• Rupavahini: Who cares about corruption?
• Corruption in military could be reported: CA 
• Envoy in damage control exercise 
• Rajarata raggers in court 
• Dubai murder suspect still evades arrest
• Robbery probe under wraps
• Divided we stand 
• Rs. 5m. for CV's three children 
• Shylock victim gets help 
• VIP wives trade more charges 
• Tigers target Trinco Muslims 
• 'They even kick the students' 
• Sampath Bank bombshell in court on Wednesday
• It's Chris, not George 
• Children at risk as more women contract AIDS 
• Was cell bomb set off by remote control?
• Catholic schools also hike prices 
• I need more powers: Elections Chief 
• School by the sea gets new head 
• Censor not cutting but still holding the axe — CPJ 
• Bakers, Govt. in battle over bread 
• Private sector enjoys wage freedom 
• Ancient stone inscriptions unearthed near temple 
• Polls under cover of censorship - Countdown
• Ronnie revolt rents asunder UNP's first-round victory - PARLIAMENT
• Money abroad, misery at home 
• Dutch help for the internally displaced

Rupavahini: Who cares about corruption? 

The Rupavahini in its 'Pasuvadana' programme soon after the Sinhala news on Monday accused newspapers of publishing military related matters including how much of commissions were being given and said the ordinary people were not interested in these matters.

SLRC Chairman, D.E.W. Gunasekara when contacted by 'The Sunday Times' to ascertain whether it was the Rupavahini view that matters regarding obtaining commissions should be reported said 'like the newspapers the Rupavahini also has the right to report'.

But in contrast the Director of Information, Ariya Rubesinghe who was reappointed as the Competent Authority told newspaper editors that journalists could expose corruption within the military, if the information was accurate.

However Rupavahini's view that the ordinary people were not interested about who was obtaining commissions from arms deals has surprised many of its viewers who questioned as to why it was defending those taking commissions.

The programme was voiced by a former employee at an advertising firm who left under dubious circumstances.

Following is a translation of the relevant portion of Monday's 'Pasuvadana' programme;

The day after the Supreme Court ruling, an English newspaper published a military news item that had been previously censored by the Competent Authority. This is the article (The Sunday Times Situation Report) The news article gives details of how to purchase military equipment, the omissions made in the purchases, the types of equipment that were purchased, the amounts spent on them and that these are meant to place a burden on the people. 

What we need to see here is not if these are true or false. If they are true, the culprits must be definitely punished. Is it the time for that? Think a little. 

The LTTE is still attacking our troops. The attacks may not be as fierce as they were in May but even in recent days several attacks were launched. When such attacks are being carried out, what are some newspapers saying? They are printing reports giving details of the types of military equipment purchased for our troops, how they were purchased, how much of them have been used and that commissions were given.

Who wants this information? Who is asking for these details. It is not the ordinary people. No, the ordinary people don't want this information.

All they want at this moment is for the war to come to an end soon. After that we will see if those who made undue profits from the war are punished or not.

Corruption in military could be reported: CA

Mr. Rubasinghe speaking to editors or their representatives on the reimposition of censorship said that in exposing corruption the journalists would have to ensure that they did not violate the regulations on censorship. But he admitted journalists had the right to write about irregularities.

When pointed out that highlighting corruption would only help the Army and the country, Mr. Rubesinghe said if one thought that the publication served the interests of the country at large and the Army too, it could be carried. 

"But I advise that such corruption stories should first be intimated to the relevant army authorities even divulging names of those involved. You should even inform the President," he said.

"If you felt that such stories could affect the morale of the soldiers, I would advise you to refrain from publishing it, or at best, to refer them to me for a ruling," Mr. Rubesinghe said.

He told the journalists the main difference in the new set up was that a clause that required media groups to seek approval before publishing or broadcasting any news item had been deleted.

This meant that a realistic assessment had to be made by newspapers that publishing of such news items would not violate the regulations, he said and added that he would be available if there were any doubts to be clarified. Asked why the government had expanded the censorship to cover the area of military procurements, Mr. Rubesinghe said procurements were included this time to safeguard the soldiers.

Alleged LTTE bases in Thailand

Envoy in damage control exercise

By Nilika de Silva

"We have some information that they have a meeting place in one of the restaurants," Ambassador Phanit said.

