theNEWSmaster

"Rankings were messed due to pressure by Highly influential authorities" - SB

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:26:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Minister of Higher Education S. B. Dissanayake says, pressure exerted by various quarters including highly influential authorities and others who expected to enroll students at overseas universities triggered the hasty release of the 2011 GCE Advanced Level results that contributed to the ranking mess-up.

Addressing a group of media personnel at a briefing held at the ministry premises, Dissanayake noted that President Rajapaksa met him along with Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana and officials of both ministries on several occasions, and questioned about the delays in releasing the GCE Advanced Level results and instructed that the process be expedited.

Minister Dissanayake stressed that there was nothing wrong in the GCE Advanced Level results, Z-score or Island Rankings but the error was only on district ranking as there was a mix up in the rankings of the Matara and Colombo Districts.

The mix up had occurred when district results were calculated at the Examinations Department and it was purely a technical/computer error and it has been fully rectified now, he said.

Govt wants news websites to be registered!

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:29:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

The Sri Lankan government, in a communique issued via its Media ministry yesterday (05) had ordered news websites to register with the Ministry. The order, which some observe as a 'warning' issued on critics of the present regime, came into the lime light as several internet service providers blocked a number of news websites to the Sri Lankan internet users, without prior announcement.

Sri Lanka's Telecommunication Regulation Commission, last month blocked access within Sri Lanka to the anti-government Lanka-e-News (www.lankaenews.com) website, which carried news critical of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers.

Internet service providers, namely Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), Mobitel and Dialog had banned LankaENews, without prior announcement last week to the Sri Lankan internet users. Ahead of that, LankaNewsWeb, a news website that carries highly critical news items with relate to the present regime was blocked a year ago.

Meanwhile, SLT had also blocked news websites such as SriLankaMirror, LankaWayNews, SriLankaGuardian without prior warning.

"It's a request from the Media Ministry to register (news) websites with the ministry," said Director General of the government's Information Department Ariyarathna Athugala.

However, he declined to comment on the reason for the measure.

In May, the Sri Lankan government imposed a ban on Lanka-e-News for publishing false news. A court lifted the ban after accepting the website's apology.

'Dinamina' publishes contradictory articles on Bharatha - Duminda clash

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:49:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

The state-run 'Dinamina' newspaper had published contradictory statements in two articles published in its October 11, 2011 edition.

The reports are based on the police presence during the political gunfight in Mulleriyawa, three days ago.

In one report by Wijayani Edirisinghe, it says the CID has found that no policemen had been present at the scene at the time of the shooting between UPFA’s Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and Duminda Silva.

It said the two wounded policemen were bodyguards for the two politicians.

It rejected as falsehoods the statements by some that police did nothing to prevent the incident.

In a second article by Chandrika Perera, ‘Dinamina’ says however, two policemen injured in the shooting are receiving treatment at Colombo National Hospital.

Media stations meanwhile claim that certain parties have 'ordered' the higherarchies of the stations in concern, to publish 'good news' about Duminda Silva, while attacking Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

The same 'Dinamina', at several instances in the past had published such contradictory news reports. Following appears an article and a caption story the newspaper carried at two different instances.

Govt.’s ‘bootha story’ and true story, contradictory: latest on the arson over LEN office

President wants Anoma to smile! Strict guidelines to state media heads

UNP reformists to resume struggle, says everyone knows who is responsible for the defeats

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:52:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Following the defeat the UNP faced in the recent local council elections, the UNP reformists had announced that they would resume their struggle to revamp the party.

UNP reformist and parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara had said they had put off their struggle for party reforms until the elections were over because they wanted to avoid the party being embarrassed or placed in a difficult situation.

When asked about the setbacks faced by the UNP, which apart from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) failed to win any other council especially the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) which was lost after 58 years, Mr. Bandara said everyone was aware as to who should be held responsible for these defeats. Mr. Bandara said the future course of action would be decided by the party reformists soon.

The reformists came out strongly against the party leadership prior to the election and on the day of the party’s last working committee meeting, they launched a street protest calling for the resignation of party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Meanwhile, a leading figure of the UNP's group of reformists, Rosi Senanayake was seen campaigning together with the party leader Wickremasinghe and other seniors, ahead of the recently concluded elections.

She was also in the head table along with Ranil Wickremasinghe, Karu Jayasuriya, Tissa Attanayake, mayor elect M. J. M. Muzammil and Ravi Karunanayake at yesterday's press conference, held by the UNP.

Duminda's supporters now controlling the SJP hospital!

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:15:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Parliamentarian Duminda Silva is now out of danger following the serious injuries he suffered in a gunfight at Mulleriyawa this afternoon (Oct. 08), said hospital sources.

The Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital, where he is in ICU treatment, is being guarded by his supporters, who fear a threat to his life, reports said.

Two bullets have already been removed from the body of the UPFA MP, who is to undergo several more surgeries.

Soon after he was admitted to the hospital, defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had arrived and spent around an hour there. Lakshman Hulugalle and Prasanna Wickramasuriya also visited the hospital.

The injured parliamentarian’s men fear that supporters of presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, who was killed in the shooting, would enter the hospital and harm his life.

Therefore, they are guarding the premises, disregarding the hospital security and body checking all persons, while the police just look on, reports said. Some groups of the 'Nil Balakaya' are also seen at the hospital premises. Duminda Silva is a prominent figure in the 'Nil Balakaya', which is chaired by MP Namal Rajapakse.

Meanwhile, mobs, believed to be supporters of the deceased, a former parliamentarian, have set fire to an office of MP Silva at Wellampitiya. A police curfew is in force in the area until 6.00 am tomorrow.

- SriLankaMirror

Remains of former MP Bharatha brought to his residence amidst high security

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:46:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

The remains of the slain former MP of the SLFP and the Presidential Adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was brought his residence in Kolonnowa short while ago.

The body remained at the Jayarathna Florists in Borella since this morning.

