An Indian National With Rs.5.18 Million Worth Foreign Currencies Arrested At Katunayake Air Port

The Sri Lanka Custom Officers have today (23) arrested an Indian National  at the Katunayake ,Bandaranaike International Air Port who attempted to smuggle Rs.5.18 million worth Euro and Sterling  Pound Notes  out of the country.

The Custom Officers have found 28,000 Euros and 4000 Sterling Pounds worth around  Rs.5.188 Million in the possession of the suspect.The suspect was arrested while he tried to fly Chennai ,India.

Around 100 HIV Positives Have Been Identified From Sri Lanka During Past Five Months

Around 100 New HIV/AIDS Positive have been identified from Sri Lanka during January to June this year according to the National STD/AIDS Campaign .The majority of these HIV Positives are  in the age group 25-49 and     65% of the Positives were males the Campaign sources said.

The HIV Infection among st School Children and Sex Workers are on the increase it has been revealed.

HIV Infection Among st School Children Of The Age Group 14-19 Is On The Increase -National STD/AIDS Campaign Director

The HIV Infection among st Sri Lankan School Children of the age group 14-19 is on the increase according to the Director of National Sexually Transmitted Diseases /AIDS Campaign Dr.Sisira Liyanage.The main reason behind the increased number of HIV Infection among st School Children is unprotected sexual activities Dr.Liyanage has stressed.

During last year(2014) 22 School Children infected with HIV/AIDS Virus have been identified  and during past five months of this year around 23 HIV Infected School Children have identified he has revealed.

"This is a very unfortunate incident and if the School Authorities allowed the medical staff of STD/AIDS Campaign to educate the School Children on HIV/AIDS few years back this disaster should have been avoided" Dr.Liyanage has said.The STD/AIDS Campaign had few years ago  requested School Principles to allow them to conducting HIV/AIDS Awareness Programmes for school children inside school premises but the Principles and the education ministry officers then continuously refused to  allow conducting these   programmes inside schools  citing the ethical and cultural barrier factors.

However the present Education Ministry Authorities have granted permission lat month for the STD Campaign to hold such programmes in schools for school children to make awareness on HIV/AIDS." Our aim is to protect the future generation of School Children from HIV/AIDS" the STD/AIDS Campaign Director has stated.

" Since early this month  an Island Wide HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign among st school children has commenced from Colombo Schools Dr.Liyanage has further added.

POEM OF THE DAY- IF I COULD CATCH A RAINBOW

Two Day Debate On 20th Amendment To Begin Tomorrow(23)

The Parliament is schedule to take up an adjournment debate on 20th Amendment  Tomorrow(23) and the Wednesday(24) as requested by several parties according to the Leader Of The House MP Lakshman Kirielle.

The Leader Of The House has said that many party leaders including MP'S Vasudeva Nanayakkare,Dinesh Gunawardene ,Professor Thissa Vitharane and Minister Rauff Hakim had requested a two day debate on the 20th Amendment.

However the Opposition Leader MP Nimal Siripala De Silva and the chief opposition Whip MP John Seneviratne had objected to this debate MP Kirielle has said.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Director General Of Health Services Has Instructed The Food Authorities To Inspect All Varieties Of noodles In The Market To Check Lead And MSG Levels

The Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala has today(22) instructed the food authorities to inspect all varieties of Noodles available in local market to see whether a higher amount of "Lead" and "Mono sodium Glutamate" known as MSG Chemical compound using as a food additive contains in Noodles.

Under the instructions of Director General Of Health Services the food authorities have already sent the samples of all varieties of Noodles available in local market including popular brand "Maggie Noodles" to the Industrial Technology Institute to conduct laboratory tests according to the food inspectors.

Health Authorities have suspected that some noodles manufacturers may have using higher amount of Lead and MSG when manufacturing the noodles which is very harmful for humans.

A large number of Maggie Noodles Packets have been destroyed by the Indian Health Authorities last week after they were found as containing higher amount of MSG.

If any of the local branded noodles are found as containing higher amount of Lead and MSG levels
 through the tests they will be immediately removed from the market Food Inspectors have said.

