The Ukrainian captain of the vessel MV Avant Garde was re-remanded till August 1 by the Galle Magistrate Court, this morning.
He was arrested on June 23 by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police on charges of illegally possessing and importing firearms and explosives to Sri Lanka.
The MV Avant Garde was found to contain five hundred and forty nine (549) T-56 weapons, two hundred and sixty four 84-S weapons and 204,674 bullets on inspection on October 6, 2015, while docked at the Galle Port.
President Maithripala Sirisena declared yesterday that there was no need for a new force in the country and a politician who lost two elections trying to form a new force was ridiculous. The President was attending the opening of the German Tech Institute in Kilinochchi.
President Sirisena also said: “I have something to add to Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan’s statement. On January 8, 2015, the people of this country elected a new government. The people voted for the new government based on the manifesto we put forward.
“We will be committed to achieve all what we promised in our manifesto. Certain people have made declarations that they are going to form a new force. I ask them; for what purpose are you forming a new force? I am a man who takes a step forward and not someone who steps backwards. Everyone has to understand what problems we as a country face today.
“All should be committed to creating national unity and harmony in the country. If the Sinhala Buddhists in this country are to be happy, they need to understand the problems of other communities and solve them.
“They need to understand that the people in the Northern Province have a problem. We need to understand many of the problems between the different ethnicities in this country. There are certain groups connected to the media and hold regular press conferences in Colombo. They are limited to Colombo and are simply media heroes. But these heroes never come to the North and understand the problems of the people here. They don’t go to the East and speak to the people there and understand their problems.
“They also don’t understand what is needed to solve the problems of the people in the South. I ask those who plan to create a new force, to study national reconciliation first. We all know how they acted when they were in power. We have seen leaders who built parties when in the government. We have also seen leaders who built political parties and run governments post-independence.”
President Sirisena said to create a new government and new force, we need to have honest leaders who are free of fraud and corruption.
“On January 8, we created a government to fill that lacuna. But those who have lost two consecutive elections, cannot expect to create a new force. Thus, we will commit ourselves to develop this country, build unity among the communities and make this a good country. As we are in the process of making a new Constitution, various rumours are being spread regarding it. We are making a new Constitution not to split or divide the country, it is to unite the country and build unity among all,” he said.
“I ask these forces not to make such misleading statements and lead the people astray. I will sincerely devote myself to build reconciliation among the communities. I have made the election promises of strengthening national reconciliation and abolishing the Executive Presidency. I promise to fulfil all these promises I have made,” President Sirisena said.
“But I ask these people who want power, what do you plan to achieve through it? Is it to continue further with corruption, fraud and theft? I also ask them why are they against the protection of democracy and human rights? We all need to understand the problems honestly and truthfully. We need to commit ourselves to our country and people. We need to include reconciliation as a subject in our schools,” he said.
Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa who was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Police this morning, was remanded until August 1.
He is charged with financial misappropriation of funds belonging to the Divi Neguma Development project.
The Commercial High Court of Colombo on 1st July 2016 issued an enjoining order against Eser Marketing International (Pvt) Ltd and 2 other directors of Eser Marketing International (Pvt) Ltd in a case filed by Eser Marketing Fitness Pvt Ltd and its director Mr. Harindra Eladatte.
The enjoining order restrains Eser Marketing International (Pvt) Ltd and its directors from using in any manner the purported name ‘Eser Marketing Fitness’ or such other name similar or identical to the Plaintiffs’ name ‘Eser Marketing Fitness’.
The enjoining order was granted by Commercial High Court Judge E. A. G. R. Amarasekara. The Plaint was supported by Senior Counsel Mr. Avindra Rodrigo with Ms. Anita Perera Attorneys-at-law on the instructions of M/s Thavanesans and Fernando.
