Two Youth Have Been Drowned While Bathing In Kelaniya River

Two youth a boy and a girl have been drowned while bathing in the Kelaniya River at Hanwella (in Colombo District) last evening according to the Hanwella police.

The two youth in the ages of 16 and 19 have been identified as residents in Hanwella Area.

Hanwella Police have launched a joint search operation along with the  residents of the area to find the two drowned youth.

Three Suspects Including Two Females Were Detained At Katunayake Airport While Attempting To Smuggle Foreign Currencies

The Airport Customs Officers have detained three persons including two females at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Air Port this morning for attempting to smuggle foreign currancy worth over Rs.166 million out of the country.

All three suspects were preparing to board  Dubai bound Qatar Air Ways flight with foreign currencies including Euros,Saudi Riyals,Kuwaiti Dinars and Omani  Riyals in their possession around 3.25 a.m this morning when the arrest was made according to customs officers.

During the inspection the customs officers have found the foreign currencies concealed in bottom of two bags in one of the female's luggage according to reports.

Imprisoned Former Minister Basil Rajapakshe Has Been Hospitalized For A Medical Checkup

The former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapakshe who had been detained and remanded yesterday (18) over fraud charges has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital today (19) for a medical checkup.

The former Minister who is also the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapakshe has been admitted to National Hospital per the recommandation of medical officer in Prison Hospital the Prison sources have stated.

He was detained by Police  Financial Crimes Investigations Division(FCID) over misappropriation of funds belonging to Divi Naguma Department.

The former Minister Rajapakshe was detained last year as well over the same caharges along with two other officials.However at that time he had spent most of his prison term in Merchants Ward in Colombo National Hospital after he complaint of  chest pain.

QUOTES FOR LIFE

Thirty Six Prison Inmates In Jaffna Prison Have Started A Hunger Strike

Thirty Six Prison Inmates in Jaffna Prison  who have been remanded over  drug trafficking charges have launched a hunger strike this morning by demanding their release on bail it has been reported.

However after participating the hunger strike  eighteen inmates had left the strike up to now the prison sources have stated.

Sri Lanka Transport Board Buses Too To increase The Bus Fares

The Bus Fares of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB-LANGAMA) Buses too wil be increased by Rs.6 with effect from 01st of August according to the Deputy Minister of Transport Ashoka Abeysinghe.

The Cabinet has last Thursday approved the 6% bus fare hike to be implemented with effect from 01st of August per  the requests of private bus Unions.

Accordingly the new minimum bus  fare of SLTB  buses  will be Rs.9.00 with effect from 01st of August.

The SLTB Bus fare will be increased due to the rising costs at  SLTB  the deputy minister has stressed.

HEALTH TIP