Daily NEWS Srilanka

In order to celebrate the birthday of a colleague, 7 A/L students after sitting for the A/L exam had been to moving towards Mandaithivu island, Punnai, Jaffna last evening at about 1.35 in the afternoon when the rafter in which they were travelling in had capsized and 6 students have lost their lives in the process.

It was a group of students aged 19 and 20 years from Nallur of Jaffna, Kokuvil and Urumpai who had

At that moment the other students had been watching this scene from the beach, police say. It was revealed that these students who were in the rafter were intoxicated and that the rafter itself was beyond the expected standard as revealed at investigations. A group of officers under the supervision of Officer-in-Charge of Kayts, Inspector of Police Mr. Dharmadasa are conducting further inquiries in this connection.  

Saying that flying a kite caused disturbance to neighbours and when an exchange of words had flared up, a conflict which arose in Gamangedera area, Minuwangoda as a consequence, ended up with a father and son being cut and chopped unfortunately by another father and son with some others day-before-yesterday.

Around 8 in the morning a group of children who were engaged in flying kites in front of his house in a noisy manner were asked to stop it and the response was "We're sending kites on the road no ...

The said murder has taken place on the road in front of the main suspect's house. The father of 4 children who died was a person who was a dry fish vendor who used to go on his motor bicycle for that purpose. His son who too died had been employed in an institute dealing in monetary transactions of one of his relatives in Divulapitiya and was 20 years of age. The dead son had been flying kites in the company of some neighbouring children when this exchange of these words had occured. Having heard the confusion the father who was on his way in the morning on his dry fish business had got involved in this friction and had come to the spot where this argument was taking place and had then argued over the matter. In this instance various matters of a past dispute was brought to life and the argument has gone beyond bounds when people in the house had armed themselves with swords and knives and had committed the murder. It was Lal Premasiri Silva the father with four children and son Suraj Dananjaya Silva who gave theirv lives in this case.

The younger daughter of the deceased father, Shanika Chandramali (16) had this to say to the police regarding the murders: "the deceased father dropped two elder sisters at Yatiyana Junction and returned. Both elder sisters go to work at Katunayaka. After dropping them, having returned home he set off in his bike on his dry fish business after having beakfast   at about 8 o'clock. After a short while on leaving home father was heard yelling 'ammo'. I, my elder brother who died and mother rushed towards the spot where father was yelling. By that time father was seen fallen in front of Ralahamy's house on the road. Those of Ralalahamy's family was surrounding father with swords and knives. A grandfather was seen attacking father with a club. I saw a person there chopping father with a sword. Another person who was there had a sword in his hand. He also chopped father with the sword. A person who had a knife chopped father with the knife. The females who were there kicked father who had fallen down. When we rushed forward to rescue father, a person who was there attacked elder brother with a club. Just then the person who chopped father with the sword chopped elder brother also with the sword. Those who had clubs in their hands struck elder brother with clubs. I and mother were treated with harsh words and they approached us to hit us.

When father and elder brother were lying in a pool of blood, so many eople came there. We shouted. Our Chooty Baappa then came there in a van and put father and elder brother into it and took them to Minuwangoda Hospital. I and mother came in the van to the hospital. Even when brought to hospital the doctors said that father and elder brother were dead".

Police say that both of them had been attacked on the head with sharp instruments. Another father and son had come to Minuwangoda Police concerning the father - son homicide and surrendered themselves day-before-yesterday with another person and these 3 suspects are expected to be produced before Minuwangoda Magistrate Court yesterday (27).   

As a result of the sensational incident about the Chemistry 2nd question paper of the Advanced Level leaking out last week, the private tutor Jinendra Ranasingha was subjected to suspicion and after investigations were carried out by the CID, they were able to uncover details even going beyond the handbills related to tuition classes.This tuition sir had distributed a bogus leaflet by editing exam questions of the paper which exam had been in operation at that moment and after the

What Jinendra's brother said at first was of a story that he had acquired copies of those question papers when the examination was in progress. Camera copies of exam papers were found in his Tab computer. However, when questioned at length, out came details of a sharp fraud hitherto not recorded in the history of examinations in Sri Lanka. Actually, it was from a student who was sitting for that exam that particular day from whom this tuition sir had received the Chemistry question paper. The exam fraud committed by this student in fact was of the most modern type, it could be said.

