President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the Sri Gauthama Buddha Palace at the Mahamevna Meditation Centre (Mahamevuna Bhavana Asapuwa) in Polgahawela yesterday. Founder of Mahamevna Meditation Centre Ven.Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Nayaka Thera and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa are also in the picture. Picture by Sudath Silva

A samanera bhikkhu caresses a milch cow rescued from slaughter and donated to the Lumbini Viveka Senasanaya, Koswatte by a devotee, exemplifying the virtue of love and compassion enunciated by the Buddha’s teachings. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

Vavuniya prison hostage drama:

Prisoners’ outside contacts held

Satellite phone used for overseas communications :

Three persons who had links with inmates of Vavuniya Remand Prison were arrested by Vavuniya Police. Special Task Force (STF) Commandant DIG R W M C Ranawana said Vavuniya Police arrested one female and two males providing “outdoor” information to Vavuniya prisoners through hand phones outside the prison. Police also seized two hand phones and one satellite phone from the suspects’ possession. They also took into custody 51 hand phones used by prisoners of the Vanuniya Remand Prison.

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President tells officials to make best use of public funds

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said it is the responsibility of politicians and state officials to make best use of public funds for numerous development activities. The President was addressing the Matale District Development Committee meeting at the Matale Municipal Council auditorium yesterday. The President said every one is duty bound to make his utmost contribution to society and the country.

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Japanese FM assures Prof Peiris:

Japan will continue to work with SL as a partner

Japan appreciates the progress made by Sri Lanka in many sectors since the end of the conflict, and stands ready to work closely with Sri Lanka in addressing the tasks ahead, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said in Tokyo yesterday. The Japanese Foreign Minister made these comments during a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Tokyo.

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‘Local underworld leaders operating from abroad’

Special Task Force (STF) Commandant DIG R.W.M.C. Ranawana said most of the large scale smugglers in the country had gone abroad with the STF commencing the operations to eradicate the underworld in Sri Lanka.

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