The Island Page Three Tuesday 23rd June, 2009 ! News! Financial Review World View ! Leisure Land INSIDE: Application particularly backed by Russia, China Sri Lanka obtains SCO ‘Dialogue Partner’ status by Zacki Jabbar states and particularly by tions among member coun- Partner’, was to strengthen The SCO evolved from the Russia and China. “The mem- tries, making joint efforts to peace and security and count- 1996 ‘Shanghai Five’, with its Sri Lanka and Belarus bers also welcomed the end of maintain peace and security er terrorism, which has devel- founders being China, Russia, were admitted as ‘Dialogue Sri Lanka’s internal conflict in the region, establishing a oped extensive regional and Kazakstan, Kyrgyz and Partners’ of the Shanghai and expressed hope for estab- new and just political and eco- international ramifications, Tajikistan. Uzbekistan Cooperation Organization, lishing firm peace, security nomic international order, he said “We wish to share our became the sixth member in during the Heads of Council and stability on the basis of promoting effective coopera- experience and expertise with 2001. The chairmanship of the meeting, held in Russia last ensuring its sovereignty,terri- tion in politics, culture, trade, SCO member states in under- organization is currently held week. torial integrity and guaran- science and technology, edu- taking successful counter ter- by Russia. Its broad principles Media Minister Anura teeing the rights of all ethnic cation, energy,transportation, rorism initiatives. Sri Lanka include non interference in Priyadharshana Yapa, said and religious groups”. tourism and environmental could also simultaneously internal affairs, respect for that Sri Lanka was supported Yapa said that the objec- protection. pursue an economic agenda diversity, equality among in its application for ‘Dialogue tives of SCO are strengthen- Sri Lanka’s interest in promoting trade and nations and mutual benefits. Partner’ status, by all member ing good neighbourly rela- becoming a ‘Dialogue tourism”. The 59th Annual feast St. Anthony’s Church was held in Kongodamulla, Youth candidates compulsory Katana. The statue of St. Anthony was taken in procession around the vil- lage by devotees. Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Nishantha Cooray blesses the devo- for acceptance of tees after the procession reached the church. (Pic by Jude Denzil Pathiraja) nominations - Asst. EC Jaffna, Mannar by Franklin R. Elections, Jaffna District, Deposits for Uva PC Satyapalan without delay for issuing of a temporary identity card for voting purposes. The Assistant So far three Independent to get power elections closes Commissioner of Elections Groups had handed in their for the Jaffna District P. deposits to contest the by Ifham Nizam Ceylon Electricity Board ratio to 85 per cent from the Kuhanathan said that Jaffna MC. Chairman E. A. S. K. present 65 per cent in the including the names of 12 today at 12.00 noon The independent group The Government has Edirisinghe told The Island Jaffna District and in youth candidates was com- deposits were paid by initiated an ambitious proj- yesterday the project under Mannar District to 100 per by Franklin R. Dissanayake said that there pulsory for any nomination Abimanasigham ect to increase electricity the Chairmanship of cent from the present 37 per were 577,814 registered vot- to be accepted. Satyapalan Manikkasothy, facilities under the Presidential Advisor Basil cent within 180 days”. ers in the district who were Six recognised political Thambirajah Thavarajah Northern Development Rajapaksa MP commenced However, these facilities eligible to vote according to parties: the TULF, DTNA, Commissioner of and Arumugam Project in the Jaffna and last week in Jaffna. would be provided only the Electoral Register for UNP, DPLF, EPRLF (Naba Elections, Dayananda Sellathurai. Mannar Districts with a He said: “Under this where 100 per cent of the 2008 and each political party Wing) and the ITAK had Dissanayake yesterday said Assistant Commissioner US$ 30 million Fund Supply project we are planning to people are in occupation, or independent group had to appointed their authorised that the deadline for of Elections for the Vanni Credit. improve the consumption he said. submit the names of 24 can- agents. Independent Groups to hand District A. S. Karunanidhi didates of which 21 would be The deadline for inde- over their deposits for the said that each nomination elected to the Uva PC. pendent groups to pay their polls to the Uva Provincial list should include the Assistant Commissioner deposits was 12 noon on Council would close at 12 names of six youth candi- of Elections for the Badulla Wednesday, June 24 and noon today, Tuesday, June dates if their nominations District Namal Talangama nominations from recog- (23). were to be accepted. said that each independent nised political parties by 12 Additional Commissioner Three independent group had to deposit Rs noon of Thursday,June (25). of Elections (Provincial and groups had submitted their 48,000 by 12 