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105 killed in Bangladesh protests; nationwide curfew imposed

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At least 105 people have been killed in Bangladesh as police cracked down on unrelenting student-led protests against govt job quotas despite a ban on public gatherings.

The govt has decided to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy the army.

Earlier in the day, telecommunications were disrupted and television news channels went off the air.

Authorities had cut some mobile telephone services the previous day to try to quell the unrest. 

According to reports, police and security officials fired bullets and tear gas at protesters and banned all gatherings in the capital Dhaka. 

The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply this week, represent the biggest challenge to PM Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in office after the January polls.

The government has deployed police and paramilitary forces across the capital to lock down campuses and break up protests. 

On Wednesday, universities including the country’s largest suspended classes and closed dormitories, and on Friday police in Dhaka said they were banning all gatherings and demonstrations in the capital. 

According to foreign media, border guard officials fired at a crowd of more than 1,000 protesters who had gathered outside the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, which was attacked on Thursday. 

The border guards shot at the crowd with rifles and sound grenades, while police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets. Bullets littered the streets, which were also marked by smears of blood. 

Internet services and mobile data were widely disrupted on Thursday night and remained down on Friday in the capital, Dhaka. 

Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were also not loading. A statement from the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission said they were unable to ensure service after their data center was attacked by demonstrators, who set fire to equipment. 

Student protesters said they will extend their calls to impose a shutdown on Friday, and urged mosques to hold funeral prayers for those who have been killed.

Source: Times Of India

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Canteen, hotel food prices to increase from tonight

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The All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association (AICROA) has decided to increase the prices of all canteen and hotel food items from midnight today.  

Association Chairman Harshana Rukshan said that the price of a cup of plain tea will increase by Rs. 5, a cup of milk tea by Rs. 10, a plate of fried rice and kottu by Rs. 30, and the prices of short eats by Rs. 10.  

Addressing the media, he said that no concessions were provided for canteen and restaurant owners in the recent budget.  

“Even though the price of a packet of salt has increased to Rs. 200, the price of an egg has risen again to Rs. 35, a kilogram of chicken costs more than Rs. 1,000 and the price of coconuts has reached a maximum of Rs. 220, we did not request the President to reduce the prices of any of these items.  

“Unfortunately, no support has been provided for the protection of canteens and restaurants in the country,” he added.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Ex-minister indicted

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Indictments have been served against former Minister Piyankara Jayaratne before the Colombo High Court today (Feb. 18).

He faces charges of allegedly committing an offence of “corruption” by influencing officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deposit an amount of Rs. 494,000 to an account of a bank in Chilaw, during his tenure as the Minister of Civil Aviation.

The indictment sheets, filed by the Bribery Commission, were handed over to the court before the High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne today.

The judge subsequently ordered to release the ex-minister on two surety bails of Rs. 500,000 each

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Price of bread reduced

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Bakery owners have agreed to reduce the price of a loaf of bread by Rs. 10, according to the Ministry of Trade.

This follows a decision by two leading flour manufacturers in Sri Lanka – Serendib Flour Mills and Prima, to reduce the price of wheat flour by Rs. 10 per kilogramme.

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