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Bridge collapses killing over 90 in Gujarat, India

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A British-era bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi has collapsed just a week after renovation, killing at least 91 people yesterday, NDTV reported. It said search is on for over 100 others, who have fallen into the river. A special team has been formed to probe the matter.

The suspension bridge — 200 km from Ahmedabad — collapsed at 6.42 this evening when around 500 people had congregated on it to perform some rituals in connection with the Chhath puja. .

According to reports, around 100 people are still feared trapped in the waters of the Machchhu River. Videos from the spot showed many struggling in the water, trying to reach the bank in the dark. Many of the dead are women and children, locals say. Seventy people have been rescued and admitted to hospital.

The cable bridge in Morbi — nearly 150 years old and a popular tourist spot — was closed for seven months for renovation. It was reopened to the public on October 26, the Gujarati New Year. There was a Rs. 17 ticket to access the bridge.

“Renovation happened last week. We are also shocked. We are looking into the matter… The government takes responsibility for this tragedy,” Brijesh Merja, Gujarat’s minister for Labour and Employment, told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat, tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the tragedy at Morbi. Talked to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and other officials about this. Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided to the affected”.

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Ramadan fasting in Sri Lanka to commence on Friday

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The new Crescent moon of the month of Ramadan has not been sighted in Sri Lanka this evening (22) and therefore Muslims in Sri Lanka will begin the month of Ramadan fasting from dawn on Friday (March 24), the Colombo Grand Mosque says.
Muslims all over the world will observe a month of fasting and prayers during Ramadan to commemorate the time when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed on the night of “Laylat Al Qadr”.

Fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

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Funds lost due to public sector engaging in business –  President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, has been destroyed. 

He noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy. 

President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square today (22). 

Recalling that Mr. D.S. Senanayake’s vision was to create a free economy, the President said that business should be done by the private sector and that the country could be developed with the tax revenue obtained from them. 

However, due to the nationalization in 1956, the Government started engaging in business and that is why the tax revenue was inadequate for the development of the country, the President pointed out.

He stated that the country has distanced itself from Mr. D.S. Senanayake’s vision, but following his vision, Singapore has become a developed country today and said that despite our politicians dreaming of making Sri Lanka a Singapore, the destruction caused to Sri Lanka in the last 75 years due to the decisions of certain political movements is immense. 

Therefore, the President further mentioned that Senanayake’s legacy should be carried forward to build a strong and powerful Sri Lanka.

President Wickremesinghe also laid floral tributes at the statue of the late D. S. Senanayake. 

The Chief Incumbent of the Kollupitiya Polwatta Sri Dharmakeerthi Monastery Venerable Dr. Bandarawela Wimaladharma Thera delivered a special sermon.  

Member of Parliament Vajira Abeywardena, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change Mr Ruwan Wijayawardena, Former Speaker Mr Karu Jayasuriya, Former Ministers Ravi Karunanayake, Rohitha Bogollagama, Karunasena Kodithuwakku, Rukman Senanayake, former Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, former Provincial Councilor Shantini Kongahage, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage and several others attended the event. 

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Manhunt for suspect who hacked off electrician’s hands

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Police are searching for a man who had hacked off the hands of an electrician in Koralawella, Moratuwa.

The 40-year-old man whose hands were amputated was rushed to the Panadura General Hospital for treatment.

CCTV cameras had captured the attack and the manner in which the attacker had left with the victim’s amputated hands.

Police say the incident had taken place following a heated exchange of words between two neighboring families at around 7 PM on Tuesday (21) night.

Further investigations are underway to arrest the attacker.

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