Sri Lankan arrested for pretending to blow up plane Video

Sri Lankan arrested for pretending to blow up plane [Video]

A Sri Lankan national living in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong was charged with allegedly threatening to blow up a plane.

The man allegedly tried to enter the cockpit while claiming to have a bomb shortly after takeoff on a Malaysian Airlines flight from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur late last night.

The 25-year-old is facing two charges against the Crimes Aviation Act, but Victoria's Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said they are not treating it as a terrorism incident.

Ashton revealed the man is believed to have checked out of a psychiatric facility in Melbourne earlier yesterday.

Because he was in the facility voluntarily, there was nothing to stop him leaving.

He is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Malaysia Airlines confirmed the incident on flight MH128, which left Melbourne at 11.11pm before performing a small loop and landing again at 11.47pm.

The passenger was overpowered by the plane's crew and later arrested at Melbourne's airport, Malaysia's Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi told AFP.

"It is not a hijack. One disruptive passenger tried to enter the plane's cockpit," he said.

"The passenger... claimed to have a bomb. But it was not a bomb but a powerbank (battery charger)."

Ashton also defended the long wait passengers endured on the tarmac before police came on board to arrest the man.

"In some of those circumstances, if we had an incident where there were further explosives that were triggered, we could have had a mass casualty incident," he said.

"There were 337 passengers on that plane, plus crew, and we could have had a very serious incident.

"That was avoided through having a proper approach to getting the passengers off."

Police said the suspected bomb was just a speaker wrapped in plastic.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said his staff had reached out to Malaysia Airlines to offer counselling support.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the crew and those very brave passengers who actually subdued this person, and indeed thank every single passenger for their patience, and you can imagine how traumatic that would have been to go through that experience," Andrews said.

Andrews said the arrested man had been Australia on a student visa studying to be a chef.

"His history would appear to have mental illness, we do not believe this is terrorist related at the moment," Superintendent Tony Langdon told reporters on the tarmac.

"It's quite heroic for the passengers and crew to restrain this person," Superintendent Langdon added.

Malaysian Airlines said in a statement this afternoon that technical and cabin crew on the flight will not operate until further notice.

Among the passengers who subdued the man was Arif Chaudery, who sprung to action after a female crewmember raised the alarm.

"Families, kids, they were very scared, and some screaming…so three or four guys, we jumped as quickly as possible," Chaudery told Today.

"We just put him on the floor and finally staff brought the belt, so we handcuffed him and tied his legs and put his face on the floor.

"We thought he was drunk or on some drug…if he's a bum, how did the person get on the flight?

"This could be worse, I can tell you that now, but that's 300 people who are safe."

Former Melbourne footballer Andrew Leoncelli told 3AW the man was threatening to "blow the plane up" after being told by flight attendants to return to his seat.

"I was sitting in business class and I could hear this idiot saying he wanted to go in an see the pilot and staff were saying sit back down," Leoncelli said.

"He said 'I'm not going to sit down, I'm going to blow the plane up' (and) an air hostess yelled out for help.

"I approached him, he ran down the side and two lads grabbed him and bashed him … took a giant black thing out of his hand.

"I've never seen anything like it."

Leoncelli said the object seized from the man was the size of a watermelon and had "two wire things coming out of it".

"I think the guy was just an idiot," he said.

"He ran literally down the other end of the plane and got restrained.

"We sat for an hour and 20 minutes waiting for the police to come.

The man has been arrested by Australian authorities, who stormed the plane after it landed at Tullamarine.

Malaysia Airlines said the captain turned the plane back to Melbourne after being alerted by a cabin crew "of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit".

In air traffic control audio, a male voice can be heard saying: "We have a passenger trying to enter the cockpit."

About three minutes later the same male voice can be heard saying the passenger was "claiming to have an explosive device, tried to enter the cockpit, has been overpowered by passengers".

Passengers started leaving the plane about 1.30am.

All other flights were diverted to Avalon, near Geelong, with Melbourne Airport in lockdown at the time.

Melbourne Airport has now re-opened and is accepting arriving and departing flights on the east-west runway. The north-south runway remains closed

Airport workers are being allowed to return inside.

The incident came just months after Canberra called off the search for missing flight MH370 carrying 239 passengers and crew, after a vast underwater hunt off Australia's west coast failed to find the plane.

