• Deafening blow: Only 15 minutes late 
• The people are with you 
• Guidelines for appointment of judges 
• Monks on the march 
• Split within a split 
• Church appeals: Stay calm 
• Reforms unhealthy say government doctors
• Dharmasiri's brother dies 
• Call for independent polls commission
• From Russia with love 
• Yes, I spoke to them, so what? 
• Debt-free death for bomb victim 
• I am in danger says Vasudeva 
• Who am I dying for?
• Grabbing in sacred city 
• Health is political wealth 
• Post haste or post waste 
• When a House was on fire - PARLIAMENT
• Some salient features of the proposed Constitution 
• Three options open to the Maha Sangha: Ven. Thera - Interview
• Highlights of the new Constitution compared to the 1978 Constitution 
• Sleepless nights at Temple Trees - THE PRESIDENCY
• The President proving her mastery in manipulation - Countdown
• No greater crime than this occurs - Focus on Rights
• Mutual suicide pact on a sand castle - Point of view

Deafening blow: Only 15 minutes late

By Tania Fernando

Being fifteen minutes late for a term test led to a student receiving a thundering slap which resulted in an ear-drum being burst, loss of hearing and a stay in hospital for two weeks.

Thirteen-year old Kusal Peiris, a student of a boys school in Colombo 7, was assaulted by the sectional head of the school, because he was 15 minutes late to sit for the exam.

On July19, the day they were having their English term test, Kusal had reached school at 8.15 am, due to traffic congestion, when he should have been at school at 8.00 am. He had started on his paper when the sectional head had walked in and was told by the class teacher that Kusal had come to class only at 9.30 am.

As a mark of respect Kusal had stood up when the sectional head had entered the classroom. On hearing what the class teacher had said, he had walked up to Kusal and slapped him twice. Kusal who felt dizzy and faintish, had sat on his chair with his head on the table.

Although this happened at 9.30 am, he was taken to Hospital only around 3.00 pm by some other teachers and students and was discharged only on Wednesday (August 2).

On admission to hospital, Kusal began vomiting and there was bleeding from his ear and had to be given a saline drip.

Although many teachers from the school visited him, it was not out of concern for the patient, but for their colleague. "They said that we should discharge him from hospital and said they are prepared to pay for him to have treatment overseas or even in a private hospital", said a concerned relative. 

She further said the teachers had said that since the school was planning on opening a swimming pool next month, they should not give it too much publicity in any newspaper.

While he was in hospital a student from the same school had visited him and threatened him that if any action was taken against the sectional head, they would see that he gets it when he returned to school she said.

"Kusal is a very bright student and always comes within the first three in his school examinations and has won many prizes in school," said the same relative.

She added that the School Principal had sent his vehicle to fetch Kusal's mother saying he wanted to speak to her. However she had refused to go to see him.

Kusal has to now present himself for another test which may result in him having to undergo surgery. 

All this shock has left Kusal in a turmoil and he cannot comprehend why this has happened to him. He has already lost all hearing in his left ear.

Meanwhile, the teacher has been released on a cash bail of Rs. 1500 and the case has now been handed over to the Women & Child Protection Bureau.

Children being assaulted in schools seems to be the latest trend. There are claims that this has been happening for quite some time, but its only now that parents are finally willing to come forward.

In another incident a student at a school in Panadura, due to sit his A/L examination next year, was hit on his head, just because he had hid the bag of a boy playing truant, worried that his friend would get into trouble.

About five teachers had got together and obtained letters from some of his class mates stating they cannot study with him. It is further alleged that the teacher's house was stoned and this particular student is being accused of having been responsible for it.

Although people expect children to be involved in fights with students of their own age, no one expects their children to be beaten by teachers, punished yes, but not harassed for trivial things like what happened at a school in Colombo 8.

A Year Nine Catholic student was allegedly playing with some Muslim friends on a day that all the Buddhist boys were observing sil. A teacher who thought it not the correct thing to do, had harassed the child and had requested the parents to take the child out of school, saying that it was a Buddhist school.

Although complaints were made to the Education Ministry little action has been taken. Meanwhile the matter was sorted out at school level.

Mr. Senanayake Upasena, Additional Secretary (Planning & Management) of the Ministry of Education said "no teacher can assault a girl or a boy. If they do disciplinary action will be taken against them".

