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The Trincomalee development master plan has been delayed owing to irregularities of the project planning officers assigned to this task by the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry.

The Ministry has commenced a Project of Preparation of a Master Plan with the objective of improving the agriculture, energy and tourism industries in the Trincomalee District.

A consultancy firm in Singapore had been selected as consultants for this project without following the Government's procurement guidelines.

Accordingly, an agreement had been reached for the preparation of the Master Plan of the Trincomalee District at a cost of US$ 982,000.

In terms of that agreement, the planning report should have been handed over within 09 months.

Nevertheless, the said report had not been handed over even by the end of the year 2017, a progress review report revealed.

Even though an amount of US$ 589,200 equivalent to LKR 90.29 million had been paid in 03 instances by the end of the year under review, the Master Plan of the Trincomalee District had not been prepared and handed over even by the end of June 2018.

The consultancy firm had failed to complete the said project within a period of 09 months as per the agreement and as such, it has been extended by another period of 08 months.

The Singaporean company had failed to provide the said plan within the period given for the preparation of the plan.

Even though the project was scheduled to be completed on 30 November 2017, the project had to be carried out by paying salaries to the staff up to 31 July 2018 due to delays encountered in the preparation of the plan.

Two groups that are currently with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa that are working to defeat him have been revealed by United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Weerakumara Dissanayake.

Dissanayake told a news briefing that these two groups under the guise of being Rajapaksa’s loyalists were in fact working to ensure his defeat at the presidential elections.

Dissanayake explaining about these two groups explained that one group was working in a manner that would distance the minority communities from him (Gotabaya) while the other group was making very critical comments of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which would result in the distancing of the SLFP voters.

According to him, Rajapaksa needs to be mindful of these two groups when carrying out his campaign work.

Thirteen Sri Lankans who attempted to travel to Australia illegally by boat have been deported today (15) by Australian authorities.

It is reported that these persons had left the island as a group on a multi-day fishing trawler. They are residents of Chilaw.

The group had arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport at around 6:30 am.

They have been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) unit at the airport by Immigration officials for further investigations.

The Attorney General (AG) has instructed the Acting IGP to expedite the police investigations into several high-profile cases and to conclude them soon.

The high profile cases referred to by the Attorney General include the murders of Editor of The Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge, Sri Lanka rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, the 17 aid workers in 2006 and the abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr as well as the abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil youths.

The Attorney General has instructed the Acting IGP to conclude investigations into the cases without delay and to submit the completed filed to the Attorney General’s Department for the filing of charges.

The government has allocated increasingly bigger volumes of funds over the last four years and especially under 'The Framework for Economic Development Master Plan' for the long term growth and development of the Northern Province.

The Framework for Economic Development Master Plan was launched in February 2019 by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

“This government has set apart massive funds for the development of Northern province and more projects are to be launched,” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen on Thursday (15).

He was addressing the ceremonial opening of a new hospital wing in Vavuniya . The new health facility was declared open by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe together with Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

Bathiudeen’s announcement comes ahead of an Economic Development Analysis of the North, devised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in the first quarter of 2019.

"Health, education and housing have been the key sectors that has displayed great improvements in this Province in the last four years. Many new school buildings too have now been completed and they are ready for opening," he added.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name has not been included in the official US Government publication “Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate”, or renounce US citizenship, in the 2nd quarter of 2019 - covering 1 March to 30 June.

Gotabaya’s name did not appear in the 1st quarter list and it was stated by his loyalists at the time that he had submitted his papers end of April and therefore did not make it to the list. They stated that Gotabaya’s name would appear in the 2nd quarter list. However, the latest 2nd quarter list does not include the name of the SLPP presidential candidate casting doubts over his candidacy since it seem he still remains a citizen of the US.

Gotabaya claimed that he received official confirmation on May 3 from the US Government that he was not considered a US citizen.

A document was then published by some media organizations, which he said confirmed he has renounced his citizenship.

However, the US Government, in its Federal Register - the equivalent of the Gazette published by the Sri Lankan Government - publishes a list of US citizens who have lost or given up their citizenship in the previous quarter every three months.

Accordingly, the most recent filing, a 17-page document, dated August 7, 2019 and covering the 2nd quarter does not include Gotabaya’s name.

The document states, “the listing contains the name of each individual losing United States citizenship, with respect to whom the Secretary received information during the quarter ending 30 June 2019.”

According to Article 91 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no person can contest the Presidency or serve as President if they are a citizen of any country other than Sri Lanka.

