyone." After voting, the US-educated engineer took a swipe at his Mubarak-vintage rivals: "No way can anyone from the fallen, corrupt, former regime come back to influence this nation." Mursi joined the race at the last minute after the Brotherhood's first choice was ruled out. He may lack charisma, but he has the group's formidable organising skills behind him. Abol Fotouh, who was kicked out of the Brotherhood when he said he would run against its wishes, has sought support across the spectrum from liberals to hardline Salafi Muslims. Also in the race is Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, who like his ex-boss, once led the air force. He appeals to those who think Egypt needs a strong hand to bring order, but critics say he is tainted by his links to Mubarak. Defending himself, Shafiq told a news conference: "I worked for the big family of Egypt not for someone or for a regime." Leftist Hamdeen Sabahy has gained traction with many voters unsatisfied both with Islamists and Mubarak's former ministers. He is inspired by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the pan-Arab nationalist whose "Free Officers" overthrew King Farouk in 1952. "Those who have been marginalised and throttled can now get their rights in a country of freedom and dignity," Sabahy, a veteran champion of the downtrodden, said after voting in Cairo. Mubarak, under pressure from his US ally, did stage one multi-candidate presidential race in 2005, but with rules that barred any realistic challenge. Last year's popular revolt overthrew him before another election that was due in 2011. Even if the presidential vote and the military handover pass off calmly, Egypt faces a bumpy road ahead. "It is not going to be smooth," said Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. "Not only are there economic problems to resolve, but Egyptians are going through a wrenching period in which they are trying to define what kind of political system they want, what kind of society they want, what Egypt stands for, and its proper place in the region and the world. These are not easy matters."

Sri Lanka's former Army Commander vows to fight against corrupt politicians

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:53:00 PDT

Sri Lanka's former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka who was released from jail Monday has vowed to fight against corrupt politicians. Fonseka has told the media last night that he would keep his promise and free the country from corrupt politicians. He has said that
he was indebted to the politicians and the public who stood by him while he was in jail and demanded for his release. He has charged that his strength could not be suppressed by putting him behind bars. According to Fonseka, he would work to free the country from corrupt politicians like the manner in which the country was liberated from the terrorists. Fonseka has observed that he was prepared to face any challenge while engaging in his path.

Sri Lanka Tamil party calls for reduction in military in the North and East

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:49:00 PDT

Sri Lanka's major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has once again called for the reduction in military presence in the North and East. TNA Leader R. Sampanthan says
there needed to be a reduction in the military presence in the North and East. Sampanthan has told a Tamil media that the current ratio of security personnel in the North and East stood at one soldier for every eight civilians. He has said there was no necessity for military personnel to be involved in civilian activities like temple festivals and school functions. According to Sampanthan, the security forces in the North and East posed an obstacle to the smooth functioning of the civil administration in those areas. The TNA leader's comments had been made in response to a statement made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday during the third anniversary celebrations of war victory that security forces would not be withdrawn from the North and East until the LTTE threat from overseas Tamil diaspora exists.

Sri Lanka main opposition to move a proposal in the parliament to exonerate Fonseka

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:43:00 PDT

The Working Committee of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Monday decided to move a private member's proposal in the parliament demanding to acquit former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka from all the charges that have been leveled against him.
The opposition party says that Fonseka has been pardoned by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as an offender and he would not reinstated in his former position as a retired general and his pension and other benefits will not be given. UNP has decided to move the proposal demanding Sarath Fonseka to be freed completely. The Opposition and UNP Leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe has made the proposal to present the motion calling to ensure all rights and benefits entitled to Fonseka, especially, his voting rights and return his passport that has currently been seized by the authorities preventing overseas travel. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa pardoned the former Army Commander who was serving a three-year jail term and following the presidential order the courts Monday ordered his release. Attorney General Eva Wanasundera has said the President Rajapaksa had signed an unconditional pardon for Fonseka and therefore his civic and other rights were not affected by his imprisonment. UNP Working Committee has discussed other issues as well, according to sources, and a list of UNP leading activists who did not attend party May Day rally in Jaffna was also discussed. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake has been handed a detailed report of offences the UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa has committed during the past period against the party, sources said.

