The fragile alliance between the Tamil parties struggling to unite at least on the ethnic issue are fraught with dissension and dispute. Recent revelations that the EPDP, PLOTE and TELO are extorting money, from the people in the north, has resulted in the TULF pulling out of the uneasy partnership.

"Under this situation how can we all get together," V. Anandasangaree lamented. He referred to the fact that the EPDP, PLOTE and TELO are not only collecting a salary from the Defence Ministry for helping Lankan troops fight the LTTE, but in addition are burdening the Tamil people of the North by extorting funds for various reasons.

The parties decided to unite on this issue to bring pressure on the government to observe the unilateral ceasefire declared by the LTTE and to stop calling for the UK to brand the Tigers as a terrorist organization. Published: Sat Feb 17 15:03:54 EST 2001

Not only is this provision dictatorial, but it will probably have a serious effect on the private sector. In an open market economy the Minister for Trade will now have the leverage to insist on price controls, as he deems fit. Though the provision is aimed at proving to the nation that the government is now committed to reducing price hikes and controlling the market, in reality, full powers are being bestowed on the Minister and the President in her capacity as Minister for Finance.

The new Act was merged after a Task Force appointed in 1995 studied the two existing Acts, which were the Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Trading Act. The report submitted by this Task Force has been changed over the years. The draft legislation was also at the time discussed with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber however had voiced a few reservations over certain provisions in the proposed merger of the two acts.

A glaring problem in the New Act, now titled the Consumer Protection Authority, is Section 17, which lends provision for the minister to prescribe articles as essential to the life of the people. This provision was in fact removed in 1993 from the existing Fair Trading Act because in a free market economy there is no need for price controls. Strictures were maintained only with pharmaceutical products.

The new Act now allows for the government to bring back this power to the Minister for Trade. Hakeem can now decide in consultation with Kumaratunge on controlling prices of all essential items. Section 18 thereafter reiterates that the Director General of the Consumer Protection Authority can also decide that prices are going higher and recommend to the Council to look into the matter and establish control. The difference in this instance is that the public will have a right to appeal against the decision of the Council. This right to the public does not however come into play where Hakeem and Kumaratunge are concerned. Their word will be law.

Section 51 of the new legislation has provision for Government Corporations solely selling or manufacturing goods or any person dealing with the government to be exempt from competition law. The Government has further secured itself the right to lend a three-year monopoly to foreign investors. Sadly, the government appears to be under the notion that no foreign multi national firms will invest in the island unless a monopoly is handed out.

Multi national firms in Sri Lanka have been known to take full advantage of this aspect and after reaping massive profits, have moved the revenue out of the country.

The new Act meanwhile has already been handed over to government printers and will soon be presented to Parliament as a priority bill.

The government maintains that the UNP in 1993, removed the Trade Minister's right to control prices and that this is the reason why prices continue to sky-rocket minus any checks and balances. Dissatisfied sources within the Trade Ministry alleged that the entire bill is politically oriented and will only lend sweeping executive powers to both Hakeem and Kumaratunge in deciding on price controls for the nation. Published: Sat Feb 17 15:03:53 EST 2001

Following the massive crowd support the 'Janabala Meheyuma' drew, the party asserts that the success of the walk will be carried forward into bringing more pressure on the government to implement policies that will ease the burden of the people. At the UNP group meeting last Monday it was decided to approach the Chambers and all other social, economic and religious groups and probe the possibility of joining forces in order to take on the government's economic policies which the UNP insists has placed immense hardship on the nation. The main opposition party also intends pushing for the resignation of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge. The party is also continuing to lobby support to impeach Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva. The legalities involved for this purpose are already being addressed. Published: Sat Feb 17 15:03:53 EST 2001

Lawyers representing the Airline told Colombo's High Court last week that since Emirates is a private company it does not need to answer questions on its financial dealings to the UNP or any other interested party. The airline further maintained that a court-house was not the forum in which such questions should be answered.

The Emirates case came up to be mentioned in the court of appeal on Tuesday February 13, before Justice Askoa De Silva. Counsel who appeared on behalf of the first respondent Dr. P. B. Jayasundera who is the Secretary to the Treasury stated that he is raising a preliminary objection to the jurisdiction to the court to grant the petitioner the right that such financial information be released. Dr. Jayasundera's counsel further stated that he was challenging the standing of the petitioners to come to court. He moved that the petitioners application be dismissed immediately as of Tuesday February 13th.

In reply to the said preliminary objection raised, Counsel for the petitioners, Sanjeewa Jayawardena submitted to court that there was no provision to challenge the issue of jurisdiction and standing of the petitioners to be decided at this stage without a full argument.

He also submitted that all that the Petitioners wished to ascertain in the public and national interest was whether the sum of USD 25 million due, has in fact been paid by Emirates to the Government of Sri Lanka, as had been claimed by the Deputy Minister of Finance Prof. G. L. Peiris, in Parliament. He also pointed out to court that the various technical objections raised by the respondent was being done in a bid to frustrate the petitioners case.

Last month, on January 17, Dr. P. B. Jayasundera wrote to Ravi Karunanayake and stated that according to his knowledge up to January 8, 2001, the balance payment due to the government from Emirates Airlines had not yet been remitted.

Karunanayake meanwhile has continued to argue that since the transaction is with the government, an elected body of the people, the State is accountable to the nation and as such the country has a right to know if and when this money was credited to Sri Lanka. After having reached this deadlock, the next hearing was re-scheduled for March 20, 2001.

A further 25 percent share issue of Sri Lankan Airlines will be handed over to Emirates Airlines once the balance payment is made.

Romesh de Silva PC, appeared on behalf of Emirates Airlines, K. Kanageeswaran PC appeared for the 1st Respondent Dr. P. B. Jayasundera and State Counsel Uditha Igalahewa appeared for the Attorney General. Sanjeewa Jayawardena assisted by Priyanthi Gunaratne and instructed by G. G. Arul Pragasam appeared for the petitioners. Published: Sat Feb 17 15:03:53 EST 2001