UNP warns of mass protests unless govt. heeds SC ruling

By Shamindra Ferdinando

UNP Deputy Leader and parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that there would be a mass uprising if the government went ahead with the impeachment process to remove Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, regardless of Thursday’s Court of Appeal ruling.

Premadasa urged the government to heed the warning or face the consequences.

The Court of Appeal said the steps that had been so far taken and would be taken by a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), appointed under Standing Order 78A, were prime facie void.

The Court of Appeal read out the Supreme Court interpretation in respect of Article 107/3.

Ministers manipulating system for personal agendas – FUTA

Law College entrance controversy

by Dasun Edirisinghe

Commenting on the controversy over the Law College entrance examination results, the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) yesterday claimed that it was another example of politicians abusing the system.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri told The Island that it was unusual that a majority of students from a particular ethnic community had topped the results list of the Law College entrance examination last year, but it could definitely be another deliberate manipulation of the examination system.

Govt. wants US$ 1bn from IMF

* Budgetary support:

Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera said the government would ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a US$ 1 billion loan for budgetary support as the government plans not to go for any international commercial borrowings this year.

Dr. Jayasundera said the Treasury would discuss a loan of up to US$ 1 billion, if the IMF was willing to provide budget support.

"We are asking IMF to extend budget support and the money will not go into the Central Bank," he told journalists yesterday. "We have enough reserves but if the IMF is willing to give cheaper funds for development spending, we would welcome it."

CAMERON MONEY DOUBLING SCAM NABBED

A new method of doubling cash notes by a gang of crooks from Cameroon country by soaking the notes in a basin of soap water caught as a bogus business:

Cameroon National crook was caught when he was entangled in a barbed wire fence at Maharagama Temple road.
A gang of Cameroon Nationals who had visited Sri Lanka as reputed businessmen were nabbed when a businessman had telephoned the Police, the day before yesterday. They have a method doubling physical cash by immersing cash notes in a basin containing soap water.
They have lived at a house along Temple Road, Maharagama had pretended to be millionaire businessman from ‘Cameroon’. They are well built and dark in colour. They have tried to develop business contacts with several businessmen in Sri Lanka, particularly the Car Sales Owners. They have made attempts to meet them via appointments and even have had meetings at 5 star hotels to discuss the deals of doubling the money they have invested.
They had told the wealthy businessmen that they could commence joint business ventures if they were willing to invest a minimum of Rs 1 million. They had made these prospective businessmen by trying to impress them by talking very shrewdly. They had developed business relationships by constantly speaking to them over the phone.
For this business venture a Car Sales Dealer had agreed the day before yesterday. The businessman had not known how they make the investment double. The person was requested to visit them at a residence located at Temple Road, Maharagama. He had come with Rs 30 lakhs only and told that it is the amount he could invest as the maximum amount. The amount they had wanted to invest was Rs 1 Million the minimum.
When he visited the Cameroon National, a well built dark person had taken him to the sitting room and had requested him for the money. The cash amounting to Rs 30 lakhs was handed over to him. The Cameroon national immersed the cash into a basin of water containing soap. Then he told the car Sales businessmen to continue the operation for the money to be doubled he needed hot water and requested him to go to the kitchen and bring some hot water. When he was coming with the hot water the Cameroon National was seen pulling out of some currency note from inside his shirt to place inside the basin of water and had churned the water The businessman had come to know something ‘fishy’ was going on and was excited and upset, had told” you are crook. I saw what you did”. The Cameroon National had run away with some cash jumping

We are now on FACEBOOK

WE ARE NOW ON FACEBOOK

Jaffna University to resume on Jan. 16

Academic activities of the Jaffna University will begin on January 16 after a two-month disruption following the arrest and detention of four students by the military, university sources said.

The four students who are detained at a rehabilitation camp in Welikanda had reportedly requested their colleagues to attend lectures stating that the authorities had promised them they would be released soon.

They had conveyed this message to the Deans and Lecturers who had spoken to the students over the phone.

The university Vice Chancellor will meet the Faculty Deans and the Lecturers on January 7 with a view to resuming university activities.

The students have been continuing to boycott lectures after 11 students were arrested in November in the wake of allegedly holding a LTTE commemoration ceremony within the university premises. Seven of the students were released with four of the students still under detention.(Menaka Mookandi and K. Suren)

Lankan Boat people rescued

A group of 46 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers has been rescued after spending Christmas and the new year drifting about 330 nautical miles off Sumatra in a failed bid to enter Australia.

Indonesian search and rescue agency Basarnas was first alerted to the disabled vessel on December 23 by Australian authorities after a tip-off from a recently arrived asylum-seeker.

Minister Yapa ‘threatened’ by phone over ‘our lady’

Chairman of the now defunct PSC Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said he had received an intimidating telephone call about which he made a complaint to the Colombo Crimes Division.

“There was a call to my wife’s phone at around 3pm yesterday and the person who called had asked to speak to me. When I got on the line he threatened me saying ‘if you do anything to our lady, we will take care of you”, the minister told Daily Mirror.

