News

The Sri Lankan government has decided to provide relief assistance once again to people who are continuously affected by the ongoing drought.

Director General of the National Disaster Relief Services Center, Chaminda Pathiraja said that the required information has been forwarded to the Ministry of Disaster Management. Accordingly, a drought relief monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 will be granted to those affected.

Deputy Director of the Disaster Management Centre, Pradeep Kodippili claims over 400,000 people in several districts are currently affected by the drought.

A police source has confirmed Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop were among a list of potential targets allegedly documented in the notebook of a Sri Lankan man charged with a terrorism-related offence, Australian media reported today.
 
The Sri Lankan man on a student visa believed to be affiliated with Islamic State has been accused of planning a terrorist attack in Sydney after his employer handed over to police a notebook listing “symbolic” targets.
 
The notebook contained graphic assassination threats to former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, according to the Seven Network.
 
Seven News revealed that  Turnbull was one of several members of Parliament, alongside Julie Bishop and former MP Bronwyn Bishop, allegedly targeted in a diary kept by the 25-year-old Sri Lankan national.
 
The University of New South Wales contractor appeared in Waverley Local Court where he was refused bail, with the matter adjourned to October 24.
 
A police source confirmed to the ABC on Friday night that the former prime minister and former foreign affairs minister were allegedly targets for the man.
 
Mohammad Kamer Nilar Nizamdeen, 25, who works as a contracted business analyst at the University of NSW, was charged with one count of knowingly making a document connected to the preparation of a terrorist act. The notebook allegedly singles out specific individuals and landmarks in Sydney to be targeted.
 
“They are symbolic locations within Sydney,” Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Michael McTiernan said yesterday.
 
Police seized from a Zetland unit “documentary evidence” including electronic items early yesterday that they say is affiliated with IS, although  Nizamdeen has not been charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation. “Some material has been seized which will be used in evidence, I must say that it is documentary evidence; there is no suggestion of any capability ­possessed by this individual,” Acting Superintendent Mike Sheehey said.
While police said there was no immediate threat to the community, they stressed the severity of the charge. “The charges laid against this person are serious and significant, and should not be underestimated,” Superintendent McTiernan said.
 
Investigators and psychologists are examining the notebook to assess how serious a threat is posed by  Nizamdeen, who was not known to police and has no criminal record in Australia.  Nizamdeen, whose student visa is due to expire next month, goes by the name Kamer.
 
He began working for UNSW after he completed a bachelor of commerce, information systems and international business degree.  Nizamdeen took part in a program run by UNSW and NSW police to improve international student safety in 2016.
 
He, along with his team, presented a business proposal at NSW Parliament House organised by then trade, tourism and major events minister Stuart Ayres. Photos from the event show him standing alongside police officers.
 
 Nizamdeen also helped develop an app called A.L.I.C.E. which replicates a 1980s arcade game to educate students on how they can protect themselves online. He was part of UNSW’s HERO program in 2015 and ­appears in several promotional videos for the university.
 
 Nizamdeen was referred to the police by UNSW and the university is assisting police with their investigations. Officers searched his office yesterday at the ­Kensington campus.
 
His arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes officers from the AFP, NSW Police Force, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.
 
Police allege  Nizamdeen was acting on his own, and despite telling a media conference he appeared to be an Islamic State affiliate, they have not charged him with being a member of a terrorist organisation.
 
He appeared at Waverley Local Court in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. Several of Nizamdeen’s supporters attended but refused to speak to media. The case returns on October 24.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe announced that internal flights within Sri Lanka will commence soon as the government is set to grant permission to two local private operators shortly. Wickramasinghe made this statement at the opening of the MJF Centre for Dignified Empowerment and Sustainable Development for East in Kalkudah.
 
“This will allow tourists to travel to Colombo, Batticaloa, Sigiriya, Palali, and Trincomalee areas in shorter periods of time,” the Prime Minister said. 
 
Currently, only Helitours run by the Sri Lanka Air Force operates passenger flights in Sri Lanka while there are also several air taxi companies that operates charter flight services to tourist destinations within the country.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will launch a strike on September 4 Tuesday at 8.00 am in all state hospitals in the Central Province.

This is if the police fails to arrest those responsible for the Galaha Hospital attack by Monday, September 3.

GMOA Secretary Dr.Haritha Aluthge said the Health Ministry should take action to provide basic facilities for all state hospitals to prevent similar incidents in future.

The strike will be launched from all state hospitals in the Central Province and gradually expand to all the other state hospitals in the country.
“The child was under medical treatment died because the child’s parents had interfered in the duties of the doctors.

They had attacked the doctors endangering the lives of the doctors. They had damaged vehicles of doctors and public property at the Galaha Hospital,”he added.

