A total of 882 people were arrested during island-wide anti-drug raids conducted yesterday (January 17), police stated. The operations were carried out under the “Nation United – National Drive” campaign, according to the Police Media Division. Detention orders were obtained for nine suspects, while one person was referred for rehabilitation. Police seized heroin, crystal methamphetamine (Ice), cocaine, cannabis, kush, hashish and narcotics pills during the raids.

Over 800 arrested in drug raids

Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara stated that defeated political forces are attempting to revive ethnic divisions in Sri Lanka. He stated that such efforts should be countered through unity. The Deputy Minister made these remarks at a Thai Pongal celebration held at the Gothatuwa Wetland Park.

Dy Minister warns of ethnic divisions

Nasa’s mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years. Over almost 12 hours, the 98m-tall Space Launch System was carried vertically from the Vehicle Assembly Building on the 4-mile (6.5km) journey to the pad. Now it is in position, the final tests, checks - and a dress rehearsal - will take place, before the go-ahead is given for the 10-day Artemis II mission that will see four astronauts travel around the Moon. Nasa says the earliest the rocket can blast off is 6 February, but there are also more launch windows later that month, as well as in March and April. The rocket began moving at 07:04 local time (12:04 GMT) and arrived at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center at 18:41 local time (23:42 GMT). The rocket was carried by a huge machine called a crawler-transporter, travelling at a top speed of 0.82 mph (1.3 km/h) as it trundled along. Live coverage captured the slow-moving spectacle. Nasa said the rocket will be prepared over the next few days for what it calls a “wet dress rehearsal” - a test for fuel operations and countdown procedures. The Artemis II crew - Nasa’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen - were at the Kennedy Space Center watching the rocket as it was moved. In just a few weeks, the four astronauts will be strapped into a spacecraft, perched on the top of the rocket, ready to blast off to the Moon. It will be the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 landed on its surface in December 1972.Nasa said the mission could take its astronauts further into space that anyone has been before. Artemis II is not scheduled to land on the Moon, but will instead lay the groundwork for a future lunar landing led by the Artemis III mission. Nasa said the launch of Artemis III will take place “no earlier than” 2027. But, experts believe 2028 is the earliest possible date. Koch said it was an amazing feeling to see the rocket. “Astronauts are the calmest people on launch day. And I think... it feels that way because we’re just so ready to fulfil the mission that we came here to do, that we’ve trained to do,” she said. Hansen said he hoped the mission would inspire the world. “The Moon is something that I’ve taken for granted. I’ve looked at it my whole life, but then you just glance at it and glance away,” he said. “But now I’ve been staring at it a lot more, and I think others will be joining us and staring at the Moon a lot more as there will be humans flying around the far side and that is just good for humanity.” Before Artemis II heads to the Moon, the first two days of their mission will be spent in orbit around the Earth. “We’re going to be going into an orbit almost right away that is 40,000 miles out - like a fifth of the way of the Moon,” Koch told BBC News. “We will have the Earth out the window as a single ball, something none of us have seen in that perspective.“And then we’re going to travel a quarter of a million miles away… we’re going to do a lot of science and operations along the way.” While they fly around the far side of the Moon, the crew will have three hours dedicated to lunar observation - to gaze, take images and to study its geology, which will help plan and prepare for a future landing at the Moon’s south pole. A key part of the Orion spacecraft that the astronauts will be flying in was made in Bremen in Germany.The European Service Module, which sits behind the crew capsule, is the European Space Agency’s contribution to the mission and has been built by Airbus. “The European Service Module is so important - we basically can’t get to the Moon without it,” says Sian Cleaver, a spacecraft engineer at Airbus. “It provides the propulsion that Orion needs to get us to the Moon.” Its large solar arrays will generate all the electrical power for the craft, she adds. “We’ve also got these big tanks full of oxygen and nitrogen, which are mixed to make air, and also water, so that we can provide everything that the astronauts need in the crew module to keep them alive on their journey.” Inside their cleanroom, the team is busy building more modules for future Artemis missions. Each one takes about 18 months to put together but has taken thousands of engineering hours to design. Everything on board has to work perfectly. “We’ve got to get those astronauts to the Moon and then back again, completely safely,” says Cleaver.With the rocket now on launchpad 39B, the Artemis team is working around the clock to get it ready for lift off. The mission has already faced years of delays, and Nasa is under pressure to get the astronauts on their way as soon as possible. However, the US space agency said it would not compromise on safety. John Honeycutt, chair of the Artemis mission management team, said: “I’ve got one job, and it’s the safe return of Reid and Victor and Christina and Jeremy. “We’re going to fly when we’re ready... crew safety is going to be our number one priority.” Source: BBC&nbsp;

