Minister’s wife behind Salaka casino ?

The ‘Salaka Regino’ casino that was raided by the organized crime investigation unit of the police on November 04 had been run by the wives of a government minister and a leading businessman, internal police sources say.

According to the sources, the casino had operated in the Town Hall area without any disruption on the protection of a top official of the Defence Ministry.

The minister in question had sent to his sister-in-law in Italy part of the millions of rupees his ministry had received through tenders and contracts, and had got her to invest the same money under her name in the casino.

However, the minister’s wife got into a dispute with the businessman’s wife and the latter had taken over the management of the place.

She had even refused to return the money invested by the minister’s sister-in-law on the strength of her connection with the top defence ministry official.

The minister had then tipped off the police regarding the casino, and during the raid, 43 persons, including several top Army officials had been arrested.

However, barely 24 hours later, the 23 policemen who had been in the raiding party, had been given immediate transfers on the influence of a top official of the government, said UNP leadership council chairman Karu Jayasuriya in a statement.

Paboda returned to Sri Lanka with a child

Popular actress Rashi Paboda Sandeepani has returned to Sri Lanka with her young son, reports say.

Padoda gave birth to her first child - 'Sawen' at a hospital in France on July 04.

During her pregnancy, Paboda went to her father who is living in France.

Though she had initially decided to remain in France for around one year, her plans changed with her husband not getting visa, sources say.

She is married to the son of Nimal Chandrasiri Bandara - who is the owner of the famous Nimal garage in Kottawa.

Cyril Dharmawardana passes away

Veteran actor and former Southern Provincial Council member  Cyril Dharmawardana (67) passed away today (November 8) at the Melbourne Peter Mac Hospital in Australia after battling cancer for the past couple of years, industry sources said.

Cyril Jayatissa  Dharmawardana who studied at Richmond College, Galle made his debut as an actor in Henry Jayasena’s play ‘Manaranjana Weda Warjana’. He later acted in stage plays like Makara, Apata Puthe Magak Nethe, Diriya Mawa, Duwili etc. but his role as Saranapala in Kelani Palama became the turning point in his career.

As a film actor he displayed his prowess in Walampuri, Hima Gira, Mother Teresa, Ammai Duwai and other creations apart from tele dramas like Giraya, Bodima, Nadee Geethaya, Hiruta Muwawen (Indiappa Kathawa), Siwu Diya Dahara and several others.

Cyril was married to well known author Swarna Kanthi Rajapakse

Sri Lankan Couple Breaks World Record for Most Bridesmaids in Wedding

Sri Lankan wedding is laying claim to the title of ‘world's biggest bridal troupe’, with 126 bridesmaids, 25 best men, 20 page boys and 23 flower girls.

The couple, identified as Nisansala and Nalin, married Negombo last week, at a ceremony that was attended by Sri Lanka's First Lady, Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The ceremony was staged at the Avendra Gardens in 30km from Colombo.
The entire troupe were dressed in richly embroidered traditional costumes in shades of purple and gold.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the previous record, at a wedding in Bangkok, Thailand, had 96 bridesmaids.

Wedding planner and dress designer Champi Siriwardana was quoted by the media as saying it was her dream to stage the record breaking nuptials. Champi was so confident of Nisansala and Nalin's world record, she held a press conference the day before to announce the event.

Channa - Gayatri divorce story

There are rumours doing the rounds that director Channa Perera is going to divorce his actress, beautician wife Gayatri Dias.

However, Gayatri has said this talk is 10 years old.

She has also said, “Rumours are good. I love them. Rumours mean we are being talked about. I like that very much. Things that are bad spread faster than good things. People are mouthing more to condemn, insult and oppress others. The divorce talk about Channa and me has been there for about 10 years now. "

We cannot say that there is absolutely no problem between the two of us. We are humans. But, I cannot say we will be together until our deaths. We might or might not be divorced. We cannot predict the future.

We all have personal lives. There are things we can speak about, and also things we cannot speak about. It is surprising that people have made a problem out of us when there are so many problems in the country.”

Thisuri's "love" revealed

Actress Thisuri Yuwanika has revealed about her first love.

However, her first love is also a love in the tele-screen.

Accordingly, it has been Harshana Bethmage who has made her his fiencee in the tele-screen for the first time and then She had become the "girl" of Amila Abeysekera again in a tele drama.

Thisuri says currently, she has loved 3 actors as an actress.

However, stating that she is going to get married at the age of 25-26, Thisuri says that she is not lacking marriage proposals as well.

CIFL Deepthi coming back to SL

The main share holder and one time chairman of the crisis torn Central investment and finance plc (CIFL) Deepthi Perera is preparing to come to Sri Lanka in the oncoming days, reports say.

Deepthi Perera himself had revealed this to the media.

Pointing out that he has not fled the country by stranding the CIFL depositors, Me. Deepthi Perera has revealed that he is currently on vacation in Thailand with his Thai wife and child.

He has further said that he has a direct dealing with the customers of the CIFL.

He has also said that he had committed no fraud and that he has not held any administrative of directorial position in the company.

He accuses that due to the activities of the Central bank and websites which branded him as a con-man, he lost the opportunity of linking a foreign investor to the company.

He has also reveled that currently he does not possess any ownership in the CIFL.

He has said that although he signed a contract with the Rosco-Meloney faction to sell the shares of the ASPIC company which belonged to the CIFL for 600 Million Rupees, they have not yet given him the money according to the contract.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wijan Lanka Kiwlegedara who is eagerly waiting to invest in the CIFL, says that the actual value of the ASPIC is less than 600 Million Rupees.

Kiwlegedera is that is the current chairman of the Touchwood company.

Meanwhile it is also said that the CID is trying to find Mr. Deepthi Perera to record a statement.