Ranil says supremacy of Parliament undermined

Conduct of CID, Police and Magistrate challenged

Wimal asks Govt. to accept criticism

Leader of the Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (20) charged that parliamentary supremacy has been seriously undermined by the Colombo Magistrate, the Police Department and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in the way SLFP Parliamentarian Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi was arrested.

Intervening in a matter of privilege raised by Chief Opposition Whip, Joseph Michael Perera in Parliament, Wickremesinghe challenged the procedural validity of the arrest and urged Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara to take steps to allow the MP to attend parliamentary sessions without any obstruction.

The main opposition protested over the arrest and expressed that MPs could be arrested under all types of charges in violation of procedure, if Sooriyaarachchi’s arrest goes unchallenged by the legislature.

Parliamentary business got delayed by two hours amidst opposition protests that Sooriyaarachchi be allowed to attend parliament sessions.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe insisted that parliament had been ridiculed and its supremacy undermined by police action.

"The Speaker was informed of the arrest after it was carried out. Sooriyaarachchi was not arrested under emergency regulations. We as the opposition strongly oppose undermining this House and violating its privileges," Wickremesinghe said.

When the house met at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, the arrest of Sooriyaarachchi dominated the sessions.

UNP’s Joseph Michael Perera who raised a breach of privilege issue urged that all MPs enjoyed the right to attend sessions without any obstruction.

"There is nothing that can intervene with this right. MPs have been arrested before but they have been facilitated to attend parliamentary proceedings," he said.

Perera also noted that all MPs were threatened by these new developments and warned that MPs could even get abducted on their way to parliament in the present situation.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara intervening noted that some MPs were in the habit of not attending parliament despite not being under arrest.

Perera continued that Sooriyaarachchi should be immediately "facilitated," to come to the House at which point Lokubandara questioned whether there had been any "overt judicial action" to prevent the MP from coming to the House.

The UNP Chief Whip next said that the arrested MP was currently embroiled in a political controversy, and has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe alleged links between the head of the government and the LTTE.

"This has not been included in the order book and the MP was to raise this matter today. Sooriyaarachchi is not a suspect. This arrest has insulted the House and challenged its supremacy," he urged.

He further said that the charge was the misappropriation of a vehicle. There were so many who abused state property but this incident has been clearly singled out.

Intervening, UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said that not only were Sooriyaarachchi’s rights as an MP infringed, but there had been "judicial interruption," to the MP attending sessions.

"The Kaduwela Magistrate released the MP. Then, the police again produced him before the Colombo Magistrate in violation of the law of the land," he said.

The Speaker then questioned as to whether a motion had been filed on Monday to have the MP released to attend parliamentary sessions on Tuesday, to which Kiriella said that an attempt had been made to try the MP at two different courts for the same offence in violation of the penal provisions.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that while it was ironic that he had to stand up for the rights of an MP who did his utmost to defeat the UNP government, it was apparent that the Colombo Magistrate, the police and the CID have undermined the supremacy of Parliament.

He said that back up vehicles were provided to ministers and parliamentarians from ministries under a special scheme during the Premadasa administration.

He added that this practice was abused later and continued, which provided the basis for the charge leveled against MP Sooriyaarachchi.

Wickremesinghe also said that the COPE report also reflected many instances of vehicles being taken by politicians. "According to Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, some 10% of government vehicles have gone missing. He has urged action," said the opposition leader.

Government dissident, Mangala Samaraweera then stood up to defend Sooriyaarachchi, saying that the vehicle was certainly not missing.

Continuing, Wickremesinghe extensively quoted from celebrated British cases, of John Elliot and Strodes and also Erskine May, stressing that the rights of legislators and the supremacy of the House had been established long since.

He added that Sooriyaarachchi’s motion calling for the appointment of a select committee had become part of the proceedings and its non-inclusion was also a matter the MP has every right to raise.

Wickremesinghe also insisted that the Colombo Magistrate lacked the authority to detain the MP and has also insulted and undermined Parliament.

UNP MP Laskhman Kiriella supporting the argument said that the cause of action arose in Kaduwela and hence it was the Kaduwela Magistrate who had the local jurisdiction.

Causing a furore in the House, Kiriella added that the then opposition sponsored an impeachment motion against President Premadasa on alleged charges of providing arms to the LTTE.

"It is the same issue that the detained MP is raising against the incumbent Head of State," he claimed amidst loud opposition from government benches.

The government tried to defeat the UNP argument citing various instances of MPs being arrested, but Wickremesinghe shot back that all of them were arrested under emergency regulations and not for criminal misappropriation.

UNP’s John Amaratunga however demanded that the House should adjourn until Sooriyaarachchi is "brought back" to the House.

JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa also said that the government should learn to take up criticism.

"If vehicle abuse is the actual reason, then all those who breach the regulations should be taken to task. If it is confined to one MP, the country will naturally assume that this is due to the state’s failure to tolerate criticism," he said.

Chief government whip, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle disagreed with the notion that parliament has been undermined by the said arrest.

"There is a precedent set by former Speaker K.B. Ratnayake. It is possible to inform the Speaker after arresting an MP, and this has been adhered to," Fernandopulle said.

Protesting against Fernandopulle’s statement, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe added that it was obvious that the House had been undermined by the police and the CID.

Wickremesinghe added that the Kaduwela Magistrate should have overruled the Colombo Magistrate’s order and ruled the custody order illegal.

Food supplies to over 150,000 IDPs in Batticaloa will run out at the end of next month, if urgent funds are not received from donor governments, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned yesterday.

"If donor governments do not come in with fresh funds, supplies will run out by end April," Selvi Sachithandan, the information officer at the WFP office in Colombo said.

The WFP has issued warnings that it needed urgent assistance to look after the food needs of the IDPs in Batticaloa almost as soon as the latest exodus began on March 8. Sacha Bouter of the WFP office in Batticaloa office said that it could only take care of 60% of the supplies and that the remainder was to be handled by the Ministries of Disaster Management and Nation Building with the assistance of local NGOs and INGOs.

