4 Saturday 29th October, 2011 The Island Home News Lanka tops political JVP accuses govt. of assassinations in gambling with EPF the world – Nimal BY IFHAM NIZAM Nowhere in the world the assassination Lanka, was a prestigious member of this I extend my welcome, with cordiality,to of political leaders had taken place in the Organization. So was the late Mr. Anura the Cabinet Ministers, Ministers, Chief magnitude as in in the contem- Bandaranike former Speaker of our Ministers of the Provinces, Members of porary history of armed conflicts, Sri Parliament. Parliament, and Your Excellencies and to Lanka Freedom Party senior member and At the Annual Forum of the PGA held in Members of the Diplomatic Corps. I thank Minister said Istanbul, last year, I indicated the willing- you all for your distinguished participa- addressing the inaugural session of the ness of the Sri Lankan Parliament and the tion, enhancing the eminence of this annu- 33rd annual forum of the Parliamentarians Government of Sri Lanka, to host the 33rd al forum. for Global Action (PGA). Annual Forum of the PGA, in Sri Lanka. It I deem it proper to extend a special wel- He said the assassination of political pleased me immensely when the governing come to those members of the PGA, who leaders had created a vacuum in the politi- body of PGA readily accepted my invita- travelled to Sri Lanka from all parts of the cal arena and had affected adversely tion to hold this forum here, placing its con- world to be a vital part of this Annual towards the development and reconcilia- fidence in Sri Lanka. Forum. I highly value your visit to our tion. His Excellency the President Mahinda country to participate in this globally sig- Former JVP MP cum trade union wing leader Wasantha Samarasinghe addresses the press. “That horrendous era has been brought Rajapaksa, expressed his pleasure and nificant annual symposium. I have no to an end under the able leadership of delight at the selection of Sri Lanka as the doubt that your contribution in this forum BY DASUN EDIRISINGHE President . Now Sri venue for the 33rd Annual Forum of the will certainly enhance the quality and mag- It has been proven that the govern- million from the EPF to buy a shares of Lanka is facing the challenges of rebuild- PGA. His Excellency the President would nitude of the symposium. ment has gambled and lost heavily on a private company at Rs. 236, but now it ing the economy and bringing national rec- have grace this occasion if not for the fact I also welcome the Secretaries to the Colombo Stock Exchange, using the had dropped to Rs. 100, Samarasinghe onciliation. “The responsibility of rebuild- that His Excellency is currently out of the Ministries, Government Officials, Officials monies lying to the credit of the alleged. ing this society devastated by terrorism is country to participate in of the Parliament, Representatives of Employees’ Provident Fund, said former He said that those were some exam- an daunting challenge cast upon the entire the Commonwealth International and Non Organizations, JVP MP cum trade union wing leader ples and it was a major threat to the political leadership in Sri Lanka both gov- Heads of Governments Members of Non-Governmental Wasantha Samarasinghe. fund. ernment and opposition,” he added. meeting in Perth. Organizations, Media Personnel, Dedicated He told The Island that government The government, Samarasinghe said, He also said that understanding econo- Hon. Chamal Members of the PGA staff and all those, had invested the EPF monies in a bid to wasted Rs. 5 billion by investing EPF my, social and political challenges arising Rajapaksa Speaker of who participate in this annual symposium, boost the value of shares of some inter- monies in the budget carrier Mihin Air after a long drawn conflict and terrorism the Parliament of Sri responding positively to our Invitation. ested companies. and now this was the newest attempt to are very complex. Lanka graciously Given that the theme of this year’s “The EPF funds have been used to waste the funds. “The history of various armed conflicts, accepted our invitation- forum is “The Impact of Armed Violence purchase 10 per cent stocks of a private The JVPer alleged that EPF was the struggles all over the world has shown us and present here today, I on Development Issues, Challenges and gas company at the CSE for a price of 48 only relief for the private sector employees, that there are no simple and speedy solu- must recall with grati- Parliamentary Solutions.’ The choice of rupees a share recently. However, within but government was trying to grab it too. tions. It is my belief that solutions have to tude that the Hon. venue I believe is very appropriate. Our two days, the price decreased to 40 He said the Inter Company Employees’ be found within the social frame work of Speaker postponed his country experienced terribly violent con- its own country taken into consideration scheduled visit to India flicts for over thirty long years and yet we rupees a share,” he said adding the fund Union would discuss the matter at length the ground realities” added de Silva who is in order to be present were able to sustain economic growth in lost Rs. 400 to 500 million due to that and launch a protest campaign demanding also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka with us this evening. PGA Sri Lankan spite of the challenges. Having defeated the business. the government to immediately stop the Chapter. chapter appreciate Hon. Speaker’s unstint- most ruthless terrorist organization which The government had also used Rs. 05 practice. More than 1,300 delegates from 100 coun- ed support extended to hold this forum. devastated our nation, Sri Lanka has now tries took part at this ceremony which was We respectfully welcome the Hon. speak- entered in to a new era of development and inaugurated by Speaker . er Chamal Rajapaksa with gratitude. reconciliation. Therefore, the Sri Lankan Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said: “It’s a It is also a pleasant task for me, to wel- experience will be most relevant and useful SriLankan ... From page 1 great pleasure, honour and privilege for me come the president of the PGA Madam Dr. to your deliberations. to welcome you all to our county Sri Lanka Ruth Wijdenbosch, who took the trouble to When we look at various armed conflicts lines operating in and out of the September, the airline had been subject- and to this Inaugural ceremony in my come all the way from South America to emerged during last few decades around region. To ensure compliance random ed to two such random audits in Paris capacity as the Chairman, PGA Sri Lanka grace this occasion. the world, the armed conflicts in Sri Lanka audits are carried out by SAFA - Safety and Rome, where the airline was Chapter as well as on my own behalf. I also warmly welcome Hon. Ranil had its own dimensions different from Assessment for Foreign Aircraft, and cleared without any issues. At this happy occasion my mind invari- Wickremesinghe - Leader of the many other conflicts. It is necessary to SriLankan Airlines was subjected to “SriLankan Airlines wishes to place ably goes back to an International forum Opposition. understand the true nature of the conflict one such audit on 23rd September, on record that safety of the passengers held several years ago in Ottawa, where I It is a great pleasure to welcome Madam in achieving National reconciliation after where certain technical issues were and the aircraft are of utmost impor- had the good fortune to meet some active Shazia Rafi, the vibrant Secretary General the dawn of peace. identified in the aircraft, which had to tance to the airline.” members of the PGA, who persuaded me to PGA, whom we consider as the live wire of A colossal damaged had been done to the be attended prior to the departure of News Editor’s note: We too are glad become a member of this organization. this prestigious organization. national economy of Sri Lanka by armed the aircraft. to note that SriLankan and its predeces- Thereafter, as a member of PGA I was priv- I wish to welcome Hon. Mark Pritchard, violence launched by the LTTE terrorists. “The technical issues highlighted in sors Air Lanka and Air Ceylon have ileged to take part in a variety of interna- MP-UK, Hon. John Amaratunge, MP and The very Airport which you touched down the report did not have any reference to had an unblemished past with hardly tional forums, both as a participant and as Chief Opposition Whip whom had been when you entered Sri Lanka was subjected a fuel leak. any mishap of note and we hope they a resource person. actively engaged in organizing this valu- to a terrorist attack causing serious dam- “SriLankan ensured that all passen- will keep that record intact. My enlightened appreciation of the able event. ages to several air crafts and killing large gers-who were booked on the flight UL If the airline wishes to insist that noble values represented by the PGA The presence and the participation of number of passengers, tourist and civil- 564, from Paris, were offered alternate there was no fuel leak on UL 564 flight inspired me to take the initiative to estab- our invited guest speakers, Amb. S ians. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka just onward flights to ensure minimum why not publish the entire report given lish the Sri Lankan Chapter of the PGA. Palihakkara, Prof. Savithri Gunasekara about 300 meters away from the venue of inconvenience. by the Civil Aviation Authority in Paris I am quite certain that it will not be a and UNDP resident representative Mr. this session and the buildings around it “Safety audits are a random check on the “certain technical issues” identi- surprise to you at all, when I state that, His Subinay Nandy has added much colour dig- were subjected to terrorist attracts killing done on all airlines and SriLankan fied by them in the aircraft. Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President, nity and prestige to this symposium I large number of civilians and inflicting Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri warmly welcome them. injuries to more than 2,500 people. Airlines has since operated over 100 If the issues were so slight why was flights to European airports. the aircraft detained for nearly nine “Since this audit in Paris in days at great cost to SriLankan?

