News

285 suspects arrested in 8-hour drug raid!

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2023

editor

Police have arrested 285 people, including drug smugglers, during an eight-hour special operation conducted for the first time by the police, armed forces and intelligence agencies together targeting large-scale drug traffickers and distributors.

This operation was carried out yesterday (29) from 4 am to 12 pm, targeting identified locations and smugglers in the Western, Southern and Northern Provinces.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said one kilogram of heroin and one kilogram of ganja each were found in the possession of the arrested suspects.

A senior police officer involved in the operation said the raid focused on 260 people including 60 people who were in close contact with large-scale drug traffickers who are operating from abroad.

The officer said that only 10 of the 60 drug smugglers were found at home and that they were arrested along with the drugs.

The Air Force has monitored the identified areas from air and updated the information, while the police and special task force personnel monitored the locations using drone cameras.

Police K9 unit dogs were also deployed in this operation while the Navy launched a special search operation around the coastal areas.

A group of 15 officers from the police, army, special task force and intelligence agencies were deployed for the raids at each location and more than 2,500 officers were involved in the entire raid.

This operation has been launched targeting drug traffickers by involving the police, armed forces and intelligence agencies according to a plan that has been devised for about four weeks on the advice of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. Sources said the second operation will be more severe.

(Aruna)

News

Concessionary vehicle import permits granted to retired government & judicial officials

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Senior government and judicial officials who have retired on completion of 60 years of age and those who were sent on compulsory retirement without extension are eligible to obtain a vehicle import permit under concessionary rates of duty.

This was according to a circular issued by the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry.

Officers who have retired on completion of 60 years of age during the period from extending the age of compulsory retirement to 65 years and reducing the age of compulsory retirement to 60 years introduced by the Ministry in 2022 are eligible for the permits subject to other requirements as set out in the regulations.

The decision to grant vehicle import permits for retired senior government officials came following a Cabinet decision on March 11.

Among the eligible officials are retired officials from Class I of an All Island Service or a Departmental Service, Special Grade of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers’ Service, Government Dental Surgeon in Grade I and retired senior judicial officers.

The circular dated April 25 was issued by Secretary to the Ministry Pradeep Yasarathne. The Secretary was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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

News

SLC doubles test players’ payments to boost morale

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant increase in payments for Sri Lanka’s Test players, effectively doubling their compensation.

The decision, made by SLC, is aimed at fostering greater enthusiasm among Test players and emphasizing the importance of Test cricket, the governing body stated.

The increased payments will be implemented based on the match contracts of each player, in accordance with SLC guidelines.

As a result of this adjustment, the total payment for a Test player per international match will now amount to approximately USD 15,000, which is around Rs. 4,450,000.

News

India to cover tax costs for Sri Lanka-India passenger ferry service

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2024

editor

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The passenger ferry service, which was launched in October 2023 by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will tentatively resume on May 13, 2024. It will be operated by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, selected by SCI in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In order to make the service affordable and attractive for passengers, the Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year.

Similarly, the GOSL has reduced the deviation tax currently charged from passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

It should be recalled that the Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the GOSL for the rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

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