Jumbo Cabinet catches Government flat-footed

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

According to the source, allocations have been made through the budgetary proposals for the year 2000 in respect of the earlier ministries. It now requires the passing of a supplementary estimate to finance the necessary salaries and allowances for the additional ministries, which has so far not been done. 

According to the source, allocations have been made only for the 31 ministries under the PA government during its first term. Despite the moving of a Vote on Account, that money is to be utilized only during the first three months of year 2001 only.

The Treasury is also finding it difficult to make the necessary payments to the ministers' private staff which has also expanded with the expansion of the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, financial constraints seem to be playing havoc, with the government having to look for alternative housing for elected parliamentarians as some of the defeated parliamentarians have not yet moved out of their official flats in the Madiwela MP's housing complex, despite several written reminders to do so by Secretary General of Parliament, Dhammika Kitulgoda.

It is reliably learned that about 20 parliamentarians from rural districts who qualify for a Colombo flat have been denied this right due to continued occupation of quarters by defeated legislators. Usually, a defeated member is allowed a grace period of a month to vacate his Madiwela residence.

Ministry locations

1. Prime Minister's office: 58, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7.

2. Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry: 135, Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7. Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

3. Defence Ministry: 155 Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 2. Minister Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

4. Finance and Planning Ministry: Secretariat Building, Colombo. Minister Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

5.Constitutional Affairs and Industrial Development, 73/1, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris. 

6.Education Ministry: Isurupaya, Sri Jayawardanepura, Kotte. Minister Susil Premajayantha.

7. Transport Ministry: 1, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10. Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

8. Posts and Telecommunications Ministry: 17th Floor, West Tower, World Trade Centre, Colombo 1. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

9. Cultural Affairs Ministry: 8th Floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Minister Monty Gopallawa. 

10. Foreign Affairs Ministry: Republic Building, Colombo 1. Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

11.Power and Energy Ministry: 80, Flower Road, Colombo 7. Minister Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte.

12.Tourism and Sports Ministry: 64, 68, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Minister Lakshman Kiriella. 

13. Aviation and Airports Development Ministry: 64, 68, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.

14.Livestock Development & Estate Infrastructure Ministry: 45, St. Michael's Road, Colombo 3. Minister A. Thondaman. 

15. Parliamentary Affairs, Upcountry Development, Samurdhi and Rural Development, 7A, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7. Minister S.B. Dissanayake.

16.Forestry and Environment Ministry: 82, Sampathpaya, Rajamalwatte Road, Battaramulla. Minister Mahinda Wijesekera. 

17.Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry: 330, Union Place, Colombo 2. Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake. 

18. Mahaweli Development Ministry: 500, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10. Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

19.Vocational Training Ministry: 475/32, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya. Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda.

20.Plan Implementation Ministry: 3rd Floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Minister M s. Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

21. Labour Ministry: Labour Secretariat, Kirula Road, Colombo 5. Minister Alavi Moulana.

22. Justice Ministry: Superior Courts Complex, Colombo 12. Minister Batty Weerakoon. 

23.Science and Technology Ministry: 320, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10. Minister Leslie Gunawardene.

24. Ports Development Ministry and Development of the South Ministry: 12th Floor, West Tower, World Trade Centre and 45, Leyden Bastian Road, Colombo 1. Minister Ronnie de Mel.

25. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry: Maligawatte, Colombo. Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

26. Health Ministry: Suwasiripaya, 385, Wimalawansa Mw.Col.10. Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne.

27. Urban Development, Construction & Public Utilities Ministry: Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

28.Internal and International Trade & Shipping Development, Commerce and Muslim Affairs Ministry, 6th floor, Rakshana Mandiraya, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2. Minister Rauf Hakeem. 

29.Public Administration, Home Affairs and Administration Reforms Ministry: Independence Square, Colombo 7. Minister Richard Pathirana. 

30. Agriculture Ministry: 80/5, Govijana Mandiriya, Rajamalwatte Lane, Battaramulla. Minister D.M. Jayaratne

31.Social Services, Housing and Housing Development for Fishing Community Ministry: 5th Floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Minister Milroy Fernando, 

32. Women's Affairs Ministry:177, Nawala Road, Colombo 5. Minister Sumedha Jayasena.

33. Highways Ministry: 9th Floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Minister A.H.M. Fowzie.

34. Information and Media Ministry: 18th floor, West Tower, World Trade Centre. Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

35. Development and Reconstruction of the East and Rural Housing Ministry: 43/89, Bristol Building, York Street, Colombo 1. Minister Ms. Ferial Ashraff.

36. Food and Marketing Development Ministry: 7th Floor, C.W.E. Building, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2. Minister Reggie Ranatunga.

37. Youth Affairs Ministry: 7A, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7. Minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga.

38. Ethnic Affairs and National Integration Ministry: 152, Galle Rd., Colombo 3. Minister Athauda Seneviratne.

39. Higher Education & Information Technology Development Ministry: 18, Ward Place, Colombo 7. Minister Indika Gunawardena.

