4 Thursday 7th January, 2010 The Island More News Page Four Politicians should maintain continuous rapport with voters - Sarath Amunugama by Cyril Wimalasurendre “Politicians are mented. It was the duty of leaders to give vocational training institutions in the seen at least in a tent the correct guidance and advice to those country. Kandy - Politicians should not restrict erected outside dur- who follow them, he said. Young children should be directed to fol- their relationship with the people to the ing elections and the Opportunities to air their grievances low a suitable course in a vocational train- The 20th annual general meeting of times of elections only.They must carry on day after the election and help to overcome their problemsmust ing institute. Hambantota Women’s Development a continuous rapport and interaction with the tent will be rolled be given, he said. In this field, politicians themselves Federation was held at the Singapore the people to understand them and help up and the gates The demand by most people was could take the initiative to provide more Hall at Siribopura in Hambantota. The them live a contented life, Public closed,” he said. employment. The parents were worried and diversified courses of vocational train- group has 40,000 members. Women's Administration and Home Affairs Usually, he said, about the unemployment of their young ing for the youth, he said. Affairs Minister Sumedha Jayasena Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said at politicians live a life sons and daughters. Under ordinary cir- Dr. Amunugama said that it was with with Mrs Chandra Rajapaksa, wife of Nugawela on Sunday (03). away from the ordi- cumstances it was the bounden duty of the that objective that the ‘Sarath Minister Chamala Rajapaksa, at the He was addressing the members of the nary folk isolated politicians to create opportunities and Amunugama Foundation’ had started the event. WDF Buddimandala chairman W 'Amunugama Sumithuro' Organisation at from those who had help youth find suitable jobs, he said. Computer Training Institute and the Gem G Mitraratna was also present. the Nugawela Assembly Hall. voted for them and had full faith in them. The youth asked for jobs and he said and Jewellery Vocational Training (Picture by Ariya Waidyasekera - The common practice of the politicians Dr. Amunugama said as a practice, he met jobs were available only for those qualified Institute. Hambantota) of was to have their doors open the people of his Galagedara constituency in their respective fields. Qualification did ‘Amunugama Sumithuro’ Co-ordinator during elections and shut them later till and elsewhere constantly at his Nugawela not mean only the GCE, O/Level and Miss Indrani Thoradeniya also spoke. the next elections came, Dr. Amunugama office. A/Level, certificate. Central Provincial Council Member Dilum said. Political leaders should not give promis- Jobs were also available for those with Amunugama and several others were also Tourist Information es to the people that could not be imple- the vocational training. There were many present at the meeting. Centre opens in Kandy A new Tourist Information Centre ‘Floating hotel’ has been opened at the Kandy City As SLAF honours war heroes near and dear ones hold back tears Centre to provide information and assis- tance to all local and foreign tourists vis- mooted at iting the Sri Dalada Maligawa and Parent places of interest in the Central Ibbagamuwa My son didn’t die in vain - Province. by Harischandra Gunaratna The Centre will advise tourists on by Ranaweera accommodation, transport and other Manukulasooriya, Gokarella Sri Lanka Air Force and its Seva information needed. Correspondent Vanitha Unit honoured the war heroes at a The centre could be contacted on tele- ceremony titled ‘Guwan Viru Upahara’ to phone No. 0812222661. The Wayamba Development which nearly 600 of their family members Authority plans to construct a ‘floating were invited to the SLAF Base at Eakala. It Pre-poll violence escalating hotel’ in the Kalgaswewa Tank at was organsied by the Directorate of Pangolla in Ibbagamuwa. Welfare of the SLAF at its base at Ekala. says PAFFREL First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was the Minister of Nation Building Salinda by Dilanthi Jayamanne Dissanayake said funds for the project Chief Guest and the meeting was presided would be allocated by the Ministry of by Mrs Nelum Goonetilake, chairperson Tourism. The estimated cost of the proj- of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit . Violence during the run up to the ect would be allocated by the Ministry of The First Lady was honoured by pre- January 26 Presidential elections has Tourism. The estimated cost would be senting a ‘Scroll of Appreciation’ by Mrs escalated compared to that which was Rs. 100 million. Nelum Goonatillake, Chairperson, SLAF reported prior to the 2005 presidential “The ‘Floating Hotel’ project will be Sewa Vanitha Unit, recognising the poll. implemented to attract more tourists to invaluable service she had rendered to the. Addressing a press conference in the area,” he said. “There are enormous While two minutes silence was Colombo, the Executive Director for the resources to improve tourism in this observed by everyone present in remem- Peoples Action for Free and Fare area. My Ministry plans to put up a brance of the ‘war heroes’ the near and Elections (PAFFREL), Rohana number of trade stalls close to the tank dear ones of the war heroes held back Hettiarachchi, said that PAFFREL had to