Around 20 homes damaged due to strong winds

Around 20 homes were damaged due to strong winds in the Horana area today (February 29) although no one was injured, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) stated.

Thunder showers are expected in many areas in the country this evening while the Meteorological Department stated that strong winds could be expected as well.

Access Engineering acquires control of Sathosa Motors

Leading businessman Sumal Perera’s Access Engineering secured the controlling stake of Sathosa Motors PLC (SMOT), the agents for the Isuzu vehicle range in Sri Lanka,in a deal to the tune of Rs.846 million.
 
Accordingly, Access Engineering bought 3.6 million shares of SMOT, each at Rs.235 from Japan’s Itochu Corporation in one crossing on the Colombo Stock Exchange a while ago.

“We see a lot of synergies between Sathosa Motors and Access Engineering, specially with us being one of the leading engineering companies in the country,” Sumal Perera, revealing the rationale behind the deal told Mirror Business.

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksha School Uniform Photos

She is the First Lady of Sri Lanka.. Shiranthi Rajapaksa the beloved wife of the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Born in Pin araawa Badulla to late Commodore E. P. Wickramasinghe and Mrs. Violet Wickramasinghe, Shiranthi spent much of her formative years in the hill country. As the only daughter, she was doted on by her parents, and two brothers, and grew up in a contended family atmosphere.

Having schooled at Holy Family Convent (HFC), Bambalapitiya, she opted to follow a Diploma in Child Psychology and Preschool Education, also at HFC. At school, she excelled both academically and non-academically, having been an active netball, hockey and tennis player who won numerous awards for her sporting prowess.

She entered the limelight when she was crowned ‘Miss Sri Lanka 1978. There after she had the distinction of being one of the contestants at the Miss Universe pageant held in Athens. She also participated in Miss World 1973, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London on November 23, 1973.

Jackson Anthony's son Akila with his girl friend Amy

Popular model Nilukshi Amanda also known as Amy Silva is romantically involved with Jackson Anthony's elder son Akila Dhanuddara and their relationship is going strong, reports add.

Amy came into the limelight as a contestant of Derana Veet Miss Sri Lanka beauty pageant. She was one of the top five finalists and also won the title of 'Miss National Costume' at the event.

At a height of 5.9 feet, Amy is one of the tallest girls in the local fashion industry.

She has also studied modern ballet at Kapila Palihawadana's nATANDA.

Trained by model Rozanne Dias, Amy has taken part in some of the most renowned fashion shows like the Colombo Fashion week, AOD, IIFA Fashion show and the LIFT fashion show.

She was also named as the best female model 2010 and represented the county at the Best Model World 2010 competition held in Benidorm, Spain.

Amy has also appeared in Mobitel and DFCC television commercials.

Rupee hits new low

Sri Lanka's rupee hit a new record low of 123.20 on Tuesday on importer dollar demand, but a state bank sold greenbacks to reverse the drop in an apparent break with the central bank's new policy not to intervene at a specific price, dealers said.

"A state bank sold dollars at 123.00 and gradually brought down the level to 121.00," a currency dealer said on condition of anonymity. Three other dealers confirmed the move.

The rupee on Monday closed at 121.30/121.50.

Some dealers said the central bank has asked currency dealers to bring the trading level to 121.00 via moral suasion, a method of coercing the market to move in line with the monetary authority's desires without direct force.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the sharp fall was on thin volume, but declined to confirm if the state bank had intervened.

"This is an overreaction, but it will stabilise soon and we may do something on that," Cabraal told Reuters. When asked if the central bank would use moral suasion to protect the currency, he said: "We may do that as well."

Desin Pe - Lahiru Perera Music Video Making Photos

We found some photos taken while shooting Desin Pe music Video.

Upeksha Swarnamali and Lahiru Perara are doing main characters.

Desin Pe - Lahiru Perera

Artiste - Lahiru Perera
Lyrics - Manuranga Wijesekara
Melody - Lahiru Perer
Music - Music Oven Crew
Video Director - Ayesh Wijeratne
Editing & Color grading - Ayesh Wijeratne
Cinematography - Kalinga Deshapriya
Art Director - Bimal Dushmantha
Make up - Ruchira Sanjeewa
Assistant Director - Wasantha Weeraddana
Production Manager - Raja Ranasinghe

It is all for Publicity..... Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thero ( Video )

Venerated preacher monk Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera has changed his name and look. He has changed his name into " Siri Samantha badhdha " and according to thero there was no one in history had this name before. Then He became a controversial character.

He had quipped that he has elevated to the position of “Sowan Sakrudagamee” position and  also become unpopular by challenging four very prominent Bikkhus in Sri Lanka to come for a debate with him.

There was some controversial photo collection started to roam around which were taken in Bangkok. 

Now He says all those things he did for publicity.





Previous articles related to Pitiduwe Siridhamma.

