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Asian workers safety assured, says minister Minister Abeywardena
who visited the West Asian countries which may be affected if a
war breaks out said an assurance has been received from the Kuwaiti
Government that it would extend to migrant workers whatever assistance
it gives its own people. The Embassy would make available food, water and medicines required for one month and if necessary for a longer duration. In Jordan rented houses have been arranged for the approximately 35,000 Sri Lankan workers. The minister said the UAE is completely safe because its airport will not be closed in the event of a war. Saud Arabia will also not close its borders with the border between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia being open. The International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) will meet the expenses of charter
flights to bring back our workers, in the event a war breaks out,
the minister said. Medical
students fire at new film "This film is based on a woman who tries to live like a man. This "Man" has to struggle against various social norms, definitions and socio-cultural expectations of manhood and masculinity. Running parallel to the effort of becoming a man, is a woman's struggle against the social injustice i.e. women's freedom. Since efforts to define masculinity and women's freedom are two key themes in this film, any claims that are made regarding masculinity, man-hood and women's freedom are invariably important. "The film is full of scenes where smoking is glorified as a symbol of masculinity. We find in several occasions that cigarettes are been pushed between the lips of the characters in a very unnatural and artificial manner. It is interesting to notice that all characters are smoking a particular brand of cigarettes from the beginning to the end of the film," said a statement issued by Novil Wijesekera, chairman of the medical faculty's Students Involved in Rational Health Action (SIRA). "We would like to discuss two scenes from the film. In the first one "the man" goes to pick up a girl who returns home late night. When "he" sees the girl, "he" throws away the cigarette. Then the girl asks "Why did you throw it away? You are so nice when you are smoking". In the next scene, at the climax of the film, the wife of the "man" clearly describes what a woman in general expects from a man. Amongst her items in the list, with so much stress and emphasis, she says that smoking in front of a woman is what a woman expects from a man," the action group said.
Convenor Sarath Fernando said the anti-war groups would gather opposite the Fort Railway Station, at 2 p.m. next Saturday, International Womens' Day to demonstrate and distribute leaflets bringing about awareness on the "blood for oil" issues involved in the Bush administration's plan to attack Iraq. He said scores of groups ranging from civic action movements and trade unions to farmer organisations were being invited to take part in the anti war protest. The Ven. Mahamankadawela Piyarathana Nayake Thera better known as Eppawela hamuduruwo is the chief organiser of the protest campaign and more details could be obtained by calling on telephone no. 074-407663.
Mr. Nalin Sri Perera (65) the father of late flight lieutenant Shiran Wasantha Perera told The Sunday Times that his son who was the pilot of the helicopter in which Minister Ashraff travelled, has not been promoted to the next rank of squadron leader even when he really deserved it. He said that
he is requesting his son's promotion on the convention that an officer
is promoted if he dies in action. Mr. Perera states his son died
in action because he was directed by Minister Ashraff to be the
pilot of the helicopter in which he travelled. Mr. Perera said he had appealed to President Kumaratunga to grant the promotion to his dead son, after Air Force authorities had failed to do so. The President had replied that the promotion cannot be given because he did not die in action. " Shiran
was a very devoted officer, loyal to the Air Force. It is really
unfortunate that he is not given the due respect even when he is
entitled to it", Mr. Perera said.
This follows an assurance from Defence Secretary Austin Fernando that no disciplinary action will be taken against them, despite recommendations made by their Commander, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri. The Secretary had informed the Navy Commander of this decision on the instructions of the Defence Minister. Rear Admiral Wijewickrema and the other officers had petitioned the Court of Appeal seeking to quash the Navy Commander's recommendation that disciplinary action be taken against them. The Navy Commander had earlier written to the Defence Secretary criticising the findings of a committee which had inquired into the conduct of the officers and found them free of fault. He had recommended disciplinary action against them. The committee had investigated allegations made by the Navy Commander that the officers had unnecessarily committed the government to pay a high price for gunboats with an electronics weapons system, whereas the Navy Commander had recommended another type of craft from Ceylon Dockyards. Rear Admiral Wijewickrema and his colleagues had looked into an offer made by the Chinese government and made their recommendations to then Navy Commander Cecil Tissera. The former Commander had decided to purchase the equipment but this move had been stopped when the present Commander assumed office. |
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