Mr. Yapa said he had lodged a complaint with the Colombo Crimes Division in this regard.

“I have never had a threatening call of this sort during my entire political career. The phone number of the caller and the details of the dialogue were reported to the CCD, and I await the outcome of the investigation” he said.

Rizana likely to be pardoned

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Jammaz, said that according to information received by him, Rizana Nafeek presently housed in death row in Saudi Arabia would be pardoned and could return to the island, in consideration of a request made to the Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Azeez by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and also having regard to legal considerations.

These views were expressed by the ambassador to SLMC leader and Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem, when they met today at the latter’s office, Sri Lanka’s Justice Ministry said in a statement.

The ambassador was replying to a question posed by the minister, about whether the request of the Sri Lankan President and the various documents submitted could be made use of to obtain the release of Rizana Nafeek.

The ambassador had also said that he was aware that the President of Sri Lanka and the government had striven hard to obtain a pardon for Rizana, and stressed that, on the instructions of the Saudi King; the governor of Riyadh Salmon had begun discussions with the relatives of the child who had died at the hands of Rizana. The ambassador had promised to intervene personally in this regard.

Govt. considers halving CJ’s term

Nimal says too late to reverse impeachment process

By Shamindra Ferdinando

In the wake of the government vowing to bring the impeachment process, targeting Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, to a successful conclusion in January, the ruling coalition was seriously considering the possibility of having the current 10-year term for the post of Chief Justice halved, political sources told The Island.

Sources said that the issue was being discussed, with some suggesting an amendment to the Constitution, whereas some believe instead of piecemeal measures a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) should formulate a comprehensive set of constitutional proposals.

Responding to a query by The Island, Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday said that the launch of impeachment proceedings had caused much debate with some sections of society calling for a new law to govern such procedure.

AG notified to appear and assist AC

CJ’s writ application:
January 3, 2013, 10:17 pm 

By Chitra Weerarathne

The Court of Appeal yesterday notified the Attorney General to be present in Court on January 7, 2013, to assist it, during the hearing of the Writ Application filed by the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.

The petitioner has sought to have the decision of the Parliamentary Select Committee, against her, quashed by the Court.

An intervention against the petition was refused, since it was not necessary  as the AG would assist court.

President’s counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the petitioner Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake

Customs Preventive Div. chief in bribery net

By Madura Ranwala

A top Customs officer was trapped in the bribery net yesterday. Sleuths from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIAOBC) yesterday morning arrested Director and Head of the Customs Preventive Division (CPD), Ranjan Canagasabai, while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of one million rupees from a businessman to clear a container.

The spokesman for the CIAOBC told The Island that the arrest had been made at the suspect’s office in Colombo around 11.30 a.m.

He said that the director had demanded five million rupees from a vehicle spare parts importer of Thibirigaskatuwa in Negombo to clear his container of vehicle spare parts. But, the suspect director had later agreed to accept two million rupees for the favour.

Appeal court rules PSC probe into CJ’s deeds void

Supreme Court says standing orders not law

By Chitra Weerarathne

The Court of Appeal yesterday said the steps that had been so far taken and would be taken by a Parliamentary Select Committee appointed under Standing Order 78A were prime facie void. The Court of Appeal read out the Supreme Court interpretation in respect of Article 107/3, where the apex court had said that Standing Orders were not law and that the PSC appointed under an Act of Parliament were legally sound.

The Supreme Court on January 1, 2013 declared that in a State ruled by a Constitution based on the rule of law, no Court, tribunal or other body, had authority to make a finding or a decision affecting the rights of a person, unless such Court, tribunal or body had the power conferred on it by law to make such finding or decision. Such legal power could be conferred on such a Court, tribunal or body only by an Act of Parliament, which was law and not by Standing Orders, which were not law, but rules made for the regulation of the orderly conduct and the affairs of the Parliament. The Supreme Court had said  that Standing Orders were not law within the meaning of Article 170 of the Constitution, which defined what was meant by law.

Levy on broadband and internet services to be reduced

The Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) will  reduce the telecommuncation levy on internet and broadband connections from January 1, 2013, the government news portal reported.
TRC Director General Anusha Pelpita quoted by the site said the levy on internet and broadband services would be reduced by 50 percent.
The report suggested that the revision in the levy was in accordance with the 2013 budget proposals.

(Cull From Times)

PSC has no legal power: Court of Apeal

The Court of Appeal toady said that according to the Supreme Court interpretation of the Constitution, the Parliamentary Select Committee has no legal power and furthering hearings have been fixed for January 15.

The Court of Appeal issued notice on all members of the PSC.

Picture shows JVP MP Vijitha Herath who was a member of the PSC which heard allegations against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake walking out of  Courts today while Mr. R.Sampanthan who was also a member of the PSC was represented by MP M.A.Sumanthiran. The UNP and the government members have decided not to attend Courts.

(Cull From Times)

CJ trying to destabilise country: Wimal

Sarasi Paranamanna

Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who was a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that probed the charges against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, said today an acting chief justice, should be appointed until the impeachment process was completed.

