News
Overall LG election voter turnout records 65 percent this year
The District Returning Officers said that the overall average voter turnout recorded 65 percent in this year’s Local Government elections, by 4 p.m. today.
Accordingly in Anuradhapura and Trincomalee district voter turnout recorded a staggering 85 percent and Matale, Hambantota and Kalutara districts recorded an 80 percent voter turnout.
Kurunegala and Mullaitivu districts voter turnout recorded a 78 percent and Gampaha, Polonnaruwa and Galle recorded a 75 percent voter turnout.
Nuwara Eliya and Kilinochchi district recorded a 60 percent turnout, a 52 percent voter turnout was recorded from Kandy and Jaffna recorded a 47 percent voter turnout.
Furthermore by 2 p.m. today, Monaragala district recorded a 80 percent voter turnout, Puttalam district recorded a 73 percent voter turnout, Mannar and Ampara district recorded a 70 percent voter turnout and Badulla recorded a 65 percent voter turnout.
Source : Daily News
AG opposes granting bail to Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena
The Attorney General has objected to the bail application filed by Perpetual Treasuries Limited director Arjun Aloysius and CEO Kasun Palisena, who are in remand custody over the bond scam charges.
The Attorney General's Department today filed written submission at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court against granting bail to Aloysius and Palisena.
The Attorney General has stated in his submission that the suspects are being charged under the Public Property Act and the court has no authority to grant bail without any particular reason.
Considering the submissions, Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne has ordered the bail application to be taken on the 16th of this month.
Meanwhile, the Colombo Fort Magistrate ordered the suspects Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena, who were arrested in connection with the Central Bank bonds scam, to be remanded till the 16th.
Source : Colombo Page
Diaspora Tamils urge British government to shame and sack “slit throat” Sri Lanka diplomat
Angered by a public death threat against Tamil demonstrators in London, Eelamist diaspora groups in a rare display of solidarity have urged the British government to strip Sri Lanka’s military attaché in the United Kingdom of his diplomatic status and declare him a “Persona non Grata”.
Leading Tamil diaspora organisations spurred into action by Minister Councillor (Defence) Aandige Priyanka Indunil Fernando gesturing thrice to slit the throats of demonstrators in London who opposed the Sri Lanka government celebrating 70 years of independence while Tamils in the island were persecuted, have petitioned the British government on the 9th of February.
In the detailed despatch to Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson the organisations have requested the British government to “declare the Sri Lankan Military Attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando a Persona non Grata for committing a serious offence under British law, abusing diplomatic immunity in the UK and committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka and therefore, to curtail his leave to remain in the UK.”
The Tamil organisations in their joint appeal have further demanded the arrest of Brigadier Fernando for breaching the domestic law and initiate criminal proceedings as well as investigating the credible and serious allegations of his complicity in war crimes in Sri Lanka.
EU adds SL to money laundering blacklist
The European Parliament has confirmed that Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Trinidad and Tobago were on the European Commission’s blacklist of countries at risk for acts of money-laundering.
In a statement, the European Parliament on Wednesday said despite intense efforts by some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), they have failed to achieve the 376-vote absolute majority needed to reject the inclusion of Tunisia, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago in the European Commission’s list of non-EU countries considered to have strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regimes.
“The vote on Wednesday reflected the split in Parliament over the issue, with 357 votes in support of the motion to 283 votes against and 26 abstentions,” it said.
As part of its obligations under the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Directive, the European Commission is periodically obliged to draw up a list of “high-risk third countries”.
European Parliament has veto power over the blacklist, which is one of the tools in the European Union’s armoury to protect its financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing.
In mid-December, in line with its custom of following the lead of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Commission has decided to include Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Trinidad and Tobago to its blacklist.
