Quick Look

Arrested fishermen to be released

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry will get released 200 Sri Lankan fishermen stranded in India and the Maldives.

A spokesman for the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry said 200 Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested in India and the Maldives from January to April second week. "They were arrested due to breaching the sea boundary and engaging in illegal fishing activities," he added.

Following the intervention of former Minister Felix Perera, 124 fishermen will be released at the first stage. Accordingly around 24 fishermen are due to arrive on April 23 from India.

The spokesman said the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department incurred a sum of over Rs. 170,000 for the welfare of fishermen and their lodgings, food, legal support etc in India and the Maldives.

The Fisheries Ministry is making all attempts to get released all stranded fishermen in India and the Maldives.

The fishermen are from Beruwela, Tangalle, Trincomalee, Negombo, Kalpitiya and Dewundara.

Arrested

Panadura Group Corr.

Panadura North Police arrested a youth who allegedly robbed a gold chain valued at Rs. 15,000 by squeezing the neck of a person at Keselwatta, Panadura. The suspect from Keselwatta was remanded.

SWF celebrates New Year

The Sinhala Women's Welfare and Development Foundation (SWF) will celebrate the annual Sinhala New Year on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at its Head quarters G 12-15, 20-22, Sri Vipulasena Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Founder and President of the organization Mrs. Indrani Iriyagolle will analyse and review 25 years of its committed voluntary services and more about its outstanding women who have won "firsts" in several fields of public activity.

The program for April 24th includes a presentation by Head of the Sinhala Department of the University of Colombo Prof. Sarath Wijesuriya. Cultural items included in the program for the day comprise of Kandyan dances (by members) selection of Avurudu Kumari and also a place for the elderly members as "Avurudu elderly". A fancy dress competition is included in the fun-filled program organized by SWF members.

Non-members attending this event could contact the committee on TP 2685552 (office) and 2439195 (Hony. Secretary).

Get-together

A get-together of present and past students attached to the NCT (National Certificate Course on Technology) study course in Technical Colleges in the country will be held at the Maradana Technical College on April 25 at 10 a.m. A spokesman for the organisers of the event said they hoped to make use of this opportunity to discuss basic problems confronting the membership in order to make representations to relevant authorities for suitable solutions to them. Further information could be obtained on mobile Nos. 077-3613399 or 0777-330098.

Jewel of Muscat - public viewing

The 9th century reconstructed Omani vessel “Jewel of Muscat” which arrived at the Galle Port on April 19 can be viewed by the general public at the Galle Port on April 24 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Home for widows opens in Vavuniya

CityCare has undertaken the building of the Harvest Women's Shelter Home in collaboration with Church of Prayer Mission to help the widows who have lost their husbands during the war.

Spearheaded by Rev. Bishop S. Santhanapillai and his team of volunteers, the ground breaking ceremony of the shelter home took place in October 2009. With full sponsorship by City Harvest Church, the home aims to provide shelter to as many as 50 widows by 2011. The Harvest Women's Shelter Home was constructed behind the compound of the Church of Prayer Mission, on the third lane Annanager Ponthoddam, Vavuniya.

Police Public Relief Room reopen

The Police Public Relief Room at Police Headquarters which was closed on account of the General Elections will be reopen to the public every Friday from April 23.

The public will be able to meet the IGP personally and obtain relief for their problems on this day from 7.45 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., said Police Headquarters in a press release issued yesterday.

Tragic end for lotus plucker

M.A.R. Manukulasooriya- Hiriyala group correspondent

A youth who went to pluck lotus flowers drowned in a tank.

The victim was U.P. Sena Bandra, 18 of Ulpothagama in the Wellawa police area.

At the inquest held by Inquirer into Sudden Deaths A. Weerasekara in Mahagalboda Egoda Korale, it was revealed that plucking flowers and selling them at religious places was the occupation of the deceased youth.

Police Sergeant Gunathilaka of the Wellawa Police led evidence.

Join hands to develop country

Tennakoon KULASEKARA

Anuradhapura District Parliamentarian S.M. Chandrasena has requested all opposition MPs including those in the UNP to join hands with the President and assist government efforts to develop the country.

Making a special statement after his recent election victory Chandrasena said the time had come for all to end the present political culture where the opposition is bent on opposing every action taken by the government for the mere sake of opposing without assisting the genuine efforts made to rebuild the country.

Now that terrorism had been defeated the people had given a clear mandate for the President to rebuild the country and it was the duty of all opposition MPs as well to assist him if they genuinely loved the country.

Robbery suspects nabbed

Edward WEERASINGHE- Kelaniya Group Correspondent

Seven suspects wanted in connection with a robbery at Thembiligasmulla junction, Makola were taken into police custody on a tip-off received by DIG (Western North) H.S. Dayananda on Monday.

A motor car belonging to a leading factory at Pattiwila, Kelaniya was held up and Rs. 2.5 million robbed at gun point at Thembiligasmulla a few days ago by a gang.

Police also recovered Rs. 900,000 in cash. A three-wheeler, motorcycle and jewellery bought with the robbed money were also recovered police investigations revealed. Investigations are being conducted by a police team headed by Sapugaskanda OIC IP M.P.E. Jayaweera, SI G.L. Siripala, PS Bandula, PCs Thilakaratne, Abeyratne and Premalal under the direction of Kelaniya ASP Upali Bandaranayake and Kelaniya SSP Kithsiri Ganegama.