News

8 Lankans among the released crew of the detained vessel by Nigerian High Court

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2023

editor

Eight Sri Lankans were among the crew released by the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on April 28, 2023, along with the vessel M/T Heroic Idun, which was under detention over disputed oil smuggling allegations, since August 2022 in Nigeria and the Equatorial Guinea.

The out-of-court settlement reached between the Nigerian authorities and Idun Maritime Ltd., the vessel owner, enabled the High Court to end the detention of the vessel and dropping of the charges.

The vessel was detained along with 26 crew members, including 8 Sri Lankans. Sri Lanka will coordinate with the vessel owner regarding the repatriation of the Sri Lankan crew at the earliest, once the conditions are fulfilled by the shipping company, which will arrange the safe return of the crew.

As requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the High Commission in Nairobi, which is concurrently accredited to Nigeria, provided assistance and ensured the welfare and safety of the Sri Lankan crew until the legal process was over. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Veluppillai Kananathan, met the Sri Lankan crew in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 13, 2022, and took necessary action to ensure their welfare and accommodation on board the vessel, instead of being sent to judicial custody. High Commissioner Kananathan ensured payment of salaries and other entitlements to the Sri Lankans in full. The High Commissioner was able to convince the shipping company to enhance the salaries of the Sri Lankan crew until their release.

The High Commission worked jointly with the Indian High Commission in Abuja, as the crew also comprised 16 Indian nationals.

News

NPP finalizing nomination lists for general election

Published

38 mins ago

October 5, 2024

editor

The National People’s Power (NPP) is finalizing its district-level nomination lists for the upcoming General Election, according to NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe.

He revealed that the NPP is preparing a mechanism to avoid internal competition for preferential votes among its candidates, though it will not interfere with the electoral process, ensuring that those elected by the people through preferential votes enter Parliament.

Dr. Abeysinghe highlighted that the NPP is including more female candidates and professionals in both its nomination and national lists.

He also clarified that while many individuals have expressed interest in contesting under the NPP banner, no new political parties or groups will be aligned with the NPP for the election.

News

Defence Ministry recalls civilian firearms

Published

12 hours ago

October 4, 2024

editor

The government has announced the temporary recall of all firearms issued to civilians by the Ministry of Defence.

In an official statement, the Ministry directed all license holders to return their firearms and ammunition to the Commercial Explosives’ Storage Facility in Welisara by November 07.

The Defence Ministry further stated that the firearms will be returned after a review and assessment of the necessity to retain them.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

Bandula not to contest Gen. election

Published

15 hours ago

October 4, 2024

editor

Former Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardene says he has decided not to contest at the upcoming General elections.Speaking to media, he told that he had been in politics for more than 20 years representing the Homagama electorate and that he functioned as a Deputy Minister and as a Cabinet Minister and rendered the maximum possible service to the people in his capacity.He also revealed plans to produce another movie while continuing his further education in the upcoming years.