Volkswagen gets Kuliyapitiya land

A land in the Kuliyapitiya area was secured for setting up the Volkswagen assembly plant in Sri Lanka. The total value of this project is an investment of US$ 26.5 million of which 21.5 million will be invested in fixed assets within a period of 24 months.

This was subsequent by the successful facilitation of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka working with the Lands Ministry.

This land will be taken over by the BOI and would be formally handed over by the investment promotion agency to Senok Automobile (Pvt) Ltd, for the assembly of cars manufactured by Volkswagen AG, the renowned German Company.

The agreement to assemble cars was signed by Upul Jayasuriya Chairman of BOI and Noel Selvanayagam, President of Senok Automobile (Pvt) Ltd., which is a BOI Section 17 Agreement, the investor will assemble vehicles in the 1000 cc to 2000 cc category.

These vehicles will be diesel powered and include passenger cars, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), Multi Utility Vehicles (MUV) or commercial vehicles. Initially these vehicles would be marketed locally for a period of three years and thereafter the vehicles manufactured will be exported to overseas market. 

There is also a potential for export vehicles which would be petrol/electric/hybrid vehicles to be built without the concessions that have been given for assembling diesel vehicles. As Volkswagen is currently a world leader in automobile manufacture, this project is a very high profile one and a statement about Sri Lanka's growing attractiveness as a destination for investment. BOI is very keen to attract other leading automobile manufacturers into the country as the industry creates opportunities for the creation of local component manufacturersthat can supply the building of a complex product such as passenger car. The uniqueness of the project would be the inflows of German advanced automobile technology into the country and creating of job opportunities for the local youth.

Lasith Malinga can't play in IPL without our permission: SLC

Colombo, April 12: Miffed with Lasith Malinga's attitude of picking and choosing tournaments, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is reluctant to give the fast bowler 'No Objection Certificate' to play for the Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

SLC chief Tilanga Sumathipala said that the current status of Malinga's fitness needs to be assessed before the Board decides to give him the NOC.

Lasith Malinga

"He can't go without our permission. If he defies us and go, he can only return after sitting on the bench," Sumathipala said. (Malinga to miss 'first half' of IPL 9)

Malinga and the new SLC hierarchy have been at a standoff since the Asia Cup T20 in February.

The Board administration had asked Malinga to leave the captaincy before the World T20 last month in obvious annoyance.

Although Malinga made it to Sri Lanka World T20 team as a player, he once again opted out of the crucial tournament, citing fitness issues.

As a result, Sri Lanka was forced to play the tournament without their main bowler, which turned out to be one of the main reasons for the defending champions ouster from the World T20 in the first round itself.

PTI

Harin Fernando summoned to Courts over club brawl

Kollupitiya Police has filed a case in the Fort Magistrate's Court against Minister of Telecommunications Harin Fernando in connection with allegedly assaulting an individual and causing injury.

Michael Fernando, a resident of Pothuarawa Road, Talangama North, complained that the Minister assaulted him at the Colombo Swimming Club on 22 April 2015.

Police have referred this complaint to a Mediation Board.However, as the minister did not turn up for mediation board hearings, the Police filed a case. Both parties have been ordered by the Court to be present in Court on 5 May.

Kusal Perera bans for 4 years by ICC

Kusal Janith Perera has been banned for four years by ICC for using banned substance.   

Kusal Janith Perera has been banned from cricket after failing a doping test during an earlier home series against Pakistan, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.    

He stated that the government will appeal to reduce the suspension period, which could be maximum 4 years.    

“The second sample (B Sample) of cricketer Kusal Janith has also tested positive for banned substances,” Jayasekara told Ada Derana.  We will appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to attempt to reduce the period, he said.    “We will do our utmost because we cannot leave him (Perera) stranded. We intend to do everything we can for him.” he added.

Decision on next Inspector General of Police on April 18

A final decision regarding the appointment of the next Inspector General of Police (IGP) will be taken by the Constitutional Council on April 18, Government Information Department said.

Three names - Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police S. M.Wickramasinghe, Pujith Jayasundara and Chandana Wickramaratne were proposed by the President Maithripala Sirisena for the post.

Although, until the final decision is reached, an acting IGP has to be appointed by the President due to the retirement of the current IGP N.K.Illangakoon today. It will be the Council, which decides whether one person out of these three is selected or to request to forward only one name.

Kaduwela Sudu arrested

A suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Kaduwela Wasantha and several others was arrested by the Peliyagoda Crime Division this morning.

The suspect, Kaduwela Sudu aka Millage Sudath Kithsiri was arrested by the police in Kotelawala, while a T-56 in his passion was also taken into police custody.

Major fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam, over 80 dead

A huge fire broke out at Puttingal temple at Paravaur (Kollam District), Kerala early Sunday morning leaving at least eighty dead and over a hundred injured, local media said quoting police officials. The fire took place at around 3.30 am this morning.

According to reports, the fire could have been caused due to a firework that sparked a pile of fireworks stocked for the temple celebrations. The police had earlier warned temple authorities to restrict usage of fireworks.

7.50 am: The fireworks display forms an important part of celebrations at the temple. Traditionally, there is even a competitive fireworks show organised at the temple. However, this year there was no competition, probably because of the local administration’s restrictions.

7.42 am: Local reports coming in also say that window panes of houses within a 1-km radius have been shattered.

7.40 am: The building collapse is being seen as one of the main reasons for such a high casualty rate.

7.32 am: The building of the Devaswom Board, which runs temples in Kerala, collapsed due to the impact. Many people at the spot complained of bleeding from their ears.

7.30 am: The death toll is now at 84, Kerala DGP Senkumar has told The Indian Express.

7.24 am: Local media channels report that the temple authorities went ahead with the fireworks display despite a warning from the local administration.

7. 20 am: Watch video – Fire at Kerala Temple

7.00 am: The death toll is now at 70, K Lalji, ACP, Kollam district has said, adding that over 200 people were injured. “The situation is now under control, the DGP is also here,” he said, adding that the rescue operations were still underway.

6.52 am: Home Minister Chennithala has said that a judicial inquiry will be ordered into the fire and that the Chief Minister will be at the site around noon. He also said the government will announce compensation for families of those dead as well as the injured.

6.50 am: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the DGP has been asked to rush to the site and he will coordinate all rescue efforts. “The temple holds an annual firework display every year. We’re doing our best to rescue those still trapped.”

6.46 am: Asianet reports that the police had not given permission for the use of fireworks

6.42 am: The fire at the temple site has been brought under control

6.40 am: CM Oommen Chandy, state ministers have rushed to the site

6.35 am: Victims have been rushed to a local hospital in Kollam while those in a much serious condition have been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram.

6:23 am: Kollam ACP K Lalji to ANI, 60 people have died more than 200 injured in Puttingal temple in Paravoor in Kerala’s Kollam district

(Story and Pix : indianexpress)

President talks about Mahinda’s security detail

President Maithripala Sirisena, speaking in Bibila on Saturday, commented on the allegations that have been raised on curtailing the security detail of the former president

The president stated that Former President Rajapkasa had a security detail of 226 personnel from different ranks from the Army and the Police.

The president also noted that the former president had also taken with him the latest bullet proof vehicles that were brought into the country

President Sirisena went on to say that during his one year and three months in office, he had not imported any bullet-proof vehicles, and pointed out that he is currently using the vehicle that was used by the former president.

Preisdent Sirisena emphasised that he does not have a military personnel.