At a media conference the minister alleged that the Chief Justice was manipulating the entire judicial system to her advantage.

“The Appeal Court referring the PSC report to the Supreme Court for its determination based on a constitutional interpretation is like asking the robber’s mother about a robbery. It is further evident that Chief Justice Bandaranayake is not fit to continue in her post because she is trying to sacrifice the whole judicial system to make her case,” he said referring to the SC determination on the PSC.

Speaker will make statement on SC ruling: Minister

Sandun A. Jayasekera

The government said today Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa would make a statement on today’s Supreme Court ruling on the impeachment process by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) when Parliament convenes next week.

Governement spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the weekly cabinet news briefing that the government would announce its stand after a thorough study of the determination.

“This is a new development. All previous impeachments against three Supreme Court judges and two Chief Justices were moved under the same Standing Orders and no one challenged them. Therefore, the government will decide whether it will accept the Supreme Court ruling or not after studying it. It is premature to make a comment right now,” the minister said.

When a journalist pointed out that three SLFP members -- Anura Bandaranaike, Sarath Muttewegama and Government Chief Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardana -- had given a dissenting report on the impeachment of former Chief Justice Neville Samarakoone during the then J.R. Jayawrdene regime and had highlighted the necessity to amend the Standing Orders, the minister said it was too late now.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

Hillary Clinton discharged (FOREIGN)

Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose globe-trotting tour as secretary of state was abruptly halted last month by a series of health problems, was discharged from a New York hospital on Wednesday evening after several days of treatment for a blood clot in a vein in her head.

The news of her release was the first welcome sign in a troubling month that grounded Mrs. Clinton — preventing her from answering questions about the State Department’s handling of the lethal attack on an American mission in Libya or being present when President Obama announced his choice for her successor as secretary of state, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.

“Her medical team advised her that she is making good progress on all fronts, and they are confident she will make a full recovery,” the State Department said.

SL to cut down on maid exports

Sri Lanka announced yesterday its plans to reduce the deployment of housemaids in the Middle East, including in the Kingdom.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), which is the statutory body set up to look after the welfare of the country’s overseas workers, aims to reduce women migrating overseas to work as domestic aides by 80 to 90 percent by 2020.

“We do not approve of women going overseas to work as domestic aides. However, we cannot put a complete end to it immediately. Therefore, we have launched a number of programs to upgrade their skills and find better employment opportunities for them in specialized vocations,” SLBFE Chairman Amal Senalankadikara told Arab News yesterday from Colombo.

According to Senalankadikara, Sri Lanka’s migrant labor force has been dominated by female domestic aides (especially to the Middle East), for many years. Although this category of workers have earned billions of rupees as foreign revenue, the chairman pointed out that labor experts believe their migration abroad has caused social problems.

Fmr. Akuressa PS Chairman rape trial begins on Jan 9

The trial against former Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman who was indicted for raping an underage girl at his own guest house is to begin on January 9 before Matara High Court.
The Attorney General has indicted Saruwa Liyanage Sunil (48), PS Chairman from the ruling UPFA party for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in May 2011.
The Woman and Child Protection Bureau of the Matara Police conducted the investigation and took the accused into custody following his surrender over the crime. Seventeen witnesses are to give evidence while 13 productions are listed.
Following the incident, the UPFA suspended his position as the head of the local council while his party membership of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was also suspended.
According to investigation the accused had raped the minor keeping her at his own rest house for two days.
The accused was later released on Rs 50,000 cash bail and four personal bails.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

PSC HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO INQUIRE AGAINST CJ-APPEAL COURT

The Appeal Court has made a ruling that powers vested by the Parliament are insufficient to punish or go against the Chief Justice

Today it was ruled by the Appeal Court comprising of three appeal Court Judges that the Parliament cannot bring forward an Impeachment motion against the Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake. In addition there is no provision under the constitution to appoint a Select Committee to investigate into irregularities committed by the Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court has brought this matter to the Appeal Court for clarification. The case was heard today under a bench comprising of three Appeal court Judges. The Chairman was S.Skandaraja,  Anil Gunaratna and A.W Salam.
The Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake has brought two motions against her impeachment to the Appeal court for investigation. It was revealed by the appeal court that these have been a gross violation of the human rights of the Chief Justice. It had been revealed by the Appeal court that these irregular measures have affected the entire Judiciary system. This was made clear to all by the Judges of the Appeal court.

Sri Lanka`s Fingerprint database to get digitized

The fingerprints of around 550,000 persons, including hardcore underworld criminals, will be computerized by the Fingerprint Bureau of the Police Department.

According to a senior police officer, the data has ready been fed to the main server and the new system will enable the tracking down the details of a suspect within a few seconds.

The system will also connect the police stations around the country, and share information about persons involved in various criminal activities.

Sri Lanka welcomes one millionth tourist

Achieving another remarkable milestone in the country s booming tourism industry, Sri Lanka Tourism welcomed the arrival of 1,000,000th tourist in year 2012 at Bandaranaike International Airport last night.

