Gossip Lanka News [English]

Britisher appears live on Facebook and matter lengthens further -- racket of saying "We're from CID", without displaying identity

A British national officer during a tour made in Sri Lanka had faced an incident last 24th which has created an uproar in the social media these days.

This person called Adam Kelvin who is serving a certain human relief project had been on a tour in Ratnapura area recently and
had secured Vallapatta said to be parts of sweet-smelling wood, and later had travelled to other locations and had finally returned to the hotel he was lodging in Colombo in a taxi passing a spot in Wellampitiya. When thus travelling in a somewhat dark by-lane towards evening a person in another vehicle had stopped his vehicle and had approached him and said that he was suspicious that the Britisher was taking cocaine with him and that they were from the CID and had stopped him saying that they need to inspect the vehicle.

On that occasion though the driver of the vehicle had stopped the vehicle and the foreigner had demanded to peruse the identity card to allow any inspection, the referred to person had refused to comply. After repeating his request on and on saying that permission cannot be given without the identity card, he had beat a retreat when a similar person had after that stopped the vehicle and had said that he wants the baggage checked since he is from the police.

On this occasion too though the foreigner has asked for the identity card, when this person who called himself from the CID too appeared not able to be in possession of it and he also had avoided the situation. This person has then got into the vehicle and had instructed the driver that the vehicle be taken to Wellampitiya Police. However the foreigner had refused to do so. He says that since there is nothing illegal in his possession such an action not be taken. In that instance this second person too gets down from the vehicle and has fled.

After this incident, the foreigner goes to his hotel when it is police officers with uniforms who arrive at the hotel saying that he is to be taken into custody. They get down to inspecting his luggage and had pointed out to him that there are over 3 kilos of Vallapatta and thus he was arrested. The Britisher who explains everything as to how he bought those exclaims that he was not aware that those were illegal in Sri Lanka. Whatever it is, the police arrests him and takes him away.

This human relief officer who had been displaying all this phenomena in its entirety to his comrades over a video clip had requested that the British High Commission be made aware of this and in turn the attention of that office has been drawn towards the incident concerned as to what was happening.

The police has gone to the hotel where the foreigner was residing to nab him on a tip off received by some person; but not because it was not possible to arrest him by the CID and that the police was later on his track as a result, it was afterwards revealed. As such, the Britisher was about to be preyed upon by a group of racketeers and as their plan had not worked out; it appears that the police had nabbed him. As everything was taped across Facebook Live, it looks that the racketeers had altered their strategies.

Who these CID police officers who said that this Britisher was taking cocaine with him and had got hold of him while on his way when the CID in fact was not connected to this incident, is a mystery. What the police media spokesman said was that an investigation would be conducted on this matter. News First has made a search in this connection and on inspecting the house linked to the number of the vehicle in which the individuals who said that they were from the CID had come, it was found that this vehicle belonged to a certain solitary individual only. This individual says that on certain occasions this vehicle is taken away by his friends.

The driver of the vehicle in which the British national was travelling at the moment of this incident speaking some sentence or two in Tamil creates a suspicion that under his instructions this particular band of looters may have taken on the guise of the CID. The video related to the incident, from below

Three struck by lightning and die last evening in Medamulana!

As a result of inclement weather associated with lightning and heavy showers last evening (29) all over the island, a number of instances of lightning striking were reported.

3 individuals who were engaged in drying paddy at the helicopter arena in front of former President

Mahinda's house in Weeraketiya, Medamulana were struck by lightning last evening and all 3 of them lost their lives on the spot as a result, it was reported. The deceased are persons from areas of Galpoththayaya, Kudasimbula and Siyambalaheththewa, it was reported. They had come that day for the purpose of drying activities on a hired basis when they died with lightning striking them.

Two graduate sisters travelling on bike on a side embrace death ... when police pursue lorry carrying cattle!

