Singer Chillie Thilanka granted bail - 2 more cases filed

Singer Thilanka Vidusha also known as Chillie was granted bail after he was remanded two weeks ago for assaulting an elderly man.

Kaduwela Magistrate and Additional District Judge, Dhammika Hemapala granted the suspect bail on a surety bail of Rs. 500,000 and imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000. The case is to be taken up again on January 24, 2017.

The 57 year old man lodged a complaint at the Talangama Police earlier this month alleging the singer had assaulted him under the influence of liquor.

The injured man, a resident of Pelawatte, Battaramulla alleged the singer had threatened him with a knife after assaulting him for not making way for his vehicle.

Another case was also filed against the singer at the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court on charges of obstructing the duties of the police and dengue control unit officers who visited his home.

Officials played a video of the suspect shouting at officer who visited his property on a routine dengue inspection.    

It was further revealed in court that a third case has been filed against the singer at the Homagama Magistrate's Court on charges of attempted assault. Chillie had allegedly attempted to assault and threaten a lawyer in Kottawa earlier this month. (Irangi Edirisinghe)

Cameron allocated £6m aid to SL after Lankan funded his party

Foreign aid from England to Sri Lanka had been significantly increased after a Sri Lankan businessman oversaw donations of more than 1 million British pounds (£) to the Conservative Party, the Daily Mail reported Monday.

An article published on Mail Online said David Cameron had announced last November that £6.6 million was being set aside for Sri Lanka over three years, including help for Tamils forced from their homes during the civil war.

In the year before the announcement, the Tory Party registered donations of more than £1 million from businessman Subaskaran Allirajah and his controversial telecom firm Lycamobile.

There are now questions about what has happened to the money, with UK aid money since going to the area in northern Sri Lanka where Allirajah grew up.

Allirajah, 44, is the founder and chairman of Lycamobile, a firm that sells pre-paid phone cards. He grew up in Mullaitivu, a Tamil area in the north of Sri Lanka. He is now worth

£160 million and is reportedly the 640th wealthiest person in Britain. The revelations come after Allirajah faced scrutiny over claims of tax fraud and money laundering at his firm.

In 2009, the UK ceased aid to Sri Lanka for all but humanitarian emergencies after the end of the civil war in the country. But after Lycamobile started donating to the Tory Party two years later, funds were allocated to the country from the conflict pool – a pot set aside for tackling instability overseas.

By 2013, total aid to Sri Lanka was £10.2 million, almost £3 million more than given to Iraq that year.

In November 2013, then-Prime Minister Cameron became the first foreign leader to visit the north of Sri Lanka since it became independent in 1948.

In the year before Cameron announced the £6.6 million to Sri Lanka, the Conservatives reported donations of £967,000 from Lycamobile and a personal donation of £100,000 from Allirajah.

A spokesman for the Tory Party said: 'All donations to the Conservative Party are properly and transparently declared.' Daily Mail.

Kiriella coordinating secretary threatened with a gun

A Coordinating Secretary of Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella residing at Bowalawatta, Kandy has lodged a complaint with the Kandy police that a group of persons on Sunday (23) night entered his residence, held him at gunpoint and threatened him with death.

Coordinating Secretary Nimal Candrasiri has told police that the gang comprising about 50 entered the house at about 8.30 p.m. Some were armed with clubs and sharp weapons. After threatening the crowd disappeared, police was told.

Kandy police have launched an operation to apprehend the suspects.

Suspects in Mattakkuliya shooting identified

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD)yesterday said they have identified the suspects involved in Sunday’s shooting incident at Samithpura, Mattakkuliya.

“The shooting apparently surged over an personal feud between two underworld operatives involved in heroin smuggling and other criminal activities,” CCD investigators revealed.

Those who died in the incident were Nuwan Sanjeewa Perera alias Chuti Ukkuwa (29), one believed to be his brother Prasad Chthuranga Perera (24), Denuwan (26) and Mohammed Husain Mohammed Nassar (29).

“They had died of gun shots wounds. Three shooting victims are currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. One of them is in critical condition, Colombo National Hospital,” Director Dr Anil Jayasinghe said.

“The shooting had occurred at around 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. The suspects had fired shots at them with a T56 rifle or rifles and a 9 mm pistol,” police said.

After participating in a game of Elle at the Samithpura playground, the victims Nuwan Sanjeewa Perera, and his men were driving in their car down the road passing their rival Kudu Roshan’s residence. Kudu Roshan and his gang had allegedly opened fire at the car just as it was passing their place.

The wounded were taken in the same vehicle to the Colombo National Hospital.

CCD said the deceased Sanjeewa Perera had allegedly killed Kudu Roshan’s father about three years ago by cutting him.

After about six months, Kudu Roshan is said to have killed Sanjeewa’s mother.

“The victims and the suspects live in the same area. A search is on to arrest the suspects,” CCD sources said.

Cartlon Sports Network licence cancelled

The Carlton Sports Network (CSN) has had its license cancelled by the Media Ministry, for violating transmission conditions. 

Carlton Sports Network (CSN), is a sports, lifestyles and business television channel launched on March 7, 2011, allegedly owned by the Rajapaksas’.

Minister Range Bandara’s son arrested

UNP Minister Palitha Range Bandara’s son Yasodha and three others had been arrested by the Anamaduwa Police this evening in connection with a road accident in which a 42-year-old man had been killed.

Police said the Land Rover which was allegedly driven by the minister’s son had run over the victim, identified as Gamini Wanninayake, on Dharmapala Place in Anamaduwa.

According to police, the victim was an employee of a shop in Anamaduwa. He had been returning home on a bicycle when he was knocked down and run over. He was declared dead on arrival at the Anamaduwa Hospital.

The suspects had been arrested at the Palugashandiya Police checkpoint when fleeing towards Nikaweratiya.

FCID is legal & it could carry out investigations

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) was legal and within the legal powers vested in the Inspector General of Police (IGP) stated Colombo Fort Magistrate Ms. Lanka Jayaratna today (24th).

Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne made this statement when Counsel appearing for former NFF MP Jayantha Samaraweera raised objections over the legality of establishing the FCID.

The Magistrate observed that there was no obstacle that impeded the FCID from carrying out its investigations.

Sanga , Mahela named EU Women's Rights Envoys

The European Union (EU) today named Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene women's rights envoys, with a special focus on ending Violence Against Women (VAW).

The statement from the EU said:

'The Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives is proud to partner with Sri Lankan cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to raise awareness of violence against women.

Mahela and Kumar have joined the EU Delegation to promote an end to VAW in Sri Lanka through the 'Let's Hit Violence Against Women for Six' campaign which will launch on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

"We are delighted to have Kumar and Mahela as our EU Envoys," said Counsellor Paul Godfrey.

"Violence Against Women is a very serious and deep-rooted problem in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, studies have indicated that perhaps half of women in Sri Lanka have experienced some form of violence."

"But speaking out in public about the problem has been taboo. The decision of Mahela and Kumar to make a stand on the issue will help make it acceptable to talk about these issues in public as a way of raising awareness about and, ultimately, eliminating Violence Against Women."

The European Union has a long-term commitment to promote equality between men and women, fight discrimination on grounds of gender and raise awareness of gender issues both in Sri Lanka and in the wider world, the statement said.