The much-publicised assault on a top official of the Department of Inland Revenue — a case tasked for CID detectives and later probed by a hundred strong Police team -- is being sent back for further inquiry by the Matara Police. They will examine whether the matter could be resolved, like most other assault cases, by the Mediation Board of the area. The Sunday Times learns that the move follows instructions from Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya.

Ten mothers and around 160 babies have died within the first seven months of this year at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital causing much concern in health circles. The babies include both ‘perinatal’ or those still in the womb between 28 and 42 weeks and ‘neonatal’ or those who are a week-old, the Sunday Times understands.