According to reports, the area around the fomer MP's residence have been tightened with heavy security measures. Around 100 Sri Lanka Army and Special Task Force (STF) personnel have been deployed in the Kolonnawa junction and the road leading to Premachandra's residence.

A large number of Premachandra's supporters had gathered to pay their last respect to their party senior member. The police have also taken measures to close-down a number of roads leading to Premachandra's residence.

White flags could be seen at every nook and corner of the Kolonnawa area while several shops have also been shut down, reports confirm.

Premachandra and two of his body guards were killed yesterday (08) evening following a shootout between two UPFA groups in the Mulleriyawa area. UPFA MP Duminda Silva sustained injuries and was admitted to the SriJayewardenepura Hospital for treatment.

The grieving daughter of former MP

The spouse of the former MP

Pics: Pradeep Dilruckshana

"Some websites publish absolute lies during election periods" - President

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:54:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

President Mahinda Rajapakse, addressing an pre-election rally in Colombo had said that some websites publish absolute lies defamatory news reports. The President, as he returned in the island following his visit to America to address the United Nations General Assembly noted that "“During the period of elections , absolute falsehoods and scurrilous literature are being printed".

"Today there is something called a website. It is steeped in falsehood and raw filth. It defames people" President noted while being cautious on not to mention the names of the websites he was referring to.

The President who returned from America also stated that such websites are being operated from America. "This defamation through these websites is being done from America. Those who are here write for them. They are fed into the websites from America. The owner is in America".

He also said that "these types of conspiracies and activities are going on at present times. So, try to have faith in us", he remarked.

"Two-Bullet story" is a lie! Duminda out of surgery and in ICU

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:27:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

MP Duminda Silva, who was admitted to Sri Jayawardanepura (SJP) hospital, due to head injuries has been taken out of the operating theatre at 9pm, hospital sources say.

It was earlier reported by some media that two bullets were removed from Silva's head. However, SJP hospital Director Dr. S. A. K. Gamage said that only one bullet has still being removed form Duminda Silva's head, from the two. He also added that following the CTC scan it was revealed that Duminda Silva's head had sustained major injuries following the shooting incident.

"One bullet still remains inside his head. Removing it at this moment is dangerous", Dr. Gamage revealed to media.

He also added that they have taken measures to control the internal bleeding. Duminda Silva would be kept in the ICU for the next 48 hours before taking further action. The doctor said they would have to monitor his situation before arranging him for the next surgery.

Gota visits Duminda at J'Pura hospital!

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:02:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse had reportedly visited the Sri Jayawardanepura hospital this afternoon, as soon as he had got to know about the shooting incident which took place between the supporters of late Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and MP Duminda Silva, in Mulleriyawa.

According to reports from the J'pura hospital, the Defence Secretary had also made a special request to the hospital authorities and the doctors to "somehow save Duminda's life".

A tense situation prevailed in the Mulleriyawa area following the shooting, as a result the Army and STF has been deployed in the area,

The supporters of Former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and Duminda Silva had engaged in a gun fire this afternoon in Kotikawaththa, Kolonnawa. With serious injuries to his head, Premachandra was admitted to the General hospital in Colombo. However, Duminda Silva, who also had sustained head injuries was admitted to Jayawardanepura hospital.

Ten others were also injured in this shooting.

Stay tuned for more updates

SLMC registrar assaulted by two unidentified men

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:38:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

The Registrar of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, N. J. Nonis, was assaulted by an unidentified gang in Moratuwa, yesterday (04) evening.

According to the deputy secretary of the GMOA (Government Medical Officers Association) Dr. Upul Gunasekara, two undentified men had carried out the attack against Mr. Nonis near Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa around 7.00 last evening while returning from work.

The two unidentified men who had arrived in a motor bike, had showed him a document and they had assaulted him while he was looking at it.

Dr. Nonis however had not suffered any serious injuries but had been suffering from a state of shock.

Dr. Nonis had informed the police regarding the incident over the phone and had said he would come to the police station to make an official complaint later. According to Moratuwa Police he had not lodged a complaint by yesterday midnight.

LTTE war machine runs in the Netherlands

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:10:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: NETHERLANDS;

The Tamil community in the Netherlands (between 9,000 and 13,000 men) has been "largely annexed" by the Tamil Tigers to the violent conflict in Sri Lanka. Through extortion and sedition, a "climate of fear" has been shaped among Dutch Tamils.

This was the argument of Public Prosecutors (OM) Ward Ferdinandusse and Maartje Nieuwenhuis on Saturday to The Hague court in a trial against five Tamils living in the Netherlands who were arrested in 2010.

According to the prosecutors, the suspects have been operating a base in the Netherlands for Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE). The prosecution showed the defendants have overseen an international criminal and terrorist organisation involved in arson, bombings, murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault.

The chief suspect, 52-year-old Schagen resident Ramaschandran S. was the international accountant for the LTTE, said the prosecutors. He is suspected of sending couriers around the world with cash to buy weapons for the Tigers. The OM is seeking a 16 year prison sentence for his crimes. Ten year sentences were demanded for three other Dutch Tamil Tigers, as well as for the alleged leader of the Dutch branch, 46-year-old Srirangam R. from The Hague.

Since 1983, the Tamil Tigers have been fighting against the Sri Lankan army for control of an independent homeland in the north of the island. Because of the LTTE's frequent attacks on civilian targets and their use of suicide bombers and child soldiers, the European Union has listed the group as a terrorist organisation. Two years ago, the Tigers were defeated by the Sri Lankan army. "But here in Europe, the LTTE is alive and well," said Ferdinandusse.

He called it "shocking" that Tamil children in the Netherlands "from their youngest years are brainwashed with the violent ideology of the LTTE." In the Netherlands, the Tigers have 20 classrooms where children are bombarded during the weekend with propaganda. They make pictures of bombs and grenades. "They are told from childhood that their future lies not in the Netherlands, but in an independent Tamil state and that suicide bombers are heroes."

