Notice issued to Ranil Wickremesinghe to appear before Court

Notice was issued on the Leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe and General Secretary of the Party Tissa Attanayake to appear before the Colombo District Court on the 22nd of next month.

This was when a case filed by UNP Southern Provincial Councillor, Maithri Gunaratne was
taken up today.

Maithri Gunaratne had filed this case requesting for the annulment of the election held to elect office bearers to the United National Party on the 19th of last month.

Gunaratne also requests the ballot papers used for the elections to be taken into the custody of Court.

Gunaratne has also requested the election results to be annulled.

The UNP Southern Provincial Councillor has also requested for the annulment of Ranil
Wickremesinghe's position as Leader of the Party until the conclusion of the case.

Wildlife officers find crocodiles and pythons from a house in Ratmalana

The Raids Unit of the Department of Wildlife raided a house in the Ratmalana area which had illegally kept a number animals that fall into the endangered species category.

The Wildlife Conservation Department noted that among the animal located at the house were three crocodiles and two eight foot pythons. 

The Department of Wildlife added that a large number of cages made to keep these animals were also found in the house.

The Raids Unit of the Department of Wildlife added that further investigation will commence to ascertain as to why these animals were held.

Authorities ban drug after discovering a discrepancy

The Ministry of Health has stated that the Isosorbide Mononitrate 20 mg drug which is manufactured in Pakistan and prescribed for heart patients cannot be used in Sri Lanka.

The Director of the Cosmetic Devices and Drug Regulatory Authority, Hemantha Beneragama
stated that it has been confirmed that the agent dealing with the organisation manufacturing this drug in Pakistan had not imported this drug.

He added that however, the same drug which is manufactured in other countries and which is available in the market now is safe and could be used without fear.

The Ministry of Health suspended the use of Isosorbide Mononitrate 20 mg drug manufactured in Pakistan after seventy people died after consuming the drug and many others were admitted to the hospital.

Senior citizen arrested for alleged abuse

A suspect alleged to have abused a seventeen year old girl has been arrested in the Polonnaruwa area.

Police stated that the suspect was a 78-year-old resident of the Matara area.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect had lied to the girl and had lured her to the Badulla area and had abused her.

Police stated that the suspect is to be produced before the Polonnaruwa Magistrate today.

Public to get a taste of their hotels before they eat

All hotels, restaurants and food outlets in the Polonnaruwa district have been issued with certificates, under
the new programme to standardise food outlets countrywide.

The Ministry of Health stated that all these establishments selling food will be standardised under
categories A,B,C and D according to the market standards.

Prestigious institutions with high standards will thereby be issued an ’’A’’ grade certificate while those
food outlets that are not satisfactory will be graded a ’’D’’.

The issuing of certificates to hotels, restaurants and food outlets in the Polonnaruwa district was carried
out under the patronage of the Minister of Health on Saturday.

The programme aims to grant the public the opportunity to purchase food of high quality.

One hundred and forty thousand applications received for re-correction

One hundred and forty thousand (140,000) applications have been received for re-correction of answer scripts of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination following the release of the results.

According to the Department of Examinations, all preliminary arrangements have been made for the
re-correction of papers.

Meanwhile, the correction of answer scripts of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination was expected to be concluded on Sunday.

Accordingly, twenty eight schools that were closed for the correction of O/L papers that began on January 22 will re-open today.

Public water taps to be removed

The Water Supply and Drainage Board has decided to remove public water taps.

Chairman of the board Karunasena Hettiarachchi said that it has been decided to remove these taps in a
manner that will not cause an injustice to its users.

He stated that the Water Supply and Drainage Board has decided to give water connections the people who obtained water from these taps at a very low price.

The Chairman pointed out that water from many of these taps are wasted. 

The Water Supply and Drainage Board  points out that water from these taps are used for many other activities other than for drinking. The Chairman said the board has to suffer a huge loss due to this.

Sabaragamuwa Univ. lecturers pull out of academic duties

All lecturers of the Sabaragamuwa university have pulled out of academic duties.

