News

Rajangane Thera receives Rs.80mn from Guatemala

Published

3 months ago

June 21, 2023

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The Thera had withdrawn Rs.8 million in five thousand rupee notes from two bank accounts in Anuradhapura and distributed them among the villagers.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

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

37 mins ago

September 21, 2023

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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.