According to the Dutch prosecutors, the Tamil Tigers are busy raising funds for the conflict 8,500 kilometres away. In the Netherlands, they run organisations like the Tamil Youth Organisation and the Dutch Tamil Arts and Culture Organisation, which seek municipal subsidies. It is money that, according to the prosecutors, is used to lubricate the war machine. For example, the OM found that the municipality of Zeist financed a sporting day for the Tamils with 2,000 euros. The money ended up going to the LTTE.

The suspects also demanded war taxes for the Tamils in the Netherlands. But if they could not pay, their family in Sri Lanka was forbidden to visit and they could not travel to the island.

The suspects stoically listened to the indictment, which took all day yesterday. Ramachandran, who has lived in the Netherlands since 1985, sat motionless at the hearing, muscular arms folded across his chest. He allowed only a glance at images prosecutors showed on a screen in the courtroom. Among other things, they depicted recordings of marching Tamil child soldiers in Sri Lanka, an "inflammatory speech" commemorating a fallen comrade from defendant Srirangam in 2007 and a photograph of Ramachandran posing with LTTE founder, Velupillai Prabhakaran in Sri Lanka.

Prosecutors said the defendant's attitude in court matches the descriptions of the charges against him.

According to Ferdinandusse, "the defendants lack regret, guilt or any opinion of the punishable character of their acts." As he put it, they were "happy to point the finger at the alleged crimes of the Sri Lankan government, but lack self-reflection over their own crimes."

The OM is seeking long prison sentences over suspicions the suspects will commit crimes again. "Given the conscious, ideological and stubborn character of the criminal acts of the suspects and their complete lack of guilt, we should fear they will be repeated."

Courtesy: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Is Mahinda following Sirimavo on Natural Gas?

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:55:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

HE the president Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday (02) declared that, the Indian company carrying out the exploration work at the Mannar basin had informed him that they (the company) had discovered a natural gas deposit.

He had said, as quoted by the Presidential media unit, that exploration teams attached to 'Cairn India Limited' have found a gas field in Sri Lanka. However, the Media Unit was yet to release details about the location of the gas field.

Meanwhile, commenting on this developing story, a former UPFA stalwart (who wished to remain anonymous) said, even former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike went to the extent of presenting a natural gas sample to the parliament, claiming that it was from the deposit!

"Similar type of an incident happened in 1974 when former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was facing a massive political crisis" he added.

"She went to the extent to even bring down a bottle, which she claimed to be from the Mannar basin and presented it to the cabinet in 1974" he further stated.

When theNEWSmaster contacted the operating office of Cairn India Limited, to learn their views about this developing story, the office refused to make any statement regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, unofficial reports say, quoting a senior government minister that the statement made by the President of finding a natural gas deposit in the Mannar Basin has been aimed at the local government elections scheduled for October 8th.

"Cairn India know what to do", the minister has reportedly said.

Wikileaks cable exposes how the President won the Presidential election! 8 GAs were ordered to send presidential election results first to president’s house!

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:06:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Just prior to the 2010 presidential polls, US ambassador Patricia Butenis sent a diplomatic cable saying that president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign had ordered eight GAs (district secretaries) to send election results directly to the president’s house for his review before sending them to the elections chief, Wikileaks reveals.

The eight GAs include those in Ampara, Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa, the ambassador has written to Washington, Colombo Telegraph reports.

Yet another cable sent by Ms. Butenis to the State Department had quoted president Rajapaksa’s chief pollster Sunimal Fernando as having said their polling figures less than a week before the presidential election indicated the race statistically was a dead heat.

It has said “undecided voters were at an unprecedented 17 percent, with six percent leaning toward Rajapaksaand eleven percent towards Fonseka.

Fernando said the President was doing very poorly in the East, mainly due to the corruption issue, but surprising well in the North. In the Western region, which includes Colombo and its suburbs, Fonseka had been doing well in the city (75 to 25 percent) but recently had begun to slip following television interviews and Rajapaksa’s position was stronger in the Colombo suburbs.”

Following are the two confidential cables:

Cable one

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000048

SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2020

TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CESUBJECT: ELECTIONS IN AMPARA: INTIMIDATION AND WEAK ALLEGIANCES

COLOMBO 00000048 001.2 OF 002

Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D)

A VIEW FROM AMPARA DISTRICT

1. (SBU) Ambassador and USAID Mission Director met with about ten business representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Ampara District in eastern Sri Lanka and made a separate call on the Ampara Government Agent (GA), Mr. Sunil Kannangara. Ampara has fewer Tamils than its eastern

neighbors Batticaloa and Trincomalee, but its ethnic diversity (41 percent Muslim, 40 percent Sinhalese and 18 percent Tamil, according to the 2005 census) makes it a complex campaign ground.

A CLIMATE OF FEAR

2. (C) Business representatives reported that Iniya Barathy,

Karuna's second in command and Rajapaksa campaign

coordinator, controlled 600 to 700 armed supporters and had

created a climate of intimidation that precluded any

expression of support for the opposition. On the other hand,

support for Rajapaksa appeared weak, as the promise of Rs 3,000 and dry rations for each attendee at his January 15 meeting lured only 500 villagers. Tamil voters in particular were expected to vote against the president rather than for Fonseka. Business representatives predicted opposition votes from 85 percent of Tamils, 65 to 90 percent of Muslims, and half the Sinhalese.

3. (C) Security incidents raised concerns, which the GA was

working to control. On January 17, buses returning from an

opposition rally were reportedly attacked by motorcycle riders throwing bricks and 30 to 40 boys charging with "swords" as they passed through police checkpoints. The attackers were apparently alerted to the buses' location by cell phone from the buses. On the same day, 25 Fonseka supporters were injured and one shot in the leg, but it was unclear whether this was part of the bus incident. The GA aimed to prevent violence through police action and crowd control. Contacts noted, however, that while the 70 to 80 police in the area were trying to do their jobs, 25 to 27 police had themselves been attacked. The GA planned to prohibit meetings and gatherings from January 23 until one week after elections.

