Ganja cultivation raided inside Udawalawe Park
Habbegamuwa Police had raided ganja plantations in the Habbegamuwa area of the Udawalawe reserve and destroyed around 2,000 plants. Police said that the estimate worth of the plant were around Rs. 2 two lakhs, and cultivators had fled the area at the time of the raid,Habbegamuwa police are conducting further investigations.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 22, 2020 06:33 UTC
Trump impeachment: Senators clash over rules as trial opens
The US Senate has rejected repeated Democratic attempts to secure new evidence in President Donald Trump's impeachment as his trial began. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell meanwhile backed off on a plan to fast-track the hearings after coming under pressure from fellow Republicans. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Mr Trump dismissed the accusations against him as "just a hoax". It is only the third time in US history that a president is facing an impeachment trial and it is unclear how long it will last. But the Senate, which is controlled by his fellow Republicans, is not expected to convict the president and remove him from office.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 22, 2020 06:11 UTC
North Korea bans foreign tourists as corona virus spreads
North Korea has shut its borders to foreign tourists in a bid to keep out the mysterious, pneumonia-like Corona virus spreading in China next door. A leading tour operator, Young Pioneer Tours, said its travel partners in North Korea had informed it that they were unable to accept tourists temporarily because of the virus. No suspected infections have been reported in North Korea. “I would assume that North Korea will treat this matter much like Ebola back in 2014-2015 so this will affect all foreigners going to North Korea,” Rowan Beard of YPT said in an email, adding that no quarantine has been announced by North Korean customs authorities. “The DPRK government’s costly decision to suspend all foreign tourists is a reasonable strategy to minimize the risk of domestic spread of the new virus,” said Kee Park, a global surgery scholar at Harvard Medical School who has worked extensively in North Korea.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 22, 2020 04:10 UTC
Prevailing showery condition to enhance further
Showery condition is expected to enhance to some extent particularly in the South-western part of the island and in the Eastern, North-central and Uva provinces today, said the Department of Meteorology. Several spells of showers will occur in the Eastern, Uva and North-central provinces and in Hambanthota and Matale districts. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a several places in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts particularly after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kaluthara, Galle, Mathale and Badulla districts. Wind speed can be increased up to 50 kmph at times in Northwestern, Central, Southern and Northern provinces and in Gampaha district.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 22, 2020 03:59 UTC
SLTB bus service between Embilipitiya and Middeniya to operate again
Passenger Transport, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has taken steps to revive the Sri Lanka Transport bus service between Embilipitiya and Middeniya which was suspended due to a private dispute for past five years. The bus service was used by commuters as well as school children in 12 nearby villages for their daily transport needs. However, the service was suspended for last five years due to a dispute among several private bus owners. Minster Amaraweera addressing the gathering said that steps will also be taken to add all the SLTB buses removed from operation to the fleet back for the benefit of the commuters across the country.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 21, 2020 09:11 UTC
Parliamentary Selection Committee convenes today
The Parliamentary Selection Committee under the chairmanship of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will be tabled today to conduct the nomination process of the Members for Committees including the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) and the Public Accounts Committee, a communiqué issued by the Parliament media unit said. Seventeen Members of Parliament will serve the current session of the Select Committee. They are Chamal Rajapaksa, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Dinesh Gunawardena, Johnston Fernando, Douglas Devananda, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Gamini Lokuge, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Rohitha Abeygunawardene, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga, Vijitha Herath, Rishad Bathiudeen, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mano Ganeshan, Niroshan Perera, and Mavai Senathirajah. The first meeting of the Parliamentary Selection Committee is scheduled to be held at 3.00 pm today at the Parliament complex.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 20:26 UTC
Eco-friendly tram car project to reduce traffic congestion
A Chinese company has expressed its willingness to implement an eco friendly electric tram car project as a solution for the huge traffic congestion prevailing within the Colombo city and suburbs, Passenger Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. According to the representatives of the Chinese company named China Railway Group Limited, as the first phase of the project they are planning to construct a track above 14 feet along highlevel road from Kottawa - Pettah to provide transport facilities using an electric tram cars system carrying up to 8-11 passengers each. The entire car system is scheduled to be completed within one and half years.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 09:33 UTC
