Pitiduwa Siridhamma Thero's 40th birthday celebrations Photos

Pitiduwe Siridhamma thera was a very popular among srilankan past and he was a presenter of the famous ITN channels “Doramadalawa” programme.

Later 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. Recent past he had become unpopular owing to his involvement with women devotees, collection of money for Dhamma activities and having made serious allegations about Buddhist affairs. He had got entangled in court cases having had conflicts with neighbors.

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. But he never accepted a challenge.

His 40th Birthday Celebration at the Siri Bellanthara Sadaham monastery 24th.

Pitiduwa Siridhamma Thero's 40th birthday celebrations Photos

CSN closed down ?

Authorities at the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) have decided to close down the sports TV channel from March 01 onwards, reports say.

Accordingly, the entire CSN staff has been sent on leave yesterday (24) and have been informed that any employee who wished to leave the channel could do so with monetary compensation.

The CSN is charged of misusing state property to set up the company and according to reports, the company is charged of evading tax as well.

Certain CSN officials were reportedly paid wages by the Presidential Secretariat in the recent past.
It was also said that vehicles attached to the Presidential Secretariat were provided for the use of several CSN bigwigs. This television channel owned by the son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Malaka pleads to visit night clubs

Counsel Asela Rekawa appearing for former Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka yesterday requested Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attygalle to relax the ban preventing Malaka from visiting night clubs.

The ban was imposed by Magistrate A.M. Sahabdeen while releasing Malaka on bail in the case connected to the assault on a British national. Counsel said his client had adhered to the restrictions imposed on him by the court and had cooperated with the Court and the prosecution and as such pleaded that the ban imposed be lifted. The Magistrate ordered Malaka to make the request by way of an affidavit affirming the facts before the court could considers his request.

Shahsi transferred to Prisons hospital

 
Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today ordered the prison authorities to transfer former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi, from the private hospital in Malabe to the Prison Hospital.

On a motion filed by the Prisons Department, the Magistrate also directed the prison authorities to obtain a medical report from the Prison’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and seek his advice on whether Ms. Weerawansa needs to be admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. The Kaduwela Magistrate yesterday remanded her till today (25) on charges of having obtained a diplomatic passport by submitting fraudulent documents.

Radaliyagoda released on bail

 
Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today (24) ordered to release former Deputy General Manager (News & Current Affairs) of Independent Television Network (ITN) - Sudarman Radaliyagoda on bail.

He and two others were remanded over a false news publicised during the recently concluded Presidential election., defaming the then common candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Each suspect was released on two sureties amounting to Rs. 500,000 each.

"They Chased My Father Away From UNP" - Dulmini Attanayake

UNP Former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake's daughter Dulmini Attanayake has claimed that a certain group in the UNP should be held responsible for her father's exit from the party.

 "My father never wanted to leave the UNP and over the past 30 years he made immense sacrifices for the party.But, a certain group operated within the party wanted him to stay away from the UNP and it was due to their attempts that my father had to make a decision before the last presidential election," She said.

Dulmini Attanayake, an old girl of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya of Colombo, rose to fame when she visited her imprisoned father at the Prison Hospital last week. The 22 year old girl made these remarks in an interview with a weekend Sinhala newspaper today.

"My father was under severe pressure. Sometimes he shared his sentiments with me as I was the eldest of the family. My brother is still in the A/Level class of Royal College, Colombo" she added.
She also stated that her father did not earn money from politics. The former Minister's daughter also extended her gratitude to all the politicians of the government and the opposition who visited her father at the Welikada prison, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. She also said she did not go behind any politician seeking their help to get her father released.

When asked whether she would enter active politics one day, Attanayake said she still could not comment on the matter. "However, I keenly follow news everyday," she said during the interview.


Tissa Attanayake’s daughter Dulmini's Photos

Nadeesha Hemamali Photos

Nadeesha Hemamali mononymously known as Nadeesha is a naturally talented and award winning actress. She was born on August 10th to A.M.Nanddisena, a building construction contractor by profession, and K.Rose Delani Gunawardena, who is a housewife.

 Nadeesha grew up with two younger sisters and one younger brother A.M Harshani Hemamali, A.M. Nishadi Hemamali and Thrishaal Shyamanga. She was initially cast to make her debut in 2002 in “Dhamini”, a drama directed by Mohan Niyaz.