4. (C) Approximately 420,000 of 627,000 people in Ampara

District were registered to vote, but some expected that fear

of violence would keep many voters home on election day. A

group of 59,000 “home guards” were expected to “protect”

Sinahalese areas. The guards were reportedly headed by

Commander Sarath Weerasekera, the local Sri Lanka Freedom

Party (SLFP) organizer.

ELECTION PROCEDURES

5. (C) As Returns Officer for Ampara District, the GA was

responsible for organizing and overseeing the election. He

planned 20 coordinating centers throughout the district, with

officers poised to investigate fraud allegations. He also

was responsible for reviewing reports of complaints and

irregularities documented by the senior president of the

polling centers, local observers, police and others, and

passing them on to the Elections Commissioner. After polls

closed, ballots would be taken from polling stations to

counting centers. One contact stated that the president’s

campaign had ordered eight GAs (including those in Ampara,

Anuradhapura, Polonaruwa and Batticaloa) to send election

COLOMBO 00000048 002.2 OF 002

results directly to the president’s house for his review

before sending them on to the Elections Commissioner. Other

potential irregularities included voter identification fraud,

stuffing of ballot boxes, and removing ink marks in order to

vote multiple times.

BUTENIS

Cable 02

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000047

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2020

TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE

SUBJECT: RAJAPAKSA POLLSTER SAYS RACE IS NECK AND NECK

COLOMBO 00000047 001.2 OF 002

Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D)

1. (C) SUMMARY: President Rajapaksa’s chief opinion pollster

told us their figures and those of the opposition all showed

the presidential election to be very close. Undecided voters

were at an unprecedented 17 percent (six or seven percent

this close to the election date was more the norm), with six

percent leaning toward Rajapaksa and 11 percent toward

Fonseka. Fernando said the president was doing poorly in the

East, mainly due to the corruption issue, but surprising well

in the North, where many Tamils were grateful to be free of

LTTE terror. In Colombo and its environs, the president was

gaining on Fonseka. Both candidates were jettisoning

negative messages and focusing on economic prosperity.

Fernando observed that election violence — which he

attributed to both camps — hurt Fonseka and helped Rajapaksa

because when voters got jittery they tended to stick with the

leader they knew, despite his faults. END SUMMARY.

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

2. (C) In a one-on-one meeting with PolChief, President

Rajapaksa’s chief opinion pollster and close advisor Sunimal

Fernando said their polling figures less than a week before

the presidential election indicated the race statistically

was a dead heat. Fernando said he was friends with the chief

pollsters for the UNP and for SLFP(M) leader and Fonseka

advisor Mangala Samaraweera, and that the polls of all three

– which he claimed were the only reliable opinion polls in

the country — indicated a close race, with the opposition

pollsters showing Fonseka slightly ahead and Fernando showing

Rajapaksa slightly ahead.

3. (C) Fernando was disappointed that his original plan to

query 25,000 voters nationwide had taken much longer than

anticipated, partly due to technical glitches. “For 1.5

million rupees (about 14,000 USD) we could have had the

proper equipment,” Fernando complained, “but those idiots

(running the president’s campaign) turned it down.” The

delays in completing the survey meant that the results

stretched across different time periods and thus were

potentially inaccurate. Nevertheless, he was confident that

his results were not far off from reality, particularly given

the overlap with opposition results.

REGIONAL DIFFERENCES SIGNIFICANT

4. (C) Fernando said the president was doing “very poorly” in

the East but “surprisingly well” in the North — both regions

with large Tamil populations. He explained the difference as

due to different expectations and economic-development

levels. The Tamils in the North had until recently been

terrorized by the LTTE and were grateful to be liberated. In

the East, the war was a more distant memory and economic

questions overshadowed. There were many road and other

development projects in the East, but many of the contracts

were going to firms from outside the region due to

corruption. The locals liked the roads but resented the fact

that the contracts went to non-locals, and thus they were

anti-Rajapaksa. With the North still a war-ravaged region,

such economic considerations did not come into play.

Moreover, Fernando argued that the Tamil National Alliance’s

(TNA) announcement supporting Fonseka had backfired in the

North, where many Tamils believed the TNA and India used them

for their own purposes and did not really look out for their

interests. Rajapaksa, at least, had eliminated LTTE terror.

5. (C) In the Western region, which includes Colombo and its

suburbs, the general had been doing very well in the city (75

to 25 percent) but recently had begun to slip following

COLOMBO 00000047 002.2 OF 002

television interviews. Fernando said the general generally

spoke quite well but interspersed his remarks with extremely

crude attacks on Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and

this coarseness turned off many Colombo sophisticates.

Fernando said his wife was a member of a “very snooty”

ladies’ bonzai tree club that had earlier all been for

Fonseka but were now evenly split.

6. (C) Fernando said Rajapaksa’s position was stronger in the

Colombo suburbs, home to many newly prosperous business

people who resented the snobbish attitude of the Colombo –

and generally UNP-leaning – elite, were particularly strong

Buddhist-Sinhala, and had been JHU (Buddhist monk party)

supporters in the last election.

VIOLENCE HELPING RAJAPAKSA

7. (C) Interestingly, there was still a large segment of

undecided voters — 17 percent (a more normal figure so close

to the election date would be six or seven percent).

Fernando said that about six percent of undecided voters were

leaning toward the president while 11 percent were leaning

toward Fonseka. As the election approached, the campaigns

were adjusting their strategies. Fonseka, he said, was

focusing less on Rajapaksa corruption, which many people saw

as mud-slinging, and more on a positive economic message.

Rajapaksa, too, was giving less time to patriotic themes –

which Fernando’s polls said interested few voters — and more

to his own economic-prosperity message.

