We are saddened by the sudden death of Don, who was a dynamic personality. He stood for the people of Canning electorate looking after their interests and establishing a clear margin of nearly 11% in favor of Liberal party whereas it was a very marginal seat fora long time. His frequent visits to the community at large in the electorate won him the goodwill of his constituencies.  We , the Australians of Sri Lankan origin have lost a genuine friend in Don as he was the Chairman of Sri Lankan group in the Parliament for a long time after the establishment of this forum during the tenure of High Commissioner, late Gen Janaka Perera.

The forthcoming election is between supporters of former President Rajapaksa and those who are upset with the very prospect of his return to politics.

The motivations of the two camps are driven by contrasting values.

The values of the first group are such that they are prepared to overlook whatever commissions and omissions that were committed during the Rajapaksa administration for the single most significant contribution made by him – the political will to restore the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. For them the wholeness of the State and personal security are inseparable. For this, their gratitude is timeless and boundless.

On the other hand, the values of the second group are such that they do not see the conclusion of the conflict in terms of restoring the territorial integrity of the State, but in narrow personal terms of eliminating terrorism and making them safe. The safety provided was taken for granted and utilized to discredit and remove from office the very Government that had made them safe. The forthcoming election would essentially determine which value system would prevail.

The Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) today filed a case against Western Provincial Council Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in the at Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court,  alleging that he had accepted a sum of Rs.15 million from a businessman to perform an official duty.