Catholic cabinet minsiter Ruth Kelly quits

Catholic minister Ruth Kelly insists her decision to quit the Government is a purely personal one.

The Transport Secretary is stepping down at the next cabinet reshuffle to spend more time with her family.

Her departure comes less than twenty-four hours after Gordon Brown's successful speech at the Labour Party conference.

But it’s a move that overshadows what was thought to be Brown’s most important political speech.

Ms Kelly’s resignation reignites suggestions of a fractured Labour Party.

In his speech, Mr Brown hoped to bury any doubts his over his leadership and claimed it was Labour's "duty" to focus on the challenges facing the country not disagreements within the party.

However, rumours persisted that Kelly had become disenchanted with Mr Brown's leadership. The Conservatives claim she uttered the word 'terrible' after his address.

But Ms Kelly, who's a member of Catholic group Opus Dei, is adamant that she's not leaving because of the Prime Minister's leadership.

“Bringing a front line politician, bringing up 4 your children, being a constituency MP - it’s not been easy all the time. I’ve relied on the support from my family and friends and I now think it’s time to take a step back and to repay them for the support they have given me over the years.”

Ms Kelly says this shouldn't fuel speculation she is unhappy with Brown’s performance. “I can’t think of anyone better.” She said, claiming that Gordon Brown was a towering figure of the Labour party and the right man for the job.

Mr Brown said: "She's been an MP all the time her children have been born. She is a very talented individual and I think the public will understand these are the things that happen when you have to juggle work and family life."

The Labour Party Conference comes to a close today. Chair of the Christian Sociality Movement, Labour MP Alun Michael tells Premier the mood among his colleagues.

“It’s very buoyant. We have had a lot of discussion not just among ourselves but people like the leaders of the free churches who have been visiting,” he said, “We have seen an increase of political engagement not just in the denominations but across faiths, upon which, I believe we can lead.”

"Api Wenuwen Api" Cultural and Musical show in London

Sri Lankan expatriates in Britain have organised a cultural and musical showcase to raise funds for the "Api Wenuwen Api housing fund" for the tri-services personnel in Sri Lanka, at the Troxy Theatre in London, on Sunday (21 September). According to the organising committee of the event, the musical show will also be conducted by the Sri Lankan tri-services personnel, who invite all patriotic Sri Lankans and peace loving people to be present at the occasion.
Following are excerpts from the media release of the event.

"Api Wenuwen Api Fund" is a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to build 50,000 houses for the serving Tri-Service personnel.

The gift of housing is one of the best and most tangible ways to demonstrate our gratitude and appreciation. This is the time for all Sri Lankans to support our brothers and sisters who are committed to bringing peace to our motherland - Sri Lanka.

The main event of this project "Api Wenuwen Api Cultural and Musical show" conducted by Tri Services personnel in Sri Lanka will be held at the Troxy Theatre 490 Commercial Road London E1 0HX on Sunday 21st September 2008 at 2.30 pm.

Taj Lanka to continue investing in city hotel despite "turmoil"

Despite carrying accumulated losses of over Rs.1.3 billion in its books and posting a loss of Rs.30.3 million, down from a loss of Rs.63.6 million a year earlier, in fiscal 2007/08, Taj Lanka Hotels PLC will continue with its renovation program "in spite of present turmoil," the company's Chairman, Mr. Anil P. Goel has said in the company's just released annual report.

"The year under review has been extremely difficult for the hotel industry, a year in which your company operated under even tougher conditions," he said reiterating tht investment in their Colombo property will continue.

Goel made the point that the conflict in the North and the East and widespread media exposure of these events had contributed to the industry's "dismal performance" during the year under review.

"Further, inflation and cost of living have gone up significantly along with cost of imports due to the sharp devaluation of the rupee. These have contributed adversely to the cost of operations. Due to the uncertain future based on the current scenario, the deferred tax charge had impacted further on the net results of the company," he explained.

However, the company was committed to enhancing the image and position of the hotel in the market having renovated four floors and the swimming pool and opened a brand new coffee shop which was already popular.

The next phase of the renovation will focus on the remaining floors, restaurants, banqueting and fitness centre facilities, the chairman said.

He was hopeful that tourism will stabilize by the end of the second half of the current financial year which is the winter tourist season on the basis of information received from key source markets.

This, together with the proactive stand taken by the Tourism Ministry and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board to increase arrivals, is expected to show results by the end of this year, he hoped.

"As a positive initiative to target India, one of the fastest growing outbound markets, Taj group is partnering with the Sri Lankan government in new strategies to cater to various segmented tourism and in (projecting) Sri Lanka as a selected destination," he said.

Goel identified negative travel advisories by major tourist originating countries including UK, Germany, Australia, Italy and France as a deterrent to the progress of the tourism industry.

"These advisories together with the uncertain security situation were reflected in a decline in arrivals from all the major markets, except the UK, the Maldives, Middle, East and Russia," he said.

"As a result, earning from tourism declined to US dollars 385 million in 2007/08, an all time low figure, from US dollars 410 million in 2006/07. Nevertheless several initiatives were taken in 2007/08."

Taj Lanka has a stated capital of nearly Rs.1.4 billion and a revaluation reserve of Rs.1.2 billion in its books with borrowings running at Rs.444.9 million.

Net finance cost during the year under review had declined to Rs.29.9 million from Rs.54.1 million the previous year.

The Taj had been marginally profitable for four of the last six years except 2004/05 when a tidy profit of Rs.155.3 million was posted. The last two years had been loss making.

Taj Asia Limited with 58.14%, the Indian Hotels Company (24.62%) and Mrs. Jane Elizabeth de Silva (2.04%) are the major shareholders of the company.

The Taj Lanka share with net assets of Rs.8.53 per share, down from Rs.8.74 the previous year, traded at a high of Rs.11.50 and a low of Rs.7 during the year under review. This compared with a trading range of Rs.17 to Rs.10.50 the previous year.

The directors of the company are: Messrs. Anil P. Goel, U.L. Kadurugamuwa, B.K. Chaudhary (alternate Nirvana Chaudhary), Arun K. Chaudhary, Tilak de Zoysa, J. Daboo, Souvik Das (resigned 27.03.2008), R.H. Parekh (w.e.f. 27.03.2008), J.P. Kanoria, Vish Govindasamy, Dr. G. Sundaram and Ms. D.M. Harris.