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Ex-minister Ravi Karunanayake claims he is a victim of media hype and says his innocence will be proven by the report into the Central Bank bond issue.

Truth will prevail when the commission hands over its report to the president before December 31, he says.

 Answering questions put to him, Karunanayake said he wanted to create a new political culture and also to prove that he came to politics to serve the people, not to earn money.

He said other ministries should take him as an example and support any investigations.

Once the report is released, he said he would carry on with his active politics, honestly and speedily.

 To serve the personal needs

 Attempts were made to stop politicians like us, who press forward, to serve the personal needs of a few, he said.

Karunanayake said that at present, he was listening to the grievances of the grassroots level UNP supporters, after helping the party to prepare nominations for the LG polls.

He said the supporters placed trust in him and that he wanted to take that forward by creating a new political culture for the UNP.

UNP will win

Answering another question, the MP said the UNP would gain a grand victory at the upcoming election to allow ‘concentrate politics’ for all.

The country could achieve growth through a future vision by the president and the prime minister taking it forward together, he said.

Commenting on the economy, he said that the government was able to restore the economy and grant certain concessions to the public within a very short period, after the Rajapaksa regime caused the economy to go down on its knees.

The progress is slow but steady, with the 10.7 per cent revenue now raised to 15 pc, said Karunanayake.

People want work done

He remarked that incumbent minister Mangala Samaraweera needed to focus more on work rather than on talk, as the public wants the work done, not excuses, by taking firm decisions.

It appears the country is falling into an abyss, as those who do the work in the good governance regime are being looked at indifferently, said the MP.

He said that not everyone is needed, but that if the president and the PM got together and with the support of a handful, a programme should be prepared to push the country forward quickly.

After the LG polls are over, promises to the public should be fulfilled, he added.

A group of prominent UNP activists in the Kelaniya electorate met President Maithripala Sirisena today (26) at the President’s Official Residence and joined the SLFP, the President's Media division reported.

Former members of Kelaniya local government Mr. Kanishka Samarasinghe, Mr. Norbert Perera and a former member of the Peliyagoda Urban Council Mr. Lakshman Perera were among the group of activists who joined the SLFP today.

The fact that EAP businesses are being sold to a Malaysian company goes on to prove that the country is in a financial crisis says Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena.

“A newspaper has reported that EAP group of companies is now set to be sold to a Malaysian Company which proves my claim that the country is in a financial crisis” the MP said adding that the statements made by the UNP after the budget has caused these issues. The parliamentarian made these comments at a press briefing held in Punchi Borella by the Joint opposition Economic research unit yesterday (26).

Financial Market Crippled

The MP also claimed that due to the statement made by the Central Bank’s financial committee on December 5, investors of the financial markets have been scared off.

He said the announcement of abolition three licensed Sri Lankan financial institutions could even result in the collapse of the stock market.

“The Central Bank has announced that the licence of Central Finance and Investment will be cancelled while Standard Credit Ltd, and CIty Finance Corporation are on shaky ground” the MP said adding that around 12,000 depositors are now trying to take their money back thereby causing a crisis.

Depositors in trouble

“Seniors, Pensioners and normal depositors have put in their money to these institutions” he said pointing out that there is no system to help out the public when a private firm collapses.

According to the MP IMF criticized the move to use public tax money to bail of Golden Key depositors when the company collapsed so following the new methods to follow with regards to such companies introduced in 2011 therefore making the Central Bank responsible to ensure the depositors protection.

“No one wants to invest in the country now” the MP maintained adding that if depositors attempt to withdraw large amounts it will cause further issues.

Request from the President

He also mentioned that through spreading reports of financial misconducted of the former government the whole financial system has collapsed. He requested the President to look in to these allegations to ascertain their truth. “We request he look in to the troubles of the people without only focusing on the election” Gunawardena said.

Related Central Bank announcement

The central committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided to hand over the power of taking action against anyone working against the constitution of the SLFP by promoting another political party and cancelling that individuals party membership to President Maithripala Sirisena.

According to section 26 - 1, 26 - 2 and 26 - 3 of the party constitution disciplinary inquiries can be held against members on information received regarding discipline related issues, for shirking party responsibilities.

The central committee has also decided to send reminders in this regard by registered post to all parliamentarians and Ministers of the party.

Meanwhile General Secretary of the party, Duminda Dissanayake said disciplinary action will be taken against any member promoting another political party in violation of the SLFP constitution.

 Party principles are more important than the person…

 When questioned if action will be taken against SLFP members taking part in the election campaigns of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna from January 2 led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, General Secretary of the party Duminda Dissanayake said party principles are more important no matter who the person is.

He stressed that action will be taken against anyone going against party principles and its constitution.

 Ignores opposition : Mahinda takes the ‘flower bud in hand’

 Meanwhile, despite the central committee meeting the JO has decided to commence its campaign led by Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Jo political campaign is set to commence on January 2 at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium.

 According to MP of the JO, Dinesh Gunawardena it will be revealed as to why people should vote for the JO in the upcoming polls and all party leaders of the JO will attend the rally he said.

 All those contesting is also set to take a special oath to protect the country on the day he further added.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya reiterated that foreign observers will not participate in monitoring activities at the upcoming local government polls to be held in February.

He further said that only the observers who have been recognised by the Election Commission will be permitted to monitor the election activities, and not to any other party.

Commissioner Deshapriya also said that there will be no separate announcement of postal vote result for each and every local authority and the results will be tallied together and released.

An official delegation from the Sri Lanka Tea Board met with the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) today (25) to discuss the temporary restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation on imports of plant-origin products from Sri Lanka on December 18, 2017.

