State Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development – Prasanna Ranaweera has admitted to assaulting a porter at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, ‘Lankadeepa’ reports.

The State Minister had gone to the airport with his security personnel to see off his wife, who had gone overseas.

According to reports, the State Minister had also reprimanded security personnel who had opposed to the state minister’s security entering the airport premises with firearms.

Footage then showed him also assaulting the porter who had transported the bags of the State Minister’s wife. It is reported that the State Minister had given the porter only Rs. 700 when public notices at the premises clearly state a porter is to be paid Rs. 1000.

The victim had gone to the police to lodge a complaint in this regard but had been told to come on the next day as the OIC was not present.

However it is said that he had not returned to the police station.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

Several locations in Kandy city including the Kandy railway station have been inundated with water due to heavy rains.
Kandy faced over 100mm of rain after 2.00pm today, with low lying areas of the city being swiftly inundated.

Irresponsible garbage disposal and illegal constructions are said to be major contributing factors.

The Ella – Wellawaya main road will be temporarily closed for traffic from 6.00 p.m. today (16) until 6.00 a.m. tomorrow due to the prevailing inclement weather conditions.

This decision has been taken owing to the dangerous condition of the road in several areas, including the Malithagolla area. Motorists using the road are advised to use alternate routes.