News

BMW linked to model Piyumi Hansamali found in drug operation

Published

12 months ago

July 6, 2024

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The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) seized a luxury BMW registered in the name of model Piyumi Hansamali from a garage in Nawala. The car was found at a house belonging to a businessman arrested for importing kush and cocaine worth over Rs. 60 million via airmail.

The businessman, a major auto spare parts importer in Colombo 10, had imported 5 kilos of kush and 500 grams of cocaine earlier this year. The police began investigating after another person attempted to collect the parcel, leading to the businessman’s arrest.

The suspect, who previously lived in a rented house in Nawala, moved to another residence near School Lane, Nawala, following the drug seizure. He told the police he had paid Rs. 10 million for the BMW, with a remaining balance yet to be settled.

Piyumi Hansamali is also under investigation by the Illegal Assets Investigations Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for the suspicious acquisition of property.

News

Rains expected in several areas today

Published

52 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

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Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (July 02), the Department of Meteorology said.

A few showers may occur in the Jaffna and Mannar districts.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

News

IMF Executive Board approves Sri Lanka’s 4th review

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

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The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Fourth review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw about US$350 million, said Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.

This brings the total IMF financial support disbursed so far to about US$1.74 billion.

“The EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka was approved by the Executive Board on March 20, 2023 in an amount of SDR 2.286 billion (395 percent of quota or about US$3 billion). The program supports Sri Lanka’s efforts to durably restore macroeconomic stability by (i) restoring fiscal and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable, (ii) safeguarding price and financial sector stability, (iii) rebuilding external buffers, (iv) strengthening governance and reducing corruption vulnerabilities, and (v) enhancing growth-oriented structural reforms.”

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Cabinet approval for online traffic fine payment system – Bimal

Published

12 hours ago

July 1, 2025

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Minister of Transport and Highways Bimal Rathnayake has said that Cabinet approval has been granted to implement an islandwide online traffic fine payment system.

He made this statement during a media briefing near the Kottawa Expressway entrance, following a public awareness programme on mandatory seat belt use for vehicles travelling on expressways.

“The Cabinet approved the proposal today. At present, the online fine payment system is available only between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura. Now, we’re providing all police units with mobile devices, so that from this year, traffic fines can be paid from anywhere via mobile phones… Rather than paying fines, we urge everyone to drive carefully, wear seat belts, and avoid violations. Our core message is simple, travel safely,” the minister has said.