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China is willing to work with Sri Lanka for better development of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a message addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday.

In the message to congratulate Sri Lanka on the 70th anniversary of its independence from the British colonial rule in 1948, Xi recalled the traditional friendship and mutual assistance between China and Sri Lanka, and said that the two countries have conducted pragmatic cooperation within the framework of joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, achieving fruitful results.

"I pay high attention to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and I am willing to make concerted efforts with President Sirisena to push the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership of sincere mutual assistance and long-standing friendship to keep achieving greater development in the better interest of the two countries and the two peoples," Xi said.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa based on ancient land and maritime trade routes.

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga was arrested at the Dubai airport and is being escorted back to Sri Lanka, unof ficial sources claimed.

The former diplomat who is accused of financial fraud in the controversial MiG transaction was issued a red notice for his arrest via Interpol.

According to reports, he was arrested for questioning at the Dubai airport while trying to go overseas.

Police Headquarters sources say investigating officers of the CID are deeply worried regarding the political pressures being exerted on the bond scam investigations.

That is because various criticisms are being levelled against the CID for the manner Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena were arrested yesterday and for providing the information to the media regarding the time of arrest.

Sources have now revealed that the incident was telecasted live on Sirasa TV after an IT specialist with political connections who works for the department provided them with the necessary details. This has now brought great disrepute to the CID.

 Pressure to arrest the father as well :

Sources also say a senior attorney of the Attorney General's Department has continuously pressurized the CID officers to arrest five suspects including Arjun Aloysius's father in connection to this investigation.

But while claiming his father and the others have no connection to the issue, the CID requested the courts on Friday to name Former CB governor Arjuna Mahendran, Owner of Perpetual Treasuries Arjun Aloysius and CEO Kasun Palisena which was granted by the Fort Magistrate.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested former director of Perpetual Treasuries Limited Arjun Aloysius and its Chief Executive Officer Kasun Palisena this morning.

Arjun Aloysius, the son-in-law of former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran was arrested at his residence at Flower Road, Kollupitiya. Kasun Palisena was arrested from a residence in Wellawatta.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate on Friday named former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran along Perpetual Treasuries Limited Director Arjun Aloysius and CEO Kasun Palisena as suspects in the Treasury bond scam.

Arjuna Mahendran and Arjun Aloysius are accused of manipulating bond auctions in 2015 and 2016, causing losses of over $11 million to the state.

Welcoming the arrest of Perpetual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius and others, Deputy Minister of Development Policies and Economic Affairs Dr Harsha De Silva said the Attorney General should go ahead and immediately arrest those named in the 34 reports of Presidential Commission looking into serious crimes (PRECIFAC) as well.

Also, Dr De Silva said the arrest was welcomed but he wished that it happened earlier, when the AG’s Department was first informed by the Prime Minister in 2016.

The Deputy Minister said it was he who first revealed in Parliament in 2011 as to how the ring was engaging in massive securities fraud in the equity market.

“I hope the authorities would at least now support the Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission by providing necessary technical support for forensic investigations to reveal the totality of the fraud that took place since then in both in the equity market and in the debt market.

“I hope that the AG will go ahead and immediately arrest those named in the 34 PRECIFAC reports as well. The future of our nation depends on it,” he said.

Sri Lanka yesterday urged the Maldives to find a peaceful solution to the current situation and uphold rule of law and constitution, in a release issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Releasing a statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Sri Lankan Government is observing the evolving situation in the Maldives while urging all parties to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution in order to find a peaceful solution to the current situation.

The Maldives is currently in a political turmoil following the arrest of former President Nasheed. On Friday the country's Supreme Court ruled the release of nine high profile political prisoners in the lead up to expected presidential elections this year. Nasheed who is exiled in the UK too faces charges under the present government.

The Indian Express today said the Government of Maldives, however, had not yet acted on the Supreme Court ruling.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera today reported that hundreds of people have rallied in Male urging President Abdulla Yameen to comply with the court ruling to release jailed opposition leaders.

70th Independence Day Message

“This year, we celebrate 70 years of independence from colonial rule. It is an occasion for us to remember that we were only able to achieve Independence with the participation of all communities coming together towards a common goal,” states Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an Independence Day message.

The message adds:

“It is our responsibility to keep in mind that true independence is only possible when we can unite as one nation, rising above political, religious and ethnic differences. Only then is independence truly significant and meaningful to all.

“Freedom is fulfilled when human dignity and spiritual liberty is attained - in addition to social, political and economic freedom.

“Since being elected to power, our Government has consistently focused on creating the right social and political climate needed to build a society that is indeed free and stable. “Under a theme of One Nation, the 70th Independence Day celebrations that are held today, reflect our legacy as a free nation.

“My hope is to see all Sri Lankans unite as one to sustain freedom for all.

“Let’s strive to be a people truly committed to our nation’s progress on this Independence Day”.

The Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya addressing the circumstances and in particular the rumours behind the Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera’s injuries and passing away disclaimed that he was attacked by the temple elephant Miyan Kumara. The temple on its official Facebook page claimed that the Thera had suffered a fall while feeding the elephant and that the rumours of him being attacked by the animal are completely false.

