Untitled Document

News

Soft toys for toy guns
The Colombo Municipal Council has initiated a project to substitute toy weapons of children with soft toys, said Deputy Mayor Azath Salley.

He said the council would set up a centre where new toy weapons could be handed over and new soft toys could be obtained.

"With the on going peace process, I believe that many parents will support this project, and encourage their children to put aside their toy weapons," Mr. Salley said.
The deputy mayor said the council was seeking the cooperation of soft toy manufacturers to make this project a success. Mr. Salley said that the objective of this project was to alienate children from the gun culture and to promote the message of peace.

"We will destroy all the toy weapons collected on World Peace Day," he said..

Rain or no rain: use water sparingly
By Shelani Perera
Despite heavy rains experienced during the last few days, the Water Board has called on the public to use water sparingly as water levels at reservoirs are still under the required capacity.

A Water Board official told The Sunday Times that consumers, especially those in Greater Colombo area, should limit the consumption.

"We have to curtail water supply. There is already a one-hour water cut daily in Colombo South. This is largely due to declining water levels at the Kalatuwawe reservoir," he said.

"The situation in Colombo is under control, but when the demand is more, the supply also increases. If the people can use water sparingly we will be able to control the situation," he said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department has said that the inter monsoon rains now being experienced will continue until next month.

Fresh push for rejected diplomatic nominees
By Shelani Perera
The Government is to re-canvass for the three diplomatic postings which were rejected by President Chandrika Kumaratunga when 23 appointments were submitted for approval.

President Kumaratunga last week refused to approve the names of W.M. P.B. Manikdiwela, Y.L.M. Zavahair and Ranjith Jayasundera. She wanted further clarification about these names. The Sunday Times learns that the President raised objections to the 82-year-oid Mr. Manikdiwela's nomination saying that he was too old for a diplomatic posting while the other two appointments were blocked pending further clarification on their legibility.

Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando told The Sunday Times that the Government would appeal to the President regarding the three appointments.

"The President has not totally rejected the names. Some clarification has been sought on these three appointments," said Mr. Fernando.

Of the 20 heads of mission nominations that were approved, ten were career diplomats while the other ten were non diplomats. The non career diplomats include former Parliamentarians, company executives and businessmen.

Of the ten career diplomats are five first time ambassadors. Rodney Perera received the posting to Italy, Grace Asirwatham to the United Arab Emirates, A.M.J. Sadiq to Nigeria, D.M.M. Ranaraja to Myanmar and M.M. Jafeer to Vietnam.

Veteran career diplomats Tikiri Bandara Maduwegedara will be sent to South Africa, G. Wijayasiri to South Korea and Ananda Goonesekera to France. Postings for two other veteran career diplomats are still under review.

Former Colombo Mayor Kamil will head our mission in Iran, while ex-ministers Rupa Karunathilake and U. B. Wijekoon will be sent to the Netherlands and Russia. Former MP Ariya B. Rekawa will head mission in the Philippines and A. R. Mansoor in Kuwait.

The other appointments are: Devinda Subasinghe - Washington, Vethody Kumaran Valsan - Sweden, D.L. Mendis - Austria, Lalith Hettiarachchi - Nepal, Ajith Jayaratne - Singapore, A.L.M. Yoosuf - Qatar and Dr. Ahamed N Haniffa - Oman.

Mahinda may present Mangala's case
Following a cabinet decision that a request for additional perks for the Chief Opposition Whip should come through the proper channel, Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse has said he is ready to make the request if he is asked to do so by the President.

However, he said that he himself was yet to receive many of his perks.

Mr. Rajapakse said he was not provided with a proper official vehicle and he was still using a vehicle provided by the President. He said the official residence of the opposition leader had still not been handed over to him and he would make a strong claim for these perks.

President Kumaratunga last week presented a cabinet paper seeking approval for new perks for the Chief Opposition Whip.but the UNF dominated cabinet told her that such a request should come from the Opposition Leaders.

Back to News