 The Sri Lankan delegation comprised of Rohan Pethiyagoda Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Dr Saman Weerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, while the Russian counterpart was headed by the Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Sergei Dankvert.

 Following the negotiations, the Russian side announced its decision to lift the restrictions with the effect from December 30, 2017.

 State authorities of both countries pointed out the importance of the presence of Ceylon tea on the Russian market, taking into account the fact that Russia is one of the largest export destinations for Sri Lanka, whereas Ceylon tea becomes gains more and more popularity with Russian consumers every year.

The Sri Lankan government plans to convert two large garbage dumps into urban parks next year as part of a city beautification programme, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Champika Ranawake announced on Tuesday.

The Minister addressing the Colombo City Beautification Awards Ceremony in Colombo stated that that garbage could no longer be dumped at the Meethotamulla or Bloemendhal garbage mountains and plans were afoot to construct a large scale national landfill site in Aruwakkaluwa in Puttalam, to address the government’s garbage disposal issue.

Ranawaka said that all steps would also be taken to ensure that no harm is caused to the environment when constructing the Aruwakkaluwa sanitary landfill.
With no proper garbage disposal in place, garbage from the capital was dumped at the Meethotamulla Garbage mountain for years with some environmentalists claiming that nearly 800 tons of solid waste was added daily.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has advised the general public to exchange mutilated currency notes in their possession from the nearest branch of Licensed Commercial Banks on or before December 31. This notice has been released with mutilated currency notes becoming invalid from Jan 1.

The CBSL in a statement said that it had drawn the attention of the general public for implementation of its Clean Note Policy and regulation on the willful mutilation, alteration or defacement of Sri Lanka currency notes.

It said that the Clean Note Policy had been introduced by CBSL aiming at maintaining the quality standards of the currency notes and thereby helping to distinguish between genuine notes and counterfeits.

“It is also expected through this policy to enhance the image of the country and promote the efficiency of processing currency notes,” it said.

It said that willfully mutilation, alteration or defacement of Sri Lanka currency notes is an offence under the Monetary Law Act No. 58 of 1949 and is punishable by imprisonment or fine or both.

Under the Regulation E of the Monetary Law Act, no claim in respect of the willfully mutilated or altered notes shall be entertained and such notes shall be retained by CBSL. The holder of these currency notes will have to suffer the loss of face value of such notes.

However, CBSL informed the people that that currency notes that are not willfully mutilated, altered or defaced but damaged due to normal wear and tear during circulation can continue to be exchanged at CBSL and Licensed Commercial Banks as is the current practice.

Fulfilling a promise from the 2017 Budget, 18 trailer bikes and four beach rovers were handed over to the Sri Lanka Police by Minister of Law & Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake today (26). Addressing the gathering the Minister said that Sri Lanka is at the forefront in ensuring the security of foreign visitors to the country.

The Minister added the decision was made to provide these bikes to the division as the government is currently engaged in a large scale tourism promotion project for the country.

The trailer bikes and beach rovers were handed over to the Tourist Police Division, and the Police posts at Arugam Bay, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Narigama, Negombo, Moragalla, Polonnaruwa, Pasikuda and Kandy.

UNP backbenchers have requested that the Greek bond scam which took places during the past Rajapaksa regime should also be probed by the Presidential Commission that is to be appointed.

This request was made following the announcement and promise by President Maithripala Sirisena to SLFP party organizers that a commission will be appointed to look into the corruptions committed within the Mihin Air and Sri Lankan Airlines.

According to UNP MP’s the Greek bond scam made the Sri Lankan government incur a loss of Rs. 3.3 Billion compared to the loss of Rs. 898 Million Central Bank bond scam under the current government.

 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe making a statement on October 15 said the past government refused to even commence an investigation into the Greek bond scam.

In related news: Presidential Commission to look into Rajapaksa corruptions!

Minister of Labour, Trade Union Relations and Sabaragamuwa Development, W.D.J Seneviratne has said that the final decision regarding the SLFP National government will be taken after the upcoming local government elections.

According to the Minister once the mini polls are completed a meeting led by President SIrisena will be held to decide if the SLFP will continue to be part of the current National government.

While a decision was to be arrived at before December 31 however as the party is currently on the LG polls the meeting has been postponed he further added.

The President had earlier informed the SLFP MP’s and Ministers to continue working in the National government till December 31.

UNP government after LG polls!

Meanwhile, Minister Harin Fernando has announced that the United National party will form a government by itself next year.

The Minister had made the announcement at a rally held in Badulla.

In order to gain control of the parliament the Minister had claimed the UNP needs to make significant wins in the upcoming LG polls.

However, in a recent rally Minister Mahinda Amaraweera was quoted as saying that no one will be allowed to form governments as they wish.

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) Chairman has saved his job by offering an additional bonus of Rs. 25 000 and a 6% pay hike to unions. SLT union were to demand the resignation of Kumarasinghe Sirisena which was averted by his two cronies Kiththi Perera and Priyantha Fernandez by cutting a deal with the unions by offering a Rs . 25 000 additional bonus and 6% pay hike without obtaining the necessary board approval. Earlier the board approved a maximum bonus of 2.25 months salary for 2016 amidst falling profitability due to high depreciation, a result of out of scale investments made pre 2015.

 Mobitel employees have informed that SLT Chairman that a non executive officer has been violating the Articles of association of Mobitel by forcibly signing various approvals and changing approval process of appointments and promotions. There were allegations to the effect that he has been changing board minutes to suit his agenda. Staff at Mobitel has suggested a detailed audit to be carried out independently to check these violations and to find if the Chairman has violated management practices. Sources say the current chairman has no previous experience in the field unlike past Chairman Nimal Welgama.