News
Probe panel ‘indicts’ Sasikala for events leading to Jayalalithaa’s death
BY S VENKAT NARAYAN
Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: A probe panel inquiring into the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa six years ago has recommended a probe against her aide VK Sasikala and the state’s former health officials.In its report, the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry (CoI) said that it “indicts” Sasikala for the events that led to Jayalalithaa’s death and recommended a probe into the matter.
The report was tabled by the Tamil Nadu government in the assembly in Chennai on Tuesday.It said that former health minister C Vijayabaskar, the then health secretary J Radhakrishnan and KS Sivakumar, a medical doctor, “have to be found at fault and an investigation is to be ordered.”
It also recommended a probe against the then chief secretary Rama Mohana Rao and others, including doctors.Vijayabaskar is an AIADMK leader and a legislator. Jayalalithaa had headed the AIADMK.The Arumughaswamy commission had earlier presented the report to Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin.
The report asked why the former chief minister was not taken abroad for treatment even after Dr Richard Beale was prepared to take her overseas.It also noted that, even after eminent doctors from the UK and the US who had reached Apollo hospital on the invitation from the state government, had suggested angioplasty, it was not conducted.
“They (hospital) successfully threw it to the wind on the pretext of postponing it to achieve their aim under some pressure. Hence, investigation is to be ordered,” it said.
The CoI’s Terms of Reference (ToR) was to inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation on 22 September, 2016 and subsequent treatment provided till her death on 5 December, 2016.In its finding, as regards the first part of the ToR on circumstances leading to the late AIADMK supremo’s hospitalisation, the Commission said it “has not found anything abnormal or unnatural” in the conduct of the people including Sasikala.
Adequate care was taken to shift Jayalalithaa to the Apollo Hospital promptly without delay, it said.On the other aspect of the ToR, the Commission indicted people including Sasikala. The CoI in its 475-page report goes into an allegation of conspiracy against Sasikala and her relatives based on a reportage in a Tamil magazine.
The panel said that it was very clear that, “only on strong suspicion,” Jayalalithaa sent Sasikala out of her Poes Garden residence in Chennai (from November 2011 to March 2012).Subsequently, after getting a letter from Sasikala that she would not interfere in politics, Jayalalithaa allowed her back into her Poes Garden residence and the leader kept her “at a distance.”
On a plea to cross-examine former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy, the panel said the applicant has not given sufficient reasons for it.
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
Flaws in law blamed for chaos
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.
Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.
Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.
The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)
United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).
Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.
Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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