UPA-II celebrates 3 years in office: PM admits people frustrated over graft, Sonia says UPA can win in 2014

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:22:00 PDT

Celebrating its eighth year, the UPA government on Tuesday sought to smash the perception of policy paralysis by saying that India is the world's second fastest growing economy even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh admitted that there are "uncertainties" and more needed to be done. Releasing
'The Report to the People' here along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Singh acknowledged that there is "frustration" among people over corruption and said the government was working sincerely to address it through legislative and administrative measures. He highlighted the initiatives and achievements in various fields including economy, agriculture, education, poverty eradication, healthcare, power generation, internal security and foreign policy. Singh said that despite an adverse international environment, the Indian economy grew at about 7 per cent in 2011-12, which is amongst the highest in the world. "Sustained high rates of growth during the UPA government's tenure have enabled us to pursue our agenda of inclusive and equitable growth," he said. "Despite these real achievements, there are uncertainties and a large unfinished agenda before us," he said. Turning to economic situation, Singh said difficult decisions have to be taken on both spending and revenue mobilisation as he underlined the need for both the Centre and states have to be "fiscally responsible". However, when asked later to specify the tough decisions, Singh told reporters, "let us wait. Sometimes somethings will be obvious". On the perception of policy paralysis, he said, "this can be corrected by reality. Misconceived perceptions can be corrected." "Tough decisions on spending" With government gearing up to announce austerity measures to deal with the fiscal situation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Centre will take difficult decisions on spending and revenue mobilisation. "Difficult decisions have to be taken on both spending and revenue mobilisation", he said. His statement comes in the backdrop of announcement made by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee recently in the Rajya Sabha that government would roll out austerity measures. When asked by reporters about details of tough measures being contemplated by the government, Singh said, "let us wait. Sometimes, something will be obvious". The Prime Minister during his address specifically flagged the issue of worsening balance of payment and fiscal situation. "I recognise that we face pressures on our balance of payments and that the fiscal situation needs careful management. Determined measures are needed to boost the climate for industrial investment, both domestic and foreign", he added. While the current account deficit (CAD), which indicates the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign exchange, is expected to rise to 4 per cent of the GDP in 2011-12 from 3.3 per cent a year ago, the high crude oil prices will put pressure on government finances. More importantly, steep fall in value of rupee, which crossed Rs 55 to a dollar, will push up the cost of imports, especially the petroleum products and imported fertiliser. The oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been clamouring for increase in retail prices of petroleum products. When asked about declining value of rupee, Singh quipped, "in a market economy, currency goes up and down". The Prime Minister further said that despite an adverse international environment, the Indian economy grew by about 7 per cent in 2011-12, which is amongst the highest in the world. On the opposition charge that decision making in the government is stuck on account of policy paralysis, he said, "this (perception) can be corrected by reality. Misconceived perceptions can be corrected." However, he said, "we have to remove implementation bottlenecks that are preventing large projects from getting off the ground... Determined measures are needed to boost the climate for industrial investment, both domestic and foreign." He also underlined the need to resolve issues relating to land acquisition, resettlement and the environment on priority basis and strengthen food security system by building more storage capacity. Singh further said poverty has declined at twice the rate that it did before the UPA government's tenure and there have been notable successes in agriculture which recorded a growth of 3.3 per cent in the 11th Plan as against 2.3 per cent in the previous Plan. "Rural wages also have increased. Farmers have been given handsome prices for their crops. This year has seen record foodgrain production, crossing 250 million tonnes for the first time in our history. More than Rs 2 lakh crore was disbursed to 2.75 crore marginal and small farmers as loans", he added. Singh further said that efforts were being intensified to pursue affirmative measures to expand opportunities for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women. With 2 years left, Sonia says work and not promises will pay Battling perception of policy paralysis, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday acknowledged that the ruling alliance can earn another mandate only on the basis of its actions in coming two years and not promises. Speaking to allies at a dinner to mark the completion of three years of UPA-II, she accused the opposition of being aggressive and making irresponsible statements. "We are aware that only two years are left when we will be seeking a new mandate from the people. We are fully aware that the result of that will not depend on our promises but on the nature of work done by us," Gandhi said in her brief address. She said since UPA took charge of the government, India has been advancing on the growth map in a sustained manner because of which it has been able to provide money for projects of social and rural development. "Because of this the Centre has been able to give that kind of financial assistance to the state government which was never seen earlier," Gandhi said, adding that the government has to sustain the momentum of this development.

