Aluthgamage’s son arrested

Kanishka Aluthgamage, son of MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of liquor, Police said.

The Police Media Unit told Ceylon Today that he was arrested by the Kirulapone Police on Saturday evening (24) and later released on Police bail.

Kanishka Aluthgamage has been ordered to appear at the Colombo Magistrate's Court today (26). 

Last week, Ramith Rambukwella, son of former Minister of Mass Media and Communication Keheliya Rambukwella, was also arrested and released on bail for driving under the influence of liquor. He was arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police after his vehicle crashed into the wall of a school.

Gota At Dudley Sirisena’s Son’s Wedding

On the 14th of this month the son of the  "Araliya"rice merchant,Dudley Sirisena brother of President Maithripala Sirisena took place at a five star hotel in Colombo.

Among the distinguished invitees were the Maithripala Sirisna, Ranil Wickremasinghe and several Members of parliament including Namal Rajapaksa.

The Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe had been in conversation sitting along side Gotabhaya Rajapaksa when the latter had come and sat near the former. .A little while later President Maithripala Sirisena too had joined in the conversation for a bout 20 minutes.

It is reported that after the toppling of the previous government this is the first occasion the three had met like this.Although Namal Rajapaksa had attended the wedding as an invitee he had been absconding by attempting not to face the President and the Prime Minister it is learnt.

Government won’t remove Army camps in North

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said that the government will not agree to remove Army camps in the Northern Province even though some people were holding demonstrations demanding to do so.

And also the Defence State Minister said when the government is putting its utmost effort to establish reconciliation among the races and religions, such extremist activities cannot be accepted.

“A harthal was organized by Northern Province CM and some extremist groups demanding the Army camps be removed. The protesters demand us not to build temples and settle foreigners there. We would like to stress that, the government will not remove our Army camps,” he added.

He also reiterated that the government will not leave opponents to pose a threat to national security and peace that has been established in the country.

“We are not afraid of their challenges. They can protest and shout as all they want. Despite the obstacles created by them, the government will not return in this correct path,” he further added.

Protest only to win reasonable demands of Tamils

Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran who led a mass protest in Jaffna, Saturday said that it was only an effort to win reasonable demands to Tamil people’s grievances and not an act against the Sinhala people in the South.

Speaking at the end of the protest Wigneswaran said although it was seven years since the war ended the Tamil people were yet to receive viable solutions to their grievances.

Wigneswaran said that some with vested interests were trying to distort the aim of the protest and stressed that people should not be misled.

Meanwhile, the main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance, had no part in the demonstration organised by the Tamil People’s Council (TPC).

Several TNA leaders noted that the demonstration was ill-timed.

The protesters walked to the Muchchaweli grounds from two locations, the Jaffna University and the Nallur Kovil.

Meanwhile, some protesters were heard shouting that TNA had failed to fulfill their election pledges.

The demonstrators made several demands from the government which included the release of Tamil prisoners whom they identified as imprisoned due to political reasons, to halt Sinhala majority settlements in the North, return of the civilian lands held for military purposes and tracing the missing people.

Business outlets in Jaffna and several other towns remained closed. 

SWRD’s 57th death anniversary today

The 57th death anniversary of former Prime Minister and founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike falls today. 

 A commemoration ceremony will take place in the morning at the Horogolla Bandaranaike Memorial Monument. This ceremony has been organised by the Bandaranaike Samadhi Foundation.

Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike will also be commemorated. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, family members and political leaders are slated to attend the ceremony.

VAT A MUST - IMF

The Value added Tax (VAT) will be the major revenue component of Sri Lanka's budget next year and it will definitely not be a temporary measure as some Sri Lankan politicians predict, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission head Jaewoo Lee said on Friday (23) evening. 

The mission welcomes the effective tightening of fiscal and monetary policies that contributed to improving market confidence and easing pressures on external balances.

He said Sri Lanka needs to implement a tax reform package without delay.

"Sri Lanka has to bring to Parliament a Bill to implement a value added tax to meet IMF requirements for June." he said.

An IMF mission, which concluded their two weeks of discussions with authorities, commended Sri Lanka for implementing the IMF-supported economic programme under 'difficult circumstances' and for meeting all June-end targets. Discussions will continue in October in Washington DC during the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

"However, some forward looking aspects of the programme review, mainly related to the implementation of the tax reform package need to be addressed without further delay," Jaewoo Lee said.

The government has delayed implementation of tax hikes expected to take effect on 2 May, due to two Supreme Court rulings. The government is considering bringing an amended tax hike proposal in the near future after addressing public concerns.

He said, Sri Lanka's 2017 Budget should be underpinned with a well-crafted tax policy strategy addressing lower tax revenue-to-GDP ratio.

"Accordingly, it is important that the government expedites the legislative process of implementing the VAT amendments that are needed to support revenue targets for 2016 and 2017."

They also said that commencing the legislative process for the new Inland Revenue Act would be an important step in rebalancing the tax system toward a more predictable, efficient and equitable structure and in generating the needed resources in support of the country's ambitions social and development objectives.

The mission welcomes the Cental Bank's move to preemptively raise policy rates to maintain inflation within its target band.

"The CBSL should remain vigilant in monitoring inflation pressures and stand to tighten further should inflation or credit growth continue to rise".

The IMF team also encourages the government to make concerted efforts in implementing structural reforms in public financial management and State- owned enterprises, building on the substantial technical assistance received over the years.

Sri Lanka's economic growth to be around 5% this year and in 2017, they predicted.

Divisions Arise In 'Joint Opposition' Over New Party

Divisions have arisen within the 'Joint Opposition' on the matter considering the formation of a new party, with one faction speaking against such a move. 

The faction which does not support the new party is saying that such a move is a political risk and they might lose positions and other advantages. However, this faction is said to be a minority of the JO. A majority of former local councilors of the JO want to see the formation of a new party and the creation of a broad alliance.

Govt. can amend the existing Constitution

There is no need to draft a new Constitution, the Government can amend the existing one instead, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says. 

The observation was made while speaking at an event held in Udadumbara. “I’m of the view that a new Constitution should not be drafted, instead they can add new clauses,” he added. 

He also went on to say the people should be aware of certain terms that have reportedly been proposed to include which would lead to improper results. “It took over three years for Colvin R. de Silva to make amendments to the Constitution. But, they have plans to draft the new Constitution within months. 

This is why we have doubts. We have a right to raise concerns over this issue, if the new Constitution is eyeing to take revenge from an individual, from a nation or a religion,” said Rajapaksa.