It has now been revealed that when the exam was in progress itself this student had captured the questions on camera and while still seated in the exam hall, had connected himself with the said tuition master across the internet, live, and had managed to obtain answers to those questions and thus written the answers. The student's father had paid a sum of Rs. 10 lakhs to the tuition master on behalf of the fraud and making use of the opportunity which came his way had put his hand into the handbill fraud as well, thus making a fast buck as an extra job.

How can a live connection such as this be operated to connect with the tutor while at the exam hall without anybody being aware? This student's father incidentally happens to be a doctor serving the Police Hospital and the student concerned on the other hand is studying at Colombo Royal College. That student had got down Jinendra Ranasingha to the house and had studied Chemistry for 2 years under him, it is understood.

This student is also well-versed in Information Technology. He is also someone who produces short films and one of his creations was even acclaimed in Canada and had also toured that country. This young boy who is equipped with modern technological gadgets had utilsed only two gadgets for the exam fraud. One gadget is a secret camera hidden in his shirt button. The gadget comprises of a button with the camera and a switch and the photos are clicked by removing the button in the shirt and after the camera is fixed, the switch is attached to the thumb of the foot and the action is finalised by touching it. Each time the switch is pressed, the button camera clicks photos and instantly uploads to a Page on Facebook.

The second gadget is a bluetooth set which is retained inside the ear. That gadget which could make connections with a mobile phone some 200 meters away could be answered by someone unknown to another person. Someone around the location is not able to detect it. To retain it most sensitively on the ear, a magnet also has to be made use of, it is said. It is also reported that this student has been trained in the manner where the said gadget is properly utilised for exam cheating acts, with the aid of Jinendra Sir ...  before going to Royal College Examinations Hall. This student who developed a live connection with the tutor being stationed at a point close to the exam hall had thus contemplated on answering the paper after the question paper was distributed; after which he was able to turn the question paper and had managed to click photos of it and when those were received by the Facebook, the tutor who was remaining at the doctor's house in Borella had got hold of them ... instantly speaking and providing the answers. As it is difficult for the student to speak in those circumstances; for responses such as 'didn't hear', ... 'repeat' he has undergone a training to make signals through tiny sounds. As reported, the said student has maintained connections with this tutor in the case of the Chemistry First Paper and investigations are being conducted.

The doctor-father who aided and abetted manipulating this sharp exam fraud has been remanded. 10 lakhs have been paid to Jinendra Ranasingha by the doctor-father to commit this trickery and Jinendra who brought the money home, after coming to know that tables have turned upside down has by now vanished from his home. He has taken with him about 20000 from the total amount and left 980000 in the house and the brother has taken measures to hand over that money to the police. The brother has admitted that when the exam fraud was in operation the photo related to the leaflet, he mentions, he was told would be sent to his Tab and that after about 45 minutes later those were sent to him. All work connected to the printing and distribution was done by him. In any case the Educations Department says that the Royal College student would be penalised from appearing at examinations for 5 years because of this examination fraud. He further said that in future legal action would be taken against those who are found involved in exam frauds of this nature. by using gadgets.

None of the leading newspapers of India have today (28) reported the ugly incident of Sri Lankan spectators throwing bottles thus disturbing proceedings of the Cricket match played yesterday at Pallekele grounds.

The Hindu, Times of India, Deccan Chronicle ... all leading newspapers have not commented on this

As a result of spectators who lost ther heads when Sri Lanka was on the brink of defeat at the 3rd One-day match played at Pallekele Grounds today (27) between Sri Lanla and India, a short while before close of play, spectators who lost their heads took to hailing bottles and as a consequence play had to be halted for a short time.

