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Oversight committees a Trojan Horse, says PA
By Harinda Vidanage
The Government has issued an ultimatum to the Opposition till the the end of September for accepting the chairmenship of the proposed fourteen oversight committees.

However, President Chandrika Kumaratunga has dismissed the ultimatum.
As a second alternative the Government has threatened to amend the Standing Orders and appoint opposition members to the committees. If at even then if the Opposition fails to comply the Government plans to appoint chairmen from the UNP.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse told The Sunday Times the position of the People's Alliance was that the proposed oversight committees would be meaningful only if electoral amendments too were introduced.

Carrying on regardless!
By Nalaka Nonis
A former head of an institution, who had been removed from his position following corruption charges has returned to work and is allegedly continuing with the same activities at the institution.

The official had been sacked from his post when A.H.M. Fowzie was the Transport Minister, but has been reinstated under the present Government. The fresh allegations of corruption levelled against him are that he is misappropriating the institution's funds and violating procedures in making appointments.

Though he is bound to consult the Ministry when carrying out renovation work costing over Rs. 100,000 he is said to have spent Rs. 700,000 to re-tile the floor without Ministry sanction.

It is also alleged that carpets in the chairman's office have been removed and the floors tiled. Sources in the Transport Ministry told The Sunday Times that the official is using his influence in recruitments.

Gang warfare kills two at Wellawatte
By Chris Kamalendran
Two former associates of Moratu Saman were gunned down by underworld gang members at Wellawatte in broad daylight yesterday while they were travelling in a car, police said.

The incident occurred around 11.30 am close to W.A. de Silva Mawatha. The assailants had fired into a car in which five persons had been travelling, killing two occupants. The other three escaped unhurt and fled the scene soon after the shooting. police said.

Director Colombo Crime Division SSP, D.S. Lugoda told The Sunday Times that they believe the five persons had left the Moratuwa Soysapura flats in the morning and had been followed by the rival gang who had travelled in a double cab.

As the car carrying the five persons slowed down at the traffic lights, not very far from the Wellawatte police station, the double cab had driven alongside the car and opened fire at point blank range, he said.

The driver of the car had then veered into the opposite lane and collided with a bus before coming to a halt. The gangsters had later abandoned their vehicle on Milagiriya Avenue and escaped. police said.

The victims are believed to be former associates of the notorious gang leader Moratu Saman, who had been killed two months ago. The victims had fallen out with Moratu Saman some time before his death, police said.

Moratu Saman had been charged with the murder of former All Ceylon Tamil Congress leader, Kumar Ponnamblam. SSP Lugoda said investigations are proceeding and they would be in a position to ascertain the identities of the killers shortly.

Electoral reforms in time for PC polls
The Committee on Electoral Reforms is to complete its proposals by the end of this year, for implementation at next year's Provincial Council elections, the first of which is due to be held in March.

Electoral Reforms Committee Chairman Dinesh Gunawardena told The Sunday Times that the Committee has not set a deadline but was looking to complete the process by the end of this year.

" The electoral reforms will cover all elections. The Committee is planning to complete the work within the next few months. It all depends on how soon the Committee can complete the work. We have already scheduled three meetings for this month, the first would be held on September 18" he said.

The Committee has invited the Elections Commissioner and members of civil society for this month's meeting. " Once we meet the relevant officials the committee will commence its work. It is important that changes are made to the electoral system" said Mr. Gunawardena.

Last week Cabinet Spokesman G.L.Peiris stressed the importance of setting up the Elections Commission before next year's Provincial Council elections. At the weekly press briefing Minister Peiris accused President Kumaratunga of not accepting the name proposed for the post of Chairman of the Commission.

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