The Navy has seized more than 735kg of smuggled Kendu leaves and had apprehended two suspects during a search operation in the Negombo Lagoon. The operation was carried out by the Naval Service Kelani belonging to the Western Naval Command. During the search, Navy personnel had intercepted and searched a suspicious dinghy navigating the lagoon. Accordingly, the search had led to the recovery of the consignment of Kendu leaves stuffed in 20 sacks. The Navy also took into custody the two individuals onboard and the dinghy used to transport the consignment. The suspects, aged 29 and 32, are residents of Negombo. The suspects, the seized Kendu leaves and the dinghy were handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office.
Firearm discovered in dengue inspection
A firearm has been discovered inside a house during a special inspection carried out in Pelawatte, Battaramulla as part of the National Dengue Control Programme. The operation was conducted on Wednesday (22) by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) attached to the Battaramulla Medical Officer of Health Office, with the assistance of the Army, the Air Force, the Police, and the Red Cross. During the inspection of a house that was found to be in an extremely unhygienic condition and home to a large number of dogs, officials had discovered both live mosquito larvae and the firearm. Police later took custody of the firearm and arrested the female homeowner in connection with the discovery. Meanwhile, during the inspection of another residence where mosquito larvae were found, a heated verbal exchange occurred after the homeowner allegedly obstructed the duties of the PHIs. Legal action has also been initiated against 13 individuals who were found maintaining premises with mosquito larvae. Cases are to be filed against them before the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court (MC). Health authorities have also urged the general public to immediately destroy mosquito breeding sites and cooperate with dengue control officials in preventing the spread of dengue.
Jaffna pvt hospital fined Rs 3 m for ‘expensive’ blood test
A private hospital in Jaffna has been fined Rs three million by the Jaffna MC for charging patients above the approved maximum fee for a medical test. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had set the maximum charge for a full blood count test at Rs 400 in private hospitals and medical laboratories. However, during a special inspection conducted by CAA officers, it was found that the institution located in the Kandar Madam area along Palali Road, Jaffna, had charged Rs 550 for the same test. The CAA subsequently filed a case against the institution before the Court. After the institution pled guilty, the Court imposed the Rs three million fine and ordered it to publish an announcement in leading newspapers at its own expense regarding the offence. The CAA has urged the public to be aware of approved medical service charges when obtaining services from private hospitals and laboratories. Consumers have also been advised to obtain valid bills or receipts for all payments, as they can serve as important evidence when making complaints. Complaints regarding charges exceeding the approved limits can be submitted to the CAA through the hotline 1977 during office houRs
Vehicle used in shooting near Devalaya found
The car allegedly used by unidentified gunmen who opened fire at a house near the Dewundara Devalaya in Matara has been found in Dikwella. A car had been parked on the New Beliatta Road on Wednesday night, and when officers attempted to inspect it, the driver sped away without stopping. The vehicle later crashed into a drain and came to a halt, following which the driver fled the scene. A subsequent inspection confirmed that the vehicle was the same one used in the shooting near the Devalaya. On Tuesday night (21), a group arriving in a car had fired several shots at a house belonging to a person engaged in fishing activities in the Eadanda Road area of Devinuwara, within the Gandara Police Division, before fleeing the scene. Closed circuit television camera footage had captured the suspects arriving in a car, carrying out the shooting and escaping from the location.
Malaysian nabbed at BIA with Rs 5 m cigs
A Malaysian national has been arrested by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a stock of foreign-manufactured cigarettes valued at Rs 4.95 million. The suspect had illegally brought the cigarettes into Sri Lanka and was attempting to take them out of the Airport premises when he was arrested. The suspect, a 42-year-old Malaysian national employed as a driver, arrived at the BIA from Kuala Lumpur at around 12.25 a.m. A search of his luggage revealed 165 cartons containing 33,000 cigarettes of various brands manufactured in China. The suspect and the seized cigarette consignment were scheduled to be produced before the Negombo MC yesterday (23).
