No need for probing Sobitha Thera’s death

A five-member committee consisting of doctors assigned to inquire into the death of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera yesterday informed court of its decision not to request an inquest or post mortem into his death.

Earlier, the Court directed National Hospital Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe to appoint a special panel of doctors to investigate the death of Ven. Sobitha Thera following a request made by the CID consequent to a complaint received from Ven. Uduwe Dammaloka Thera.

In a complaint to the CID, the monk called for a probe.

The Thera had received treatment from National Hospital, the Dr. Nevil Fernando Private Hospital and the Central Private Hospital and also the Mt. Elizebeth Hospital in Singapore

SAITM medical students confident of serving country

SAITM students said yesterday that they hope that the government will take urgent note of the many obstacles placed in their path and adopt immediate and appropriate measures to allow them to take their rightful place as doctors within the health structure of Sri Lanka.South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) MBBS students expressed this sentiment addressing the media yesterday.

"All students registered for the MBBS Degree have been studying under some of the best professors and lecturers in the country for the past 6+ years, such as Prof. Neville Perera, Prof. Deepal Weerasekera, Prof. Deepthi Samarage, Prof. Kolitha Sellahewa, Dr. Narendra Pinto, Dr. Vasantha Perera, Dr. Mahendra Perera and a host of other excellent teachers," they said.

Our graduates are knowledgeable, capable and highly committed to assume their rightful place as fully-fledged doctors to serve Sri Lanka. We can state with utmost confidence that the entry criteria for the SAITM MBBS programme is regulated by the Higher Education Ministry.

“All students currently registered for the MBBS degree programme have fulfilled the UGC entry criteria. Moreover, the final examinations for the MBBS have been conducted according to UGC regulations along with the participation of both internal examiners from SAITM and external examiners from state medical faculties,” SAITM MBBS Graduate Dilshan Fernando explained.

“SAITM students have always said they are ready to face any unbiased examination, if so required, which will surely provide the students with the opportunity to dispel once and for all the myths pertaining to the quality of our education," said Prageeth Wimalachandra, currently reading for his MBBS Degree.

The students emphasized that they too are the children of Sri Lanka. Contrary to what is said by various parties, they are not all from super rich families. "The majority of them are from middle class families whose parents work hard to pay for our education. Moreover, SAITM upto now has awarded Rs. 500 million worth of scholarships for deserving students".

“Although the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is legally bound to provide us provisional registration as intern medical officers, the SLMC has unfortunately rejected this possibility. Therefore, one of our colleagues has challenged this matter in courts and we are positive that the truth will finally prevail,” SAITM MBBS Graduate, Tharindu Ruwanpathiranage, said.

"We, the students of SAITM are united in our demand that we be given the opportunity to prove our worth to the citizens of Sri Lanka as doctors, are amongst the best and are ready to serve our motherland" they said.

Astrologer says President capable of governing till 2025

Ven. Liyangaswagure Devananda Thera Viharadhipati Dharmavijayaramaya, Puranagama Giritale, a reputed astrologer, said President Maithripala Sirisena's stars are so powerful according to his horoscope that he has the ability to govern the country till 2025 without any malefic.

Ven. Devananda Thera who made this prediction saying that he is the sole custodian of the President's horoscope debunked a prediction posted in Facebook by one Vijith Rohana Wijemuni, claiming to be an astrologer, to the effect that the President will lose his life in another six months ,as an utter falsehood. Ven. Devananda Thera said he is the only person who has the horoscope of the President and according to it the President had no such malefic in the foreseeable future.

He would also challenge Wijemuni to post the President's correct horoscope in his Facebook page if he can. Perhaps Wijemuni may be thinking that he could make an adverse psychological impact and discourage the President by making such a false prediction.

“A correct prediction on a persons life could be made only by reading the correct horoscope of the persons concerned. Therefore, he would challenge Wijemuni to post the President's correct horoscope on Facebook if he can without trying out such tricks aimed at mentally debilitating a person,” Ven. Liyangaswagure Devananda Thera said.

Sri Lankan ‘Facebook IGP’ arrested

A man, who impersonated the Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara on Facebook and deceived a number of women, was arrested on Monday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). 

The suspect, a Sri Lankan living in New Zealand was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport when he arrived in the country. 

The CID commenced investigations after a woman from Kandy lodged a complaint with the police in July against the suspect. The suspect was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday and remanded till September 8.

Sachithra fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Sri Lanka’s off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening Twenty20 International (T20I) against Australia in Pallekele on Tuesday.

Senanayake was found to have breached Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal during an international match”.

The incident happened in the fifth over of Australia’s innings when Senanayake, after dismissing David Warner, made remarks which could have provoked a reaction from the Australia captain.

After the match, Senanayake admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Javagal Srinath of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charge had been laid by on-field umpires Ranmore Martinesz and Raveendra Wimalasiri, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and fourth umpire Deepal Gunawardene.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a warning/reprimand and/or the imposition of a fine of up to 50 per cent of the applicable match fee.

Nauyane Ariyadhamma Thera passes away

The Anunayaka Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanya Sect, the Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Thera passed away at the age of 78, this morning.

He was being treated at a private hospital in Colombo.The Thera was born on April 24, in 1939. He was the spiritual advisor of the Sri Kalyani Yogasrama Samstha, and for many years resided at the Na Uyana Aranya.In 2011 he moved to Meetirigala Dharmayataya Aranya.

Missing Bandaragama businessman hiding in Haputale

Bandaragama businessman Mohammed Nazeen who went missing after attending a bank auction, was found hiding in Hatton by Police. 

Nazeen's father said his son had not returned home after attending the auction with some colleagues and pleaded for any information of his whereabouts. He said his son would have had about Rs. 1 million in his possession.

Australia set new T20 record score against Sri Lanka

Australia have set a new record score in Twenty20 international cricket, hitting 263-3 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

The total beat the 260 set by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 2007.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell hit 145 not out from just 65 balls.

It comes eight days after England set a new record score in one day international cricket, making 444 against Pakistan - which also beat a record previously held by Sri Lanka.

Maxwell, who opened the batting, hit nine sixes and 14 fours in his innings.

Sri Lanka had earlier won the toss and decided to bowl first.