"WFP is facing a break in pipeline towards end of April and is calling for urgent contributions from donors with requirements only for conflict IDPs and vulnerable groups affected by the hostilities at US$ 1 million a week for 400,000 people nation-wide," the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC), a combine of UN and other relief agencies said in its latest fact sheet.

The WFP was planning to hold a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday to make a public appeal, however Sacithandam said it was too early to predict whether donor funds would come through. The UN office in Colombo is also planning to hold a meeting with the donors tomorrow.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Batticaloa yesterday as well with clashes between armed forces and Tigers reported from Kalawanchikudi area, a Muslim dominated town south of Batticaloa where thousands of refugees have sought shelter. Two transformers had been blown up by suspected LTTE cadres at Santhiveli, north of Batticaloa on Monday night. Four Tigers were also killed by security forces at Wellaweli east of Batticaloa on Monday.

The Media Center for National Security said yesterday that more than 60,000 civilians have fled Tiger areas and reached government controlled areas in Batticaloa since the beginning of the month.

"The UN can only take care of 60% of the food supplies, and they say that they are running out funds, there are a lot of people here and we need to act fast," Basil Sylvester, District Officer in Batticaloa for the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies said. Food however is not the only concern, according UN agencies, who say that security, sanitation and over crowding are all major concerns.

IASC has also raised concerns on the IDP situation in Madhu, in the Mannar District.

"The welfare of an estimated 10,000 internally displaced people in the grounds of Madhu Church and surrounding areas in LTTE-controlled Mannar is of critical concern. The security situation in this area has deteriorated significantly in the last weeks and the LTTE has now issued instructions that all IDPs should be moved from the church grounds and has restricted humanitarian agencies’ access to the site. Many of the IDPs sought refuge in the church grounds for security reasons and in order to avoid forced recruitment by the LTTE," it said.

The JVP has charged that media organisations that criticise and aim allegations at the government are so harassed that they have no other alternative but to close down while the state media is misused to deceive the people.

JVP Leader Somawansa Amerasinghe has made this charge in an interview with Asian Tribune, which was posted on its website yesterday.

Amerasinghe has said there is a growing trend within the government that it has gradually begun to violate the basic democratic principle – the freedom of expression.

The JVP Leader has also condemned "the undemocratic actions of the government" and demanded that "the tendency to frighten people should be done away with."

Amerasinghe had further said whoever commits abductions, extortions, disappearances; it is the government that is responsible to bring them to a halt.

"Specially when Tamil civilians are abducted, extorted and made to disappear, the Tamil masses that oppose the Tigers too are pushed towards the Tiger organisation and the threat of imperialist pro-Tiger forces that are aiming to send a so-called peace keeping force to Sri Lanka get an opportunity of using human rights violations to interfere in this country. It is the government that is responsible if such a situation is created," Amerasinghe has also said.

Dealing with the Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi case, Amerasinghe has asked that if the MP has committed an offence as alleged by the government, then why the government has failed to take action against those involved in massive frauds amounting to a total of Rs. 15,000 billion.

He has pointed out that according to the COPE report for the period of 2000 and 2006, fraud has taken place in 26 state enterprises.

Amerasinghe has further charged that the report confirms ministers of the previous UNP government used their privileges to commit frauds and added the same individuals have been given ministerial berths in the President Rajapakse government.

Protest lodged with Bandula

The Indian High Commission has protested strongly at a charge made by Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena that the rising prices and shortage of essential food commodities in the market were due the actions of the ‘nattamis’ in Pettah.

Minister Gunawardena had made his controversial remarks at a seminar organised by the Consumer Affairs Authority at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

He was quoted in the media on Monday as stating that though many people criticised the government in the recent past for the high prices and the short supply of essential food commodities saying the government was asleep, the real culprits were the ‘nattamis’ at the Pettah wholesale market.

The Morning Leader learns the Indian High Commission had on Monday expressed its strong displeasure to the Minister at the comment made, terming it "highly derogatory."

The Minister was told by the High Commission over the telephone that it believed he was a friend of India and was surprised at his remarks targeting the Indian business community. The Minister was also told that the remarks were particularly dangerous coming at a time the businessmen were under various pressures.

The Morning Leader further learns the Minister was told it was unfair to blame the businessmen for the rising prices. The Minister, it is learned had said he was a friend of India and that the media had misquoted him and would have the report corrected.

• Court allows MP to attend Parliament

Kaduwela Magistrate Lakmal Weerasooriya yesterday reserved order in the bail application made by former Minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi for Tuesday, March 27.

The Magistrate reserved order after hearing submissions made on behalf of Sooriyaarachchi by President’s Counsel (PC) Tilak Marapone and Senior State Counsel Menaka Wijesundara for the CID.

The court however made an order that Sooriyaarachchi could attend parliamentary sittings yesterday and every alternate day sittings are held.

PC Marapone while refuting the charges leveled against the Sooriyaarachchi told court yesterday that it was the duty of the transport officers of the relevant ministries to ascertain where the vehicle in question was and to check the running charts but not the minister’s.

"It was the duty of the transport officers to look into the whereabouts of the vehicle but not the minister’s. Even the officer in charge of the vehicles at the Sports Ministry has said that the vehicle was lying at Augustine Motors since July 2004 till it was handed back on March 3. That was the reason why the vehicle was not insured during the period it was in the garage. Further the B report clearly indicates that the vehicle in question was released by the Presidential Secretariat to the Commissioner of Essential Services for the Commissioner’s use although he did not use the vehicle after becoming a minister in 2004," Marapone said.

However, the Senior State Counsel appearing for the CID told court that there was ample evidence to suggest that the vehicle was not at Augustine Motors but was at the suspect’s residence till March 3.

