News

Schaffter killed by a close friend!

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2022

editor

The investigators of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) suspect that Janashakthi PLC Director Dinesh Schaffter was brought to the Borella Cemetery and killed according to a plan devised by one of his close friends.

Meanwhile, a senior CID officer said that a statement was recorded from Mr.Schaffter’s wife Tani yesterday (19) for nearly two and a half hours in relation to the murder.

Also, the report of the fingerprints found in Mr.Schaffter’s car is due to be received today (20).

It was reported that the CID is looking into the mobile phones of several suspects. Their behavior before and after the incident is also being closely monitored.

It has also been revealed that the person who drove Schaffter’s vehicle is someone who has a sound knowledge of the roads inside the Borella Cemetery.

In order to have such knowledge, the person in question must have visited the cemetery several times in the past as well. If Mr. Schaffter drove his car from home to the cemetery directly, it is confirmed that it was not the first time he had visited the cemetery.

The CID suspects that the person who lured Mr. Schaffter to the cemetery had brought him there with the intention of killing him.

Meanwhile, an investigator said Schaffter had been killed while he was in the driver’s seat.

“This further confirms that Mr. Schaffter was the driver. He was found dead in his car with his hands tied. His hands were not tied with something like ropes that can be found around the cemetery. Plastic cable has been used to tie the hands. He has been strangled with a wire. At first glance, it does not look like the wire was picked up from the ground. It’s a new one. He was tied to the driver’s seat with a wire around his neck. Cable ties and wires are not to be found easily at the cemetery. The criminals have come prepared with these to kill Mr. Schaffter,” he said.

The CID is also looking into several vehicles that seemed to have followed Schaffter’s vehicle.

News

President pays final respects to late Dr. Ariyaratne & Palitha Thewarapperuma (Pics)

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (April 19) paid his final respects to the late social activist and founder of the Sarvodaya movement, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne as well as to former UNP Member of Parliament and former Deputy Minister, Palitha Thevarapperuma.Visiting the Moratuwa Sarvodaya Headquarters where Mr. Ariyaratne was laid to rest, the President offered his final respects and left a condolence note. He also shared condolences with the grieving family members.

The President also paid his last respects and extended condolences to the grieving family and local community at the residence Palitha Thewarapperuma, in Yatadolawatte, Matugama.

UNP Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena and several others attended the event.

(Pics : PMD)

News

Flu & diarrhea cases among children on the rise

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

Health Authorities have warned of a rise of diarrhea and flu cases among children after the New Year period.
Consultant paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera advised parents to immediately seek medical attention if their children have been suffering from fever continuously for 3-4 days.

News

Fortified rice distribution initiative commences

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

The distribution of fortified rice, provided by the World Food Program (WFP) on behalf of the program initiated under the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to provide a nutritious meal for school students, commenced today, (19) at the Veyangoda warehouse complex.

In an effort to reduce iron deficiency among school children, fortified rice is provided for school meals. This distribution will be conducted under the supervision of Mr. M.H.A.M. Riflan, Director General for the Partnership Secretariat for World Food Programme Co-operation (PSWFPC), which operates under the purview of the Presidential Secretariat.

As planned, the distribution of 735 metric tons of rice to provincial-level schools commenced today as part of the first phase and will continue tomorrow (20). This rice stock is being delivered to schools under the supervision of officials from the respective Provincial Departments of Education and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs).

Meanwhile, Director General for the PSWFPC, Mr. M.H.A.M. Riflan stated that 378.835 metric tons of dhal, 412.08 metric tons of sunflower cooking oil, and 300 metric tons of dates will be distributed to schools following the start of the new school term on May 19.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education has implemented measures to provide a main meal at school for all students in grades 1-5 across the country. Following nutritionists’ recommendations, students receive breakfast between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. daily before engaging in educational activities.

Under the theme of ‘Healthy Active Generation,’ the 2024 school meal program aims to reduce nutritional problems among students, increase daily school attendance, foster good eating and health habits, contribute to the improvement of educational achievement levels, and fulfil the fundamental objectives of promoting local food culture.The school feeding program for this year extends its benefits to 1.6 million students, including primary students from 9,134 government schools, as well as smaller schools with fewer than 100 students. A budget of Rs. 16.6 billion has been allocated to the nine provincial councils by the government, supplemented by sponsorship from entities such as the World Food Program (WFP) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

(President’s Media Division)