Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
International

Sri Lankan Man Arrested For Predicting President Maithripala Sirisena's Death

IANS, 02 Feb, 2017 01:00 PM
    A former Sri Lankan sailor, who had attacked the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with a rifle butt in Colombo in 1987, has been arrested for "predicting" the death of President Maithripala Sirisena.
     
    Vijitha Rohana Wijemuni was arrested on Tuesday by the Crime Investigation Department for circulating a video on Facebook making an astrological forecast about the death of President Sirisena by January 26.
     
    In December, Nimal Bopage, Secretary to the Ministry of Media and Parliamentary Affairs, had lodged a complaint with the police for an investigation against Wijemuni.
     
    "We see a conspiracy behind this and have asked the police to investigate because we suspect this to be part of a wider plot to assassinate the President," he had said in the complaint.
     
    He had been charged with misleading the public, police sources said.
     
    Wijemuni was part of a naval guard of honour in July, 1987 when Mr Gandhi was visiting Colombo to sign the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord which led to the Indian Peace Keeping Force being stationed in Sri Lanka's north and east provinces as part of India's efforts to mediate in Sri Lanka's separatist civil war at the time.
     
    As Mr Gandhi walked past inspecting the guard of honour, Wijemuni raised his rifle and attempted to attack the then prime minister who narrowly escaped.
     
    Wijemuni was court-martialled and after his jail term, became an astrologer.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Quebec Court Certifies Class Action Lawsuit Against Air Canada On Ticket Glitch

    The airline's website had offered a package of 10 flights within Western Canada for a total cost of $800 before taxes.

    Quebec Court Certifies Class Action Lawsuit Against Air Canada On Ticket Glitch

    Sushma Swaraj Assures Help To Student Admitted In Georgia Hospital

    External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today assured all possible help to an Indian student admitted in a hospital in Georgia.

    Sushma Swaraj Assures Help To Student Admitted In Georgia Hospital

    Iranian Boy, 5, Detained At US Airport For Hours. White House Feared 'Security Risk'

    Iranian Boy, 5, Detained At US Airport For Hours. White House Feared 'Security Risk'
    The little boy is reportedly a US citizen who lives with his mother in Maryland

    Iranian Boy, 5, Detained At US Airport For Hours. White House Feared 'Security Risk'

    Chinese Billionaire Xiao Jianhua 'Abducted' From Hong Kong Hotel

    Chinese Billionaire Xiao Jianhua 'Abducted' From Hong Kong Hotel
    Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of a Chinese-born Canadian billionaire reportedly seized in Hong Kong by mainland Chinese police, in a case that could rekindle concerns about overreach by Chinese law enforcement in the semiautonomous city.

    Chinese Billionaire Xiao Jianhua 'Abducted' From Hong Kong Hotel

    Canada Eyes Marijuana Legalization As It Manages U.S. Relationship

    Wilson-Raybould says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is talking with U.S. counterparts about any potential impacts of the government's plans.

    Canada Eyes Marijuana Legalization As It Manages U.S. Relationship

    Alberta Website Lets People See ER Wait Times, Rates Quality Of Care

    Alberta Website Lets People See ER Wait Times, Rates Quality Of Care
    EDMONTON — Albertans can now check how long it will take to see an emergency room doctor, as well as overall quality of care at 16 emergency rooms across the province.

    Alberta Website Lets People See ER Wait Times, Rates Quality Of Care