"Putting a government vehicle to a private garage for repairs too is an offence. The CID has ample proof to show that not only was the vehicle at the suspect’s residence but the engine too has been replaced," the Senior State Counsel said.

Counsel appearing for Sooriyaarachchi appealed for bail stating he had to attend parliament proceedings and the Parliamentary Select Committee meetings since there is no evidence to prove the suspect has misused public property and all other allegations leveled against him are baseless.

However the senior state counsel who appeared for the CID raised objection to the application of Marapone stating the investigations were not concluded.

Tilak Marapone PC with Nalin Ladduwahetti, Kamal Wijesiri, Methsiri Paranawithana, Sathya Thalduwa, Jayanath de Mel, Ranjith Pigera and P.B.Heenkenda instructed by Paul Ratnayake Associates appeared for Sooriyaaracchchi. SSC Menaka Wijesundara appeared for the CID.

Former Ports Development Minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi who was taken into custody over his alleged misappropriation of a state vehicle attended parliament for some 30 minutes yesterday afternoon.

At the time of his entry into the chamber, Kurunegala District UNP legislator, Dayasiri Jayasekera was making a particularly blistering attack on the government’s suppression tactics.

The MP was given a rousing welcome by UNP legislators who thumped on their desks and broke into thunderous applause. Jayasekera then said that the opposition expressed gratitude to government legislators like Sooriyaarachchi for doing the job of the opposition whilst being part of the government.

However, Sooriyaarachchi was asked by an enthusiastic opposition as to what made the authorities take him into custody at which point the MP replied, and his microphone was inadvertently switched on.

Sooriyaarachchi simply said, "I was taken into custody simply because of my motion requesting the appointment of a select committee to probe the government’s LTTE links."

Sooriyaarachchi shortly thereafter left the House and is expected to make a special statement in parliament today morning. (DH)

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday questioned the position of the peace process and urged the government to stop military activities immediately.

TNA Parliamentarian, R. Sampanthan speaking on the adjournment debate on the present security situation in the country said certain forces were preventing the country from moving forward.

"Everyone knows the circumstances under which the agreements such as the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) and the P-TOMS were aborted. Certain forces in the country are preventing the country from moving forward by obstructing such measures," Sampanthan said.

He also said that the government was responsible for the suffering of the Tamils especially in the east.

Sampanthan in his speech accused the government for carrying out attacks on the guise of defeating terrorism with no regard to the rights of the Tamil civilians.

"The government is carrying out a military campaign with no regard to the rights of the Tamil people. They have lost their houses and their livelihoods. What is the government’s response?" he questioned.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction over the issue that none of the TNA parliamentarians being invited to any of the meetings on the resettlement of the people displaced in the east.

"There are TNA parliamentarians representing the east. The government is holding several meetings on the plans to resettle the people. How come none of the TNA MPs are invited? We have no idea as to what is going on in these meetings," he said.

Speaking further, Sampanthan said that the Tamils in the east were never separatists. And added that they were going through unwanted problems due to repeated shelling and artillery fire on their areas.

He stated that the Tamils in Muttur elected a Muslim, defeating the candidate campaigning for a separate state.

"The people in Muttur never allowed Chelvanayagam to walk. They carried him on their shoulders. Later, M.E.H. Mohammed Ali representing the Federal party defeated Prof. Sundaralingam, who campaigned for Eelam. These people are not separatists, yet they are suffering. How can we live with people like you?" he queried.

Environmentalists have criticised the Department of Wild Life and Conservation (DWLC) over the deaths of wild elephants in and around the Lunugamwehera National park.

Environmentalists say that a decision taken by the DWLC to relocate a large number of wild elephants to the Lunugamwehera national park has resulted in the deaths of these animals.

Speaking to The Morning Leader, veterinary surgeon Ath Athu Sevana, Dr. Suhada Jayawadene said around 10 elephants has died from gun shot injuries since January 2007.

"Elephants have been driven from Hambantota to Lunugamwehera and from Handapangala to Lunugamwehera. These animals have been driven into heavily populated areas where people are engaged in cultivations. This has resulted in aggravating the human elephant conflict in the area," Dr. Jayawadene said.

According to Dr Jayawardene many elephants are dying on the borders of the Lunugamwehera national park.

"A she elephant was shot at Sarvodaya on February 25. The animal died on the spot. The post mortem was held on February 26. We found the calf of the dead animal in a nearby jungle on February 26," explained Dr. Jayawardene.

Dr. Jayawardene added that four calves with gunshot injuries were found in the area after the relocation of elephants to the Lunugamwehera national park.

Director General DWLC Dayananda Kariyawasam denied the allegations made by environmentalists and said the elephants were dying due to the on going human elephant conflict in the area.

"The human elephant conflict is a on going problem that needs to be solved. Elephants are dying of gunshot wounds not only in the Lunugamwehera national park but all over the country," he said.

Environmentalists however stressed that inquiries are not held when animals die in this area.

The government held a special grade 5 scholarship examination that was conducted in the east last week.

Department of Examinations (DOE) Commissioner General for Education Anura Edirisinghe told The Morning Leader that the exams were conducted successfully and that there were no problems.

He added that over 150 candidates including students in schools around the Eastern Province and other private candidates were present for the scholarship examination.

He further added that these examination, which was to be held in Vaharai, and Somapura areas, was later shifted to centers in Kathiraweli and Valachchennai.

Edirisinghe also noted that the exam was cancelled due to the conflict situation witnessed last year, but finally saw completion on Sunday (18).

Military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe observed that the military provided security to protect all candidates throughout the exam.

He further noted that the turnout of candidates was satisfactory and marked 90% attendance in all exams held in the east.

He also said that security was provided to safeguard all candidates throughout the special ordinary level examination that concluded on Tuesday (20).