8. (C) Fernando said that while the overall figures for

election violence — which included trivial matters such as

ripping down opponents’ posters — were attributable more to

the ruling party, the serious figures on assaults and

killings could be attributed to both camps. (NOTE: Our

impression is that while opposition forces have engaged in

serious violence, pro-Rajapaksa forces have probably been

engaging in it more. END NOTE.) Fernando argued that the

increase in serious violence by both camps was on balance

more detrimental to the Fonseka candidacy. This was because

Fonseka was an unknown entity, and when people became rattled

by news of violence, they became nervous about change and

tended to stick with the leader they knew. Moreover,

according to Fernando — and we have heard this from other

supporters of the president — many people were concerned

about the potential of Fonseka becoming a military dictator

if put in the position of president.

COMMENT

9. (C) Fernando’s reasoning that election violence helped

Rajapaksa is worrisome. Fernando himself seems to us a

decent man and appeared to be offering this observation as

only that. Others in the Rajapaksa camp, however, may take a

more pro-active view and very well may be stirring up

violence as a way to scare undecided voters to stick with the

devil they know, despite his faults. We took the opportunity

of the meeting to pass on our concerns about violence, as

well as the importance of a free and fair election, and to

note that relations with the U.S. and the rest of the

international community could be affected adversely by an

election that went poorly. We believe Fernando will pass

this message to the president.

BUTENIS

Protest against "Sirasa" in Anuradhapura

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 07:26:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

A group of personnel led by UNP activists in the Anuradhapura area launched a protest campaign against the Sirasa TV network, yesterday (18).

The protesters were accusing Sirasa TV, owned by Maharaja Organization of attempting to destroy UNP via their news bulletins and being partial towards the Rajapaksa regime.

The group of protesters also criticized Sirasa TV’s media usage and told the head of the Organization to focus himself on Super Star without worrying about the UNP leader.

They also claimed that Sirasa news reports are prepared and filtered in such a way that would accuse any person they dislike.

The protest was held in the Anuradhapura town.

University VCs object "Rakna Lanka" and L. R. D. C

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 06:51:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Vice Chancellors in Universities have written to the Higher Education Ministry informing their objection to the decision to hand over the security arrangements of the state universities to Rakna Lanka Limited and L. R. D. C. Pvt. Limited, without tender procedures, reports confirm.

According to reports, the Vice Chancellors have asked the Ministry to inform the university administration over the details and who had asked the Higher Education Ministry to hand over the security of universities to these two companies.

Though the two companies had bid to provide security last year, they were turned down since the prices quoted by them were high.

The government instead had handed over the security to a firm that had quoted a lower price affordable to the government.

The letter sent by
Dr. Nawarathna

Rakna Lanka Limited is a company formed and managed under the purview and direct supervision of the defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse. The company also provides security services to Lanka Hospitals PLC. L.R.D.C. Pvt. Ltd is also a private security firm which is connected to him.

In a letter dated 29^th August and signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education Dr. Sunil Jayanthe Nawaratne, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and vice-chancellors of all universities in the island were informed to hand over security affairs of all universities to Ratna Lanka Ltd and L.R.D.C. Pvt. Ltd.

The letter states "as discussed by the Minister of Higher Education with the executive officers of the relevant companies’ a policy decision had been taken to hand over security affairs of all universities and related institutions to the two companies from 01.10.2011 until further notice".

Sirikotha officer ready for a debate with Maharoof

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:38:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Accepting a challenge made by Mohamed Maharoof demanding for a public debate, an office assistant at the 'Sirikotha' UNP headquarters has stepped forward to meet Maharoof, on television or any other location.

This was reveled by the party leader Ranil Wickremasinghe,

Wickremasinghe made this revelation, speaking at a public rally ahead of the Colombo Municipal Council elections.

He said, "Ranjith Abeysekara is prepared to meet Mr. Maharoof on television or any other location". Wickremesinghe was responding to a challenge by Maharoof, who is also the former UNP organizer for Colombo Central, now contesting under the UPFA ticket.

Maharoof had challenged, claiming that Wickremesinghe had sold a parliamentary seat for a sum of Rs. 1,000 million.

At a meeting held in the Temple Trees, Maharoof claimed, that he had given Rs 500 million to Mr Wickramasinghe at the Presidential election and again Rs 500 million for the general elections without expecting anything in return. According to Maharoof, the transaction also had involved Malik Samarawickrama.

Maharoof had also claimed, that Wickremasinghe had removed Inithiyas Bakir Makar from the Committee and sold the national list. Mahroof had challenged Ranil Wickramasinghe to come forward on a live debate on TV on this issue.

He also stated that he had learnt only one thing from Ranil Wickramasinghe and that was to tipex the names in the national list!

SLFP appoints two District Organizers and an Electoral Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:40:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Neranjan receiving the
appointment letter from President

Two New District Organizers and an Electoral Organizer of the SLFP were appointed and their appointment letters were handed over by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, President, Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (07) at Temple Trees.

Neranjan Nanayakkara was appointed as the Colombo District Organizer and Prabhath Mahendra was appointed as the Ratnapura District Organizer.

Janaka Bandara was appointed as the Electoral Organizer of Bandaragama in the Rathnapura District.

Special gazette appoints Gotabaya as acting Secretary to President

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:12:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Government sources claim, HE the President Mahinda Rajapakse has appointed Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse as the acting Secretary to the president. At earlier instances, it was Chief of the Staff of the President Gamini Senarath who took over the tasks and was the acting Secretary to President when Lalith Weerathunga was not in the country.

Sources further claim, such appointment has been made by the President himself, on August 30, under the special gazette notification of 1721/22. Accordingly, Gotabaya Rajapakse would be performing the tasks as the secretary to president, until Lalith Weerathunga returns to the island.

Meanwhile, the above appointment has blurred the hopes of a number of ministers, who are driven with expectations of becoming the next Prime minister of Sri Lanka. Sources claim, the above ministers are of the view that, President appointing his brother as the acting secretary to the president might be the first step of acknowledging him as the next PM.

