News

Army int. officer arrested over woman’s death, addicted to ICE

Published

8 months ago

February 15, 2023

editor

Army intelligence officer arrested over woman’s death addicted to iceOne of the two army intelligence officers arrested in connection with the death of a woman at Halgahawatta, Baseline Mawatha in Borella is addicted to ‘ice’ drug, it was reported.

This has been confirmed following the investigations conducted by Judicial Medical Officer Rahul Haq.

Giving evidence over the death of 25-year-old Melanie Kanchana, one Romesh Madhusanka said the two officers grabbed him by the neck and handcuffed him on the night of the 13th.

“When they hit me on the head with a pistol, it got activated and shots were fired,” he said.

The two officers of the Army Intelligence Division had informed the Borella Police that they were conducting a search operation at Halgahawatta area in Baseline Mawatha in search of drugs.

The neighbors had flocked when the officers made an effort to arrest Romesh Madhusanka.

Ms.Sri Vikrama Paththinilage Sunethra, who was present at the time of the incident, said, two men with beards suddenly grabbed Romesh.

“We asked who they were and they said they were from the ‘Vilasitha’,” she said.

The Police Department’s Organised Crimes Division (OCD) was housed on the fourth floor of the former ‘Vilasitha Nivasa’ in Colombo 6. The Department was later moved to Mihindu Mawatha but the people still use the word ‘Vilasitha’ to refer to the OCD. Although the OCD has been disbanded, traffickers still fear the name “Vilasitha”.

Ms. Sunethra further said another person who was beaten up by the police died of a heart attack in the past.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our sister. Who will take care of her two children? We need justice,” she said.

Melanie has fallen to the ground after being shot.

After the incident, the intelligence officers had gone to the Borella Police seeking protection.

After arresting the two officers under the instructions of Borella Police OIC Chief Inspector Janaka Withanage, police teams were deployed to observe the scene of the shooting at Halgahawatte.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya conducted an on-site inspection last morning (14) and the Magistrate ordered the family members to appear in court number two on February 21 to testify.

News

Civil Defence officer arrested over shooting of Perahera elephant

Published

5 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

A Civil Defence Department officer attached to the Mapakada Wewa Wildlife Regional Office has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a female elephant that had participated in the annual Randoli Perahera of Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya.

Police spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said a statement is being recorded from the said officer.

The incident has taken place at around 3:30 a.m. this morning.

It was reported that following the procession, the female elephant had been tied to a tree on the banks of the Mahaweli River.

The mahout, who said he was having breakfast when the incident happened, accused the officer of shooting the elephant despite people telling him that ‘Sita’ was not a wild elephant.

The officer in question had shot ‘Sita’ after mistaking it for a wild elephant that had crossed the river.

The injured 48-year-old elephant was later treated by veterinary surgeons of the Wildlife Conservation Department.

In a statement, the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara had clarified that one of the wildlife officers at the site had mistakenly fired rubber bullets at the female elephant ‘Sita’ while trying to scare off the wild elephants in the vicinity.

News

Landslide warnings extended

Published

17 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

The Department of Irrigation says that the water levels in the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are rising to levels that requires attention.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department S. P. C. Sugeeshwara says that the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu Ganga remain at the flood level.

Many roads in the vicinity of the rivers have been inundated.

S. P. C Sugeeshwara warns that people should refrain from further using the rivers.

The landslide warnings issued to seven districts have also been extended, due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Department predicts that the heavy showers in the South West will continue.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in some areas.

News

“SLPP Leadership can change if needed”

Published

19 hours ago

September 30, 2023

editor

Former President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday said that there should be a change in the leadership of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), if the need arises.

When the former President was asked about the veracity of the news on social media about imminent change of the SLPP leadership, said that he is not aware of any change in the leadership.

The President was speaking to the media after calling on Mahanayake Thera of the Rammanya Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera at the Vidyawasa Pirivena in Meerigama yesterday.

Commenting on the impending regulations on social media, the former President said that there are pros and cons in the social media. “I don’t have any issue with the social media,” he said.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the Sacred Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and participated in religious activities. The Former President also met Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thera and received his blessings.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the former President said that he is physically fit despite social media reports to the contrary.

(dailynews.lk)