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism- Bhashwara Gunarathna , Kamal Rathwaththa Deputy Chairman Of Airport and Aviation(LTD), Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Rumy Jauffer with a group of representatives from travel and tourism industry warmly welcomed the guest Ms. Jiang Ying and her husband from China who arrived in Sri Lanka via flight UL 889 from Beijing at 10.00 p.m. Sri Lanka Tourism took steps to arrange a special ceremony to welcome the 1,000,000th guest.

DRIVER IMPROVEMENT POINTS SYSTEM BEGINS 1st OF JANUARY

Two rules will be implemented initially from the list of grading drivers

Department Motor Traffic has informed that the driver improvement points system will be implemented from today the 1st of January 2013.  It is now reported that only two rules will be implemented initially from the list passed out recently. Accordingly, 12 points for the drunkard drivers and 12 points for a severe/fatal road accident will be first implemented.  The driving license has to be renewed once in every two years and if the driver has got below 18 marks, it can be renewed easily with the permission of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic.

Drivers who get point’s between18-23 can get their driver’s license renewed after having taken permission of the commissioner of Motor Traffic., whereas the driving license of the drivers who obtain points more than 23 will be suspended for a period of a year. It is also reported that if a driver gets less than 24 points in two years and if he doesn’t get any points in the following year as well, 6 marks will be deducted from his total in the third year and then if he doesn’t get marks consecutively, all his points will be cancelled.

IN 2012: WIKIPEDIA TO LEARN ABOUT FACEBOOK

Most number of searches in 2012 have been on Face book

The end of the world and erotic stories too are on the top of the list
Wikipedia which is a free encyclopedia on the internet is a book of knowledge on everything. Most of the people are using it to search for a lot of topics. by Johan Gunderson has done a research on the internal log report on what the people have been searching on Wikipedia and his research has been published.
According to his research many viewer have looked on the topic “FACE BOOK”. Second had been on “Wiki” and the third had been on “the number of deaths in 2012”.
“One Direction” had been the fourth and “Avengers” which created a number of famous cinema characters have been the fifth most searched.
E.L James’ erotic fiction “Fifth Shades of Grey” had been rated on as the sixth. Seventh have been on the “Phenomena of the end of the world in 2012” and the eighth had been on the adventure movie “The dark night rises”.  Nine has been on “Google”, tenth on the novel “the hunger games”.

BED BUG ISSUE IN DIYATALAWA LEADERSHIP TRAINING:

At the Leadership Training course a new entrant female medical student had got her parents to complain to the Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for not taking action for her grievances:

The leadership training course for new University entrants is presently taking place at the Air Force Camp in Diyatalawa. A new female entrant who in undergoing had complained to the responsible organisers that she had been bitten by bugs while given to sleep on a rubber mattress. Her complaint had fallen on the deaf years of the officials.

Rotten potatoes buried

Over 28, 000 kilos of spoilt potatoes that had been imported from Pakistan were disposed off on the orders of Dambulla Magistrate Sarath Morawaka today.

The potatoes stock that was seized from a trader in the area was buried in the Digampathana area.

(Cull From Sundaytimes)

Lankan charged with cheating Saudi Arabian

Lakmal Sooriyagoda

A Sri Lankan job agent, who was produced in Court on charges of having defrauded a Saudi Arabian of Rs.3.2 million on the promise he would find him 11 housemaids, was ordered to be remanded till January 9 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne.
The Colombo Fraud Investigations Bureau (CFIB) carried out its investigations on the basis of a complaint made by the Saudi Arabian who alleged that he had paid US$33,000 to the job agent.
The complainant told the CFIB that he had come to Sri Lanka to recruit 11 housemaids to work in Saudi Arabia. He alleged that though the Sri Lankan -- Lahireen Saibudan of Wellampitiya was paid the money asked for he had renegaded on the promise. The Saudi Arabian said several cheques issued by the Lankan had been dishonoured by the bank.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

US$ 100 billion economy by 2016: CB Governor

Sandun A. Jayasekara

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal today said the country has passed a sharp bend and recovered from the global economic melt down in its journey to the progress and predicted the future of Sri Lanka would be bright.

Making the presentation “Road Map 2013 and Beyond’ at the Central Bank auditorium, Mr. Cabraal stressed that  Sri Lanka has envisaged reaching a US$ 100 billion economy by 2016 and the banks and non banking financial institutions (NBFI) would have to play a critical role.

“If Sri Lanka is successful over the next three years, the country would surely be the next “Break-out Nation” and the ‘Wonder of Asia,” Mr. Cabraal said.

Czech tourist found dead

A 60 year-old Czech tourist was found dead in a Hotel room in Hikkaduwa yesterday, police said.