Rohitha Rajapaksa and Tatiyana Lee

The ‘Designer Wedding Show 2012’ presented by the Bride and Groom Magazine held on February 3 at the Grand Ballroom, Galle Face Hotel for the fourth consecutive year.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha's Youngest son Rohitha Rajapaksha and Tatiyana lee also dressed as a Groom and Bride in the event with his. Tatiyana became famous in Sunlight Advertisement.  Some says Rohitha Rajapaksha and Tatiyana Lee is in a Relationship.

Tatiyana in Sunlight advertisement.

Chathurika Peiris wants to remain single

Young actress Chathurika Peiris says she wants to remain single for some time more until certain persons matters are attended to.
She says she and fiancé Roshan Pilapitiya are in agreement on that.

She actress completely rejected rumours that she was having an affair with Ranjan Ramanayake.

She noted that previously also there were rumours connecting her to Dhananjaya Siriwardena, Suraj Mapa and Roshan Ravindra.

Chathurika went onto say that she would not take part in reality programmes, as she would never betray her name by being judged by persons, whose qualifications and talents she questioned.

Mobile prostitution ring using Chinese women

Three persons including two Chinese women who were alleged to be involved in a mobile prostitution ring were remanded till February 27 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday.

The main suspect, a Sri Lankan who had allegedly operated the ring and procured two Chinese women for prostitution had been arrested by the Kollupitiya Police while he was obtaining Rs.3,000 from the decoy who carried out the raid in purchasing two Chinese women in Kollupitiya in the night on Thursday February 23.

Subsequently, the Kollupitiya Police had arrested the two Chinese women who were allegedly involved in the racket and the three-wheeler which is alleged to have been used for the operation was also taken into police custody.

When the three suspects were produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne, the suspects were ordered to be remanded till February 27 and the Magistrate further directed the prison authorities that the two women be produced before a venereal diseases clinic.

Police to act against big match public nuisance

Police are to arrest schoolchildren who become a public nuisance during the big match season in Colombo city.

Police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said special police teams have been deployed to nab such schoolchildren.

He said police have received complaints that there have been disruptions to vehicular traffic, violent conduct, becoming a nuisance for women and girls and being under the influence of liquor.
The spokesman added that owners of vehicles used by such schoolchildren would also be produced before courts.

Groundbreaking ceremony of Shangri-La Hotel

The groundbreaking ceremony of Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo was held today (Feb. 24 ) under the patronage of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
Hong Kong based group Shangri-La is said to have invested US$ 125 million for the land facing the Galle Face Green on which it will construct the 661 room hotel. Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana and Mayor of Colombo A. J. M. Muzammil were also present.

Milk powder prices to go up Rs.15 ?

Milk powder importers threatened to stop imports unless Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) did not permit to increase a packet of 450 gram milk powder by Rs.15 by next Wednesday.

Addressing a news briefing last afternoon in Colombo, CEO of the Maliban, Lukshman Weerasuriya said the decision was a collective one as all milk powder importers that represent 95% of the local milk powder market find it extremely difficult to engage in the milk powder trade as it has become a loss making exercise.

“All 6 milk powder importers incur a loss of Rs. 37 for every kilogram of milk powder they sell in the local market due to the devaluation of the rupee and increase of the US dollar. The demand to increase the price of milk powder is nothing to do with the global market price or any other overheads but solely on these two factors,” Mr. Weerasuiya stressed.

Bread goes up by Rs.5

Bakery owners have raised the price of a 450 g loaf of bread by Rs. 5.00 effective at midnight today (Feb. 24).

The present price is Rs. 50 a loaf.

Secretary of their association Nimal Perera said government authorities have been informed of their decision.

He said the increase was needed in view of the fuel price hike that has affected transportation costs.

Students of two leading schools clash in Colombo

A clash erupted between two groups of students from two leading boys schools in Colombo this afternoon. While a large number of students have got involved in the clash, the reason for it is yet to be established.

Police suspect a personal issue may have led to the clash.

Meanwhile police media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said that statements have been recorded from 64 students with regard to the incident.

He added that the students were taken to the Narahenpita police station for questioning and later
released.

Ranjan Ramanayake New look

The hero of the silver screen popular actor turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake iss shooting his latest film.  He rose to fame with a leading role in the commercial film Jaya Kothenada and mainted his status a commercial film star through the 1990s. Ramanayake has occasionally branched out into more serious roles such as in Lester James Peries' Awaragira but continues to be known for his commercial roles. Recently he has taken more control over his commercial film roles working as a director and screenwriter on the popular Parliament Jokes, One Shot and Leader.

Lately he contested for the Chief Minister seat in Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council in 2008 but unfortunately he had to be happy with the Opposition Leader post. In 2010 he was elected to the Parliament from Ratnapura District from United National Party and now works as a major opposition activist against the autocratic actions of the current government of Sri Lanka.

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Ranjan Ramanayake New look