Citizenship issues

Meanwhile, Gotabaya told the media that a further confirmation of his renunciation of the US citizenship was the new Sri Lankan passport obtained by him, without the dual citizen stamp.

He claimed that the Immigration and Emigration Controller General has accepted him as a Sri Lankan citizen.

However, details then started to emerge on the irregularities involved in the manner in which the Sri Lankan passport was issued and Gotabaya’s dual citizenship issues.

It has also been revealed that Gotabaya has not made an application under the Citizenship Act and that his new passport has been issued under a new National ID that is unconnected to border control records.

It is also learnt that Gotabaya’s passport application was received and processed by the Immigration and Emigration Department on an urgent basis on May 7, this year after 3.00 p.m., which is the cut-off time for new applications.

Also, Gotabaya had not appeared at the Immigration Department to be finger-printed, and the passport was issued in a matter of hours under a new National ID card number that is not connected to Gotabaya’s previous NIC or border control records.

Gotabaya has reportedly obtained the new passport from the Immigration and Emigration Department in May without the dual-citizen stamp.

According to Gotabaya, this new Sri Lankan passport was proof that he was no longer a dual citizen under Sri Lankan law.

According to immigration officials, persons with dual citizen status are required to make a formal application under the Citizenship Act if they wish to regain regular Sri Lankan citizenship. However, Gotabaya it is learnt had not followed this regular process, but had obtained a passport which did not indicate his dual citizenship status.

It is also learnt that the use of a new National ID card number for Gotabaya when obtaining the new passport had prevented the immigration computer systems from automatically noting that he was on record as a dual citizen.

Minister's powers

An immigration official has noted that the dual citizenship is a ‘status’ granted by the Sri Lankan government to former Sri Lankan citizens allowing them to exercise all the rights of a Sri Lankan citizen. Hence, granting of a dual citizenship is most often a political decision with the Minister in-charge holding unquestioned authority to approve, deny or revoke dual citizenship as he decides is in the national interest.

According to Section 19 of the Citizenship Act, the Minister may only grant dual citizenship “if he is satisfied” that doing so “would, in all the circumstances of the case, be in the best interests of Sri Lanka.”

Section 19 (7) states that “the Minister may, at any time, revoke” a declaration of dual citizenship status if a dual citizen “has so conducted himself that his continuance as a citizen of Sri Lanka will not be of benefit to Sri Lanka.”

However, in the event a dual citizen wishes to become an ordinary Sri Lankan citizen and if the status has not been revoked, they must then apply under the Citizenship Act for a declaration that they are again full Sri Lankan citizens.

Once again, this decision is also delegated to the Minister in-charge of citizenship matters.

Dual citizenship

According to an affidavit filed by Gotabaya before Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, he had returned to Sri Lanka in 2005 to assist with his brothers presidential campaign.

When he arrived in Sri Lanka in 2005, he was an American citizen and not a Sri Lankan citizen. Furthermore, immigration records have noted that he had arrived in Sri Lanka on his American passport with an on-arrival tourist visa in order to campaign for his brother - then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He had applied for dual citizenship on November 18, 2005, which is interestingly, the day his brother was sworn in as the President of Sri Lanka.

Missing file

It is now learnt that files on Gotabaya’s dual citizenship are not at the Immigration and Emigration Department.

The only record available is one that indicates he had applied for dual citizenship on November 18, 2005.

However, records show that his application was approved by the Minister on the next working day, Monday, November 21, 2005. Interestingly, the approval was granted by the ‘Minister’ although there was no Minister appointed at that time.

Gotabaya’s application was given top priority although there was a large backlog of applications over several months. The computer system at the Immigration and Emigration Department has noted that while the dual citizenship was granted in November 2005, the data pertaining to Gotabaya was only entered into the system on January 13, 2014.

When inquiries were made to observe the original documents, it had been revealed that there are no copies of the application, receipt of payment, or the dual citizenship certificate granted to Gotabaya in the Department file.

Also, dual citizens are usually required to present their dual citizenship certificate when obtaining a new passport. However, there are no records of Gotabaya presenting his dual citizenship certificate when obtaining the new passport.

Probe

All this resulted in two civil activists writing a complaint to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) calling for an investigation in to the alleged irregularities.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is now conducting an investigation into the complaints and has uncovered many irregularities Gotabaya’s citizenship issue.

