Quick Look

First Randoli Perahera today

Asela KURULUWANSA

The first Randoli Perahera, the most colourful segment of the Kandy Esala Pageant will parade the streets of Kandy today.

The Perahera will leave the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 7.48 p.m. facing South and pass through Dalada Veediya D. S. Senanayake Veediya, Pansala Para, Deva Veediya, Colombo Street, E. L. Senanayke Veediya and Raja Veediya and return to the Maligawa.

Seventy caparisoned elephants will be featured in the Randoli Perahera in addition to other attractions Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara said.

Bank robbery case:

Suspects remanded

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Darshika Wimalasiri yesterday further remanded the seven suspects, who had been remanded in connection with the Union Bank robbery, till August 7.

The suspects were arrested by Wellawatta police in connection with the robbery of Rs.12 million from Union Bank.

Attorney-at-Law Ranjith Dassanayake who appeared for some of the suspects said one of the suspects will be produced before an identification parade.

Attorney-at-Law Wasantha Ratnayake appeared for some suspects.

Two nabbed in Kasippu raid

Rafik JALALDEEN

A special unit from Mirihana police raided a kasippu distillery and arrested two suspects along with arms and weapons in Welivita, Malabe on Thursday evening.

Initially a suspect known as Welivita Lokka was nabbed with 10 barrels of goda and a hand grenade from a Kasippu distillery in Welivita road, police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

He said Welivita Lokka is an Army deserter and was linked to seven crimes in the area including house breaking and extortion.

"Following interrogation and acting on information, another suspect was arrested along with arms," he added. SSP Gunasekera said a suspect known as Alabolaya was arrested and a T56 rifle, 24 ammunition and a magazine was seized from his possession. Mirihana police are investigating.

Help desk for entrepreneurs keen on N-E projects

Chaminda PERERA

The National Enterprise Development Authority has set up a help desk to facilitate entrepreneurs wishing to venture in the North and the East under the Uthuru Vasanthaya and Negenahira Navodaya programs.

This unit established at the 27th floor of the World Trade Centre will help entrepreneurs obtain assistance from banks and Government institutions.

This help desk was established on the instructions of Enterprise and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. Entrepreneurs could receive information on 0112439843 or 0112434413. The email address is business@neda.lk.

Army to legally de-list deserters

The Sri Lanka Army has arranged to legally de-list all soldiers who had deserted the Army while in service or training on or before May 31 this year to enable them to leave military service honourably, said Lt. Col. T.M.D.M. Tennakoon.

The de-listing program will be implemented at the following centres from August 24 to September 14.

Soldiers coming for de-listing should bring their NICs along to prove their identity.

Those who have lost it should bring a copy of a complaint lodged at Police and either driving licence, passport or a postal identity card. They should also bring five stamp size photographs to facilitate the issuing of a new identity card if their job in the present card is mentioned as soldier.

The centres are Panagoda Sri Bodhi Rajaramaya, Sinha Regiment Headquarters at Ambepussa, Gemunu Regiment Headquarters at Kuruvita, Gajaba Regiment Headquarters at Saliyapura, Vijayabahu Regiment Headquarters at Boyagane, Army Commando Regiment Headquarters at Ganemulla and Special Forces headquarters at Seeduwa.

Two killed in crash at unprotected railway crossing

Rafik JALALDEEN

A motorist and a pillion rider were killed on the spot when a motorcycle collided with a train in Kanuwana, Kandana yesterday afternoon.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said the motorcycle crashed with the train at an unprotected railway crossing killing two persons on the spot. ”The incident had occurred in Kanuwana, near a church around 12.20pm,” he added.

The victims were identified as S.T. Edward Henricas, a resident of Kelaniya and W.W.D. Upali Wijesekera, a resident of Weweldeniya. The bodies are kept at the Ragama Hospital.

Applications called for electronic workshops

The Arthur C. Clarke Institute has called for applications from applicants to participate in the two workshops on ‘Electronic Inputs and Computer Hardware’.

The workshops will be held at the institute from August 18 to 25 during week days.

Information can be obtained on 011-2651880 or web site www.accimt.lk or electronic mail address kavindra@accmt.ac.lk.