Four Persons Died And Another Two Injured Due To A Van-Train Collision

Four persons were killed and another two severely injured due to a collision between a Van and a Train this evening at Mankulam(Northern Province) .The injured were admitted to the Kilinochchi General Hospital for treatment.

According to the Railway Control Room the van was collided with the  train which transporting goods from Anuradhapura to Jaffna when the van tried to cross the rail track at an unprotected Rail crossing.

Sections In The 19th Amendemnt Related To Media To Be Removed-Prime Minister

Prime Minister Ranil Wikarmasinha has said today(27) in Parliament that the sections related to the Media in the proposed 19th Amendment Draft Bill will be removed as Local Media and several critics have shown that media freedom will be affected through these sections.

Former President Mahinda Rajapakshe too has stated  last Saturday during a function that through some sections in the Amendment media freedom will be affected.

The debate on the 19th Amendment Draft Bill  has began this morning at Parliament and the President Maithripala Sirisena has been inaugurated the debate.Addressing the Parliament the President has said that this will be a historical occasion and all 225 MP's in the house should vote in favor of the Draft Bill which includes the amendments removing several key powers of the executive president .

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

The First Batch Of Displaced Sri Lankans In Nepal To Be Arrived In The Island Shortly

Around 33 Sri Lankans who have been displaced due to the Earthquake occurred  in Nepal yesterday  are  due to be arrived in the Island shortly through a Sri Lanka Air Force Plane it has been reported.They are scheduled to be transported through the Air Force Plane C-130  which carried 48 member Sri Lankan Relief Team to Kathmandu for relief services this evening.

Due to the reported aftershocks in the Nepali Capitol Kathamndu the arrival of the plane has been delayed reports said.

As there is an  Emergency Situation in Nepal following the yesterday's earthquake Sri Lankan Government is planning  to bring back all the Sri Lankans reside in Nepal numbering 140 including University Students to Sri Lanka with immediate effect.

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's Office has today requested the Government Doctors,Nurses and Paramedics who are willing to provide their volunteer service in Nepal to contact the Prime Minister's Office.

Draft Bill On 19th Amendment To Be Presented To The Parliament Tomorrow(27)

The much talked about 19th Amendment Draft Bill which introducing  amendments to reduce the powers of the Executive President is scheduled to be presented to Parliament tomorrow(27).The Draft Bill was scheduled to be taken in to debate last week but due to the protests conducted by a group of Parliamentarians attach to the Opposition United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) inside the Parliament  over the actions of  Bribery Commission, it has been postponed till tomorrow.

The Main Opposition  Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya Party (JHU)have  already extended their support to pass the draft bill.The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) has yet to decide on whether to support the draft bill or not it has been reported.

After tomorrow's debate on  the draft bill  it will be taken for vote  on Tuesday(28) according to government sources
.

Meanwhile Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo the General Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya Party Patali Champika Ranawake who is also the Power and Energy Minster of the current government has said that as the current government has made several constitutional amendments per the requests of the JHU , the Party has decided to back the draft bill.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Government To Send A Relief Team To Kathmandu Tomorrow(25)

The Government has today(25) decided to send a relief team to Kathmandu ,Napal where the massive Earthquake has strucked  with a stock of medicine to treat those who are wounded on the quake.The relief team is consisting of Four Medical Doctors and Paramedicals and the team is due to fly Kathmandu tomorrow afternoon from a Air Force Plane according to the government.

Sri Lankans In Kathmandu -Nepal Are Not Affected From The Earthquake-Sri Lankan Embassy In Nepal

From Today's  Earthquake Site In Nepal

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Nepal has  confirmed that up to now no Sri Lankans are  among those dead and missing due to the massive earthquake that struck Nepal today(25).The Sri Lankan Embassy in the Nepali Capital Kathmandu has said that around 140 Sri Lankan Nationals including 120 Sri Lankan Students studying at the University Of Manipal in Pokahara and 20 other Sri Lankans who reside in Kathmandu are unharmed.

However the Embassy had established a hot line via the embassy for those who are seeking an information on Sri Lankans living in Nepal. the hot line  is 009779851020057.

The Foreign Ministry too quoting the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu and confirmed that all the Sri Lankans in Nepal are safe and unharmed .

The massive Earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale which struck Nepal and Northern India this morning shook the south asian region by killing nearly 1000 people while more than that are believed  to be killed and missing .

A Mother And Three Children Were Drowned At Parai Wella Beach In Tangalle-Three Bodies Recovered

A mother and her three Children have been drowned in the Sea this morning  (25)off  Parai Wella Beach in Tangalle District(Southern Province) and the bodies of three out of the four victims have recovered so far according to the Police.

