News

Security strengthened at Katunayake due to Harak Kata & Kudu Salindu

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2023

editor

Additional security personnel have been deployed in the Katunayake area today (15) after the leading drug smugglers and organized criminals Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata and Panadura Salindu Lakshitha alias Kudu Salindu were brought back from Madagascar today (15).

Steps have been taken to perform immigration and other essential duties of the suspects near the plane itself, and then to take them to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Colombo through the airport’s cargo terminal.

Two security officers from Madagascar also arrived with the two criminals, and the officers have officially handed the suspects over to Sri Lanka by completing documents at the premises of the Immigration Department.

A group of officials from the CID and the Organised Crimes Division arrived at the cargo terminal in about six vehicles to apprehend the two suspects.

Accordingly, strict security measures have been implemented at the Katunayake Airport, in the surrounding area and on both sides of the road towards Colombo.

News

3 including Mervyn released on bail

Published

17 minutes ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two other individuals were granted bail today (July 03) by the Gampaha Provincial High Court.

They were released on a cash bail of Rs. 200,000 and five personal sureties of Rs. 5,000,000 each.

Additionally, the court imposed overseas travel bans on them.

The defendants were strictly warned to refrain from influencing witnesses and were ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Sunday.The defendants were previously remanded over allegations of selling a state-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area using forged deeds.

Legal proceedings are still underway.

News

Monara TV closes down as Swarnavahini too grapples with crisis

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2025

editor

Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.

Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.

The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.

Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.

Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.

Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.

The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.