Thursday 5th March, 2009 5 UNP thanks Govt for wiping out terrorism

by Saman Indrajith terrorism was nearing and it could said that the either be today or tomorrow. The peo- Government must not forget war UNP Kurunegala District MP ple in the country had approved the heroes and should look after them as it Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday Government’s operations against the was promised in the Mahinda expressed his party’s gratitude to the LTTE, voting for in all successive elec- Chinthana. “We are not allowed to visit President, Defence Secretary and secu- tions. The Government was not shaken the north, but Government MPs, rity forces for wiping out terrorism including , are from the country. allowed. Why this double standard?” Participating in the emergency Emergency JHU appointed MP Ellawela debate, Jayasekera said that the war Medhananda Thera said that the The Ven. Wimalarathana thero hands over a cheque to Army Vanitha against terrorism had come to an end. extended Government should not fall into cease- Services Unit President Anoma Fonseka, at a felicitation ceremony and distribu- tion of several items organised by the Bellanwila Temple Buddhist Society. “The UNP salutes President Mahinda Parliament yesterday (4) after a fire traps again. Looking at those (Pic by Dhramasena Walipitiya) Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary full day debate adopted the motion to stocks of weapons being recovered by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army extend the State of Emergency for troops, anyone could understand that Commander and all another month by a majority of 62 there should be no ceasefires again, the other security forces members for this votes with 74 for and 12 against. The Thera said. achievement against separatist terror- JVP, NFF and JHU voted with the Dr Jayawardena: “Why don’t you Government while the TNA voted ism,” he said. like a political solution coming out of Saliya Bandara elected Chairman against it. The UNP abstained. However, it was so unfortunate that ceasefire?” while terrorism was being eliminated Medhananda Thera: “The cease- of Fifth Council of CPC from the North of the country, democ- before the bags of dollars and would fire of your government has put this racy in South was fast eroding, he said. not stop the fight without achieving country in the current predicament, by Cyril Wimalasurendre Chairman Saliya Bandara Earlier in the day, Prime Minister the target of wiping out terrorism thus there is no need for another cease- Dissanayake is the brother of UNP Team moving a from this country. “There would be no fire.” KANDY - Saliya Bandara Dissanayake Leader of the Provincial Council S. B. motion seeking to extend the state of ceasefire, but complete eradication of The motion seeking to extend emer- was unanimously elected Chairman of Dissanayake. emergency for one more month, said terrorism,” he said. gency was passed by a majority of 62 the Fifth Council of the Central Saliya Bandara Dissanayake has at an that the last day of the battle against UNP Gampaha District MP Dr votes. Provincial Council when it met at earlier term of the Central Provincial Pallekele, yesterday. Council served as a Provincial Health His name was proposed by Mahinda Minister. Abeykoon and seconded by Nimal Meanwhile, Governor, Central Twenty six bakeries in Galle raided Piyatissa. Province in a communication had The former Chairman of the Central informed that the first session of the S.K. Kaluarachchci and Lalith the loaves of bread which were under Imaduwa, Bogahagoda, Heenatigala, Provincial Council W. M. Yasamana was Provincial Council would commence on Chaminda weight. Pilana, Ratgama, Galle, Wanchawala, elected uncontested as the Deputy March 17. The 26 bakery owners were also Pinnaduwa and Karapitiya. Galle Corres. Chairman of the Provincial Council. Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and arrested by the officers and were to be Although the stipulated weight of a produced before Galle Magistrate on loaf of bread should be 450 grams, the His name was proposed and seconded S. B. Dissanayake of the UNP addressed a A team of officers from the Weights March 26. loaves seized weighed 446 and less than by Messrs. and meeting held at the auditorium of and Measures Department raided 26 These bakeries were in Habaraduwa, 200 grams. Thilina Bandara Tennakoon, respectively. Provincial Council at Pallekele. bakeries in Galle and took in to custody

Govt. per capita debt Rs. 152,228 - Dy FM Deputy Minister of Finance, increased to Rs. 152,228 in year Minister of State Revenue Ranjith 2007, Minister Siyambalapitiya Siyambalapitiya yesterday said. informed Parliament that the per In September 2008, the capita debt was Rs. 152,228. Government’s total foreign debt He was answering a question outstanding was Rs. 1,994,410 mil- raised by UNP Ravi lions while local debt outstanding Karunanayake for oral answers. was Rs. 1,395,553 millions, Minister The per capita debt was Rs. 96,813 said adding that the total outstand- in 2003 and had gradually Ranjith ing debt was Rs. 3,339,963. (SI)

Centenary stamp on Moors S.C. 100th year celebrations A Centenary stamp will be issued by Posts and Telecommunications the Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mahinda Wijesekera will be the Department today at 3.30 p.m. to com- Chief Guest while SLMC leader and par- memorate the 100 anniversary of the liamentarian will be the Moors Sports Club. Guest of Honour. (HG)

The exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the public begins tomorrow at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Shelters have been put up along the route to the Sri Dalada Maligawa for the convenience of worshippers. An overhead bridge connecting the lake bund and the Mahamaluwa has also been constructed for the convenience of the devotees. (Pic. By Cyril Wimalasurendre,

Pirivena education helps people follow the correct path by Ratnapura Corres. the pirivena education helped the peo- ple to protect their national identity. The Chief Minister of The President and the government has Sabaragamuwa at a realised the need to protect pirivena ceremony held to declare open a new education in spite of the socio-econom- building at Godakawela Mahindodaya ic culture, now in vogue. Therefore, the Pirivena recently, said there were 79 government had decided to provide all pirivenas in the Sabaragamuwa pirivena schools with necessary Province - 40 in Ratnapura district and human and physical resources. 39 in Kegalle, with 3000 monks and 4000 Provincial Minister of Health T. lay children. The 2500-year old pirive- Ranjith de Soysa, Vice PC Chairman na education in Sri Lanka has helped Ranjith Bandara, PC member Asoka the people to tread on the right path, Jayawardena, Ven. Dodampahala he said. Seelananda Thero, Ven. Kompitiye Addressing a meeting, the Chief Susila Thero and Morawatta Minister said even under foreign rule, Sumanatissa Thera participated.