News

Harak Kata & Kudu Salindu’s return: Suspicious van near BIA?

Published

1 year ago

March 16, 2023

editor

A tense situation was reported among the security forces personnel yesterday (15) due to a suspicious van parked near the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake at the time when the two criminals Nandun Chintaka alias Harak Kata and Salindu Malshika alias Kudu Salindu were brought back.

However, after a special investigation, it has been revealed that the van was carrying a group of intelligence agencies that had arrived to join in the same operation.

It was reported that special security measures were implemented until the two suspects were brought to Colombo from BIA.

More flight delays…

Two ASPs and two CIs of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Special Task Force (STF) were responsible for bringing these underworld leaders to Sri Lanka.

Flight UL 142, which was scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka from Mumbai Airport at 3.30 am yesterday, was delayed for almost two hours due to the sudden death of a passenger on board.

It is said that these two criminals were already detained in the aircraft under the protection of the four officers.

To assist these officers, two Madagascar police officers were also present during the entire flight.

After the delay, the flight left at 5.30 in the morning.

The officers who were in charge of bringing the two underworld leaders to Sri Lanka had started the first flight from Madagascar to Sri Lanka on March 11 at around 8.00 pm local time.

The destination of the first flight was Nairobi, Kenya.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani drug traffickers had launched an operation to rescue Harak Kata and others by spending millions of dollars on the local authorities in Madagascar.

After arriving at Nairobi Airport, they had to stay at the airport for 10 hours to board the next flight to Mumbai, India.

However, at the last moment, the officials were forced to wait for another eight hours for the next flight as the two suspects were refused entry to the flight.

During that time, the provision of food and drinks to the suspects and all other needs were performed under the supervision of the security personnel.

Although the plane tickets were booked to leave Mumbai in the morning of March 14, the officials accompanying the suspects had missed the flight due to the delay experienced at the Nairobi airport.

India deploys Special Intelligence Unit…

Accordingly, the Indian Government has provided assistance at diplomatic level to detain the two underworld leaders at the Mumbai Airport for more than 24 hours.

The officials of the Sri Lanka High Commission in India also provided assistance while a Special intelligence Unit was deployed for the security of the airport.

After being taken from the Airport to the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer for examination, Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu were brought to the CID Headquarters for further investigations.

President signs detention orders

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has signed the recommendation given by the Defence Ministry at 4.00 pm yesterday (15) to detain and interrogate the two suspects under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for 90 days.

Meanwhile, it was reported that a team of eight lawyers, including four president’s counsels, would represent Harak Kata and Kudu Salindu.

News

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

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2024

editor

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

6 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

6 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)