The people are with you

It came straight from the heart, the outpouring of concern and offers of help for war widow Ajantha Weeraratne (24) and her four children of Labunoruwa near Kekirawa, whose plight was highlighted in "Give us our dues" on the cover page of the PLUS of The Sunday Times last week. "How can we help?" asked professionals, housewives, organizations and even a Sri Lankan expatriate calling from England, all of whom stressed that they did not want their names in print. All those who pledged their support said they could also mobilize many more. 

A working mother of two girls said she was in tears after reading the article and thinking how much milk her daughters wasted. 

"My children get so many presents and I just thought how lucky they are. My heart went out to the tiny twins lying on their mat in their mud hut in Labunoruwa. Give me their address so that I can send a money order immediately," a professional said. In the "Give us our dues" story, The Sunday Times highlighted just one case where the breadwinner, a soldier attached to the Armoured Corp., had laid down his life leaving his young wife, Ajantha, and children including five-month-old twins, Sachini Sulochana and Achini Gayathri in penury. The twins were born after their father was killed in action in Mankulam. Ajantha had to sell off all her belongings including her husband's bicycle to feed the children. When The Sunday Times visited her she and her family were facing starvation. 

A businessman who called our offices said he was moved when he thought of the money people in Colombo spent on non-essentials, when compared to Ajantha's situation, where she did not have milk for her infants let alone food for the other two children. "We tend to be selfish or just indifferent to the plight of others," he explained. "I am not a rich person, but I would like to send a little something monthly at least until the twins get bigger," an office worker said. 

A multinational milk company's call to The Sunday Times was reassuring. "We'll give the two elder children a stock of milk for at least one year," a senior representative said. And it was heartening that a fax came from the Human Intervention Unit (Ranaviru Surakum Ekakaya) of the Presidential Secretariat stating thus: 'Give us our dues' was sad and we would like to correct the situation. Could you let us have the names and addresses of these two families?

There are help desks in every Divisional Secretariat and contact persons in every ministry to assist the families of combatants and of those missing and killed-in-action." Considering the massive response and the fact that most people who called spoke of long-term assistance and requested the newspaper to focus on more such cases, The Sunday Times will continue to highlight the plight of needy war widows in association with several rural-based community organizations which will help such victims. 

While thanking our readers very sincerely, we hope they will continue to support us in our efforts to help the families of those who have laid down their lives for all Sri Lankans. The numerous offers of support after The Sunday Times story show that Sri Lanka's war widows are not alone in their trauma the people are with them. 

Guidelines for appointment of judges

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka yesterday made proposals regarding the judiciary and human rights to be considered for inclusion in the proposed constitution.

The BASL in a letter to President Kumaratunga explained the proposals which cover a variety of topics including issues pertaining to the appointment of judges for all the courts, transitional provisions for the period between the two constitutions, the retirement age and pensions of judges. 

"The Constitutional Council should be empowered and required to set out criteria in respect of the appointments of all judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeal including that of the Chief Justice and the same should be tabled in Parliament and approved," the BASL said.

Another proposal reads, "Transitional provisions should be embodied to guarantee the continuity in office of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeal despite the repeal of the present Constitution and the enactment of a new Constitution." 

The BASL proposed that Judges of Superior Courts should be paid the same salary they drew at retirement even during their retirement and that sitting Judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeal should not be obligated or requested by the Executive to perform any other function.

While any inquiry prior to the proposed removal of a Chief Justice should be conducted by a Panel chaired by a retired Chief Justice of another Commonwealth country to be appointed by the Constitutional Council, the proposals state that any inquiry prior to the proposed removal of other Judges of the Superior Courts should be conducted by a Panel of retired Supreme Court judges appointed by the Constitutional Council. 

Monks on the march

With Buddhist groups mounting pressure on the Government over the draft constitutional bill, the Maha Sangha is scheduled to hold a protest march on Tuesday.

More than2000 monks from all over the country are expected to take part in the protest march on the road leading to Parliament, organisers said.

They said the protest would continue on Wednesday and plans were also being finalised for a fast by some monks.

The JVP is also likely to conduct demonstrations from tomorrow.

