A UNP government in 2014- Everything is ready to chase the government

The General Secretary of the United National Party , Tissa Attanayake has emphasised that all arrangements have been made to chase the Rajapaksa regime by the year 2014 .he added that that UNP regiments have been formed in every electoral division under a common national policy.

In addition it is proposed to appoint an operations officer in every electorate. This recruitment is to commence from the month of June.

A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday ordered release of 30 fishermen from Rameswaram, arrested last month by Island Navy on charges of poaching, according to Fishermen Association sources.

President of Pamban Fishermen’s Association U. Arulanandam said they have received a communication stating that a court in Mannar has ordered the release of the fishermen, arrested on April 6 while fishing near Katchatheevu.

Sri Lanka’s government is confident that a European Union warning on illegal fishing in the island will be retracted soon paving the way for German and Chinese investors to double fish export income to around half a billion U. S. dollars, an official said today.

Extensive lobbying has been done since the warning was issued in November 2012 with the EU officials indicating that it will withdraw its “yellow card” in June, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne told media.

The United National Party prepares a new constitution,devoid of corruption, bribery and for all peple to have equal rights

The United National party has decided to bring in new proposals to form a new constitution.

A committee headed by the Attorney at Law and Member of Parliament, Wijedasa Rajapaksa has been formed in this connection. The initial spade work under the party’s principles and investigation unit are behind this exercise.

The JVP yesterday pledged its fullest support to the May 21 country wide strike planned by Trade Union Alliance.

At a meeting with a 10-member coordinating committee of the Trade Union Alliance yesterday, the had pledged unconditional support to the strike which has been planned in the event President Mahinda Rajapaksa fails to lower the power tariffs which were increased late last month.

The assurance was given by a three-member JVP delegation which also promised to mobilise support country wide for the token strike and any other related trade union activity even beyond that day.

13 petitioners presented affidavits when the hearing regarding the Matale mass grave was heard in Matale magistrates court today (8th). They asked through affidavits to carry out a test regarding the skeletal remains unearthed from Matale mass graves as they suspect the skeletal remains could be their relatives who disappeared during the 88 – 89 period.

Magistrate Ms. Chathurika Silva said the 13 petitioners would be accepted as parties to the case. She also ordered the CID to record statement from the 13 petitioners. A decision would be given regarding the petitions on the 10th.

 In the wake of Faculty Board refusing to admit nine fee paying students to the Peradeniya Medical Faculty, lecturers have asked the Higher Education Ministry to stop the controversial move and ensure that students are admitted only in keeping with the University Grants Commission criteria.

Addressing a media conference at the Colombo University Faculty Club, President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said that the government had already planned to admit fee paying students, not only to the Peradeniya University, but also to the Rajarata Medical Faculty.

May Day last year was memorable for an unusual convergence that saw the leader of the main Tamil political formation, the TNA, and the leader of the main Opposition UNP hoisting the national flag together in Jaffna, cheered by a massive crowd. Rajavarothayam Sampanthan’s gesture was generally seen in the South as a sign of readiness to move away from communal politics and join the national mainstream. But that symbolism of unity was short lived.

As Workers’ Day came around this year, the political landscape seemed to be marked by an opposite tendency, with tensions and divisions becoming apparent within the various political groupings, including the ruling coalition.The government’s constituent parties held separate rallies and they didn’t exactly speak with one voice. With the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election now very much on the cards, the fault lines are becoming apparent. The controversy would seem to extend beyond the NPC election to the Provincial Council system itself and the 13th amendment that brought it into being.

It was tragic to witness the Opposition including its leader attempting to inflame conflict between communities for petty political gain without thinking of the future of the country, Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne told Parliament yesterday.

He also said the prevention of Terrorism Act would never be used as a political tool. The Prime Minister made this observation in response to a special statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament under Standing Order 23(2) questioning the arrest of Asath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Minister of Health, Maithripala Sirisena, has promised to publicly reveal information regarding the injustices faced by the common people due to what he calls the 'health sector mafia' operating in the country.

He revealed that when medicine is bought at times of emergency, without strict adherence to tender procedures, certain medicines available for Rs 100 per pill would be sold for prices as high as Rs 1,000-1,500.