|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 5 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Jaffna marks National day The 55th Independence day was celebrated at the Jaffna Secretariat with the hoisting of the National flag by the Government Agent S. Pathmanathan. Associated with the Government Agent were the Addl. Government Agent and other departmental heads at the Secretariat. The students of Vembadi Girls College sang the National anthem. The Government Agent addressing the gathering said that so far the Independence day had been celebrated only at the District Secretariat level in Jaffna and the time has come for all of us celebrate the day on a National level. After 1958 the Independence day celebration in Jaffna took a low profile. The language issue, anti Sri campaign, satyagraha campaigns at the Jaffna Secretariat evoked feelings of racial bitterness and anti-government campaigns against the government by the people of Jaffna. The signing of MOU has brought closer rapport between the Tamils and the Sinhalese and consensus and cohabitation between the LTTE and the government would facilitate the dawn of peace and tranquillity in this country. The people who are sick of the ethnic war are awaiting the day when all the races in this country would join together in unison with the firm conviction that this is our land and we are the children of Mother Lanka.
A private bus plying from Warakapola to Madeniya in Kegalle area, taking some workers attached to a garment factory in Warakapola developed engine trouble while climbing a precipitous climb of the road, started drawing back downward and crashed into the steep ascent injuring thirteen passengers. The injured are receiving treatment at the Kegalle General Hospital and Warakapola Hospital. The condition of two of the injured is said to be serious. Warakapola police are investigating.
The ratio of career diplomats to non-career diplomats in the head of mission, deputy head of mission and consul general status has been maintained well ahead of 50 per cent, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando said on Monday. He was referring to a press communique issued by the President in this regard. The Minister said:"It is noteworthy that four young career diplomats were promoted to the rank of Ambassadors, a rare occurrence in the diplomatic service. Some are as young as 40. Since coming into power we have infused skills, dynamism and talents of the private sector into these categories. Professionalism has been maintained in the Foreign Service.
The Mirihana Police are investigating a hand bomb attack on a businessman's residence in the Mirihana police area on Monday night. Investigations conducted by Senior SP, Raja Weerakoon with Nugegoda Crime SP, Cecil Perera revealed that this was the second occasion that a bomb had been thrown at the businessman's house. Following the attack the businessman's car and another car belonged to female singer parked adjoining the businessman's house were also damaged. SP Cecil Perera said that no person was injured following the bomb attack. (SM)
The Commission investigating allegations of bribery and corruption plunged into a new crisis yesterday with the death of one of its Commissioners T.N Abeyweera. This renders the Commission non-functional in terms of the new Bribery and Corruption law which stipulates that the Commission shall constitute all three members. Political parties in Parliament will now have to appoint the third member as the President ceased to be the appointing authority with the formation of the Constitutional Council under the 17th Amendment. Previously the president had the power to appoint all three members. The new commissioner also has to be a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal. Abeyweera died of natural causes and his funeral is due to take place today. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
