THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Police Financial Crime Investigation Division Had Questioned Former Treasury Secretary On Hedging Deal

The Police Financial Crime Investigation Division had today (31) recorded a statement from the former Treasury Secretary and Secretary To The Economic Development Ministry Dr.P.B Jayasundara on the controversial Hedging Deal.The government had lost over US Dollars 200 million due to this deal it has been reported.

Yesterday (30) Police Financial Crime Investigation Division had recorded a statement from the former Central Bank Governor and the director of the Divi Naguma Project Ajith Nivaad Cabraal over the Hedging Deal.

CUTE KITTENS

Supreme Court Has Rejected A Petition Filed Against The Former President Rajapakshe

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court had today (31) Rejected the Petition filed by the Duminda Nagamuwa of Front line Socialist Party against former President Mahinda Rajapakshe over alleged deployment of the Army Personal during the recently concluded Presidential Elections on 08th of January.

In that petition the former President was charged that he has allegedly violated provisions of the Civil Security Act by deploying Army Personal during the election.

Seven Police Officers Got Injured And Hospitalized Due To The Police -Uni Student Clashes

National Hospital Colombo

Seven Police Officers including an Inspector got injured during the clash between the Protesting University Students and Police at Colpetty Junction occurred this evening and admitted to the National Hospital,Colombo.

The Riot Squad of the Police have used Tear Gas and Water Cannon to disperse a group of University Students who were obstructed at traffic in Colpetty Junction .The Group was on the way Colombo for a Protest Campaign when this incident occurred.

Police Used Tear Gas And Water To Disperse A University Students Protest In Colombo

Police have used tear gas and Water short while ago to disperse a group of University Students at Colpetty Junction who were marched towards Colombo to protest against several demands including the Malabe  Private Medical College Issue .Police have used the tear gas and water  against the Students as they have obstructed the traffic at Col petty Junction.

The University Students too attacked Policemen with stones it has been reported.Police have arrested three Students who behaved violently during the march.The Inter University Students Federation has organized this protest march.

Due to this protest march heavy  traffic has been reported in many routes to Colombo and motorists have advised by the police to use alternative routes

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Government To Recommence All The Suspended Road Development Projects With Chinese Asssistance

Sri Lankan Government has decided to recommence all the suspended main and provincial road development projects with the assistance of China.The Ministry Of Highways,Higher Education And Investment Promotions has said to be already paid around One Billion Rupees for  relevant Chinese Contractors for the projects.

Some Chinese Companies had earlier decided to suspend some of the projects due to non payment of money .The extension of Southern Express Highway is one of the suspended projects due to be recommenced it's work soon.

Police Have Recorded A Statement From Former Central Bank Governor Over The Hedging Deal

Ajith Cabraal

The Financial Crime Investigations Division of the Police has today(30) recorded a statement from the former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal on the controversial Hedging Deal signed by the previous government.The government had lost over US Dollars 200 million due to the said deal.

Earlier Crime Investigations Division had recorded a statement from the director general of Divi Naguma Project which  linking
to the hedging deal.

FRIENDS

Former Cricketer Sidath Wettamuni Has Been Appointed As The New Chairman Of Cricket Interim Committee

Sidath Wettimuni

Former Sri Lankan Star Cricketer and the Chief Selector Sidath Wettimuni has been appointed today(30) as the new Chairman of the Interim Committee Of The Sri Lanka Cricket.Patrick Schafter has been appointed as the new Secretary  to the Interim Committee. Wettimuni and Schafter have replaced the former President Jayantha Dharmadasa and Secretary Nishantha Rantunge.

There are 9 former cricketers and officials  appointed as  new members of the Interim Committee it has been reported.

