Basil to silence CJ ???

The highest positions in the both political and judicial arena are now wondering why President's senior advisor and brother Basil Rajapakse and Secretary to the ministry of judicial affairs Suhada Gamlath last evening met Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, after he delivered several controversial decisions.

According to news available two have held a discussion with the chief justice for over three hours last evening. However the matters that came under discussion are yet to be disclosed.

A specialty of this meeting is that it comes in the wake of a speech made by the Chief Justice recently criticizing the executive.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Western Province appeal court he said "We won't lie like the executive. If we say something we do it just as we said. We won't lie like the executive who today says one thing here another tomorrow and another lie the day after".

This statement made by the Chief Justice clearly demonstrates a dispute that has arisen between the judiciary and the executive though both along with the constitution should wok united in governing the country. more>>

Young girl facing death sentence by beheading seeks urgent Govt. intervention...

"The government of Sri Lanka must clearly state its position regarding providing legal assistance to young Nasik who is facing death sentence by beheading in Saudi Arabia" said Basil Fernando, the Executive Director of the Asian Human Rights Commission.

He said, "The government is fully aware that there are only a few days left for filing an appeal but this will require retaining Saudi legal advisors".

Mr. Fernando said, that "the Sri Lankan embassy in Saudi has already requested funds from the Sri Lankan government for the appeal. However, the government is still to make a clear
decision". He further said that a letter was sent to Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding this matter.

"Subsequently the AHRC had been contacted by parties who have come forward to offer assistance in this matter if the government is
not willing to take responsibility. However, since the victim can be contacted only through the Sri Lankan embassy or and the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, these persons are unable to help if the government does not indicate what its decision on the issue is.

Mr. Fernando also added that "the AHRC will do its utmost to assist in this case if the government indicates the manner in which any assistance needs to be channelled for this purpose".

Finally Mr. Fernando said he regretted the execution of four Sri Lankans earlier this year who did not receive proper legal assistance
at any stage of their case or even when trying to seek a pardon.

As such an unfortunate outcome should be prevented at all costs; Mr. Fernando on behalf of the AHRC urged the government to act quickly on this matter and spare the life a young 17-years-old Sri Lankan girl. more>>

Foul Politicians = No shame at all...

It looks as if the members of the President Rajapaksha's government are worsening their behaviour in front of anyone. Now they will tell anything to the public to convince that they're the perfect people.

Chief Government whip minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle says if parliamentarians from the opposition join the government they would be offered ministerial portfolios and strengthen the government.

Answering a question raised by a journalist the minister stated this at a press conference held at the government information department today.

When a journalist questioned the minister why the government has failed to cut down on the number of ministers, he said it is easy to provide aid to 59 ministers more than providing aid to 20 million people.

However he said even during a war torn situation the government has taken steps to provide the public with relief but said if the opposition MPs are joining the government to strengthen it, then they would be provided ministerial portfolios.

Speaking further he said ministers don't enjoy many benefits and that they only get a salary of a parliamentarian.

He said according to the powers vested on the president, he has the option of handing over ministerial portfolios to parliamentarians in order to strengthen the government and questioned the journalists back what options the government has if not. more>>

"Four MPs' will cross over from UNP to Govt." - Minister Chandrasena...

Minister of Nation Building S. M Chandrasena revealed that four MP s' will be joining the government next week. He revealed this during a press gathering at the at the Ministry auditorium in Kolpitty.

He further stated that these four MP s' have decided to join the government because the government has captured certain parts of the East from the LTTE and that they have vowed to carry on the government until April 2010.

It was said that the government has taken steps to give these four ministers a cabinet portfolio, 2 non cabinet portfolios and a deputy minister post even though there are some issues regarding the posts that are to be given, MP Chandrasekara expresses his confidence that those will be sorted soon.

He also said that due to this crossing over, the opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe might loose his 'opposition leadership' and that there is a possibility of him moving to another party and also that if he wants to secure his post the best thing is to support the government.

For a question raised by a journalist as to whether the rumor that some of the main ministers in the government will be joining the UNP and the SLFP Mahajana wing is true, he said that all the MPs' are pleased about the president for working to take over the east from the LTTE, due to that there is no news of any minister leaving the government. He also stated that the decision taken by Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi to leave the government is considered as a foolish decision and that there isn't any one in the government who would do such silly things any more.

Another Multi-barrel launch from the Chief Justice...

One of the big actors in the present political arena Mr. Sarath Nanda Silva or our Chief Justice has spoken again. "We won't lie like the executive" the chief justice, Mr. Sarath N. Silva says. The chief justice stated this during his visit as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the appeal court today.

"We do as we say. We don't say one thing today, another thing tomorrow and another thing some where else the day after like the executive. We won't lie like the executive. I state it without fear� was what he said.

The chief justice who was out of the island from last Saturday returned to Sri Lanka yesterday. Some of his judgments given at the supreme court were controversial and it was observed that he used this ceremony as an opportunity to attack the executive directly.

Editors guild... are they neutral ???

Adding more to the latest exciting happenings in Sri Lankan political arena, the opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe says as a responsible party it will interfere with the government's future approach since the country is loosing it's credibility and is being humiliated before the international community due to the actions of the government spreading terror in the society.

Addressing a function organized by attorneys he further said that all government's actions are geared to satisfy the needs of Rajapaksha's, hence all should unite to put a stop to such moves.

Wikramasinghe further said that many trade unions, associations and movements have become silent over the actions of the government including media organizations. He said during his tenure as the prime minister he never invited journalists to temple trees but today most media personnel and organizations have become allies of the government including the editors guild.

The opposition leader said since such movements are hiding under beds the UNP has to raise a voice to safe guard the rights of journalists and that the editors guild was silent until their hands and legs were cut off bur are now screaming their guts off when it is about to be beheaded.

"Appoint a new chairman to the guild. The existing one is an ally of them and is always seeking for funds from us" he further said.