In a statement to Parliament on Monday, the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourová, declined some MEPs’ requests to de-list Tunisia as one of the blacklisted countries
Source : Daily Mirror
Minister Fowzie’s Granddaughter Assaulted In Court Premises
Minister A. H. M. Fowzie’s granddaughter – Attorney-at-Law Fathima Hafsa lodged three complaints yesterday, for intimidating and assaulting her in Court premises this morning against Dr. Shazli Mowjood, who is on bail and allegedly carried on these acts in breach of bail conditions.
According to a press release by Santhush Fernando, Attorney at Law, "Three complaints were lodged with Court Police, Women’s and Children's Bureau and the National Authority for The Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses, against Dr. Mowjood for allegedly punching her in the stomach and threatening to kill her in the event she continues to be witness against the assailant. The incident was immediately brought to the notice of the Magistrate. Furthermore, following the assault the complainant was admitted to National Hospital for a medical check-up. "
The press release further states -
“Wazeer Ahmed, a Director of a company belonging to the family of the powerful Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Minister – A. H. M. Fowzie, who pledged allegiance to President Maithripala Sirisena; claims that these assaults, death threats against him, his co-complainant and his family members and intimidation of Police officers in executing their lawful duties emanating from the Minister’s family have gone unfettered and have proved nothing but otherwise.”
“Ahamed earlier told media that with degrading good governance and rule of law and increasing intimidation, he has very little hope in law enforcement (i.e. the Police)”.
“In fact my case is coming up in March, but from the actions taken by the Police so far and personally seeing the helplessness of the Narahenpita OIC in handling this case, we can’t expect much, with the Minister Fowzie being a senior member of the Good Governance administration. Our plea is allowed course of justice to take place without any hindrance just as pledged by the crusaders of good governance,” lamented Ahamed.
“He claims that although several complaints had been lodged by him and Attorney-at-Law Fathima Hafsa (no less than the granddaughter of Minister A. H.M. Fowzie) against repeated acts of criminal intimidation and threats during the last two years, the Police are unable to take action because they were lodged against a daughter, two sons and other family members of the minister. A complaint lodged by Attorney-at-Law Fathima Hafsa recorded at CIB 179/64 at the Narahenpita Police Station on 12th January 2017, states that her uncle Namaz Fowzie intimidated and influences Police personnel preventing justice being meted out to her and Wazeer Ahmed”.
Sri Lanka to test long-lasting dengue prevention method
A self-sustaining program that helps provide long-term protection for communities from dengue has been given the official go ahead in Sri Lanka today.
Monash University's World Mosquito Program (WMP) is set to be rolled out in Sri Lanka following the signing of a Collaboration Agreement (CA) by Sri Lanka's Secretary, Ministry of Health (MoH), Janaka Sugathadasa at a ceremony in Colombo with Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson.
Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine Janaka Sugathadasa and Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson.
The agreement advances the partnership between Sri Lanka and the WMP in tackling the threat of mosquito borne-viruses such as dengue in Sri Lanka.
It comes after Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's announcement last year of the partnership and funding commitment to help establish the WMP in Sri Lanka.
With support from the Australian Government's innovationXchange, WMP will use its ground-breaking research to trial the introduction of naturally occurring Wolbachia bacteria to Sri Lankan mosquito populations.
Wolbachia prevents dengue from being transmitted between people and also has the ability to block other mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and chikungunya.
WMP Program Director Professor Scott O'Neill said the agreement was an important step in establishing the program in Sri Lanka.
"We are extremely pleased to be working with the National Dengue Control Unit, Ministry of Health, in seeking a long-term solution to the dengue burden in Sri Lanka. We look forward to rolling out the program to local communities in the Colombo area," he said.
"Mosquito-borne viruses pose a global health threat for a number of reasons and our program provides an affordable solution to improving health security in the region."
The program will be established across three sites in the Colombo area over the next 12 months, with the first mosquito releases to take place next year.
It's hoped the program will expand its Wolbachia method to further sites in Sri Lanka in the future working in collaboration with local partners and subject to approval from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health.
