Mervin's end is closing...

Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera submitted to the Parliamentary Secretary a proposal that denies the stupid and nasty acts of Minister of Labor Dr. Mervin Silva.

The Chief Opposition Whip requested in writing from the Parliamentary Secretary to add his proposal to the parliament Order Book as a complete proposal under standing order number 78.

The proposal is as follows:

'The supreme house of parliament proposes that it denies the unintelligent and disagreeable acts of Hon. MP Mervin Silva since his behavior is not appropriate for a MP and harms the esteem of the parliament, since he has made an open statement to media that he can do anything he likes from his licensed revolver and since he has intruded the Canadian High Commission and threatened to the officials asking for a visa to his son.

Basil starts his 2nd innings...

Basil Rajapakse took oaths as a MP before the Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara amidst protests and chaos of the opposition MPs. It was the first time in the history that a MP assumed duty in such context.

The tradition of the parliament is to stay calm until the new MP takes oath and to welcome him with applause. Instead, the UNP MPs today displayed placards mentioned '10%' in protest of the appointment of Basil Rajapakse as a MP.

The chaos due to the display of such placards in front of the Speaker's chair led to the adjournment of the meeting for ten minutes.

Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle abused the opposition saying 'the big pansy and his pansy disciples,' and the opposition MPs continued objections.

Fernandopulle was heard saying that the Speaker�s non-denial of the incident led him to deny and the Chair should have known how to handle such situation.

The Speaker in response asked which tradition challenged what the Chair told and said to the government MPs that he knew the gossip on him and urged to state them directly. He said that the party leaders and the Ministers should know how to safeguard the respect of the House. The Speaker asked if he is expected to tolerate further the incidents like grabbing the agenda that was on his table, which he bore patiently.

Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera enquired from the Speaker, after the meeting recommenced after ten minutes, if the jeering hoot heard from the gallery when Basil Rajapakse was taking oaths was leveled at the Speaker or Basil. The Speaker did not respond.

While Rajapakse was taking oath, Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Mervin Silva and Mahindananda Aluthgamage sprang at the opposition MPs to tear the '10%' placards while the majority of the government MPs either silently or smilingly observed the melodrama.

Mervin's henchmen threats the judiciary...

The Judiciary Services Union expresses indignation over the incident of an unidentified group of persons intruding the house of Mount Lavinia Magistrate Darshika Wimalasiri's mother located in Peliyagoda and uttering in threatening tone, "The Minister said to tell Ms. Magistrate to grant bail to his son." The Magistrate is examining a complaint against Minister of Labor Dr. Mervin Silva's son Malaka Silva for assaulting and causing head injuries to an accountant.

The Judiciary Services Union Secretary Kandy District Judge Nissanka Bandula Karunarathna issuing a statement says that the unidentified group that came to the residence of the Magistrate's mother around 9.45 PM, compelled her to open the door and made the said threat.

The gang came to the house the following day and asked if the message was delivered to the daughter. When the mother said that she could not do so, the group left. A complaint has been lodged in the police in this regard, said the Secretary.

The Judiciary Services Union condemning the incident says that certain individuals have attempted to intervene a judiciary proceeding in a way the independence of the judiciary is damaged and emphasized the need of bringing them to books.

The association of the judges emphasizes that they will not permit to fulfill the objectives of the minority who have needed to overpower judiciary in a time the public are in dire need of protection of law. They vow not to tolerate any lawbreaker who challenges independence of the judiciary and the judges.

The union expressed hopes that Peliyagoda police station that has already commenced an investigation pertaining to the incident would continue it until the culprits will be brought to courts.

Rajapaksha & Brother's Company completed...

The Secretary of the ruling United People's Freedom Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Susil Prema Jayantha today informed the Elections Commissioner and the Parliamentary Secretary in writing that the President Mahinda Rajapakse's brother Basil Rajapakse was appointed as a MP of the national list.

Basil was to participate in the meeting of the government parliamentary group this evening as a MP.

He fills the vacancy of late Minister of Irrigation Anver Ismail who belonged to the Athavulla Faction of the Muslim Congress. The UPFA Secretary has powers to appoint anyone to fill a vacancy of a MP since Athavulla Faction contested the 2004 election as a party of the UPFA.

Reports further said that the SLFP Secretary Maithripala Sirisena opposed the appointment since it would prove the allegations over a rule off a Rajapakse Brothers Company.

UNP & JVP alliance ???

Reliable sources speculate that a new opposition alliance is in the formation now. A statement made by the leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe yesterday (16) discloses preparations for an alliance between the major opposition UNP and the JVP to oppose the anti people actions of the government and to topple it.

Amarasinghe has said that there is a possibility of working together since both parties aim to end the term of the current government. JVP was not totally against the government and could not see any hindrance for working together, said the JVP leader adding that they need not to defend the government whose anti people rule is vehemently denied by the JVP. However, there are problems related to the UNP's stand on ethnic problem and economic policies.

The JVP leader says that the two parties can work together for a common goal if the UNP come to an agreement with the JVP.

Commenting on the issue, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the two parties cordially work together at rural levels and in the parliament, the two parties joined to defeat the unfair tax bills. He said that the parties could work together for a common goal while maintaining the individual policies.

The JVP MP Lal Kantha recently said that despite whatever the allegations, the Opposition Leader could not be accused of corruption or misappropriation of public property.

In the current context, the JVP had decided to vote against the budget proposals, sources said.

Meanwhile, the President Mahinda Rajapakse addressing a SLFP rally at Kegalle yesterday challenged the opposition to defeat the budget proposals if possible. In an aggressive tone, the President said that his Ministers and MPs could not be bought and the budget would be victorious.

Defeat the Medamulana Chinthanaya

The Leader of Opposition and the leader of the UNP Ranil Wickramasinghe urges to defeat the herd of Medamulana demons to earn an election to make the people victorious defending their sovereignty.

The Opposition Leader made this statement addressing a ceremony held in the UNP head quarters, Sirikotha today to mark the 101 birthday of former President J.R. Jayawardhana. The Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya organized the commemoration.

Recalling the way Mr. Jayawardhana obtained five sixth majority in the parliament through non violent sit up campaigns, he said that the UNP Gatambe Convention commenced mobilizing masses to topple the government through a people's struggle in the same way the former leader Jayawardhana did.

Pointing out that the Ministers have confined to safeguard the portfolios for the sake of privileges, Mr. Wickramasinghe said that the government has commenced over-rewarding the MPs since it lacks support.

He further stated that the Rajapakse Brothers Company has taken over all the executive powers and 75% of the state budget. They have abolished the independent commissions and the democratic rule has become nominal, said Mr. Wickramasinghe. The rulers do not listen to the people and the government is abducting and killing civilians in the guise of waging war, he said.