Ella Rock Forest reserve fire destroys 600 acres

Published

5 months ago

February 16, 2025

editor

The fire engulfing the Ella Rock forest reserve continued yesterday with more than 600 acres of a total extent of 4,447 acres, destroyed so far.

The fire had spread towards the Rawana falls on Friday night.

Winds and steep inclines are hampering efforts by the army, Forest Conservation and the fire services of the Bandarawela Municipal council.

Trees, reptiles and small animals have been destroyed in the fire. Monkeys were also severely affected.

Police warned that boulders could fall onto the main road.

Air Force helicopters were not called in to assist, unlike in previous years.

Prof Ruwan Ranasinghe, deputy minister of tourism, told the media that using helicopters has not been effective in controlling such fires in addition to the high cost involved.

He said NPP members in each of the divisions will be reined in to prevent such fires in future.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Rajitha & Wimal fail to appear before CIABOC

Published

1 minute ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development – Rajitha Senaratne has not appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday (July 02), citing ill health.

He faces charges of causing a financial loss to the government by allegedly awarding a sand mining project at the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour to a Korean company, bypassing government procurement procedures.

The CIABOC’s Special Investigations Chief Inspector had formally summoned Senaratne to provide a statement at 9.00 am yesterday, but one of his lawyers submitted a letter claiming Senaratne was unwell and therefore unable to attend.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Construction and Housing – Wimal Weerawansa was also summoned to give a statement regarding investigations into the sale of certain shops during his tenure.

He too has requested a new date, stating that he is unable to appear on the scheduled day.

(Source: Dinamina)

News

Court summons ex-AGM of People’s bank over major fraud

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2025

editor

The Attorney General has filed a case against one Vithanage Don Dayananda, a former Assistant General Manager (AGM) at People’s Bank head office, for allegedly preparing and using a forged document related to a Rs.2,000 million personal guarantee bond.

Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne has fixed the case (HC 39/2019) for trial on October 30. When the case was called on July 01, the accused had appeared in court.

It is alleged that around June 01, 2006, in Colombo, the accused knowingly prepared a forged document purporting to show that a personal guarantee bond, allegedly signed and dated July 27, 1995, by directors of Yashoda Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.had been submitted to the bank’s head office.

Despite being well aware that the document was a forged one, he had allegedly presented it as genuine evidence during the Commercial High Court Case No. 122/2004.

Therefore, the Attorney General has charged him under Section 459 of the Penal Code.

Related News :

Court orders CID to probe Rs.90 mn. fraud at People’s Bank

News

2nd round of Grade 06 admission appeals open online today

Published

2 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Education has announced that online appeals for the second round of Grade 06 admissions in 2025, based on the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results, can be submitted from today (July 03) until July 17.

Parents or guardians can submit appeals for up to three schools by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Education at www.moe.gov.lk or directly via the extension at g6application.moe.gov.lk.