Split within a split

By M.Ismeth

As backstage bargaining goes on for vital votes on the constitutional reforms bill, the UNP alternate group which is playing a key role is itself reported to be facing a leadership battle.

Political sources say Sarath Amunugama and Wijeyapala Mendis are involved in a leadership dispute amidst a policy dispute whether the group should contest on the PA ticket or go independently.

They said the alternate group which met every Tuesday had last year agreed that Mr. Mendis would act as the leader. But at the last meeting Mr. Amunugama is reported to have challenged this. He reportedly said he had agreed to help Mr. Mendis to become the leader of the UNP but not of the alternate group.

The sources said Mr. Mendis appeared to have the backing of Stanley Kalpage and Chula Bandara.

Church appeals: Stay calm

As Parliament prepared for a crucial debate on the draft constitutional bill, the Catholic Church yesterday re-iterated its commitment to a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict.

Ratnapura's Bishop Malcom Ranjith, the secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka told The Sunday Times yesterday, the Bishops were carefully studying the draft constitutional bill and did not wish to respond till it was deeply reflected upon.

Bishop Malcom however stressed the Catholic church would support any move or document that helped to bring the rival parties to the negotiating table to settle the conflict peacefully rather than by war.

He said the Catholic church also believed that the elected representatives of the people in Parliament should be allowed to freely debate and decide on vital matters without being pressurized by demonstrations or threats.

He said the church was appealing to the people to remain calm and look at the issues involved in a balanced and objective way so that a solution upholding the dignity and equality of people could be found.

Reforms unhealthy say government doctors

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) will launch a four hour islandwide token strike on Tuesday in protest against the proposed Constitution Bill which the doctors believe is detrimental to the maintenance of an effective national health service.

GMOA secretary Anuruddha Padeniya said yesterday the strike from 8.a.m. to noon would exclude the Lady Ridgeway Children's hospital while all emergency cases in other hospitals would be attended to.He said despite three-week long crippling strike by the GMOA last year to maintain the Government Medical Service as an all island service, the constitutional reforms has overthrown all their efforts.

Following the trade union action, President Chandrika Kumaratunga declared by a gazzette notification that the Government Medical Service that includes all specialists, non specialists, and medical administrators would be an all island service. But the new constitution has once again disrupted this he said.

"Our efforts in the previous years opposing provincial politicians interfering in the appointments, transfers and disciplinary control of the Medical officers have been defeated under the Reforms," a GMOA statement said.The GMOA said that if fair proposals submitted by it were not given due consideration, the doctors would be compelled to begin a course of action to safeguard the national interest in the health service.

Dharmasiri's brother dies

Don Vincent Gunewardene, elder brother of the late minister Dharmasiri Senanayake, passed away on Friday two weeks after the death of his better known brother. 

The elder Mr. Senanayake who died at the age of 79 was a village headman and a teacher.

Call for independent polls commission

More than 50 organisations have called on the government not to postpone parliamentary elections under any condition despite the necessity for a change in electoral system.

The Free Media Movement along with the GMOA, Telecommunication Engineers Union, Ceylon Bank Employees Union and others issued a statement stressing that the main political requirement at this particular now was to ensure a free and fair election that would permit genuine expression of the political intentions of the people.

They called for the setting up of an independent election commission that would be trusted and respected by the people before the parliamentary election.

"The deterioration in politics has led to a loss of confidence in the political system on the part of the people and if this situation is not brought under control soon, the day would not be far when politics in this country becomes a struggle for power waged by a few plunderous groups. Some politicians instead of working for the general welfare of the people, appear to have turned the system into a means of making money," they said.

From Russia with love

The Sri Lankan Students Union of Russia has organised its annual get together at the Hotel Taj Samudra for next Saturday August 12.

Past and present students of Russian universities are expected to participate at this annual event. 

Yes, I spoke to them, so what? 

By Mihiri Wikramanayake

Opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has admitted that he maintains a 'social friendship' with businessmen Charles and Jayantha Gnanakone because he has duty to listen to all points of view though they may speak in support of sympathy with the LTTE cause. 

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr. Wickremesinghe said he had no other hidden game plan with the LTTE and if he wanted to talk to the rebels, he would do so openly. 

