News

285 suspects arrested in 8-hour drug raid!

Published

2 years 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

PNB seize over Rs. 280 mn. in biggest drug money bust

Published

10 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized a stash of currency notes amounting Rs. 283 million.

It is said that this is the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka.

The banknotes were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), a double-cab, and a van were also seized during the raid.
According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison.

The suspect was presented before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court and the Magistrate has granted permission for authorities to detain and further interrogate him.

News

Energy Ministry differs on electricity tariffs (Update)

Published

10 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

Hours after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 20% average reduction in electricity tariffs effective from midnight today (Jan. 17), the Energy Ministry has stated that the tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

In a media release, the Ministry has said that the proposals should be first officially received and thereafter they would need Finance Ministry advice.

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(Previous News : January 17, 2025 3.05pm)

Electricity tariffs slashed by 20%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to slash electricity tariffs by an overall average of 20 percent.

The tariff reduction will affect all consumer categories and will come into effect from midnight today (Jan. 17).

The PUCSL’s proposed reductions are as follows;

Domestic tariff – reduced by 20%
Places of worship – reduce by 21%
Hotels – reduced by 31%
Industries – reduced by 30%
Government Institutions – reduced by 11%

Electricity tariffs reduction (Domestic)

0-30 units reduced by 29%
31-60 by 28%
61-90 by 19%
91-180 by 18%
More than 180 by 19%

BIZ

SL – China currency swap agreement, renewed

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China, in December 2024, successfully renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed in 2021, for a period of another three (03) years, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the original agreement.

The CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) currency swap facility reflects the financial cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, while Mr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

(CBSL)