• Omigosh, Mangala is behind the times
• Golden handshake for airline staff after all
• Hospital strike called off
• Trucks and shotguns: Who's telling the truth?
• Sniper ammo scandal at Navy HQ
• Montague dead
• Athas case: trial put off
• Vehicles of ex-MPs stranded
• Right of reply
• Political party manifesto highlights
• Rambukwelle shot at
• Religious ceremonies amid poll
• FM issues save-democracy call
• All EU states to ban LTTE
• Three petitions against polls chief
• Polls Chief's right to interpret
• Dirty politics undermines sovereignty of people
• Drifting economy needs strong captain
• Enter the Mahanayakes

Omigosh, Mangala is behind the times

Minister Mangala Samaraweera addressing a press conference after the launch of the PA's manifesto claimed The Sunday Times had last week published only part of the opinion polls survey and deliberately kept aside part of the findings of the survey and instant published them in its internet edition.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga presiding over the conference also raised doubts about the alleged failure to publish a part of the survey.

Both of them were responding to a question raised by Lakhanda Radio'a News Editor Charitha Dissanayake. 

His question was 'Madam President, before the elections certain media institutions have carried out surveys and released their results. What have you to say about this ? 

President: (to Mangala) You answer it, then I'll take it from there. Mangala Samaraweera: Last Sunday The Sunday Times had released the results of a survey in this connection. 

However, although the complete results of this survey had not been published in the newspaper, answers based on all the questions had been posted on the web site. 

It is not necessary for me to give predictions here. However, there is a very clear question asked there, in English. (reads) "Should the President and the majority in the Parliament be from the same party, or can they be from different parties ?"

(explains) This means would they prefer to have the Government from a party representing the President or prefer to have the President from one party and the government from another.

Here 60 percent had stated they prefer to have the government formed by the party representing the President. This is not something that we are saying, but something hidden by The Sunday Times newspaper, which was in the website, and we have been able to find it. 

Only 29 percent had stated that it would be better for the Government to be formed from a party not representing the President. This is not our opinion but something that was taken from the website of The Sunday Times newspaper. 

President: We now have a grave suspicion regarding the reason for hiding this information. Clearly 62 percent of the people of this country are saying according to an opinion poll conducted by the United National Party that they would like a party associated with the President to come into power. 

The people have a grave suspicion regarding the hiding of this information because they are wondering whether the same thing that was done to Chandrika Kumaratunga on December 18, 1999 will once again be done to her or made done to her.

ST On-line Editor says: Dear, Dear. Cabinet Minister Mangala Samaraweera must know by now that going into the wrong websites can get one into trouble. The question and answer and figures he is quoting are from last year's survey. This surely, is a different election in 2001.

The Sunday Times never asked for, never received and therefore never published what the Minister claims is in its website nor were any facts left out from the survey for this year.

Gosh, what a mistake he's made with the facts. And misled the President too.

Golden handshake for airline staff after all

By Tania Fernando

Labour Commissioner Mahinda Madihahewa had earlier stated that the airline had failed to get the permission of the Labour Department before offering the VRS package.

According to the Cabinet decision, staff being retrenched from companies in which the government holds a 51% stake, can be paid their EPF dues. This however, does not apply to private companies.

The Labour Commissioner said this decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. 

"We should receive confirmation of this decision by November 26, when the Cabinet has its next meeting", he said.

He also said that Cabinet approval was granted for the EPF laws to be amended. However, the monies can be paid pending the amendment being effected. Therefore, those who accepted the package do not have to wait till Parliament meets next year to collect their dues, he said.

"The papers will have to be forwarded to the Legal Draftsman and we should be able to start making the payments by the end of this month", Mr. Madihahewa said.