When a group of policemen were on the pursuit of a lorry loaded with 18 heads of cattle in Chulankulam area along Anuradhapura - Puttalam A-4 main road, the lorry had kept on moving and had struck a cab and a motor bike too. Thus two young women who were on the motor bike breathed their last yesterday

as a result.

The two young females who died from this accident which occured at about 8 in the morning happened to be two sisters of the same family and both of them were graduates. One of them died on the spot while the other died in hospital. The two sisters were Jayani Swetha Jayakody (32) and Samadhi Navodya Jayakody (29) living in Nochchiyagama, Galadivulwewa. Jayani was employed as an accounts clerk while Samadhi served as a teacher and both were unmarried. They met with this tragedy when they were on their way to Anuradhapura town for some requirement when they met with this accident.

A crowd of people in the area who who after seeing this catastrophe had become aggressive for negligent driving of the lorry which was fleeing in fear of the police for having committed something beyond the law and had assaulted the driver of the lorry and had even gone to the extent of setting fire to the vehicle which had by then toppled, it was reported. The police had intervened and brought the situation under control. At the moment the lorry toppled, the cattle inside it had scampered here and there. From the accident the lorry has faced severe damage.

The police vehicle which was pursuing the lorry had without taking action to take the casualties of the accident to hospital had turned back towards Anuradhapura, about which those around had scorned. What was revealed at initial investigations was that 18 heads of cattle were being transported from Trincomalee to Welisara to be slaughtered for consumption armed with a licence for that purpose. However why they sped without stopping ignoring police orders is a problem which needs explanation. An inquiry on the 2 police officers on the manner in which they had gone into action at the time the accident took place is to be carried out.

"Koombiyo" underground kingpin ... Jackson's brother Senaka Titus passes away

Mr. Senaka Titus, a skilled actor and also a newspaper editor passed away last night (26) at a hospital in Singapore.Senaka Titus happens to be a brother of distinguished artiste Jackson Anthony.

Senaka plays the role of the chief of an underground clique in the teledrama "Koombiyo" which has

grabbed much attention of the viewers. He was overseas to take part in a stage drama and on his way to Sri Lanka he was seriously taken ill at the Singapore Airport and was admitted to a hospital there. He has passed away when undergoing treatment there.

Senaka Titus has displayed his skills as an editor of Multipacks and Epa Publications' children's newspapers and in addition edited Kekulu newspaper. He was someone who displayed his abilities on stage, teles and as a cinema actor. He also excelled in the field of advertising media. Friends who associate him would never forget how he entertained them by his interesting and humorous stories which made them burst into laughter. Not only that, however much he was in a hurry while going somewhere he would not forget to inquire about how the person was getting along.

Some years ago he was bitten by a viper and though critical he was able to recover. What he said after that was that since he did not die even after having been bitten by a viper, he would go on to live to a ripe old age. Whatever it is, he had to bid goodbye from the theatre of life.

Whole family commit suicide by drinking poison ... nit being able to face debtors!

An incident where after a husband had drunk poison and died on the problem faced in not being able to settle his debtors and subsequently his wife who was left desolate in not being able to avoid them had given poison mixed with ice cream

to her 3 children and had drunk poison herself and thus ended her life too is reported from Jaffna.

The deceased are K. Sunethra (28) and her 3 children, Chrishai (4) the daughter and 2 sons Sajith (2) and Saravana (1) living in Mambalan Junction, Arialei, Jaffna. The husband of the wife concerned had been in service as a goldsmith in Jaffna in sales outlets selling gold items and not being able to settle the loans he had taken had 2 months before this had consumed a type of poisonous liquid used to prepare gold items and had so died, police say.

After the death of the said husband the debtors had come in search of the lady concerned and not being able to bear this pressure she has had made use of the poisonous liquid used in the preparation of gold articles and mixed it with ice cream and had then fed the 3 children and she herself had partaken of it. The police had found a bowl containing ice cream with poison given to eat, police say. The police also said that after consuming the ice cream with poison, the woman and her 3 children were found dead lying on a mat. When Jaffna Police inspected the house, 2 letters written to Mr. Manickavasagar Sailaveralian, High Court Judge and her relatives were found in that house. What was mentioned in the communication to the High Court Judge was that her husband had loaned some money to a certain person and that because it was not returned and that her husband too had taken loans and had been unable to settle it and that under these circumstances not being able to bear up all this he had taken poison and died.

