Rs. 110 million bag of money to MPs crossover to opposition

Minister Rajitha Senarathna says that a conspiracy is underway to topple the government by giving money to the MPs. He says that a businessperson connected to the LTTE has pledged to offer Rs. 110 million per MP to join a future government set up by Ranil - Mangala alliance.

The Minister revealed this at a press briefing held in the Information Department at Narahenpita this morning.

Mr. Senarathna said that the UNP Democratic Group leader Karu Jayasuriya made a special statement in this regard in the parliament yesterday. Gnanakoon said to the two MPs that Ranil - Mangala alliance would topple the government soon and former President Chandrika would join them later, the Minister said. Gnanakoon had told that twenty MPs are needed to topple the government.

Gnanakoon has promised to grant Rs. 110 million each to the two MPs for expenses in a future election.

Mr. Senarathna said that Gnanakoon had talked over the phone from a foreign country to two MPs of UNP Democratic Group. He said that he was unaware of other government MP he had talked.

Gnanakoon's brother who is linked to the LTTE owns a shipping business in Los Angeles, US, and Prabakaran's brother also works in this company, says Minister Rajitha Senarathna.

Mr. Senarathna said that Gnanakoon assured former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar that he would not be targeted by the LTTE and finally he became victim of a sniper of the Tigers, as he did not care his security. He also reminded that Sripathi Suriyaarachchi accused in a press conference in 2005 that Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe met Gnanakoon in Singapore few days prior to 1999 Presidential. Several days later LTTE exploded a bomb targeting Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga.

Before 1994 Presidential Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga met Charles Gnanakoon and leading LTTEer Lawrance in Singapore and later UNP Presidential candidate Gamini Disanayaka was killed by the LTTE few days prior to the Presidential.

Mr. Rajitha Senarathna says that Charles Gnanakoon is attempting to topple the government that has liberated the Eastern Province from the LTTE hold and he needs to bring a pro LTTE government into power. Mr. Senarathna enquired what the reason behind the fit of fury of the UNP MPs who disturbed Minister Karu Jayasuriya who was making a special statement in this regard in the parliament.

An elected government can be defeated in the parliament in a democratic way but conspiracies to form governments according to the needs of the LTTE cannot be allowed says the Minister.

Mr. Senarathna said that all evidence would be revealed pertaining to the attempts to buy the MPs soon, said Minister Rajitha Senarathna

President's China tour costs Rs. 56 million

The cost for the President's tour in China is Rs. 56 million. 192 indivisuals were accompanied to China with the President in this tour from February 27 to March 4. The crew that raised the eyebrows of even the Chinese government was the biggest batch accompanied by a state head who toured China in the history, media reported.

The Government Chief Whip Jayaraj Fernandopulle revealed these data at the parliament in a time the cost of living and the fuel prices were skyrocketing and the economy was deteriorating as a result of turning the war into a massive business.

Minister Fernandopulle had to reveal the data as he answered a question posed by the Colombo district UNP parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka. According to the Minister, the total cost for the tour of the President and the team was Rs.56,016,298.20.

The President, the first lady, 16 Ministers, 60 security, media and other officials, 16 members of the Navy cultural troupe, 20 members of the Sri Lanka Transport Board dancing group with three officials, Six chefs, three officials of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, 12 Buddhist representatives and 54 business representatives were included in the touring group.

The President's budget spent Rs. 27,501,425.40, Export Development Board spent Rs. 1,005,736.93, Sri Lanka Transport Board spent Rs. 867,587.65 and Board of Investment spent Rs. 2,535,545.65 for the tour. The flight ticket costs of the team were Rs. 24,106,007.63.

UNP, JVP and MC join hands to defeat the govt. at WP Council

A proposal to express displeasure to the government over its measures such as maintaining a big cabinet and increasing the cost of living to an unbearable level was passed in the Western Provincial Council with a majority today.

Opposition Chief Whip UNP councilor Lakshman Abegunawardhana set forth the proposal. JVP and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MPs joined with the UNP to vote for the proposal while the SLFP voted against it. As a result, the proposal was passed with a majority of 24 votes. 52 councilors voted in support of the proposal while 28 voted against it.

Thanking the JVP and the SLMC, UNP councilor Lakshman Abegunawardhana introduced this move as a slap on the face of the anti people program of the government from one of the major people's institute.

'Pirate King' & Almsgiving for dogs and crows

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) says it will offer alms to dogs and crows to eliminate the evils of the horoscope of Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe who is carrying out an anti Buddhist campaign insulting the sacred monks.

