Businessman abducted from Wellawatte

A businessman in the Canal Road area in Wellawatte has been abducted.

A high-ranking police officer in charge of Colombo stated that the businessman had been abducted in
front of his house by a group who arrived in a white van last evening. 

Police noted that the group had later spoken to the businessman's wife via telephone and demanded a ransom of Rs.100 million for his release.

The Colombo Crimes Division and the Wellawatte Police are conducting an investigation into the incident.

The businessman has been identified as Ramasamy Prabhakaran.

Garbage system in Soysapura breaks down

Residents of the Soysapura flats in Moratuwa have been severely inconvenienced due to the break
down of the sewage and garbage systems.

They point out that this situation has persisted since February 1, and as a result the entire area is giving out irritable stench.

Around 2000 families reside at the Soysapura flats in Moratuwa.

When we inquired from the Mayor of the Moratuwa Municipal Council Samanlal Fernando regarding the situation, he expressed these views
''The main problem is that 1200, of the 2000 houses in the Soysapura flats have not paid their tax in property. They say that based on a decision taken by the Housing Development Authority, the tax
arrears had been overlooked when handing the deeds to those houses. So they reject paying it.
Owing to this, the Moratuwa Municipal Council has to suffer a severe financial loss.''

''The Housing Development  Authority has fallen short of its responsibility by handing these deeds overlooking the taxes of about seven to eight years. They have only obtained the money these residents owe them. This is the problem.'' 

''It will only take two days. It is not a problem for me. We don't need to go to them. They need to come to
us and solve this problem. I will go about to address this problem tomorrow, only by highlighting the failure of the Housing Development Authority and the injustice caused to these residents by them,'' said the Mayor of Moratuwa Municipal Council Samanlal Fernando. 

Private bus services to receive fuel subsidies from today

The ministry of Private Transport services has stated that private bus services will receive fuel subsidies from today.

Minister of the Authority C.B. Ratnayake stated that under this subsidy, 50 litres of fuel will be provided to private bus services for short distance journeys while, 80 litres will be provided for long distance journeys.

The minister added that subsidies will also be granted to school van services, taxis and three-wheelers.

He further stated that the subsidies will be provided for school van services, taxis and three wheelers only after registering under the National Transport Commission.

Bus owners to launch strike action countrywide from midnight

Private Bus Owners Association says that they will launch an island wide bus strike from midnight today.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, the association’s president Gemunu Wijeratne confirmed this
move.

He further said that the decision to launch the strike comes in light of the fuel price revision.

Examinations Dept. compiles report with recommendations

The Department of Examinations has compiled a report which includes an action plan, taking into account the recommendations made by the committee of experts appointed by the President to look into the issues pertaining to the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination results.

Commissioner General of Examinations, W.M.N.J.Pushpakumara said that this report has been compiled under three sections comprising of the examination process, human resource development and the development of physical resources.

The report also consists of a proposal to appoint an adviser with regard to the computer network and
software of the Examinations Department.

The Examinations Commissioner went onto say that the report will be submitted to the Secretary to the
Ministry of Education on February 14.

This report has been compiled based on long term and short term objectives.

Funds for the implementation of the recommendations made by the report is due to be acquired through the treasury following its submission to the cabinet.

Fuel prices to amend tonight

The government has taken measures to amend fuel prices effective midnight today.

Issuing a communique the Department of Government Information stated that the price amendment would not affect the public transport sector in any way.

The communique reads that steps will be taken to provide relief for the Sri Lanka Transport Board, private bus operators, school transport operators, fishermen, and three wheeler operators.

The Department of Government Information stated that the price amendment was brought about by an
 increase in the price of crude oil in the World Market.

Families re-settled in Mullaitivu

One hundred and fifty families which abandoned their villages during the war, have been resettled.

The Ministry of Irrigation and water resources said that these families have been resettled in the Gajabapura and Monarawewa villages in the Mahaweli L Zone in the Mullaitivu district.

It added that these families left their villages in 1984.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has granted each family with Rs.300,000 rupees to construct a house, along with other facilities.

President holds bilateral discussions with Pakistan's President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on an official visit in Pakistan has held bi-lateral discussions with his counterpart Asif-Ali-Zardari.

The President’s Media Unit reported that the discussions have been held at the President’s House in Islamabad.

Special attention has been focussed on developing bi-lateral trade during the discussions.

The President’s Media Unit further stated the methodology for the transfer of goods between the
two countries and ways of increasing import opportunities for local tea has also been discussed at
the meeting.

The attention of both leaders has been focussed in obtaining Pakistan technology towards the development of local agriculture.

Rabukwella undergoes surgery again

Minister of Media Keheliya Rambukwella who had an accident in Australia has been subjected to
another surgery.

Media Secretary to the Minister, Sarath Dambawinna said four surgeries have been performed on the Minister so far.

He stated that the minister will be able to return to the country in ten days.
It is reported that the Minister faced the accident when he slipped off the balcony of a hotel in Melbourne.

Minor injuries were caused to the Minister’s feet during the accident.

The Minister is receiving treatment in a hospital in Melbourne.

Warning on usage of Paracetamol beyond prescribed dosage

Health Units request the public to abstain from using Paracetamol beyond the prescribed dosage.

Director of the Cosmetic Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority, Dr. Hemantha Benaragama said the use of Paracetamol beyond the prescribed dosage can even cause harm to life.

The Director pointed out that certain individuals use Paracetomol for various ailments, neglecting doctors advise.

UNP appoints new organisers for the year 2012

The United National Party Working Committee convened Thursday morning at the Party Headquarters, Sirikotha.

The Working Committee of the United National Party convened Thursday to appoint electoral organisers to carry out future organising activities of the party and to constitute other committees and vest responsibility on certain committees and organisations.

"As per the recommendations of the Party Advisory Committee, the Working Committee appointed new organisers for the year 2012. Accordingly, more than 80 percent of the organisers were appointed today.''

''On the 16th of this month, we hope to grant the approved appointments to the relevant organisers. A
decision was made to not only constantly monitor the current organisers but also to monitor the activities of the organisers." said UNP General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake

"It was proposed today that in future when an election is held for party positions that are not appointed through consensus, it is essential for local government councillors, provincial councillors and parliamentarians to be able to vote for the five main positions," added Sajith Premadasa, the Deputy Leader of UNP 

Court dismiss FR application

The Supreme Court dismissed the Fundamental Rights application filed by public interest activist Nihal Sri Ameresekere yesterday, on the Revival of Under performing Enterprises and under utilised assets act that was passed in Parliament to acquire loss making institutions to the government.

Delivering its decision, the Supreme Court noted that it did not have the power to consider a decision that had been given by a seven-judge bench of the Court.

The Fundamental Rights application filed by Nihal Sri Ameresekere was taken up before a Supreme Court bench presided by justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga, and comprising justices Suresh Chandra and Sathya Hettige.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka de Silva who took up several preliminary objections on seven notes stated that Parliament had passed the bill on the basis of the Supreme Court determination.

He argued that such a bill cannot be challenged in Court.

The Deputy Solicitor General noted that through the Fundamental Rights application the entire process was being challenged.

Thereby, he requested Court to dismiss the application.