Deeds, birth certificates among documents found in forging centre

Atara that was operating a centre in which forged documents are being prepared.

A person suspected to be connected to the incident too has been taken into custody.

The Special Task Force has conducted this raid as a result of research conducted by the Ambalanthota  Intelligence Unit.

One hundred and fifty (150) forged birth certificates and eight (80 rubber seals were discovered 

Meanwhile, forged passports, deeds and national identity cards too have been prepared at the centre.

Body of woman with stab wounds found in hotel room

The body of a woman with stab wounds has been discovered in a hotel room in Colpetty.

According to the Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana the woman who is a Sri Lankan
national had arrived in the country from Britain a few weeks ago.

SP Ajith Rohana added that further investigations have commenced into the incident.

Inefficiency is the sole reason behind fuel price hike, says Sajith

Deputy Leader of the United National Party, Sajith Premadasa states that inefficiency is the sole reason for increasing fuel prices.

Issuing a communique, the UNP Deputy Leader reiterates that an increase in world oil prices is not the reason for the latest fuel price hike.

The communique issued by MP Sajith Premadasa states that the reasons cited by the government for the fuel price hike, specifically an increase in world oil prices and the difficulty in obtaining fuel, are
unacceptable.

Premadasa notes that there has only been a minor price increase in the world market which could even have been disregarded.

The deputy leader of the United National Party states that increasing the price of petrol by a small percentage, increasing diesel by a high percentage and increasing kerosene by an even higher percentage is a methodology that is not adopted by any third world country.

He notes that a litre of kerosene is provided to fishermen and the farmer community at Rs.106  when it could be provided at a lower price.

Premadasa highlights the hedging agreement, importation of sub standard petrol and the process of supplying "low sulfur" fuel to the Yugadanavi Power Plant as reasons for the losses suffered.

MP Sajith Premadasa states that decisions such as not making use of the oil storage facility constructed ten years ago in Muturajawela and also not making use of the CPC bowsers for transporting fuel has lead to the loss of millions of rupees.

Premadasa points out that the amount due to the CPC from state institutions stands at Rs. 89 billion.

He emphasizes that if the Corporation cannot obtain the money due to it, then the government should pay off the massive debt in order to make the corporation viable and stop robbing the people of their money.

Suspects allegedly connected to prison riot produced in Court

Forty two (42) of the forty six (46) suspects allegedly connected to the riot at the Colombo Magazine Prison on 
January 27 were produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Prahansa Ranasinghe today.

An officer of the Colombo Crimes Division, told Court that as four of the inmates were sick, they were unable to attend Court.

He told Court that the damage caused to prison property in the incident had been estimated at more than Rs. 4.6 million.

He added that investigations are underway to arrest thirteen others who are connected to the incident.

The officer from the CCD added that the damage is still being assessed.

Thereby, he said that the total amount of the damage caused could exceed Rs. 4.6 million.

The suspects are to be produced before Court on March 13.

Ninth Convocation at Sri Jayawardenapura University postponed

The ninth convocation for the external degree at the university of Sri Jayawardenapura which was
scheduled to be held tomorrow and on Thursday has been postponed.

A communique by the university registrar said that all documents and tickets will be valid for the new
dates.

Meanwhile the first, second and third examination papers of the external degree of the Bachelor of
Commerce at the Sri Jayawardenapura University scheduled for the next few weekends have been postponed until further notice.

The communique also read that the second examination paper of the BSc business administration and the second and third examination papers of the BSc in management have also been postponed.

Furthermore, feedback seminars have been postponed until further notice.

Fuel price hike continues to be a burning issue

The protests against the fuel price hike are continuing. The protests are being held in many parts of the country

A group of councillors of the Southern Provincial Council arrived at the council today with the cut out
of a loaf of bread.

They later read out a statement against the fuel price hike in front of the Council. 

Meanwhile, another group of councillors conducted a protest against the fuel price hike.

The opposition members of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha arrived on bicycles wearing black bands.

A tense situation arose arose when they attempted to enter the Council.

The opposition members of the Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha engaged in a protest march, also wearing black bands.

Similar protests have been reported from the Balangoda Pradeshiya Ssabha and the
Kurunegala Urban Council.

Fisherman shot dead in protest - CID records

The Criminal Investigations Department has recorded statements from thirty (30) people pertaining to the
incident where a fishermen was shot dead during an anti-fuel price hike protest in Chilaw recently.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said that statements have been obtained from several people including police officers.

The CID is conducting investigations into the incident.

Matara private bus owners on strike

Private bus operators who commence from Matara have begun a strike.

Chairman of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association said that they are protesting against the alleged issuance of route permits in a manner which violates required criteria.

He noted that even though have requested these permits be cancelled on an earlier occasion, this has not
taken place.

When Newsfirst contacted the Chairman of the National Transport Commission Roshan Gunawardena, he said that the matter will be investigated immediately.

Deputy Guard assaulted inside train

A group has assaulted the Deputy Guard of the Trincomalee night mail train.

An officer at the Department of Railways noted that the Deputy Guard was assaulted in the
train that left the Fort railway station at 9 p.m.

Owing to the assault, the night mail train was halted at the Ragama station.

It is important to protect the motherland, says PM

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne says that it is more important for Sri Lankans to protect the motherland than protect their own lives.

The Prime Minister points out that everyone should unite to ensure freedom, irrespective of nationality,
religion and political affiliations.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne made these comments during a demonstration in Gampola, against a
proposed resolution on Sri Lanka which is to be tabled at the 19th session of the UN human rights council in Geneva, Switzerland this evening.

He also said that there are conspiracies to interfere in independent nations such as Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Jayaratne also said that certain Western countries, headed by the US are attempting to reverse the triumphs achieved through such resolutions.

He noted that hate and creating divisions are on the agenda of these conspirators.

Meanwhile, demonstrations are being held in several areas across the country against a UN resolution on Sri Lanka.

Protests are being held in Jaffna, Kantale, Balangoda and Mawanella. 

A protest is also being staged in Fort with the participation of around 2000 people.

Lankan fishermen released by Indian authorities

Twenty five Sri Lankan fishermen who were detained in India and then released have been handed over to the navy.

Navy Media Spokesperson Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya stated that the fishermen had been arrested by the India Coast guard recently when they had crossed the Indian maritime border and had
engaged in fishing activities.

The fishermen had been handed over to the navy by the Indian officers close to the Kankesanthurai sea area.

Multi-day Fishing Society in Gampaha to go fishing again

The Multiday Fishing Society in the Gampaha district has decided to engage in fishing activities yet again from tomorrow.

President of the Society, Jude Perera said that the decision was arrived at during the main council meeting today.

The fishermen refrained from going to sea for fourteen days, due to the increase in fuel prices.