The victims have faced this tragic incident when they stopped at Parai Wella Beach on their way to a wedding.The mother and three children were at the beech when waves swept away the three children while they were playing at the beach.Mother too swept away when she tried to rescue her children.The bodies of the Mother and two of her children have been recovered up to now it has been reported.

Police are investigating to find out the body  of the missing child.The mother was 31 years old and her children were on the ages of 10,6 and 2 years.

FROM THE WEB

Import Taxes On Potatoes And Big Anions Increased From Today(25)

The import taxes imposed on Potatoes and Big Anions are to be increased from Rs.40 to Rs.55 and  from Rs.10 to Rs.35  per Kilo Gramme respectively with effect from today(25) according to the Finance Minister Rabi Karunanayake.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Imprisoned Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Said He Is Ready To Face Divi Naguma Allegations Behalf Of The People.

The imprisoned former Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe who is now in Merchants Wards of Colombo National Hospital has stated Yesterday  (24)that if there is any wrong doing occurred in "Divi Naguma" Programme Funds he is ready to face any challenge behalf of the people.

Issuing a Media Release to the media organizations MP Rajapakshe who was admitted to the Merchant's Ward after complained about a  Chest Pain on Thursday (23) has said that the  "Divi Naguma' Programme was created for people's welfare and it was a people's programme.The former Minister has seems to be in good health now  although complained of a chest pain  earlier.



He along with the former secretary of the Economic Development Ministry Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the director general of the Divi Naguma Programme R.A.K Ranawake were ordered to remand till 05th of May over the allegation leveled against them on misusing a sum of over Rs.700 million that belongs to the "Divi Naguma" Programme.All three of them were admitted to the Ward 15 of the Merchant Wards by Thursday  evening  after complained about  a chest pain.

Colombo Magistrate Court Issued Notices To 18 Politicians Over A Chrages Of Contempt Of Court

The Colombo  Magistrate's Court  has today(24) issued notices to 27 politicians and individuals   including 10 Parliamentarians attach to the main opposition United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) to appear before the courts on 8th of May on charges of Contempt of  Court.

Those Politicians and individuals including some Buddhist monks who were issued notices today have been launched a protest campaign in front of the Bribery Commission in Colombo yesterday (23) to protest against summoning Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe at the commission.

As they were conducted the protest campaign by violating the Colombo Magistrate's  Court order issued on previous day by banning any protest campaigns  in front of the bribery commission.
the Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya has today issued the notices to those participated the protest after considering the report submitted to the court by the Cinnamon Garden Police.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Central Committee Of The Main Opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party To Vote In Favor Of 19TH Amendment

The Central Committee of the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP)  has today (23) unanimously decided to vote in favor of  the Draft Bill on 19th Amendment which is scheduled to be taken in to debate by Next Monday(27)according to the Cabinet Spokesman Dr.Rajitha Senaratne .

The President Maithripala Sirisena has also assured to pass the  20th Amendment on new electoral system which proposed by the SLFP.The Parliamentary Group representing the SLFP has earlier decided to support 19th Amendment Draft Bill only if the government will presented it to the Parliament with new electoral reforms.

Under the 19th Amendment Draft Bill Eight Key powers vested with the Executive Presidency will be amended including the power of the President to dissolving the Parliament.Under the amendment the power of dissolving the parliament which now vested with the executive presidency will be transferred to the Parliament it self.The President's term will be reduced to two terms and one term will be reduced to five years from six years .

Cabinet Has Approved The "Right To Information " And " National Audit" Draft Bills

The Cabinet has yesterday (22) approved the Draft Bills on "Right to Information" and " National Audit" as promised through the government's 100 day public welfare programme according to the Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health And Ingenious Medicine Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha was presented the Draft Bill on " Right To Information "to the Cabinet last night and it will be presented to the Parliament as an " Urgent Bill" Dr.Senaratne has said.A commission is due to be set up in order to facilitate the " Right To Information" he has stressed.

The Cabinet has also approved a new electoral system presented by the President Maithripala Sirisena Cabinet Spokesman has further added.

A Group Of Protesters Have Caused A Tense Situation Near Bribery Commission -Former Defense Secretary Arrived To Give A Statement

A tense situation has occurred in front of the Bribery Commission Building this morning as a group of protesters lead by Pivithuru Heala Urumaya Party Leader Udaya Gammanpila have staged a protest campaign  there against summoning of former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe  at the bribery commission over corruption allegations.Mr.Rajapakshe who is also the brother of former president Mahinda Rajapakshe had arrived in bribery commission this morning  to give a statement to the commission regarding the corruption charges leveled against him.

Earlier he has requested the bribery commission to give him some more time to provide details of the allegations as the allegations leveled against him are old ones.The former Defense Secretary has been given a sufficient time by the commission to answer the allegations it has been revealed.

Meanwhile the protesters have chanted slogans by criticizing the bribery commission officials for summoning the former Defense Secretary at the commission. 

Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Who Was Arrested Yesterday Has Been Transferred To The Colombo National Hospital

The former Minister Of Economic Development MP Basil Rajapakshe who was arrested  and remanded yesterday(22) evening has been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital this evening for a medical test the hospital sources have revealed.As MP Rajapakshe has complained that he is in poor health condition Kaduwela Magistrate Court has ordered the prison authorities this morning to admit him to the Welikada Prison Hospital and from there he has been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital in the evening.

At the moment MP Rajapakshe is at a Merchant Ward of the Hospital.The other two who were arrested yesterday along with MP Rajapakshe ,The former secretary to the Ministry Of Economic Development Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the former director general of the Divi Naguma Programme R.A..K Ranawake were also admitted to the Welikada Prison hospital this morning after they too were complained on poor health condition which becomes a very common condition these days among the VIP's including the politicians in Sri Lanka whenever they are under an arrest order.

MP Rajapakshe and two other attached to his former Ministry were arrested yesterday by the Police Crimes Investigations Division over an allegation leveled against them regarding  misusing the state funds over Rs.700 million that belonging to the Divi Naguma Programme.

When arrived at Police Crimes Investigations Division to give statements yesterday regarding the allegation leveled against them all three were in good health condition according to the sources.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Has Been Remanded Until 05th Of May

The Former Economic Development Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe who was arrested by the Police Crimes Investigations Division this evening has been remanded till 05th of May on charges of misusing the public funds over Rs.700 million belonging to the "Divi Naguma" Programme. Divi Naguma Programme has been implemented by his ministry.

The MP was reported as transported to the Welikada Prison by a Prison van .

The former Minister who is also the younger brother of  former President Mahinda Rajapakshe , has been ordered to be remanded by the Kaduwela  Magistrate after he was produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court few hours ago.

After MP Rajapakshe and two other accused officers served at Ministry Of Economic Development have been produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court a group of people believed to be the supporters of former minister were protested against his arrest in front of the court premises..Due to this situation the security from Kaduwela Magistrate Court to the Welikada Prison has been tightened up according to the Police.

FROM THE WEB

Former Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe And Two Others Attached To His Former Ministry Have Been Arrested-Police

Former Minister of Economic Development MP Basil Rajapakshe along with the former secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and the Director General of Divi Naguma Programme launched by the Ministry R.A.K Ranawake have been arrested by the Police Crimes Investigations Division this evening.

They were arrested over an allegations leveled against them regarding massive Financial Corrupt Deals occurred under  Divi Naguma Programme.Earlier today the Police Crimes Investigations Division has recorded a statement from MP Basil Rajapakshe over the allegations.

Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Has Given A Statement Regarding Fraud Allegations Against Him

The former Minister of Economic Development and the brother of the former President Mahinda Rajapakshe ,Basil Rajapakshe who returned to the island from USA yesterday had given a statement today(22) to the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division  regarding a large scale fraud  alleagtions levelled against him .

He was questioned by the Police Crimes Investigations Division over a illeagal financial deal occured at the "Divi Naguma" Programme which comes under his Minsitry then it has been reported,The former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakshe has returned to the island from USA to giving  some required details  regarding fraud allegations levelled against him.

Sri Lanka Becomes The First Country In South Asia That Providing Free Internet WIFI Facility To The Public -ICTA

Sri Lanka has become the first country in South Asian Region that created Free Internet WIFI Zones for the public according to the Information and Comunication Technology Agency Of Sri Lanka(ICTA).Under the 100 day welfare programme of the present government one thousand Free Internet WIFI Zones are planned to be set up around the country ICTA has said.

Up to now   WIFI Zones which public can accress to the internet free of charge have been setup in seveneteen districts throughout the island and the latest adition to that is the Natural Zoo innaugurated in Pinnawala last week.

Government is aiming to setting up free WIFI Internet Zones in every Divisional Secretariet in near future ICTA has further said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

A Risk Of Spreading Malaria In Sri Lanka Through Foreigners-Anti Malaria Campaign

There's a great risk of spreading Malaria in Sri Lanka through the foreigners who are returning to the country from countries like India the Director of the Anti Malaria Campaign Dr.Risintha Premaratne has said today(21).During 2013-2014 period 144 local and foreign Malaria Patients were identified on their arrival at the Katunayake International Air Port and the  Sea Ports in Northern Province  he has stressed.Out of these patients 95 were identified in 2013 and 49 were identified in 2014.

At present the spreading rate of Malaria in Sri Lanka is zero and to keep that rate continuously there's a need to prevent entering malaria to the country from other countries Anti Malaria Campaign Director has stressed.

Dr.Premaratne has made these remarks during  the press briefing held today at the Government Information Department in Narahenpita.