Samarasinghe expresses disappointment over US drafted resolution

Addressing the 19th session of the UNHRC Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe expressed his disappointment over the US drafted resolution at a time when Sri Lanka is making progress in the area of human rights.

The Minister further added that Sri Lanka is in the process of achieving sustainable development. 

He further added that those who are living in glass houses should best exercise caution before throwing stones at others. 

Minister went onto state that US drafted resolution has insulted the principles of the UNHRC.  

Several countries voice against US draft resolution

Several countries including China, Russia, Thailand, Cuba, Maldives and Bangladesh have voiced against the US draft resolution on Sri Lanka.

The representative of the United States of America, Eileen Donohoe gave an introduction to the draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the 19th United Nations Human Rights Council Session in Geneva, Switzerland few minutes ago.

Sixty bombs from forest in Vakarai

Around 60 bombs that had been hidden have been uncovered in a forest area in Vakarai.

The Police Media Unit stated that the bombs had been uncovered following a tip-off.

Around 200 detonators have also been discovered along with the bombs.

UPFA Parliamentarians protest against US draft resolution

Parliamentarians of the ruling UPFA coalition have commenced a demonstration opposite the Parliament a short while ago.

They are protesting against the US draft resolution which is due to be presented at the 19th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland.

Murder of Bhikkhus - chief suspect arrested

The chief suspect in connection with the killing of  two Bhikkus in Kotte have been arrested this morning.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana stated that he appreciates the assistance received from the public to carry out investigations in this regard.

Thero visits the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya to request permission

Venerable Walawahangunawave Dammarathana Thero who was appointed as the incumbent of the
Mihinthale Rajamaha Viharaya visited former incumbent Venerable Namalwave Rathanasara Thero
yesterday.

Our correspondent said the thero visited the Mihinthale Raja Maha Viharaya along with a group of
devotees to request permission to take over duties of his appointment.

He further stated even though a permission was requested, the former incumbent Venerable Namalwave
Rathanasara Thero has not granted permission.

It is reported that several officers of the Mihinthale Police were present during the incident.

Subsequently, the Mihinthale Divisional Secretary who arrived at the location has held a discussion
with Venerable Namalwave Rathanasara Thero.

Our news correspondents said that the former incumbent has said that he will not change his decision in this regard. 

Subsequently, the group, including Venerable Walawahangunawave Dammarathana Thero, had departed
from the location after the Divisional Secretary briefed the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs over the phone in this regard.

New move to tighten security of all museums

The Ministry of National Heritage has decided to tighten the security of all museums belonging to the Department of National Museums.

Ministerial Secretary Kanthi Wijethunge said that instructions have been given to the directors of
museums in this regard.

The Ministry of National Heritage has taken this decision following the recent incident where several items belonging to the National Museum were stolen.

Meanwhile, the ground floor of the National Museum which was temporarily closed following the
incident will be opened to the public today.

The Ministerial Secretary said seven members who were involved in the security of the museum were interdicted following the robbery of artefacts carried out by breaking into the second floor of the Museum.

Suspect arrested in connection with murder of monks

An individual has been taken into custody in connection with the murder of two monks at the Kotte Raja
Maha Viharaya last night.

According to the HQI of the Mirihana Police the suspect had been arrested last night.

The suspect is a resident of the Maharagama area, he added that further investigations are being conducted into the double murder.

Two (2) monks of the Kotte Raja maha vihara were stabbed to death with the use of sharp weapons last night. 

Court rejects request to issue an arrest warrant

The North Central Provincial Appeals Court has rejected a request to issue a warrant for the arrest of the North Central Province Chief Minister, Berty Premalal Dissanayake.

The request was rejected after an attorney-at-law made a request for an arrest warrant to be issued on the Chief Minister as he had allegedly defied a court order to appear in court and had travelled abroad.

Area residents had filed a petition against the non-appearance of the Chief Minister at the opening of the Aluthdennewa new Muslim college in the Kekirawa education zone.

The Chief Minister of the Central Province, Chief Secretary and several others were cited a respondents.

The counsel appearing on behalf of North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said that his client was abroad.

In response, the counsel representing the complainant said that the Chief Minister has defied the Court.

After considering the submissions of both parties, North Central Provincial Appeals Court Judge
Bandula Karunaratne ordered objections be filed on May 24. 

Two Ukrainians arrested in Negombo

The Crimes Investigations Unit of the Negombo police has arrested two Ukrainians who were allegedly connected to a large scale credit card fraud.

Police said that the two suspects were arrested last night following a tip off that they were staying at a hotel.

The police had seized 108 fraudulent credit cards and over Rs. 10 million  in cash.

Police have also seized a mobile phone, computer equipment and phone sim cards that were in their possession.

Police  also revealed that the suspects had arrived in the country on three previous occasions on tourist visas.

Murder of monks - how police captured the suspects

Four  arrests have been made in connection with the murder of two monks at the Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said that the suspects were arrested from Maharagama and Mirihana.

Police have also seized a vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects.

Police stumbled upon a valuable lead when details of the number plate were found written on the sand at the temple.

Court prevents UNP from suspending Shiral Lakthilaka

The Nugegoda District Judge today issued an interim injunction preventing the General Secretary of the UNP from suspending the Party membership of Western Provincial Counclilor Attorney-at-Law Shiral Lakthilaka.

Attorney-at-Law Maithree Gunarathna who appeared on behalf of Shiral Lakthilaka, stated that the District Court issued this order after considering a petition forwarded by Shiral Lakthilaka.