Promises forgotten and residents suffer

A political tug-o-war has left over 3,000 residents of Ratmalana faced with the same flood crisis that hit them 21 years ago. The worst was last week.

Residents of Ratmalana complained that the 'Lunawa Ela' has been overflowing with the slightest shower for 21 years now.

"There are 3,000 odd families who live in the area and who suffer each year due to the overflowing of this lake and lack of a proper drainage system. Since the days of late minister Lalith Athulathmudali and then Srimani Athulathmudali to C.V.Goonaratne, politicians have been assuring the people of a remedy which never arrived, said the residents.

The reminders of remedy are two foundation stones for a flood prevention project laid by Srimani Athulathmudali and C.V. Goonaratne at two different locations. Nothing beyond it has taken place since 1994.

'The water which comes into the houses is mostly from toilet pits and people are forced to put up with the stink' they said.

They complained that the Municipal Council of Dehiwela-Mt.Lavinia are spending millions an a new municipally office while the residents suffer.

The rains reigned but they all came to school

By Shelani de Silva

Without predictions from the technical staff of meteorological department, the heaviest rain of the year left thousands of people, mainly school children stranded on flooded roads or caught up in massive traffic blocks resulting in late arrivals at schools or places of work.

The rain in most areas began around midnight and went on for hours, with the heaviest downpour coming at peak time from 6.00 am to 8.00 a.m. when thousands set out to school or offices.

The rains left many roads and houses under one to two feet of water.

The worst affected by the Friday morning thunderstorm were the school children but they braved the weather to be present for their term end examinations. School children were seen drenched from head to toe despite being geared with rain coats and umbrellas. Many children who leave home by 6.30 am had no choice but to walk into the heavy showers. Even those who travel by private vehicles were not spared.

Despite the heavy rain and the late arrival to schools all the schools went ahead with the examination as planned. The only change was that it started one or two hours late.

Interestingly most of the schools had full attendance. This might have been after school authorities insisted that exams could not be postponed, despite pleas from parents.

Many principals said the attendance was satisfactory. If there were any absentees they were those who travelled by private vehicles which got stuck in the floods. All those who travelled by bus had reached the schools but way past 8.00 am.

Some parents had telephoned the schools from early morning requesting that exams be postponed. But school authorities said they could not comply with as exams were conducted by the Education Ministry.

However many parents The Sunday Times spoke to were critical of the school authorities. They said that students who reached schools drenched would not be in a frame of mind to sit an exam. They said the heads of schools had the authority to postpone the exams under such conditions, and they should have taken a stand.

As for office work attendance by public and private sector employees was reported to be satisfactory. Although most of the employees had reached their offices only after 10.00 am in many offices they were excused.

According to meteorology director A.W. Mohottala the thunderstorm was due to a disturbance in the air circulation over Sri Lanka - mainly Colombo.

City planners said a faulty drainage system and excessive house building even on marshlands where rain water flows out were the main reasons why Colombo and the suburbs were suddenly turned into mud pools.

Top ten: wait at least another fortnight

From the blue corner

By Paakshikaya

Someone once said that attack is the best form of defence. Perhaps taking that to heart Viruddha Paakshikaya last week felt he should attack me and came up with a self proclaimed Top Ten, list of so called PA "cronies" who allegedly take the people for a ride.

Viruddha Paakshikaya's one-up-manship does not impress me and I don't believe it impressed The Sunday Times readers either because he (or she) didn't actually find ten names for the "Top Ten," so, Viruddha Paakshikaya, if this government indeed has cronies, they are less than ten in number!

As for the list itself, I would admit that if I were to complete a list of the UNP's Top Ten some of those in Viruddha Paakshikaya's list would win a place.

But, my friend, that is as far as I would go. I wouldn't want to satisfy your curiosity by naming Ranil Wickremesinghe's Top Ten just yet; after all, any student of politics knows that suspense and surprise are key elements in this game!

But of course Viruddha Paakshikaya that doesn't mean that Ranil Wickremesinghe is Mr. Clean with no cronies around him. No, sir; his Top Ten shall be revealed at the appropriate moment.

Now I'm told both Cambridge Terrace in Colombo and Siri Kotha at Kotte are all agog biting their finger nails and waiting for Ranil Wickremesinghe's Top Ten.

See, Viruddha Paakshikaya, what havoc you have wrought in your own party by this Top Ten business! No wonder you are in the Opposition!

For example some are anxious to get on the list, some want to get off the list and others want to get to the top of the list. And, emissaries are busy lobbying for all this, I hear.

My UNP friends say that the guessing game is on as to who the three people I said were, who did not get favours from Ranil Wickremesinghe when he was in office. It just shows that the other seven - those who got favours - are the rule and not the exception. Of course that is the UNP's style of government!

But to get down to more specific matters I dare say I don't mind taking on Viruddha Paakshikaya on his so called Top Ten in the PA.

On Viruddha Paakshikaya's scale, Harry Jayewardena is Numero Uno. Harry I'm sure will like that though Viruddha Paakshikaya calls him a "suspect" in a customs case of under invoicing imports.

