23rd, February 1997

An anguished Irish mum Joan Ratnam, searching for her tug-of-love son, Joshua, has filed a maintenance case against her Sri Lankan husband, David Anthony Ratnam, claiming Rs. 50,000 per month.

The case was filed last Thursday before the Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate who issued notice on the respondent husband to appear before the court on February 28.

A politico's son who is also karate youth has been remanded for allegedly raping a girl at his house in Hasalaka, police said. The 22-year-old is alleged to have forced the girl into his house and committed the crime, police said.

Alleged attacks and intimidation of UNPers by a group of PA supporters who included a brother of a minister are being probed, police said.

The minister's brother, his supporters and private bodyguards were allegedly involved in a series of incidents including attacks on a UNP branch office and abuse of police officers.

The politico's brother allegedly smashed up a UNP election office in the Rikillagaskada area, according to police. It is alleged that a UNP MP's private secretary and few others were threatened in the incident and some UNP workers were assaulted.

The group also has allegedly threatened a UNP Pradeshiya Sabha candidate in the Hewaheta area. The candidate's house had been set on fire, police said.

Meanwhile, a Minister's private bodygaurds and a driver who allegedly abused police officers in Thalangama recently have been remanded till tomorrow.

By Roshan Pieris

Facing a strong challenge from an alliance led by a Tamil leader, the UNP's Colombo mayoral candidate Karu Jayasuriya has pledged that the UNP would not block the devolution package though it insists on a unitary state.

Mr. Jayasuriya, a business magnate and party chairman told The Sunday Times in an interview, that race was just an accident of birth and he believed we must all rise above such differences.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: How will the UNP cope with the major political backlash from the Ellawala assassination?

A: We do not see any backlash for the UNP. We deeply regret the killing of Mr. Ellawala because we abhor violence. That is why we have suspended the two main suspects, until the judicial process is complete.

Q: Why didn't the party expel Mr. Punchinilame and Mr. Ratnatilleke? Minister G. L. Peiris has described them as 'fugitives from justice'

A: We believe in the normal process of the law and the norm that one is innocent till proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt. There are numerous theories regarding this. Let the court decide. We will abide by that.

Q: With fears of more violence cannot the UNP as the major opposition party take an initiative to end the gun culture in politics?

A: We need to grapple with this terrible social problem. We are concerned about the lack of control over mobsters. We see an alarming breakdown of law and order.

Even police stations and vehicles have been attacked. I hope this could be contained as elections draw near, otherwise this mob rule will have far reaching consequences and further damage the image of our country. The gun culture is a national problem, not just a party matter. Just because a few run beserk and murder one cannot take it out of other as was done in Ratnapura when hundreds of houses, shops and buildings of UNP sympathisers were burnt or ransacked. It is the duty of thers government to control such unruly elements. Instead we see government leaders making inflamatory speeches. I believe that as we near the local elections all parties must be mature enough to assess and understand the fatal consequences of gun culture and put a stop to it at national level. All political parties must join in ending the menace.

Q: Around 18 members have resigned from the UNP in the aftermath of the Ellawala killing. Why did they quit?

A: The state media are blowing it up. We are not overly worried about the resignations in Ratnapura. We have investigated and found that pressure has been brought upon them amidst fears over the bomb rampage others who were not given nominations also made use of the situation to resign.

I must also tell you that people connected to the ruling party are trying to crossover to us. I won't mention names. What the state media calls "a major calamity" for the UNP is just a small problem. They seem to have forgotten the war in the north and east.

For cheap political mileage they are bringing the war to the south as well. Riots in south could be disastrous and we are deeply concerned about this.

Q: The local poll is seen as a test of strength for both parties. What exactly is the UNP offering the voters?

A: During the past two years the UNP has undergone a major transformation. Our policies have been modified and streamlined to meet the current challenges. We are insisting on strict discipline among all members. We are addressing our minds to issues such as employment and important sectors of the economy.

Q: As a business magnate you often speak of a private sector approach. What exactly do you have in mind?

A: I mean quick decision making and quick implementation with a professional touch.

Q: Could you be more specific about what you are offering?

A: Most people are fed up of rhetoric, they want concrete proposals. We offer to look after the lesser privileged and economically ensure their quality of life improves.

Also we will export on an accelarated basis to create more wealth which could seep down to all. For the youth we will provide job-oriented education and more job opportunities. We are happy to see more youth ralling round the UNP.

