The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Robert Blake, during his recent visit to Sri Lanka stated: “The US believes the UN panel can play an important advisory role with Sri Lanka’s commission. The panel is only an advisory panel and does not have an investigative role”(Daily Mirror online, July 22, 2010). According to the UN Secretary General (SG) the particular nature and scope of this advice is expected to be is to establish “standards, benchmarks and parameters, based on international experience, that must guide any accountability process” (UN News Letter, March 16, 2010).
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday asserted that Sri Lanka today is a country which protected and accrued on its State assets instead of selling them in line with the policies propagated by the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike who became the Worlds first Woman Prime Minister 50 years back.
The President was speaking at the 50th Commemoration of the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike becoming the first female Prime Minister in the World, held at temple trees with the participation of Sri Lanka Freedom Party members and leaders.
I am not now and have never been a member of either the SLFP or the UNP, though President Premadasa urged me to ‘come in through the National List, take a portfolio and do a job of work’.
The only registered political party (as distinct from political organisation) I have ever been a member (actually an Asst Secretary) of, was the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party. Vijaya had enthusiastically announced to the Central Committee, the collective entry of a few of us from the then-underground ‘Vikalpa Kandayama’, naming me and another comrade.
Mass Media and Communication Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukkwella yesterday stated that any public representative and Non Government Organization can visit the North and East and contribute to its ongoing resettlement drive and the development process.
The Minister addressing the media at the Media Center for National Security stated that the NGOs that wish to contribute in the development process and the resettlement process could go there but not those with ulterior motives that make statements harmful to the interests of the country.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed the need for integrating the enormous talents and potential of local researchers and scientists into the country’s massive development drive.
He was of the opinion that their research should necessarily be made use of, for the development of country. President Rajapaksa made these observations at the Presidential awards for scientific research held at Temple Trees yesterday. The awards ceremony was organized by the National Research Council jointly with the Presidential Secretariat.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday said the Government has laid special emphasis on improving English speaking among school children, encouraging extra curricular activities and making them aware on future employment avenues and job oriented skills.
President Rajapaksa addressing a gathering following the opening of a new auditorium for Middeniya Maha Vidyalaya in the Hambantota district, emphasized that children are the most prized asset of the nation. He said the Government’s main aim was to empower the future generation with knowledge, skills and morale attitudes, for them to face the future with confidence.
Six university students have been arrested by the police for putting up posters saying that police officials involved in the death of Ruhunu university student Susantha Aruna Bandara should be arrested.
Speaking to Daily Mirror online the spokesperson for the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF), Udul Premaratne said these students were arrested last night in Nugegoda while they were putting up these posters.
The annual Esala perahera of the Ruhunu Katharagama Devalaya took to the streets on the Esala full moon Poya day on 25th July. President Mahinda Rajapakse also participated at the festival and was among the thousands of devotees and spectators who flocked to Katharagama from all the corners of Sri Lanka.
A number of special rituals related to the historic Katharagama Esala perahera that are believed to have been performed since Great King Dutugemunu’s era took place on the final day. Chief Minister of the Uva province and the Basnayaka Nilame (Chief Custodian) of the Katharagama Devalaya, Shashendra Rajapaksa lead the Perahera. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his elder brother and the Speaker of the parliament Chamal Rajapaksa graced the occasion as chief guests. Venerable Dr Aluthwewa Soratha Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Katharagama Kirivehera was present at the occasion.
Visiting World Bank Vice President for South Asia Ms. Isabel Guerrero paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently at the President’s House in Colombo.
The main focus of the key meeting between President Rajapaksa and the top of World Bank official was on the development assistance and possible support by the World Bank to Sri Lanka, especially on the government’s post-conflict massive development projects. Ms Guerrero is on a three day official visit to Sri Lanka to review the World Bank funded development projects. She visited Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu to monitor number of such projects in areas previously under Tamil tiger control.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), who “works on political agendas” should resign from his post, a opposition political party in Sri Lanka has demanded.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) made the demand on Sunday accusing the IGP of “double standards” over his statements with regard to the death of university student in Matara.