Edirisinghe mentioned that even the GCE Ordinary Level examination that was held in the east was successful and attendance was positive.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner General for Examinations, Anura Edirisinghe said that admission cards and time tables have been issued to all candidates who would be sitting the open competitive examination for recruitment for posts in the Customs Department in 2006/2007 on Saturday (24) and the competitive examination for recruitment of labour officers in 2006/2007 would be held on Sunday (25).

• Widespread concern over threats

Sixteen journalists have been killed in Sri Lanka in the last decade, the London Based International News Safety Institute (INSI) said and labeled the country as among nations it was most concerned of.

"Most of those killed were murdered because of their jobs; eliminated by hostile authorities or criminals as they tried to shine light into the darkest corners of their societies," Director of INSI, Rodney Pinder said.

He added, "In many countries, murder has become the easiest, cheapest and most effective way of silencing troublesome reporting, and the more the killers get away with it, the more the spiral of death is forced upwards."

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also urged both the government and the LTTE to stop harassing journalists and allow them to conduct their jobs in an environment free of intimidation. "Journalists are not valid targets for arrest, murder or abuse," it said.

The CPJ said that it had written to both President Mahinda Rajapakse and the LTTE in late 2006, calling on all parties to the conflict to recognise that journalists should be protected and not valid targets for murder. "We urge all sides to make a commitment to ensure that journalists are able to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or reprisal," the CPJ said.

It added that impunity continued to be the rule for those who attacked journalists and media facilities in Sri Lanka, despite international pressure from press freedom and human rights groups on both sides of the conflict.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a letter sent to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva last week stated that it was deeply concerned on the threats faced by journalists in Sri Lanka and called upon the council to take serious action.

The HRW stated, "Over the past fifteen months nine media workers have lost their lives in varying circumstances, and no one has been charged with the deaths. The Karuna group in the east has issued death threats to the distributors of the Tamil-language newspapers Sudar Oli, Virakesari and Thinakkural. The military has been denying journalists access to LTTE-controlled areas and, as before, those journalists working in LTTE-controlled territories are under pressure not to criticise the LTTE."

The Environmental Foundation Ltd. (EFL) has called for the proper enforcement of laws on solid waste management, which are designed to protect the natural environment and living areas and to ensure clean and healthy living conditions for human beings.

The foundation noted that this necessitates action by state agencies that are mandated to collect and dispose of solid waste, and to ensure that the law is upheld.

It also requires that members of the general public, including industries and the corporate sector as well as householders, take their environmental rights and responsibilities seriously.

The Environmental Foundation noted that the state has the responsibility for ensuring the individuals, establishments, corporate entities and local government authorities conduct their day to day activities according to the law.

However, according to the EFL, the state has so far not discharged these responsibilities adequately.

EFL has therefore called on the government to create more public awareness with regard to proper disposal of sold waste.

EFL has also urged the state to monitor the actions of these local authorities as well as implement appropriate strategies and plans regarding key elements of national strategy on solid waste management.

Furthermore, the EFL stressed that the government has a key role to play in the process of effective waste management. "There is a need for people to take responsibility for the waste they create and for them to be made aware of their duty to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner," EFL states.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry is to appoint 1,200 nurses to the government health sector tomorrow (22).

The presentation will take place at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapakse, in the presence of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and provincial health ministers.

"The 1200 who will be getting their appointments tomorrow (22) have just completed their training. It is important to stress the fact that these 1200 nurses excludes the trainees of the ‘15,000 nurses training programme.’ This is a completely different batch. Out of those 15,000 in the training programme, 11,000 are obtaining training at present. Depending on the Advanced Level results of last year, another 4,000 will also be selected for training purposes, which will then add up to 15,000," Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Spokesperson W.M.D. Wanninayake told The Morning Leader.

It was also leant that the 1,200 nurses will be sent to Peripheral Hospitals in the country, where a shortage of nurses exist at present. A total of 60 nurses will be appointed to hospitals in each district. Also, a total of 88 nurses will be employed in hospitals in the north and east.

"The number of nurses being sent to the north and east is not that great, mainly due to the fact that those who were trained in the Tamil medium is limited. However, since 1995, the total number of nurses employed by government add up to 22,538 and the number employed as external trainees add up to 921,956," Wanninayake further said.

Resettlement Minister Rishard Badiudeen yesterday denied charges against the government on forcibly resettling internally displaced persons in the northeast.

Making the reply speech in parliament at the end of an adjournment debate on the current situation prevailing in the country, Badiudeen said that it was bad enough that serious displacement was taking place in the island without adding fresh problems by alleging forced resettlement.

"These are innocent people who have lost their homes and property. Some have lost family members due to the violence that prevails. I can assure that no forcible resettlement is taking place," said Badiudeen.

The government is to once again bring back the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) restructuring programme, which was earlier withheld due to pressure exerted by the JVP.

According to Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, the restructuring programme will be brought forward to ensure the survival of the CEB.

The government on several occasions had to drop Act No. 28 of 2002 proposing the restructuring of the CEB, which was backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) due to opposition by the CEB trade unions and the JVP.

According to Aluthgamage, as a result of the delay in the CEB restructuring programme the ADB withdrew its support, but the government is once again to consult the ADB, as plans are afoot for the restructuring programme to be presented once again.

"The ADB was to write off the outstanding loan of Rs.93 billion earlier, but since there was a delay in implementing the restructuring programme the ADB withdrew its support. But Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara is to speak to the ADB and once we get a good package we will implement the programme," Aluthgamage said.

When asked whether the government was confident of passing the bill in parliament, Aluthgamage told The Morning Leader that since the government now enjoyed the required majority in parliament it could be easily passed.

"Unlike on the previous occasions now we have more than the required numbers in parliament. So we could get the bill passed very easily," claimed Aluthgamage.

When asked as to what would happen if the CEB trade unions opposed the move once again, Aluthgamage said that the ministry would speak with the trade unions if there was a necessity.

