Quick Look

Happy birthday Minister

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe turns 54 today. The Daily News joins its readers in wishing him well.

Owner killed as fire guts shop

Rafik Jalaldeen

A man was killed when a fire broke out at his shop yesterday afternoon in Mudungoda, Belummahara, Police Spokesman SSP I.M. Karunaratne said.

He said it was reported that a fire gutted a shop along Kandy Road in Mudungoda. When the people rushed to douse the fire, they found the shop owner was burned and had died inside the shop.

“Initial investigations disclosed the fire broke out due to an electricity leakage of the shop,” he said.

The deceased was identified as Ranjith Wijetilleke (49).

Kapila Somaratne Panadura group correspondent

A 16-year student of Horana Royal College and a 20-year youth drowned while bathing at the Alutgama temple tank at Bandaragama on January 26.

Horana Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Sumeda Gunawardena who held the inquests on the deaths, recorded verdicts of accidental deaths due to drowning. Salidu Hansaka Ranasinghe of Arukgoda and R. Malith Chamara, an employee of a private firm at Wattala were the victims. Bandaragama police led evidence.

Ex PC member among 160 illegal immigrants

Siri Wawwage, Matara Roving Corr.

One hundred and sixty illegal immigrants remanded for allegedly trying to migrate to Australia in multi-day boats were produced before Matara Magistrate Udesh Ranatunga yesterday.

101 of them were released on two personal bail of Rs. 300,000 each and the balance 59 re-remanded till February 5.

Among them was former Provincial Council Member Praneeth Padmatillaka.

One hospitalized following gun shot injuries

Matara Roving Corr.

A resident of Devalagama, Hakmana was admitted to the Matara Hospital with gunshot injuries on Wednesday.

Hakmana Police are investigating.

Buddhist talk

Bhikkuni Kusuma will deliver a Public Buddhist talk in English on “Metta and the Noble Eightfold Path” at a meeting of the Servants of the Buddha Society on Saturday January 30 at 4.30 pm at the Maitri Hall, Lauries Road, Bambalapitiya.

AGM and Get-together

The 20th Annual General Meeting and the Get-together of the Anuradhapura Central College Past Pupils’ Association Colombo branch will be held on February 7 at 10.00 a.m. at the Sakya Auditorium No. 8, Peters Place, Kohuwala, Nugegoda.

NCCSL National Day services

The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) which comprises Mainstream churches and ecumenical organisations will celebrate the 62nd National Independence Day on February 4 at member churches islandwide asking for special blessings upon the Nation and the people.

Silver Jubilee celebrations

The Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of the Moratuwa University will be held at the Department premises on February 2 at 7.30 a.m. Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana will deliver the keynote address. Founder head of the Department Dr. Abhaya S. Induruwa will be among other speakers.

The department has kept the University of Moratuwa and Sri Lankan flag high up in the global arena by obtaining the highest number of Google summer of Code awards for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Two die in accident

Rafik Jalaldeen

Two pedestrians died when they were knocked down by a speeding bowser and a lorry in two separate accidents in Kosgama and Ratnapura on Thursday evening.

Police spokesman SSP I.M. Karunaratne said a bowser plying from Pelmadulla to Ratnapura hit and killed a person aged 65 on the zebra crossing. “He was killed on the spot,” he added.

The incident occurred along the Ratnapura-Badulla Road at 109th Milepost in Welimaluwa at around 11.45 am.

Meanwhile, man run over by a lorry died on the spot at 46th Milepost in Kosgama on Thursday night.

SSP Karunaratne said a lorry plying from Avissawella to Colombo hit a pedestrian in the Kosgama area at around 11.30 pm.

The victim was identified as A.R. Perera (30), a resident of Thewatta Road, Ragama. Bowser and lorry drivers were arrested.

A fishery harbour and a jetty was opened by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera and Fisheries Deputy Minister Neomal Perera at the Chilaw lagoon. Here they unveil the plaque. Picture by Christie Fernando, Chilaw correspondent

A communication centre at the Matale junction in Anuradhapura has been set ablaze by some unknown persons on Thursday night. Nation Building Minister S.M. Chandrasena who visited the scene yesterday morning inspects the damage. The Anuradhapura police crime division is investigating. Picture by Hidogama group corr.

Social Services Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri and Saraswathie Dahanayake, Principal Sangamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Galle being escorted by Saviya Development Foundation President Dr. Winston de Silva and SDF members to open the Art Exhibition at the Sangamitta BMV, Galle. Picture by Richmond Wijesekera, Bentota group correspondent