enable the residents in the area to sell their tears SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Nelum Goonatilake presents the scroll of apprecia- received a total of 172 reports on violence their products to the tourists and earn A father of a gallant airman from tion to First lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Pix by Nimal Dayaratne in 2005. an additional income. The farmers who Polonnaruwa who died in the war against He said the number of violent acts able to defeat the terrorist outfit, the LTTE their bravery has enabled the tri-forces to cultivate paddy using water from the terrorism said “My son didn’t die in vain, reported from the day nominations were and wipeout terrorism from this land,”. save the country from terrorism, a tank will not be affected. Extra water to he was against the division of the coun- handed in (December 17, 2009) had been Nelun Goonatillake paid a tribute to scourge that ruined the country’s develop- the tank will be supplied from Deduru try.” 115. “We fear the numbers would escalate the families of the war heroes and said, ment for 30 long years.” Oya through a lift irrigation project. All “If not for the sacrifices made by these further as the election date draws near,” “You have made a great sacrifice by send- She said a series of welfare projects had the other infrastructure facilities will youth, the country wouldn’t have been Hettiarachchi said. ing your children to the war front and been launched by the SLAF Sewa Vanitha be provided by my Ministry", the He said that 32 of the complaints were Unit to see to the welfare of the families of Minister said. from the Southern Province. Those were the gallant men and women. all incidents of assault. Twenty hospital- Wing Commander Esala Dodanmaluwa remembered Among them were housing and self izations had been reported from among employment projects, education of their the injured. Mathugama The war has ended. No more security children and welfare of the parents. A special feature was that 17 of the vic- threats. The security forces personnel The mobile services conducted by the tims were supporters of the JVP. mini-corps earn are having a sigh of relief after a long unit provideed advise and assistance on a Firearms had been used in six incidents drawn war. Yet this is something rare. number of issues concerning their family reported from the Anuradhapura and Wing Commander Esala Dodanmaluwa members. Hambantota Districts. record income sacrificed his life when the MI 24 heli- by Kalutara Correspondent) Also present were Mrs Kusum Party offices have been attacked in 32 copter gunship crashed into the ground Wickramanayake, wife of the Prime incidents out of which eight were of in Buttala in late November last year, Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake and arson. All the election offices attacked An income of over Rs. 700,000 was after the aircraft developed mechanical chairpersons of the Sewa Vanitha Units of belong to either the UNP or the JVP. recorded from the Mini Co-ops con- problems, killing all four occupants. the Army, Navy, Police and the Civil “Although in these incidents the damages trolled by the Multi-purpose Co-opera- His collegues in the SLAF said: “He Defence Force. to the buildings were few, the action itself tive Union at Matugama, Tissa was a dedicated and a gallant officer Twenty-five families of the officers and was a threat to all candidates performing Samanayake, President of the Union Sq. Leader Visaka Samarasekera, widow who earned the respect of his peers 231 families of the airmen and women who their publicity activities and a hindrance said. of Wing Commander Esala and superiors, a top combat pilot and laid down their lives in defence of the to peaceful elections. Essential food items are sold at Dodanmaluwa receives a gift pack from his death was a great loss to the SLAF.” country during the 30-year conflict as well “Illegal publicity activities such as the cheaper prices to the consumers at the the First Lady and Mrs Nelun Incidentally, Dodanmaluwa’s wife is as officers and men who sacrificed their use of posters, banners and cutouts can be Mini-Coops set up at Nanthuduwa, Goonatillake, watched by her little son also an officer in the SLAF, She is lives were honoured at the ceremony. seen on a large scale in all parts of the Yatadola, Naravila and Welipenna. Dulwan. Looking on is Air Commodore Squadron Leader Visaka All family members were presented country. Eleven such complaints have Matugama and Dodangoda Mini Co- Rohitha Ranasinghe (partly hidden). Samarasekera. with valuable gift packs. been received by PAFFREL,” ops earned the highest incomes. Hettiarachchi said adding that such acts Ordinary citizens are the real benefi- only led to conflicts among supporters. ciaries of these mini-Co-ops set up by Sometimes the candidates themselves the Mathugama Multi-Purpose Co-oper- Temporary identity cards were unaware of the situation. They had ative Union. No pacts between Fonseka and urged candidates and supporters to It is planned to set up several 'mini- Why only for North and refrain from getting involved in illegal Co-ops' in the area very soon. East voters - NPOC parties backing him – Mangala publicity activities,” he said. by Ifham Nizam “It should not the exposition of the fig- The National Polls Observation Centre by Zacki Jabbar Ranil ure of the candidate that is required to (NPOC) would shortly meet Elections Wickremesinghe as win a presidential election but his election Ministry secy. to