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A US company is to be employed for strategic expertise in the election propaganda campaign of SLPP's presidential candidate Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, informed insider sources revealed.

This company will be entrusted with the task of introducing new concepts to the election propaganda campaign and monitoring the activities while providing solutions for identified weaknesses in the campaign.

Attention will be focused on propagation and publicity models implanted in US presidential election campaigns and to adopt those for Nandasena's campaign making small adjustments to suit the island nation.

This decision has been taken by the SLPP election propaganda committee spearheaded by MP Dulles Alahapperuma who is a close associate of Rajapaksas.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) islandwide e-canvassing campaign has ended in utter failure as it has failed to cover some of the major electorates in the island.

This was mainly due to logistics and manpower problems as well as the heavy public protests against the conduct of SLPP members including their parliamentarians, civil society activists said.

The islandwide e-canvassing programme was implemented on august 3 and 4 using the latest mobile technology, by the Podujana Engineering Front, SLPP sources said.

The SLPP has entrusted this task to groups of youths specially selected for this purpose in all electorates countrywide.

But youths were not provided with smart phones and necessary instructions before hand to carry out the campaign, they said adding that it was a very immature exercise.

They visited the door steps of a very few registered voters and distributed leaflets while sending information and response of voters to their questions to a main operations centre in Colombo using a mobile app, eye witnesses said.

But the responses of the public were minimal and it ended without any productive results, SLPP sources said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the head of the Anglican church, His Grace Rt. Rev. Justin Welby and Mrs. Welby are to visit Sri Lanka from the 29th – 31st August 2019.

During the visit the Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to show solidarity with Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Rt Revd Dhiloraj Ranjith Canagasabey announced the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury at a media conference.

Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) and presidential hopeful Minister Sajith Premadasa expressing his policy on providing a permanent solution to the national question says that he is for maximum devolution within a unitary state.

He explained that maximum devolution within a unitary Sri Lanka was the policy stand taken by the incumbent government in 2015 and that policy still remains.

Premadasa made these observations while speaking at an interactive session on ‘New Media for a New Sri Lanka’ in Colombo yesterday (27).

Premadasa said there needs to be awareness to ensure all Sri Lankans believe in a unitary Sri Lanka as opposed to just having it on paper.

Making a pertinent point, the Minister said that racism must be eliminated in order to ensure everyone believes in a unitary Sri Lanka.

“I don’t like to use the word minorities because we are all citizens of one country,” the presidential hopeful said.

Premadasa said that if some people feel aggrieved, those grievances should be addressed within a unitary Sri Lanka and that the issue of a unitary Sri Lanka was non-negotiable.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee has decided to initiate disciplinary action against the party members who have acted in violation of the party’s Code of Conduct and has also ousted MP S.B. Dissanayake from the post of SLFP Treasurer. MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna was appointed as the new SLFP Treasurer.

MP Dilan Perera who functioned as a spokesperson for the SLFP has also been replaced by MP Weerakumara Dissanayake.

The Central Committee has also appointed MP Thilanga Sumathipala as Vice Chairman of the party.

The SLFP Central Committee met yesterday (26) at 7 p.m. under the patronage of the party leader President Maithripala Sirisena.

General Secretary of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Mahinda Amaraweera said the SLFP Central Committee focused on the discussions scheduled to be held with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today and the SLFP’s forthcoming anniversary celebrations.

The SLFP side at today’s discussions with the SLPP is to be led by SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara and will include MPs Amaraweera and Alagiyawanna.

The SLPP team is to be led by the party’s National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa and will include Prof. G.L. Peiris and MP Dullas Alahapperuma.

The Education Management Information System (EMIS) introduced during the Rajapaksa regime is lying idle due to the lack of adequate computers and internet facilities, officials complained.

This system (EMIS) had been established with the co-operation of the University of Moratuwa with the aim of preparing a database of Information of Teachers and the Management of the Teacher's Services affiliated thereto, the supply of the services required for the office system, etc.

A sum of Rs.64.06 million out of funds of the Education for a Knowledgeable Society Project (EKSP) had been spent from March 2011 to 31 December 2014.

A sum of Rs.900,000 (excluding tax) on 27 February 2012 under the first stage for the creation of the Data Base for the Teachers.

A sum of Rs.13.88 million (excluding tax) paid on 27 June 2013 under the second stage for the creation of Modules based on the data in the first stage, to the University of Moratuwa.

However, the system could not be operated properly by the end of the year 2017/18 under review.

Action had been taken to create a Shadow Data System by the Information Technology Branch of the Education Ministry after planning the completion of the National Education Management Information System by 31 December 2018.