It is also reported that the President is looking forward to remove a National list MP and present that slot to the defence secretary, with the intention of bringing him to the parliament. Unofficial reports claim Nirupama Rajapakse would be removed from her position as a national list MP.

Following this move, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse is tipped to be appointed as the Urban Development minister, and as the Deputy Defence minister.

Is this the same 'Sunday Leader' of which Lasantha Wickramathunge was the editor?

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:29:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO; Readers' Views

For the September 4, 2011 edition of the Sunday Leader, its Editor Fredrika Janz, in her column, had written a write-up with the title “Moragoda vs Muzzamil – No Contest”.

In her article, Ms. Janz assumes, Moragoda is an honest politician. Has she forgotten that he crossed over sides?

Why did Moragoda cross to the government after winning from UNP? Because he is honest and good gentleman?

He betrayed all the UNP voters in Colombo district to switch obedience, and to save him from corruption charges. There were questions at the previous COPE about his under the table dealings!

He is not an efficient politician. He is also not an efficient businessman. His period as a Minister under Wickramasinghe from 2001 December till April 2004, was a failure. His talk and work were far apart. So, he can't be expected to improve Colombo as an efficient Mayor either.

The other ignorant argument made by Ms. Janz via her column is that Moragoda was personally supported by Defense Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

So what? She says, if Moragoda wins, then the Defense Secretary will continue to beautify Colombo. Otherwise he would pull out the plug of that project. Colombo will become dirty and ugly.

So, she thinks, the CMC can not do any work on its own. She thinks the Defense Secretary must be there to do the job, not the CMC.

Why does editor Fredrika Janz want to write on politics?

Doesn't she know why people have to elect a municipal council? She thinks it is only the Defense Secretary who could clean and beautify the city. Then why have a CMC? Then she should have written in her column, not to have elections for CMC.

In-arguably, her column had been written for Milinda Moragoda. Whether she was paid or not, that is purely unprofessional work. The arguments were all “kindergarten” type.

Is this the same Sunday Leader that Lasantha Wickramathunge was editor?

"Rathana thero to play Anna Hazzare role in Sri Lanka", intelligence units report

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:40:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Intelligence units set up to over look politicians affiliated with the government, have recently warned the government hierarchy that, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana thero is currently developing a programme, highlighting and exposing the corruption of the present regime to create an unrest within the masses, with the intention of gaining maximum political advantage in protecting the only ministerial post the party holds.

The reports claim that such programme is currently being planned, in order to build up the weakening popularity of the JHU.

Several intelligence units had been deployed by the government hierarchy to look over the activities of ministers Champika Ranawaka, Wimal Weerawansa and the JHU.

According to the reports, there's a high possibility for them to work off a propaganda campaign, mainly targeting the Colombo district. It is expected that Rathana thero might be playing the role of Anna Hazzare in India, and implement a campaign against the corrupted regime. (Anna Hazare started an indefinite hunger strike on 5 April 2011 to exert pressure on the Indian government to enact a stringent anti-corruption law as envisaged in the Jan Lokpal Bill, for the institution of an ombudsman with the power to deal with corruption in public places. The fast led to nation-wide protests in support of Hazare. The fast ended on 9 April 2011, a day after the government accepted Hazare's demands.)

This 'Anna Hazzare type' programme is to be implemented with the idea of drawing attention to its party members, who are running for the upcoming Colombo Municipal council (CMC) election.

As per the reports, the campaign has been handed over to Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila. The reports goes onto say that Champika Ranawaka had informed Rathana Thero that if he spearheads this campaign, it could possess adverse effects on his ministerial portfolio.

It is also learnt that some ministers are developing plans to execute a media campaign against the three ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Champika Ranawaka and Dinesh Gunawardane. Accordingly, these ministers are to receive the fullest corporation of the state media institutions along with some private media channels.

Special military groups have already started gathering information and profiling them, with relate to the above mentioned ministers. These military groups are receiving orders from a top post attached to the defence ministry, it is learnt.

Two more Private Medical Colleges - SB

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:11:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Minister of Eduation and Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake said that two more private medical colleges, on the lines of the Private Medical College in Malabe, would be set up in the near future.

According to the minister, these medical colleges would provide the opportunity for the students who had failed to enter into the state medical colleges. "They can enter into the Private Medical colleges and obtain the highest possible level of a medical education and a medical degree" the minister commented.

The Private medical college in Malabe was recently given the authority to conduct MBBS courses.

Minister Dissanayake went on to point out that these medical colleges are to be set up together with lecturers and other academics of the Colombo and Peradeniya universities.

protests against
private medical colleges

Meanwhile, the students and lecturers have been opposing minister's moves in setting up private medical colleges, since the authorities made the initial plans in setting up the Private medical college in Malabe.

"The MBBS degree takes a period of five years to complete and those with just 3S passes in the GCE ALs could get enrolled on a payment of a fee and 'buy' these degrees from the private universities in the future", they claim.

Who Is He? Who Said So?

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:46:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

The following article originally appeared in September 04 (2011) edition of The Sunday Leader

Thushara Jayaratne is a name not many may remember. The Law College student was the centre of some controversy last year. He claimed that the questions in an open book Commercial law paper (held December 3, 2010) had been leaked to none other than the President’s son, Namal Rajapaksa.

Jayaratne also said that Rajapaksa had taken the exam in an air conditioned room, apart from the other candidates, even though there was plenty of room in the common examination hall. Jayaratne went to several people with his complaints: the Registrar at the Law College, the police, international rights groups. Not many were willing to accommodate him, he said at the time. The Human Rights Commission said the complaints fell outside their purview. An anonymous caller from the Law College Registrar’s Office asked him to drop the issue or leave. But Jayaratne was undaunted.

