IGP clashes with top DIG on tender file
By Tania Fernando
A serious row has broken out between the Police Chief and a senior DIG
over a tender award.
Police Chief Lucky Kodituwakku has called in CID detectives to probe
why Senior DIG H.M.G.B. Kotakadeniya called for a file relating to the
award of tenders for Police printing from the Logistics Division. They
have been ordered to probe whether any documents were either removed from
the file or introduced.
The order to probe the matter followed a complaint made to the Police
Chief by DIG Rufus Solangaratchi, head of the Logistics Division. He had
said that Mr. Kotakadeniya called for the file in question and that he
was bringing it to his attention. The file had been retained for half an
hour.
Mr. Kotakadeniya's explanation for calling the file was reportedly to
check on complaints in an anonymous petition sent to the Commission to
Probe Bribery and Corruption, with copy to him, about irregularities in
the award of the tender. According to the anonymous petition, the tender
award has been made to the highest bidder and not to the lowest. It was
claimed that the recipient was the son of a DIG.
Police Chief Kodituwakku has contended that ordering for files from
the Logistics Division was contrary to instructions he had issued. He had
insisted that no files or documents in the Division should be made available
to any senior officer without his permission since there had been complaints
of interference in the award of tenders. He has argued that if there were
complaints of irregularities by those who identify themselves or otherwise,
they should have been directed to him as IGP so immediate action could
be taken. The outcome of the CID probe is now being awaited. The findings,
Police sources said yesterday, would be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior.
Domestic violence a public health issue
The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has decided
to set up
A desk to deal with abuse of women and children is to be set up by Colombo
municipal health authorities, making domestic violence a public health
issue.
Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, Chief Medical officer of the Public Health
Department, said they would set up a desk and coordinate with the police
to help women and children who were abused.
The department is also hoping to address the problem of street children
by providing shelter for the nights with a proper meal. Dr. Kariyawasam
said the programme would however require donor support and the department
was intending to mobilize community participation in the development and
implementation of public health policies.
To coincide with the anniversary celebrations, the department has started
an ambulance service with modern facilities for the benefit of the rate
payers.
Patients will be transferred to and from the hospital for a nominal
fee.
This service would be expanded where a doctor will also be in attendance
if emergency care is needed.
Gandhi to stay on
Indian High Commissioner Gopalakrishna Gandhi is expected to remain as
his country's envoy in Sri Lanka until his term ends in August this year
as New Delhi has cancelled his posting to London, The Sunday Times learns.
Mr. Gandhi was earlier transferred from Colombo to London mid-way of
his two-year term causing a minor sensation in the diplomatic world.
The transfer also led to speculation on the reasons attributed for the
transfer among which was that he had sharp differences with then Foreign
Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, an allegation both vehemently denied at the
time. The two meet regularly and had dined together while on holiday in
Nuwara-Eliya last December.
The envoy is currently on home-leave to attend the wedding of his daughter.
Irreverent Vesak cards must go
By Shelani Perera
The Buddha Sasana Ministry is to crack down on the printing of Vesak cards
sullying the image of Buddhism, Minister of Buddha Sasana W. J. M. Lokubandara
told The Sunday Times.
He said the ministry will be assisted by the police in raids on those
printing and distributing such Vesak cards.
'Through the last few years we have seen that some Vesak cards don't
depict anything of religious significance. They either depict a couple
or a rose. Such cards have invaded the market. We must put a stop to this
because it is an insult to Buddhism', Minister Lokubandara said.
The Ministry has also decided to organise a competition for producing
the best Vesak cards and thereafter introduce such cards to the market. |
