|
|
|
More Headline News
|
New regulations within two weeks ' NTC : `Bus crews behave like animals`
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:07 AM SL Time
The Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) yesterday claimed that most drivers and bus conductors behaved like `animals` (thirisannu) and blamed the government and provincial authorities for failing to impose standards. `These drivers and conductors of private buses are a useless group of people,` declared Gemunu Wijeratne, head of the PBOA. `They behave like animals. It's come to the level of unemployed people and kudu karayas and nobody is checking their standards at all. There is no discipline. The accidents will only get worse if this situation is allowed to continue.`
When The Island inquired from the Railway Department whether measures would be taken to increase the length of the barrier at railway crossings, Transportation Superintendent of the Department G. R. P. Chandrathilaka said the department spends Rs. 15 million for each barrier currently in use and three million rupees for each temporary barrier. He said there were hundreds of railway crossings without even temporary barriers.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 8 )
Sri Lanka rail crash `kills 50`
Wednesday, 27 April 2005 - 11:56 PM SL Time
A passenger train has slammed into a packed bus on a closed level crossing in Sri Lanka, leaving 50 people dead and 33 injured, hospital sources said.
The crash happened near the town of Polgahawela, 80km (50 miles) north-east of Colombo.
Efforts to pull survivors from the bus were hampered by a blaze which broke out on impact. Nobody aboard the train is believed to have been hurt.
The bus driver and conductor, who were both hurt, have been arrested.
It was alleged the driver went on to the tracks via the closed level crossing.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga said she was shocked and saddened over the tragedy.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who visited the scene, told BBC Sinhala service correspondent Elmo Fernando he would be recommending tough measures to discipline private bus drivers who broke the rules.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 23 )
Sri Lanka: Embezzlement of Govt Revenue ` Evidence overwhelming
Wednesday, 27 April 2005 - 12:38 PM SL Time
Customs investigators have uncovered another massive revenue fraud committed by organised fraudster mafia with the corroboration of certain unscrupulous elements in the Customs administration.
According to the discovery, the fraudster elements in the Customs have accumulated ill-gotten wealth of Rs. 17 million in bribes to release a shipload of 2690 metric tonnes of palm oil consignment, grossly undervalued for customs duty purposes. First hand information obtained within reveals that both Customs Chief Jayathilake and his deputy Tissera are allegedly involved in the fraud.
It is revealed that, whereas the normal market value of Palm oil was $ 325 to 350 per metric ton, the importer had made a deliberate false declaration understating the value for customs purposes and thereby defrauded massive sum of government revenue. Although the volume of revenue misappropriated by the corrupt officials had come to light, the scale of the fraud committed by the fraudster importer is yet to be confirmed.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 10 )
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
|
Norway allocates Rs.1.7 bn as tsunami aid to SL
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:18 AM SL Time
Norway has allocated approximately 1.7 billion rupees for post tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka. The Norwegian aid is utilised to support relief and rehabilitation projects in affected areas in the south, the east and the north.
`The human suffering caused by the tsunami has had a tremendous impact on us all. We hope our contribution to the relief efforts can help make a better life for those affected by this terrible natural disaster`, says ambassador Brattskar.
Out of the 1.7 billion 906 million rupees is for immediate humanitarian relief, whereas approximately 800 million rupees is for short and medium term development projects.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Wire trap set for Susil
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:13 AM SL Time
Ceylon Electricity Board unionists say that there is a plot to oust Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha.
They said the plot against the Minister was being hatched by a group of UPFA Parliamentarians, including certain Ministers, led by a deputy Minister who was eyeing the power and energy portfolio, as he was hell bent on privatising the CEB.
Lanka Vidulibala Mandala (CEB) Joint Trade Union convenor Ananda Nimalaratne yesterday said though they were not worried about who was responsible for power and energy, Susil Premajayantha was a person who always considered other's opinions.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Rulers are bound to obtain the advice of the Sangha ' GL
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:16 AM SL Time
Seeking the advice of the Sangha has been an ancient tradition that was adhered to by the rulers of this country through the ages and such advice specially with regard to problems of national importance, has been proved to be very valuable, said Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP addressing a meeting of the United Bikkhu Front held recently at Nalandaramaya, Nugegoda.
