The Island 2 Thursday 6th October, 2011 Home News Moragoda confident UPFA winning CMC UPFA mayoral candidate for Colombo a small window of time for all of us to Milinda Moragoda yesterday expressed come together. belief that the people of the City would “From the many comments I have shed their differences and join the gov- received from the many people I have ernment to usher in a new beginning in met, it is very clear, that most people of the post-war era. all backgrounds and communities appre- In a statement issued at the conclu- ciate our diversity and want to co-exist sion of his campaign, Moragoda said vot- in peace. ers should take this opportunity to send The post-war transition period pres- a signal to the rest of the country and ents as many opportunities as it does the world, that they were able to see challenges. The way we conduct our beyond the narrow partisan politics that affairs during this period will determine has blinded them for so long; that after whether we are able to ensure that Sri sixty years they would be able to make a Lanka realizes its lost potential, or new beginning by making Colombo a whether we begin to sow the seeds for further discontent and another Stalwarts of the UNP led by Ranil Centre of excellence. intractable conflict. If elected, I will Wickremesinghe acknowledge the Moragoda said: “You will have to cheers of a large crowd that attend- Mahroof reiterates ed the party’s final rally held in Colombo,ahead of Saturday’s Local Government Election. (Picture by challenge to Ranil over Dharmasena Welipita.) Rs 1 bn campaign funds Six killed in head BY LAL GUNASEKERA on collision Former UNP stalwart Mohamed Perera) had demanded Rs. 3 million if Six persons, including a seven- Maharoof, who crossed over to the he (Maharoof) was to be nominated as year-old girl were killed when a mini- UPFA after being refused the mayoral UNP Mayoral candidate for the CMC. truck collided head on with a lorry candidacy from the UNP for the Another senior UNP member transporting asbestos sheets opposite Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) (Swaminathan) said that the UNP the Wariyapola police station yester- elections, yesterday challenged UNP Leader had wanted to find out whether day evening, police said. The ill-fated Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maharoof had any legal cases filed mini-truck was on its way to Ananda Athukorale to a Public debate, against him and he would sort out Badrawatte, Wariyapola from at a venue of his choice, over the Rs. 01 those problems as Maharoof had all the Anamaduwa when it collided head on billion, he (Maharoof) alleged he gave qualifications. As usual, with the lorry. The police said that for two of Wickemesinghe, had the victims were members of one Wickremasinghe’s already decided on family. election campaigns. Muzammil, but said Maharoof threw he would take a final Milinda Moragoda shares a light moment with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the this challenge, in a decision later. opening of the library reading room at Siri Vajiraramaya in Bambalapitiya yesterday statement he made to He said that dis- evening. Pic Jude Denzil Pathiraja The Island,which he cussion were held at said he would repeat Wickremesinghe’s decide whom you would like to place work with all like-minded citizens to at an election propa- residence and then your trust and confidence in. You will make Colombo City a model for peaceful ganda rally to be held with the Working have to decide which Mayoral candidate co-existence among all communities, eco- at Kosgashandiya, in Committee Members and team you feel is best qualified to nomic development and inclusion. Under Grandpass, last night who requested Rs. 3 bring all communities together and pro- my leadership, non-political citizens (5). He said he hand- Wickremesinghe Maharoof million to “shape vide the leadership to finding solutions committees and advisory panels will ed over the monies to things up”. Maharoof to the many pressing problems that face draw upon the talents and skills of mem- Ananda Athukorale who collected it had said that he would part with the our City and its residents. We have made bers from all sections of our society. personally, while some balance monies money, but would speak to our 100-day programme available to you “In Sri Lanka our municipal politics were given to Wickremesinghe confi- Wickremesinghe and settle the matter and subsequently released the updated has not evolved beyond the machine-style dante Malik Samarawickrema at once and for all. Wickremesinghe had policy programme after adding the many politics reminiscent of an earlier centu- Maharoof ’s residence in Kynsey Road. said that Ravi Karunanayake too was valuable inputs that citizens of Colombo ry. This system is based on political He said that he could prove all those against Mahroof ’s nomination for have sent in. patronage rather than on a