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

Indonesian authorities said on Sunday they had located the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing in South Sulawesi province near a fog-covered mountain, but were still searching for the 11 people on board. The ATR 42-500 turboprop owned by aviation group Indonesia Air Transport lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday at about 1:30 p.m. local time (0530 GMT) around the Maros region in South Sulawesi. There were eight crew members and three passengers on board the plane, which was chartered by Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to conduct air surveillance on fisheries. The passengers were ministry staff members. The head of South Sulawesi’s rescue agency, Muhammad Arif Anwar, said on local television that after finding the wreckage, the rescuers would deploy 1,200 personnel to search for the missing passengers and crew. “Our priority is to search for the victims, and we hope that there are some that we can evacuate safely,” he said. The aircraft had been heading to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, after departing from Yogyakarta province before contact was lost. On Sunday morning, local rescuers found the wreckage in different locations around Mount Bulusaraung in the Maros region, said Andi Sultan, an official at South Sulawesi’s rescue agency. The mountain is roughly 1,500 km (930 miles) northeast of the sprawling island nation’s capital, Jakarta. “Our helicopter crews have seen the debris of the plane’s window at 7:46 a.m.,” Sultan told reporters.“And around 7:49 a.m., we discovered large parts of the aircraft, suspected to be the fuselage of the plane,” he said, adding the tail of the plane was also seen at the bottom of the mountain slope. Rescuers have been deployed to the locations where the wreckage was discovered, Sultan said, adding the search was hampered by thick fog and mountainous terrain. In video footage shared by the rescue agency, a window of the plane was found scattered on the mountain with thick fog and strong wind around it. Sultan said Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee would lead an investigation into the crash. The cause remains unclear, and experts say most accidents are caused by a combination of factors. The ATR 42‑500, manufactured by Franco-Italian planemaker ATR is a regional turboprop aircraft capable of carrying between 42 and 50 passengers. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 said on X that the plane was flying over the ocean at a low altitude so its tracking coverage was limited, and the last signal was received at 0420 GMT about 20 km northeast of Makassar airport. Source: Reuters

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board

A threat by President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was “completely wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron called it “unacceptable”. The comments came after Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland would come into force on 1 February but could later rise to 25% - and would last until a deal was reached. Mr Trump insists the autonomous Danish territory is critical for US security and has not ruled out taking it by force. Meanwhile, thousands of people took to the streets in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday in protest at the proposed US takeover. Greenland is sparsely populated but resource-rich and its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region. Trump has previously said Washington would get the territory “the easy way” or “the hard way”.European countries have rallied to Denmark’s support. They have argued that the security of the Arctic region should be a joint Nato responsibility. France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the UK have dispatched a small number of troops to Greenland in a so-called reconnaissance mission. Announcing the new tariffs in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said those countries were playing “a very dangerous game”. At stake, he said, was the “Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet”. He said the proposed 10% levy to be introduced next month on goods exported to the US would rise to 25% in June and remain “payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”. In his response, Starmer said: “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of Nato allies is completely wrong. We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration.” France’s Emmanuel Macron said: “Tariff threats are unacceptable in this context... We will not be swayed by any intimidation.” Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson said: We won’t let ourselves be blackmailed.” “Sweden is currently having intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and the United Kingdom to find a joint response,” he added. European Council President Antonio Costa stated: “The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law... which of course begins within the territory of the member states of the European Union.” Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the threat had “come as a surprise”. Meanwhile, German MEP Manfred Weber, head of the conservative EPP group in the European Parliament, said Trump’s move raised questions about the still-to-be-ratified EU-US trade deal negotiated last year. Brussels and Washington clinched a deal that agreed a US tariff on all EU goods of 15% and that the 27-member bloc would open its markets to US exporters with 0% tariffs on certain products. “The EPP is in favour of the EU-US trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage,” Weber posted on X. “The 0% tariffs on US products must be put on hold,” he added. The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, however, said Denmark “just doesn’t have the resources or the capacity to do what needs to be done in the northern region”. He told Fox News the life of Greenlanders would be “safer, stronger and more prosperous under the umbrella of the United States”. Trump has often mused that “tariff” is his favourite word, and he has made clear that he views it as something of a blunt instrument with which to convince – or coerce – countries around the world to align their policies with the desired outcomes of the White House. But his announcement represents a significant escalation in his recently rekindled drive to acquire Greenland, despite their opposition. It is unclear what immediately prompted the tariffs announcement, which Trump first hinted at while speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday. While in recent weeks he has repeatedly said that a variety of options – including the potential use of military force – remained on the table, the announcement comes just days after US and Danish officials agreed to set up a high-level working group to discuss the future of the island. In Washington’s diplomatic and political circles, that announcement was seen by many as a “best-case” scenario for Denmark and its European allies – one that would, at the very least, delay any decision or further escalation from the White House. Instead, the latest tariffs have injected a newfound sense of urgency into the issue and strained relations with important Nato allies and trading partners. Opinion polls suggest 85% of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the US. Demonstrations against Trump’s takeover plans were held in Danish cities as well as in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, on Saturday - before the tariff announcement. In the Danish capital, Copenhagen, placards were held up reading: “Hands Off Greenland” and “Greenland for Greenlanders”. “We demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland’s right to self-determination,” said Camilla Siezing, heads of Inuit, an umbrella group of Greenlandic associations. In Nuuk, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined protesters holding signs reading “Greenland is not for sale” and “we shape our future” as they headed for the US consulate. The rallies coincide with a visit to Copenhagen by a delegation from the US Congress. Its leader, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, described Mr Trump’s rhetoric as “not constructive”. Source: BBC

