News
Kandakadu breakout:13 still at large
By Rathindra Kuruwita
About 13 inmates of the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, who escaped on Sunday, were still at large, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Maj. Gen. Darshana Hettiarachchi said.
Out of the escapees, 215 taken back into custody had been remanded till 17 November, he said. 14 inmates are in Pulathisipura and Serunuwara Police Stations. Four inmates, who were wounded during the clash, are still in hospital.
Hettiarachchi said addicts undergoing rehabilitation at Kandakadu had been sent there by courts of law.
“There have been clashes in the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre from time to time. The recent clash was over a bucket of water. Some inmates are military deserters. These are the people who tried to break into the armoury. We had to shoot one of them. There are inmates who have tried to kill their mothers. There are armed robbers and those convicted of sexual assaults. We are dealing with people like that,” Hettiarachchi said.
“There were five ex-soldiers at the centre on Sunday, he said. They are those who tried to get hold of weapons.”
“Now, we have a lot of people who are addicted to Ice (methamphetamine). They are very violent. The first few months are a very difficult time for long-term addicts. There are people who try to kill themselves,” he said.
A large number of drug addicts being rehabilitated escaped from Kandakadu on Sunday night, following a clash between two groups of inmates. One group was from Colombo and the other from Galle.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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