The complaints were lodged by Professor Chandragupta Thenuwara and Gamini Viyangoda calling on the Acting IGP to probe the allegations of “possible criminal activity” by Gotabaya in obtaining the passport, declaration of dual citizenship and the disappearance of government records pertaining to these allegations.

Puravesi Balaya Convener, Viyangoda in his complaint has noted that Gotabaya has publicly declared that he intends to contest the Presidential Election. “As you are aware all criminal proceedings against a person will cease upon their being elected as President,” he has stated.

Viyangoda has also called on the Acting IGP to investigate saying “it is of Paramount importance to Sri Lanka’s National Security and system of Justice.”

According to Viyangoda, the Police should investigate whether criminal offences are disclosed by this information and whether Gotabaya did indeed legally obtain dual citizenship in Sri Lanka after renouncing his allegiance to the country of his birth and pledging fealty to the United States of America in 2003.

The complaint lodged by Prof. Thenuwara, which does not name Gotabaya, has noted that the “individual concerned” has had criminal proceedings instituted against him by both the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Attorney General for the alleged misappropriation of public funds and corruption.

Meanwhile, Internal and Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena has told the media that Gotabaya had not officially informed his Ministry about renouncing American citizenship.

The issue of granting dual citizenship, its renunciation and re-application for Sri Lankan citizenship fall under the purview of Abeywardena.

 The Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate, or Renounce US Citizenship, in the 2nd quarter of 2019 - covering 1 March to 30 June released by the US Government is found below:

Related News:
Controversy over Gota's new passport

Minister Ajith P. Perera in an interview with The Hindu newspaper has made a case for United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader, Minster Sajith Premadasa’s candidacy at the presidential election saying the UNP cannot win an election only with the support of the Colombo elite.

Perera has said that this is the reason why the UNP should field Premadasa as its presidential candidate.

“Though he is western-educated, Sajith Premadasa is very grounded and has a connect with ordinary citizens in a way that no other UNP leader has,” Perera has observed.

“We can’t win an election with just the Colombo elite supporting us,” Perera has said.

“The majority of our MPs are with him, and a majority of our working committee members want him to contest. Backbenchers have also decided to support him,” he has further noted.

Sri Lanka is to receive €8.5 million from the European Commission (EC) to support the country’s efforts to prevent violent extremism, build community resilience, and promote peace and tolerance.

It is also aimed at contributing to the ongoing peacebuilding process through internally displaced persons and refugees being able to return to their land.

This allocation comes after High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini’s meeting earlier this month with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, where she underlined the European Union’s readiness to support Sri Lanka in the face of the challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.

The €8.5 million Commission support will follow a three-pronged approach: It will support Sri Lankan policy makers, competent authorities and the security and judicial branches in their mission to prevent and respond to terrorist threats and attacks in a human rights compliant manner; it will focus on the prevention of violent extremism and will support relevant local stakeholders to develop and disseminate positive awareness raising campaigns, notably via partnerships with global social media actors; and it will contribute to the last stages of mine clearance in the three northern districts of Sri Lanka, and focus on peacebuilding to reinforce national cohesion and reconciliation.

According to the EC, the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka in April killed 258 people and injured many more and preventing and responding to terrorist attacks like this is an additional challenge for the country along with numerous other challenges.

These challenges are in transitioning to durable peace after many years of conflict, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, and land identified as potentially contaminated with mines and explosive remnants.

The police probe being carried out into the alleged irregularities in the issuing of a new passport to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is now under pressure with Rajapaksa loyalists exerting pressure on the police department to stall the probe.

Police sources said that following the revelation that Gotabaya’s name has not been included in the 2nd quarter list released by the US on the individuals who had requested to renounce their US citizenships, pressure was now mounting on the police to stop investigating into the Sri Lankan passport issue.

It is in such a backdrop that the Acting IGP Chandana Wickremaratne has moved to assign the police probe on the alleged irregularities in Gotabaya’s Sri Lankan passport to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), police sources say.

The probe was initially handled by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), but the Acting IGP has now reassigned the probe to the CCD.

The probe was launched following two complaints seeking an inquiry in to the allegations was sent to the Acting IGP by civil society activists. The two complaints were first forwarded to the CID.

However, some senior police officers are trying to maintain that the police is not probing into the issue, but merely inquiring to determine whether there is a necessity to carry out a probe.

Gota still a US citizen

Gotabaya’s name was not included in the official US Government publication “Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate”, or renounce US citizenship, in the 2nd quarter of 2019 - covering 1 March to 30 June.

