Bribery complaint lodged against Sri Lanka Minister over a bus stop

Colombo district parliamentarian of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) Ravi Karunanayaka today lodged a complaint against the Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, Wimal Weerawansa in the Bribery and Corruption Commission.

Minister asks for a discussion of governing party leaders on non-state universities

Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) and Housing and Construction Minister of Sri Lanka, Wimal Weerawansa has called for a broad discussion between the parties in the governing United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on the proposed legislation on non-state universities. Minister Weerawansa has expressed this need in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka to build one million houses for low income families

Housing, Construction and Engineering Services Minister of Sri Lanka Wimal Weerawansa says the current administration has paid special attention to providing houses to low income families

Sri Lanka's NFF Leader resigns from ministerial portfolio

Sri Lanka's National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa today (9) resigned from the ministerial portfolio of Housing, Construction and Engineering Services.

Sri Lanka Minister opposes CEPA

Sri Lanka Minister of Housing and Construction Wimal Weerawansa said to media today that he and his party National Freedom Front opposed the Comprehensive Economic Participation Agreement (CEPA) with India.

Wimal challenges Fonseka for debate

*Threatens to expose details if challenge not taken

*People should know the truth

Wasantha Ramanayake

National Freedom Front (NFF) Chairman Wimal Weerawansa yesterday challenged Sarath Fonseka to a live debate on arms dealings by Fonseka’s son-in-law. Addressing the media, Weerawansa claimed that although Fonseka played down arms dealings by a company owned by his son-in-law as of little importance, it was not so.

The NFF leader claimed that he has evidence that the company had major involvement in arms dealings and invited Fonseka to name two representatives to a live debate on the issue. “I know he is busy with his campaigns, that is why I am asking him to name two representatives for the debate,” he clarified.

“Then the NFF will then name two representatives.”

Weerawansa expressed hope that Fonseka would respond within one week; however, in the absence of any response he would make the details of the transactions public.

He noted people should know the truth about such arms dealings by Fonseka’s son-in-law since Fonseka is contesting the forthcoming Presidential election. The NFF Chairman also said Fonseka was habitually contradicting his own statements. He claimed that Fonseka had earlier made a statement to a certain newspaper that a ship carrying ammunition for Sri Lankan Forces had been sent back on Fonseka’s orders. According to Weerawansa, Fonseka in an interview with a television channel recently said that the Defence Secretary had made that order.

Weerawansa said that the second statement was closer to the truth since as soon as the war was over Defence Secretary Gotabhya Rajapaksa had advised companies that arms and ammunition were no longer needed.

Weerawansa also said that Fonseka at a rally at Ratnapura recently made another contradictory statement with regard to the shooting of civilians.

NFF Media spokesman parliamentarian Mohamed Muzammil alleged that there are anti-democratic attempts by Fonseka and his allies to buy over members of the UPFA and NFF provincial councillors. He warned the voters to be vigilant of such moves by the Opposition.

Wimal scolds the US ambassador to Sri Lanka since General Fonseka was to meet with her

A NFF member from the Nandana Gunathileka faction told Lanka News Web that NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa reprimanded the US ambassador to Sri Lanka at the press conference held at the party headquarters on the 15th due to a tip off given by the Defence Secretary that General Sarath Fonseka was to meet with the US ambassador.

The source also said the press conference was called for the purpose following instructions from Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Although Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka was to meet with the US ambassador on Thursday (15) following a directive of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya

Rajapaksa, the ambassador had informed General Fonseka of the inability to meet that day since she was delayed on the road on her way back from attending an event attended by the President at the BMICH.

A senior officer from the Army Headquarters told Lanka News Web that the meeting was rescheduled for the 17th morning and the discussion was to include details about General Fonseka’s scheduled visit to the US and the agreements that are to reached between Sri Lanka and the US.

Weerawansa after hearing General Fonseka’s scheduled visit to the US and his meeting with the US ambassador charged that the new US ambassador was trying to create disharmony in the country even through military personnel.

Weerawansa also charged that the current US ambassador was the head of the US missions in Iraq and Afghanistan when the countries were under siege from the US and that she played a role in creating a weak government in Bangaldesh and when Indira Gandhi was assassinated.