Quick Look

The Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society will build an International Buddhist University at Sanchi, India. The Indian Central Government has expressed its consent towards this project. The plan of the proposed International Buddhist University was handed over to Prime Minister D M Jayaratna by Most Ven Banagala Upathissa Thera at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Parliament Complex, last week.

Wade seller with fake currency nabbed

M A R Manukulasooriya- Hiriyala group correspondent

A wade seller who had three counterfeit 100 rupee notes with him was taken into Gokarella Police custody.

The suspect was arrested at a religious festival at the Namal Anga Raja Maha Viharaya, Melsiripura on a tip-off from the public.

Gokarella Police are investigating.

Heavy fine on drunk drivers

Edward WEERASINGHE- Kelaniya group correspondent

Ganemulla Police took 12 persons into custody due to driving under the influence of liquor.

They were produced before Gampaha Magistrate and fined Rs 79,000.

Fire at umbrella factory

A fire broke out at an umbrella manufacturing factory at Danthuray in Kadugannawa at about 9.30 p.m. on Saturday. Kadugannawa police with the assistance of the fire brigade and neighbours doused the fire. Investigations are on to find the cause of the fire.

Haj quota increased

Saudi Haj Affairs Minister Fuard Bin Abdussalam Al-Farisi has increased the Sri Lankan Haj quota to 5,800 this year on a request by Disaster Management Minister A H M Fowzie.

When Minister Fowzie led the Sri Lankan Haj delegation to discuss arrangements to be made for Sri Lankan pilgrims for this year, the Saudi authorities had granted a limited quota of 2,800 pilgrims only.

However the Minister personally appealed to the Saudi Minister for an increased quota as a large number of Sri Lankan Muslims want to perform Haj.

Broiler transporters fined

Sampath SANJEEVA

Kebeitigollawa Additional District Judge Thilina Gamage imposed a fine of Rs 80,000 on three persons who transported broiler chicken without serial numbers and weight marked in the labels.

They were produced in court by Public Health Inspectors Shantha Seneviratne, Chandika Abeyratne and Dharmasena Seneviratne for transporting meat violating labelling and publicity regulations of the Food Act No. 26 of 1980. The court confiscated 400 kg of broiler chicken meat and ordered them to be destroyed. The Judge also imposed a month's imprisonment each in case they fail to pay the fine.

Woman fraudster dupes elderly women

Asela KURULUWANSA

Talatuoya Police are on the look out for a woman who is alleged to have duped elderly women and obtained money on the pretext of opening Elder Citizen's accounts in banks. Police investigations have revealed that the woman had used forged identities to show that she is employed in a state bank.

OIC Talatuoya Police IP Kamal Ariyawansa says that she has fled the area after obtaining the National Identity Card and Rs 5,000 from a woman of 75 years.

Lecture

Water Supply and Drainage Ministry will conduct a lecture on "The Twin Challenges of Climate Change and Water Management: What We need to Do" by the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, India Director Dr Sunita Narain. The lecture will be held today at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute, 114, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7 from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. It will be headed by Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunewardena.

Aborigines make first appearance in election

The plight of Australia's Aborigines emerged as an electoral issue Sunday, with the government pledging to tackle school truancy and back a constitutional change to recognise indigenous people. Australia's 455,000 Aboriginal people lag significantly behind other Australians in terms of education, health and life expectancy in a community often plagued by problems such as substance abuse and school truancy. AFP

Blood donation

A blood donation camp has been organized by the DFCC Bank in connection with the 13th anniversary of Bank on August 7 from 9am to 3pm at the Bank complex.

Jailor arrested with cannabis

Siri WAWWAGE -Matara roving corr

Matara police have arrested a jailor of the Matara prison who was alleged to have had in his possession Nine mg of cannabis. The cannabis were discovered by a high official of the prison who had informed the police thereafter.

The accused has told police that someone had given it to him to be handed over to a convict. He is to be produced before the magistrate.

Police arrest Student Union President

Siri WAWWAGE -Matara Roving corr

Acting on a complaint from the University authorities, the Matara police have arrested Ruhunu University Management and Finance Faculty Student Union President Ubhaya Wickremanayake, a fourth year student of the Faculty on Saturday. The student is alleged to have led a group of students and held hostage the Vice-Chancellor and Deans of all faculties inside a room in which they were holding a meeting without allowing them to get out.

