"We have no qualms about the NPC polls, as long as the powers granted to Provincial Councils by the 13th Amendment are removed first."

"We have no qualms about the NPC polls, as long as the powers granted to Provincial Councils by the 13th Amendment are removed first."

The National Freedom Front (NFF) , headed by Minister Wimal Weerawansa

``It is our view the amendment should be abolished.``

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)

JHU wants to mobilize masses
By a Staff Reporter

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Parliamentarian, Athuraliye Rathana Thera said, yesterday the government must be compelled to change its stand on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution through public mobilization.

Referring to the announcement made by Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, who confirmed on Wednesday (22) that the government would not be abolishing the 13th Amendment, and the strongly expressed views of the JHU calling for the abolishment of the same, Rathana Thera said, "We must mobilize the public to push the government toward changing their stand on the matter." JHU National Organizer, Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, responding to the inquiries pertaining to his party's alliance with the government, considering the current differences of opinion regarding the 13th Amendment, said, "What Minister Yapa expressed was the stand of the government. It is our view the amendment should be abolished. This isn't a government-JHU problem."

Commenting further on the government's decision to go ahead with the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) Polls in September, he said, "The government so far has not discussed any of these matters with our party
Minister Yapa at the Cabinet briefing pointed out that only the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) can take a decision on the 13th Amendment, echoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa's sentiments.

Warnasinghe, when asked whether the JHU has planned to discuss the matter at the PSC, said, "Even though a PSC has been appointed, it has never been convened, with the United National Party (UNP) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) studiously avoiding it. If it is convened, then the problems of the North can be discussed. The reality is that it is never convened."

The National Freedom Front (NFF), headed by Minister Wimal Weerawansa is another government party which has expressed the need to abolish the 13th Amendment. NFF Member Piyasiri Wijenayake told Ceylon Today, "We have no qualms about the NPC polls, as long as the powers granted to Provincial Councils by the 13th Amendment are removed first."

சிங்களத்தில் இராணுவம் ஒரு `சமூக வர்க்கமாக` வளர்த்தெடுக்கப்படுகிறது.

‘Soldiers’ Welfare Membership Pays Dividends to Go for Mega Projects’- Commander
[Updated :: 2013-05-21 17:18:31 Hours || Home]

 Sri Lanka Army-managed ‘Lāya Leisure’ Hotel at Kukuleganga is to run one of its new outlets, now open in the new state-of-the-art mega cafeteria (awanhala) complex at Welipenna service area on E-1 Colombo-Galle Expressway.

The ceremonial opening of the new ‘Lāya Seafood Restaurant’ outlet by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, took place on Tuesday (21) morning during a brief ceremony as one more welfare wing of the Army where E-1 road-users are able to buy fresh meals at affordable price.

 

Sri Lanka Army in conformity with the government’s ongoing tourism promotion drive saw its widely used leisure outlets across the country be given a new exposure, facelift and modernization, bringing all of them recently under the brand name, ‘Lāya Beach’ (Wadduwa), ‘Lāya Leisure’ (Kukuleganga) and ‘Lāya Safari’ (Yala). Tuesday’s (21) opening of this seafood cafeteria is one more attempt in the same direction.

 

 

 

Chanting of Seth Pirith and lighting of the traditional oil lamp as symbols of blessings on the projectfollowed unveiling of the cafeteria’s signboard, ‘Lāya Seafood Restaurant’ as invitees looked on.

 

Talking to a section of media personnel, covering the event afterwards, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya told them that numerous welfare projects, including this outlet, have been made possible due to welfare membership paid by each and every soldier soon after enlistment to the Army.

“Such welfare membership deposits, now matured as dividend payments which are managed by Directorate of Welfare in the Army enable us to go for mega welfare projects of exceptional nature, like Lāya Hotel ch ain, Ranaviru Apparels, Rehabilitation Centers, Ranaviru Resource Center, etc. The Army does not place any burden on Army personnel to fund or maintain such projects, either,” the Commander specified.

A gathering of senior officers and invitees attended the opening ceremony.