Cops and Govt. officials impersonation online financial scam
The Police have issued a public warning over a growing number of financial scams in which fraudsters impersonate Police officers and Government officials through fake social media profiles, stolen photographs, and forged identity documents. Police continue to receive numerous complaints from members of the public who have been deceived by scammers despite the arrest of several suspects and repeated public awareness campaigns. Recent investigations have revealed an increase in cyber-enabled financial fraud involving criminals who create fake WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media accounts while falsely claiming to represent the Police, the Criminal Investigation Department, the Central Bank, and other Government institutions.
9 Indian fishers arrested
A total of nine Indian fishermen have been apprehended by the Navy for fishing in Sri Lankan waters north of Talaimannar on Wednesday evening. The Navy also seized an Indian boat along with the fishermen for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and entering into Sri Lankan territorial wateRs Over 50 Indian fishing trawlers had trespassed into the Sri Lankan waters south of Iranativu, engaging in illegal fishing. During the operation, one Indian fishing trawler was seized, while nine Indian fishermen on board were taken into custody. The apprehended fishermen and the seized trawler have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal proceedings.
10 nabbed with gold, Rs 17 m
Ten persons, including two women, have been taken into custody along with 3.930 kilograms of gold and Rs 16.9 million in cash during a raid conducted by the Wattegama Police at a hotel in Madawala.
Malaysia arrests Lankan labour exploiter and 6 Lankans for immigration violations
The Immigration Department of Malaysia has arrested a Sri Lankan man suspected of exploiting a fellow country national as forced labour in operations at three locations around Jenjarom, Selangor. The operation was carried out based on a public complaint and intelligence information regarding a woman from Sri Lanka who is believed to be a victim of exploitation by her employer. The intelligence information led to the identification of the suspect, who is believed to be involved in human trafficking activities. In addition to the suspect, six other Sri Lankans aged between 21 and 51 years, including four men and two women, were also arrested for not having valid travel documents or passports. The arrest of the 38-year-old suspect was the result of a public complaint and intelligence from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Prevention Division and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, Anti-Restricted Activity Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, according to Malaysian media reports. Malaysia’s Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that the operation also led to the rescue of a Sri Lankan woman who was identified as a victim of forced labour exploitation. "Initial investigations found that the victim was believed to have been deceived with job offers and promises of obtaining a work permit before being brought into Malaysia to work at a food premises owned by the suspect," he said in a statement on Wednesday. Shaaban said that the victim was believed to have been forced to work without receiving pay, not given sufficient food, had movements controlled and suffered physical violence as a form of threat and intimidation. "Six other Sri Lankans aged between 21 and 51 were also detained for not having valid travel documents or passes," he explained. “Investigations found that the suspect, who holds a Long-Term Social Visit Pass through marriage to a Malaysian citizen, is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act and the Immigration Act 1959/63,” he said, adding that the Department will not compromise on any form of worker exploitation and human trafficking.
Brother who killed mentally impaired sibling surrenders
A suspect who allegedly murdered his mentally impaired brother and confessed to the crime after surrendering to the Police has been arrested by the Arachchikattuwa Police. The suspect arrived at the Arachchikattuwa Police Station at around 2.10 p.m. on Wednesday, carrying a knife, and informed officers that he had killed his brother. Acting on the information, Police officers proceeded to the house where the two had been living and discovered the victim's body lying on a bed in a room of the house with multiple cut injuries. The deceased has been identified as Dulen Hasanka, a resident of Rajakadaluwa in Arachchikattuwa. The suspect had been caring for his mentally disabled brother during the daytime. A Magisterial inquiry into the incident is scheduled to be conducted.
Govt healthcare worker gets death for murder
The North Central Provincial High Court on Wednesday, sentenced to death a former healthcare assistant attached to a Government hospital who had been indicted before the Anuradhapura High Court (HC) for committing a murder by slitting a person's throat with a knife. Delivering the verdict, Judge Indika Attanayake held that the prosecution had proved the charge of murder against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, the accused, a former healthcare assistant attached to a Government hospital and a resident of the Eppawala area, was sentenced to death by the Court. The Attorney General had filed a case against the accused before the Anuradhapura HC under Section 296 of the Penal Code over the murder of B. Mahinda Kumara alias 'Beligala', a resident of the Akkara 20 area in Eppawala, on or around 24 May 2014. Following a non-summary inquiry conducted at the Thambuttegama MC, the case was referred to the Anuradhapura HC for further hearing.