News

India to export 32 locomotives to SL

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

editor

Of the 32 locomotives listed for export to Sri Lanka, 22 will be sent for regular use as a friendly gesture.

Among the 32 selected, 11 are from the Central Railway (CR) and six from the Western Railway (WR) and five are from Mumbai.

Of the 11 on the CR list, four are from Mumbai’s Kurla Diesel Loco Shed, and one is from the Kalyan Diesel Loco Shed.

“These WDM3A Alco-class locomotives have been workhorses, powering top-tier trains across Indian Railways, especially on the Konkan Railway before electrification.

Developed in 2003 by the Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi, and manufactured until 2016, these diesel-electric locomotives feature 3300-horsepower engines,” said an official.

“The Sri Lankan Government requested a supply of 22 diesel locos. They will be sent in excellent working condition. The Ministry of External Affairs, through the Railway Board’s Infrastructure Directorate, has approved the dispatch of 22 working WDM3D Alco Diesel Locomotives to the Sri Lanka Railways,” the official added. Earlier, a few WDM3D units had also been exported or gifted to Sri Lanka.

These diesel locomotives are known for their distinctive chugging sound and powerful rumble.

(Mid-Day)

News

Senior official from Justice Ministry gives statement to CID

Published

22 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

A senior official from the Ministry of Justice has given a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the alleged unlawful release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison under a presidential pardon granted for Vesak Poya.

Meanwhile, CID teams have been deployed to all 28 prisons across the island to investigate possible misuse of presidential pardons in the recent past.

Investigations are currently underway, and both the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent and the Commissioner General of Prisons remain in remand over the incident.

News

Committee probing Deshabandu to convene daily from today

Published

23 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

The high-level Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon will commence daily hearings starting today (June 16) until the conclusion of the inquiry.

Accordingly, IGP Tennakoon appeared before the committee at 9.30 a.m. today continuing a process that began with his initial appearance in May.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice P. P. Surasena, includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

The committee has previously convened on several occasions and recorded statements from IGP Tennakoon and several others.

On June 11, the committee of inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, cross-examined the witnesses.

News

Landslide warnings issued for 07 districts

Published

3 hours ago

June 16, 2025

editor

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

A Level-2 warning has been issued for the Ayagama and Ratnapura areas in the Ratnapura District.

Level-1 warnings have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions:

Colombo District: Padukka
Galle District: Elpitiya
Kalutara District: Walallawita, Agalawatte, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, and Mathugama
Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale
Kegalle District: Yatiyanthota, Deraniyagala, Dehiowita
Nuwara Eliya District: Ambagamuwa
Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Eheliyagoda, Nivitigala, Kuruwita, Elapatha, and Kalawana