CJ shoots politicians again...

Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said in the Supreme Court today that intelligence is crucial for education although the politicians could say they need no brain to go to parliament.

The Chief Justice made these observations when the Supreme Court considered a petition pertaining to Grade 1 admission of the government schools. Petitioner Jayasiri Iththapana, Co-Secretary of the Past Pupils' Association of the Ananda College, cited that the Ministry of Education circular disregarded certain guidelines made by the Supreme Court on July 31.

The three-member Supreme Court bench summoned the Secretary of Ministry of Education, Ariyarathna Hewage, today and ordered to issue new circular including guidelines of the Supreme Court. A draft of the circular should be produced to the Supreme Court on August 27.

The Chief Justice reprimanded the Secretary of the Ministry of Education for not submitting the Supreme Court guidelines to the cabinet for consideration in compiling the new circular. The Chief Justice said that pupils' pre education should be considered when admitting to schools.

He said that the intelligence might not be needed to enter into the parliament but it is essential for the education.

The bench chaired by the Chief Justice comprised judges Raja Fernando and and Jagath Balapatabendi.

Maduluwawe Sobhitha, Daranagama Kusaladhamma and Muruththettuwe Ananda Theroes were also present in the courts when the case was summoned.

Real Hela Urumaya against Jathika Hela Urumaya

A new organization named as Saba (real) Hela Urumaya is now in the formation against the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).

National Sangha Conference former Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara and Vitharandeniye Medhananda Theroes are the pioneers of this organization.

JHU did not fulfill any expectation of the people who hoped that it would end the corrupt politics of the country, says Rev. Vitharandeniye Madhananda Thero. He says the path of the JHU has now changed into a personal track.

The Thero says that the future of the JHU is vague due to the work of the lay leaders who think that the Sinhala Buddhist movement is in their hands. He further said that the JHU's march towards a virtuous society should not limit to a portfolio and a chairmanship.

Rev. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero said that several rounds of discussions were held to form the new party. He said that the JHU had good objectives but they have now been overshadowed by personal gains.

Hemakumara Nanayakkara was Wasu's brother... but not anymore...

Agricultural and Agricultural Development Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara says that several MPs of the 17 member United National Party - Democratic Group could be killed spending a less amount than US $ one million pledged by Charles Gnanakoon to buy one MP.

The Minister said that the President and the Defense Secretary should pay attention to this matter since the position vacated by the slain MP would be filled by a UNPer.

Minister Nanayakkara addressing a press briefing held at the Seth Sevana party headquarters today (23) accused that the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe is utilizing Buddhism giving misinterpretations to its core issues to supply political jokes.

He urged the reverend monks not to participate these persons for religious activities such as offering 'Mal Watti' and placing 'Koth Kerali' of pagodas.

A plot to spread AIDS among Buddhist monks

The fundamentalists are engaged in a conspiracy to spread HIV among the Buddhist monks, says the leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, Rev. Ellawala Medhananda Thero. He said that he made aware the Chief Incumbents of Malwaththa and Asgiriya Chapters on this plot, when he met them last week.

Medhananda Thero said that he came to known about a plot hatched at a discussion held in Kurunegala by a group of fundamentalists. However, he did not reveal who these fundamentalist were.

The Thero further said that these fundamentalists have also distributed a blue film in which a layperson acts the role of a monk.

Meanwhile. The Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said today that he was glad that Sri Lanka is the country with the least spread of HIV in Asia. He was addressing an international conference on AIDS, held in Colombo today with the participation of around 1500 delegates from 44 countries.

UNP withdraws from All Party Representative Committee (APRC) until the Govt reaches a consensus

United National Party (UNP) Executive Committee yesterday (21) decided to withdraw from the APRC.
UNP media spokesperson Gayantha Karunathilaka said to Lanka-e-News that his party was away from the deliberations of the APRC even before the Executive Committee decision. He said that the UNP stance on the ethnic problem had not changed.

UNP media spokesman further said that the government was still incapable to reach a consensus among the government alliance and the government Ministers have begun to criticize the Chairman of the APRC who is also a member of the cabinet. He said that UNP would decide the future action after the government alliance would reach a consensus and set forth a proposal.

Mawbima in the arena again...

The Leader and Mawbima newspaper institutes are preparing to join to publish two dailies and two weekend newspapers in Sinhala and English languages.

A discussion was held in this regard on August 16th at 'Habarana Lodge' with the participation of Tiran Alles, the owner of the Standard Newspaper Publishers, Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramathunga on behalf of Leader Publications, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and SLFP - People's Wing Convener Mangala Samaraweera.

The joint company discussed to publish 'Mawbima' Sinahala daily, Morning Leader English daily, 'Irudina' Sinhala weekend newspaper and Sunday Leader English newspaper.

