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Harak Kata & Kudu Salindu brought back to Sri Lanka

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Nadun Chinthaka alias ‘Harak Kata’ and Salindu Lakshitha alias ‘Kudu Salindu,’ two main drug traffickers and organized criminals, who were recently arrested in Madagascar, were brought to Sri Lanka early today (14), airport sources said.

A team including an Assistant Superintendent of Police of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and an Assistant Superintendent of Police of the Special Task Force had gone to Madagascar on the 11th to bring these two to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the authorities have decided to detain the two criminals in the custody of the CID under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

It was reported that the IGP held a special discussion with Prasad Ranasinghe, Deputy Inspector General of Police, CID and Kavinda Piyasekera, Director of the CID yesterday evening (13) in this regard.

Sources revealed that special attention has been paid to ensure that these two underworld criminals are not handed over to any investigative team other than the CID.  

However, any investigative team will have the opportunity to interrogate these two criminals with prior permission from the CID in relation to their investigations.

Police information revealed that the opportunity to question these criminals will be carried out under the supervision of the officers of the CID.

Special security..

The police have also paid special attention to the security of Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu due to information received from the intelligence division that Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu have had very close relations with several corrupt officers of the police.

Based on information revealed through investigations into the two suspects, the police authorities will investigate these officers as well.

Six underworld criminals, including Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu, who went to Madagascar in a private jet on February 12, posing as wealthy men, were arrested by the Madagascar Security Forces on March 1. 

Apart from these underworld criminals, there had been a foreign woman who posed as Harak Kata’s wife and a man who claimed to be her father.

This group was taken into custody by that country’s Security Forces and Sri Lanka was notified later. Madagascar’s Security Forces had expressed their agreement to hand over Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu against whom Red Notices had been issued by Interpol, to Sri Lanka according to international law.

Four officers of the CID and the STF left for Madagascar on Saturday, March 11 and had taken Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu into their custody yesterday (13).

Two Madagascar police officers also join..

According to police sources, two police officers from Madagascar were also involved in the operation to bring the suspects back to Sri Lanka.

The suspects had been brought from Madagascar to an airport in the Middle Eastern region in a plane belonging to an airline company of an African region.

The group had to stay at an airport in the Middle East region for several hours.

Sources revealed that during that time, Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu had been kept in a security cell at the airport.

The same sources also mentioned that during the arrival, Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu were afraid as they had not thought that they would be taken back to Sri Lanka.

The information further stated that they had even appealed to the officials not to endanger their lives. It is also said that the mobile phones which were found in the possession of the criminals by the Madagascar security forces have also been handed over to the special police team who left the country with the two of them.

Commenting on these mobile phones, a high-ranking Police officer said that it will be possible to discover information not only about Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu’s drug network, but also information regarding police officers and many others who were in contact with them in this country, with evidence.

Source – Daily News

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Energy Ministry denies CEB Chairman’s resignation, Says he is on leave 

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The Media Division of the Ministry of Energy has dismissed media reports claiming the resignation of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, clarifying that he has only taken leave for personal overseas travel.  

A senior ministry official stated that Dr. Siyambalapitiya had formally informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake about his temporary leave and denied any resignation.  

“There is no truth in the media reports suggesting the resignation of the CEB Chairman,” the official emphasized.  

Dr. Siyambalapitiya was appointed as CEB Chairman on September 26, 2023, following the formation of the NPP-led government. The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions on electricity tariff revisions and financial reforms in the power sector.  

The CEB has recently been under scrutiny over proposed tariff hikes and compliance with IMF-mandated cost-reflective pricing, with speculation rising over leadership changes. 

The ministry’s statement seeks to quell rumors and ensure stability in the institution’s administration.

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Semini released on bail  

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Popular actress Semini Iddamalgoda, arrested for failing to appear in court over unpaid Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contributions linked to her private security company, was granted bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe.  

The Welikada Police had taken her into custody after multiple arrest warrants were issued against her. Court records revealed four warrants from the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, two from Matara, and one from Tangalle over alleged non-payment of EPF and other employee dues.  

Her defense counsel argued that Iddamalgoda, a well-known public figure, had no intention of evading court proceedings. They also stated that some of the pending payments had since been settled, leading the Labour Department to withdraw certain cases.  

Magistrate Ilangasinghe granted bail on a surety of Rs. 100,000 and ordered the recall of all outstanding warrants. The court directed the submission of relevant documents by May 28 and requested a progress report on the Colombo cases by May 19.  

The case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny over employers’ compliance with mandatory EPF contributions, even involving high-profile individuals. Further hearings will determine the resolution of the remaining charges.

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CEB proposes 25-35% electricity tariff hike amid IMF pressure 

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The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is considering a 25 to 35 percent electricity tariff increase, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urging Sri Lanka to implement revised rates.  

CEB sources confirmed that the proposed hikes align with a pricing formula agreed upon by the CEB and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). 

The new rates will require PUCSL approval before implementation.  

Amid ongoing discussions, CEB Chairman Tilak Siyambalapitiya has resigned, reportedly due to political and regulatory interference in setting cost-reflective tariffs. Earlier this year, the PUCSL approved a 20 percent tariff reduction against the CEB’s advice, leading to renewed financial losses.  

A senior CEB official revealed that after January’s reduction, losses began rising again. 

In 2023 and 2024, tariff hikes had helped the CEB post profits of Rs. 61 billion and Rs. 141 billion, respectively, reducing accumulated losses from Rs. 473 billion to Rs. 271 billion. However, losses have climbed since February.  

The IMF had set two key conditions: cost-reflective pricing and an automatic 10 percent hike if monthly cash flow falls below Rs. 15 billion. 

The official noted that without January’s reduction, a 5 percent increase would have been needed in Q2.  

The IMF has warned Sri Lanka twice in recent weeks for breaching cost-recovery benchmarks, raising fiscal risks. 

A scheduled April tariff revision was skipped, with authorities offering unclear explanations.  

The proposed hike aims to stabilize CEB’s finances while meeting IMF demands for sustainable energy pricing.

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