MH370 disappeared in March 2014, while another passenger jet, MH17, was shot down in July of the same year while flying over Ukraine in twin tragedies to hit Malaysia's national carrier.

Buffalo Truck Struk In Flood

Buffalo Truck Struk In Flood

Wild days out for Easter UK walks attractions and activities without the crowds

Wild days out for Easter: UK walks, attractions and activities – without the crowds

Wild swimming, Pembrokeshire

The sea is not warm over Easter (just 9-10C), but sunshine and warm air make a difference, tempting swimmers to strip for a quick dash and splash. I love Wales for a spring break. Trefalen Farm campsite at Bosherston in Pembrokeshire is basic but perfectly situated – who needs a shower block when you can scramble down to the sea for a wake-up dip? From the site, you can walk across Broadhaven, Barafundle (accessible only by foot) and on to Stackpole Quay, where a National Trust cafe does wonderful hot soups and drinks. Afterwards, you could explore the paths around Bosherton Ponds, where otters are frequently seen.

Canoeing, river Wye

Around Symonds Yat, the river Wye winds down a beautiful wooded valley. It is wide and imposing and the trees and hills give an impression of wilderness. The first time I canoed this stretch of the river, I kept asking myself: “How have I waited so long to do this?” It is beautiful, sedate paddling, with one or two stretches of very gentle but fun rapids to break up the rhythm a little. The Wye is set up nicely for people to try canoeing with companies such Canoe The Wye (£50 a day for two adults in one canoe, canoethewye.co.uk) there to make all the logistics simple. With trips on offer ranging from half-day taster sessions all the way up to seven-day expedition-style holidays, there is something for everyone. 

Art walk, Lake District

A lovely 45-minute walk starts at Wainwright’s Inn in Langdale. Take the footpath down the stream, emerging eventually near the Britannia Inn in Elterwater. From there, go left until the main road and left again to get to the Merz Barn. A peculiar twist of fate brought Kurt Schwitters, pioneer of installation art and veteran of Weimar Berlin and the Dadaist movement, to the Lake District. He had been denounced by the Nazis as a degenerate artist, forced into exile, then interned on the Isle of Man, before moving to Ambleside after the war. While there, he received a £1,000 grant from New York’s Moma to restore his German installations. Instead, he built one in Langdale. The actual artwork is in Newcastle’s Hatton Gallery, but the barn is now an art centre and place of pilgrimage for art lovers. There’s a memorial garden, information about the history and an artist-in-residence. Armitt Museum in Ambleside and Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal both have works by Schwitters.

Cycling, Isle of Wight

The 68-mile cycle route around the island is well-signposted and there’s much on the way to surprise a first-time visitor. Heading clockwise from the ferry terminal at Ryde, you reach Bembridge, where there’s a fishmonger who does excellent dressed crab fresh from the bay – match it with some crusty bread from the bakery. Camp at Compton Farm in the south-west, by the island’s best sandy beach. The vertiginous military road to Freshwater is all the more thrilling to ride given the high chance it will fall into the sea sometime in the next few years. The Red Lion in Freshwater is a good pub stop. It was near here at Afton Down in 1970 that Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Miles Davis rocked an incredible 600,000 festivalgoers – four times bigger than Glastonbury. Further on around the island at Newtown, don’t miss the Elizabethan Town Hall, saved by the anonymous benefactors of Ferguson’s Gang, a group of masked women who, in the 1920s and 30s, set about saving England’s heritage from destruction. The sea is an ever-present companion on the route, which includes a ferry hop across the river Medina at Cowes.

History drive, Co Tyrone

This 25-mile drive, through an area that has been continuously inhabited for 6,000 years, starts at Lissan House, just north of Cookstown. A restored 17th-century building, this was home for more than five centuries – until 2006 – to the fascinating Staples family. From there, head south down Cookstown’s main street, then take the A505 west to Wellbrook, a working, water-powered 18th-century linen “beetling” mill. Beetling was the once-common process of wetting, rolling and beating linen. The Ballinderry river that powers the mill is one of the purest, most natural rivers left in these islands. After Wellbrook, go west on the A505 following signs for Beaghmore Stone Circles. This brings you up into the high ground of Dark Tyrone, where we are establishing a dark skies park. Beaghmore is part of a pattern of standing stones that runs all the way down to Brittany in France. This is the edge of the high Sperrins and, on the right day, views west are across the ancient Muintir Luinigh, the last Irish-speaking part of Tyrone. Close by is Davagh Forest mountain biking centre. From there, follow signs to Draperstown and the Shepherd’s Rest bar, restaurant and campsite.