Excerpts: 

Q: Do you see a concerted effort to discredit you in the run-up to the general elections? Government leaders allege you have a game plan with the LTTE. 

A: During the past six years, we have seen military setbacks and the economy is in a mess. With no explanation to offer, the government's only option is to throw mud at me and the UNP. The LTTE link is only one of the many charges that will be made against me in the coming weeks.

Q: Is their campaign effective?

A: I won't say so, but they have used whatever is available and they are trying to use the LTTE. This is only the beginning. In the next few weeks there will be other charges also being trumpeted either directly or through others.

Q: What about this Gnanakone affair? How well do you know the Gnanakones?

A: Charles Gnanakone visits Sri Lanka regularly and I have met him here.

Q: But did you meet him in Singapore recently?

A: Yes. As far as I know he is not wanted in Sri Lanka for anything. Otherwise he won't be able to move about freely in Colombo, meeting people, including VIPs. He is like any other businessman who comes to Sri Lanka.

Q:" Minister Mangala Samaraweera is alleging Charles Gnanakone had handed over a letter to you from Prabhakaran. Is that true?

A: Charles Gnanakone did not hand any letter to me. I got no such letter in Singapore or in Colombo.

Q: So there was no "secret document" as such?

A: There was no secret document. I have met him (Charles Gnanakone) so often in Colombo that there is nothing very exceptional about him dropping in and saying hello to me in Singapore. After all he is based in Singapore.

Q: Charles Gnanakone's brother Jayantha's wife, Sharmalee, has said you and Jayantha are close friends.

A: I have known Jayantha for a long time. On and off he keeps in touch with me. I meet Charles in Colombo. Jayantha Gnanakone has not been in Sri Lanka for a long time. It was in the '70s and the '80s.

Q: What kind of friendship do you have with Jayantha? Can you call it a business friendship, or family or school?

A: No, I used to meet him in the '70s when he was running some businesses and on and off at various social functions. It was a social friendship. When he wanted some matters cleared up with the government he used to come to see me.

Q: She has also said that you speak with Jayantha at least once in two weeks.

A: Jayantha spoke to me recently when Sharmalee was arrested but there were no such other calls. I don't know what she told you because I didn't read that interview.

Q. Then she is incorrect when she says that?

A: Well, on occasions he calls me. Really, when he called me on Sharmalee's matter that was the first time that I knew someone had been taken in.

Q: She admitted that Jayantha is a strong supporter of the LTTE.

A: Jayantha has always said that he wants to help the Tamil cause and has always been a sympathiser towards the LTTE, but he would also like to see a Sri Lanka that is not divided. We meet many Tamils who have those same views.

Q: Jayantha is also indirectly in contact with Prabhakaran. Would not that implicate you to some extent?

A: No, I am not in touch with Jayantha about matters on Prabhakaran.

Q: She says you call Jayantha to find out about such "issues". What could she mean by that?

A: As I told you Jayantha calls me on and off. As far as the Tamil issues are concerned, those views are always available. There are so many people who express it and the LTTE view can always be obtained by the Tamilnet and their paper the Hot Springs. But he talks about Tamil issues and problems affecting the Tamils. But of course, his views in a way are different to what some other Tamils have expressed. I feel that as a politician, I have to listen to all views.

Q: But, as the alternate leader of the country, shouldn't you be a little more circumspect in dealing with LTTE sympathisers like Jayantha?

A: A person who sympathises with an organisation is different to a person who actively supports or is a member who carries arms and takes part in it. As a politician I must listen to everything. I may not agree but I have to listen and gain some understanding as to how the mindset works. But as far as the LTTE is concerned we have already said a political solution is necessary. I will not do anything secretly. If I want to talk to the LTTE, I will say so and do it.

Q: Minister Samara-weera has accused you of being a "national traitor". How would you respond?

A: No one takes him seriously.

Q: And you don't either?

A: No. But this much I must say that to my knowledge Charles Gnanakone's mother died at home of natural causes ( See this: Narcotics chief explains story about Gnanakone's mother ). 

It is unfair to make such allegations against a dead person. I don't know whether she was arrested for the possession of drugs but she died at home. I asked Charles' lawyer and he confirmed that she died at home.

