Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

    With Tough Message, Nikki Haley Takes Over As United States Envoy To UN

    With Tough Message, Nikki Haley Takes Over As United States Envoy To UN
    Nikki Haley formally took over as United States Ambassador to the UN on Friday with a tough message from the US of "new strength" and "new vision" and a warning about doing away with "anything that is not working."

    With Tough Message, Nikki Haley Takes Over As United States Envoy To UN

    Donald Trump Appoints Indian-American Attorney Uttam Dhillon To Key White House Post

    Donald Trump Appoints Indian-American Attorney Uttam Dhillon To Key White House Post
    US President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American attorney Uttam Dhillon to a key White House position on ethics and compliance matters.

    Donald Trump Appoints Indian-American Attorney Uttam Dhillon To Key White House Post

    Yikes! When A Shark Photo-bombs Your Son’s Picture While He’s Surfing

    Yikes! When A Shark Photo-bombs Your Son’s Picture While He’s Surfing
    Chris Hasson said he was taking photos of his son Eden riding a wave off Samurai Beach at Port Stephens, north of Sydney, when something unexpected and indistinct caught his eye.

    Yikes! When A Shark Photo-bombs Your Son’s Picture While He’s Surfing

    Donald Trump Pleased Nikki Haley First Indian-American Cabinet Official

    Donald Trump Pleased Nikki Haley First Indian-American Cabinet Official
    US President Donald Trump is pleased that Nikki Haley, sworn in as the US ambassador to the UN, "is our nation's first Indian-American cabinet level officer", his spokesperson Sean Spicer told the media.

    Donald Trump Pleased Nikki Haley First Indian-American Cabinet Official

    Indian-American Lawmakers Slam Trump's 'Cruel' Immigration Policy

    US President Donald Trump's move to amend the existing immigration policies has resulted in widespread protests with Indian-American lawmakers slamming Trump for signing changes that are deemed "anti-immigrant".

    Indian-American Lawmakers Slam Trump's 'Cruel' Immigration Policy

    Mexican President Calls Off Us Trip Over Border Wall Spat With Trump

    Mexican President Calls Off Us Trip Over Border Wall Spat With Trump
    Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto on Thursday cancelled his trip to Washington, following US President Donald Trumps order to begin construction on the border wall.

    Mexican President Calls Off Us Trip Over Border Wall Spat With Trump