Archives for July 2016

According to political sources Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has recently convened social media bloggers attached to Mahinda faction to provide publicity to the ‘pada yathra’ carried out by the joint opposition and had told them that despite arranging various ‘pada yathras’ promoting Mahinda Rajapaksa, he, Gotabhaya, would be the main contender at a future election.

Gotabhaya had told the participants all those who participated in the discussion would be given higher posts in media institutions once he comes to power after toppling the present regime and for that news should be fabricated stating there were conflicts between Maithri and Ranil He had added the publicity given regarding a conflict between the President and the Prime Minister when appointing the Governor to the Central Bank was inadequate.

This indicates that despite Wimal, Dinesh, Vasu, Gammanpila and Welgama carrying out ‘pada yathra’ to topple the government, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is having a different plan. It is interesting to note that there is a group that opposes Gota as well as another group that opposes Basil within the Mahinda faction. It is reported that many in the faction oppose Gota’s group as it consists of ultra communalists.

Audit reports carried out regarding supply of coal to Norochcholai Thermal Power plant, built during Rajapaksa regime, has revealed there had been a financial irregularity to the tune of Rs.36,947.57 million during the 2014 – 2015 period only.

This was revealed when audit investigation was carried out regarding financial irregularity behind the controversial coal tender. In the investigation carried out by the Auditor General it has been revealed that a stock of 181,016 metric tons too has not been entered in accounts.

The coal power plant at Norochcholai was built during Rajapaksa regime with a huge loan from China and it has been revealed that with the construction of the power plant massive frauds and corruption have been committed. There are also reports that frauds and corruption continue under the present Maithri – Ranil ‘yahapalana’ regime as well.

 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa dazed with hunger for power has lost his way and is loitering on the roads says President Maithripala Sirisena.

Speaking at a ceremony held at Mawanella President Sirisena asked why should he walk on the road until he gets foot blisters if he had ruled the country satisfactorily for 11 years? “Those who are blind with power hunger lose their whereabouts but I would act with intelligence. I’m not going to respond to their allegations now but they would get their answers soon,@ said President Sirisena.

What the joint opposition has started is not a ‘pada yathra’ (trek) but a’ roda yathra’ (hop on wheels tour) says the Member of the Central Committee of the JVP Wasantha Samarasinghe.

He said this addressing a seminar held under the theme ‘Debt burden, Tax burden and the collapsing economy’ held at Maskeliya today (29th).

Speaking further Mr. Samarasinghe said when Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was in power he allowed his sons, amidst opposition from Mahanayakas, to have races with Lamborghini cars in the holy area where the Temple of the Tooth is but today he goes to the Temple of the Tooth to get blessings to come back to power.

When masses do the ‘pada yathra’ Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is comfortably driven in a vehicle pointed out Mr. Samarasinghe. He said Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s intention of organizing a ‘pada yathra’ is to split the SLFP and he is ably supported in this exercise by Messrs. Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila said Mr. Samarasinghe.

Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s attempt to come back to power is not because he loves the people but due to his greed for power said Mr. Samarasinghe. He said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is eagerly waiting for the split of the SLFP so that he could reap the advantage of the split.

The people in the country chased out Rajapaksa corrupt regime and elected Mr. Maithripala Sirisena as the President of the country to punish the fraudsters and the corrupt of the previous government and maintain good governance said Mr. Samarasinghe. However, President Sirisena is manipulated by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila have carried out a political deal with Mr. Wickremesinghe added Mr. Samarasinghe.

Popular singer Samitha Mudunkotuwa says she has been summoned to the CID. She has said she has been summoned by the CID to obtain a statement over a charge of providing shelter to a LTTE suspect who had arrived in Colombo to assassinate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Former Minister Johnston Fernando, when he was in the UNP, was accused of bringing a LTTE suicide bomber to Colombo to assassinate Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa but the charges were dropped when he joined Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government.

Former TNA Ampara District Parliamentarian P.H. Piyasena, who was using a Prado jeep belonging to Ministry Economic Development of Basil Rajapaksa when Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President,  was arrested by police today (29th) for not returning the vehicle after Mr. Piyasena was defeated at the last general election

The jeep had been suddenly brought to the police by Mr. Piyasena’s new driver. The attempt by the new government to take back the vehicle had failed and the driver who had been employed on the 27th drove the vehicle to Kollupitiya Police where both the jeep and the driver were detained.

Several firearms, bullet-proof protective clothing and ammunition have been found from a residence of a retired DIG at Wirambugedera at Kurunegala states Wirambugedera Police.

The raid has been carried out on a tip off the policed received from a very close relative of the former DIG. A statement is to be taken from the retired DIG.

Former IGP Mahinda Balasooriya has been summoned to CID to take a statement regarding the murder of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickremethunga say reports.

Balasooriya, who was a former secretary to the Ministry of Law and Orderof the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, has arrived at the Police Headquarters to give the statement, a short while ago.

An army official has been taken into custody for allegedly threatening abduction, unlawful detention and questioning the driver of Wickrematunge.

The Writ Application filed by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, challenging the notice issued on him by the Bribery Commission was rejected yesterday (28th) by a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Priyasath Dep, Upali Abeyrathne and K.T. Chithrasena,

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam told Court that the Bribery Commission would have to be closed down if every person who received notice from Bribery Commission asking them to come to commission for any investigation challenges such notice.

Wimal Weerawansa had presented a Writ Application challenging the notice issued on him by the Bribery Commission informing him to present before the Commission. He sought a Court order quashing the notice.

Additional Solicitor General told Court that the Bribery Commission issued the notice under Section 23 of Commission Act and it is regular process to commence inquiry.