Revealing the news of the almsgiving at a press conference held in Nugegoda, JHU media spokesman Nishantha Warnasinghe said that the said almsgiving would be organized in main towns soon.

JHU expects the assistance of the Buddhist organizations and the public for this.

Further, the JHU said it would publish a book named 'Pirate King,' one similar to 'Pirate Queen' published by the editor of Ravaya newspaper, Victor divan.

He said the book would be based on the life of Ranil Wickramasinghe.

CWC decides to support government as backbenchers

The five MPs of the Ceylon Workers' Congress led by Mr. Arumugam Thondaman have decided to sit in the government side of the parliament and to support the government as backbenchers. The CWC resigned from the portfolios in protest of reproach by the Presidential Senior Adviser Basil Rajapakse to Mutthu Sivalingam.

Mutthu Sivalingam who was the target of the severe reproach of Basil Rajapakse announced the decision at a press conference held in Colombo today.

He said that CWC did not want to topple the governments and the party they would support would be decided at an election.

Vice Chairman of the CWC R. Yogarajan also participated in the discussion.

Gotabhaya imported flying coffins at the cost of one billion rupees, says UNP

United National Party (UNP) questions why the Auditor General is not granting permission to audit the accounts of the Sri Lanka Logistics Company in which Gotabhaya Rajapakse holds a director post. The company handled the controversial purchasing of the outdated Mig-27 assault aircrafts that came to public as a massive misappropriation of billions of rupees.

Sri Lanka Logistics Company was set up by the current government to handle the purchasing of logistics to the security forces and police. The Directors of the company are Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Finance Secretary P.B. Jayasundara and lawyer Mohan Peiris.

Addressing a press conference held in the official residence of the Opposition Leader, the head of the UNP media unit Lakshman Kiriella said that the deal violated all the financial regulations and tender procedures of the country. He said that Sri Lanka lost 10.7 million US dollars through this corrupt deal and the purchased four aircrafts were 25-year-old outdated planes that were parked in hangers since 1991 without flying.

Mr. Kiriella pointed out that in 2000, a technical group from Sri Lanka rejected to purchase these aircrafts for Rs. 160 million each and the same aircrafts were bought in 2006 for Rs. 240 million paying Rs. 80 million more.

He further said that the UNP investigation unit had conducted a scientific study on the issue with the help of several former security forces official and the report was submitted to the parliament. The MP said that the statements issued by the Defense Ministry and posted in the web site of the Ministry after the revelations of the former ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Suriyaarachchi were misleading.

The UNP report points out that the Ambassador of Ukraine Udaya Weerathunga is a close relative of the Rajapakse Company. He was appointed to the post under political influence despite his questionable business deals.

Although the Defense Ministry stated that the deal was between governments, the money paid by Sri Lanka government had first gone to the Belimissa Holdings Company of UK. The Company is not registered in UK and the shareholders, investment and accounts are secrets, said the UNP report.

Mr. Kiriella said that the reasons for the rise of cost of living and the people's suffering was such corruption of the government and urged the government to answer these questions instead of covering to war.

UNP MP Sagala Rathnayaka addressing the press briefing said that Sri Lanka has made history through being the only country that purchased Mig-27 aircrafts in 21st century. He said that flying outdated aircrafts is dangerous and against the international conventions. He named these aircrafts as flying coffins.

HRW Report - Tendentious; based on unconfirmed, unsubstantiated and outdated information

Statement by the Presidential Secretariat on the report by Human Rights Watch on Sri Lanka, issued 06th of August 2007

The report of the Human Rights Watch entitled "Return to War - Human Rights under Siege" is largely tendentious, and is replete with generalizations. It refers to issues that have been largely resolved. These largely unconfirmed and unsubstantiated allegations and outdated information do not justify the demand for a special UN Observer Mission on Human Rights in Sri Lanka.

Among the unsubstantiated information are the numbers of persons who have allegedly disappeared and the number of IDPs. The work of government agencies to establish the whereabouts of these persons has been ignored. The Report also ignores the fact that the numbers of alleged disappearances and abductions have sharply declined in recent months due to the firm action taken by the Government and the arrest of two criminal gangs against whom legal action is being pursued. A Special Commission appointed by the President is at present investigating specified instances of unlawful killings and disappearances, and the work of this Commission is being observed by an International Group of Eminent Persons.

It is regretted that insufficient attention has been paid by Human Rights Watch to the fact that these allegations are made against the background of a campaign against a brutal terrorist group, the LTTE, which has been banned as an international terrorist organization by many countries; and which has for many years been engaged in gross violations of Human Rights, particularly the recruitment and use of children for armed conflict. The LTTE also exploits the freedoms of democracies, particularly in the West, to obtain funding from abroad to purchase more weapons to use against the democratically elected Government of Sri Lanka, and to oppress the people under its jackboot.

