The Government will not issue any new license for Casinos, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Editors and Media Heads at Temple Trees today.

He added that no license will given by the government for the opening of any new casinos.  

Commission to probe Matale mass grave

He also said that a Presidential Commission has been appointed to probe into the Matale mass graves. The committee comprises of former Supreme Court Judge S.I. Imam, former High Court Judge Bandula Attapattu and Dammika Kitulgoda.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga stated that the commission has been empowered with full authority to conduct investigations into the matter.

A mass grave of over 150 skeletal remains was discovered in November last year during the digging of the ground to build a new structure for the Matale hospital.

The JVP claimed the victims were their members as a result of the government crackdown on a rebellion during 1987-90 while forensic reports confirmed the grave could not be older than 1986 and not newer than 1990.

Code of media ethics

When inquired regarding a code of media ethics proposed by the government, the President said that it is more suitable if an all inclusive code-of-ethics for media emerges from within the media industry itself as journalists cannot be punished regarding certain wrongdoings under normal laws.

PSC on 13th amendment, the ‘white elephant’

On Lalith Weeratunga’s comments, in a Twitter interview, that the 13th amendment was a ‘white elephant,’ Rajapaksa said: “even though it’s a white elephant, that elephant cannot be killed.”

Conceding that it would be better if an easier method existed, he said good results have been harnessed through Provincial Councils.

Meanwhile government sources say that a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) has been appointed to look into the changes that should be affected to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

It is said that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will today announce in Parliament the names of the representatives appointed to the PSC.