Narcotics chief explains story about Gnanakone's mother

Amidst all sorts of stories over the Gnankone affair, former head of the Police Narcotics Bureau has explained the events that led to the arrest of Charles Gnankone's elderly mother on charges of possessing heroin and what happened after that.

Former DIG Anton Jeyanathan, then the chief of the PNB, said that Ms. Gnanakone at the time of her arrest in 1991 was living alone at her Hampden Lane residence in Colombo 6. She had rented out several rooms to male boarders who were all Tamils mainly from the north.

According to DIG Jeyanathan, some of the boarders at her residence were suspected to be pushing heroin for the LTTE. However this had not been established since there was no follow-up probe was conducted by anti-terrorist police units.

Ms. Gnanakone was taken into custody after PNB sleuths acting on a tip-off raided her home and found the heroin stashed in a suitcase and hidden under the bed. There was no one else in the house at the time of the raid and therefore Ms. Gnanakone was held responsible for possession of the drugs.

She was taken to police headquarters in Colombo and questioned on the third floor which houses the PNB.

She was carried up in a chair owing to her poor health.

Ms. Gnanakone was later produced in courts and remanded. She was released on bail three weeks later on medical considerations. She died owing to natural causes while out on bail.

During her arrest, her son who was at that time in the US tried to make it out with human rights groups that his mother was taken to the notorious fourth floor and tortured. The former DIG said the allegation was baseless because the PNB operated not on the fourth floor but on the third. 

Debt-free death for bomb victim

By Tania Fernando

A bomb victim who became a cripple and whose sorry plight was highlighted in The Sunday Times recently died a peaceful death after an outstanding debt of his was cleared with the assistance of a donor. After Sarath Upali's predicament was publicised in The Sunday Times, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous went with him to courts and settled his outstanding loan. 

He had given the receipt to Sarath and dropped him off at home. This settlement was a heavy burden off for Sarath, who was worried about how he was going to repay it. 

Late last Sunday he passed away and his wife thanked The Sunday Times for having publicised their situation and the donor for his generous help.

She said "my husband died a peaceful death leaving us no debt to pay. However, now I have to worry about my two daughters aged 11 and 6".

Meanwhile, the funeral arrangements were undertaken by some friends who had approached an undertaker with the cutting of The Sunday Times story and appealed to his generosity, which was given by the undertaker and more than half the cost was reduced for the funeral expenses. The rest of the money was collected through a hat collection.

Sarath Upali (46) who was in debt to the Rural Bank for Rs. 10,980 had taken a loan of Rs. 15,000 from the Rural Bank in 1994 in order to build a house. Meanwhile, he was injured in a bomb explosion in 1995 at Torrington Square and was in hospital for about 18 months. 

I am in danger says Vasudeva

LSSP rebel Vasudeva Nanayakkara who is opposing the draft constitutional bill said yesterday he had been warned that his life was in danger. 

Mr. Nanyakkara told The Sunday Times the threats could be serious but he was not asking for state security.

He said he saw the draft constitution bill as something similar to the dictatorial Jayawardene constitution while he believed the devolution proposals did not address the roots of the conflict.

Who am I dying for?

The Lance Corporal

12-year-old-Rukshani Weera-sooriya of Methodist College has written a beautiful poem on the loneliness of a Lance Corporal on the battlefront. It goes like this:

I'm tired.
It's midnight.
I'm sitting here, not too sure…
Why?
Tense and uneasy…
The blackness of the sky
Engulfing my thoughts
That were once sane.

My helmet's heavy,
My head hurts.
How can I complain?
Nobody cares anyway.
I'm loved after I die… only if I die…
Am I just worth a medal?

The sky is black.
Stars don't shine for me anymore.
'Light' comes from behind
Spreading my own shadow
Ahead of me.
I wait…

How long more?
where does my duty end?
When will hope shine?
Will you ever care?
Where are my dreams?

What's the measure of bravery anyway?
Death?
Why wait so long?
You would be no better than dead,
But was it to be me instead?

My heart beats with the
Shots in my head,
Like the rhythm of a death drum-
Tense and wild.
I'm completely focused
Yet, what am I here for?
Who am I dying for?

I'm tired…
It's midnight.
Will the blackness of my world
Ever conquer the 'light' of yours?
 

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