The Plaintiffs pointed out that the Defendants, Eser Marketing International (Pvt) Ltd are using a purported name and mark ‘Eser Marketing Fitness’ to market and sell products similar to those of the Plaintiffs, which is misleadingly similar to the name and mark of the Plaintiffs, ‘Eser Fitness’ and ‘Eser Marketing Fitness’. Counsel of the Plaintiff further submitted that the conduct of Eser Marketing International (Pvt) Ltd was in contravention of the Plaintiffs rights under the Intellectual Property Act.
The case is called again on the 15th July 2016 before the Commercial High Court of Colombo.
United National Party’s Port National Workers Trade Union states that they have no connection with Joint Trade Unions. They strongly condemn the activities which cannot be controlled in the previous.
They further noted many people sacrificed their lives to establish good governance in this island and we extend our support to carry out the future activities of this government. Expressing views at the cordial meeting with the Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Arjuna Ranathunga they also noted that they will extend their continuous support to the development programs carried out by the Minister. This meeting was held at the conference hall of Ministry of Ports and Shipping.
A cordial discussion between the National Trade Union and the Minister Arjuna Ranathunga was taken place at the Ministry of Ports and Shipping premises this morning (18).
Officials of the National Trade Union and the representatives of the Parent Union Chief Secretary Parliamentarian Mr. Sirilnal De Mel the Vice President of National Workers Trade Union and the Media Secretary Mr. Sunil Silva took part in this cordial discussion with the Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga. The aim of this discussion is to review the status of the incidents which happened is the recent past. After this friendly discussion the Vice President of National Association of Employees and Media Secretary Mr. Sunil Silva said that Hon. Prime Minister has instructed them to work coordinately with the Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Arjuna Ranathunga.
“National Workers Trade Union is an association of gentlemen. We engage our daily work with rulers. So, we don’t climb up and raise voice for workers’ rights. The National Workers Trade Unions always hold discussions to solve problems faced by our employees. After trying their first attempt, second attempt, third attempt or the tenth attempt and then we will engage in trade union activities.
Therefore, National Workers Trade Union always owns a responsibility to join hands with the Minister in the development program of our port…” Mr. Sunil Silva stated at the press conference. He further noted hereafter we will raise voice for the rights of workers only as National Workers Trade Union. He also called upon the National Workers Trade Union representatives to work for the need of the public causes and not their personal benefits.
“The majority of the workers serving at the ports are the members of National Workers Trade Union and they will extend their support to the Minister. The above matter was discussed with the Prime Minister. His request was also to work corporately with the Minister. This discussion was held today on behalf of the request made by the Hon. Prime Minister.
This discussion was 100% success. Moreover, Minister answered a number of burning questions of the port’s employees. He also promised to extend the retirement age of employees up to age of 60 years. This discussion helped us to maintain close ties with the Minister and he promised to ensure the rights of the workers…” Vice President of National Association of Employees Mr. Sunil Silva stated.
Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne denied the request by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Police, to issue a warrant on Udayanga Weeratunga.
At the hearing on July 15, the FCID requested Magistrate Jayaratne to issue a warrant through the Interpol to arrest Weeratunga who is charged with financial misappropriation.
The Magistrate had fixed July 18 (today) to consider the request by the prosecuting FCID. The request was rejected however, on grounds that the warrant issued on Weeratunga did not follow proper procedure.
The FCID had previously issued warrant on the former Ambassador to Russia via email.
Magistrate Jayaratne had also advised the FCID to issue the warrant on Weeratunga through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Weeratunga does not currently reside in the country.
The Magistrate ordered the Sri Lanka Air Force to present legal documents pertaining to the alleged misappropriation at the next hearing, fixed for September 25.
Weeratunga is alleged to have committed financial misappropriation to the tune of US$ 14 million while purchasing four Ukraine-built MIG-27 aircraft for the Sri Lanka Air Force in 2005.
United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Namal Rajapaksa was granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate this morning.
Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne let the former President’s oldest son out on a cash bail of Rs. 50, 000 and three sureties of five lakhs. He is due before the court next on August 8.
