News

Thieves break into Saman Devala!

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2023

editor

A group of thieves had broken into the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devala’s storage of offerings and stolen several hundred thousands worth of currency notes that were kept in sacks.

The storage is built attached to the official residence of the Basnayake Nilame, and covered with a metal door.

However, it has been revealed that the thieves have entered the storage through the roof, ceiling and iron mesh cover.

The theft had taken place in a background where there is a police post and 60 CCTV cameras operating 24 hours a day.

The Basnayaka Nilame said that he had made several written requests to the Ratnapura Police to deploy a police officer to provide security to the storage of offerings.

The offerings received to five tills are separated into notes and coins under the supervision of the officers of the Buddhist Affairs Department and the Basnayake Nilame.

The money is being taken to a state bank by its officials. The theft had taken place when the sacks of offerings were stored in the storage for nearly three days pending the arrival of bank officials.

The thieves had reportedly taken only the sacks of notes.

Basnayake Nilame Migara Jayasundara Bandara said the thieves had previously tried to enter the storage on the 4th and 10th of October last year.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the officers who were on duty at the police post at the Devala had been transferred following the theft.

Villagers who commented on this theft said that it was a result of mistakes by the administrators.

“It has been 6 to 7 months since 60 cameras were installed. They have not been maintained well. The authorities should look into these. The police didn’t do anything though they had a police post. At this rate, the thieves will end up taking the entire Saman Devala.”

“The suspects must be arrested. There are ancient ornaments inside the temple. Thieves will steal these as well if authorities fail to take proper measures.”

“A number of thefts took place in the past, but no one was arrested. Are they waiting for God Saman to punish them?.”

(Ada Derana)

News

Maldivian President’s office officials on study tour at Prez secretariat

Published

4 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Officials from the Maldivian President’s Office arrived at the Presidential Secretariat today for a study tour. They are expected to remain in Sri Lanka until June 27th.

The primary areas of focus for their study tour include archives and records maintenance and preservation, stores management, inventory control and stock preservation.

During their visit, they are scheduled to tour the Department of National Archives, Sri Lanka Customs, Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat and the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Eight officials from the Maldivian President’s Office are participating in this study tour. They met with Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, at the Presidential Secretariat and engaged in a discussion.

A group of officials from the Presidential Secretariat also attended the meeting.

(President’s Media Division)

News

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arrives in SL (Update)

Published

32 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

editor

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has arrived in the island for an official visit.

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(Previous update 2025/06/23 at 9:11 am)

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk arrives in SL today

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – Volker Türk, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today (June 23).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, he is to remain in the country until June 26.

This is the first visit by a UN Human Rights Chief to Sri Lanka since February 2016.

During his stay, he is expected to meet with the President, Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, several other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior Government officials, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, members of the diplomatic community and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.

News

Sri Lanka grants clearance for FAO ship

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has officially granted clearance for a research vessel operated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to conduct scientific research in Sri Lankan territorial waters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

The vessel is scheduled to carry out its mission from August 15 – August 20, 2025.

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is a research vessel that conducts surveys, collecting vital data on fish stocks, biodiversity, and oceanographic conditions. It sought to carry out research activities in Sri Lankan waters, but the government had earlier denied access for it in the absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels.

This posed the possibility of a cancellation, which could have deprived Sri Lanka of over USD 01 million worth of support while affecting future Green Climate Fund initiatives. It was also reported that the next possible deployment would not occur until after 2030.

A year-long moratorium on foreign research vessels expired in December 2024 followed by a cabinet decision in late January to appoint a special committee to amend the SOP for granting diplomatic clearance to foreign research vessels in Sri Lanka.

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