Police Have Yet To Trace The Attackers Of Former FUTA President

The Police have yet to trace the unidentified group of individuals that assaulted the former president of the Federation Of University Teachers Association (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri yesterday near the Lalith Athulathmudali Stadium in Kirulapona(Colombo) it has been revealed.However Police have already launched an investigations on the assault according to the Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera.

Dr.Dewasiri was attacked by an  unidentified group of  individuals when he went to witness the may day rally conducted by the opposition parties belongs to the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) held at Lalith Athulathmudali Stadium yesterday evening.

Meanwhile Dr.Dewasiri who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital last night following the attack has been discharged this morning.

By issuing a press statement The President of the Lanka Teachers Union Joseph Stalin has said today that the individuals that attacked Dr.Dewasiri are hired by the former president Mahinda Rajapaksha,

US Secretary Of State Praised The Government's 100 Day Programme

The US Secretary Of State John Kerry who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning for a two day official visit had met President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wikaramsinha this evening and held talks on bi lateral issues the government sources have said.

During the meeting with the President ,the US Secretary Of State Kerry has praised the progress achieved by the Sri Lankan Government on it's  100 day programme . Also the secretary of state had promised the president that USA will give any assistance to Sri Lanka  to continue
the activities of 100 day programme.

At the meeting President Sirisena had thanked the USA for providing   economic aid  continuously to Sri Lanka during past few  years.President had also requested the US Secretary Of State to provide US aid  to train the officers of Sri Lankan Bribery Commission and Criminal Investigations Department(CID) regarding  combating of fraudulent activities   which the Secretary Of State Kerry has accepted.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY FROM INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

US Secretary Of State John Kerry Arrived In Sri Lanka For A State Visit

The US Secretary Of State John Kerry had arrived Sri Lanka this morning for a two day official visit.He was welcomed by the Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the deputy foreign minister Ajith P Perera at the Katunayake International Air Port.

During his visit the US Secretary of State is due to hold bilateral  talks with Sri Lankan Leaders.On the arrival  he has said that USA will hepl Sri Lanka to restore democracy in the country.

Foreign Minister Managala Samaraweera has said that the visit of the US Secretary Of State John Kerry symbolizes the return of the Island Nation to the center of international affairs.

This is the first time a US Secretary Of State had arrived  in  Sri Lanka after
 2005.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -1

Former President Of University Teachers Association Dr.Dewasiri Was Assaulted

The former president of the Federation Of University Teachers Association(FUTA) Dr.Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital this evening following an attack by a group of individuals occurred near the laith athulathmudali stadium in Kirulapona where the may day rally of some parties belongs to the United Peoples Freedom Alliance(UPFA) is  underway.

Dr.Dewasiri was one of the key supporters in the   President Maithripala Sirisena 's Presidential Campaign.

Former JVP Leader Has Begun A Fast At Independance Square

The former Leader of the leftist Jantha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) Somawansha Amarasinha has begun a fast this morning at Independence Square in Colombo-07 by demanding an action regarding the alleged coup attempt said to be launched by the former President Mahinda Rajapakshe and hos associates during the announcing of Presidential Election Results on 09th of January.

The foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera has already complained on the alleged coup attempt to the Criminal Investigations Department(CID) requesting an inquiry.

The former JVP Leader Amarasinha who has resigned from the party recently has said that several people who are aware of the said coup attempt are willing to assist the investigations on the matter.There's a risk of repeating the same incident during the forthcoming general elections also and it will become a threat to the life of
President he has further said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -2

Government Appointed A Presidential Task Force On Getting Back State Assets

Government Logo

The government has established a 13 member Special Presidential Task Force On getting back   state assets.President Maithripala Sirisena has today(30) handed over the appointment letters to the all 13 members of the Task Force at the President's Office according to the President's Media Unit.

The main duty of this Task Force is to investigating on the state assets that lost during the previous government and getting  those assets back to the government.

Government Has Handed over A Large Stock Of Essential Items For The Nepali Earthquake Victims

Sri Lankan Government has today(30) handed over a stock of food and other essential items for the earthquake victims of Nepal.The finance minister Ravi Karunanayake has handed over a container load full of Canned Fish,a stock contains 22,560 Kilo Grammes of Apple, a stock of T Shirts,100 Ruber Boots and 18,600 pairs of Shoes to the Nepali Ambassador in Sri Lanka Ram Singh Thapa at the Temple Trees this evening.

Sri Lankan Government has also sent a Relief Team last Sunday which including Doctors,Nurses and Paramedics with a stock of medicine to help the earthquake victims in Nepal.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -1

Fast Bowling Coach Of The National Cricket Team Chaminda Vaas Has Resigned From His Post

The fast bowling Coach of the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team Chaminda Vaas has been tendered his resignation to the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee today(30).

The former Sri Lankan Opening Bowler has said that he has decided to resign due to the political interference in the Cricket.He also said that he has no intention to continuing in any capacity of the Sri Lankan Cricket Administration in future.

Chaminda Vaas was appointed as the Fast Bowling Coach of  Sri Lankan National Cricket Team in February 2013 for a two year period.

A BED FOR CAT AND DOG -FROM CREATIVE IDEAS

The Girl Who Tried To Damage Sigiriya Mirror Wall Was Released On Presidential Pardon

Sinnathambi Udayasiri who was sentenced to two years imprisonment in Anuradhapura Prison for trying to damage Sigiriya Mirror Wall has been released today(30) on Presidential  Pardon.President Maithripala Sirisena has given pardon to the 27year old Sinnathambi who is a resident in  batticloe on 02nd of April but she was not released earlier this month due to the delay of receiving the written order to the Prison Authorities.

