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Alleged forcible detention of education official by CM
The Southern Province Chief Minister H.G. Sirisena is alleged to have forcibly detained a senior education officer as he had taken offence for not receiving an invitation for a school ceremony which was held earlier in the week.

The ceremony was held at Palatuwa Gunerathne Madya Maha Vidyalaya to accept a cash donation by the Minister of Foreign Employment and Welfare, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, to purchase uniforms for the school band, school sources said.

The school had also invited several high ranking education officers including the Matara Zonal Education Director, W. Kulatunge. The ceremony was held around 10.00 am without much fanfare in accordance with a Government directive not to involve schoolchildren in official ceremonies as this would disrupt their education, the sources added.

However, a few minutes before the ceremony was due to commence the Chief Minister had arrived at the school and requested to see Mr. Kulatunge. He had then taken a sheaf of betel to the Chief Minister blissfully unaware that he had not been invited for the ceremony, the sources said.

The Chief Minister had then admonished Mr. Kulatunge for failing to extend an invitation to him and ordered his bodyguards to bundle him into his vehicle. Despite protests by Mr. Kulatunge he was taken away in the vehicle. He had been taken to Akuressa where he was detained till 1.00 pm and then released, the sources alleged.

The Sunday Times learns that officials of schools in Matara had planned a picketing campaign in protest and had even contemplated instituting legal action against the Chief Minister. However, Mr. Kulatunge had expressed reluctance to lodge an entry at the police station and pursue the matter further. Hence the protest campaign was called off, the sources said.

An education officer who wished to remain anonymous told The Sunday Times that the Chief Minister was under the impression that school officials were obliged to invite him for any school ceremony.

"There are several instances when philanthropists donate cash and materials to schools in the area. Generally simple ceremonies are held at the time the donation is made even when prominent UNP, PA or JVP MPs make donations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has denied that Mr. Kulatunge was forcibly taken in his vehicle. He said that Mr. Kulatunge had travelled in his vehicle on his own accord to discuss security arrangements for President Kumaratunga's visit to Akuressa last Friday.
"A meeting had been scheduled with top police officers from Colombo. We had also planned to have children from three schools to sing the national anthem and the welcome song. hence we considered it important for the Education Director to be present at the meeting," the Chief Minister said.

Geneva ceremony for Dr. Gamani Corea called off
By Laila Nasry
A ceremony to felicitate Dr. Gamani Corea, former Secretary General of UNCTAD in Geneva and world acclaimed economist was called off this week with Dr. Corea failing to attend the function after the Foreign Ministry backed out of co-ordinating the visit due to a case filed by Ceylinco chief, Lalith Kotalawala.

The Foreign Ministry which was co-ordinating Dr. Corea's trip enabling him to attend the ceremony organised by the Geneva-based South Centre, of which Dr. Corea is current chairman, had backed out because of an impending legal battle.

The Sunday Times learns that Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando had instructed his officials not to get involved after Mr. Kotalawala who holds a general power-of-attorney on behalf of his 77 year old cousin Dr. Corea, went to courts to ascertain whether Dr. Corea is incapable of managing his own affairs.

The ceremony was due to take place on July 24 - the day on which the case filed by Mr. Kotalawala was due to be taken up. The case was postponed for tomorrow subsequent to an application filed by Mr. Kotalawala. Dr. Corea is scheduled to appear before the District Court tomorrow.

On the previous occasion Additional District Judge Lalith Jayasuriya made an order directing Dr. Corea to appear before court on July 24 to ascertain whether he is incapable of managing his own affairs.

However subsequent to a motion filed by counsel for Mr. Kotalawala requesting for a fresh date, as he would be out of the country, the date was altered to July 28.
Mr. Kotalawala in his application claims that Dr. Corea is suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's type disease rendering him mentally ill, feeble, infirm and defective and not in a position to manage his own affairs and further alleges that there is a danger that third parties may, by deception and fraud, try to obtain undue advantage and benefit over the extensive property of the ailing Dr. Corea.

He further states that on July 4 he discovered a last will executed by Dr. Corea, bequeathing a major potion of his estate, including his property in Switzerland, in Trust to the Gamani Corea Foundation and appointing Suganthie Kadirgamar as executor of the will.

Mr. Kotalawala further states, as a near relative entrusted with the power-of-attorney and with no adverse or conflict of interests with regard to the rights of Dr. Corea, that he is a fit and proper person to be appointed as Manager of the estate and guardian of Dr. Corea.

Police promotions to get a speed- up
By Faraza Farook
A set of proposals to rectify delays in the promotion of police officers is to be finalized and handed over to the National Police Commission this week, IGP T.E. Anandarajah said.

He said the new set of proposals were aimed at simplyfying the process which had created a backlog. "The present scheme of promotion is a long procedure, which has caused delays. We will finalise the proposals by the end of next week and hand it over to the Police Commission," the IGP said on Friday.

He said the Cabinet Sub Committee appointed to study the increasing rate of crimes had pointed out that overdue promotions were a drawback when it came to fighting crime.The IGP said that there about 100 Superintendents of Police (SP) and Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) vacancies in each category, and 259 ASP vacancies while 192 applications for CIs had also been called for. Since it was a hierarchical structure, more positions are likely to fall vacant as promotions are made.

Government spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris said the government was prepared to create supernumerary positions if necessary. However, the IGP had informed that it was not absolutely necessary to create supernumerary positions. Prof. Peiris said a variety of problems including administrative matters and problems arising from litigation, had led to the backlog in promotions.

President and SLMC to discuss interim administration
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Minister Rauf Hakeem is due to meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga shortly to discuss a set of proposals prepared by them on the proposed interim administration, party sources said.

The meeting which is likely to take place on Tuesday will be the first time Mr. Hakeem would be having formal discussions with the President in recent months.
The SLMC spokesman told The Sunday Times that the party will discuss the set of proposals with the President in a bid to get her views.

"We will stress the importance of involving the PA in the formation of the interim administration. Until the opposition and the Government arrive at a consensus on the proposals an interim administration will not be acceptable to us. The government has made it clear that the participation of the PA is essential in the formation of the proposals," he added.

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