News

China’s Chang’e 6 successfully lands on far side of the moon

Published

4 weeks ago

June 3, 2024

nipuni

China says its uncrewed craft has successfully landed on the far side of the Moon – an unexplored place almost no-one tries to go.
The Chang’e 6 touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin at 06:23 Beijing time on Sunday morning (22:23 GMT Saturday), the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said.

The mission aims to collect precious rock and soil from this region for the first time in history.

After launching from Wenchang Space Launch Center on May 03, the Chang’e 6 spacecraft had been orbiting the Moon waiting to land.

The lander component of the mission then separated from the orbiter to touch down on the side of the Moon that faces permanently away from Earth.

Supported by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, the lander-ascender combination of the Chang’e-6 probe successfully landed at the designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin.

After the landing, the probe is scheduled to complete sampling within two days. It has adopted two methods of moon sampling, which include using a drill to collect subsurface samples and grabbing samples on the surface with a robotic arm.

Ye Peijian, academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences has said, “It’s the first time in human history to retrieve lunar samples from the far side of the moon. If Chinese scientists succeed in obtaining lunar regolith samples from the far side, it represents a significant advancement for us.”

In addition, three international payloads installed on the lander – the lunar surface negative ion analyzer of the European Space Agency (ESA), France’s lunar radon detector and Italy’s laser retro-reflector, will boot up and start operation.

News

60 arrested over online financial scam

Published

11 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested 60 suspects including 30 Indian nationals today (June 27) on charges of committing online financial fraud.

The police said, suspects were arrested from Thalangama, Madiwela and Negombo areas while a total of 135 mobile phones and 57 laptop computers have also been seized from their possession.

News

10 Indian fishermen face charges over death of Navy personnel

Published

22 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) states that 10 Indian fishermen are facing prosecution over several charges, including the death of a naval personnel during duty.

A SLN personnel from the Navy Special Boat Squadron had sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler during a special operation off Kankesanthurai on June 25. He had succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The postmortem examination had determined that the sailor’s death was an accident, resulting from spinal cord damage.

The SLN states that the seized Indian trawler together with 10 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they were handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for onward legal proceedings.

The Kankesanthurai Police has filed a ‘B’ report with the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking prosecution of ten Indian fishermen. They face charges for; illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, death of a naval Person during the operation and for causing damage to naval property, the SLN adds.

The deceased sailor’s funeral ceremony was held yesterday (June 26) in Ibbagamuwa with full honours of the Navy. The Navy Commander had also posthumously promoted the deceased senior sailor, as a Fleet Chief Petty Officer.

The Navy also said that all necessary arrangements have been made for his family to receive the appropriate compensations and allowances.

News

Police to obtain statement from Lollia Skin Care owner

Published

22 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

The owner of the company which distributed the beauty products marketed by Model Piyumi Hansamali has been called by the police today to record a statement.

Police said the courts had ordered an interrogation. The matter had been referred to courts after the suspects refused to cooperate with the investigation.

It was assured that the investigations on Piyumi Hansamali will be continued.

Earlier, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had initiated a thorough investigation regarding a beauty products manufacturing company named Lollia Skin Care (Pvt) Ltd, which is said to be the main source of income of model Piyumi Hansamali, who is under investigation for her assets.

Piyumi’s income generated from Lollia Skin Care – CID