Right to Information Bill presented to Parliament

The long awaited Right to Information Bill, another pledge of the Yahapalanaya government, was presented to Parliament seeking the approval of the House to provide for the right of access to information. 

The Bill presented to Parliament by Parliament Reforms and Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka also seeks the approval of the House to provide for to specify grounds on which access may be denied, to establish a Right to Information Commission, to appoint Information Officers and related matters.

According to the Bill, every citizen shall have a right of access to information which is in the possession, custody or control of a public authority except for several areas specified in the draft Bill.According to the Bill, the Act will have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other written law. 

Accordingly in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Act and such other written law, the provisions of the Right to Information Act shall prevail over.

According to Bill the right of access would be denied where the information related to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, of which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information or the person concerned has consented in writing to such disclosure.

In the same manner, the right would be denied where disclosure would undermine the defence of the state or its territorial integrity or national security; would be or is likely to be seriously prejudicial to Sri Lanka's relations with any state or in relation to international agreements or obligations under international law, where such information was given by or obtained in confidence; would cause serious prejudice to the economy of Sri Lanka by disclosing prematurely decisions to change or continue government economic or financial policies relating to exchange rates or control of overseas exchange transaction; the regulation of banking or credit; taxation; the stability, control and adjustment of prices of goods and services, rents and other costs and rates of wages, salaries and other income; or the entering into of overseas trade agreements.

The Bill also provides for the setting up of Right to Information Commission which would consist of five persons appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. In making such recommendations, the Constitutional Council shall recommend one person nominated by each of the following organisations or categories of organisations (a) Bar Association of Sri Lanka, (b) organisations of publishers, editors and media persons and (c) other civil society organisations.

According to the Bill, the commission shall appoint a director general who shall be chief executive officer of the commission, officers and other employees as it considers necessary.

The duties and functions of the commission shall be to monitor the performance and ensure the due compliance by public authorities in facilitating the general public seeking information.

Every public authority shall appoint one or more officers as information officers to provide information to the public.

Any citizen who is desirous of obtaining any information shall make a request in writing to the appropriate information officer specifying the particulars of the information requested for.

CID launches probe into Sobitha Thera’s death

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an inquiry into the sudden demise of Ven, Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera in the wake of Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka and National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) calling for an impartial probe.

Ven. Dhammaloka Thera has said he has evidence to prove that the death of Ven. Sobtitha Thera was due to a conspiracy.

The NMSJ recently wrote to both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe urging them to initiate an urgent inquiry.

PM questions Gammanpila’s knowledge of Hindi

UPFA Colombo District MP Udaya Gammanpila’s knowledge of Hindi language was questioned by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament yesterday'

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe asked whether MP Gammanpila knew at least three Hindi words'

MP Gammanpila raised a question pertaining to a statement made to the Indian Parliament by that country’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on a proposed bridge linking Sri Lanka and India'

Gammanpila mentioned in his question that the Indian Minister had told the Lok Sabha on 16'12' 2015 that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister during his visit to India had discussed the construction of such a bridge with his Indian counterpart'

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that he was not aware of any such statement made by Indian Minister Gadkari to the Indian Parliament' ˜‍The Lok Sabha Hansard is in Hindi and as I don’t understand that language' I cannot confirm if Minister Gadkari made a statement pertaining to such a bridge in Indian Parliament"˜‍ he said'

 ˜‍If MP Gammanpila is knows Hindi can he say three words in Hindi"˜‍ the Prime Minister asked'

MP Gammanpila did not respond'

Visit Sri Lanka digitally through Google Street View

Sri Lanka has become one of the most sought after tourist destinations over the past years. But if you live on the other side of the world, the distance and the journey you need to undertake may overwhelm you. 

So now, instead of taking that plane ride, you can open a browser and see for yourself what the West Asian country has to offer, in terms of its rich history and natural beauty, you can now explore several parts of the country through Google Street View.

The Street View team traveled 50,000 kilometers across every state and province of the beautiful country in order to bring you every aspect of Sri Lanka, from tea plantations, to white beaches, to the craziness (well as crazy as they can get) of downtown Colombo. You can enjoy exploring all of these in 360 degree panoramic views, all without even having to leave your couch or your desk. Of course nothing beats seeing the real thing, but for now, you can enjoy Sri Lanka on your virtual own.

