News
Self-proclaimed Bodhisathva remanded
The Fort Magistrate yesterday (16) remanded Mahinda Kodituwakku, the self-proclaimed ‘Avalokiteshvara Bodhisathva’, till 24 January pending further investigations.
The CID arrested Kodituwakku on Monday (15) on charges of making false declarations about Buddhism.
On January 12, the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court also imposed an overseas travel ban on him.
Earlier this month, the President of the Buddhist Information Centre, Ven. Agulugalle Sri Jinananda Thera, lodged a complaint with the CID alleging that Kodituwakku has been misleading the Buddhist community.
Ven. Jinananda Thera has alleged that he was directly involved with Ruwan Prasanna Gunaratna, who committed suicide after having encouraged people to take their own lives. And following his and his family’s death by suicide several of his followers, too, took their own lives.
Gunman has been captured on CCTV
Police have arrested three suspects, including a woman, in connection with the killing of Dan Priyasad, political activist, convenor of Nawa Sinhale National Movement and SLPP candidate in the upcoming local government (LG) elections from Kolonnawa.
Former Minister S.B. Dissanayake told The Island that it would be the responsibility of the NPP government to apprehend those responsible. Dissanayake said that contrary to NPP pledge to eradicate gun culture, killings were continuing in all parts of the country.
The shooting took place at the ‘Laksanda Sevana’ Housing Complex, in Wellampitiya around 9.10 p.m. Tuesday night (22).
Sources said that the detained persons had provided information about Priyasad’s movements to the gunmen. CCTV footage shows two persons, one wearing a helmet and the other with the face covered, entering the apartment where Priyasad was having drinks with friends,. They are seen fleeing the scene after shooting Priyasad.
According to reports, he was initially admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with gunshot wounds, but succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, Wellampitiya Police yesterday (23) obtained an order from the Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela to prevent two persons, Bandula Piyal and Madhava Sudarshana, from leaving the country. Police reported to court that the father and son duo had been under investigation over the killing of Dan’s brother, Thilina, a few years before.
By Norman Palihawadana
Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, yesterday left for the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena will head the three-member Committee of Inquiry to investigate allegations of misconduct directed at IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. The other members of the committee are Justice Neil Iddawala and the Chairman of the National Police Commission (NPC),Lalith Ekanayake.
A resolution to appoint a Committee of Inquiry for the removal of Deshabandu Tennakoon from his position as IGP, due to alleged misconduct and abuse of power, was unanimously passed in Parliament on 08 April. The government and the Opposition agreed on the composition of the Committee.
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