Special

Gang breaks in to jounalist's home in Colombo; One killed by police fire

(NIDAHASA News) One suspect was killed when police shot a armed gang who have broken into the house of journalist Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema early morning today (24).

Published

11 years ago

August 24, 2013

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) One suspect was killed when police shot a armed gang who have broken into the house of journalist Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema early morning today (24).

The gang had entered the home of Sunday Leader journalist located in Bambalapitiya, Colombo around 2.00 a.m.

“They pointed a finger at me and demanded jewellery, I told them to take anything without doing any harm. Then they began looking for documents,” Abeywickrema said.

Mandana's husband, who was coming to the home, had noticed there were strangers in house and called police emergency hotline.

One suspect was killed when police opened fire at the gang. Two other gang members, who were injured due to the police fire, were arrested and admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. Three policemen were also wounded in the confrontation.

Police described this is as an armed robbery but media right group Free Media Movement (FMM), said they suspected the attack was linked to her work.

“The intruders spent a lot of time inside the house going through files and documents,” FMM convener Sunil Jayasekera told AFP.

“If they wanted only the valuables, they could have taken them and got out much earlier. But they were clearly looking for something else.” he added.

Meanwhile main opposition United Nation Party (UNP) asked for an explanation from the government on reports claiming that members of the gang entered in to the journalist's home are members of military forces.

Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema has been critical towords government in her political column. She was elected the first President of the Journalists' Trade Union formed recently.

Sunday Leader newspaper and it's journalist were attacked several times during recent years. In 2009, newspaper's founding editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was shot dead near his office.

The Sunday Leader is considered a major critic of the present government until last year, when a close alley of Rajapakse regime bought it. Last September, new owner dismissed the editor, Frederica Jansz, who said she was fired after resisting demands to water down criticism of the president.

According to international media right groups, Sri Lanka is one of most dangerous countries for journalists. Media activists say journalists have been forced to self-censor their work due to fear of attacks.

Special

President orders investigations into Daham’s nightclub scandal

(NIDAHASA News) President Maithiripala Sirisena call for an investigation into the Colombo nightclub attack allegedly carried out by his own son.

Published

8 years ago

October 10, 2016

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) President Maithiripala Sirisena call for an investigation into the Colombo nightclub attack allegedly carried out by his own son.

A group allegedly led by Sirisena’s son Daham attacked Clique nightclub at Town Hall, Colombo last Friday (07), allegedly after they were denied entry to the nightclub around 2.00 am. A security guard was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following the attack with head injuries.
However, speaking to Sri Lanka Mirror web site, police denied any connection of President’s son to the incident.
“He had arrived there around 7.00 pm, and it was a long time later that the clash took place,” Sri Lanka Mirror quoted the police.
In 2013, during the time his father was a minister, Daham Sirisena was accused of attacking a youth at Passikudah beach.

Special

Severe weather: over 200 families missing

(NIDAHASA News) Over 200 families missing after a massive landslide in Aranayaka, in Kegalla district.

Published

8 years ago

May 18, 2016

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) Over 200 families missing after a massive landslide in Aranayaka, in Kegalla district.

“16 bodies have already been recovered and about 180 people have been rescued,” said military spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera.

“The task is to figure out what happened to them,” the Red Cross said in a statement, noting that some people may have left after local officials warned earlier this week of possible landslides.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) reported over 350,000 people were affected by floods and landslides caused by massive rains.

Meanwhile warning has been issued to several suburbs areas of capital Colombo due to the increasing water level or Kelani river. People living in Wellampitiya, Megoda Kolonnawa, Sedawatte, Kohilawatte and surrounding areas have been asked to move to a safe place.

The depression, named BOB 01 is currently moving towards South India; however rain will continue for several areas in Sri Lanka until the end of this week, weather specialists say.

Special

Sri Lanka's firebrand Buddhist monk arrested

(NIDAHASA News) Supporters of Galagodaatte Gnansara started a violent protest in front of Homagama court after magistrate ordered to remand infamous Buddhist monk till 09th February.

Published

8 years ago

January 26, 2016

NIDAHASA

(NIDAHASA News) Supporters of Galagodaatte Gnansara started a violent protest in front of Homagama court after magistrate ordered to remand infamous Buddhist monk till 09th February.

The General Secretary of extreme Buddhist movement Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) surrendered to the court this morning (26) after magistrate ordered police to arrest the for alleged contempt of court. He was accused of making an argument with the judge during the court hearing of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda's habeas corpus.

Gnanasara has alleged that arresting the Army officers over Ekneligoda's disappearance was illegal and the prosecution should be arrested for “illegal arrests” of military officers. The counsel representing the missing journalist's family informed the court that the monk has also threatened the journalist's wife Sandhya.

Protesters, including a group of monks attempted to enter the court premises challenging the court's order to arrest their General Secretary and tried to block the prison vehicle. Police however managed to take Gnanasara to the remand prison with the support of extra police team.

Gnanasara and his BBS had been accused of inflaming religious tension between Majority Buddhists and Muslims. They were also accused of being a cat's paw of previous Rajapaksa regime. However BBS denied any secret relationship with Rajapaksa brothers.