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

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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.

Related news:
Woman killed in Borella: Two soldiers arrested-killed-in-borella-two-soldiers-arrested/

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‘Pol Desathiya’ to kick off from Jaffna

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The Coconut Cultivation Board has announced the launch of a special program titled ‘Pol Desathiya’ (Coconut Fortnight) as an immediate measure to combat pests including whiteflies, which pose a significant threat to coconut cultivation.

The first phase of the program is scheduled to commence on July 14, with initial operations focusing on the Jaffna district, according to the Chairman of the Coconut Cultivation Board – Dr. Sunimal Jayakody.

“We have decided to declare a Coconut Fortnight across all districts and implement it as an urgent response to the whitefly infestation,” 

Dr. Jayakody further states that the programme will be conducted in all districts.

“We will start from Jaffna. As a solution to the whitefly issue, all the coconut trees in the Jaffna district will be sprayed with water and washed. This is a large-scale operation, but we are currently preparing the necessary manpower and machinery for it,” he added.

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Shooting incident in Akmeemana

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A shooting incident was reported early this morning (June 23) in Akmeemana, Galle.
Two persons on a motorcycle have opened fire at a residence on Dissanayake Mawatha in the Wewegodawatte area around 5.00am.

The shooting had been carried out using a 9mm pistol, and the suspects reportedly fled the scene afterward. 

According to reports, no injuries have been reported.

The owner of the house is employed as an executive at a factory in the Midigama area and was dismissed from his job a few days ago due to an issue with another employee. The police also stated that the employee in question had previously threatened him over the phone.

Accordingly, the police suspect that this individual may have carried out the shooting.

Further investigations are underway.

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New SLBFE rule for self-employed migrant workers

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The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) will introduce a new regulation from July 01, 2025, for Sri Lankans seeking overseas employment through self-directed means, SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe announced.

Under the new rule, those applying must have their foreign employment agreement certified by producing necessary documents to the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in the respective country before registering with the SLBFE.

This process will involve a fee of USD 60.

According to the SLBFE Chairman, the rule will apply to only non-professional categories which are listed on the website of the bureau.

Under the first phase, it will apply to only 15 categories that are provided diplomatic services in 13 countries where labour units of the SLBFE are underway.

The SLBFE says that this move is aimed at safeguarding the rights of migrant workers by ensuring contract authenticity and transparency, prior to departure.

Exemptions will be granted to those who can present passports indicating their profession or relevant documentation proving their professional status abroad.

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