News

Monk who kidnapped Asanka Nirmal arrested

Published

3 months ago

June 14, 2023

editor

A Buddhist monk named Monaragala Chandananda, who went along with two Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel to kidnap a businessman by the name Asanka Nirmal, was arrested by the Dematagoda Police at a temple in Dodanduwa.

The arrested is a former teacher of several main schools in Colombo and the victim, who is a resident of Makola, has worked as the owner of a television channel and a financial institution.

A sergeant and a constable of the STF headquarters had travelled in a cab numbered 2552-2509 along with the monk to kidnap the businessman.

The STF personnel had impersonated as officers of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The monk has invested Rs.4.6 million at a financial institution located in Dematagoda.

Following an argument over withdrawing the amount deposited, the monk had gone to the Malabe house of the victim with his two STF friends to kidnap the owner of the financial institution.

The businessman had given a cheque for Rs.4.6 million saying that he could not give the money right away upon request as per the agreements signed.

The monk who had refused to accept the cheque had abandoned the businessman in the Rajagiriya area after forcibly taking his house deed and passport.

The kidnapping took place on May 11 and the businessman had complained to the Dematagoda Police on June 10.

Following the arrest of the monk, investigations have been launched to arrest the two STF personnel and the vehicle they have used.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

3 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.