Following the meeting Thai diplomats had with Buddhist priests and members of the National Movement Against Terrorism last Wednesday, steps have been taken to inform the Thai Government, of Sri Lanka's concern in this matter.

On the day following this meeting, the ambassador reported back to Bangkok with the recommendation "that we should consider banning the LTTE".

In the face of a looming anti-Thai protest, the ambassador in a pre-emptive move requested the Buddhist priests that he be allowed to visit the Sambodhi Vihara to clear the doubts some people had here on the Thai Government's stand on the LTTE. A demonstration organised by the NMAT demadning that Tiger Terrorism be banned in Thailand was abandoned following the ambassador's request. The Buddhist priests had made arrangements to march to the Thai Embassy and hand over a letter- 'sannasa'-signed by the Maha Nayaka, to the ambassador.

"To the Thai Government's knowledge, at present, there is no LTTE office in Thailand, unlike in some other countries, and there is no organisation or company claiming to represent the LTTE in Thailand," the Ambassador said, adding, "They just have individuals, whom we suspect might have links with the LTTE or may be LTTE sympathisers."

"These people are businessmen, restaurant owners, gem traders, owners of tour companies, and they are doing legal things. So we will keep an eye on them and monitor their activities. They didn't do anything wrong, they didn't have weapons. Some of them have been buying food and medicines. The destinations are very suspicious to us. but this (trade) is legal in Thailand. We have a suspicion of some activities but all are legal activities under the laws of Thailand" he said. "I can assure you that from now on, I mean not just starting from today, but during the past few months, we have been more vigilant," he said.

Rajarata raggers in court

By Sunny Samarasinghe

The victim, seventeen-year-old E.M. Sumith Kumara Ekanayake, a resident of Galadivul-wewa, Nawa Theldeniya, gained admission to the Advanced Level Class of the Commerce Stream in Nochchiyagama Vidyadharsha Maha Vidyalaya, on May 25, 2000. 

The boy was subjected to ragging by his school mates, suffered mental agony due to this treatment and consumed insecticide on June 20. He died at the Anuradhapura Hospital the following day.The three suspects were arrested by the police and produced in court under Section 2 (1) of Act No. 20 of1998 pertaining to ragging and other forms of inhuman torture in educational institutions. They were remanded for 14 days and released on Rs. 25,000 bail each by Tambuttegama Magistrate P.P. Punchihewa.

Dubai murder suspect still evades arrest

By Leon Berenger

Interpol Police Superintendent (SP) S. Mendis told The Sunday Times that several efforts were made by the police to track the suspect down but on each occasion the man had managed to give the slip. 

The suspect is a known criminal, with at least six crime-related cases against him and is a resident of Kandana. His father is also currently in jail serving time for various criminal offences, according to police.

Roger Cecil Van Rooyen who was employed as a pool instructor in Dubai was allegedly killed on May 3 while he slept at a friend's flat.

It is believed that the suspect, who was a friend of Van Rooyen had allegedly strangled him in his sleep before escaping with the victim's savings amounted to some Rs. 1.5 million and other valuables.

Van Rooyen's limp body was only discovered two days later when his friend returned to the flat from a brief trip overseas.

The suspect in the meantime had slipped out of Dubai and on returning to the country had vanished from his known address at Kandana along with his young wife after dumping their toddler with the grandparents.

The police had also visited the wife's parents home at Mirihana but failed to find out the whereabouts of the woman and her husband, according to investigators.

Earlier the parents and relatives of Van Rooyen had even complained that the police were too slow in pursuing the matter, while giving various excuses - such as the lack of manpower and vehicles.

The police authorities in Dubai on the other hand are eager to try the suspect in that country since the alleged murder occurred over there but are unable to make any headway until the Sri Lankan police are able to locate and arrest the suspect. 

At present there is no extradition treaty between the two countries but a deal could be worked towards this depending however, on friendly negotiations and requests between both sides, the sources said.

Robbery probe under wraps

An armed gang of seven broke into the house of an assistant superintendent of an estate in Hanguranketa and got away with Rs. 250,000 worth of jewellery.

The gang was said to be armed with three T56 rifles and four pistols.

More News/Comment

Return to News/Comment Contents