Source : Daily News

Law College Principal PC Indira Samarasinghe was forcefully confined to her office by unruly law college students for over 22 hours yesterday.

According to sources, the issue arose regarding several student union elections held at the College on Friday. One group of students had claimed irregularities had occurred during the elections and called for the election to be held again. The group had said the Principal will only be allowed to leave her office if she provides a solution to the issue. They had even gone on to block in the Principal’s vehicle by parking several other vehicles around it. 

Finally Bar Association President, Counsel U.R De Silva had to visit the College and discuss with the students to secure the release of Samarasinghe. De Silva had promised to conduct an investigation and provide a solution for the issues today. The students thereafter allowed Samarasinghe to leave the premises around 3.30pm in the evening. When questioned by the media the Principal said further action will be taken according to the advice of the Chief Justice. 

Many have criticized the actions of students who upon passing out would the lawyers. "Shameful Behaviour," one lawyer said when asked claiming that hoodlum behaviour of local universities has now found its way to the once Prestigious Law College as well.

The government has reduced the prices of 10 expensive cancer drugs and 13 other medicinal drugs with effect from midnight today. 

The prices of two medical devices have also been reduced. The relevant Gazette notification has been issued bringing into affect the prices reduction, Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. He made this announcement during the opening ceremony of the 39th outlet (Osusala) of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) at the Peradeniya University premises this morning. Accordingly the tender price of 10 expensive cancer drugs have been brought under control and the maximum retail price of 13 selected drugs have been regulated. In addition to this the MRP of blood glucose meters and blood glucose test strips have also been regulated.
 
The 13 selected drugs subjected to price reduction include antibiotics, drugs for neurological diseases, asthma, epilepsy patients, diabetes medicine including insulin and drugs to control cholesterol. (Derana)

Minister Mangala Samaraweera claims the government is taking steps to remove 3000 taxes by year 2020. According to the Minister as part of this initiative they are hoping to remove a total of 2000 taxes within the year.

Samaraweera made these comments at the CEO’s Forum 2018 organized by the  Postgraduate Institute of Management of the Sri Jayawardenapura University held in Colombo under the theme “The Development Landscape of Sri Lanka in 2025” on Friday. 

The forum saw the participation of the Minister of Finance and Mass Media, Mangala Samaraweera and the Governor of CBSL Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy.

Samaraweera also noted that the Government has already passed anti-dumping and safeguard legislation to protect the industry against unfair trade practices.

Samaraweera added that the Government has also designed a trade adjustment program that will assist skilled workers and provide concessionary finance to firms affected by competition to enhance their competitiveness.

‘Cormorant Strike IX - 2018', the joint mega Tri-Service Field Training Exercise (FTX), organized by the Sri Lanka Army for the 9th consecutive year will kick off on 6 September with a record participation of more than 100 foreign military participants and observers, in addition to 2500 Army personnel, 400 Sailors and 200 Airmen, a Media Conference, held on Tuesday (28) at the Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) auditorium was told by Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana, Commander, Security Forces, Kilinochchi on behalf of the Commander of the Army.

Over the years, this Field Training Exercise has evolved as one of the most consistent and comprehensive training Exercises which transfers and shares invaluable military experience and knowledge in a multinational milieu for the benefit of future military aspirants in the next generation and the foreign military participants, the Commander declared.

It will continue until 26 September 2018 covering the Eastern, Central, Western and North Central Provinces and provides a catalyst to build the capacity of Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Army and formulate a theoretical framework for the employment of SOF, he added.

This year’s Exercise portrays counter-insurgency scenario with the influence of asymmetrical warfare which has turned out to be the common approach among most non-state actors, extremist groups and appears to be the most likely national and international security threat in the 21st century, Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana said.

The Exercise largely focuses on joint planning and coordination, pre-engagement training, staff functions, real-time role play and execution of special operations within the given framework.

Exercise setting has been developed under the guidance of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayaka and under the close supervision of the Exercise Director, Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana, Commander, Security Forces, Kilinochchi and a special committee.

The Exercise will start from the mock Operational Headquarters at Minneriya on Thursday (6 September) after a brief induction ceremony and Brigadier Krishantha Gnanaratne and Colonel Vipula Ihalage serve as Deputy Directors of the Exercise, ‘Cormorant Strike IX - 2018'

Using SOF tactics, Infantrymen that include Commandos, Special Forces, Air Mobile and Mechanized Infantry Regiment troops of the Army, Sailors and Airmen would actively participate in this Exercise. The SOF will deploy troops under command on special operations tactics, techniques and procedures in the Operational Framework (Deep, Close and Rear) during the Exercise.