A grave stroll, London

Kensal Green Cemetery in west London, founded in 1833, is modelled on Père-Lachaise in Paris. It’s stuffed with wildlife – especially birds – and wonderful architecture, with grand Victorian tombs in every style from classical to ancient Egyptian. The catacombs shouldn’t be missed, nor the beautiful Anglican chapel. There are some great authors and playwrights interred here: from Wilkie Collins and William Makepeace Thackeray to Harold Pinter and Terence Rattigan. There are also engineers (Charles Babbage, both Brunels) and less well-known figures who are fun to research: try Baron Gunther Rau von Holzhause who, in 1905, met a scandalous end in an actress’s bedroom, or Sophie Dawes, the impoverished Isle of Wight fisherman’s daughter who became Baronne de Feuchères at the French court. It is, however, the sheer number of architectural gems that makes Kensal Green so interesting. I normally walk down Ladbroke Grove afterwards, then cut left down Southam Street (famous for Roger Mayne’s photographs – look them up! – and mentioned in Alan Johnson’s autobiography) and visit the Portobello Road’s cafes.

Glorious gardens, Worcestershire

The West Midlands has swathes of non-urbanised green, full of character and wildlife. Start at The Knapp and Paper Mill nature reserve, west of Worcester: an old orchard leads to a trail through wildflower meadows and a river where otters have been seen. A short drive takes you to the Fold Café, a 17th-century threshing barn where there’s delicious organic slow food. From there, head east to Spetchley Park. This 400-year-old garden is the joyous result of one family’s dedication. Two Edwardian women were particularly influential: Ellen Willmott and her sister, Rose Berkeley, designed and planted much of the space. There are formal elements, but it mostly consists of packed borders and specimen trees that create a magical place. Serious gardeners will be impressed by the variety of plants. My favourite corner is the Fountain Garden, where I’m convinced Ellen’s ghost lingers, plus there’s a cafe for teas and light lunches.

Ore and peace, North York Moors

There are a lot of unknown aspects and special places in these moors. Some of these elements can be found along the trackbed of the old Rosedale Railway (OS Explorer OL26): start from the Lion Inn on Blakey ridge (reputedly England’s most remote pub) and, after taking in the view, walk down the waymarked footpath to the visible track. From here, follow a great horseshoe loop on the contour rail bed to the stone calcining kilns where the iron ore was roasted. Nowadays, it’s a tranquil spot, but in Victorian times these ovens must have filled the sky with a fiery light. It’s remarkable that at one time England accounted for almost half the world’s iron and steel production, and almost half of that came from north-east Yorkshire. Sydney Harbour Bridge started out as Yorkshire ironstone. The route back crosses the valley past Dale Head and Moorland Farms, then up to the road. Retrace your steps to the Lion, where there are local beers and good pub grub. It’s around five miles in all. There is also an excellent mountain bike route: take a path behind the pub and head down the old Rosedale railbed, pedal around the heads of Farndale and Bransdale to the Ingleby Incline top. There are truly spectacular views and lots of birds. Watch out for red and black grouse, curlews and our local rarity, the ring ouzel.

Patterns in the sea, Dorset

I love to set out south from Worth Matravers near Swanage (OS Explorer OL15), then head west along the coast path to Chapman’s Pool (it’s more a beach than a pool). Rounding the headland, look out for the way waves at the coast always bend towards the land – the ancient Greeks wrote about the way waves “attack the headlands” (an effect called refraction). On reaching Chapman’s Pool, you can see how waves always fan out after passing through a gap (called diffraction). Together, these effects produce crescent-shaped beaches. Because Easter is close to the vernal equinox and follows a full moon, you can expect some big tides and unusually powerful seas. From Chapman’s Pool follow the path east back into the village. It’s great scenery all the way and there’s a lovely pub in the village: the Square and Compass. This is not one for a very windy day as the path goes quite close to some steep drops in places.

