Lanka official arriving

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Sri Lankan Speaker Chamal Jayantha Rajapaksa is due to land in Kathmandu on Saturday on a three-day visit to take part in the official 2556th Buddha Jayanti programme. The Speaker is due to attend, as chief guest, a Lumbini Development Trust-organised special ceremony at the birthplace of Buddha, said Arjun Bahadur Thapa, Foreign Ministry spokesman. He is likely to call on President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and his Nepali counterpart Subas Nembang, said officials.

Held with drugs

KATHMANDU: Police on Friday arrested David Magar (16) of Bara with a huge cache of controlled drugs from Swoyambhu. According to the Narcotic Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit, the drugs seized during a security check include about 1,000 ampules of injectable drugs — buprenorphine and diazepam. Magar has been charged under the Narcotic Drug Act.

Man robbed of cash

KATHMANDU: An unidentified gang on Thursday robbed Rs 71,000 from Dal Bahadur Bhandari (48) of Sindhupalchowk by offering him spiked cold drinks. According to a complaint lodged with police, three persons had offered him cold drinks while travelling from Kapan to Gongabu in a taxi at around 9.45 am.

Accident claims one

KATHMANDU: Rita Ramtel (32) of Bishnu VDC died when a bus hit a microbus from behind and the latter fell upon her at Deuba Chowk on Friday. Police said the woman was busy working in her vegetable farm when the incident occurred. Eleven microbus passengers, who were injured in the accident, are under treatment at the TU Teaching Hospital.

Women’s concern

KATHMANDU: National Women’s Commission on Friday demanded 51 per cent women ministers in the new Cabinet. The commission has called on the government to at least ensure 33 per cent women in the Cabinet as per the Interim Constitution. It has urged political parties to work as per their pledge to ensure equal rights to women.