Threats and acts of intimidation

What followed after, he claimed, amounted to sustained threats and acts of intimidation. When he last spoke to The Sunday Leader in April, he was hiding in a safe house, in fear for his life, and was only contactable through Skype. Between the months of December and April, Jayaratne received death threats.

He was abducted by two men in civilian clothing on March 3, who appeared to be from the military. After getting a statement, they released him. He was assaulted by another two people outside his home on March 28.

Afraid, Jayaratne fled to a safe house on April 14. It was at this point that he first spoke to this newspaper. But since then, he says, the situation has only escalated.

On May 9, Jayaratne said in an email, he received a call from the police headquarters (0112473894) asking him to report to the crime branch for an inquiry that day. The caller threatened that if Jayaratne did not comply, he would be abducted, together with his parents. Jayaratne decided against going to the police, out of fear for his safety. Two policemen later visited Jayaratne’s parents on May 14, taking away recent photographs of him.

Police after Thushara

Then on June 5, two police officers from the Colombo headquarters questioned the owner of a tea shop near the Sri Jayawardenapura University, asking about Jayaratne’s activities and his whereabouts. Jayaratne had once visited this tea shop regularly, when he had worked at the nearby Green Movement offices.

Several of his friends also haunted the shop. The officers said they had received a letter from a foreign organisation on Jayaratne’s case. They said he needed to make a statement to the police headquarters, or submit a letter saying he did not wish for an inquiry. The officers provided a number (0776002269) to be given to Jayaratne to call for further information. When he eventually switched his mobile phone on, he noticed he had a missed call from the same number. However, Jayaratne was petrified of being arrested and detained on false charges. He therefore decided, once again, not to go to the police.

Visitors

All was quiet until July 22, the day of the Pradeshiya Sabha elections. At the time, Jayaratne was staying at a church in Hatton. Jayaratne was on his computer at around 11 pm when he heard someone talking downstairs. His cook said in Tamil that ‘the lawyer had come.’ The visitor, however, was speaking in Sinhala. When Jayaratne stepped out, he noticed that the visitor owned a blue four wheel drive.

Jayaratne was clad in a shirt and sarong. His phone was hidden in his jacket. “I was always expecting trouble,” he explained.

Abruptly, he was pushed into the vehicle and taken to the tea estate in front of the Church. There were four men inside, including the driver. The group drove into the estate and forced Jayaratne out of the vehicle. They questioned him for 15 minutes, asking him who was ‘behind his work’ and why he was staying at the Church. Jayaratne was teaching some of the Tamil students English. He told the police that he was preparing for his exams, and had come to the Church to study.

The men asked for his address in Colombo, and to protect his parents, Jayaratne gave a false address. At one point, he was shoved hard, so that his sarong fell off. The men also photographed him for identification purposes. He was ordered to come to the Hatton police station with more information on July 25. The men then left him in the plantation, and Jayaratne found his way back to the Church two hours later.

"119, not working for me"

He immediately moved from Hatton to a safe house near Colombo, where he is now staying. Jayaratne says that though he has dialed the police emergency hotline 119 after each incident, no action has been taken to protect him or investigate his complaints. On May 30, he wrote again to the National Human Rights Commission only to be told in writing the next day that the matter fell outside their mandate.

The next day, Jayaratne filed a Fundamental Rights Application with the Supreme Court (case SCFR 223/2011), claiming his rights under Article 12 (1) and (2) of the constitution had been violated by the Law College, which released the final results for the exam before a final determination on the inquiry into the examination related ‘irregularities’. The first hearing on the case was held on Thursday (1).

"Law College never entertained Politicians"

Incidentally, on Monday, August 29, the Law College held an event marking its 137th anniversary. The Chief Guest on the occasion was President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was awarded honourary status at the College.

Jayaratne said this was unprecedented in College history. “The Law College has always respected the Chief Justice, and never entertained politicians as guests. This goes against tradition,” he said. Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was also present at the ceremony.

All against Thushara

It is notable however, that the Law College Principal and the police spokesman both dismissed Jayaratne’s complaints as pure hearsay.

The Principal told The Sunday Leader that an investigation had been held on the matter, while police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody pointed out that Jayaratne’s evidence was almost exclusively based on a conversation overheard at the canteen. “He has no direct evidence that the paper was leaked. It is just a rumour,” Jayakody said on an earlier occasion.

“They were unfounded allegations,” the Principal said in April. He added that Jayaratne had been given a fair hearing, with legal representation. IUSF Convenor Udul Premaratne was among those who accompanied Jayaratne to the hearing.

UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa meanwhile said he had never heard of Thushara Jayaratne. He added that though he moved with many different cliques within the College, he had never encountered Jayaratne before. He added that even the student union heads had never heard of him. As to the allegations, Rajapaksa said there was no question of the papers being leaked.

"I Studied with a group"

Rajapaksa explained that he studied with a group of 10 to 15 people, and they had discussed the subject both before and after the exam, as normal students did. He also denied that he was given a separate room to sit in. “It was a normal classroom, and I did not sit for the exam alone,” he said.

Interestingly, Jayaratne’s fears for his life seemed to have eased somewhat. Where he would once only communicate via Skype, he is now contactable via mobile phone. His Facebook profile states, “I am the person complaint [sic] Namal Rajapaksa exam violation at Sri Lanka Law College,” in the Education section. “I am interested in the rule of law,” he adds, before providing his mobile number on the social networking site.

It would seem that authorities are largely dismissive of Jayaratne’s complaints as being groundless. Rajapaksa himself denied the allegations. Jayaratne, meanwhile, maintains that the paper was leaked, and is worried that his case will not receive a fair hearing.

Case Postponed Till October 25

The Fundamental Rights application which came before a three judge Bench in the Supreme Court on Thursday September 1, was postponed till October 25, Jayaratne’s lawyer, Lakshan Dias said. The bench comprised Justice Shirani Thilakawardene, Justice M. Imam and Justice Chandra Ekanayake. Justice Thilakawardene refused to hear the case as she is a member of the Incorporated Council of Legal Education which has been named as a respondent. It was agreed to postpone the case until a new Bench is constituted.