professional allegations which he would disclose at mayor. I think we honestly have to ask our- delivery of municipal services. The the correct moment. Maharoof said that once it went selves whether we are ready to try a new major transformation that I have in He said that now that the Bribery before the nomination board he again approach that seeks to bridge the many mind is to convert the Colombo Commission was to inquire into how he found that Wickremesinghe had as divides that have existed in our society Municipality into an institution of the obtained so much money, his lawyers usual gone back on his word and after for so long. Over thirty years of bloody 21st Century that provides a quality serv- ice to all stakeholders. In addition, my had requested him not to make public doing so much for the UNP, he was not conflict which included two insurrec- hope is that Colombo which is a micro- the transcripts of his conversations considered. A section of the children of Sirimavo tions and one war has left its scars and cosm of Sri Lanka with its diverse mix of which should be made available to the He said that Wickremesinghe was an Bandaranaike Vidyala on Wednesday wel- trauma on all of us. Understandably, it religions, cultures and communities will Bribery Commission first. ungrateful person and just because he come Education Minister Bandula will take time for us to heal. Outside of the North and East, the City of Colombo become a Centre of Excellence for the Maharoof made another allegation wanted to get rid of Sajith Premadasa, Gunawardena who was the Chief Guest at the has suffered the most as a consequence rest of the country at this critical time that a senior lawyer and member of the he was against all who supported the opening of new library to mark the World of the war. However, it is my belief that when reconciliation and healing are crit- UNP Working Committee (Roland former President’s son. Teachers’ Day and World Children’s Day. ical.” (Pic Nishan S. Priyantha) the end of the war has provided us with Sirisena threatens to campaign Wildlife photo exhibition A wildlife photography and elsewhere. Animal lovers against excess sugar in milk exhibition will be held at are invited to visit this exhi- Kandy City Centre, Kandy bition and promote the cause BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE town, on October 16, 17 and of this show. Health Minister Maithripala the sugar content in packeted milk 18, 2011. It is organ- Sirisena warns that he will carry from 15 percent to five percent. ised by the Hill out a campaign against manufac- However, they had paid little Capital Lions Club. DEATHS turers of malt and milk products attention. The Minister had that if The proceeds KULASEKERE – IVY. Beloved daugh- with a high concentration of steps were not taken within the from that exhibition ter of late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur sugar. next few months to reduce the will be used to buy Kulasekere, sister of late Glenny,Marie, Quoting the Minister the sugar content, he would be com- first aid medical Chandrakanthi and of Kamini, sister- spokesman for the Health Ministry pelled carry out a campaign equipment for the in-law of Ramani, Brayan and Ranjit, said yesterday that Minister against them in schools through- animals in the loving Loku Ammi of Mayanthi, Sirisena had appealed to milk out the country, the spokesman wildlife sanctuaries Maithripala Gehan, Ravith and Thilani, aunty of product manufacturers to reduce said. of Yala, Wilpattu Sepalika and Kanishka, expired. Cortege leaving residence at 4.00 p.m. on 6th Thursday, October to R.C. Burial Grounds, Nayakakanda, Hendala. No. 300/1, Hendala Road, Wattala. Thinking pattern of RANASINGHE – MIGNONNE RITA, passed away peacefully on 2.10.2011. Loving wife of Watson (deceased), dar- ling mother of Nalin, Minoli, Nelomi & minorities has changed -Faizer Ruki, mother-in-law of Nicolle, Chaminda, Sergei & Kelly and Achchi to Angelina, Elijah, Levi, Jermaine & Deputy Minister of President believes that the government will con- Jordan, daughter of the late Clarence Technology and that the minorities struct 35,000 houses within and Claire de Silva, sister of Fleurette Research Faizer should be part of the three years and that shanty (Australia) and Clarence (deceased), sister-in-law of Osmund (Australia), Mustapha said that inclusive development dwellers should have no fear, Joyce, Noeline, Rodney, Bernie, the thinking pattern process of the govern- and that without the blessings Maurille and of the late Florence, of the minority com- ment. He said that of the central government work Margie, Tinie and Bridget. A requiem munity has changed Akurana had a such as the beautification pro- mass to be held in Perth, Australia on and they are now sup- Muslim population of gramme of the city cannot be Thursday 6th October at 9 a.m., fol- porting the UPFA gov- 65 per cent, but voted successful.