News

India arrests IS member connected with Zahran Hashim

Published

11 months ago

December 29, 2022

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India arrested a member of Islamic State (IS) who was in touch with Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of 2019 Easter Day bombings in Sri Lanka, Hindustan Times said.

The IS member was arrested for his alleged links with suspects in the October 23 blast in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore.

The federal agency also arrested another man, identified as Sanofar Ali, for allegedly taking part in plans to carry out terror attacks in the country.

NIA officers familiar with the developments said IS member Sheikh Hidayatullah was allegedly in touch with Maulvi Zahran bin Hashim, the mastermind of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019 that claimed over 250 lives.

Both Hidayatullah and Sanofar Ali were arrested from Tamil Nadu, an NIA officer said.

According to NIA officers cited above, Hidayatullah, who has been propagating IS ideology since 2017, was earlier arrested along with Azharuddin in June 2019. He was released on bail in 2020. Azharuddin from Ukkadam and leader of Kerala-Tamil Nadu IS module is currently in jail for the Sri Lanka bombings.

All the above accused were inspired by Hashim, who masterminded and executed the Sri Lanka bombings — in which 252 people were killed — and planned to carry out similar attacks in two south Indian states at that time.

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Sri Lankan ground staff awarded promised cash reward – SLC

Published

5 hours ago

December 6, 2023

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Sri Lanka Cricket states that they have commenced the distribution of the US$50,000 award (LKR 16 million) money promised during the Asia Cup to the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, and PICS, Kandy.

Accordingly, 138 members of the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, who worked during the Asia Cup 2023 (permanent and contract employees) were rewarded for their effort, while 115 members of the ground staff of the PICS, Kandy, will receive their reward this Friday.

A media statement by the SLC further notes :

The staff of both venues did a yeomen service during the tournament to ensure the practice facilities, outfield, pitches, covering and uncovering of the ground, and related services were in place and in time to conduct the tournament successfully, despite the bad weather conditions that prevailed during that time.

Curators, turf supervisors, ground staff, and technical staff are among the recipients of the reward payment.

The rewards were granted to the RPICS ground staff by the National Curator, Mr. Godfrey Dabrera, this morning.

The rewards were awarded jointly by the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket, with each institution contributing US$25,000.

News

Man killed after hospital wall collapses

Published

5 hours ago

December 6, 2023

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A father of one lost his life after he was crushed under a wall that collapsed at the Henwala Divisional Hospital in Kadugannawa.

The wall had collapsed when workers were preparing the foundation to construct a new wall, says Mr. Indika Ranaweera, Assistant Director of the Kandy District Disaster Management Centre.

The man who was crushed to death has been identified as a 32-year-old named Ranjith Abeyratne who is a father of one.
The remains were moved to the Henawala Hospital in Kadugannawa, and the Kadugannawa Police are investigating the incident.

News

Earthslip blocks upcountry railway tracks again

Published

6 hours ago

December 6, 2023

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Train operations on the upcountry line have been disrupted due to an earthslip which occurred around 4.00pm today (Dec. 06) between Ohiya and Idalgashinna railway stations, amidst the heavy rains in the area.

Sri Lanka Railways said that trains plying to Badulla will be terminated at Ohiya railway stations until the tracks are cleared.