Chairman of the Lecturers Association at the University Dr. A.W. Wijeratne said this step was taken
as a mark of protest against the student attack launched at the Chief Student Councilor of the University. 

He added that the trade union action will continue until those responsible are arrested.

The residence and the vehicle of Chief Student Councilor at the Sabaragamuwa University were attacked last Tuesday night.

When we made inquiries from the Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Mahinda Rubasinghe, he told Newsfirst that police investigations have been launched in to the incident

He also noted that daily activities of the university are being carried out normally.

Govt. cannot provide jobs to all university graduates, says Dimu

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has declared that the government is unable to provide jobs to all those who pass out from the country's universities.

The Premier made this statement while participating at the opening ceremony of the ENCO 2012 education and trade fair.

The event is being held for five days at the Eheliyagoda National School premises. 

''Close to 20,000 enter university each year. We do not have capacity to provide jobs for this number who eventually pass out of the university. There is no point in knowing words and figures. We need to create career paths for these children.''

''It is through this that we can develop as well. If not, what will happen is that they will also be carrying flags and engaging in protests demanding jobs from the State. That is what is happening at the moment.''

''They do not plan to explore other options. Many political elements capitalize on this to achieve their end and strengthen their positions. They look at collecting students like that and engaging in protest marches," claimed Prime Minister Jayaratne.

Protest by university students continues

A protest commenced by the Rajarata and Sri Jayawardenapura university students against the administration is still continuing.

The Medical Faculty Students’ of the Rajarata University commenced a protest last evening charging that its administration is engaged in suppressing the students.   Convenor of the Rajarata Medical Faculty Students’ Alliance, Chaminda Pushpakumara noted that they are engaged in the protest as injustice has been done to them. He added that they demand immediate solutions to their problems. Newsfirst inquired from the Vice Chancellor of the Rajarata University Professor K.A.Nandasena with regard to the measures taken to solve the issues of the students. He stated that a meeting will be held this morning and that at that meeting they will reach a decision about the measures that should be taken.

Meanwhile, the Sathyagraha campaign launched by a group of Students of the Sri Jayawardenapura University is on for the fourth consecutive day today.

Students engaged in a Sathyagraha Campaign last Friday demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University.

Speaking to Newsfirst, Student Representative of the Sri Jayawardenapura University, Venerable Kimbullawe Chandrarathna Thera stated that although the authorities had closed the university yesterday they will continue to enegage in their Sathyagraha campaign.

However, when we inquired from the Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University Professor Karunarathne, he noted that a small group is acting in an undisciplined manner for their political gains.

f I get worked up, I wish my opposition good luck, says Min. Silva

The Southern Lanka Bikkhu organization convened a media briefing at the Ministry of Public Co-ordination and Public Affairs yesterday.

Minister Mervyn Silva, who was also present, addressed the media. 

"Will I go for a debate with such people? Yesterday, Sarath Fonseka expressed his gratitude to the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha. I ask Fonseka to come for a debate with me. (holds a document) A private company was registered in the name of the chairman. A brick machine was brought from China for millions of rupees. When I came these people didn't even have a pair of slippers. But look at how they are today. I can't say anymore. If am wrong, then take action against me. Has a fox eaten a lion? I am still not worked up. But if I do get worked up accidentally, which I hope does not happen, then I wish all those who were against me the best of luck," stated the minister.

Weerawansa was not on my hit list, says Sarath Fonseka

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has spoken out in response to the views expressed by various parties on seeking a pardon.

''Weerawansa says that in order to release me, my wife should apologize. Such things do not happen in our families. I do not know what happens in his family. He says that his name was on my hit list. But his name was not there. My hit list had only the LTTE terrorists,'' said the Former Army Commander. 

Fonseka was brought to a private hospital in Colombo yesterday for continuing his physiotherapy treatment.

UNP deputy leader’s office room sealed

The office room allocated for the Deputy Leader of the United National Party at its headquarters Sirikotha has been sealed.

This was confirmed to Newsfirst by the UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa. 

