Starjaffna: BRAND NEW LAW AND ORDER MINISTRY BORN

Starjaffna: BRAND NEW LAW AND ORDER MINISTRY BORN: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has established a new ministry titled "Ministry of Law and Order" and the Extraordinary Gazette Notifi...

BRAND NEW LAW AND ORDER MINISTRY BORN

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has established a new ministry titled "Ministry of Law and Order" and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued by the President on August 16, 2013. This Ministry will formulate policies for the implementation of Mahinda Chinthanaya policy framework and ensure that law and order is maintained in the country. This Ministry will devise policies and programs related to the subjects of the Police Department which comes under its purview. Former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi has been appointed as the new Ministry's Secretary and the Minister of Law and Order will be the President. The President has established this new ministry as per the powers enshrined in the Constitution. Among the new Ministry's remit is the implementation of the Police Act and other relevant laws and regulations as per the subjects mentioned in the Extraordinary Gazzette Notification. Maintaining law and order, traffic control, providing effective services to the public and minimizing corruption are the subjects that come under this ministry.

Starjaffna: ‘SL compelled to adopt ‘deterrent mechanism’ again...

Starjaffna: ‘SL compelled to adopt ‘deterrent mechanism’ again...: Sri Lanka today informed the Indian Government that it was compelled to put in place an effective ‘deterrent mechanism’ which involves the a...

‘SL compelled to adopt ‘deterrent mechanism’ against Indian fishermen’

Sri Lanka today informed the Indian Government that it was compelled to put in place an effective ‘deterrent mechanism’ which involves the arrest Indian fishermen, producing them in court and charging a fine, as Indian fishermen continue to cross over to Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. This was informed by visiting Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris when he called on the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh this morning in New Delhi. Issuing a statement the external affairs ministry said, “The Minister expressed the necessity to find a practical solution to the issue and explained that 400-500 Indian fishing boats consisting of approximately 1500 Indian fishermen continue to cross over to Sri Lanka territorial waters during the fishing season on a daily basis with no reduction in numbers.” He also said that the matter is aggravated by the fishing methods used by the Indian fishermen such as use of multi-day fishing boats and nylon nets and bottom trawling which cause damage to the sea bed and marine eco system. Moreover, the Indian fishermen no longer confine themselves to the Palk Bay area but venture close to the eastern seaboard, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Point Pedro. Sri Lanka is therefore compelled to put in place an effective deterrent as the Government of Sri Lanka has a responsibility to protect the livelihoods of the fishermen in the North of Sri Lanka. The Minister handed over to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a letter of invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to attend the Commonwealth Summit and the Minister said that the Government of Sri Lanka looks forward to Prime Minister Singh’s participation, it added.

Starjaffna: INDIANS COY ON FISHERMEN'S ISSUES

Starjaffna: INDIANS COY ON FISHERMEN'S ISSUES: Although it was agreed that the India - Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries should meet on a regular basis, at least once every six m...

INDIANS COY ON FISHERMEN'S ISSUES

Although it was agreed that the India - Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries should meet on a regular basis, at least once every six months, as agreed between the two countries during their previous meetings, the Group has not met since its last meeting held in Colombo on January 13-14, 2012. The Daily News reliably learns that Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has urged Delhi to engage in the process of the Joint Working Group without any further delay in the background of the incidents of poaching by South Indian fishermen in Lankan waters -- which are continuing unabated despite Sri Lanka urging for respecting the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Palk Strait. India was supposed to hold the Joint Working Group meeting in Delhi months ago. They are yet to respond positively to Sri Lanka's call to prevent Indian fishing trawlers from straying into Sri Lankan waters for illegal fishing. According to Minister Senaratne, it appears that the Joint Working Group had not stuck to the agreement reached at their last meeting held in Colombo. "Indian fishermen are violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) laws at will. Indian authorities do not seem to have any control over theses violations," he said. The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 265 Indian fishermen on charges of poaching and illegal fishing during the period from January this year up to now. Sri Lanka has released 118 Indian fishermen thus far. Minister Senaratne said, " We used to release Indian fishermen in our custody for poaching on many occasions." "We are having problems now on how to accommodate them in our prisons because they had illegally entered into our exclusive economic zone against the law," he said. "I have discussed this matter with the Commander of the Navy. We have to protect our marine resources," he said. "We have prevented incidents of Sri Lankan fishermen going into Indian territorial waters. Now there is not a single Sri Lankan fisherman in their custody, because we prevented such instances respecting international maritime boundary laws," he said. "We were compelled to get strict on this matter of poaching by Indian fishermen, because their numbers do not seem to cease despite our repeated requests from Indian authorities to prevent such incidents,"the minister added. Fisheries Ministry officials are of the opinion that they it will be necessary to establish a joint mechanism comprising Sri Lankan and Indian Coast Guards to monitor instances of poaching in the Palk Strait. "We have taken this matter seriously," they added.

