Special
Gunmen kill woman, hurt 12 more in Colombo political rally
(NIDAHASA News) Sri Lanka's relatively peaceful election campaign yesterday (31) took a deadly turn when unidentified gang open fire into a gathering of ruling United National Party (UNP) in Kotahena, killing a woman a wounding 12 others.
(NIDAHASA News) Sri Lanka's relatively peaceful election campaign yesterday (31) took a deadly turn when unidentified gang open fire into a gathering of ruling United National Party (UNP) in Kotahena, killing a woman a wounding 12 others.
Gunmen in a vehicle spayed bullets into a gathering organized to support UNP candidate Final minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday morning.
Karunanayake said he had been leaving when gunmen opened fire into the crowd of about 500 attendees.
“I was the target,” said Karunanayake. “This was an act of political terrorism.”
Former president Rajapaksa's United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) was quick to point out that the shootout could be a result of intra-party clashes of UNP, responding the allegations that UPFA is igniting political violence in the country.
UPFA former MP Dilan Perera told press that underworld figures of UNP candidates had clashed because of the competition for preferential votes.
This is the first election to be held after the fall of decade-long Rajapaksa rule, which was accused of openly violating election laws and abusing state properties for their election campaigns. The election campaign so far is seen as one of most peaceful campaign in recent history. Election commissioner seems to take more strict steps to ensure elections laws are followed while civil movements carrying out massive campaign for a “clean” parliament that consist of representative with clean track records.
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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