Quick Look

Accident case: suspect arrested, car found

Kapila Somaratne - Panadura group correspondent

A car driver who was avoiding arrest after knocking down two pedestrians along Panadura-Horana Road at Bolgoda was nabbed last week.

The car hidden in a motor garage at Miriswatte, Bandaragama was also taken into custody.

Rosalin Wickramasuriya and Margeret Fernando returning home after participating in a Bodhi pooja at the Bolgoda temple on November 23 night, died when they were allegedly knocked down by the car driven by the suspect.

The suspect had allegedly told police that three persons were travelling in the car at the time of incident and they were under the influence of liquor.

Students get gift parcels

Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliagoda special correspondent

The Eheliyagoda Divisional Secretariat provided gift parcels to students of R/Deiyagala Vidyalaya which is in the verge of being closed.

This arrangement had been made under the direction of Divisional Secretary Shanthi Wijayaraja.

Allocations were provided by Eheliyagoda Samurdhi Development Union, Managing Director R A D A Jayatissa through the social Development Fund.

The gift parcels were distributed among students at a tree planting campaign held in the school recently.

Drought resistant tea variety introduced

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr

Two drought resistant varieties of tea has been introduced among tea cultivators in the Southern Province by the Tea Small Holding Authority.

Plants of these two varieties of tea can be obtained as packeted plants and as pure cuttings from the Tea Sakthi tea factory at Mawarala.

A spokesman for Tea Sakthi told the Daily News that there is a big demand for these from tea smallholders.

Minister tells future leaders:

Take to group activities in school

Stanley Seneviratne Kurunegala North group corr

Group activities help children mould their lifestyle and show them how to live with other communities in unity, said Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

The Minister told the Media that the government aims to improve student's English and IT knowledge.

He said only by inculcating moral and other values in children at school and homes we could have a peaceful community.

He said that some children lack moral values due to the social changes, which has resulted in a lack of respect for their own religions and even their cultures.

Minister Gunawardena called upon the 4.2 million schoolchildren and other future leaders to live in unity irrespective of each others cast, creed or religion.

Accidents rise in Matale

A A L Dias Matale district group corr

Five accidents were reported in Habarana, Dambulla and Galewela police divisions during the last few days and 12 persons were admitted to Dambulla base hospital for treatment while four were transferred to Kandy and Kurunegala teaching hospitals.

A lorry plying on Minneriya-Habarana road, ran off the road and turned turtle injuring the driver and the assistant.

In another accident, four persons, were injured in an accident on the Dambulla-Kandalama road when a van and a three-wheeler collided.

Meanwhile, a three-wheeler skidded at Galewela-Dambulla road injuring four men.

A motor-cyclist was injured when the motor cycle crashed on to a culvert at Lenadora.

In another incident, a soldier was injured when the cycle he was peddling met with an accident. Police are investigating.

Woman gives birth to conjoined twins

A A L Alwis Matale district group corr.

A woman from Galewela area delivered two conjoined twins at the Dambulla base hospital. The twins died after a few hours.

According to the hospital authorities this is the woman's fourth delivery.

The mother is in good health, doctors said.

Monastery burgled: Rs 17,000 stolen

A A L Dias Matale district group corr

A monastery of Dasa Sil mathas at Pannampitiya in Dambulla area was burgled and thieves disappeared with Rs 17,000.

The incident had occurred in day light when the Sil mathas were out.

No arrests have been made. Dammbulla Police are investigating.

Cemetery or cattle grazing ground?

Raja Waidyasekera - Tissamaharama special corr.

The only public cemetery at Waduruppa, Ambalantota is covered with shrubs.

Stray cattle who graze at the cemetery have damaged tombs and memorials at the cemetery.

The stray cattle enter the cemetery as there is no parapet wall around the cemetery.

Talent show

‘Kids Talent show’ a presentation by the Pupils of Colombo Buddhist Ladies College Pre-school will be held tomorrow from 9.30 a.m. at the college main hall.

Chemex 2011

An exhibition and trade fair to mark International Year of Chemistry will be held at the BMICH from January 27 to 30.

Isisara live concert

The Isisara live concert of the Junior Old Boys Union of Isipathana College, Colombo will be held at the Maharagama Youth Centre on December 10.

The aesthetic band’s live concert is organized to provide an opportunity for students to perform their talents.

Moon sighting conference

A conference will be held today immediately after Salath UL Maghrib under the auspicies of the Colombo Grand Mosque at the Madrasathul Hameediah Hall, Colombo Grand Mosque, to determine the date to commence the Islamic month of Muharram Hijri 1432 on the evidence of sighting the new moon in any part of Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Grand Mosque appealed to the Muslim public to look out for the new moon of Muharram Hijri 1432 immediately after Maghrib today and to inform 011 5234044, 011 2432110, 011 2434651, 0777 356099 with reliable evidence and witness, if the new moon is sighted.

Road construction begins

Theja Vidyarupa Akuressa group correspondent

The foundation stone for the Talahagama-Alikewila road in Aturaliya Pradeshiya Sabha area was laid recently. The Southern Development Authority has allocated Rs One million for this.

Wild jumbo menace

A A L Dias Matale district group corr.

The wild elephant menace has increased in the Galewela Divisional Secretariat area.

Several villages bordering Kahalla-Pallekele sanctuary are threatened.

The animals have devastated a large number of cultivation. Moragolla, Aluthwewa, Korakahagolla, Pahala-Diggala, Dadubediruppa, Pibidunugama and Ralalage-Rotawewa villages are the most affected.

Villagers said a herd of seven elephants are roaming in the area.

Funds for office complex

Mahaweli Systems corr.

The Government with World Bank assistance has allocated Rs 8,000,000 to build a new office complex for the Namal-Oya Pradeshiya Sabha in the Ampara district.

The Government has also allocated Rs 2,000,000 to the local government body to be utilized for road development.

Power pirates nabbed

Dinesh De Alwis

Around 115 power pirates were nabbed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Investigation Unit in Kilinochchi last week. The Power and Energy Ministry said Rs 1,899,542 was collected following the raids. The CEB acquired a huge loss due to pirating of electricity through manipulation of electricity meters and other unlawful connections.

The CEB has intensified raids to nab power pirates.