The Indian side which trailed behind 218 which

The above-incident had taken place at the end of the 44th over. Spectators who were outraged in the face of continuous defeats resorted to hailing bottles etcetera at the grounds and on that occasion the umpires who abandoned the game were watching the happenings in the middle of the grounds with the players. As the situation was not getting under control the match was abandoned in the process and players as well as umpires went back into the pavilion. The play recommenced about 20 minutes later under security measures and the Indian team clinched the 8 runs necessary for victory in 7 balls.

Prior to this even at the match played in Dambulla, spectators displayed their protest by hooting. Even sports critics had mentioned that they had not seen instances before where Sri Lankan Cricket spectators behave in this unruly fashion. Sri Lanka lost all Test matches and One-day matches played against the touring Indian side this time.

Photographs of a person who appeared in a strange manner at a private bank to transact matters in Trincomalee is seen across the social media these days. The referred-to person was seen at the bank dressed in a pair of rubber slippers and a towel only with the top part of his

Since there are no rules and regulations generally in the instance of a person entering a bank, there was no objection from the security personnel for him to come and operate his business. 

A schoolgirl aged 17 years at Saliya Ashokapura, Yaya 2, Giribava was raped and murdered at a time she was staying all alone in the house and the culprit was a 31 year old Saman Karunatilleka living in a neighbouring house. After he was taken into custody by police he was ordered to be remanded for 10 days by Galgamuwa Magistrate Mr. L.T. Warusavithna yesterday.

When this girl was watching television day-before-yesterday afternoon the person has come to her

At the time she was at home, her father was away at his work-place while the mother was engaged in work at a house closeby, it is understood. When the mother had come home to have her lunch around 12 o'clock in the afternoon her suspicions were aroused when she noticed doors of the house being thrown open and the daughter's underwear thrown all over. Searching for her daughter she had gone into the room and what met her eyes was the astounding scene of her daughter's hands and legs being tied up lying on a bed, murdered. The incident was notified to the police.

The suspect who was arrested on suspicion had jumped into a bus plying down the road near the house in the afternoon that day in a big hurry and the bus-conducter had sensed something unusual about his movements. When he had wanted to inquire about it the said person had fled in a mighty hurry. After informing a groupo of three-wheeler drivers in Paaluwewa area, it was possible to apprehend him. Initially though it was not possible to detect that the reason for fleeing in this manner may be an instance of rape or homicide, when news about this incident happened to circulate around the area, a clue was received about the suspect.

The 31 year old Harshana Saman Karunathilaka living at the address of Sali Ashokapura, Giribave was suspected to be the criminal. Both hands of the girl who was lying on bed were tied with pieces of cloth and there were abraisions at several places on her body and a strong bite-mark on the deceased's upper lip, police said. Apart from that, over 300 obseene scenes were detected in the suspect's mobile phone, Girbava Police say.

The dead body of the schoolgirl was taken to Judicial Medical Officer of Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for further investigation matters. The suspect has been remanded till 4th next month.

There are so many Sri Lankans who claim ownership to Toyota Corolla vehicles and they celebrated their 59th anniversary. Over 60 old Corolla Toyota owners  proceeded on a rally extending from Bandaragama Wewa upto Madapatha, Piliyandala.

From Toyota Corolla KE10 upto KE55

Photos and information -- Suresh

During yesterday's Parliament assembly, in the process of JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanaike's speech, an exchange of words which exceeded its bounds ultimately ended up with a moment of uncontrollable anger. At that moment Anura Kumara reprimanded Rajitha by bringing up past records.

That scene is as follows and on that occasion Anura Kumara spoke like this: "Now if one goes to the

"If there is faith on the health facility of this country ... would the Health Minister go to Singapore to take medicine? ... Could have taken medicine from the National Hospital no. Why go to Mount Elizabeth?" Then smilingly ... "What was done there?" "Against SAITM" ... Minister Rajitha was heard saying. "Okay, now go ahead with the talk", the Speker said. "Stopped barking? Stopped barking? Has Tomiya finished barking? Sit down". "100 lakhs from President's Funds Speaker ... should be ashamed. To get 1 and half lakhs a man in the village has to get documents from the Grama Sevaka, the Doctor, the Provincial Secretary. For this man ... 100 lakhs. What a beggar! What is this he's going to say? Who are you? What is this he's saying?" Anura's voice turns vociferous. Rajitha does not give up. "You go ahead with your talk ... 4 minutes more". the Speaker ordered.