Her letter further states that the children were constantly looking for their father and she could not bear this pain any further, for which reason she has resorted to taking this action. The Jaffna Police stated further that 2 names were cited as being responsible for the deaths. After inquiry into sudden deaths was conducted on bodies of this mother and the 3 children, the bodies were expected to be taken to Jaffna Hospital. Further inquiries in connection with the incident is underway by Jaffna Police.

Somasiri Alakolanga (Harispaththuwe Somananda Thera) explains why he became monk

The piece of news where well-known actor Somasiri Alakolanga entered into monkhood was an incident which happened to be a much talked about matter last week. News that he who entered into the clergy under the name Harispaththuwe Somananda Thera had turned back the media without divulging his personal matters also was

reported. However, on much compulsion Somananda Thera has come forward to talk about further information a few days ago.

"Actually after realising worldly spirituality I decided to enter priesthood. From a long time ago I was bent on spirituality ... was hoping to become a monk from a long time ago. Really it was not with the intention of participating in almsgiving etcetera. I shaved my head to meditate and to develop the mind. I didn't enter monkhood because it's difficult to live or for being depressed. I finished my responsibilities to everybody in the family and it was with their permission that I became a monk. I shaved my head not just to wait loke a monk ... to continue with meditation.

Even at the time I was engaged in acting I was involved in meditation activities. I realised that more than lay life it is easier to meditate in priestly life. I don't know whether there was a samsara calling to become a monk. At the beginning it was to a forest hermitage that I went for meditation. I know a certain monk living in America thirty years ago and it was he who directed me to this vihara. This is a very conducive location for meditation purposes ... a location with a good environment for meditation. So I became a monk here.

Other than members of my family, nobody else knew about i becoming a monk. From about 30 or 40 years I don't eat any meat and neither do I drink alcohol. I get up at 3 early morning. After that I engage in meditation. At 5.30 I engage in Buddha worship. With my knowledge I impart English knowledge to monks at the temple. I do an English class for children in the village, as a matter of service. In the evening I engage in Buddha worship. It's mostly sermons and meditation activities that I am involved in. What I have now achieved is a hope which was there for a long period of time. I have attended meditation classes. It was artistes such as Ediriweera Sarathchandra and Henry Jayasena who were my mentors when I was involved in the Arts. I got that fortunate opportunity from my youth. Actually I worked with distinguished people. I am not an artiste who hastened my journey in the Arts field as such. I engaged in acting in a way that it did not clash with my employment.

It was in the year 1965 that I stepped on to public stage-plays during Peradeniya University period. It was in the drama 'Elova gihin melova aawa' of Ediriweerea Sarathchandra that I acted in. From 65 onwards upto 2015 I have engaged myself in acting. Though I acted as a pastime ... I didn't just act. It's an insult for this field".

Galle: Lalith Chaminda and S.K. Kaluaarachchi (Divaina)

SAITM taken away from Neville ...
Medical degree payment on subsidized basis ... President's Commission solution for SAITM basis

In order to solve the problem which has cropped up regarding the medical faculty of SAITM, a President's Committee has been appointed by the President Maithripala Sirisena and a press release embodying their solutions was released yesterday (29).

Decisions arrived at according to that press release is as follows: Though SAITM would in future

continue to function as an institution awarding medical degrees, the proposal hopes to remove Neville Fernando and his family and to implement standardized degrees at a lesser fee and on an instalment basis as a non-profit making non-governmental organisation. The new series of proposals is as follows:

1. Abolishing SAITM (hereafter SAITM means its Faculty of Medicine): This shall be done in a manner legally acceptable to the current shareholders, lending institutions and the new entity interested in taking over all operations and management of SAITM on a not-for-profit basis, thus ending the ownership and management structure of SAITM. The profit oriented entity owned and managed by Dr. Neville Fernando and family would thereby cease to exist.

