RataWata News | Provincial News Around the Sri Lanka

The Navy, in preparation for possible flood threat, sent out a team of Navy's Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Unit (4RU) personnel to the Rathnapura District today (30th August), to carry out relief actions when needed. Upon a request made by the Disaster Management Centre from the Navy, this relief team was attached to the Divisional Secretariat of Rathnapura to swiftly respond to any eventuality in a backdrop where the Sabaragamuwa Province receives torrential rains over the past couple of days. Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva the Navy relief teams have been kept on standby in every Naval Command to engage in flood relief operations, in areas which are susceptible to floods. 

Two persons were killed in an accident near the Dankotuwa hospital on the Dankotuwa-Pannala main road. The police said that the accident had occurred when a private bus and a three-wheeler collided head on. The driver of the three-wheeler and a 59-year-old woman were killed in the accident. Four others who were injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment at the Dankotuwa Hospital. The bus driver has been arrested on suspicion of the accident.

The Supreme Court today ordered the Elections Commission to hold elections for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. The order was issued after considering the petition filed against the rejection of the Democratic United National Party (UNP) nomination papers for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election at the last local government election. The Supreme Court Bench compelled the Democratic United National Party (UNP) to accept the nomination papers for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. The Supreme Court had earlier issued an interim injunction preventing the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha from contesting the petition.

Relatives of missing persons in the Northern Province staged a protest in Omanthai, Vavuniya today to mark the International Disappeared Day. Relatives of missing persons in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna have joined the protest, according to a News24 reporter. Those who joined the protest point out that even ten years after the end of the war, the government has not been able to find a solution to what happened to those who went missing. They further stated that although the present government and the previous governments have promised to find information about the disappeared, the relevant promises have not been fulfilled yet. It is reported that the protest which started near the Omanthai Panrikeidakulam Ganapathi Kovil in Vavuniya ended near the old Omanthai checkpoint in Vavuniya. Reports say that MPs S Sreedharan, Sivashakthi Anandan, TNA representatives and relatives of the disappeared had joined the protest. Pix by Madhawa Kulasooriya -...

More than 70 acres of land in the Galbokka and Demataketiya forest reserves in the Wellawaya Divisional Secretariat area were completely destroyed by a fire last night (29). Following the notification of the District Disaster Management Unit of the Monaragala District, the fire brigade was able to extinguish the fire by yesterday (29). Wellawaya Police suspect that a person may have set fire to the reserve The inquiry is carried out.

The Navy today (30th August) managed to rescue 03 fishermen who were at risk of drowning in seas between Hikkaduwa and Seenigama, having fallen into the water from their distressed fishing vessel. On receipt of the distress call to the Southern Naval Command from the Hikkaduwa Police about this unfortunate incident, a rescue team comprising naval personnel attached to the Navy's Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Unit (4RU) was rushed to the scene. Accordingly, the naval personnel, amidst rough sea condition, rescued 03 fishers who were at the risk of drowning. The Navy remains vigilant at all times to respond to all eventualities taking place in Sri Lankan waters, with a view to help out distressed naval and fisheries community

The Avissawella Police have arrested five persons who had been treasure hunting on a tip off received by the Pugoda Police Special Task Force. They had been digging in a house in Avissawella last night. A steel and water pump were taken into police custody. The suspects are residents of Hatton, Kaduwela, Kosgama, Getahetta and Avissawella. The suspects were produced before the Avissawella Police Station today (28). They are to be produced before the Avissawella Magistrate's Court today.

The former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of India, Admiral Sunil Lanba (Rtd) met with Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo today (28th August). Defence Advisor to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, Captain Ashok Rao, was also present on this occasion. During the cordial meeting, they shared pleasantries and exchanged mementoes to mark the importance of this occasion. 

