Jumbo gift for Armenia

Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge will travel to Armenia later this month to hand over an elephant as a gift from Sri Lanka, ignoring warnings from animal rights activists. Lokuge confirmed to The Sunday Times that he was planning the visit and had been informed that the Armenian government was preparing a national ceremony to receive the elephant. Asokamala, a 9 yr old female elephant, is to join the only other elephant Sri Lanka had sent to Armenia.

Vihara vandals

An ancient vihara in Damana, Ampara with a history going back to the days of King Saddhatissa is reportedly being vandalized. Its caves where monks and hermits used to meditate are the target of treasure hunters and miners. Locals claim some rocks with historic significance are being mined by illegal miners apparently with political patronage. A chaithiya has been completely destroyed due to mining.

Teacher threat

The Cabinet has decided to look into the salary anomalies of teachers even as teachers’ unions announced a two-day strike due to the Government’s silence on the matter. Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said the silence the Government had been maintaining regarding the salary disputes of the teachers prompted the unions to stage a strike on October 29 and 30.

Liquor sales drop

Sri Lanka’s liquor and cigarette sales have fallen considerably after the introduction of strict legal measures by the judiciary and police to curb public advertisements and scenes in films and tele-dramas depicting tobacco and liquor consumption. Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said despite relentless pressure from alcohol and tobacco companies to relax the measures the Government is holding firm.

Bogus investor

The victims of a bogus investor in the Pettah area of Colombo, Sri Lanka are requesting the help of Interpol in their efforts to trace the suspect. The victims have also claimed that the total amount invested with the suspect exceeds Rs. 300 million (C$7.3million). Local media said the victims are now in dire economic straits and have become the laughing stock of society.