40 Co-operative Development Ministry: 349, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Minister H.B. Semasinghe.

41 Devlopment, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the North and Tamil Affairs N&E Ministry: 121, Park Road, Colombo 5. Minister Douglas Devananda.

42. Irrigation and Water Resources Ministry: 500, T.B. jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 Minister Sarath Amunugama.

43. Land Development & Minor Export Agriculture Ministry: 80/5, Govijana Mandiraya, Rajamalwatte Rd. Battaramulla. Minister Salinda Dissanayake.

44. Rural Industrial Development Ministry: Janakala Kendraya, Pelawatte, Battaramulla. Minister Maheepala Herath.

UNP to tighten its constitution

The amendments would automatically cancel the party membership of any member who violates a parliamentary group decision (applicable to legislators), upon leaving the party, crossing over from the party to another, etc.

The UNP leader has himself mooted this proposal as the currently enforced procedure of expelling a member is time- consuming and rather archaic. 

Similarly, those who have seriously violated party discipline or have been suspended can now attend the annual convention and certain other party meetings, rights which would be automatically denied under the proposed amendments to the UNP constitution.

Other amendments would call for strengthening at grassroots level through a new programme of establishing electoral offices islandwide and expanding the scope and powers of electoral organizers.Meanwhile, the newly appointed party chairman Charitha Ratwatte has been entrusted with the dual task of organizing all election campaigns and all national co-ordination matters. The UNP is also to impose a strict code of conduct on all legislators where they would have to declare their assets to Parliament as well as to the party general secretary and be debarred from accepting duty free vehicle permits, liquor permits or the sale of such to anyone and recommending of others to run liquor shops. 

Jockeying for space and seats in the House

The unfortunate ten ministers include Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, Mrs. Ferial Ashraff, Dinesh Gunawardena, Maheepala Herath, Salinda Dissanayke, EPDP leader Douglas Devananda, Tissa Karaliyadda, Wijeyapala Mendis and Monty Gopallawa.

With the number of ministries increasing to forty-five and the Parliament complex being equipped only to accommodate 28 ministers, the extra ministers have been offered no solution. Previously, when rebel UNPers Nanda Mathew and Dr. Sarath Amunugama crossed over to the ruling PA and received Cabinet portfolios, two unutilized rooms downstairs were made available to them.

Parliamentary sources also confirmed that there was much bickering about the seating arrangements of legislators-with unhappiness not just being confined to the government but affecting the main opposition UNP as well.

It is learned that Minister of Trade, International and Internal Trade and Shipping Development Rauf Hakeem had been disgruntled about being allocated a second row seat, despite having served as a legislator in the previous Parliament as well. However, Mrs. Ferial Ashraff has been apparently allocated a front row seat, despite not having made her appearance in Parliament. Mrs. Ashraff is a newcomer to the legislature.

On the basis of anonymity Parliamentary sources said that Mrs. Ashraff earns a front row seat as the SLMC leader while Minister Hakeem goes as the SLMC vice president and NUA co-leader. 

The practice is for ministers and party leaders who are ministers occupy front benches and the rest including ministers are accommodated according to their seniority in Parliament.

Even a first timer who is a minister could earn a first row seat.

A dispute from the 10th Parliament has been brought into the 11th where two ministers who once fell out over felling of trees and matters environmental requested the authorities to ensure that they don't have to occupy seats in close proximity. The two ministers with the same seniority occupy third row seats but are far away from each other. 

Meanwhile, the dissension has spilled over to the main opposition UNP as well. Chief Opposition Whip W.J.M. Lokubandara has reportedly made a fuss demanding that he be allocated a seat next to Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, while another vociferous nominated member has demanded a front opposition seat.

Both have been reportedly denied their requests. However, Mr. Lokubandara has been allocated a front row seat though not right next to the opposition leader, and the vociferous one, a seat right behind Mr. Wickremesinghe.

Child kennelled by uncle and aunt

The small enclosure, referred to as the balu kuduwa '(kennel) in the rear part of the house, was the kitchen of a middle class family, but it was also being used as a cage to detain a four year old child.

The small hut where the child was kept captive was made with wire mesh and planks, while the roof was covered with zinc sheets. When the couple left the house they kept the child locked up alone in this small hut. 

Last week police moved in after being alerted by neighbours that a child was heard screaming non-stop and was suspected to be tortured by the owners of the house .

'We have been hearing sounds from this particular house for more than a month and one day we decided to alert the police', a close neighbour who wished to remain anonymous said.

Police took into custody a middle aged kapumahattaya , who was supposed to conduct rituals for the welfare of the people, along with his wife for allegedly ill-treating the four-year-old child who happens to be their niece.

Police said the child's mother had left for the Middle East after handing over the child to the couple to be looked after. The child's mother who was a widow apparently paid Rs. 7500 each month to her sister to look after the child.

The child's grandmother said that she "cannot believe that such a thing has happened, with her own flesh and blood abusing another of theirs".

