Unions Warn Govt. Against Presenting PSP Bill
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Vol. 30 No. 162 Thursday 26th May, 2011, 56 pages Rs. 20 Registered in Sri Lanka as a Newspaper -Late City Edition NO VISIBLE INCREASE CHILDREN, RI ANKA CAIRN IN GNH (GROSS S L ALCOHOL AND STRUCK COMMITTED NATIONAL PARENTING BY TWIN BLOWS HAPPINESS) 11 TO SL 10 14 Financial Review SL cricket tour: UK not aware of LTTE ‘protests causing serious disruption’ BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO In spite of a section of pro-LTTE groups threaten- ing to a query by The Island whether the touring team ing to disrupt Sri Lanka’s cricket tour of the UK, over had experienced protests during two warm-up matches alleged human rights violations during the war, the leading to the first of three Test matches, beginning British High Commission is confident that there will today (26) and adequate security measures were in be no serious attempt to disrupt matches. place to thwart a possible attempt to disrupt the series. A spokesperson for the British HC said that they Those spearheading the campaign recently urged weren’t aware of any protests causing serious disrup- the UK to sever sports links with Sri Lanka over tion. The official said, “Nor have concerns been raised alleged atrocities committed by government troops. with us over the security measures in place for the The Diaspora cited the controversial ‘Darusman first Test. We wish the Sri Lankan team well on their Report’ as evidence of war crimes, a charge denied by UK tour.” the government of Sri Lanka. The HC spokesperson was on Tuesday (24) respond- DNA samples confirm sperm traces on maid’s dress Unions warn govt. against presenting PSP Bill BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO DNA samples taken in the The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC), affiliated cations, the police had acted with restraint. However, Dr. Samitha Samanmali, who was injured in an accident at the to the JVP, on Wednesday (25) warned President they had been forced to arrest some of those who pelt- BMICH on February 15, 2008, wheels herself out of the Colombo Dominique Strauss-Kahn case have Mahinda Rajapaksa that if the proposed Private Sector ed stones at the police, he said. confirmed traces of sperm on the Pension (PSP) Bill was presented to Parliament Sources based at the Katunayake Export District Court on Wednesday. She has filed a case seeking Rs. maid’s dress, according to reports. the government would have to face the conse- Processing Zone (EPZ) told The Island that a 500 million as compensation from the management of the quences. section of the factories had allowed the workers BMICH. (Pic by Nimal Dayaratne) Former JVP MP, NTUC Chairman K. D. Lal to join the demonstration. WORLD VIEW Kantha said that they wouldn’t give up their Sources alleged that the management could campaign until the government called off the have been forced to comply with trade union move. The JVPer alleged that the government action to avoid possible disruptions at factories. President meets FUTA had unleashed the police on those protesting Some factories had prevented their workers against the PSP Bill at the 18th Mile Post on from joining the protest in spite of heavy pres- President Mahinda that the President would Tuesday. He demanded the release of about 50 sure and threats of sabotage, sources said. Rajapaksa on Wednesday (25) meet FUTA again on June 3 met a FUTA delegation to to discuss the issue. The workers arrested by the police. Lal Kantha Protesters brought down a huge cut-out of Police headquarters spokesperson SP President Rajapaksa at the entrance to the explore the possibility of set- Secretariat said that during Prishantha Jayakody said that 34 persons, arrested for Canada Friendship Road. The police diverted traffic tling a simmering dispute Wednesday’s meeting, the throwing projectiles at the police, had been given both ways through a circuitous route for eight hours over university teachers’ FUTA had indicated its readi- police bail yesterday. He said the police hadn’t used until the protesters left the place. demand for a salary increase. ness to compromise on its force to disperse the crowd. In spite of repeated provo- The Presidential demand due to the ‘current Secretariat last night said situation’ in the country. Cut-off marks for University entry tomorrow by Dasun Edirisinghe The cut–off points to select students to uni- the rest would undergo training in three weeks versities for the academic year 2010/2011 will be time. released tomorrow (27), Chairman of the After the leadership training programme, a University Grants Commission Prof. Gamini course in the Engish Language would be con- Ferry service launch post- Samaranayake said. ducted for students selected to Universities, ! poned again. He said that the cut–off marks were based on prior to the start of the academic sessions, said Not surprising, after all. this is the GCE (A/L) Examination held in August 2010. Prof. Samaranayake. ! Sri Lanka. “This time we planned to enter 22,500 stu- He said that Sinhala and Muslim students dents to the universities,” Prof. Samaranayake would be admitted to all faculties at the Jaffna said adding last year they were able to accom- University this time. modate only 21,500. "Last time we sent Sinhala and Muslim stu- According to the Higher Education dents only to the Jaffna Medical Faculty,” he Health Ministry Ministry’s new move, 10,000 students have said. to probe ex-MSD already been sent for leadership training and director BY DON ASOKA WIJEWARDENA Petition against leadership The Health Ministry will con- training challenged duct a disciplinary BY CHITRA WEERARATHNE inquiry against for- mer Medical A parent yesterday filed an intervention petition in Supplies Division the Supreme Court, supporting the programme recom- (MSD) Director Dr. mended by the government, to subject new entrants to Sarath the universities to leadership training. Weerabandara over The petitioner W. G. D. A. Wimalaratne of Maithripala reducing the tender Gunnapana, is an Assistant Director of the Paddy board approved quantity of imported drugs. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the inquiry as the MSD Director’s action has Former Army Commander General (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka in conversation with allegedly caused a chronic drug UNP Parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma at the Colombo High Court on shortage in State-run hospitals. Wednesday (25) after his statement from the dock for the third consecutive Indian missile corvette day before the ‘White Flag’ Trial-at-Bar. (Pic by Kamal Bogoda) leaves Trinco harbour ‘White Flag’ Trial-at-Bar SF says felt he couldn’t work with President, Def. Secy, as Gota doubted his loyalty BY A.J. ABEYNAYAKE Commander of the Army for ‘White Flag’ Trial-at-Bar at the three years and seven months, Colombo High Court. Former Army Chief Gen. the Defence Secretary had dis- Gen. Fonseka is indicted (Pic Navy media) Sarath Fonseka on Wednesday (25) missed the possibility of he over a statement attributed to A Khukri Class missile corvette of the Indian Navy said that he felt he couldn’t work being given the post as Chief him in an interview published yesterday left Trincomalee harbour following a three- with President Mahinda of Defence Staff (CDS) with by The Sunday Leader of day refueling stop. Rajapaksa and his brother Defence the authority to command and December 13, 2009, alleging Navy headquarters spokesperson said that the ship Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, control ‘operational matters’, that Defence Secretary commanded by Upal Kundu was in Sri Lanka for refu- as the latter had doubted his loyal- though there was provision for Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had ordered eling and logistical requirements. The vessel was on its ty during a meeting at the office of such in other countries. The meet- those LTTE cadres carrying white way from Tuticorin to Vishakhapatnam. the Defence Secretary. ing had been attended by service flags on the Vanni east front to be The 92-metre vessel has a displacement of 1449 tons. In spite of proving his alle- commanders, Gen. Fonseka said in shot. It carries a complement of 20 officers, 06 under trainee giance, during his tenure as the his dock statement before the officers and 160 sailors..