'Same law for Duminda'

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The law of the land will be implemented in connection with MP Duminda Silva who was injured in the Mulleriyawa shooting incident. He was removed to a foreign hospital for treatment by his family and not by the government. The legal procedure implemented on suspects who have gone abroad will apply to him, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday,

Minister Rambukwella said that the government will seek the advise of the former Attorney General and Senior Adviser to the Cabinet, Mohan Peiris once he returns to the country.

"The persons who represent the government should represent the stand of the government. Anybody can express his or her personal views in connection with any issue. The government does not take the responsibility for personal views. Nothing can be said or done without knowing the exact facts.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken action to solve the issues of acting principals. The Attorney General's Department will withdraw the two court cases through a motion in the next two weeks. Nothing can be done while there are pending court cases. While solving the issues of acting principals, legal action will be taken against those who destroyed state property belonging to the Education Ministry by taking the law into their hands, Minister Rambukwella said.

The private sector contributed Rs. 800 million towards Sri Lanka's bid to hold the Commonwealth Games in 2018. This was because, the private sector was interested in winning the bid. Countries like Malaysia achieved a significant and rapid development after holding such international events. Competing with Gold Coast itself is promoting Sri Lanka's tourism industry in the world, Minister Rambukwella said.

He said that Sri Lanka did not incur losses by holding the World Cricket tournament.

"It was a significant investment for the development of cricket in Sri Lanka. Some persons mistakenly consider investment as an expenditure and wrongly calculate profits. It is same with holding IIFA. Sri Lanka gained wide publicity in the international arena by holding the IIFA festival. A large amount is required to obtain similar publicity," he said.