Samanmalee Sakalasuriya - Samanmalee Sakalasuriya married with dinesh gunawardana's son Yadamini Gunawardena
Yadamini and Samanmali's wedding
Samanmalee Sakalasuriya - Samanmalee Sakalasuriya married with dinesh gunawardana's son Yadamini Gunawardena
France declares three-day national mourning after truck attack
Paris, France | AFP: France had declared three days of national mourning from Saturday after about 90 people were mown down by a truck while they were watching a Bastille Day fireworks display, the prime minister said.
Manuel Valls also told reporters that the government wants to extend the state of emergency which has been in force since the November 13 Paris attacks, until October.
Flags will be flown at half-mast from Friday, and a law extending increased powers for the police will be put before parliament next week, he said.
"Times have changed, and France is going to have to live with terrorism, and we must face this together and show our collective sang-froid," he said.
"France is a great country and a great democracy and we will not allow ourselves to be destabilised," he added.
"We want to bring the French nation together. The only dignified response (to the attack) is for France to stick with the spirit of July 14, a France that is united around its values," he said.
Bastille Day is the country’s national holiday and marks the start of the French Revolution in 1789.
It is celebrated with military parades and fireworks displays across the country, and is the traditional start of the holiday session.
Meanwhile, another AFP story filed from London said: British Prime Minister Theresa May called an emergency national security meeting Friday after the Bastille Day attack in the French city of Nice, in which at least 84 people were killed.
May, who was due later Friday in Scotland, said she had asked her deputy national security adviser to chair the COBRA emergencies committee, which groups top ministers and security chiefs.
The meeting was aimed at reviewing "what we know and what we can do to help", she said in a statement, expressing shock over the "horrifying attack".
A government spokeswoman said there had been a "small number of injured" British nationals.
May took office on Wednesday after David Cameron stepped down as premier after Britain’s shock June 23 vote to leave the European Union.
"We must work with France and our partners around the world to stand up for our values and for our freedom," she said.
"If, as we fear, this was a terrorist attack then we must redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life," she added.
Her assurances of cross-Channel cooperation echoed remarks by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who campaigned for Britain to end its 43-year period in the European fold.
Voicing shock at the "appalling" assault, Johnson, who was the star guest at the French ambassador to London’s Bastille Day party Thursday, told the BBC that terror "represents a continuing threat to us in the whole of Europe and we must meet it together".
Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was reassessing security levels in the capital.
"We will be reviewing our own safety measures in light of this attack," he said.
Expressing solidarity with the French, he added: "Londoners today stand united with Nice and all of France in our grief.
"They will not win. Not in France, not in London, not anywhere."
While Paris and Brussels have both suffered devastating jihadist attacks in the past year, Britain has been spared a major assault since the July 2005 bombings in London’s public transport system.
After the November attacks in Paris, in which 130 people were killed, English football fans attending an England-France match memorably sang the French national anthem to show solidarity with their neighbours.
Our aim is to create a prosperous life for SLPA employees – says SLPA Chairman
The Chairman of the Port Authority, Mr. Dammika Ranathunga stated that the new administration's main goal is to create pride about the employees’ job. He stated this at a gold coin presentation ceremony for retired employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
This ceremony was held this morning at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Mahapola Training Institute. In his address, the Chairman of the Port Authority, Mr. Dammika Ranathunga further said that every employee should have a admiration for the port.
“The port needs talented individuals. Also, the employees must be directed to their jobs, considering on the skills of each individual. It’s the secret on the success of a company. For this secret success we are now to bring in some changes in the Ports Authority’s administration. Work well, by directing the employees who know their responsible duties, a success was achieved.
I will give a message to the newly recruited employees as well. While thinking about the advancement and the development of the company you should treat your life well too. Therefore, at first you should work on a plan on how you are to spend on your expenses. Or else, it is impossible to have a successful life…” Chairman, Mr. Dammika Ranathunga stated.
At today’s ceremony a number of 114 employees were gifted with gold coins. In the history of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority the administration felicitated the employees retired from SLPA. The main purpose of gifting these gold coins was to appreciate the services given by these employees to the Ports Authority.
In addition Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Arjuna Ranathunga also said he wishes the Ports Authority employees who received these gold coins. He also added that he is expecting to bring the Sri Lanka Colombo Port among the top 20 ports in the world. Port Authority Operations Director Mr. Jayantha Perera, Port Authority Director of Information Systems Mr. Prasanna Lokuge, Port Authority Director of Defense Major General Nissanka Wijesinghe, Deputy Human Resources Manager Ms. S.H. Padmini also participated in this gold coin gifting ceremony.
Protest against VAT in Pettah
Fresh indictment against Basil, three others
The Colombo High Court served a fresh indictment on former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three others this morning.
They are charged under the Public Property Act No 12 of 1982, for having allegedly misappropriated Rs.33 million belonging to the Divi Neguma Department, while distributing roofing sheets to Divi Neguma beneficiaries, during the previous Presidential Election.
They are charged under the Public Property Act No 12 of 1982, for having allegedly misappropriated Rs.33 million belonging to the Divi Neguma Department, while distributing roofing sheets to Divi Neguma beneficiaries, during the previous Presidential Election.
The Attorney General had filed indictments against former minister Basil Rajapaksa, former Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayasinghe, former Divi Neguma Department Director General Kithsiri Ranawaka and former Divi Neguma Department Deputy Director General Bandula Tilllekasiri at the Colombo High Court.
The Attorney General alleged that the accused had committed this offence on or around October 20, 2014.
Senior State Counsel Shamindra Wickrema appeared for the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Jayanthha Weerasinghe appeared for the accused.
The case will be taken up again on August 30.
Dancer Hashini Gonagala Wedding Day
Arjuna Ranathunga states, “Shadow Cabinet is a witticism”.
Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga states that the shadow cabinet which was named by the Joint Oppositions is a witticism. Furthermore, Hon. Minister mentions that people those who were in power for long terms are unable to live without them. He stated this on the 2nd day of the National Sportex Exhibition, (10th July 2016), at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.
“The people those who were in power for long terms are unable to live without them now. Therefore, this is only a dream, which they established to get back their powers. Whatsoever, definitely the current government will last for another four years. Together with the President and the Prime Minister, our hope is to take this country in the right direction. Therefore, in a way it’s good that the Joint oppositions are dreaming. Because, through this they could enjoy some peace of mind. Likewise, I will greatly appreciate, if they could visit and investigate our work progress at the Ministries. Not only the Member of the parliament, anyone could come and visit. In additional if possible, investigate and reveal the once who was involved in theft in the past few years. The problem is that if the investigators will also get involved in these thefts…” Hon. Minister Arjuna Ranathunga states.
MP Namal Rajapaksa arrested
The Financial Crimes Division (FCID) of the Police arrested United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Hambantota district MP Namal Rajapaksa a short while ago.
He was arrested on charges of financial fraud; for using monies amounting to Rs. 70 million given by Indian real estate company Krrish Group to sponsor a rugby fixture, for personal use.
He was arrested on charges of financial fraud; for using monies amounting to Rs. 70 million given by Indian real estate company Krrish Group to sponsor a rugby fixture, for personal use.
He was summoned before the FCID to record a statement earlier this morning.
He is to be produced at the Slave Island Magistrate's Court today.