The Standard Newspaper Publishers will suspend publishing The Standard and the editorial will be attached to Morning Leader daily. Discussions went on to utilize the Leader office in Rathmalana as the editorial office of all the newspapers. Lankadeepa 'Guruda Wigrahaya' writer Upul Joseph Fernando's name was discussed as the news director and the political columnist of the Sinhala newspaper.

A decisive meeting pertaining to the entrance to the media world as a new institute was held in Colombo yesterday (19) and Tiran Alles, Ranil Wickramasinghe, Rakhitha Jayawardhana and Lasantha Wickramathunga participated in it. Tiran Alles is to act as the Chairman of the joint company while Lal Wickramathunga will hold the post of Managing Director.

Reportedly, the Sinhala and English dailies are to be published by the next month.

Sripathi released again...

The magistrate of Kaduwela, Lakmal Wickramasuriya yesterday (21) acquitted Sri Lanka Freedom Party - People's Wing Co-Convener and Gampaha district MP Sripathi Suriyaarachchi from the charges of misuse of a vehicle belonged to the Department of Posts and Telecommunication.

The magistrate considering the case said that the CID could not prove the charges leveled against the accused. The courts ordered Suriyaarachchi to reappear before the courts if summoned again under instructions of the Attorney General.

Former Minister Suriyaarachchi was taken into custody for misappropriation of a jeep numbered G-3040 belonged to the Department of Posts and Telecommunication. The Avissawella High Court bailed him out after keeping 48 days in remand custody.

President's Counsel Thilak Marapona and lawyer Nalin Ladduwahetti appeared for Suriyaarachchi.
The charge was framed against Suriyaarachchi after he was sacked from the portfolio he held.

The arrest was made several days after he complained to the Bribery or Corruption Commission that a massive fraud had occurred in the deal for purchasing four Mig-27 fighter aircrafts. He was arrested as he went to make a statement to the CID regarding the investigation.

JHU & Champika Ranawaka...

In view of the statements made by two members of the JHU, Environment Minister, Champika Ranawaka and the JHU representative at the APRC, Mr. Udaya Gammanpila, I wish to put the record straight so that there can be no misconceptions. As one who is influenced by the Buddhas' message of compassion, I shall not waste words on replying to the personal abuse and wild charges directed at me. But I would like to emphasize that the best way to defeat the LTTE is to isolate them by winning the Tamil people to the side of the Government through the APRC proposals.


The APRC has met on 40 occasions and the ultimate objective is to come up with a set of proposals that would be the basis for settling the national question and also be a basis for a future constitution. When the representatives of the 14 political parties first met I was asked by common consent to function as its Chairman. In this capacity I have endeavoured to ensure that the APRC meets regularly and to direct the discussions so as to produce the desired set of proposals. It is on record that when I prepared and presented a set of proposals reflecting the previous discussions, and some of the ideas from the group of experts, there was agreement in the APRC that this would be the basis for our continued discussions.

After the various political parties submitted their proposals and amendments to this document the core issues that needed to be discussed and agreed upon were identified. These core issues were the basis for the second round of discussions. After extensive discussions a common position was reached on a number of these core issues. There were three core issues that could not be resolved and I wrote to the Secretaries of the SLFP, JHU and MEP, suggesting compromise solutions and requesting that I be given an opportunity to discuss these with them.

It is unfortunate that the Secretary of the JHU did not respond to my letter. In addition I must mention that the JHU representative Mr. Gammanpila kept away from the six meetings of the APRC before the last one.

The SLFP and MEP responded to my letter and the President summoned a meeting of the Peoples' Alliance leaders, which included the MEP leader Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena, together with the leaders of the SLFP to discuss the matter. Following this meeting he summoned a meeting of the leaders of the Government where a clear decision was taken to retain the "Province" as the unit of devolution, while strengthening the district as an administrative unit within it. Views were exchanged on various core issues and there was also agreement on the return to the Westminister model of executive Parliamentary Government. This was made known to the public, as well as the members of the subsequent APRC meeting who accepted these decisions. It is unfortunate that no one from the JHU was present at these meetings.

As the President was keen that we conclude our discussions early, during the following week if possible, I produced an amended version of the document, containing all the subject areas that were agreed on, and separately highlighting all those areas that required to be discussed further. This was submitted for discussion at the APRC meeting held on Monday the 13th of August, at which Mr. Gammanpila made are appearance (after not attending the previous six meetings.) He stated the JHU stand once again on various issues which we had discussed and disposed of earlier. Rather than reopening those subjects that had been discussed at length, it was agreed that where one or a few parties deferred from the position accepted by the majority, this could be indicated in the consensus document. Mr. Gammanpila appeared to be satisfied by this arrangement.

Core issues like the retaining of the word "Unitary" in defining the nature of the state are still subjects for further discussion and will be taken up at the next meeting of the APRC. On this question the views expressed by the SLFP will no doubt influence the final decision to be arrived at by the APRC.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Gammanpila, in association with Minister Champika Ranawaka, have taken the modified discussion document of proposals submitted by me as being the final APRC position and made it the subject of public criticism by them. It will be clear to everybody that the matters are still under discussion and it is only when adequate consensus has been reached on all issues that it would become the final APRC document.

