• Private sector pushed into big PA show
• Judge seeks action against Punya, Show
• CBK blows Noraichcholai coal
• No curtains, but show goes on, says Sanath
• Cameramen take July 15 case to SC

Private sector pushed into big PA show

In an unprecedented move, Sri Lanka's biggest trade chamber which represents hundreds of private firms has requested its members to take part in a massive procession and rally next Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the PA government.

Government ministers in charge of what is billed as a massive show of strength in the run to upcoming national elections said they expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people for the procession from the Sugathadasa Stadium to Havelock Park where President Kumaratunga will preside at the rally.

Following talks with Industrial Development Minister C.V. Goonaratne on Wednesday, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce which is headed by John Keells Chief Ken Balendra, has in a circular signed by Secretary General C. G. Jayasuriya requested member firms who wish to take part to contact the minister's private secretary for details.

A Chamber spokesman told The Sunday Times yesterday Minister Goonaratne had requested them to take part in the gathering to review the progress of the past five years and work out a new vision for the new millennium.

Trade chamber sources said Mr. Balendra and other leaders saw no party politics in the event but others pointed out that the John Keells magnate has been closely involved with the government in recent months, especially in the controversial Queen Elizabeth Quay development project in which his company is one of the main promoters. The multi-billion rupee deal was signed on August 6.

Judge seeks action against Punya, Show

High court judges are to consider a resolution urging President Kumaratunga to take disciplinary action against senior police officers Punya de Silva and Bandula 'Show' Wickremesinghe who were involved in the illegal arrest of Judge Mahanama Tillekeratne.

In a resolution submitted to the High Court Judges' Association, the Kalutara High Court Judge Sarath Gunatilleke says that the two officers had brought the police into ridicule in the eyes of the public.

The resolution to be submitted to a special meeting of the association follows the recent Supreme Court judgement where Deputy Inspector General de Silva and Senior Superintendent Wickramasinghe came in for severe strictures.

High Court Judge Tillekeratne was arrested and detained by the CID in September last year over an alleged case of causing grievous hurt to a neighbour. The arrest sparked off an uproar in judicial and legal circles, climaxing in the Supreme court verdict that the rights of the judge had been violated.

Following the Supreme Court order President Kumaratunga last week reinstated Judge Tillekeratne in the Colombo High Court.

The resolution also requests President Kumaratunga to refrain from appointing members of the judiciary to serve in commissions or bodies outside the judiciary including Special Presidential Commissions as it would not be in their best interest.

One of the reasons cited by the judge for the request is that when the Supreme Court later revokes the findings of such commissions on the grounds of being biased and makes adverse comments on such commissions it seriously affects the dignity of and public confidence in the judiciary.

Disruption of the day to day workload of the relevant judges' courts and further delays in the administration of justice have been cited as other reasons.

CBK blows Noraichcholai coal

By Shelani de Silva

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has assured Chilaw Bishop that the controversial coal power plant at Noraichcholai has been dropped.

The President who had a one-to-one meeting with Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando on Thursday night said the loan from Japan would be cancelled as testimony to her assurance, the Bishop told The Sunday Times.

The Bishop who has been leading a campaign against the project on grounds it could cause serious environmental and social problems, said he welcomed and accepted the President's assurance.

Power and Energy Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte is known to have been pushing for the project, but Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle had backed the church's protest and arranged the meeting between the President and Chilaw Bishop.

No curtains, but show goes on, says Sanath

The controversial Presidential Media Advisor Sanath Gunathillake says the Channel 9 affair is now over and denies claims that some ministers are demanding his resignation.

"I have issued a statement, which was widely publicised in the media. It was loud and clear for any fair minded person, who could take an impartial view," he told The Sunday Times amidst widespread reports that several ministers are demanding his resignation and that he might resign. It is also reported that a senior minister had persuaded him not to resign.

Mr. Gunatillake said: "If disgruntled elements are still active in a futile exercise, I can't help it."

He said he was not aware of any moves by any group of Ministers to petition President Kumaratunga, asking him to resign. "As far as I know, there is no such move," he said.

However, he added "Everyone has his or her right to represent matters to higher authorities. This is a right this Government has restored to every citizen of this country. When anyone exercises that right, we should not get alarmed or act contrary to the noble rule."

Mr. Gunatillake said for him it was business as usual. Last week, the actor-turned-advisor had visited Chennai and Mumbai where he met Amitabh Bachchan who is due here to make a film.

This week Mr. Gunathillake met leading Tamil film idol Shivaji Ganeshan who had come to Colombo for the wedding of Minister Alavi Mowlana's grand daughter.

Cameramen take July 15 case to SC

By Ayesha R. Rafiq

Three photojournalists have petitioned the Supreme Court that their fundamental rights were violated by police when they were assaulted during the July 15 UNP demonstration.

The Sunday Times photographer Sajeewa Chinthaka is claiming Rs. 2 million in damages on the grounds that his fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression, were violated when he was allegedly assaulted by members of the PSD while covering the protest march.

The other two cases were filed by two Sunday Leader photojournalists, Lakmal Spencer and Asoka Fernando.

Mr. Chinthaka in his petition alleges that on July 15, several armed men including a sub inspector and a constable of the PSD assaulted him with batons and clubs.

He says his camera worth Rs. 80,000 was also damaged beyond repair during the assault.

Mr. Chithaka says that in spite of two statements made to the Kompannaveediya police on the assault and the damage to his camera, no action has as yet been taken. He says he is now unable to practise his profession due to the damage caused to his camera and is also unable to pay the monthly instalments of a loan.

The respondents in the case are the IGP, DIG Colombo, ASP and Director of the President's Security Division, a Sub Inspector and Police Constable of the PSD, OIC Kompannaveediya Police and the Attorney General.

The petitioner has charged that his fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression, to engage in any lawful occupation and profession and to equal protection of the law have been violated by the assault on him. He is seeking Rs. 80,000 as compensation for the damage caused to his camera equipment.

Meanwhile four more photojournalists — M.A.Pushpakumara (The Sunday Times), Janapriya Samaradivakara (Yukthiya), Ajith Seneviratne (Ravaya) and Buddika Weerasinghe (Lakbima) — who were also attacked on July 15 are also expected to file fundamental rights cases.