It is also regretted that Human Rights Watch has thought it fit to issue such a largely one-sided report, weighed so heavily against the legitimate government of Sri Lanka, that is maintaining and protecting democracy, and seeks to take it to sections of the population that have been deprived of democratic rights by the LTTE for nearly two decades; and, remains committed to a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the prevailing crisis in the country, caused essentially by separatist terrorism.

Government of Sri Lanka Abuses Intensify - HRW

The Sri Lankan government is responsible for unlawful killings, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations since the resumption of major hostilities with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) last year, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Human Rights Watch documented a dramatic increase in abuses by government forces over the past 18 months, and called on the country's donors and concerned governments to support a United Nations monitoring mission in Sri Lanka.

The LTTE, an armed Tamil secessionist group, is responsible for serious crimes such as targeted civilian killings, extortion and the use of child soldiers, which Human Rights Watch has repeatedly documented and condemned.

The new 129-page report, uses accounts by victims and eyewitnesses to document the shocking increase in violations by government forces. Ethnic Tamils have borne the brunt of these violations, the report said, but members of the Muslim and majority Sinhalese population are not immune to government abuse.

"The Sri Lankan government has apparently given its security forces a green light to use 'dirty war' tactics," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Abuses by the LTTE are no excuse for the government's campaign of killings, 'disappearances' and forced returns of the displaced."

A 2002 ceasefire agreement between the government and the LTTE technically remains in force, but major hostilities resumed in mid-2006. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, have pursued military operations in the country's north and east, with little regard for the security of the civilian population, Human Rights Watch said.

Security forces have subjected civilians to indiscriminate attacks and impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid. Some 315,000 people have had to flee their homes due to fighting since August 2006, the vast majority Tamils and Muslims. About 100,000 were displaced in March alone. Government authorities have forced some to return to areas that remained insecure.

Human Rights Watch documented a disturbing rise in abductions and "disappearances" over the past one-and-a-half years. More than 1,100 new cases were reported between January 2006 and June 2007, the vast majority of them Tamils. While the LTTE has long been responsible for abductions, the majority of recent "disappearances" implicate government forces or armed groups acting with governmental complicity.

On the northern Jaffna peninsula alone, an area under strict military control, more than 800 people were reported missing between December 2005 and April 2007, 241 of whom were subsequently found. In the vast majority of cases, witnesses and family members allege that security forces were involved or implicated in the abduction.

In August 2006, the government reintroduced Emergency Regulations, which criminalize a range of peaceful activities protected under Sri Lankan and international law. The government has used the regulations to prosecute political opponents and members of the media.

The report documents the deterioration of media freedom in Sri Lanka, where 11 media workers have been killed since August 2005. Tamil journalists in particular work under severe threat from both the LTTE and government, but the government has also pressured Sinhala-language outlets that present critical news and views.

The government has tried to silence those who question or criticize its approach to the armed conflict or its human rights record. It has dismissed peaceful critics as "traitors," "terrorist sympathizers," and "supporters of the LTTE."

"The government is using its conflict with the LTTE and the rhetoric of counterterrorism to suppress dissent in Sri Lanka," said Adams. "This is an extremely disturbing turn in a country with a long tradition of free speech even during times of conflict."

Human Rights Watch found that the Karuna group, a Tamil armed group that split from the LTTE in 2004 and now cooperates with Sri Lankan forces against the LTTE, continues to abduct and forcibly recruit children and young men into its force with the complicity or acquiescence of the Sri Lankan government. UNICEF has documented 145 cases of recruitment and re-recruitment of children by the Karuna group since December 2006, and the real number is most likely higher.

The Karuna group has also kidnapped for ransom scores of Tamil businessmen in Batticaloa, Vavuniya, and the capital Colombo. Despite repeated promises to investigate state complicity in Karuna group abductions, the government has thus far not indicated that it has taken any steps to investigate, and the abductions have continued unabated.

In a January 2007, Human Rights Watch documented the pattern of Karuna abductions with the complicity or willful blindness of the Sri Lankan government.

Impunity for human rights violations by government security forces, long a problem in Sri Lanka, remains a disturbing norm. As the conflict intensifies and government forces are implicated in a longer list of abuses, the government has displayed a clear unwillingness to hold accountable those responsible for serious violations.

A Presidential Commission of Inquiry created in 2006 to examine specific cases of serious human rights abuse by the government and the LTTE has proven inadequate to handle the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, the report concludes. The commission seems an effort to stave off domestic and international criticism rather than a sincere attempt to promote accountability and to deter future abuse.