Since 2011, WMP has been conducting field trials using the Wolbachia method. Long term monitoring has shown that when a high proportion of mosquitoes in an area carry Wolbachia, local transmission of the disease has stopped. Sri Lanka is the tenth country to become part of the program, joining Brazil, Colombia, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati.
Austin involved in Defence attache suspension
Brigadier Priyankara Fernando’s suspension from his post as Sri Lanka Minister-Counselor (Defence) attached to the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK was a result of a unanimous decision taken by Presidential Secretary, Austin Fernando and several other key players of the government.
Sources say a special meeting was held between the Presidential Secretary, Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commander of the Army led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana to discuss the incident where the Defence Attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando was seen miming a throat-slitting gesture towards a group of protesters who had gathered outside Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission in London on February 4.
The letter sent by the two UK MP’s to the British Foreign Secretary requesting that the diplomat is expelled from the UK over the incident was also discussed at this meeting sources said.
They had considered a PNG- persona non grata situation in the UK for Brigadier Fernando due to this incident and therefore had decided to suspend the Brigadier's service immediately. The President's Secretary had taken up the responsibility to inform the President while the Foreign Secretary had said he would inform the PM about the decision.
However, the President is said to have scolded the Foreign Secretary and had ordered him to withdraw the suspension of the Brigadier with immediate effect.
British MPs protest
The Army Commander, who had fully agreed to suspend the Brigadier later issued statements to the media in appreciation of the conduct of the Brigadier following the President's action.
While the chief of the Army has stated that there will be no inquiry against Brigadier the Sri Lankan High Commission in London is currently under pressure from Britain to take disciplinary action against him.
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Female genital mutilation ‘not acceptable’ in the 21st century – UN envoy on youth
The United Nations youth envoy, speaking a day ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, underscored that the ghastly practice is an aversion to the human rights of millions and keeps them from achieving their full potential.
“This is not acceptable and this is done in the name of tradition, culture, religion or in the name of ensuring that women are to take on subservient roles to the men they will eventually marry,” said Jayathma Wickramanayake, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, speaking at an international forum in the Gambia on strategies to combat the practice.
“This is not acceptable in the 21st century.”
Globally, over 200 million women and girls are estimated to have undergone some form of genital mutilation and girls aged 14 and younger account for about 44 million of those who have been “cut.”
According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), although the practice is declining in many countries where it is prevalent, many of these countries also experiencing a high rate of population growth – meaning that the number of girls who undergo genital mutilation will continue to grow if efforts are not significantly scaled up.
The in one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – agreed to by all UN Member States – has called for eliminating female genital mutilation as well as other harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage (target 5.3).
Countries too have also stepped up their efforts.
For instance, in November 2015, Gambia banned and subsequently criminalized female genital mutilation. Many other African countries also now have legislation that that forbids the practice.
In addition to implementing the law, the Envoy on Youth also called on all countries and stakeholders to address any existing gaps in their legal frameworks and reiterated the support from the UN in overcoming the harmful practice.
“History has taught us that human societies can come up with reprehensible social practices – that are justified under false guises – to strengthen the power structures or maintain the status quo for certain groups in society,” she said.
“Luckily we also know that social practice is not static and that it can change as our understanding evolves.”
Navin writes to LTTE supporting UK MP duo
Writing this week to UK parliamentarians John Ryan and Siobhain McDonagh, who had written to UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson requesting him to expel the Sri Lankan defence attache to the Sri Lankan High Commission of the country Minister of Plantation Industries, Navin Dissanayake reminded the duo that the LTTE is a banned terrorist organization the world over including the United Kingdom.
The Minister in his letter went on to say that it was disturbing and offensive to see LTTE flag-bearing supporters hurling abusive comments. Dissanayake also pointed out to the duo that Brigadier Fernando’s actions cannot be questioned by the UK MP’s as he was at the time within the boundaries of the Sri Lankan High Commission.
