The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore an injured fisherman and transfer him to the General Hospital, Trincomalee, for urgent medical attention today (06 Feb 25). Reportedly, the fisherman with hand injuries was aboard a multiday fishing trawler on the high seas off the east coast of Trincomalee and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the injured fisherman with the assistance of a Bulk Carrier.
The developments prompted the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to alert the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters, seeking immediate assistance. Accordingly, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo directed the Bulk Carrier MV SSI Surprise to assist the injured fisherman at sea and bring him ashore. Responding swiftly, the vessel retrieved the fisherman, provided first aid and proceeded towards the Offshore Patrol Limits of Trincomalee.
Meanwhile, a Fast Attack Craft of the Navy was deployed this morning (06 Feb) to transfer the patient from the Bulk Carrier to shore. Upon arrival at Trincomalee Harbour, the fisherman was rushed to the General Hospital, Trincomalee, for urgent treatment.
Ampara District Organizer of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal party and former member of the Eastern Provincial Council K. Pushpakumar alias Iniya Bharathi has been arrested.
He was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University Prof. Subramaniyam Ravindranath.
Sivanathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and former State Minister, was arrested by the Colombo Criminal Investigation Department at his office in Batticaloa on April 8, over this incident.
He was later detained for 3 months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Iniya Bharathi, also known as Kumaraswamy Pushpakumar, was arrested based on information revealed during the interrogation of Pillayan.
The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said the electronic Revenue Licence system (eRL 2.0) is currently unavailable due to a critical technical infrastructure issue.
According to the ICTA, the disruption began on July 3, 2025, and has made vehicle revenue licence issuing services inaccessible.
The unavailability is expected to continue until July 9, 2025.
The ICTA expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the public and assured that technical teams are working urgently to resolve the issue.
The agency also said that further updates will be shared as work progresses, with an official notice to be issued once services are restored.