Moonshine meander, Isle of Mull

Mull’s west coast feels wild and remote and has some fantastic walks. One of my favourites is around Treshnish Point (OS Explorer 374). Two miles south-west of Calgary (13 miles west of Tobermory) there’s a small car park in an old quarry. Walk back down the road and take the track towards Treshnish Farm, then down to Port Haunn, a village emptied during the Highland Clearances. From there, follow the path south around the coast. Watch out for seals, otters, sea eagles and golden eagles. There are great views out to the Treshnish Isles, where there’s a big puffin colony. Near another ruined village, Crackaig, head towards the shore and the Still Cave, named after the illicit whisky made there – reputedly the best moonshine on Mull. From Crackaig, head up the valley and back to the road.

NITF reinsurance cover increased to Rs 15 bn

NITF reinsurance cover increased to Rs 15 bn

The government has decided to increase the reinsurance cover for natural disasters to Rs 15 billion this year.

The Cabinet yesterday granted approval to increase the sum allocated to insure all citizens for loss of life and property during times of natural disasters such as Tsunami, floods, landslides, and incidents of lightning.

This is an increase of Rs 5 billion from last year’s cover where the Rs 10 billion insurance cover was split into Rs 8.5 billion for property damage and Rs 1.5 billion for compensation to victims.

This year Rs 12.5 billion will be allocated to property damage and the rest to cover loss of lives.

National Policies and Economic Affairs acting minister Niroshan Perera said he submitted the above proposal to Cabinet under the directive of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

Under this scheme, in the event of a natural disaster, Rs 100,000 will be paid in insurance claims in the event of a death while a maximum of Rs 2.5 million is paid for property damage.

The acting minister further explained that the government was the only government to provide free disaster insurance cover to all people.

“At present the government has already paid Rs 125 million in compensation to flood victims in addition to the Rs 150 million in emergency payments”, Perera said.

In 2016, the very scheme gave Rs 2.95 billion to pay 53,000 claims and in the next 2-3 weeks a further Rs 1 billion will be paid to around 7,000 late claims from the 2016 floods.

In 2015, the government took a national insurance cover for all citizens from the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) to help them during times of natural disasters. As a result, Cabinet this year already approved Rs 500 million as premium payments to the NITF.

Minister Perera noted that this year too the government will take action to ensure that those who have been affected are given the necessary compensation to get back on their feet again.

10 of the best restaurants near Romes major attractions

10 of the best restaurants near Rome’s major attractions

Eating near the Eternal City’s famous landmarks needn’t mean tourist menus and pricey pizza. These handy trattorias and wine bars will still leave some change for the Trevi fountain

VATICAN MUSEUMS 

Be.Re.

Carb-load at Be.Re. before a visit to the Vatican Museums, the largest and most physically demanding monument in town. Be.Re.’s gleaming copper bar pours craft beer from Italy and abroad, while the adjacent annex serves trapizzini (around €4), a recently invented take on the pizza: a trapizzino is a thick slices of sourdough bread filled to order with typical Roman dishes such as simmered oxtail, chicken alla cacciatora, and tongue with parsley sauce. The hearty innovation is the perfect embodiment of Rome’s modern food traditions: economical, thoughtfully prepared, and rooted in the flavours of the past.

CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS

Terre e Domus wine bar

At the base of the Capitoline Hill, Terre e Domus is a joint venture between the government and chef Marco Pasquali, aimed at promoting food produced in Rome and its environs. The strictly seasonal menu highlights the region’s bounty, with dishes such as vignarola (a spring stew of broad beans, peas, artichokes and lettuce, €10), while year-round items such as amatriciana (pasta with pancetta and tomato, €10) is a bright and balanced dish. Go at lunchtime and grab a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows for views over second-century Trajan’s column and the Forum.

TRASTEVERE

La Tavernaccia

In spite of the name, which means “grotty tavern”, this is a pleasant family-run trattoria serving excellent food in bright rooms near Trastevere Station. Umbrian-born founder Bruno Persiani has passed the reins to his Roman-raised daughters and the result is a menu merging central Italian mountain traditions like pappardelle with boar ragù (around €13) and Roman classics. The spaghetti alla gricia (with pancetta, pecorino cheese and black pepper, €11) is one of Rome’s most satisfying versions. The wood-fired pizzas are crisp and delicious and the chef also uses the wood-burning oven to slow-roast punta di petto (beef brisket, €13) and maialino (suckling pig, €13) to tender, succulent perfection.

