News

Navy seizes 6230kg smuggled Tendu leaves in August alone

Published

8 months ago

September 6, 2023

editor

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of over 6230kg of Tendu leaves, during special search operations conducted in the month of August alone in 2023. During these operations the Navy also apprehended 09 suspects and 03 dinghies in connection to these incidents.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas of the island, with a view to prevent the influx of smuggled and illegal items into the island, via sea routes.

Continuing such efforts, these separate operations were mounted by SLNS Vijaya, SLNS Thambapanni, SLNS Kelani, Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard in the western and northwestern sea and coastal areas. The operations resulted in the seizure of about 6230kg and 570g of Tendu leaves and apprehension of 09 suspects and 03 dinghies in the month of August alone.

Meanwhile, the apprehended stock of Tendu leaves along with the suspects and dinghies were handed over to relevant authorities for legal action.

With continuous naval operations, it is expected to deter the unlawful smuggling of Tendu leaves into Sri Lanka via sea routes, promote the lawful import of them in adherence to the established legal framework, and thereby bolster the government’s tax income. As long as the consignment of Tendu leaves held by the Navy is considered, it is believed that the government incurred a loss of more than Rs. 37 million in tax revenue, as they have been smuggled into the island by illegal means.

(navy.lk)

News

Veteran journalist A.D. Ranjith Kumara no more

Published

25 mins ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Veteran journalist, artist and author A.D. Ranjith Kumara passed away today (May 10).

He passed away at the age of 77.

His remains will be laid at the Mahinda funeral parlour in Mt. Lavinia from 8.00am tomorrow (May 11) before being handed over to the Kotelawala Medical Faculty as per his final wishes.

News

CID tells Maithripala’s statements contradict each other

Published

30 mins ago

May 10, 2024

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducting investigations into the controversial revelation made by former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, informed court that his two statements given to the CID and evidence gathered from CCTV footage contradict each other.

Counsel Rajitha Lakmal, appearing for Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardena, moved the court to issue an order for the former President’s arrest if he has provided false statements by concealing the truth. Considering the facts, Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema directed the CID to take necessary action regarding former President Sirisena if he has committed something with criminal liability. The progress of the investigation was ordered to be reported to the court on July 26.

The CID had filed a facts report before Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court regarding the statement the former President had made recently. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles had instructed the Inspector General of Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the statement made by the former President in Kandy that he knew the people involved in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on 21 April 2019.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

Supreme Court moves another petition by Diana Gamage

Published

6 hours ago

May 10, 2024

nipuni

The Supreme Court has ordered that the petition filed by former State Minister Diana Gamage challenging a decision taken by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to cancel her party membership, be called on May 28.

This petition was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Samayawardhena today (10).

At the time, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha who appeared for the petitioner Diana Gamage, requested for a date to inform the court of the decision to be taken regarding this petition.

Accordingly, the judge bench ordered that the relevant petition be called on May 28 and that the decision regarding the maintaining of this petition be announced on the relevant date.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara and several others have been named as respondents in this petition.

The SJB had earlier decided to expel Diana Gamage from the party citing that she had failed to comply with the unanimous decision taken by the party to vote against the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, by voting in favour. The SJB had also highlighted that this was a serious violation of party discipline, and that the Opposition Leader and the SJB’s leader Sajith Premadasa decided to suspend her party membership for the reputation or well-being and prosperity of the party.(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk) has not been edited by SLM staff)