India will secure rights over Katchatheevu: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today hoped that India will soon regain its rights over the Katchatheevu island that was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. In her Independence Day speech in Chennai, Jayalalithaa also said that her government was taking steps to protect people from inflation due to the central government's wrong economic policies. "I have faith in re-establishing our rights in Katchatheevu," she said after unfurling the national flag at the state secretariat Fort St. George. This year, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution urging the central government to revoke the Katchatheevu transfer agreement. The chief minister declared that Tamil Nadu will keep the public distribution system (PDS) going in order to address issues related to the poor. Independence Day was celebrated across the state as district collectors unfurled the tricolour. In many schools, students turned out early in the morning with mini national flags pinned on their uniforms.

Starjaffna: STRICTLY NO MILK POWDER ADVERTS

Starjaffna: STRICTLY NO MILK POWDER ADVERTS: Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala banned all milk powder advertisements in the electronic and print media from yesterday...

STRICTLY NO MILK POWDER ADVERTS

Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala banned all milk powder advertisements in the electronic and print media from yesterday until further notice, a Health Ministry spokesman said. The Health Ministry also recalled all suspected milk powder brands imported from New Zealand from the market on Monday, he said. The spokesman said Dr. Mahipala announced the ban under Food Act Number 26 of 1980 using his powers in consultation with the Food Advisory Committee. The Health Ministry will conduct fresh and further investigations on Dicyandiamide (DCD) and the bacteria which cause Botulism in all imported milk powder brands available in Sri Lanka. The investigations will be carried out with the assistance of the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) and a leading laboratory in Singapore. Advertising will be allowed only after obtaining the reports of the tests, the spokesman said. Earlier, foreign and local media reported about contaminated imported milk power available in Sri Lanka (contaminated with DCD) and China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Saudi Arabia (contaminated with a bacteria which cause Botulism). China and Russia have banned importing contaminated milk powder. It was reported that the milk powder in Sri Lanka is contaminated with a chemical named Dicyandiamide (DCD). A bacteria causes Botulism which is a rare but sometimes fatal paralytic illness. Food borne botulism is an affliction caused by consuming food contaminated with the botulinum toxin. Severe and untreated Botulism can lead to coma and eventually death.

Starjaffna: TNA IN A TIZZY OVER PARACHUTISTS

Starjaffna: TNA IN A TIZZY OVER PARACHUTISTS: The Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) decision to parachute candidates from other areas for the Northern provincial council election over the ...

TNA IN A TIZZY OVER PARACHUTISTS

The Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) decision to parachute candidates from other areas for the Northern provincial council election over the heads of local politicians who have been with the people for years, has irked many TNA local politicians, SLFP Jaffna district organiser Angajan Ramanathan said. SLFP Killinochchi and Jaffna district organisers also said TNA leaders at grass roots level are disappointed over the selection of candidates for the upcoming Provincial Council election and are leaving the party in droves. Ramanathan said a major rift within the party is imminent as they are angry over the party hierarchy’s abrupt decision. “Jaffna Opposition leader Maniattam Remedius of the TNA has already joined the SLFP,” Ramanathan said. Ramanathan said many TNA local politicians are hesitating to engage in the election campaign. “The popularity of the TNA among the Tamil population in Jaffna is sagging as the local government authorities managed by the TNA have done nothing for the benefit of the people,” he said. The Jaffna Chief SLFP organiser said almost all local government authorities run by the TNA have not used funds made available by the government for development. He said Jaffna has seen massive development due to programs implemented by the government. Meanwhile, Killinochchi SLFP organiser Geethanjali Naguleshwaran said the people in the North are aware that SLFP led governments have never engaged in election violations and have high regard for the SLFP. She said the SLFP is contesting an election in the Jaffna district after a lapse of 30 years and the people have great respect for the SLFP. SLFP leaders in the Jaffna district like former Telecommunication and Railway Minister Chelliah Kumarasurivar rendered a great service to the people in the Northern province. “The people still remember his service with gratitude,” she added.