2. By an agreement reached by the above parties, the assets, liabilities, staff and students of SAITM shall be transferred to a non-state, not-for-profit making (that will utilise any excess income over expenditure of the organisation for development or research for scholarships, without distributing among shareholders) degree awarding entity that will comply with the Minimum Standards on Medical Education (to be legislated).

3. The Government has consulted several already established non-state, not-for-profit entities with the objective of establishing the proposed not-for-profit entity for this purpose. Detailed discussions in this regard with interested parties shall start very soon.

4. The new entity shall recognise all students currently enrolled at SAITM, who possess the required entry qualifications. Opportunity will be afforded to these students to continue medical education in the proposed institution.

5. Issues in respect of former students who have completed their degree course at SAITM should be addressed on the advice of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, based on the determination of the Supreme Court case filed on the same. Arrangements shall be made for the said students who have completed the degree at SAITM to undergo clinical training at recommended government hospitals.

6. Admission of medical students to SAITM has been suspended by the letter issued by the Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education on September 15th 2017. This suspension will continue. Accordingly, all new admissions shall be made to the new entity (as described in 2 above), when only complying with the Minimum Standards on Medical Education and Training (to be legislated). The Government shall co-operate on all endeavours to make available, through financial institutions, subsidized student loan schemes to eligible students from low-income families to meet the cost of tuition and fees.

7. Current shareholders of SAITM shall not participate in the ownership or management of the new entity. The co-operation of Dr. Neville Fernando and family is extremely important in this regard.

8. The Ministry of Health shall gazette and place before parliament the agreed minimum standards for medical education and training based on the draft submitted by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), upon conclusion of discussions with the SLMC, the Hon. Attorney General and other relevant stakeholders. This task must be mandatorily completed within one month from today.

The chronology of implementing the mentioned solutions shall be, as follows:

i. Ministry of Health to gazette the agreed minimum standards for Medical Education and Training and place before parliament,

ii. SAITM, the selected party and lending institutions to reach agreement on the transfer of assets, liabilities, staff students of SAITM to the proposed not-for-profit entity.

iii. Establish the new entity, under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and the University Grants Commission.

iv. Abolishing SAITM: transfer assets, liabilities, staff and students of SAITM to the new entity.

v. Establishment of new not-for-profit education degree awarding institute.

It is expected to immediately appoint a committee of high level officials to co-ordinate the implementation of the above measures. This entire process shall be mandatorily completed by December 31st 2017.

"You were sent by god!" -- letter written to Judge Ilangchelian by mother who committed suicide

The mother in Ariyalai area in Jaffna who committed suicide with her children by mixing poison with ice cream to be consumed had written some letters before committing suicide. In one of those letters, a description about those who are responsible for their deaths was

mentioned as having as having messed up the debt issue while another letter was written to Mr. Maniccavasagar Ilanchelian, Jaffna High Court Judge who has become the focus of attention of many people. The translation of that letter written in Tamil is as follows:

"Hon. Mr. Ilanchelian,

My husband having duped for Rs. 1 crore and 17 lakhs and as a result he committed suicide on 3rd September. I have no life without my husband. Even if my husband lived by being a paralytic, I would be satisfied. But we had no luck for that. Though I thought of living for the sake of children, I had no answers to the questions the children ask. The children ask 'when will father come? Why don't father to be seen?Isn't our father fair? Why was cotton put inside father's ears? Isn't our father fair? Why did father become dark? Will father come back fair again? Shall we go to the park when father come back?' I am not able to answer questions like this which my children ask. For how long a time can I cheat my children? God has selected a limited crowd to establish truth in this world. As I believe, you too are one of them. You mete out justice to the injustice which happened to us ... prove our honesty. We'll give our life!"