Former Sports Minister Was Questioned By Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division Over A Financial Irregularity

The former Minister Of Sports MP  Mahindananda Aluthgamage was questioned today(22) by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) over the allegation leveled against him on financial irregularity occurred at the Sports Ministry amounting over Rs.39 million while he was in office.

The Bribery Commission too investigating on a complaint received against the former sports minister aluthgamage and instructed the Immigration And Emigration Department to impound the Passport of him  due to pending investigation.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Sri Lankan Navy Arrested 26 Indian Fishermen And Trawlers In Sri Lankan Seas

The Sri Lankan Navy have arrested 26 Indian Fishermen along with three fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan Waters of  Seas in Northern Point Pedro it has been reported.The arrested Fishermen and fishing trawlers were brought to Kankasanthurai  Harbour today and they are due to hand over to the officials of Department  Of Fisheries And Aquatic Resources.

POEM OF THE DAY- "WHO EVER LOVED" BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

It lies not in our power to love or hate, For will in us is overruled by fate. When two are stripped, long ere the course begin, We wish that one should love, the other win; And one especially do we affect Of two gold ingots, like in each respect: The reason no man knows; let it suffice What we behold is censured by our eyes. Where both deliberate, the love is slight: Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?

Jathika Hela Urumaya Party Condemned The Government On Organizing A Diaspora Festival In Colombo

The Jathika Hela Urumaya(JHU) Party has today(21) severely condemned the Government on it's decision to hold a Tamil Diaspora festival in Colombo.According to the Media Spokesman of the JHU Nishantah Warnasinghe the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has allocated over US Dollars 3.2 million  to hold the Diaspora Festival .

Tamil Diaspora is known as the main funders of the terrorist group LTTE which fought with Sri Lankan Armed Forces over two decades for a seperate homeland in Northern Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has last week said in Parliament that the foreign ministry  is keen to organize a Diaspora Festival here later this year to encourage the Diaspora Community to contribute the activities in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Has Begun Talks With Minor Parties On 20th Amendment

The Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinghe  has begun talks with minor parties regarding the 20th Amendment to the Constitution which was included in Gazette recently the government sources have said. Prime Minister has concluded the first round of talks with minor parties on the Amendment today(21) at Prime Minster's official residence "Temple Trees".

Minor Parties including the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) have  decided to oppose the 20th Amendment to the Constitution  which includes the new electoral reforms and  scheduled to be presented to the Parliament shortly.

The minor parties are of  the view that  through the new electoral reforms introduced by the 20th amendment their parties will face injustice and therefore proposed to amend the new electoral reforms,

POEM OF THE DAY-"THE ARROW AND THE SONG" BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend

Jaffna Youth Was Arrested At Katunayake Air Port When He Attempted To Fly Canada Through A Fake Visa

A 27 year old Jaffna Resident was arrested this morning by the Criminals Investigations Department(CID) at Katunayake International Air Port  when he was attempted  to fly  Canada through a passport with fake Canadian Visa.

When the suspect was arrived the Air Port around 12.30 this morning to board the UL-494 Flight to fly Canada through Japan ,the Immigartion Emigration Officials at the Air Port have found that his passport was including a  fake Canadian Visa .Later
the Katunayake CID Officers have arrested the suspect after they were informed on him.

The suspect is due to produce before the Negambo Magistrate Court.

Chinese National Who Tried To Smuggle 23 Kilos Of "Wallapatta" Out Of The Country Was Detained

The Civil Aviation Authority officers have arrested a Chinese National this morning at Katunayake International Air Port who tried to smuggle a stock of rare origin t" Wallapatta "  which also known as "Gyrinops Walla" worth Rs.472,000 out of the country .

The Officers have found a stock of Wallapatta weighing 23 Kilos and 600 Grammes concealed inside his luggage when it was  checked.

The 44 year old suspect had arrived Katunayake International Air Port early this morning to leave Thailand from Thai Air Ways Flight.

The Suspect was handed over to the Sri Lanka Customs to conduct further investigations on the incident,.

