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D.R.Wijewardana Memorial Award

Deepthi Mangala Rajapakse won the D.R.Wijewardana Memorial Award for the best Sinhala novel in manuscript form at the 18 th D.R.Wijewardana Memorial Awards ceremony held at the BMICH on Thursday . Picture shows the winner receiving the award and the cash prize of Rs. 50.000 from the chief guest Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe . Prof Kusuma Karunaratne, one of the judges, is also in the picture. Pic by Gemunu Wellage.

SLFP split over call for explanations
By Shelani Perera
The SLFP is split over the decision to call for explanations from two senior members who made statements in support of a National Government.

Last week President Chandrika Kumaratunga called for explanations from A.H.M. Fowzie and Richard Pathirana for lobbying for a National Government. They were given two weeks to send in their explanation.

However, the SLFP is divided over the issue with one section stating that such harsh action should not be taken against these senior members.

PA General Secretary D. M. Jayaratne told The Sunday Times that such harsh punishment was uncalled for.

"It would be better if we could discuss the matter and advise the two parliamentarians rather than resorting to such harsh punishment. This being the first time they did such a thing and their being senior members should also be taken into consideration" Mr. Jayaratne said.

According to the party constitution, the President can either cancel their membership or call for an explanation, after which it will be forwarded to the disciplinary committee. Once the Committee studies the case, it is forwarded to the General Secretary of the party.

A senior member told The Sunday Times that this was not the time to sack any member especially when the party needs experienced hands.

"We learnt a lesson by removing several members last year. It is not necessary right now" he said. The Sunday Times learns that most of the senior members are against the move while those who have recently joined the party are lobbying for their removal.

Workers to Maldives to produce service contracts
With immediate effect workers entering the Maldives will be obliged to produce a copy of their service contracts at the point of entry, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment sources said.

The service contracts should include details of the employee's name, address, passport number, registered name of the service institution, job description, salary scale, and period of contract

The Maldivian Ministry of Human Resources, Employment and Labour has also requested workers to lodge a complaint with them if employers do not pay the salaries stipulated in their contracts.

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