Ex- President and PM given time to file objections over Easter Sunday attack petitions
The Supreme Court seven-judge-bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya today granted time till March 6 for former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe to file objections against the fundamental rights petitions filed over the Easter Sunday attacks. When the twelve Fundamental Rights petitions were came up before Supreme Court seven-judge-bench, Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel informed court that the Attorney General would no longer represent two respondents former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe since they currently do not hold such positions.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 09:22 UTC
New envoys present credentials to President
Four new ambassadors along with a new High Commissioner concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo this morning. The new diplomats also expressed their commitment to uphold the long ties their countries had had with Sri Lanka and work with Sri Lanka to develop on the common interests as mentioned by President. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also spoke and noted that Sri Lanka always had maintained cordial relations with all five countries. Rakibe Demet Şekercioğlu- Ambassador- designate of the Republic of Turkey based in Colombo3. Major General (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak - High Commissioner- designate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan based in Colombo4.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 08:48 UTC
Prevailing showery condition to enhance from today
Showery condition is expected to enhance to some extent particularly in the South-western part of the island and in the Eastern, North-central, Uva and Central provinces today and tomorrow, said the Department of Meteorology. Several spells of showers will occur in the Eastern, Uva and North-central provinces and in Hambanthota and Matale districts. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a several places in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kaluthara and Galle districts. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 08:48 UTC
President invited to visit UAE
Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyanhas sent his greetings and warm wishes to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. While assuring his keenness to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, the Crown Prince also extended an invitation for President Rajapaksa to visit the United Arab Emirates. President Rajapaksa reciprocated the Crown Prince’s warm wishes and accepted the invitation. This will give the two countries the opportunity to exchange views and discuss common interests of the two countries. The dates of the visit are being finalized, a communique issueed by the President's media division said.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 07:30 UTC
Use electricity sparingly
Power, Energy and Business Development Ministry requests consumers to use electricity wisely and sparingly as the prevalent dry and warm weather conditions experienced in the country has led to a tremendous increase in electricity consumption.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 06:00 UTC
Two dead in Kegalle accident
Two persons were killed when a bus and a three-wheeler collided in the Galigamuwa area in Kegalle this morning. It was reported that the accident occurred when a SLTB bus which was heading from Kandy to Colombo collided with a three-wheeler coming from the opposite direction. Police said that the driver of the three-wheeler was injured and rushed to the Kegalle Teaching Hospital. A female (26) and a man (21) were killed in the accident. Kegalle Police is conducting further investigations.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 05:37 UTC
China coronavirus: Number of cases jumps as virus spreads to new cities
The new cases were identified in the cities of Wuhan, Beijing and Shenzhen. The total number of confirmed cases now exceeds 200, and three have died from the respiratory illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of cases rose because of "increased searching and testing". Health officials in Beijing's Daxing district said two people who had travelled to Wuhan were treated for pneumonia linked to the virus. The WHO said "increased searching and testing for [the virus] among people sick with respiratory illness" had led to the jump in confirmed cases.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 01:41 UTC
India successfully test-fires K-4 Ballistic Missile
India has successfully fired 3500 kilometer strike range nuclear capable submarine launched K-4 ballistic missile off coast in Andhra Pradesh. The missile is being developed for being deployed on the fleet of the Arihant Class nuclear submarines being built by India. India is expected to carry out more tests of the missile before it is ready for being equipped on the nuclear submarines. Notice to Airmen and marine warnings for long range missile test were already issued by India for the planned test firings. (Source: India Today)
Source:Sunday Observer
January 20, 2020 01:41 UTC