Operation of data relating to the management of human resources of teachers had been commenced by zonal offices by which their personal files are maintained.

Further, a new server had been obtained instead of the server operated by the University of Moratuwa and the process of transfer of data to the new server was being carried out.

However, there was difficulty in performing this function as expected due to delays in entering data and due to lack of adequate computers and internet facilities.

Reports that have been recently publicized by some media outlets including social media platforms of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya planning on resigning from the post of Speaker of Parliament have been vehemently denied by Jayasuriya.

Several newspapers and social media posts had stated that the Speaker would resign from his post if an anti-democratic and illegal incident arose, similar to the 26th October 2018 event, where a new Prime Minister was sworn in without the majority vote of the parliament.

The Speaker’s Media Unit issuing a statement noted that the news reports were baseless and had not cited any source.

“The Speaker is firmly in the position that the Parliament should not hesitate to take the maximum measures against any action that is contrary to Parliamentary democracy,” the Speaker’s Media Unit stated.

“The above news item appears to be mere speculation from the respective media outlets that have published the article,” the Speaker’s Media Unit added.

UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed has called on the government of Sri Lanka to take action against hate propaganda targeting Muslim communities, spread through unregulated media and is instigating ethno-religious tension for political gain.

The UN official, who was in Sri Lanka on a 12 day mission from 15 August 2019, held a press conference in Colombo yesterday (26) to brief the media on his findings.

The Special Rapporteur is to present a report containing his conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March 2020.

“Failure by the State to take action to address incitement to hatred and violence will allow extremism to escalate and pose serious challenges to peace-building. The ethno-religious tension must not be treated as mere sporadic incidents; the underlying unease and hostility existed long before the Easter attacks and subsequent violence,” Shaheed said.

“I call on the Government and all others to create an enabling environment for the exercise of fundamental freedoms, in the lead-up to elections and not to use ethno-religious tensions for electoral gain,” Shaheed noted.

He continued, “There is a serious deficit of trust among ethno-religious communities in Sri Lanka following the deadly Easter Sunday bomb blasts and subsequent mob violence this year, and these tensions must not be ignored.”

“While the Government promptly brought the situation more or less under control after the bomb blasts, many religious communities remain very concerned about their security because of incitement to hatred and violence by some religious extremists.”

Shaheed observed that the long-standing traditions of religious harmony and co-existence in Sri Lanka, as well as tolerance and sustainable peace were at risk from religious and political violence, lack of accountability, distrust of institutions and resentment against perceived majoritarian privilege.

“It is time for Sri Lanka to vigorously adopt measures to protect the rights of all people and to hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their ethno-religious background,” he said.

“Women’s experiences of ethno-religious hostility including violence, displacement and stereotyping must also be effectively addressed.”

“There is a need for sustainable inter-communal and inter-religious dialogue for trust and peace building as well as reconciliation. Space must be provided for moderate voices, for concerns to be flagged and for grievances to be addressed,” the UN official noted.

“I have seen encouraging initiatives by different State institutions, civil society organisations and religious leaders on the issues of reconciliation and promotion of peaceful coexistence.” he said.

“However, freedom of religion or belief is not about religious tolerance alone, it is about the right of each individual to be treated equally in their choice to believe or not to believe, and whether to manifest it in private or in public.”

The UN expert said resilience against religious extremism could be built by a range of measures including strengthening the rule of law, addressing root causes, improving education for all and protecting religious diversity.

During his mission, Shaheed met government officials and local authorities. He visited the north, east, central and northwest parts of the country and also held meetings with representatives of ethnic and religious or belief communities, civil society organisations, and the UN.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has held separate meetings with three presidential hopefuls last week.

Each presidential hopeful during the respective discussions had attempted to win the TNA’s support at the upcoming presidential election.

Accordingly, the TNA has held separate discussions with frontrunner in the United National Party’s (UNP’s) presidential candidacy race, Minister Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The TNA has also met President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss issues related to the North.

However, the TNA maintains that the meetings with the presidential hopefuls were carried out at an unofficial level and that official discussions would have to be held after nominations once the policy statements have been released. The TNA is to make a final decision on its support afterwards.

TNA Parliamentarian Dharmalingam Siddharthan has told the media that Rajapaksa met him and discussed the sentiments of the Tamil community on his decision to contest the election.

He and some other TNA members had also held unofficial talks with JVP Leader Dissanayake.

“Some of us met him separately in Parliament and we have discussed his policies. The party will need to meet with him for formal talks as well,” he said.

