Two accused in Eknaligoda disappearance get bail

The Avissawella High Court has granted bail to two army intelligence officers who were remanded over the disappearance case of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

The suspects were granted bail following a bail application filed at the Avissawella High Court. They were enlarged on a cash bail of Rs.1.5 million and three personal bails of Rs.3 million rupees.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had earlier arrested an Army Corporal, a Sergeant, and two Lieutenants, in connection with the mysterious disappearance of the journalist.

The suspects were arrested following interrogation at the Police HQ for over five hours in August 2015. At present, a Habeas Corpus case also continues at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court over the incident.

BC Receives complaints against Sajith Premadasa

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (BC) today (24th October) received complaints against Minister Sajith Premadasa by the Socialist Youth Union affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), local media reports.

The complaints were filed following a recently leaked video clip, allegedly giving out jobs to a group of youth in Hambantota.

National Organiser of the SYU Comrade Eranga Gunasekara stated that investigations into the matter would commence soon.

He added that Minister Premadasa was playing with tears of the unemployed people, to further his own political agenda, and that the Housing and Constructions Ministry was not his private property to give out jobs to whoever he wants based on certain selective methods.

Herath named national skipper for Zimbabwe tests

At 38, Rangana Herath becomes country’s oldest cricketer to captain the national side after regular skipper Angelo Mathews was ruled out of the Zimbabwe test series with a calf tear.

With vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal not considered for the tour as he was recovering from a thumb injury he suffered during a recent domestic cricket match, the selectors had no option but to invite the spin wizard to take over reigns for the two-match series starting on October 29.

“It’s a great privilege and honour to lead my country but it has come at the cost of our best batsman in the side –Angelo Mathews. But I am ready to take up the challenge and lead the side,” the aging spinner said adding that he never expected to lead side. “Not in my wildest dream,” he added.

Herath is country’s top spinner since Muttiah Muralidaran’s retirement and has led Sri Lanka to many victories including the most recent 3-0 drubbing of Australia in the home Test series. He has represented Sri Lanka in 73 test matches and picked up 332 wickets which includes 26 five wickets hauls and six ten wickets hauls.

Sri Lanka are without their most senior batsmen in the side – Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal but Herath believes the presence of in-form Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya De Silva will make it a formidable batting unit. Mathews who was expected to lead the 15-man squad had suffered a calf tear during practice and will be out of action for at least three weeks.

“His calf tear has resurfaced but it’s not a very serious condition. We believe it’s best to rest at least for two to three weeks for it to heal,” said Prof. Arjuna de Silva, a member of SLC’s medical panel.

Mathews missed the last leg of the limited over series against Australia with a calf injury and has complained of a stiff calf during the last few days and on examination doctors have found a calf tear.

Upul Tharanga is likely to replace Mathews in the side. Sri Lanka will play two test matches against Zimbabwe and will also be apart of a limited over tri-series also involving West Indies.

The team will leave early tomorrow to Zimbabwe. (Champika Fernando)

Sarath Kumara Gunaratne arrested

Former Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne has been arrested by the police over an accident in 2002.

Ten Girls found intoxicated in school

Ten GCE O/L students of a girls' school, in the Southern Province, were suspended from classes for a week after they were found to have been intoxicated on World Children's Day.

They are said to have consumed 13 cans of beer between them in a Grade 11 class of the school and played havoc.

The Disciplinary Division of the Southern Province Education Department said the students had played havoc in the classroom after consuming the beer and even though the Principal had tried hard to cover up the incident, teachers and parents had complained to the Disciplinary Division and subsequent to investigations, the 10 students had been suspended.

Investigations were carried out based on a complaint lodged with the Southern Province Education Ministry by teachers and parents of the school. The ban came into effect on 17 October following investigations carried out by the school's disciplinary committee.

The students are said to have obtained the beer on 1 October from a club in Ambalangoda. and while consuming the beer at about 10.30 in the morning in a Grade 11 Class, one of the students in an intoxicated state had dropped the can of beer she had been drinking and it is said that the entire class room was smelling of beer.

A teacher who had gone to the class and found the girls intoxicated had reported them to the Principal but was berated by the latter.

48 drugs at reduced prices from today

The people can buy 48 drugs at reduced prices from 32 Osu Sala and 130 Osu Sala Agents countrywide from today, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

He said 48 drugs are in high quality and the quality of such drugs had been assured through quality assurance tests.

The Public health Inspectors (PHIs) and Health Ministry Food Inspectors and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials will inspect Osu Sala outlets and Osu Sala agents whether they offer all the 48 drugs at reduced prices.

Two hotlines will be introduced shortly for the public to complain about Osu Sala outlets, Osu Sala agents and pharmacies which sell drugs at high prices than the stipulated maximum retail price. Such places will be raided by the Health and CAA officials, the spokesman said.

Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne instructed State Pharmaceutical Corporation authorities to offer 48 drugs to the people at reduced prices from today. All required drug stocks are available to avoid possible artificial drug shortages, he added.

Jaffna University student’s funeral

Security in Jaffna was tightened as the funerals of the two dead university students were to be held yesterday and today. 

A large number of Policemen and Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel have been deployed in Jaffna, especially around the Jaffna University and the Courts Complex.

The funeral of 23-year-old Nadarasa Gajan, a resident of Barathipuram South, was held yesterday with the participation of a large number of villagers, Jaffna University students and Tamil political leaders. Residents of the area and University students carried posters and banners which demanded justice for the two students. The funeral of the other victim, 24 year old S Sulakshana, will be held today at Alawetti.

Former Batticaloa Mayor arrested

A former Mayor of Batticaloa, Sivageetha Prabhakaran and five others have been arrested by the Police for allegedly running a brothel.

Sivageetha Prabhakaran along with her husband and four others had been arrested in Batticaloa yesterday.

They are to be produced before court. Sivageetha Prabhakaran, became the first female Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council when she was elected with a majority of votes at the Local Government Elections held on 10 March 2008 representing the TMVP.