The victim was identified as Huster Joseph had come to Sri Lanka on December 16 last year.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

SL quick Shaminda Eranga injured at 3rd test

 
Sri Lanka's Australian tour hit an incredible new low today with promising fast bowler Shaminda Eranga suffering a freak leg injury during training on the eve of the third Test in Sydney.
Eranga was playing in a warm-up game of soccer with his teammates when he collapsed to the ground - causing an immediate end to the game.
Nervous coaching staff attended to the 26-year-old while he lay on the ground before he gingerly got to his feet.
The right-arm quick, who has taken five wickets at an average of 50 in the opening two Tests, limped his way to the dressing rooms where he was due to receive further attention.
It is unknown whether he will miss the final Test of the series starting at the SCG tomorrow, but captain Mahela Jayawardene admitted he could still not finalise a team.

Maximum retail price for drugs

Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Consumer Affairs Minister Johnston Fernando said today a Gazette Notification had been issued to specify the maximum retail price of drugs with effect from January 1.

He said the decision was taken to prevent different pharmacists from selling the same medicinal drug at different prices even though they were manufactured by the same company.

“Earlier the manufacturers, importers and pharmacists specified the prices but under the Gazette Notification this can only be done by the manufacturers and the importers,” the minister said. “We hope to take further action with regard to the sale of medicinal drugs in collaboration with the Health Ministry and put a stop to the sale ofmedicinal drugs at different prices.”

He said he would introducea system of price control on medicinal drugs as the second step.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

Clash at cosmetic factory

A tense situation was reported from Horana, Millawa due to a clash between a group of employees of a
cosmetic manufacturing company and its management.
The employees who staged the protest had attacked those temporarily hired by the company as reinstatements during the strike.
The striking employees had attacked the police who came to the scene as well. Two policemen were admitted to the Horana Hospital while another eight employees were admitted to the Padukka and Homagama Hospitals.
Eight persons were arrested in connection with the incident.
The police and a team of STF were called in to bring the situation under control.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

Direct Korean Airlines flights to Colombo soon

Korean Airlines will start direct flights from Seoul to Colombo this year, South Korean ambassador in Sri Lanka Jung Moon Choi said.

He said the launch of direct flights between Seoul and Colombo will boost tourism, investment and trade.

Flood damaged roads repaired

I L M Rizan, Addalaichenai central correspondent

Most roads damaged due to floods in Akkaraipattu have been repaired. The other roads will be reconstructed soon, Mayor Athaulla Ahamed Zackie said.
He was speaking at a special meeting at the Akkaraipattu Municipal Council to discuss the damage caused by adverse weather in the district.
Municipal Commissioner A L M Azmi, municipal engineer A M M Hakeem, municipal secretary M I A Latiff, administrative officer M A Habeebur Rahuman, technical officer M A M Irfan and other officials participated.
The Mayor said all officials of the Municipal Council, Divisional Secretariat, Department of Irrigation, Police, Road Development Authority, Civil Security Service and Disaster Management Unit did the best to provide relief to the flood affected.

(Cull From Daily News)

Party leaders must decide on Impeachment resolution

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

It is up to the party leaders now to decide on taking up of the resolution to impeach Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka for debate, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Speaker Rajapaksa said, the leaders of political parties will meet this week to discuss the dates for the debate on the findings of the Parliamentary Select Committee(PSC) that probed the charges against the CJ.

The Party leaders are likely to arrive at a decision on the impeachment debate when Parliament convenes on January 8 for the first time this year. Asked if he had anything to say about the notices issued to him and PSC members that investigated impeachment charges against Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka, the Speaker said he has nothing to comment.

Government revenue increased by 10 percent

Irangika RANGE



The total government revenue has increased by 10 percent in the first eight months of last year from Rs.574,588 to Rs. 631,984 mi llion compared to the same period in 2011, an official of the Finance and Planing Ministry said.

He said, the tax revenue has increased by 9.8 percent to Rs. 562,589 million while the non-tax revenue increased by 11.6 percent to Rs. 69,395 million during the same period.

The official said this performance should be viewed in the backdrop of domestic policy measures to curtail import expenditure which had a dampening impact on import trade, thus affecting the trade related taxes while a slowdown in global economic activities, coupled with prolonged drought, had a negative impact on the domestic aggregate demand resulting in a slowdown in the revenue from domestic taxes.

Army Refuses To Budge

By Niranjala Ariyawansha

The military has no intention of withdrawing army camps in Jaffna despite intense pressure exerted by the international community and Tamil political parties.
Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said despite the end of the war almost four years ago, the LTTE is still active.
“The army is aware of this and remains vigilant,” Major General Hathurusinghe told The Sunday Leader.
The United States and Britain has repeatedly urged the government to reduce the military presence in Jaffna following the end of the war. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed to probe the 30-year war which ended in 2009 had also called for a reduction in the military presence in the former war zones.