COLOSSEUM/FORUM/PALATINE

Tempio di Iside

Francesco Tripodi, a Calabrian transplant to Rome, serves supremely fresh fish at this cavernous restaurant near the Colosseum. The menu is divided into raw and cooked starters, such as fish carpaccio (€20) and roasted scallops (€16), pasta dishes – alle vongole (with clams) and ai ricci (sea urchins, both €16) are outstanding – and whole fish baked in salt or roasted with potatoes. The menu changes slightly to reflect seasonal catch, but Tempio di Iside’s kitchen always balances exceptional quality and freshness with minimalist techniques.

VILLA PAMPHILJ

Cesare al Casaletto

On the ground floor of a residential block near Villa Pamphilj, Rome’s largest public park, Cesare al Casaletto is the quintessential Roman trattoria. The menu features the Roman cuisine’s greatest hits: carbonara, gricia, amatriciana (all around €11) and a healthy sampling of quinto quarto (offal). There’s also plenty for vegetarians: tonnarelli cacio e pepe offers a perfect balance of savory pecorino and piquant black pepper. But be sure to kick it all off with fried appetisers – croquettes of shredded beef or aubergine, or baby squid. Pair it all with shockingly affordable sparkling and still wines from Italy, Slovenia and France.

PANTHEON

Armando al Pantheon

As the name suggests, Armando is next to the city’s most intact ancient structure, but in spite of its location, it remains dedicated to serving Rome’s soulful classics, such as spaghetti alla gricia (around €10.50) and coda alla vaccinara (stewed oxtail, €18). Armando Gargioli opened this Roman institution in 1961 and now his children and grandchildren run the place, weaving a few original creations onto the menu, like calamari with tomatoes and saba (grape molasses, €14). It’s small and very popular, so use the online booking system to bag a place in the homely dining room, embellished with artwork donated by decades of regulars. .

CASTEL SANT’ANGELO

Sorpasso

Sorpasso is in three distinct zones: a handful of outdoor seats, crowded with standing and seated customers sipping wine; a bar area flanked by hanging cured meats and shelves of wine; and a dining room serving a full menu of pasta, meat, and fish dishes. The first two zones are ideal for snacks such as a cheese plate (€10), a selection of salamis (€9), or a salad (from €6.50) with wine or a cocktail. The back room specialises in simple pastas (around €12) and trapizzini (from €3.50).

TREVI FOUNTAIN

Al Moro

Down a nondescript alley and packed with sketches and paintings by artistic regulars, Al Moro is among Rome’s most historic trattorias. Now on its fourth generation of ownership, Al Moro is a favourite of Roman aristocracy and well-heeled travellers who love the sort of dishes that have virtually vanished from the city’s tables: aminelle burro e funghi (sweetbreads with mushrooms, €28), calves liver (€24), and tagliatelle con le rigaje (with tomatoes and chicken giblets, €22). There are plenty of mainstream dishes, too, like spaghetti alla Moro, the house version of carbonara, with pancetta-enriched egg sauce seasoned with red pepper flakes (€22).

MAXXI

Enoteca Mostò

The residential Flaminio district around the MAXXI art gallery and Parco della Musica auditorium attracts culture vultures who stick around for a glass and a snack at the zone’s growing number of casual bistros and wine bars. Among them is Mostò, a spartan wine bar where the main decor is the shelving filled with bottles of Italian vino and sparkling French wine. The menu features light fare such as steak tartare and beef carpaccio (both around €15) and buffalo mozzarella (around €13). When in season, these and other dishes can be dusted with fine truffle shavings. 

SPANISH STEPS

Antico Caffè Vitti

The area around the Spanish Steps is one of most congested in Rome. Retreat to one of Vitti’s outdoor tables on the relatively tranquil and exceedingly elegant Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. The 120-year-old family-run cafe serves coffee and pastries at breakfast and sandwiches (from €3.50 at the bar, €7 at a table) at lunch. In the evening, the tables fill up with professionals sipping Aperol spritzes after work. 

