The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested an associate of former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pillayan’.

The individual is said to have worked as his driver. 

The suspect was arrested over the disappearance of an University Vice Chancellor in the Eastern Province in 2006, police say.

A suspect who opened fire at the Christ Church near Manampitiya Ayurveda Place has been arrested by the Police.

The shooting occurred around 7:00 pm yesterdat (April 18.)

The suspect, a 38-year-old resident of Main Road, Manampitiya, had fled the scene after firing a shot that damaged a church window. 

According to police investigations, the gunman approached the church gate, appeared to survey the area, then returned to the road and fired before fleeing.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.Following a tip-off, officers from the Manampitiya Police Station apprehended the suspect and seized the locally-made firearm used in the incident.

Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute with the church’s pastor. Further investigations are underway.

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts during the afternoon or night today (April 19).

The department noted that fairly heavy falls of above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Showers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the morning.