OTHER NEWS UNP scoffs at Govt�s claim of grabbing Killinochchi Compensate Slave island dwellers - UNP Media freedom focal point to democracy: Somawansa UNP protests over appointing ministers for COPE    Advertisement Print Version | Email to friend Election results show people\'s mandate to government policy against terror - President 11-05-2008 The results of the elections to the first Eastern Provincial Council show the people\'s endorsement of the government\'s policy of restoring democracy and normalcy to areas hitherto controlled by the terrorists, and the overall development programme already initiated in the Eastern Province said President Mahindha Rajapaksha issuing a press statement. �Following the successful completion of the elections to local government bodies in the Batticaloa District in March this year, this is another important milestone in the government\'s policy of restoring democratic rights to the people in areas once dominated by the LTTE, and of ensuring democracy throughout the island, he said. The voters of the Eastern Province who participated in this election peacefully and in large numbers have demonstrated their interest in protecting their democratic rights, which were denied, to them for nearly two decades by the forces of terror; which were restored to them with the liberation of the Eastern Province by the Security Forces. This election emphasizes the policy of the government to create an environment in which all our people could enjoy democratic rights and live in freedom and harmony. I note that the people of the East have given a clear mandate for peace through the defeat of terrorism, the strengthening of democracy and the development of the country. I thank all political parties and candidates that participated in the important election, all personal of the Department of the Commissioner General of Elections, all other public officers, and members of the Armed Services and Police that helped in the successful conduct of this election, he noted. The representatives of the people chosen in this peaceful election represent the will of the people, and I look forward to their cooperation in the country\'s march to strengthen and widen democracy throughout our country, and to assisting in the tasks already initiated and ahead to develop the Eastern Province, the President assured. Print Version | Email to friend

UNP scoffs at Govt�s claim of grabbing Killinochchi Wed, 23-07-2008 21:00:00 UNP in parliament yesterday scoffed at the government�s claim that Killinochchi is within �grabbing distance� of the security forces, saying the war is being used to cover up all its ills today. UNP MP for Puttalam district Palitha Ranga Bandara said that the government had not implemented any project beneficial to the country. MP Bandara said that the government is boasting about war to hoodwink the public who are subjected to undergo a myriad of problems. �Th... |FULL STORY|

Compensate Slave island dwellers - UNP Wed, 23-07-2008 21:00:00 The main Opposition UNP in Parliament yesterday called on the government to pay compensation to those families in Slave island whose houses were demolished recently and to take action against those who demolished those houses neglecting the court order. Chief Opposition Whip and UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera who made a special statement in the House yesterday said the demolition of these houses has created a black mark in the country�s history. He said the people expresse... |FULL STORY|

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Media freedom focal point to democracy: Somawansa Wed, 23-07-2008 21:00:00 JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said media freedom is a focal point when measuring the level of democracy in a country when he met leaders of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) yesterday morning at JVP Headquarters. Mr. Amarasinghe also noted that violence against media is a major blow against democracy and therefore his Party will continue involving in activities against media suppression. The SLWJA representatives noted that the amount of violence and thre... |FULL STORY|

UNP protests over appointing ministers for COPE Wed, 23-07-2008 20:00:00 Sri Lanka’s Opposition, United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe protested against the appointment of government ministers as heads of the Committees on Public Enterprise (COPE) and of Public Accounts (COPA). “These postings amounted to an underestimation of Parliament's right to question financial matters of the state,” Mr. Wickremesinghe told Parliament. The government at a meeting held at the Temple Trees yesterday decided to appoint Ministers John Seneviratne... |FULL STORY|

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