• Censorship too broad, says HRC
• Alliance for Democracy: a voice for the voiceless
• New turn in blast probe
• Teacher in alleged assault case
• Tears and fears over party top slot
• North-East projects get polls push
• Only a show, no money
• Throw it out
• Why the silence, asksVen. Gnanissara Thera
• Donation from Geneva to A'pura hospital
• Farmers seek role in imports
• Seat drama dissolved
• JVP 's campaign theme- 'don't divide country'
• Srimani to stay with PA
• Four out in clean up
• Nowhere man
• Work for peace and there will be prosperity
• Phones do not reveal secrets
• CWC wants Rs. 400 rise for estate workers also
• Alleged vote-buying to be probed
• HNB chiefs' response sought in share-purchase
• Ballot papers roll in
• Insurance claim paid
• Apply for postal vote
• SAARC seminar on broadcasting
• The Importance of being Douglas
• Come buy little babes
• Outstripping each other with tricks and trips - PARLIAMENT
• Can the battle be between gentlemen? - Countdown
• Batalanda and the question of impunity - Focus on Rights
• Disease scare in Argentina

Censorship too broad, says HRC

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has called for amendments to the current emergency regulations on censorship on the grounds that the restrictions are too broad and are couched in vague and general language that confer an extensive discretion on the Competent Authority.

The commission has also pointed out that the authority appointed to implement censorship should consist of a body of persons including a person with military knowledge as well as a senior journalist and not a single individual. Such a collective body would, to a great extent, reduce the risk of subjective and abusive exercise of power and establish the right relationship between the censorship authority and the media, the commission has said.

It has been pointed out that the regulations violate Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Censorship should be restricted only information that could adversely affect the conduct of the military operations.

However, the restriction covering police operations as stated in the regulation is too broad as it extends to operations that may have no connection to an emergency situation, the commission says.

It says the restrictions on material pertaining to procurement of weapons and statements on the performance of the armed forces should be formulated in a manner that does not preclude the media from raising issues of public accountability in the national interest.

Making these comments in pursuance of its role in ensuring that the country's laws conform to international standards, the Commission has asked that more specific guidelines be issued with regard to the censorship restrictions.

It has cautioned that the drafting of emergency regulations and directives be done with utmost care so as to minimise the negative impact on human rights while achieving the legitimate objectives of the State.

Alliance for Democracy: a voice for the voiceless

Fifty-one leading trade unions and civil society groups have come together to form an organisation to campaign against the erosion of the democratic system and call for free and fair elections.

The Alliance for Democracy will be independent of all political parties and its main aim is to make society more decent, where all can live together in harmony.

Representatives from the Free Media Movement, Federation of Citizens for Human Rights, Kithu Dana Pubuduwa, PAFFREL, Bank Officers Federation and the Telecommunication Engineers Union were present at a press conference.

Addressing the news conference Fr. Oscar Abeyratne said individual efforts were commendable but not helpful, therefore it was best to join forces and make their presence felt. "The poor cannot voice their opinion, even though they have rights too. With all these organisations joining forces we can help the underprivileged and help build up the country. There will be obstacles but we have to face them", he said.

All representatives present agreed that this was something which should have been done earlier. They also said they did not pick this time due to the forthcoming elections, but as planning took some time they intend starting work with the general elections.

New turn in blast probe

By Nilika de Silva

The recent grenade incident at Narahenpita has taken a new twist with the CDB and nurses union leader Ven. Muruththe-ttuwe Ananda claiming that those wounded in the incident were the alleged attackers but the suspects in turn asserting that they were mere onlookers.

A grenade was thrown within the compound of the Hedamedura at the Abhayaramaya Temple on August 7, while an anti-constitution rally attended by monks and representatives of main parties was in progress.

The victims in the incident are being held in hospitals as the police believe they were the people who brought the grenade into the premises.

Speaking from his hospital bed as police guards kept a watch, Ananda Hettiarachchi, one of the main suspects who had sustained injuries in both legs, told The Sunday Times they were innocent.

