Private bank in Kohuwala robbed

Two armed men who forced enter a private bank in Kohuwala town have robbed more than 1.5 million rupees before fleeing the scene this morning.

The Kohuwala police said that they have identified the registered number of the motor bicycle which the two robbers used to arrive as HT-8725.

A senior police officer in charge of the area told our news team that several police teams have been deployed already to arrest the suspects.

Branches of this private bank were burgled twice before today’s incident.

Olympic 2014 Medal Count: Final Nation Rankings and Standings from Sochi.

The 2014 Winter Olympics came to an end yesterday, with the heralded closing ceremony serving as a grand finale after more than two weeks of incredible competition in Sochi, Russia.

Host country Russia took advantage of familiar ice, snow and everything in between at the 2014 Games in Sochi by finishing atop the medal count race with an impressive 33 medals.

Among those 33 podium finishes were 13 golds, which was also the most of any nation.

The United States checked in at second place in the medal count, with Norway, Canada and the Netherlands rounding out the top five.

Judge Officially Names Paul Walker's Dad Executor Of His Will

Tragic actor Paul Walker's father has been named the official executor of his will.

In his will, the Fast and the Furious star requested his dad, Paul Walker Senior should take control of his estate in the event of his death and a California court judge granted his wish yesterday.

The late actor also named his mother, as the guardian of his daughter Meadow with ex-girlfriend Rebecca, but the issue of the 15 year old's custody was not raised.

Meadow is currently living with her grandmother in California.

5000 rupee counterfeit note found in Balangoda

A person has been arrested at Barnes Ratwatte Mawatha in Balangoda, for having a 5000 rupee counterfeit note in possession.

According to the police media sources, police have been informed by the proprietor of a wine store, when a customer produced the alleged note to purchase liquor.


The suspect is a 23 year old resident of Kalawana area.

Bank in Kohuwala ransacked

The police stated that a group of Robbers had ransacked a branch of a private bank in Kohuwala this morning.

Another student commits suicide.

A schoolgirl resident in Bogoll-yaaya in Mahahwa in Polipithigama committed suicide day-before-yesterday by hanging herself.

The one who has thus committed suicide is a student of the Polpithigama National School.

This 16 – year old student named Gayeshaa Ranatunga is currently awaiting GCE O/Level results.

Our correspondent of the area said that this student had thus committed suicide after her mother had admonished her about frequent phone calls she had been receiving.

Meanwhile we inquired about this from Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana as well.

The Media spokesman said that it had been reported that the student concerned had thus committed suicide due to being hurt over several of her photographs falling into the hands of her mother.

However police media spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said further that  investigations are being carried out about the incident.

Peace and development already achieved; says President.

President Mahinda Rajapakse states that that the government has already achieved massive development and established peace in the country.

President made this statement participating at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Palavi - Kalpitiya road in Puttalam yesterday.

Speaking further the President also spoke about the allegations leveled by the opposition

UNP ready to protest if Face book is banned

UNP MP Hareen Fernando said that his party would protest if the government take action to ban Facebook in this country.

Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo today MP Fernando further described his party action against a possible Facebook ban.

Rupee appreciated against US dollar

The effectiveness of the policy measures in place was visible as the economy showed signs of further improvement with interest rates adjusting downwards albeit with a lag, and private sector credit picking up during the last quarter of 2013.


In January 2014, inflation continued to remain at single digit levels for the 60th consecutive month, and is expected to remain comfortably at these levels throughout 2014 supported by well managed demand conditions and improved domestic supply.

Fisheries Minister is lying; allegations from the UNP

Several drafts under the Sri Lanka National Aqua Farming Development were taken up for debate in Parliament yesterday.

Senior Minister Milroy Fernando joining the debate stated that concessions must be provided to those who are engaged in the ornamental fish industry.

Meanwhile, a debate took place between DNA Parliamentarian Sunil Handunneththi and Minister Rajitha Senarathna.

In the meantime, UNP Parliamentarian Ajith Mannapperuma addressing parliament pointed out that certain facts presented by Minister Rajitha Senarathna were false.

Ukraine sanctions imposed amid Kiev clashes

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials "responsible for violence and excessive force".

In a statement, they said targeted sanctions including asset freezes and visa bans would be introduced "as a matter of urgency".

In the bloodiest day of clashes yet, at least 21 anti-government protesters died in Kiev yesterday.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the "prime responsibility" to get talks between the two sides under way lay with President Viktor Yanukovych.

MP R Dumindha Silva donates books and stationery to students of low income earning families in Dematagoda

Another stage of the programme carried out as per a concept of Colombo District Parliamentarian R Dumindha Silva to provide stationary and school equipment to students of low income earning families was held in Mihindusenpura in Dematagoda.

Accordingly steps were taken by MP R Dumindha Silva to distribute stationary and school equipment to 1500 students.

This programme supports students in the entire Colombo district with the intention of further increasing the education levels of students who are faced with financial difficulties.

Students and Parents who were present at the event thanked Parliamentarian R Dumindha Silva for his yeoman service.

Sri Lanka clinch series after Sangakkara century

Kumar Sangakkara's 17th ODI hundred was everything Sri Lanka needed to win the ODI series with a game in hand.

But since their opponents were always going to pose a threat to their 289-run total, they also needed Bangladesh's batsmen to come up with a string of needless dismissals to ensure the 2-0 win.

Having gone down by 61 runs in Mirpur, Bangladesh lost their first bilateral ODI series at home since December 2011.

