Military to decide on CM

By Melanie Bamunusinghe


The Military will decide if to go ahead with the Court Martial (CM) against former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka next Tuesday as scheduled despite it clashing with Parliament proceedings or postpone it for a later date or time.

The next Court Martial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, the same day Parliament is scheduled to convene and General Fonseka is expected to attend Parliament.

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) had earlier claimed that the next Court Martial cannot proceed as scheduled as General Fonseka is a member of parliament and is protected under the parliamentary privileges and so he can attend parliament.

Military Spokesman, Major General Prasad Samarasinghe told Daily Mirror online that discussions regarding the date and time of the next Court Martial is still ongoing and a statement will be issued soon.

The Court Martial is probing into four charges against General Sarath Fonseka regarding military procurements under the section ‘disgraceful conduct’ in the Army. (Daily Mirror online)

Mervyn says will resign if guilty

By Jamila Najmuddin


Deputy Media Minister Mervyn Silva, who assumed duties at his Ministry in Colombo today, made a pledge that he will resign from his new post if there are allegations against him and if such allegations are proven to be true.

The Deputy Minister, who is known for his frequent clashes with the media, also urged journalists and media institutions to contact him directly if they have any concerns noting that he even sleeps separately from his wife at home just to make sure his mobile is reachable even at night.

The Deputy Minister, who is now the acting Media Minister in the absence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in Bhutan for the SAARC summit, said that he will setup a complaints desk at the Media Ministry for journalists to lodge complaints or make suggestions.

He also mentioned the name of one electronic media institution saying that media house has done a lot of wrong. However he was later seen serving cake to the crew of the same media institution who were also at hand at the event this morning when he took office.

“If I have done anything wrong against the media and if there is proof then I will resign from my Ministry,” Minister Silva added.

Minister Silva meanwhile added that the “Rajapaksa Company” has done a lot of good to the country and if not for them this country would suffer the same fate as some western countries who are facing economic issues. (Daily Mirrior online)

Akon ticket money refunded

Organizers of the cancelled Akon concert (which had been scheduled to be held here last Saturday) have begun refunding the cost of the tickets purchased, officials said; adding that the rescheduled concert in the Maldives had also been postponed.

“We have already begun refunding the money. Those who purchased tickets from Dialog and Cinnamon Grand Hotel will be refunded on Thursday 29th April,” an official at Platinum Entertainment told Daily Mirror online.

The concert by Akon was to be held in Sri Lanka last Saturday but had to be cancelled as a result of protests by some groups who charged that the singer had disrespected Buddhism by having a group of semi-nude dancers perform in front of a Buddha statue in one of his videos.

Platinum Entertainment had later made arrangements to hold the concert in the Maldives and obtained the approval of the Maldivian government as well. However, when contacted by Daily Mirror online today, Platinum Entertainment said that the concert had been “postponed” but would not comment on the reason for the postponement. (Daily Mirror online)

Gas companies seek price increase

By Mahinda Nissanka.

Shell and Laugf Gas companies have sought permission to increase the price of gas from May 1 with the Consumer Affairs Authority expected to take a decision today after meeting Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando.

A senior officer of the Consumer Affairs Authority said a price revision was due to be effected soon in keeping with the pricing formula according to which prices were due to be revised every two months.

He said price of gas in the world market had increased.

When the Shell and Laugf Gas companies sought permission for a price increase from the former minister but with the Treasury removing the import tax of Rs.8.70 a price increase was averted.

A 12.5 Kg cylinder of Shell gas is sold at Rs 1550 while Laugf gas sells a 12.5 cylinder of gas at Rs.1421.

General to take a leaf from JR’s book

Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader MP Gen. Sarath Fonseka has borrowed a book from the Parliamentary library, which discusses how President J. R. Jayewardene fought against the Samagi Peramuna government of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike between 1970 and 1977.

Mr. Jayewardene was the Opposition leader at that time with only a handful of MPs in his party. The then SLFP led government enjoyed a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The book written about his role as the Opposition leader describes how he withstood heckling and bullying by SLFP strongmen at that time, and led his party to a landslide victory in 1977.

DNA General Secretary MP Vijitha Herath told the Daily Mirror yesterday that Gen. Fonseka who had a discussion with his MPs on Tuesday burrowed this book from the library to be read while being held in detention.

Besides, the DNA has decided to vote against the state of emergency on May 4. Gen. Fonseka will speak during the debate on the extension of the state of emergency on that day.

Mr. Herath said that Gen. Fonseka acquainted himself with the Parliamentary staff and knew how to access the research division of the House meant for MPs.

Asked how the DNA would act in Parliament in the future, he said that his party would stand together with the UNP on common issues.

“Otherwise, we will act independently,” Mr. Herath said.