Lankan heroes who fought British still on traitor list

No action had yet been taken to remove the names of Sri Lankan leaders who had fought for freedom since 1815 from a list of traitors and rename them as national heroes, Parliament was told yesterday.

Those who had launched the freedom struggle of 1818 and subsequently been branded traitors by British rulers could be removed from the list of traitors if the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Justice initiated action, UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana said.

Pathirana said it was regrettable that even as the country was planning to celebrate its 70th Independence Day, the names of 19 Sri Lankan freedom fighters who fought the British in 1818 and consequently labeled as traitors to the Crown by the British, remained on the list of traitors, he said.

"If Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma takes the initiative this can be made a reality. Do not worry about the land issue that may arise as none who make such claims are alive today. Nevertheless, the descendants of these patriots deserve their due respect and recognition," Pathirana said.

 In response, Deputy Minister of the Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, Palitha Thewarapperuma, said that according to the Gazette notification of January10, 1918 Keppetipola Disawe, Godagedara Disawe, Ketakele Mohottala, Kataragama Maha Bethmarala, Kataragama Kuda Bethmarala, Pallegolla Mohottala, Batakele Mohottala, Delgahagedara Rehenerala, Possara Watte Vidane, Kiule Gedara Mohottala, Yalagomme Mohottala, Udamedure Mohottala, Kohukumbure Raterala, Kohukumbure Walawwe Mohottala, Butawe Raterala, Baginigahawela Raterala, Maha Badullegammane Raterala, Balupitiye Mohottala and Palle Malahaye Gamaathirala had been branded traitors to the Crown by the British rulers.

He said that the issue was more relevant to the Ministry of Justice than the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs as there were legal provisions including matters relating to property which needed the involvement of the Ministry of Justice and that if those matters were resolved his Ministry could attend to the rest.

India may relax visa norms for SL monks

Days after the visit of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Indian government is examining a proposal to relax the visa regime for Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka.

More than 55,000 monks visit India every year on employment visa to work in monasteries at New Delhi, Dharamshala, Varanasi, Kushi Nagar and Bodh Gaya, said officials.

As per the rules, monks are required to pay a visa fee of $150 for employment permit every year.

The one-year visa can be extended up to five years after which they are required to go back to Colombo and apply fresh, added officials. Sri Lanka has not only sought a relaxation of rules for these monks but has also urged the Indian authorities to waive of the visa fees. (Economic Times)

Drop in HIV/AIDS cases in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has recorded a drop in the number of HIV/AIDS positive cases in comparison with the rise in the disease in other South Asian countries, the Global Fund said in a media report, Xinhua reported Wednesday.

The Fund said the programme implemented in Sri Lanka this year to control HIV/AIDS had reported considerable progress.

A delegation led by Blanca Gil Antunano, Global Fund Portfolio Manager, South East Asia, was in Sri Lanka recently to inspect the progress of this initiative.

She held discussions with Sri Lanka's Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and pledged assistance for the government's fight against HIV/AIDS.

Sri Lanka's National STD Eradication Unit recently said the majority of victims infected with HIV/AIDS in the country were between the age group of 25 to 45.

The Health Ministry said that the spread of the disease was due to the tourism industry, use of drugs, homosexual behaviour and immigration.

Over 228 people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka in 2014. The Global Fund is an international organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. – Xinhua

COPE Report will reveal correct picture

The government said yesterday that the Committee on Public Enterprise ( COPE) was answerable to Parliament and no one else could give it directives.

State Minister of International Trade Sujeeva Senasinghe, addressing the weekly Cabinet Press Briefing at the Parliamentary Complex, said that some were trying to find people guilty through a "trial by media", but the COPE report on the profits made by Perpetual Treasuries through the purchase of bonds during the last financial year, had not been finalised.

It would be submitted to Parliament shortly, he noted adding that the correct picture would be revealed then.