8th Deyata Kirula exhibition commences in Kuliyapitiya today

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the Deyata Kirula exhibition at Kuliyapitiya today.

The annual exhibition which is being held for the 8th successive year is sponsored by the Economic Development Ministry.

The National Heritage Ministry has taken steps to design its Deyata Kirula main exhibition stall outlet as a replica of the ancient Yapahuwa Fort.

The National Heritage Ministry stall at the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition was created as a collaborative effort of all Departments and institutions under the National Heritage Ministry.

Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said all measures have been taken to ensure the safety and protection of visitors to the 8th Deyata Kirula National Exhibition.

SSP Ajith Rohana said visitors are also bound to behave decently within the exhibition premises and while travelling to the venue.

Update : Friday, 21 February 2014 - 8:36
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Deyata Kirula begins tomorrow; 6000 policemen deployed for security

Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana says that over 6000 officers have been deployed on duty in the Deyata Kirula exhibition premises which is scheduled to open in Kuliyapitiya tomorrow.

Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo this afternoon, the SSP said that 1000 policemen will be deployed in civvies while another 2000 will be deployed on duty relating to vehicular traffic handling.

The SSP also urged visitors to avoid carrying traveling bags when they enter the exhibition premises.

The Police Media Spokesman said that 433 policemen will be deployed to keep vigil regarding thieves within the exhibition premises.

Refurbished CMC square and Vihara Maha Devi park opened

The refurbished CMC square , Vihara Maha Devi park and the Colombo road network was opened by Defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse yesterday.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardna and Colombo District Parliamentarian R Dumindha Silva also participated in the occasion.

10 million rupees day light robbery in Negambo

Iran nuclear deal framework 'agreed' in Vienna

Iran is reported to have agreed a framework for talks with six world powers in Vienna on a comprehensive agreement to limit its controversial nuclear programme.

A top Iranian representative was quoted as saying that agreement was reached after two days of talks.

But correspondents say the two sides remain far apart on a final resolution.

Iran is accused by Western countries of trying to develop nuclear weapons, something it denies.

Student arrested for assaulting Principal

A Student of Sevanapitiya Vidyalaya in Welikanda was arrested on the charges of assaulting and injuring his principal this morning.

School principal R.M.G. Rathnaweera has visited a group of students while they were singing in a class room.

At that time, an altercation has taken place between the principal and students, and the altercation has gradually led to a clash situation.

Police said on that occasion, a student assaulted the principal with a timber stick and injured principal Rathnaweera was admitted to Welikanda hospital.

Facebook to buy messaging app WhatsApp for $19bn

Facebook has entered into an agreement to acquire WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, for $19 billion in cash and stock, according to a filing Wednesday.

The deal is by far Facebook's largest acquisition to date and comes after rumors in late 2012 and early 2013 that Facebook and Google were vying to buy the messaging service.

According to the filing, Facebook has agreed to pay $12 billion in stock and $4 billion in cash for the company. Facebook has also agreed to pay an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to WhatsApp's founders and employees as part of the deal, which would bring the total deal price to about $19 billion.

WhatsApp, founded in 2009 by former Yahoo engineers Jan Koum and Brian Acton, is the most popular of a set of mobile messaging apps that some argued posed a threat to Facebook's business. The app served as an alternative to SMS by letting users send messages for free across smartphone platforms. It currently has more than 450 million people who use the app every day.

"WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable," Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's cofounder and CEO, said in a statement. "I've known Jan for a long time and I'm excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected."

On an investor call that followed the announcement, Zuckerberg added: "The growth rate they have today and the monetization that's early but promising and in place, we see a clear trajectory ahead and are excited to work together on this."

Unlike Facebook, WhatsApp does not make money through ads. Instead, WhatsApp is free to use for the first year and then charges $0.99 a year for a subscription after that. The founders have been firm on not wanting to introduce advertising, a point that was re-iterated by Zuckerberg and Koum on the call.

"We think that for our product, advertising is not necessarily the right way to go," Koum said. "We think we have a very solid monetization system in place."

If the deal doesn't go through, Facebook will pay a breakup fee of $1 billion to WhatsApp, which is still more than the total amount Facebook ended up paying to acquire Instagram.

Facebook stock declined by more than 4.5% in after hours trading following the announcement. 

Supreme Court puts on hold release of Rajiv Gandhi's killers

The Supreme Court has put on hold Tamil Nadu's plan to release seven people convicted of killing former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, which has led to a legal battle between the state government and the Centre.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said Tamil Nadu's decision was legally untenable, contrary to all principles of justice and "should not be proceeded with."

On Wednesday, a day after the top court spared three of the convicts, Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan from execution, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced that all seven convicts in the case would be freed and gave the Centre three days to respond to her decision, after which, she said, she would go ahead.

Update : Thursday, 20 February 2014 - 1:45
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Indian Central Government filed a petition against Jayalalitha's decision to release Rajiv killers - SC agrees to examine

The Indian Central Government filed a petition at its Supreme Court today against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayeram’s decision to release Rajiv Gandhi killers.

New Delhi reports stated that the Supreme Court has agreed to examine the petition filed by the Center. 

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa triggered outrage in the Congress and elsewhere by announcing her government's decision to release all seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

It immediately sparked a heated political row with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking, "If a Prime Minister's killers can be released, what kind of justice should the common man expect?"

Legal experts, however, questioned the validity of her claim as the state advisory board alone had the powers to process remission pleas of lifers.

The top legal minds of the central government were in a huddle to work out the strategy to prevent the killers from walking free.

The BJP also expressed its dismay over Jayalalithaa's decision.