Full details of the incident, from here

Lahiru Mudalige marries

Popular announcer of Swarnavahini channel, Lahiru Mudalige entered into wedlock recently. His bride, Sanduni de Silva is a Software Engineer. Photos Wedding and honeymoon, from below

http://www.gallery.gossiplankanews.com/wedding/lahiru-mudaliges-wedding.html

Conductor pulls part of schoolgirl's hair and drops her off saying "We can't delay"

Because of the delay caused by trying to save a flock of hair entangled in friend's schoolbag, a 17 year old schoolgirl had been pulled by the hair forcibly and had been dropped at the bus halt by the conductor and this

incident had happened in Senapura area, Welmilla, Bandaragama.

The girl who faced this incident was studying in a school in Piliyandala. She had finished school last afternoon (30) and when she was to come home and awaiting the Piliyandala - Bandaragama 162 bus in the company of her friends when this unfortunate incident took place. When she was just about to alight from the bus and was approaching the footboard, at that point her hair had got entangled in the bag of one of her friends and was unable to instantly disentangle it. When the bus had then almost started to move, she had asked to pause proceeding and to 'wait a while' in the process of trying to release the grip on the bag, at which moment the conductor had come to that spot and said "if you go to do that, we'll be delayed" and had pulled the entangled part of her hair from the bag forcibly and had dropped her from the bus there.

As a result of this action she had got startled and even those who saw this scene were shocked. Subsequently, the schoolgirl who got down from the bus had told this to her parents who in turn informed the police about this incident. The conductor responsible for this action was apprehended within the space of a few hours, Bandaragama Police say.

The schoolgirl concerned was admitted to Bandaragama District Hospital. A hospital source remarked that a considerable flock of hair of the girl's head had come off by this sudden action of the conductor. It was revealed that this conductor taken into custody was a 43 year old married person and was a father having children.

38 year old 'punchi' abuses 15 year old relative 'putha' saying let's play" ... ends up with 21 year jail sentence!

A woman who is said to be a 'punchi amma' (mother's younger sister) bt relationship having been convicted of the crime of through a period of time engaged in abusing her relative son aged 15 years for one year was sentenced to 21 years rigorous imprisonment by Anuradhapura Special Courts

yesterday. This has entered the record books as the court verdict for an offence of abuse in Sri Lanka of this type for the first time.

This jail term was imposed on a 48 year old married woman living in Valagambahuwa area, Maradankadawala, Kekirawa. She had 10 years before this when she was aged 38 years during the period July 2007 and June 2008 had saying that she would look after her sister's son of 15 years in the evening hours in Anuradhapura had after saying various deceptive talks to the boy had stimulated parts of the body and had lured him into misdeeds, it was confirmed at investigations. She had suggested to the boy "Let's play" and had gone to the extent of gratifying her sexual desires in the most degrading manner. This 'punchi amma' had got round him to keep all these as a secret and the cat has come out of the bag when this boy had visited the hospital in the company of his parents to take treatment for a sickly condition of his.

Former Consultant Judicial Medical Officer of Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Dr. Ajit Jayasena inclusive of 7 others have forwarded reports to courts of the pressure inflicted on the child by giving evidence as the plaintiff party. The defendant connected to the incident was taken into custody by Kekirawa Police and after being produced before court was remanded for sometime and until the court verdict was given she under bail imposed on her by court.

She was found guilty on 3 indictments in the presence of Anuradhapura Special High Court that beyond doubt this relative son was subjected to sexual abuse and Judge Mahesh Weeraman imposed a jail sentence of 21 years with 7 years for each indictment and fines as well. When the defendant was given the verdict, her kith and kin had remained outside the courtroom and had made an uproar, it is reported. An occasion where a woman has been imposed a jail term of 21 years of rigorous imprisonment for a case of abuse on a male child who is a minor has not occured before this at any time in the annals of Sri Lanka's history.

Kegalle Engineer who donated 1 lakh each for 10 students saying that duties must be done before his death!