Free WI FI Internet Zones Have Been Set Up In 26 Locations Island Wide From Today(30)

Free WI FI Internet Zones where public can access to internet free of charge will be set up today(30) in 26 selected locations Island wide  the Prime Minister's Office has been announced.Under this the first free WI FI Internet Zone scheduled to be launched at Colombo Fort Railway Station this evening by the Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

According to the Government Information Department the 26 selected Free WI FI Internet Zones are - Fort Railway Station,Pettah Public and Private Bus Stands,Floating Market In Pettah,Colombo Public Library,Dehiwala Zoo,Colombo Law College,Fort Dutch Hospital ,Galle Face,Colombo Museum,Colombo Race Course ,Karapitriya Hospital,Battaramulla Foreign Employment Bureau, Ratnapura Museum, Polonnaruwa Base Hospital, Matara Bus Stand, Polonnaruwa Railway Station, Matara Railway Station, Mirijjawila Botanical Garden, Jaffna Public Library, Kandy Railway Station and Peradeniya Railway Station,Temple of the Tooth Kandy, Colombo Police Head Quarters, Galle Railway Station, Jaffna Railway Station.





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THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Seventeen Health Professions To Launch An Island Wide Token Strike On Thursday(02).

Seventeen Health Professions representing Government Hospital Nurses,Professions Supplementary To Medicine(PSM'S) and Paramedicals are due to launch an Island Wide Token Strike on this Thursday (02) from 7 a.m by demanding Disturbance,Availability and Transport Allowance(DAT) for them according to the Joint Confederation Of Nurses-PSM'S And Paramedicals.

The said professions including Nurses,PSM'S representing   Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technologists(MLT'S),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and Paramedical services including Public Health Inspectors,Entomologists,EEG and ECG Technicians  have earlier decided to launch an island wide token strike on last Friday(27) ,however it was suspended due to the talks held between the Joint Confederation Officials and Secretary to  the Ministry Of Finance on that day .

As the said  talks ended up without  a positive result the executive committee of the joint confederation has decided yesterday (29) to launch the suspended strike on this Thursday
according to the joint convener of the Joint Confederation Of Nurses-PSM'S And Paramedicals Saman Jayasekera."Around 45,000 professionals will  participating this strike " he has stressed.

SAND ART FROM CREATIVE IDEAS

UN Special Rapporteur Pablo De Greiff To Visit Sri Lanka

The United Nations  Special Rapporteur On Truth,Justice,Reparations,and Guarantees Of Non Recurrence Dr.Pablo De Greiff is due to arrive Sri Lanka today(29) for a six day official visit.

He is due to meet senior officials in government ,political parties and civil organizations to discuss on various issues of mutual concerns according to the Foreign Ministry.UN Rapporteur Dr.De Greiff especially plans to monitor the new reforms implemented in the country by the present government the Ministry has said.

Prime Minister To Appoint A Special Envoy To Northern Province

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha has decided to appoint a special envoy from his office to monitor the activities in Northern Province.The Prime Minister has revealed this during his visit to Kilinochchi yesterday(28).

Prime Minister had visited Military  Headquarters in North including Kankasanturei,Jaffna and Palali and held talks with military leaders on the military activities there.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

FROM GOOGLE

Information Technology(IT) Literacy Rate Among Local Population Is On The Increase

A latest survey conducted by the Department Of Census And Statistics has revealed that  25.1% of the Sri Lanka Population have learnt Information Technology (IT) Literacy.According to the Government Information Department the survey results have shown that the Information Technology Literacy among Sri Lankan Population had increased by 9% during recent years and reached 25.1% from 16%.

European Union Has Banned LTTE Again -Deputy Foreign Minister

LTTE Terrorist Organization has been banned again by the European Union according to the Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith .P.Perera .This ban  will help to dismantle the once world's deadliest terrorism organization Deputy Minister has said.

European Union Court had last year  lifted the earlier ban imposed on LTTE due to the ineffective diplomatic process adapted by the previous government deputy minister perera has stressed.European Union has banned LTTE again as a result of the letter sent by Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha to the Union he has revealed.