Rumours have been rife that the Thera had been attacked by the elephant while attempting to feed the tusker ‘Miyan Kumara’ at the temple premises on the day, a ritual which he is said to carry out almost every morning resulting in him suffering injuries to his ribs.

However speaking to the Media, members of the Dayaka Sabha and other priests of the temple said the Chief Incumbent himself had told them that the elephant did not attack him.

Meanwhile, the Cremation Ceremony of late Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thera will be held on February 08 at the Sri Jayawardenepura grounds.

Prior to his appointment to the post of Chancellor in the Year 2000, Ven. Thera held the position of Professor, associate professor, lecturer and visiting lecturer, respectively at the Sri Jayawardenapura University. He was also a Visiting Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, United Kingdom.

The Ven. Thera obtained a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D) in 1980 from the University of Lancaster, United Kingdom. He also served as the Deputy Chief Prelate (Anunayaka) of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dhamma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Syamopali Maha Nikaya.

70th Independence Day Message

“If one is to truly fathom the value of independence, it is essential to understand the pain of being oppressed and subservient, in the face of a foreign power. This is why we are grateful to all our heroes who sacrificed their lives to restore and sustain our nation’s independence.

“On a day like today, when the value of freedom is commemorated, the nation pays tribute to its true patriots whose contribution to our motherland was invaluable,” states President Maithripala Sirisena in an Independence Day message.

The message adds:

“As Sri Lanka celebrates seven decades of independence, it is appropriate to reflect on how far we have come as a nation. In terms of achieving human development, and various social, economic, and political challenges we were faced with, the progress we have achieved over this period is laudable.

“I believe that as a nation with a unique identity, we have what it takes to overcome any challenge. We have proven it throughout our history. Today, we must show once again that Sri Lanka is a nation that can rise within a short span of time.

“We have to undertake many a mission, including achieving inclusive green growth, national reconciliation, and uplift the quality and competitiveness of our human capital on a global scale.

“We must also remember that true freedom does not comprise only of political freedom. Our independence is not complete until economic and cultural freedom is achieved. In our journey towards economic freedom, this year is a crucial one.

“As a country, our future successes lie in our commitment to achieving long-term goals with firm determination, as we have done in the past. Completion of the Moragahakanda reservoir as the last massive step in the Mahaweli development program is a testimony to our perseverance and commitment to meet such long-term goals.

“This year has been declared the ‘National Food Production Year’, with hopes to reach the goal of food security, a dream that our nation has had since Independence.

“On this occasion that we celebrate seven decades of Independence, I pledge to fulfil all my duties towards mother Lanka, and I emphasize that our true strength is in our unity and determination.”

Source: Sunday Observer

Award-winning Hollywood actress, writer and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, Ashley Judd, will be in Sri Lanka for a short mission next week.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) during her visit to Sri Lanka, Judd will engage with women and girls from different backgrounds, to learn about their livelihoods and views on gender-based violence.

She will also meet with stakeholders from the public sector, private sector, and donor community, to highlight the importance of investing in the reproductive health and rights of people.

Judd was appointed as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in March 2016 and is a passionate advocate for ending all forms of gender-based violence around the world.

The new special anti-corruption High Courts would help conclude cases of large scale corruption within six months, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

“I am hopeful that the new High Courts on Corruption that have just got Cabinet approval, will help clear the backlog of cases, since they will have specific jurisdiction over complex financial crimes and misappropriation of State assets,” Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

According to the new legislation, the anti-corruption HCs will comprise three judges who will take up financial fraud, corruption, criminal breach of trust, money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime, assets and denials of State revenue.

“Justice was the promise of yahapalanaya and we remain committed to living up to this promise. But the people also want to see justice so I am hopeful that within the year, some of the large-scale corruption cases will be tried and concluded,” the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said after the national unity government rose to power in 2015, getting to the bottom of large-scale cases of corruption cases was a priority. “At the same time, we need to be cautious that these investigations are not conducted like political witch-hunts and that the due process of the law was followed every step of the way,” the Premier explained. “It is remarkable that a newly established police unit to probe financial crimes has been able to conclude investigations into more than 400 cases. It is a priority for this Government to ensure these cases are expedited. But just as important as speed, is the need to get the process right, so there can be no allegation of bias or malice against political opponents.”

 “At the same time,” the Prime Minister said, “it is understandable that people are losing patience and are eager to see justice being served against those who have misappropriated the people’s money.”

Source : Sunday Observer

Any member of the public hoping to see the viral laptop dance at the Independence Day parade will be disappointed today as the dance using laptops as a prop has been removed from the 70th Independence Day celebrations, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Sunil Hettiarachchi said.

The dance presented by a group of teachers from the Wayamba Faculty of Science drew criticism and evoked mirth on social media websites when videos and pictures of the dance taken during rehearsals surfaced online.

Educationists also criticized the dance claiming that presenting such a dance when rural schools do not have access to such equipment are not only insulting but using teachers for the item is demeaning to their profession.

According to sources, the dance using telescopes and laptops as props has now been removed on the orders of the Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. While attempts were later to be replaced the props with globes that idea too was struck off later the source said.

The Ministry Secretary claimed they had no prior knowledge of the dance and acted promptly to remove the item from the parade once it was brought to their notice.