Negombo school principal murdered, body discovered with cut wounds

A school principal was murdered in the Negombo area today morning, Police said.

The Principal of St Mary's college Negombo Maxwell Fernando, 59 was found with cut injuries inside the school bathroom. He was pronounced dead on admission.

Police said that he had reported to work around 6.30 a.m. and when the staff was looking for him to commence the weekly meeting he was found with the cut injuries.

Police have not ruled a possible dispute over school admissions.

Test run from Kilinochchi-Omanthai

 A train from Kilinochchi to Omanthai went on a test run today fir the first time since the 30-year war. The railway line from Kilinochchi to Omanthai is under construction and is scheduled to commence train services by September 14.

Driver who dropped body on road arrested...... Hearse door opens and dumps coffin on road

The driver of a hearse who accidentally dropped a dead body of a man in Kandy town while transporting the body to a funeral house is to be charged for causing disrespect to the body, a senior police office said.

The hearse belonging to the Nuwara Mal Salawa in Kandy was driving past the Kandy clock tower when the body had fallen off and a few meters away the coffin had also fallen off on the road, police quoted eyewitnesses as saying.

The hearse had proceeded without the body while the police had to call for another hearse and transported the body back to the undertaker.

A spokesman for the undertaker said the rear door had opened after its lock had snapped and the body had slipped off, however he was not sure how the coffin had opened up as it has a separate lock. "It is probably that they had failed to lock the coffin", he added.

"The driver also had his assistant, but had not realised that the body had fallen off until they reached the home in Katugastota", he said.

Police said they arrested the driver and had later been given bail.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Legal) Gamini Dissanayake said ‘Under existing laws there is provision to charge such person for causing disrespect to a dead person'.

DIG Vaas Gunawardena,Ravindu Gunawardena re-remanded till August 27

The nine suspects including former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindu Gunawardena have been re-remanded till August 27.

The decision to re-remand the suspects was taken after they were produced before the Colombo Additional Magistrate Mohammed Sahabdeen today.

The Criminal Investigation Department today informed the courts that the nineth suspect, Shrimal Hettiarachchi who was arrested together with Ravindu Gunawardena, has an ongoing murder case against him at the Galle Magistrate’s Court.

Since an identification parade in connection with that case will be held on the 21st of this month, the CID requested permission from the courts to present the relevant suspect for the identification parade for which the Colombo Additional Magistrate granted permission.

Lorry, Podi Menike collision leaves two dead

Two people died when a lorry collided with the Podi Menike express train at an unprotected railway crossing in Wijayarajadahana Ambanawathuyaya yesterday, the Police said.

The train was heading to Badulla when the accident occurred around 7 a.m yesterday. The two people in the lorry died on the spot. The victims were identified as W. Nimal Seneviratne (54) and B. P. Sarath (49) of Mawanella.

The railway crossing does not have a gate or lights except for a warning notice. A group of school children who were walking on the road at the time of the accident had shouted and warned about the approaching train, but the lorry had already crossed the railway line. The lorry was thrown into the air after the collision. The postmortems of the victims were to be held at the Wathupitiwala Hospital yesterday. Meerigama Police is investigating.
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Time magazine stopped at Customs

Time magazine, carrying a cover story comparing the Myanmar Buddhist Monk Wirathu and his organization 'Buddhist 969' to the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), has been withheld by customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
The Myanmar Government has taken steps to ban the July issue of Time, as the cover page of the magazine portrays the Monk with the headline describing him as 'The Face of Buddhist Terror.'

It is reported that as a result of the activities carried out by the 'Buddhist 969' organization against the Muslims of Myanmar, over 140,000 residents of Myanmar have been displaced, and over 200 people have lost their lives.
The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, reports that most of those who died were Muslims, while the 'Buddhist 969' organization carried out attacks against mosques, Muslim businesses and properties, thereafter sticking posters and stickers of their organization over the desecrated property.It is said the article carries comparisons between the BBS and the Myanmar Buddhist organization, and has also cited similarities between self-immolation attempts by monks. The Myanmar Government claims the magazine has been banned ‘in order to prevent the recurrence of racial and religious riots’.

When Ceylon Newspapers queried about the BIA Customs withholding the magazines, Minister of Mass Media and Information, Keheliya Rambukwella said he was unaware of the Customs having done such a thing, and said he would look into the matter and then comment on it.

