I finished three -quarters of war

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga says that around three-quarters of Sri Lanka’s war against the LTTE was already finished while she was in power and that her successor Mahinda Rajapaksa only had to finish the remaining quarter.

“Some people say that the head of the previous government won the war and therefore the country should be handed over to him once again,” she said, addressing a gathering in Mirigama today (14).

Bandaranaike said that she finished three-quarters of the war and the UNP government before her also finished a portion while Rajapaksa was left with only a quarter to finish.

“He wouldn’t have been able to do it (win the war) if not for what we had accomplished. It wouldn’t be possible if not for the weapons we brought.”

She accused the former government led by Rajapaksa of importing substandard weapons and military equipment for three times the actual price.

The former President claimed that all six of the fighter aircraft brought down by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had crashed. “One of them crashed on the way.”

She said that they had spent three times the actual price of the aircraft and that investigations have been launched to figure out what happened to the remaining money. “That is how they engaged in war.”

Three men nabbed over lost motorcycles

A gang of three wanted in connection with the theft of motorcycles had been taken into custody, the Kahatuduwa Police said. 

The suspects had dismantled the motorcycles, sold the accessories and disposed of the junk by dumping them in the sewers in the Mattegoda housing scheme, the Police said.

The three suspects were residents of Mattegama and Kirigampamunuwa areas. During investigations two motorcycles were recovered, and a stock of accessories of the dismantled motorcycles from the houses of the suspects, the Police said. The chassis of two monocycles had been dumped in the sewers.

Geetha says another MP has Swiss citizenship

Actress-turned politician Geetha Kumarasinghe says that there is another MP who holds Swiss citizenship, other than her. Speaking to a newspaper, she has declined to name that MP, but only said he was an appointed MP. 

Meanwhile, Geetha has acted in a film after 15 years, according to reports. She has said that she would not act in tele dramas even if she was paid Rs. 10 million. Geetha also said she had first been invited to enter politics when whe was acting in films adapted from writings of the late Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Nadeesha Hemamali to tie the knot

Actress and director Nadeesha Hemamali and a former Sri Lankan A team cricketer Bathisha de Silva are to enter into wedlock in the near future. 

The happy couple is to tie the knot in mid Septemeber. Bathisha de Silva an oldboy of D. S. Senanayake College Colombo is also a former Sri Lanka A team player.

Michael Phelps ready to retire after losing

American swimming legend Michael Phelps, who was beaten by 21-year-old Joseph Schooling of Singapore, says he does not intend to compete in another Olympics once Rio 2016 is over.

The 31-year-old, who has won 22 Olympic gold medals, quit after London 2012 only to reverse that decision in 2014.

"I'm not going four more years and I'm standing by that," he insisted after finishing in a three-way tie for silver in the 100m butterfly final.

"I've been able to do everything I've ever put my mind to in the sport. I'm happy with how things finished."However, team-mate Ryan Lochte thinks Phelps will be in Tokyo in 2020.

"I guarantee he will be there,'' Lochte told NBC. "I think so. I really think so. So Michael, I'll see you in Tokyo."Phelps can add to his Olympic tally in the 4x100m medley relay at 03:04 BST on Sunday.

"I'm happy," added Phelps, who said he wanted to spend more time with newborn son Boomer and fiancee Nicole.

Phelps made his Olympic bow in 2000, winning his first gold in Athens in 2004. He has 27 Olympic medals in total, nine more than his closest rival. (BBC)

Youth claims he was assaulted by minister Range Bandara

A 22-year-old youth who has been admitted to the Chilaw General Hospital claims that he was assaulted by State Minister of Skill Development and Vocational Training, Palitha Range Bandara.

The incident had reportedly taken place at around midnight yesterday near the Pallama town.

The State Minister had handed over a youth to Pallama Police stating that the latter was found drunk and in the middle of the road while he was traveling in his official vehicle and therefore was arrested by his security officers.

A spokesman for the Pallama Police said that the youth handed over by the State Minister was admitted to the hospital for tests to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol.

However, the hospitalized youth claims he was not drunk and that the State Minister Range Bandara assaulted him over a personal reason. 

Susanthika Appointed As Adviser To Sports Ministry

Olympic medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe was appointed as an Advisor for selecting and training the competitors for international athletic games.

Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara gave her the appointment letter yesterday at the Ministry premises, Government Information Department said.Jayasinghe was the second Olympic medalist in the history of Sri Lanka. She won the silver medal for 200m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Death sentence for rape and killing of young graduate

The killer of a young woman graduate at Katudeniya in the Matale District was sentenced to death by Central Provincial High Court Judge Menaka Wijesundera on Thursday (11).

In this case Kolambage Don Densil Jayawardana of Katudeniya was indicted of rape and murder of the 26-year-old graduate by attacking her with a sledge hammer at his residence on May 25, 2014.

Judge Wijesundera, after concluding hearing of the case in addition to the passing of death sentence on the accused, recorded a jail term of 20 years of hard labour for trespass and another 20 years of hard labour for rape of the victim.

The accused from the village of Warapitiya in Katudeniya in Matale District was a wage earner as a labourer, investigations disclosed.

State Counsel Dilan Ratnayake represented the Attorney General. Attorney K. Kodituwakku appeared for the accused.