Nadeesha made her debut in 2003 in the ground breaking drama “Katu Kurullo", directed by Gihan Rohana. Nadeesha entered the silver screen with “Tharukka Mal" in 2007, where she was cast in the role of “Madavi”under the direction of Milton jayawardena.

She took her first step in Tollywood (Telugu cinema) when she was cast as Madhumathi in "Mr. Rascal", directed by R.V. Udyakumar. Nadeesha has graced every corner of the industry with dramas, films and commercials.

She is a current talking point of the masses, and with her unique style, is highly appreciated by her fans. Nadeesha is said to be one of the best actresses the Sinhala film industry has ever seen. At present she accounts for a portfolio of over 35 teledramas, 4 films and about 30 TV commercials. With new line up of films, dramas and a variety of roles with new and established directors she is poised to rock.

Yashoda Wimaladharma UK visit photos

Yashoda Wimaladharma was born on 28th October, 1970. Her father is a Professor at University of Kelaniya and her mother is a former dancer and school teacher.

She did her schooling at Milagiriya St. Paul's girls's school which is one of the leading girl's school in Colombo. Her first appearence is on 1985 of Teledrama named "Atta Bindei" and she become a popular actress by "Asalwesiyo" tele series. Yashoda's first movie is "Gurugedara" which directed by Vijaya Dharmasiri. She won a merit award for the role in Gurugedara film.

She appeared in Malayalam film of Acharyan (Guru) as a main actress on 1992. She also took part in French film "Le Prix Diune Femme (The price of a woman) on 1993.
She is the only actress who won most popular actress award at the Sumathi Tele Awards for five consecutive years (1998~2002). That is enough to know her popularity among her fans.

These are some photos of her recent UK Visit.

Yoshitha goes abroad

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has gone abroad for several days, reports say.

He has boarded his flight from Katunayaka Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday (10).

It is said that he has been approved leave by the Navy and his trip is a personal one.

CBK's Son Vimukthi To contest From Gampaha

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s son Vimukthi Kumaratunga is likely to contest the forthcoming parliamentary election from the district of Gampaha sources say.

“But he will not be given the district leadership as speculated by some,” a senior spokesman of the party who is supportive of the former President said.

Meanwhile, a Facebook page has been created by a group supporting the Kumaratungas today, dubbing Vimukthi Kumaratunga as a ‘politician’. However, it is still not clear whether this Facebook page is an official social media profile representing Kumaratunga.

With Vimukthi Kumaratunga being positioned as a potential candidate, one has every reason to believe that former President Kumaratunga may not contest the forthcoming Parliamentary election.

As there are two schools of thought in the SLFP on the would be electorate of Vimukthi Kumaratunga. His father Vijaya Kumaratunga, when he played an active role in politics during the 80s, had a strong support base in coastal electorates of the Gampaha district such as Ja-ela, Katana. 

Kumaratunga also contested the interim election of the Mahara polling division which he lost with a thing margin amidst heavy violence unleashed by the then UNP government.

Meanwhile, Attanagalla, the traditional ‘seat’ of the Bandaranaikes, is another viable option for Vimukthi Kumaratunga at this point. But, President Maithripala Sirisena, despite being backed by former President Kumaratunga, was not able to secure a majority from the Atanagalla electorate at the recently held Presidential election. However, this may not apply when Vimukthi Kumaratunga contests under the SLFP ticket.

Kumaratunga, who initially said he did not wish to enter active politics, received his higher education in the United Kingdom. He has also earned some reputation in Sri Lanka as an animal rights activist.

CBK Proposes Harry J For Top Government Posts : Ranil Shoots Down

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has proposed business tycoon Harry Jayawardena's name for at least five top government position.

Each time, the proposal has been personally shot down by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has already adopted an anti Harry Jayawardena policy. Wickremesinghe is of the firm belief that the controversial business tycoon should be kept out of the businesses of the new government.

Harry J was often dubbed as CBK's chief financier when the former President was in power. Under CBK's rule, the business tycoon went past all the billionaires in the country in terms of wealth, becoming the richest man in Sri Lanka.

However, during President Rajapaksa's rule, Harry J had to take a back seat as there were a few other businessman who were vying for the 'richest man' title. One has every reason to believe that the old guard business tycoon is waiting for an opportunity to turn the tables on the new self-made billionaires who operated under the blessings of the top echelons of the former government.