A gentleman who served overseas as an Engineer for many years was afflicted with fatal cancer after his retirement and after knowing it has returned to his hometown with the motive of carrying out his duties to his village and has donated 10 selected school students in Kegalle district 1 lakh each and thus has made a contribution of 1 million. This

philanthropist was a 72 year old wealthy Engineer living in Paaragammana, Kegalle named Mahinda Siriwardena.

Mr. Mahinda was born in Paaragammana and has had his initial education at the same location and after securing his degree in Engineering has returned to Sri Lanka recently after being employed in the profession of an Engineer in countries such as America, Canada, Malaysia and India.

It is sometime since he became aware that he was afflicted with a cruel type of cancer. This gentleman who realised the state of impermanency because of his ailment says he considers that it an important thing to uplift the knowledge and help in some way thus deciding to make a donation on behalf of his hometown Kegalle which laid the foundation for his preliminary education. This donation was made to 10 students, both male and female nominated by principals at Savings Day celebrations organised by Hatton National Bank, Kegalle.

On this occasion he has made a brief speech saying that he got the break to servie many European countries because he got the opportunity of securing a good education and that he was bestowing this small sum of money to 10 school children believing that it would be an assistance for them to become victorious in life.

4 schoolgirls come to a schoolboy's home and threatens him over a love affair issue!

4 schoolgirls of a popular girls' school in Sabaragamuwa who have come to a schoolboy's home had assaulted him and threatened to murder him was the complaint lodged by this boy to Kegalle Police. The complainant in this instance is a

16 year old student of grade 11 studying in a boys' school in that area.

He had started a love affair with a certain schoolgirl in grade 11 of a balika vidyalaya for some months. However, he had a few days before has had a misunderstanding with the girl concerned and thus broken off the friendship. As a consequence of a broken heart she has not even attended school for some days. Later she has told about this to 4 of her best friends in class. These 4 friends some days after that had gone in search of the boy's house and had told him that their friend is in a despondent state and to resume the affair. If he was not to patch up with her the 4 students had threatened him saying that they would employ a group of youth and would have him assaulted and murdered.

After the complaint lodged by him day before yesterday (31), the 4 schoolgirls who threatened him were summoned to police and the matter was brought to a settlement finally.

Damunupola -- Chaminda Jayalath

Awkana Buddha statue in danger ... because of newly-constructed roof!

Because of the roof constructed from iron sheets in the year 2015 to give shelter to the world-renown Buddha statue Awkana Buddha, a dangerous situation has arisen, it is reported. Viharadhipathi of Awkana Raja Maha Vihara, Shastravelliye Dhammakiththi Nahimi has

alleged that there are frequent occasions of lightning which strikes that place.

What the incumbent says is that these days there were frequent occasions of lightning observed and that a few days before this, lightning had come down on this roof and that though the President and relevant authorities were notified about this, no attention has been focused on the matter. The thero also points out that as the roof has not properly been installed, the water falling on to the roof was dropping on the compound where the Buddha statue rests.

Geetha removed from post of MP for holding dual citizenship -- rules Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled today that as Mrs. Geetha Kumarasingha holds dual citizenship, she is not eligible to claim position of Member of Parliament.

Mrs. Geetha Kumarasingha was appointed in parliament having represented Galle District in the year 2015

elections. However, though Appeal Courts confirmed that since she held citizenship in Switzerland too, she is not allowed to hold the post of MP, on the appeal she had forwarded against that decision she was permitted to hold that post for a short period of time.

Subsequently, the 5 member bench which inquired into her petition rejected the appeal today. It was 4 residents of Galle District who consulted the Appeal Courts against her. The bench of judges who announced the verdict instructed Secretary of the Supreme Court to notify the General Secretary of the parliament about the decision, without delay.

"If Joint Opposition comes for discussions asking that mistakes be put aside ... I'll crack their ears" -- Chandrika's statement (video)

The statement former President Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaika recently made at a rally in Eheliyagoda saying that the crowd who became traitors to the SLFP entering the party with the motive of having conditions at their back of dismissing all accusations of corruption and that if they were to so participate in discussions that she

would crack their ears, has created a sensation.

