News

Red Notice against Manna Ramesh

Published

7 months ago

October 20, 2023

editor

The Police Department has arranged to obtain a Red Notice through the Interpol to arrest underworld figure ‘Manna Ramesh’, who is said to be hiding in Dubai, UAE.

It was reported that the police have obtained all the information and evidence related to Manna Ramesh’s crimes including murders, extortions, drug trafficking and other crimes.

The police are in the process of sending evidence to the Interpol through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

It was said that Manna Ramesh is engaging in serious crimes by threatening high-ranking police officers in Avissawella.

It has now been revealed that the two youths who were travelling in a three-wheeler in Talduwa, Avissawella were shot at on the orders of Manna Ramesh.

Meanwhile, the police have received information that Manna Ramesh has been successfully extorting millions of rupees by threatening gem businessmen in many areas including Avissawella and Ratnapura.

After Talduwe Mahesh, the main accomplice of Manna Ramesh, died in police firing, he had threatened all the police officers involved in the operation and called the mobile phone of the Chief Inspector of Avissawella and threatened to kill him and his son.

Final rites of Talduwe Mahesh were held on Wednesday (18).

It was reported that the people of Talduwa, Avissawella and many other areas had celebrated the death of Mahesh.

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

7 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

12 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

14 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.