Q: If you are elected as mayor of Colombo what will be your vision and goals?

A: I will try to avoid confrontational politics. We will seek the co-operation of the opposition in developing the city. See our list of candidates - we have people from all strata of society.

Q: Many think Mr. Ganeshalingam's independent group backed by the PA will break the UNP votes especially among the Tamils. What is your view?

A: I dont want to speak about him because he has been with us for decades. Let the people decide. Anyway I don't think he can break into our vote bank. Like others the Tamil voters also are mature.

Q: How do you plan to bring about ethinc harmony?

A: We believe in a true Sri Lankan identity. Our party decisions are not made on racial grounds. We believe in treating all races alike. Race is an accident of birth and all religions preach against racial isolation or confrontation.

Q: Then why doesn't the UNP support the devolution package which is widely backed by Tamil parties.

A: We are not blocking the devolution package. In fact it was the UNP that introduced devolution at grassroot level. In the proposals there are certain areas that need clarification. We are for a Unitary State.

We also want clarification on the matter of lands, police and judiciary. We believe that to have lasting peace we need some consensus among all parties and communities.

Q: In various commissions of inquiry, the UNP is being accused of various things including murder. What effect will this have on the party at the elections?

A: It wont. The state media are blowing it all out of proportion but I believe the people are too mature to be carried away by that.

One of Sri Lanka's veteran journalists Bonny Fernando died on Friday morning at his home in Nawala. He was 76.

A colourful personality, he paced the corridors of Lake House with the confidence of the maestro. He was an innovator. He liked to change and he did himself organise the library giving it method and better management.

He was a photographer and a leading member of the Photographic Society. All this knowledge and experience went into the making of the editorial photography department.

In mainstream journalism he was Chief Sub Editor of the Observer and the Daily News. He was also News Editor on the Daily News and Leader writer. Bonny's vast reading was evident in the Editorials he wrote in his flowing style.

He lived an austere life. The only extravagance perhaps was the Thamsher that never seemed to leave his lips. His daughter Sonali was in journalism for a while in the 'Observer' and 'The Sunday Times.'

He leaves his wife Vijitha, a colleague on the Daily News whom he married and lived with his four daughters in the Nawala home and died among them his last wish fulfilled: a long sip of water.

Norton Weerasinghe cut his teeth on journalism among the gurus of the 'Times of Ceylon' in the early 50s and polished his versatility in the 'Daily News'.

As a news reporter he worked hard and wrote his copy sticking to facts. One could see him working day and night and continuing till down if he had to keep a deadline. He was the sub editors' ideal: always accurate with the details.

On the 'Daily News' he covered parliamentary detates, did his news beats and engaged in his pastime-films. He wrote reviews and brought news snippets of stars on set and off. He followed prime ministers and presidents covering important events. He wrote his copy in long-hand as speakers spoke. The copy was clear, correct and subs knew it was 'safe to use'.

With political upheavals, he found himself in an administrative post - one a journalist could not fit into. As an excecutive he had to implement decisions of the management which were not always pleasant. This somewhat alienated him from his colleagues.

Once again with another upheaval he was back on the news - a welcome return to strengthen the middle order batting. By then illness began to show with the stress of change and he was not the Norton of a few years back. He had lost the fervour and zest which were characteristic of him. Sickness sapped his energy daily little by little. He died after a brief illness last Saturday. W.de.S.

The Gratiaen Award for English Writing -1996 was awarded to Tissa Abeysekera for his manuscript 'Bringing Tony Home', yesterday.

The award is presented annually and is funded by Micheal Ondaatjie, Sri Lankan-born author and winner of the Booker Prize.

By Kshalini Nonis

Guidelines will be set for pre-election publicity for candidates at the local government elections over radio and TV, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said.

According to informed sources, publicity will be restricted to political advertising, thus giving an advantage to the more affluent candidates. This follows a decision taken by the government which was announced last Saturday at a meeting held between the representatives of the various radio and TV stations, presided over by the commissioner.

Sources added that this decision was taken due to the large number of parties and candidates who will be contesting. ''Therefore everybody will not be given a chance and the media will lose if they have to restrict commercial ads.

Requests by some candidates for publicity are also being considered by the authorities, as various conditions have to be complied with when giving pre-election publicity.

The private radio and TV stations have insisted that they too be allowed to announce election results, along with state owned stations. This request is being considered by the government.