The meeting was held for the purpose of electing office-bearers of the Colombo district organization.
Speaking further Prof. Peiris said that the Front has come into being at a very crucial moment in the country's existence and at present a heavy responsibility has been cast on the clergy to guide the country out of the quagmire that it finds itself in.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
|
Mass murder! Rein in asphalt cowboys!
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:10 AM SL Time
Yesterday's disaster at Alawwa came as no surprise. Given the way the private bus mafia flies in the face of the Highway Code and resorts to strong arm tactics when errant drivers are nabbed, a disaster of that magnitude was something everybody anticipated.
The tragic train-bus collision has left'at the time of writing'33 dead and 55 injured, seven critically. The ill-fated bus had been engaged in a race with another and the driver concerned had tried to wriggle through the barriers that were blocking the road for an express train to pass. The conductor had got down and directed the driver to cross the railroad.
It was mass murder.
This is not the first time that buses have collided with moving trains due to criminal negligence of drivers. And this will not be the last either as no action is taken to control the maniacs in the garb of drivers.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
JVP and sobering political reality
Tuesday, 26 April 2005 - 10:22 AM SL Time
The letter from the JVP to Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca is of immense import, as it sheds some light on its plans for the future, apart from being a critique of the LTTE.
`We wish to be the first revolutionary party to make the transition to a parliamentary party and to a mixed economy without losing its commitment to idealism,` it has said while thanking the US President and the people for rushing to help Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Search for Jeyaratnam: Leave no stone unturned
Monday, 25 April 2005 - 2:16 AM SL Time
The CFA is being put to different uses by the two parties to it. For the LTTE, it serves a dual purpose; a bludgeon to beat the government with and a wish granting magic wand. The government is using it as a basket to put all its economic and political eggs in.
The LTTE has through the truce achieved what it could never have through war. Easy infiltration of the city and other strategic places, chopper rides from the government, parity of status, legitimisation of extortion, receiving arms etc. have been made possible by the CFA. The truce has, on the other hand, made a butler of a legitimate government placed at the beck and call of the Tigers.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security |
Bid to smuggle weapons on the way from SL foiled
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:15 AM SL Time
NEW DELHI, April 27: Indian police and intelligence agencies arrested a Maldivian national while he was trying to procure arms from Kerala for smuggling out to the Maldives and Pakistan. He was deported on Sunday from Thiruvananthapuram, the southern state's capital.
Ibrahim Asif, the Maldivian, arrived in Kerala on a tourist visa from Sri Lanka on April 9, ostensibly to visit a seven-year-old nephew housed in an orphanage in Kollam district in the coastal state.
Asif had been doing 'religious work' among tsunami-affected people at Puttalam in Sri Lanka before arriving in India.
Intelligence and police agencies already had information that Asif could be using tsunami relief funds, collected by Britain-based Jamaiah Tul Muslimeen, to procure arms for possible operations against the Government of the Maldives.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Recovering from Alawwa tragedy
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:24 AM SL Time
Below are the names of those injured in yesterday`s Alawwa train accident and are receiving treatment at the Kurunegala hospital:
Kasun Wasantha, Karagoda, Matara.
Niyas (40) Tekkawatawala, Kibissa, Dambulla.
Susantha Karunathileka (24) Akurambada , Matale.
S. Payas (43), Ibbagamuwa.
Ajith Warnakulasooriya (34) Kandalama, Dambulla.
N. G. Riyafdeen (55) Nikawatawana, Dambulla.
Bandara, Amunapara, Polpithigama.
Nalanathalala, Akurambada North, Matale.
Chaminda (24) Malliwela, Weligama.
Saman Kirthi Jayaratne, Mananwatte, Matale.
Buddhika Ruwankumara, Ambanpola.
Azad, Melsiripura.
Lal Karunaratne, Akurambada, Matale.
D. B. Herat (28) Pothuhera.
Allafdeen, Kandalama, Dambulla.
Wasantha Iroshan (23) Wewalawewa Dambulla.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
CEB head to query top managers receiving multiple allowances
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:22 AM SL Time
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Ananda Gunasekara has sent out letters to his top managers demanding them to explain why they have been receiving multiple allowances for the same job they perform, sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday.
The letters were sent out after the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) several weeks back questioned the CEB chairman with regards to these irregular payments.
