Special
“A beer brand could destroy the country”; buddhist monks say
(NIDAHASA News) A group of Buddhist monks demands government to ban the popular funfair Oktoberfest, fearing an “upcoming” beer brand with the same name could “destroy the country.”
(NIDAHASA News) A group of Buddhist monks demands government to ban the popular funfair Oktoberfest, fearing an “upcoming” beer brand with the same name could “destroy the country.”
The National Sangha Council (NSC) met the Commissioner General of the Excise Department and asked to ban the Bavarian cultural event, which is scheduled to be held in Colombo.
“We suspect that this could be a campaign to introduce an 'Oktoberfest' beer brand to Sri Lanka,” NSC chair Rajawatte Wappa told media, “warning” that the beer could come to the country before the upcoming presidential election.
“The beer brand could destroy this country if we remain silent,” he told, adding that promoting liquor and tobacco is illegal in this country.
Oktoberfest is a worldwide funfair inspired by the two-week-long Bavarian culture festival held in Germany since 1810. Last year Sri Lankan edition took place at the Havelock Ground, Colombo.
Sri Lanka's recently boosted Buddhist extremist groups, who hold a strong position about country's conservative culture, often pick up anti-booze and anti-entertainment campaigns for their propaganda.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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