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say

Train services from Colombo to Palaviya will resume tomorrow (19) after 53 days, the Department of Railways announced. Cyclone Ditwah damaged several railway lines, including the track near Bathulu Oya bridge between Chilaw and Puttalam. Repairs on the remaining damaged sections of the Puttalam railway line have been completed today(18). Services had previously resumed up to Chilaw after reconstruction in Mahawewa.

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume tomorrow

Petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging several clauses of the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill. The petitions were submitted by former Members of Parliament, including M. M. Pemasiri, Nawaratna Banda, B. M. Deepal Gunasekara, Samansiri Herath, Piyasoma Upali and Upali Amarasiri. The petitioners stated that provisions of the bill violate fundamental rights under the Constitution. They have requested the Supreme Court to rule that the bill requires a special majority in Parliament and approval at a public referendum.

Legal challenge filed over pensions bill

A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats which is claimed to be the world’s biggest of its kind was unveiled on Saturday in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone which is estimated to be worth at least $300 million. The round shaped gem named “Star of Pure Land” is the world’s largest documented natural purple star sapphire, said Ashan Amarasinghe, a consultant gemologist. “This is the largest purple star sapphire of its kind,” he told the media, adding that the gem “shows a well-defined asterism. It has six rays asterism. That’s something special out of all the other stones.” The gem, which has been polished, is owned by the Star of Pure Land Team, who want to remain anonymous for security reasons. One of the owners said the gem was found in a gem pit near the remote Sri Lankan town of Rathnapura, known as the “city of gems,” in 2023. It was purchased together with other gems in 2023 and about two years later, the owners found that it was a special stone. They then got it certified by two laboratories. Amarasinghe said the value of the stone has been estimated at $300 million to $400 million by international valuers. Sri Lankan sapphires are renowned for their unique color, clarity and shimmer. Source: AP

Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the biggest of its kind

Road restoration work has begun in the Kotmale Panangammana and Kotmale Maha Peella Ella areas following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The work started on January 17 and is scheduled to continue until January 19. The access road serving nearly 20 villages in Kotmale Panangammana had been washed away, affecting residents for almost two months. Labour teams from Anuradhapura and Ginigathhena are carrying out the work under the supervision of the Road Development Authority.

Over 800 arrested in drug raids

Dy Minister warns of ethnic divisions

Dy Minister warns of ethnic di ...

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrive ...

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane wit ...

Indonesian authorities find wr ...

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders sa ...

Trump tariff threat over Green ...

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume tomorrow

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume ...

Legal challenge filed over pensions bill

Legal challenge filed over pen ...

Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the bigges ...

Sri Lanka unveils a rare purpl ...

Restoration work underway in Kotmale

Restoration work underway in K ...

Dy Minister warns of ethnic divisions

Dy Minister warns of ethnic di ...

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrive ...

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane wit ...

Indonesian authorities find wr ...

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders sa ...

Trump tariff threat over Green ...

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume tomorrow

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume ...

Legal challenge filed over pensions bill

Legal challenge filed over pen ...

Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the bigges ...

Sri Lanka unveils a rare purpl ...

Restoration work underway in Kotmale

Restoration work underway in K ...

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Dy Minister warns of ethnic divisions

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Nasa’s mega Moon rocket arrives at launch pad for Artemis II mission

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Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane wit ...

Indonesian authorities find wr ...

Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders sa ...

Trump tariff threat over Green ...

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume tomorrow

Colombo-Palaviya trains resume ...

Legal challenge filed over pensions bill

Legal challenge filed over pen ...