I would appeal to Mr. Gammanpila to participate at the future meetings of the APRC, where he is free to express his opinions and have them recorded, without disrupting the process of maximum consensus formation.

Prof. Tissa Vitarana
Chairman of the APRC

Final solution within the framework of unitary country despite whatever APRC says -Jeyaraj

Sri Lanka government Chief Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said in the parliament yesterday (21) that the government has decided to devolve power within the framework of unitary state.

The Minister expressed these observations in response to criticism raised by People's Liberation Front (JVP) Propaganda Secretary Vimal Weerawansa on the work of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). Minister Fernanopulle reiterated that the final solution to the north east problem would be within the frame of the unitary state despite the deliberations of the APRC.

The MPs of the United National Party (UNP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) protested the Minister�s statement.

Although the news has been published by the Chief Government whip, we must be aware of the fact that Mr. Fernandopulle has been named a "Political Clown" by the president himself. So, what he says may not correctly represent the decision of the government. Its up to you to decide...

A secret message to LTTE from the President Mahinda Rajapaksha

I was learnt that the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Jagath Abesinghe left for the Tamil Tiger territory today (20) with a special message from the President Mahinda Rajapakse.

When enquired about the Red Cross Chairman's tour from the Executive Director of the Red Cross Mahesh Jayasinghe, he said that Mr.Abesinghe went today to the Anuradhapura branch office of the society and said he was unaware if the Chairman went beyond Vavuniya.

The way the JHU sold the TV license

Information is flowing in to Lanka-e-News on how the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) sold, at Rs. 100 million, the TV and radio licenses granted to them in return of supporting the government.

A company named 'Peoples' Media Network (Pvt.) Ltd.' belonged to two supporters of the JHU have obtained this license. The two businesspersons are Subaweerage Jayadeva Ranjith Dias of 128, Divulapitiya, Boralesgamuwa and Jayampathi Clary Perera alias Sidney Jayasinghe of 18, Austin Place, Colombo 08.

The said company purchased the licenses stating that they would be utilized to set up channels to promote Buddhism, within a month of the inception of companies in April 2006.

Later, 60% of the shares of 'People's Media Network (Pvt.) Ltd' were sold with the TV and radio licenses, to 'Wijesuriya Hodings (Pvt.) Ltd.' Located at 594/1, Galle Road, Colombo 03, at Rs. 100 million. The owner of the company Nahil wijesuriya is now planning to sell the license for Rs. 250 million.

The members of the JHU are now querying from the leaders of the party how the selling of the licenses granted to promote Buddhism was in accordance with the virtuous society that JHU has vowed to set up.

The other political party that obtained a similar TV and radio license is the JVP that has not yet sold them.

Mahendra Rajapakse equals to King Choranaga, says Ranil

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe addressing the third 'Jana Rala' rally held in Anuradhapura yesterday said that Percy Mahinda Rajapakse, like the ancient King Choranaga who robbed 11 temples to utilize wealth for his comfort, is currently engaged in robbing Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other state banks for the comfort of the Rajapakse Brothers Company.

Addressing the over 30,000 participants of the rally, Mr. Wickramasinghe accused that President Rajapakse robbed Central Bank first and then the People�s Bank, Bank of Ceylon and the State Mortgage Bank to extort money to nourish the Brothers Company.

Further, the Mig 27 deal reveals that the President has commenced to extort money from the defense budget as well, said the Opposition Leader.

Mr. Wickramasinghe said that a similar time was in the history in King Choranaga's time. In that period the King enjoyed luxurious life while the subjects starved as same as the Rajapakse Brothers Company does today.

Police to arrest the current owner of the luxury Benz of JHU monk MP

Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is to arrest Hemantha Nishantha, who became famous as the current owner of the luxury Benz imported under the duty free license of Jathika Hela Urumaya leader and MP Rev. Ellawala Medhananda Thero. CID alleges that Hemantha Nishantha is connected into a murder.

A CID spokesperson said to 'LeN' that few suspects arrested for the killing of Hemantha Nishantha's wife have confessed that Nishantha is also connected to the murder.

He further said that the corpse of the wife of Hemantha Nishantha would be exhumed soon for further investigation.

SL Government hasn't filed any complain against Sir John Holmes

Mendaka Abeysekera from New York-) Sri Lankan government hasn't filed any formally complain against United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under Secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes.

Mich�le Montas, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General disclosed this at a daily press conference yesterday.

During this daily press conference in New York, one journalist raised the comment by Minister and the Chief Whip of the Sri Lankan government Jeyaraj Fernandopulle accusing, Sir John Holmes who visited Sri Lanka recently, as a terrorist.

But, Mich�le Montas declined to comment on that."we do not comment on this type of statement" he stated.