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TRC to study alternative SLT tariff hike proposal

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) plans to study an alternative tariff hike proposal submitted by Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) in view of the problems that beset SLT, the Managing Director of the TRC, Themiya L.B. Hurulle revealed yesterday.

However, NTT Communications Corporation (NTT), the Japanese company that operates SLT, has expressed its deep concern at the delay in the implementation of the tariff rebalancing agreement approved by the government at the outset and warned that it would cause "serious financial damage leading to a substantial negative impact on the corporate value of SLT".

Senior Vice President of NTT, Mitsuhiro Takase in a letter addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Mass Communication, Kumar Abeysinghe, said the government of Sri Lanka had initially given approval for a rebalancing of SLT tariffs in five stages over a period of five years starting in 1998.

The letter stated that apart from the delay in granting approval for the previous stages, the fifth stage of the tariff balancing, which should have come into effect from January 1, 2002, has not yet been approved.

The letter also stated that the Sri Lanka Government is bound under clause 18.2 and 18.3 of the agreement not to issue further licences for the provision of international telephone services for a period of five years from August 5, 1997 until the tariff balancing is completed. NTT said that according to the agreement signed by the two parties "the provisions of Clause 18 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding termination of this agreement for whatever reason". In the circumstances, NTT has requested the government to implement the fifth tariff rebalancing agreement as soon as possible.

Iraq, jvp deny Govt. charges on anti-US protests

The Government has expressed concern over allegations that the anti-US protests carried out by the JVP recently have been funded by Iraq, Foreign Ministry sources said.

The Iraqi Government has been accused of funding the recent JVP protest in Colombo calling on the US to desist from waging war against Iraq.

Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando met the Iraqi Charge d' Affaires last week and pointed out that any financial support to political parties in Sri Lanka to conduct anti-US rallies is tantamount to a violation of "the third country rule".

The Iraqi Charge d' Affaires has denied these charges, However, the Minister issued a stern warning that in the event evidence was available to substantiate this charge the Government will be compelled to order the Iraqi Embassy to reduce staff.

Meanwhile, JVP spokesman Wimal Weerawansa has denied receiving any financial assistance from the Iraqi Embassy in Sri Lanka.

"We don't undertake contracts from anyone to carry out protest campaigns. It is our responsibility to protest against any improper acts carried out in Sri Lanka or internationally," Weerawansa said.

Identification parade ordered in ragging incident

The Kandy Magistrate, Leon Seneviratne, has ordered that an identification parade be held on March 19 to identify the culprits in the Peradeniya University ragging incident which occurred last week.

Three Arts Faculty students of the Peradeniya University have alleged that they had been forced by seniors to attend a funeral. On their way to the funeral they said that they had been forced into a bus, severely ragged and nearly suffocated to death.

The students had subsequently been admitted to hospital.

University authorities and police were not in a position to provide further details.

Potatoes go back underground

The Customs Department is in the process of destroying 600,000 kilos of potatoes valued at Rs. 27 million imported illegally more than two months ago.

The importer had declared the goods brought in ten containers as seed potatoes, the duty on which is Rs. 21 less than on potatoes for consumption.

However, Customs officials who inspected the consignment realised the potatoes were of the edible variety though they were packed in gunny bags and not in boxes as potatoes imported to be sold in the local market are normally packed. Samples sent to the Agriculture Ministry also confirmed their suspicion.

The potatoes had been imported from Poland nearly two months ago and by the time investigations were completed, a test by the Government Analyst's department revealed they were not fit for human consumption. Hence the potato stocks are being taken to a dump at Biyagama to be buried in a 40 foot deep pit, a Customs official said.

Sports Ministry tender under scrutiny

By Chris Kamalendran
A tender awarded by the Sports Ministry for the installation of a new computer system to record athletic timings has come under investigation by the Customs after it has been revealed that the equipment was allegedly undervalued at the time of import.

The Sunday Times learns that the Customs this week have initiated investigations into allegations that the system had been undervalued by almost half the amount. According to the Customs a sum of Euro 41,611 (Rs.3,869,000) had been paid, but the actual value is reported to be higher.

The Sunday Times learns that the actual value had been Euro 101,134.50 (Rs.9,405,000).

Customs sources said that the investigations are to ascertain the actual value of the equipment and whether there was a discrepancy in the payment.

The unit known as athletic timing meet management computer system was imported in time for the 14th Asian Games held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in August last year.

The Sunday Times learns that there had also been a controversy over the manner in which the tender had been awarded as another company had been previously selected, but dropped.

There has also been questions raised about the manner in which the money had been transferred.

CEB unions want Cabinet paper implemented

The union members representing the CEB electrical, technical and civil superintendents, who went before the three-member committee on Friday, has reiterated their stand that the Cabinet paper on promotions be accepted and implemented.

The committee which is headed by Mr. B.C. Perera was appointed by the Ministry to meet union leaders to obtain their views. The Committee has been given 60 days to submit a report.

President of the Technical Union U.L.K. Senaratne told The Sunday Times they had explained to the committee that their demand was that the Cabinet paper which deals with promotions be implemented.

"We explained that there was no need for the CEB Board to submit another Cabinet paper and also said the Board cannot bring in any changes to the existing Cabinet decision on promotions without Cabinet approval. The Board has been doing this and we are against this move.

We also said we have confidence that the committee would take a fair decision after considering our representations" he said.

Mr. Senaratne added that the unions are planning a protest on Wednesday with the participation of regional members .

" We will continue with our strike. The Board keeps changing its position whenever it wants without Cabinet approval. We brought up this issue several times to no avail " he said.

The week-long strike has caused a delay in providing new connections and in attending to break-downs.

Around 1000 new connections are normally given daily.

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