Fatal Bus Accident in Alawwa Wariyagoda

A group of people agitated by the killing of a three-wheeler driver in an accident where a private bus collided with the three-wheeler at Wariyagoda in Alawwa set the bus on fire.

The accident occurred as a result of the three-wheeler made its way from the Wariyagoda fuel station towards the main road, colliding with the Vavuniya –Colombo private bus last afternoon.

Reports say that the residents attacked several other buses as well in protest against it.As a result of this transport on the road concerned also was obstructed.

However our area reporter said that police intervened and contained the situation. Police has arrested the bus driver.

The largest haul of cocaine seized in Peliyagoda

The largest haul of cocaine yet recovered by the Police, worth over Rs. 4 billion was found inside two containers at a yard at Nuge Road, Peliyagoda yesterday.

Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) sources said 274 kilograms of the drug had been counted while another container was currently being inspected. A senior PNB officer told the Daily News that the containers belonged to a sugar importing company based in Wattala. Sources said the same company was responsible for the smuggling of cocaine worth Rs. 2 billion seized by the Police, last month.

The stock of cocaine brought from Brazil on that occasion was concealed in several travelling bags inside a container of sugar at the Orugodawatte cargo clearing yard managed by the Customs.

President Maithripala Sirisena also visited the Orugodawatta yard, following the cocaine detection in June which was touted  at the time as the largest ever stock seized of the banned narcotic.

The container yard located in Nuge Road, Peliyagoda was raided yesterday following a tip-off the Police received. A senior PNB officer said they were tipped - off about the cocaine haul from employees of the sugar company. This company had been identified as involved in sugar importing for some 40 years and had declared the goods in the container as a consignment of sugar.

Investigations are continuing on the direction of PMB director SSP Kamal de Silwa.

The government of consensus until 2020

The government of consensus will continue for five years, and no one will be able to topple it, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary and Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanyake said.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Parliamentary premises this afternoon.

“The SLFP and the UNP signed the Memorandum of Understanding to form a Government of Consensus for only two years,” he said.

“But the mutual understanding between the two parties has taken precedence, and this strong government will continue.”  

He said that the legal measures to continue the government of consensus until 2020 would be taken at the completion of the two-year period. 

"The government of consensus is like a proposed marriage; the two parties have been able to work together peacefully.”

“Sometimes we have opposing views, but we work together to understanding each other with the common vision of serving the public,” he said.

WHO has declared Sri Lanka as filaria free country

Sri Lanka today received the Certification on Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis from the World Health Organization (WHO), as Sri Lanka has successfully brought down the microfilaria rate to less than 1%.

Globally, 120 million people are affected with lymphatic filariasis across 71 countries, of which 50% are residing in the WHO South-East Asian Region (SEAR).

In May 2016, Sri Lanka and Maldives became the first countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region to be officially declared ‘filariasis free’.

Sri Lanka has a long history with Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), the earliest known cases can be traced back to the 4th century B.C.

“The elimination of the disease in Sri Lanka and Maldives marks a significant achievement in combating neglected tropical diseases in the WHO South-East Asia Region,” the organization had said in a statement.

Commonly known as elephantiasis, LF occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system.

The Anti Filariasis Campaign (AFC) was established in 1947. Sri Lanka intensified mosquito control efforts; treatment of the infected population, disability prevention and control; and strengthened surveillance in order to stop the spread of infection and alleviate the suffering caused by LF.

Due to the sustained efforts of the Anti Filariasis Campaign, supported by WHO and international partners, the MF rate was reduced to 0.03% by 2008, allowing the country to work towards elimination status.

Strong political commitment, dedication of the health workforce and active community participation were some of the key components which led to the elimination of this disease as a public health problem, according to Dr Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Health.

Ali Roshan’s illegal elephant seized from Katharagama

An illegal elephant calf captured by ‘Ali’ Roshan, who is involved in a racket of capturing elephants from jungles, has been seized after the Katharagama Esala procession by officers from the Wildlife Department.

It is stated that the CID has taken a court order regarding this six year old elephant calf.

CID states Samarappulige Viraj Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ has kept the female elephant calf named ‘Samadhi’ using bogus documents. The she elephant had been released to ‘Ali’ Roshan on a Rs.50,000 bond.

Colombo Additional Magistrate has ordered that the elephant calf to be handed over to Pinnawela elephant Orphanage.

Features humans need to survive a car crash

The body of Graham with his huge chest, inflated head, extra nipples and absence of a neck has been designed to survive a car crash.

Graham, who was created by Melbourne sculptor Patricia Piccinini, is part of the Victorian Government's new road safety campaign.

Piccinini drew from the knowledge of trauma surgeon Christian Kenfield and road safety engineer David Logan to build a body that could withstand a high-speed crash.

Graham's warped features, such as his huge chest and extra nipples which are meant to mimic air bags and protect his rib cage, highlight how vulnerable the human body is in car crashes.

His lack of neck rules out broken bones and whiplash, while his flat, fatty face is designed to protect his nose and ears.

The padded up chest with airbags between each rib protects his heart.

Graham also has thicker and tougher skin to shield and reduce abrasions and road rash.
But his bizarre features do not just protect him inside a car but help him if he is a pedestrian.
He has strong legs allowing him to jump out of the way of oncoming cars, and his knees bend in all directions to save him breaking his leg when hit by a car.

Former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando arrested

Former Chairman of Sathosa Nalin Fernando has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) this morning, the police said. 

Nalin Fernando was arrested on charge of alleged misuse of vehicles belonging to the Government, it was reported. The suspect will be produced before the Fort Magistrate this afternoon.

Toddler Tragically Dies After Falling Into Pond

A 2 1/2-year-old child has tragically died after falling into a garden pond at Thalgampola area in Galle.

The child was then taken to the Akmeemana Hospital, Galle, but died on Tuesday (19).The child has been pronounced dead after she has been admitted to the Hospital by her mother. Akmeemana Police is conducting further investigations into the incident.