Investigations are being conducted by Matara Police Crime Branch OIC IP P M K Chandrasena on the instructions of Matara Headquarters Inspector Nishantha Herath.

UNP PC member complaints against KMC

Asela KURULUWANSA

Central Provincial Councillor (UNP) Sunjeewa Kaviratne has lodged a complaint in Katugasthota Police against the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) which is under UNP administration. In his complaint he has stated that there is an environmental pollution threat as the KMC does not take action to remove the garbage lying in the area of Elephant Bath in Kandy. Later Municipal officers have removed the garbage after police intervention.

Rs 50,000 fine for illegal sand transport

Siri WAWWAGE- Matara Roving Correspondent

Matara Chief Magistrate Udesh Ranatunge imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 to a person who pleaded guilty of transporting sand without a permit on August 6. The suspect is a resident of Nawimana Matara. Matara Police produced the suspect before the court.

Environment Program in Kandy

Thilak Pushpa Kumara Senanayake

Over four million pilgrims are expected to throng Kandy during the Esala Perahera season and arrangements have been made to provide them with all facilities said Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake.

He expressed these views in a media discussion held after inaugurating the program Parisaraya Pujaneeyeaie (Environment is sacred) at the Dalada Maligawa premises. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining Kandy as an environment friendly area and request the pilgrims to avoid bringing polythene.

Have you seen them?

Children and Women's Bureau Director sought public assistance to trace Thanthirige Chamal Ruwanthika Peiris (16) daughter of Colombage Siriyawathie who is missing since January 3, 2010.

She is 5' in height and has short hair.

Information about her could be given to the nearest police station or to 011-2421111.

Vidana Pathiranalage Shahikala Madhumalee (18) daughter of G Hettiarachchige Karunaw- athie of Wewalawatta, Galkaduwa, Imaduwa is missing since June 28, 2010. She is about 5' in height.

She has a Mobile phone bearing number 071 4733772.

Information about her could be given to the above address or to the OIC, Kananke Police Station.

Police Public Relations and Media Division sought Public assistance to trace Welegederage Jeevan Niroshan Prabath, son of Attanakoon Arachchige Rupawathi of 11/141, Lakshmi Road, Gampaha, who is missing since May 16, 2010.

He is about 5' 7" in height.

Information about him can be given to the above address or to the Director Police Public Relations Division on 011-2421111.

Fire at Dahaiya Kanda

A fire which broke out in a hilly area called Dahaiya Kanda, Dambulla close to the ancient Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya was extinguished without any casualties.

According to police the fire was extinguished by Dambulla Police and Sigiriya Air Force Fire Fighting Unit with the help of area residents.

The cause of the fire has not yet known. But when the police reached the scene a person from Mawathagama had tried to runaway. The person who tried to flee the area on seeing the police was taken into custody on suspicion. The police are questioning the suspect and further investigations are being carried out.

Death of former ANCL staffer

The death occurred on Saturday of H. Kapila D. Tillakeratne of 235/2, Kadawatha Road, Dehiwela, a former employee of Lake House.

He served the company for 40 years, first in the Works Department and later in the Editorial VDT section. He was 63 at the time of death.

He leaves behind his wife and three children including H. R. Thilakaratne of the Daily News VDT section.

Funeral takes place today, August 9, at 4.30 p.m. at the Nedimala cemetery.

Lecture

A lecture on “The twin challenges of climate and water management: What we need to do” by Science and Environment Center Director of New Delhi India Dr. Sunil Narain will be held at 3 p.m. Today, August 9 at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute, 114, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7.

The Chief Guest will be Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Rare margosa plant in A’pura

[White ]

A rare white margosa (kohomba) plant was found in a garden in Henawatta, Pullayyar junction in Anuradhapura. This plant has sprung from the root of a kohomba tree which was cut down.

The plant is about four feet in height. Some twigs are dark brown while some parts are pure white. Ayurveda Research Institute Senior Botanist Piyal Marasinghe said this difference may have been caused due to a change in the photosynthesis.

A Shramadana was held to clean Maharagama town recently under the theme ‘Do away with dengue’ organized by the Divisional Secretariat, UC Maharagama, National Youth Services Council and the Civil Defence Committee. Here, Chairperson Kanthi Kodikara, Divisional Secretary Chandraratne Pallegama and Major Hulangamuwa removing posters on walls. Maharagama Special Correspondent Wehelle Piyathilake