He said he was a salesman at a bag shop on Malwatte Road and he came there to attend the anti-reforms meeting organised by the Mau Bima Surekime Viyaparaya after reading a newspaper advertisement.

"I am interested in Jathika Chinthanaya leader Nalin Silva's theories and I receive the newspaper 'Desa Rasa' regularly," Mr. Hettiarachchi said adding that he was not a member of the Sihala Urumaya though he had actively involved in the pro-Sinhala politics of the MEP.

"Four of my friends and I went around 3.45 p.m. to the anti-reforms meeting. But only two persons from each party were taken in. Therefore we had to stay outside along with some 20 others.

"We went for a cup of tea and returned to the Hedamedura because we thought we could ask Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera or some other priest we knew as to what had transpired at the meeting.

It was then the bomb which fell close to us, went off," Mr. Hettiarachchi said.

Meanwhile, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera who was the chief organiser of the meeting told The Sunday Times he believed it was Hettiarachchi and others who brought the grenade into the premises.

Describing the sequence of events, Ven. Ananda Thera said: "the meeting started at 3.15 p.m. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayake Thera arrived around 5 p.m. A little while later we heard a blast. When I went downstairs I saw some people lying in a pool of blood. One of them was shouting our actions have fired back on us."

He said the meeting was only open to invitees of recognised political parties and they did not invite the Sihala Urumaya as it had not been recognised by then.

Meanwhile, CDB Director Bandula Wickremasinghe told The Sunday Times they had received a court order to question the suspects and they were proceeding with the investigation.

SSP Wickremasinghe said he was suspicious as to why the youths who were from Grandpass had gone uninvited to the meeting at Hedamedura.

He said he believed the youths had brought the grenade, which had blasted accidentally.

Teacher in alleged assault case

By Tania Fernando

A year-four student of Ranboda Tamil Maha Vidyalaya has allegedly been assaulted by a teacher and admitted to the Kotmale Hospital.

According to a complaint made by her father at the Pundalu Oya Police, the student, Pavithra Devi, was allegedly assaulted when the teacher got angry on seeing an untidy classroom.

Police said Devi's father took her to hospital twice when she started vomiting.

A Pundalu Oya police officer said this teacher had about three more assault cases against him. The teacher was produced before a magistrate who released him on bail.

Parents said they believed the alleged assault incident was connected to a dispute among the school staff over the principal. One faction of the staff wanted the principal removed while the other wanted to retain him.

Meanwhile, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said it still lacked the necessary resources and funds to deal with the increasing number of child-abuse cases.

NCPA chairman Harendra de Silva said right now they were concentrating largely on creating awareness among the public and children by way of posters and other means to deal with the problem of child abuse.

Tears and fears over party top slot

By Premakeerthi Ranatunge

Ms. Sirimavo Bandaranaike wept after hearing that Minister S.B. Dissanayake had been elected as the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), said Maithripala Sirisena who lost the battle for the coveted post by four votes.

Mr. Sirisena who was defeated in a tough battle with Mr Dissanayake for the post of General Secretary in an interview with The Sunday Times claimed he was the most senior member eligible for the post. There was agreement that the new General Secretary would be elected from among the Assistant Secretaries.

The General Secretary's post of the SLFP fell vacant on the death of Minister Dharmasiri Senanayake.

Mr. Sirisena said election for the post was held despite a promise given on the previous day by Mr. Dissanayake that he would not contest.

Excerpts:

Q: You contested for the post of General Secretary and was defeated by four votes. Why did you decide to contest ?

A : I served as the senior assistant secretary of the party. There were six other assistant secretaries. Usually the senior assistant secretary is appointed as the General Secretary. Therefore following Mr. Senanayake's death I came forward for the post. In fact there was agreement that the General Secretary will be selected from among the assistant secretaries.

Q: Who told you that you were going to be appointed as General Secretary ?

A: Party members told that to me. The President was abroad when Mr. Senanayake passed away. Before the President returned Mr. Dissanayake called me.

Q: What did he say ?

