UN Vesak Day at BMICH on May 12

The official ceremony of the UN International Vesak day will be held at the BMICH on May 12, Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday after meeting the Chief Prelates of the Malwatu and Asgiriya chapters in Kandy.

The minister said that Indian President Narendra Modi will be the chief guest.

The minister said that he had briefed the two Mahanayake Thera’s about the government plans to UN international vesak festival in Sri Lanka. Over 2000 delegates including Buddhist and political leaders from several countries will attend the event.

The festival will be launched at the special Vesak zone at Diyawanna near the Parliament complex and the concluding ceremony will take place in Kandy, the minister said.

This United Nations Vesak Day is celebrated annually in Buddhist countries. This is the first time Sri Lanka has been given the opportunity to host this festival.

Minister Rajapakshe on behalf of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made an official request from the UN Vesak Committee at the last UN Vesak day in Thailand for the hosting of the festival in Sri Lanka in 2017.

The UN General Assembly in 1999 declared an “International Day of Observance for Vesak” — on the initiative of the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

CCD Investigates: Fashion Bug fire at Pepiliyana

An investigation, by a special team appointed has been launched by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) for a complaint made by the store owners of ‘Fashion bug’ regarding the fire that occurred at Pepiliyana, Borelasgamuwa on Sunday night, Colombo Crime Division Director, SP Nishantha de Soysa states to local media.

He further stated that they will start this investigation by looking into the CCTV footage and will record statement from involved parties and witnesses.

This fire is said to have burnt the entire textile shop and the police are yet to find the cause/root of the fire. The fire was doused by the fire brigade, after unsuccessful attempts due to the water cut in the area.

The police confirmed that this was not a sabotage.

The site was also visited by the Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages Mano Ganesan and Former Provincial Councillor Azath Salley.

Government Analysts and Electrical Engineers observed the store after the fire and their reports are yet to be received by the CCD.

New mosquito in Colombo

 Culex gelidus adults - female above, male below

Scientists attached to the Colombo Municipal Council have recently identified the possible spread of the culex gelidus mosquito, that is considered a major vector of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV),  in Colombo.

They identified this threat in a recent survey on the mosquito population in the city.

These mosquitoes are said to be of a brownish colour and very small in size. They are active at night between 6.00 PM and 10.00 PM, and are breeding fast due to the prevalent rainy conditions.

240 seats in the new constitution

The Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Constitutional Assembly was looking at the possibility of increasing the number of MPs in the legislature to 240.

The Prime Minister who was speaking at the Junior National Law Conference in Negombo, said the government was looking at 240-seat Parliament, where 60 percent would be elected under the First Past the Post (FPP) system and the remaining 40 percent on a list.

“We are looking at a mixed system similar to one in New Zealand. It is similar to the German system as well. But according to the German system, 50 percent of the MPs are elected under a list and other 50 percent on the First Past the Post system. This will help Opposition parties to get more seats.

He further said We are looking at introducing an electoral system where 60 percent of the members in Parliament will be elected under the FPP First Past the Post system, while 40 percent on a list,” the Premier said

President Orders To Arrest all those who incited racism

Arrest all those who incited racism, President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed the IGP and Chiefs of Security Forces at the Security Council meeting held this week at the President’s Official Residence in Colombo.

Ministers Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mano Ganesan, Sagala Rathmayaka, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, the IGP and Chiefs of Security Forces attended the Security Council meeting.

Minister Mano Ganesan drew the attention of the President to a statement made by the Buddhist Monk of Mangalarama Temple in Batticaloa recently and said that the statement had hurt the Tamil people.

Responding to this President stated that this monk was talking a lot after a former politician’s visit to this temple.

The President also asked about enacting new laws to enable actions against people who incited racism.

Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said steps had already been taken to draft the law and pointed out that even under the existing provisions of the Penal Code, inciters of racism were liable for one year imprisonment.

President then instructed Security Services to take all, who incite racism, in to custody and produce before courts under the existing law. (Dayaseeli Liyanage)

Veteran actor Wimal Kumara de Costa passes away

Veteran actor Wimal Kumara de Costa has passed away in Kalubowila this afternoon at the age of 68. Sources said that he developed breathing difficulties while he was attending in a programme in Boralesgamuwa. 

He was pronounced dead on admission to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila. De Costa started his career as a stage actor and then conquered the cinema and the small screen in tele dramas. 

Starting his career in play Godo Enakath (Waiting for Godot), some of famous movies he acted are Sathuro (1969), Ves Gaththo (1970), Bambaru Awith (1978) Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (1977) and Ahas Gauwa (1974).

One Killed in Shooting Near Babilagolla mosque in Kandy

One person was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen in a car opened fired near the Babila golla mosque in Ankumbura, Kandy this morning.

Police said the victims were waiting on the side of the road near the mosque when the incident occurred. The injured were admitted to the Kandy Hospital and one of them succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

The gunmen had fled the scene but the police arrested one suspect, a 30-year-old Mohammad Ali who is a resident of Kandy, along with a T56 weapon.

They had also found the car which had been used for the shooting at Poojapitiya area.

Six police teams have been deployed to arrest two more suspects in connection with the shooting.(DS)

Sinhala Edition Click Here (Lanka Hot News)

Fire at Fashion Bug store in Pepiliyana

A major fire swept through the premises of a ‘Fashion Bug’ warehouse at Pepiliyana in Nugegoda last night.

At least five fire engines and emergency vehicles were sent to the scene by the Dehiwala Fire Brigade to put out the blaze which started in the third floor and spread to the other floors of the building. Two fire engines from Kotte and two from Colombo were also rushed to the scene to douse the fire.

The cause of the fire was not known. Further investigations were underway. The CCTV footage was taken over by police for the investigations. The same building came under arson attack by a mob in May 2013.

Sinhala Edition Click Here (Lanka Hot News)

Minister Faizer muzthfa at fashion bug