handle Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake to manifesto. This could be achieved utiliz- None of the parties corrupt, he said that discuss the issue of temporary identity cards ing the electronic and print media as well backing General it was a baseless issues in the north and east. as by holding public meetings. for statement by a “Dath “We can’t understand why only North and A considerable number of complaints Minister of Justice and Law Reform, Milinda the presidency have Dosthara” (Dentist). East voters were given temporary identity had been received on abuse of State Moragoda has appointed a senior officer to redress entered into pacts “We have had our cards,” NPOC Committee Member Rasanga authority and resources, he said. Such the grievances concerning Tamil language issues and that applies to differences with Mr. Harischandra told a press conference in issues could be controlled if independent in various agencies coming under the purview of the Tamil National Wickremesinghe, but Colombo on Tuesday. Commissions were functioning under the Alliance as well, never have I referred his Ministry. He said that to date 165 incidents of elec- 17th Amendment to the constitution. SLFP(M) leader to him as corrupt. Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Justice tion related violence had taken place since Hettiarachchi said abuse could be mini- said. Even when we scolded him, the word and Law Reform, Padmasiri Jayamanne will in the Presidential Elections was announced on mized by instituting a caretaker govern- Asked at a news conference in dishonest was not used. He is an hon- future deal with situations arising from Tamil lan- November 23. There were only 10 major inci- ment during the run up to the polls. Colombo on Tuesday whether the TNA est man and there is no dispute about dents - nine incidents where guns were used Hettiarachchi said valid identification guage issues in order to find speedy solutions for had sought written gurantees, he said: that.” and one, an attempt to kill. was a must at the polls. Over one million problems faced by citizens “No. None of us have arrived at pacts. The Rajapaksas are not only cor- He also said, of the 165 incidents, culprits Sri Lankans don’t possess a valid identity Minister Moragoda in appointing Jayamanne, General Fonseka is a man of his word rupt, but have also created a dictator- were not known in 79 cases. card, a serious issue at this month’s poll. said that certain specific instances had come to his and we have complete confidence in ship, JVP MP Anura Kumara National Organizer Lakshitha “According to the voters’ register in 2008, notice which called for immediate remedial action. him. His, ten point plan for the North Dissanayake alleged. Jayawardena said, “The Elections which would be used for the elections, 87 and East will be implemented.” “The number of days parliament “Very often the reasons given are the unavail- Commissioner’s guidelines give a wrong percent possessed valid identification Samaraweera said the TNA’s discus- meets, has dropped drastically. In ability or paucity of officers who could function in impression that only State owned media while around 13 percent had not stated sions with Fonseka had been largely November, there were only three sit- the Tamil language as well as inadequate technical should be balanced in reporting whereas all their identity card number. acceptable to the minorities. tings. In December, parliament met media should be balanced in reporting”. backing,” Moragoda said. Responding to government allega- just once. Only one sitting each, has He said some of the privately-owned news- Jayamanne could be contacted on the following tions alleging that Samaraweera had been scheduled for January and papers and television channels were not bal- telephone No. 0112436350 or 0714846870 at one stage described UNP leader February.” anced in their reporting. JVP office ransacked by Lalith Chaminda and S. K. Kaluarchchi Seyd Abdurahman Jiffri An armed gang had ransacked the Moulana Memorial Trust Neluwa JVP office and destroyed some posters and banners. Office-bearers 2009/2010 The attackers had worn uniforms similar to those of the army and had The following office bearers were elect- threatened the JVP caretaker of the ed unanimously at the last Annual General office Laxman Gunawardena. Meeting of the Seyd Abdurahman Jiffri Neluwa police are investigating. Moulana Memorial Trust held recently. President: M.A. Navaz Caffoor Vice-President: M. H. Mohamed, S.A.S. , Razik Zarook, M. I. M. Mirissa residents seek Mubarak, A. Hussein, A. Caffoor, Omar Kamil, M. Fazal Jiffry and Kareem Shums. Joint Secretaries: M. Nowfal Barry JP end to water problems and M. Nizam Mohamed. by Denagama Dammika Joint Treasurers: M. Nizam Cader and Ranaweera Ashroffdeen Jameel Around 450 residents, in the Mirissa Committee Members: M. Midhlaj area of Galle, launched a Sathyagraha Barry: M. Iqbal Caffoor: S. M. Zahir: S. M. campaign demanding a written promise Shazli: Roshan Sheriff and Fyzal from the authorities that they would be Mohamed. supplied with drinking water. The people Industrial Development and Ranaviru Welfare Minister congratulates a child at the prize-giving of the Newly elected Board Members: J. of the area suffer without drinking water. Kethrama Dodangama Nursery School and Kids Games Nursery School at the Miriswatte National School Auditorium. (Picture Marshad Barry, K.M. Ansar, Siddeek Around 1,000 people live in the area. by K. A. Perera, Kalutara Corr.) Hassan and Zubair Caffoor