A discussion was called for today (3) under the leadership of the party of Mr. Maithripala Sirisena with the purpose of stabilizing and strengthening the Sri Lanka Freedom Party once again; groups representing the Joint Opposition has informed in writing that they would not be attending it, also bringing into focus the words of "cracking the ears".

The former President has uttered those words in the following manner at Eheliyagoda rally: "If anybody says that people who went behind leaders who ravaged this party ... shattered the country and are murderers should be taken in once again in order to rescue the Sri Lanka Freedom Party ... they then will be betraying the party. They say that they are now coming for discussions. I of course won't be going for those. If at all they come ... I'll crack their ears! What they say is, 'withdraw the cases against us, put aside the inquiries, remove those who acted against us in the police. Then we'll join the party ... if not, this can't be done'. That means, they want to make this a cave of robbers again!" The video of this speech, from below

Trump abolishes Green Card programme which permits foreigners to reside in America

America's President yesterday (2) decided to abolish the 'Green Card' lottery programme which paved the way from a long time for citizens of other countries including Sri Lanka to migrate to America and secure permanent residentship. He has commented

on Twitter stating that he has launched this move.

Trump has from the inception of his Presidential propaganda campaign had an inclination to bring forward this decision and the closest reason which provoked this last decision after it was revealed that it was the terrorist attack that was launched last 31st in New York targetting motor cyclists and pedestrians by a person who had entered the country through the green card, foreign news say. This attack was launched by 29 year old Posfulo Saipochi, a migrant from Uzbekistan and having connections with ISIS who incidentally had come into occupation in America. The President has mentioned in the Twitter message that a number of lives were lost as a consequence of an act of a terrorist who came to America in an irregular manner across the lottery method and that America need not regard this as because of this programme and that in future an opportunity would be provided for foreigners to reside in America by launching migration programmes based on skills.

'Green card' was a programme which provided an opportunity for foreigners to reside legally in America. A large number of Sri Lankans too have migrated to America through this lottery and have secured permanent residentship. Citizens who have claimed residentship upto now across the green card lottery system would face no issue. However, no new applicants would be permitted across the green card method. The President's decision will be subjected to approval of the Congress and effected in a few more days' time.

62 year old Sri Lankan who abuses 4 Australian minors ... remanded

A 62 year old Sri Lankan living in the city of Canberra, Australia has been accused of sexually abusing 4 under-aged girls of that country and was taken into police custody last week.

The offender by the name of Sunil Battegoda had made friends with female minors aged 14 - 15 by stationing himself at a bus-stop in Canberra City

about an year before this and had later offered the girls money and gifts and had from time to time got them down to his home as a matter of habit, it was revealed at investigations conducted in this connection. After luring them in this manner to Sunil's home he had offered them alcohol and marijuana and after they were 'high', he had resorted to abuse them. He had been for sometime been engaged in this activity. Since they were abused on and off as such and on each such occasion the girls were rewarded with money, these activities have not been revealed. He had even taken steps to video the said activities at the time the girls were being abused.

Some days back the father of a certain girl who was subjected to this offence had noticed some photographs and video footage across the Facebook and was able to identify that what he saw there was an aged person and his (the girl's) own daughter and after making inquiries from her had informed police about it. Thus the offender was taken into custody. On examining Sunil Battegoda's home the police were able to find evidence of videos where the person concerned had on a number of occasions had abused 4 tender girls, Canberra Police have reported. It was also reported that all these girls were aged between 14 and 15 years and were Australian nationals.

Sunil Battegoda who was next produced before Australian court was remanded till 19th February next year and the punishment to be imposed on him will be announced that day. This piece of news was published in all well-known media including ABC and the Daily Mail with the full identity thus bringing humiliation to Sri Lankans living in that country.

Three and half year old daughter embraces death after being run over by van driven by father!

An incident where a father lost his own daughter as a result of a blunder of his own driving was reported yesterday from Weeraketiya, Atthanagalla.