The Attorney General brought forward two objections on the time bar and jurisdiction of the case. Dias brought forward the objection that the petitioner genuinely fears for his life considering the nature of the case.

- Raisa Wickrematunge

‘Operation Blake against Lanka’

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:03:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

US assistant secretary of state Robert Blake was due to arrive in the island last week to issue a final warning to Sri Lanka, ‘Irida Divaina’ claims.

He was to tour the country not with the intention of assisting the government, but to demand a war crimes investigation, said the newspaper in its defence round up.

The visit by a man who had maintained that the LTTE was undefeatable was to be welcomed by the TNA, NGO heads and certain politicians who act against the country.

However, nature came in their way, and Mr. Blake had to postpone his visit owing to the storm Irene.

This traitorous Blake has had a secret discussion with pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora representatives prior to his intended visit to the island, as reported by the European Tiger Tamil website.

He has said that if the US proposed an international war crimes probe, the JVP and the JHU will campaign against it saying it is an attempt to topple the government, and the charges will become a mess and accountability will not be there.

Channel-4 video is not a fake, and the Lankan government should not reject it, and it will be in trouble if it waits for a long time to investigate it.The best evidence has come from Sri Lankan Army Generals, but they and their families need protection.

The US will not forget about the crimes, and if Ban ki Moon was discouraged, I will submit the Darusman report to the UNHRC or the HR chief Navi Pillai, Blake has said.

It will be up to them to decide whether Sri Lanka agrees to a debate at the UNHRC on war crimes charges.

International pressure will mount in the next year, and if the LLRC does not act on these allegations, the international community will consider an option and the US has another mechanism in place.

Robert Blake has also mentioned about the ‘grease devils’ and said that he would meet TNA politicians, NGO heads, the bishop and the armed forces commander of Jaffna and to show his solidarity with ‘Udayan’, he would visit the newspaper office.

Also, he was to ask the pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora to work with two Sinhala NGOs, which he has mentioned by name, one with LTTE links.

Its deputy chief, a terrorist, had fled to Chennai and following the exposures, its head become friendly with the government, while another deputy chief obtained a top government position.

This shows that ‘enemies’ are in the government ranks.

Although Blake tries to rule Sri Lanka guilty of human rights violations, former US vice president Dick Cheney in his book ‘In My Time’, has said that he has no regrets on war and torture, and has recommended torture as the only way to open terrorists’ mouths to obtain confessions from them.

Environment scientist claims his life is under threat

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:08:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: KANDY;

An environmentalist, who had reported that a rare species of fish had been spotted along the Mahaweli River at Warathenna in Kandy where a private hydro power project had been constructed, said today that some unidentified elements were trying to cause trouble for him.

The rare species of fish known as Labeo Fisheri and also called the ‘Gadaya’ was believed to be extinct for several years up until recently when it was rediscovered during blasting at a hydro power project in the stretch of the Mahaweli river along the Peradeniya-Katugastota highway in Warathenna. When the issue came to light the hydro power project was temporarily suspended on August 2 and is currently being investigated by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and other environmental groups.

The environmental scientist Pradeep Samarawickerama said that since a few days ago a number of people claiming to be from the Police Intelligence Service travelling in vehicles from the Western Province had questioned people living in the vicinity of his residence asking for information on him. He said on one occasion the officials had interrogated him personally.

“They asked me about information I had given to the media on the issue. I refused to give any information and demanded to see their police identification. Their identification read VIP security and not intelligence service contrary to what they said. I suspect that the power project is backed by a politically influential person, which is why I am now facing these difficulties,” Samarawickerama said.

He said the Warathenna temple incumbent priest who had also disclosed information on the species of fish at the power project has also been subject to questioning from the same people. He said that both he and the priest have made police entries.

Last week the CEA met with officials from the hydro power project, other government institution and environmental experts to discuss the issue. He said the interference began thereafter.

Courtesy: Olindhi Jayasundere

A suspect on arrest warrant walks freely, Over to you IGP

noreply@blogger.com (theNEWSmaster) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:44:00 +0000

theNEWSmaster: COLOMBO;

Independent Television Network's (ITN) Deputy General Manager and SLFP Organizer for Kurunegala Sudharman Radaliyagoda against whom a warrant was issued last month (July), for his arrest over a Rs 1.5 Million fraud committed by him, had walked into the Talangama police station on August 29th, to 'solve and issue' involving one of his close associates, and had freely walked out of the station.

Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne, on July 19, ordered the police Fraud Bureau to produce the Deputy General Manager of ITN News and Current affairs, journalist Sudarmana Radaliyagoda before Court, as he had acquired Rs. 1.5 million, from a party while promising to sell 1828 tons of scrap iron, belonging to the Sri Lanka Telecom with the use of a forged letterhead.

Radaliyagoda was also seen in conversation with Gotabhaya Rajapakse at the ceremony held last Monday August 1, at the Colombo Hilton to launch a book and documentary showcasing how Sri Lanka used humanitarian methods to end a nearly three decade long civil war with Tamil Tiger separatists.

Radaliyagoda, had visited the Thalangama Police with a Pajero, bearing the registration number 64-1727, also with a VVIP note on its screen.

The producer of 'Thulawa' programme had been informed by the Police Fraud Bureau to come to the police on several instances to record a statement, but he had failed to appear. the Magistrate had then ordered the police to produce Radaliyagoda before Court and had granted bail to the two suspects.

theNEWSmaster learns that Radaliyagoda had been informed by a young parliamentarian from down South, not to appear in court, and he (young MP) would take care of it.

Since one and half months passed by, a suspect and a criminal against whom an arrest warrant had been issued is freely roaming in the streets, meeting with high profile government representatives (attached to country's defence) and stepping in and out of Police stations.

Over to you the IGP and law abiding citizens...