The panoramic images from Sri Lanka shows off majestic jungle views, mountainous areas, white sand beaches, and city living as well. If you’re from a culture that’s vastly different from it, then you can use Street View to see how people live, how they produce your beloved Ceylon tea, how this country and this continent may be the complete opposite of where you are or where you came from. That’s why going on Street View journeys is not just fun but also life enriching.

This makes Sri Lanka the 76th country that has its very own Street View. Mapping out and collecting images for Google is no easy task, as it takes painstaking hours, days, months, and maybe even years to complete. In this case, they started out in December of 2014 and just finished in February of this year. So every time you look at these Street View images, have a better appreciation for how they were able to collect all of those.

SOURCE: Google

Kudu Wasantha arrested in Thailand

The Thai police have recently arrested notorious Sri Lankan drug dealer ‘Kudu Wasantha’ on whom an international warrant had been issued.

According police, the suspect had fled the country following the arrest of one of his associates, a Liberian national, for attempting to smuggle 30 kilos of heroin out of Sri Lanka in 2013.

The police said some of the properties belonging to the millionaire drug dealer had been confiscated and warrants issued on two more Sri Lankans engaged in the drug racket, but they had fled the country.

Brussels explosions: 34 dead, dozens injured

A series of explosions ripped through Brussels airport and a metro train on Tuesday, killing around 35 people and injuring more than 200 in the latest attacks to rock Europe.

Meanwhile, Islamic State (IS) jihadis have claimed responsibility for the deadly multiple bomb blasts that have rocked Brussels.

News agency AMAQ, which is affiliated with the terror group, said on Tuesday afternoon ISIS fighters "carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels".

Security experts and a leading European government minister had earlier suggested ISIS are to blame for the Brussels atrocity.

Tuesday's' multiple blasts come just days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam in the Molenbeek district of the Belgian capital.

Experts are now warning that Tuesday's terror attacks could be a revenge strike after the suspected Paris massacre mastermind was detained in a dramatic police raid in which he was shot in the leg. "Islamic State have sleeper cells all over the world and Belgium has a very serious problem."

Security was tightened across the jittery continent and transport links paralysed after the bombings that Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel branded "blind, violent and cowardly". "This is a day of tragedy, a black day," Michel said on national television.

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders warned that authorities fear suspects could still be at large in the city that is home to both NATO and the European Union.

The bloodshed came just four days after the dramatic arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam -- the prime suspect in the Paris terror attacks claimed by the Islamic State group -- after four months on the run. Belgian authorities had been on alert after Abdeslam, Europe's most wanted man, told investigators he had been planning an attack on Brussels.

Two blasts shattered the main hall of Zaventem Airport at around 8:00am (0700 GMT), with prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw saying there was probably at least one suicide bomber. A third hit a train at Maalbeek metro station in the heart of the city's EU quarter, just as commuters were making their way to work in rush hour.

Pierre Meys, spokesman for the Brussels fire brigade, told AFP at least 14 people had been killed at the airport, while Brussels mayor Yvan Mayeur said "around 20" died in the underground blast. More than 200 people have been wounded, several critically.

Witnesses said victims lay in pools of blood at the airport, their limbs blown off. There were chaotic scenes as passengers fled in panic, with a thick plume of smoke rising from the main terminal building.

"A man shouted a few words in Arabic and then I heard a huge blast," airport baggage security officer Alphonse Lyoura told AFP, his hands bloodied.

"A lot of people lost limbs. One man had lost both legs and there was a policeman with a totally mangled leg."

An army team later blew up a suspect package at the shuttered airport, with media reporting police had found an unexploded suicide vest. At Maalbeek station, paramedics tended to commuters with bloodied faces as the streets filled with the wailing of sirens.

At least two Polish nationals and a Briton were confirmed among the injured in a city that is the EU's symbolic capital.

The bombings triggered a transport shutdown, with flights halted and metro, tram and bus services all suspended.

Airports across Europe swiftly announced they were boosting security, including in London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Across the Atlantic, New York and Washington ordered extra counter-terror officers to crowded areas and train stations. Leaders across Europe reacted with shock and solidarity, urging closer counter-terror cooperation on a continent that has been on high alert for months.

"The whole of Europe has been hit," said French President Francois Hollande, whose country is still reeling from jihadist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people in November.

British Prime Minister David Cameron warned of the "very real" terrorist threat faced by countries across Europe, declaring: "We will never left these terrorists win."

Russia and Turkey -- also targets of deadly attacks in the last eight months -- said the blasts highlighted the need to fight terrorism of every hue and across all borders.