The Navy in coordination with the Mannar Police Special Task Force (STF) apprehended a person with 4kg and 55g of Kerala cannabis, during a search conducted in Pesalei, Mannar this morning (28th August). While conducting a search in Pesalei region, the North Central Naval Command and Mannar STF managed to intercept a suspect riding an unregistered motorbike. During further search, they found this stock of Kerala cannabis being peddled by the suspect. The accused has been identified as a resident of Pesalei, Mannar, aged 23. The suspect along with the stock of cannabis, and the motorbike was handed over to the Pesalei Police station for onward investigation. 

Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that stringent action will be taken against the school canteens which are substandard. Recent studies on the physical and mental development of school children have revealed that they are suffering from various nutritional problems. The Ministry of Education states that one of the main reasons for this is that children are accustomed to wrong eating habits. It has been revealed that improper eating habits have also contributed to the risk of other disorders. The Minister of Education, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has instructed the officials to take necessary measures to maintain the school cafeteria so that the children can be guided on proper eating habits.

According to the Jaffna Terrorist Investigation Unit (TID), a bombs, explosives and firearms were found in the Karandiya area in Kilinochchi yesterday (26). The Colombo Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) arrested Pallai Hospital JMO Sinnia Sivaruban on the 18th and detained him at the Jaffna Terrorist Investigation Unit. Terrorist Investigation Team (TID) officers in search of the warlike items found several warlike items hidden in the Karandiya area of ​​the Pallai Police Division. During the search operation, an AK47 firearm, two magazines, 11 grenades, 10 kilos of EP-type explosives, 120 ammunition and a telescope were found. Accordingly, the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) in Jaffna has commenced an investigation into the persons who had concealed the weapons and the manner in which the items were recovered.

The police have commenced recording evidence regarding the shooting death of two persons including a businessman in the Paththgama area in Hanwella. However, the police stated that no definitive information has been revealed regarding the person who murdered or the reason for the murder. Meanwhile, 10 ammunition shells used for T-56 riffles and a 9mm firearm shelf have been recovered from the scene. A post-mortem examination of the two victims was also scheduled to take place this afternoon. A 43-year-old businessman and his 32-year-old driver were killed in the shooting last night by two unidentified men on a motorcycle wearing a full-fledged helmet.

The Speaker's Office states that the statement published by several media outlets in print and social media is completely false. Several media outlets have reported that the Speaker has said he would resign if a new Prime Minister takes oaths, such as the swearing-in ceremony on October 26, 2018, without a majority in Parliament. The Speaker's Office states that the Speaker never takes such a view and insists that no such statement has been made. The office said that it will never hesitate to take maximum action against any acts that are contrary to parliamentary democracy.

The test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand ended in a 1-on-1 match today. New Zealand won the second Test by an innings and 65 runs. Batting first Sri Lanka scored 244 runs in their first innings at P Sara Oval in Colombo. New Zealand were bowled out for 431 runs in their first innings at the start of the day. Dilruwan Perera took 03 wickets while Lasith Embuldeniya took 02 wickets. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 122 runs in their second innings. Dimuth Karunaratne top scored with 21 while Kusal Mendis scored 20 runs. Man of the match: Tom Latham. The man of the match award went to BJJ. Watson.

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the assault on a member of the Passara Pradeshiya Sabha. It was reported that this Member of the Up Country People's Front had been assaulted yesterday in Passara. The injured MP has been admitted to Badulla Hospital for treatment. He has lodged a complaint with the police stating that he had assaulted a person involved in a tree cutting business in the area.

A group of Ruhunu University students have decided to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission today. Pretending that student repression is being carried out on the pretext of ragging They say students have been arrested and a student crackdown has been launched claiming that there is rape in the university. Nineteen students have been arrested in connection with a ragging incident at the university and remanded until 9th ​​of this month.