"Wallapatta" is a rare origin tree which use to make expensive  perfumes.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Consumer Affairs Authority Has Arrested 1500 Bottles Of Hydrogen Peroxide

The Consumer Affairs Authority has today arrested around 1500 bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide High Solution which were illegally issued to the market by a Drug Company based in Malabe(In Colombo) Area .The Hydrogen Peroxide is using to treat the wounds ,however on the labels pasted on arrested bottles it was mention as it can be use as a mouth wash as well as a drug which can apply for ear infections .

The said drug is harmful for humans and Consumer Affairs Authority therefor appealed to the public to be on alert on that drug.The authority has also instructed the manufacturers of the said drug to remove all stocks of Hydrogen Peroxide Bottles which were issued to the local pharmacies .

POEM OF THE DAY- "TIME TOGETHER" BY LEON MARIE

All our time together as the days pass us by,
is not easy for me without you by my side......
I promise not to feel this pain and learn to smile,
'Coz i know that we'll make it through til the end of time...

Four Persons Died After Falling In To A CessPit At A House In Rambukkana

Four Persons including a Woman and Three Men have died after falling  in to a Cess Pit at a House in Parape,Rambukkana(Out Side Colombo) today(19).The deceased woman had fallen in to the Cesspit first and the three men had fallen in to it after they have tried to rescue the woman it has been reported.All the four deceased have died due to inhaled in a toxic gas inside the Cesspit.


All four bodies of the deceased are lying  at Rambukkana Hospital and the
 postmortems are due to perform at Kegalle Hospital.

Around 56 Garment Factory Workers With Food Poisioning Symptoms Were Hospitalized

Around 56 Garment Workers attach to a factory in Katunayake Investment  Promotion Zone were hospitalized this morning after they had fallen ill suspected as due to a food poisoning.The factory workers fallen ill after consumed their break first meal provided by the employer it has been reported.

The workers who fallen ill and shown food poisoning symptoms were admitted to the Ragama Teaching and Minuwangoda Hospitals for treatment
.

The Katunyake Police is conducting further investigations on the incident.

POEM OF THE DAY- ENCOURAGEMENT

Government Professions Supplementary To Medicine To Launch An Island Wide Strike After 30th Of June

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM'S) attach to government hospitals have decided to launch an island wide strike after 30th of June by demanding to pay the DAT (Disturbance,Availability and Transport)Allowance to all PSM'S attach to government hospitals run by provincial councils.

All government PSM'S attach to the government hospitals run by the central government were paid the Rs.3000 DAT Allowance with their salaries last month ,however the provincial councils not paid the allowance to PSM'S attach to provincial councils according to Joint Confederation Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine.

The executive committee of the Joint Confederation is schedule to meet on 30th of June to decide the strike date .

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Sri Lankan Air Lines Flight From Paris To Colombo Has Made A Safe Landing At Katunayake Air Port After experienced A Turbulent Weather

A Sri Lankan Air Lines Flight which carried 193 passengers on board  from Paris to Colombo has made a miracle landing this morning at the Colombo,Katunayake International Air Port after experienced a turbulent weather condition in  mid air on it's way to Colombo  .

The Sri Lankan Air Lines direct flight from Paris to Colombo was experienced a disturbance in Mid Air due to the turbulent weather condition and the flight managed to landed safely at the Katunayake Air Port due to the experience and professionalism of the  chief pilot in
the plane the Sri Lankan Air Lines has announced.The passengers were unaware of the difficulty faced by the plane in mid air on it's way to Colombo the Air Lines said.

After the flight was made a safe landing in Colombo four of the cabin crew members in flight underwent a medical examination it has been reported.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-2

English ,Sinhalese And Tamil Versions Of The 20th Amendment Draft Bill Due To Be Published Tomorrow(18)

The English,Sinhalese and Tamil versions of the 20th Amendment to The Constitution which was approved by the Cabinet recently are due to  be published by tomorrow (18) according to the Government Printer Gamini Fonseka.The all three versions of the amendment due to be published in this week's Gazette Notification as a supplement he has stated.

