News

Foreign gang wanted over large-scale ATM theft!

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2023

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation on the orders of the IGP to arrest a group of foreigners who hacked into three ATM machines of a state bank and stole over Rs.10 million.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Galle, Hikkaduwa and Baddegama Police revealed that the suspects have entered into the ATM booths and attached an electronic device to the ATM. They have taken all the money inside the machine by hacking into the machine’s software system.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that these foreigners had entered into three ATM booths of a State Bank located in Hikkaduwa, Karapitiya and Baddegama in the early hours of last 30th.

On the 26th, this group of foreigners had attempted to steal money by breaking into an ATM machine of another state bank in Narahenpita.

They have worn face masks and caps so that their faces could not be recognized.

Once the money was stolen from the ATM, the machine had still indicated that there’s money inside the machine. The bank officials were able to detect the theft when investigating this fact since money had disappeared without any customer withdrawing cash.

These foreigners had entered the bank in Hikkaduwa at around 1.40 am on the 30th. They had arrived in a car and withdrawn Rs.4,680,000 from the ATM machine.

Afterwards, they have gone to the ATM in Karapitiya at around 3.22 in the morning. They have only been able to withdraw Rs.275,000 since the security officer on duty at the bank had been present.

The third robbery had taken place at the Baddegama ATM where they stole Rs.5,700,000.

They have commited the crime by affixing a sticker to cover the security camera installed inside the ATM booth.

Investigation carried out into the number plate of the car in which the foreigners were travelling in, revealed that the car belongs to a person from Gampaha.

However, further inspections revealed that the suspects have used a vehicle with a fake number plate.

A senior police officer said that these foreigners have come from Ambalangoda and it appears that they have used the expressway.

He said that an investigation is being conducted into this as well.

Source: Dinamina

News

President pays final respects to late Dr. Ariyaratne & Palitha Thewarapperuma (Pics)

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (April 19) paid his final respects to the late social activist and founder of the Sarvodaya movement, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne as well as to former UNP Member of Parliament and former Deputy Minister, Palitha Thevarapperuma.Visiting the Moratuwa Sarvodaya Headquarters where Mr. Ariyaratne was laid to rest, the President offered his final respects and left a condolence note. He also shared condolences with the grieving family members.

The President also paid his last respects and extended condolences to the grieving family and local community at the residence Palitha Thewarapperuma, in Yatadolawatte, Matugama.

UNP Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena and several others attended the event.

(Pics : PMD)

News

Flu & diarrhea cases among children on the rise

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

Health Authorities have warned of a rise of diarrhea and flu cases among children after the New Year period.
Consultant paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera advised parents to immediately seek medical attention if their children have been suffering from fever continuously for 3-4 days.

News

Fortified rice distribution initiative commences

Published

10 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

The distribution of fortified rice, provided by the World Food Program (WFP) on behalf of the program initiated under the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to provide a nutritious meal for school students, commenced today, (19) at the Veyangoda warehouse complex.

In an effort to reduce iron deficiency among school children, fortified rice is provided for school meals. This distribution will be conducted under the supervision of Mr. M.H.A.M. Riflan, Director General for the Partnership Secretariat for World Food Programme Co-operation (PSWFPC), which operates under the purview of the Presidential Secretariat.

As planned, the distribution of 735 metric tons of rice to provincial-level schools commenced today as part of the first phase and will continue tomorrow (20). This rice stock is being delivered to schools under the supervision of officials from the respective Provincial Departments of Education and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs).

Meanwhile, Director General for the PSWFPC, Mr. M.H.A.M. Riflan stated that 378.835 metric tons of dhal, 412.08 metric tons of sunflower cooking oil, and 300 metric tons of dates will be distributed to schools following the start of the new school term on May 19.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education has implemented measures to provide a main meal at school for all students in grades 1-5 across the country. Following nutritionists’ recommendations, students receive breakfast between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. daily before engaging in educational activities.

Under the theme of ‘Healthy Active Generation,’ the 2024 school meal program aims to reduce nutritional problems among students, increase daily school attendance, foster good eating and health habits, contribute to the improvement of educational achievement levels, and fulfil the fundamental objectives of promoting local food culture.The school feeding program for this year extends its benefits to 1.6 million students, including primary students from 9,134 government schools, as well as smaller schools with fewer than 100 students. A budget of Rs. 16.6 billion has been allocated to the nine provincial councils by the government, supplemented by sponsorship from entities such as the World Food Program (WFP) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

(President’s Media Division)