Central PC dissolution by Friday- Keheliya

The Central Provincial Council is likely to be dissolved by this Friday, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

Addressing a media briefing in Kandy a short while ago, Minister Rambukwella said Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake had already handed over the relevant documents to Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa.

Government sources confirmed that two provincial councils were to be dissolved within the coming week and they include the Central and North Western provinces.

ICC ‘regrets’ Hindi intro .

The ICC while expressing regret over the playing of a Hindi song during the introduction of the Lankan team at the opening ceremony of the ongoing Champions Trophy tournament in England, said that it would take the up the issue with the event management company responsible for handling the opening ceremony.

Sri Lanka Cricket said that the International Cricket Council Tournament Director Chris Tetley has written to SLC regretting the incident, in response to concerns raised by Sri Lanka Cricket secrearty Nishantha Ranathunga in a letter sent to the ICC Chief Executive Officer.

Following is the full statement by Sri Lanka Cricket

This is with reference to the Hindi song which was played while the Sri Lankan National Flag was paraded onto the field, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in England. As concerns raised by the Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Nishantha Ranatunga to the ICC regarding the above matter, The International Cricket Council Tournament Director Chris Tetley has written to SLC regretting the incident. He further stated that the ICC will take this matter for discussion with the Event Management Company who were entrusted to handle the opening ceremony.

Sarath Manamendra admitted to hospital after being attacked .....

The leader of the Nawa Sihala Urumaya Sarath Manamendra has been admitted to the accident ward of the National Hospital in Colombo after being attacked.
Director of the Accident Ward Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake said Manamendra was recieving treatment in Ward 72.

CID questions DIG Vass Gunawardene

Police sources said the CID is questioning Colombo North DIG Vass Gunawardene over the alleged abduction and killing of a businessman in Bambalapitiya.

In this connection three policemen were arrested by the CID. The incident was reported on May 22 and the businessman’s body was found in Dompe

JAYALATH JAYAWARDENA PASSES AWAY ................................

UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena has passed away at a hospital in Singapore early this morning, a Family member and UNP sources told Ada Derana. He has passed away following a surgery at a private hospital in Singapore, Hospital sources said.

Buddhist monk succumbs to injuries after self-immolation

The Buddhist monk who set himself on fire near the main entrance at the Dalada Maligawa Kandy passed away due to injuries at the National Hospital, sources at the hospital stated.


The Buddhist monk who suffered serious injuries after setting himself on fire to protest against the slaughter of cattle was transferred to the Colombo National Hospital.


The Buddhist monk underwent treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a spokesman of the hospital said this morning.

Ven. Bowatte Indrarathana Thera of the Sri Sugatha Purana Vihara in Kandy, had doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself ablaze near the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) yesterday (24).


Policemen and devotees near the temple doused the flames and rushed the monk to the Kandy Hospital. However, he was later transferred to the Colombo National Hospital via helicopter.


Certain media aired videos of the monk issuing certain demands, such as putting an end to the killing of cattle for meat and Buddhist being converted to other religions, before setting himself ablaze.

Ven. Indrarathana Thera had informed those media of his intentions before committing self-immolation while they had recorded footage of the incident accordingly.


Meanwhile, Kandy Police said they have launched full scale investigation regarding how the Buddhist monk had obtained petrol to immolate himself.

Body of sailor found in Bambalapitiya

The body of the Navy sailor who went missing following the capsizing of a Navy boat at the Galle Face on Saturday during the victory day parade was found from Bambalapitiya this morning.

Two navy personnel had fallen off a small Sri Lanka Navy vessel which had been involved in an accident during the Victory day Parade but one of them was rescued yesterday at sea.

Victory Day Celebrations - 2013

President Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Wickramasingha Rajapaksa, Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers, Parliamentarians, Secretaries to the Ministries, Members of the Diplomatic Community in Sri Lanka, and the general public were present today at the Galle Face to witness the celebration.

Navy sailor missing after boat mishap during victory parade

Two navy personnel had fallen off a small Sri Lanka Navy vessel which was involved in an accident during the Victory day Parade at the Galle Face Green this morning.

The boat had capsized during the parade causing both sailors to fall overboard. One of them has been rescued while the other sailor is reported missing at sea.