A: He told me that I was the most suitable person for the post. He said I would be appointed. He told me that the President had called him and told that 'Maithree is the suitable person for the post'. But a few days later SB wanted to be the General Secretary.

Q: What happened during the election ?

A: After the central committee meeting, the Pesident spoke to both of us. I told the President in the presence of S.B. that I joined the SLFP in 1968 as an under 18 year old school boy. I said I had been in the politburo for 19 years and was responsible for bringing in S.B to the party and breaking up the Hanguranketha electorate into two and making him an organiser in one of them. S.B. accepted what I said but added that all the newspapers had faith in him. However, he wanted 24 hours to take a final decision.

Q: What was his response?

A: The President agreed to postpone the voting for 24 hours. That morning S.B. told me that he decided to contest for the post. However, I wasn't ready for a contest.

Q: Why ?

A: Only 28 out of the 38 central committee members turned up. Some persons who would have definitely voted for me did not turn up. There was no plan for an election. When the President told us to go for election I agreed to do so. I believe that the senior members voted for me and the newcomers as well as those representing various organisations voted for S.B. Eventually S.B. and I got 16 and 12 votes respectively. Then Ms Bandaranaike called me at home.

Q: What did she say ?

A: She asked me what happened. I told her that I lost by four votes and S.B. was the new General Secretary. I heard her weeping. She said the party had taken a foolish decision and replaced the receiver.

Q: Didn't she come for the election ?

A: No, she didn't. She didn't know what had taken place .

Q: Although you lost the election you were appointed as a Vice President.

A: Yes.

Q: Are you unhappy for not being able to become the General Secretary?

A: No. As an SLFPer I will work for the progress of the party.

Q: So far the post of General Secretary has been held by a senior member of the party, but this time the position has changed.

A: Yes, the General Secretary's post should go to a senior member of the party.

Q: The SLFP consists of 'Pancha Maha Balawegaya' which include Sangha, Veda, Guru, Govi and Kamkaru . What steps should the party General Secretary take to retain these groups?

A: The SLFP is a Sinhala Buddhist party. Today the Sangha are distancing themselves from the party. We can't antagonise them. It is the responsibility of the General Secretary to harness the support of the Sangha.

Q: With S.B. as the General Secretary, do you feel that your position in the party is threatened?

A: No. A single person cannot decide on my membership.

North-East projects get polls push

By Chris Kamalendran

The Government has suddenly released Rs. 750 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the north, while Tamil parties went into action over the weekend in preparation for the general election.

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, presided over a meeting of the Jaffna district Coordinating Committee on Tuesday, where a directive was given to complete several projects within the next four months.

A senior government official said the allocation had been made four years back, but funds had not been released .

Meanwhile the People's Alliance on Friday named its chief candidate for the Jaffna district while former Chief Minister Vartharaja Perumal has begun discussions regarding fielding of candidates in the north and east.

The main Tamil party the TULF has decided to field candidates in all areas in the north and east, unlike in the previous elections where the number was restricted.

TULF General Secretary R. Sampanthan said the nomination board will be meeting soon to finalise the list.

The Sunday Times learns the TULF will call for additional international monitors in the north to ensure a fair poll.

Meanwhile the TELO has decided to contest under the party symbol in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Wanni districts while in Jaffna it will field independent candidates.

The EPRLF led by Suresh Premachandran has also decided to contest under its party symbol in the north and east.

Only a show, no money

Jaffna's Acting Mayor Raviraj has accused the Government of failing to allocate adequate funds for the Municipal Council despite repeated appeals.

Mr. Raviraj told The Sunday Times upto 50,000 more people had come to the municipal area recently due to the war but the municipality had no funds to provide even basic needs.

He said communications, banking facilities and essential services were at a bare minimum.

The acting mayor said two mayors had given their lives in a bid to restore civil administration in Jaffna but it now appeared that the Government had staged a municipal election mainly to please the international community.

Throw it out

By Shelani de Silva.

The National Sangha Council is to continue its protest campaign until the proposed constitution is withdrawn, a spokesperson said.