The child Dilsara Thilakshani Abeywickrema having got prepared to go to Kataragama together with her father, mother and relatives of the family and villagers had got into the van concerned when the

father had before driving on the vehicle had reversed the van at which moment the door had abruptly opened and the child had fallen out. However the father had kept on reversing the van not knowing what took place, it was revealed at initial police investigations. On that occasion the child had got run over by the tyre in the most serious manner.

The child who was just three and a half years and sustained severe injuries was admitted to hospital, only to breathe her last, it was later reported. The inquirer into Sudden Deaths of Marakada Ihala, was conducted in respect of her death by Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Mr. P. Weeraman last morning (3). The whole village were shocked by the most unfortunate way in which the little girl lost her life.

Sudden current gushes forth towards water level of only knee level ... grabs 8 members of 2 families to doom!

A most unfortunate accident of 8 individuals of 2 families who had gone to bathe at Thelgamuwa Oya, Laggala being swept away by a current was reported day before yesterday. Not knowing that the current increases when showers come down on high regions from Waddapeni Waterfall, a group of people who had been bathing at a spot where water was only at knee level had faced this tragedy.

Mr. Kingsley Ratnayaka, a deceased victim was an ice cream businessman. This incident has taken place when a restaurant

of his was in the process of being constructed close to Thelgamuwa Oya, Laggala these days and one of his neighbours, Ravindra Lasantha had got together with members of two families to celebrate his birthday.

Among the deceased is an owner of a tourist hotel, Kingsley Ratnayaka (40), Chandika Ratnayaka (11), Dilhara Ratnayaka (4), the aunt Chandrakanthi (50) and members of the other family which included Ravindra Wasantha (33), his wife Ramani Dilrukshi (37), their daughter Vanisha (12) and Vidushya (7), all numbering 8. Mrs. Ruvani Dilrukshi is a school teacher. She was serving Nattandiya Janadhipathi Vidyalaya while the two daughters Rishadi and Dimashi were studying at Nattandiya Dhammissara National School in year 7 and year 3 respectively.

The deceased Mr. Kinsley Ratnayaka was building a tourist hotel in Atenwala, Laggala and had come to Nattandiya with the group of this friendly family last 3rd morning to Atenwala in Laggala. This is how Mrs. Dulika Marasingha wife of the deceased husband described the incident: "Our husband is erecting a hotel in this area. A few days before this he came and inspected the proceedings. There was a birthday of a friend of our husband. They said that they can travel in that area and have some fun. They are residents down our own road. We really came here on the 3rd. When we stepped down to the water, the wasn't water even upto knee level. My chooty duwa was in the water. The others were some distance away and her pair of slippers began to drift away in the waters; she even tried to get them back. Some others were bathing there. I went to where father was, to give him the slippers. I went towards him after telling a person to hold the small fellow. Then father said that the flow of water was rushing at a high speed. I went there promptly. When the water was rushing fast, everybody was holding to each other like a clique. I yelled shouting "come ashore ... come ashore!" But just then the flow of water became worse. First of all the grip they were holding on to began to break off. At the same time each of them started being dragged away. My husband was dragged away and held on to a vine and was trying to come ashore for a long time. Some people who were there gave an iron rod to his hand and tried to take him up. Just when he trying to get hold of the iron rod he missed it and my husband got drifted away. My husband ... my two children ... my mother got washed away. Other members of the family who came with us .. his wife ... their two children all got drifted away.

When the people were caught in the current, the villagers came there and started search operations and Laggala Police as well as Police Life-saving officers arrived on the scene and joined in search activities. The police and villagers together managed to bring up 4 dead bodies by day before (4) afternoon while search operations for dead bodies of 3 children were underway, continuously.

What villagers said was that when heavy rains fall towards high elevations from the waterfall, all of a sudden a huge current of water is experienced. Though the villagers are well aware of it they say that many of those who come to tour that place are ignorant about it.

Pix -- courtesy by Lankadeepa