The new ban on LTTE imposed by the European Union was a result of the   Anti Terrorism Policy adapted by  Present Sri Lankan Government he has further stated. 

A Man Arrested With A Fake Five Thousand Rupee Note

Hatton Police have arrested a resident of Matale District with a fake Five Thousand Rupee Note it has been reported.Police Officers have arrested the suspect according to the information they have received on him.

The suspect is due to be produced before the Magistrate Court in Hatton today(28).

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Airport Customs Have Detained A Person Tried To Smuggle Three Kilos Of Gold To The Country

The Airport Custom Officers have detained  a Person arrived at Katunayake International Air Port today (27) who tried to smuggle  3 Kilos of  Gold  worth around 1.3 million to the country . The suspect had  arrived from Dubai according to the Custom Officials.

One Died And Two Got Injured At Agalawatta Due To Lightning

One man died and another two got hospitalized at  Agalawatta Area in Pinnagoda (In Western Province)today(27) as  lightning had  struck  them .The three male victims were at a saw mill when lightning struck them and the two injured were admitted to the Nagoda Hospital with severe burn injuries according to the Police.

The Matugama Police are carrying out  further investigations on the incident.

FROM ANIMAL LOVERS SITE

Twenty Free Internet WI FI Zones To Be Designed Around The Country By Next Week

Government has decided to launch  around 20 Free WI FI  zones in Several    Sri Lankan Districts including Colombo ,Polonnaruwa and Jaffna by next week which enable the public to access to the Internet free of charge through these places sources said.
 
As a part of an election promise that included in the President Maithripala Sirisena's 100 day election manifesto these WI FI Zones will be designed  under the instructions of  Foreign Minister Mangala Samraweera and the Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith .P Perera and will be monitored by the Institute Of Information Technology .Several leading local  mobile internet providing companies are assisting this programme according to the sources.

The launching ceremony of the free WI FI Zones is  scheduled to be held in Colombo  next week.

At the moment Free WI FI Zones are  functioning only at Katunayake Air Port and few of the Shopping Complexes in Colombo City.

Bribery Commission Had Questioned Former Minister Weerawansha For The Second Time

The Former Minister Of Housing and the leader of the National Democratic Front(NDF) MP Wimal Weerawansha was questioned by the Bribery Commission today (27)for the second time over the allegations leveled against him at the commission.In an earlier occasion he was questioned and a statement was reordered from him on his assets.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Colombo High Court Sentenced A Mount Lavinia Resident To Death On Heroin Possession Charages

Colombo High Court has today (26) sentenced a Mount Lavinia Resident who found guilty for possession of 303.5 Grammes Of Heroin to death.Colombo High Court Judge P.P Surasena has sentenced the accused to death as the charges against him were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Attorney General had filed a case against the suspect at the Colombo High Court on charges of possession of heroin.

FROM ANIMAL LOVERS SITE

A Mother And Her Two Daughters Have Died After Drowned In Kalu Ganga(River)

Kalu Ganga(River)

A mother and her two daughters aged 11 and 16 were drowned  this evening while bathing at Kalu Ganga(River) in Kalutara District (In Western province) according to the Police.The three were later rescued by the residents and rushed to the Horana Hospital, but they were pronounced as dead upon admission to the hospital.

Galle Magistrate Ordered CID To Investigate The Bank Accounts Of Former Defense Secretary

Galle Magistrate has today (26)ordered the Criminal Investigations Department(CID) to investigate the bank accounts belongs to the former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe and the directors of Avant Guarde Security Service  regarding the floating armory case.

Earlier the Colombo Magistrate Court has temporarily  impounded the passport of   Avent Guarde Security Services Chairman Major Nissanke Senadipathi over the floating armory found at Galle Harbor on last January.The Police have detained a ship carrying 12 container loads of armory at Galle Harbor on 18th of January.