However, Convener Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya (LVSS) Ranjana Jayalal told The Morning Leader that the CEB Unions would take stern trade union action if the restructuring programme were to be launched once again.

"We are sure the government would not need to jeopardise the functioning of the CEB by presenting the much debated programme in parliament once again. We don’t want to speak with the minister in this regard but would take stern trade union action if there are plans to bring back the restructuring programme," Jayalal said.

The vaccine prescribed by physicians to immunise children against the deadly Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has been out of stock for months, causing panic among parents.

According to the local agents, Hemas Drugs, the University of Osaka in Japan, which manufactured the vaccine that was imported to Sri Lanka during the past few years, has discontinued its manufacture. Paediatricians say that they have learnt that the university is now working on a more advanced formula.

According to medical sources, this JE vaccine called the Biken vaccine is preferred to the Korean Siken vaccine. The Siken vaccine too is now not imported to Sri Lanka.

Pharmacists say that there are no other generic equivalents in Sri Lanka. This shortage has caused an unhealthy situation in the country, which sees hundreds of mosquitoes being bred each day in various sites.

"Why can’t the health authorities move in to get us another vaccine?" ask parents who are crowding at the pharmacies every day in search of the JE vaccine.

"It is a very unsatisfactory situation, as the children who were given the first dose of the vaccine cannot be given the second dose," said a member of the medical profession.

"If parents can look after their babies and not allow them to be stung by mosquitoes, then here is no need for those babies to be immunised against Japanese Encephalitis," say medical sources.

The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is given to children after one year of age and although not included in the state’s extended programme of immunisation, the vaccine has become mandatory in ‘high prevalence’ areas as the Western Province and the North Central Province.

Meanwhile, Chief Pharmacist, Union Chemists, Mervyn Burrows, said that they receive several telephone calls from parents asking for the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine.

"Many parents come here as a last resort in search of this vaccine and the situation is worsening each day as paediatricians keep on prescribing the vaccine, which can never be found anywhere in Sri Lanka for the final stocks too have now been depleted," said Burrows.

Left Front Leader, Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne has called on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse to stop his hate campaign and remove threats on his life.

In a letter to Rajapakse, Karunaratne has charged that the Defence Ministry’s website has ‘shamelessly distorted’ his speeches made during his visit to Europe, depicting him as a paid agent of the LTTE.

In the letter Karunaratne has also made several corrections to a news report carried in the Daily News of February 28 on his visit to Europe including the statement that he was paid by the LTTE.

"I am yet to receive any contribution from the LTTE. I have accepted all contributions and help from every body who was prepared to donate, including my friend Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse. But all these were used for my aims and perspectives," he has said.

Karunaratne has further charged that the state owned Dinamina newspaper and the Defence Ministry website have published a photograph of Suresh Krishna, better known as London Baba, with himself and claimed that London Baba is a leading financier for the LTTE.

"Can you please explain how this big LTTE leader got special permission from President Mahinda to do filming in the high security zone, just opposite Temple Trees, a few months ago? How did he get permission from the Kandy district secretary to develop a village in that district and how does he regularly visit this village to inspect development?" he has questioned, adding, "Either London Baba is not a LTTE leader or else President Mahinda Rajapakse is guilty of treason, according to your own laws."

Commenting on a statement made by Defence Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Lakhanda radio, Karunaratne has claimed that Rambukwella was trying to instigate the people against him.

"Your Defence Spokesman Minister Rambukwella participated in a radio programme conducted by the state media Lakhanda, on March 2 where it was announced that ‘Wickramabahu should be stoned to death’ and ‘Wickramabahu must be beheaded.’ Minister Rambukwella appreciated these but he said the government, as a legal entity is unable to implement those suggested actions. As such he openly instigated people," the letter states.

"It is about time that we realise that neither lies, distortions nor military actions can solve the Tamil national problem. It can be solved only by democracy based on devolution. I said this since 1974 and now even the American Ambassador Blake appears to believe in that," Karunaratne has said in his letter.

Work at Ayurveda hospitals islandwide would come to a standstill today when all staff members launch a strike to win their long-standing demands.

All the doctors, nurses and laborers attached to the ayurveda hospitals will stay away from work today to force the government to rectify their salaries and to take action to grant promotions to those who are stagnating.

Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, Borella sources told The Morning Leader yesterday that besides these demands, the employees would also request the Indigenous Medicine Ministry to fill vacancies, that have existed for the past two years to ensure a satisfactory service to the patients.

"Is this a plan to eliminate the ayurveda system from the country? At the moment there are only two doctors to do night duty. There are 275 patients in the hospital at present and we do not have enough doctors to treat them. When it comes to the OPD it is worse, as most of the time the patients have to go back without taking treatment because of the lack of doctors," claimed the sources.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike launched by unemployed graduate doctors has reached its 10th day today. The strike was launched to request the government to absorb them to the permanent cadre.

"At present there are 800 unemployed graduate doctors in the country. Although the Minister claims that the Treasury has passed money to recruit the unemployed doctors, the Ministry officials say they have not yet received orders in writing. We wonder whether this is a move to eliminate the ayurveda system from the country," the sources further said.(NK)

The JVP has called for an urgent parliamentary debate on the recently signed defence treaty between the United States and Sri Lanka and for the tabling of the agreement.

JVP Parliamentary Group Leader, Wimal Weerawansa making a special statement in parliament yesterday said that details of the said agreement were unknown to the country.

Weerawansa noted that not even the cabinet had been taken into confidence according to a recent statement made by Minister Maithripala Sirisena wherein he admitted that its contents were unknown to him as the subject did not come under his purview.

Weerawansa added that not only cabinet but even parliament was kept in the dark where the defence treaty was concerned.

"We are only offered little glimpses. We have to imagine the actual contents of the agreement. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Robert Blake had stated that under this agreement winter clothes would be provided free of charge to the Sri Lanka Army and in return, US vessels reaching Colombo would be refueled and food supplies would be made available by the Sri Lankan authorities."