Approximately 170 officers and 2700 sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy had taken part in the Humanitarian Victory Day Parade 2013, which marks the fourth anniversary of ending of terrorism.

The Naval Contingent comprised of Naval Forces from the Western Naval Command, the Southern Naval Command, the Wanni Naval Command, the Eastern Naval Command and the Northern Naval Command.

The respective Area Commanders also took part in the parade. Several divisions including the 4th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla (FAF 4), Special Boat Squadron (SBS), women sailors and Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) were also among those participated in the national event.

Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels, Sayura, Sagara and Samudura, Landing Ship Tank, Shakthi, Fast Gun Boats, Udara, Ranawikrama and Ranarisi, Fast Missiles Vessels, Suranimala and Nandimitra, Fast Attack Craft, Wave Rider and Arrow craft sailed in formation in the seas off the Galle Face Green paying their tribute

Custom busts another racket ----------------------------------------

Four vehicles worth Rs. 15 million imported from Japan having declared them to be machinery and bicycles were seized by the Customs Revenue Monitoring Unit today. The vehicles were concealed in a container that had arrived from Japan.

Sakvithi Ranasinghe released on bail .

Alleged billion-rupee fraudster Sakvithi Ranasinghe has been released on bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate this morning. The financial fraudster Sakvithi Ranasinghe and his wife were arrested on 10, August 2010.

Dhaka building collapse: Woman rescued alive after 17 days .

A woman has been pulled alive from the ruins of a building that collapsed in a suburb of Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, 17 days ago.

The head of the fire service earlier said the woman, named Reshma, had been found in the remains of the second floor of the eight-storey Rana Plaza.
She had no serious injuries and had been talking with rescuers.

The dramatic news came after the army said more than 1,000 people were now known to have died in the disaster.The death toll is expected to keep climbing, as work crews using heavy machinery have begun removing rubble from the worst-damaged areas.

On Friday afternoon, as soldiers cleared a floor, they heard sounds below, correspondents say.Officers immediately ordered workers to stop clearing the site.Detection equipment was sent in and they saw a woman waving her hand. She shouted "I'm still here" and said her name was Reshma.

Within minutes, hundreds of soldiers and firefighters rushed to the scene to help clear the rubble, says the BBC Bengali service's Akbar Hossain.
Cutting and drilling equipment was brought in to get through iron rods and debris. Not long afterwards, she was pulled from the rubble and the crowd erupted in cheers, our correspondent says.

The woman was taken to an ambulance and then rushed to a nearby military hospital.
Rescuers said it was possible that the woman survived because of the large quantities of oxygen and water that were pumped into the ruins in the early stages of the rescue effort. (BBC)

Protests over electricity price hikes

Opposition Parties and Unions distribute leaflets in Colombo regarding the protest on May 15 over the increase in eleceticity prices

Medical students protest against move to enroll outside students for USD 60,000

Undergraduates of all Medical Faculties today held a protest against the move by higher education authorities to admit outside students charging US dollars 60,000 from each student for a five-year medical degree.

About thousand medical students participated in the protest held in front of Colombo University’s Medical Faculty.

Ex-Deyata Kirula 2013 CEO remanded

Former Chief Executive Officer of 'Deyata Kirula 2013' was arrested by the CID in connection with an alleged fraud of Rs. 39 mn in the Deyata Kirula 2013,police said.

Deyata Kirula CEO Ms. Kanthi Gunawardana was later produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thlina Gamage who ordered that she be remanded till May 15.

When the suspect was produced before Magistrate Thilina Gamage, the CID moved Court that the suspect be remanded as she is alleged to have committed a punishable offence under the Public Property Act. The CID further submitted to Court that they were yet to record statements from the suspect over the incident. (LS)

Drawing attention

A curious looking spider was recently discovered in the home of a family in Puttalam. Our correspondent in the area captured this image of the little bug on a tree in the vicinity of the family’s home. The spider has ten legs and a casing on its back with markings that resemble very human like features of eyes and a nose.

Copied From Lankaadeepa.....

No Confidence Motion against Minister Dilan Perera defeated

A no confidence motion against Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion Dilan Perera over the execution in Saudi Arabia of Lankan housemaid Rizana Nafeeq was defeated in Parliament a short while ago with 136 voting against it and 32 for the motion.