The former Defense Secretary has denied any wrong doing in the floating armory case.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Around 100,000 Kilos Of Samolina Which Were Not Suitable For Consumption Found At A Store

The Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority  have today(25) raided a Food Store In Kotahena Area (In Colombo Suburbs) and taken in to custody around 100,000 Kilos of Samolina prepared to be sold for consumers although they  were not suitable for human consumption .

The said stock of Samolina is  worth around Rs.8.5 million according to the Consumer Affairs Authority.The Officers of the Authority are planning to  take legal action against the store owner.

All Nurses Attach To Three Government Hospitals In Colombo To Launch A One Day Token Strike Tomorrow(26)

The Nursing Staff attach to the Colombo National Hospital,Eye Hospital and the Dental Institute have decided to launch a one day token strike tomorrow (26) by demanding solutions for two of their service demands according to the Sri Lanka's largest Nurses Trade Union, Public Services Nurses Union (PSNU).

Nursing Staff attach to the said three hospitals are schedule to launch their strike from 8 a.m tomorrow to 7 a.m on Friday the 27th of March Nurses Union has said.All the emergency services in these hospitals will be maintained as usual during the strike period PSNU has revealed.

If the authorities are not willing to give solutions for their demands further Government Hospital Nurses will launch an Island Wide Continuous Strike Action from 04th of April a spokesman of the PSNU has said.

PSNU is demanding the Health Ministry to grant a Professional Allowance of Rs.25,000 to all nurses and to implement the Circular issued by the Finance Ministry regarding paying of Overtime,Accidental and inventory allowances for nurses .The talks held between the Health Ministry Officials and the PSNU Members regarding these demands during the last two months have ended without any conclusion PSNU has stressed.

FRUIT SHAPED BUS STOP IN JAPAN FROM CREATIVE IDEAS

Police To Get A Court Order To Bring Back Fomer Minister Basil Rajapakshe To The Country

The Police Have decided to get a special court order to bring back the former Minister of Economic Development MP Basil Rajapakshe who is also   the brother of Former President Mahinda Rajapaksha to the country from United States to record a statement from him over the alleged financial frauds the Police Department has announced today(25).

The former Minister Basil Rajapakshe  who was also the then National Organizer of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party had left USA on 11th of January soon after his brother the former president has defeated in  the recently concluded presidential elections.There were several complaints against him filed at Bribery And Corruption Commission over his involvement in several large scale financial frauds it has been revealed.

Later he has resigned from the national organizer post of the Freedom Party by taking full responsibility of the presidential elections defeat of his brother the former president rajapakshe
.

Police Department To Ban Wearing Of Full Face Helmets From 02nd Of April

The Police Department has decided to re implement the ban of wearing Full Face Helmets by Motorcyclists with effect from 02nd Of April.Police Department has earlier announced that the banning of wearing full face helmets will be implemented from 21st of March,however per the instructions of Minister of Public Order John Amaratunge that decision has been temporarily suspended .

The decision to ban wearing of full face helmets by the Motorcyclists scheduled to be implemented   due to the number of crimes and robberies have done  by wearing full face helmets are in the increase according to the Police.Police have implemented this ban few years ago also however later that ban was removed due to some issues related to it.

The laws related to motorcycle helmets are include in the Special Gazette Notification No. 644/26 of (January 11, 1991) the Police Department has said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Government Nursing Officers Association Has Accused Some Medical Administrators In Health Ministry Blocking Minister's Decesions

The Government Nursing Officers Association  has today accused that a certain group of medical administrators in the Health Ministry has trying to block the decisions taken by the Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne by not implementing them and requested the Minister to take action against the said group.

According to the President of the Nursing Officers Association Saman Ratnapriya the group of medical administrators that blocking the minister's decisions are supporting the previous government and they have known as supported every corrupt decision taken by the previous regime.