Weerawansa scoffed at the interest displayed by the international community particularly the UN in the alleged humanitarian crisis. This is an attempt to subvert sovereignty and is a covert move to create a Kosovo in a sovereign state. Sri Lanka does not require international interference in the guise of assistance, he noted.

He added that human rights violations are being used as an excuse to send a UN mission to monitor human rights in the island. "The US like many other nations was eyeing Sri Lanka’s oil deposits. Their help is offered in bad faith with ulterior motives," charged the MP, demanding that an urgent debate on the same be allowed to discuss the treaty in detail.

The UNP said yesterday that a recent report published by the US government on human rights violation in Sri Lanka has created a negative impact on the country.

UNP Media Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake while blaming the government for the increasing dooshanaya and beeshanaya in the country, said the US government’s revelation on abductions and killings by the ‘government representatives’ with and without the help of the LTTE supporters would no doubt bring bad consequences if precautions are not taken to put a halt to these illegal activities.

"As a result of these allegations the international community too will look at us as a country where human rights are violated, thus causing severe repercussions to the state. The country has received a bad reputation by failing to adhere to the rule of law," Karunathilake charged.

According to Karunathilake, the recent remarks made by the Defence Secretary that the UNP supporters, upcountry people or newspaper editors have not been taken into custody has raised questions at to whether the other segments of society were subjected to unlawful arrests.

The UNP also pointed out that the new laws imposed, which enable the forces to arrest anyone without a warrant and detain them for 12 months without holding any inquiry too would result in bad consequences to the country. Karunathilake said that the interference of the Rajapakse brothers in all government affairs too would not speak well about the administration of the country.

"The allegations leveled by former Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi against the government cannot be taken lightly because of the secret pact the government had with the LTTE before the presidential election which in turn prevented the people of the north and east from exercising their franchise at the election, which is a clear violation of human rights," claimed Karunathilake. (NK)

Brown paper and tissue are being used to print newspapers in the Jaffna peninsula due to the severe shortage experienced in newsprint and ink.

The Uthayan newspaper last Sunday was printed on brown paper.

Editor, Uthayan and Sudar Oli newspapers, N. Vithyatharan told The Morning Leader that no newsprint had gone to the peninsula after August 11 last year.

Managing Editor of both the newspapers, E. Saravanapavan earlier said that no response was received from the authorities despite several requests to send newsprint and other items to the peninsula.

"We have made requests to all the relevant authorities on several occasions. But there have been no measures taken by any of the parties to curb the situation in the north," he said.

The number of pages was reduced periodically in order to sustain circulation. However, Vithyatharan said that only around 4,000 papers were being printed after the pages were reduced to four.

"Our circulation used to be around 24,000 or sometimes a little more in the peninsula. Now, we have reduced the number of papers printed to 4000 and the number of pages has also been reduced to four from 24. But, we will definitely continue to print the newspapers even if we are pushed to a situation where we can only print one page," he said.

The Free Media Movement (FMM) said they were unaware of any steps taken by the government to resolve this issue.

"The media minister stated that he was unaware of the situation in Jaffna. Several international organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in the USA, have written to the minister to take immediate steps for the newsprint to be sent," a spokesman for the FMM said.

He however said that it was unlikely that the government would allow the materials to be sent, as they believed the LTTE would influence the media institutions.

"That is the government thinking. The newsprint, which was loaded in Trincomalee was later unloaded without being sent," he said.

The media minister could not be contacted for comment.

The ban on mothers with children below the age of five years migrating for work still stands, the Women’s Affairs Ministry said.

Human rights organisations have objected to the cabinet decision banning mothers with children below the age of five years migrating for work, claiming it was gender discriminatory.

Women’s Affairs Ministry, Additional Secretary, Daya Peiris told The Morning Leader that the decision was approved by cabinet and stands.

She added however that the Ministry was yet to implement this ban, and said they hoped to start working on it soon.

"We hope to coordinate with the other relevant organisations and implement this ban effectively," she said.

Meanwhile, General Manager, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB), H. Batagoda told The Morning Leader that preventing mothers with small children leaving the country for employment was a good move.

However, the SLFEB is yet to be officially notified of the ban.

Batagoda explained that since there have been lots of complaints from families, especially children, where the mother had gone overseas for employment, such a ban was necessary.

"There are many problems when children below five years are left by their mothers when they go abroad to work. The children’s education, health and well-being are neglected and is of serious concern. So this ban is a good thing," he said.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch called on the Sri Lankan government to withdraw the new regulation.

"This policy blatantly discriminates against women and threatens the well-being of their children," said Director, Women’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch, Shawn R. Jefferson.

"It would prevent many mothers from supporting their children by banning them from the only form of work they can find."

Human rights organisations have pointed out that Sri Lanka has obligations under its constitution and international law to protect women from discrimination, including in employment. The Sri Lankan Constitution provides, in Article 12 that no citizen may be discriminated against on the basis of sex. International human rights treaties which Sri Lanka has ratified also ban discrimination against women, it was pointed out.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which Sri Lanka ratified in 1981, requires states to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of employment, including providing the right to free choice of profession and employment.

More than 660,000 Sri Lankan women are employed as domestic workers abroad. To support themselves and their families, many Sri Lankan women migrate to the Middle East on temporary contracts as domestic workers.

The majority of Sri Lankan migrant workers are women and their remittances make valuable contributions to the country’s economy.

In 2006, workers’ remittances amounted to US$ 2.2 billion, representing Sri Lanka’s second-highest source of foreign-exchange earnings and equivalent to over nine percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Microbiology diagnosis and surveillance in Sri Lanka are to be improved on the initiation of the Health Care and Nutrition Ministry, with assistance from leading French health institutions.