Environment Disaster In Ja-ela

Environment Disaster In Ja-ela

Young boy suicide his life

Young boy suicide his life

Street-Legal McLaren P1 LM Shatters Nurburgring Record With 6:43.2 Lap

Street-Legal McLaren P1 LM Shatters Nurburgring Record With 6:43.2 Lap

A Lanzante-modified, street-legal McLaren P1 LM driven by Indy 500 winner Kenny Brack just set a scorching 'Ring lap, deposing the Lamborghini Huracan Performante's record

Nurburging lap records continue to be smashed. The most recent record holder, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante, set a blistering 6:52.01 lap in March, deposing the street-legal record long held by the Porsche 918 Spyder. Now, there's a new king: The McLaren P1 LM, a track-only hypercar made street legal by aftermarket firm Lanzante Motorsport. With Indy 500 winner Kenny Brack behind the wheel, it beat the Performante's lap record by nearly nine seconds.

.

Of course, caveats apply. Lanzante isn't a car manufacturer in the same vein as Lamborghini, McLaren, or Porsche. The company took the track-only P1 GTR—which McLaren never officially timed at the 'Ring—and modified it to street-legal spec for a select group of buyers in the U.S., Japan, U.K., and the UAE. Previously, the Lanzante-modified P1 LM became the fastest street-legal car to climb the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. With 986 horsepower from a twin-turbo V8 with hybrid assist, it's no surprise the thing is quick.

Lanzante promised to bring the P1 to the 'Ring to set a lap time, and now we've got video of the record-setting lap. It's astonishingly quick, riding on street-legal but custom made Pirelli Trofeo tires of "a specific size and compound." And while it's not quite apples-to-apples to compare an aftermarket-modified hypercar to a factory-stock production vehicle, one thing is for certain: This is one hell of a lap.

Perhaps it's more appropriate to compare the Lanzante-modified McLaren to the NIO EP9, an all-electric supercar that lapped the 'Ring in 6:45.9 (watch the video here). It's street-legal in Europe (but not the U.S.), though with only seven built so far and a price tag of nearly $1.5 million, it's not exactly a "production car." Still, Lanzante's McLaren beat the NIO by more than two seconds.

While Lanzante's effort was not officially backed by McLaren, this isn't the tuner's first time tracking one of the British automaker's vehicles: Lanzante campaigned the "semi-works" McLaren F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.

As for the P1 LM's streetability? Lanzante says that, after the lap record was set, the car was driven all the way from the Nurburgring to the company's home in the U.K. Sadly, you probably won't be able to buy one for yourself: Only five examples were built, and they've all

Pregnant woman gives birth in Air Force helicopter

Pregnant woman gives birth in Air Force helicopter

Air Force media spokesman, Captain Gihan Seneviratne said that a pregnant woman gave birth to her child in an Air Force helicopter today while being rescued from floods and landslides.

She delivered her child while being evacuated from Kalawana hospital to Ratnapura hospital.

Idunil Andaramanna Speaking To Rahal Alwis

Chines Russian Presidents condole loss of life

Chinese, Russian Presidents condole loss of life

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent messages of condolences to President Maithripala Sirisena over the devastating floods and landslides in the country in which 151 people have been killed.

In the message, Xi expressed deep condolences over the victims and showed sincere sympathy to those stricken by the disasters and the families of the victims.

China and Sri Lanka are traditional friendly neighbors, and the Chinese people feel the same as the Sri Lankan people when they suffer in the disasters, Xi said.

The Chinese government is willing to exert all efforts to support the Sri Lankan government in its disaster relief work, and offer support and assistance to the Sri Lankan side, Xi said.

He believes the Sri Lankan government and people will definitely be able to overcome the disasters and rebuilding their homeland.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the loss of life and large-scale destruction caused by flooding, the Kremlin press service reported.

Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in connection with considerable loss of life and large-scale destruction caused by flooding in different parts of the country.

“The Russian President stressed that Russia shares the grief of those who lost their loved ones due to this natural disaster and hopes for speedy recovery of the injured,”

the Kremlin press service in statement said. 

Parliament 

SL's Dengue Programme highly commended by WHO:Dr. Senaratne

Sri Lanka's Dengue Prevention Programme has been highly commended by the World Health Organization(WHO), although Opposition members and the Government Medical Officer's Association (GMOA) had not been able to witness them, said Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

He also pointed out that it was Sri Lanka that has a National Dengue Prevention Programme in the South Asian Region, adding that only 48 people in Sri Lanka had died in 2016 which was only 0.2 percent of the affected people. He added that there was a reduction of the deaths out of the affected people.