In Wickremesinghe's case, he has already made a decision decision to leave certain people out of the picture when it comes to day to day affairs of the government and Harry is certainly one of them. Apart from him, the controversial four "Pereras" too, who wreaked havoc under the previous regime, have already been blacklisted by the Prime Minister.

It is incorrect to say PM's inclination to leave the business tycoon out of the picture has become a potential flashpoint between CBK and Wickremesinghe. But, one should be mindful of the fact that the former President is not someone who accepts 'defeat' that easily!

Sudharman Radaliyagoda remanded

Former ITN News Head Sudharman Radaliyagoda remanded till February 24 after surrendering to the Court on charges of forcibly using a child and producing a false video clip during the presidential election aiming to vilify President Maithripala Sirisena who was then the Common Candidate of the opposition.

The case was based on a video clip of a child claiming his mother had been detained by President Maithripala Sirisena. The clip was aired by state run ITN under Radaliyagoda’s watch.

The video clip in question was simultaneously telecasted through state media prior to the Presidential Election. On the video the child says that his mother is being held captive by the Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the child pleads for her safe return.

It is reported that Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Chamila Kumari Dissanayake, the mother, lodged a complaint with the police claiming that her child was forcibly used for an election ad supporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa. She added that her husband took away the child on December 26. She said she only saw the child thereafter when he appeared on TV, on December 30.

Sudharman Radaliyagoda already has two arrest warrants issued against him.

Radaliyagoda has been charged of committing a fraud of forging documents and collecting Rs. 1.5 million from two businessmen promising to get them scrap iron.

He was issued the first warrant on June 19, 2011. When the police failed to arrest him after six months, Kaduwela magistrate Lanka Jayaratne had issued another warrant on February 9, 2012 for his arrest.

Over the past three years, the former Deputy General Manager of ITN appeared in public freely, despite the arrest warrant issued against him

Tissa Attanayake’s daughter Dulmini's Photos

MP Tissa Attanayake’s daughter visited the Welikada Prison on Monday. Tissa Attanayake’s daughter Dulmini Attanayake said that they are hoping to secure bail on February 11. She is a hot topic in social media now a days. She lives in England and visited Sri Lanka to see her father.

Hefty tax for Dialog

Mobile telephone service provider Dialog Axiata says that it has to bear an annual tax burden of Rs.10 billion to the government following the Interim Budget.

Dialog said that from an income of Rs.5.2 billion from January to December 2014, they had to pay 25 percent tax which amounted to Rs.1.3 billion.

In addition Dialog said it has to pay Rs.1.2 billion in taxes from its telephone and satellite TV services.

Dialog currently has 410,000 satellite TV subscribers.

Dialog also said it has to pay 25 percent in taxes from its income through prepaid or reload telephone services which form the bulk of their nine million subscribers.

Rambukwella's diplomatic daughter told to return

The daughter of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Chamithri Rambukwella, and former Media head in the Defence Ministry Lakshman Hulugalla are among as many as 36 second tier diplomats at overseas missions that the government has decided to recall referring to them as political appointees.

They have all been given a month to return. Earlier the government had ordered the return of 29 diplomats and High Commissioners from overseas missions who were also branded as Political appointees.

President's Son Daham Sirisena leaves SL

President Maithripala Sirisena’s son Daham Sirisena has left for the United Kingdom for six months.

Family sources said Daham Sirisena left the country to pursue his higher studies. Sirisena is reading a law degree in the UK. He returned to Sri Lanka in November, last year, when his father announced candidature to contest the presidential election.

Daham Sirisena, according to some media reports, has a chequered past, after he was accused of assaulting DIG Ravi Waidyalankara’s son Asela at Passikudah in February 2013. However, Maithripala Sirisena repeatedly stated that pro Rajapaksa media stations deliberately painted a wrong picture about the incident as the Rajapaksas had an axe to grind with Sirisena.

He also ran into an issue with Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia MC member Chris Balthazar at a night club in Colombo following last year’s Royal – Thomian big match.

A few weeks ago there was a  story that Sirisena, accompanied by nearly 40 PSD members, were involved in a night club brawl, a day after his father’s ascension to power.