No Move To Ban Porn Websites in Sri Lanka

By Indika Sri Aravinda

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) says there is no move to ban access to porn websites in Sri Lanka.
TRC Director General Anusha Pelpita said that either a court order or a request from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) will be needed to impose a ban on access to porn websites.
A news report last week said that Sri Lankans search for the word ‘sex’ on Google than most in the region.
This is according to Google Trends, a public web facility that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages.
According to Google Trends, search for the term ‘sex’ peaked in Sri Lanka during the week April 15-21, 2012, even as the partial data for the last week (December 23-29, 2012) shows it as second-highest week during which the term was Googled in 2012.
Pelpita told The Sunday Leader that there were over one million porn websites and although access to some have been banned in Sri Lanka they are still accessible through proxy websites.
He said that if parents want their children to avoid accessing porn websites then they should take the responsibility and act on it.
Pelpita noted that there are so many softwares which can be used to restrict access to porn websites.
He said that if porn websites are banned in Sri Lanka then it will slow access to even normal websites in Sri Lanka as a result of the technology used.

(Cull From The Sanday Leader)

Govt. to apply curbs on housemaid jobs

By Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)aims to reduce females migrating for overseas jobs as domestic aides by 80-90 per cent by 2020. “We do not approve females going for overseas work as domestic aides. However, we cannot put a full stop to it immediately. Therefore, we have launched a number of programmes to upgrade their skills and find more gainful employment in specialized vocations,” SLBFE chairman Amal Senalankadikara said.
For many years now, Sri Lanka’s migrant labour force has been dominated by female house maids(especially to Middle East). Although this category of workers have earned billions of rupees as foreign revenue, experts believe their migration abroad has caused social problems .

No child soldiers in Sri Lanka - UN closes dossier

by Manjula Fernando


The United Nations Security Council Working group on Children and Armed Conflict closed its dossier on Sri Lanka after deciding that children in armed conflict is no longer an issue here.
The Working Group had adopted the ‘Draft Conclusions on the situation of children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka’ on December 19, 2012 and were convinced that there were no child soldiers in the country.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Palitha Kohona in an email to the Sunday Observer yesterday said, ”Another reminder of a sad part of our recent history is now behind us.”
Prior to adopting the Draft Conclusions, the Working Group had considered the report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka, and its recommendations in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009).

Essential foodstuff sent to North

by Mohammed Naalir

The Government has sent essential foodstuff in 10 lorries to the North to be distributed among those affected by floods in Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts, Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said.
Foodstuff has been sent to the North from Anuradhapura. A team of Engineers has been sent to inspect the reservoirs in the flood-affected areas, the Governor said.
The Mannar district was the worst affected due to floods. Mannar, Nanattan, Musali, Madhu and Manthai Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the district were badly affected. Four thousand two hundred and twenty nine families (17,339 persons) had been affected in the Mannar district, District Disaster Management Officer A.C.M. Riyas said.
He said that 1,307 families (4,623 persons) have been housed in 17 welfare centres.
The Northern province Governor said that 1,536 families, (5,090 persons), 6,092 families (25,000 persons) and 700 families had been affected in the Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts.
Reservoirs in the Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts are overflowing.
The sluice gates of the Iranamadu tank have been opened, a spokesman for the Kilinochchi Regional Deputy Irrigation Director’s office said.

India will bounce back against Pak: Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar might have called time on his limited-overs career but he says his heart is still with the team and exuded confidence that India would bounce back in the ODI series against arch-rivals Pakistan.

“Even though I am not part of the team now, my heart is always with the team. I will support the team all the way. And I have no doubt that the team is going to bounce back in the series,” Tendulkar said during his first interaction with the media after his retirement from ODIs.

“The team needs good wishes and support from all of us. They need good feedback from everybody so that they can play good cricket,” he said, while also offering the countrymen good wishes in the new year.

“Now 2013 has set in and I would like to wish the people of this country happiness and good health,” he added.

Flood disaster worsens: Northern Province also hit (Sri Lanka)

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

The death toll due to the floods and landslides caused by heavy rains that have affected 21 districts in the country in the past two weeks has reached 40 with more than 400,000 persons affected.
The number of damaged houses has reached 25,865 by yesterday, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), with the deaths being reported mainly from the Matale, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura and Puttalam districts.
During the past few days, the Northern Province was lashed by heavy showers and more than 105,000 people have been affected there with some 33,000 sheltered in make-shift camps.
Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Government had allocated Rs. 142 million relief assistance and the money had been sent to the District Secretaries.In the North, the Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts were the worst hit.

In support of Indian gang rape victim

A Sri Lankan opposition United National Party activist places her signature on a banner in memory of an Indian gang rape victim, in Colombo yesterday ( Dec31) The family of an Indian gang-rape victim said they would not rest until her killers are hanged as they spoke of their own pain and trauma over a crime that has united the country in grief.  AFP

(Cull From Times)

Needless diversion, says BJP

The BJP on Tuesday termed “needless diversion” the controversial tweet of Union Minister Shashi Tharoor suggesting that the gang-rape victim’s name be made public and demanded that he should, instead, focus on passing a stringent anti-rape law.

“This is the time for making a strong law against rape without any delay. Naming or keeping the victim’s identity a secret is not the main issue here. The media, politicians and the society are following the Supreme Court guidelines on the matter at the moment. Mr. Tharoor should emphasise on passing the law at the earliest,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Blood of Louis XVI 'found in gourd container'

A team of scientists have said they believe an old gourd contains the blood of French King Louis XVI.