"We have trained two consultants to treat dengue affected patients. We sent them to Thailand as theirs was the best programme for it," Minister Senaratne said. "Those two had been attached to the Mulleriyawa Hospital and Negombo Hospital respectively."

"Changing weather conditions throughout the world have not only given rights to floods and landslides, but also to the global dengue epidemic," Minister Senaratne said. "This has turned into a global issue, while the GMOA was unaware such matters. Now they have stepped into politics rather than studying theses changes."

Minister Senaratne made these observations yesterday, in response to a special statement made by the Joint Opposition Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardena under Standing Order 23(2). He charged that there had been 45,000 cases of Dengue in Sri Lanka this year. " The statement that had been made by Health authorities that they alone could not handle the situation is a clear indication on how grave the situation had turned into," the MP said.

Minister Senaratne responding to Gunawardena, said that the US Centre for Disease Control, had sent 900 dengue alerts across the globe to date. "Out of which, 400 alerts have been sent out to countries in the Asian region," Minister Senaratne said. "Sri Lanka is also affected by the global epidemic, while South Asia is the region which is mostly hit by the disease."

The minister said that it had been found that the Dengue Virus 1 and 3 is also present in Sri Lanka at the moment. He said the worst affected age group by the disease in Sri Lanka were young adults and the aged.

The minister said a series of precautions have been taken to prevent the disease in Sri Lanka, such as carrying out constant checks on places such as schools. Further, he said a special ward has been set up at the Infectious Disease Hospital ( IDH) in Mulleriyawa and Negombo.

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To purchase vehicles, renovate official residences of ministries:

Govt. submits supplementary allocation to Parliament for Rs. 369 million

A supplementary allocation was submitted by the Government yesterday seeking the approval of Parliament for a sum of about Rs 369 million to purchase vehicles for several ministries and renovate official residences of some ministries.

Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella presented the Supplementary allocation to the House which was referred to the Public Finance Committee for approval.

According to the allocation, approval of the House had been sought for Rs 154 million to purchase new vehicles for the Defence Ministry, Rs 120 million to purchase vehicles for the Finance Ministry, Rs 43 million to purchase a vehicle for the Rural Economy Deputy Minister and Rs 16 million to purchase a vehicle for the Development Strategies and International Trade Minister.

However, the notes of the supplementary allocation said funds are being spent for vehicles as the monies allocated for the purchase of vehicles in 2016 had not been utilized.

In addition, it also sought the approval of Parliament for Rs 3.4 million for the repairs of the official residence of Social Empowerment and Social Welfare Minister, Rs 1.2 million for the repairs of the official residence of Digital Infrastructure Development Minister, Rs 6.4 million to renovate the official residence of Childcare and Welfare Minister and Rs 5.9 million for the renovation of Central Province Governor's official residence.

It had also sought approval for Rs 124 million for Parliament to meet shortfall of provisions for personal emoluments. Moreover, Rs 1 billion has been sought to the Higher Education and Highways Ministry for the settlement of outstanding bills of road projects.

The Supplementary allocation further noted that: “However, this supplementary provision does not change the approved total expenditure limits of the annual estimate by Parliament.

The allocation of such purposes had been made under the Project of Budgetary Support Services and Contingent Liabilities of the Department of National Budget and it is under the limit of the approved annual budget. Therefore, either the burrowing limit or the maximum limit of total expenditure will not be increased due to granting of these supplementary provisions.”

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Dinesh condemns threats, attacks against minority communities

As the Ramazan season begins, the Muslim community is engulfed in fear due to anti-Muslim violence, floods and the Dengue epidemic, MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said.

MP Gunawardena yesterday in Parliament, condemned the threats and attacks against the minority communities.

“As reported, about 71 houses and properties belonging to Muslims have come under threat and attack. We in the Joint Opposition, vehemently condemn such incidents despite who are behind them. As the fasting season begins, the Muslims have faced many problems. I request the Government to pay special attention to this situation,” he said.

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Book making unwarranted changes to legislation::

Dy Speaker wants the book be given for Speaker's perusal

Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday, asked MP Bandula Gunawardena to hand over Attorney-at-Law Kalyananda Thiranagama’s book that accused Parliament of making unwarranted changes to legislation after their passage for the perusal of the Speaker.

He made this direction thwarting an attempt by Joint Opposition MP Gunawardena to table the said book in Parliament asking for an investigation over the allegations.

