News

Police tractor taken into custody while reclaiming land

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2023

editor

Two suspects were arrested along with an unregistered tractor allegedly belonging to a police officer attached to Dehiwala Police while illegally reclaiming a swamp at the Manthrimulla area within the Bellanwila – Attidiya Bird Sanctuary.

The suspects, who are residents of Dehiwala and Badowita in Mount Lavinia, were arrested by the Attidiya Wildlife officials.

The suspects have revealed that this tractor belonged to a police officer of the Dehiwala Police and that they were deployed in this illegal activity by providing them with diesel on a daily basis.

The wildlife officials said that even though the tractor was driven on the roads in Dehiwala and Mt.Lavinia without a number plate and other documents, the police officers do not inspect it since they recognize the vehicle.

On a previous occasion, the wildlife officials have also complained to the Boralesgamuwa Police that when they attempted to arrest the tractor while it was reclaiming a plot of land in front of the Bellanwila Temple, the driver had sped up and fled the location by damaging the cab in which the wildlife officials arrived at the location.

The arrested suspects and the vehicle were produced to the court as they have violated the Article 7 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.

The tractor was ordered to be kept in the custody of the court until the investigations are completed and two suspects were ordered to be kept in remand since no one had come forward to bail them out despite being given bail on two personal sureties of Rs.100,000 each.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.