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Foreign gang wanted over large-scale ATM theft!

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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 They had arrived in a car and withdrawn Rs.4,680,000 from the ATM machine.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

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Heavy rainfall over 100mm expected today

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The Department of Meteorology says that the showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island during the afternoon or night today (April 30).

Showers may occur in Southern and Western provinces and Puttalam district in the morning too.

Heavy showers of about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Centraland Uva provinces during the morning.

The Intertropical Convergence Zone, where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge, is affecting the island’s weather.

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Travel ban for ex- NLB Director

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court issued a travel ban on Thusitha Halloluwa, who had previously served as a Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB).

Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura issued the ban following a request from the Colombo Fort Police made over an ongoing investigation into allegations of misappropriation involving NLB assets.

Halloluwa, who served from 2017 – 2019, is accused of the fraudulent use of an iPhone, iPad, charger, and an Apple MacBook computer valued at 478,307.03 rupees.

The investigation was initiated based on a complaint filed by the Assistant General Manager of the National Lotteries Board on October 21, 2024. 

Colombo Fort Police presented these details to the court, leading to the issuance of the travel ban.

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New endemic snake species discovered

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A new species of snake, endemic to Sri Lanka, has been discovered in the biologically rich Maragala mountain range near Monaragala. 

The species belongs to the genus Dendrelaphis, which is part of the colubridae family. With this discovery, the number of Dendrelaphis species found in Sri Lanka rises to eight—six of which are endemic.
The newly identified snake, named Dendrelaphis thasuni (locally referred to as Thasunge Haldanda), honors Dr. Thasun Amarasinghe, a leading expert in reptile and amphibian research, for his two decades of contribution to the field.

These snakes are diurnal by classification but have adapted to a completely nocturnal lifestyle. Their coloration closely matches the foliage of their habitat, and they are known for their remarkable speed and agility.

The discovery was made by a team of Sri Lankan and international researchers, including Anusha Attanagoda, Dr. Anselm de Silva, Dr. Gernot Vogel (Germany), Sitar Udayanga, Champika Bandara, Majintha Madawala, Dr. L. Lee Grismer (USA), and Suranjan Karunaratne.

The Maragala mountain range is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, home to an impressive range of endemic flora and fauna. Of the 67 reptile species identified in the area, 30 are endemic, as are five of the 18 recorded amphibian species. Eighteen species of reptiles and amphibians in the region are currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Researchers believe the region harbors many more undiscovered species, underscoring its ecological importance and the need for continued conservation efforts.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

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