The council's secretary Ven. Maduluawe Sobitha Thera said that despite assurances given by the new prime minister to the new Mahanayakes the monks would continue their protests during the election campaign.

He said they were seeking an assurance not for suitable amendments but for a total withdrawal of the proposed constitution.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake last week met Mahanayakes of three chapters, while President Kumaratunga also met the Asgiriya prelates in what was seen as moves to resolve the dispute between the government and prominent members of the Maha Sangha.

Why the silence, asksVen. Gnanissara Thera

By Nilika de Silva

A well known monk who offered to help enlist upto 100,000 youth for the armed services has lamented that there has been no official response from the government.

The Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya, said it appeared the government was not very interested in acting on his proposal. The monk said during the time of foreign invasions and threats to the country it was the Maha Sangha and the temple that provided protection for the people and they were ready to do this even now.

He said that while the Government response was negative the people had responded positively with one youth offering to bring 500 others to the Army.

Donation from Geneva to A'pura hospital

An association of the Sri Lankan community in Geneva has donated medical equipment for treating war victims.

The equipment, which included a Lumber Traction Unit (LTU) for the Anuradhapura Hospital, had been imported from Japan at a cost of about Rs 550,000.

The LTU was a long-felt need, said Dr. Atapattu, medical superintendent of the hospital.

A member of the Geneva association arrived in the island to hand over the equipment to the hospital.

Farmers seek role in imports

By Tania Fernando

Farmers who launched a fast in Polonnaruwa in support of a higher guaranteed price for paddy and other facilities have pledged to continue their campaign till the living standards of the farming community are stabilised.

The fast by a group of 11 including three monks was called off on Friday, after Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremnayake intervened and agreed to a guaranteed price of Rs. 12.00/13.00 for paddy.

Three of the fasting group also came to Colombo for the talks with the premier and the farmers later called a media conference where they outlined their situation.

Representatives said they were seeking the appointment of a committee including farmers to monitor imports of rice, onions and potatoes in a manner that would ensure the welfare of the local cultivators.

The farmers said their protest coincided with the harvest and had no connection with the upcoming general election. They also denied suggestions that political or other groups were behind them, pointing out they had sold a tractor for Rs. 10,000 to find money for the protest campaign. They said they believed the increase in the guaranteed price for paddy would not lead to a rise in the market price of rice.

Seat drama dissolved

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

A cabinet battle where two ministers are known to be at loggerheads over trees, forests and related matters, has spilled over to the chamber of parliament.

The two ministers- Sumedha Jayasinghe and Mahinda Wijesekera who are involved in a battle over the Moneragala forests -have reportedly refused to sit next to each other as they were required to in terms of seniority.

Ms. Jayasinghe accusing Mr. Wijesekera of trying to undermine or undercut her, has reportedly refused to occupy the seat next to him. Mr. Wijesekara had asked that she be given a seat next to another woman minister.

Parliament officials said it was difficult to change the seating arrangements without disturbing protocol. But Ms. Jayasinghe reportedly refused to compromise.

Exasperated officials then approached Minister Nanda Mathew who recently crossed over to the PA and asked him whether he could act as a buffer zone-sitting between the two rivals.

The dissolution of Parliament at midnight on Friday has pulled the curtain down on the battle between the two ministers in parliament, but how they will use the axe at the hustings is another matter.

JVP 's campaign theme- 'don't divide country'

The JVP contesting a general election for the first time under its own party symbol will launch a full scale campaign from Wednesday with the presentation of a 200 page manifesto.

Party spokesman Wimal Weerawansa said the JVP would be going it alone with the main slogan for this decisive election being its opposition to any division of the country.

He said the JVP believed the proposed new constitution was a clear step towards federalism and the party would campaign mainly for a united Sri Lanka.

Mr. Weerawansa said the JVP saw two forces in the country-those who were for a united Sri Lanka and those who were for division into federal regions.

The party would give leadership to all who were standing for unity.

He said that in addition to rallies and other campaigns in all areas the JVP would also go international with demonstrations outside Sri Lankan missions calling for the withdrawal of the proposed constitution and for effective steps to enure free and fair elections.

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