Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Mervin out Basil to Kelaniya

(LeN, 2007 Oct 12, 4.00 PM) Sri Lanka Freedom Party is to appoint President's brother Basil Rajapakse as the electoral organizer for Kelaniya.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has put his brother on a fast political track ever since he was appointed to parliament through national list. He was appointed as a member of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday.

He is to assume a cabinet portfolio very soon.

Current electoral organizer of Kealaniya, Mervin Silva, is under fire from the party leadership due to the unruly behavior of him and his son. SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena recently said that anyone who breached party discipline would be penalized.

think the GOSL need to be seen to be doing something, I mean IC are watching, also sounds caring to say that you are sending rations food etc.

New appointee Basil scuttles COPE

COPE Chairman Wijedasa Rajapakse yesterday walked out of a committee meeting held in the parliamentary complex after UPFA National List MP Basil Rajapaksa allegedly attempted to interfere with the proceedings as its newest member.

COPE met yesterday to conduct inquiries into alleged financial irregularities in the Mahaweli Development Authority in the presence of officials from the Auditor General?s Department.

COPE members told the Daily Mirror yesterday that MP Rajapaksa talked to the officials of the AG?s Department in a rude manner while interfering with the day?s business and deviating from usual procedure.

The AG?s Department had notified COPE earlier that they faced difficulty in obtaining relevant documents from the Mahaweli Development Authority for inquiries. At the meeting, Mr. Basil Rajapaksa supported the Mahaweli Authority saying it had the right to withhold information.

Deputy Justice Minister Dilan Perera then tried unsuccessfully to explain to Mr.Basil Rajapaksa that his actions were a deviation from accepted COPE practice.

As a result of the unpleasant situation, Chairman Wijedasa Rakapakse walked out of the meeting, asking Mr. Perera to preside.

Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera and Hussein Baila also walked out with the COPE Chairman.

COPE sources said that a similar unpleasant situation arose when Non-Cabinet Labour Minister Mervin Silva attended a COPE meeting recently.

Sources were of the view that the appointment of Mr. Basil Rajapaksa to COPE and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday was an attempt by the government to undermine their investigations and thereby prevent rampant corruption being exposed to the public.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara had earlier announced that Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunewardane had resigned from COPE while Non-Cabinet Nation Building Minister Rohitha Abeygunewardane resigned from the PAC to make way for Mr. Rajapaksa?s membership to the two watchdog committees on Public Finances.

COPE and PAC are Parliament Select Committees, comprising members of all parties, appointed to probe corruption and mismanagement of Public funds in State institutions.

Since President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office COPE has released two reports while the PAC is yet to release a report.

BECAUSE THE SINHALAA-BUDDHIST MAJORITY IS A COMMUNITY OF NON-VIOLENT...EASY GOING...AND TOLERANT FOLKS.

how? Colombo will have nothing to do with TE right?

Yes, Colombo has more to do than TE dear, 'cos 53% of Tamils live in
Colombo and surburban and that alone gives you an indication.

jrj
they are not living on the govt , are they? do the govt provide shelter and
food for them?

Yes they are. because they are part of Sri Lankan society.
If not why would you think the government is bothered to send food and other
rations from South?