However sources claimed that even though it has been many days since the letters were sent out, these managers have till date not responded to the letters, which has demanded immediate explanation.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
|
Mobitel to get new CEO
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:14 AM SL Time
The SLT will shortly appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Mobitel, a fully owned subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Telecom. He will replace Shuhei Anan who is also the CEO of the SLT.
K. P. M. G. Ford Rhodes has short listed the likely candidates. The Island learns that the list has been forwarded to the SLT. The auditors declined to comment on the process on the basis of the confidentiality of their work.
Anil Obeyse-kera, PC is the chairman for both SLT and Mobitel. (SF)
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Only banks can sell foreign currency - CB
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:14 AM SL Time
The Central Bank has notified authorised money changers that they can only buy foreign currency and not sell.
The CB said only It and commercial banks can foreign currency and ordered money changers to hand over foreign currency to the banking system.
It warned that moneychangers, who sold foreign exchange against local rupees and the buyers would be committing an offence and would be penalized three times the value of the foreign currency purchased.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Electricity Board unions issue stern warning
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:22 AM SL Time
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Trade Union collectively issued a warning yesterday that they would not keep mum in the face of irregular and high handed acts by decision makers with vested interests.
`We showed our strength in late April, just before a crucial Cabinet meeting relating to the CEB restructuring, and we hope that we will not have to repeat such an act, which would also cripple the entire nation. We will not allow anyone who have their own interests destroy the CEB,` convenor of these trade unions, Ananda Nimalaratne warned yesterday.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
|
Vaas 3/49
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:18 AM SL Time
Lancashire were bowled out for 196 runs by Worcestershire, on day one of their Frizzell County Division II cricket match, which commenced at Worcester, on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka paceman Chaminda Vaas snared three wickets for Worcester. He had figures of 3/49. Mason was the most economical with 3/22, while Ali captured 3/70.
At close, Worcestershire had replied with 59 for one, with former England batsman Graeme Hick, unbeaten on 32.
Muttiah Muralitharan, playing for Lancashire, failed to trouble the scorers, as he was dismissed for a duck.
Jayasuriya 31
At Taunton, Somerset was against the ropes at 119 for the loss of five wickets, against Essex. The Somerset total included 31 runs by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, who came in to bat at number four.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Hashan slams selectors
Friday, 29 April 2005 - 1:18 AM SL Time
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Hashan Tillekeratne, on Wednesday, lashed out at the country's cricket selectors for their blunders in selecting the team for the just concluded two match Test series in New Zealand where Sri Lanka suffered a 1-0 series loss.
`We did well in the first Test at Napier where the local curators prepared a batsmen friendly strip keeping an eye on their batsmen who were smarting from a Test and limited overs series trouncing at the hands of the Aussies. But we failed miserably in the second match played in seaming conditions at Wellington. Of course losing the toss was one vital factor for our defeat but the selectors should take the responsibility for the batting debacle,` Tillekeratne said.
He was critical of the selectors as they apparently failed to select horses for courses. `The team lacked batsmen who could do well on wickets with much grass. We couldn't come to grips with the seaming conditions and virtually lost the match iduring the first three to four hours on the first day. It was not the right time or place to give a Test cricket baptism to a player like Shantha Kalavitigoda. Shantha performed well in the domestic matches and he deserves a Test cap. The prudent thing wouldhave been to give him a chance on home grounds, build up his confidence before exposing him in difficult conditions. It was a clear instance that exposed the ineptitude of the selectors,` he said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Sri Lanka Cricket rescues players
Thursday, 28 April 2005 - 3:25 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday stepped in to rescue hapless members of the national team who were deprived of balls to practice ahead of a series in Abu Dhabi following a request made by team manager Brendon Kuruppu.
The players were deprived of a maiden practice session on Tuesday after sports minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga`s stop gap committee installed to look into the needs of players failed to provide balls for practicing.
`The manager (Brendon Kuruppu) made a request for balls and it was favourably answered`, said Ray Illangakoon, the media manager of Sri Lanka Cricket.
In a statement issued yesterday Sri Lanka Cricket said it knew nothing about a practice session for the players until it was reported in the press on Wednesday and slammed the minister`s interim committee for neglecting the needs of the players.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