Viruddha Paakshikaya makes a hue and cry about Harry's connections with the government and queries why he remains AirLanka Chairman despite the allegations against him. Now, my friend, why didn't your MPs raise this issue during the much publicized AirLanka-Emirates deal debate? Was it because some documents were leaked as alleged by Jeyraj Fernandopulle!

And, why was the UNP so silent when the alleged under-invoicing occurred? Why didn't UNP MPs speak against Harry Jayewardena? Why is Gamini Atukorale the only man capable of doing so? One of your MPs told me, Viruddha Paakshikaya, that Ranil Wickremesinghe couldn't find three MPs to speak against Harry - and certainly not from the Gampaha District from where Harry hails!

Then, I'm sure, Viruddha Paakshikaya, you are aware that your biggest political liability these days - Anura Bandaranaike - hails from Gampaha and is a very good friend of Harry. So, it is almost as if Harry is Top of the Pops in the UNP as well.

We also know that Harry Jayewardena was able to meet your leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe when the alleged under-invoicing issue in Stassen Imports erupted. I wonder what transpired there, Viruddha Paakshikaya?

Of course, Harry Jayewardena needs to be thankful to the UNP for making him a multi millionaire after he was sacked from Consolexpo in 1977.

At least, we are investigating Harry's activities as Managing Director of the Stassen Group. He has been fined five million rupees in one case and has twelve or so other cases against him.

So, Viruddha Paakshikaya, how can you say we are protecting him? It's "crooked" dealings, if any are being investigated and that is much more than what your governments did.

But as for him resigning from AirLanka, just for being a "Suspect" in a customs investigation, shall we give him the benefit of the doubt till he is found guilty, Viruddha Paakshikaya? After all, your party gives the benefit of the doubt to Wijeyapala Mendis even after he's found guilty!

Then, on to your Number Two in the PA's Top Ten, Viruddha Paakshikaya, the person you call the "Man from London".

You say that our leadership had a warm stay at his flat during the height of the JVP terror.

What is wrong with someone offering shelter when you are in trouble Viruddha Paakshikaya? Hasn't your Sir John Kotelawela, Ronnie de Mel, Gamini Dissanayake and R. Paskaralingam run away to London at various times, just to escape the political heat of Sri Lanka?.

And is someone was a friend in need, should you dismiss him when you can return the favour? Now, I'm not for a moments saying you should do so at state expense. You can always say "that was then; this is now" and draw the line.

Why, Viruddha Paakshikaya you cannot forget so soon that the UNP had a President who made a Real Estate dealer an AirLanka consolidator. By the same yardstick, you could say that was in return for him having looked after and provided accommodation to your President's children while they were in England!

Moreover, Viruddha Paakshikaya's charges against the London Man are flimsy and only innuendos. There is no specific allegation of corruption, unless of course inviting this person to the state banquet in honour of Prince Charles amounted to "corruption" and "abuse of power"!

The less said about Viruddha Paakshikaya's other Top Ten contenders the better because, again, the allegations are not specific and merely link the person to someone in the government. And really, it is only "Top Seven" or so, because Viruddha Paakshikaya, hard pressed to find ten rogues in this government, refers to such ambiguous entities like " assorted commission agents"!

So, Viruddha Paakshikaya with his Top Ten has only proved that the PA leadership may have its faults but has not institutionalised corruption. We can honestly say there is no rank corruption now, compared to what we saw during the Premadasa and Wijetunge regimes.

Even during J.R. Jayewardene's days, corruption did exist and many were making money then. Most of them have been sidelined now.

However we in the PA have introduced measures to weed out what corruption there is. We will ensure that only companies on the Stock Exchange can compete for tenders. This would eliminate the a number of who those are listed in Viruddha Paakshikaya's Top Ten.

So, Viruddha Paakshikaya, though they are in your PA Top Ten we are taking decisive action to control them and their wayward ways. We feel they have made enough. They've creamed the fat off this land for too long.

I might just give you a hint, Viruddha Paakshikaya. Even Rajahs and those with Access might be on my Top Ten of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

So, Viruddha Paakshikaya, I'm sorry to disappoint you by not announcing your leader's Top Ten just yet.

But I will not rise to the bait. You and all those at Cambridge Place and Siri Kotha can spend at least another fortnight figuring out who's where.

And, those of you UNPer who'd like a say in seeing their favourites on the list, do send me your "Manaapeys" and I'll sure take them into account in deciding the top spots!

SSO succour for child victims of political violence

By Nilika De Silva

Five weeks after the slaying of UNP candidate for Karambe at the co-operative elections, M. K. Yasapala, his daughter Janaki Dissanayake has still not recovered from the shock.

Her brother Sumanatissa, 15, an epileptic now gets a fit every other day. Their sister Kumudu Menike has completed her O/L examination but cannot pursue her studies as she has to stay at home to look after her brother and sister.

Their mother who is working in Sharjah has still not got the news of the death of her husband.

Living in a village 12 miles off the Mahawa town, the three children survive on rice and coconut given to them by neighbours as they are unable to withdraw the money sent by their mother which still comes in their father's name.