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and officials of the Medical Research Institute (MRI), along with four leading French health institutions — Basteur Institute (BI), French Institute of Public Health Surveillance (FIPHS), Pitie Salpetriere Hospital (PSH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will hold a two-week training workshop from March 19 to 30 at the MRI in Colombo on the improvement of the above sectors.

"This will be a great opportunity, where France and Sri Lanka will cooperate for mutual benefit. It will in addition enhance the relations between the two countries as well. The workshop will focus on global issues, including diseases caused by the transmission of viruses by mosquitoes, such as chikungunya and dengue fever. Sri Lanka has been at great risk lately, since we suffered due to the spread of these diseases.

"Other transmitted diseases such as seasonal flu, avian flu and Leptospiosis will also be addressed during the two-week long workshop, as France is actively involved in research in relation to these areas," Health Care and Nutrition Ministry Spokesperson W.M.D. Wanninayake told The Morning Leader.

It is learnt that exposure on biological diagnosis and surveillance will be shared between the French and Sri Lankan experts in the field, on the direction of former French Health Minister Douste-Blazy.

An estimated 30,000 civilians still trapped in LTTE controlled areas west and south of Batticaloa town are vulnerable to be caught up in confrontations, the military said yesterday.

Military Spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told The Morning Leader that the army was still in the process of clearing many areas in the south of Batticaloa due to which civilians could not return.

"There are currently 150,000 civilians in Batticaloa who are unable to return to their homes. Although 100% security is guaranteed to civilians in Vaharai and the south of Trincomalee, we cannot guarantee the security of the civilians trapped in the south of Batticaloa," he said adding that an estimated 30,000 civilians were currently stuck in the area.

He further said that the government had made all arrangements to return civilians back to Vaharai and Trincomalee and added that 100% security was guaranteed to these civilians who were willing to go back.

However, international human rights watchdogs such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) blamed the government of using threats and intimidation to force civilians who fled the recent fighting to return home.

In a letter sent to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva last week, HRW said that since March 12, the government has been returning people from at least six internally displaced person sites in the Batticaloa District. It added at least 771 individuals have been sent to Trincomalee District further north as part of a plan to return approximately 2,800 internally displaced persons.

"To pressure individuals to return home, government officials and military personnel have threatened to withdraw humanitarian aid, food and other essential supplies. Some officials have threatened families that they would revoke their family cards, which entitles them to food rations. In some cases, the security forces have said that they would no longer be responsible for the security of the displaced persons who stayed behind," HRW said.

Asia Director of HRW, Brad Adams said that despite the government saying that it will never force civilians to return home after fighting has displaced them, the truth however was otherwise.

"There is clear and incontrovertible evidence that forced returns have begun, right under the noses of international observers. Pressuring displaced persons to return home goes against UN-recognised principles and is contrary to the Sri Lankan government’s repeated promises not to force people to return," Adams said adding that the government must only return people with their free consent, and provide aid and security for all those who decide to stay until conditions improve.

Following the HRW concerns, UNHCR said that the government had assured it that it would be fully engaged in all resettlement drives in the future.

A Trade union affiliated to the SLFP, the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya held a protest opposite the Fort Railway Station against former Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi yesterday.

Western Province Governor, Alavi Moulana attended the protest and pledged his support to the protestors. Moulana said he was pleased that within a few hours so many people were able to gather at the station to show their support to the government.

"I have come here today not as a politician, but as a common man to support the people," Moulana said.

Secretary, Sri Lanka Nidahas Pravahana Sevaka Samithiya, Nimal Abeysiri told The Morning Leader that Sooriyaarachchi had no right to create a fuss in parliament with regard to his arrest.

"Whatever protests Sooriyaarachchi has to make should be done in courts and not in parliament. Sooriyaarachchi has been in politics for only four years. I have been a supporter of Rajapakse for a longer period of time," Abeysiri said.

Abeysiri added that the government was successful in controlling the activities of the LTTE in the north and east and that Sooriyaarachchi and Samaraweera should not be criticising the government at this time.

The Green Movement of Sri Lanka (GMSL) has requested the government to take necessary action against the promotion and use of unethical pharmaceuticals in the country.

Officials from GMSL stressed that the pharmaceutical business was the second largest money making venture next to the arms and ammunition business in the country. These issues were raised at a programme held by the GMSL to mark World Consumer Rights Day.

Speaking to The Morning Leader Head Information and Media Unit, GMSL, Ranjan Karunanayake said unlike other countries Sri Lanka does not have a Consumer Association or organisation to solve the problems faced by the public.

"Large quantities of unregistered pharmaceuticals are brought into the country. Well-known multi national companies are involved in bringing down these drugs and distributing them in the local market," Karunanayake said.

He added that multi national companies are only interested in profits and not in the welfare of the public.

Niranjan Udumalagoda stressed that the government should take an interest in solving the present crisis of unregistered pharmaceuticals in the country. Abeypala de Silva spoke on the need to have a consumer protection association and protect the rights of the people in the country.

Legal officer, GMSL, Thushara Jayaratne spoke on the legal rights of the people. He added that legislation was not made for the benefit of the country or its people and those involved in initiating the legal acts were those with no experience.

"A high percentage of the country’s population is poor and cannot afford to hire lawyers to fight for their rights," Jayaratne said.

Nearly 70 persons have been imprisoned in Jaffna due to threats to their lives since August last year, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office said.

The Regional Coordinator, HRC in Jaffna, T. Suvendraraja told The Morning Leader that these persons had complained to the HRC that their lives were in danger.

"We send them to the police and then they are sent to the prison for protection," he said.

He added that prison officials were facing difficulties in coping with the increasing number of persons seeking protection.

"There are people seeking protection as well as people imprisoned due to their crimes. Therefore, the officials are finding it difficult to control the situation. The prison is also not maintained properly due to these issues. Therefore, the inmates are subjected to various diseases," Suvendraraja added.

He however said that complaints on abductions have decreased during the past few days.

