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.