The clay hut which cannot boast doors or windows provides scant security for the children who have learnt at this very young age the bitter lesson that life holds no guarantees. Yet the new house half built with the money sent from Sharjah shows that even they once had a dream.

When Shanthini Kongahage, president of the Shrama Shakthi Organisation, visited the children and asked them the children told her to get their mother back.

Ms. Kongahage told The Sunday times she would contact the Labour Ministry to get through to the children's mother in Sharjah.

Ms. Kongahage said the SSO had insured the children for Rs.1 lakh each so that it could at least cover any medical expenses, should it become necessary.

Many were the children and women who have been rendered helpless in political violence in this country.

Ms. Kongahage said that all the people affected by these political killings were poor people, mainly women. But still no compensation had been paid, and the killers were free. "The Police must investigate. The government cannot protect murderers. As it was women who were made destitute by such killings the Ministry of Women's Affairs should play a bigger role and look into such incidents," she said.

The last of an era

Bertie Abeynaike, an institution by himself in the our little world of journalism, passed away last week.

On the Ceylon Daily News, where he worked till his retirement, he was Parliamentary Editor, guiding a corps of reporters to produce a comprehensive report of the day's parliamentary debates.

He was well-known and received by Ministers, MPs and parliament staff. As such be had a knowledge of parliamentary affairs and inside stories of political manoeuvres..

Bertie moved among the people in power and was privy to government strategies. He met and interviewed world leaders who attended the inauguration of the Colombo Plan. He saw and heard J.R Jayewardena at San Francisco making his famous speech.

For a time Bertie was London Editor and as bureau chief he filed stories and saw to the training of young journalists on London Newspapers.

Back in Ceylon he picked up where he left off and headed the parliamentary desk. His knowledge of parliamentary affairs was immense and found expression in the Lake House publication 'Parliament of Ceylon'. He updated the edition after every general election. His pioneering work has been the base of editions till now.

Bertie was heavy-made but inside him was a gentle, kindly man; soft spoken and quiet. Words and phrases peculiar to journalists did not pollute his lips. Nothing ruffled him. Cool when the editorial was feverish as deadlines approached. Unruffled by storms that whistled around him. He was unobtrusive.

He belonged to an era of journalism that is no more. Bertie is perhaps the last of the journalists who wore coat and tie when they hoofed the beat.

Customs sells 250 seized vehicles

By M.Ismeth

A staggering Rs 125 million was made by the Customs recently by the auction of 250 seized commercial vehicles.

According to sources the seized vehicles were cars, vans, and trucks of various models.

About 150 of these vehicles were seized for violating Exchange Control Regulations, Customs Ordinance and importing without proper documents.

Tampering with the chassis numbers was the reason for the seizure of the balance 100 vehicles.

The Customs investigation unit also detected a giant crane which had been imported by a firm for US dollars 250,000 to be used in the construction of the Twin Towers.

It had not been re-exported to the country of origin Singapore as stipulated, but had been hired to local builders.

Customs sources said the crane was imported duty free on the recommendation of the BOI, on the understanding that it would be re- exported on completion of the Twin Towers.

The firm was fined Rs 1mn and the crane is now in Customs custody.

Commission says 'sorry' to Cooray

By K.M. Weeraratne

Former minister and UNP General Secretary, Sirisena Cooray yesterday appeared before the Special Presidential Commission inquiring into malpractices — but the commissioners apologised to him for a misunderstanding.

The Commission comprises Supreme Court Judge P. R. Priyantha Perera (Chairman), Court of Appeal Judges Ninian Jayasooriya and Hector S. Yapa.

When Mr. Cooray appeared, Justice Perera said: "A great injustice has happened to you. We are sorry. You can make your statement to the investigating officers."

Justice Hector Yapa said Mr. Cooray should not have been called before the commission.

Mr. Cooray said: "undue publicity was given to this incident as if I am an accused".

The Commission revealed that the matter was a land deal between UDA and a joint company in which Mr. Cooray is said to have functioned as a director.

Mr. Cooray appeared before the Commission with his lawyer M.D.K. Kulatunge.

The Commission directed Mr. Cooray to the investigating officer Dinesh Perera to record his statement.

Reggie agrees to COPE request

By Chamintha Thilakarathna.

COPE Chairman Reggie Ranatunga has agreed to bring Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) officials for questioning by August despite pressures for an earlier date.

"The Chairman said he will try to bring in SLPA officials before the COPE in August but said that he cannot bring Minister Fernandopulle," said COPE member John Amaratunga.

He said that August would be too late as the agreement would he put to the cabinet shortly. As for minister Jeyraj Fernandopulle, he has to be brought forward for explanation of some public statements.

But, COPE members who walked out of last week's meeting at the parliamentary complex are not pleased with the compromise by the Chairman. They feel that both responses are equally evasive.

"The QEQ will have a similar fate as that of Air Lanka if it is not taken up by COPE before being sent for cabinet approval. This we want to avoid. And, Jeyraj Fernandopulle has been cleverly covered up.' members said.

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