The English version of the  20th Amendment can be downloaded through  the site www.documents.gov.lk

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-1

Colombo Fort Magistrate Has Refused The Bail Application Of Imprisoned MP Sajin Vaas-He Was Remanded Until 24th Of June

Imprisoned Opposition MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardene who was arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division for the charge of misusing several vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat during previous government had been refused  bail by the Colombo Fort  Magistrate today(17) and  he was ordered to be remanded until 24th of June.

MP Sajin Vaas had produced a  bail application today after he was produced before the Colombo Fort  Magistrate Court .He was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division on 31st Of May.

Special Commodity Levy On Dhal Has Been Reduced And On Oil Has Increased

The government has reduced the special commodity levy imposed on Dhal and increased the same levy imposed on Oil except Coconut Oil with immediate effect.Under this Special Commodity Levy  on Dhal has been reduced from Rs.5 to 25 cents per Kilo Gramme and the levy on Oil has been increased by Rs.90 to Rs.110 per Liter .


.

Colombo Grand Mosque Has Decided To Commence Ramadan Fasting From Friday(19)

The Colombo Grand Mosque has today (17) decided to commence the Ramadan (Eid Al Fitr) Fasting from this Friday(19) as the new moon was not sighted in any part of the country today.

Muslim Community all over the world will observe a month of fasting and prayers during Ramadan,which is the ninth month of Islamic Lunar Calendar.The fasting during Ramadan is considered as  one of the five pillars of Islam.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-1

A Task Force Appointed To Combat The Growing Threats Faced By Children And Youth Through Social Media And Mobile Apps Sites

The Sri Lanka National Child Protection Authority has appointed a Task Force to combat the growing threats face by Children and youth  through  the social media sites like Facebook and Instagram and other web and mobile based applications like Viber,WhatAapp and Snapshot the authority has said.

The newly appointed Task Force comprises from the members of the National Child Protection Authority ,The Attorney General's Department,Ministry Of Justice ,Police Department and non governmental organizations according to the child protection authority.

The Task Force is due to start taking action immediately to investigate and prosecute the bullying,stalking ,harassing and extortion on children and youth occurred through the said sites.

Party Leaders Decided To Conduct The Debate Of No Confidence Motion Against Finance Minister On Next Month

All Party Leaders have today(16) decided to conduct the Parliamentary Debate of the  no confidence motion filed against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake on 06th of July.The no confidence motion which was signed by over 100 MP'S mainly from the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party was handed over to the Speaker Chamal Rajapakshe on 18th of May.

Earlier the Parliamentary Sources have said that the motion against the finance minister will be taken up for debate on 04th of July.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-2 (SINHALESE AND ENGLISH)

Nine Suspects Who Were Remanded Over The Gang Raping Of A Kayts School Girl Handed Over To The CID

The nine suspects remanded over abducting,gang raping and killing of a 18 year old school girl in Kayts Area(Northern Province) have been handed over to the Criminals Investigations Department(CID) today until 12th of July  to conduct an investigations on the incident according to the Police.

Earlier the Kayts Magistrate Court was remanded the nine suspects of the case until today(15).

The Gang Raping of the school girl has created a tense situation in North and around 400 people were arrested last month when they stoned the Jaffna Court Building and damaging public properties at the time the nine suspects who were involved in gang rape case were produced before the court.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-1

Court Of Appeal Has Dismissed The Petition Filed By Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka Claiming A Court Order To Reclaim His Parliamentary Seat

Court Of Appeal

The Court Of Appeal has today(15) dismissed the petition filed by the leader of  Democratic Party Field Marshal  Sarath Fonseka seeking a court order to reclaim his lost Parliamentary Seat and cancel the appointment of MP Jayantha Katagoda who filled  his parliamentary seat when  Field Marshal Fonseka was in prison.

MP Jayantha Katagoda who was a member of the Democratic Party then,was filled the Parliamentary Seat made vacant by Field Marshal Fonseka when he was sentenced three year imprisonment  by the Military Court on 2011.

The petitioner Field Marshal Fonseka has claimed in his petition that he is now eligible to be reappointed to his seat as all charges made against  him during the previous government have dropped and his lost civic rights and army titles have been restored by the president Maithripala Sirisene.