Brussels residents were told to stay inside. Security was also beefed up at Belgium's nuclear plants -- where non-essential staff were sent home -- and at EU buildings in the French city of Strasbourg, home to the European Parliament.

Interior Minister Jan Jambon announced that Belgium's terror threat had been raised from three to a maximum of four, and the country's national security council was due to meet.

And after rumours of arrests and searches, authorities told media to halt all reporting on the investigation into the bombings, "so as not to harm the inquiry".

Investigators believe key Paris suspect Abdeslam slipped out of the apartment as the gunbattle broke out. He was arrested three days later in Brussels' gritty Molenbeek district -- just around the corner from his family home. - AFP 

West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Bengaluru

BANGALORE: Another dreadful batting and catching display by Sri Lanka saw them crash to a seven-wicket defeat against former champs West Indies in a Group 1 match of the ICC World T20 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.

Sri Lanka put into bat first could muster only 122-9 against some excellent spin bowling by Samuel Badree and Sulieman Benn who between them sent down eight overs for just 25 runs and three wickets. The West Indies fielding was also outstanding affecting two run outs and cutting out many boundaries that kept the Lankan total pinned down to a minimum.

West Indies run chase was led by opener Andre Fletcher who slammed five sixes and six fours as he raced to an unbeaten 84 off 64 balls.

Fletcher opened the batting with Johnson Charles after Chris Gayle the local hero was unable to come in his usual position after being off the field for a slight hamstring injury sustained while fielding.

Although the chants from the crowd at the fall of every West Indies wicket was for Gayle, the Big Man was never given a chance to make his appearance as man of the match Fletcher and Andre Russell (20 n.o.) steered West Indies home with an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 55 off 33 balls.

It was not all plain sailing for the West Indies when they began their run chase as they had difficulty trying to negotiate the leg spin and googlies of Jeffrey Vandersay brought in as replacement to the injured Lasith Malinga. Vandersay was drafted into the side less 12 hours after flying to Bangalore and he didn’t disappoint in his maiden World T20 match finishing with figures of 4-1-11-1. He caused a great deal of uncertainty amongst the West Indies batsmen but once he had finished his quota of overs it was only a matter of time before West Indies knocked the runs off despite losing three wickets in the process. Gayle however didn’t disappoint his fans when he came out after the match to wave to them.

Gayle’s absence in the batting line up proved that West Indies are not a one-man show but they have others in the dugout who could also win matches for them.

Sri Lanka were not helped by some dubious umpiring decisions that went against them but the manner in which they fumbled on the field – dropping two easy catches, they didn’t deserve to win.

Once again it was the Sri Lankan middle order that let them down losing half the side for 47 by the ninth over. Thisara Perera with 40 off 29 balls (1 six, 5 fours) gave the batting some much needed power in the late order that saw them to their final total, but it fell far too short for their bowlers to defend.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said that they were 20-30 runs short and admitted that they were ‘horrible’ in the field.

Sad to say Sri Lanka don’t look like a team that will go a long way in this tournament. It will be a miracle if they make it to the knockout stages of the semi-finals. To do that they will need to beat England and South Africa in their final two group matches – a tall task considering their current form.

They are a far cry from the team that won the world T20 title two years ago. The present team lacks any match winners and big names to attract much attention as a contender for the title.

In comparison to how the other teams are playing Sri Lanka are lagging far behind, and there are certainly no quick fixes to a team in transition.

A hospital in Sri Lanka for Buddhist monks

A Korean Buddhist group has expressed their willingness to build

a hospital in Sri Lanka for Buddhist monks. They have mentioned this when they met President Maithripala Sirisena.

 Head of Korea’s Ulshan Vaadey Bhikku Hospitals Venerable Nong Hang and the Korean Buddhist delegation met the President at his official residence. The Korean delegation said that they hope to build the hospital at Kiriwathuduwa in Piliyandala. 

The hospital which will be equipped with all modern facilities will have 34 rooms. President Maithripala Sirisena said that this marks the longstanding relations between Sri Lanka and Korea. Bhikkuni Nong Hang said that they were fortunate to worship the sacred Tooth Relic and other Buddhist places of worship during their tour.

 Sacred Relics were offered to Ulshan Vaadey Temple during the meeting. Chief incumbent of Sri Lankaramaya in Korea Venerable Katuwana Vijithawansa Thera, Venerable Pitigala Suwanethara Thera, Deputy Minister Dushmantha Mithrapala and a distinguished group of people were present on the occasion.

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