The monarch was killed by guillotine by French revolutionaries more than 200 years ago, on 21 January 1793.

The scientists said the DNA is very similar to genetic material from what is believed to be the mummified head of an earlier French king, AFP reports.

After Louis XVI's beheading many spectators were reported to have dipped their handkerchiefs in his blood.

The piece of fabric had been placed in a dried, hollowed-out gourd, leaving blood stains.

The squash was decorated with images of revolutionary heroes and the words: "On January 21, Maximilien Bourdaloue dipped his handkerchief in the blood of Louis XVI after his decapitation".
The revolutionary souvenir has been in the hands of an Italian family for a century.

'Paternally related'


The team of experts from Spain and France has published its findings in Forensic Science International journal.
Analysis of DNA taken from blood traces found inside the vegetable container had already revealed that it probably matched someone of Louis' description but scientists could not prove it belonged to the beheaded king as they had no genetic material from any of his relatives.
However, the team managed to find a rare genetic signature shared with DNA from a mummified head believed to belong to Louis' 16th Century predecessor, Henri IV, who was killed in 1610.

In 2010, scientists said the head belonged to Henri's, saying it shared the same physical features as those illustrated in contemporary portraits of the king.

French forensic pathologist Philippe Charlier told AFP that the study revealed that both of those sampled "share a genetic heritage passed on through the paternal line. They have a direct link to one another through their fathers".

Co-author of the report, Carles Lalueza Fox, of the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva in Barcelona, was quoted as saying that it was "about 250 times more likely that the [owners of the] head and the blood are paternally related, than unrelated".

Oscar winner Michael Hopkins dies in rafting accident

Oscar-winning sound editor Michael Hopkins, who worked on films including the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the 2005 King Kong remake, has been killed in a rafting accident in New Zealand.

Hopkins, 53, from Greytown, New Zealand, died after being thrown from his raft on Sunday, police said.
He won Academy Awards for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2003 and King Kong in 2006.
He also worked on Blade Runner, Superman, Octopussy and Transformers.
Hopkins first worked with director Peter Jackson on his 1992 movie Braindead, and was also part of Jackson's team for Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners as well as the three Lord of the Rings epics.
Hopkins shared his two Oscar wins and one further nomination with US collaborator Ethan Van der Ryn.
The accident happened in the Waiohine River on New Zealand's North Island. His two rafting companions both survived.
Police Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said: "Police would like to thank all those who assisted in the recovery of Mr Hopkins and the rescue of his companions, particularly the jet boat operator who came to our aid and, at considerable risk to himself, was able to rescue the female.
"All three were wearing life jackets, wetsuits and helmets at the time and it appears that Mr Hopkins got into trouble after they were ejected from the raft in a fast flowing eddy."

Oscar nomination voting deadline extende

The deadline for voting for this year's Oscar nominations has been extended after some people experienced problems with a new online voting system.

Some of the academy's 6,000 members had reported trouble logging into the voting website, while others said they found it confusing.
Organizers said the deadline would be extended by 24 hours to 4 January.
It is the first time voting has been allowed online. It was previously conducted strictly via postal ballots.
However the new system still allows members to choose between voting electronically or sticking with the traditional method.

Trade newspaper The Hollywood Reporter spoke to around 10 academy members who reported either password issues or concerns the website could be hacked.

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spur lock  whose 2004 film Super Size Me was nominated for the best documentary Oscar, tweeted last week that he was not able to log on to vote electronically.

"The password they sent didn't work for my login - and they couldn't email me a new login, only snail mail," the director said.
It is thought the deadline extension will help members who return from their Christmas holidays this week and experience problems voting online.
The additional day would allow either new passwords to be emailed, or for paper ballots to be sent out and returned.
"By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible," the academy's chief operating officer, Ric Robertson, said.
Nominations for this year's awards will be announced on 10 January - two weeks earlier than usual.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said the move would "provide members and the public a longer period of time to see the nominated films".
The winners will be named at a Los Angeles ceremony on 24 February

Briton 'shot dead' in Thailand

A British national has been killed in Thailand on New Year's Eve, the Foreign Office has said.

Stephen Ashton, 22 was hit by a stray bullet during a fight at a party in a bar on Koh Phangan, say local reports.
According to the Bangkok Post, the tourist was shot in the upper body in the early hours and taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
"We are aware of the death of a British national in Thailand on New Year's Eve," said a Foreign Office spokesman.
"We are providing consular assistance to the family," he added.
The Foreign Office later confirmed the dead man's name.
Police investigating the incident later arrested a Thai man, according to the Post.

Pakistan: Explosion 'hits Karachi crowd'

A big explosion has hit a crowded area in the Pakistani city Karachi, killing one person and injuring several others, local media report.