Putin consolidates power, hires ousted ministers

noreply@blogger.com (a.jeyakumar) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:05:00 PDT

Taking a tough stand against dissent, President Vladimir Putin ignored public opposition and hired some Russia's most unpopular former ministers Tuesday and Russian lawmakers debated a draconian bill that raises fines for joining unsanctioned protests 200-fold. Opposition lawmakers denounced the new sanctions against protesters as an attempt to stifle public debate, warning that it would fuel public outrage and destabilize the country by depriving the public of an ability to express discontent. Sergei Mironov, the leader of the opposition Just Russia party, said
his faction was boycotting the hearings of the "odious" bill intended to "shut the people's mouth." Police on Tuesday quickly rounded up several members of the liberal Yabloko party who attempted to protest the new bill outside parliament. Yabloko leader Sergei Mitrokhin told reporters before being detained by police that the bill was intended to intimidate the opposition. "A direct signal is being made by those in power: sit down and keep quiet!" Mitrokhin said. Putin has toughened his stance against the opposition since winning a third term in March's election, rejecting a dialogue with its leaders and stonewalling their demands. In a show of contempt for public criticism, Putin appointed ex-Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev as an undersecretary of the presidential Security Council and named several other former ministers as presidential advisers. Putin named his new Cabinet on Monday, retaining some key figures but dropping some of the most widely detested ministers, including Nurgaliyev, Health Minister Tatyana Golikova and Education Minister Andrei Fursenko. Nurgaliyev has faced massive public outrage over widespread incidents of torture and other abuses by police, while Golikova and Fursenko have been linked to the worsening state of the nation's health care and education systems. The appointment of former ministers to new official positions has been expected given Putin's record of keeping his lieutenants employed despite public outrage. Putin's re-election bid was challenged by massive demonstrations against his 12-year rule that drew up to 100,000 people in Moscow, but the protests have abated after the vote and the Kremlin has taken a harsher attitude against its political foes. A demonstration of at least 20,000 people a day before Putin's May 7 inauguration turned into a fierce battle with police as some of the protesters tried to march on the Kremlin. Scores were injured in clashes and hundreds were detained as police chased opposition members around the Russian capital. Putin's opponents sought to maintain momentum by holding a series of protests in downtown Moscow, but police quickly dispersed them. Moving further to rein in the opposition, the Kremlin-controlled lower house of the parliament on Tuesday debated a bill raising fines for joining unsanctioned rallies from the current maximum of 5,000 rubles ($160) to 1,000,000 rubles ($32,250). The Communists also said they would vote against the new legislation, but the opposition doesn't have enough votes to block the bill's passage in the State Duma, which is dominated by the Kremlin's United Russia party. Communist lawmaker Valentin Romanov said during the debate that the Kremlin wants new sanctions against protesters in place in anticipation of a public anger against unpopular social reforms, which are in the works. "It's a pre-emptive move preceding a rise in social protests across the country," he said. Due to term limits, Putin spent four years in the premier's seat after serving two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008 as president. Despite the title change he remained Russia's No. 1 leader all along. His protege Dmitry Medvedev stepped down to allow Putin to reclaim the presidency, receiving the premiership in exchange. Putin's fellow KGB veterans Sergei Ivanov and Nikolai Patrushev have been respectively re-appointed as the Kremlin chief of staff and the head of the presidential Security Council. Another longtime Putin's aide, former Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin who was in charge of the energy sector hasn't yet been given a new government job, but Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Sechin also would have a role. Several officials who served in Medvedev's administration during his presidency followed him to the Cabinet, while Putin retained others who served under him during his premiership, like his spokesman Peskov, who got the same job in the Kremlin.