Demolished Soul Beach hotel, owned by drug smuggler!

Published

9 months ago

January 2, 2024

editor

The Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resource Management yesterday (01) took measures to remove illegal structures of the hotel ‘Soul Beach,’ located in Dehiwala.

The removal took place amid police security and two employees including a person said to be a director of the hotel, have been arrested.

The hotel is said to belong to Shiran Basik, a major drug smuggler currently operating from abroad.

After the ‘Yukthiya’ operation revealed that large amounts of money from drug smuggling had been invested in businesses, police have been investigating hotels along the Dehiwala coastline.

Accordingly, police officers including DIG in charge of Colombo – Hasantha Marapana had made a site inspection on Dec. 20.

After observing that the said site had involved illegal constructions, SSP Mangala Dehideniya who is in charge of the Mt. Lavinia division has been ordered to remove them.

Chilandewa

Meanwhile, a musical event too, was scheduled to be held at the venue on Dec. 23.

Titled as ‘Chilandewa’, the event was to feature the band 2Forty2 as well as artistes Bathiya and Santhush (BNS), IRAJ, Billy Fernando, Hana Shafa and Shan Putha.

School girl falls to death from Lotus Tower

Published

3 hours ago

October 7, 2024

editor

A female student from a leading international school had fallen to her death from the observation deck of the Lotus Tower today (Oct. 07), police said.

A police investigation is underway.

Scholarship exam leak : NIE Director & school teacher further remanded

Published

6 hours ago

October 7, 2024

editor

The Director of the Planning Division of the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Maharagama and the school teacher, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the leaking of questions on the Grade 5 scholarship examination, have been ordered to be remanded until October 22.

This order was issued after the suspects were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court.

News

ADB delegation pledges further support for SL economic development

Published

6 hours ago

October 7, 2024

editor

The Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Resident Mission in Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, along with a delegation, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (Oct. 07) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions focused on ADB’s ongoing commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic and social development.

During the meeting, the ADB reaffirmed its dedication to continuing its projects in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on bolstering key sectors crucial to the nation’s recovery. Tourism was identified as a critical sector that holds immense potential for Sri Lanka’s economic growth.

In this regard, the ADB assured further assistance in developing tourism infrastructure to harness the sector’s full potential.

President Dissanayake highlighted the importance of promoting tourism in the Northern Region, requesting ADB’s specific support to develop this area.

The ADB delegation expressed its willingness to collaborate and provide resources for this initiative.
Beyond tourism, the ADB also expressed keen interest in aiding the development of Sri Lanka’s energy sector, small-scale entrepreneurs, and financial sector, emphasizing their role in fostering sustainable economic growth.

This continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s long-term development and recovery efforts.

Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Country Director ADB, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova, Country Operations Head ADB, Ms. Hasitha Wickremasinghe, Senior Economics Officer, Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, Mr. D.A.P. Abesekara, Director General Finance Ministry and Ms. Udeni Udugahapattuwa, Director Finance Ministry, were present at this event.

(President’s Media Division)