Geo News television said it was a "major blast" near a market.
Police have arrived at the scene and the injured are being taken to hospital.
Karachi has long suffered outbreaks of violence, caused by Taliban militants or by rival political groups fighting turf wars.
The killing of senior cleric Maulana Mohammad Ismail at a prominent Islamic seminary in December sparked angry protests - amid growing sectarian violence in the port city.
Several Shias have been recently killed in drive-by shootings blamed on Sunni militant groups.
And on 10 November, at least seven students from Maulana Ismail's seminary were gunned down by unidentified gunmen at a tea stall nearby.

Pakistan: Seven charity workers shot dead

Seven charity workers, six of them women, have been shot dead in north-west Pakistan, police say.

The women, some of them teachers, were attacked near a children's community centre. A male colleague died with them. All were Pakistani citizens.
Their vehicle came under gunfire near the centre run by Pakistani charity Ujala, or Light.
Militants targeting a vaccination programme are suspected. No group has said it carried out the attack.

The incident happened in the Swabi district close to a road connecting Peshawar to the eastern city of Lahore.
The centre was part school and part clinic, specialising in maternal health.
"Four men came on two motorbikes. They attacked their van. They opened fire to the right and left of the van and fled on their motorbikes," Swabi district police chief Abdul Rashid Khan said, according to AFP.
He added that the driver of the vehicle had also been injured in the attack, which took place near a motorway junction.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Islamabad, says that, according to police, this is the first such attack on NGO workers in the area.

Our correspondent says that those running the centre said they suspect its vaccination programme was the reason it was attacked.
Of the seven people who were killed, two were health workers and five were teachers.
Last month, in a series of attacks, gunmen killed nine health workers taking part in a national polio vaccination drive.
While the Pakistani Taliban have denied carrying out the killings, they have long denounced the vaccination drive as a Western plot either to gather intelligence or to sterilise Muslim children.
The killings prompted the UN children's agency and the World Health Organisation to suspend work on polio campaigns in the country.

India gang rape: New Year celebrations scaled back

India has scaled back New Year celebrations, as it mourned the death of a woman whose gang rape on a bus a fortnight ago sparked public outrage.

The army has cancelled all official celebrations as have the states of Punjab and Haryana.

The president of the governing Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, also said she would not be celebrating.

Meanwhile, protests continued on Monday in the capital, Delhi, where the 23-year-old medical student was assaulted.

The victim died on Saturday morning in a Singapore hospital where she was being treated for severe injuries. She was cremated in Delhi on Sunday.

The attack sparked huge protests expressing anger over attitudes to women in India and calling for changes to the laws on violence against women.

As vigils continue to be held, hotels, clubs and business houses and celebrities announced they would be cancelling or toning down planned events for New Year's Eve.

Stop attacks on judiciary: UN expert

The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela knaul, expressed yesterday serious concern about the impeachment proceeding against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the recent attacks against lawyers who have been fighting for the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka.
According to information received by the independence expert, attacks and threats against members of the judiciary and lawyers, as well as interference in their work. have dramatically increased over the past few months.
'The recent steps taken by the executive and legislative towards impeaching the Chief Justice appear to be the culminating point of a series of attacks against the judiciary for asserting its independence.' Ms. Knaul said in a statement.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

President decries political mud slinging

By Cyril Wimalasurendre

KANDY – Mud-slinging was not politics, but political bankruptcy, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said after declaring open the new building of the Pathadumbara Pradeshiya Sabha on Saturday (Dec. 29).

The President noted that there was a large scale politically motivated mud slinging campaign in the country. No political advantage could be achieved by mud-slinging, he said adding that political success depended on the extent of cordial relations with the people and on the service rendered to the people.

What was important was not whether the politician belonged to the ruling party or to the opposition but what he had done for the people, he said.

Mobitel launches 4G/LTE network

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel launched a mobile 4G/LTE network to provide enhanced services to the public, the telco said yesterday (31).

"Mobitel’s latest addition to the technology portfolio is the natural successor of the telecommunication evolution of the world. With the latest addition, Mobitel will be one of the most decorated and equipped operators in the world in the technology front, which includes FD LTE, HSPA+ DC, HSPA, UMTS and 2G services. This will enable it to provide an enhanced and diversified service to its customer base," the company said.

Dog fight at Karapitiya

By Don Asoka Wijewardena

Karapitiya Hospital Director Dr. Shelton Perera is allegedly keeping the key to a room reserved for the Acting Director Dr. Priyantha Jeewaratne.

Director General of Health Services Dr. Palitha Maheepala has instructed Dr. Perera to allow Dr. Jeewaratne to work until the formal inquiry into his appointment is completed.In accordance with the Health Ministry Act, two Deputy Directors have been appointed to the hospital but an acting Director to cover duties could be appointed in addition to the two appointments.

When contacted, Dr. Priyantha Jeewaratne said that in addition to the two permanent Deputy Directors appointed to the Karapitiya hospital, another acting Director could be appointed. As he was working in Matara, the then Health Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu had appointed him to cover duties at the Karapitiya hospital. "Since I assumed duties at Karapitiya, the Director has kept my room key. He has also sent a letter to the Health Ministry that there is no vacancy for me at the hospital. When the higher authorities instruct the Director, he has to carry out the orders," Dr. Jeewaratne stressed.