MP Gunawardena said the author of the book has alleged that certain officials were involved in changing the clauses of legislation after their passage in the House. MP Dullas Alahapperuma explained the allegation in the book was that certain clauses added to the 19th Amendment were not actually passed in Parliament.

Leader of the House and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said if the MP is tabling the book he should state whether he agrees or disagrees with the allegations made in it. The Deputy Speaker also maintained that tabling the book would in turn give legal recognition to it.

“It is better to refer the book to the Speaker than tabling it. Then we will take necessary action in that regard,” he said.

Kiriella demanded the Joint Opposition to read out any clause in the 19th Amendment which was not passed in Parliament. As the Joint Opposition could not mention any, Kiriella said the allegation was false and that there are no such clauses.

The Deputy Speaker also told Parliament that a new set of Standing Orders have been drafted and its copies would soon be circulated among all MPs to take a final decision on it.

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Sittings limited to three and a half hours for MPs to assist in rescue operations

Parliamentary sittings was limited to three and half hours yesterday, enabling the members to assist in the rescue operations and distribution of relief to the victims of the severe flood situation that the country is facing.

The Party Leaders meeting headed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called instantly in Parliament at 11.45 am after suspending the sittings temporarily, decided that the sittings should be limited until 2 pm yesterday and allow the members to go to their districts to assist the flood victims.

The decision to end sessions early was reached following the members from the government side and the opposition urged that the stiff action to help the victims of land slides and floods should be taken.

Leader of the House and Highways and Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had given instructions to take all steps to assist the flood victims. He said that the Tri-Forces have also been instructed to help rescue the victims with boats and to provide them with relief. He also added that such a similar flood was experienced when he was the Plantation Industries Minister in 2003.

Joint Opposition Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardena pointed out that quick action should be taken to provide emergency assistance to the victims of the flood that seems to be the worst flood that hit the country since 2003. He added that the President as well as the Disaster Management Minister are out of the country and Premier Wickremesinghe was to leave within a few hours.

"However, emergency assistance should be provided to people affected by the floods," MP Gunawardena said. "By this time, people in several areas are hanging on trees for protection. The Kiriella village in Ratnapura District is being inundated even at this moment while Minister Kiriella is joining in the debates. "

"All measure have already been taken to rescue the victims and to provide them relief by the tri forces, while the Disaster Management Centre had taken immediate action," Minister Kiriella said. "Boats and aircraft are provided for rescue operations."

Joint Opposition MP Dullas Alahapperuma said the Sapugoda Vihara where Ven Omare Kassapa Thera lived had gone under water, while a major bridge which connects Akuressa and Kamburupitiya has been damaged.

Government MP Buddhika Pathirana also called for action stating that several districts had already gone under water.

JVP Member Nihal Galappaththi suggested that sessions should be adjourned early, enabling MPs to go and help the victims of their respective districts.

Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala who was presiding at the moment, observed that the situation would turn worse today as the rains were continuously falling heavily in many areas. He then adjourned sessions for ten minutes calling for an emergency meeting of Party Leaders. Party Leaders later decided to end sessions at 2 pm to allow the MPs to participate in rescue operations and in relief distribution. The Party leaders also decided to continue sittings without the lunch break. The sittings resumed at 12 noon.

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Conspiracy to withhold results of 2015 elections::The two ministries passing the buck, says Gammanpila

The Justice Ministry and Law and Order Ministry are passing the buck over a complaint made to the CID regarding a conspiracy to withhold the results of the Presidential Election on the night of January 8, 2015, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila said.

The MP made this observation in Parliament yesterday, following a reply by Justice Deputy Minister Sarathi Dushmantha Mithrapala on the progress of the above mentioned complaint.

The Deputy Minister told Parliament that the Attorney General’s Department received a CID report in this regard in February 2015, but it has requested further details pertaining to the case to determine whether there was enough evidence to file a criminal charge. The Department is yet to receive that additional information, he said.

MP Gammanpila pointed out that when he asked the same question from Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratanayake in Parliament, he replied that the CID was waiting for legal advice from the AG’s Department. “Both parties are passing the buck. This complaint was made by Minister Mangala Samaraweera and I was the first suspect in it. The complaint was related to national security. The way this complaint is handled makes us question the state of national security in the country,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said that investigations have not been stalled and it would be carried forward once the required information is received.