3 killed in a shooting at Wellampitiya

Three individuals who were shot at in Wellampitiya on the night of February 09 succumbed to their injuries upon admittance to the National Hospital, Colombo.

The Police Media Unit (PMU) informed that the shooting had taken place in the Geval Wissa (20 Houses/Homes) area in Wellampitiya at 11.55 p.m.

The individuals who were admitted to the Hospital with serious injuries were respectively, 19 years old, 24 years old and 49 years old.

No suspects have been apprehended yet in this regard and nothing has come to light yet regarding the possible motive, the PMU added.

The gunmen are reported to have arrived at the house where the trio was staying, in a three-wheeler, in which they had subsequently fled the scene.

Wellampitiya Police are conducting further investigations.

Gnanasara Thera again remanded

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera, who was granted bail by the Homagama Magistrate in the Contempt of Court case, was further remanded until tomorrow (10) for allegedly threatening Sandhaya Eknaligoda.

Minister Arjuna emphasis the need of an open discussion to develop the port sector

Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga emphasized the need of an open discussion to provide solutions to ports and maritime sector issues.

He said all the information, regulations and policies in the sector should be updated to meet the current requirements of the sector. Minister mentioned this by addressing the gathering at the first meeting of Inter-Agency Coordination Committee on Ports, Shipping and Maritime Affairs today (09) morning at the Ministry auditorium.

The organization has been established by a cabinet act which was extended by the Minister of Ports and Shipping.  The committee aims to formulate and review policies, programes and projects relating to Ports, Shipping and Maritime sector and also consultancy coordination between the stake holders of the sector falls under the portfolio of the ministry.

Delivering his speech Minister Ranatunga asserted, “We successfully concluded our first meeting. The committee would provide us a platform to discusses inter- agency issues and take solutions. We hope to assemble in once a month. We can discuss our problems at the meeting and provide quick solutions to them.  Further we would be able get solutions for the problems having with the stake holders,” the minister asserted.

The secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping L.P. Jayampathi will be convener of the meetings.

Addressing the meeting L.P.Jayampathi said the committee was established to enhance the communication between inter- agencies linked in to the sector.

 “The concept of establishing an inter-agency coordination committee has been recognized as a major requirement by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It can notably see the quantity of the vessels calls at Colombo port is increasing. There are 400 to 500 ships usually calls to islandwide ports.  Hence, the well coordination among inter-agency is paramount to provide qualitative service,” L.P. Jayampathi mentioned.

Fonseka sworn in as UNP MP

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka took oath as a national list parliamentarian infront of the Speaker, a short while ago. Earlier, the United National Party’s working committee decided to nominate Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka through the nationalist to the parliament, to fill the vacated parliament seat of M.K.A.D.S Gunawardena.

Massive bird racket Reveals in Hatton, Singimale

A massive racket has been bared where some unscrupulous elements are breaking the nests of a protected bird named Edible Nest Swift (Thurithaya- Collocalia Unicolour) living in the three mile stretch of the tunnel of the Hatton-Singimale railway line where they are sold for soup in five-star hotels here and overseas.

The racket has been bared by both railway employees and residents of the area who walk along the tunnel of the railway line.

Residents of the area allege that the bird itself is protected under Clause 31 of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance and the breaking of their nests and endangering them and the selling of eggs or exhibiting them has been prohibited. They also allege that the nests have been made out of the saliva of the bird which fortifies them. The soup is considered as a delicacy among tourists who visit five-star hotels.


Residents say a large number of nests have been broken and young birds have died. This happens usually after 10 p.m.when there are no movements of trains. Railway employees say they fear threats to their life if they attempt to stop the racket.
Environmentalists point out that the bird is a predator on various insects that destroy paddy fields. The services of the protected bird are invaluable in the protection of paddy crops.

Fonseka appointed to the National List seat in parliament

The Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP) today unanimously approved Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka for the parliamentary seat left vacant by the death of Minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena, UNP acting General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says.

This came after the UNP signed a collective agreement with the Democratic Party (DP) led by the former Army Commander at Temple Trees in Colombo.

The agreement was signed by Fonseka as the leader of the Democratic Party and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP leader.

The two leaders exchanged agreements for the Democratic Party to join the United National Front (UNF), the coalition led by the UNP.

Arjuna Ranatunga to lodge a complaint against SLC President

A complaint is due to be filed with the Human Rights Commission by the Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga over the Sri Lanka Cricket Election held on January 3.

Ranatunga contested for the post of Vice President of SLC.

However He managed to poll only 80 votes and could not get elected.

Jayantha Dharmadasa and K Mathivanan were elected with 102 and 90 votes respectively.

Sri Lanka Cricket Election was held at the Ministry of Sports Auditorium on January 03.

Sarath Fonseka To swearing-in as MP

Democratic Party leader, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is due to take oaths as an MP before the speaker tomorrow (09), say UNP sources.
He will be appointed to the national list position that fell vacant following the death of lands minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena.

The UNP working committee, at its meeting today, is to approve his being given the seat as per the MoU it has signed with the DP recently.

The elections commissioner will be informed of the decision later in the day, and the related gazette printed tonight.

Objections
However, the elections commissioner has reportedly received a petition against Fonseka’s being appointed an MP.

At a meeting the prime minister had with UNP ministers recently, justice minister Wijedasa Rajapakse has noted that it would be illegal to give an MP position to him.

In response, several ministers have said that it would be strength to the government in view of the reluctance shown by most MPs and ministers in the government to target the Rajapakas in parliament with regard to their serious acts of fraud, corruption and human rights violations, said the minister.