Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News

Buddhika Rambukwella who entered the Guiness Book of records by driving a car for a 45 km distance at a speed of 45 kmph utilising only his two legs (after tying his hand together) presented a DVD recording of his feat to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees recently. Rambukwella who used only his legs to turn the wheel, apply the clutch and brakes, toot the horn as well as signalling took one hour to cover the 45 km distance. A panel comprising UN Permanent Representative Mrs. Okama Brook, Guiness Representative Dr. Geethanjan Mendis and Chairman Sugathadasa Stadium Complex Donald Abeysundara adjudged Rambukwella’s performance. Earlier Rambukwella established another record by reversing a car a distance of 101 kilometres and 300 metres at a speed of 72 kmph within 2 hours and 30 minutes.

No more closure of Parliament road

Roads leading to Parliament will not be closed in future during sessions since security has improved, Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

He said that Parliament roads were closed during Parliament sessions due to the security threat to Ministers and MPs and VIPs attending Parliament.

The security situation has improved following the defeat of terrorism. "Therefore, it was decided not to close roads leading to the Parliament with effect from today," he added. He said it will ease congestion and remove inconvenience to the public.

Editors Guild committee

The following office-bearers were elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Editors Guild which was held at the Sri Lanka Press Institute on June 23.

President: Manik de Silva (Sunday Island), Secretary: Sundara Nihathamani de Mel (Lakbima Irida Sangrahaya), Treasurer: V. Thanabalasingham (Thinakkural)

Executive Committee: Siri Ranasinghe (Lankadipa), Mohanlal Piyadasa (Irudina), R. Prabhagan (Virakesari), Tillakarathna Kuruwita Bandara (Siyatha) and Nisthar Cassim (Bottom Line).

Canned fish factory for Akmeemana

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera told Parliament that the Government will set up a canned fish factory in Akmeemana, Galle shortly.

"Fulfilling the another pledge given by Mahinda Chinthanaya this canned fish factory will be in Akmeemana" , he said. The agreement has already been signed with a New Zealand company.

This would be a joint venture with a New Zealand company and the approval of the Board of Investment has already been granted for this process.

'Asirvada Pooja' in Stockholm

Sri Lanka Embassy in Sweden organized an alms giving and Asirvada Pooja to invoke blessings on the members of the Security Forces who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the motherland from the LTTE separatist terrorism and on the President, Defence Secretary, Heads and members of the Security Forces and all Sri Lankans. A Shakthi Pooja Pinkama with chanting of Pirith was also held.

This Pinkama was held under the guidance of Ambassador Ranjith Jayasooriya with the assistance of the staff of the Embassy on June 27. Ven. Kirindigalle Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera of the Stockholm Buddhist Vihara Temple, Ven. Watapana Pannaratana Thera of the Thapovana Vihara, Ven. Mathuragoda Manirathna Thera of Dharmapradeepa Vihara Foundation and Ven. Imbulane Dhammasiddi Thera were present. A large number of expatriate Sri Lankans; Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslims and Swedish nationals were among the gathering at this event. Ven. Watapana Pannaratana

Thera initiated a fund raising campaign themed Mathruboomiyata Hitha by contributing Swedish Kroner 5,000 by the Ambassador Jayasooriya. At a short notice, the Embassy was able to collect Swedish Kroner 8,000 which was credited to the DST account operated by the Central Bank.

Milk factory modernized

The condensed milk factory in Polonnaruwa has been modernized at a cost of Rs.14 million. The modernized factory is equipped with modern machines like air handling unit, labelling machine, can washing machine and UPS.

Though this factory was opened one year ago it shows big progress," Livestock Development Minister R.M.C.B. Ratnayake said.

"We take all steps to supply high quality milk for our people and uplift the dairy production of the country," he said. "Last month we collected 423,652 litres of milk and we sent 111,070 litres to the Ambewela factory," said the Minister.

UNESCO funds assistance to IDPs

The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO has granted US$ 50,000 to provide solace to the displaced communities in the North and East following a request by Education Minister and Chairman.

This assistance, 'Solidarity Assistance for Peace and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka' will be directed to the displaced communities, especially children, through the provision of trauma counselling, psycho social programs, recreational programs etc.

Under this program UNESCO will contribute to rehabilitate the civilians, previously held hostage by the LTTE.

Arms, ammo found

Security Forces continuing mopping up and search operations in the liberated areas have found a cache of arms and ammunition on Tuesday in Puthukudiyiruppu.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Task Force II conducting a search operation in Puthukudiyiruppu area have recovered 14, 130mm shells, four improvised mortar bombs, 59 of 60mm mortar rounds, a T56 assault riffle and a shot gun.

Meanwhile, Task Force VIII continuing search operations in the Puthukudiyiruppu area have uncovered 11 claymore mines, 10 RPG rounds, 60 detonators, a cyanide capsule, seven hand grenades, an IED, three 81mm rounds, three 60mm rounds, eight RPG rounds, a T56 riffle, a T81 riffle, ten of 12.7mm ammunition, 195 T56 ammunition, 32 T56 magazines and 12 AP mines.