"The government has repeatedly promised to end and investigate abuses, but has shown a lack of political will to take effective steps," Adams said. "Government institutions have proven unable or unwilling to deal with the scale and intensity of abuse."

Human Rights Watch called on Sri Lanka's international donors to use their leverage with both the government and the LTTE to encourage respect for international law, including the protection of civilians during hostilities. International aid is one lever, and governments such as the United Kingdom and Germany have recently elected to limit aid until government practices improve.

Concerned states should also work within the United Nations Human Rights Council to initiate and support strong Council resolutions on Sri Lanka to encourage a change in practices of both the government and the LTTE, the report said.

Most importantly, concerned countries and the Sri Lankan government should work to establish a UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka with a mandate to monitor, investigate and report on abuses by the government, the LTTE and the Karuna group.

"A UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka would help protect civilians, end impunity and promote a resolution to the conflict that respects human rights," Adams said.

The true story about the owner of Medhanandha thero's BENZ

The Benz owner not abducted', says Kurunduwaththa Police
(2007 August 03, 10.00 AM) Kurunduwaththa police station says that the investigations so far have revealed that Hemantha Nishantha, the owner of the Benz purchased from JHU leader Ellawala Medhananda Thero has not been abducted by anybody.

When 'Lanka e News' enquired about the statement made by the Opposition Leader at a press conference held in the Opposition Leader's office today, the police said that it was only a disappearance.

The police said that the security guards of the Opposition Leader's office said to Police that the disappeared person came to see the Benz car parked there and left in a vehicle that was parked in front of the office.

The police spokesman also said that one Prabath, a relative of Hemantha Nishantha has lodged a complaint in Kurunduwaththa police station that Hemantha has disappeared. He said that the investigations are being carried out and further details could be revealed soon.

The owner of the Benz imported via Ellawala Thero's license disappeared after Ranil's revelation

(2007 August 03, 7.00 PM) An unidentified group abducted Hemantha Nishantha, the owner of the Benz car imported through the duty free permit of Jathika Hela Urumaya leader Ellawala MedhanandaThero's duty free license, in the wee hours today (03).

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe said at a press briefing held in his office that Hemantha Nishantha, the owner of the vehicle is a friend of him and an ardent supporter of the United National Party. He has given the said vehicle to the Opposition Leader for his use few days back and Mr. Wickramasinghe said that he went to the Vidyodaya Pirivena yesterday in that Benz.

The E-220 Benz car numbered K7-1512 that is registered in Ellawala Medhananda Thero's name is now parked in the Opposition Leader's office premises in Cambridge Terrace.

The Opposition Leader showed the photocopies of the documents that transferred the attorney power to Liyanage Bandula Upali Liyanage of Kuliyapitiya. Medhananda Thero has signed the document as the leader of Jathika Hela Urumaya with the address Sri Sumangalaramaya, Napawala, Getaheththa.

Mr. wickramasinghe said that MP Ravi Karunanayaka informed him today morning that Mr. Hemantha had been abducted. He also said that he would discuss the parliamentary privileges issues pertaining to this vehicle deal with the Speaker today.

A vehicle numbered KC 0079 belonged to one Susil Udaladurage of Dematagoda and a vehicle numbered KE 1699 owned by Raigam Marketing Ltd. Had come this morning to the Cambridge Terrace and attempted to take the vehicle. One individual who was in the group was identified as Police Inspector Upali of Ministerial Security Division and he is security personnel of JHU Minister Pavulu Champika Ranawaka.

The Opposition Leader said that the vehicle would be handed over to Hemantha Nishantha who gave it to him or to Ellawala Medhananda Thero or to Upali who has the attorney power, but only after discussing with the Speaker.

The Opposition Leader said that the relatives of Hemantha Nishanthaa have lodged a complaint in Kurunduwaththa Police regarding the abduction. He said that he too complained to the Inspector of Police Aththanagoda of Kurunduwaththa Police station and urged the Police to look into who abducted Hemantha Nishantha.

He raised doubts of JHU having an abduction group, as a security official of Minister Pavulu Champika Ranawaka was involved in the incident. He said that he would discuss with the speaker about the violation of parliamentary privileges and the fundamental rights.

The Opposition Leader said that Ellawala Medhananda Thero should return the money he obtained from Nishantha Hemantha as he had purchased the car from the JHU leader.