"Earlier there were five to six incidents reported each day. Now it has reduced to around two to three. There has been a drop lately," he added.

He however said that the HRC was not informed of all the incidents in the north as civilians feared for their lives. (AW)

BASL calls for a halt to abductions and extra judicial killings

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) last week urged an immediate halt to abductions and extra judicial killings in the country.

The BASL made this statement after the executive committee meeting held last week.

BASL executive committee member, Lal Wijenayake told The Morning Leader that the present situation was a challenge to democracy and the rule of law in the country.

"Abductions and extra judicial killings are very serious issues. They were taken up at the BASL executive committee meeting held last Tuesday. We express deep concern over this issue and urge the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to bring this to a halt," he said.

AHRC concerned over arbitrary arrests and torture

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has expressed concern over the continuing arbitrary arrests and torture in the country.

A statement released by the AHRC alleged that a boy who was arrested by the Ratnapura police was harassed by them after being arrested.

The statement said that the victim was still receiving treatment at the prison hospital.

"According to the information we have received from our local partner organisation in Sri Lanka, he has been arrested twice on fabricated charges and has been harassed by the Ratnapura police. The victim is in a prison hospital for medical treatment as he was seriously assaulted while in custody," the AHRC said.

The AHRC also said that it was reported that the victim was not being properly treated at the hospital due to the lack of medical facilities there.

The statement alleged that the police was delaying the court cases.

The AHRC last month pointed out the arrest of an 18-year-old boy, who was also harassed by the Kurunegala police.

It was alleged that the police had deliberately delayed the judicial processes despite several complaints being made by the victim to human rights organisations.

Japanese grant for socio-economic development

The Japanese government has provided a grant of yen 1,530 million (Rs. 1,380 mn) for two projects aimed at socio economic development of Sri Lanka. Out of this amount, Japanese yen 1,200 million has been provided under the Non-Project Grant Aid Programme (NPGA) and the balance Japanese yen 330 million under the Grant Assistance for Under Privileged Farmers (GAUPF) scheme.

The grant provided under the NPGA is to facilitate the sustainable economic development initiatives of the Sri Lankan government.

This grant will be utilised for economic structural reforms, mitigation of balance of payment problems and for poverty reduction through rural development projects mutually agreed between the two governments. It will also be used to import goods and materials for further promotion of projects implemented under the grant. (SR)

Ten year plan to eliminate tuberculosis

A 10-year strategic plan for the elimination of tuberculosis from Sri Lanka was launched recently.

Though the strategy builds on the achievements of the Direct Observe Treatment Short-Course (DOTS), it includes additional approaches that are necessary to achieve the targets set under the Millennium Development Goals. Health Care and Nutrition Ministry Spokesperson W.M.D. Wanninayake told The Morning Leader that even though DOTS can be considered to have been very successful, it is recognised that DOTS alone would not suffice.

"DOTS will remain as the basic component upon which the additional approaches will be built. Among the many reasons to adopt these additional approaches, the country having committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals could be emphasised. Tuberculosis control will remain an inherent part of these goals and the specific targets related to tuberculosis control must be met. Measuring the impact of the currently undertaken and proposed interventions as well as focus on reducing the overall disease burden will also be done," Wanninayake said.

The Health Ministry further said that since the environment is changing, they are aiming at long-term sustainability of the programme and also on increasing cost-efficiency, decentralisation and integration in the general health care system.

New botanical garden by 2009

The first phase of the new botanical gardens at Mirijjawila, Hambantota is to be completed by 2009.

When completed this would be the second botanical garden and the first in the dry zone in the country. The total cost of the project estimated at Rs 500 million is to be funded by the government.

Director, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Dr. C. Wijesundera said 300 acres of land have been allocated for the project.

"Two shade houses for propagating plants, a field office and a boundary fence have been erected. The shade houses have around 10,000 plants in the nursery," Dr. Wijesundera said.

According to Dr. Wijesundera, the existing vegetation in the scrub jungle earmarked for the project will be preserved.

First phase of new botanical gardens to be completed by 2009

The first phase of the new botanical gardens at Mirijjawila, Hambantota is to be completed by 2009.

When completed this would be the second botanical garden and the first in the dry zone in the country. The total cost of the project estimated at Rs 500 million is to be funded by the government.

Director, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Dr. C. Wijesundera said 300 acres of land have been allocated for the project.

"Two shade houses for propagating plants, a field office and a boundary fence have been erected. The shade houses have around 10,000 plants in the nursery," Dr. Wijesundera said.

According to Dr. Wijesundera, the existing vegetation in the scrub jungle earmarked for the project will be preserved.

On March 16 at about 1200 hours whilst army personnel were manning a road block at Savalkattu junction, in Manipay, an LTTE suicide cadre who came on a pedal cycle had tried to launch an attack and the army personnel had retaliated killing him on the spot. Investigations are continuing.

On march 11 the LTTE had attacked army personnel who were on a clearing operation in Kohombagastalawa area. A soldier who was injured and under treatment at Ampara Hospital succumbed to his injuries later.

On March 16 at about 1730 hours a resident of Morakottanchenai, Eravur complained that his son aged 14 years who left home to go to school had gone missing. He had further stated that he had seen his son at the Karuna faction TMVP office situated at Vandaramulla. Investigations are continuing.

Army personnel attached to the Parayanamakulam army camp had taken into custody three persons who were carrying large amounts of cash on March 16.

The three persons had arrived from uncleared areas. They had been handed over to the police. The three persons had claimed that they wished to obtain foreign employment due to LTTE activities in the area.

Investigations are continuing to ascertain whether they have LTTE links.

About 176 students and 10 teachers of Pannala National School who climbed Ambuluwawa Rock on March 16 were stung by wasps and 13 students were admitted to Gampola Hospital.

One of the students aged 15 years had succumbed to his injuries. Investigations are continuing.