TNA Leader R. Sampanthan had met Premadasa and discussed his policies on the minority communities.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Prof. G. L. Peiris says former Defence Secretary and the party’s presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa has received a letter from the US government acknowledging that he has renounced his US citizenship.

Prof. Peiris has said that Rajapaksa had submitted all relevant documents to the US State Department to renounce his US citizenship in the month of April and that the US had sent a letter accepting his application.

“We have that letter with us,” he has said.

Rajapaksa’s renunciation of his US citizenship has caused much controversy due to the question of whether the letter of acceptance of renunciation documents could be considered as the renunciation of his American citizenship.

However, Prof. Peiris maintains that Rajapaksa is no more a US citizen and that he has obtained a Sri Lankan passport.

Nevertheless, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is investigating into several complaints received on the alleged “criminal activity” that has taken place in issuing Rajapaksa’s new Sri Lankan passport.

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The LKR 2290 million Thanthirimale Reservoir Project, the third largest reservoir in Sri Lanka that was launched on August 25, opens cultivation opportunities through both seasons for many northern farmers for the first time in a long time.

“So far the farmers in this Northern region have been farming for only one season every year and this project enables them to farm through both seasons,” said the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative Development, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Vanni District MP Rishad Bathiudeen on 25 August in Thanthirimale.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch of Rs 2290 Mn, four year-long Thanthirimale Reservoir Project - the third largest reservoir in Sri Lanka once completed- joined by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Irrigation and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development P Harrison, several MPs of Minister Bathiudeen’s ACMC, farmers of the region and other participants, on 25 August.

“This is a victory for farmers in this area and it strengthens them economically and agriculturally. Also water shortages faced by people in these areas, including Mannar are solved by this project. We are very happy to witness the launch of this historic project which will supply water to Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts. Many previous governments tried to commence this project but it is this government that finally managed to launch it at a cost of Rs 2290 Mn. In the last four years PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, under the leadership of HE President, has been initiating many development projects across Sri Lanka with huge investments. Recently he opened 400 schools across the country at the same time from Kurunegala and then went on to launch work on 126 new roads in Trincomalee District at a cost of Rs 800 Mn. Today on behalf of farmers of Vanni District and other Northern Districts, I thank HE President Sirisena, PM Wickremesinghe and Minister Harrison for their commitment to this reservoir project," the Minister added.

12% of total sown acres of paddy in Sri Lanka (in Maha season, under all schemes) are in the Districts of Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya.

Once the Thanthirimale project is completed, it is expected to irrigate 30680 acres of paddy lands in these three Districts. 50000 families in these Districts will receive water supplies. Seven irrigation lakes in these three Districts will be filled by the new reservoir. Floods in Mannar District are expected to be tamed while Thanthirimale is to be shaped as an Economic Centre for North.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee that met last night under the patronage of party leader, President Maithripala Sirisena took some stern decisions against party members who had violated the party discipline.

The Central Committee met at the President’s official residence at 7 p.m. yesterday (26).

The SLFP MPs who attended the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) national convention were not invited to the SLFP Central Committee meeting.

SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said the party members who violated the party decision were not invited to the central committee meeting.

SLFP members including MPs Dilan Perera, Chandima Weerakkody, S. B. Dissanayake and Sarath Amunugama attended the first national convention of the SLPP held on the 11th August at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

Meanwhile, MP S.B. Dissanayake who held the post of SLFP Treasurer lost his post and MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna was appointed as the new Treasurer of the party.

Also, MP Weerakumara Dissanayake was appointed the new SLFP Spokesperson replacing MP Mahinda Samarasinghe.

A delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to visit India in the next few weeks to discuss the issues faced by the Tamil community in the country as well as the forthcoming presidential election with New Delhi.

TNA Leader, MP R. Sampanthan says that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the TNA for a discussion in New Delhi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka.

“When Prime Minister Modi was in Sri Lanka, several matters were discussed and we have been asked to come to Delhi. So we are hoping to undertake that journey shortly,” Sampanthan has said.

During discussions with New Delhi, the TNA is expected to urge India to play a more active role in ensuring the Sri Lankan Government kept its commitment to the international community with regard to the national question.

“We will be discussing the fact that Sri Lanka has not yet delivered on its commitments on the national question. Many commitments have been made to India and other countries that supported a resolution on this matter – countries which have assisted in the negotiations – but none of these commitments have been fulfilled. I think in the present context, when there is a lull in movement, it is necessary that the international community, to whom commitments have been made by Sri Lanka, should activate themselves and make the Sri Lankan Government realise that those commitments have to be delivered at once,” Sampanthan has said.

The TNA delegation is currently waiting for an appointment from the Indian Premier to make the visit to New Delhi.