She sells Ceylon in the Seychelles

United National Party MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has raised a very important issue, Sri Lankans depositing their money in Swiss bank's secret accounts in the guise of Seychelles citizens. They use addresses in Seychelles.

They may have property in Seychelles. A number of Sri Lankan politicians and their wives regularly visit Seychelles.

Seychelles is an African country with a liberalized economy which relies on tourism and foreign direct investment. Visit this site for information on Seychelles.

MP Dr. Harsha de Silva charged that Sri Lankans deposit money in secret Swiss banks accounts appearing as citizens of Seychelles.

Addressing a press conference held in Colombo today, the MP pointed out that the value of Sri Lankan's money in Swiss bank accounts has dropped to 83 million (US$ 93 million) in 2013 from Swiss Franc 87 million (US$ 97 million in 2012).

However, the value of Swiss bank accounts of Seychelles citizens has increased to Swiss Francs 3.078 billion (US$ 3.45 billion) from Swiss Francs 2.682 billion (US$ 3 billion) in the same period.

The opposition legislator pointed out that the population of Seychelles is mere 90,024.

Sri Lanka government's circular may not prevent information flowing into international community, NGOs say

The representatives of the Non Governmental Organizations of Sri Lanka say that the government's move to restrict the NGOs may result the people of the country lacing access to information.

Lawyer J.C. Weliamuna said that the government's order to the NGOs not to hold press conferences, not to issue press releases and not to train journalists may not prevent the information flowing to the international community. It will only prevent information transfer to the local people.

He said that the foreign countries have many other channels to obtain information. NGOs are a critical part of the government, he pointed out.

Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) said that the move was a blow to democracy. He said that the government had no right to restrict the public organizing lawfully.

Dr. Nimalka Fernando of the International Movement Against Racism and Discrimination pointed out that the NGOs as well as the government are bound to obey the UN international conventions for which the nation have ratified. The order has been issued without proper knowledge about this, she said.

A number of other representatives of civil society organizations addressed the press conference held in Colombo on July 09 to protest the government circular to restrict the NGOs.

Medical Supplies Management Technical System (MSMTS) of the Ministry of Health has become a white elephant

Sri Lanka Health Services Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA)says that the Medical Supplies Management Technical System (MSMTS) of the Ministry of Health has become a white elephant.

The allocations of Rs. 400 million for this project has wasted, the Chairman of the HSTUA Saman Rathnapriya points out.

The Ministry of Health introduced this system as a solution for corruption and waste in medical supplies.

The online system was developed in 2009 by e-Wis Company at an initial cost of Rs. 320 million. The company has used a proto system of Australia instead of customizing it to the country needs, the HSTUA accuses.

Additional Rs. 80 million  was later granted to further develop the system but it still remained beta, the trade union alliance points out.

HSTUA Chairman Saman Rathnapriya said that only one store of the 26 stores of the Medical Supplies Department has been fully connected to the system.

Further, the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation has also failed to enter its basic data to the system.

What a country do we live: HIV father rapes daughter infecting her with HIV

Sri Lanka police children's and women's bureau has arrested an AIDS patient for seducing his underage daughter and spreading the deadly decease to the girl.

The man, a mason by profession, is a 40 year old father of three children. He has raped his own daughter who is 16 years old two times in 2013 when her mother was not at home.

The mother is also HIV positive. The couple was taking medicine from the Colombo National Hospital without informing the children.

The girl had rash on her body and the suspicious girl visited hospital. She was tested HIV positive.

The suspect has been arrested at his house in Negambo and he is to be produced in court for rape of a minor.

Graphic warning on cigarette packets delayed further in Sri Lanka

The graphic warnings on cigarette packets sold in Sri Lanka further delayed as the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) announced that the old cartons would be further used until the Supreme Court verdict on the appeal of graphic warning case is delivered.

The Ministry of Health has also informed the Supreme Court the graphic warning law would be imposed after the verdict on the CTC appeal on graphic warning is delivered.

The Court of Appeal ordered to cover 60% of the surface of cigarette packets with graphic warnings.

The law was to be implemented since today, July 01, but the CTC appealed in the Supreme Court against the appellate court verdict.

The petition of the CTC is to be heard on July 11 and the verdict is also expected on that day.

Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) of Sri Lanka pointed out that the cigarette sales in the island had dropped to 4200 million units in 2012 to 4800 million in 1994.

The center further said that the sale of cigarette had dropped by 14% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2014.

New York Times editorial reflects sentiments of international community about communal violence in Sri Lanka

New York Times has published an Editorial on Sri Lanka's latest and bloodiest communal violence in the recent past that took place in Beruwala and Matugama electorates against Muslims. Read the New York Times editorial here.

The editorial identifies the ultranationalist Bodu Bala Sena as a force linked to the governing Rajapaksa family and the security forces.

The editorial perhaps said this with tongue in the cheek. "Among other things, the violence threatens Sri Lanka’s recovering tourism industry and business development directly tied to members of his family."

"Mr. Rajapaksa’s statements on Monday directing the police to act against any individual or group fomenting ethnic or religious hatred are welcome. But the president did not repudiate the Bodu Bala Sena by name. He should move immediately to allow the independent investigation called for by the United Nations; accept the technical assistance offered by the council to address human rights concerns; and put in place the recommendations of Sri Lanka’s own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission for dealing with the aftermath of the civil war," the editorial further said. 

Hail Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, but prevention is better than cure

Today's The Island newspaper reported in its lead news that the government had decided to rebuild the property in Beruwala electorate damaged in communal violence mid June.

According to reports, the government has allocated Rs. 200 million public money for this and Army is to provide labor free of charge.

Yesterday's reports said that the Army had already stationed in Aluthgama to start work today. 

Here are some interesting excerpts from The Island story:

"Racial violence would only strengthen the hands of those conspirators who had been pushing for war crimes probe targeting the country, he added.

Anyone with an iota of love for the country, wouldn’t attack another community, the Defence Secretary said..................

......................... "Give me just one reason why we should cause chaos as the country is heading for national elections. Having won every election, except the first Northern Provincial Council polls last September, there is absolutely no reason for the government to dig its own grave," the Defence Secretary said. "Give me one reason why the government wants to antagonize its coalition partners." 

In fact, the Defense Secretaries views are laudable although they came late. He must know that the racists that incited communal disharmony at Aluthgama have used his name to cover. Media alleged that the Defense Secretary was behind them. Be it right or wrong, the Bodu Bala Sena manipulates it for its safety. No action seems pending against the organization despite loads of complaints against it about hate speech and violence.

Ruling a country is not only trying to remedy the problems after they worsened, perhaps thanks to pressure. Wise politicians stem problems at the root. Prevention is better than cure.

The Rs. 200 million hard earned public money could be used to improve infrastructure in these areas if mobs had failed. Unfortunately, the racists were successful.