9:42 PM

SSP’s wife gets super comfort at Prison

According to Prison sources, SSP Vaas Gunawardena’s wife , Shyamalie Priyadharshini Perera , one of the main suspects in the assault, abduction and illegal detention of IT student Nipuna Ramanayake who was remanded until 31 st August is receiving super exclusive comforts at the Welikada Prison.. From the moment she was remanded on 20th August she had been enjoying all the comforts and conveniences .

These facilities are being provided most secretly and this room had been allotted to exclusive women prisoners only. It has a fan and a bed and other conveniences that could be expected in a home. It is a Prison Hospital ward for women which has been transformed to give all these comforts. A politico’s wife who was awarded a death penalty too used this comfort laden room until she received the Presidential pardon, it has come to light through prison officials.



It has also transpired ,a woman prison Officer is responsible for providing all these comforts to the SSP’s wife , and she is the Officer who greeted the SSP’s wife when she stepped into the prison.

9:41 PM

Move to exhume Bauddhaloka tamil girl victims

The counsel appearing for the family of the deceased in the case of the two Tamil girls found in Bauddhaloka Mw, Jeewani and Sumanthi today moved in court to exhume the bodies of the two Tamil girls and hold a fresh autopsy as they were not satisfied with the one done earlier by the JMO.

The Magistrate had instructed the counsel to plead by way of an affidavit sworn by Move to exhume Bauddhaloka victimsthe parents on the next date of the case.

The parents allege that external injuries were observed, although the JMO had stated that the death of the two girls was a result of drowning.

9:40 PM

Iran to fund Uma Oya project

Irrigation Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera told Parliament yesterday that Surveys and geological investigations are being done for design and construction activities of the Uma Oya project.

This mega irrigation scheme estimated at US$ 590 million is scheduled to be completed by 2014. The Government ceremonially launched the construction work of this project on April 28, 2008 he said.

Of the total estimated cost of the project, US$ 450 million will be obtained from Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI) as a loan while the balance US$ 140 million will be granted by the Sri Lankan Government.

The Minister was responding to an oral question raised by the JVP MP K.V. Samantha Vidyaratne.

Asked on the amount of money that has been obtained upto now, Minister Ranaweera said an agreement has been signed with Iran Government to obtain US$450 million.

In addition, Rs. 7060 million has been allocated by the Treasury for this project. The Uma Oya project consists of 45m high dam at Puhulpola on Uma Oya and the reservoir 30m high dam at Dyraba on Matotilla Oya and the reservoir, 3.8 km long link tunnel connecting Puhulpola and Dyraba reservoirs, 15.2 km long pressure tunnel from Dyraba to power station, underground Hydro-power station with 120mw installed capacity and 3.4 km long outlet tunnel from power station on Alikota-ara.

Meanwhile, the project has also planned to set up a power Transmission line from power station to grid sub station at Badulla and construct a 5 km long alternative road to replace the stretch of Welimada - Badulla road which will go under water due to creation of the Puhulpola reservoir," the Minister added.

9:40 PM

Exam staff to be removed over paper distribution

The examinations department has ordered the removal of examinations staff at an Advanced Level examination centre in Kotikawatte after they had mistakenly distributed papers for students this morning for an exam which was scheduled to be held this evening, a private radio station reported.

According to the report the staff had mistakenly opened the packet containing the exam papers in the morning and distributed it to the students when that particular exam was scheduled to be held this evening.

The Examinations department said that the staff at the particular centre will be removed on Monday.

9:38 PM

Uma Oya Project inaugural ceremony cost Rs. 26 million

The government admitted in Parliament today that it conducted the inaugural ceremony for the Uma Oya Project at a cost of Rs. 26 million even before the feasibility study was conducted.

Irrigation Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera revealed this in Parliament in response to a question by JVP MP Samantha Vidyaratne.

Of this expenditure, Rs. 8.5 million had been spent for advertisement and media, Rs. 2.9 million for refreshment, Rs. 1.6 million for cultural clams.

Besides, Rs. 5.5 million had been spent for the preparation of roads, repairing of buildings and decorations.Two monument towers had also been constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.5 million. The estimated cost for the project itself is US$ 590 million