The Officer-in-Charge of Katunayake Airport confirmed that 85 Chinese nationals convicted of various crimes, including cybercrimes, were deported from Sri Lanka in the early hours of June 20.

The individuals had been arrested by local security forces, prosecuted, and subsequently remanded by local courts. Following judicial proceedings, they were transferred to the Immigration and Emigration Department’s Detention Center in Welisara pending deportation.

Under heavy security, the group was transported in five buses to the Katunayake Airport and boarded a special SriLankan Airlines flight (UL-880) bound for Guangzhou, China. The flight departed at 1:20 a.m. on June 20.

A total of 85 local police officers, Immigration Department officials, and 172 SriLankan Airlines security personnel were on board to ensure the safe deportation process.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education – Dr. Madhura Senevirathna, has confirmed that the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination will not be suspended immediately.

He said this in Parliament today (June 20), in response to a question raised by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, Dr. Senevirathna stated that the government has decided to conduct the scholarship examination for the year 2029 without any changes.

He further noted that a committee will be appointed in 2028 to evaluate the future of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination and determine whether it should continue beyond 2029.

The Deputy Minister also revealed that the Department of Examinations is currently working on a plan to reduce the undue pressure associated with the examination.

Additionally, he emphasized that steps will be taken to systematically reduce disparities among schools and ease the burden on students caused by the competitive nature of the scholarship exam.

A special inspection conducted by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) on the Hatton–Kandy main road yesterday (June 19).

During the inspection, 44 vehicles including 15 Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses have been temporarily taken off the roads due to various defects and safety concerns.

The inspection, carried out in the Bagatholuwa area, involved emergency checks on 115 vehicles to ensure safer public transport and reduce road accidents.

Vehicles with excessive emissions or mechanical faults deemed unfit for road use were taken off the road, while unauthorized and hazardous equipment, especially in buses, was ordered to be removed.

The DMT also confiscated the annual revenue licenses of these vehicles, instructing owners to complete repairs and present the vehicles for re-inspection at the same location on June 30.

The inspection was conducted under the supervision of Nuwara Eliya District Chief Motor Vehicle Inspector Jaliya Bandara, with the participation of officers from the Air Emissions Inspection Division of the Department of Motor Traffic, including Motor Vehicle Inspector M. S. L. Chandana Bandara.

Chief Police Inspector Viraj Withanage, Officer-in-Charge of the Ginigathhena Police, along with Traffic Division officers, also assisted in the operation.