BBS promotes supremacy of Buddhists

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Power Force, continues to promote the supremacy of the country's ethnic Sinhalese Buddhist population and propagated views hostile towards members of religious and ethnic minorities, the US State Department said in a news report.

In its 2015 Report on International Religious Freedom, the department said that BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera regularly made inflammatory statements about 'Islamic invasion and aggression' and 'forced conversions' by Christian groups as posing an existential threat to the country's Buddhism.

The report added, "sources stated that Buddhist monks continued to operate with government protection, and some monks, particularly outside Colombo, regularly tried to close down Christian and Muslim places of worship on the grounds they lacked the Ministry of Justice and Buddha Sasana's approval. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) documented a total of 87 cases of attacks on churches, intimidation and violence against pastors and their congregations, and obstruction of worship services during the year. NCEASL had reported a total of 96 such incidents in 2014.

The Secretariat for Muslims (SFM) recorded 82 incidents of hate speech, acts of discrimination, attempts to desecrate or destroy Muslim religious edifices, and verbal insults upon or use of physical force to impede Muslim cultural practices and rituals, a 62 per cent reduction from the previous year. There were no reported deaths related to interreligious disputes. The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Power Force, continued to promote the supremacy of the country's ethnic Sinhalese Buddhist population and propagated views hostile toward members of religious and ethnic minorities.

The US Ambassador urged government leaders at the most senior levels, including President Maithripala Sirisena, to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of crimes against religious minorities and to protect religious freedom for all citizens. The embassy continued to meet regularly with representatives from a broad range of religious groups to promote cooperative engagement and strengthen bonds between and among various religious and ethnic communities."

Trishaw driver who fled after knocking down Girl

A three wheeler driver who fled after knocking down a girl, was arrested by Galle Police yesterday.

Police said the three wheeler driver had told the girl to get into the three wheeler after accident, promising to admit her to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.

However, he had later fled without admitting her to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. The girl, Fathima Fermilla, a resident of Dangedara, Galle was later admitted to the emergency treatment unit of the Karapitiya General Hospital.Police investigations have revealed that the three wheeler driver did not have a valid driving licence.

He was ordered to be remanded until August 15.

Child dies after parapet wall collapses on her

An 18-month-old child living at Staden estate, Hatton with her grandmother, died on the spot yesterday when a parapet wall collapsed on her.

According to Police, the child was playing with her sister near her house when the incident occurred.

Her parents are employed abroad. The child and her sister were looked after by her grandmother.

She fell down a precipice after the wall collapsed on her.

Residents ask how the mother left the country for employment, when mothers with children below five years are prohibited to leave the country as housemaids. 

Rajitha blasts S.B. for defending Basil

Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday in Colombo that it was wrong for Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare S. B. Dissanayake to defend former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who had allegedly bribed heads of Local Councils with GI pipes purchased using Divineguma funds prior to the last presidential election.

Dissanayake, addressing a news conference, on Tuesday, claimed that there was nothing unlawful about Basil having used state funds to distribute GI pipes among local government authorities in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election.

Minister Senaratne, responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet Press Briefing at the Information Department said that Dissanayake by justifying what Basil Rajapaksa had done failed to see that it was a blatant violation of election law. "I was present at the meeting where Basil told heads of Local Councils that 60 GI pipes would be given to each of them by the Economic Development Ministry using Divineguma Funds. In return, they would have to use the pipes to display flags and propaganda material in favour of Mahinda. He also told them that they could do whatever they wanted with the pipes after the presidential election was over."

Senaratne recalled he had at that juncture advised Basil not to make such foolish and culpable statements, but his advice had fallen on deaf years.

Pointing out that he did not make use of any of the pipes that were distributed in his electorate, the Minister said he along with Maithripala Sirisena and several others had shortly thereafter crossed over to the Opposition.

"It was a blatant violation of election law. But the Rajapaksa’s did not care, because they were so intoxicated with power that they thought the war had been won purely because of them and they would be in power forever," he noted, adding that sacrifices made by the security forces, police and also civil society which had to undergo immense suffering without hordes of armed guards to protect them had all been conveniently forgotten.

