News

Why is the Indian Airforce Target drone in Trinco?

Published

6 months ago

December 28, 2024

editor

A special defence team has been appointed to investigate after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), believed to be a target drone belonging to the Indian Air Force, was discovered by a group of fishermen in the sea off Trincomalee. The drone was found approximately 35 nautical miles off the coast.

Air Force Media spokesman Group Captain Eranda Geeganage confirmed that the object is a target drone typically used by defence forces during training exercises. He said that Sri Lanka does not possess any such aircraft.

The spokesman clarified that the drone posed no threat and contained no explosives. He also noted that a similar type of aircraft had been found in 2020.

The UAV, weighing 50 kg and measuring 8 feet in length, was retrieved by seven fishermen near the Talapada estuary in August 2020. It had likely been tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.

At the time, ITR Chandipur director Binay Kumar Das explained that the testing was part of a routine exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force and urged that there was no cause for concern. “It was a scheduled exercise by the Indian Air Force at Chandipur. The remotely piloted target aircraft, called expendable aircraft, is disposed of in the water after use. It’s essentially an empty fiber body, so recovery is not usual,” he said.

The drone in question is a Meggitt BTT-3 Banshee, originally developed by the British in the 1980s for air defence systems training. Constructed mainly from composite materials like Kevlar and glass-reinforced plastic, the Banshee features a tailless delta wing design and was first used by the British Army for training with shoulder-launched missiles such as the Short Blowpipe and Javelin.

(DailyMirror)

Except for the headline, this story, originally published by DailyMirror has not been edited by SLM staff

News

Japan grants US$ 2.5 mn. to SL to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

The Government of Japan has granted USD 2.5 million to Sri Lanka to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms under a 3-year project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-corruption Mechanism.

Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Akio Isomata and UNDP resident representative in Sri Lanka – Ms. Azusa Kubota, in the presence of Justice Minister – Harshana Nanayakkara, launched ‘The Project for Promoting Prosecution of Corrupt Practices through the Establishment of Anti-Corruption Mechanism’

The three year initiative is supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Sri Lanka, working in close collaboration with the (CIABOC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The project aims to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in governance and business practices through effective and institutionalised preventive mechanisms in the public and investment promotion sectors, strengthen institutions to enhance corruption related investigative processes, improve coordination with stakeholders and ensure quality of prosecutions, empower citizens to effectively mobilise against corruption and enhance social accountability.

The project also seeks to engage and empower youth, children and journalists to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of integrity.

News

3 ex-DMT officials including ex-commissioner, remanded

Published

3 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasingha and two other former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The arrests were made as part of an investigation into vehicles that were illegally registered with the Department of Motor Traffic without receiving proper clearance from Sri Lanka Customs, CIABOC said in a statement.

According to CIABOC, former Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe has been arrested for granting approval to issue a number plate for a jeep.

Additionally, a former Assistant Director of Information Technology at the department and a clerk have also been taken into custody for facilitating the illegal data entry and executing it.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and were ordered to be remanded until July 08.

News

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

6 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.