Gold biscuits Kapuwa ... From page 1 U’grads protest ... From page 1 He was famed for performing gang had studied his movements and seized from ‘huniyam’ and ‘seth santhi’. was responsible for the abduction. Members of Students’ Council of the Jaffna SF commander Major General His son also worked in the The police are checking some sus- Ruhuna University marched to the uni- Mahinda Hathurusinghe said that several devalaya and he was known as ‘podi picious mobile phone numbers for a versity’s main gate, where they staged a outsiders bent on disrupting the universi- Lankan seeya’. possible lead. demonstration for two hours. ty had been sighted near the campus dur- The ‘kapurala’ had left the He had been patronized by politi- Protesters carried placards with slo- ing the last few weeks. passenger ‘devalaya’ at Ragama at about 5.45 cians, security forces top brass, busi- gans such as ‘Stop violence against stu- The Jaffna SF Headquarters was p.m. to get to his home at ness tycoons etc. over the years. dents,’ ‘Military is responsible for attacks always prepared to come forward to look Kerawalapitiya. The abductors had There were rumours that he was Twelve gold biscuits valued on Jaffna university students’. They also after the security and other needs of the blocked the path of his vehicle with engaged in illegal activities and had at Rs 40 lakh were seized from hoisted black flags in the university people and would definitely help the the help of a vehicle used for amassed a lot of wealth. the International Airport here premises. Police to maintain peace and harmony, garbage disposal. The victim’s daughter, Himaya today. Police said the valuables “Two students the Jaffna SF Then a member of the armed gang Niyaz, said, “My father was travel- were seized from a Sri Lankan of the Jaffna uni- Commander had pulled him by his collar and pushed ling in his vehicle from his kovil at Ragama air passenger, who was travel- versity were said. him into a waiting van. to Kerawalapitiya in Hendala when the sus- ling by a Colombo (bound) attacked by an “Students Investigations revealed that the gang, pects, numbering around six or seven came flight this morning. He was unidentified gang will be given comprising eight men, were armed with T- in a vehicle, blocked his path and took him identified as Taslim, who came on Oct. 13,” adequate pro- 56 assault rifles and they had also removed away at gunpoint. for a treatment at Ananthapuri a parcel which was in the jeep. Himaya said a bowser driver had seen Bandara said tection to Hospital. Meanwhile, the police At the time of his abduction, he had been the abduction and he, too, had been threat- adding that when carry on their initiated an investigation in alone in the jeep and well informed sources ened by the gang when he tried to confront they protested studies unin- this regard and his role in con- said that he usually took the particular them. against the attack terrupted and necting smuggling network in route when returning home. Himaya said she did not why her father the president of no anti-social the State. (UNI) The police suspect that an organised had been abducted. the students coun- forces will be cil had also been allowed to dis- attacked on Oct. turb the educa- JVP rebels ... From page 1 25 night. tion of Jaffna Bandara said that there were 55,000 students who suffered for many years due The International Affairs Wing of the communications with its overseas com- tions but in vain, he said. military personnel deployed in the Jaffna to absence of peace,” Ma. Gen. party was directly under party leader mittees. Some of the hardcore cadres who left peninsula, but they had failed to prevent Hathurusinghe said. Somawansa Amarasinghe since he was In view of the crisis situation the the country through both legal and ille- attacks on students. SSP Luxman Wijerathne said that appointed to the post of International incumbent leadership has decided to gal channels in the late eighties and set Security Forces Headquarters in investigations were on and those respon- Affairs Secretary of the party at its last send Bimal Ratnayake and Nalinda up the international branches in the UK, Jaffna, however, denied students’ allega- sible for the alleged attacks on students convention held on February 8, this year Jayatissa to Europe to control damage. Japan, Australia and several other tions. would be brought to justice. in Colombo. Until then, it was under MP They are scheduled to leave for Europe European countries have returned home and handled by former on November 6, 2011. for the first time and are working with MP Bimal Ratnayake, Central Committee Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha the dissident group. Some of those who members Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Herath said that his side commanded the joined Gunaratnam and escaped from CID arrest ... From page 1 Chameera Koswatte. majority of international committees Welikada Jail on 13. 