Quick Look

Abductors demand ransom

S. Kathirgamathamby Jaffna special correspondent

A garage owner and a mechanic of Suthumalai, Manipay are reported to have been abducted while they were going to their place of work in a motorcycle.

The abductors have demanded Rs. 4 million from the garage owner and Rs. 3 million from the mechanic for their release.

The abductors have warned that if information is given to the police or the army the consequence would be disastrous.

This incident has created panic in Jaffna especially among the families that have come from abroad. Manipay police are investigating.

Govt continues resettlement

Vavuniya spl corr

The Government continues the resettlement process of IDPs.

More than 1,000 IDPs living in the Menik Farm were taken to Mullaitivu for resettlement on April 16.

Competent authority’s office for resettlement said IDPs will be taken to Kilinochchi and Oddusuddan for resettlement within the next week. It said the rest of the IDPs would be resettled when the landmine clearing in the Kilinochchi and Mullativu Districts is completed soon.

Gambling den raided

Edward Weerasinghe Kelaniya group correspondent

Peliyagoda police raided a gambling den run by a woman on Wednesday and took seven persons including two women into police custody.

This gambling den was situated close to the main railway line in a lonely spot.

Activity camp

M.A.R. Manukulasooriya Hiriyala group correspondent

An English language activity camp was held at the Ethugalpura Ranaviru Vidyalaya, Kurunegala in order to improve the English knowledge of its students.

This Ranaviru Vidyalaya was set up last year for the children of Ranaviru families.

No electricity at housing scheme

A.M. Gunasekara Banda Balangoda Central Group Corr

Electricity has not been supplied to the Sandaganagama housing scheme at Handagiriya in the Rakwana electorate though it is in the vicinity of the Samanalawewa hydropower station, the residents say.

Most of the residents in the scheme are the people who were displaced due to the acquiring of their houses and properties to the Samanalawewa Power scheme, they say.

CPC Chairman further remanded

By P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya Magistrate Saman Kariyawasam further remanded Central Provincial Council Chairman Saliya Dissanayake, the brother of former Minister S.B. Dissanayake till May 4 pending further police inquiries. The suspect stood charged with an alleged incident which culminated at Ragalla consequent to the victory and procession of former Minister C.B. Ratnayake.

Spotted deer in danger

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr.

The spotted deer will soon be extinct if poaching goes on unabated in national sanctuaries.

The spotted deer which is a rare species and a protected animal under the Fauna and Flora Protection Act, a Wildlife Department official said. He said not only the slaughtering but also the selling and exhibiting of animals is also considered an offence.

Ancient ruins unearthed

Raja Waidyasekera, Tissamaharama Spl Corr

Ruins of 62 ancient buildings have been unearthed as a result of excavation work at the historical Ramba Viharaya in Hambantota.

The Archaeological Department funded by the Central Cultural Fund has finished conservation of these ancient buildings.

Two shrine rooms dating back to the second Century BC, a mandiraya, Vihara Bodhighara, several Sanghawasas, a precious Buddha statue created utilizing a rare new material, two begging bowls, a golden casket of relics a well and a pond have also been unearthed.

Fire guts shop

Matara Roving corr.

An electrical shop at Pitabeddara town was completely gutted by fire on Thursday night. The shop owner who received burn injuries was hospitalised. Pitabeddara Police investigating the incident is trying to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Alleged ssault

Matara roving corr

Matara Police investigating a complaint of alleged assault made by a mother and her 17 year old daughter is looking for the head of the family who has fled the area following the incident. According to the complaint the father who is alleged to be a habitual gambler had asked for the daughter’s ring for him to mortgage it and use the proceeds on a fresh gambling spree.

When the daughter refused to part with her ring and the mother too objected to the proposal he had mercilessly assaulted both.

The complaint also said that the man was constantly pestering them asking money for his gambling.

Flower show

The Annual April Traditional Flower Show will be opened today at the Victoria Park, by Central Provincial Council Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake. The prize distribution will take place on April 25.

AGM

Twenty First Annual General Meeting of Matale, St. Thomas’ College, Colombo branch’s Old Pupil Association will be held at the Randiya Hotel, Koralawella, Moratuwa on April 25.

Bodhu Dhaja Ran Ulela

A special religious ceremony will be held to commemorate the first Buddhist flag hoisting, at the Dipaduttaramaya Thai Raja Maha Vihare Kotahena on April 28 (Poya Day) at 4 p.m., followed by a Wesak week in May which includes an essay and poem competition among Buddhist schools, issurance of a commemorative stamp, construction of a commemorative monument of the Buddhist flag.

The historic Buddhist flag was hoisted in Sri Lanka for the first time on the Wesak Full Moon Day on April 28, 1885-125 years ago at Dipaduttaramaya, Kotahena, Colombo by Venerable Migettuwatte Gunananda Nayake Thera.

Bambara Walalla Sinhala film directed by Athula Liyanage received two Jury’s Special Remi Awards at the 43rd Houston Independent International Film Festival held on April 17 in the USA. Director Athula Liyanage received Theatrical Feature Film and Video Award-First Feature and Thisula Deepa Thambawita received Theatrical Feature Film and Video Award-Cinemotography. Here Athula Liyanage and Thisula Thambawita on their arrival at the Bandaranaike Internatioal Airport. Picture by Kumarasiri Prasad - Airport correspondent

Southern Provincial Council member Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera handing over a coconut seedling to a parent at the St. Anthony’s College Baddegama at a coconut plant distribution ceremony held at the school recently. Picture by Somadasa Abeywickrama, Baddegama group correspondent

Vanitha Wasana draw was held at the People’s Bank Panadura main branch recently. Here a child picking up a winning ticket. Branch Manager D.S. Chandrika is also in the picture. Picture by Susil Ratnaweera, Panadura North group corr.

The suspension bridge over the Kehelgamu Oya on the Koswatte-Homagama road in the Ambagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha area in Nuwara Eliya is in a state of disrepair. Picture by G. A. Gunasena, Ginigathena special correspondent