Prime Minister's Secretary Saman Ekanayake has been summoned to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Corruption and Corruption. The inquiry was held to inquire into the complaint lodged with the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the building. The building has been taken over by the Ministry of Agriculture under a lease agreement and it has been revealed at the Commission that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has submitted the relevant cabinet paper to the Cabinet. The Prime Minister's Secretary was issued notice to appear before the commission's police unit at 9 am.

The National Child Protection Authority has launched an island wide survey on children who are not under 16 years of age. The Chairman of the Anuradhapura District HM Abeyratne stated that it has been completed in the Anuradhapura District. He further stated that steps will be taken to take necessary measures regarding children who are not attending school below 16 years.

Navy apprehended a person with 150g of Kerala Cannabis at Palliwasalthurai area in Kalpitiya, on 25th August 2019. Accordingly, this amount of KG was found while searching a suspicious person, during a foot patrol carried out by Northwestern Naval Command. The suspect is a resident of Palliwasalthurai area in Kalpitiya aged 52. He along with the seized amount of KG was handed over to Kalpitiya Police for further investigation.

UNP MP Hesha Withanage says that he and the UNP MPs will take tough decisions if he does not nominate Sajith Premadasa as the Presidential candidate before the 30th. Speaking to the media in Ratnapura, he said that Speaking further Mr. Dissanayake said that a group of government minister, deputy minister and cabinet ministers could even retire from their politics.

Parliamentarian Susil Premajayantha says that President Maithripala Sirisena will make the right decision to support Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the forthcoming presidential election as a person with long experience in the SLFP. He was responding to a question raised by journalists following a program in Kaduwela.

Two persons have been arrested for treasure hunting on a stone found in a village of Galabedda in the Moneragala Police Division. Police said the suspects were aged between thirty-three and twenty-three. They were residents of Badulla and Moneragala. Police have seized a large quantity of equipment used for excavations and are to be produced before the Moneragala Magistrate's Court today.

The Navy has recovered 120 kilograms of beedi leaves from a dinghy vessel which was damaged by the seas of the seas off the coast of Talaimannar, northwest of the Lighthouse on August 24, 2019. Accordingly, two parcels containing 120 kilograms of beedi leaves were found in the dinghy of a dinghy floating in the sea when the North Central Naval Command patrolled it. Also, two fishermen have been rescued and one of them has been rescued. The consignment of beedi leaves and dingy was handed over to the Customs Office for further investigations.

A dead body has been recovered from a paddy field in the Moragahahena area. The body was found following a tip off received by the Moragahahena Police that a person had fallen into a vacant paddy field in the area. The deceased has been identified as Vedippuli Arachchige Padmasiri, aged 63, of Gonapola, Koralaima, Silverweliwatta. The remains are placed at the Horana hospital morgue and the Moragahahena police are conducting further investigations.

Police have arrested two people for possessing heroin. One of the suspects was arrested by the Peliyagoda District Crime Division yesterday (23) at around 5.10 pm. Two grams of heroin and 150 milligrams of heroin were seized from the suspect's possession. The suspect is a 28 year old resident of Dutugemunu Mawatha in Peliyagoda.  The suspect is to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today. Meanwhile another suspect was arrested at the Dematagoda railway crossing with 2 grams of heroin. The suspect was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division at around 1.20pm yesterday (23) at the Dematagoda railway crossing. The suspect is a 26 year old resident of Arama Place, Dematagoda.  The suspect is to be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court today (24) and further investigations are being conducted by the Colombo Crimes Division.

A brothel operated under the guise of a massage center has been raided by two men and two women. The raid was carried out at around 8.30 pm yesterday (23) on a search warrant obtained by the police following a tip off received by the police that a brothel was operating at Makola road, Makola road, Kiribathgoda. The police have arrested two suspects and two suspects for allegedly engaging in prostitution. The suspects were aged between 38, 36 and 40 years and were residents of Kegalle, Colombo 14 and Wabedda areas. The suspect and the suspect are to be produced before the Mahara Magistrate Court today (24) and Kiribathgoda Police are conducting further investigations.