Higher Police Officers And Free Trade Zone Workers Injured During A Clash Between Them

Nine Police Officers including a DIG, two ASP's and a OIC and 15 Free Trade Zone Workers got injured and admitted to the Negombo Hospital this evening following a Clash between the Workers and Police occurred at the Free Trade Zone in Katunayaka.The clash erupted when the Police used tear gas to disperse Free Trade Zone Workers who conducted  a protest over the  proposed private sector pension scheme .

After using tear gas  a tense situation erupted between the police and protesters  as the protesters began throwing stones at  police.Police Officers as well as protesters were seen washing  their faces with water due to the tear gas.Several  Protesters were arrested by the Police and seen beaten them.Some Police Vehicles parked near the protest too got damaged as they were hit by  stones.

Smoking Caused Rs.15 Million Loss To The Sri Lankan Economy Daily-ADDIC

Smoking has been caused Rs.15 million losss to the Sri Lankan Economy daily according to the Executive Director of  Alcohol and Tobacco Information Center "ADDIC" Mr.Pubudu Sumanasekera.

S peeking at the Media Seminar held today in Colombo to Mark 'World No Tobacco Day" falls tomorrow(31) Mr.Sumanasekera has said that one of the major causes for poverty  in Sri Lanka is Cigarette Smoking.He stressed that the Samurdhi (a monthly allowance given to the selected low income groups by the Government) Beneficiary has spend more then twice the amount they received as samurdhi allowance for Cigarette Smoking  and that figure stands in 2002 as Rs.1825 Million when Government allocated Rs.834 Million for the allowance.

Meanwhile the Secretary of the Committee on Tobacco and Alcohol attached to Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr.Sajeeva Ranaweera has suggested that if the Government can Increase Tax imposed on Cigarettes by 10 percent it will help to reduce  usage of Cigarettes by 3 percent among the youth and people in poverty as well as increasing the tax income of  government.

The theme of this years World Non Tobacco Day is "WHO(World Health Organization) Framework Convention On Tobacco Control".

Former UN Information Officer Appointed As Rupavahini Chairman

Former National Information Officer of  United Nations Colombo Office Mr.Mohan Samaranayake has been appointed as the new chairman of Government owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation with effect from today according to the government sources.He replaced the out going chairman Mr.Sarath Kongahage.

Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Is In India For Discussions On UN Report

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinha has left for India today to hold discussions with Indian Leaders on the situation arisen in the wake of issuing the United Nation's Darusman Report on alleged war crimes against Sri Lanka.He was invited to visit there by the Indian Government.During his  visit the opposition leader Wickramasinha is scheduled to meet Indian Premier Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister S.M Krishna.

However he will not meet  the newly elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha Jayaram according to the sources.The opposition Leader was invited by India for the talks on UN Report two weeks after the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Pieris visited India to brief Indian Leaders on the  Report.

Colombo Municipal Council Taken 500 Liters Of Local BTI Bacteria From Malaria Campaign

The Colombo Municipal Council has taken 500 liters of Locally made BTI Bacteria last week from Anti Malaria Campaign to spray in Dengue Risk Areas in Colombo City according to the Colombo Chief MOH Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam.The Officers  have already sprayed the BTI Bacteria in to Dengue Risk Areas of Eastern Colombo ,Borella,Thimbirigasyaya,Kirulapana and Havlock Town Dr.Kariyawasam has said.


According to him the locally made BTI Bacteria is much cheaper than the Cuban made Bacteria.Around 222 Dengue Patients with one death was reported within the Colombo City limits during this Month.

Adverse Weather Condition Killed 6 People And Afffected Nearly 4000 People

According to the Disaster Management Center the death toll due to the Adverse Weather Condition prevails in the Country has risen to 6 while nearly 4000 people and more than 1000 families have affected due to floods in several parts of the country.

According to the Center 5 people were died due to heavy showers and land slides in Galigamuwa area in Kegalla District and One person died due to lightning in Millaniya of Kalutara District.Kegalle District has  identified as the District worst affected by floods.

Meanwhile Few earth slips occurred in several areas in the Country today causing heavy traffic .The water level of  one of the main rivers in the Country the Kelani River too has risen to minor flood level and the Irrigation Department warned the residents in Kelani River Basin to be in alert on the situation.

Victory Day Celebrations-- President Stressed The Importance Of Racial Harmony While Former Army Commander Disheartned For Not Attending The Celebrations

President Mahinda Rajapaksha today had reminded the Political Parties that the Incited Racial hatred will not serve any purpose .Speaking at the 02nd anniversary of the Victory day held in Galle Face Green in Colombo to celebrate  the defeating of LTTE the  President stressed that the Human Rights cannot be guaranteed by including it to the Constitution but people will have to be liberated in order to enjoying it.

Meanwhile the imprisoned former Army Commander is reported as disheartened as he could not celebrate the war victory in Sri Lanka today.He expressed his feelings on this towards  a group of Parliamentarians of  main opposition United National Party including the UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa who visited him at the Welikada Prison today.