Impriosned Former Minister MP Rajapakshe And Three Of His Former Officers Released On Bail

The imprisoned former Economic Development Minister MP Basil Rajapakshe and three of his former officers were released on bail today(15) by the Colombo High Court.MP Rajapakshe and the former secretary to the Economic Development Ministry Dr.Nihal Jayathilake,The Director of the Divi Naguma Programme R.R.K Ranawake and Divi Naguma Regional Director Gamini Thilakasiri were released today on Rs.100,000 cash bail and Rs.1 million each personal bails.

Four of the accused were arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division on 22nd Of April over the allegation leveled against them on misusing the state funds of Divi Naguma Programme.Earlier .they were ordered to remanded until 18th of June by the Kaduwela Magistrate .

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Former Defense Secretary Has Ruled Out Entering Politics

The former Secretary to  the Ministry Of Defense and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapakshe has confirmed today(14) that he will not entering  to politics in future .Earlier he has hinted out that he may contest in the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections.

However a section of the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has opposed him entering to politics.Some of the Indian Newspapers too have reported that the former Defense Secretary who is also the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapakshe ,may enter Parliament through the National List.

Fifteen Persons Have Been Hospitalized Due To Contacting The Jelly Fish

Jelly Fish

Around fifteen persons have been  admitted to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital this evening due to an infection caused by contacting  the Jelly Fish at Mount Lavinia Sea.

These persons were contacted the Jelly Fish while they were bathing in the sea it has been reported. Six Children,Seven Men and Two Women were among those admitted .

FROM LORD BUDDHA

Governing United National Party To Request The President To Dissolve The Parliament

The Governing United National Party(UNP) headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinha has decided to request President Maithripala Sirisene to dissolve the Parliament immediately allowing the people to elect a new stable government the Party Sources said.The Central Committee of the UNP which met last Friday has unanimously decided to request the President to dissolve the Parliament.

By stating that the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarians are opposing the every action of the government the UNP Leaders has stressed that they are opposing the Cabinet's decision to increase the number of Parliament MP'S to 237 from the current number 225 under the 20th Amendment .

"The number of Seats in the Parliament should remain as 225 and it should not be  increased due to the pressure of the opposition" UNP Leaders have been stressed.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-2

A Buddhist Monk Has Committed Suicide By Self Immolation

A 69 year old Buddhist Monk has committed suicide today(13) by self immolation at a meditation center in  Madunagala situated in Forest Area(Southern Province) Police have said.The Deceased Monk has reside in a Meditation Center at  Millawa Area and committed suicide for an unidentified reason at Madunagala Meditation Center according to the Police.

The reason behind the suicide is not yet known and the post mortam of the deceased monk is scheduled to be conducted at Hambanthota Hospital.

Ambalanthota Police is conducting an investigations on the incident.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-1

Sri Lanka Customs Have Arrested A Sri Lankan National Who Attempted To Smuggle Rs.3.8 Million Worth Gold To Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Custom Officers have arrested a Sri Lankan National who attempted to smuggle Rs.3.8 million worth stock of gold to the country at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Air Port this morning.

According to the Custom Officers the suspect who is a  33 year old Resident of Colombo had arrived here from Dubai this morning with Three Expensive unfinished Gold Chains  weighing around 700 Grammes and worth around Rs.3.8 million  concealed inside his luggage.

Sri Lanka Customs is conducting an investigation on the incident.

Cabinet Approved The 20th Amendment To The Constitution

The Cabinet has today(12) approved the 20th Amendment to the Constitution on electoral reforms.According to the draft bill on 20th Amendment which was approved by  Cabinet the  number of Parliament MP'S has increased to 237 from 225 MP'S.

Under the proposed electoral reforms of the Amendment 145 MP'S out of 237 MP's will be elected to the Parliament by First Past Post system and the rest of the MP'S will be elected through Proportional Representation System and National List.

Meanwhile the Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Of Health Dr.Rajitha Senaratne has said yesterday(11) during the Cabinet Briefing that the Parliament will be dissolved after
Parliament pass the 20th Amendment.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY-2