noon today. The deadline for applica- Local), W. P. Sumanasiri said deposits of Rs. 3,750 and Due to the delay in tions for postal voting and that nominations for Uva PC Group Leaders were appointing a district secre- voting by displaced persons would close at 12 noon on Rajendram Anthonidas of tary for the District of would close on Thursday, Wednesday, June (24). Katkuli, Vavuniya, Moneragala, the Deputy June (25). Senior SLAS officer Abraham Jeevarajah of Commissioner of Elections The NICs or an alternate attached to the Elections Katkuli, Vavuniya and for the Kandy District U. identity card which was Secretariat, Consultant Sellathurai Ravindran of Amaradasa as the Chief recognised by the Bandula Kulatunga said the Sinna Pudhukulam, Returning Officer for the PC Commissioner of Elections applications for Postal voting Vavuniya. Elections he said that there was mandatory for voting, would close on June ( 25). Karunanidhi said that were 342,00 registered voters he said. It would be compulsory five recognised political in the district and each polit- Anyone not possessing for all voters to produce their parties the UNP, ITAK, ical party or independent such an identity card National Identity Card or TULF, DTNA and the UPFA group had to submit the should submit an applica- any alternative Identity card had appointed their autho- names of 14 candidates of tion addressed to the recognised by the rised agents. which 11 would be elected to Assistant Commissioner of Commissioner of Elections for voting. the Uva PC. Kulatunga said that any The Assistant voter who does not possess Commissioner of Elections Govt. amends Opium and Dr. Dietmar Doering, Representative for Peace Village International in Sri Lanka, donated medical equip- any such identity, should not for the Moneragala District ment, drugs and wheel chairs and many other medical items to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Peace delay in applying to the K. J. S. Madhawa said that Dangerous Drug Ordinance each independent group had Village was one of the first NGO’s to react to the urgent request and provided urgently needed medical Assistant Commissioner of The government, in the unit and it ruins the entire to deposit Rs 28,000 by 12 drugs, new emergency health kits, bandages, essential medical items for the IDP camps in Vavuniya. The Elections of the district they quest for a drug free state, social fabric,” the Prime live in to obtain a temporary noon today. intended to amend the Minister said. total value of the consignment was Rs. 35 million. The President appreciated the instant reaction of the identity issued specially for He said that only the Opium and Dangerous The Prime Minister fur- German NGO to help Sri Lankan refugees who were victimised by the LTTE. Chairman, National Youth voting purposes. United Socialist Party led by Drug Ordinance to prevent ther said that if we are to Award Ceremony Senerath Kandaliyanage, forwarded the request to Dr. Doering on the recommendation of The Chief Returning Siritunga Jayasuriya had and control drug abuse in combat this menace, we the MOH. From left to right: Martinas Purwins, Secretary to Dr. Doering, Isabelle Huppert, AGSEP Student, Officer (GA) for the Badulla submitted its nominations Sri Lanka, the Information have to amend and intro- Minister of Health Nimal Siripala de Silva, President Rajapaksa, Dr. Doering, Mr. Kandaliyanage and AGSEP District, Rohana Keerthi last week. Department said yesterday. duce new laws and regula- Coordinator Carlo Schmid. A news item published tions. “And, such amend- by the department yester- ments calls for an integral day said: “The World Anti- part stipulated in the Drug Day falls on June 26, Mahinda Chinthana,” Fifth swine flu patient found Wanted man arrested and, on the auspicious date, Rathnasiri Cop in the proposals for new Wickramanayaka said. by Cyril The suspect was wanted by by Emanthi Marambe There were 264 passen- police in connection with sev- amendments will be pre- National Dangerous gers who had arrived Wimalasurendre sented to President Drug Control Board bribery eral other complaints from A fifth swine flu patient along with this patient. the public, police said. Mahinda Rajapaksa.” Chairman, D.P Mendis P.C KANDY - A suspect want- The arrest was made on Prime Minister said reports released was found in Sri Lanka They have been instructed ed in connection with at least net the directions of IP, Ranjith Rathnasiri between January to June in yesterday, Health authori- to remain in their homes 19 complaints of house Balasuriya, OIC, Crime Wickramanayaka, speaking 2007, revealed there was a ties said. for one week to determine by Cyril breaking and theft in Kandy, Investigation Branch and SI, on World Anti Drug Day remarkable decrease in Dr Anura Senanayake whether they too had been Wimalasurendre was apprehended by Kandy N. G. N. Bandara. arrangements, said with heroin addicts during that Police while in hiding in of the Angoda Fever infected, Dr. Senanayake Investigations are proceed- the end of the war, the period.