News

Rajangane Thera receives Rs.80mn from Guatemala

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2023

editor

Investigations conducted into the bank accounts of Rajangane Saddharathana Thera, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and remanded, revealed that he received Rs.80 million from a bank account in Guatemala.

The CID has launched further investigations to find out whether drug traffickers in Guatemala have sent this amount.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a person named ‘Pinsiri’ in England has sent this amount to develop the temple.

A Television actor is also behind this money transaction, it was reported.

The investigators of the CID had visited the temple to find out whether any development activities had been implemented.

However, it was revealed that not even Rs.5 million has been spent on the development of the temple.

The Thera had withdrawn Rs.8 million in five thousand rupee notes from two bank accounts in Anuradhapura and distributed them among the villagers.

These money transactions were done by the Thera and the actor.

Saddharathana Thera was arrested on May 28 on charges of making statements which are detrimental to religious harmony and insulting the mother of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Source – Aruna

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

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

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.