12. 1988. Koswatte backs the dissident group. and even the committee in Saudi Arabia Gunaratnam was detained there under Technology (SLIIT) had hacked into He said, the system had been inundat- All those who worked in the internation- had spoken to him yesterday pledging its the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The the Java World Congress and Exhibition ed with fraudulent information and the al affairs wing left the party with all con- support. The dissidents making use of exact number of those who escaped with website which was officially launched by website duplicated. tact details to join the dissidents. They their technical expertise had attempted him is not known, according to the Economic Development Minister Basil When ‘The Island’ queried about safe- handled the party’s email and internet to jeopardise the international opera- police. Rajapaksa. ty measures taken to reduce such inci- The hackers were identified as Ashen dents, Dr. Siribaddana said that every Indika of the Moratuwa University and measure was taken, but the two master- From page 1 Lasith Ishan Petthawadu from the SLIIT minds had bypassed the security systems Unprecedented ... of Malambe. and taken advantage. port of US-led action meant Australia security would be the responsibility of volunteers to assist the police to direct could be a target for Al-Qaida or Taleban. the Federal government and Western those walking in and out of various sec- Western Australia declared a public Australia, a senior security official tors. holiday and imposed restrictions on attached to Sri Lankan President Australia went to the extent of impos- Sajith Group ... From page 1 movements in Perth and its suburbs as Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security contingent ing a series of restrictions in Perth and part of its overall strategy, which told The Island. Responding to a query, its suburbs to meet the threat. These briefings and public meetings to air handed over to the UNP General involved the deployment of air assets. the official said that they were informed included a range of ‘electronic ‘measures their views and did not consider it Secretary shortly, he said adding that The organisers restricted the presence of of the Australian decision. to thwart the entry of attackers in the unlawful. they would insist on a retired judicial both print and electronic media at the Fifty three foreign delegations are in guise of delegates and journalists. It was Wickremesinghe who had to be officer being appointed to conduct an opening ceremony. Perth for the biennial conference. Sri Lankan delegation sources told hauled up for indiscipline for repeatedly investigation. Australian Premier Julia Gillard wel- According to the Australian media, the The Island that Australian security meas- behaving in a dictatorial man- The same procedure should be comed Queen Elizabeth II, head of the local police in the run-up to yesterday’s ures highlighted the need to maintain ner, while accusing President followed in inquiring into the Commonwealth and the Duke of inauguration had ordered a group of security at the highest level. Those Mahinda Rajapaksa of doing suspension of the Kotte UNP Edinburgh for the opening of the three- activists to keep away from the venue in demanding the Sri Lankan government, just that, Gunaratne said. Organiser and WPC member day event. spite of strong protests. A section of the which overcame LTTE terrorism in May The charge sheet against Shiral Lakthillake and Matara Hosts declared that security contin- press accused Australian authorities of two years ago, to do away with all securi- Wickremesinghe, which would District MP Buddhikka gents accompanying visiting heads of overreacting to the perceived threat on ty measures, had conveniently turned a contain a minimum of ten alle- Pathirana and Wickremesinghe’s State wouldn’t be allowed to carry the Commonwealth gathering. blind eye to what was going on in other gations, was in the process of nominees would not be accepted, weapons under any circumstances. The Australia deployed a large number of countries. being drafted and would be Gunaratne noted.