News

Police tractor taken into custody while reclaiming land

Published

2 months 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

Excise officials kidnap beedi businessman & forcefully take Rs.1mn

Published

45 mins ago

September 22, 2023

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The Walasmulla Police have launched an investigation into an incident where a Beedi businessman was kidnapped and assaulted before forcefully taking Rs.1 million from him.

The business license of the businessman residing in Maraketiya, Rajapuragoda in Walasmulla expired on June 26. A team of excise officials including the OIC of the Tangalle Excise Unit had arrived at his house on September 18 and seized the Beedi leaves.

Excise officials had demanded Rs.1.4 million from the businessman not to take legal action in this regard.

They had taken the businessman away in a three-wheeler, beaten him up, and then had taken an amount of Rs.1 million by force.

News

Test kits ordered to detect ‘Nipah’ virus

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2023

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Steps have been taken to import special test kits needed for the detection of ‘Nipah’ virus, the Health Ministry said.

Special test kits recommended by the World Health Organization have been ordered to detect the virus and they are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in a few days.

Commenting further, Virologist Dr. Janaki Abeynayake said that no specific treatment or vaccine has been developed globally for patients infected with Nipah virus.

However, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said that there is no high risk of the virus spreading among countries since the virus spreading pace is slower.

The Ministry requested the public not panic over the virus that has been reported in several countries including India.

News

Keheliya & ministry officials undertake 50 foreign tours

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2023

editor

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the officials of his Ministry had undertaken 50 foreign tours in one year, a report prepared by the International Health Division of the Ministry revealed.

These reports have been compiled by Deputy Director General (Planning) of the Health Ministry Dr. S. Sri Dharan.

It was prepared following a Right to Information (RTI) request made by an organisation called ‘Citizens Power Against Bribery and Corruption.’

Accordingly, Health Minister Rambukwella has made five foreign trips, Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta has made two foreign trips and Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardena has made four foreign trips.

These foreign trips have taken place as per the invitations made by representative organizations including the World Health Organization, and those organizations have provided expenses for air tickets, food and accommodation facilities.

Furthermore, the International Health Division of the Ministry of Health has approved foreign duty leave for these doctors and has also given them a casual allowance.

Interestingly, the deputy director general who prepared the report has engaged in the highest number of foreign trips.

Source – Aruna