"Make him sit down ... then I'll tell. But not what was robbed. Not President's Fund money. Modera Fishing Port. Government estimate ... 17 lakhs. The Fishing Port was given on lease for 125,000. For 300 months. Investigations were at Bribery Commission. Went twice to Bribery Commission. Met President and changed Director General of the Bribery Commission ... that case would be filed against this man ... now coming to talk to us.

Has taken 100 lakhs from President Fund  ... don't ask anything further from me! Be ashamed ... has lost MP staus having gone to do business with government. The only fellow who was filed legal action against in Sri Lanka and lost MP status ... coming to teach us about robbery. Case was filed and lost MP post. Should bow down and worship Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha ... after having lost MP status; was given post of MP from Jathika Leisthuwa. Now ... the clique, ... don't come to talk those things with us".  During Anura Kumara's talk, words such as 'Patta hora ... Hinganna' were said. 

Deputy Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department Mr. A. Nandun Guruge says that a network with 30 ultra-special institutions in connection with those evading payment of tax is in progress and in future all companies, assets of institutions and individuals, income and those who are liable to identify transactions and open tax

He further added that a structural file prepared about every citizen over 18 years of age would be linked to this network and that preparations of activities would be brought to a close in forthcoming December. As such, an identity number would be allotted to every citizen who is over 18 years of age by year 2018 and assets etcetera of all individuals would be included in this network, he added.

It will be possible across this methodology to detect income-earners who default tax payments and thus trap them, he said. Several  new methodologies have been launched already to prey on those who evade taxes and this is just one such methodology, he mentioned. He also said that the primary objective of of the government is to increase charging direct taxes from among all tax-payers and to decrease indirect taxes, thus providing a concession to the common man in this country through this process and thereby corner tax-defaulters.

What he requests from persons who are liable for tax payment is to open up a file and if not, assets and particulars regarding income of tax-defaulters detected across the network would be traced backwards to the past and may be subjected to payment of the maximum fine, the Deputy Commissioner General finally mentioned.

-- Harshani Arsekularatna

Mr. Wijeyadasa who was was expelled from post of Minister today under orders of the President addressed the media after bidding farewell to his staff and subjected the present government to harsh criticism. The speech he made in this connection, from below.

"I didn't leave from both Minister posts. I'll talk about my journey later ... In every government

According to the 157th constitution of the Constitutional Council, when entering into an agreement such as Hambanthota, a proposal should essentially be forwarded to parliament and it has to be approved from a two-third vote. Therefore, the transfer to Hambanthota is simply a piece of paper. It's legally invalid and null and void. If necessary, authority to transact is secured for operational activities of Sri Lanka Ports there are no powers to transfer, to lease out. This being revealed, there was a group who lost their temper. Hambanthota was launched ... Mattala was given approval. What my conscience says is that no other shameful matter than to remain in a cabinet which sells all national resources like this.

I didn't accept the post of Minister in Madam Chandrika's government. The post of Minister of President Mahinda Rajapaksa I gave up in 5 months time and stepped down. Today I speak here as a Minister who has been thrown out from the board of Ministers. The Central Bank fraud is the ransacking which can't be estimated which took place in this country from the time of King Pandukabhaya upto now. Because the President appointed a commission unexpectedly where names of masterminds were being revealed, these people are scared of names of the footnote clique of those who have concealed things would be then exposed.

Since the Attorney General's Department was progressing so far in an independent manner, it is anticipated that the public of this country would file legal action against those who are even more responsible. Therefore the standpoint is to send away this Justice Minister and that the backbone of the Attorney General's Department should be broken. That is the reason why the Attorney General has been summoned to Temple Trees on 15th Wednesday and had invited backbencher MPs including thuggery MPs and were given orders to him to make him a laughing stock and ridicule him requesting the judiciary to file action soon within 2 weeks against their antagonists.