FOOTAGE SHOWS ARMY WAS ATTACKED

Video footage indicates clearly that the protests in Weliweriya on Thursday were anything but peaceful. The accompanying photographs reproduced here as screen shots from a video filmed by a private broadcast station indicate that persons dressed in civilian clothes carrying large poles beat up army personnel and provoked them. The first photograph shows a man (circled right) aiming a blunt weapon (pole) at a soldier from behind. The next photograph shows youth carrying poles confronting army men in the background. The Police and army have claimed that these protesters also threw Molotov cocktails (petrol bombs) at them. The Sunday Times political columnist makes reference to this claim though he is unable to verify independently that such weapons were used. However, the photographs show clearly that violence was aimed at army personnel. The claims made by police about petrol bombs are, in that context, taken as credible by most political commentators, including the Sunday Island political columnist who has noted the use of petrol bombs. All of these indicate that interested outsiders provoked the army. Hospital sources said that three civilians died as a result of the clash, but autopsy reports indicating the cause of death were not available at the time of going to press.

Lankan wins 2013 N Peace Award

Thavachsri Charles Vijayaratnam has been named as a recipient of the 2013 N Peace Award for her efforts to improve the lives of rural communities. She will be among six other women's rights activists who will receive the 2013 N-Peace Awards, a prestigious prize which recognises the leadership role of women and peace advocates from six Asian countries. Vijayaratnam wears many different hats from serving as secretary of Community-level Women's Rural Development Society to president of a women's group, treasurer of Women Development Federation to secretary of the divisional network committee of Karaichchi division. She has also helped orphans and disadvantaged children to access education, assisted families with malnourished children to obtain support, and helped communities to obtain essential legal documents like birth certificates, death certificates and land rights documents. She has also worked for the advancement of women's rights and livelihoods by supporting women-headed household to access revolving loan funds and skills development trainings. Vijayaratnam said: "I have been serving the needs of my community for many years silently and it is a great honour for me to be nominated and to win this award. "This inspires me to continue to provide service to those who are marginalised and vulnerable in our society."

Weliweriya incident: ‘IT WAS A POLITICAL PLOY USING RESIDENTS’

While castigating those responsible for the unfortunate incident which took place on Thursday in Weliweriya, leading to the loss of a life, top government Ministers yesterday said a certain group seeking political mileage triggered the tensed situation. Addressing an SLFP press conference at the party Headquarters, SLFP Treasurer and Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma stated a certain group driven by political motives created an unnecessarily chaotic drama resulting in a tragedy. The minister expressed the Government’s and President’s condolences over Thursday’s unfortunate incident resulting in the death of a person. The minister explaining the background to the incident pointed out, the government had already taken measures to provide pipe - borne water for residents at the time this incident took place. “President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the progress review meeting of the Water Supply and Drainage Ministry held last Tuesday, referring to the complaints of the residents as appeared in newspaper reports, ordered that pipe borne water be provided immediately to this village. Accordingly, the laying of pipes from Kadawatha was in progress even by yesterday,” the minister observed. He further revealed that the management of the factory in question had sacked over 100 workers associated with the JVP Trade Union 7-8 months ago for arousing tensions within the factory for political gains. He stated the background behind these events should be further studied. He said the President and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa personally talked over the phone to the Buddhist monk who had begun a hunger strike and later, the monk decided to end it. “Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ordered to temporarily close down the factory until the report on the test samples of water were received. The security officers brought this message to the protesters and a group with vested political motives attacked them even using petrol bombs. “About 5-6 Army personnel were injured and one among them sustained severe injuries. Therefore, we state with responsibility that this entire episode was a result of a few who took the water issue into their hands seeking political mileage” he said. Responding to a question by a journalist, the minister also explained that the Army was deployed to control the situation, only when the Police alone could not handle it. The minister observed the road was blocked for long hours inconveniencing the people and resulting in a heavy traffic congestion. *********************************************************************************** Army Board of Inquiry appointed Chaminda Perera New Army Commander Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake yesterday appointed a Board of Inquiry headed by Ajudant-General Major General Jagath Dias to probe the Weliveriya incident. According to Army Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya, this Board of Inquiry consists of senior officers of the Sri Lanka Army. This board will lay speical emphasis on the conduct of Army personnel during the incident. He said that several parties have made allegations over the conduct of the Army during the incident and the committee will seriously look into these allegations. One person was killed and 36 persons were injured when the Army attempted to disperse a group of villagers protesting over the pollution of water in the area.