"Nobody kidnapped me" complains Benz owner to police

(2007 Aug 04, 3.00 PM) Mulsiri Kanakanamge Indika Dilruk Hemantha, the businessman who purchased a Benz vehicle owned by Ven. Ellawala Medhananda, told Homagama police that he had not been kidnapped by anyone last night.

Homagama police said that Mr Hemantha who currently lives at No 96/3 Digana Rd, Palanwatta, Pannipitiya, had been traveling last night to Avisawella with a friend Krishantha for a business matter. He decided to issue a complaint to the nearest Homagama police station that he had not been kidnapped after he had heard an announcement in the radio concerning his kidnapping.

The polioce further stated that the DMO at the Homagama Hospital certified that Mr Hemantha had not been subjected to any act of violence.

Opposition leader Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe stated at a press conference at Cambridge Place yesterday that a relative of Mr. Hemantha had complained regarding his kidnapping to the Cinemmon Garden police.

Kurunduwatte police confirmed to Lanka-e-news that a relative of Mr. Hemantha by the name of Prabhath had issued such a complaint. However, they added that after further police investigation it has been revealed that Mr. Hemantha had not been kidnapped.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) abducted me; I said no because they forced me to say

(2007 Aug. 06, 5.15 PM) Hemantha Nishantha, the businessperson who has purchased the Benz car imported through the duty free license of the JHU monk MP Ellawala Medhanada Thero has submitted an affidavit to the Opposition Leader that he was abducted by a group linked to the JHU and was intimated asking for to return the vehicle. He has mentioned in the affidavit that he stated to the Homagama police station that he was not abducted because the abductors forced him to do so and were present in the police station while he made the statement.

Mr. Nishantha Hemantha says that JHU Minister Champika Ranawaka and Udaya Gammanpila are linked to this incident and they even have threatened him over the phone.

The Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe said that there were information that the motor cars bearing the numbers KC 0079 and KE 1699 are connected to the abduction.

The Opposition Leader said that necessary steps would be taken in this regard when the parliament would meet tomorrow.

However Udaya Gammanpila denies these allegations.

Ellawala Medhananda Thero told that his Benz car had been seized and the Minister Champika Ranawaka said at a press briefing held in Colombo in this regard yesterday that the only Opposition Leader in the world who used a vehicle seized from somebody was the opposition Leader of Sri Lanka.

He vowed to file a defamation case against the Leader of Opposition for his statement that he and Udaya Gammanpila had made abduction.

Introducing the abduction as a melodrama staged by the UNP against the JHU, Minister Ranawaka said that the Opposition Leader was responsible for the abduction since it took place in front of his office.

Minister Champika Ranawaka said that Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe was using Ellawala Medhananda Thero's vehicle under a false attorney license that did not contain the signatures of the witnesses, the vehicle engine number and also the registration. He said that it was something very simple to the UNP, which has expertise in preparation of such fake documents.

UNP MPs to come back ... ???

The UNP dissidents sans one who crossed over to the government to accept ministerial portfolios are reportedly seeking ways through various individuals to return to the party, after CWC leader Thondaman and four parliamentarians of his party resigned from the positions and government.

UNP sources said that one Minister, said to be Milinda Moragoda, yesterday telephoned to an individual close to the UNP leadership to enquire the possibility to return.

Lakshman Kiriella, head of the UNP media unit said that several parliamentarians of the 17 dissidents had sought to return to the party and the leader was empowered by the party to decide on the matter.

With the resignation of the five CWC MPs from the government yesterday, rumors spread that three more political parties supporting the government are to resign in the coming weeks and the signs of a snap election has begun to show up.

Our leader not in a hurry to take the govt.-Kiriella

Lakshman Kiriella, head of the UNP media unit says that neither his party nor the leader is in a hurry to take the government.

He expressed these views responding to a question raised by a media person pertaining to the balance of power after the resignation of the Ceylon Workers' Congress from the government.

Mr. Kiriella said that the latest source of profits of the Rajapakse Company was the said reawakening of Eastern Province. He said that Basil Rajapakse told recently that Eastern Province is the best resource of fisheries, timber and sand and the Company has now planned to extort these resources through several handpicked henchmen.

He said the government that has no ways to develop the Eastern province is planning to build a road to Thoppigala destroying the jungle and the sanctuary to extort the timber resources of the forest.

Commenting on the government's plan to hold elections in the Eastern province, Mr. Kiriella said that if the government held elections there without international monitors, it would not have a penny from the international community. He enquired how elections could be held in the Eastern Province where hundreds of thousands of people are displaced and over one thousand are killed while the armed groups roam freely.

When a journalist queried about the resignation of Thondaman, he said that it was expected since long and it was only the beginning of a parade of resignations.