Foreign military participants and observers from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, France, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, Turkey, UK, USA and Zambia have so far confirmed their participation. Through execution of 20 special operations missions, the participants are expected to stick to above-mentioned core tasks.

The Field Training Exercise terminates with the ‘Critical Engagement’ on September 26 at Kuchchaveli. This is planned as a joint operation against opposing force stronghold supported by Naval, Air Task Forces and Mechanized Infantry troops. The de-brief of the Exercise will take place on completion of the Critical Engagement on 27 September 2018.

The Commander of the Army maintains that Sri Lanka Army, having defeated the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit should sustain the status quo and be always well –geared to take on any future challenges against the country or her people as defenders of the nation.

Former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said he will join the Joint Opposition (JO) ‘Jana Balaya’ protest to be held on September 5. While he has stayed away from mainstream politics to date, however, he now claims he will join in as the country is heading towards disaster. 

“The political environment borders on anarchy with our nation hurtling towards disaster. Professionals and intellectuals can no longer look away. We have heard it said that evil will triumph when the good remain silent” he was quoted as saying. 

Meanwhile, Basil Rajapaksa will give the protest a miss on Wednesday. Confirmed by his brother, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at an event held at the BMICH yesterday, Rajapaksa said Basil will not come to Sri Lanka in order to attend the protest. “He is, however, doing a significant amount of work from there,” he said. 

However, when asked if younger brother Gotabaya will be in attendance, Rajapaksa feigned that he was unaware of such a possibility. “Maybe he will turn up on the day,” he said asking the media personnel to pose the question to Gotabaya himself. “Ask him if he will attend,” Rajapaksa said.

Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, addressing the 3rd Indian Ocean Conference in Vietnam this morning (28), called for 'Oceanic Good Governance' in the region and said Sri Lanka was engaging in initiatives with regional players who have major economic stakes in the Indian Ocean.

"Sri Lanka is also pushing to further integrate with the world by undertaking reforms to facilitate trade and encourage productive foreign investments," the Minister said in his speech. 

"Sri Lanka has a clear vision of what the country wants to be in the world today. It is repositioning itself to optimize its relationship with its neighbours and other partners, to leverage its geostrategic position and make it a hub of the Indian Ocean," he also added. 

Explaining Sri Lanka's position on the matter, the Minister said, "Sri Lanka's strategy is to leverage investments to boost its industries such as tourism, expand its manufacturing base, and safeguard its main exports: such as garments and tea.  Accordingly, the Indian Ocean region plays a critical role in driving the global economy, and it will play an even more important role in the future.

A convict guilty of committing three murders and is now on death row is alleged to be quite active on social media site Facebook despite being behind bars. The revelation was made when Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed courts that former member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Hasitha Samantha Muhandiram alias 'Sarpaya' who had been convicted for a triple murder and detained in the death row at the Welikada Prisons is alleged to have updated his Facebook up to August 27. 
 
Peiris made this submission when the case against Hasitha Muhandiram and two others on charges of the murder of PC member Ranjith Nandasena on September 3, 1999 in Ratnapura and his bodyguard while also setting fire to their vehicle, was taken up for hearing at the Colombo High Court on Wednesday.

It is alleged that the convict had via Facebook been conversation with a number of people including several female lawyers. While the Deputy Solicitor General said that an investigation would be launched against them he also urged the High Court Judge to order an investigation into how a prisoner in the death row could gain access to social media and continue to use it.
High Court Judge Champa Janaki Rajaratne considering the submissions made by the DSG ordered an immediate investigation to find out how a prisoner in the death row could use his Face Book an update same. She also ordered the Superintendent Of Prisons to appear in court personally on September 17 to show cause.

The police in Kottayam, Kerala were alarmed as a caravan of trucks bearing flags similar to that of the Tamil terrorist group LTTE arrived there with flood relief material, reported Indian Media. Raising fear, the vehicles had a banner with the picture of the late Velupillai Prabhakaran, who headed the lethal terror outfit which was once active in Sri Lanka.
 
The cops questioned the volunteers and sent them back as they realised the latter were members of the Tamil nationalist party Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), headed by Seeman a filmmaker and actor in Tamil Nadu.
 
The NTK members had off-loaded relief materials at the Armed Reserve Police Camp in Kottayam town on August 25 evening, prompting several officials including the Additional District Magistrate to reach the spot.
 
They were questioned in detail at Kottayam East police station. They revealed that they had earlier distributed relief materials at camps in Idukki and Munnar too last week.
 
The activists, who belong to Madurai, Theni, Kambam and Kumily, had arrived here in 25 vehicles loaded with relief materials. Though the materials they delivered were examined by the bomb detection and disposal squad and sniffer dogs, nothing suspicious were found. Food items were later sent for tests.
 
Source: Manorama Online