When the bail application forwarded by Sarath Fonseka was taken up for consideration by the Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa, the State Counsel said they had no objections to the bail request. Accordingly, the Colombo High Court decided to release Sarath Fonseka on a cash bail of one million rupees and two surety bails of 2.5 million rupees each. The Court also wanted him to hand over his passport to the judiciary and pointed out that if there was a necessity to leave the country, he could do so with the permission of the judiciary. Further hearing was adjourned until the 7th of next month.

President Rajapaksa had directed his attention in the past few days with regard to the release of Sarath Fonseka who is serving a prison sentence.

Presidential Spokesman Bandula Jayasekara said that accordingly the proposal made by the President received the green light of the Cabinet.

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Expressing his views in this respect Senior Counsel Ali Sabri said that the Free Media Movement had challenged the decision taken by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and the Media Ministry to block websites. They mentioned that they had the right to access any unlimited information. But Counsels appearing on behalf of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission emphasized that the freedom of expression was subject to the laws of the country and according to these regulations a person cannot insult another or publish slanderous material and that one person should take over the right of any website like other media.
Mr. Sabri said that if any person is impacted by such publication, he should have the freedom to get any decision. Taking all these submissions into consideration, Counsel Sabri noted that the Supreme Court said that it does not see any violation of fundamental rights by the decision of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and the Media Ministry to block web sites and rejected the Fundamental Rights petition.

The Police Media Spokesman said that the LLRC had made certain recommendations with regard to inquiries. Accordingly, based on the instructions of the Attorney General, these investigations are being handled by the Criminal Investigations Department. He said a special Police team has been appointed to handle the investigations.

The Minister said that they will be implementing a 2012 budget proposal. Those who are over 70 years of age, earning a low income and receiving the Samurdhi as well as the Charity Allowance will be entitled to this allowance. He revealed that the Government has set aside 900 million rupees to pay this allowance with effect from next month. He also said that the allowance will be paid irrespective of communal and political differences.
The Minister was addressing a news conference held in Colombo today. The increase of the Senior Citizens Allowance was a proposal made in the budget. Senior citizens who receive the Samurdhi payment and the charity allowance will be entitled to this allowance. The Minister revealed that the payment is to be made via post offices and under the supervision of the Divisional Secretaries.
It is planned to make the monthly payment on a stipulated date. The Minister announced that a scrutiny of the payment will be carried out after the granting of the allowance. Secretary to the Ministry of Social Services R.M.S. Ratnayake was among those present at this media briefing.

Minister Jagath Pushpakumara said the Government is to provide loans on concessionary terms to those engaged in coconut based industries and those hopeful of entering such an industry. The Minister said the decision to provide such a loan scheme was made to encourage the coconut based industries following the high performance recorded by such industries in Sri Lanka’s export markets last year.
The loan scheme is expected to help the development and renovation of coconut based industries and to help generate more employment opportunities in such industries. The Minister was speaking after the signing of an agreement for the commencement of the loan scheme between the Coconut Development Authority and the People’s Bank at the Coconut Development Ministry premises today. Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena, Chairman of the People’s Bank W. Karunajeewa and Chairman of the Coconut Development Authority Sudath Hadunge were among those present at the ceremony organized for the signing of the agreement.

The programme of building the fresh milk culture targeting the economy of local dairy farmers as well as the nutritional standards of the children was unveiled from Nuwara Eliya recently. The Economic Development Ministry is mooting the programme based on a concept of Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Contributing to this social service programme, the North Central Province also joined in it.
The provision of a glass of fresh milk to children commenced at the Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya at Gala-divulwewa in Nochchiyagama. The milk required for the children is being purchased from dairy farmers of the area. Minister S.M. Chandrasna, Deputy Minister W.B. Ekanayake, North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake were present at the distribution of milk among the children.