News

Armed forces deserters to be arrested

Published

4 months ago

February 24, 2025

editor

Secretary to the Defence Ministry – Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, says an order has been issued for the immediate arrest of all deserters from the security forces.

Speaking at a recent media briefing, he said “We have drawn attention to the recent incidents. Many military personnel have been arrested. As a solution to that, there is actually a social problem here. We have confirmed through investigation that military officers who have illegally deserted the military before completing their full service period have a high probability of getting involved with the underworld.”

He further emphasized that deserters who receive weapons training for a short period, like a year or two, and then leave the military, are more likely to engage in criminal activities.

“We gave an order a few days ago to take action to arrest such people. We have provided facilities for arresting them through the military police. We have come to that decision,” he added.

He has also said that In line with government directives, the Ministry of Defence has initiated a systematic audit of firearms that were illegally issued for personal protection. This effort, supported by the tri-forces, has led to the recovery of almost all such firearms, with only a minimal number still outstanding, he added.

News

Nishantha Wickremesinghe remanded (Update)

Published

11 hours ago

June 27, 2025

editor

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickremesinghe has been remanded until July 01.

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(Previous News : June 27, 2025 4.41pm)

2 ex-heads of govt. institutions, arrested

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested two former Chairmen on corruption charges.

Former Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation – Upali Liyanage and former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickremesinghe have been arrested in this manner.

However, Liyanage, who was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga, was released on three sureties amounting to Rs. 5 million.

News

Body of undergrad who went missing at Port City beach, found (Update)

Published

14 hours ago

June 27, 2025

editor

The body of the undergraduate who had gone missing at the Port City beach, has been found.

The body was found during a search by divers.

(Previous News on 27th June 2025 at 10.06 am)

Undergrad goes missing at Port City beach while snorkeling

A 24-year-old university student from Asgiriya, Gampaha, has gone missing yesterday morning (June 26) while swimming in the sea off the Colombo Port City beach.

According to the police, the student, a resident of Gampaha, was part of a group of students from the Universities of Colombo and Moratuwa who had visited the artificial beach and engaged in snorkelling.

The student failed to resurface, prompting a complaint to the Colombo Port Police.

Lifeguards later recovered the snorkeling gear believed to be belonging to the missing student.

A joint search operation involving Navy divers from the Colombo Port and Rangala Navy Division is currently underway. Further investigations are underway by the Colombo Port Police.