Quick Look

PPRC closes for polls duties

The Police Public Relief Counter (PPRC) operating at the Police Headquarters, Colombo for the convenience of the public to air their grievances every Friday from 7.40 am to 2.30 pm will be closed on January 22 and 29 in view of special election duties.

Two bystanders killed

Rafik JALALDEEN

A teenager and a nine year old were killed when electricity posts transported in a lorry slipped off the vehicle and hit a group of bystanders. The incident occurred in Dikkumbura, Kandaketiya on Wednesday.

Police spokesman SSP I.M. Karunaratna said the lorry was transporting electricity posts from Dikkumbura to Bakmedilla when the mishap occurred while the lorry was crossing a small bridge on the Galauda Road.

"When the lorry crossing the bridge, a concrete slab broke and the lorry has turned aside. The electricity posts had slided off and fell on the bystanders", he added. He said the youth and a nine year old were rushed to the Kandaketiya hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.

Pooja to bless country

A Sambuddha Vandana Asiri Vehicle procession and Maithree Bodhisathwa Abhisheka Mangala Pooja ceremony will be held for the 11th time on January 30 and 31. This is with the objective of blessing prosperity, blessings for the country, elimination of ill effects of malefic planetary formations and diseases.

It is organized and conducted by the All Ceylon Methmuni Society and Meth Bosath Asiri Pooja Committee. It will be conducted under the patronage and guidance of Sri Chandamuni Vanshawathansa Maithree Jina Nandana Darshana Shasthri Shasthrapathi Ven. Nindane Chandawimala Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent Methmuni Viharaya, Warakapola.

Assistance sought to trace girl

M.D. Saduni Shalika, aged 15, daughter of Kirada Ganithage Deepika Priyanganee of Edwin Weerasekara Mawatha, Halkandawila, Payagala has been missing since December 31, 2008.

This girl is five feet in height and fair complexioned with the hair parted both ways at the centre and grown upto the waist. She was wearing an ear-robe last time.

Any information as to her whereabouts may be passed on to telephone number 011-2444444 of the Children’s and Women’s Bureau, Colombo.

Principal critically injuredin stabbing incident

Bandula GUNASEKARA and T. K. Ariyadasa Malimbada group corr.

Principal of the Wijaya Vidyalaya in Maliyadda, Dikwella was critically injured due to an alleged stabbing by her husband following a family dispute and warded at the Intensive Care Unit of the Matara General Hospital, Dikwella police said.

The victim, Nayana Nandani Weerasinghe, met with the incident while she was on duty at the Vidyalaya office on Thursday morning. The suspect is absconding.

The anti crime unit of Dikwella police is investigating.

UN calls for violence free election

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, appealed to all parties and their supporters “to show restraint and refrain from violence, to adhere to the electoral laws and rules and to avoid provocative acts throughout the election period and its aftermath.

“The peaceful conduct of the first post-conflict national election is of the highest importance for long-term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka,” said his spokesperson in New York.

Cinnamon burglary

Fred SILVA JINASENA Telwatta group correspondent

Cinnamon worth Rs Two lakhs has been burgled in Weragoda in the Meetiyagoda police division.

According to a complaint made by P. M. Jayasiri, a cinnamon peeler there were about 250 kg of cinnamon stocked in their cinnamon wadi.

When he was asleep two persons had come with a sword and knife and threatened him and taken away the cinnamon bundles along with his wrist watch.

Opening of Avukana Buddha statue replica

A replica of the Avukana Buddha statue at the Athula Dassana Buddhist Centre at Bauddhaloka Mawatha will be opened on January 25. This 18-feet statue is a creation of sculptor Nishantha Samaranayake.

This was made to mark the first death anniversary of D.P.P. Samarasekera. The replica was done on the advice of Chief Incumbent of Colombo Province and Athula Dassana Centre Ven Borelle Athula Thera. An all night Pirit ceremony followed by an alms giving the next day will also be held to mark the occasion.

UPFA Election offices torched

Sanjaya ASELA MATHURATA

Two UPFA election offices at Kiribathkumbura and Kehelwala in the Yatinuwara Electorate were completely set on fire allegedly by UNP and JVP supporters yesterday.

Central Provincial Council member A. G. Sirisena said that the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa could not be prevented by these kind of mean acts.

No liquor on Jan 26, 27

All wine stores and liquor outlets will be closed on January 26 and 27 in view of the Presidential election.

Interview with Maj Gen Shavendra Silva tonight

An interview with Army Director General Operation Major General Shavendra Silva will be televised on Independent Television Network (ITN) at 9.30 p.m. today about the humanitarian operations conducted by the Security Forces.

Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene who opened the new Dematagoda Housing Complex for shanty dwellers evicted from Slave Island handing over the keys of a home to a beneficiary. Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie is also in the picture.

The Joint Council of Trade Unions led by leaders of 66 trade unions staged a demonstration in support of President Mahinda Rajapaksa opposite the Colombo Fort Railway station on Tuesday. Picture by Sudath Nishantha

Eighteen lay and clerical intellectuals who had translated ‘Tripitaka’ commentaries into simple sinhala were appointed as Justices of Peace by the Ministry of Justice at a ceremony at the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Nedimale Dehiwala recently. Here Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda who was the chief guest handing over a letter of appointment to a member of the Sangha who was one of the beneficiaries of this scheme. Picture by T.D. Sirisena, Maharagama Group Corr