News

Air India flight delayed as sky marshal detained with weapon at BIA

Published

1 month ago

May 7, 2023

editor

Chennai-bound Air India (AI) flight was delayed by over four hours at Sri Lanka‘s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on May 6 after the sky marshal of the aircraft was detained by the security agency with a weapon at the BIA airport.

“The sky marshal was detained at the transit terminal (passengers) area with loaded firearms, delaying the flight by over four hours,” an official with knowledge of the incident told ANI.

In India, sky marshals or flight marshals were introduced in 1999 after the hijacking of the flight Air India IC 814 in Kandahar to prevent hijacking in future. Sky marshal travel with loaded firearms/weapons in passenger (commercial) aircraft and can also take action in the aircraft for the purpose of preventing hijacking. Sky marshals are recruited from the National Security Guard (NSG) India‘s elite commando force.

According to the rules, “the sky marshal is strictly prohibited from taking his weapons out of the aircraft and if the security officer wishes to exit the aircraft, he must hand the firearm over to the aircraft‘s pilot in command (PIC).”

According to sources, “The matter was reported with the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the issue was resolved diplomatically.”
A statement from Air India was not available till the time of publishing the story.

Source – ANI

News

Cabinet green light to ratify Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

Cabinet approval has been granted to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and to take the necessary steps for legislation to enforce the provisions of the agreement.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 10, 1996. By the treaty, member states agreed to ban “any nuclear weapons test or other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world. So far, 186 countries have signed the agreement and 177 countries have ratified the agreement.

Sri Lanka signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on October 24, 1996. Sri Lanka is currently cooperating with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization in the areas of training, capacity development, data and information sharing. Sri Lanka’s ratification of the treaty would recognize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic role as an active proponent of international peace and security in a world free of nuclear weapons.

According to the government, ratifying the agreement will also enable the country to obtain useful data for civil and scientific purposes that will benefit many developing countries including Sri Lanka, such as tsunami warnings, climate change and geographical studies.

News

Overseas travel ban slapped on Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court has issued an overseas travel ban on Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) MP – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam over the recent incident of verbally abusing police officers during a function, police spokesman – SSP Nihal Thalduwa says.

Yesterday, the magistrate ordered to remand the AITC’s main female organizer in the North – East region, over the incident.

News

Verdict on petition challenging Diana Gamage’s MP seat, postponed

Published

14 hours ago

June 6, 2023

editor

The Court of Appeal has deferred the pronouncement of the verdict on the petition filed seeking an order to annul the Parliamentary seat of State Minister Diana Gamage.

Accordingly, the verdict is expected to be pronounced on the 25th of July.

The petition was called this morning before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A Marikkar.

Court heard arguments pertaining to the petition previously and was expected to announce the verdict today.

The writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal calling for State Minister Diana Gamage to be stripped of her Parliamentary seat by activist Oshala Herath on the 15th of November 2022.

State Minister Gamage, the Immigration and Emigration Controller, the Minister of Public Security, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the National Election Commission and its members, and the General Secretary of Parliament were cited as respondents in the petition.

(newsradio.lk)