Fonseka claims aide was abducted

Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka informed the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayaka at the Elections Secretariat a short while ago that one of his aides, who is a retired army captain and was in charge of his internal security and campaign security, had been abducted two days ago, held at an unknown location and later released after being threatened, sources close to the General told media.

The source said that upon his release the officer who was abducted had claimed that he was threatened for being part of General Fonseka’s team.

The Temple Trees ‘Dansalas’

A colossal sum of Rs.13, 199, 744.67 is owing to Fingara Town and country Club Ltd, at Old Kesbewa Road, as a result of the Sumptuous feasts, dinners and parties given to various groups at temple Trees during the period August to December.

The relevant Co. has forwarded its bills to Temple Trees for payment. The name of the customer mentioned in connection with these supplies is the Secretary at the temple Trees.

The bill amount in the month of August was Rs. 1,663,967.67. In the month of September was Rs.2.441,525.00. In October it was Rs. 1,747,450.00. In November it was RS. 3,930,525.00 and in December it was Rs. 3,416,279.00. In other words, the total expenditure is nearly Rs. 13.2 million.!
While the Presidential election has been announced, the President was inviting various groups of people and feeding them by throwing lavish parties and feasts.

In this connection the President recently said, he does not see anything wrong in giving feasts and dinners to those who come to a house. These traditions have been in existence even in the past. It is only a wrong if the Govt. is bearing the cost.

29/11/2009 : General Sarath Fonseka

Fonseka acknowledges political role in winning the war

General Sarath Fonseka speaking to reporters a short while ago acknowledged that political leadership did play a key role in the victory over the LTTE. He however said he was not happy at the way the displaced are being treated. The General, while reiterating he will run for Presidency, said he will keep his promises as the he did when he led the Army during the war.

General Sarath Fonseka says he will contest under the “Swan” symbol when contesting as a common candidate for the Presidency. He also said that he will run for Presidency under a newly registered party.

27 politicos got money from the LTTE

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy claimed he had ‘official evidences’ that 27 political leaders belonging to various parties in Tamil Nadu received money from the LTTE.

Speaking to reporters in India, he said he would go to the court with the evidence if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh failed to take action against ‘those leaders’.

‘I have received official and authentic evidences from Sri Lanka that 27 political leaders in the State received money from the Tigers. I am ready to unveil the details in the court if the Prime Minister of India failed to initiate action against them,’ he said.

Swamy also named some leaders, including some popular ones, and alleged all of them were paid by the LTTE seeking their support.

‘Four hundred babies born at Menik Farm every month’

‘Four hundred babies are born every month in IDP tents at Menik Farm, Vavuniya, and they are in need of considerable assistance and care’, Sarvodaya leader Dr A.T. Ariyaratne said yesterday while making a commemorative address in honour of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, at the SEDEC centre, Colombo.

Ariyaratne said that at the request of the health authorities at the Farm, Sarvodaya was able to put together and supply some 800 cots for the infants in a short period of time, although the initial requirement was 400 cots. ‘If Mother Theresa were alive today, she would have rushed to the IDP tents in Sri Lanka, to help the inmates there’, he quipped.

Stressing that Mother Theresa served the poorest of the poor in India, irrespective of communal and religious differences, Ariyaratne explained that the Mother mostly served Hindus and Muslims and that she ‘wanted them to practise their religions better.’ She never sought to convert them to Christianity, he pointed out. ‘This notorious act of converting people by giving them handouts or all kinds of favours is a shame and has led to many religious conflicts and violence in many countries. We should oppose and do away with this evil practice and help people to practise their religion better’, he explained.

In an informal exchange with this journalist, the Sarvodaya chief said that the situation of the Northern IDPs had improved over the months, although conditions were difficult when they rushed to the camps at the closing stages of the military conflict. Sarvodaya is helping out in the camps at present, he said.