News

Beliatta shooting : Wife, father of main gunman arrested

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2024

editor

The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested the wife and father of the person suspected to be the main gunman in the killing of five people, including the leader of the Ape Jana Bala Party, Saman Perera in Beliatta.

Police said the main gunman of the Beliatta shooting has been identified as a former naval person.

They said the main gunman’s 39-year-old wife, who also served in the Navy and his 72-year-old father were arrested yesterday for aiding in the shooting.

The suspects were arrested with 21 grams and 350 milligrams of heroin while they were in hiding at Pathagama in the Pallewela area.

During questioning them, it was revealed that the main shooter and two other gunmen who had arrived for the Beliatta shooting had fled to Dubai after the incident.

It has also been revealed that their flight tickets have been arranged by another individual engaged in organized crimes, ‘Nipuna’ who is in Dubai.

Police said, during the questioning it was revealed that an accomplice of underworld leader and drug trafficker Kosgoda Sujee, Harendra Gunathilaka alias Harsha, who is also hiding in Dubai, had instructed the gunmen.

(dailymirror.lk)

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

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

8 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.