Senasinghe said that there could be only one official COPE report."No member can issue his own versions. There can be differences of opinion, but all that has to go into the official report.Some are trying to find people guilty through a trial by media, but that is not correct. I appeal to the media not to release bits and pieces since that would not be fair by the company against which the allegations had been levelled."

Some had confused the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, Criminal Investigation Department and the Bribery and Corruption Commission with COPE and were trying to give it directives, the Minister observed. "They need to understand the difference since COPE is answerable only to Parliament." Sinhala Edition Click Here (Gossip Lanka Hot News)

Controversial VAT Bill passed – Mahinda absent at voting

The controversial Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill was approved by the House with 112 voting for and 46 against the Bill.Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was absent at the time of voting. Chamal Rajapaksa, Prasanna Ranatunga, Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando and several MPs were absent.

Several amendments moved to the Bill by Joint Opposition (JO) members meant to reduce the tax further from medical services were rejected by the Government.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who took part in the debate earlier in the day said that government expects 1.8 billion rupee income this year from the revision of VAT.

He said the Government had set as target Rs 10 billion as revenue from the VAT revision in 2016, but it was later reduced to Rs 6 billion when decision was taken to impose it after five months with effect fromMay 2.

He said VAT has been imposed on post and telecommunication, liquor and tobacco to exempt health and housing sectors and smart phones but the Government has exempted many essential goods from VAT.

(Lanka Hot News)

Youth Death at Wimal’s Hokandara house

Twenty-four year old Lahiru Janith, a friend of former minister Wimal Weerawansa’s son Wibhuthi Wishwajith Weerawansa, was found dead at the former minister’s residence this morning, Thalangama Police said.

Police said Janith had visited the former minister’s Hokandara home last evening and stayed overnight.

When he had failed to wake up in the morning, he had been rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, where at 10. 30, he was pronounced dead.

Thalangama Police is recording statements from the former minister’s wife, son and Janith Lahiru’s parents.

Sinhala Edition Click Here (Lanka Hot News)

Minister Sagala Ratnayaka Avoids A Question

Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayaka today left the cabinet press briefing with a smile, avoiding a question on bicycle gangs operating in Jaffna.

The minister was questioned by a journalist regarding the operation of the bicycle gangs, in light of the recent Police related shooting incident that claimed the lives of two students. He was told that people in the area did say that there were motor bicycle gangs, but they were from the Military intelligence.

The Minister at that point got up to leave, having not answered the question. He was then asked whether his response was to be taken as 'Yes' or 'No', to which he responded with a smile, "I didn't say anything". Sinhala Edition Click Here

(Lanka Hot News)

President opens NSBM Green University Town

The NSBM Green University, equipped with modern facilities was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena at Pitipana area in Homagama, today (26). The unveiled the plaque to open the university and said this would mark the beginning of a new path in education in Sri Lanka.

The President emphasized the importance of developing the student skills towards innovations as research and new innovatives are essential for building the skilled human resource capital for a developed economy.

President Sirisena said that the government is determined to open all doors required for building a knowledgeable society.

This is the first and only such university to be built not only in Sri Lanka but also in the South Asian region. A sum of more than 10 billion rupees was spent for the construction which commenced in year 2012.

The NSBM Green University is comprised of modern auditoriums, computer laboratories, physical training centers, indoor stadiums, sports grounds, swimming pools, student based centers, a theatre equipped with all facilities and an open air theatre. Among the specialties of the university town concept is that it is also equipped with a super market, a housing complex dedicated for students and lecturers as well as a bank complex. The massive library which is also comprised of digital facilities will be a new experience for the library sector of the country.

The computer and engineering faculties will be open for students in the inaugural academic year. Plans are underway to introduce courses that are prepared according to the international syllabuses and have a higher demand.

Minister of Posts, Mohammed Halim presented the commemorative stamp issued on this occasion to the President. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe presented a souvenir of the Green University model to the President.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and Ministers Mahinda Samarasinghe and Mohamed Halim, diplomats and academics were present at this occasion.
Sinhala Edition Click Here - President opens NSBM Green University Town