Incidentally, there were many religious statues to be seen in the three roomed house occupied by this middle class couple.

The child was handed over by the Magistrate to the Prajapathi Children's Home at Panadura. He also called for a probation report from the Panadura Probation Officer. 

There were abrasions on the child's body, apparently the result of beatings. The JMO's report is to be produced in court on Tuesday.

Wadduwa Police OIC says that strict action will be taken against the culprits. The couple, Kodippili Arachchige Kularatne and his wife Panagoda Arachchige Lalani Kumari Hemalatha were remanded by the Panadura Magistrate, Sirisunanda Herath, pending investigation. 

Ugly saga of beautician detained at the CDB

The victim was visited by the CDB on August 31, allegedly at the instigation of a complainant and told that she had in her possession something that was lost. She was then asked to come to the CDB headquarters at Gregory's Road.

From the time the victim visited the CDB on the 31st morning she was detained until September 6. First charged with theft, the charge had been changed to a Detention Order so as to allow the suspect to be kept at the CDB for interrogation at length. 

During interrogation the woman had allegedly been verbally abused and also exposed to chillie powder.

She was first questioned by former CDB Director SSP Bandula Wickremesinghe .

At the CDB the victim was not in a cell, but in an open area. She was having a very bad chill and suffering the trauma of the interrogation, sources said.

The family members had appealed to the Human Rights Commission but it had refused to act saying that the detainee had not been assaulted up to that point, and therefore it cannot intervene. 

Two officials at the CDB were allegedly brutal in word and deed. On September 5 she was taken towards the bathrooms and allegedly assaulted mercilessly with a baton. A cricket stump was allegedly used to sexually abuse her. She was then brought back to the open area where she was being kept. She was shivering and delirious and huddled up in pain. She was also bleeding. 

The junior officers had acted in a sympathetic manner, offering her balm and sharing their tea with her. The next morning (September 6) she was released from the CDB, after an agreement was signed with members of her family that they would not press charges. 

Incidentally, before her release a senior officer of the CDB had offered to pay for the medical bills for her treatment at a private hospital. She was, however, taken to the Kalubowila Hospital. As she was not in a state to walk she was taken on a stretcher and warded at the Accident Service. For two days she was delirious.The Director of the CDB, SSP Bandula Wickremesinghe, the OIC Nuwan Wedasinghe and a sergeant have been transferred out of the CDB following the incident.

Business blues

By Chandani Kirinde

"We want the maximum possible security for the President but not at the expense of our livelihoods being destroyed," said a gem trader along Chatham Street.

The money-changers who depend on foreigners were also feeling the pinch with tourists reluctant to come into the area due to the presence of heavily armed security personnel.

"We will have to close up and move out of here soon," a money-changer who did not wish to be identified said.

The gem traders, most of whom have been trading in Fort for more than half a century said people who usually brought them gems did not want to come as they could not risk carrying their valuable goods by hand with no parking being allowed in the area.

Although most of the traders have been issued with permits to park vehicles in the newly declared high security area after paying a monthly payment of Rs 900 to the Municipal Council, they are not allowed to do so now.

"Even if we go and pick up our prospective customers from the hotels, we cannot bring them near our shops in the vehicles, " the traders said.

He said most traders were losing business heavily and would soon find it difficult to pay their monthly rentals which range from Rs 10,000 - Rs15,000.

"We were making an average of Rs25,000 a day from sale of gems and jewellery but now on most days we are down to almost nothing," one trader said.

They fear that the commercial hub of the capital would face economic collapse if there is no redress to their problems soon as most gem traders and money changers would have to close down their shops.

Restaurants in the area are also affected with fewer people patronising them since the new security measures came into force. A leading cafeteria owner in the area has written to the Presidential Security Division (PSD) asking for permission to bring in their vehicles to off load their goods.

Among the roads heavily barricaded in Fort are Hospital street, Mudalige Mawatha and Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha.
 

Striking out to save GPO The Union of Posts and Telecommunication Officers (UPTO) has threatened an islandwide strike if moves to sell off the General Post Office (GPO) building and its property to the Police Department goes ahead. The GPO building which is over a 100 years old and is one of the grandest colonial structures of the Fort area was taken over by the police as a security measure because of its close proximity to the President's House. A spokesman for the union said they feared that the building, which should be handed over to the Archeological Department for preservation, would be neglected and destroyed if it was taken over by the Police Department and used as a barracks for its men. The Colombo Divisional Secretary had written to the Post Master General (PMG) this week asking him to sign the necessary papers to facilitate the transfer of the building to the Police Department. However, the PMG had not gone ahead with the signing after the threat of a strike.

Reward for info on pervert

By Shane Seneviratne

The Faculty Board decided to offer this reward to track down the culprit whose depraved act has shocked the university.

The mini video camera, valued at more than a lakh, is alleged to have stolen from an officer at the Education Department. University authorities have called in the CID to track down the pervert.

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