Gotabaya’s name did not appear in the 1st quarter list and it was stated by his loyalists at the time that he had submitted his papers end of April and therefore did not make it to the list. They stated that Gotabaya’s name would appear in the 2nd quarter list. However, the latest 2nd quarter list does not include the name of the SLPP presidential candidate casting doubts over his candidacy since it seem he still remains a citizen of the US.

Gotabaya claimed that he received official confirmation on May 3 from the US Government that he was not considered a US citizen.

A document was then published by some media organizations, which he said confirmed he has renounced his citizenship.

However, the US Government, in its Federal Register - the equivalent of the Gazette published by the Sri Lankan Government - publishes a list of US citizens who have lost or given up their citizenship in the previous quarter every three months.

Accordingly, the most recent filing, a 17-page document, dated August 7, 2019 and covering the 2nd quarter does not include Gotabaya’s name.

The document states, “the listing contains the name of each individual losing United States citizenship, with respect to whom the Secretary received information during the quarter ending 30 June 2019.”

According to Article 91 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no person can contest the Presidency or serve as President if they are a citizen of any country other than Sri Lanka.

 Related News:
Controversy over Gota's new passport

The Supreme Court (SC) has fixed Friday (23) to take up the request presented by President Maithripala Sirisena seeking the Court’s observation on the possibility of holding the delayed provincial council (PC) polls under the old electoral system.

The President has sought the Supreme Court’s observation on holding the provincial council elections under the old electoral system since the delimitation report has not received parliamentary approval. The request has been made under Clause 129 (1) of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court has in writing informed the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) about the request made by the President and has sought the BASL to send in any observations of its own on the matter to the Court before Wednesday (21).

The Supreme Court is to take up the Presidential request for consideration at 10 a.m. on the 23rd.

Accordingly, the observations are to be sent to the President before the 30th of this month.

The Fisheries Corporation is now incapable of meeting the fish requirement of consumers due to inefficient management, lack of supervision in the procurement process and malpractices including paying huge commissions to middlemen.

The corporation has targeted to purchase 7200 metric tons of fish by spending a sum of Rs. 2,592 million in the year 2017/2018 under review.

According to the progress report, 3329 metric tons of fish had only been purchased only by spending a sum of Rs.1, 381 million.

Although it was targeted to earn an income of Rs. 3,375 million by selling 7200 metric tons of fish, an income of Rs. 1,915 million had been earned only by selling of 3857 metric tons.

Accordingly, the Fisheries Corporation had failed to reach the sales target by 46 per cent. Further, they have also failed to supply fish at concessionary prices which is the Corporation's main objective.

The Fisheries Corporation has changed the present system of procuring fish and instead introduced a direct purchasing method of fish stocks from the fisher folk on the shore without the involvement of middlemen.

The new method will be able to save a massive amount of commissions paid to the middlemen can and quality fish can be provided to the consumers at low prices.

It has been revealed that at some occasions, the middlemen's commission amounts to Rs. 30-40 per kilo of fish.

He said around Rs. 6 million is due from the Fisheries Corporation to fishermen for fish supplied during the months of April and May.

Official data revealed that a sum of nearly 270 million has been outstanding since 2015.

All arrangements have been made to hold a massive public rally under the patronage of United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader, Minister Sajith Premadasa at the Sanath Jayasuriya Stadium in Matara on Friday (23).

The rally is being organised by the UNP Matara electoral committee under the guidance of Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and a large number of UNP ministers and parliamentarians are scheduled to participate at the event.

After the Matara public rally, arrangements have been made to hold a massive rally at the Galle Face Green during the first week of September to announce the presidential candidate of the United National Front (UNF).

Kabir’s hint on UNP candidate

A large number of UNP activists at grass root level are now making statements to the media stating that the UNP has to field Premadasa if the party wants to win at the next presidential election.

Meanwhile, a group of former local government representatives of the UNP has adopted a motion calling for the announcing of Premadasa as the UNP’s candidate at the next presidential election.

It is in such a backdrop that UNP Chairman, Minister Kabir Hashim has issued a statement saying that the party will take steps to select its presidential candidate in a democratic manner and announce the decision to the public shortly.

The statement further notes that the candidate of the UNP will not be one who is facing litigation before court nor have any public allegations leveled against him.

According to the statement, the UNP candidate will be one who will be able to steer the country in to the future, understand the grief of the poor and an educated as well as a law abiding citizen.