Quick Look

Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama is leaving for Pakistan today on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Pakistan Foreign Minister Inam Ul Haque.

During his visit Bogollagama will call on President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Soomoro and Foreign Minister Inam Ul Haque.

He will also hold consultations with his counterpart on all issues under the bilateral cooperation. Meetings with opposition party leaders and senior officials have also been scheduled.

The visit is aimed at further strengthening the overall bilateral relations and broadening the horizons of cooperation to new areas. The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by senior officials of the Foreign Ministry.

Acting Minister, Construction and Engineering Services

Enterprise Development Minister Mano Wijeratne has been appointed as Acting Construction and Engineering Services Minister by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Wijeratne will function in this capacity during the absence of Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who is in India to participate in the “Asian Consortium on the Prevention of Drug Use, HIV, AIDS and Poverty” to be held in Goa.

Aasirwada Pooja

An Aasirwada Pooja will be conducted to invoke blessings on the country and the Armed Forces at the Sri Dharmasrama Vihara, Borupana, Ratmalana.

This Aasirwada Pooja will be held on Saturday, February 2, at 6.00 p.m. and will be conducted by the Ven. Borelle Athula Nayaka Thera, Viharadhipathi, Athuladassana Buddhist Centre, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Get-together

A Special Get-together of classmates of 1961 Junior A, B, C & E of St. Aloysius’ College, Galle will be held on February 10 at Dilena Hotel, Matara Road, Dalawella, Unawatuna, Galle from 10.00 a.m. onwards. Details can be obtained on 060-2911 824, 0777 815 005.

Two wildlife men hacked to death at Wasgamuwa

Two forest officers at the Wasgamuwa National Park were found hacked to death yesterday night.

According to Matale Division ASP Wijenayake, initial news of the incident was received through a worker at the national park.

The worker while on his way towards the “Wawul Ambe” bungalow inside the national park has sighted a mutilated body of a forester. Fearing presence of terrorists the worker has fled the scene and informed the Park officials who had later informed the Police.

Police teams from Wilgmuwa and Laggala were dispatched immediately to the area, ASP Wijenayake said. The victims were identified as W.M. Dingiribanda, a field officer and N.G. Samaranayake, in-charge of the bungalow. The bodies had deep cut wounds and gun shots injuries, ASP Wijenayake further added.

Police have strengthened security in the area with the assistance of military, sources said.