Tangalle murder - suspects remanded

The Chairman of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha and the other suspects who were arrested in connection with the murder of a British national at a tourist hotel in Tangalle have been remanded till then 6th of   January.

This order was issued when the suspects were produced before the Tangalle magistrate last evening.

Police Media Spokesperson, Ajith Rohana stated that the identification of suspects will take place on the 6th of January and therefore, the suspects have been remanded till then.

A British national was murdered while a Russian woman was injured in a clash at a tourist hotel in Madilla on the night of  December 24.

Fishing craft advised to remain vigilant

The Department of Meteorology has advised that all fishing craft operating in the Northeastern and Northern seas of the country remain vigilant, owing to cyclone Thane.

The Department noted that in the coming 48 hours, the cyclone could travel to Eastern India.

They noted however, that Sri Lanka would not be directly affected by the cyclone.

In the meantime, the Tamil Nadu Met Department authorities note that the cyclone may hit the Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh coastal areas within the next 48 hours.

Therefore, heavy rains could be expected in those areas and the Tamil Nadu Met Department has requested
all fishermen not to cast off to sea.

Furthermore, it has been reported that a fisherman from Andra Pradesh had gone missing after his fishing craft had met with an accident in the midst of the prevalent inclement weather.

President visits temple of the tooth relic

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the temple of the tooth relic in Kandy this morning.

The President was welcomed by the Diyawadana Nilame.

The President who engaged in religious observances then visited the Mahanayake of the Malwathu
Chapter, Ven Thibbatuwaawe Shri Sumangala Thera. 

Afterwards, the President visited the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Udugama Shri Buddha Rakitha Thera.

According to our correspondent, President Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed the development of Kandy
and the renovation of the Kandy Lake with the Chief prelates.

Showers to continue

The Met Department says that the Northeastern monsoonal conditions over the country is active with the
association of atmospheric disturbances to the South of the island.

Accordingly Met Department predicts that showery weather conditions will continue over the Eastern, Northern, North Central, Uva and Southern Provinces.

Meanwhile, temperature in Colombo and Galle was recorded as 24 degrees, while in Kandy the temperature is at 21 degrees.

Workers on several bus routes on strike

A strike has been launched by bus workers on the Homagama to Fort, 138 bus route.

Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association, Gamunu Wijeratne stated that the strike had
been launched to protest against the approval granted to a new bus service from Mullegama to Fort.

The workers on the 697 bus route and the Kaduwela - Homagama 698 bus route have also launched a strike in support of the others.

Meanwhile, private bus workers on 171 route, from Pelawatte to Fort have also launched a strike from this morning. 

Death of Bharatha Lakshman and injuries to Duminda two separate incidents?

                                                                                                                                                                The Colombo Magistrate’s Court advised the Criminal Investigations Department to file two separate cases into the Mulleriyawa shooting incident which killed Presidential Adviser Baratha Lakshman Premachandra.

 This took place when the case was taken up in the Colombo Magistrate’s court yesterday.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Prasanna Alwis stated that the death of four people including Bharatha
Lakshman Premachandra and Duminda Silva sustaining injuries were two separate incidents.

He noted that conducting a common investigation into the incidents could lead to complications.

ASP Shani Abeysekara from the CID informed court that they will consult the attorney general in
this regard. 

Meanwhile the CID informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that an individual named Gamini Jayanath who worked as a body guard of Premachandra had been arrested.

ASP Abeysekara informed Court that in addition a police officer who worked as a body guard of Duminda Silva and three others were also arrested last evening. 

Thereby, eighteen suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the Mulleriyawa shooting and detention orders have been obtained for ten of them. 

UNP Leadership to be contested by Ranil and Karu

United National Party General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake says that the election to elect office bearers
to the party will be held tomorrow afternoon.

According to the nominations received, the post of Party Leader will be contested by Ranil Wickremesinghe and Karu Jayasuriya.

Parliamentarians Ravi Karunanayake and Sajith Premadasa will contest the position of Deputy Leader of the UNP.

Meanwhile, Dayasiri Jayasekara and Daya Gamage will contest the post of UNP National Organiser at tomorrow's election.

Four killed in Eppawala

Four people have been killed after being attacked with sharp objects in Eppawala.

Police Media Spokesperson, SP Ajith Rohana stated that the murders had taken place last night.

The deceased were an army officer, his wife, mother and the mother’s older sister.

The deceased army officer and wife were 23 years old, while the mother was a 49-year-old
and the mother’s sister was a 55 year old.

The Eppawala police have launched further investigations into the incident.

Steam over new compartments to intercity express

The Joint Front of the Train Services Trade Unions charge that two compartments obtained from private companies have been  added to the Colombo - Kandy intercity express train.

Secretary of the Front Sampath Rajitha said that tickets for these compartments will not be issued by
the Railway Department.

When an inquiry was made from the General Manager of the Railway Department B.A.P. Ariyaratne he told Newsfirst that these compartments were obtained on a contract basis.

The General Manager said that a higher fare would be charged from passengers travelling in these
compartments.

He further said that the the Railway Department only receives the first class ticket fare while the company
receives the additional amount which is being charged. 

Illegal constructions along Hikkaduwa beach demolished

All illegal constructions along the Hikkaduwa beach have been demolished.

A senior police officer in charge of Galle said that the illegal constructions were demolished by
the Coast Conservation Department during the course of yesterday and today.

Lanka Teachers Union to lodge complaint

The Lanka Teachers'' Union has decided to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission regarding the delay in releasing the results of the GCE Advanced Level Examination.

General Secretary of the Union, Joseph Stalin cited the inefficiency of education authorities as the reason for the delay.

He noted that action will be taken against the delay, together with the students.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Lanka Teacher Services Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe said that a
fundamental rights petition will be filed against the injustice caused to those students as a result of the
delay.

Moreover, several trade unions of the education sector expressed displeasure regarding the delay in
releasing this year's A/L results.

Convenor of the All Ceylon Graduate Teachers Union E.M.J.S.De saram said the burden of authorities acting irresponsibly will now fall on the parents and the students.

The students meanwhile charge that they are unable to plan their higher studies because of the delay.

When Newsfirst, contacted the Deputy Minister of Education to inquire about the delay, he said that the A/L results will definitely be released during the next two or three weeks.

However, the Department of Examinations previously stated that the results will be issued before the
school vacation.