The UNP and the DNA MPs resent voted for the motion while the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members who participated in the debate were absent when the vote was taken.

The motion was moved by UNP MP Ajith Perera and seconded by MP Ranjan Ramanayaka.
Several senior government ministers came out in strong support of Minister Perera including Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, G.L.Peiris, Wimal Weerawansa, Dulles Allahaperuma, Nimal Siripala De Silva and Mahindananda Aluthgamage. He was also backed by government MPs including Namal Rajapaksa, Malini Fonseka and Uditha Lokubandara.
Minister Dilan Perera spoke at the end of the debate. In an emotional speech, he traced his entry into politics and said that he would not be deterred by “barking dogs.” “I have not made a cent from politics and I have always worked for the good of the people,” he said.
He said that the family of Rizana Aziz were on his side and had promised to hold prayer at their mosque in Muttur to bless him.

The motion was signed by 14 UNP MPs and accuses the Minister of failing to extend meaningful support in any manner to Ms. Nafeeq, who was executed in Saudi Arabia earlier this year after being convicted of killing an infant in her care.


The motion stated that the minister, while mismanaging these issues, is engaged in a futile attempt to shift the blame squarely on Saudi Arabia instead of shouldering the responsibility.

Six soldiers injured in Oddusuddan blast

At least six soldiers received minor injuries following an explosion while clearing an LTTE bunker in Oddusuddan in the Mullaitivu district this afternoon, military sources said.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that a minor explosion had occurred during preparatory work for a construction by the military in a former LTTE base in Udayarkattukulam area.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that a stock of detonators hidden by the LTTE had exploded when a soldier unknowingly dug the ground for some construction work.Six soldiers were injured and only one sustained serious injuries. The condition of the other soldiers is not severe. Authorities are conducting further investigations.”

The injured soldiers were admitted to the Mullaitivu and Anuradhapura hospitals.

Mervin replied to the Califonia Police...

It is reported that minister of public affairs Mr.Mervin Silva's had an discussion with some Californian Police officers.

The situation had taken place during a public awareness program organized by the Sri Lankan community of USA to show the human rights violations committed by the LTTE.

So, a presentation on "Aranthalawa Massacre" has been made by using a video, which showed the killing of 33 Buddhist monks and 4 civilians.

During the presentation, Californian police officers had arrived at the place and and had requested to speak to the organizer of the event. And after Minister Silva had explained the police about the matter, police left the place shortly as there were no violation of the law.

Chamithri Rambukwella elected as Committee on Conferences Chair

The Committee on Conferences that advises the General Assembly on matters pertaining to the organisation of United Nations Conferences had its organisational session for 2013 on April 29.

Chamithri Rambukwella (Sri Lanka) was elected as Chair by acclamation. Rambukwella was endorsed by the Asia Pacific Group of States for the position of Chair.

Year 2013 is the first occasion that Sri Lanka is part of the membership of the Committee on Conferences.

Rambukwella, the Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, will be chairing the committee for the term of 2013-2014.

At the age of 27, she is also one of the youngest to hold the position of Chair since the establishment of the Committee on Conferences

Import tax on potatoes increased

The Import tax on potatoes has been increased by Rs.10 per kilo with effect from today, Finance Ministry said.

Issuing a statement the ministry said that the Government has decided to revise special commodity levy on imported potatoes in order to ensure a better and reasonable price for local farmers who are engaged in potato cultivation.

Accordingly, special commodity levy charged per kilo of imported potatoes has been increased from Rs.15 to Rs.25.

“The Government provides seeds and fertilizer to the farmers in order to boost local agrarian products. Particularly, high import taxes are imposed on products such as Chili, Cowpea, Green gram, Peanut, Sugar, Kurakkan which are locally produced to ensure a high price for the production of local farmers. Consequently, the country is self - sufficient in some of these products, such as rice and Maize and currently, local farmers are able to supply their production to meet 50% of the consumption requirement of the country,” it added.

Karandeniya triple murder case suspects remanded ...........

A father and son allegedly involved in the triple murder at Karandeniya in Kotawela were checked by the Elpitiya Base Hospital JMO Dr.Susantha Lelwala, prior to being produced before the Elpitiya Acting Magistrate Munidasa Halpandeniya.