Lanka Tops Political Assassinations in the World
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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 Sri Lanka 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 Nimal Siripala de Silva 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 Mahinda Rajapaksa. 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 Chamal Rajapaksa. 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.