Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

The recent cabinet decision to secure an aircraft for Mihin Lanka on a wet lease and give the airline another Rs 1.1 billion behind the back of parliament has raised fresh questions about the government's priorities and its competence to steer the country through the economic crisis.

In passing the cabinet paper, not a hum was heard on what the airline - fraught with US$ 3 million in debt with a loss of over US$ 1.5 million from its only year of operations - was thinking in paying US$ 1 million per month for three months to take an aircraft on lease for three months.

Should something go wrong, as is to be expected from both Mihin Lanka and any multi-million dollar venture graced by the Rajapakse Midas touch, Mihin stands a risk of doubling its existing debt.

The rushed November 11 Cabinet Paper No.2008/50 presented by Minister Chamal Rajapakse and endorsed the same day, is littered with mistakes and misleading statements. The first, ironically, is that throughout the paper, Mihin Lanka is referred to as Mihin Lanka 'Private' Limited, a reminder that the airline's roots as a personal flight of fancy by a Presidential coterie is still fresh in the memory of even the cabinet of ministers and those drafting the cabinet papers.

Taxing sarees, sarongs and what not

Darling Ma-hinder

Now there's a budget dearie. It's not often that one sees Thelma in a Bata slipper and a Salu Sala skirt swishing about her ankles but when you do, it's a sight to see I can promise you that. And while it is unlikely that you will see Thellie hobbing much less nobbing with the likes of the hawkers at the Pettah World Market, I unashamedly admit that I too of a weak moment am inclined to succumb to superior quality. It is one of the many reasons why my fondness for you keeps waning day by day.

And sometimes darling these bally imported items which are anathema to the likes of you and possibly to the likes of Wee Wee and that JHU chap whatzit, tend to veer towards the top of the pops for me if you get my drift. I mean to say nobody can turn out a Versace hand bag quite like Versace. It's difficult to see a better Dolce & Gabbana shoe than perhaps one actually crafted by Dolce & Gabbana. And I mean to say sweetheart even you will agree that Peter Piper cannot pass off as Satya Paul.

And while I am just as happy with an earthen vase in my verandah as I am with an Arpico mop in my broom cupboard, I really would prefer if you care to know, a Waterford decanter in my bar. Surely my dear there's no need to go overboard with this local produce hogwash.

Ministers binge at public expense every month

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

At least 29 ministers draw the monthly housing rent allowance of Rs 100,000 paid to ministers of cabinet, non cabinet and deputy ranks with the majority of them nevertheless holding private residences in Colombo.

The allowance is paid to ministers of all ranks who do not possess a private home in Colombo to facilitate their stay in Colombo.

According to a series of oral questions answered in parliament, out of the 29 ministers who do claim the allowance, around 25 have their own private residences within the District of Colombo.

At least two such ministers not only obtain the allowance while having a Colombo residence but also maintain a flat each at the Madiwela MPs Housing Complex.

Besides, there are at least two lavish spending ministers who are occupying lavish luxury apartments with government money - one at Park Residences, Colombo 5 and another at Park Residencies, Colombo 2.

Besides the above allocation, these ministers have their entire electricity and water bills footed by their respective ministries.

After 60s only ?? Why ??

According to The Sunday Leader investigations, the Public Administration Ministry has spent over Rs. 1.3 million to renovate the official residence of Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma including some special fittings, in the year 2006.

According to answers submitted to parliament during oral question time, Alahapperuma's monthly electricity bills between September and December 2007 have been in the range of Rs.13, 000 to 36,000.

Likewise, Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, D.E.W. Gunasekara who receives a monthly house rent of Rs. 100,000 has received Rs. 24.6 million collectively as house rent between June 2004 to December 2007.

Besides, Minister Gunasekera's residence had a power generator installed at the cost of Rs. 1.75 million, according to parliament records.

Fisheries Minister Felix Perera is another UPFA cabinet member who has incurred huge expenditure when his official residence was renovated in 2006 at a cost of Rs. 1.6 million. A year later, another Rs. 2.4 million had been incurred for renovations.

According to information revealed to the House, Minister Felix Perera's total electricity bill in 2007 had been a staggering Rs. 1.39 million while his water bill for the period was Rs. 88,000. Meanwhile, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage A.L.M. Athaulla has run up electricity bills ranging from Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 36,000 during the period of September to December 2007.

President off to Italy, Turkey with large delegation

President Mahinda Rajapakse left for Italy and Turkey yesterday on board a special SriLankan Airlines flight.

The Sunday Leader learns in the first leg of the tour which will be to Rome, President Rajapakse and the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse will meet with Pope Benedict XVI.

Informed sources said the visit to Rome will not include any official engagements with the political leadership of Italy. However the visit to Turkey which will follow is an official State visit. It is learned the number in the Presidential entourage will be about 50 including the ladies in waiting.

The Sunday Leader also learns Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has included 10 persons into the delegation, most of whom will travel commercial. Informed sources said Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Palitha Kohona had pulled out of the visit at the last moment after it was indicated his presence will not be necessary. These sources said monies for the two visits have already been sent to the Sri Lankan Embassies in Italy and Israel (which covers Turkey) based on loose estimates given by them.

A top source said despite intensive lobbying, meetings with the Italian President and Prime Minister have been denied for the second successive time-after the last visit to the FAO conference in June.

It is learned the Sri Lankan Embassy in France thereafter sought a meeting for the President with the President of France but that too was not forthcoming.

These sources said the meeting with the Pope was due to the efforts of Bishop Malcolm Ranjith who is occupying a senior post under the Pope .

It is learned the Bishop has advised the President to tone down the Government's message after a 'bull in the china shop' approach by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Italy, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya.

A top source said despite intensive lobbying, meetings with the Italian President and Prime Minister have been denied for the second successive time-after the last visit to the FAO conference in June.

It is learned the Sri Lankan Embassy in France thereafter sought a meeting for the President with the President of France but that too was not forthcoming.

Tender procedure overlooked

According to JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti, the Ministry has overlooked the tender procedure to purchase a Rs. 100 million worth special switch for the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).

There was no bank guarantee, certificate of origin or the required certificate of insurance and the machine has arrived and is stalled at the Colombo Harbour for clearance, the MP claimed.

Minister Anura Yapa's response to the House was that the special switch/machine had not been cleared and accepted by the Ministry so far. There was no explanation about overlooking tender procedure or about waiting to verify documentation without ensuring that the papers are indeed in order, by the time it reaches one's own shores.

Ministers drawing

Rs. 100,000 house rent

M.H. Mohamed

Dharmadasa Banda

Gamini Lokuge

Mahinda Wijesekera

Prof. Tissa Vitharana

Arumugam Thondaman

Dr. Wiswa Warnapala

D.E.W. Gunasekera

P. Chandrasekeran

Jeevan Kumaratunga

Susil Premajayanth

Dr. Rajitha Senaratne

Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene

Kumar Welgama

V. Putrasigamoney

Mervyn Silva

S.M. Chandrasena

Mahinda Ratnatilleke

Hemakumara Nanayakkara

Gunaratne Weerakoon

Champika Ranawaka

Jayatissa Ranaweera

H.R. Mithrapala

Najeeb Abdul Majeed

Rohana Dissanayake

Jayaratne Herath

P. Radhakrishnan

N.M. Mustapha

K.A. Baiz

Siripala Gamlath

Chandrasiri Suriyaarachchi

Shanmugam Jegatheswaran

Hussein Bhaila

Lionel Padmasiri

Sarath Kumara Gunaratne

S. Nijamuddin