This attempt now is to bring out a point that Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa the Justice Minister was involved in a deal with the Rajapaksa regime and that their law suits are being delayed, thus with the intention of focusing attention on it and tweeping the bond fraud under the carpet and make me the scapegoat. It must be kept in mind that it is a majority who threw a challenge to Mahinda Rajapaksa across the COPE Report in 2007 who make these accusations but were fondled on President Rajapaksa's lap at the moment I was stepping out.

During the 2002 - 2003 United National Party era, most resources of this country were sold; the CTB to be sold to Ravi Wettasingha for Rs. 860 million. If I didn't rescue it, there won't be a CTB in Sri Lanka today. The Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation ... the Appollo Hospital were lost. I rescued those that time. The Colombo Port which was handed over to the private sector fraudulently ... I rescued it by taking up the matter in courts and got it back to the masses. I call upon the public this moment to think about the decision that should be taken about an administration that goes on selling resources of all the public.

I was accused regarding the Avant Garde transaction. The former Attorney General Wijayatilleka has given a verdict that a case can't be filed in this connection. The report of the Special Presidential Commission was sent to the President indicating that there is no illegal transaction found there. If any legal steps are to be taken in relation to Avant Garde, the present Secretary of Defence onwards has to be taken into custody ... because even now it is in the Avant Garde vessel that the Navy Force hoard guns of the government ... in the sea. By now, over 500 guns are there. In that case, everybody from Minister of Justice onwards are responsible for it. Nobody has the right to point the finger at me in relation to that corruption.  

The parliament office took action to place a laptop computer on each table of all parliament MPs numbering 225 yesterday the 22nd. Recently this stock of laptops were provided by the China government as a gift to all parliament MPs, from yesterday. Free WiFi internet facilities were

Mr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa has addressed the media and told that he accepts the letter directed to him about the President expelling him and that he would be relinquishing his duties from both positions relevant to him. As such, he has stated that he is in the process of handing over his vehicles. On a question posed to him whether he would in future be leaving the UNP, he has mentioned that he would not do so.

The Minister who said that he refuses to accept the statement he

The letter was received -- vehicles will be handed over; Wijedasa's office has informed

After the President had given his sanction to the letter forwarded to him requesting the President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena to expel Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa from all positions as Minister by the UNP, the said letter was received by Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa, an officer of Mr. Rajapaksa has confirmed. The officer has further mentioned that it was mentioned in the letter that he has been removed from both Justice and Buddha Sasana Affairs and that the Minister has taken action to hand over all official vehicles so far utilised by him.

The President announces that Minister Wijedasa would be removed from the ministership --

The President has granted approval to the letter forwarded to him to remove Minister Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa from all cabinet Minister portfolios. Accordinly, Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa had been informed about it, it was reported.

In the same way, the General Secretary of United National Party Mr. Kabir Hasheem released an announcement yesterday (22) to the effect that Minister Wijedasa has by violating the collective responsibility last weekend by criticising Ministers of the party and policies of the government while in the capacity of a cabinet Minister. Therefore, the United National Party leadership made a written request from the President to expel Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa from all cabinet positions he holds.

Mrs. Thalatha Athukorala as the new Justice Minister and Mr. Ravindra Samaraweera are to take their oaths on Wednesday 23rd in the presence of the President. As such, a gazette notification is expected to be released ousting Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa who held both those positions and as a result he inevitably has to forego those positions.

After some sensational incidents , Wijedasa Rajapaksa has not turned up for the cabinet meeting held

Mrs. Thalatha Athukorala would be bestowed the position of Justice Minister in addition to her present position as Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion while Mr. Ravindra Samaraweera would be given the position of Minister of Buddha Sasana in addition to his position of Labour State Minister. In order to make aware of the change of Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa's position and to discuss matters about the future , it is expected to meet President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena today. Whether Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa would switch over to the SLFP, to the United Opposition or become Independent ... has still not been reported.