Dambulla Magistrate Court has sentenced her two year imprisonment following her arrest by the Sigiriya Police.

Dual Citizens Not Able To Contest In Sri Lankan Parliamentary Election -Deputy Foreign Minister

The Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera has said today (30) that there's a proposal in the 19th Amendment that Sri Lankans who are dual citizens will not able to contest for the Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections.Speaking at a media briefing held today in Colombo he said that for being a Sri Lankan Citizen is an essential qualification for a person to contest in a Parliamentary Election here.

The former Economic Development Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe who is now in remand and the former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaskhe are both hold Dual Citizenship in Sri Lanka and USA the deputy foreign minister has stressed.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Government Hospital Nurses In Eastern Province To Strike Tomorrow(30)

The Government Hospital Nurses attach to the Hospitals in Eastern Province are due to be launched a one day token strike tomorrow(30) by demanding to  implement  the delayed transfers of 8 nurses  in the province according to the Government Nursing Officers Union.

Around 500 nurses attach to the Government  Hospitals in Eastern Province
 are due to be participated this strike which scheduled to be held from 7 a.m tomorrow to 7 a.m on Friday.

Seventeen May Day Rallies Scheduled To Be Held In Colombo On 01st Of May

Around Seventeen May Day Rallies including the Government's May Day Rally are scheduled to be held in Colombo on 01st of May.

As there's a special traffic plan to be put in to effect on 01st of May in Colombo for May Day Rallies , Police have urged the public to avoid from entering Colombo on that day unless for an urgent matter.

19th Amendment To Be Implemented From Tomorrow(30)

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution  which was passed in Parliament yesterday(28) will be implemented from tomorrow(30) except 4 articles in it which will  come in to force by the next parliament due to be elected through a fresh general elections according to the Minister Of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakshe.

The four articles which are due to come in to force after the next general elections are pertaining to making appointments to the Judicial Service Commission he stressed."As the current appointments to the commission have been made already those four articles will be come in to force through the next Parliament the Minister has stated.

The 19th Amendment which includes the amendments of reducing the key powers of the Executive President was passed in the Parliament yesterday with two thirds majority.

Police Have Used Water Cannon And Tear Gas To Disperse A Protest Of Buddhist Monks

The Police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse a group of Buddhist Monks belongs to the Inter University Bhikku Front this evening as they have forcefully tried to enter the University Grants Commission premises in Colombo .

The Group of Monks were marched towards the university grants commission and tried to enter the Commission Premises forcefully  Police have said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

19th Amendment Draft Bill Was Passed By A Majority Of 212 Votes At The Final Voting

The 19th Amendment Draft Bill was passed in Parliament short while ago by a majority of 212 votes after it's final  committee stage debate.At the final voting 212 voted in favor for the amendment while one MP voted against it.

After the second reading of the 19th Amendment it was passed with a majority of 215 votes few hours ago.

After the conclusion of voting President Maithripala Sirisena has said that passing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by two thirds majority is a historical victory of the public.

Government Agreed To The Opposition Proposal On Increasing The Number Of MP'S In The Constitutional Council

Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha has said today(28) in Parliament that the government has agreed to the proposal made by  opposition to include more MP's to the Constitutional Council.According to the opposition's proposal Constitutional Council should includes 7 MP'S and 3 non MP'S.

During the party leaders meeting held earlier the opposition parties made this proposal   but no agreement reach on that between the party leaders.

19th Amendment Draft Bill Was Passed In Parliament By Two Thirds Majority

The 19th Amendment Draft Bill which reduces the key powers of the Executive Presidency and establishing Independent Electoral,Constitutional ,Judicial and Police Commissions has been passed in  the Parliament this evening on it's second reading by two thirds majority.At the voting 215 MP's out of  225 MP's in the Parliament have voted in favor of the amendment while MP Sarath Weerasekere of the opposition voted against it.Nine MP's were absent during the voting.

MP's were individually expressed their opinion on the 19th Amendment after the speaker Chamal Rajapakshe has asked the MP's whether they are agreeable or not to   the  amendment .

Earlier the voting for the second reading of the amendment draft bill was scheduled at 6 p.m ,but it was rescheduled at 7 p.m after the speaker has extended the debate on the 19th amendment from one hour.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -2

Twelve Market Stalls At Kalmunai General Market Had Destroyed Due To A Fire

Around 12 Market Stalls at the General Market in  Kalmunai(Northern Province) had been completely  destroyed this evening due to a sudden fire according to the Police.Businesmen,residents in the area and fire fighters attached to the Kalmunai Urban Council have managed to doused the fire before it spreads further.

The Police have suspected that an electric leakage may have caused the fire. Kalmunai Police have launched an investigation on the incident.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY -1

Former Presidential Secretary Laith Weeratunge And Two Others Have Been Summoned To The Police Financial Crimes Division

Lalith Weeratunge

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division has questioned and recorded a statement from the former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunge over the controversial financial transaction of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

Along with Mr.Weeratunge former President of the Tourism Development Authority Bhashwara Senanke Gunaratne and Kanthi Wijwthunge have been also summoned today on the same issue according to the Police.

The former Presidential Secretary was questioned by the Police Financial Crimes Division over the same issue on  an earlier occasion
too.