The said medical administrators have already trying to avoid implementing the minister's decisions regarding the nursing appointments as well he has stressed.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)Party To Oppose The Proposed 19th Amendment

Hela Urumaya Party Logo

While describing the proposed 19th amendment to the constitution as a constitutional coup to make the executive presidency a powerless post ,The Jathika Hela Urumaya(National Heritage Party) MP and Minister of Power and Energy of the present Government Champika Ranwake had vowed that his party will take every possible measure to defeat that amendment.

Minister Ranwake was the only Cabinet member that opposed the 19th amendment when it was approved by all other Cabinet Members at an Emergency Cabinet Meeting held last week.

While Addressing a Press Briefing held in Colombo today(24) Minister Ranawake has said that the aim of the proposed 19th amendment is to remove the powers vested to executive presidency such as power to dissolving the Parliament and appointing Judiciary members and to make the Prime Minister a more powerful person.

The new draft bill on the 19th amendment proposed that the executive president will be no longer the head of the government and president need to take the advise of the prime minister when  making every decision.However it stated that the president will continue as the chief commander of the security forces,The amendment also suggested to reduce the president's term of six years to five years Minister has further said.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya Party will not against the executive presidency and only against the arbitrary powers  that vested to the presidency he has said.

COFFEE CUP CAKE FROM CREATIVE IDEAS

Emir Of Qatar Arrived Sri Lanka For A Brief Tour

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Had arrived Sri Lanka this morning for a short official tour.During his visit the Emir is expecting to hold bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President and other officials in view of strengthening the ties between Sri Lanka and Qatar.

Emir Thani is scheduled to be depart from the country tonight.

Ninteenth Amendment Was Tabled At The Parliament

Sri Lankan Parliament

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution which includes the amending executive powers vested to the Executive President and establishing of Independent Electoral ,Police and Judicial Commissions was tabled at the Parliament by the Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha.

The Draft Bill on the 19th Amendment was passed at an Emergency Cabinet Meeting held on 15th March and a gazette notification regarding the amendment was issued later.Last week Public were requested to submit their ideas and proposals on the facts containing  in the amendment .

Bringing the 19th amendment to the Parliament and passing it is one of the promises made by current President Maithripala Sirisena's  election manifesto due to be implemented within 100 days.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

One Hundred Medical Specialists Had Left The Doctors Union

Around 100 Medical Specialists attach to the Government Hospitals have resigned from the membership of Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) last week by criticizing the Union's inability to getting solutions for their problems medical sources said.

Around 1700 Medical Specialist are  members of the GMOA at present  and they too have decided to resign from their membership of the Union step by step the sources have further added.

President Has Appointed A Special Presidential Task Force To Address Issues Of Minorities

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a Special Presidential Task Force under the chairmanship of the Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge  to address the issues of minorities and to find suitable solutions that would fullfil the aspirations of all the communities in Sri Lanka.

The special task force will go into the matter step by step and find solutions which everyone in the society can accept the President has said.

Nearly 11,000 Dengue Patients And 20 Dengue Deaths Reported From The Country This Year -Director Dengue Control Unit

Although manage to reduced the mortality rate among Dengue Patients ,around 20 Dengue Deaths have been reported during this year up to now according to the Director Of The National Dengue Control Unit Dr.Hasitha Thisera.During last year alone 97 Dengue Deaths have been reported throughout the Island he has said.

The majority of these patients belongs to the age group 20-40 he has stressed. Around 10,500 Dengue Patients have been reported this year up to the last weekend and the number is expected to be exceed the 11,000 mark during this week Dr.Thisera has said.

Addressing a Media Seminar on Dengue held at the Health Education Bureau in Colombo this morning to make Media Personal aware on the forthcoming National Mosquito Control Week declared from 26th of March to 01st of April ,Dr.Thisera has said that the disposed containers have been identified as the major  dengue breeding place through a survey.Around 40% out of the all dengue breeding places in the country are disposed containers he has revealed.

The national dengue control unit has planning to reduce the mortality rate among dengue patients to 0.01% from present rate of  0.04% Dr.Thisera has further said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM WORDS OF WISDOM