Meanwhile, MP Sajith Premadasa said he would participate in the rally scheduled to take place in Matale today as planned.

''I am hoping to meet all UNP local government representatives in the Matale district. At  present various rumors are being spread that this meeting will not take place. That is false, because no one can prevent my efforts of building the United National Party.''

''As the Deputy Leader who was elected through a vote, I will take every step to ensure the betterment of the Party. I would like to state that no one can stop my political career or my serving the people. I would like to note that we will conduct tomorrow's meeting, in spite of all the challenges," said Premadasa. 

New electronic visa system successful, according to officials

Ten thousand nine hundred and fifty four (10,954) persons have filled individual visa applications online through the new electronic visa system, according to the Department of Immigration and Emigration. 

Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera also noted that three thousand six hundred and eighteen (3,618) persons have applied for group visas through the electronic visa system.

Furthermore, a revenue of 17 million rupees was made through eight thousand seventy one (8,071) visa applications made at the counter established at the airport.  

Over 47 million rupees was made through the establishment of the Electronic visa process from January 1.

The new system was introduced for short-stay tourist visas from midnight on December 31 last year.

Seven students of the Rajarata University suspended

Seven students in their second year at the Medical Faculty of the Rajarata University have been suspended from attending lectures.

Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. K.A. Nandasena stated that the students were suspended for their involvement in a ragging incident.

The Vice Chancellor added that a female student was amongst those who had been suspended.

He noted that the university’s disciplinary committee is carrying out further inquiries into the incident.

Nuwara Eliya cultivation affected by cold weather

Vegetable cultivation in Nuwara Eliya has been affected by the prevalent extreme cold weather. 

Nuwara Eliya District Secretary D.P.G.Kumarasiri notes that extreme cold weather prevails during
the night, while extreme hot weather prevails during the afternoon in most of the areas in the district.

He stated that the grass, vegetable cultivations and the tea cultivations are covered with dew drop early in the morning.

He pointed out that while this continuing extreme cold weather has attracted many tourists, it has affected the vegetable cultivation and other activities in the area.

He stated that the owners of the tea plantations have brought to their notice the loss faced by the plantations.
 

Body of a youth found in Grandpass

The Police have discovered a body of a youth down Ferguson Road in Grandpass at dawn today.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana stated that the body has been identified as that of a youth, Dinesh Buddhika, who is a resident of Ferguson Road.

According to the victim's mother, the victim had been abducted by a group in a white van while he had been travelling in a three-wheeler.

SP Rohana stated that a complaint has not been made in this regard.

The Grandpass Police note that they have commenced investigations into the incident.

First school term to commence today

The first school term for the year 2012 is to commence today.

Deputy Minister of Education Vijith Wijayamuni Soyza stated that other than the schools conducting the marking of the GCE Ordinary Level Examinations, all other Government schools and certain approved private schools will commence the first school term today.

He stated that as the academic term is to commence, students should behave in a manner to achieve success in the future.

He added that it is the responsibility of the students to safeguard their future and not engage in any wrong-doings.

He further stated that he wishes success in the field of education for all the students commencing the new school term.

The first school term for the year 2012 is to commence today.

Deputy Minister of Education Vijith Wijayamuni Soyza stated that other than the schools conducting the marking of the GCE Ordinary Level Examinations, all other Government schools and certain approved private schools will commence the first school term today.

He stated that as the academic term is to commence, students should behave in a manner to achieve success in the future.

He added that it is the responsibility of the students to safeguard their future and not engage in any wrong-doings.

He further stated that he wishes success in the field of education for all the students commencing the new school term.

Kumar Mahathaya’s wife and children detained at airport

JVP rebel group front-liner, Prem Kumar Gunaratnam also known as Kumar Mahathaya's wife and two
children have been detained at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Director of the Government Information Department Prof. Ariyaratne Ethugala said that the
arrests were made this morning.

Police Media Spokesperson, SP Ajith Rohana said that the woman who has her Australian PR, has been detained for questioning under immigration and emigration regulations.