Four suspects were arrested by the Navy for their alleged involvement in human smuggling, during an operation carried out in Sand Dunes 3, Talaimannar on October 21.
In the search operation, naval personnel intercepted two dinghies in the sea area, on suspicion.
Four individuals aboard the dinghies were arrested since they had no licenses and for illegally bringing illegal immigrants from foreign countries to Sri Lanka through sea routes.
The suspects and the dinghies were handed over to the Talaimannar Police and Mannar Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.
The Navy said that it conducts regular patrols and search operations in the coastal and sea areas to prevent a wide range of illegal activities taking place via sea routes.
As an extension of these efforts, this special search operation was conducted by SLNS Thammanna and SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command.
The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.
The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya. Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.
A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.
The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.
The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.
The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.
The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.
On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.