He also slammed the duo for their support to the LTTE claiming it is self-serving and pathetic at a time where Sri Lanka is now building bridges between the communities and is living peacefully. The Minister also backed Brigadier Fernando saying that he will continue as the Sri Lankan Defence Attache in the UK.
See the full text of the letter below.
Is Sumathipala running the political campaign through SLC funds?
As Sri Lanka is gearing up for its Local Elections on February 10, Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has completely turned into a politician and is using all the resources of the board for his political campaign, according to popular sports website Cricket Age.
According to sources, last Saturday (03) Sumathipala had visited Jaffna and SLC had released a media statement saying that he was there for the ground inspection.
However, Cricket Age says there were few hidden agendas as well. According to sources, the helicopter Sumathipala used for his trip cost SLC a whopping 4.5 lakhs.
Moreover, in Jaffna, during his official visit as SLC President, he had also reportedly set up several party offices there, in support of the political campaign of his party.
According to the website on the last day of the campaign, Sumathipala had visited Polonnaruwa for the last SLFP costing the SLC approximately Rs. 100 000 for the helicopter used for the visit.
According to the site, Sumathipala had also neglected SLC meetings in favour of his political commitments. SLC sources appear to have revealed that Sumathipala is highly engaged in the election campaign, so much so that he has hardly visited the SLC headquarters in the past month.
In the absence of Sumathipala, K. Mathivanan, the controversial Vice president, is said to be overseeing all the matters at the SLC. Cricket Age while revealing that Mathivanan is also on an overseas tour had pointed out that heads of the SLC have forgotten their priorities towards the organizations while Sumathipala is now using all the resources, employees, vehicles and money of the SLC to fulfil his political dreams.
Source : Cricket Age
Udayanga Weratunga still under detention in UAE: Foreign Ministry
Former Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga is still being detained by UAE authorities after he was intercepted in the UAE on Sunday 4th of February 2018 when he attempted to leave to the United States, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.
The former diplomat had been evading a warrant of arrest issued on 20 October 2016 by a Colombo Magistrate, in relation to investigations pertaining to alleged embezzlement of public funds to the tune of 7.833 million US dollars with regard to procurement of MiG aircraft and money laundering.
Udayanga Weeratunga was arrested on the basis of a ‘Blue Notice’ issued by the Interpol. The purpose of this notice was to trace and locate Mr. Weeratunga ‘as a person of interest in a 'criminal investigation’. However, as the law in the UAE and the rules governing Interpol ‘blue notice’ prevented the continued detention of the fugitive diplomat, he had been released by the UAE authorities subsequently.
However, as the Police in the UAE are still investigating this matter, Weeratunga has been prevented from leaving the territory of the UAE until the conclusion of these investigations.
In the meantime, the FCID, which is investigating the allegations and complaints against Weeratunga in Sri Lanka, are working with the Interpol in Abu Dhabi on this case. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has also retained lawyers in the UAE specializing in immigration matters to advice the Government of Sri Lanka on this matter.
Moreover, a delegation of Sri Lankan officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Attorney General’s Department and the FCID are presently in the UAE having discussions with the concerned authorities in the UAE with the aim of having Weeratunga deported to Sri Lanka to answer the allegations levelled against him, The Foreign Ministry added.
Mangala directs CID to probe 'fake letter'
Minister of Finance and Media Mangala Samaraweera has requested the Criminal Investigation Department to look into the 'fake letter' that is being circulated on social media.
Minister Samaraweera posting a tweet today, requested the CID to probe the matter further and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Minister has also indicated that the Rajapaksa clan is showing off their ignorance yet again by forging his signature on a fake letter.
The letter, published on a fake Ministry of Foreign Affairs letterhead and dated on the 2nd of February 2018, is addressed to one T.R. Balu of the British Tamil Forum. The letter is supposedly signed by Mangala Samaraweera, who was appointed as the Minister of Finance and Media last May, after the Cabinet reshuffle.
The 'fake letter' circulating in social media.
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