At least 80 houses – most of them built with planks and tin-sheets were completely destroyed in a fire at Kajeemawatta, Thotalanga in the Grandpass Police area, Police said. At least 220 people have been displaced due to the fire and are currently sheltered in temporary homes.
Thirteen fire engines called in from various stations within the city battled the fire for more than two hours before they brought it under control without any casualties. The belongings of many of the families were destroyed in the fire.
The President’s office said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Japan, has instructed the President's Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire.
Meanwhile, Police said they were investigating whether the fire had been caused by one of the rival groups. (Pix by M.A. Pushpakumara)
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that the suspect in the rape of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura teaching hospital has been identified as an army deserter and he will be apprehended shortly.
Police have arrested the suspect connected to the sexual assault on a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital today morning in Galnewa.
The Dutch Public Prosecutor suspects two companies of paying bribes in the construction of hospitals in Sri Lanka, according to an investigation by FD, the Dutch financial newspaper.
The Minister of Power, Kumara Jayakody, stated that in the future, internationally funded projects, such as power projects, will only be carried out through government-to-government (G2G) agreements and competitive procurement.
The Government today tabled in the House the Report of the Commission to Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Unlawful Places of Detention and Torture Chambers in the Batalanda Housing Scheme.
Israel, a major player in the global diamond and jewellery trade, has invited Sri Lankan gem and jewellery businessmen and designers to collaborate with Israeli diamond traders.
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