CSN case: Confiscation of CSN investment

The Sri Lanka Treasury today received Rs. 157. 5 million, when the Kaduwela Magistrate approved the transfer of the monies unclaimed.

The monies deposited in the name of a private company, at a private bank,  came under investigation when the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) of the Police opened investigation into the Carlton Sports Network (CSN).

The company in question however had stated that the monies did not belong to them.

They had expressed their willingness to have the monies transferred to the Sri Lanka Treasury.

The FCID thereafter filed a motion seeking approval from the Kaduwela Magistrate to have the unclaimed funds transferred to the Treasury.

Cabinet co-spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne at the Cabinet press briefing today quipped this was probably the largest amount of ‘illegal’ or ‘stolen’ money received by the Sri Lanka Treasury.

Harshana - Volga Kalpani Wedding Photos

Harshana Bethmage & Volga Kalpani WeddingPix By - Asantha Gamaarachchi
Harshana Bethmage & Volga Kalpani Pre Wedding Photo Shoot in Malaysia

Video Filming & Photography - Event Media
Bridal Dressing - Salon La Mondo 
Groom Outfit - Wills Design (Pvt) Ltd

Profit making Gov. institutions will not be sold

His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena stated that, none of the profit-making government institutions will be sold to the private. He further stated that there is no need for the port to be privatized. 

The President stated this attending the opening ceremony of the Sri Lankan Ports Authority’s CFS 1 Container Freight Station as the chief guest. Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Arjuna Ranatunga, Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Mr. Nishantha Muthuhettigama, Secretary of Ports and Shipping Mr. L. P. Jayampathy, Chairman of Sri Lankan Ports Authority Mr. Dhammika Ranatunga and many other invitees attended the this distinguished event today.

At today’s ceremony, the new website of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority was also launched by His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena. Similarly the operations of the Container Freight Station were also opened by the President himself. Addressing the Ports Authority employees, the President noted that it’s everyone’s responsibility to support the Minister to protect the port which is the heart of the nation.

“Hon. Minister Arjuna Ranathunga is a person that I had known for a long period of time. Hon. Minister Arjuna Ranatunga was always walking with me as a shadow, when I decided to leave the previous government on the 21st of November 2014 and decided to contest as a common candidate. Therefore, I maintain good friendship with the Minister Arjuna Ranatunga. When we are working we should pay special attention upon our responsibilities. The chairman of the Port Authority, Secretary to the Ministry, Directors and the Administrative officers and Trade Unions should carry out their duties on a friendly, understanding and in a responsible manner.

Very often, there are different talks and views expressed on media on the topic of selling our government institutions to the private sectors. There are various discussions on these subjects. When referring to the port I have heard numerous views on some of the various divisions. I have seen this on the media. In the recent past I read in a newspaper article that Lanka Hospital would be sold out. In addition the names of many profit-making organizations were also included in that article. There, I didn’t note the name of the port by any chance. However, I would never agree on a policy of selling any profit-making government organizations. I would like to clearly state that. If there are non-profit organizations, we have series of measures on developing those organizations. At some instances the necessity arises to work in collaboration with the private sector as well. Anyhow, if I say it in simple I will never agree on the fact of selling profit-making organizations to the private. That is my stance…” His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena stated.

The Container Freight Station which was opened by His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena According was completed with the use of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s technology and manpower. Because of this reason, the Container Freight Station spent Rs.95 million for the construction materials only. The employees who built the 5400 square meters Container Freight Station got the opportunity in taking a group photograph with the President as well.

Bail for Wele Suda’s wife and Mother

Another six suspects produced in courts over the money laundering inquiry conducted against international drug dealer Wele Suda and seven others by the CID.

The mother, and the wife of the drug kingpin were among the suspects who were produced in court.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, considering the defence counsel submission, granted bail to four suspects, including the mother and Wele Suda’s wife.
Two other suspects were ordered to be remanded till August 11.

The Magistrate released the four suspects on cash bail of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties of Rs. 5 million each. (Shehan Chamika Silva)